"The DEC, by targeting Belleayre as harshly as they have, has shown misplaced economic priorities. Belleayre makes money for the State and is an asset that is the economic catalyst for our region. The State has made it their economic plan for the Catskills to be a place of outdoor recreation and high quality water. That means, simply, that our region should not take a disproportionate hit in the outdoor tourism industry. To cut jobs at Belleayre will result in job losses for our small businesses throughout the region that depend on Belleayre for their livelihood.

While we will hopefully again have a Senate Republican Majority, it will take a bipartisan effort to explain the economic benefits that Belleayre brings to the Catskill Region to the DEC.

We face tough choices in the coming months, and there will likely be some DEC reductions in the Catskills. We will work to ensure our region is treated fairly as reductions are finalized, and I look forward to working with Governor-Elect Cuomo to improve the jobs picture in the Catskills and across the State."

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