Dutchess County/Putnam County AT Management Committee
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
Minutes of 160th Meeting
Monday, January 22, 2001  7:00 PM New Hackensack Reformed Church

Attendance: Ron Rosen (Chair), Salley Decker, Jane Geisler, Paula Schlentner (Jane Geisler's granddaughter), Jim Haggett, Walt Daniels, Mike Arthur, Fred Gerty, Ranger Adam Pickett, Ranger Chris DiCintio, Pete Senterman, Sara Ohliger (Dutchess Land Conservancy/Americorps), Frank Dogil (13).

Pre-meeting activities:

Fred introduced the two Dutchess Forest Rangers:

• Adam Pickett: 223-6856 ajpicket@gw.dec.state.ny.us   (Northern Dutchess)
• Chris DiCintio 758-5658 cadicint@gw.dec.state.ny.us   (Southern Dutchess)

Before the meeting was formally opened, the group discussed the recent Pawling-area AT missing persons' search. On the day of the first large snowstorm (Friday), two youths, age 15 and 18, were reported missing on the AT. There was much confusion concerning their likely whereabouts. Reports had them hiking south from Kent CT to rendezvous with one of the youths' mother at West Dover Road. They were found (safe and sound) at Telephone Pioneers Shelter and brought out.  They were actually hiking north from further south in Dutchess County; the erroneous information originated because a hiker who called the younger boy's mother on his cell phone was from Kent, and he had encountered them at Telephone Pioneers shelter. Before they were located, searches were under way on Schaghticoke mountain, Ten Mile River camping area and shelter, and Wiley shelter. Both NY and CT officials were involved with the search, as well as Dino Contos with AMC CT/MA (Berkshires) office. The most helpful information (which turned out to be the correct information) was provided by Guy Hasler, who lives on West Dover Road just north of the AT crossing, who had seen a fire at Telephone Pioneers shelter and convinced the rangers to search there, even though the original information suggested they should be east [Trail Northll] of West Dover Road.

The meeting was finally called to order by Chairman Ron Rosen at approximately 7:20 PM.

0. The following items circulated in the FYI (For Your Information) packet:

Water Testing results (3 wells tested 12/19/2000 [all but Shenandoah site], ALL tested OK!); we have new DLC/Americorps tester, Sarah Ohliger [present this evening]; AMC/CT Chapter Trails Committee minutes (1/2/01); Alison Latour, former J&J Log and Lumber forester, charged in fraud scheme [Poughkeepsie Journal article]; 12/26/2000 Poughkepsie Journal article on through-hiking the AT; Wanaque man killed in accident on ATV (article forwarded by Neil Zimmerman); Sterling Messenger, November 2000; YRDC Grant Proposal as submitted; Email from Neil Zimmerman: DEC Unit Mgmt. Plan meetings.

The following items circulated in the FYA (For Your Action) packet:

Volunteer Datasheet for Gary Grover [Monitoring interest - Jim Haggett took for follow-upl]; Position announcement for ATC Land Trust Regional Administrator--North [Kevin Peterson is leaving ATC]; we have final draft of NY Natural Heritage Inventory--Kent Schwarzkopf wants comments by January 22 [note report is considered confidential]; ATC Nominating Committee seeking nominations for ATC Board (wanted by 1/1/2001, don't know if they will still consider names);2001 Mid-Atlantic Crew Proposals (due 4/16/01); ATC Workshop schedule for 2001 [sign up now!].

1. The minutes of the 159th meeting, November 20, 2001, were reviewed. Under Jane Geisler's Supervisor report, the ASchagticoke lady???@ that Jane met refers to a Tribal Council Leader who had no problem with keeping the AT on reservation property. The minutes were accepted with this explanation added.

2. The planning for Year 2001 projects began with Walt Daniels leading a review of the Year 2000 project list:

[NOTE: Nuclear Lake (and retained structures) reviews with NPS /ATPO staff present will probably be the centerpiece item for the next meeting (location TBA) 3/5/01 or 3/6/01 (bad weather date)]

• Nuclear Lake outlet stream bridges: 2 out of 3 bridges complete, 3d deemed unnecessary.
• Nuclear Lake loop trail: complete, needs paint blazes only [Jim will complete by the end of May]
• Nuclear Lake campsite: site has been scouted, go-ahead decision delayed pending further discussions
• Nuclear Lake interpretive sign: text essentially complete, need funding and construction [will be a small sign, not a full interpretive exhibit]
• Graymoor Friary yearly availability: Walt Daniels has confirmed for 2001, will be outside (same as last year)
• Bulletin Boards refresh: not done during 2000; see item 3C below.
• Baker cleanup and gate: awaiting cleanup, ATC to sign contract soon.
• Management Plan 5 year update: text nearly complete except for Walt Daniels to take a few days to formalize a clean copy; also need one more assessment walk-through date with Karen Lutz (northern section from Route 22 to CT).
• Resolution of remaining acquisition and survey needs: lots of progress in 2000, ongoing - we should review list and develop a revised list for NPS review (make sure it includes recent parcels such as Unknown Owner on Corbin Hill).
• Johnson Road cleanup and closure: awaiting ATC contract
• Depot Hill gate and cleanup: pending ATC contract [all these items are on one ATC contract]
• Fill out Monitor ranks: ongoing [losses seem to match gains each year!]
• Hiller Brook boardwalk: complete, except for cleanup (scheduled for Mitzvah Day 4/29/01)
• D/P Brochure: complete and published. We should consider adding a  label with NYNJTC=s new address and phone numbers.

New Projects for 2001:

• Graymoor land exchange [when consummated], will need relo (about 1/4 mile).
• Canopus Hill waterbars, sidehilling [Walt will reschedule with WTA].
• RPH Garage removal: pending ATC contract [above].
• Taconic Parkway crossing: trail reconstruction [reduce grade]. ATC pushing for NYS DOT assistance, or it may turn out to be our project entirely.
• Morgan Stewart privy relo [Doug and Pete Senterman will handle].
• Telephone Pioneer Shelter: expand overflow campsite & privy relo.
• West Dover Oak: signs prohibiting parking over tree's roots, designated parking north of the root zone, possibly paving shoulder for parking [will need to work with Town of Pawling Highway Department].
• Relocation at Hoyt Road to avoid horse-damaged area in former field [Mitzvah Day if scouted by then].
• Corbin Hill tree planting: push NPS to resolve replacement of non-surviving trees planted in late 1999.
• Implement Natural Resource inventory recommendations.
• Deuel Hollow Bridge cleanup [Scheduled for either school group or Mitzvah Day].
• Schagticoke maintainer/monitor access [scout and cut once acquisition is completed].

3. Other business, short updates, etc.:

A. Acquisitions and Survey: Walt Daniels reported that the Geller/Unnamed Dam transfer has made progress, but is not yet finalized. Similarly, newspaper reports indicate the Harlem Valley State Hospital sale is moving forward, if Pataki's budget item for removal of the Youth Prison facility survives. Supposedly, the transfer of the AT easements to NY State Parks should occur prior to the sale of the remainder of the property.

B. DOT project update: Jim Haggett reported no news. Karen Lutz was going to get someone at ATC headquarters 

(Proudman?) to have direct contact with DOT to see if we can get DOT to reduce the trail grade.

C. Bulletin Board inventory and review: Salley Decker indicated that she and Joe Hrouda will follow up in the spring. The list of sites should be in the Trail Assessment, which Walt can supply to Salley. At this point, it is felt all probably need new Lexan/plexiglass. Walt suggested  using the Lexan-like Plexiglass (1/4" thick) available at Home Depot - affordable and probably better than thin Lexan for those who pry up to try to remove the map. It was also suggested that some kind of nail strip around the edge might help reduce vandalism. It may also be a good idea to install brochure boxes (like CT/AMC does) so people can obtain a copy of the brochure without trying to remove the master copy from under the lexan. The boards are not all the same size (probably two designs were used at different times), and Salley and Joe should measure representative boards and design a content layout that will fit. A discussion of the "Welcome to AT Lands" sign, led to the conclusion that we should ask ATC to stock a "No Bikes/ATVs" sign with a much large font size (visible from a bike or ATV going by at 10MPH). We also need NYNJTC decals w/ new address. Walt will suggest to NYNJTC a small press run for use by the 3 AT committees (perhaps 100 labels with logo, name, and address).

D. Hiller Brook project: We received a letter from Norm Benson, Town of Pawling planner, indicating that he has returned the grant money to the National Fish and Wildlife Federation. We had been considering whether we should investigate re-floating the project ourselves and whether Don should contact Don Lake (formerly NRCS, now independent) who developed the project plans. However, Fred Gerty pointed out that the site is listed as a Flood  Plain Forest in the Final Report of the NY AT Natural Heritage Inventory that we have just received, and this is shown therein on the State Natural Heritage Map as an S2 site. Fred was of the opinion that this designation would likely result in DEC's denial of the project application upon environmental review. After a short discussion, it was agreed that we would recommend to Don Owen at NPS that further consideration of the project be dropped. It is likely that erosion of the stream bank will migrate northward, and the AT route will need to be moved further north over time; the planned acquisition of about 200' of additional land to the north of the present corridor becomes more important in light of this outcome. We also discussed whether it might be worthwhile to consider removal of invasive species in the area (another of the recommendations in the Natural Heritage report), perhaps considering burning of the Purple Loosestrife under winter conditions. We will take another look at this option later this year.

E. Hunting Season observations: Since our last meeting occurred near the beginning of gun deer season, Ron asked for any reports of problems or incursions. Frank Dogil noted evidence of hunting on Corbin Hill, and given the erroneous signage there (corridor posted by Pawling Fish and Game), felt we should consider this site for legal boundary posting. The two DEC Forest Rangers requested and received a brief overview of the NPS hunting regulations for the AT corridor lands.

F. Cell tower issues: there are two recent proposals that Dave Reus of ATC has informed us about. The first, a tower proposed near Route 9 well south of the trail at Graymoor, has little reason for concern, as it has no AT views in that direction; it may impact other (newer) trail systems in that area near the Westchester-Putnam border. The second is immediately adjacent to the corridor above the Rest Area on Interstate 84, usually called the  I-84 overlook. A  proposed 185' tower would be smack dab in the middle of a broad expanse with views all the way to the Catskills. The landowner may be the private owner at the west end of the rest area, or the DOT to the east. We should try to pinpoint the actual owner of the site. Dave Reus has proposed two alternative courses of action, both based on the Cellular Telephone Industry Association (CTIA) agreement with ATC: (1) Wait to see if the proposer consults with ATC as the agreement specifies, filing an objection with the FCC if they do not; or (2) Going ahead and contacting the proposer to try to head off the problem. Dave suggested alternative (1), feeling this one would be a good case to test the ATC/CTIA agreement. Later, we may need the NPS to intervene, as this is a significant impact! Fred Gerty pointed out that the tower structure may present a possible safety issue - if the tower is large enough that it could conceivably fall on NPS land or the I84 rest area, it might be in violation of siting rules. To date, there has been no contact with the Town of East Fishkill at all concerning this tower; the town has passed a Cell Tower law and this site would have to follow East Fishkill's law unless it is sited on NYS DOT lands. We need Dave Reus to help us clarify the landowner and perhaps other details.

G. Fiberlux expansion update: Walt, Ron, and Peter Adler (nearby concerned resident - his wife Kathy is a former monitor) toured the plant. All immediate concerns seem to have been resolved. We are no longer concerned about toxic materials, visual impacts, or noise impacts. The one remaining concern is that the plant is owned by a conglomerate that in the future could decide to change the use of the facility (possibly without government review). Therefore, Ron has contacted the plant manager and indicated we would like an agreement allowing us the option of annual inspections of the plant operations to confirm no such changes have occurred. The manager, Tom Duffy, has agreed to this request. All present endorsed this approach, so Ron will write them a letter formally requesting annual inspections. Once we have received confirmation from the company that they will comply with this request, we will inform the Town of Pawling that we have no further concerns with the planned plant expansion.

H. Outside group assistance: We have two groups planning to assist us in the next few months: (1) A school in Bedford, NY named "Academic Community" (5-16 high-school-age youth); they are planning an overnight stay likely in March or April [probably  Thursday into Friday]. Ron has contacted Jane Geisler and she has proposed that they work at the Deuel Hollow Bridge site performing cleanup of the old decking and brush from the hemlock stringers, and [if it can be scouted in time] a short relo near Hoyt Road to avoid the wet area near the King's horse farm. (2) Mitzvah Day (Jewish Family Services of Dutchess County) is scheduled for  Sunday  4/29. We have asked their volunteers to meet at Rt 22 parking area at  9:15am, with the following possible projects: Hiller Brook boardwalk cleanup of old materials, removal of the debris from the old shack just north of the AT crossing of the Metro North RR tracks. Also, if the Academic Community project fails to occur or doesn=t get all the work done, the Mitzvah Day crew can complete any work needed at that site. If any other project opportunities appear, the proposer should contact Ron who can arrange with JFS to have another group meet at a different location (as we did last year). Possible other projects, each dependent on acquisition or related issues being resolved, are the Graymoor relo and the Taconic Parkway / Miller Hill Road rebuilding.

I. Discussion of thru-hiker assistance (continued from previous meetings): Fred Gerty has sent a letter to the Register commenting on the issue of hikers using the AT "unassisted" noting the Register's recent report of an elaborate timber frame shelter completed in Virginia. His commentary is [slightly] tongue-in-cheek, making the point that essentially there is no such thing as "un-aided efforts" on the part of thru-hikers. He reminds us that the Comprehensive Plan calls for a trail through Culturally Significant lands, not a true wilderness trail.

4. Reports

A. Area Supervisors Summaries

• Jane Geisler said all her items have been addressed earlier this evening.
• Frank Dogil attended a Public Hearing in Pawling on January 2, 2001 re the Paterno parcel on West Dover Road [east side, 2nd parcel south of the trail]. They seem to be appropriately pursuing operations, and he did not detect any major concerns. He noted that the site is likely in the viewshed of Cat Rocks, but none of their plans seem visually intrusive. Frank has also  developed a Corridor Monitor Supervisor Summary Form, which he distributed (it needs updated address and phone for NYNJTC). He will send the WordPerfect file to Walt, who will follow up with getting the form adopted for general use for all three management committees.
• Incidentally, Ron and Walt announced that the NYNJTC is moving at the end of January from Manhattan to 156 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430, phone (201) 512-9348.
• Mike Arthur had  nothing new to report.
• Jim Haggett said all his items have been handled earlier in the meeting.
• Walt Daniels reported the possible removal of  WTA, since Dick Redfield is no longer Trails Chair and they have failed to handle their maintenance and reporting for a whole year now.

B. Other Items:

• Ron reviewed the current distribution list for the Meeting Agenda and Minutes mailing, and those present suggested quite a few updates and changes.

5. Other reports and announcements - none. Location of next meeting still TBA (we have not yet reserved the East Fishkill Library meeting room). Date: Monday, March 5, 2001, weather date Tuesday, March 6, 2001 same location. Time as usual.

6. The meeting was adjourned at 9:33 PM

Respectfully submitted by Mike Arthur, with post-production assistance by Ron Rosen