Members present: Rich Krieger, Deb Krieger, Ed Morse, Ramona Venegas, Joan Young
Forest Service staff present: Scott Haas
Guests: Jessica Hecksel, Ryan VanDyke

Meeting opened at 7:10 pm by President Rich Krieger

NCTA BOARD MEETING- Joan
• Reported: the NCTA has voted to join Active Michigan Initiative
• New Certification Standards adopted
• the Arrowhead Reroute may actually be approved this summer
• Strategic Plan and recommendation for Development Plan by consultant

DELEGATE FOR 2005 Convention- Rich may be willing -he will call Arlen

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY- Joan
• Site at Elk Rapids near Upper Branch Bridge
• Committee - Joan, Deb- others needed
• FS plans to waive the fee

CANOE CERTIFICATION- Kriegers need to teach a class to keep their certification. They are trying to set up a class

FOREST SERVICE, Manistee- Ramona
• Special Use Permits-
  Trail Relay permit allowed for 5 years. They want to increase use to 240 people. She mentioned MOU about commercial uses to them. Tribe has no issues with the race. The aid stations are being positioned at roads, not on the trail.
  Striders Run is being moved to Big M trails
  Mountain bike race at Big M - not pertinent to the NCT
  NTD has been an Administrative Use from Manistee District. Baldwin may write up as a permit
• FS has no official comment on the Coal Burning Electric Plant until later

FOREST SERVICE, Baldwin- Scott
• His comments are pertinent to CCS funds, so wait
• Mile markers between trailheads can be done with GPS data- disagreement about how much they are needed

SIGNAGE- Scott
• The proposed carsonite stickers have been approved by John Hojnowski
• Need to have good visual guide for how the stickers should be put on
• Manistee District -Posts should be at all driveable crossings
• Baldwin District doesn't want that many signs
• Correction to Nov Minutes- covering lettering with FS Shields is not correct... need to replace the "Closed to all other uses" with the "no motorized use" strip.

TRAIL ADOPTER TRAINING
• Ed Morse wants to have meeting with adopters some time this winter.
• Training session planned for afternoon of Jan 8.

CCS MONEY-
• We came in under budget for the Leitch Bayou, etc 2003 project
• Ken Howell said we can roll the left-over money into next year
• Proposed projects by the Eds can be used as a guide
• "Meaty" projects could be more turnpike in Sterling Marsh, or continue Leitch Bayou
• Maybe we should just get rest of lumber for Leitch and put up 9" emblems
• Could extend the boardwalk and add turnaround deck
• Scott doesn't think Vince Smith Bridge needs work
• Possible "puncheon" north of 76th St. (all true bridges in Baldwin District will be 30 feet long and accessible)
• It would have to be built in the fall because botanical survey will have to be done
• NPS wants to buy stuff in June
• Prison crew does pilings, sills, stringers, chapters do decking and railings, steps
• General agreement to apply for Leitch Bayou extension, and Bridge N of 76th St.

OTHER
• Big M has breakfast meetings every other Friday at House of Flavors
• Full moon skis Jan, Feb (information on Big M website)

NCT Planning Guide will be for ready for sale soon from Shark Enterprises

Joan moved that Ed buy a tarp to cover extra lumber, Deb seconded, unanimous approval

Ed moved that we buy 5 more trailhead maps from NCTA , Deb seconded, approved. Joan will call NCTA

Ramona's Wish List- might get the trail off of Michigan/ Chicago

FS wants to get out of water business- (eg wells)

Ramona moved to adjourn, Deb seconded - adjourned 8:40

minutes taken by Joan Young, secretary