Developers of the Lago Resort & Casino said they have resubmitted more than 3,000 pages of environmental impact reports to the Town of Tyre as the latter is set to conduct a state-mandated environmental review of the former's $425 million project for the second time.
The construction of the casino, which will be about 40 miles west of Syracuse, was stalled in July after the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division rejected the initial environmental review approved by the Tyre Town Board, citing that it did not assess the planned site of the casino in a proper manner prior to giving it its approval. The town is set to review the new application and come up with a decision in October.
Among the important points discussed in the environmental review include improved measures for the preservation of 24 acres of wildlife areas, protection of wetlands, use of alternative solar energy and storm water management plans. The developers likewise said that they would provide the town with an improved water supply system.
Those opposed to the project claim the proposed casino would have significant environmental impacts, albeit the developers said that water supplies, wildlife areas and wetlands will be protected from harm.
Project partners Brent Stevens, managing member of Peninsula Pacific, and Thomas Wilmot Sr., chairman of Rochester-based Wilmorite, said on Sept. 9 that they will meet and even exceed environmental standards.
"We have said since day one that we intend to be good neighbors and that commitment has never wavered," Wilmot said. "We are treating this project as if we are building it in our backyard, because that's exactly what we're doing."
Stevens said they have taken care of protecting the nature of the community and the natural resources and that they have been listening to the community and taking steps to address legitimate concerns.
Wilmot and Stevens said that the new report is comprehensive enough and indicates their determination to comply with the provisions of New York's state environmental regulations.
Since the announcement of the project in rural Seneca County, the developers have also been saying that Lago Resort & Casino would create many well-paying jobs for the residents of the Finger Lakes area. They also said that the casino will boost tourism and provide the local government with additional revenue.
The casino, along with two other casino candidates – Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady, along the Mohawk River near Albany in the state's Capital Region, and the Montreign Resort Casino in the town of Thompson near Kiamesha Lake in the Catskills, at the former Concord resort – was approved by the New York Gaming Facility Location Board in December.
