Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Man falls 1500ft down King Ravine and survives!



When I arrived at Gray Knob Sunday afternoon my friend Juliane, the caretaker for the RMC hut (or cabin as she calls it), had a note on the board to the effect of, "hiked up Spur trail to look for someone." I was surprised she hadn't been back by sunset, and after stepping out for a few minutes, I walked in on her quickly gathering up supplies for a possible rescue. Rope, crampons, ice axe, food, water, clothing.

Having arrived at Gray Knob around 5:30 and done nothing but snack and get water from the spring in nearly 2 hours, participating in the rescue sounded like potential fun, in lieu of doing nothing for the rest of the night, and at the very least an excuse to do some more hiking. Of course I had a relatively raw "trail dog in training" with me, so I was hesitant to volunteer or ask if I could come along, but Juliane mentioned that if I was interested to head over to Crag Camp.

I quickly repacked my pack to head over to Crag. I actually wasn't really intending to summit anything harder than Adams 4 since this was really just a training hike for Colvin and a chance to socialize him at the shelters, so I left my ice axe at home with the idea that if it got to the point I needed the axe then I wasn't going to continue with an untested young dog; otherwise I was fully prepared to go above treeline and assist. Colvin was the wild card, he'd never been above 3000ft, never been above treeline, never hiked entirely at night on unmarked terrain, and never been in 40+ mph winds in below freezing temperatures with limited visibility.

I hiked the 4/10 mile to Crag, but I still wasn't completely sure what happened, who was in need of rescue, or where the person was. The reports were he fell about 200 yards from Thunder Storm Junction, which seemed odd because it isn't all that steep in that immediate area. I believe from piecing things together that he began his fall from a point 200 yards below Thunder Storm junction on the Gulfside Trail, most likely on the edge of the ravine.

In any case, at the time they (Al, Juliane and the RMC) were under the impression he had fallen to above or just below the headwall of the King Ravine, having been up Spur towards that area a few times over the years, I felt like it would be fine to join Juliane and Al (an RMC official). Al was out hiking for the day when the rescue call came in, and he decided to put a headwall rim rescue together before the weather deteriorated. Since we were already at 4400 feet we had a sizable time advantage on AVSAR and Fish and Game teams who were ascending from Appalachia 3000ft below, over possibly unbroken trails.

Of course, Al wasn't prepared for an above treeline rescue either, but thanks to the benevolence of the people staying at Crag Camp he was able to assemble everything needed without any effort at all. If the world was filled with hikers, climbers and mountaineers, it would be a very Utopian society.

By the time we all were at Crag Camp, which is on the edge of the King Ravine at about 4400ft, the weather was beginning to deteriorate as forecast. The goal was to hike up and see if we could reach the stranded hiker from above. With Colvin along, and me lacking an ice axe for descent into or around the edge of the ravine, I figured I'd hike up as far as it seemed safe and turn around as conditions dictated.

Ultimately we made really good time to about 5000ft where Colvin got a bit scared, and the conditions just weren't favorable for a 7 month old dog with no alpine experience. I flashed my headlamp to let them know, and they stopped for a second to clear things. I descended down with Colvin over the wind blown crust, but we quickly lost our tracks due to the winds. I could actually see the headlamps at Crag from my location, so I pulled out the compass, took a bearing and subtracted 10*. The reason I subtracted was I did not want to walk into the ravine, and Crag lies on the edge of the King Ravine, meaning if I headed directly for it I'd be in deep shit. Somehow we actually intersected the Spur Trail at treeline where the wind hadn't blown our tracks away, I really wasn't looking forward to bushwhacking through the spruce without snowshoes had we not hit the trail.

Once back at Crag I could see the headlamps of the New Hampshire Fish and Game SAR team approaching from below. They were at this point about 1/3-1/2 way up the Great Gully of King Ravine, which at many times is an NEI 1-2 technical ice/snow climb. I'm not sure what the late seasons deep snow conditions made it at this time, but it's still more than an easy walk up, and I was certainly impressed at how quickly they were ascending.

Juliane and Al hadn't gone up much further, and got down to Crag about 10 minutes after Colvin and I did. The conditions were rough for them above 5000ft, with the combination of strong winds and spindrift causing limited visibility.

The hiker, Douglas Soholt from Colorado, was underprepared, without an ice axe or real crampons. From what I understand he did have the very popular Kahtoola Microspikes that some feel are crampon replacements. Unfortunately these don't provide the aggressive traction needed on steep terrain with ice or windblown crust. In reality they are slightly more or less effective than a dogs claws on such terrain. Had he had an ice axe he might have been able to self arrest following the fall, but arresting is a hit or miss proposition dependent on snow conditions and steepness (not to mention practice), real crampons might have prevented the fall altogether, but that isn't a guarantee either.

Although he was fortunate to be relatively uninjured even though he fell several hundred feet (reports state almost 1500ft), which is truly amazing, he was unable to extract himself because he could neither climb up nor down without assistance. With the help of Fish and Game SAR he was able to walk out with only a minor head injury (and probably a big bill from the state of New Hampshire).

“It is still very much winter above treeline. Although many trails above treeline are not viewed as technical terrain, they are very icy. And, as this incident shows, unexpected accidents can have dire consequences," Gralenski said. "Micro crampons have their place in hiking, but it is not on the Gulfside Trail or any other alpine trails near technical terrain. Traditional crampons and an ice axe, not ski poles, should be standard equipment in this area. If Soholt had these two pieces of gear, he most likely would have been able to prevent his fall or self-arrest immediately after the fall. Not having them could have easily been a fatal mistake.”

...
The underlying warning this incident carries for other hikers is the importance of being prepared for the unexpected in the outdoors. “They were not planning on hiking in technical terrain and packed accordingly.”
- Lt. Douglas Gralenski, NH Fish and Game

As someone who has taken a decent fall from the top of a relatively easy climb, I can't emphasize enough how being prepared for the worst reasonable case is important, while also not taking the ease of the endeavor too lightly. Monday morning, Juliane and I were talking about how these little mountains are genuinely hard even in good conditions despite diminutive elevations, and in winter this is exponentially so for the underprepared. I'm glad the hiker was ok, surviving a fall of 1500ft over the lip of the headwall is just pure luck, he'll have a hell of a tale to tell when he gets back to the land of 14ers!

I've already noticed the forums and news sources buzzing with armchair mountaineers and safety Nazis. Bottom line, he made a mistake in gear selection, he fell on not too steep terrain, then continued falling a long way most likely with the help of slick Gore-tex and got really lucky, he became stranded, and finally he allowed the professionals to come in and extract him safely. No need to shut the mountains down, no need to tell him he's stupid, or complain how SAR volunteers and/or paid professional rescuers are put in harms way by others carelessness. The best thing to do from these mistakes is learn. Microspikes are not crampons, and while an ice axe probably isn't needed most of the time, it's a damn good idea to carry one if you plan to venture above treeline above areas with extended run outs or drop offs.

Ironically it appears Mr. Soholt is a registered guide in the state of Maine, a certified wilderness first responder (WFR), and leads or has lead winter hiking and backpacking trips. Those don't sound like the credentials of someone who doesn't take these outings seriously.

All in all Sunday was a productive day, and thankfully so. Monday morning turned out to be precisely as forecast 30+mph winds, with a mix of rain and sleet. Pure nastiness at it's best. When I woke up to this, after a night of constant winds, I knew there was no chance of hiking up to Adams 4, we were not doing anything but packing our gear and glissading down as quickly as possible.



For Colvin it was his hardest hike yet. Sunday he hiked about 6 miles, which wasn't a best for him (he has done 8), but he also ascended just under 4000ft with a total gain loss of almost 5000ft. In total he hiked 9 miles, and gained and lost 8000 vertical feet over 2 days. It was also his first time above treeline, first time hiking at night, and highest point he has reached. Not to mention his first overnight trip, and he was very well behaved. He ended up sleeping next to me on his own mattress after I traded him my Primaloft jacket for the down sleeping bag he decided was specially designed for Border Collies. In the morning he didn't want me to put the mattresses away. Like Caney, I believe he realizes how special the RMC shelters are for dogs, and how much fun New Hampshire is for an trail ready Border Collie.

You might be a Border Collie if...

Interestingly enough, the first time I met a Border Collie on the trail was in fact in NH at Garfield Ridge shelter in 1998. I was sleeping outside the shelter to get away from the symphony -or rather cacophony- of snoring, and when I got up to pee, the Border Collie decided my bag was abandoned. Upon my return he, along with his beanie baby, were sound asleep inside my bag. As it turned out his human companion was using the fleece dog bag since it was so warm, and now the BC was bag less. I threw him out of my bag but made a note that those were cool dogs! 12 years later they are still the coolest dogs on the trail, and seemingly designed for New Hampshire's rugged terrain!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

It's Just Like A Facebook Update, Only It Matters!

In reference to my last post on the environmental protection fund, here is how you contact your assemblyman in New York via email today and beyond. Below this I've attached a full list of assembly members with district and email addresses. If you don't know who your assemblyman is just click this -->link and enter your zip code to find out.

It's sort of like a Facebook status update (you know the 60 or so you post a day) or voting on American Idol, only it can actually make a difference.

It's really pretty simple:

1) Figure out your district, then scroll down to it, and click the email link of the member of that district.

2) Type a few words, to the effect of "Dear Assemblyman XXXXX, I would like to remind you that the New York State EPF is important to all New Yorker's and that we would like it's funding maintained etc etc etc... It doesn't have to be eloquent, spelled perfectly, or a masterpiece of American prose, just type words that sound something like what I wrote above without the "etc" or heck, leave 'em in if you want.

3) Hit the send button and feel good that you are probably less apathetic than the guy/gal next to you.

4) Congrats, you are a real live stars and stripes waving American whom did exactly what our founding fathers had in mind over 225 years ago when they created this representative democracy. Even Sarah Palin would "probably" consider you a real American! Pop open a well deserved cold one for all your hard work, sit back with a flag draped over your shoulders, and hum the Star Spangled banner!

Oh, and of course post a status update to Facebook and Twitter while you are at it!


Assembly Member E-mail Addresses

*Assembly Member
*E-mail address
*District

Abbate, Jr., Peter J.
AbbateP@assembly.state.ny.us
49th
Alessi, Marc S.
AlessiM@assembly.state.ny.us
1st
Alfano, Tom
AlfanoT@assembly.state.ny.us
21st
Amedore, George
AmedoreG@assembly.state.ny.us
105th
Arroyo, Carmen E.
ArroyoC@assembly.state.ny.us
84th
Assembly District Thirty Nine
39th
Aubry, Jeffrion L.
AubryJ@assembly.state.ny.us
35th
Bacalles, Jim
BacallesJ@assembly.state.ny.us
136th
Ball, Greg
BallG@assembly.state.ny.us
99th
Barclay, William A.
BarclaW@assembly.state.ny.us
124th
Barra, Bob
BarraR@assembly.state.ny.us
14th
Barron, Inez D.
BarronI@assembly.state.ny.us
40th
Benedetto, Michael
BenedeM@assembly.state.ny.us
82nd
Benjamin, Michael
BenjamM@assembly.state.ny.us
79th
Bing, Jonathan L.
BingJ@assembly.state.ny.us
73rd
Boyland, Jr., William F.
BoylandW@assembly.state.ny.us
55th
Boyle, Philip
BoyleP@assembly.state.ny.us
8th
Brennan, James F.
BrennaJ@assembly.state.ny.us
44th
Brodsky, Richard L.
BrodskR@assembly.state.ny.us
92nd
Brook-Krasny, Alec
BrookKrasnyA@assembly.state.ny.us
46th
Burling, Daniel J.
147th
Butler, Marc W.
ButlerM@assembly.state.ny.us
117th
Cahill, Kevin A.
CahillK@assembly.state.ny.us
101st
Calhoun, Nancy
CalhouN@assembly.state.ny.us
96th
Camara, Karim
CamaraK@assembly.state.ny.us
43rd
Canestrari, Ron
CanestR@assembly.state.ny.us
106th
Carrozza, Ann-Margaret
CarrozzaA@assembly.state.ny.us
26th
Castelli, Robert J.
CastelliR@assembly.state.ny.us
89th
Castro, Nelson L.
Castronl@assembly.state.ny.us
86th
Christensen, Joan K.
ChristensenJ@assembly.state.ny.us
119th
Clark, Barbara M.
ClarkB@assembly.state.ny.us
33rd
Colton, William
ColtonW@assembly.state.ny.us
47th
Conte, James D.
ConteJ@assembly.state.ny.us
10th
Cook, Vivian E.
CookV@assembly.state.ny.us
32nd
Corwin, Jane L.
CorwinJ@assembly.state.ny.us
142nd
Crespo, Marcos A.
CrespoM@assembly.state.ny.us
85th
Crouch, Clifford W.
CrouchC@assembly.state.ny.us
107th
Cusick, Michael
CusickM@assembly.state.ny.us
63rd
Cymbrowitz, Steven
CymbroS@assembly.state.ny.us
45th
DelMonte, Francine
DelMonF@assembly.state.ny.us
138th
DenDekker, Michael G.
DenDekkerM@assembly.state.ny.us
34th
Destito, RoAnn M.
DestitR@assembly.state.ny.us
116th
Dinowitz, Jeffrey
DinowiJ@assembly.state.ny.us
81st
Duprey, Janet L.
DupreyJ@assembly.state.ny.us
114th
Englebright, Steve
EngleS@assembly.state.ny.us
4th
Errigo, Joseph A.
ErrigoJ@assembly.state.ny.us
130th
Espaillat, Adriano
EspailA@assembly.state.ny.us
72nd
Farrell, Jr., Herman D.
FarrelH@assembly.state.ny.us
71st
Fields, Ginny
FieldsG@assembly.state.ny.us
5th
Finch, Gary D.
FinchG@assembly.state.ny.us
123rd
Fitzpatrick, Michael J.
FitzpatrickM@assembly.state.ny.us
7th
Gabryszak, Dennis H.
GabryszakD@assembly.state.ny.us
143rd
Galef, Sandy
GalefS@assembly.state.ny.us
90th
Gantt, David F.
GanttD@assembly.state.ny.us
133rd
Gianaris, Michael N.
GianarM@assembly.state.ny.us
36th
Gibson, Vanessa L.
GibsonV@assembly.state.ny.us
77th
Giglio, Joe
GiglioJ@assembly.state.ny.us
149th
Glick, Deborah J.
GlickD@assembly.state.ny.us
66th
Gordon, Tim
GordonT@assembly.state.ny.us
108th
Gottfried, Richard N.
GottfriedR@assembly.state.ny.us
75th
Gunther, Aileen M.
GuntheA@assembly.state.ny.us
98th
Hawley, Stephen
HawleyS@assembly.state.ny.us
139th
Hayes, Jim
HayesJ@assembly.state.ny.us
148th
Heastie, Carl E.
HeastieC@assembly.state.ny.us
83rd
Hevesi, Andrew
HevesiA@assembly.state.ny.us
28th
Hikind, Dov
HikindD@assembly.state.ny.us
48th
Hooper, Earlene
18th
Hoyt, Sam
HoytS@assembly.state.ny.us
144th
Hyer-Spencer, Janele
HyerSpencerD@assembly.state.ny.us
60th
Jacobs, Rhoda
JacobsR@assembly.state.ny.us
42nd
Jaffee, Ellen
JaffeeE@assembly.state.ny.us
95th
Jeffries, Hakeem
JeffriesH@assembly.state.ny.us
57th
John, Susan V.
JohnS@assembly.state.ny.us
131st
Jordan, Tony
JordanJ@assembly.state.ny.us
112th
Kavanagh, Brian
KavanaghB@assembly.state.ny.us
74th
Kellner, Micah
KellnerM@assembly.state.ny.us
65th
Kolb, Brian M.
KolbB@assembly.state.ny.us
129th
Koon, David
KoonD@assembly.state.ny.us
135th
Lancman, Rory I.
LancmanR@assembly.state.ny.us
25th
Latimer, George S.
LatimeG@assembly.state.ny.us
91st
Lavine, Charles D.
LavineC@assembly.state.ny.us
13th
Lentol, Joseph R.
LentolJ@assembly.state.ny.us
50th
Lifton, Barbara
LiftonB@assembly.state.ny.us
125th
Lopez, Peter D.
LopezP@assembly.state.ny.us
127th
Lopez, Vito J.
LopezV@assembly.state.ny.us
53rd
Lupardo, Donna A.
LupardoD@assembly.state.ny.us
126th
Magee, William
MageeW@assembly.state.ny.us
111th
Magnarelli, William B.
MagnarW@assembly.state.ny.us
120th
Maisel, Alan
MaiselA@assembly.state.ny.us
59th
Markey, Margaret M.
MarkeyM@assembly.state.ny.us
30th
Mayersohn, Nettie
MayersN@assembly.state.ny.us
27th
McDonough, David G.
McDonoD@assembly.state.ny.us
19th
McEneny, John J.
McEnenJ@assembly.state.ny.us
104th
McKevitt, Tom
MckeviT@assembly.state.ny.us
17th
Meng, Grace
MengG@assembly.state.ny.us
22nd
Miller, Joel M.
MillerJ@assembly.state.ny.us
102nd
Miller, Michael
MillerMG@assembly.state.ny.us
38th
Millman, Joan L.
MillmaJ@assembly.state.ny.us
52nd
Molinaro, Marcus
MolinaroM@assembly.state.ny.us
103rd
Montesano, Michael
MontesanoM@assembly.state.ny.us
15th
Morelle, Joseph D.
morellej@assembly.state.ny.us
132nd
Murray, Dean
MurrayD@assembly.state.ny.us
3rd
Nolan, Catherine
NolanC@assembly.state.ny.us
37th
O'Donnell, Daniel J.
OdonnellD@assembly.state.ny.us
69th
O'Mara, Thomas F.
OmaraT@assembly.state.ny.us
137th
Oaks, Bob
OaksR@assembly.state.ny.us
128th
Ortiz, Félix
OrtizF@assembly.state.ny.us
51st
Parment, William L.
ParmenW@assembly.state.ny.us
150th
Paulin, Amy
PaulinA@assembly.state.ny.us
88th
Peoples-Stokes, Crystal D.
PeopleC@assembly.state.ny.us
141st
Perry, N. Nick
PerryN@assembly.state.ny.us
58th
Pheffer, Audrey I.
PheffeA@assembly.state.ny.us
23rd
Powell, IV, Adam Clayton
PowellA@assembly.state.ny.us
68th
Pretlow, J. Gary
PretloJ@assembly.state.ny.us
87th
Quinn, Jack
QuinnJ@assembly.state.ny.us
146th
Rabbitt, Annie
RabbitA@assembly.state.ny.us
97th
Raia, Andrew P.
RaiaA@assembly.state.ny.us
9th
Ramos, Phil
RamosP@assembly.state.ny.us
6th
Reilich, Bill
ReilicW@assembly.state.ny.us
134th
Reilly, Bob
ReillyR@assembly.state.ny.us
109th
Rivera, José
RiveraJ@assembly.state.ny.us
78th
Rivera, Naomi
RiveraN@assembly.state.ny.us
80th
Rivera, Peter M.
RiveraP@assembly.state.ny.us
76th
Robinson, Annette
RobinsonA@assembly.state.ny.us
56th
Rosenthal, Linda B.
RosentL@assembly.state.ny.us
67th
Russell, Addie J.
RussellA@assembly.state.ny.us
118th
Saladino, Joseph S.
SaladiJ@assembly.state.ny.us
12th
Sayward, Teresa R.
SaywarT@assembly.state.ny.us
113th
Scarborough, William
ScarboW@assembly.state.ny.us
29th
Schimel, Michelle
SchimelM@assembly.state.ny.us
16th
Schimminger, Robin
SchimmR@assembly.state.ny.us
140th
Schroeder, Mark J. F.
SchroeM@assembly.state.ny.us
145th
Scozzafava, Dede
ScozzaD@assembly.state.ny.us
122nd
Silver, Sheldon
Speaker@assembly.state.ny.us
64th
Skartados, Frank K.
SkartadosF@assembly.state.ny.us
100th
Spano, Mike
SpanoM@assembly.state.ny.us
93rd
Stirpe, Al
StirpeA@assembly.state.ny.us
121st
Sweeney, Robert K.
Sweeney@assembly.state.ny.us
11th
Tedisco, James
TediscJ@assembly.state.ny.us
110th
Thiele, Jr., Fred W.
ThieleF@assembly.state.ny.us
2nd
Titone, Matthew
TitoneM@assembly.state.ny.us
61st
Titus, Michele R.
TitusM@assembly.state.ny.us
31st
Tobacco, Lou
TobaccoL@assembly.state.ny.us
62nd
Towns, Darryl C.
TownsD@assembly.state.ny.us
54th
Townsend, David R.
TownseD@assembly.state.ny.us
115th
Weinstein, Helene E.
41st
Weisenberg, Harvey
WeisenH@assembly.state.ny.us
20th
Weprin, David I.
24th
Wright, Keith L.T.
WrightK@assembly.state.ny.us
70th
Zebrowski, Kenneth
ZebrowskiK@assembly.state.ny.us
94th

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Official NY State Fauna Resign In Protest To EPF Cuts



As Governor David Paterson continues to gut New York State environmental funding, the official state animals have handed in letters of resignation in protest to the reduction of the states environmental protection fund (EPF).

This is a move of obvious futility as these animals were out of jobs, homes, and food sources regardless, but the symbolism of the move should not be taken lightly.

The following are some Tweets from our faithful state fauna:




















On a more serious note, why should you care if the EPF is slashed to horrendously low levels on top of the DEC cuts? Like the DEC the EPF isn't just about wild lands, and just like my previous post about the DEC and it's role, the EPF winds up benefiting every family in New York whether they care or not. Some things are kinda like the light switch, you don't really care how it works or why it works, and you take for granted it does work right up till it doesn't work. That is the EPF!

The EPF is designed to protect wild land by buying it before it's developed. It also protects farmland and cleans up waste sites. You know that battery factory in your town that is seeping waste into your water supply? The EPF takes care of that problem so your children are born with somewhere around 10 fingers and 10 toes.

Now as far as farmland, I realize most urban New Yorker's really never thought about where their food comes from unless they are label readers, but most of your food actually comes from the state you live in. New York is a top 10 agricultural state in many areas, and in quite a few it's a top 5.

Imagine if all your food was trucked in from California or Florida how much it would cost? Luckily it doesn't have to be because you live in a state with fertile farmland. Even your "local" Walmart started to realize it could save more money buying local than it could buying solely in bulk when gas prices hit $4-5 a gallon. There is no guarantee that gas won't again hit that, and remember how much your food went up over that stretch!

So part of the EPF is protecting your food sources and cost, I bet you didn't realize that.

Interestingly, if the EPF suffers long term cuts it is speculated that this could put New York's not so long term ability to be an agricultural leader in jeopardy. So what you might ask? Well, I did note that New York was a top 10 agri state in almost every area of food production, imagine we knock our food production down across the board not only in New York but in all states, and allow our farmland to be turned into malls, housing developments, car dealerships, more unfilled retail space, etc. That all sounds good, but where do you think our food will come from?

Putting it another way, what is the United States biggest asset? Our ability to not only feed ourselves, but at times other parts of the world with excess for capacity. What would happen if the United States was no longer the most powerful agricultural nation in the world? What would happen if we could no longer feed our own nation?

Let me analogize this, one day, within 20 years in fact, it might be possible that we are as enslaved for our food as we are for our oil based energy grid and transportation systems. How do you feel about that?

Chenango County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board Chairman Don Franklin said if things don’t improve for the ag industry soon, the entire country could lack enough food in about 20 years.

“If we don’t keep ag viable ... if we don’t, I’m afraid to say that in 20 years down the road we are going to be facing a problem that we’ve never faced before. It’s going to be hunger,” he said.

Franklin is a former farmer and once served as a county supervisor. He was on hand at a meeting of the Agriculture, Buildings and Grounds Committee on Monday to ramp up support for two resolutions that would urge state lawmakers to support New York’s dairy farmers.

...

The EPF faces a $69 million cut under Gov. David A. Paterson's 2010-2011 Executive Budget. A “No Farms No Food” rally was held on Wednesday in the state’s capitol to convince the Legislature to restore funding to previous levels.

-- Melissa deCordova, The Evening Sun (Chenango County)




In the age of consumerism people might have lost sight of the fact that water and food are still important things. The EPF assures that you have clean water and abundant food, which are still essential for human life and prosperity.

Once again, we need to contact people that count on our votes to do the right thing. Our farmland is a non renewable natural resource, once we use it up it is gone. New York is blessed to be not only a financial and cultural leader of the world, we are also an environmental and agricultural leader as well. So let your representatives know that we aren't going to stand for reductions in the long term safety and security of our state.


For more information:



http://www.keepprotectingny.org/



To contact your legislator:

http://assembly.state.ny.us/

http://www.nysenate.gov/


Thursday, March 18, 2010

Governor Paterson declares war on ENCON...

Starting with Governor Paterson forcing the Department of Environmental Conservation (aka. DEC or ENCON) to illegally scrap the float plane ban on Low's Lake, followed by Paterson leaving The Nature Conservancy with 81,000 acres of land the state agreed to buy and incorporate into the forest preserve, and now Paterson outright decimating the DEC's budget to the point it compromises the ability to carry out it's duties is absolutely shameful.

New York has been graced by many governors whom have taken great pride in preserving and enhancing New York's environment, park system, and forest preserve. RecentlyMario Coumo, George Pataki, and Elliot Spitzer (primarily as attorney general) have been praised highly for their work. On the other hand, David Paterson appears to have the opposite goal, to leave a legacy as New York's least environmentally friendly governor.

A lot of people are unaware how much the DEC does within the state. While the Forest Rangers and ECOs (environmental conservation officers) are a big part of the DEC, it is far more than that.

The DECs mission:



"To conserve, improve and protect New York's natural resources and environment and to prevent, abate and control water, land and air pollution, in order to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state and their overall economic and social well-being."


DEC is responsible for administration and enforcement of the Environmental Conservation Law. The Department's major responsibilities as assigned in Environmental Conservation Law are:

  • Regulate the disposal, transport and treatment of hazardous and toxic wastes in an environmentally sound manner;
  • Manage the state program for oil and chemical spills;
  • Provide for the abatement of water, land and air pollution, including pesticides;
  • Monitor environmental conditions and test for contaminants;
  • Encourage recycling, recovery and reuse of all solid waste to conserve resources and reduce waste;
  • Administer fish and wildlife laws, carry out sound fish and wildlife management practices, and conduct fish and wildlife research;
  • Manage New York's marine and coastal resources;
  • Conduct sound forestry management practices on state lands, provide assistance to private forest landowners and manage fire prevention and control efforts;
  • Manage the Adirondack and Catskill forest preserves and recreational facilities, including campsites and the Belleayre Mountain ski center;
  • Protect tidal and freshwater wetlands and flood plains;
  • Promote the wise use of water resources;
  • Administer the wild, scenic and recreational rivers program;
  • Regulate mining, including reclamation of mined lands, extraction of oil and gas, and underground storage of natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas;
  • Inform the public about environmental conservation principles and encourage their participation in environmental affairs.
Worst of all, of the $1 billion dollars Paterson is slashing from the state agency budget over50% of it comes from the DEC. How is this equitable? And does it put everyone at risk? Remember the DEC doesn't just steward your state wild lands, it is also the protector of your backyard environment, the water your drink and the air your breathe.

Governor Paterson hasn't stopped there, he is proposing to wipe out New York's state park system. The oldest park system in the US, and a system that didn't even close a single park during the Great Depression, in fact a great deal of New York's state park system was created during the Great Depression.

Ironically, in a time of economic crisis New York State parks reached record attendance last year, and like the Forest Preserve are a major tourist attraction for New Yorker's and those from other states and regions.

"State lawmakers said they would fight to restore funding for parks, which reached record attendance levels last year at nearly 56 million visitors, up by 1.9 million from 2008. The parks represent a major tourism draw across the state, said Assembly Tourism and Parks Committee Chairman Steve Englebright, D-Suffolk County."
--Politics On The Hudson

It could be fairly argued that the Forest Preserve and park system are two of the least economically prejudiced outlets for entertainment, exercise and recreation the state offers it's residents. Park fees while increasing are generally modest, and the forest preserve is free (well fee free, we all pay for it in our taxes) to the people of New York. That is to say, all New Yorker's regardless of income, education, sex, or race can enjoy recreating in the park and forest system without undue restrictions. Where else can a family of 5 spend a week during the summer camping and recreating for a few hundred dollars including transportation, camping and food cost?

Ironically, Governor Paterson is also proposing a soda tax to reduce obesity in the state. If I understand this correctly he is closing places for people to recreate (aka. exercise and become fit), , while at the same time penalizing them for being (possibly) unhealthy. Honestly the only thing left to tax after this is the air we breathe, which unfortunately might not be worth much when Paterson is done hacking the Department of Environmental Conservation budget.

Sadly, New York has no ability to recall a governor, and although it's possible Paterson will eventually have to resign or be impeached for the mounting list of improprieties he appears to be so fond of, it is evident we are more then likely stuck with the pinnacle of incompetence at the helm for the duration of his term.

The state legislature, while equally spineless, incompetent and corrupt, is our last resort. However, unlike Paterson, they do actually have to answer to the people at some point if they want to continue in politics. The only thing we can do is contact our state representatives and tell them to take a stand against Paterson. Those elected officials certainly don't want to be associated with anything that is the spawn of Paterson's incompetence.


From the Adirondack Councils website:

How Would Your Office Operate With A 70% Budget Cut?

This is the crisis the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is facing. In FY 2009-2010, DEC received a 30% cut to their nonpersonal service (NPS) budget. The Governor’s 2010-2011 budget proposal recommends and additional 40% reduction, putting a severe strain on out of office meetings, field visits and other travel and related expenses for DEC staff.

Severe Cuts To The DEC Budget

DEC is being disproportionately cut. Out of the $1 billion in agency cuts proposed by Governor Paterson, over $500 million comes from DEC, which is already hamstrung by staff reductions. Over 135 DEC employees recently accepted the early retirement package, representing over 13% of all workers who took the buyout and whose positions have now been eliminated.

The popular and successful Assistant Ranger program at DEC is in jeopardy due to the proposed
nonpersonal service cuts. Despite a sufficient level of staff for this program, it may end without sufficient funding to provide uniforms and other necessary supplies and travel expenses.

What You Can Do

Restore the cuts to DEC and ensure that all New Yorkers will enjoy a healthy environment that is properly managed. You must adequately fund DEC’s staffing and NPS budgets.


www.adirondackcouncil.org

The Adirondack Council is a member based not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the ecological integrity and wild character of the Adirondack Park. The Adirondack Council does not take government funding or make endorsements.


Information on Governor Paterson's planned park closures can be found HERE.


Saturday, March 13, 2010

Colvin's First...


Colvin and Aim on the eastern viewpoint of the 3140ft Overlook Mountain.

Well it's been a month since we got the next generation trail dog. He is definitely in some ways an improved Caney, and in others a work in progress.

It's been a good month though, he has plenty of toys, and is getting lots of attention so he (knock on wood) hasn't been destructive to anything that isn't his. He is definitely a chewer though! He's pretty much house broken too. After Aim was having some issues with taking him out FREQUENTLY the first few days he has only had one accident in 3 weeks, which I am still convinced was because we were cooking and not paying attention to him. Or at least not paying attention to him asking us to go out. Caney was visibly spiteful, I think Colvin might not have that trait!

Colvin's First Summit
Colvin and Aim playing on the summit of Overlook Mountain, Colvin's first summit!

Training has been going well. He's smart, but he isn't Caney smart. Caney was a sponge, even if he chose to not perform a command or "stupid pet trick", he learned them almost instantly and was eager to show you at least a few times he could do it. Colvin definitely takes a bit longer, and then he too decides sometimes to not "remember" what he clearly knows. We have come, sit, and down pretty well sorted out in theory. Working on heel (or at least loose leash walking since I never really understood the purpose of heel anyway to a suburban or rural dog, I'm sure it's useful in dense urban areas) and stay. However, doing them with distractions is still not a sure thing, Colvin is much more easily distracted than Caney was, partially because he is more fit and more energetic. Lately the cat has been getting put in the crate while we work on things so we have one less distraction. It seems like Jasper doesn't really appreciate anyone else playing with his dog.

Speaking of the cat, Jasper and Colvin are doing great together, although unlike Caney and Jasper whom sort of shared a bond and were very gentle in their play; Colvin and Jasper play much too rough. I'm definitely concerned one of them is going to get hurt, but they both do like each other, and Jasper definitely is the instigator if Colvin happens to not show any interest. After Jasper warmed up to Colvin you could definitely see he is the type of cat that does need a dog to keep him occupied. He really hadn't had a dog to play with since about last winter when Caney first became really sick.

Colvin's First Summit Colvin has definitely been racking up the miles, he's logged at least 10 and as many as 20 miles a week since the second week we had him, he's been to both the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves, summited a 3000ft peak, and been off the leash on the trail. His weatherproof fur is awesome, Caney was (once again) a sponge. He soaked up rain, mud, and water like he was the Shamwow, although somehow he never looked dirty. Colvin on the other hand barely gets wet even in the rain, and then he is dry in 5 minutes. Colvin's front paws are huge, which of course is great in the snow. Caney had tiny paws. I'm also hoping Colvin's larger paw surface area will distribute the abuse of New Hampshire talus better than Caney's paws did.

Oh, and he's been to the vet where they ooohed and ahhhed over how handsome he is. Other than the thermometer up the butt, the blood draw, the vaccines, and the nail clipping (Colvin has black nails so I am skittish about cutting them myself, yet!) he said it was tons of fun. Other than the $350 bill for a well pet checkup, we agreed as well!

All in all it's been a good first month, hopefully by next month we will have all the commands down and can really start hitting the trail, I know he is going to be a great dog while mountain biking because he loves to run!