I attended the FIMFO public comment meeting on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 and found one thing perfectly clear: there was a wide disparity between those who support the FIMFO project and those who were against the FIMFO project just by the seating of the audience. The supporters were firmly positioned on the gym bleachers with their signs, and the opposition, with their signs, were on the far left of stage with an empty void of seats between them. Little did I know where to sit, so I sat in the empty void between the two groups and directly facing the stage.

Both sides were impassioned in delivering their position. The bleacher side strongly supported the business benefit, state and county taxes, the benefit to exiting businesses and jobs—however, almost all part time, with no benefits, e.g. health care.

The seated side was impassioned about protecting the environment and their quality of life with peaceful enjoyment of their property and the protection of the Upper Delaware River corridor. 

I agree with both sides; however, limits and monitoring must be in place before this project is allowed to go forward. 

Here are my two suggestions as a starting point for discussion and then negotiations. 

Generate financial resources directly to the town by classifying all the additional permanent year-round platforms (160-200) as tree houses and the 20 existing cottages as short-term rentals. The mechanisms to accomplish this are well within town zoning laws. The fees would go directly to the Town of Highland for compliance and mitigate traffic, noise, medical and minor crime events.

Install a water-quality monitoring station at the mouth of Beaver Brook as it enters the Delaware River. It can be used to control development by providing real-time data on the potential environmental impact of construction projects and continued use of the property. This would allow authorities to identify areas with sensitive water systems and implement regulations to mitigate pollution.

As a riverfront landowner, licensed campground and water sport provider directly downstream from this FIMFO projected project, and having used the clean and free-flowing Delaware River for recreation for four generations, I cannot support this project unless I see financial protection for my fellow residents of the Town of Highland and the river that nurtured me.

Julius H. Robinson was a member of the original UDC Water Use and Resource Management Committee and appointee to the Citizens Advisory Council by Orange County, NY.