Dear Friends,
Mark Your Calendars!
On July 20th, 2023, at the Village of Plandome Manor Village Hall, located at 55 Manhasset Avenue, Manhasset, NY 11030, the BZA will hold its vote to approve what is being called a “compromise plan” to allow 300 cubic yards of landfill at 1362 Plandome Road.
This 300 cubic yards of landfill is a purported “compromise” because it is down from the excessive and illegal 500 cubic yards of landfill that the Developer dumped on the 1362 Plandome Rd property without any permits or approval. Also, a “compromise” because both those proposed “compromise” 300 cubic yards, as well as the existing 500 cubic yards of landfill, far exceed the 50 cubic yard limit typically allowable under the Village Code … and set at that limit for many good environmental reasons.
The 300 cubic yard “compromise” still poses many long term detrimental effects to a fragile ecosystem. Leeds Pond inhabitants should not be forced to incur burdens based on the whims and shortsighted demands of the developer and home owner … and not with the assistance and support of our Village Officials under the guise of “adhering to the highest standards of environmental stewardship”.
Mayor Donno asserted that the Village was carrying out its responsibility when she circulated an email suggesting, without any supporting documentation, the 1362 Plandome Road landfill was no problem and that everything was approved.
She also stated that Save Leeds Pond was presenting “entirely incorrect”, “misleading and inaccurate,” information, that there was "no work being proposed that affects Leeds Pond whatsoever," and that the NYDEC had approved everything even though the NYDEC issued a notice of violation for clear cutting and landfill within a wetland, violations of Article 24 of the Freshwater Wetlands Act, Section 24-0701 6NYCRR Part 663.
A number of residents and environmental experts have publicly opposed the landfill at 1362 Plandome Rd including Frank Piccininni- environmental restoration expert; Prof. Christopher Gobler-SUNY Stony Brook-algae and wetland expert; Prof. Bret Bennington-Hofstra- Geologist; CEA Engineers; Citizens Campaign for the Environment; North Shore Audubon Society; South Shore Audubon Society; NYenvironcom; Transition Town Port Washington; Wild Dog Foundation and many more available here.
These concerns per the Village are NOT even issues… that can be ignored and can somehow be addressed by their proposed “compromise” plan which would still allow 300 cubic yards of ill-advised excessive landfill, that was only served up to satisfy a non-compliant developer and owner that still have no viable solution to protect Leeds Pond!
On July 9th, the rain storm created significant runoff, silt and pollutants that were dumped into Leeds Pond. The silt kills wildlife and makes Leeds Pond more shallow allowing toxic algae growth.
Judge for yourself: Videos 1 + 2 + 3:
Even more photos here [after the documents]
Such rainfall is NOT an anomaly or rare occurrence and is occurring more frequently. Per the Experts, with each rainfall, water percolates [like making coffee] into the dirt of the plateau dissolving nitrogen, phosphorus and other minerals that travel underground unseen and into Leeds Pond. These pollutants accelerate algae growth. The algae then decrease oxygen in the water killing other lifeforms like fish creating "dead zone" ... but worse the algae in Leeds Pond are already producing Saxitoxin a neurotoxin linked to ALS and microcystin a toxin linked to liver cancer. Is the Village allowing profiteers to poison residents?
The Press has taken note of the Mayor's inconsistencies, the dangers to Leeds Pond and Manhasset Bay -more press articles and coverage here.
It is time to take action and show your support for preserving Leeds Pond!
The BZA meeting is next week on July 20th … your voice to preserve the pond needs to be heard!
Please keep sharing the petition with everyone you know… let’s get to 500!
TELL THE BZA THE DIRT PLATEAU HAS TO GO!