nyri route

[mary]

Hi all,

The route for NYRI is not set in stone and how the powerlines will be
constructed has not been detailed to the public. The importance of
the public meetings coming up just might be to get some ideas about
the route proposed, from the upstate public.

I drove down to Long Island this weekend and took the Rt 17 to NYS
Thruway route. I did not do this to anticipate the NYRI powerlines,
but to avoid the construction and just plain nastiness of RT 81 and
380.

Yesterday, the mist was beautiful along the river, particularly along
the Delaware, near Hancock. This is where the east and west branch of
the river meet. You may see many fisherman along the river in hip
boots. Hancock is known to be a haven for good fishing. The town is
seeing a resurgence due to the popularity of fishing and the general
beauty of the river area.

Today was another beautiful day and I was not in a great rush coming
home. I tried to observe more than I normally would while driving a
car on the highway. I took a couple of exits off the highway near
Roscoe and drove up to Cooks Falls. This was along the Beaverkill. I
had to get back on the highway, as the old route is no longer
continuous. I decided I would try to drive some of the older roads,
if possible.

Back on Rt 17, before Hancock, saw what looked like a razor cut in
the woods on my left -- I assume this is the big scar left from the
Columbia Pipeline. I did not realize this cut across the river
(apparently underground) and then heads over the mountain to PA.

When I got to Hancock, I could not find the old Rt 17 at all (it is
the dead end the other direction from MacDonald's?). I am not sure
where the road should have been. I spied the RR tracks. Somewhere
around here, I thought, is where the power lines from NYRI will be.
They are supposed to follow the railroad tracks. Will the be going
right along RT 17? I think so as the road follows the Delaware
closely between Deposit and Hancock. Didn't I hear the NYRI
promotional talk that said they would follow the railroad track along
the river (next to Rt 17) and then cross over the Delaware into PA
around Hancock? I do not think this part of their planned route has
changed.

If NYRI power lines are built according to their plans, we will have
mammoth power lines around the most scenic vistas coming into the
Southern Tier from lower NY.

I want to remind everyone, that NYRI has no intention of burying any
powerlines in Broome County or Delaware County. The only powerlines
they plan on burying is in Pennsylvania and only in the federally
protected park land.

So, next time you go visit any friends or family in lower NY, try to
take RT 17 (future Interstate 86) and try to picture 150-200 feet
power lines along the roadway between you and all the trout fisherman
you see on the Delaware River.


At one time, I was most upset that the powerlines would be in my
backyard. Although this would have been tragic for myself and my
neighbors, it would not have the impact to the traveling public as
viewing powerlines along Rt 17. And of course, there are plenty of
people that live in Deposit and Hancock that would be equally as
unhappy as I would have been. (And since the route is not set, I am
not so sure I should take down my guard )


Broome County and it's residents need to work to have the powerlines
buried -- at least near the Rt 17 corridor and anywhere along the
scenic river. It is imperative that the line be buried. We must work
with Delaware County to do this.


I do not want to tell my children, that I let the river corridor
vistas be destroyed by the powerlines.

For those of you that think the economy is much more important than
views, I am sorry. I think our quality of life is important and we
have all given up much of the money we could have made elsewhere in
order to remain in this area. And the Delaware River Valley is one of
the reasons I fell in love in this area when I arrived from downstate.

For those people that never travel this route -- you will not miss
what you have not seen. Go see it now.