New York’s Watershed Battle Film Sparks Discussion, Leaving Folks Confused

Above photo: New York Energy Alliance Representative Alex Panagiotopoulos (left) talks with Suzanne Gladstone, owner of a beef farm in Andes, after the Unfiltered: New York's Watershed Battle film screening. 

DELHI - Roughly 50 individuals came out on the chilly Thursday evening of Feb. 19th for a free film screening of Unfiltered: New York’s Watershed Battle at SUNY Delhi. The film was produced by New York Energy Alliance (NYEA) and hosted by SUNY Delhi Environmental Studies and Sustainability Club.

The film delved into the marriage of water and politics as New York City developed. Filmmakers and NYEA representatives Alex Panagiotopoulos and Fox Green argue that, despite the City's historic undermining of watershed stakeholders, there is a way to reach an agreement that benefits both.

The overarching issue, as many individuals who are up to date on the watershed negotiations know, was the film's failure to engage local stakeholders. Several individuals, public officials, local organizations, and a lot of tax dollars are involved in ensuring the vitality of our local communities on this issue. Those stakeholders have worked tirelessly on recent negotiations and have reached an agreement in many areas that they say benefit all parties involved or at least address some issues presented in the film.

For example, the easement language that has hindered housing development has been thoroughly addressed, and stakeholders have announced their satisfaction with the outcome. Delaware County Planning Director Shelly Johnson-Bennet, Watershed Affairs Coordinator Nicholas Carbone, or any member of the Coalition of Watershed Towns (CWT), including CWT Attorney Jeff Baker, could have provided details.

Furthermore, what it is to be a prosperous area is relative, making a utopian agreement unattainable, despite Green’s rose-colored view. Landowners, farmers, business owners, hunters, anglers, environmentalists, and politicians all bring interesting perspectives to the discussion. Each group has a different understanding of what makes an area thrive, leaving negotiations never-ending.

To Panagiotopoulos and Green, a prosperous area would leave room for economic development through population growth and industry. The film points to the industrial boom that followed the development of lock systems connecting Buffalo to Albany, which led to the growth of several cities in between. While the canals certainly spurred an industrial boom, we are also discussing water quality.

The film suggests that people don’t pollute water any more than animals do. Arguing that the City has created propaganda around keeping the Catskills unpopulated to ensure water quality.

Well, yes, animals do pollute the water. Aside from fecal matter from wildlife, a major source of pollution comes from agriculture. Cows, which only exist here because humans have dairy and beef farms, create pollution. Stakeholders and City representatives have worked to support local farms and reduce farm-related pollutants by constructing manure storage facilities, establishing water buffer zones, and implementing other measures. While not perfect, these projects are city-funded and the result of a mutual agreement.

In addition, industries that sprang up thanks to the Erie Canal became major polluters in the Hudson Valley, which is still recovering. It was an odd choice for comparison.

Another focal point was the provision in recent negotiations permitting solar and other renewable energy farms, which is worrisome. It argued that the area is not ideal for these types of energy systems. Green instead pushed for nuclear energy development.

They suggest the City's desire to unpopulate the Watershed is connected to its desire to build clean energy systems to fuel the city. Thus repeating the history of flooding towns to build reservoirs, ignoring local vitality.

The struggle between watershed communities and the city is real and should be discussed. The film is right to acknowledge the potential setback of solar farms on city-owned land.

The understanding of these provisions currently is that there are regulations limiting clear-cutting and prohibiting use of agriculturally viable land. However, this is a developing discussion. Many local municipalities in Delaware County are working on or have already passed solar laws regulating such projects.

While the film lacked current information or local representation, I think the filmmakers achieved their ultimate goal. Folks were talking.

The film was thoroughly scrutinized during the Q&A panel.

The first comment was from a local who questioned the film's existence. Asking NYEA representatives why this was made and what the point was, as it offered no new information.

Another viewer with experience working at a nuclear power plant explained that the argument that the industry would support more local jobs than solar is inaccurate. He said one plant needs roughly 50 people to operate, a figure that could change with technological developments. Originally from France, the individual noted that the country produces enough energy from nuclear plants and sells it to other countries.

Another gentleman noted that other countries, such as Germany, are using renewable energy sources at up to 40%. Germany has struggled with energy demand and rising prices in recent years.

The film was hosted by the SUNY Delhi Environmental Studies and Sustainability Club, which had interesting questions to add to the discussion.

One student engaged Green in a debate about the use of AI in the film's production. He argued that the use of AI should never be supported for any purpose, as it consumes significant water for a single simple task. He pointed out the hypocrisy of discussing water while wasting water.

Another student asked Green to clarify that the film's suggestion about the city's solar farms was only a theory. She said the film was unclear whether this was a current development, which it is not.

If you are interested in viewing the film, NYEA is working to schedule other showings at the Phoenicia Playhouse Community Theatre and the Walton Theater. For more information, visit nyenergyalliance.org, where Panagiotopoulos has authored several articles on watershed issues. The articles are what sparked the film's development, said Panagiotopoulos.