By definition, a rural area is a geographic area that is located outside towns and cities and has few homes, buildings or people. A rural area has a low population density and is usually open countryside. The definition of a rural area can vary depending on the purpose of the application, but one common criterion is the number of people per square mile or the size of the place. 

In the Town of Bethel and surrounding towns, it appears that we either already are not, or will no longer be, rural areas. The applications for development and the fact that small cottages and buildings are being allowed to double/triple in size, continues. 

How is this fair to the people who chose a rural area to live in, and are having that taken away from them?

What will the impact of all of this population be on the water table? We are all on wells. If wells run dry, what are the plans for ensuring adequate water? 

There is no municipal water system in most rural towns.

Will there be pumper trucks needed? Rationing of water?

Millions of gallons of sewage effluent will be pumped into local streams. The West branch of the Mongaup is part of the Delaware River Basin and a source of drinking water farther down the line. How much effluent can it handle? Does anyone know? While small cottages were originally on the sewer line, the replacement homes are three to four times the size with many more people. How many can our current sewer system handle? Will we need to expand the sewer plant? Is that possible? How much will it cost?

What about emergency services? Will area towns be able to provide adequate services for the extra thousands of people?

And what about the conservation of animal habitats? This seems to be getting the least consideration of all.

Natural habitats are being eliminated and replaced with blacktop and concrete. There is nothing “rural” about the changes that are taking place. How is it that so much construction has “no environmental impact” and therefore a DEC full environmental assessment is not required? 

As lead agency, the Town of Bethel expects its citizens to believe that there is no impact on the environment—when effluent is dumped into a river or the grass and trees, which produce oxygen, are eliminated. When is enough, enough?

The Town of Bethel has a planning commission that is developing a plan for Bethel’s future. Unfortunately, the future will have been predetermined before the ink is dry on the paper. I believe a moratorium is urgently needed to re-assess where we are, and where we want to be, before there are no options left.

If you agree, contact the Bethel planning and town board members to let them know.

Mary-Ellen Seitelman lives in White Lake, NY.