Durham Valley Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan The Durham Valley Scenic Byway Corridor will articulate a community that has successfully balanced growth and economic development with protection of its rural and agricultural landscapes, scenic vistas and mountain views, natural areas, cultural traditions, and historic places, all of which give the Durham Valley its sense of place and make it proud. It is a place where both visitors and residents experience, understand, and appreciate the Durham Valley’s heritage through respectful exploration and learning. Acknowledgements The Durham Valley Scenic Byway Corridor Hudson River Valley Greenway Durham Valley Land Trust Management Plan was prepared under the Elizabeth Campochiaro, Trails Coordinator Richard Goldstein guidance of the Durham Valley Scenic Byway Daniel Clifton Coordinating Committee with the assistance and Greene County Legislature Ken Mabey input of a diverse group of stakeholders. The Sean Frey – District 9 Nick Miller project was made possible by a grant from the Gunther Ohm – retired Federal Highway Administration through the Association for the Greene County Department of Economic Preservation of the Durham Valley National Scenic Byways Program and matching Development, Tourism and Planning funds from the Durham Valley Land Trust. The Barry Garfinkel Warren Hart, Director Linda Sutton Corridor Management Plan would not have been Dave Czajkowski, GIS Supervisor possible without the support, energy, and continued Ed Diamante, Principal Planner Durham Center Museum enthusiasm of the agencies, organizations, and Daniela Marino, Tourism Director Sancie Thomsen, Director individuals listed below. Ling YaoCzajkowski, GIS Specialist Doug Thomsen, Director Durham Valley Scenic Byway Greene County Soil and Open Space Institute Coordinating Committee Water Conservation District Joe Martens, President Jeff Flack, Executive Director Katie Stone, Land Project Manager Richard Goldstein, Chair Carrie Miles, Stream Conservation Technician Alan Beechert Catskill Center for Conservation and Daniel Clifton Town of Durham Development Barry Garfinkel Gary Hulbert, Town Supervisor Peter Manning, Regional Planner William Carr, Jr., Council Member Gunther Ohm Residents Linda Sutton Jerry Cunningham, Council Member Linda Sutton, Council Member Karl Heck, Vice President David Pohle, Vice President Stakeholders Jodi Wood, Council Member Wesley Moore, Highway Supervisor Jo-Ann Rascoe, Board Member New York State Department of Transportation Alan Beechert, Deputy Highway Superintendent Mark Woods, Environmental Specialist 2 Nick Nahas, Town Historian Consultants Balraj Malhotra, Program Coordinator Town of Durham Historic ERO Resources Corporation New York State Historic Preservation Office Preservation Commission Computer Terrain Mapping, Inc. Kathleen LaFrank, Historian Ken Mabey, Chair CW&H Graphics Mundus Bishop Design, Inc. Cornell University Cooperative Extension Daniel Clifton Roy (Mick) Bessire, Extension Educator James Cullie Elizabeth LoGiudice, Extension Educator Ken Dean Marilyn Wyman, Extension Educator Naida Jackson Mary Lou Nahas Linda Sutton v Durham Valley Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan Table of Contents Introduction Corridor Identification .......................................................................................................................................3 Definition of the Scenic Byway Corridor .......................................................................................................3 Description of the Durham Valley Scenic Byway and Corridor ................................................................3 Benefits of a Scenic Byway ................................................................................................................................4 Purpose of the Corridor Management Plan ...................................................................................................4 Plan Contents .......................................................................................................................................................5 Public Participation Background ...........................................................................................................................................................6 Public Involvement Actions ...............................................................................................................................6 Ongoing Public Participation ...........................................................................................................................7 Vision ......................................................................................................................................................................8 Goals .......................................................................................................................................................................8 Intrinsic Qualities Scenic Qualities ....................................................................................................................................................9 and Stewardship Issues and Opportunities - Scenic ...........................................................................................................................10 Management Actions - Scenic ..................................................................................................................................13 Natural Qualities ...............................................................................................................................................13 Geology .........................................................................................................................................................................13 Streams and Wetlands ...............................................................................................................................................13 Forest Lands .................................................................................................................................................................16 Wildlife ..........................................................................................................................................................................16 Issues and Opportunities - Natural .........................................................................................................................16 Management Actions - Natural ...............................................................................................................................16 Agricultural Qualities ......................................................................................................................................18 Issues and Opportunities - Agricultural ................................................................................................................19 Management Actions - Agricultural ......................................................................................................................19 Cultural and Historic Qualities ......................................................................................................................19 History ...........................................................................................................................................................................19 Historic Preservation in the Durham Valley ........................................................................................................20 Existing Cultural and Historic Resources ............................................................................................................23 Issues and Opportunities - Cultural and Historic ...............................................................................................23 Management Actions - Cultural and Historic ......................................................................................................24 vii Durham Valley Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan Intrinsic Qualities Recreational Qualities ......................................................................................................................................24 and Stewardship Fishing ...........................................................................................................................................................................24 The Long Path .............................................................................................................................................................25 Issues and Opportunities - Recreational ...............................................................................................................25 Management Actions - Recreational.......................................................................................................................25 Resource Composite Mapping Analysis ..............................................................................................................................................26 Transportaion Existing Scenic Byway Conditions ................................................................................................................28 Traffic Volume....................................................................................................................................................28 Roadway Safety and Maintenance ..................................................................................................................29