Meeting Summary for July 14, 2001 (1/01)

Secretary's Report - Green Mountain Club Northeast Kingdom (NEK) Section Business Meeting - Saturday July 14, 2001
By MICHAEL CHERNICK

INTRODUCTION: Section President, Pat Aubin, convened the NEK Section of the Green Mountain Club's quarterly business meeting. The meeting was held at the Burke Mountain Club house in East Burke and commenced at 6:00 p.m. having been preceded by a potluck supper.

Earlier in the day, several members of the section, under the capable leadership of Trails Coordinator, Luke O'Brien, and the main club's Field Program Director, Dave Hardy, braved the stormy rains of Bald Mountain and performed repair work on several trail drainage projects.

Pat requested that each section officer, in attendance at the meeting. to present a brief summary of current duties and activities.

SECRETARY'S REPORT: Section Secretary, Michael Chernick, explained that the meeting notes he prepares are posted on the NEK-GMC Web site. He also noted that various section documents, such as meeting notes and newsletters are retained in hard copy form for archival purposes. Jay Collier also reminded everyone that an electronic archive is available on the section's Web site.

TREASURER'S REPORT: In the absence of NEK Section Treasurer, Joe Anastasia, Section Director, Beth Dugger, reported on the purchase of $200.00 worth of trail tools and a current balance in the section's checking account of $559.68 with additional membership dues percentage payments anticipated from the main club. For each annual membership designated for our section, we received 25% of the dues payment, and the main club retains the balance.

TRAILS COORDINATOR'S PURCHASE REPORT: Trail's Coordinator, Luke O'Brien, detailed the trail tools that have been purchased. These include 2 loppers, 4 bow saws (2 small and 2 medium size), 4 rock bars and 2 shovels. In addition, the Burlington Section generously donated 2 shovels. The section has allocated another $200.00 for tool acquisitions. Luke will make more purchases in the near future.

PUBLICITY/WEB: Webmaster, Jay Collier, reported on recent developments related to the section's Web site and newsletter “Northeast Passages.” He acknowledged those individuals whose writings have comprised our online and print publications. Jay encouraged early submission of trip plans for inclusion in the section's public information releases. He was pleased to announce that the number of electronic copies of the newsletter continues to increase, while the print copies are declining correspondingly. Jay requested that a section member provide computer assistance for membership activities, particularly during membership coordinator Cynthia Barber's recuperation from surgery. Michael Johnson volunteered to work with Jay on computer projects.

CHAMPION LAND UPDATE: Section Director, Beth Dugger, presented a background summary and current update regarding the status of the former Champion Lands..

Beth explained, in brief, that a tract of over 100,000 forested acres in the Northeast Kingdom, which was previously owned by the Champion Corporation, is now divided with parcels owned by the Essex Timber Company, the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service, as part of the Silvio Conte Reserve, and the state of Vermont through the Agency of Natural Resources. Beth explained that significant timber harvesting on the Essex land is not scheduled to begin until 2013 in order to permit the forest to be replenished.

She focused her remarks on the 24,000 acres under state ownership. She explained the proposed ecological core area for the state segment of 10,000 to 16,000 acres and the controversy that its has sparked. This would be a zone where only limited nonmotorized human activity would be permitted. The opponents are concerned that traditional activities including hunting, fishing, trapping, and in particular snowmobiling, would not be allowed or significantly curtailed. This proposal has disturbed some local area residents and legislators. A consulting company, Land and Water Associates.

is preparing a report that will address the core area proposal and consider issues such as biosphere vs human use.

The role of the Green Mountain Club in this process is with respect to hiking trail maintenance and development. The main club has offered a three stage multiyear proposal. First, the club would focus on existing trails.

These would be addressed by plans for West and Sable Mountains. A second phase, to occur over the next 2 to 5 years, will examine if other trials can be developed or connected. Finally, over a longer period of time, the club will scout for opportunities to develop a trail across the former Champion Lands. However, the construction of a cross trail is a long term potential option which will not be developed in the immediate future.

WEST MOUNTAIN SCOUTING EXCURSION: Beth, Luke, Dave Hardy, the main club's director of field programs, and Jennifer Waite, from the National Park Service, recently explored West Mountain which is on the state's portion of the former Champion Lands. They ascended by means of bushwacking as they searched for a trail. The mountain top with its privately controlled tower and cabin poses issues to be addressed.. The landowner has legitimate concerns, foremost being liability, if the tower is climbed. Were the tower a destination on a hiking trail, the temptation to climb would be very strong. The scouting party concurred that an alternative summit destination would be required. Luke noted one or two potential tracks that might serve as hiking trails to alternative destinations.

GMC Executive Director, Ben Rose, has met the tower's owner who has expressed a willingness to work with the club to explore alternative routing options. At this point, Jay commented on the club's willingness to develop a mutually satisfactory proposal. He also announced the ANR Web site address that is hosting West Mountain proposals as: www.state.vt.us/anr/fpr/lands/westmt.

UPCOMING SCOUTING HIKES: On Saturday August 18, the section will conduct a scouting hike at West Mountain. This trip will focused on an alternative route up the mountain that avoids the fire tower site. There will be contact with the tower owner, and acquisition of a state permit, prior to the hike. On Saturday September 22, (rescheduled from the original September 15 date), the section will explore a possible route up Sable Mountain which is on Essex Timber land.

GMC MAIN CLUB ANNUAL MEETING: Section President Pat Aubin reported on the main club's annual meeting in June. She noted that Section Director, Beth Dugger, was presented a President's Award for her representation of the GMC on Champion Lands issues and that Section Secretary Michael Chernick was recognized for his work in assisting in the organizing of the Northeast Kingdom Section.

RECENT OUTINGS: The Northeast Kingdom Section has hosted several recent outings including a hike up Mt. Brousseau that Jim Fearon led. Pat reported on the Brousseau trip as one where fine Champion Lands' views are available from the top. Michael commented on the joint Montpelier-Northeast Kingdom trip to the top of Mt Gore along the recently constructed Vermont Leadership Center's trail Although the Mt. Wheeler trip to be led by Daisy McCoy was officially cancelled, however, Jim Fearon did guide a party on this trip.

TRIP GUIDELINES: Pat, Beth, and newly elected trip- coordinators, Jean Haigh and John Armstrong, met in May to develop the section's trip guidelines.

The issues discussed included preregistration, the extent of publicity and how these criteria would be applicable for specific trips. A general discussion regarding leadership style and safety among the membership followed. Jay reminded everyone that the section should meet Long Trail News print submission deadlines which are January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1.

FUTURE EVENTS: In addition to the West Mountain trip on Saturday August 18, the next section business meeting/potluck supper will be scheduled for Saturday September 22 at the Burke Mountain Club House at 5:00 p.m. This will follow the Sable exploratory hike. Luke O'Brien will lead a hike up Bluff Mountain at 9:00 A.M. on Saturday October 6, and on Saturday November 3, a leader's choice activity will occur. Details regarding specific meeting times and sites for each event will be determined and forwarded to section members.

ADJOURNMENT: Having concluded all of the business for the evening, the meeting was adjourned pursuant to a motion of the secretary at 7:06 p.m.

Other news and events

Secretary's Report - Green Mountain Club Northeast Kingdom (NEK) Section Business Meeting - Saturday July 14, 2001
By MICHAEL CHERNICK

INTRODUCTION: Section President, Pat Aubin, convened the NEK Section of the Green Mountain Club's quarterly business meeting. The meeting was held at the Burke Mountain Club house in East Burke and commenced at 6:00 p.m. having been preceded by a potluck supper.

Earlier in the day, several members of the section, under the capable leadership of Trails Coordinator, Luke O'Brien, and the main club's Field Program Director, Dave Hardy, braved the stormy rains of Bald Mountain and performed repair work on several trail drainage projects.

Pat requested that each section officer, in attendance at the meeting. to present a brief summary of current duties and activities.

SECRETARY'S REPORT: Section Secretary, Michael Chernick, explained that the meeting notes he prepares are posted on the NEK-GMC Web site. He also noted that various section documents, such as meeting notes and newsletters are retained in hard copy form for archival purposes. Jay Collier also reminded everyone that an electronic archive is available on the section's Web site.

TREASURER'S REPORT: In the absence of NEK Section Treasurer, Joe Anastasia, Section Director, Beth Dugger, reported on the purchase of $200.00 worth of trail tools and a current balance in the section's checking account of $559.68 with additional membership dues percentage payments anticipated from the main club. For each annual membership designated for our section, we received 25% of the dues payment, and the main club retains the balance.

TRAILS COORDINATOR'S PURCHASE REPORT: Trail's Coordinator, Luke O'Brien, detailed the trail tools that have been purchased. These include 2 loppers, 4 bow saws (2 small and 2 medium size), 4 rock bars and 2 shovels. In addition, the Burlington Section generously donated 2 shovels. The section has allocated another $200.00 for tool acquisitions. Luke will make more purchases in the near future.

PUBLICITY/WEB: Webmaster, Jay Collier, reported on recent developments related to the section's Web site and newsletter “Northeast Passages.” He acknowledged those individuals whose writings have comprised our online and print publications. Jay encouraged early submission of trip plans for inclusion in the section's public information releases. He was pleased to announce that the number of electronic copies of the newsletter continues to increase, while the print copies are declining correspondingly. Jay requested that a section member provide computer assistance for membership activities, particularly during membership coordinator Cynthia Barber's recuperation from surgery. Michael Johnson volunteered to work with Jay on computer projects.

CHAMPION LAND UPDATE: Section Director, Beth Dugger, presented a background summary and current update regarding the status of the former Champion Lands..

Beth explained, in brief, that a tract of over 100,000 forested acres in the Northeast Kingdom, which was previously owned by the Champion Corporation, is now divided with parcels owned by the Essex Timber Company, the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service, as part of the Silvio Conte Reserve, and the state of Vermont through the Agency of Natural Resources. Beth explained that significant timber harvesting on the Essex land is not scheduled to begin until 2013 in order to permit the forest to be replenished.

She focused her remarks on the 24,000 acres under state ownership. She explained the proposed ecological core area for the state segment of 10,000 to 16,000 acres and the controversy that its has sparked. This would be a zone where only limited nonmotorized human activity would be permitted. The opponents are concerned that traditional activities including hunting, fishing, trapping, and in particular snowmobiling, would not be allowed or significantly curtailed. This proposal has disturbed some local area residents and legislators. A consulting company, Land and Water Associates.

is preparing a report that will address the core area proposal and consider issues such as biosphere vs human use.

The role of the Green Mountain Club in this process is with respect to hiking trail maintenance and development. The main club has offered a three stage multiyear proposal. First, the club would focus on existing trails.

These would be addressed by plans for West and Sable Mountains. A second phase, to occur over the next 2 to 5 years, will examine if other trials can be developed or connected. Finally, over a longer period of time, the club will scout for opportunities to develop a trail across the former Champion Lands. However, the construction of a cross trail is a long term potential option which will not be developed in the immediate future.

WEST MOUNTAIN SCOUTING EXCURSION: Beth, Luke, Dave Hardy, the main club's director of field programs, and Jennifer Waite, from the National Park Service, recently explored West Mountain which is on the state's portion of the former Champion Lands. They ascended by means of bushwacking as they searched for a trail. The mountain top with its privately controlled tower and cabin poses issues to be addressed.. The landowner has legitimate concerns, foremost being liability, if the tower is climbed. Were the tower a destination on a hiking trail, the temptation to climb would be very strong. The scouting party concurred that an alternative summit destination would be required. Luke noted one or two potential tracks that might serve as hiking trails to alternative destinations.

GMC Executive Director, Ben Rose, has met the tower's owner who has expressed a willingness to work with the club to explore alternative routing options. At this point, Jay commented on the club's willingness to develop a mutually satisfactory proposal. He also announced the ANR Web site address that is hosting West Mountain proposals as: www.state.vt.us/anr/fpr/lands/westmt.

UPCOMING SCOUTING HIKES: On Saturday August 18, the section will conduct a scouting hike at West Mountain. This trip will focused on an alternative route up the mountain that avoids the fire tower site. There will be contact with the tower owner, and acquisition of a state permit, prior to the hike. On Saturday September 22, (rescheduled from the original September 15 date), the section will explore a possible route up Sable Mountain which is on Essex Timber land.

GMC MAIN CLUB ANNUAL MEETING: Section President Pat Aubin reported on the main club's annual meeting in June. She noted that Section Director, Beth Dugger, was presented a President's Award for her representation of the GMC on Champion Lands issues and that Section Secretary Michael Chernick was recognized for his work in assisting in the organizing of the Northeast Kingdom Section.

RECENT OUTINGS: The Northeast Kingdom Section has hosted several recent outings including a hike up Mt. Brousseau that Jim Fearon led. Pat reported on the Brousseau trip as one where fine Champion Lands' views are available from the top. Michael commented on the joint Montpelier-Northeast Kingdom trip to the top of Mt Gore along the recently constructed Vermont Leadership Center's trail Although the Mt. Wheeler trip to be led by Daisy McCoy was officially cancelled, however, Jim Fearon did guide a party on this trip.

TRIP GUIDELINES: Pat, Beth, and newly elected trip- coordinators, Jean Haigh and John Armstrong, met in May to develop the section's trip guidelines.

The issues discussed included preregistration, the extent of publicity and how these criteria would be applicable for specific trips. A general discussion regarding leadership style and safety among the membership followed. Jay reminded everyone that the section should meet Long Trail News print submission deadlines which are January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1.

FUTURE EVENTS: In addition to the West Mountain trip on Saturday August 18, the next section business meeting/potluck supper will be scheduled for Saturday September 22 at the Burke Mountain Club House at 5:00 p.m. This will follow the Sable exploratory hike. Luke O'Brien will lead a hike up Bluff Mountain at 9:00 A.M. on Saturday October 6, and on Saturday November 3, a leader's choice activity will occur. Details regarding specific meeting times and sites for each event will be determined and forwarded to section members.

ADJOURNMENT: Having concluded all of the business for the evening, the meeting was adjourned pursuant to a motion of the secretary at 7:06 p.m.

Other news and events