ATCC October 9, 2013

MINUTES

Minutes for AT Coordinating Committee, October 9, 2013 meeting: NYNJTC Office.

Minutes taken by Hank Osborn, East Hudson Program Coordinator

In attendance:  Gail Neffinger, Sona Mason, Ama K., Ron Rosen, Jim Haggett, Gene Giordano, Ed Goodell, Josh Howard, Hank Osborn, Walt Daniels, Karen Lutz on telephone from 10:08am to 11:33am (#7)

Meeting commenced approximately 9:35AM, Ron Rosen chairing

 

1. The minutes of the last meeting, February 13, 2013, were taken by a Trail Conference employee who was terminated shortly after the meeting, and as a result, the notes were lost. We are still trying to reconstruct the meeting minutes. See Ron Rosen’s notes which for now serve as interim meeting minutes.
   1. No additional information added to previous minutes
   2. Previous Minutes were approved as approximated

 

1. Status update of documents (broken record department): NY MOU, NJ MOU, (and possible effects of US Government Shutdown), Management Plan Consolidation
   1. New York-

                                          i.    Ron reported a conference call w Karen Lutz and Bob Proudman.

                                         ii.    Ed Goodell reported that everyone is in agreement w/ the wording.  Bob Proudman will add two definitions.  Each agency needs to contribute definitions of who they are.  Karen wants all entities to sign it face-to-face.  Maybe at Bear Mtn before January.  Ed suggests we should finish this one before we move on to NJ. 

                                        iii.    Ron indicated joining the two NY regions for one single local management plan will await completion of the NY MOU.

1. New Jersey-Nothing reported.

 

1. Status Reports
   1. Each AT Committee chair please report on your activities this Spring and Summer

                                          i.    Jim Haggett DPATMC:

1. AT Community of Harlem Valley Event June 15^th Pawling and Dover.  Great event.  Good attendance.  Metro North provided police and track safety person.  Dinner hosted by Steve Ewing attended by ATC reps and local folks.
2. Five Year Trail Assessment for Dutchess and Putnam Counties.  Defined by Ron and Walt and Gail.  Emphasis was on potential long term funding of projects.  Ed asked if the process was a valuable worthwhile process.  Ed suggested it be evaluated.  Driven by NPS to gather info for themselves.
3. NJ Assessment may not have been done.
4. Bog Turtle trail re-location/farming practices improvements.  We may not hear back from authorities until next spring.
5. Developments along the corridor percolating: Old Harlem Valley Psychiatric Center, and Boniello Development.

                                         ii.    Gail Neffinger ORATMC:

1. Question about maintaining butterfly field.  Privy issue.  Corridor Incursions: Bellville Ridge.  Warwick will install a gate near water tower to block ATV’s.  Ongoing re-locations, Bridge at Beachy Bottom rotting at one end.

                                        iii.    Ama: AT on Bear Mtn

1. Working on Upper East Face.  Professionals, AmeriCorps members and Volunteers.  500 linear feet completed.  Finalizing AT Trails for People visitors’ center.
2. Mid Atlantic Crew back at Bear Mtn.  Need housing.  Looking into camping options.  Maybe Greymore?  Hopefully we don’t need to cancel program early.

                                       iv.    Gene: NJATMC

1. Normal Summer.  One lost Hiker.  Built a new Shelter.  Feelings of having to do things w/ ATC knowledge and less with State of NJ b/c of difficulty with permissions.  Josh says shelters are approx $2500+ in Catskills.
2. Corridor Issue w new neighbor.  Field mowed on Corridor so horses could graze on the corridor.  There was no survey of the property at that time.  Now there is a survey.  Near NY state line.
3. Ed reported that we (and others) lost the NPS lawsuit regarding the approval of the power line.  Private contractors identified to re-locate the trail around the tower’s pad.  Ama says construction of re-location is starting next week.
4. ATC Stewardship Council

                                          i.    Gail Neffinger:

1. Gail is new to the position of Mid-Atlantic RPC rep to the Stewardship Council. He will be a member of the SC RPC committee, and for now will chair that group. Phone meetings with the other 3 RPC reps.  RPC Sub-committee 4 of the 15 members.  May be charged with updating “The Register”.  General Education web based instructional material or a roving instructional crew going out.  Expressed some interest in Trail University curriculum.  Looking for Higher level workshops such as GIS data base courses.  Josh is working with Jeff to create syllabus pages for every Trail-U course.  Josh will get some examples to Gail.
2. Also Charged with organizing volunteer leadership meeting starting next August 8^th, 2014 (Friday.) The focus of the meeting will be a career advancement / career path instrument.  For the next generation of supervisors and trail chairs.

 

1. MARPC Meeting (Harrisburg, PA 10/26/13) Items
   1. Proposals and/or specific agenda items (agenda should be published on Friday 10/4; please review in advance of this meeting)

                                          i.    Reviewed Draft Agenda

1. Walt asked about ADA access board requirements.
2. Ama explained that they don’t affect the trail—only the structures.  And only new building and re-construction.
3. Jim expressed frustration w rules for rebuilding privies instead of simply digging a new hole.
4. Ron: Commercial and Recreational use restrictions may be relaxed slightly.
5. Walt: Fees Policy clarification.  Clarified by Ron.
6. Ron found no items needing strong opposition or objection.
7. 1-minute summary for each NY-NJ AT Committee (PLEASE PREPARE AND BRING TO --THIS-- MEETING!)-- OR [preferred!] EMAIL in ADVANCE of THIS meeting to the group

                                          i.    Ron asked for reports from the 3 regional chairs.

1. Attendance plans (who's going, when, and how?)

                                          i.    Walt, Ama, Sona maybe, Gail, Jim, Ron, Gene, Jeff Senterman maybe,

1. Trails to Every Classroom (2013 results, 2014 status)

                                          i.    DPATMC had 2 teachers at TTEC.

                                         ii.    NJ will move forward with own program w Orange County in the schools

                                        iii.    Gene noted that the Trail Conference should consider getting into the schools and getting students onto the trails.  Basic educational ideas.  Gail suggested there is no cost involved—it can be done w volunteers.  Ed said that would be great—awesome.

                                       iv.    Ron asked Gene for curriculum.  Gene said it’s online and he’s working out the full program but not completed yet.

                                        v.    Ron suggested a grant and use forest service staff for TTEC

                                       vi.    Gene will keep Ama in the loop moving forward.--Peter Dolan should be kept abreast as well.

1. RPC representation on Stewardship Council

                                          i.    Ron reported that 2 representatives per region may have been approved.  Gail said it will be voted on at the next meeting.

 

1. Mid-Atlantic Management-Related Items
   1. Review/Update of AT Community designation for Harlem Valley (Jim), ongoing status for Warwick (Gene)

                                          i.    Jim:  Warrior Hike Event.  No plans for a summer event next summer.

1. Bear Mountain project status (Gail, staff)

                                          i.    See 3 a iii above

1. Wallkill Bridge proposal status (Chris? Gene?)

                                          i.    Not much status change

1. Final Report status for extended LL Bean Grants (any outstanding??)

                                          i.    Gail: Got kiosk grant at Fernue.  Contractor has yet to finish.  Boulders are missing, tank removed and hole left open.  Parking area blocked off and overgrown.  We should apply for an extension.  Gail will address it at tonight’s meeting.

1. 2013 LL Bean Grants to Clubs: status, reporting, etc.

                                          i.    Nothing left.  Everything is closed out.  All final reports completed.

1. 2014 LL Bean Grants to Clubs: any planned? [if so, schedule preparation]

                                          i.    Gene has an 10/21/13 meeting at the northern region office in Andover where he will discuss.

                                         ii.    Jim and Gail will ask at their respective next meetings.

                                        iii.    Ed reported that John Mack learned of restrictions of working over four feet off the ground.  Ama stated that OSHA laws require being harnessed if over 6 feet off the ground.

1.  NYNJTC MOU with ATC (and Schaghticoke Mountain deliberations)

                                          i.    NY CT Border Wars 10/20/13 4:30 pm

1. Ron: Relocations should be NY responsibility
2. Land in question is owned by NPS on NY side.  The Native American (Schaghticoke) Reservation is on the CT side.

 

Karen Lutz: On telephone from 10:08am to 11:33am

1. Housing for meeting? [Scott Farm will be available]
2. Ron asked about NJ Trail Assessment.  Karen thinks work has not been done on it this year or in recent years.  Maybe 2 years ago.
3. Ron asked about TTEC funding for 2014.  Karen reported 6 proposals are out.  Has only $9k which is about 1/10^th of what is needed.
4. Ron explained idea of getting into classrooms.  Karen not opposed to idea but knows that there is no capacity to support it at her end.
5. Ron asked if a stipend would make a difference.  Karen responded that she would be the one.  Maybe she could find some alumni to do it.
6. RPC Rep increase, has it been to the board yet?  Karen: No.  and will know if it’s on the agenda for next meeting soon.
7. Wallkill Bridge:  The Fund is being dedicated to do the project.  About $10million coming for the AT.  The Wallkill bridge is a high priority on the project list.  It may cost about $1.5million.  Mr. Frankowski and son are unwilling to talk about selling his tract/property.
8. Ed asked Karen: Ed want to participate in planning for mitigation funds.  How do I do that?  Karen: Ed should speak with Wendy.  The Conservation Fund will identify the projects and start negotiating.  There are periodic in-person and phone meetings.
9. Gail Asked Karen: Gail asked if she heard back from David about contractor.  She believes he has been released.  Gail reported work yet to be completed.  No one knows who the contactor is.   Karen advised it is handled by Wendy’s office.
10. Gail: What will happen with the council and board meeting?  Karen: It will go ahead but at a different venue.  There is a plan B.
11. Jim: Update for 10/20/13 meeting attendance?  Karen: Laura Belleville will attend.  Don’t know about Hawk.  Adam Brown may attend for New England Region.
12. Ron: Any specific plans for that weekend?  Karen: Hopes to spend most of Monday 10/21 with Ron and Jim looking at Bog Turtle re-route and Cat Rocks viewshed.  Or she may be able to come Saturday or Tuesday.

 

1.  (5) NY-NJ Issues/Items:
   1. Loose end: AT Hiker Shuttle

                                          i.    Ron: Limited interest in re-organizing

                                         ii.    Gail: “No formal structure but AT Chairs are willing to entertain requests for shuttles.”  Gail can be the contact.

1. ATC Leave No Trace poster update

                                          i.    Ron will follow through.  Currently a loose end.  1 poster in every shelter.  Posters are 8.5x11” and need frequent replacement b/c of fading from sun.  Gene needs 6.  Ron will provide.

                                         ii.    Walt: ATC wants updated campsite data.  Non-shelters.

1. Relocation(s) status

                                          i.    Walt: Pending below Greymoor.  Unknown status.  Archeological Issue—nothing has happened.

                                         ii.    Gene: Clover lake Rt 206.  Trail on Stokes property in bad condition.  Should be an easy reroute for approval.

 

 

                                        iii.    Gail: 3 approved and moving forward.

                                       iv.    Jim: Corbin Hill

 

1. (6) Funding issues: 5-year plan updates: current project progress, possible new projects?
   1. Federal Planning System currently broken b/c of shutdown
   2. Gail: Animal pass/bridge idea.  May be a dream but should be put into the planning cycle.

 

1. (7) Current problems, projects, & issues: no other items brought up.

 

1. (8) Schedule 2014 meeting dates
   1. Wednesday March 5^th 2014 next meeting
   2. Wednesday October 8^th 2014 tentative

 

1. Meeting adjourned at 12:00:00

Minutes by Hank Osborn with post-editing by Ron Rosen