1942 Old Dekalb Road, Canton, NY 13617

St. Lawrence County Recreational Trails Advisory Board Meeting St. Lawrence County Soil and Water Conservation District Office 1942 Old DeKalb Road, Canton, NY 13617

DRAFT Minutes for January 21, 2014

Present: Dawn Howard, Roger Bennett, Danny Collins, Deb Christy, Art Wilson, Alex MacKinnon, Bill Dashnaw, David Irish, Schyler Shea, Bill Swafford, Warren Irwin, Erik Backlund, Kermit Blanchard, Scott Sutherland, and Spencer Thew.

Guests: Ron Robert and Charles Schloer.

Excused: Hank Ford, Janice Lutz, Stan Hewlett, and Walt Paul.

1. Meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Chairman Roger Bennett.

2. Quorum present. The meeting was immediately turned over to Art Wilson, head of the nominating committee. He nominated Roger Bennett for Chair, Alex MacKinnon for Vice-Chair, and Dawn Howard for Secretary. There were no other nominations from the floor. Dave Irish made a motion seconded by Kermit Blanchard for the Secretary to cast one ballot for the slate of officers. All were in favor.

3. Motion to accept the minutes of the January 21, 2014 meeting as written, made by Art Wilson, seconded by Deb Christy, approved by all. (October 15, 2013 minutes were still not available.) 4. Speaker – None.

5. Trail Coordinator – Deb Christy.  Deb Christy said Kermit Blanchard will report on the Oversight Comm. which met immediately preceding this meeting. . See her monthly report attached below. . 155 miles of trails needed to be cleaned of storm damage the first two weeks of this month. The work is done and the trails are open. Danny Collins cleaned the Higley Flow X-country ski trails with the snowmobile groomer too. . Deb Christy got a GoPro camera in December to do movie clips. She is doing a power point and You Tube video (similar to what Weller Mtn. Club has) called “Why Not NY: A Bold Economic Opportunity.” . Discussion was held on how to do damage control via economic impact and social media. . Timeline of Trail was also discussed. . In regards to grants, we need to work on a budget for items needed. . The website will be launched in the spring. . Deb Christy continues to do press releases to different magazines. . She is meeting with Towns to discuss recreational hubs. . Bog River was discussed. . Infrastructure to connect Towns is needed. . Stone Valley issues were discussed.

6. Reports of Committees:

a. Executive – Roger Bennett.  Roger Bennett talked about members excused from meetings. He appreciates notice ahead of time.  No one had perfect attendance last year, but 6 members were at 11 out of the 12 meetings. The average attendance was 17, with a high of 21 and a low of 13.  Committee membership list was revised.  The Board membership list was reviewed. Dave Irish made a motion, seconded by Kermit Blanchard to make Judy Wendt an ad hoc member. All were in favor.

b. Board of Legislators – Alex MacKinnon, Scott Sutherland, and Tony Arquiett. . Alex MacKinnon reported that things are relatively quiet. . Scott Sutherland remarked that he gets lots of info from Deb Christy’s reports. He said there is attention on Colton’s Article 78 with the County Attorney. He suggested Board members make contact with Town of Colton folks who vote, to encourage them to contact the BOL.

c. Oversight – Kermit Blanchard. . Kermit Blanchard said the committee met tonight at 6:00 pm. . He reported on bridges at the paper mill and Morgan Rd. . Working on an action plan for the east section. . Deb Christy said that the committee wants to move forward with the middle section of the trail. Will move forward and file permits. . Dave Irish asked about the status of the roads in Parishville and if they were open. Deb Christy replied that we will wait for Colton to be done before we move on. . Kermit Blanchard said to go to www.wellermountain.org to view the video previously mentioned. It has been on line for two weeks and has already had over 1000 hits and has generated new members. It cost about $1000/ minute to create. . A date for the grand opening of the east end was set for July 26, to coincide with a Parishville celebration.

d. Finance and Insurance – Dawn Howard. No report.

e. Enforcement, Safety, and Education - ? . Scott Sutherland was named the new chairperson . He reported that the committee needs to get organized with a “where to go next” list. . Deb Christy stated that both she and Scott Sutherland sit on the Safety and Traffic Board for SLC. Undersheriff Scott Bonno has reported that lots of staff time transporting prisoners means less patrols on snowmobile trails. There are five Rangers and Park Police on patrol.

f. SEQR – Erik Backlund & Alex MacKinnon. No report.

7. Unfinished Business.

a. Roger Bennett reported that the Rayonier property has been purchased by a group out of South Carolina. Deb Christy added that Tim Bupoe is the new Forester. Scott Sutherland heard from the Town of Clare that there is lots of tree cutting going on there, which may be positive for the Trail. Spencer Thew added that this is easement land so the rules won’t change re use.

b. Alex MacKinnon considers the issue in Colton vital. We need to decide when we would like the new law passed and to work backward from there to develop a timeline. He asked about the SEQR being done when the snow is gone. Bill Dashnaw reported that Cold Brook Drive is done, but other pieces need doing. Alex MacKinnon is attending Town Board meetings and will work with Judy Wendt to illustrate positive things. Kermit Blanchard said we need a count of folks for and against. Schyler Shea said his feeling was that if the SEQR was not done right, then someone should be held accountable. Bill Dashnaw said with the deficiencies in the local law, the attorneys were not comfortable moving forward. It only makes sense to back up and address the issues. Spencer Thew said to make sure to convince the Colton Town Board that the SEQR is done right. Alex MacKinnon suggested a Colton Local Law Task Force. Bill Dashnaw and Deb Christy volunteered to work with him. Bill Dashnaw suggested that Barton & Loguidice and the Colton Town Supervisor also be invited. Deb Christy talked about the SEQR and what was included, all except Cold Brook Drive. Art Wilson reported that Judy Wendt has pictures taken of the pilot trail.

c. Bill Dashnaw talked about the RVRDA money. The sign posts and materials to make the signs are there at Hwy. The equipment is here too.

d. Dawn Howard reported on an article in the ADK Mt Club news that misrepresented the Trail.

e. Deb Christy reported on the Stone Valley Management Plan under development.

f. Art Wilson asked Deb Christy about the Clear Pond Trail. It will be worked on in the spring, summer, and fall.

8. New Business. None.

9. Announcements. None.

10. The next Trails Board meeting is scheduled for 2/18/14 at 7:00 PM in the SWCD office.

11. Hearings and Comments.  Art Wilson thanked the officers.  Deb Christy will invite Barton & Loguidice to visit at our February meeting.

12. Motion to adjourn by Dave Irish, seconded by Dawn Howard, and all were in favor. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM.

Minutes by Dawn Howard

ST LAWRENCE COUNTY TRAIL COORDINATOR Deb Christy 315-386-8525 WORK REPORT December 2013/January 2014 NEW PURCHASE FOR TRAIL SYSTEM

We have made our first purchase from our $250,000 Empire State Grant. A new John Deere 5085 4 wheel drive Tractor with attachments to work on the trail. The tractor includes a 260 loader bucket, LR2184 lands scraper rake, BV4166 box blade, and a S95 backhoe for attachments. The Trails Advisory Board is so excited to have this new piece of equipment that will be used as we develop the center and western sections of our trail system. Thanks to Kevin Wells for the pictures. WORK WITH LOBBYIST LEANN WEST

1. We want to Thank the County Legislators for passing the resolution to increase the ATV defined Weight Limit to 1500 pounds again this year. Leann will be meeting with Addie Russell and Pattie Ritchie later this week to try and move this forward into matching Senate and Assembly Bills.

2. I also asked Leann if she could talk to Pattie and Addie about how they could help us promote the multi use trail similar to the wine trail they are trying to develop in St Lawrence County.

3. The third item we are working on together is a political ride for May 31 with Legislators, Senators, Assemblymen and women and some of the Trails Advisory Board. We will send out an informal soft invitation letter to get response and then send a final formal invitation with details of the ride. (We started our trail system in Parishville so it would be good to start at the Fireman’s parade field take a ride come back and hold a luncheon and presentation afterwards at the banquet facility there.)

4. The last item that I will be working on to use with Leann West for meetings is a PowerPoint Presentation that will also be in a UTube format on:

WHY NOT NEW YORK (A BOLD MOVE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT) a. We need more positive PR for atv/utv’s and feel this presentation will help us with pictures of our existing trail system with riders. b. Pictures of St Lawrence County Logging Roads thru state easements to show the land is suited for atv riding. c. List and examples of other states that are already benefiting from the economic impacts of atv/utving d. Figures from Economic impact statements that have been done by these other states e. Talk about proven record on pilot trail since 2008 f. Set up meeting with Governor and his staff to present information

Why Not In New York?

PRESS RELEASES I sent a press release to all the snowmobile and atv magazines in the fall to get the word out that the first section of our multi-use trail was open. Snow-Tech Magazine January-February Edition under Industry News page gave us a box sharing the trail information titled “DID YOU KNOW”. It is a start to get the word out and I will be doing more press releases to sporting magazines next. The Trails advisory Board decided at our January meeting to have a “Grand Opening Ride” on our St Lawrence County Multi-Use Trail July 26 in conjunction with the Parishville Bi-Centennial event. More details and press releases will follow.

KIOSKS AND MAPS Over the winter I will be designing the information that will be included on the kiosks. The kiosks will include our county trail map, rules of multi-use trail, and rules of county, private and easement lands. We are hoping to include a variety of information on our trailhead kiosks, including local services available, site specific history, and information on preventing the spread of invasive species, and so on.

STONE VALLEY COOPERATIVE RECREATION AREA Stone Valley Committee will have a public meeting to discuss their plans February 4 at the Town of Colton. I will attend meeting along with other Trails Advisory Board members.

COMMUNITY CONNECTOR TRAILS Our community connector committees will continue to meet over the winter working thru possible connections to the Corridor Trail.

TOWN OF COLTON-NEW LOCAL LAW DISCUSSION I have been attending the monthly Town of Colton board meetings to keep in touch with the board. February 5 we will have a special meeting at the Town of Colton to discuss the new Local Law for opening roads in South Colton for our multi-use trail system. The town supervisor, town and county attorneys, Alex McKinnon, Bill Dashnaw myself and a few others may attend. COUNTY TRAILS WEBSITE/FACEBOOK/MARKETING I will be focusing on the county trails website over the winter to open by spring. The Face book page has been very active with many posts and followers. Our website will be www.stlawrencecountytrails.com, which matches our e-mail address: [email protected]. This winter I will work with UTube to promote short clips or movies of our snowmobile trails to gain exposure and add our multi-use trail in the spring!

BROOKFIELD St Lawrence County Highway Department has surveyed the area and gathered data needed for the Rainbow Bridge design. This information will be shared with Brookfield and FERC. A number of agreements are still are needed before the bridge can be approved. A second project we are working on for our trail system is a bridge at the end of Morgan Rd over Dead Creek. We hope to partner with Brookfield, DEC, and our Trails Advisory Board to install this new bridge. Details will follow.

ICE STORM 2013 MAKES MAJOR WORK TO OPEN SNOWMOBILE TRAILS FOR SEASON!

The St Lawrence County Snowmobile Association worked three weeks from December 24 thru January 10 clearing about 150 miles of blow down from the ice storm. We had 32 volunteers in Edwards with chainsaws, tractor and dozer that cleared 42 miles. In Hermon we had a bobcat along with volunteers and chainsaws to clear 15 miles of trail. We had 22 volunteers in Clare that cleared 50 miles of trail with 15 chainsaws, a skid steer, a tractor, an excavator, and our two groomers. We had the Town of Colton donate their exactor and operator to help in Colton with DEC and about 20 volunteers who cleared over 30 miles of trail. In Parishville we had 15 volunteers with chainsaws and groomer that also cleared 20 miles. I have not totaled the hours to see how long it took between making 50-75 calls each day to look for volunteers and equipment to help and then the actual work on the trails. It has been an eye opening experience to see such dedicated volunteers take on such an amazing task and accomplish it with no questions asked. I will send another email around with more pictures when I complete the PowerPoint Presentation.

SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION STARTS NEW YEAR WITH GRANT The Snowmobile Association starts its 39th year with a $236,565 grant from the Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation. This money will be used to maintain existing equipment and trails and we are looking at possibly purchasing a new grooming drag this year. Our association gets the first 70 percent up front. Our paperwork must be completed and submitted by April 1 to Parks and Recreation to review before they give us the additional 30 percent awarded. We always have receipts well over the grant amount received that have been given in kind thru materials and equipment donations.

GRANTS Now part of the trail is open I would like to apply for a wide variety of grants to cover costs to complete building the middle and western end of the trail system. After research I have found there are local grants to be applied for as well as national grants thru manufacturers that I am hoping you will agree I should apply for.

1. Polaris T.R.A.I.L.S. Grant Program encompasses two main objectives – promoting safe and responsible riding, and preserving access. Funds can be used by organizations for trail development and maintenance projects, safety and education initiatives, lobbying and other projects to increase and maintain land access.

Grant requests received at Polaris by March 1 and September 1 will be reviewed by the Polaris T.R.A.I.L.S committee by the end of April and October respectively. Notifications will be made no later than 30 days after the end of the month of review.

Grant funding is limited to a maximum of $10,000 per request. Organizations can apply for either monetary or product as long as it does not exceed $10,000 and may apply for two grants per year. All organizations must be 501(c) (3), 501(c) (7) government or non-profit organizations.

If the grant is approved, a Results Report will be required as follow up to the project. In order to be considered for a new grant, ALL previous grant programs must be completed with a result/progress report. Grants will not be paid in full until receipt of a Final Summary Report. One thousand dollars ($1,000.00) will be held until the final report has been received.

2. Yamaha Grant Program will provide GRANTs to deserving organizations to help further the program’s goal of Guaranteeing Responsible Access to our Nation's Trails. Yamaha encourages clubs, associations and agencies to submit detailed applications for their specific needs.

Each quarter, Yamaha will accept applications from organizations such as non-profit or tax exempt OHV riding clubs, national forests and associations and national, state, local government agencies and associations. A committee then reviews each application and awards GRANTs to deserving projects. No dollar amount specified. Some examples of how these GRANTs will be used include: • Trail development, restoration and maintenance. • Trail signage and map production. • Staging area construction, renovation and maintenance. • Safety and education.

3. St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency (RVRDA) grant of $30,000 has been used for the purchase of signs that have been installed on the east end of our multi-use trail system from Franklin County Line on Lake Ozonia Road thru to Fireman’s parade filed in Parishville to complete 48 miles of trail. We will be submitting our final paperwork for reimbursement this month.

We are waiting for details on 2014 St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency (RVRDA) Community Development and Environmental Improvement Fund Grant Applications to apply for further funding as we continue the middle and western sections of the trail. In 2013 the applications were released in January and needed to be submitted by March. 4. We have started spending our first grant from Empire State Development and hope to be applying for a second grant as Phase Two of our St Lawrence County Multi-Use Trail System. The grant applications were released in June and needed to be submitted by August.

Respectfully submitted, Deb Christy, SLC Trail Coordinator 386-8525