Baxter State Park Annual Operating Report For the Year 2013 To the Baxter State Park Authority October 10, 2014 2013 BSP OPERATIONAL REPORT Page 1 of 176 This Operational Report is Dedicated to James Page Page Camp on the shore of Katahdin Lake The leadership and vision of Jim Page resulted in the completion of a Conservation Easement for a 50 acre ownership on the shore of Katahdin Lake to be held in perpetuity by the Baxter State Park Authority. The easement ensures that the property will forever retain its pristine and natural character as an important element of the Katahdin Lake landscape. 2013 BSP OPERATIONAL REPORT Page 2 of 176 DIRECTOR’S SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................ 9 Opening Day 2013 ....................................................................................................................................... 10 Park Committees ............................................................................................................................................................... 10 Friends of Baxter State Park......................................................................................................................................... 11 Black Brook Culvert ......................................................................................................................................................... 11 National Park Proposal................................................................................................................................................... 12 Center Mountain Lean-to ............................................................................................................................................... 13 Step 1: Review and Reconnaissance ................................................................................................... 13 Step 2: Staging Materials, Planning.................................................................................................... 14 Step 3: Transporting Materials to the Site ......................................................................................... 15 Stage 4: Construction ......................................................................................................................... 17 Wassataquoik Area Site Review ................................................................................................................................. 19 Background ......................................................................................................................................... 19 Planned Changes ................................................................................................................................. 21 Baxter State Park Authority Accepts Conservation Easement on Katahdin Lake .......................................... 23 First Short-Haul Evacuation In BSP .......................................................................................................................... 25 Wilderness Concept Develops In Ireland ................................................................................................................ 28 New Wilderness Sign ...................................................................................................................................................... 32 The Next Step ...................................................................................................................................... 33 BSP Rules and Regulations ........................................................................................................................................... 34 Management of Open Areas and Vistas ................................................................................................................... 34 Guidance - Management of Roadside Vistas ...................................................................................... 35 Exceptions: .......................................................................................................................................... 37 Vista Management - Trails .................................................................................................................. 38 Vista Management – Campgrounds and Campsites ........................................................................... 38 B. Operational Highlights and Overview for 2013.................................................................................... 41 I. SAFETY .............................................................................................................................................................................. 42 II. PUBLIC RELATIONS .................................................................................................................................................... 43 2013 BSP OPERATIONAL REPORT Page 3 of 176 III. MAINTENANCE ........................................................................................................................................................... 43 Building Projects ................................................................................................................................. 43 North end of the Park ......................................................................................................................... 44 Road Projects ...................................................................................................................................... 44 Bundle Wood ...................................................................................................................................... 44 Maintenance Shop Projects ................................................................................................................ 44 SEARCH AND RESCUE ................................................................................................................................................ 45 SPECIAL ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................................................................... 45 LAW ENFORCEMENT ................................................................................................................................................... 45 FACILITY AND RESOURCE MAINTENANCE ....................................................................................................... 46 A. PARK RANGERS ............................................................................................................................... 46 B. CAMPGROUNDS .............................................................................................................................. 47 ABOL: Paul Corrigan CRI, David Chase CRI ......................................................................................... 47 KATAHDIN STREAM: Yves Baribeau CRI, Meghan Malone Acting CRI ............................................... 47 DAICEY POND: Andrew Vietze CRI, Charity Levasseur, CRI ................................................................ 47 KIDNEY POND: Diane Freelove CRI, Dean Levasseur CRI ................................................................... 48 NESOWADNEHUNK: Mark Varney CRI, Kidney, James Barden Acting CRI, Daicey Pond, Trout Brook Farm and Roving Ranger Staff ............................................................................................................. 48 SOUTH BRANCH POND: Gabe Williamson CRI, Gunter Bernardini CRI ............................................... 48 TROUT BROOK FARM: Gerald Locke CRI ............................................................................................ 48 ROARING BROOK: Russell Porter CRI, April Bolstridge CRI, Meghan Malone Acting CRI .................. 48 CHIMNEY POND: Gregory Hamer BRW (Winter), Mark Sairio BRW (Winter), Mark Sairio BRI (Summer), Roving Ranger Staff ........................................................................................................... 48 RUSSELL POND: Gregory Hamer BRI, Brendan Curran BRI ................................................................ 49 ROVING RANGERS: Bill Martell BRI, Gardner Waldeier BRI, April Bolstridge Acting BRI ................... 49 C. GATEHOUSES .................................................................................................................................. 49 TOGUE POND: Tom Power, Rick Leavitt, Katrina Kinkead, Robin Stevens, Ruth Levesque ............... 49 MATAGAMON: Dana Miller, Marcia Anderson, Tracy Young ............................................................ 49 VIII. VOLUNTEER PROGRAM ....................................................................................................................................... 49 Trail Maintenance Report ....................................................................................................................... 49 Baxter State Park Trail Crew Interns ..................................................................................................... 50 2013 BSP OPERATIONAL REPORT Page 4 of 176 Statistics .................................................................................................................................................... 50 Trail Staff Work Hours ............................................................................................................................. 50 Trail Volunteer Work Hours