Above: Ulster County executive Mike Hein looking cheerful about some DEP news, for a change. From a joint news conference held Dec. 12 in Kingston; photo courtesy of the Ulster County Executive's Office.
There's not much love lost between Ulster County executive Mike Hein and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Over the last few years, Hein's office has been locked in very public battle with city watershed officials over the Lower Esopus Creek; Hein has called the watershed agency an "occupying nation" and accused the city of unfairly manipulating the regulation of local water issues.
But on Thursday morning, Hein and the DEP buried the hatchet, at least long enough to make a joint announcement about city support for Hein's pet project -- a walking and biking trail that would extend from Kingston to Highmount on the corridor of the old Ulster & Delaware Railroad.
Hein's trail plan will get a $2.5 million boost from DEP coffers, according to the announcement. The money will be used to develop an 11.54-mile stretch of the trail that runs through city-owned lands north of the Ashokan Reservoir. The DEP-funded portion of the trail, which will stretch from Basin Road in West Hurley to Boiceville in the town of Olive, will encompass almost a third of the full 38-mile rail corridor from Kingston to Highmount.
The DEP has also agreed to build and maintain parking areas and other access points along the trail, and support Ulster County in seeking state, federal and other grant funding for the trail. The trail will connect to existing trails around the reservoir; there will be a new biking and walking lane across the dividing weir over the Ashokan that connects to the trail, and it will also connect to the "frying pan" trail around the Ashokan's east basin. No permits or fees will be required for visitors to use the trail, which will be open to walkers, cyclists, cross-country skiers, snowshoers and dog walkers. Horses and motorized vehicles will not be allowed on the trail.
No timeline for the work has yet been established, although Hein said at the press conference that he hopes the 11.5-mile stretch of trail will be completed within two or three years.
In a press release, Hein alluded to the county's ongoing feud with the DEP:
“There is certainly a complex interaction between the people of Ulster County and the government of New York City. On the one hand, our proximity to one of the greatest cities in the world provides the people of Ulster County tremendous resources; but on the other, there are longstanding, pointed and very public disagreements, including the FAD and Consent Order, in which we will continue to aggressively advocate for change,” continued County Executive Hein. “I am pleased that even though we continue to differ on certain issues, Ulster County and the NYC DEP have found important common ground on this project which will benefit both the people of Ulster County as well as all New Yorkers for generations to come.”
Although there is no rail service currently operating on the segment of the trail near the Ashokan, the Catskill Mountain Railroad has a lease on the tracks, and operates tourist trains on short segments both east and west of the reservoir. The railroad has long held the goal of connecting the two ends of its service -- a goal that is incompatible with an unbroken walking trail across the length of the Ulster & Delaware corridor in Ulster County.
In a news release about the new trail agreement, the DEP states that a "rail with trail" compromise would be logistically impossible near the reservoir:
...a rail-with-trail scenario is not feasible along that section of the corridor. DEP has long noted that a trail alongside the existing railroad could not be safely constructed through the Ashokan lands because the corridor is too narrow and it is surrounded by steep slopes on both sides.
The Catskill Mountain Railroad's 25-year lease on the corridor runs through May of 2016. The railroad and the county are currently engaged in legal battle over the lease, and Ulster County has threatened to evict the railroad for alleged lease violations -- an effort that was stymied recently by a state judge, who ruled last month that the railroad has the right to keep using the corridor while the dispute plays out in court. The railroad has posted a $75,000 bond to cover any maintenance work done by the county in the corridor, a condition of the judge's decision.
Catskill Mountain Railroad chairman Harry Jameson could not immediately be reached for comment on the recent announcement.
Update, 11 p.m.: The Friends of the Catskill Mountain Rail Trail, a trail advocacy group who had several dozen supporters on hand for the Hein/DEP joint announcement, released a statement applauding the news Thursday afternoon.
Below: Press releases from Ulster County executive Mike Hein and the New York City DEP announcing the agreement.
Hein's press release:
Kingston, NY – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein announced a landmark agreement in principle between Ulster County and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection supporting the development of the Ulster County Rail Trail Project along the northern shores of the Ashokan Reservoir. The County Executive was joined by NYC DEP Commissioner Carter Strickland for the announcement which establishes a framework between Ulster County and DEP to facilitate and fund the conversion of a portion of the County-owned Ulster & Delaware Railroad (U&D) corridor into a multi-use recreational rail trail open for public use year round without permits or fees. Additionally, this concept is designed to concentrate and strengthen the historic railroad experience west of the Ashokan. The agreement covers the11.54 miles of corridor that crosses NYC DEP lands from Basin Road in West Hurley and westward to Boiceville in the Town of Olive.
“The people of Ulster County deserve the best of both worlds. A world class inter-connected Rail Trail System from the breathtaking Ashokan Reservoir to the wildly popular Walkway over the Hudson and beyond as well as a well maintained historic tourism railroad attraction west of the Ashokan. Today the people of Ulster County take a major step towards the best of both worlds,” said County Executive Hein. “Today’s agreement with the NYC DEP lays the groundwork to allow everyone unimpeded access to the breathtaking views along the entire north shore of the Ashokan Reservoir from the trail, without permit or fee for the first time since the reservoir was constructed more than a century ago, and ensures that this incredible recreational resource can be enjoyed by future generations,” noted County Executive Hein. “Ulster County is committed to expanding and connecting the current rail trail network throughout the County. NYC’s commitment to trail development along the Ashokan Reservoir is a key advancement towards this goal, which will provide an unprecedented boost to the $475 million tourism sector of Ulster County’s economy.”
“There is certainly a complex interaction between the people of Ulster County and the government of New York City. On the one hand, our proximity to one of the greatest cities in the world provides the people of Ulster County tremendous resources; but on the other, there are longstanding, pointed and very public disagreements, including the FAD and Consent Order, in which we will continue to aggressively advocate for change,” continued County Executive Hein. “I am pleased that even though we continue to differ on certain issues, Ulster County and the NYC DEP have found important common ground on this project which will benefit both the people of Ulster County as well as all New Yorkers for generations to come.”
The agreement in principle will form the basis of a formal inter-municipal agreement regarding the development of the Ulster County Rail Trail Project as outlined in the following provisions:
· NYC DEP will contribute $2.5 million towards the County’s planning, design and construction of the Ulster County Rail Trail Project along NYC DEP lands along the Ashokan Reservoir and support additional grant funding as the project advances.
· Both parties support the conversion of the Ulster & Delaware corridor along NYC DEP lands into a public recreational trail extending from Basin Road in West Hurley to Boiceville, and recognize the significant economic, environmental, public health, and quality of life benefits to the residents and businesses of Ulster County and New York City.
· In addition to the $2.5 million commitment, which DEP advises can only be used to build the trail, NYC DEP will design, construct, maintain and operate multiple public access points, or trailheads, along the trail with parking and trail support facilities. · Ulster County will design, construct and maintain the rail trail.
· There will be a joint marketing effort to promote the trail to Ulster County residents as well as residents and visitors to the New York City metropolitan area.
In addition to the major provisions outlined in the agreement, NYC DEP will also improve non-motorized access to the Reservoir area by providing space for pedestrian and bicycle use of the dividing weir bridge at the Ashokan Reservoir in the upcoming reconstruction project. The entire rail trail will also be available for community organizations to use for events like charity walks and runs.
“As a railroad enthusiast and former Senior Legislative member of the Railroad Advisory Board it has become clear to me that the County Executive’s segmented plan is in the best interest of the people of Ulster County, as well as the long term success of historic railroad tourism in Ulster County and is the perfect way for rail trails and railroads to co-exist… and so I enthusiastically support this plan as well as today’s announcement,” stated Ulster County Legislator Wayne Harris.
The Ulster County Rail Trail Project as proposed by County Executive Mike Hein in his 2013 Executive Budget calls for the conversion of a portion of the County-owned U&D corridor into a multi-use recreational trail, allowing for walking, running, biking, cross country skiing, snow shoeing and other non-motorized uses, as well as dogs on leashes. The County Executive’s proposal also included the continuation and enhancement of tourism railroad operations along the U&D west of the Ashokan Reservoir, highlighting that railroad and trail uses are to be accommodated in a segmented manner to maximize public use and benefit of the County’s corridor. The proposed plan would convert the single-track U&D corridor from Kingston to Boiceville to a recreational trail, including the lands along the Ashokan Reservoir. The County Executive’s vision for the Ulster County Rail Trail Project previously attracted a $2 million New York State Environmental Protection Fund grant, which was included by Governor Andrew Cuomo in the 2013-2014 New York State Budget.
