Senator James Skoufis Condemns DEC Decision

BLOOMING GROVE – Senator James Skoufis on Friday criticized the State DEC for granting several permits to the developers of Clovewood, a 600-home development located in South Blooming Grove.

The developers, Keen Equities LLC, applied for Water Withdrawal, State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) Wastewater, and Incidental Take permits associated with the construction of the housing subdivision on the former Lake Anne Country Club property, including driveways, internal roadways, and utilities, stormwater features, community facilities, a wastewater treatment facility, and water supply infrastructure.

“As currently proposed, the Clovewood development will overwhelm the small Village of South Blooming Grove by almost every standard,” Skoufis (D, Cornwall) said. “The current design is for a 600-home layout, but with the village’s new code for “accessory dwellings,” the potential number of units could be much higher. All told, the development will more than double the existing population of the community.”

Skoufis noted that the DEC’s approval came with one caveat: Developers must immediately resolve any water issues raised by existing residents.

“I’m otherwise extremely disappointed with the agency’s decision,” Skoufis said. “I’ve opposed this project for many years, including calling out the developers for ignoring stop work orders when no other county or state elected official would.”

Clovewood, also known as the Diveri Chaim project, initially proposed in 2018, underwent a four-year environmental review. The DEC, however, has consistently denied the required permits to address water, sewer, and wildlife impacts. Nonetheless, the developers continued work, resulting in the issuance of numerous stop work orders ever since.

DEC ‘stop-work’ orders were sent in May, June, July, August, September, and November of 2022, prohibiting any work from proceeding at the site, except for steps taken to prevent soil erosion.

“I remain concerned with the Clovewood project’s many impacts and encourage residents to report any issues as the project moves forward,” Skoufis added.

In a statement, the DEC said: “The DEC subjects all environmental permit applications to a rigorous and transparent review process to ensure the protection of public health and the environment.”

The agency noted that during its “thorough review” of the Keen Equities LLC permit applications, the DEC held a 45-day written public comment period, and two virtual public comment hearings on April 3, 2024, and reviewed approximately 450 written and verbal comments.

The DEC has determined that the applications met all regulatory criteria necessary to issue the permits.