WURTSBORO — Scaling back, or even scrapping, the ambitious 49-home Seven Peaks project of developer Shalom Lamm were the common themes of speakers among the approximately 75 people attending the Town of Mamakating Planning Board meeting last week.

Terresa M. Bakner, attorney for the Albany-based firm of Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, representing Lamm, said that 80 percent of the site's 653 acres will be “permanently protected.”

Bakner said there were some “significant changes” from the originally conceived project, including scrapping the hotel proposition. This was part of an effort to keep the non-developed portion of the site pristine and not affect the Basha Kill Wetlands.

The town's leading environmental group, the Basha Kill Area Association (BKAA), continued to press to squash the development and also questioned the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) determination that the project did not need its oversight.

“We always thought that the Wetlands was under DEC jurisdiction,” said BKAA President Paula Medley, adding that she felt the statement by the DEC didn't look at the “big picture.”

To this end the BKAA hired a wetlands specialist and also submitted a 95-page document to the DEC.

Medley stated, “If two or more bodies of water or land function as one unit they can be considered as one wetland.… If we prove that the wetlands are of local importance, that too can put it under DEC jurisdiction.”

She referred to a map of the area and the areas in “red” which indicate a disturbance to the Wetlands “and that's what really concerns us.”

Of concern also is “the proposed roads, septic system and storm water infrastructure,” she continued. “What we're going to be asking the board is that they make no decision until the DEC renders its decision on our requests.”

She went on to note that two groups, the Orange County Audubon Society and the Friends of the Shawangunk, also disagreed with the DEC's preliminary decision.

Susan Erny, a board member representing the latter group, said, “We've been dedicated to protecting the Shawangunk Mountains for the past 51 years.” Like Medley, she called for a reevaluation of the DEC's decision, noting the agency needed to “prevent the degradation” of the area should Lamm get the go-ahead.

Residents wearing the “Seven Peaks ???” badges were none too happy about the project and voiced their concerns.

Cecelia Walsh tackled the issue that each home will have 8,000 square feet. “That can accommodate a lot of people,” she said. “You can easily fit 40 people in each of these homes. Since there is unlimited occupancy there is a possibility of 1,960 people living on that mountain. I don't think the mountain can handle that. We need the involvement of the Department of Health.”

She continued, “The septic systems will be on a mountain of shale with steep slopes. If the septic systems don't work, our wells are going to be hurt. The water will go into the stormwater down the hill. That's scary to me.”

Angelo Rosado Jr., said, “Since they built the road over there, my backyard is no longer mowable,” referring to the runoff issue. He continued, “That new road is going to affect my septic system soon. In addition to that there's no limit to how much runoff they're allowing. The water is going to keep on coming.”

He added, “That road being built is directly in front of my house. Every time someone pulls out, the lights are shining right in my window. My personal environment is being affected. I have no problem with ‘Live and let live,' but when it starts to affect my personal space, then I have to speak.”

Several follow-up phone calls to both Bakner and Lamm were not returned.