| At the negotiation session on August 23rd, NPS and
Graymoor basic agreement on which pieces of land would be transferred.
Some of the current easement lands will be returned to the friars and
some additional lands will be added to the AT right-of-way easement.
The exact acreage change has not been computed yet as the new lines
need to be surveyed. There was also significant changes to the terms
of what is permitted on the easements, removing some severe
restrictions on Graymoor, e.g. allowed to replace the sewer pipe with
larger diameter if necessary. The boundaries of the new ROW are mostly
based on what is visible from various points on the trail using
natural ridges to bound the area rather than roads or other artificial
boundaries. Much of the trail will be relocated to a significantly
better route that moves it off the roads and sewer line and into the
woods. The crossing of Old West Point Road will be at a safer point
with better visibility.
Of course, basic agreement and a signed document are two different
things. All of the above is pending the lawyers cleaning up the
easement language to both sides satisfaction and a final look at the
boundaries once they are surveyed. A formal statement from NPS
and Graymoor should be forthcoming.
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