JETTISON THOSE RUMORS! THE TRUTH IS THAT THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION (DEC) PAYS TAXES ON THE BASHA KILL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA (WMA) AND ON MOST OTHER STATE OWNED LANDS IN MAMAKATING.

As misinformation and falsehoods regarding the DEC's fiscal obligations to the Town of Mamakating persist in contributing to needless conflicts, it is time to clarify the record. (Figures referenced are from 2004).

The DEC owns 4,755 acres in the Town, with 3,755 paying town, school, and special district taxes. Additionally, the Basha Kill pays county levies. (The late Assemblyman Jake Gunther led efforts resulting in legislation that mandated taxation of the WMA). Overall, the DEC expended $71,000.00 in annual taxes on its Mamakating properties.

The following is a breakdown of this amount according to specific DEC parcels.

• Basha Kill Wildlife Management Area - $43,548.00
• Roosa Gap State Forest & Shawangunk Ridge State Forest -$19,207.00
• Catskill Park parcels - $8,245.00
• Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest - not taxed

For further information, contact Paula Medley at 754-0743.

- Submitted by Paula Medley
January, 2007