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Town board adopts scoping document for proposed IWS solid-waste expansion after public scoping session
Summary
The Goshen Town Board closed the public scoping period and voted to adopt a revised scoping document for IWS's proposed solid-waste facility expansion. Public commenters urged further checks on stormwater permits and DEC responses; the board directed follow-up with NYSDOT on Hatfield Lane access.
The Town of Goshen Town Board voted May 8 to close the public scoping session and adopt a revised scoping document for the proposed IWS solid-waste facility expansion at the Hatfield Lane site.
The scoping document adopted on May 8 sets the range of issues the applicant must address in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Town staff and the applicant said the DEIS will examine operational improvements, public safety measures and traffic/access details for the facility that would accept municipal solid waste and construction and demolition debris.
The town attorney and planning staff described the scoping step as the formal start of the SEQRA/EIS process: once the scoping document is accepted, the applicant prepares a DEIS that the lead agencies will review for completeness before wider public comment and further agency decisions. The board accepted the document with the modifications proposed by staff and directed the applicant to respond to the scope when preparing the DEIS.
Speakers at the scoping session raised several issues they asked the town to ensure are included in the DEIS and in permit review. - Stormwater and related permits: members of the public provided a copy of an EPA consent order and expressed concern that stormwater and other permits (sometimes referred to in the meeting as a "speedies" permit or stormwater permit) might have expired and that onsite runoff had impacted neighbor properties. Town staff confirmed stormwater management and stormwater prevention planning appear in an appendix to the scoping document and said compliance will be required for the completeness determination. - State agency comments: town staff reported they had not yet received final comments from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) even though the DEC had indicated it planned to submit comments; the board recorded that agency feedback is outstanding and must be considered as the DEIS proceeds. - NYSDOT access for Hatfield Lane: staff noted outstanding work with the New York State Department of Transportation on the facility entrance and asked the board to follow up. The town will forward available project information to NYSDOT so the agency can assess roadway impacts and any required improvements. - Local approvals and sequencing: board members and staff clarified that the planning board has already granted conditional special permit/site-plan approvals; the scoping and DEIS process is separate and required prior to final state approvals that may affect local permit issuance. The board emphasized it will not make a completion determination on the DEIS until the applicant has met the requirements set out in the adopted scoping document.
The board then closed the scoping session and voted to adopt the scoping document as modified. Town staff will track DEC and DOT comments and require the applicant to address stormwater and related technical documentation in the DEIS.
Proponents and opponents may submit additional written comments during the DEIS process; the planning board and other involved agencies will review those comments as part of subsequent completeness and substantive reviews.
