New York City, relying heavily on Catskills watersheds for drinking water, has spent nearly three decades acquiring over 156,000 acres of land to protect this resource. This strategic move allowed the city to secure a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency, saving billions in filtration costs. Though beneficial in ensuring water quality, the arrangement created tension with local communities, which felt the city's acquisition curtailed their development potential. The program is now winding down, but its implications for local governance and land use remain significant.
The agreement between New York City and Catskills communities prevented costly filtration, allowing the city to protect its drinking water while funding local water-quality projects.
The city accumulated a vast area of land over decades, securing a critical water supply for millions, but restricting local communities' development options in the process.
Despite improving the sewer and septic systems, many residents felt uneasy about the cityâs power to purchase land, which limited their opportunities for expansion.
While the city's buying spree is concluded, it faces ongoing scrutiny regarding its impact on local communities and future possibilities for development.
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