| The NY-NJ Trail Conference is very concerned about
newspaper accounts of a major development on the lands of the Awosting
Reserve. As you may know, this large property borders the backcountry
areas of Minnewaska State Park Preserve and their boundary runs right
up against Gertrude's Nose. However, it is important to note that the
owner/developer has not yet revealed any specific plans. They have not
yet requested any permits or zoning exceptions. Until something is
presented to local and state agencies, there is nothing for NY-NJ
Trail Conference to comment on or react to.
In the meantime, however, we can educate ourselves on the relevant
issues. Plans are in the works for a coalition of various interest
groups, perhaps spearheaded by Friends of the Shawangunks, to follow
this issue closely and work to ensure an outcome that protects the
valuable environmental and cultural resources of the northern
Shawangunk ridge. We encourage you to keep in touch with Friends of
the Shawangunks (www.nynjtc.org/clubpages/fos.html)
and suggest you join them if you are not already a member. Another
good place for up-to-date information is (www.savethegunks.com).
We also suggest that you visit the Shawangunk Ridge Coalition
website (www.shawangunkridge.org/coalition)
which is working to create a protected corridor all the way to New
Jersey. The NY-NJ Trail Conference is currently compiling a list of
interested members to contact at the appropriate time. If you are not
a NYNJTC member, please consider joining (www.nynjtc.org).
The campaign to protect/save these open space acres will be a long
and protracted one. Be assured, we at NYNJTC are in for the long run.
H. Neil Zimmerman
Chair Conservation and Advocacy Committee
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
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