=Long Eddy, NY -- River Access -- Transaction Closed=

[TR]

Please feel free to distribute.


Tight lines and happy holidays to all,
TR


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Long Eddy access headed NYS DEC's way
Dec 18, 2015
By Dan Hust - staff writer


LONG EDDY — Despite deeply split opinions in the community, plans to expand the Delaware River access in Long Eddy via the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are moving ahead.


On Wednesday, Delaware Highlands Conservancy (DHC) Executive Director Sue Currier confirmed that negotiations with the Long Eddy Fire Department to acquire the expanded access site had ended.


“We heard from the fire department this morning that they weren't interested in proceeding,” she said.


Attempts by the Democrat to obtain comment from fire department representatives were unsuccessful.


The DHC acquired a riverfront parcel along Ferry Street earlier this month, originally with the intention of reselling it to the DEC as part of a Sullivan County Division of Planning-spurred enhancement of public accesses throughout the Delaware River corridor.


But earlier public meetings about the idea had generated intense controversy in Long Eddy and the Town of Fremont, with some neighbors of the existing Ferry Street access point decrying plans for a parking area, concerned it would invite more traffic and trouble.
Even the local dental equipment factory, whose parking lot sometimes ends up being used by fishermen with driftboat trailers, warned of a potential lawsuit should the plans proceed.


DHC, DEC, and county Planning officials convened several public meetings to gauge sentiment, realizing subsequently that a parking lot at the riverside parcel was a particular sticking point.


The Long Eddy Fire Department expressed interest in acquiring the parcel from the DHC - a move supported by many at the public meetings - but that came with a host of conditions from the Conservancy to ensure public access in perpetuity. (Though whether that influenced the FD's decision not to pursue a purchase could not be definitively confirmed at press time.)


The DEC already has funds set aside to buy the property for appraised value, which could be higher or lower than the approximately $62,000 the DHC bought it for.


While the two entities work out that deal, the DEC is also expected to create its own plan for the site, which Region 3 Natural Resources Supervisor Bill Rudge previously told the Democrat will include at least one handicapped-accessible parking spot.


An email from the county Planning Division indicates up to 10 parking spaces are under consideration, but Rudge promised that public input will be solicited and taken into consideration as plans progress.


In the meantime, the DHC press release says the plan will likely include a circular drive to facilitate loading and unloading of boats along with emergency vehicle access; a standpipe for the fire department's water needs; cleared access to the riverbank for fishing, picnicking and views; and landscaping designed to screen the access from neighboring properties.


“We are very grateful to the Open Space Institute and for all of the donors who contributed to make the Long Eddy River Access a vibrant, accessible, and economically beneficial space for the community,” said Currier in the press release. “As we transition into the next phase of this project, we look forward to continuing to engage with the community in development of the site.”


“With stirring, scenic views from either bank, this section of the Delaware River is an amazing natural resource that now will be more accessible to fishermen, kayakers, boaters and others,” said Christopher Mahoney, head of OSI's Land Grants Program. “This project exemplifies OSI's decades-long commitment to improving public access. OSI congratulates the Delaware Highlands Conservancy for their hard work and determination in protecting the property.”


“Congratulations to the Delaware Highlands Conservancy on conserving this property on the Delaware River that will help people access this outstanding resource,” said Martin Brand, DEC Regional Director. “We look forward to working with the Conservancy, the community of Long Eddy and a variety of stakeholders to increase public access to the river and enhance the public's enjoyment of the outdoors while helping the local economy, all which are a main focus of Governor Cuomo's NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative.” -


See more at: http://www.scdemocratonline.com/web...f-4ed4-b59e-48b346599df6#sthash.GJI3A5Uw.dpuf

 

[dcabarle]

Just shows how overcrowded the lower river is getting.

 

[TR]

Just shows how overcrowded the lower river is getting.

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Hi Dennis.

Any additional improvements to existing river accesses on the Upper Delaware River are usually embraced by the public.

In this case, Long Eddy gets used a lot in the spring (and again in September through early November) with both driftboats and other water craft leaving Buckingham and ending at Long Eddy or leaving Long Eddy and ending in Callicoon since there is no longer a public access midway in Hankins.

As far as crowds, in the event that the release / flow is low (which it has been for the past two years) and/or there is little spring rain (ditto), many times I've seen in excess of 10 to 15 trailers at Tower Road in May since many cannot float either the WB or EB.

If there are that many trailers floating LE to Callicoon, you can bet that there are that many floating Buck to LE or She to Buck since it is closer to Hancock.

Good article in The Democrat.

It covers the points well.

Also -

The Long Eddy fundraiser / campaign:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/improve-the-long-eddy-river-access#/

The video:

https://vimeo.com/109293289

Tight lines and happy holidays to you and yours,
TR

 

[Future Fanatic]

Long Eddy does not want a parking lot at river access
To the editor:
It was with disgust that I read the Delaware Highlands Conservancy's press release of December 16th.
Over and over again, the overwhelming majority of the residents of Long Eddy have told the Delaware Highlands Conservancy (DHC) that they DO NOT WANT A PARKING LOT on the banks of the Delaware River!
We even found another parcel of land in Long Eddy right on Route 97 in the commercial zone which would be better for the local businesses and environmentally sound. Yet at meeting after meeting, the conversation was attempted to be steered towards the DHC's objective of building a parking lot on what they themselves refer to as “with stirring, scenic views from either bank” - now those views will include a parking lot!
Funded by a so-called environmental group whose self-stated goal is “conserving our natural heritage and quality of life in partnership with landowners and the communities...”(donors beware, the DHC uses your money to build parking lots).
Over 90 percent of the landowners of Long Eddy DO NOT WANT IT!
As far as heritage is concerned, World War II hero Admiral Halsey's descendents have been duped out of their rights to the property so that the DHC can see its coveted parking lot built on the banks of the Delaware River.
I do not speak for the Long Eddy Hose Company, but, the so-called proposed agreement from the DHC to convey the property to the Long Eddy Hose Company - something the overwhelming majority of the Long Eddy residents were looking forward to instead of a DEC parking lot - is not an agreement that the Long Eddy Hose Company, or anybody in their right mind, could have even considered signing.
For one thing, there was a clause in the agreement which stated that if the Long Eddy Hose Company didn't do exactly what the DHC wanted and how the DHC wanted it done, then the property would revert back to the DHC without the Long Eddy Hose Company receiving its funds back. DESPICABLE!
Is democracy in America dead? When over 90 percent of a local community's desires for their town are simply ignored by a wealthy, self-serving political elite, one has to wonder.

Kyle FitzMaurice
Long Eddy
- See more at: http://www.scdemocratonline.com/webpages/letters.aspx?id=664ddfe0-0feb-416e-9a50-3800e0c556b0#.dpuf

This guy says 90 percent of the residents don't want it...

90 % !?!?!?

Maybe these folks should just zone it away...
Home Rule!!!

 

[lightenup]

I have often found myself thinking about fishing the Delaware when my life slows down and I have days strung together where I can take time to experience the river....then I read all the arguing and over crowdedness and anger that people have over a really cool place. It seems as most of the people that reside there need, in some form, the traffic the river creates to keep the economy, or lack there of, viable. I am so confused........anyway, I'll keep reading and try to figure out what is going on, is it NIMBY attitude, or angst against tourists and fishermen, is it people who only want locals there? Is it a few who want to keep the area the same, or a few who want to change it....or is it just regular government BS that is pissing people off.....or is it just Beetles fault?

 

[moosekid]

It's Beetle's fault.

@ LU i'm dangerously close to buying a drift boat so there's a good chance we'll be floating this summer. Also, I might fish Jersey tomorrow i'll text you.

My piece is this -- I used to try to crack jokes on TR -- cos' Serio seemed like the more legit guy in the fight. But a few weeks ago I saw (on someone's facebook) that TR ACTUALLY DID attend that meeting that Serio has been pestering him about for like 5 months.

So he's alright in my book. Not that my opinion matters, i'll go back to being high and drunk.

:smiley-sniffer:

 

[WBDluver]

But earlier public meetings about the idea had generated intense controversy in Long Eddy and the Town of Fremont, with some neighbors of the existing Ferry Street access point decrying plans for a parking area, concerned it would invite more traffic and trouble.

The residents of Long Eddy think traffic is 10 cars and a bicycle. lol And we all know how much trouble those flyfishermen make tanked up on white wine (Grobert) and argueing over which is better 6/0 or 8/0 thread. Fist fights between the Orvis gang and Sage gang, drive bys with innocent people getting hit with empty spools of tippet. Stop the madness:no:

 

[lightenup]

But earlier public meetings about the idea had generated intense controversy in Long Eddy and the Town of Fremont, with some neighbors of the existing Ferry Street access point decrying plans for a parking area, concerned it would invite more traffic and trouble.

The residents of Long Eddy think traffic is 10 cars and a bicycle. lol And we all know how much trouble those flyfishermen make tanked up on white wine (Grobert) and argueing over which is better 6/0 or 8/0 thread. Fist fights between the Orvis gang and Sage gang, drive bys with innocent people getting hit with empty spools of tippet. Stop the madness:no:

Not to mention small coffee cups strewn all over the banks of the river......
I think I am beginning to understand, some people have their panties in a bunch because they have to put up with minimal traffic that keeps their towns alive......no?

]
Moose, I'm in if you do.....if you are drunk, I will row, high? you can row....

 

[TR]

Not to mention small coffee cups strewn all over the banks of the river......
I think I am beginning to understand, some people have their panties in a bunch because they have to put up with minimal traffic that keeps their towns alive......no?

]
Moose, I'm in if you do.....if you are drunk, I will row, high? you can row....

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Seems that the writer of the LTE, Mr. Fitzmaurice, owns a second home (what...a SECOND HOME!) near Ferry Street in Long Eddy and doesn't want any more out of state riff-raff as well as fisticuffs over aquatic etymology.

Article from 8/5/15 from The River Reporter is below. The story has been well covered in the local papers from its inception.

Anyway, folks, it's a done deal.

Happy holidays along with good health for the New Year.

Tight lines,
TR

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http://www.riverreporter.com/news/4302/2015/08/05/petition-opposes-long-eddy-expansion-neighbors-organize-opposition

http://www.riverreporter.com/news/4...-eddy-expansion-neighbors-organize-opposition



August 5, 2015

LONG EDDY, NY — Sullivan County legislators in November 2014 voted unanimously to pledge $5,000 to help the Delaware Highlands Conservancy purchase a river-front property in Long Eddy next to the existing fishing access there. Now a group of neighbors say they are seeking legal representation in an effort to halt the proposed project.


Kyle Fitzmaurice owns a weekend home a couple of lots down from the access, and invited The River Reporter to his home. He said he and others have collected about 200 signatures on a petition in opposition to the proposed project of an expanded fishing access on the Upper Delaware River.


The initial “concept plan” calls for a parking area that would accommodate cars with trailers or trucks. Fitzmaurice said, “The concept plan has, with the exception of maybe one or two people, horrified everybody in town. I printed it out and people are upset. It’s a total misrepresentation of the neighborhood. It shows a path for fishermen, and nobody is going to let people walk across their property to fish.”


Fitzmaurice’s neighbor, Peter Reich, who also owns a river-front home, also focused on the concept plan, and noted the fact that it did not show the road that goes to their homes. The plan would also require that Reich would have to drive through the “parking lot” of trailers to get to his home. He said, “How can they make a two-way road a one-way road without even consulting any of us… it’s already understood that anyone can walk along the riverfront, but to put a publicly labeled fisherman’s path through private land, without even consulting the owners… why would I even consider this to be a reasonable proposition?”


Heather Jacksy, an associate planner with the Sullivan County Division of Planning & Environmental Management, which spearheaded a study of six access points on the Upper Delaware River, said the plan of the site has not been set yet, and there will be various opportunities for public input before any work on the proposed expanded fishing access begins.


She said there was a meeting about the project this past spring. Fitzmaurice said only project “supporters” were invited. There have been multiple public meetings on the possibility of improvements to the six river access points in Sullivan County. Jacksy also said there are “title issues” with the property in question, so the transfer of the property is taking longer than expected.

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