What is a Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DGEIS)? Why is it important?
A Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DGEIS) is a preliminary study that is required under New York State law for construction and development projects that have the potential to meet or exceed certain thresholds of impact on the environment. The public comment period of the DGEIS represents one of the most important opportunities for the public to review the scope of the proposed project and contribute feedback.
The DGEIS for the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail is currently available on the Public Documents page of New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website and Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail website. Hardbound paper copies are also available for onsite reading at the following locations:
Philipstown Town Hall (238 Main Street, Cold Spring)
Beacon City Hall (1 Municipal Plaza, Beacon)
Fishkill Town Hall (807 Route 52, Fishkill)
Cold Spring Village Hall (85 Main Street, Cold Spring)
Nelsonville Village Hall (258 Main Street, Nelsonville)
Blodgett Library (37 Broad Street, Fishkill)
Howland Library (313 Main Street, Beacon)
Desmond Fish Library (472 Route 403, Garrison)
Butterfield Library (10 Morris Avenue, Cold Spring)
OPRHP Taconic Regional Office (9 Old Post Road, Staatsburg)
Office of HHFT, Inc. (85 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 300, Poughkeepsie)
Office of HHFT, Inc. (14 Coris Lane, Beacon)
Public comment for the DGEIS of the proposed Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail is currently live. Public comment opened on December 4, 2024 and is scheduled to end on March 4, 2025.
Important Dates
December 18, 2024 – Attend the DGEIS workshop hosted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cold Spring on Wednesday, December 18. The Trustees have convened the workshop to ask HHFT staff questions about the DGEIS. The Village will give seating preference to residents of Cold Spring. This is a great opportunity to get involved in the DGEIS process and have your voice heard at the Village level.
January 14, 2025 – Attend a virtual public hearing hosted by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation—the agency that will be reviewing the DGEIS application—on Tuesday, January 14. There are two hearings scheduled, respectively, for 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm.
Afternoon Session (2:00 pm):
Date and time: Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 2:00 PM Eastern Time
Register link: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/rbfeea7a65433599546e0c2bec2d4ce92
Join by phone: +1-415-527-5035 United States Toll
Access code: 2831 020 5910
Evening Session (6:00 pm):
Date and time: Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 6:00 PM Eastern Time
Register link: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/r5d3bf55361c95affccf766b51b2412ce
Join by phone: +1-415-527-5035 United States Toll
Access code: 2828 052 7848
February 2, 2025 – Submit a written comment on or before Sunday, February 2. Comments received during the comment period can be reviewed and mitigated by the applicant during the review itself. Therefore, submit your comment as close to the deadline as you are reasonably able.
By email: hhft.plan@parks.ny.gov
By mail:
Nancy Stoner, Environmental Analyst
NYS OPRHP, DESP
625 Broadway, 2nd Floor
Albany, NY 12238
Phone: (518) 486-2699