Content:
1. Sterling Forest Contract Signed
2. What about the remaining 220 acres?
3. Counting Birds and Amphibians in Sterling Forest
4. Working towards a Sterling Forest Partnership
5. Aquatic Wild Educator Training Program
1. STERLING FOREST CONTRACT SIGNED
A contract for $55 million for the purchase of 15,280 acres of the 17,500 Sterling Forest tract in southern Orange County, NY was signed on February 18, 1997 by two, not-for-profit organizations, the Open Space Institute (OSI) and the Trust for Public Land (TPL) with the current owner of Sterling Forest, the Sterling Forest Corporation. A $5 million down payment was provided by the Scenic Hudson Land Trust and the Open Space Institute, both contributing $2.5 million of their funding from the Lila Acheson and DeWitt Wallace Fund for the Hudson Highlands. The agreement provides for two years to complete the contract however efforts are being made to raise the full $55 million in the next 12 months to avoid an interest charge that must be paid in the second year.
The TPL/OSI team has been negotiating on behalf of the states of New York and New Jersey for the last year and a half to arrive at this point. However, TPL Senior Vice President Rose Harvey reminds, "The fight to save Sterling Forest is far from over---we still have a long way to go." Governor of New York, George Pataki stated, "I remain firmly committed to completing the Sterling Forest acquisition, so we can ensure that we protect and preserve this natural jewel for our children."
In a statement to the press, John Gebhards, Director of Sterling Forest Resources said, "the signing of the contract for this partial acquisition of the Forest is a major step forward in saving all of the Forest. Although details of the deal have not been released to the public, in principle Sterling Forest Resources supports this purchase and we thank TPL and OSI for their many hours of hard work to reach this agreement."
Committed SF funding
$ 9 M from 1996 federal appropriation
$10 M from New Jersey
$10 M from New York's 1996 Environmental Protection Fund
$ 5 M from the Wallace Fund for the Hudson Highlands
$34 M total funds now available
$21 million additional funds needed
Of the $55 million required, $34 million is already available. We still need an additional $21 million in public and private funding to close this sale. In order to avoid significant interest payments, the balance of $21 million must be in hand by January 1998. One of the potential sources for this funding is the $ 8.5 million of federal funds which must be appropriated in the 1998 federal budget. This is the balance of the $17.5 million congress authorized last year. Governor Pataki has been asked to add $8 to $10 million more from New York State's EPF or Bond Act money. If New York comes through with this additional money it would leave $ 2.5 to$ 4.5 million to be raised from foundations, corporations, and other private sources.
Congress is now working on the 1998 federal appropriation bill. We need to call (800-972-3524) or write our Senators and Representatives in Washington to remind them to be steadfast in their commitment for the remaining $8.5 million for Sterling Forest.
2. WHAT ABOUT THE REMAINING 2220 ACRES?
Concern remains about how to protect the rest of Sterling Forest. Two thousand two hundred twenty acres will remain in the Corporation's hands. The Sterling Forest Corporation has indicated that they would propose a development of two to three thousand residential units and 2.7 million square feet of light industrial and commercial space on 1,720 acres of this land. In addition another development, RH Tuxedo, next door has a proposal for 2,450 homes and 550 thousand square feet of commercial space. Both of the projects are in the Town of Tuxedo. Tuxedo resident, Mary Yrizarry believes, "This amount of proposed development raises the specter of higher taxes, heavy congestion and probably significant pollution right next to the newly protected Sterling Forest." However, the SF Corporation has also indicated a willingness to negotiate a price for the sale of this remaining parcel of the forest. Clearly, tens of millions of additional funding will be necessary for full acquisition. New York's Clean Air/Clean Water Bond
Act could provide this additional funding for Sterling Forest.
It remains the objective of Sterling Forest Resources and the many other organizations that make up the Sterling Forest Coalition to continue to pursue the total protection of Sterling Forest.
As you can see, much remains to be done to reach our goal. We ask for the continued support of the many organizations and the general public in the continued fight to save all of Sterling Forest.
Strategies for protecting the remaining 2220 acres of Sterling Forest include:
1. The purchase of a part or all of the property based on a negotiated price.
2. To execute a federal land swap for part or all of the property. The authorizing legislation included a limited provision for the Department of Interior to arrange a land swap for this portion of Sterling Forest.
3. To limit development based on the current or a revised master plan for the Town of Tuxedo.
3. COUNTING BIRDS AND AMPHIBIANS IN STERLING FOREST
The hunt is on! Once again, we're counting nesting birds along the Appalachian Trail in Sterling Forest, and frogs and salamanders in their annual migration to breeding ponds along the public roads in Sterling Forest. Developing data bases and inventories have become a fundamental part of scientific research and Sterling Forest Resources started these two important surveys last year. These inventories have been developed in conjunction with ongoing surveys in Black Rock Forest and Palisades Interstate Park. They will provide comparison data that will be useful in evaluating ecological health and diversity in the Sterling Forest region.
Late last winter, with the snow still on the ground, a 25-acre section along the Appalachian Trail was sited by use of a satellite geographical positioning system and a grid was marked off. Just before the beginning of the spring bird migration four teams of bird spotters started their survey to see what birds seem to be year-round residents. As the spring progressed, we went out every several weeks to inventory what birds had arrived and what ones stayed to nest. One of the encouraging results was the abundance of the beautiful Scarlet Tanager, a species who's sharp decline has been noted in other parts of the state. Spotting nesting birds is an exercise that requires good hearing and spotting skills as well as identification skills, and a willingness to get up and out before dawn. Counting salamanders, frogs and toads is a totally different experience. It requires getting out at night, usually any time after 9:00 p.m. when the temperature reaches above 40=B0F and it's pouring rain. The trick here is to locate, identify and tally as many of these little creatures as you can see crossing the road or hear in a pond while keeping your tally sheet dry. This data is being added to a computerized database being maintained by the Bear Mountain League of Naturalists and the results of last year's survey yielded some interesting high numbers of certain species.
These surveys are being repeated again this spring and we can't wait to compare our new data with that gathered last year. So, if you're an early riser with an ear for the birds or a night owl familiar with identifying frogs and salamanders and would like to join us in either of these, call us at 914-294- 3098 or 783-4302 and we'll put you on a team. No one ever said scientific research was a piece of cake but there's a challenge that some of us find very rewarding.
By Marry Yrizarry
4. WORKING TOWARDS A STERLING FOREST PARTNERSHIP
Lee Hackeling, coordinator of a joint program of the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program of the National Park Service and the Appalachian Mountain Club, has been assisting Sterling Forest Resources for the past two years to establish a community based organization to support the future Sterling Forest Park and its section of the Appalachian Trail. Lee has facilitated several workshops which created a vision for such a group, laying the groundwork for the founding of Sterling Forest
Partnership, Inc.
She has linked SFR's education committee with an NPS education specialist and launched our Living Map Project: The Appalachian Trail Countryside Living Map for Sterling Forest and the Highlands. Lee is currently helping the SF Partnership to create a brochure for the new organization. Lee comments, "A protected Sterling Forest will be a tremendous asset to local communities and the entire region. It takes everyone-- agencies, organizations and residents together to realize the opportunities offered by this new park. In this way the Partnership's goals are right in line with both NPS and AMC."
5. AQUATIC WILD EDUCATOR TRAINING PROGRAM
Sponsored by Sterling Forest Partnership, Inc.
Saturday, April 12
From 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
This award winning stream biology course was developed by NY State Department of Environmental Conservation to provide educators and youth leaders with techniques and activities to assist them in teaching fresh water ecology. Professor Marty Borko of Orange County Community College will present a variety of interdisciplinary games and exercises to use in the classroom, and hands-on field activities to use with children from K through 12th grade. Participants will be given an extensive activity guide/workbook and other educational materials to take with them. This program is sponsored by Sterling Forest Partnership, Inc. and will be held at Arrow Park, Monroe, NY. Course materials are provided free by DEC but we request a $5 donation to cover facility costs. Teachers, check with your school for In-service credit. Pre-registration by March 24 is a must. Call Mary at 914-783-4302 or John at 914-294-3098 to register and for more information.
Published by Sterling Forest Resources, 7 Spring Rock Drive, Goshen, NY 10924, 914-294-3098, e-mail <sterlfor@magiccarpet.com>