Notes on meeting w/ Heather Gierloff from DEC (New Paltz) at Beekman
Park on Thursday, November 3rd:

Attendees:

William Carroll
Peter Clair
Roger Russell
John Ryan

Heather walked edge of wetlands with group and confirmed that edge of
regulated NYS wetlands is roughly where the slope from higher ground
meets the flat area below. She strongly discouraged any proposals for a
pond stating that is was one of the worst impacts to place on the
wetland functioning. She cited scenarios where the pond could "blow
out" in a storm and deposit sediment downstream after it had built up
in the bottom over time and also that she recently denied a pond permit
to a farmer.

She was shown the area that had been mown by town in an attempt to make
a soccer field and asked if that would be a possibility to continue the
mowing. She stated that it was dependent on what the reason was. She
stated that if she gave a permit for the mowing with its intended
outcome being a soccer field, that the next year she would be asked for
permission to fill and/or grade, then to apply pesticides, etc. That
was not a possibility.

She did say that DEC would be open to LOW IMPACT proposals; such as
exercise paths, nature trails, boardwalks, and picnic areas, that would
enhance and encourage the public's appreciation and enjoyment of the
wetland. She mentioned that the area that had been mowed did indeed
look a little bit high relative to the old lakebed and perhaps this
area could be a picnic area. The town would just have to state, and
show, how many picnic tables, barbecue pits, etc were proposed.

We then walked the wooded area immediately east of the existing parking
lot and she confirmed that this area was NOT wetlands.

I asked her if she could recommend a process to come up with a
definitive wetland boundary. She stated that she is booked solid until
mid December and that if the town knew anyone that could volunteer to
flag the boundary, she could verify it IF there is still no snow cover
at that time and if the town has a surveyor lined up to locate the
flags immediately thereafter. I can work with aerial photo to determine
wetland boundary for purposes of the study in the interim.

Thank You,
John Ryan