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Planning board presses developer for more data after Fishkill Commerce Center proposes HDD sewer under I‑84
Summary
Developers of the Fishkill Commerce Center described a plan to eliminate on‑site septic and directionally drill a force main under I‑84 to connect to Village sewer. Hydrogeologist Paul Rubin flagged a potentially high‑yield irrigation well and urged the board to consider long‑term aquifer protection; the board authorized staff to prepare a new SEQR Part 2 for July review.
Developers of the Fishkill Commerce Center told the Town of Fishkill Planning Board on June 11 that they intend to abandon an on‑site septic plan in favor of a horizontally directionally drilled (HDD) force main under Interstate 84 to tie into the Village of Fishkill sewer system.
Owen Harter, engineer for McFarland Johnson, described a force main originating at a proposed pump station near the warehouse and an HDD alignment under wetlands and the interstate. He said the alignment is "horizontally directionally drilled...so there's no surface disturbance at all" for much of the run and that the installation would be HDPE piping with possible sleeving under the interstate coordinated with NYSDOT.
Hydrogeologist Paul Rubin told the board the site includes a shallow, highly permeable aquifer that drains toward Clove Creek and, more importantly, an irrigation well on the property the owner has described as yielding about 1,500 gallons per minute. Rubin said: "If this yield is anything like that, this is an incredible gem of a resource," and urged the board to consider whether part of the site should be preserved for potential public water supply. Rubin recommended further deep hydrogeologic testing and careful analysis of recharge, soil stratigraphy and potential impacts of imported fill.
Board members and staff requested additional coordination with NYSDEC, Duchess County Department of Health and NYSDOT for permitting of the drill and for a FEMA CLOMR for raising the site out of the floodplain. The board voted to authorize MJ Engineering to prepare a new draft EAF Part 2 for the Fishkill Commerce Center for the July meeting so the board can determine whether further environmental review (an EIS) is needed or whether a Negative Declaration is appropriate (motion moved by Kevin; second by Anthony; vote 7–0).
