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Terrorism Aftermath Exhumes Disputes over Ashokan
by Jay Blotcher

SHOKAN -- Nestled in the shadows of the Catskills, the town of Shokan is more than 100 miles from the ruins of Lower Manhattan. But the aftershocks of September 11 are still reaching residents here.

The nearby Ashokan Reservoir, the jewel of the state watershed system, supplies New York City's water. Within hours after the attacks, officials from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which supervises the watershed system, blocked the reservoir to pedestrians and drivers. Four weeks later, the reservoir remains closed. And local citizens, long resentful of the presence of watershed cops from New York City even in peaceful times, now question whether precautions are effective - or whether ongoing disruption is warranted.

The two roads over the dividing weir, which span the reservoir, are blocked off with concrete markers, orange road cones, plastic netting and a phalanx of DEP police. In addition to prevailing fears of terrorists, townspeople now cope with financial woes: a jump in gas expenses for lengthy detours, and the virtual cessation of customer traffic to area merchants. Two newly-opened plazas on the route are suffering. The Tongor Restaurant, a mainstay for two decades, has closed its doors until further notice. Frayed nerves and wounded pocketbooks prompted citizen calls to Congressman Maurice Hinchey, a Democrat from Saugerties.

Two factions have emerged from the current problem: Those who seek stepped-up security measures, and those who feel current measures are excessive. The grievances of both parties had an airing during a recent town meeting at the Olive Free Library, attended by members of the DEP and 150 residents.

Tensions between DEP and local residents stretch back to the establishment of the Watershed police force in 1908, acknowledged Hinchey. "It just shows up more directly in times like this." While past administrations have attempted "to be good neighbors," Commissioner Joel A. Miele has "not been terribly responsive," Hinchey added.

For weeks, locals have fretted over the potential for local bioterrorism or infrastructure sabotage. A local newspaper recently reported that the Ashokan was second on the list of terrorist targets after the World Trade Center, according to a list found by the FBI after the 1993 bombings. Robert Varieur, Director of the DEP Police, has denied the report. In addition, most bioterrorism scenarios are implausible, he told town meeting attendees, although the potential for sabotage remains a threat.

Security problems have plagued the watershed system long before September 11, said Robert Kennedy, Jr. of Riverkeeper, Inc., an advocacy group which monitors the Hudson River and state waterways. In a 1999 report, Riverkeeper cited budgetary limitations, an inadequate workforce and internal corruption as having compromised security resources. Although the Giuliani administration approved their findings, Kennedy said, few recommendations were followed. An official from the DEP, speaking on terms of anonymity, said that his agency has requested an additional 100 more men per shift over its current deployment, with no success.

Critics point to the extensive guard force on the Ashokan during World War II - nearly 1,200, compared to the current 100. As of Sunday, when the U.S. air strikes on Afghanistan commenced, police patrol schedules were doubled, but not the number of personnel. "When you're sitting in a vehicle 14 hours you're not going to be as alert - you're going to be vulnerable," Kennedy said.

Locals remain deeply concerned for their economic livelihood. "What's going to happen to the ghost town of Shokan?" one businesswoman demanded at the meeting. David Kalpakis, owner of Winchell's Pizza in Shokan, calls local merchants "collateral damage" of the terrorist attacks, and estimated a 65% reduction in business since the closure.

Residents have suggested alternatives to the blockade, such as checkpoints for access, or volunteering for a citizen's patrol group. Deputy Commissioner and Director of DEP Michael Principe expected that reservoir access would slowly improve in the next few weeks, perhaps during daylight hours, although restrictions would remain. Hinchey has asked Tom Ridge, the White House-appointed Director of Homeland Security, to set aside some of the $40 billion earmarked for disaster relief for increased watershed protection.

David Kalpakis, owner of Winchell's Pizza, said his business had fallen 65 percent and that local merchants were suffering ``collateral damage'' from the terrorist attacks. For years, he said, he has feared what he considers the city's encroaching authority over the reservoir area. ``Starting two years ago, you guys started clearing everybody off the reservoir,'' he said. ``I just have a feeling something big is going on; I think you're trying to get rid of all of us.''

On Thursday, the D.E.P. responded by allowing residents who obtain special permits to drive the restricted roads during daytime hours. But some here are still concerned that the limits will curtail the tourist trade during the busy foliage season. Vin Martello, a local businessman who organized the town meeting, said he plans future gatherings, devised to close the rift between locals and the DEP. "It's an ongoing process," he said. "What happens to reservoir security after the dust setttles and everyone goes home?"

But Antonia Weidenbacher, 60, a local artist who rollerblades on the reservoir, urged the formation of a citizen patrol to staff checkpoints on the restricted roads. She said they would be better able than the city officers to spot suspicious travelers. ``If this sacrifice was going to make us safer, then I would say O.K.,'' she said. ``I'm not sure it makes us safer; it makes us more unhappy.''

©Jay Blotcher 2001