Members of the Cragsmoor Association met recently to review the issues raised at a November public hearing on a retreat center proposed by Dharmakaya.

Association president Jim McKenney said more than 60 people attended a November hearing before the Town of Wawarsing Planning Board, expressing concerns about the possible negative impact of a complex of that size in the hamlet of Cragsmoor.

McKenney said experts hired by the association have reviewed the Draft Environment Impact Statement (DEIS), and submitted written comments by the December 26 deadline for public comment.

Water resources are the most critical issue. Two hydrologists looked at test results and concluded that water use at the anticipated volumes would over time continue to draw down the aquifer without sufficient recharge.

Traffic engineers said the traffic study hadn't projected anticipated growth in the area properly. And an engineer firm said the proposed septic system seemed inadequate.

McKenney said since the water table is in some places only a foot below the surface, an above ground septic system would be needed, which would require more than 2,000 truckloads of soil to be added to the site. Typically, that process could cause the water table to rise, and even more soil would be needed.

The proposal calls for about 35 acres of trees to be removed from the site, causing the complex to be visible from Route 52, Bear Hill Preserve, and Sam's Point Preserve, drastically altering the rural character of Cragsmoor.

Ecologists and naturalists testified that the DEIS had not accounted for many of the flora and fauna known to be in the area, but had identified one plant found only in Australia.

McKenney said the association is now focused on fund-raising activities to pay for the nearly $20,000 in expenses incurred in obtaining expert counsel.

The association plans a February informational meeting to keep the community informed of the progress of the project. The DEIS and comments are available for public review at the Cragsmoor Free Library.

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