By Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-579932.mp3
Wheatfield, NY – The developer of the proposed "Magical Lands of Oz" theme park for the town of Wheatfiled says the project is still in the works despite a number of environmental impact issues. But final approval is still needed.
Plans to build an 800-acre Oz theme park, based of the Wizard of Oz books, has remained only on paper for now. The $800 million project would be situated on land along Williams Road in Wheatfield. But in order for any construction to begin, a State Enviromental Quality Review, known as SEQR, must be completed and approved.
This allows the State DEC to determine if the project meets not only enviromental standards, but social and economic as well.
President and CEO of Oz Central, Richard Burch, says he openly admits that they "underestimated" the time frame for this process.
Burch says along with the traffic study, the SEQR process has a drainage and archeological studies, as well as noise, wetlands and wildlife.
Burch says he expects the entire impact study to stack as high as two-feet tall when complete. If the DEC approves it, a final public hearing will be held before any construction would begin.
The Oz Park would be considered a world-class destination, much like Disney, that could attract millions.
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