LONG POND, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Too many massive warehouses: That was the message residents in one local county wanted lawmakers to hear on Monday.
They’re concerned the structures are threatening the natural beauty of the area, and they want the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to put a stop to a proposal to build another one.
Poconos residents on Monday taking a stand against another huge warehouse proposal. “Not in my backyard,” they say.
They’re also claiming that another warehouse would potentially threaten a local waterway.
“I think this needs to stop. The Poconos is not the land of warehouses, so I’m asking you to deny it,” Tunkhannock Township Jennifer Lannaco said.
Concerned Monroe County residents want the DEP to give the thumbs down to a warehouse to be built on Route 115.
They say there are already enough large warehouses, and they’re ruining the view this area relies on for tourism dollars.
“I’ve had people saying to me ‘where do these come from’, I’m like, ‘people have to show up to township meetings and come out to DEP meetings and say no, just say no.’ We do not want these on our back yards,” said Tunkhannock Township resident Dave Waldron.
The hearing focused specifically on a permit application the department received from Route 115 Associates, LLC.
To allow the discharge of stormwater from the property into the Tunkhannock Creek and the surrounding wetlands.
These waterways are classified as EV, or Exceptional Value waterways, giving them special protections under the federal Clean Water Act.
The company hopes to build an 800,000-square-foot warehouse along Route 115 near the intersection of Route 903. They plan to divide the 98-acre property into six subdivided lots on what is mostly forested land.
Residents say they understand business means progress, but at what cost?
“It’s frustrating to see all of this development, like, we understand that development is important and that there are benefits to it, but we just want it to be done in a way that’s going to ensure the protection of our special protection waters,” PennFuture Staff Attorney Brigitte Meyer explained.
“DEP’s job is to protect our water, not gamble with it. If there is any doubt that this warehouse will harm Tunkhannock Creek, then this permit must be denied,” Lisa Buckhholz said.
The DEP spokesperson at Monday’s meeting declined to comment but says they’ll have more to say once they go over the transcripts from the meeting.
The DEP is still accepting written comments until March 17.
