SPW Chapter NCTA Executive Committee Minutes of 11/14/02

Officers Present: Rich Krieger, Joan Young, Ramona Venegas, Mary Soule, Ed Chappel, Ed Morse

Members Present: Phil & Natasha Miller, Deb Krieger

Ed C. had pictures of the trail near Sawdust Hole showing before and after the work day- widening, benching and puncheon

Rich K. called the meeting to order at 7:05

Gov. Liason Report- Ramona Venegas

• No more news on the Tribal Lands near Blacksmith Bayou. Rich says the barrier and sign is down. Ramona will check when she can. The trail marking is confusing there because of a fisher-person's path. Landowner issue on Webster section- Baldwin District was supposed to check. She has not heard anything.
• Dave Jaunese will be taking over for Chad Hudson as Trail Coordinator at the Baldwin District.
• Forest Plan Revision- being done. There may be a copy of the plan put in the Manistee Library. Input can be given at any time. December 6 will be the first input deadline. Long document but it is good to be familiar with the sections that are pertinent to our interest. Joan will be sending a letter as LPTC. The Chapter and individuals should also comment. Schedule of meetings in Cadillac, Manistee, Ludington papers, and on MNF website.
• Rockin' R stables for Dec 14- Ramona is checking.
• There are cougar being seen near Copemish. The DNR is still denying it- they say they are released pets.
• They are looking for sightings of pine martens.
• Work near Sawdust Hole is superb- thank you to the Chapter.

Treasurer's Report- Mary Soule

• Balance $2212.34 beginning Sept. Income dues and interest
• $2321.26 as of Sept 30

Membership Report- Rich Krieger

• No change 66 memberships

National Trails Day-

• Committee will be Deb, Mary, Phil, Natasha
• Suggestion of Sawdust Hole- RR site (Ramona knows historical stuff)
• Initial meeting Dec 14 after activity

Phil Miller displayed a fire tool kit with interchangeable heads.

Questions about deer stands actually wired to trees.- Ramona- contact Baldwin District

Trail Coordinators- Ed Morse, Ed Chappel

• To date they have hiked from Marilla to Dilling Road.
  • Noting road crossings
  • Locations for benches
  • Locations for campsites
  • Noting needs for work
• Then they will prioritize
• Water bars are in bad shape-
  • Trails are insloped and sand runs to the bottom
  • Joan recommends switching to Cowita Dips- Ed's don't think they will work
  • Bikes are damaging them, but they are not properly installed and maintained.
• Switchbacks are being cut across- mostly by bikes
• Most of our trail is sand- McLoed is best tool. We need 2 more.
• They want a brush trimmer that can have a blade put on- just over $400
  • Joan- do you want the Homelite string trimmer for cost of tune-up?
  • Yes, they think so.
• They want to put in markers every half mile to locate maintenance needs.Ramona suggests short posts not carsonite
• T-shirts- Ed Morse
  • Can we design our own? As an award for 50 hours of trail work on our trail
  • Suggest a contest for a design
  • Deadline for design Feb 13 meeting. Get mid-winter postcard out in Dec if possible
• Tamper- Moe has one she wants to donate

Next Year's Projects-

• 254 feet more puncheon to do at Leitch Bayou- FS will pay for 160 feet
• Sterling Marsh- Baldwin FS or Heckman Fund. New Baldwin person may complicate this project even further
• CCS for tools (Brush trimmer, 2 McLeods) and 100 feet of Leitch, and 2 boxes carsonite posts, chain saw chaps
• Ramona suggests interpretive signs like the one at Highbridge
• Ed C moves to apply for CCS for approx $1200 to complete Leitch Bayou and tools noted above. Passed

Rich plans to talk to Dave Jaunese about Sterling Marsh project.

Rich plans to contact Heckmans too

• Ed C.- we could put in benches even though the causeway is not done.
• Joan- talked about benches near open area for birdwatching

Trail Adopter's Manual-

• Joan passed around rough draft for comments
• Ramona will add paragraph from FS about NEPA

Miscellaneous-

• On blue trail adopter's stickers we want to put the Ranger District phone numbers
• Maureen Smith- Vince Smith bridge- Ed & Nan met them for dinner. They had never seen the bridge. They would like to spend a week next summer working on the trail here.
• Kriegers are still convinced there are chiggers in the area. MSU entomology dept - they tentatively agree
• Joan is probably to be Lower Michigan Trail Coordinator- Rich Harris needs to officially appoint.
• Area between 5331 and boardwalk may actually be on private land. Need private land signs.

Adjourned 9:00