Contact Information:

Archives and Special Collections
Cannavino Library
Marist College
3399 North Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: 845-575-5217
Fax: 845-575-3150
Email: john.ansley@marist.edu
URL: http://library.marist.edu/archives/saunders_Aid.html

Processed by:

Nicholas Gildard

Date Completed:

March 21, 2002

Encoded by:

Phil McDowell

Descriptive Summary

Title:

Alexander Saunders Collection: Records Relating to the Storm King Case 1962-1966.

Creator:

Scenic Hudson, Inc.

Extent:

1 linear foot

Date Span:

1962 - 1966

Repository:

Marist College Archives and Special Collections

Related Collections:

Hudson River Environmental Society Collection
On the River Documentary
Scenic Hudson Decision
Seymour Collection
HRVC Collection

Abstract:

Scenic Hudson, Inc., formerly Scenic Hudson Preservation Conference, was founded in 1963 to oppose the Consolidated Edison Company’s proposed pumped storage facility at Storm King Mountain, near Cornwall, New York. Alexander Saunders served on the Executive Committee of the Scenic Hudson Preservation Conference as Co-Chairman of the organization.

The records consist of legal documents, notes and publicity materials, printed matter, and clippings.

Administrative Information

Access:

No restrictions.

Usage Restrictions:

Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. Scenic Hudson’s copyright interest in these records has been donated to the United States Government.

Provenance:

Scenic Hudson, Inc presented the records to the Marist College Library in 1982.

Online Catalog Terms

Environmental auditing--United States.
Environmental law--United States.
Environmental policy--United States.
Environmental protection.
Scenic Hudson, Inc.

Historical Note

In September 1962, the Consolidated Edison Company announced plans to build a pumped storage facility, the largest of its kind in the world, at Storm King Mountain near Cornwall, New York. The initial application for license to construct the plant was filed with the Federal Power Commission in January 1963. On November 8, 1963, a small group of concerned citizens met at the home of Carl Carmer and formed the Scenic Hudson Preservation Conference to fight the pumped storage project on the grounds that it posed a threat to the Cornwall water supply and Hudson River fisheries as well as to scenic and historic Storm King Mountain.

Alexander Saunders, of Philipstown, New York, joined the fight against the Consolidated Edison Co. and was an active member of Scenic Hudson’s executive committee. In his testimony before the F.P.C. Mr. Saunders stated the mission and motivating factors that lead him, and many others, to become a part of Scenic Hudson, “When we began, there were not many of us. Today our membership exceeds 1,200. This is no special group. We are not simply the affluent. Our membership is from all walks of life and now from all parts of the country. There are many, I dare say, who have not even seen Storm King Mountain…Why then, some may ask, are we here? Your honor, we are here because we love the Hudson. We love this wonderful River and its wonderful hills… We hope that the children of the country will have a chance for that same affection.” (From Alexander Saunders, in testimony before the Federal Power Commission, Series 8, Box 75, Folder, 945, in the Scenic Hudson Collection, Archives and Special Collections, James A. Cannavino Library, Marist College)

Working closely with the other members of the organization, as well as the outside community, Mr. Saunders and Scenic Hudson were successful in their attempt to keep the pumped-storage facility from being placed on historic Storm King Mountain, thereby fulfilling his goal of ensuring that the children of the country would have a chance for the same affection he had toward the river.

The Storm King case lasted for 17 years. In a negotiated settlement in December 1980, Consolidated Edison agreed to drop the plan for the Storm King facility.

The lengthy and controversial case set important precedents in environmental law and is generally credited with spawning the modern environmental movement. Scenic Hudson, Inc. continues to serve as an environmental watchdog in the Hudson Valley.

Collection Overview

The Alexander Saunders Collection consists of materials documenting the landmark environmental law case that opposed the Consolidated Edison Company’s proposed pumped storage facility at Storm King Mountain, near Cornwall, NY. The Scenic Hudson Decision, as the case is called in law books, launched the modern environmental movement.

The records consist of legal documents, testimony, notes and publicity materials, printed matter, and clippings.

List of Series
1. Legal Materials
2. Notes & Publicity Materials, Printed Matter, and Clippings

Series Descriptions

1. Legal Materials
Testimony, Exhibits, Opinions and Intervenors relating to the Storm King Case

Size: about .7 linear feet.

Arrangement: by subject (con ed) & roughly chronological

Containers: 1-2

Folders: 1-17

2. Notes & Publicity Material, Printed Matter, and Clippings
Notes, Publicity Materials, and Clippings Highlighting the Storm King Case, and Con Ed Annual Reports

Size: .3 linear feet

Arrangement: clippings arranged chronologically

Containers: 3

Folders: 18-25

Series 1 – Legal Material
Box 1 - Intervenors, Testimony, and Relating Exhibits

Folder 1	Consolidated Edison Testimony, Transcripts, Appeals
Folder 2	Internenors Opposes to Con Ed
Folder 3	Intervenors Pro Con Ed
Folder 4	Cond Ed - Testimony
Folder 5	Testimony
Folder 6	Project 2338 - Opinion & Order Issuing License and Reopening and Remanding Proceeding... 3/9/65
Folder 7	Project 2338 Opinion & Order Denying Application for Rehearing and Petition to Reopen Proceedings... 5/6/65
Folder 8	Hearings before the Subcommittee on National Parks & Recreation...H.R. 3012 and Related Bills

Box 2 Testimony, Northeast Blackout Hearings, Congressional Hearings & Testimony

Folder 9	Testimony
Folder 10	Testimony
Folder 11	Testimony - Leon H. Keyserling
Folder 12	FPC Hearings and Testimony
Folder 13	Northeast Blackout & Testimony
Folder 14	Congressional Hearings - Jean Saunders Testimony
Folder 15	Jean Saunders - Testimony and Statements
Folder 16	FPC Hearings
Folder 17	Exhibits Accompanying Testimony of Staff Witness Joseph J.A. Jessel

Series 2 - Notes & Publicity Material, Printed Matter, and Clippings

Box 3 Notes & Publicity Material, Printed Matter, and Clippings

Folder 18	Notes and Publicity Materials
Folder 19	Printed Material
Folder 20	Clippings
Folder 21	Clippings
Folder 22	Clippings
Folder 23	Clippings
Folder 24	Clippings
Folder 25	Annual Reports, 1962-1965

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last updated on May 11, 2006