Minutes,
September 20, 2004
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Dutchess County/Putnam County AT Management Committee
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
Minutes of 186th Meeting
Monday, September 20, 2004
7:00 PM East Fishkill Library
Attendance: Jim Haggett, Walt Daniels, Ron Rosen, Dr. Philip Bonanno (Pawling Mountain Club), Jane Geisler, Pete Senterman, Fred Gerty, Sally Decker, Pat Robson, Pam Underhill (NPS AT Park Manager), Bob Gray (NPS AT Ranger) (11).
The meeting was brought to order by Jim Haggett at 7:10 PM.
FYA items:
FYI items:
1. Review and approval of minutes of the 184 th and 185 th meetings
May 17, 2004 and July 19, 2004. The minutes for these meetings can be found on the web at http://www.nynjtc.org/committees/trailscouncil/at-committees/DP/index.html
2. Meeting features: Nuclear Lake Issues:
Jim introduced Dr. Bonanno, who first spoke about Pawling Mountain Club and Nuclear Lake’s history. Dr. Bonanno noted that one of the reasons he chose this property was the existence of the Nuclear Lake property next door. Recently, for target shooting in or near wetlands, PMC switched to use of “No-Tox” shot using either Bismuth or Tungsten instead of lead. PMC has had problems with encroachment over Penny Road, including poachers using Penny Road to enter their lands, sometimes even using rifles. The PMC now wants to make assistance available to Pattie Robson, Nuclear Lake dam caretaker, and would like to get involved with the AT Committee including volunteering for monitor and/or maintainer positions.
Dr. Bonanno noted that PMC and Nuclear Lake have a long common boundary and they would like to have some access from their land that would allow portaging canoes or kayaks from their property to the lake. Of the approximately 180 members world wide, 50 are active and perhaps 40 could make the walk to the lake. It was stated that the PMC is a family organization and they would like to use the lake for passive recreational purposes.
PMC has helped the AT in the past, for example during the fire at the Cat Rocks, with access and equipment. PMC staff is trained in advanced life support and has safety equipment onsite.
We would like to get some of our folks involved on our local committee. For example, we would like to get our 30-35 year old staff involved, generally local men with farming background. Manager Tim Schwartz, Asst. Manager James Steglitz, perhaps Pete Giaccolone. Peter Jones lives in town of Pawling.
Walt responded that for people who live locally, we do look for local representatives. PMC has an active community relations program with the town.
Pam Underhill welcomed any additional volunteer involvement in the local management. The land base is now mostly secure, but the reality is we need long-term cooperation with trail neighbors and the communities to insure the long-term viability of the trail.
Pat Robson commented that there have been problems with infiltration of hunters onto Nuclear Lake property via Gardner Hollow Road. Pat would also like to put up more “no hunting” signs on the south boundary of the Nuclear Lake property near Route 55.
Jim will get with Mike Arthur, and Mike will contact Tim to discuss volunteer opportunities along the trail.
Walt asked about the NPS Caretaker Agreement. Pam agreed to ask Rita to send us the most recent draft of the agreement.
Ron will supply Pat with “No Hunting” signs for Route 55.
Pat commented that there is a lot of litter on parcel 269-27, which has an old roadbed that allows access for dumping. We need to monitor this situation.
3. Old Business, short updates, etc.:
A. Acquisitions and Survey update
Walt hasn’t heard any news on the new Putnam survey maps. Pam will relay the message to the Lands office to keep us up to date on the publication of the maps. Jim asked Pam about the Con Ed crossing; there were some negotiation sessions in Federal District Court, but current status unknown.
B. Trail Assessment project update (Walt Daniels)–next steps... Walt still needs to meet with all supervisors to review their sections of his assessment. Pam noted that the AT got an exception to an NPS-wide deadline for assessments; the park office has been rushing to get information together. Walt will get some surgery on October 12, and will be out of commission after that. Walt has also been working on the re-photographing of the AT viewpoints in Putnam County.
C. RPH Water Project status—the RPH well: Jim talked with Michele, when she gets back from vacation she will get contractors lined up for bidding on the project. She would like to schedule a pre-bid meeting the 3 rd week in October. We need someone to represent the DPATMC at the meeting; Jim would like to talk George Muller into this task. Re Water Testing: YRDC has had major cutbacks in staffing and programs. YRDC staff suggested checking with SCA for possible contacts.
D. Bulletin Board replacement (Mike Arthur, others). Mark Jordy got his Levers grant to put in three Bulletin Boards last week. He plans to do the Route 52 parking area, the Depot Hill Road area, and the Route 55 Nuclear Lake area. Ron mentioned that YRDC has had severe staff cutbacks, and their ability to complete the project is in doubt…we should know more around the end of this month.
E. ATC Reorganization update (Walt Daniels): The new ATN has a good review of the current status of the reorganization. Pam commented that the new staff people are great, and ATC shows new energy. The ATC is now ahead of schedule on the process. This fall’s regional meetings should see more of the transition process complete. There is a LOT of discussion of the pros and cons of a name change for ATC.
F. Special Use Permit update - Charlie Dennis. Ron noted that Charlie is willing to continue his SUP fields, plus ALL of the Lockwood field. We are in favor of this expansion of the permit. Ron will inform Michele Miller of our approval.
G. Relocation plans ( Nuclear Lake & Harlem Valley State Hospital): Don Owen has had to delay his trip for environmental review, so we should encourage Don to get up here ASAP. We need to flag a new route that avoids the dump Jane Geisler and Walt Daniels found while scouting the route with GPS equipment.
H. Ron will be going to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting on October 16 th.
4. Reports
A. Area Supervisors Summaries:
Jane Geisler mentioned a 2 nd barrel has been installed at the AT Railroad Station. Jane mentioned that Bob Woodin hasn’t signed in at the shelter since July 8. It was reported that his mother has had a serious operation.
On July 29 George Muller, Frank Dogil, Walt Daniels and Jane flagged possible new trail route from Johnson Road area to Askins Road. Jane Xeroxed Dover Tax Map (not the large one) that shows all the neighboring property owners. A copy was given to Frank.
In August a new post was put by cemetery with a south arrow and other blazes made more visible.
In the August 26 issue of the Millbrook Round Table it was reported a tornado hit Cook’s barn near West Dover Road.
The maintainer expects to weed whack the Great Swamp boardwalk before Labor Day.
Several possibilities are being explored for brochure boxes.
Frank Dogil was not present and did not submit a report.
Mike Arthur was not present either. There is a bad blowdown just west (trail south) of West Dover Road. Jim is aware Mike is going out to do blowdown removal next weekend.
Jim Haggett reported that a hiker recently had a bear encounter in the Nuclear Lake area just north of the Rt. 55 parking area.
The fire south of the RPH shelter looks pretty good now. The maintainer planted some rye grass and cleaned up the felled trees (from the fire dept).
Ralph Ferrusi broke his leg while out on the Trail; he expects to get the cast off in about two weeks.
Walt Daniels reported on the problems near South Mountain Pass, where 8 or 9 inches of rain fell in a couple of hours a few weeks ago. One resident, Joyce Blum, complained to the NPS that water from the AT lands came down an old woods road and washed out her driveway. Actually, other people in the area had even larger problems, and the town needed $22,000 worth of rock to regrade South Mountain Pass itself. Joyce has forms to fill out to try to claim damage from the government.
Walt has a new maintainer from Route 9 north, replacing Marian Britten. This has traditionally been a WTA-maintained piece, so Walt gave it to a WTA maintainer.
Walt also mentioned the viewpoint re-photographing he has been working on. The trail from Long Hill road southbound needs new steps, and the Shenandoah view to the west needs recutting. The Canopus Beach view needs some scrub oak trimmed. The steep informal trails from that view to the beach need to be blocked. We should do some re-engineering in that area long term…
5. The meeting was adjourned at 9:44 PM.
Submitted by Ron Rosen
2004 remaining Meeting schedule:
November 15, East Fishkill Library
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