Spirit of the Woods -November 14, 2000 minutes

Minutes of November 14, 2000 Meeting

Meeting started at 8:00 at the Manistee Ranger Station. Members Present were: Joan Young, Ramona Venegas, Stub & Pat Willick, Gordon & Betty Wilkes, Ed Morse and Ed Chappel. Also present was our Trail time speaker.

Joan asked everyone to introduce themselves, she started the process and introductions were made around the table.

Joan then briefly introduced Dave Neitzke, retired DNR Conservation Officer. Dave expanded on the comments Joan had made, telling about places he had worked and about some of his experiences. Dave then spoke about safety in the woods during deer season. Dave felt that basically there are 3 days of the season to be concerned about: these are the opening day and the first weekend. Two other points were made. First, remember the clothing you wear - orange is cheap insurance. He showed us a knit hat and gloves (all in bright orange) he carried, saying all were very cheap to buy in many places. He added that the important thing is to use common sense when walking in the woods.

Joan called the meeting to order at 8:15. Minutes of the last meeting were read by Ed M. Ed C. moved to accept the minutes as read.

Joan then reported that we now have 63 members. We were reminded that our goal is to get up to 100 members. She then asked for the treasurers report.

Mary was unsure of the numbers. Ed Chappel (previous Treasurer) stated that the Chapter balance is $1155.85. He has had discussion with the office in Grand Rapids and has accepted that this is the correct balance.

Joan reminded us that upcoming activities include the 12/09/00 Trail Food exchange at Joan's house (bring appropriate equipment if there is enough snow), the next business meeting is 12/12/00 @ 7 PM and the Exec Committee is at the Big Boy @ 6 PM.

Trail Work: Ed Chappel reported on trail maintenance activities. Nearly all our section of the NCT has been blazed. There is about 5 miles to be blazed yet. Ed has broken the trail into shorter segments for assigned areas. He passed out a list of present areas of Trail Maintenance Responsibilities with proposed changes. Ed asked that people either turn in to him their volunteer trail work hours or send him a copy of what they sent to the main office.

Ed and Gordon Wilkes had measured the distances through the Sterling Marsh and recorded distances and problems to be resolved. He also passed out copies of this log.

Ed also said we need more signs for the Carsonite Posts, especially the "No Horses" stickers. Joan asked Ramona if the Forest Service could supply them. Ramona will get some. Joan reported that Gary Cole had said that "Any gray diamonds can be removed." (in the Manistee District) Ed Chappel added that when blazing the trail, when in doubt put a blaze in, that he would rather see too many blazes than not enough.

Joan asked for a report from the Forest Service. Ramona has had contact with a landowner adjacent to the trail. He is not a member, but has worked on trail maintenance. He has set up a hiker camp on his land near the trail.

Ramona reported that the road to Marilla must be done soon or the contractor will be fined $1000 per day. She also asked that if vacant trailers are seen that she should be contacted.

Ramona reported on a push by the Forest Service all over the country. To see who the users are. She has put in (designated?) 64 "user ares" in the Manistee District of the forest. Statistical surveys are being conducted at various areas where 2-tracks come out of the forest. Drivers are invited by Forest Service employees to take part in the surveys. FS personnel then ask the questions and fill out the forms with the driver's answers. These National Recreation Use Surveys next summer will be done by contract. Anyone interested could contact Pat Thompson of the Forest Service. Ramona reported that the sign for the Boardwalk could be made by Genisys Graphics. She passed around paper samples. Ed Chappel made the motion to ask Ramona to procede withm ordering the signs. Seconded by Gordon Wilkes. After some discussion about billing the motion was passed by voice vote.

Joan reported that the map set for the south part of the Manistee Forest will be a few months yet. Any corrections should be sent to Tiffany, the Cartographer, at the Grand Rapids office.

Joan also reported that the new piece of trail recently built and blazed could not be certified because it is open to bikes. She suggested that we might want to write a letter to the Forest Service asking that bikes be routed around the road instead. Gordon asked what is meant by certified. Joan answered that according to the National Park Service, National Scenic Trail Standards the trail must be properly signed and blazed, have no vehicle access and have a person or group assigned to maintain the trail.

Ed M. made a motion that a letter be written to the Forest Service asking that the new portion of trail be signed as "NO Bikes". Seconded by Mary. Passed by vote. Joan will write the letter to Gary Cole.

Planning is in process for the Sterling Marsh project. Ed Chappel has the measurements made of the marsh. He has plans to meet with Les Russell, Baldwin District Ranger. Joan has talked with Bill Menke regarding the Grant request. His advice was to make the request vague and get it sent in. Gordon asked how much can we ask for in the Grant Request? Joan said she had talked about this in the discussion with Bill Menke and that $1000 was not considered much. There was discussion on timing and what can be done.

New Business: Joan brought up the Heckman Memorial Fund. This is for an avid hiker who had lived in Baldwin and died last year. The family has expressed the desire for a plaque of some kind to be set on the trail near Baldwin. There is about $2000 available in the fund now. Since the request from the family was for something near Baldwin, it is the problem (opportunity ?) of our Chapter to get it done. Joan has written a letter to the family. Ramona asked if NCTA has any guidelines for this. Joan replied that it would be the Forest Service policies.

Ramona informed us that the pamphlets for the interpretive trail near Blacksmith Bayou would be ordered soon.

Minutes submitted by Ed Morse, Secretary