The quarterly newsletter about the environment and people of thc Upper Delaware River

Volume 14 Number 3 Published by the Upper Delaware Council, inc. Fall 2001 UDC Coordinates Efforts to Minimize Cell Tower Impacts A recent proliferation of cell tower pro­ . In an effort to obtain and share informa­ posals in the greater Upper Delaware tion on this timely topic, the UDC hosted a River Valley region has many local govem­ public workshop geared to river valley , ments struggling to assess their readiness communities' on July 9, and convened ttwo to accept and act on therii. follow-up meetings with, municipal officials The Upper Delaware Council (UDC), on August 23 and September 27 to explore whose voting membership includes the ttwo the feasibility of working together on a states, eight New York towns and three out. In This Issue... of the seven Pennsylvania townships that Please see "TOWERS" on Page 4 border on the Upper Delaware Scenic and Ceil Tovyers Concern UDC Recreational River, is concemed as well. Pages 1 and 4 The River Management Plan, which was completed in November 1986, did not fore­ Upper Delaware Profile- James see the advent of cell towers. However, the Chandler, Tov^n of Deerpark overriding theme of the Plan is to protect and maintain the natural qualities which were so important in the designation of the TAG Awards; D&H Symposium Upper Delaware River as a nationally sig­ nificant area. In the first of a series of comment letters In Memoriam: Frank Hartmann issued this spring and, summer on three ^^^^^^^^^^geM^^^^fc^M applications reviewed to date for cell tower sitings within the Upper Delaware Scenic Sojourn Honored; Erie Station and Recreational River corridor bound­ Dedicated River Cleaned Up aries, UDC Project Review Committee ^^^^^^^R^ge,^^^^M^^M Chairperson Harold G. Roeder, Jr. de­ scribed the Council's general positton. UDC Highlights Acttvities. 'The UDC recognizes the need fbr wire­ Mourns Christopher Bartsch less telecoriimunications for emergency services and the convenience of local res­ idents and visitors to the area. Our primary Raft Trip Attracts Over 150 concern is how these facilities will bie sited and what visual impacts, and accumulative impacts, they will have on the natural char­ NPS Personnel Changes Noted acter of the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River corridor and rustic com- . i — 1 munities they sen/e. Ideally, by using avail­ able camoufiage and stealth technologies, TheJJpper Delaware welcomes submissions and we believe that the proposed cell tower can new subscribers (free}! be designed so that it is hardly noticeable Send items to Nevi/sletter at all to the common passerijy. We have Editor Laurie Ramie at the seen examples from around the country Upper Delaware Council! 211 Bridge St PO Box 192. where cell towers are incorporated into Narrov,iSDurg NY 12784 existing structures, such as church Please update our mailing steeples and street lights, and where they list by ftlling out the coupon have been made to look' like trees. All |On Page 7 Thank you design alternatives should be seriously A tractor trailer drives past this approximate- J considered, with the least obstrusive one iy 200-foot Nextel wireless lelecommunica- • lions tower located on interstate 84 in Port' being selected," the letter stated. Jervis, NY. (Photo by Laurie Ramie)

Most land along the Upper Delaware Rtver is privately owned. Please be considerate and don't Utter or trespass. Thanksl Upper Delaware Profile: James Chandler I pper Delaware Council, Inc. Jarnes R. Chandler, Jr took an active P. O. Box 192,'211 Bridge St. interest in local government when many people are ready to kick back and enjoy jai;; Nanowsburg, NY 12764-0192.. well-earned rest. Telephone: (845) 252-3022' " •• The Sparrowbush native put in 23 years FAX (845) 252-335'< with the New York State Police, moving up the ranks to retire in 1985 as Senior The Upper Delaware is a free quarteriyi Investigator for Troop F Bureau of Criminal publication of the Upper Delaware Investigations (BCI) at the age of 45. His Council, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organiza-i unit of 12 investigated all felony criminal tion compnsed of member governmentsi cases and deaths in their region. from Nevy York and Pennsylvania directly "It was hiy intention that that was the end affected by the River Management Plam of my public service," he says. - for the Upper Delaware Scenic and i The Port Jervis High School graduate Recreational River completed State Police Academy - "always rny ambition" - in 1962. Assignments at 2001 Officers barracks ih Waterloo, Deposit, Wurtsboro, Chairperson Larry H Richardson Ferndale; and tinally Middletown followed. Vice-Chairperson Alan Bowers After retiring, Chandler put his carpentry, Secretary/Treasurer. Lewis Schmalzle masonry, and electrical skills to work build­ New York Town Representatives ing houses for his kids, while pursuing his Hancock George H Frosch quickly-serious hobby of competing in car I James'Chandler, Town of Deerpark, NY j Fremont John B. Niflot James Greier,..Altemate shows with the 1966 Mustang convertible or not," he says, noting his typical daily Delaware Harold G. Roeder, Jr. that he had helped restore to factory stan­ - . , • • office., hours of 8-4 at the Town Hall in Enc J. Nystrom, Alternate dards. Nearly 100 prestigious trophies Huguenot in addition to'evening meetings. Cochecton Larry H. Richardson later, Chandler's antique auto "topped oiit" Since taking office; he has focused on John A. Reggero, Alternate of natiohal competition. conducting town business professionally; Tusten Charies, VVieland Then in 1999, Chandler's attention streamlining the delivery of services, Richard B Crandall, Alternate turned to the Town of Deerpark. qbtaining grants for improvement projects, Highland Lewis Schmalzle 'To be frank, the town had a very bad and holding the line on property taxes. Allan Schadt, Alternate reputation at that tirne. I attended towri ..As a ^second alternate'representative'to Lumberland Nadia Rajsz board meetings for two years as a citiz6ri the jUpper Delaware Council and with fiill John LiGreci, Alternate before I decided to run," he says. realization of the Upper Delaware Scenic Deerpark Philip D. Chase Having never held political office and and Recreational River's positive tourisrii Melvin Decker, 1st Alternate lacking any party endorsement. Chandler's . impact on the local economy. Chandler James Chandler, 2nd Alternate carnpaign consisted of he and his wifeS ikefejDS current on river-related issues. Pennsylvania Township Representatives Lackawaxen John S McKay "khbci;in" the Delaware, and that was an Del River Basin Commission Carol Collier apply his trademark sharp focus to the job. important part of my growing up," he adds. National Park Sen/ice.... Mane Rust, Reg. Dir "I've been called intense," he admits.'"i Chandler and his wife of 18 years, Mary, Sandra S. Schultz, UDS&RR,-Alternate call myself obsessive. I probably don't have five children (Jeff, a private investiga­ have a politically correct bone in my body. tor in the state of Florida; Vicki, co-owner of Executive Director. William E. Douglass I operate on the principle of what's right Blair Carpets in Port Jervis; Jim, employed [email protected] antj wrong. I have no personal agenda with by an auto parts distributor in .Chester, NY; Senior Resource Specialist David B. Soete the town. I'm here to do a job for the peo­ Barbara, an Avon representative in Spar­ iirir.sopte * 67 iccess nPt ple out there," he says. rowbush; and Paul, who works at Summit Public Relations/Newsletter Laurie Ramie Already a voracious reader and online Research in Huguenot), and seven grand-, urirra.m'P ezaccess net researchei'. Chandler was assisted in his children ranging in age from seven months Otfice Manager Carol Coney transition by key town staff members. to 19 years old. udcconev®ezaccess net "If not for them, I would have quit in ttwo A former chair of the Town of Deerpark weeks," he jokes. Cable Commission, Chandler is a member Printing Services: T.irco inc PO S.ur 30^ Like many classified part-ttme town of.the Port Jen/is Rotary Club, NYS Police Pemberton, N.J. 08068 TeL (609) 694-2282 supervisors. Chandler accepts that his role Benevolent Association, National Rifle Printed tn the USA on recycled paper. carries full-time responsibility. Association, Mustang Club of America, Copyright 2001, Upper Deldwaro Council "It's a lifestyle, whether you want it to be and Antique Auto Club of America.^ FaU2001 The Upper Delaware Upper Delaware Council Awards 2001 Technical Assistance Grants erty owners and distribution at public facil­ The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) has Amount awarded, 1988-2001: awarded $19,600 in Technical Assistance ities. Grants for nine projects that will further the $470,841 Town of Tusten - $1,400 to print and dis­ goals of and address needs identified in tribute maps, and purchase and install the River Management Plan for the Upper Number of projects: 121 signs, depicting the boundaries for the Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. newly established Wellhead Protection The 2001 roster of recipients was formal­ ordinances, and Comprehensive Plan in Overiay District in Narrowsburg. ly approved at the UDC's monthly meeting an on-line format available to the public. County of Sullivan - $1,400 to under­ on September 6. Town of Highland - $2,900 to update the take a macroinvertebrate (aquatic insects) The latest grant round brings the cumu­ Town of Highland Zoning Map using the sun/ey of the East and North Branches of lative amount to $470,841 that the UDC Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Callicoon Creek as a standard means of has given to its member municipalities capabilities of the Sullivan County Division establishing a baseline to either improve or since 1988. In all, 121 projects have been of Planning. maintain water quality in .the future. (This funded through the Technical Assistance Town of Deerpark - $2,500 to update project will be coordinated by Sullivan Grants (tAG) program. the Town of Deerpark Zoning Map using County Community College Biology and Combined requests by 10 applicants this the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Environmental Science Instructor Stephen year tia'taled $24,214, competing for an capabilities of the Orange County Water Fleekenstein.) allocated $20,000 funding pool. Authority. Town of Cochecton - $1,200 to estab­ - Applications were mailed to member Town of Lumberland - $2,500 to update lish comprehensive standards for dog 'municipalities in late May, with a submis­ regulations for campgrounds that will be compounds and kennels that will be inte­ sion deadline of July 31. Representatives integrated into the Town of Lumberiand grated into the Town of Cochecton Zoning :fdr e'^fcji applicant attended a special meet- Zoning Law and presented as a separate Law. •ihg •^'of, the UDC's Project Review local law. For more information on the Upper Committee on August 14 to explain their Town of Delaware - $1,500 to create Delaware Council's Technical Assistance proposals. and print a brochure listing the Town of Grant program, please contact UDC .Tectmical Assistance Grants are avail­ Delaware's land use regulations, local Senior Resource Specialist David B. Soete able tor research, planning, and studies laws, and town directory informatibn for at [email protected] or (845) 252- 'cohducted by the UDC's eight member direct mailing to approximately 1,800 prop­ 3022.-:- New 'York towns, three Pennsylvania town­ ships, and four of the encompassing river corridor counties (Delaware, Sullivan, D&H Symposium II Nov. 16-18 Orange, and Pike). The D&H Transportation Heritage Coun­ Wayrie County and its four Pennsylvania cil will conduct Symposium II, a celebratton townships of Beriin, Buckingham, of the history of the Delaware and Hudson Damascus, and Manchester would be eli­ Canal Company, with a special empfiasis f' Ji. gible to participate in the TAG program if on the Gravity Railroad in Pennsylvania, as the townships joined the Council. Carbondale and Waymart commemorate Robert Powell on the system's operations. TAGs can provide seed money for a their 150th anniversaries. Historian Stuart Dixon will discuss the municipality to embark on a feasibility transformation from the gravity to steam study, design plan, or similar project with­ Symposium II will be held at the Sal­ era. Lynn Conrad of Rails to Trails, Sherry out having to dip into local tax dollars. vation Army Ladore Lodge in Waymart on Nov 16, 17 and 18, 2001. It is sponsored Petrilak of Wildlands Conservancy, and The following 2001 grants were by the Carbondale Historical Society, Lisa Lyons of the National Park Sen/ice will approved: Waymart Area Historical Society, and relate how trails are being saved and - .Town of Lumberland - $3,200 to identi­ Wayne County Historical Society, with sup­ developed for recreation and heritage ty and inventory historic barns of 50-i- years port from the Pennsylvania Historical and tourism. Lance Metz, National Canal ;of age within the hamlets of Pond Eddy, Museum Commission Grant Program. Museum, will chair a roundtable discussion •Mongaup, Hillside, and Glen Spey for the tying together Saturday's programs. development of a perrnanent index includ­ The symposium will feature presenta­ Evening programs include Dr. Walter ing a map, design descriptions, recording tions by Jim Shaughnessy, author of 'The Barbe, Kurt Reed and Henry Loffus high­ of ownership, use of the structures, and Delaware and Hudson"; Larry Lowenthal, lighting the canal-side 19th century glass assessment of the barns' current condi­ author of 'The Significance of the Dela­ tions. ware and Hudson Canal and its Gravity industry Friday, and a "History Alive!" re­ Railroads"; and Phillip Ruth, author of "Of creation by Rich Pawling of a day in the life Town of Deerpark - $3,000 to develop a Pulleys and Ropes and Gears". of a 1905 anthracite coal miner Saturday. Town of Deerpark web site which will pro­ Sunday will offer a bus tour of D&H sites mote the Upper Delaware Scenic and Also presenting will be Donald M. in Waymart, Carbondale, and Honesdale. Recreational River, proposed Upper Sayenga, consultant on the wire and steel Fbr rates and reservations, contact Jane Delaware Scenic Byway, and the town's rope industries; Dr. Robert Hecht on Phillip Varcoe at P.O. Box A, Waymart, PA 18472; historical, cultural, and recreational assets, Hone; Michel Knies on James Archbald; (570) 488-6750; [email protected]:- as well as provide the town's local laws, Jack Gillen on anthracite mining; and Dr. S. FaU 2001 The Upper Delaware I "TOWERS," continued from Page 1 "/VH concerned that need ivon't master plan that would provide advisory be comprt}niised by speed, and guidelines for the review of cell tower especially by greed." - John applications. Reggero, UDC Alternate, Town At the UDC's July 9 workshop atterided by 53 people, guest speakers Lori Heithoff of Cochecton. .\Y from the New York Department of State UDC Executive Director Bill Douglass Division of Local Government and Pen­ affixed sticky notes on the office's Upper nsylvania iattorney R. Anthony Waldron 111 Delaware River mural to pinpoint the then- explained that the upswing in cell, tower dozen proposed or approved cell tower activity stems both from increased con­ sites in and around the corridor to help sumer demand and authorization by the visualize the magnitude of the issue. Federal Communications Commission to Town of Cochecton Alternate Represen­ expand competitive market opportunities tative John Reggero said no one can argue for wireless service providers. that wireless technology is a vital part of Frank Hartmann (1990 UDC file photo) The prevailing Telecommunications Act today's society, but he would hate to see a In Memoriam ... of 1996 bars municipalities from prohibiting rush to erect cell towers without due con­ Francis E. "Frank" Hartmann Jr. of the provision of wireless service through sideration of the impacts. Sparrowbush, NY died September 15, the application of regulations and from dis­ "I'm concerned that need won't be com­ 2001 at Westchester Medical Center, criminating among providers. promised by speed, and especially by Valhalla, NY at the age of 76.' Local governments, however, retain the greed," he said. in his role as the Town of Deerpark's authority to regulate the location and/or Regional master plans for wireless delegate to the Conference, of Upper telecommunications facilities have , been Delaware Townships (COUP) frorii "Stopping /cell toweisj is defi­ successfully drafted in other areas,; such nitely in the past-, but vontrol- 1984-86, Frank helped draft the as the St. Croix River Valley (Minnesota Upper Delaware Scenic and Recre­ linfi theni can .still happen." ~ and Wisconsin), Appalachian Trail Confer­ ational River's Management Pfah. if. .4n^/jo/iv Waldron, HI, attor- ence (multiple Eastern U.S. states), and When the Upper Delaware Council ney-al-law, Pennsylvania the Pinelands (southern New Jersey)., , was established in 1988, Frank con­ A master plan in the Upper Delaware tinued as Deerpark's representa'tive design of cell towers. would ideally involve the five counties and until 1993. He chaired the Council ih "You can zone for aesthetics. Viewsheds 15 municipalities in NY and PA. 1989 and received the Distinguished are a legitimate concern," Waldron said. 'The result without a Master Plan would Service Award in 1994 for his exem­ "Stopping [cell towers] is definitely in the be an irregular patchwork of cell towers plary contributions to the river valley. past, but controlling them can sttll happen. decided upon by development interests - Born Feb. 21, 1925 in Cochecton, You have to analyze your opttons," he riot by those of us who live here," suggest­ added. "You can bring in experts on these NY, Frank graduated in 194'1 from ed Joseph Freda, a member of the Town of Delaware Valley Central Schopi and matters to advise you and have the cell Delaware Planning Board. tower companies pay for it." served in the Navy during VVorld War As revealed by the group's discussion, II from 1943-46. He received mechari- The amount of control municipalities however, there are many potential chal- ical engineering degrees from Middle- have in these situattons often depends on town Collegiate Center , and the the adequacy of their land use regulations, "The result without a Master Polytechnic Institute of Bropklyh. He according to Heithoff. Plan ii'ould he an irregulat retired as a mechanical engineer at "You can hold their feet to the fire," she patchu'orli of cell touers AAR Skydyne, Port Jen/is, in 1990. said, noting that the goal is to compel the decided upon by development companies to address all alternatives per­ Frank's memberships included the taining to the proposed site, co-location interests - nol hy those of us NYS Conservation Council, Federa­ options, type of design, and height. who lire here." - Joseph tion of Sportsmen's Clubs in Orange and Sullivan, Tri-States Rod & Gun Municipalities can require applicants to Freda, Town of Delaware, SY Club, NYS Hunter Safety Instructors, do balloon tests to research the visibility, to Planning Hoard Knights of Columbus, VFW, NRA, investigate opportunities for utilizing exist­ lenges to developing an Upper Delaware Orange County Charter Study Com­ ing structures or stealth camoufiage, and cell tower master plan. mission, Deerpark Democratic Com­ to set conditions for the removal of obso­ Among them are gathering sufficient sup­ mittee, Town Planning Board, Spar­ lete towers as part of the approval process. port and resources, including financial rowbush Fire Department, and ser­ Furthermore, speculative tower builders assistance and technical expertise; decid­ vice as Town Justice for eight years. lacking agreements with FCC license hold­ ing whether the plan would take the tactic ers may be treated like any other commer­ Survivors are his wife, Betty; two of suggesting potential sites for towers or cial zoning applicant, not as public utilities. sons, Joseph of Deerfield Beach, FL stating where they should not locate; rec­ and Paul of Port Jen/is; a daughter, Local governments can adopt moratoria onciling the different regulations of the ttwo Laura Lincoln of Midlothian, VA; a fos­ while they develop local plans and regula­ states; and sefting the boundaries for the ter son. Warren Gotthardt of Jones- tions dealing with tower and antenna siting area to be covered by the guidelines. boro, GA; ttwo siblings; five grandchil­ as long as they have a specific expiration If pursued, the master plan developers dren; and ttwo foster grandchildren. and are not conceived to stall or discour­ would likely seek outside funding to hire a age the placement of cell towers. Contributions may be sent to the consultant to assist with the project. NYS Conservation Council, 8 E. Main At the August 23 meeting, 31 participants Further discussions were pending at the SL, llion, NY 13357, or plant a tree in embarked on preliminary discussions September 27 meeting scheduled after this Frank Hartmann's memory. about the master plan concept. issue's deadline.-:- Fall 2001 The Upper Delaware Delaware Sojourn Wins Environmental Partnership Award The Deiaware River Sojourn will receive a "2001 Environmental Partnership Award" at the 11th Annual Evening for Northeast Pennsylvania's Environment October 23. The reception, dinner, and awards cere­ mony will take place from 5:30-9 p.m. at Woodlands Inn and Resort, Wilkes-Barre. A consortium of public and private enti­ ties representing four states has coordinat­ ed the Delaware River Sojourn annually since 1995 to promote awareness and stewardship of the river's natural, recre­ ational, cultural, and historical attributes. The Nattonal Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River and Upper Delaware Council organize the northernmost stretches of the eight-day canoeing'and camping adventure. Also among the Oct. 23 honorees are Susan Beecher, executive director of the Pike County Conservation District, and fre­ quent area lecturer and deer management The restored Cochecton Station, shown above, was formally dedicated August 18 during a day of celebration and remembrance at the former Erie railroad depot's new, track-side loca­ supen/isor Dr. Gary Alt of the Pennsylvania tion off State Route 97, about one mile north of Cochecton, NY. The circa 1850 building is Game Commission. believed to be the oldest existing railroad station in New York State. No longer used by the Ed McMahon, vice-president of The railroad and standing in the way of a business expansion project, it was slated for demoHtion Consen/ation Fund's American Greenways iri 1992. The Cochecton Preservation Society (CPS) formed to save the historic structure. Its Program and co-founder of Scenic Amer­ owners agreed to donate the station to CPS if it could be moved within a year. Thanks to ica, will deliver the keynote address. grants, community support, and much sweat equity by volunteers, the station was carefully dismantied and iabeied board by board, then reassembled on donated property with a new The evening is coordinated by the foundation, roof, and siding, to iook much as it did in 1910 when the depot was in use, ffrst Pennsylvania Environmental Council and as a freight station and later for passengers. Dedication Day featured guided tours inside the the Northeast Pennsylvania Environmental station, as shown below, to view the conslruction techniques and period memorabilia, as well Partners'(including the PA Departments of as historical talks, costumed re-enactors, speeches of acknowledgement, and the debut of a Environmental Protection, and Conseh/a- benefit recording of train songs by IVIickey Barnett called "All Aboard!" (Photos by Laurie Ramie) ion and Natural Resources, the Economic Developrrient Council of Northeast Penn­ sylvania,' Wilkes University, PPL, Inc. and Proctor. & Gamble Paper Products Co.) For ticket information and reservations, please call (570) 270-4420 or e-mail the PA Environmental Council's Northeast Office at [email protected]:- River Cleanup Bags 17.5 Tons of Trash A July 17-20 cleanup of the Delaware River by 526 volunteers yielded 17.5 tons of trash, including 377 lbs. of aluminurti cans and 403 tires. The 12th Annual "On and Under the Delaware River Cleanup" was organized again by Kittatinny Canoes, which provides meals, shuttles, boats, litter bags, and sou­ venir T-shirts to their loyal participants- Volunteers scoured 71 miles of the river and its shorelines from Ten Mile River to the Delaware Water Gap before gathering on the final day in Matamoras, Pa- to sort through the collected debris- An unusual find was three safes without doors.-:- FaU 2001 The Upper Delaware UDC Highlights Activities of Last Quarter Upper Delaware Council (UDC) project township projects, and river valley issues - to Upper Delaware Scenic Byway and activity highlights from mid-June - UDC Board Retreat Sept. 29 to provide Chairperson Alan Sorensen requesting through mid-September 2001, not men- historical insights into the development of clarification of the NYS DEC's position on ttoned elsewhere in this issue, include: the River Management Plan via a facilitat­ the impact that the proposed scenic byway DELAWARE SOJOURN ed panel discussion, prior to undertaking a designation for Route 97 would have on The UDC and National Park Service 15-year review of the document the bluestone mining industry Upper Delaware hosted the tirst three days RIVER ACCESS - to U.S. Environmental Protection of June 15-23's 7th Annual Delaware River The New York State Department of Agency Region 2 commending steps taken Sojourn- Local paddle trips were from Environmental Conservation (DEC) con­ by the New York City Catsklll/Delaware Hankins,';NY to Ten Mile River, with educa­ structed an interim primitive river access in Water Supply System to protect the exist­ tional prograriis, meals, and camping at the Town of Lumberiand upstream of the ing high water quality in order to avoid fil­ the NPS Milariyille, PA office provided. The confluence of the Delaware and Mongaup tration, while noting "that filtering may be Upper Delaware bestowed the honorary Rivers to replace a historically-used, haz­ inevitable" and "would allow the City to use titles of "Lord arid Lady Hjgh Admirals" on ardous pull-off slightly north on Route 97. more water from its own Hudson River Peter Osborne of the Minisink Valley Under a cooperative management agree­ watershed." It also recommends that Histpricai -Sdciety and Barbara Yeaman of ment with the National Park Service, ,the "attention should be paid to fixing'any leaks the beiavyare Highlands Conservancy. The unpaved parking area's amenities include, in the New York City aqueduqt'system" eight-day-Sojourh, which covered all four an informational kiosk, porta-john, picnic based on reports that the underground tun­ basin States., attracted 203 individuals for table, and trash receptacle. The access nels may be losing an estimated 9-23 mil- one Or".rri;qjtiple day trips. opened to the public in niid-July. - lion gallons per day. \ BEiFlLiwiNtiEREST GRANT FUNDS ' j - to the New York State Department of After.'iiidepehdentty expressing interest Three of the eight New York State river Transportation's Region 8 commending in the beriefits provided by the UDC to its valley towns that were each approved for a the graffiti removal work done along the memberS,';iwo supervisors from non-partic­ $6,250 share of a $50,000 Aid to Localities Route 97 Hawks Nest area ipating Beriin'Township, PA attended a grant by Senator John J. Bonacic and - to the National Park Service's Rivers, June 26 committee meeting to learn more. Assemblyman Jake Gunther have com­ Trails, and Consen/ation Assistance Pro­ While the board subsequently voted pleted work on their projects. The Toyvns of gram in support of the Town of Tusten's against joining the UDC at this time, the Fremont, Tusten, and Highland have sub­ request for technical assistance to'develop Council appreciated the positive inquiry. mitted their papenwork for reimbursement. a seven-mile hiking trail extension of the VISITOR CENTER In the meantime, the UDC passed a reso­ existing Tusten Mountain Trail.^ The first meeting of the Mongaup Visitor lution to authorize the Council chairperson Center Advisory Group took place on July to sign grant disbursement agreem'ents 9-10 at which the local advisors had an with the Empire State Development Corp., Mourns Loss of opportunity to provide preliminary input to and with each of the eight towns. NatipharPark Service personnel and the In other grant news, the UDC will receive Chris Bartsch, 10 team frorn Croxton Coilaborative of New $5,000 over ttwo years from the William The Upper Delaware Council York City that will be developing the center. Penn Foundation for its participation as a expresses condolences to the family The UDiC. is. represented on the advisory non-profit organization on the Delaware and fnends of Chnstopher Aridrew group by Executive Director Bill Douglass. River Basin Commission's Watershed Bartsch, 10. of Shohola. Pa. Chief annohg the current information-gath­ Advisory Council. Chns died on July 18, 2001 at ering phase is to determine which local, PROJECT REVIEWS Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, state,' and federal permits will be required Comment letters were issued to the Pa., after battling a rare type of bratn for the project- A public scoping session Town of Delaware Planning Board on an cancer. The community had rallied will be advertised for this fall. application, subsequently revised, by SBA behind the spirited fourth-grader, con­ MEETINiGS Properties to build a 170-foot cell tower on tnbuting good wishes and donations The; UDC'participated in numerous spe­ Froelich Road in Callicoon (since with­ to help offset medical costs. cial meetings;in the last quarter, including: drawn), with reference to an application by Chris IS the son of Kathleen Bartsch - "A Day on the Delaware," an issues dis­ Crown Atlantic Co. to build a 170-foot cell and the late Andy Bartsch, who had cussion forum sponsored by the Delaware tower off Deer Ruh Road in Callicoon. '' served as an alternate representative River Foundation and Trout Unlimited July An applicatton by Guaranty Towers to for Shohola Township on the UDC 31 on the West Branch Delaware River build a 180-foot cell tower on Rt. 590 in the In addition to his mother sun/ivors - Delaware River Basin Cooperative Village of Lackawaxen resulted in a com­ include siblings Brian and Jessica Fisheries;;fTechhical Committee quarteriy ment letter to the Township Supervisors. Bartsch. at home: paternal grandpar­ meettng, Aug:-I-2 in Hancock, NY Also reviewed was an application by a ents Fredenck and ingnd Bartsch of - Delaware River Water Trail Coalition Damascus resident to the PA Department Greeley, Pa.; maternal grandfather meeting Aug. 13 in Bushkill, PA to explore of Environmental Protection for a Water Jack Mazellan of South Plainfield, NJ, the feasibility of developing a water trail Obstruction and Encroachment Permit to great-grandmothers Gertrude Bartsch from Haricock, NY to Trenton, NJ allow construction of a residence and and Hedv,/ig Neuhaus, both of Gree­ - UDC Governhient Officials Liaison garage on a 0.88 acre lot in the Delaware ley; aunts, uncles, and cousins Subcommittee meeting with Pennsylvania River fioodway at Tammany Flats. A Chnstopher Bartsch Memonal Representative Jerry Birmelin (R-139th CORRESPONDEhJCE Fund was established in care of District) Aug. 24 to discuss UDC funding Among the letters approved by the UDC Wayne Bank, Shohola, Pa. 18458 and needs, financial support for member PA this quarter were these: Penn Star Bank, Milford. Pa. 18337. Fan 2001 The Upper Delaware • .i*s 5w' *" T

The four-member party of Barbara Peters and Fred. Krasseit from Beach Lake, Pa., with their guests Sharon Jolly and Joan James, paddie, ; along a 'placid section of the river during the Upper Deiayi/are Council's 1 Sth Annuai Famiiy Raft Trip on August 4. (Photo by David B. Soete) '; ; Oyer 150 Enj^y UDC's Annual Raft Trif)

: The i Sth' 'Annual Family Raft Trip and The large turnout included 51 rafters , Following the raft trip, 56;..gu.e^ts^e;hj6yed;; Siiriimer. Picnic, sponsored by the Up'per bettween the ages of 4 and 18, as well, as a hearty chicken barbecue 'pi6riic"_seiy Delaware;Council (UDC) on August 4 drew many first-time rafters of all ages, thereby under the festively-decorated, payiiiori ;at,. ;i 53 participants .to paddle an eigtit-mile fulfiiling the UDC's goal to promote aware­ Kittatinny Cariipgr'ound in Bari^ill.e.l'^ ; , section ofi the Upper Delaware Scenic and. ness and stewardship of the river through' The UDC typically schedules.JfsVj^nhual Recreatipnal River direct involvement in a recreational outing'. Family Raft Trip and SumrrferPiicnJcon .the , This year's river segment began at Ten Participants came.from as far awa'y.as' first Saturday of August, highlig.^ting a dif­ Mile River Access in the Town of Tusten, Florida, Virginia, New Jersey, and other ferent segment of the river .;than"||h'e previ­ NY'and ended at Kittatinny Canoes' Luke's- parts of Pennsylvania and New York to join, ous year. r.'''^.[c^ri''r.'^--.. LandingiBase in Bartyville, NY. area residents. The event is publicized in this .newsletter An intense, mid-afternoon thunderstorm The everit has grown in popularity by as well as direct mail and rinfedia.nbtip^s,. created some unexpected drama for the;; those interested in taking advantage of the For more information, .,p.l.ease",co.H^^ rafters, but their dampness from the rain deeply discounted rates to spend a fun day UDC Public Relations Speqalist'^' La^ fprtuhately did not dampen their spirits of ori the river with family and with friends, old Ramie at udcramie @ezaccessj'het;or'(845) ahd new. adventure. ,, , 252-3022. • •. - ''''l".!.Y'''.'' 'I New Subscribers and Address Changes Welcomed ^—Ifyou ha\c liit-iids m ci>lk-:ii>iii.-s nhu uoiiUI lu- iiiti-ri-slL-d in i-i.-i-«'i\ini> niir fiti lU-usli-Ui-r. ui- nill lu- hiippv In ndd Ihi-iii li> llic m.iiliiiu lisl. i'lfiisf iilsii ,iil\isi- us ill .iildifss (,hiiii!>i-s tn lu-lp iipd.ili- luii n-ioids. Uiliirn ihis nolin- In Ihc I pper Dchiw.iu ( iiiiiuii. P.O. Itiix l<)2. N:irin\«sl>iir.!. N\ I2''64. oi Lilll 1X4?) 2.';:-MI22. New Address: ' Old Address: " ••' • N.inic Address Address

City/Stalc ( il\ sLitc Zip-i-4 /ip-i-4 I ( link here lo hi- K-mnvcil fnini i>iir iil.iiliiiK list

Eail2001 The Upper Delaware Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River Superintendent Transfers, Historian Retires

The National Park Service (NPS) Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, its partners, and community friends bade farewell to the park unit's Superintendent and Historian in September. Calvin F. Hite was selected as superin­ tendent at West Virginia's New River Gorge National River in late July. He had acted in that position since February 2001 to temporarily fill a vacancy created by a retirement. In that spirit, an affectionate "gone-away" party was held in Hite's honor Sept. 28 in Narrowsburg, NY. Sandra Schultz has been named Acting Superintendent while a nation-wide search commences for Hite's replacement. Hite, a West Virginia native, came to the Upper Delaware as Superintendent in 1995 following John Hutzky's retirement, after having previously worked here from 1981-88 as an Interpretive Specialist. The outdoor enthusiast joined NPS in 1973. He and his wife Sarah have ttwo chil­ dren, Joshua, 23, and Emily, 20. New River Gorge includes 85,300 acres of land and more than 100 miles of river Hite will oversee the park complex's five visitor centers, 12 river access points, 50 At her September 7 retirement dinner, National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and miles of hiking trails, six primitive camp­ Recreational River Historian IVIary Curtis, seated, was recognized by two past Upper Delaware grounds, four historic areas, three picnic superintendents, Cal Hite, far right, and Hite's predecessor of 16 years, John Hutzky, middie. Hite was recently named superintendent for New River Gorge National River in West Virginia areas, and four day use areas. after six years at the helm in the Upper Delaware. (Photo by David B. Soete) Approximately one million people visit New River Gorge annually and offered to the public a treasure trove of the valley's historical resources. Maty Curtis of Callicoon, NY joined NPS The eighth-generation river valley native, who has served as the Town of Delaware's Upper Delaware in 1980 as Public Affairs Historian since 1978, is well-known for her community and charitable work as well. Her Specialist and was appointed Historian in memberships include the Upper Delaware Heritage Alliance, Cochecton Preservation 1994. She retired from that post Sept. 1. Society, St. James Episcopal Church, Interfaith Outreach United, Delaware Valley Arts Curtis' work with the National Register of Alliance, and the Sullivan County, Wayne County, and Equinunk Historical Societies. Historic Places, Upper Delaware Oral The NPS Northeast Region honored her as 1994 Employee of the Year, adding to History Project, her writings, and storyteller numerous accolades throughout the years from regional historical societies and organi­ programs have documented, preserved. zations. Curtis plans to devote time to traveling and compiling more family histoty.^

TheUpper Delaware Council, Inc. meets on the first Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the TVistcn Town Hall, Narrowsburg, NV. Three standmg committees, f Water Use/Resource Management, Operations, and Project Review, meet on the third and fourth Hiesdays of every month at the UDC office, 2U Bridge Street, Narrowsburg,^ I across from the Town Hall. All meetings are open to the public. CaU (845) 252-3022 for specific meeting dates and agendas. ,

Upper Delaware Council NONPROFIT ORG P.O. Box 192 U.S. POSTAGE PAID Narrowsburg, NY 12764-0192 PERMIT No. 7 NARROWSBURG, NY Return Service Requested

Fan 2001 The Upper Delaware