Belleayre Resort Developer Under Pressure to Scale-Down Project Proposal

August 2006

In late August 2006, the developer of the proposed Belleayre Resort at Catskill Park, Crossroads Ventures, met with federal, state and local agencies to discuss moving forward with the proposed large-scale resort project.  Faced with strong opposition from governmental agencies, environmental groups, including the NY-NJ Trail Conference and ADK, and concerned citizens, Crossroads Ventures is now proposing to scale down the project proposal. The developer has proposed scaling down the eastern portion of the Belleayre Resort: eliminating the 18-hole golf course, reducing the hotel from 150 to 120 rooms, and cutting 88 of the proposed 183 townhouse units. The eastern portion of the project has received the most criticism due to its location on the steeply sloped Belleayre Ridge in the heart of the Catskill High Peaks and the New York City watershed.

In early August 2006, State Comptroller Alan Hevesi and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 2 office publicly criticized the proposed Belleayre Resort Project. 

EPA’s criticism of the proposed project reinforced U.S. Congressman Maurice Hinchey’s proposal to downsize the project. Congressman Hinchey proposed that Crossroads Ventures pursue a scaled back alternative of the development that would protect the 1,200+ acres located on the eastern portion of the proposed resort which would be prominently located on the very steep Belleayre ridgeline.  The EPA stated that it “supports revisions to the Belleayre Resort project that would eliminate development in the eastern section of the site which lies within the Catskills water supply.”  The EPA fears runoff of stormwater that could potentially reach the Catskill water supply. 

Less than a week after the EPA released its comments, State Comptroller Alan Hevesi issued a report which raised several concerns about the resort project, including the potential environmental impacts of such a large resort located in the middle of the Catskill Forest Preserve. You can read the full report at:

http://www.osc.state.ny.us/reports/economic/belleayre.pdf

To Read ADK's Full Comments From 2004, Click on the Link below