[at-l] fwd: FW: [trails-l] NY-NJ Trail Conference - Storm King, ORV in NJ, AT fire in NY

[lubitz@alumni.fdu.edu (lubitz@alumni.fdu.edu)]

Thought this might be of interest, especially the thrid section re the fire=
 on
the AT in Fahnstock
Rich
Forwarded Message:
--
From:    Walter Daniels <wdaniels@bestweb.net>
To:      trails-l <trails-l@nynjtc.org>
Subject: FW: [trails-l] NY-NJ Trail Conference - Storm King, ORV in NJ, AT =
fire
in NY
Date:    Aug 15, 2002
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> Storm King State Park Update:
>
> Almost 200 Trail Conference members, concerned citizens, and members of
> other regional outdoor groups attended the July 25th public hearing held =
at
> the Bear Mountain Inn.  As a result of this hearing, the Palisades
> Interstate Park Commission (PIPC) has given the green light to reopen the
> majority of
> Storm King State Park, pending the posting of warning signs for park user=
s
> of the
> potential danger from the remaining unexploded ordinance.
>
> The Trail Conference will be working with the PIPC to assess and repair t=
he
> trail network and expedite the reopening of the park in time to view the
> fall foliage.  To get involved in these efforts, please contact Joshua
> Erdsneker at
> josh@nynjtc.org.
>
> We would like to thank all of our members who attended the meeting, made
> phone calls, wrote letters to their elected representatives, and
> participated in our efforts to reopen Strom King State Park.  Without you=
r
> support, none of this could have happened.
>
>
> NJ Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Update:
>
> The Situation in New Jersey is a bit more murky. The Department of
> Environmental Protection (DEP) has been working on a new ORV
> policy for the past year and the McGreevey/Campbell team redoubled these
> efforts this spring. There have been statements that the DEP
> Commissioner Campbell=E2=80=99s office will issue a revamped policy state=
ment but
> there is no timetable for its release.
>
> In June, the DEP Endangered Species Advisory Committee sent Commissioner
> Campbell recommendations that largely paralleled those resulting from a
> Trail Conference ORV symposium in April. These recommendations amount to =
a
> self-funded program that balances enforcement and education.  In another
> positive sign, DEP=E2=80=99s enforcement of existing ORV regulations has =
stepped up
> since the beginning of the year.
>
> However, the degree to which DEP will embrace a comprehensive enforcement
> and education program is in question until the policy statement is releas=
ed.
> In
> light of the strong campaign being mounted by ORV industry supported grou=
ps
> to put political pressure on this decision, the continuing delay of the
> release of the policy statement is somewhat worrisome.
>
> Your letters, e-mails and phone calls are needed to let the New Jersey DE=
P
> know that we are counting on them to protect the remaining wilderness
> experiences we enjoy in New Jersey.
>
> Contact Governor James E. McGreevey online at
> http://www.state.nj.us/governor/govmail.html or in Trenton:
> PO Box 001
> Trenton, NJ 08625
> Voice 609-292-6000
>
> Contact DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell:
> 401 E. State Street
> 7th Floor, East Wing
> P.O. Box 402
> Trenton, NJ 08625
> Voice:=09609-292-2885
> Fax:=09=09609-292-7695
>
>
> Your support made a big difference in opening Storm King State Park and i=
t=E2=80=99s
> making a difference in curbing irresponsible ORV use in New Jersey. Keep =
it
> up--generations of hikers are depending on you.
>
> Thank you for your interest and efforts,
>
> Edward Goodell
> Executive Director
>
> Fire on AT in Fahnestock State Park:
> The AT from Rt 301 to Long Hill Road is closed, with an alternate route f=
or
> thru-hikers. Charcoal Burners Trail is also closed by the fire. Pray for
> rain - the fire is in very tough terrain with no nearby road access to ge=
t
> in machinery to fight it. See www.nynjtc.org (top news item on home page)
> for details. In particular we can use volunteer fire fighters. Call the
> office, 201-512-9348, on Thursday or Friday during business hours or Walt
> Daniels, 914-245-1250 at other times for details on volunteering (not for
> information). Watch the web for notice of an all clear. We will need
> volunteers until it is out. Volunteers are covered by Workman's Comp
> Insurance, but fire fighting is very hard work - don't even think about i=
t
> if you are not in good shape to work hard in the heat.
>
> Walt Daniels, AT Supervisor
> Jim Haggett, AT Supervisor (of fire area)
> Ron Rosen, Dutchess/Putnam AT Management Committee Chair
>
>
>
>

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