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STOP Sale of Stony Creek Reservoir
To:        Town of Colonie Town Board

From:   Concerned Town of Colonie Residents

Re:        STOP Sale of Stony Creek Reservoir

Date Submitted: May 25, 2021

We, the undersigned residents of the Town of Colonie, are petitioning our duly elected Town Council Members to immediately SUSPEND and DISCONTINUE any actions related to the proposed sale of the Latham Water District’s Stony Creek Reservoir, infrastructure, and the approximately 1000 acres surrounding it.  To avoid relying solely on the Mohawk River for drinking water, Colonie invested the equivalent of $17 million in today’s dollars to establish this reservoir in 1952 to ensure a safe and adequate water supply for future citizens of our town. Despite all the uncertainties related to climate change and its impact on our critical water resources, the Mahan administration is poised to sell off this substantial raw water source for a fraction of that price. 

Why, and why now? Has there been a cost benefit analysis of retaining the Reservoir, selling the land while retaining water rights, or an exploration of any alternatives to an outright sale? No effort has been made to either seek tax relief or investigate options to offset the maintenance costs. Town officials point to the recently implemented Albany Colonie Interconnect Agreement as a “modern” emergency water source to replace Stony Creek Reservoir. But this is a ten-year agreement only, Albany’s water needs come first, and it can be ended at any time. We do not know the cost of drawing this water, nor if the amount allowed would satisfy Colonie’s needs in a long-term emergency.

There are important factors not evaluated or shared with the community, including the Town of Colonie water needs beyond 2025, long-term cost issues associated with the use of the new interconnect, how much of our needs could be met using it, and most importantly the long-term viability of the Mohawk River as our primary drinking water source. This consequential issue requires further study and analysis.

In summary, selling the Stony Creek Reservoir and its surrounding land is shortsighted, ill-considered, and unnecessary at this time. As residents and users of Latham Water, we demand the Town keep the Stony Creek as a water supply for the Town of Colonie residents.

Further information on the Stony Creek Reservoir and issues surrounding the proposed sale can be found here 

***About Donations and Email addresses: Please don't feel obligated to donate. All donations go to change.org to support their good work, not to SAVE Colonie.
We hope you'll check the box below your "signature" that says "Please share my name and email address with SAVE Colonie: A Partnership for Planning, so that I can receive updates on this campaign and others."
Thank you for signing!