TRENTON – Senator Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) issued the following statement after the Senate approved a resolution (SR-92) he sponsored urging the State of New York not to approve the development of a casino in or around SterlingForest:
“Developers are clamoring for the opportunity to build a casino-resort in New York following the approval of four state-issued gambling licenses. Unfortunately, one of the proposals recently unveiled would have a devastating impact on our state, affecting a watershed that supplies drinking water for 3 million residents.
“As a state, we have worked for years to protect Sterling Forest from development. A proposal by the Genting Group would mean the construction of a 1.4 million square foot casino with a 1,000 room hotel at the park. For the protection of our residents, we cannot allow this to move forward. Building a casino in or near Sterling Forest would have a huge impact on the drinking water supply for millions of people in North Jersey, and would result in increased traffic and pollution in the area. It would be devastating to the watershed that we have spent years protecting.
“Today the Senate spoke in one voice to urge the State of New York not to approve any proposal to build in or near Sterling Forest. This is an issue that is vital to our state and to our residents.”