Brian Nearing of the Times-Union reports that New York State is making its largest purchase of forest land in the Catskills in years. Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens announced the state will close on 1,200 acres as part of the proposed Belleayre Resort project. The state is buying the land on Big Indian mountain for $5.6 million from developers Crossroads Ventures LLC, which has plans for luxury housing and a golf course. DEC is still reviewing permits that would allow the project to move ahead. Eric Goldstein, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, told the paper, "This is the largest and most important state land acquisition in the Catskills in a decade; among other benefits, it will help protect downstate drinking water and help prevent upstate flooding." Read the Times-Union for the full story.