Fortieth Annual Report of BKAA, October 2012
by Paula Medley, President

 

Snapping turtle
May 2012,Eleanor Knieriemen

Celebrating the BKAA’s 40^th anniversary via co-sponsoring an art show with the Wurtsboro Art Alliance, hosting a huge party, where Nature Watch’s 10 years were recognized and Buff McAllister’s BKAA histories were distributed, highlighted a benchmark year. As always, the BKAA availed itself of every opportunity to promote the wetlands and our organization, which ultimately enhanced networking, outreach, and strengthened educational programs. 

 

BKAA Board: We welcomed new member Linda Lou Bartle, whose passion, commitment, and creativity have positively influenced the board.  Special thanks to Jon Reed, who temporarily assumed treasurer responsibilities during our critical membership drive and anniversary happenings. Regrettably, after twelve years of service, including stints as treasurer and recording secretary, Susan Erny is leaving the board. Thanks for everything, Susan!

 

Developments in the Basha Kill Watershed: This year features the third incarnation of perennial nemesis, Shawanga Lodge.  DPG Home Inspection/Hudson Valley Mold Remediation opened at the former Moose Lodge, corner of Route 209 and Haven Road, garnering BKAA concern due to its close proximity to the wetlands.  Sporadic activity ensued with Yukiguni Maitake and the Homowack, while gas drilling and casinos remained dangerous threats.  7 Peaks, Commerce Park at Wurtsboro Airport, and the Basherkill Subdivision  maintained holding patterns, waiting for an improved economy to alight.

 

Shawanga Lodge: Applicants explained their enormous project before Mamakating’s Town and Planning Boards on February 21 and 28.  Subsequently, the BKAA and networking partners lobbied “behind the scenes” to halt this proposal.  There has been no further public action by the developers.

 

DPG:

•   March 22 - Paula Medley represented the BKAA at a public hearing on the project’s site plan.  Written comment period was extended to June 5.

•   March 25 - Owner David Groskin contacted Paula, further explaining his plans and mitigating BKAA apprehension.

•   June 26 - DPG received conditional site plan approval from the Planning Board.

 

Yukiguni Maitake (YM):

•   January 24 - YM withdrew application for amended pilot plant site plan.

•   June 26 - YM appeared before Planning Board requesting approval of amended pilot plant site plan.  Decision was not rendered as Sullivan County Planning had not conducted its mandatory 239 review.

•   July 24 - YM received amended site plan approval.

 

 

 

Homowack:

•   Winter 2012 - Some cleanup occurred at former Homowack Hotel acreage.

•   Spring 2012 - Dangerous structures on several parcels were demolished and the sites cleared two years after the Town Board issued demolition orders.  Mold infested drywall was removed from the one-time hotel.

•   June 2012 - County foreclosed on 6 parcels, covering 150 acres, due to back taxes owed by Ulster Mountain and Ulster River Corporations.

 

Gas Drilling: Jon Reed and Paula Medley attended DEC’s public hearing on the Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement on fracking. Paula, on behalf of the BKAA, submitted written remarks.

 

•   February 18 - Anita Altman, Gil Kulick, and Dave Colavito viewed gas drilling sites and impacts during a Cragsmoor Association sponsored field trip to Dimock, Pennsylvania. 

 

•    April 14 - the BKAA, with the Cragsmoor Association, co-sponsored a presentation and discussion of anti-fracking movie Gasland, at the Cragsmoor Free Library.

 

•   The BKAA updates members on critical gas drilling information through regular columns in the Guardian and Action Alerts.

 

Casinos: This year, bills passed the State Assembly and Senate, which would amend the State Constitution to allow legalized gambling in New York.  If these same bills are approved by the Assembly and Senate next year, New Yorkers will determine legalized gambling’s fate by voting on a referendum in November 2013.  Seven non-Indian casinos are proposed, but their sites have not been publicly disclosed.

 

Lobbying to Insure Greater Disclosure: On October 13 and 20, 2011, Jon and Paula attended meetings of the Sullivan County Legislature, which voted for increased public accountability by County agencies as well as all elected Sullivan County officials. 

 

Networking: BKAA carefully nurtured new contacts and constantly revitalized connections with long-standing friends and supporters.  These priceless collaborations, with their myriad resources, positively influenced BKAA accomplishments.

•   As BKAA’s representative, Jon Reed provided inestimable assistance to Wurtsboro Renaissance.

•   Patricia Diness and Cathy Dawkins used “Come Clean” resources to continue improving the garden in front of Wurtsboro’s laundromat.  Additionally, five large planters spruced up the Wurtsboro Antiques building.

•   The BKAA maintained its affiliation with the Sullivan County Visitors Association (SCVA), whose website and publications highlight BKAA programs as well as the wetlands resource.  On 12/1/2011, Michael and Paula attended SCVA’s Annual Meeting and Dinner, while on 5/10/2012, they participated in a tailgate brochure exchange with other SCVA members at Bethel Woods.

•   The BKAA’s continuous presence on the Shawangunk Ridge Coalition has facilitated critical support and direction regarding Shawanga Lodge.

•   BKAA participated on several teleconferences with members of Friends of the Environment, a regional environmental group.

•   BKAA joined the newly formed Sullivan-Delaware Environmental Partnership.

•   Christine Saward is the BKAA’s liaison with Mamakating’s Rural Community Coalition.

•   BKAA networked minimally with politicians this year, though we contacted Congressman Maurice Hinchey’s office over Shawanga Lodge, and received crucial support from County Legislator Kathy LaBuda on DPG Home Inspection and Hudson Valley Mold Remediation, Inc.

•   BKAA enjoyed consistent backing and encouragement from loyal supporter Sullivan County Audubon Society.

•   Cragsmoor Association, Friends of the Shawangunks, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, Phillipsport Community Center, and Wurtsboro Art Alliance also were critical BKAA proponents.

•   On behalf of the BKAA, Paula mentored several environmental groups and individuals from the Towns of Mamakating, Thompson, and Wawarsing.

•   Andy Weil, along with Rich Morris and Bill Herrmann, regularly admonished municipal officials to follow legal processes and introduce greater transparency to government.

•   October 13 and 20 - Jon and Paula attended Sullivan County Legislature meetings where requiring greater transparency of county agencies and officials was discussed.

•   October 14 - Michael and Paula attended Sullivan County Audubon Society’s Annual Dinner.

•   October 16 - Michael and Paula attended Friends of the Shawangunks Annual Meeting in Rosendale, where Paula addressed developments in the southern “Gunks.”

•   December 12 - Michael and Paula represented the BKAA at a Wurtsboro Board of Trade Holiday Party.

•   2012 events:

•   February 11 - BKAA, along with Delaware Highlands Conservancy and the Eagle Institute, co-sponsored two eagle watching field trips on the Delaware.

•   February 18 - Anita Altman, Gil Kulick, and Dave Colavito participated in a Cragsmoor Association sponsored field trip to Dimock, Pennsylvania.

•   March 7 - Jackie Broder represented the BKAA at a Non-Profit Summit at Bethel Woods.

•   March 13 & May 2 - Paula represented the BKAA at DEC Region 3 Open Space Advisory Committee meeting.

•   April 14 - BKAA and Cragsmoor Association co-sponsored presentation and discussion of anti-fracking movie, Gasland, at the Cragsmoor Free Library.

•   May 23 - Michael and Paula represented the BKAA at a Mamakating Rotary sponsored Community Mixer at Mamakating Town Park.

•   June 13 - Paula represented the BKAA at a meeting discussing community leader’s vision for Wurtsboro.

•   July 27 - Jack Austin represented the BKAA at the Sullivan Non Profit Coffee Hour in Liberty.

•   August 4 - The Cragsmoor Association honored Paula at its 2^nd Hall of Fame Dinner at the White Wolf in Napanoch.  Twenty-five percent of the proceeds were shared with the BKAA.

•   August 4 - The BKAA and Wurtsboro Art Alliance co-sponsored an art show entitled, Celebrating the Basha Kill.

•   August 21- Cheryl Hughes, Susan Lavelle, John Haas, Ellen Kalish, Missy Runyan and husband, as well as Michael Medley networked to try and save a great blue heron.

•   August 28 - Paula represented the BKAA at a Sullivan County Tree Keepers Advisory Group.

•   September 8 - The BKAA hosted its 40^th anniversary party at Mamakating Town Park.

•   September 25 - Marcia Briggs Wallace represented the BKAA at a community meeting on Sullivan County Economic Panning.

 

Town of Mamakating Meetings:

Town, Planning, and Zoning Board meetings were attended on an as needed basis.

 

Come Clean - by Cathy Dawkins and Patricia Diness

In 2012, leveraging the success of 2011, we expanded the Laundry garden to include a large new planter and five additional planters to spruce up the Wurtsboro Antiques building.  The planters are designed to coordinate with the laundry garden.  These two gardens, in conjunction with the Veteran’s Park, create a warm image for the village.

 

Local Environmental Activities:

•   February 11 - BKAA sponsored Ravensbeard “Live Bird Show” for Wurtsboro’s Winterfest.

•   July 7 - Anita Altman and Gil Kulick, Susan Erny, Bill Lucas, Jon Reed, Marcia Briggs Wallace, and the Medleys represented the BKAA at Wurtsboro Founder’s Day.

 

Campers:

John Carnevali, Onyxx Clark, Andrew Fredell, Andrew Guido, and Truth Muller received partial BKAA scholarships to NYS DEC environmental camps at Camp DeBruce.  Brent Miano attended the teenage ecology camp at Pack Forest in Warrensburg, while Nora Brusinski, sponsored by the BKAA these past two years, was a “volly,” or volunteer, at Camp DeBruce for one week.

 

Jack Orth Memorial BKAA Scholarship

Kody Viele, an environmental sciences major from Sullivan County, was awarded this scholarship for the Fall, 2012 semester.  Eventually, he hopes to study oceanography at SUNY Maritime.

 

John Winkler BKAA Water Testing Program:

This year, there were three groups of volunteers involved in testing.  The first two, chaired by Jackie Broder, initially included Stephen Erny, Fred Harding, and Michael Medley, followed by the group of Stephen Erny, Dan Hayes, Bob Majcher, and Dennis Solow.  Current chair is Linda Lou Bartle, joined by Bill Bradl, Charles and Karen Harris, Eileen Lake, Cathy Liljquist, Bob Majcher, Karen Miller, Daniel Smith, Dennis Solow, and Matt Zeitler.  We greatly appreciate everyone’s efforts!

 

DEC Update:

The BKAA continues its Adopt-A-Natural Resource contract with DEC, enabling us to hold an annual cleanup, retrieve water samples, and offer onsite educational ventures.

 

Basha Kill Walks and Educational Programs:

These activities are key components of the BKAA’s core mission, which teaches others about the value of the Basha Kill, Shawangunk Ridge, and surrounding areas, along with ways to safeguard these resources. 

 

Paula established the BKAA’s educational agenda for 2012 and assembled the experts who implemented it.

 

Lack of snow cancelled both cross-country outings. Our season began with the inaugural “Wonderful Waterfowl” walk, led by John Haas, who was joined by 18 participants.  Despite overcast skies, Bob Fiore taught 8 about constellations during his “Star Walk.”  John Haas took another 22 on a “Peak Bird Migration” ramble.  Michael shepherded 6 hikers up Gobbler’s Knob and 2 more in late summer along the Shawangunk Ridge.  John Kenney’s “Spring Wildflowers” enthralled 6 attendees and his “Blooms and Butterflies,” excited an additional 15.  Bill Cutler introduced 15 visitors to amphibians and reptiles.  Once again, the most prolific,  Gary Keeton educated over 20 on two walks featuring D & H Canal History as well as a moonlight excursion with 5, and a sunrise adventure with 2 early risers.  Scott Graber and Michael piloted the first, hugely popular moonlight venture with 21 vessels, followed several months later by an event with 14 craft.  The new “Natural History” trip with Jack Austin garnered 9 participants.  Our first scheduled hike on the Minisink Trail at Huckleberry State Forest on the Shawangunk Ridge was guided by Michael and included 11 intrepid adventurers.

•   April 21 - BKAA launched its 31^st Annual Basha Kill Cleanup with 80 volunteers.

•   May 10 - DEC Senior Wildlife Biologist, Pat Vissering and DEC Biologist Nate Ermer, invited Michael and Paula to help band baby screech owls.

•   May 22 - Ed Morse and Michael introduced Leadership Sullivan Class of 2012 to the Basha Kill via an on site presentation.

•   June 6 - BKAA facilitated American Museum of Natural History group’s outing to the Basha Kill.

•   August 15 and 29 - Michael organized limited cleanup activities for New Hope Community residents, participating in a community enrichment program.

•   October 3 - Michael assisted a local church congregation with an event to be conducted at the wetlands.

 

Nature Watch

At this year’s 40^th Anniversary Picnic for the BKAA, the organization recognized the ten years of service provided by dedicated Nature Watch volunteers. Through this educational outreach program, Nature Watch volunteers have supplied the BKAA and the DEC with observations on the nesting bald eagles and ospreys, while also serving as educational ambassadors for the Basha Kill at a key access point for the wetland’s recreational users, the South Road boat launch site.  The numbers for this year’s educational outreach program show the program’s continuing success.  We had 39 dedicated volunteers who interacted with 1,275 visitors at the boat launch site on South Road during our 11 week season which ran on week-ends from mid-April through the end of June.     

 

Nature Watch relies on a team including Patricia Diness and Maryallison Farley as leaders, with Ed Morse, John Haas, Gary Keeton and Gene Weinstein as our advisors and most important, our cadre of wonderful volunteers who cover the Nature Watch shifts at the boat launch. Thanks to the BKAA for its ongoing support of the program and to the DEC for oversight of our program.

 

 

Other Outreach Events:

•   March 10 - Jon and Paula represented the BKAA at Sullivan Renaissance’s Winter Expo at the CVI Center in Ferndale.  The BKAA had an informational table at this venue.

•   April 19 - Paula and the BKAA celebrated Earth Day at SUNY Orange in Middletown.

•   April 26 - John and Paula represented the BKAA at Monticello High School Eco-Club sponsored Third Annual Arbor/Earth Day festivities.

•   May 13 - Paula represented the BKAA at the Second Annual Tulip Festival and Mother’s Day Celebration at Honor’s Haven in Ellenville.

•   May 19 - Paula represented the BKAA at the Fifth Annual Earth and Water Festival at Thomas Bull Memorial Park in Orange County.

•   August 11 - The BKAA had an informational booth at the Ellenville-Wawarsing Blueberry Festival.  BKAA coordinator Bill Lucas received great assistance from Anita Altman and Gil Kulick, Susan Erny, Fred Harding, Jon Reed, and Michael Medley.

•   September 23 - The Medley’s represented the BKAA at “Earth Day in Autumn” at Bethel Woods.

 

Workshops:

•   November 10 - Michael and Paula attended a film and discussion on “Liquidity:Exploring the Diversity and Values of Wetlands in Orange County.”

•   December 15 - Jon and Paula attended Hudson River Watershed Alliance’s Sixth Annual Conference entitled “Watershed Management on a Shoestring Budget.”

•   April 28 - Jon represented the BKAA at Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership informational meeting on Emerald Ash Borer.

•   August 23 - Jon attended a presentation by Laura Heady on “wildlife habitat and connectivity”, sponsored by Wawarsing’s Environmental Conservation Committee.

•   September 18,19 - Michael participated in tree stewardship workshops held at Cornell Cooperative Extension in Liberty.

 

“History of the Basha Kill Area Association”:

To commemorate this benchmark year, Buff McAllister pored through countless records and compiled voluminous notes in documenting the BKAA’s forty year history.  This publication was initially distributed at the Fortieth anniversary celebration on September 8 and will be an exceptional educational tool for our members, friends, and foes.

 

Field Guide to the Basha Kill: “The Basha Kill Wetlands: a Field Guide” is a pivotal publication educating readers about the wetlands and generating excitement about this unique ecosystem.  Guides may be purchased at the Bashakill Vineyards and Canal Towne Emporium in Wurtsboro, Morgan Outdoors in Livingston Manor, an information venue on the Palisades Parkway, and online.  Books are also available at all Sullivan County libraries, the Cragsmoor Free Library, Port Jervis Free Library, and SUNY Orange.

 

BKAA Brochures: This brochure persists in being the most widely utilized BKAA public relations tool and, as such, possesses outstanding value for the organization.  It recently underwent a third printing and now includes a detachable membership form.

 

Membership Chair/Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary and Treasurer: These key board functions were competently executed by Marcia Briggs Wallace, Susan Erny, and Monique Lipton/Jon Reed.  Thanks for an amazing commitment of time and energy.

 

Publicity/thebashakill.org/Alerts/Facebook/The Guardian:

•   The BKAA recognizes Susan O’Neill’s ongoing dedication as our public relations guru, writing and distributing all press releases.

•   Our website, www.thebashakill.org, produced by Arrow Web Designs, and the Alerts update BKAA programs, supply general news, and rapidly galvanize members for lobbying purposes. Thanks to Maryallison Farley for being BKAA’s contact with Arrow Web and kudos to Hattie Grifo for excellently administering Action/Information Alerts.

•    A personal debt of gratitude goes to Jon Reed for “triaging” all BKAA emails, thereby keeping Paula “in touch” with the outside world (whether she likes it or not).

•   The BKAA is part of the Social Network, having a Facebook page ably administered by Linda Lou Bartle.

•   Thank you to Liberty Press and Jon Heaphy for managing The Guardian’s online operation.

•   Buff McAllister is a Renaissance woman!  Not only did she author the BKAA’s history, but she is the longtime editor of the Guardian, “putting the whole newsletter together,” including its mailing.  Her Guardian responsibilities have intensified with the newsletter’s increased prominence as the BKAA’s primary connection to members. 

 

BKAA Consultants:

The BKAA experienced minimal contact with our “technical team” this year except for engineer Andy Willingham who excellently reviewed YM and DPG site plans.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Paula Medley,

President