2023 Annual Public Meeting Minutes
| Board Members Present: |
| Will Roth |
| Edek Falkowski |
| Patrick Zelko |
| Tom DuBois |
| Dominic Eisinger |
| Jeremy Haas (via Zoom) |
| Doc Livingston |
| Harold Sutton |
| Cooper Uliano |
| Carly Woodhouse |
| Bob O’Connor |
| Tommy Blaney (via Zoom) |
Meeting called to order:
The meeting was started at 7:35 PM. A quorum of the Board was present for the meeting.
Approximately 18 non-Board members attended in person, and approximately 6 non-Board members attended via Zoom. Thanks are due to Jeremy for moderating the “Chat” function for public input.
The meeting proceeded according to the following agenda:
1) Introductions
2) Successes of 2023:
- Deadwater stairs completed
- Beer Walls work plan started
- Represented climbers at VUM stakeholder meetings
- Ragged Mountain trail work to begin
- Peregrines
3) Financial Update
4) Looking Forward at 2024:
- Beer Walls work plan
- Climbing Management Plan
- Route 73 Trailhead Stewardship program looking to include climber parking areas
- Continue to push for the delineators along Route 73 in Chapel Pond Pass to be permanently removed
5) Audience Q&A
Meeting Discussion:
Will introduced the meeting and thanked the public members for attending.
2023 Successes
Will summarized the trail work projects that have been completed, and explained how we go about getting approval to do trail work. We have started the approval process for Beer Walls trail work.
In the State’s Visitor Use Management (VUM) program, we are recognized as a voice for climbers. This is an important achievement.
DEC has hired ADK (the Adirondack Mountain Club) to build the trail to the Ragged Mountain cliff. This is a major success, because this is purely a “climbers” trail (it does not go to any other destinations). We hope for work to start in early 2024.
Royce van Evera presented a report on our involvement with the DEC Peregrine Falcon monitoring program. DEC intends to maintain a good relationship with the climbing community. An important improvement in this program from a climbing perspective are that DEC is using “line of sight” from bird locations to determine closures, rather than keeping whole cliffs closed.
ACC Financials
Patrick presented our financial information, as he had earlier in the Board meeting.
Looking Forward to 2024
Will described our goals for upcoming activity:
>We are waiting for an approved work plan for the Beer Walls.
>The Climbing Management Plan process with DEC is continuing. The target date to have a plan document from our “working group” is early summer 2024.
>In 2024, ADK plans to have some of its Trailhead Stewards at locations which are frequented by climbers, as well as hikers. ADK has asked us to provide “Leave no Trace” information specific to climbing, for them to include in training for the Stewards, along the lines of not damaging the area around the base of climbs, and how to properly dispose of human waste.
>We are continuing to work to get the delineator posts removed from the pullouts in Chapel Pond Pass. Hiker and Climber parking remains a challenge. We should be considerate of other user groups in our interactions.
>Will requested volunteers from the membership to work on Education and Outreach (and “fun”).
Member Questions and Answers
Can we do follow on trail work at Deadwater, to improve the area at the base of the route “Buffalo Bob” (about 200’ right of the completed stairs work)?
>>We agreed to look at this. It should be easier to get approval for that work since we have already worked at that cliff.
Have we asked the DEC trail crews to work alongside us at out trail work events?
>>We have not yet asked for that, but it’s a great idea and we will explore it.
What is the first phase planned for the Beer Walls work?
>>We don’t know until we get the approved work plan from DEC. We expect several phases, and the project to last several years.
Is there an update on Broughton Ledge?
>>The cliff is open, and the CATS trail to the base is open.
Do we coordinate with any other climber coalitions working with DEC?
>>We communicate with other coalitions, such as Thacher and Gunks, but we do not really “coordinate.” Each of their situations is different from ours: Thacher Park is administered by the NY State Department of Parks and Recreation, not DEC; the Gunks is administered on the private land of the Mohonk Preserve.
What is the possibility of fixed anchor replacement, where it is needed?
>>Fixed anchor maintenance is an eventual goal. But currently, fixed anchors are not permitted on Forest Preserve cliffs, so we have no current actions to take. The existing fixed anchors are in a very gray area.
Have we considered collaborating with outdoor related programs at local colleges to join us for trail work? (Asked by a member who is currently in such a program.)
>>That is a great idea. We ask that you spread the word to develop interest.
Did DEC say some years ago that they were going to form a committee to study the issue of fixed anchors?
>>Yes, but nothing ever came of that effort. We prefer that this topic be part of a more comprehensive management plan.
Is there concern that the State will follow the Federal lead, and move towards banning fixed anchors?
>>At present, it does not seem like the State is moving in that direction.
Is the AMR parking reservation system working?
>>This is not really climbing related. We don’t have any insight into how well that program is working. But if you have any experiences to share, you should contact the AMR via the email on their website.
Per DOT policy, “handicapped accessible” parking spots require resources to be accessible once a person leaves their vehicle. The handicapped spots at Chapel Pond do not meet this requirement, since once a person leaves the vehicle, there is no where to go that accessible. Can we ask DOT and DEC to remove those spots based on this?
>>That’s a good idea; we had not though of that. We will follow up on that.
Are fixed belay anchors and fixed top anchors int eh same category as “on route” fixed anchors?
>>Yes. Technically, all fixed anchors are an illegal “installation.”
Are we taking into account the environmental impact of walking off the tops of routes to help validate the need for fixed anchors?
>>Yes. But in the current regulatory environment, the only approach would be to do trail work to improve the walk off route.
Will thanked all the attendees.
The Annual Public Meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.