Environmentalists are against the project of the Genting Group in New York

The Malaysian Genting group is currently a candidate for one of the four casino licenses in the State of New York: the one for Orange County.
Nevertheless the project called Sterling Forest Resort sparked hostility of several environmental groups who believe that its construction may have adverse effects on the surrounding natural habitat.
In fact, the complex is to be built on a plot of 140 acres that are adjacent to Sterling Forest State Park.

A casino hotel in the town of Tuxedo

The project that is presented by the Genting group is part of the plan that was put in place by Governor Andrew Cuomo who wants to issue four casino licenses in the state of New York in the coming years.
The licence for the Orange County, the nearest region to Manhattan, is the one assigned to the Genting Group.
It would allow them to run a complex in the town of Tuxedo which is located less than an hour from New York City.
A spokesman for the Malaysian giant says the project will blend in perfectly with the scenic beauty of the Hudson Valley.
Nevertheless, the population of Tuxedo and environmentalist groups remains sceptic.

The concerns of environmental groups

A public hearing to discuss the property was recently organised by the Gaming Commission of the State of New York.
During the hearing, several environmental groups expressed their concern.
One such group, the New Jersey Sierra Club, said that the construction of the resort could cause potential harm to the environment, including a depletion of the quantity and quality of water in the Ramapo River.
Consequently, the project would undermine decades of investments to preserve the open space and to protect drinking water.
A land-based casino in this location will cause a significant impact on the environment.

Other submitted applications

When submitting the application earlier this year, the Genting group had already spent nearly a million dollars.
It now expects the regulatory authority for money games of the State of New York to examine all submitted proposals.
Indeed, several other companies also want the valuable license, including Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Companies and Penn National Gaming.
The Malaysian giant estimates that their project will create 2,000 jobs and contribute $4.6 billion into the local economy over the next decade.