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Present were: Gray Stevens( adv. Guides), Laurie Adams (VT FP&R), Dom. Cloud (VYCC), Paul Moffat (Westmore Trails), Rosemary Shea (CTA), Bryant Watson (VAST), Kevin Murphy(VAST), Jennifer Waite ( NPS ), Kerrick Johnson (A.I. of VT) and Zeke Zucker (Cambridge Rec. Path ).
Bryant opened the meeting at 9:25 am after an informal discussion of membership and how we could promote it. Bryant stated that we should cover this under new business (see below).
The minutes of the 22 January meeting were accepted without any changes.
The Treasurers Report indicates that we have only $ 503.18 as of the Council 1998 year end. Discussion -- of the fact that our income did not meet the 1998 budget projection by a negative % 2320.22 followed. This was due to the deferral of $3000 from an anticipated Grant from the Vt. Recreation Trails Fund. This money was to have come from a potential surplus of Gas Tax moneys If FP&R agrees ( not determined as yet due to many facctors - Enhanced ISTEA ? etc. ). The Council deferred the Newsletter this past year until and if these funds become available. Newsletter discussion - below.
Rosemary reminded us and other Council members that the 1998-1999 dues are "due" by June 1st. Only 3 renewals have been received so far. The Treasurers Report was accepted as presented.
Sharing:
CTA: Rosemary--due to her planed maternity leave in July CTA is interviewing candidates for her replacement as Executive Director. Decision expected by 15 June. Currently Rosemary plans to return to CTA part time in October. In the interim she can still be reached @ her current e-mail address. Ice storm damage to the CTA system is being accessed and will be cleared by contractors & volunteers as resources permit.
Westmore Trails: Paul -- Ice storm damage reported to be severe but passable on the mtn's. above 1500'. WCC (Dom.) will work on this( State Park lands)during 28 June Orientation Week.
USFS. Jennifer -- New brochure is in the mail. Trails around Middlebury Map is finished and will be released on National Trails Day 6 June. Westover Trails -- trail over dam will be a WCC Project this summer. Providing technical assistance (under a USFS outreach Program) for Kingdom Trails-- map in the "works". Kingdom Trails has applied for a crew from the British Trust for Conservation to work on their trails 1 week this summer. The Marsh-Billings National Historic Park will be dedicated on National Trails Day with the Director of the National Park Service cutting the ribbon.
WCC: Dom. --The WCC now operates the State Ski Dorm year around (Mtn. Road, Stowe) . It is available for public lodging and meals for groups up to 45. Eyrich Stauffer is the Manager. The WCC crew orientation begins with Staff training June 1st. The crew members arrive the last week in June. 3 wilderness crews - projects @ Groton State Forest, Bald Mtn. Dam & Laraway Mtn. Urban crews will be working in St Albans (Mississquoi River Trail), Rutland (D & H Trail + GMC Trailheads) & Burlington (Perkins Pier, Winooski River trails). These are non-residential crews and funded through a partnership with Vt AOT. Materials and labor are reimbursed with Federal $.
FP&R: Laurie --All VT Recreation Trails Project applications have been accepted and funded. The Trail Projects that require Federal ISTEA funds have been covered for the first 6 mo's. The 2nd 6mo. funding is held up until The Enhanced ISTEA is passed by Congress. The GMC ( Larz B. ) asked that the Program Review Committee Consider using $11. vs, the min. wage to reimburse for labor. (see New Business).
Adv. Guides: Gray -- Guides Organization is providing more public services in assisting travelers ( for the State) and searching for ways to fund this. He has contacted Retail, Outdoor Schools and the Trekking industry for assistance. Travelers who call 800 Vermont are referred to the Guides. They are developing a data base for this service. They need to receive brochures, trail maps, mtn. biking info. to assist the State with this service. VTB~G'wavs members are urged to help Gray out with this information.
Assoc. Ind. Of VT: Kerrick -- They represent owners of more than 350K acres of VT land. The sustainable Forest Industry is still the largest Industry in VT. K. reported that the Green Mountain National Forest Plan was currently "on hold" due to resources. Also the Vermont Forest Resources Plan (10 yr.)(for public & private use) was hostage to a debate between the "water based crowd and the land based crowd".
VAST: Kevin -- after a successful season ( 33K members -- 40K snow machines registered ) he was catching a short breath and working to access the ice storm damage. Much worse than expected - plan to clear the National forest trails first. ( FEMA $ for tail erosion and bridges in 4 counties but not Essex ). Damage is in 13 of 14 counties that VAST trails interconnect. They are redoing the VAST Snowmobile Trails Map with the help of UVM (to get an Accurate data base established -- GPS survey, etc. ). Also working with GMC & AT folks on mapping the trail heads and Xing's for the AT Trail , Long Trail & Vast Trails in Windsor County- VT Rec. Trail Fund Project. Major Issues: -Need to find a solution for the ATV and 4WD vehicle use of trails in this State !! - Eco-Tourism vs. Wildlife
VAST: Bryant -- Need funding for updating the Statewide Outdoor Recreation Plan. Last update'93.
Landowner Liability: Act 110 (S 29) and the amendment clarifying (?) the definition of "open land" was discussed at length. The majority of those present (no vote taken) felt that this was the best compromise that the VT Legislature had produced "in a decade". There still appears to be disagreement as to what was accomplished by this ACT. Kerrick held forth with the following issues (A.I. of VT) :
It was pointed out that the issue of landowner agreements was covered still (sec. 5794 A2).
The Council needs to update the Public Use and Liability Booklet.
Proposal to Create an Oversight Committee for Rail Trails - discussion deferred until another meeting.
Lamiolle Valley Railroad -- update ...Bryant was advised that the Trails Community should defer use proposal until the first round of proposal review by AOT is complete ( since we were shut out of the lease proposal application process) . He understands that there are three active proposals under review. They are proposals to operate portions of the Rail system as railroads. There is potential to lease some of the remaining sections (after a lessee is selected) for recreational purposes. Will be agenda item for next mtg.
New Business:
George Harper could not attend today's meeting for personal reasons. Thus item 7a ~ 7b were deferred.
Bob White, ASLA -- request for financial support ( Ltr. attached to agenda ) was denied by majority vote of members present. Bryant is to send a letter to this effect " Due to the current state of our finances we cannot honor your request for fUnding assistance"
Application for Mississquoi Valley Rail Trail to become part of The Vermont Trails System. Bryant -- " this is managed by the Department of Forests Parks & Recreation now " why do we need to review it ? The Counci1 voted to defer action until Commissioner Motkya and Ginny McGrath can attend and participate so as not to create additional liability for the State. Only they can clear up this issue per Bryant. It was suggested that Charles Johnson inform the applicants of this deferral. The plan is to take up the issue at our September Meeting.
Priorities for the New Council Year:
Other Business: Larz B. of GMC had asked the Grant review committee review the issue of minimum wage for unskilled labor on Grants for Trails projects. The Council did not support that request . Members, Grantees and the Grant Review Committee were to be polled by Laurie Adams via, a post card as to the need for a program review this fall (similar to last years Sept. Mtg. ).
Election of Officers for the New Council Year:
The chair of the nominating Committee, Paul Moffat proposed the following slate of officers for 1998-99
Chair: Bryant Watson, VAST
Vice Chair: Jennifer Waite, NPS Rivers & Trails
Treasurer: Rosemary Shea, C.T.A.
Secretary: Paul Rea, W.R.V.T. Assn.
There were no further nominations from the floor and the above were elected by a unanimous vote.
Next Meeting:
September 15 (Tuesday) or September 24 (Thursday) --- Bryant will confirm date after he clears this with the Commissioner Motkya and Charles Johnson. Location: perhaps at the FP&R Conference room in Waterbury.
Note: With reference to the communications with The (12) Regional Marketing Organizations: I had an opportunity to talk with Trisha Brown , Market Vermont Program Manager, Department of Tourism & Marketing on 5/20. She understands the problem outlined by Gray Sevens and said that she would be the "conduit" for VT Trail & Greenways. She is @ 6 Baldwin Street, Montpelier, Vt 05633-1301 e-mail <tbrown@gate.dca.state.vt.us> ,Tel: 802 828 3671, Fax 802 828 3233
