Fishkill Site Important to Nation’s History

I wish to thank The Putnam County News and Recorder for its excellent coverage of the controversial development proposal: the Highland Valley Project—a Hudson Highlands project area poised at the gateway between Dutchess and Putnam Counties.

It remains remarkable that this high-density development proposal is even on the table, as it puts forth a potential environmental calamity—destroying water purity, biodiversity, beauty, and historically significant landscapes forever more. These are the magnificent assets of our region—finite and irreplaceable. This vulnerable area has already been compromised enough with mining activities.

Importantly, we have sound reason to believe that this critical portion of the Route 9 corridor, where the development project would sit, is potentially home to Continental Army burials and archaeological features belonging to the southern barracks of the Fishkill Supply Depot—New York’s Valley Forge.

I invite readers to visit fishkillsupplydepot.org for key facts, recent news and historical documents related to the extraordinary Fishkill Supply Depot. I testified before the United States Senate in July 2009 on the Fishkill Supply Depot’s importance to our nation’s history and the pressing need for its preservation. That Senate testimony can be viewed on the website as well.

So much is at stake here. The town government of Fishkill should be far better stewards of this land. Aggressive development has been the name of the game in Fishkill for way too long—time for that game to end. We need leadership that will fight to protect its water supply, press for stringent archaeological review and aim for permanent protection of these lands.
Mara Farrell
Fishkill