The Conservancy would like to offer the following for consideration in regard to the two recent developments in the Yerkes matter. Specifically, the February 2nd piece titled "Yerkes still mulling future" and the February 16th piece titled "Corridor could affect Mirbeau plan"

It was with great interest we read the response to our concerns about the Mirbeau development proposal for the Yerkes property. Without restating in detail each particular issue, we'll simply note the comment offered by Mary Claire Lanser, spokesperson for the New York developers, "...the Mirbeau proposal is just a conceptual idea representing what proponents of the plan think will work."

SEWRPC has stated clearly that the plan as it now stands ignores a number of serious issues deemed highly important to the citizens of Wisconsin. As such, the Mirbeau plan requires massive reworking. The Conservancy also noted that water runoff from the one and one half miles of "ponds", would severely impact water quality through out the west end of Geneva Lake. Yet no mention is made, in concept or other form, of how this run-off would be treated for sediment and pollutants streaming into the lake waters. We too are now asked to accept that substantial light pollution (virtually eliminating the usefulness of the giant telescope) emanating from the massive complex necessary to contain the spa and resort, along with the ever changing number of homes surrounding the observatory, are somehow no longer an issue as a result of having simply made contact with Dark Sky Association and a lighting contractor hoping to sell more lights.

It appears increasingly clear that the Mirbeau proposal, while apparently attractive to some on paper, fails in each and every measure of respect for the lands and waters of our neighborhoods that surround this elegant and endangered facility.

Furthermore, we would be most pleased to assist our friends at Mirbeau in locating what other sites might be more appropriate for them since they are apparently "unaware of anything else available". We have some excellent realtors in this area, any one of whom would be very pleased to help in this endeavor.

Given the apparent lack of simple research with regard to the impact the "conceptual" plan would have on the entire environment surrounding the site, perhaps now would be a good time to withdraw this plan from consideration.

Respectfully,

Geneva Lake Conservancy
James V. Celano III
Executive Director