As reported in the last BRASS newsletter, Split Rock Mountain was hit hard by the January ice storm. Hiking/cross country ski trails, that had been cleared and improved by local and international volunteers last year, were made impassable. Since part of the Mountain is in the Boquet watershed, and because BRASS has been promoting non-motorized recreational tourism in the area, BRASS requested funds to clear the trails of ice storm damage.
In mid-June, BRASS learned it had received a "Public Access" grant from the Lake Champlain Basin Program for an amount of $3,000.
By the end of July, BRASS was in possession of a "Temporary Revocable Permit" from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation allowing BRASS, or its contracted party, to clear the trails. An eight-foot (four feet on either side of the center) clearance of the trails was specified, including removal of any overhanging damaged limbs or trees considered to be potentially hazardous to trail users. The permit allows two all terrain vehicles (insured and licensed) to transport via existing trails fuel and equipment for sawing.
BRASS has recently contract with Rick's Tree Service (Rick Benedict from Willsboro) for clearing the ice storm damage. Rick hopes to begin work in October.