David Carnie and Nicholas Paro released a statement regarding the recent release of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement by the New York State Department of Transportation for the Interstate 81 project in Onondaga County in the wake of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s resignation announcement:
“Given the news of Governor Cuomo’s resignation last week, we are calling on government officials to immediately pause the public comment period. It was under Governor Cuomo’s misguided leadership that the DOT took such an aggressive approach to fast-tracking the public review process, and it should therefore be slowed down during this volatile time of transition for our state. We encourage all to continue to make their voices heard and demand that the DOT make the necessary changes to the existing plan so that it meets the needs of all residents.
The state and federal government must pause the public comment period regarding the future of Interstate 81. For over a decade, the NYSDOT has avoided and ignored the concerns of local residents, business owners and members of the impacted community. ”
