Dear Editor:

A new study being performed by the University Transportation Research Committee (UTRC2) at City College in Manhattan, of the state's proposed plan to build a huge intermodal facility in Brentwood, on surplus Pilgrim State Hospital land, is being slanted towards business, transportation and city interests.

The UTRC2 policy analysts were hired by the state to also consider other suitable alternative sites for smaller intermodal facilities on Long Island. The UTRC2 is being paid $125,000 by the state (with a promise of an additional $50,000 if needed from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation). The study was to be completed by end of February, with results and a recommendation presented to Governor Paterson and the State Legislature soon after.

What is troubling is that the list of stakeholders did not include respected groups like Long Island Pine Barrens Society, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Sierra Club, Great South Bay Audubon Society, and Seatuck Environmental Association, all who support the transfer of this land , as per a 1987 statute, to the Edgewood Preserve and embrace the idea of smaller intermodal facilities in industrial areas as a way to responsibly bring freight by rail to Long Island and protect the environment.

The only two environmental groups on the contact list, other than Friends of Edgewood, is Environmental Defense Fund and New York League of Conservation Voters, which do not represent Long Island's best interests. No surprise they vigorously support the NYS DOT's plan for a mega-intermodal hub in Brentwood.

How objective and fair will this new NYS DOT study be? So far, it is highly suspect. Friends of the Edgewood Preserve Denis Byrne, president; Paul Tomko, vice president; Sid Cherry, treasurer, Patricia Burkhart, secretary and Mary Beth Tomko, board member