Minutes 6/3/2004

New York – New Jersey Trail Conference
Trails Council
Minutes of Meeting, June 3, 2004

1. The meeting was called to order by Trail Conference Board of Directors Chair, Jane Daniels at 6:35 PM. Present were: Pete Heckler, Peter Tilgner, David Day, Monica Resor, John Blenninger, Walt Daniels, John Moran, Sandy Parr, Jakob Franke, Suzan Gordon, Bob Ward, Fred Polvere, Gail Neffinger, Manny Silberberg, Jill Arbuckle, Bob Marshall, Trudy Schneider, Chris Connolly, Larry Braun, Martin Grossman, Bob Boysen, and Larry Wheelock.

• Minutes The minutes of the April 1st meeting were approved as submitted.

• Announcements. The following announcements were made:

Jane Daniels presented the American Hiking Society 2003 N. J. Volunteer of the Year award to Monica Resor and David Day. Jane mentioned that the AHS made an exception in giving this award to two volunteers instead of the usual one because Dave and Monica work as a team.

Pete Heckler announced the successful completion of the Popolopen Bridge construction and the upgrading of parts of the 1777 and 1779 Trails.

Larry Wheelock and Walt Daniels spoke about the AHS initiative to compile ORV impact data to be used to raise awareness in the public and elected officials of the damage that this type of activity on public lands does. It was requested of those present that attention be paid to reporting incidents in a timely fashion and to concentrate on a measurable amounts of damage done to the hiking trails. It was suggested that this reporting should include some indication of the lost opportunities by other recreational users due to ORV activity.

Related to this was a question as to whether or not incident reports made to the Trail Conference are automatically forwarded to park managements. Larry W. indicated that he has in the past sought authorization from the sender before forwarding their reports. Walt Daniels said that once the reports are made through the web site that they should be considered public knowledge and that clearing them further should not be necessary.

Larry Wheelock announced that the 2005 Plan and Budget process has begun and requested that all plans possible for the coming season be submitted by the middle of July. A first draft of the plans should be ready for the August 5th Trails Council meeting, and the budget portion needs to be ready for the August Board meeting.

In an update on the Sterling Forest Work Plan Group meeting of May 4 Larry W. indicated that the Committee is moving beyond the Interim planning stage and onto the Comprehensive Plan phase with the cooperation of the user group volunteers. The Interim plan is being left to Park Manager Jim Gell for implementation. Pete Tilgner indicated that the Trail Conference's SF Design Group will be prepared to present a list of suggested trails for the Comprehensive phase. This list is nearly complete.

Bob Ward announced that earlier that day the N. Y. C. Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe made public recognition of June 5th National Trails Day in NYC.

Pete Heckler introduced a new blaze concept for discussion. The proposed blaze would be about 4 inches by 6 inches and would indicate a trail crossing with a cross painted on the blaze. In the discussion that followed it was indicated that this type of blaze would help those who are easily confused or do not understand blazing conventions and would also help those who are colorblind. It was asked if our current blazing standards would cover the needs. It was also pointed out that we cannot provide for every person who might be ignorant of blazing standards and that perhaps it would be better to put a brief description of blazing conventions on a bulletin boards near trail heads.

Jakob Franke provided an update on new blazed sections of the LP and Shawangunk Ridge Trail that needed to be done in order to help avoid local taxes. The newly blazed trails would open the lands up to the public as a resource for recreation.

Jane Daniels reviewed the spring workshops. The East of Hudson was very successful with the event being held over two days, which turned out to benefit those who wanted to attend both the Maintenance and/or the Construction and Monitoring workshops. The Catskill workshop was a disappointment because only 8 of the 16 signed up showed. This was an embarrassment since Pete Senterman had enlisted a number DEC employees to help.

Bob Boysen reporting on the West Jersey trails indicated that a few months ago there had been 14 maintainer vacancies and as of now there are only 3. This is in large part due to the efforts of Josh Erdsneker, the Volunteer Director. Bob went on to say that there would be new vacancies if the Trail Conference adopts his proposed new trails.

Details were provided on the Warren Trail, which will connect Stephens S. P. to Pequest Wildlife Management Area with approximately 4 miles of new trail in each. The trails in Pequest will be for foot use only.

Bob, also mentioned that Allamuchy S. P. does not want the Trail Conference to help with their trails since they feel that JORBA is doing a good job maintaining them.

New Business:

New Jersey : Together Bob B. and Larry W. reported on the plans to develop the Iron Belt Heritage Trail connecting the AT in Wawayanda S. P. to the Highlands Trail in Mahlon Dickerson County Park. This trail project is under the direction of Paul DeCoste. The exact route has not been determined, although it will be entirely on existing public lands and has the verbal support of representatives from each of the land managing agencies. Jane D. pointed out that since this is a semi-long distance trail and will be in part on new agency lands that this will require the approval of the Board. A proposal was made to approve this project in concept in order to move it along to the Board of Directors for their approval. This motion was made by Pete Heckler, was seconded and passed unanimously. Bob Boysen will prepare a proposal to present to the Board.

The proposal was now made to approve the adoption of nearly 4 miles of new trails in Stephens S. P. The Park management had specifically requested the Trail Conference to adopt these trails. Since we already maintain a section of the Highlands Trail in Stephens S. P. these new trails will not need approval from the Board of Directors. Pete Heckler made the motion to approve. Seconded by Larry Braun and passed unanimously.

A proposal was then made to adopt the 3.9 miles of trails in the Pequest WMA, (also at the agencies request). Bob Ward made this motion; it was seconded by Pete Tilgner and passed unanimously. Since we do not currently maintain trails in Pequest WMA so, this new trail system will require approval from the Board of Directors. Bob Boysen will prepare a proposal to be made to the Board.

A proposal was made to adopt two new trails in Wawayanda S. P. that are for multi-use at the Park management's request. Bob Boysen indicated that two new maintainers who are willing to work on multi-use trails would maintain the Double Pond and the Laurel Pond trails. The point was made that the maintainers need to be aware of just what may be required to maintain a trail that is open for equestrian and bicycle use. It was also pointed out that adopting these trails may give us some leverage in convincing the Park Management of much needed and long requested use restriction signage at the junctions with foot use only trials. A motion to adopt these trails was made by Walt Daniels, seconded by Bob Ward and passed with three opposed.

New York : Larry Braun said that the E. D. of Black Rock Forest has expressed pleasure with the TC's work in the Forest and has asked us to adopt another three trails. The adoption of the Rut, Tower Vue and White Oak trails was proposed. Pete Heckler made a motion to adopt, Bob Ward seconded and it was passed unanimously.

Regarding what to do with the "orphaned" sections of the Stillman Trail in Storm King S. P. it was suggested that the section on Butter Hill running north from the 9W parking area to where it joins the new section of the Stillman coming up from Mountain Road be reblazed another color. After some discussion regarding what color to use for this blaze it came down to white or orange. (The orphaned section of the Stillman west of 9W will be abandoned). A motion was made by Walt Daniels to reblaze this section, seconded and passed with one opposed. The final color determination will be left up to the West Hudson North Chair and Supervisor.

Pete Heckler made some comments regarding the public hearing held on the 2nd at Bear Mt. Inn in reference to the closing of Storm King S. P. from July 1 through November 2004. Pete said that the Army Corps of Engineers plans to detonate any found ordinance on site and that this explains why the park needs to be closed. He indicated that route 9W would only be closed when an effort to detonate a found shell is planned not for the duration.

Pete, also indicated that Ken Kreiser, PIPC Deputy Executive Director, has indicated that the West Hudson Trail Crew will be allowed to continue work on the Stillman Trail during the period that the Park is closed.

Minutes taken by Larry Wheelock

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