HURLEYVILLE — A peaceful protest and community parade is scheduled for September 21 from noon to 2 p.m. in Hurleyville, aiming to draw attention to ongoing concerns over overdevelopment and water infrastructure failures in the Town of Fallsburg.

Organized by Brett Budde, a local farmer and resident of Mountaindale, the “Love Our Land Parade” promises to bring families, performers, and even a dog costume contest together in an act of civic engagement.

“We’ve been working to help move the Town of Fallsburg around to take our overdevelopment issues seriously,” said Budde during a recent interview on Radio Catskill. “Having a large group of people show up lets the town know that people care.”

As previously reported by the Democrat, Fallsburg is experiencing a construction boom, with over 13 active projects, 21 under review, and 18 already approved. Much of this growth is centered in Rec-1 zones, where zoning allows up to two homes per acre for mobile and modular housing.

This increase in density has sparked fears about water availability and the capacity of local infrastructure. Budde shared that his well had gone dry in a past summer—and this year, a neighbor across from a property with a swimming pool saw his well dry up completely for over a month.

The Democrat reached out to the Town of Fallsburg for reaction to the peaceful protest but did not get a response by presstime. 

Aging Infrastructure 

Fallsburg’s water infrastructure—much of it dating back to the 1940s—is already under pressure. As previously reported, engineers have warned that systems like the Davos Water System could exceed 300% of average capacity once planned developments go online.

“We had a water main break on our busiest weekend,” said Budde. “One of our tanks was down to a foot of water, and no water-use restriction was issued.”

In some cases, hydrants don’t have enough pressure for two fire trucks to draw simultaneously. Budde also raised concerns about emergency response delays during peak summer months due to traffic congestion from increased population.

“There’s not enough water in the hydrants all summer long,” he said. “If someone has a heart attack on a Friday, first responders might arrive late.”

Fallsburg is pursuing grants to upgrade aging wastewater plants, including in South Fallsburg and Mountaindale. However, residents argue that new development is still being approved before these upgrades are completed.

A Parade With a Purpose

While the event is lighthearted in nature—featuring a community band, costumed pets, and performers—its goals are serious. Budde and Fallsburg Coalition for Sustainable Growth are raising funds to commission an independent aquifer study.

“Throw us 20 bucks so we can get the study done and know what’s really happening with our water,” he said. “This isn’t just about today’s residents. It’s about people who are buying homes that might not have enough water.”

He is also calling for a moratorium on high-density development in Rec-1 and agricultural zones until infrastructure issues are resolved.

The group is seeking volunteers—especially brass musicians for the parade band and trained first responders to help manage crowds. Budde invited the broader Sullivan County community to join the effort: “We’re hoping people will show up, bring their families, and celebrate this community with us.”

Resident Frustrations 

Fallsburg residents have been raising concerns about development and zoning changes for over a year. As previously reported by the Democrat, many opposed amendments that allow higher density in agricultural areas, citing environmental strain and lack of public input.

Environmental groups like Catskill Mountainkeeper have also raised red flags, warning that water and sewer infrastructure is already at risk. A study from July 2021 showed Fallsburg’s South Fallsburg Wastewater Treatment Plant was nearing capacity at 3.23 million gallons per day, with more projects set to push it over the limit.

Though the Town of Fallsburg is pursuing grant funding—including one listed on the agenda of a recent board meeting—Budde believes it’s not enough.

“They’re doing what they can with grants,” he said. “But we need zoning changes that protect the people already living here.”

Regional Effect

“This isn’t just Fallsburg’s problem,” said Budde. “Environmental issues don’t have boundaries. As development spreads, this becomes an issue for all of Sullivan County.”

The Love Our Land Parade is Budde’s way of combining joy with activism. “My son once told me, ‘Dad, I don’t want to stand around and say no,’” he said. “So we’re going to stand around and celebrate instead.”

The event takes place September 21 in Hurleyville from 12 to 2 p.m. For more information, Budde can be reached on Instagram and/or via email at majesticorchard@gmail.com.