CLAYTON, New York (WWNY) – Plans for a public hearing regarding Customs and Border Protection’s controversial Blind Bay facility have been changed.
Now it’s structured more like an open house, which environmental groups say makes it harder to voice concerns.
Those groups have a solution in mind.
With a unanimous vote from Clayton’s town board, Save the River and the Thousand Islands Land Trust will be set up outside while CBP holds its open house inside Cerow Recreation Park arena.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for both sides to be able to present information,” Jake Tibbles said. He’s executive director of the Thousand Islands Land Trust.
It’s a response to what Clayton town board member Ken Knapp called a bait and switch on CBP’s part.
“I’m a little outraged on the fact that we got told something and it was actually a bait and switch,” he said. “That’s what con people do. I mean, wow.”
A press release sent out by Sen. Chuck Schumer stated CBP agreed to hold a public hearing on the project, but in a letter sent to TILT’s Jake Tibbles on May 30, it was referred to as an “open house,” which groups fear will make the event far less of a back and forth.
“From our vantage point, we do see this as a shift in the form to dilute public participation,” Tibbles said.
“The ability of the people to voice their concerns and questions was somewhat taken away,” said Save The River assistant director Bridget Wright.
CBP, TILT, and Save The River’s open houses will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, and Wednesday, June 26.
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