Mohawk Hudson Regional Canalway Trail Group Meeting

November 4, 2002

Meeting Review

Attendance

NAME	REPRESENTING (as appropriate) & ADDRESS	TELEPHONE NUMBER	E-MAIL ADDRESS
Jason Purvis	CDTC 5 Computer Dr. West Albany, NY 12205	458-2161	cdtc@crisny.org
Don Robertson	NYSDOT, Reg. 1 84 Holland Ave., Albany, NY 12208	474-6219	drobertson@gw.dot.state.ny.us
Teresa LaSalle	CDTC 5 Computer Dr. West Albany, NY 12205	458-2161	cdtc@crisny.org
Elaine Troy	NYS Dept. of Health Frear Bldg., 4^th floor 2 Third St. Troy, NY 12180	271-2760	eht01@health.state.ny.us
John DiMura	NYS Canal Corp 200 Southern Blvd Albany, NY 12209	436-3034	john_Dimura@canals.state.ny.us
Donald Odell	Friends of MHBHT 97 Manning Blvd., Apt A Albany, NY 12203	482-4574	dodell@nycap.rr.com
Kevin DeLaughter	Town of Colonie Planning & Economic Development Department 347 Old Niskayuna Road Latham, NY 12110	783-2741	delaughterk@colonie.org
Ken Kovalchik	Greenway Conservancy Capitol Bldg., Rm. 254 Albany, NY 12224	402-5900	Kenneth.Kovalchik@hudsongreenway.state.ny.us
Phil Pearson	Town of Colonie Planning & Economic Development Department 347 Old Niskayuna Road Latham, NY 12110	783-2741	Pearsonp@colonie.org
Denise Farnan	NYSOPRHP 19 Roosevelt Dr. Saratoga Springs, NY 12866	584-2000 X 205	Denise.Farnan@OPRHP.state.ny.us
Kathy Quandt	Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau 25 Quackenbush Square Albany, NY 12207	434-1217 x213	Kathy@albany.org
Patricia Rush	ECOS & Friends of MHBHT 1177 Oxford Place Schenectady, NY 12308	374-6995	chrisrush@prodigy.net

Patrick Clear	Environmental Clearinghouse of Schenectady PO Box 9118 Niskayuna, NY 12309	370-4125	ecos@golbal2000.net
Ivan Vamos	NYBC 13 Maple Lane South Loudonville, NY 12211	459-2026	ivanvamos@hotmail.com
Nancy Davis	Hudson River Valley Greenway Capitol Bldg., Rm. 254 Albany, NY 12224	402-5894	Nancy.Davis@hudsongreenway.state.ny.su

1. CTANY (Canal Trailways Association of New York) Update

q John DiMura reviewed and explained the Design, Maintenance and Management Guidelines for the Canal Trail, which had been reviewed previously in more detail.

2. Regional Updates

q Jason Purvis, CDTC. Jason reviewed the Public Outreach Meeting held on Tuesday, October 29 in Menands. He noted that the three priority areas were to be Menands. the Cohoes-Waterford connection, and Watervliet. A little over 30 persons were present. He also indicated that connections to the Mohawk portion of the Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail, and to the east towards Troy would be more generally presented, and would require further study in a later project.

q Patricia Rush, ECOS & Friends of Mohawk Hudson BHT.

• The ECOS Board is continuing the update of the trail guide, which will cover Schenectady County. She would like to extend the reach of the guide, and work with the Town of Colonie. The focus of the guide has been on natural history.
• Phil Pearson responded by noting that the focus of the Colonie portion of the MHBHT is on recreation. He suggested that Patricia contact Jim Zambardino, the Colonie Director of Parks & Recreation (783-2760).

q Don Robertson, NYSDOT.

• Don noted that there had been a spot improvement program project for connecting the MHBHT to Route 9, but that the project was not pursued by the Town.
• Phil Pearson indicated he would ask Paul Russell about this.

q Denise Farnan, NYSOPRHH.

• Denise noted that the deadline for applying for the recreational grant program is November 15.

• The Peebles Island bridge project is moving right along, and should be completed next October.

q Elaine Troy, NYS Health Dept.

• Contract awards are complete for the next 5 years of funding for the Statewide Healthy Heart Program. 20 new contracts will be awarded. Awards in our region were made to the Capital District Community Gardens, ColumbiaCounty DOH, Franklin County Public Health Services, and Glens Falls Hospital for Warren-Washington Counties. Elaine also reviewed the universal disease prevention guidelines being promoted for use with all populations. As part of the Healthy Heart effort, the use of trails and the promotion of walkable communities are key components for successful chronic disease reduction. The text of the disease prevention guidelines is appended as an endnote.[*]

q Phil Pearson, Town of Colonie, reported on Schuyler Flatts.

• First, in response to questions, he located it at the mouth of the Little River.
• It is being promoted as a multi-use facility with historic features, playing fields and community gardens. There will be many interpretative signs. He noted that a $7,500 Greenway grant got this project started, and that a matching $150,000 grant from NYS Dept. of State facilitated the completion of the project.

q Kevin DeLaughter, Town of Colonie. Kevin reported that the Town of Colonie has received a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) grant from the NYS Dept. of State. This will enable the Town to partner with the Glynnwood Center. The Center will coordinate a Countryside Exchange Program, assembling an international team of planning experts who will work with a Local Organizing Committee and the public to develop alternative recommendations for the Town’s Mohawk River frontage and adjacent lands. Issues to be examined include appropriate land use, access, recreation, preservation, and economic development.

q Ken Kovalchik, HRVG Conservancy

• The HRVG is attempting to get the Corning Trail part of the M-H BHT designated as a Greenway Trail from its beginning in the Corning Preserve to the Watervliet trailhead.
• The HRVG is also pursuing Greenway scenic bi-way designations for all counties in the Greenway.
• Regarding the 2002 Greenway Conservancy grants, the deadline for applications is December 13, 2002. The total amount available is $87,000, and the maximum eligible grant awards are $20,000 for single entities, and $20,000 for multiple entities. Projects must either be along the Hudson River, or have visual access to the river.

q Ivan Vamos.

• Ivan reported on the activities of New York Rivers United relative to the Hudson River Waterway Trail. New York Rivers United has compiled a lengthy list of damaging activities and the necessary remediation required correcting the impacts of these activities to improve the quality of the Hudson River. Ivan noted that he would provide a copy of the comments, and that these comments need to be forwarded to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), and it needs to be shown that there is interest in the Capital region in addressing the concerns. He also suggested that there be a meeting with NYSDEC to consider addressing these issues. The full list of comments is appended to this review as an endnote.[†]

• Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail. CP Rail wants to abandon the Albany-Voorheesville rail line to reclaim the rail line materials for reuse. Andy Labruzzo is trying to get parties together to come up with some ideas for preserving the facility and/or right-of-way.

q Don Robertson, NYSDOT. Don reported on the rebuilding of Albany Shaker Road, indicating that it will include a parallel trail for pedestrians and bicycling. There is some hope of eventually connecting this trail to the MHBHT through British American property.

q John DiMura, Canalway. John reported that the Champlain Trail Concept Plan was issued on Oct. 1, 2002. Jeff Olson prepared it. This is part of an effort to preserve the right-of-way. Saratoga County appears to be interested in selling off some parcels on this right-of-way.

3. Outreach Activities.

q Future of the Friends of the MHBHT. There are presently 18 dues paying members. Patricia Rush reported that Friends is considering future options. These include possibly having quarterly meetings, and perhaps taking on specific issues, e.g., the Guilford Rail crossing, or a bike path on the Rexford Bridge.

q Don Robertson indicated that he was told that the Mohawk Hudson Bicycling Club does not see advocacy as its role.

q There was some discussion about the City of Schenectady selling land to Union College. This related to an effort to preserve the right-of-way and develop a Regional Canalway Trail Group. Presently there are three owners of parcels that comprise the existing MHBHT in the city: the City, Union College, and one private landowner.

4. Trail Ownership and Maintenance

q As time ran out, it was announced that the ownership map is now correct.

5. Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for 3:00-5:00 PM, Monday, December 9 at the Albany Visitors Center. Details as to location and parking will be forthcoming.

SUBMITTED BY:

Don Odell, recorder

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[*] To prevent most common chronic diseases:

• Eat………………………......……..Vegetables and Fruits

· Aim for at least 5 servings every day

· Choose vegetables and fruits at every meal and for snacks

• Move……………………………….Every Day

· Be active at least 30 minutes on most days

· Walking is a great choice.....Three 10-minute walks are as good for you as one 30-minute walk.

• Maintain……………………………...........A Healthy Weight

· If you are overweight, even a small weight loss can improve your health.

• Refuse……………...........…………………To Smoke

· If you smoke, plan to stop.

· When you stop, your body begins to repair itself immediately.

• Know……………………………….........…Your Family History

· Your family history can affect your risk for certain diseases.

· Talk to your doctor about your family medical history.

·

[†] Huson Natural Resourse Damage Assessment (with the swimming feasibility material removed). Notes for Mohawk-Hudson Region – as submitted by Ivan Vamos:

The following is a section edited from my letter to DEC regarding the Hudson River Restoration Project being undertaken by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the NYS Attorney General’s Office, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the National Oceanic Atmospherics Administration (NOAA). What success to quantify damages and advance mitigative projects is unknown, but the “laundry list” generated by this may have a life of its own. I’ve seen its use with lower Hudson power plant permit issues.

Your own letters to DEC is encouraged, better yet, we can ask Mr. Stanford to show up at a Canals meeting for better explanations. Ivan

Note: paragraph dealing with a Hudson River Swimming Feasibility Study have been edited out, since the Study is not yet published, the rest is as sent to DEC for this working committee.

Steven Jay Sanford

NYC DEC

625 Broadway, 5^th floor

Albany, NY 12224 10 / 31 / 02

Dear Mr. Sanford;

As noted in my letter of 10 / 21 / 02 I am providing comments regarding the Hudson River Restoration Proposals.

My comments, attached, will provide a few opinions and facts related to specific items on the existing list, and consolidate the comments from the results of an Albany County Hudson Greenway workshop that was conducted on 10 / 29 / 02, convened by CDTC.

Other specific comments and questions are as follows:

• p.8 Riprap is suggested for a section of Kaaterskill Creek. The reach to be worked on is not defined, but riprap on stream banks often causes erosion or flooding problems elsewhere. In urban areas it is often called “rat”-rap indicating another potentially undesirable characteristic of riprap.
• p.8 Sleepy Hollow Lake was developed after considerable dispute by a private company. The Corps’ permit questioned the stability of soils along the steep lake banks. Is there a “private” responsibility for fixing these problems?
• p.10 Stripped bass stocking was tried and abandoned as an unsuccessful technique; the hatchery was in Verplank. Also concerns were turning toward a wider range of species including forage fish. It would be unfortunate to repeat these lessons.
• p.10 Navigation on the historic Chaplain (and old Erie) Canal can be the simple addition of canoes / kayaks routes along the “watered” sections maintained by the Canals Corporation. Some clean up and access improvements would be appropriate. Adding water to dry sections may be a much greater problem. Several poorly designed Canal restoration projects failed, causing significant damage, especially during flood conditions.
• p. 15&16 Creating new commercial or industrial sites may be a far reach for a Hudson Restoration program.

Thank you again for the opportunity to participate in this process.

Ivan Vamos AICP

Board Member, NYRU and NYBC

COMMENTS FOR

HUDSON RIVER RESTORATION PROPOSAL

Developed after 10 / 29 meeting

Convened by CDTC, to discuss Albany County / Hudson Greenway projects

The following issues discussed at the 10/29/02 meeting convened by the Capital District Transportation Committee were germane to the projects on the Hudson River Restoration Project Proposals dated October 2002.

Projects on the list:

• p.3 Fish ladder at Troy dam; this project could be a visitor attraction. If it is located on the Green Island side viewing opportunities should be designed and accessed from the Greenway Trail. If it were on the Troy side, a way to get over the lock would be needed to provide a similar view. (Also related to Federal Dam improvements p.15)
• p.10 Champlain Canal navigation; the section of the old Champlain Canal that’s already watered and serves as a surge relief water feed system above Lock E2 in Waterford should be considered for clean-up and access for small boats and to improve the water quality flowing through the lock into the Hudson.
• p.11 Convert brownfields to parks and preserves, upper and mid Hudson; would be relevant to several Greenway trail projects, as well as preserving the wetlands along the Little River in Menands (see below).
• p.13 Peebles Isl. Bridge; this bridge is already under construction. Nearby Revolutionary War breastwork stabilization / interpretation and shoreline trail along the Island can use work.
• p.14 Waterford / Old Champlain trail, etc. is a needed project, part of the Canals and Greenway trail systems.
• p.14 Cohoes / Troy 112 St. Bridge; improvements to access from both sides of the bridge is needed.
• p.15 Troy riverfront trails; should have access to the Albany side at several locations; this can provide loop trails and better access to the River amenities. (One of the access connections, the Troy / Menands Bridge is discussed below).
• p.16 Green island / Van Schaick Isl. D&H trail, bridge; this proposal is being advanced; consultants’ estimates are available through CDTC. Some of the RR ties may also fit in the “brownfields” category.
• p.17 Riverfront trail through Knolles Atomic Power Lab; this has been proposed often. With recent 9 / 11 / 01 related issues, recent efforts are limited to improving the trail around this property.

Other projects that should be added to the list of proposals

• Waterford shoreline protection (and trail to Visher’s Ferry p. 14); an alternative trail route in Waterford can preserve the undeveloped shoreline and escarpment listed on maps as Mohawk View Avenue. This dirt road route passes directly above Cohoes Falls and is a 1.4 mile natural area shoreline that has no development (at this time). In addition to controlling access to the historic Falls (much better view than from Cohoes p. 16), view of two power dams and river rapids is offered, passing the Crescent Dam ending at lock 6E. The natural / protected corridor was part of a hydropower project license from NiMo for their School Street project. The license is now with the Orion Co. but is proposed to go to the Green Island management; the continuation of buffer protection requirements is in limbo.
• The undeveloped islands in the Mohawk, west of Peebles Island are in private ownership. Conservation easements could protect existing spawning habitat, duck hunting access and scenic views.
• Improvements for fish passage, floodway, boat and trail access to Little River and wetlands in Menands and access to Hudson Riverfront Park. This project has been discussed with DEC, DOT and others, see attached report. At the 10 / 29 meeting Menands official reported that donations of wetland have been declined by the Village because of uncertainty regarding clean up and access improvements. The Hudson Riverfront bikeway has recently received funds for resurfacing and other improvements, probably to begin next summer. It would be most advantageous to replace the Little River culvert with a bridge, which could open up a half mile of the river for boaters and fisheries improvement (see photos in report). In the future, the I 787 culverts could replaced when they end their engineered life (probably in the next 15 years) to open another 1.5 miles or waterway and extensive wetlands to the River.
• The Voorhesville to Hudson Railtrail has just been revived as a proposal. CP Rail; the current owner (formerly D&H) is abandoning trackage and will sell the right of way. This project was well advanced and funded in 1996, however the railroad chose to maintain operations up till this time and will continue to operate the remaining line headed west from Voorhesville to the Helderbergs. The project includes the protection of 1.5 miles of the Normanskill shorelines and several smaller stream headwaters.