Dear BDTEN:

Finger Lakes Parks told me there is hope that culvert work could start on the south end of the BDT as early as mid-summer. I’ll send a second message about that soon, but today I want to inform you of a meeting next week (Apr 22) in the Town of Ulysses that has bearing on the northern end of the trail.

The Planning Board in the Town of Ulysses has been wrestling for more than a year to develop a Conservation Zone (CZ) in Ulysses along Rte. 89. Four years ago, Town of Ithaca enacted such a CZ that now runs along the west side of Rte.89 extending north from Cass Park and includes the BDT.

Trail enthusiasts have been hoping that Ulysses would take similar action so that the BDT would be in a CZ all the way from Ithaca to Taughannock Park. That’s what this Apr 22 meeting is about.

It’s a public information session to explain the proposed CZ code and TO HEAR WHAT CITIZENS THINK of the proposal.

It’s scheduled for APRIL 22, at 7:00 p.m. in TOWN HALL, ELM ST., TRUMANSBURG.

It is expected that there will be lively debate at this meeting about where the boundaries for this CZ should be drawn. The BDT is included in this proposed zone by the slimmest of margins and may not make it into the CZ without outspoken support from friends of the trail.

I want to clarify that the BDT itself is not in jeopardy. The trail itself is a project of Finger Lakes Parks Office. What is in question here is what kind of development will surround the trail.

Very briefly, the proposed CZ code changes the zoning from 2-acre (currently) to 5-acre zoning. The proposed CZ  also prohibits commercial forestry and clear-cutting; and stipulates a 4000 sq. ft. footprint maximum for any dwelling built in the CZ.

This proposed CZ, although in the Town of Ulysses, will affect all of us who live in the region because it has direct impact on the waters of Cayuga Lake as well as on the rural landscape.

So even if you do not live in the Town of Ulysses, you have a vested interest in this zoning decision.

Mark your calendars for this meeting on APRIL 22, 7:00 p.m. in TOWN HALL, ELM ST., TRUMANSBURG, and do your best to show up if even for a few minutes to be counted. We are assured that all will have a chance to speak if so desired.

With the citizen input from this meeting, the Planning Board will refine the proposed CZ and send it to the Town Board of Ulysses for an official “Public Meeting” (yet to be announced) and a final vote.

Keep walking the BDT!

Jan

We hope you’re enjoying these gorgeous summer days.

We want to update you on our Black Diamond Trail:

To refresh your memory–the $209,000 windfall that Finger Lake Parks
received from the county in May was earmarked for two BDT bridge designs,
with the stipulation that FL Parks add another 20% matching funds.

The word this week from Tim Joseph, Regional Director of Finger Lakes
Parks, is that “we [FL Parks] are trying to do an open ended design
consultant contract with C&S Engineering that will then allow us to assign
a number of projects to them. When that’s done we will assign them the
Black Diamond bridges. Because they did the design report, this should let
us do the designs for a lower cost. The contract has been approved by
Parks, and the Budget Office, and is awaiting approval from the
Comptroller.”

When pushed for an anticipated date for receiving that approval from the
NYS Comptroller’s Office, Tim Joseph wrote that the end of August or
beginning of September “is most likely.”

We’ll let you all know as soon as that approval comes through so you can
start getting your hopes up.

We want to thank the American Society of Civil Engineers Student Chapter
at Cornell, especially Nicole Dufalla (student) and Tony Ingraffea
(faculty adviser) for their time and enthusiasm in discussions that led to
their offering to do at least one of these bridge designs for free. As it
turned out, receiving the county $$ in May allowed FL Parks instead to
hire the engineering firm that had already done the design “report” (which
is a preliminary to the actual design).

We’ll be in touch again in September — with good news, we hope. In the
meantime, keep the trail on your mind, use it at your pleasure, and tell
everyone you know about it so that when the time comes to muster our
combined energies, we’ll be ready!

Jan
http://blackdiamondtrail.org

Good news — potentially GREAT news:
Finger Lakes Parks Office has just been granted $209,000 to pay for the design of two bridges on the Black Diamond Trail. This is a momentous show of support by Tompkins County and our local municipalities for the BDT.

Yes, okay, this is not *construction* money; we’re still in the design phase. If, however, Parks uses this windfall quickly and efficiently, they will be eligible for construction funds as early as next year. The Ithaca-Tompkins Co.
Transportation Council (ITCTC) would not have awarded this $$ for design if they didn’t have every intention of working to allocate future funding for construction.
There is still a chance of capturing stimulus funds for the bridges project; otherwise the ITCTCs five-year program of transportation projects, known as the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), gets updated next spring.

At the moment, now it is up to Parks to carry the ball they’ve just been tossed so that they will be ready for those construction funds at the next go-around.

It is remarkable and a reason to rejoice that when our Transportation Council got federal stimulus money for a big project, which freed up $3.5 million to be redistributed to other smaller projects, they allocated roughly 75% to trails and buses!

If you have a minute to thank the people responsible for taking this step to give the $209,000 to Parks for the BDT, here’s where to start:

Fernando de Aragon, Director, Transportation Council (ITCTC)
fdearagon@tompkins-co.org

Bill Gray, Chair, Transportation Council (ITCTC)
Planning Committee (City of Ithaca Superintendent of Public Works)
billg@cityofithaca.org

Carolyn Peterson, Chair, Transportation Council (ITCTC) Policy Committee (City of Ithaca Mayor)        mayor@cityofithaca.org

Dooley Kiefer, Vice Chair, Transportation Council (ITCTC) Policy Committee
(Tompkins County Legislator)
dsk11@cornell.edu

–Jan

You probably read today’s article in the Journal about funding for the BDT (in the jump of the front-page article, titled “Region’s Roads to Benefit from Stimulus Funds”).

The BDT has a clear ally in Fernando deAragon, director of the Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council, and we can take heart in the fact that the subcommittee of the Transportation Council that made the funding recommendations fully supported allocating $$ to the BDT.

Fernando explained via an email that the subcommittee had every intention of fully funding the two BDT bridges: “However, we got waylaid by the requirement that the money be obligated by mid-Sept. State Parks staff said that Albany is holding up all projects due to state budget battles, and construction by Sept. was unrealistic considering that they still need to produce the final design. So, the subcommittee recommended paying for the final design to be completed. That will position the project to receive funding at the next possible opportunity. This year has been full of surprises so it’s unclear what will be the next funding opportunity, maybe from additional stimulus funds or from the next TIP update (next spring).”

The very important, absolutely essential next step now is for Parks to get the bridge design process completed ASAP, using this $$ right away.

To be exact, the subcommittee that just recommended that $$ be allocated for BDT bridge design is comprised of planning and engineering STAFF from all the municipalities. They RECOMMEND; their recommendation will have to be voted on by the Council’s Planning Committee (comprised of our ELECTED municipal officials). Those discussions and vote will take place on May 12 and May 19. Fernando does not expect any opposition to funding the design of the BDT bridges. I will attend the meetings to witness the discussion and vote so that I can send you a report. These meetings are open to the public, so come if you can, even though we expect the vote to go in BDT’s favor.

May 12, 10:00 a.m., Borg Warner Rom, Tompkins Co. Library
May 19, 2:00 p.m. Transit Center, TCAT Office

Step by step, bridge by bridge,
Jan

http://blackdiamondtrail.org

Dear BDTEN!

A very encouraging meeting took place this week.

On Monday, March 30, Finger Lakes Park Director Tim Joseph and FL Parks Engineer Jeff McDonald met with Cornell Engineering Prof. Anthony Ingraffea and Nicole Dufalla, an engineering student. Their purpose was to explore possibilities for involving the volunteer talent and labor of Cornell’s ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) Student Chapter on the Black Diamond Trail design/construction.

Here’s the gist:

Plan A: Fernando deAragon, director of Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council, said that we should know by July how much and when stimulus $$ will fall to Tompkins County. Soon after that, our regional municipal mayors and supervisors will decide whether or not there will be $$ freed up to  design/construct the two bridges needed to complete the Black Diamond Trail corridor between Cass Park and Trumansburg.

Plan B: If the BDT does NOT receive any $$ or not enough $$ as a result of stimulus $$ added to the public coffers, there is now a hopeful Plan B in place – a collaboration between Finger Lakes Parks and the ASCE Student Chapter to help get the bridge work started.  This is a major step forward, and we applaud Parks under the direction of Tim Joseph for opening the door to this collaboration in particular, and to this kind of collaboration in general. Furthermore, Tim has encouraged BDTEN to stay involved, another positive sign.

BDTEN members will be called into action soon! When it comes time for our elected leaders to make $$ allocations, we need to let them know how many of us want the BDT. Start preparing your arguments. Stay tuned. We’ll let you know when that’s happening. In the meantime, keep walking on the trail!

Present at the March 30, 2009, meeting of FL Parks and Cornell Engineers:
-Tim Joseph, director, FL Regional Office of Parks
-Jeff McDonald, manager, FL Regional Capital Facilities
-Fernando de Aragon, director, Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council
-Engineering Prof. Anthony Ingraffea, faculty advisor to Cornell’s ASCE student chapter
-Nicole Dufalla, engineering student representative of ASCE chapter
-Commissioner Carol Reeves, FL commissioner who “adopted” the BDT
-Marvin Pritts, BDTEN representative
-Jan Zeserson, BDTEN representative

Report posted by Jan Z.

Tim Joseph (FL Parks Regional Director)
Jeff McDonald (FL Parks Capital Facilities Manager)
Herb Engman (Town of Ithaca Supervisor)
Liz Thomas (Town of Ulysses Board Member)
Fernando deAragon (Director of Ithaca-Tompkins Transportation Council)
Bill Goodman (Town of Ithaca Board Member)
Rick Manning (Waterfront Trail, BDTEN)
Marvin Pritts (Cayuga Nature Center Board VP, BDTEN)
Vikki Armstrong (BDTEN)
Ashley Miller (BDTEN)
Gene Endres (BDTEN)
Krys Cail (BDTEN)
Jan Zeserson (BDTEN)

In brief, among the vital issues raised were the following:

* McDonald reported that there now exists a Design Report for the two bridges. (A Design Report is a prelude to the actual construction drawings.) No design work has been done on the trail itself. All available $$ went into the design report for the bridges.

* FL Parks will consider completing and opening a section at a time from Cass Park north (several miles where no bridges are needed), a piecemeal approach with construction help from Towns of Ithaca and Ulysses. Substantial culvert work is needed; Parks is in the process of doing a culvert inventory.

* FL Parks will explore possible collaboration possibilities with the Cornell University Student Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) on design and construction. ASCE students have constructed other bridges in our county.

* It is conceivable that the BDT project may receive federal transportation enhancement funds in the next funding cycle, although when and how these funds will be appropriated is still up in the air.

This report submitted by Jan Z.

Speak out for Parks and Trails!

Join us at one or both of our Advocacy Days in Albany!

March 3, 2009 – Parks Advocacy Day
March 11, 2009 – Trails Advocacy Day

Parks and trails are taking a hit in this year’s state budget. Cuts are proposed for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and the capital and operations budgets for State Parks. The Hudson River Valley Greenway is slated for elimination. Check out our Advocacy Agenda for more details on these and other important threats to our state’s parks and trails.

We must speak out for the importance of parks and trails. Your legislators need to know how their budget decisions will affect your community.

Join us!!! Your participation will help make our Advocacy Days a success and secure much-needed funding and support.

Parks Advocacy Day-Tuesday, March 3
Confirm attendance by February 26 with:
Tim Sweeney
Director, Campaign for Parks
tsweeney@ptny.org
(518) 434-1583 ext. #210

Trails Advocacy Day-Wednesday, March 11
Confirm attendance by March 6 with:
Fran Gotcsik
Director of Programs and Policy
fgotcsik@ptny.org
(518) 434-1583 ext. #206

More information (PDF): Advocacy Day flyer

“Sorry – not much good news, and things have been changing pretty rapidly
the last few weeks.

I’m waiting for the consultant to deliver the final copies of the
reports on the bridge designs – these aren’t the construction documents,
but set the basis for the actual designs. The budget situation is bad -
no new consultant work is being approved unless it’s health and safety
based, which means the bridge designs won’t progress until the budget
situation changes. All contracts are being reviewed by the Division of
Budget, so the control over what progresses is now outside of the
agencies. At this time, it is very likely that the only contract that
the region moves to construction next year will be the Taughannock Falls
water system. We are dealing with the same limitations on general
purchasing – only spending enough to keep the crews working, and only on
ongoing projects. The region most likely won’t be able to buy materials
for the BDT this year, even just some culverts. I am guessing we will
see some further changes to the spending rules in January, when the
newly elected take their seats, but I have no guess as to whether they
will be positive or negative.

About the only bright spot I can think of is the growing number of
arguments for making infrastructure improvements a major portion of any
economic stimulus program. If the feds turn some money over to that
state, as is being discussed, we may get a piece of it.

Jeff “

____________________

August 20, 2008

Ms. Jan Zeserson, Black Diamond Trail Enthusiasts Network (BDTEN), Ithaca, NY 14850

Dear Jan:

In January, State Parks and Historic Sites Friends Groups from all across the state came together in Saratoga for an inspirational and productive conference. We all agreed that the next step would be to have regional meetings later in the year, and thus, I am writing to invite you to a Regional Friends Group Roundtable.

This Roundtable will take place on October 9 at Bona Vista Golf Course clubhouse. It will being with a luncheon at noon with Friends Groups, Regional Parks Commissioners, Facility Managers, and Regional and Executive Staff. Lunch will be followed by an afternoon program with presentations and discussins on a number of topics including:

*an update on the capital initiative and the budget challenges ahead;

*a presentation from Parks & Trails New York about advocacy opportunities;

*information about the new Friends Group MOU and Best Practices; and

*fundraising, fundraising, fundraising!

In keeping with the roundtable format, we will build in plenty of time for sharing ideas and views. If you have ideas for additional topics, please share them with your Regional Director, Tim Joseph, and we will explore ways to include them in the program.

Please invite your board members and volunteers to join us, but please let us know who will be attending so that we can plan for the meeting space, lunch and written materials. Please RSVP by October 1 to Judi Lott at 607-387-7041 or Judith.lott@oprhp.state.ny.us, and be sure to provide the name, phone number and email address for each person planning to attend.

We hope that you will be able to join us for the Roundtable and thank you for your commitment to New York’s parks and historic sites.

Sincerely,

Carol Ash, Commissioner

Dear BDTEN:

Good news released today! Notice of Completion of a Final Master Plan Environmental Impact Statement for the BDT!

This means that NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation took the following action: Adoption and Implementation of a Master Plan for the Black Diamond Trail.

For the whole story, go to http://nysparks.com — look under “News and Publications.

Of course we don’t know yet what exactly this means for the construction timeline, which has been predicted repeatedly to be Spring 2009 (predicted by our Finger Lakes Parks Office) — but it’s a great step forward.

All of you who gave written or oral testimony during the SEQR hearing process are listed in the master plan document.

One step closer!

Jan