50-100 year range
How long will these expensive modifications last, given the propensity of water to change its environment? “Engineers do 10-, 25-, 50-, 100-year models and run simulated flow through the models,” said Ritz. “I believe this project is within the 50- to 100-year range.”
The current project has been completed quickly, partly due to this summer’s drought conditions. The next two projects will take time to organize, as the agencies acquire permits from the state and easements from landowners, and Ritz expects construction will not begin until next spring. The DEC will not allow work in the streams after September 30, in order to protect trout during their spawning season, an important environmental issue and a critical consideration for a town economy that depends on fishing as part of its tourism income.
The deadline for the NRCS funding is November 2 — 220 days after Congress’s declaration of the state of emergency. The town is therefore working with other local districts to ask for an extension of the deadline.
“The NRCS has opened up money to all of New York State” since the emergency declaration, said Ritz. “They are trying to protect all the natural resources. A lot of the projects are small, like repairing banks where the roads are getting undercut. This one involves engineering work, a lot of complexity, and a stream function process to account for. It’s on a whole other scale.”
In other town board news:
•The Shandaken town board voted, on Monday, August 6, to solicit bids for the design of a new branch of the Phoenicia Water District that would complete the “High Street loop.” The new line would cross the Woodland Valley Bridge to connect properties at the western end of High Street to the water system. “This will allow us to quadrant off areas if we need to fix something,” said Supervisor Stanley, “instead of turning off the whole High Street line.”
An Engineer’s Preliminary Report, created last year, recommended the extension, and the water district has enough funds in its coffers to proceed.
• The board also approved a proposal from the Catskill Mountain Velo Club, based in Big Indian, for a bicycle race on Sunday, August 19. The “Catskill Divide Road Race” will start and end in Big Indian, passing through Fleischmanns and Halcott.
• “Intensive use” was the recommendation from the town board regarding the classification of the 1200-acre parcel of wilderness purchased by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) from Crossroads Ventures. The property is situated on Belleayre Mountain, along Route 28 in Big Indian. “The land will remain ‘forever wild’,” said Stanley, “but this will open it up to mountain bike use.” Snowmobiling and cross-country skiing are other possibilities for the land.
Located adjacent to Belleayre Mountain and Belleayre Lake, both intensive-use properties, the new designation will provide continuity and additional recreation opportunities for visitors to Shandaken, which board members hope will support the area’s economy.
The resolution approved by the board states that a “relatively flat ridge line and existing road networks” will make the parcel accessible to residents and visitors and recommends that the land be labeled “Belleayre Ridge.”
• The town board accepted the resignation of recently appointed Shandaken Historical Museum director Earl Hatleburg of Chichester. The town will advertise again to fill the position, which provides for 12 hours a week of work at $10 per hour.
Great, so now what about the parts of the Esopus that are taking away from properties and homes like South Street and Jay Street? Almost every home had major damage and property loss. How many homes have to be destroyed and rebuilt before anything is done here? Do we have to loose lives first? When are these parts of the stream going to be fixed?