The Sterling Messenger Volume VIII, Number 2 February 2000

1. ANOTHER VICTORY FOR STERLING FOREST

2. STERLING FOREST LANDS- 21,500 ACRES

3. BOOK REVIEW-Indians of the Ramapos: Survival, Persistence & Presence

4. STERLING FOREST SPRING OUTINGS

5. STERLING FOREST STATE PARK SPONSORED ACTIVITIES

Published by the Sterling Forest Partnership, 7 Spring Rock Drive, Goshen NY 10924, sterlfor@magiccarpet.com

1. ANOTHER VICTORY FOR STERLING FOREST

It has taken more than a decade but when the counting is done, following the recent acquisitions, there will be more than 20,000 acres of protected Sterling Forest lands in the New York-New Jersey Highlands. This is the result of the incredible will of the people of this region, and their desire to protect their drinking water and this outstanding wildlands, expressed through many allied organizations, individuals and local, state and federal governments.

This February, Governor George Pataki announced an agreement to purchase an additional 1,968 acres to be added to the Sterling Forest State Park. In this deal the Sterling Forest Corporation will sell 1,100 acres in two parcels. A large part of this will be a section of wooded hills south of the Ski Center, located both east and west of County Route 84. The other is at the southern end of Sterling Lake including the ruins of the historic Sterling Furnace and related structures.

Other properties acquired include 209 acres purchased from Mr. Sears Hunter and the Lawrence Copans Trust, which extends from the western boundary of the State Park to the shore of the north arm of Greenwood Lake. And, 659 acres of undeveloped land situated between Sterling Lake and Tuxedo Lake were acquired from NY University and added to the park.

Sterling Forest Corporation has retained 1,100 acres, mostly within the State Park. This includes the Sterling Forest Ski Center and Renaissance Faire grounds along Route 17A, a few acres along Route 17, a parcel in the Town of Warwick near the IBM facility and, most significantly, a large area along County Route 84. It is here that the corporation has indicated an interest in developing a golf course and 110 estate-style homes. The 250-acre golf course would be protected from residential development by a conservation easement.

Governor Pataki has demonstrated his leadership in protecting open space in New York by being directly involved in these acquisition efforts. It is reported that Governor Pataki personally spoke to representatives of Zurich Insurance, Inc., the controlling shareholders of the Sterling Forest Corporation, in an effort to obtain all of the corporation’s lands.

The price tag for this latest acquisition from the corporation’s holdings is $8 million. Governor Pataki has committed $4 million from New York State, New Jersey’s Governor Whitman has promised $1 million and the White House has announced that Sterling Forest will receive $2 million from the federal Forest Legacy program. An additional $1 million will be sought from grants and donations from the private sector.

This complex deal of land purchase and protection by easements was negotiated by Ms. Rose Harvey, Senior Vice President, Trust for Public Land, and Ms. Carol Ash, Executive Director of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. Ms. Harvey said, "These are critical pieces in a much larger puzzle of hundreds of thousands of acres of contiguous wilderness habitat in the Highlands — only 35 miles from 29 million people."

The impact of potential development of the privately held lands in the heart of the new state park, and the possible drawdown of water from Blue Lake and Sterling Lake, as the result of an earlier agreement to allow Sterling Forest Corporation to retain certain water rights, remains a concern. Any new development proposal will be closely monitored by the Sterling Forest Partnership and other concerned environmental groups.

2. STERLING FOREST LANDS- 21,500 ACRES

- NPS corridor, 677 acres

Passaic County Park - 2070 ac

- purchased in 1998, 15,280 acres

- Indian Hill, 490 acres

New land protection for Sterling Forest State Park

- Sears Hunter property, 209 acres

- NY University property, 659 acres

- Sterling Forest LLC, 1,100 acres

- retained for development, 850 acres

- for golf course, 250 acre with conservation easement

3. BOOK REVIEW - Indians of the Ramapos: Survival, Persistence & Presence

This book, by noted Highlands archaeologist Ed Lenik, reveals evidence from the archaeological records that Native American people had existed for thousands of years in the NY-NJ Highlands. By the early 1800's, most of the Native Americans had been displaced from the Highlands by the arrival of the European explorers and settlers. However, the records show that remnant native groups retreated to the interior uplands, such as Sterling Forest, and existed virtually invisible to the new-comers outside.

Sunday, March 5, from 1 to 4 p.m., author Ed Lenik will discuss his book and sign copies at the Long Pond Ironworks Visitors Center/Old Country Store on Route 511, Hewitt, NJ.

Available from NJHHSs c/o Edward Lenik, Sheffield Archaeological Consultants, 24 High Street, Butler, NJ 07405 at $13.00, plus $3.00 for shipping.

4. STERLING FOREST SPRING OUTINGS

If your organization has events planned for Sterling Forest and you would like to have them listed in the Sterling Messenger or you would like more information about our outings call John Gebhards at 914-294-3098.

March 26, Sunday - Sterling Forest Hike

A short five-mile hike up the New Jersey side of Sterling Ridge. 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). Rain or falling snow cancels. Sponsored by the Northern NJ Sierra Club. No fee.

April 16, Sunday, 12:30 to 5:00 PM - Map & Compass

Knowing how to use a map and compass can be a life saving skill for those who venture into the woods. Outdoorsman, Steve Caldwell, will give instructions on using a compass and map. We will then break into teams and try out these skills in the forest. Bring your compass, we’ll furnish the maps, and meet at the Red Apple Rest. Members no fee, non-members $5.00. Rain cancels.

April 22, Saturday - Earth Day 2000

Join the SF Partnership and the Clearwater volunteers at Bear Mountain for Earth Day. Celebrations start at noon on the Great Lawn near the Bear Mountain Inn.

May 20, Saturday - In Search of the Wild Highlands

Learn about the biological richness of our Highlands. Leading wildlife biologists will discuss rare and key species of the region with an afternoon hike to look for wildlife signs. A program for adults and children over 10. Meet at the Echo Lake Env. Ed. Ctr. in Newark’s Pequannock Watershed. Lunch, $6. Must call 212-791-9291 for registration and directions. Sponsored by Sierra Club, AMC, NY-NJ Trail. Conf., Highlands Coalition and Sterling Forest Partnership.

June 10, Saturday - 13^th Annual Sterling Forest Day

Celebrate with us. Put it on your calendar! Hikes and barbecue at the Lakeside Fire House. Details to come.

5. STERLING FOREST STATE PARK SPONSORED ACTIVITIES

Registration is required on all programs, call 914-351-5907

Saturday, March 18, 11 AM -Hike to Mombasha High Point

A moderate two-mile round trip including a 400-foot climb to a panoramic view. Bring lunch and water.

Saturday, April 8, 2 PM - Family Nature Series: Skulls and Bones

We will look at skulls and bones to learn about the animals that left them behind. Participants will learn how to tell what types of food the animals ate and how old it was. This program is designed for 8 to 11 year olds.

Saturday, April 15, 11 AM - Indian Hill Loop Hike

This moderate to difficult three-mile hike not only offers scenic views of the surrounding area but also an opportunity to look into Sterling Forest State Park’s past.