The Sterling Messenger Volume VIII, Number 1, January 2000
The Sterling Messenger is published by the Sterling Forest Partnership, Inc. a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Sterling Forest as open space. Please direct inquiries to: John Gebhards, Exec. Dir. Sterling Forest Partnership, 7 Spring Rock Drive, Goshen, NY 10924.
Call or fax 914-294-3098, e-mail sterlfor@magiccarpet.comThis Issue:
1. Negotiations to Buy Rest of Sterling Forest
3. Sterling Forest Master Plan
4. New Trails in Sterling Forest
5. Hesbon is new NY-NJ Tr. Conf. Dir.
6. Book Review: Reading the Earth
7. NJ Calls for Preservation of SF
9. Sterling Forest Winter Outings
10. Sterling Forest State Park Activities
1. NEGOTIATIONS TO BUY REST OF STERLING FOREST
The Palisades Interstate Park Commission and the Trust for Public Land continue to negotiate with the Sterling Forest LLC to buy part, or all, of the corporation’s remaining 2,200 acres of Sterling Forest. This is the property that the corporation has applied to the Town of Tuxedo for a permit on which to develop an age-restricted gated community, two golf courses and additional houses totaling 1,300 residential units. This is the same corporation that originally proposed to build 14,000 houses and eight million square feet of commercial and light industry across 20,000 acres of New Jersey and New York’s Sterling Forest.
Talks over the past year have focused on buying this last piece of the forest from the corporation to add to the new Sterling Forest State Park. It is clear that the state of New York is serious about purchasing the land. But the corporation, even though it claims to be a willing seller, has not yet publicly put a price tag on the land. John Gebhards, Executive Director of the Sterling Forest Partnership, says, "If the Corporation proceeds with its permit application to develop, we are prepared to counter with professional and imposing public opposition to this development at the hearings on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement."
Please continue to contact both New York’s Governor Pataki and New Jersey’s Governor Whitman asking that the two states jointly fund the acquisition of ALL of the remaining Sterling Forest lands.
2. NYU Lands Added to Park
A 659-acre parcel within Sterling Forest, formerly owned by New York University, has been purchased by the Trust for Public Land and the Open Space Institute and transferred to the Palisades Interstate Park. This forested area, located east of
the Sterling Forest State Park includes an area called Eagle Mountain. This acquisition will be added to the new park.The purchase price was reported to be about $860,000. The major portion of the money
came from New York State, while the balance came from the two land trust groups.3. STERLING FOREST STATE PARK MASTER PLAN STUDY GROUPS MEET
A "Public Study Group" has been convened to provide input on the new Park Master Plan that is currently being developed by the Sterling Forest Master Plan Team. The Plan Team is composed of representatives from involved New York and New Jersey agencies, the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, the National Park Service and a consultant from the RBA Group.The Public Study Group, see sidebar, represents various user groups, municipalities and interested parties. This group has met twice and has contributed ideas on the Master Plan’s vision and goals. The Sterling Forest Partnership, with five board members on the study group, is committed to putting protection of the forest and its biodiversity as the top priority of this plan.
Another group called the "Science Study Group," is made up of a wide variety of natural and cultural resource professionals and organizational representatives who have a specific interest in science related issues of the new park. This group has met once for a general orientation on the master plan process and will likely meet again in the spring.
4. NEW TRAILS IN STERLING FOREST By Peter Tilgner
The Indian Hill property provides a land connection between Harriman-Bear Mountain State Park and Sterling Forest. A new trail has been cut and blazed that links the Indian Hill Loop trail with the Appalachian Trail (AT), just west of Mount Arden. This blue blazed link makes it possible to hike from the Elk Pen in Harriman State Park to the Indian Hill Loop. A special feature of the Indian Hill property is the remains of the 19th-century Southfields Furnace, one of the most intact iron furnaces in the Highlands. Scenic Hudson is stabilizing the furnace to making this site accessible to the public. Thanks to Bob Rondhare, Charlie Forman and Bob Koshinskie for this great job.
Sterling Forest's latest trail addition is the blue-blazed Allis Trail extension. The Allis Trail originally connected the AT with Rt. 17 A. This one and a quarter mile off-road extension now connects the Allis Trail to the Sterling Ridge Trail. This trail was laid out by Steve Butfilowski, and thirteen members of the NY-NJ Trail Conference, led by Werner Johnston, Tom Murray and Mike Okamoto, cut and blazed the trail. Ginny Livsey, who helped with the trail cutting, will now maintain this section.
5. Hesbon Chosen as New Director of NY-NJ Trail Conference
Congratulations to our Sterling Forest Partnership President, Jan Hesbon, who has been named the new Executive Director of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. He succeeds JoAnn Dolan, who is also an officer of the Partnership. Under JoAnn’s leadership the NYNJTC has been one of the staunchest supporters in the long battle to save Sterling Forest and Jan’s appointment ensures this continued alliance.
6. BOOK REVIEW: Reading The Earth: Landforms in the Making
Reading the Earth, by Jerome Wyckoff, guides us to a deeper understanding of the landscape where we live. It is geared for the layman and is richly illustrated with many geological events exemplified by sites here in the Highlands.
Available from Adastra West, Inc. Publishers, Box 874, Mahwah, NJ 07430. Recommended price is $29.95.
7. Northern New Jersey Calls for the Preservation of the Rest of Sterling Forest
Sixty-two municipalities in northern New Jersey have passed resolutions calling for protection of the Ramapo River watershed and the preservation of the rest of Sterling Forest as open space. Sterling Forest is situated in the heart of the watersheds of the Ramapo and Wanaque Rivers, which supply water to more than two million residents and thousands of businesses in New York and New Jersey.
The Save Sterling Forest Campaign, run by the North Jersey Group of the Sierra Club, has coordinated the signing of these resolutions and has, in addition, generated more than 7,000 letters to New Jersey’s Governor Whitman asking for the protection of the acres of Sterling Forest remaining in the hands of the Sterling Forest Corp. Governor Whitman, in response to the letters, states, "If negotiations for a purchase of these lands come to fruition, the State would consider assisting in the acquisition."
8. Sterling Forest Partnership Receives Grants from Dorr Foundation and O & R Utilities
About a billion years ago, here where we live today, a supercontinent was born. Geologists call this gigantic unified land mass Rodinia. The 1.1 billion year old rocks that we find today at the surface in Sterling Forest were then the deep roots of the towering mountains that were formed when the drifting continents collided to make this supercontinent. The Dorr Foundation has generously provided a $18,000 grant for the Sterling Forest Partnership, in cooperation with Dr. Alec Gates of Rutgers University, to develop a curriculum for high school students of the region to learn about the fascinating geology right in their backyard.
Orange & Rockland Utilities has made a Community Grant Award of $3,850 to fund the introduction of the Sterling Forest Living Map, a curriculum of Native American and natural science, to middle schools in the O & R service area.
9.
STERLING FOREST WINTER OUTINGSIf you would like to have your organization’s Sterling Forest event notices listed in the Sterling Forest Messenger or you would like more information about our outings call John Gebhards at 914-294-3098.
Jan 22, Sat., 12:00 - 4:00 pm - X-Country Ski Sterling
Enjoy Sterling Forest, with the sparkle of snow, on a cross- country ski trip. John Gebhards will lead us on wooded trails in the New Jersey portion of Sterling Forest, stopping along the way to examine signs of wildlife in winter. Advanced beginner level, no rentals. We’ll hike if there is no snow. Meet at the Red Apple Rest at noon. SFP members free, non-members $4.00.
Jan 30, Sun, 1:30 pm - Wood Frog Survey Workshop
Wood frogs are an important amphibian indicator species. Professional and amateur herpetologists are invited to join us this spring in the search for wood frog breeding pools in Sterling Forest. This workshop at the Sterling Forest State Park office will provide instructions and team and area assignments for this survey. Call 294-3098 for more information.
Feb 20, Sat, 1:00 to 3:30 - Tracking Wildlife in Winter
The Orange County Federation of Sportsmen will again guide us in examining the tracks and other signs of winter wildlife. This is an opportunity for the family to get out and see how other animals survive in the cold. Meet at the Red Apple Rest at 1:00 pm. No fee.
March 26, Sunday - Sterling Forest Hike
A short five-mile hike up the New Jersey side of Sterling Ridge. The hike will include an update of current preservation efforts. On the way back, if the weather permits, we will investigate a local beaver dam. Meet at 9:30 AM at the Long Pond Ironworks parking lot on the Greenwood Lake Turnpike. Call Tom H. Morris (201-489-9321) for more information. Rain or falling snow cancels. Sponsored by the Northern NJ Sierra Club.
10. STERLING FOREST STATE PARK ACTIVITIES
Hiking — Hikers are welcome on blazed trails in the park.
Fishing & Ice Fishing — Anglers with valid NY fishing licenses can ice fish on Blue Lake, Laurel Ponds, Eagle Lake and Little Dam Lake when the ice is posted as safe by the park. Ice must average 6 inches thick.
Saturday, Jan. 29, 1 pm - Family Nature Series --- Animal Tracks
Children will make their own Animal Tracks Guide and then go on a tracking hike. For families with children 7 to 10. Please register in advance by calling the Sterling Forest State Park Office 914-351-5907.
Saturday, Feb. 19, 11 am - Hike of the Month— Sterling Fire Tower hike
Hike is moderate with stops along the way for Park staff to interpret the natural and historical features. Admission is free, but please register in advance by calling the Sterling Forest State Park Office 914-351-5907.
Saturday, Feb. 26, 1 pm - Winter Wildlife Hike
Come explore how wildlife adapts to the challenges of winter. This is a moderate hike. Come dressed for the weather and wear sturdy hiking shoes. Please register in advance by calling the Sterling Forest State Park office, 914-531-5907.