Dec. 2006 Hikers
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Sept.-Dec. 2006 Hikers: New Jersey is going through the process of revising its State Trails Plan, which means that it is time for all of us to help make sure that the hiking trails are not given short shrift in this process. Ten years ago, during the public part of the process to approve the current version it was noted that relatively few from the hiking community participated while a large number of other user groups (some friendly and some not) made their voices heard very clearly. Hikers need to reverse those results this time. There are a number of issues on which the hiking community needs to be heard. • The deteriorating recreational experience and environ- mental damage caused by motorized Off-Road-Vehicles (ORVs). • The need to retain single-use trail systems to avoid user conflicts and encourage variety rather than a one-size-fits-all trail system. • Better access including parking and road signage trail head locations. • Greater connectivity between state and regional trail sys- tems and community trails/open space. • The maintenance of the growing trail system and stew- ardship of surrounding conservation lands. There are things which you can do to help them hear our voice: First, complete the survey found at their site: http:// www.njtrailsplan.org/. Since tourism is a major justification for creating a great trail system, hearing from those outside New Jer- sey is very important. Non-residents of New Jersey are welcome to complete the survey. Second, attend one of the "Open Houses" where “the public is invited to learn about the Trails Plan and share perspectives on trail issues and the future of trails in NJ". Several of these were held in September. Stay tuned for more information on this proc- ess as it moves forward. Larry Wheelock, Trials Director New York-New Jersey Trail Confer- ence ADK-North Jersey Chapter www.hikeleader.com page 1 ~Chapter Officers and Committee Chairs~ Chapter Chair: ....Christopher Tausch 201-819-3034 ....................... [email protected] Secretary: ........................Betty Heald 201-967-2937 ................................. [email protected] Treasurer: ..............Marcia Greenwald 201-797-7541 ................................... [email protected] Director: ...................... Marilyn Adair 201-327-5822 [email protected] Membership: .....................Phyllis Key 201-768-5573 ........................... [email protected] Activities: ......................... Karen Rose 201-825-8166 [email protected] Newsletter Editor ................ Lilo Kassel 845-353-0573 ........................................ [email protected] Education: ...................... Donna Ellis 973-764-2537 [email protected] Conservation: ..........Brenda Holzinger 973-303-3538 [email protected] NYNJTC Delegate: ...... Phyllis Stewart 201-327-6319 [email protected] Special Outings: .............Jeff Sovelove 973-644-4834 ....................... [email protected] Publicity: ................... Phyllis Stewart 201-327-6319 [email protected] XCountry Skiing: .............Ed Fanslau 201-652-1496 Hiking w/ Children: Deanna Felicetta 845-216-2021 [email protected] Webmaster.......................................... Rob Lehmann ........................................................... [email protected] Adirondack Mountain Club—North Jersey Chapter 385 N. Franklin Turnpike, Box 7, Ramsey, NJ 07446 For Additional Information, contact: (888) 856-7030 • www.hikeleader.com Trail Talk is published four times per year, in January, April, July and October. The deadline for submissions is generally one month prior to publication date. page 2 Mark Your Calendars! Fall Weekend 2006 October 6, 7, 8, 2006 Yes, we are actually going to the Adirondacks this year! Roaring Brook Ranch - Lake George, NY Route 9N South, Lake George, NY 12845 http://www.roaringbrookranch.com/default.asp Single Occupancy $285.12 per person; Double $207.42 per person Triple $196.32 per person; Quad. $187.44 per person Price Includes: Lodging Friday & Saturday night. Breakfast on Saturday & Sunday, Saturday’s trail lunch. Dinner Friday and a gourmet dinner and Cocktail hour (cash bar) on Saturday. ALL taxes and gratuities. We will schedule hikes for all levels and activities for non-hikers on Saturday and Sunday. You can join us for the Annual Kick-off weekend hike on Friday or din- ner on Friday at the Roaring Brook Ranch. Day-hikers are wel- come!! A credit card will be required to hold your room. You will be fully refunded if the cancellation is received 30 days prior to your arrival date. Any cancellations less than 30 days prior will be charged the full room rate. To make your reservation call (800) 882-7665. Be sure to mention you are with the ADK-North Jersey. Please order your Saturday trail lunch when you make your reser- vation. Questions email: Jeff Sovelove at [email protected]. Check our website for any additional information and updates: hikeleader.com/fallweekend.. Sign up for ADK-North Jersey's E-Trail Talk! Over 260 members have already signed up for "E-Trail Talk", our email notification system. You will be advised immediately whenever: • A hike is cancelled or changed. • A key environmental or conservation issue comes up. • Announcements are made of upcoming ADK-NJ meetings and events. Just go to www.hikeleader.com and look for “Join our mailing list" at the bottom. You will receive an email asking you to confirm your desire to join the email list. You can "opt out" of the list at any time. If you have any questions, send an email to our Webmaster, Rob Lehmann at [email protected]. page 3 Notes From the Trailhead: Our chapter is made up of a great group of volunteers. Phyllis Key makes sure that our chapter continues to grow… Karen Rose makes sure that our hike leaders lead hikes… Betty Heald makes sure that our chapter is organized… Lilo Kassel makes sure that our newsletter always looks great… Marcia Greenwald makes sure that our bills are paid… Marilyn Adair makes sure that our voice is heard in Lake George… Rob Lehmann makes sure that we have a presence on the internet… Ed Fanslau makes sure that we have cross country ski trips every winter… Phyllis Stewart makes sure that we participate in the NY/NJ Train Conference… Countless members lead hikes every week… Now it’s your turn! If you’ve never been on one of our hikes, join us on the trails… If you regularly go on hikes, volunteer to lead a hike… If you lead hikes, why don’t you join us at a meet- ing… If you have the time, why don’t you volunteer to chair one of our committees? We’d love to have you join us. Look for our “Help Wanted” section later in this newsletter for a list of ways you can help. ............................ Christopher Tausch WELCOME NEW MEMBERS William & Grace Hallahan – Paramus NJ Laura Burnham – Mahwah NJ Tom Murray – Princeton NJ Michelle & Michael Kellers – West Trenton NJ James Elder – Nutley NJ William & Carol Debiec – Sussex NJ Paula Francisco – Ocean NJ David Madden – Oberusel, Germany Harold Petzold – Hewitt NJ Connie Lee – Ridgewood NJ Stacy and Richard Worthington – Emerson NJ Sandra and John Obenchain – Piscataway NJ Julie and Adam Maurer – Chatham NJ NORTH JERSEY CHAPTER ADK LOGO PATCHES AND CAPS Caps are $12.00; patches are $2.00. Mail a check for item(s) ordered to: Phyllis Key, 401 D’Ercole Ct. #227 Norwood, NJ 07648. (payable to ADK-NJ). page 4 Bergen County Clean Fuels Symposium--June 27, 2006 by Brenda Holzinger, Conservation Chair The Bergen County Department of Planning and Economic Develop- ment hosted an exciting Clean Fuels Symposium in June 2006 that brought together experts from the public and private sectors, as well as a participating audience of about 100. Attendees included Mayors, Administrators, Managers, Public Works Departments, Environmental Commissions, Chambers of Commerce, and other municipal and county offices. Members of the business community also attended to learn about new options for flexible fuel fleet operations. Finally, there was also a group of conservation activists in attendance (including me as the local ADK representative). Each member of the audience was asked to introduce themselves to the group, and a few activists re- ceived standing ovations for their important contributions to environ- mental protection in New Jersey. It was a pleasure to see all the hard work of some amazing individuals appreciated and admired by the au- dience. The symposium speakers included representatives from GM, Honda, Bell Power Systems, PSE&G, Medford Township Board of Edu- cation, Odyne Corporation, Clean Fuel Consulting, and Air & Gas Technology. Every speaker had an interesting story to share about how clean fuel technology can be used to help conserve the environ- ment and at the same time save the taxpayers money. The symposium provided a great forum for experts in the field to share their experi- ences and open a dialogue on how to begin introducing alternative fuel technology into all municipal vehicle fleets. You can view the agenda and speaker information on the Bergen County Planning website (http://www.co.bergen.nj.us/planning/events/clean_fuels/ clean_fuels.htm). It is clear that America’s energy future lies in a combination of alterna- tive fuel approaches. We will need to harness many available technolo- gies including rechargeable electric, bioethanol and biodiesel, and look to all levels of government