Black Woods Byway
11/7/2007
Minutes

Attending: Charlie Hitchings, Gary Edwards, Charlie Corliss, John Titus, Jim Fisher

Transit services along Route 182
What are the demographics of non-automotive visitors?
Would visitors to ANP be interested in the Blackwoods experience?
Can this region provide a “soft outdoors experience”?

April 2nd - Business and Trails Conference this spring

Route 182

• Guardrails are good
• Road feels narrower now
• More sand and gravel is needed for the shoulders
• Water may undermine the highway at Long Pond – water coming out from under the road
• Review drainage along the road – look for areas
• Pave aprons for pull-offs, passing areas, turns
• Entrance to Spring River Lake parking is narrow
• Climbing Catherine’s Mountain
• Parking space at Dynamite Brook Road
• Trail Head for Round Mountain -

Pearly Leighton House

• Charlie called Maine DHS about the property
• They believe that the property is now owned by Mathew Leighton owns the property
• Charlie Corliss will call Matthew Leighton to find out / check with the register of Deeds for the property
• Find out whether we can put in a parking area (six cars+)
• Property across the street may be for sale – wetlands and vernal pool
• Trail construction by Maine Conservation Corps – Lester Kenway (Dept. of Labor)

Tunk Lake

• Outhouse
• DOT builds
• Parks and Lands Maintains
• IFW Pumps
• Parking area

Bureau of Parks and Lands

Group discussed creation of a multiday backpacking concept

• Bureau of Parks and Lands has a vacancy for a recreation specialist
• Need to have a project manager to design a project like this
• Nature Conservancy has expressed interest
• Frenchman Bay Consevancy
• Boat access to Spring River Lake
• funds are short for construction
• Facing applications for private boat ramps that would not be permitted if there were a public ramp
• Seeking IF&W contributions for the facility
• Dynamite Brook Road
• Vistas have opened along the road
• Make improvements for day use
• picnic tables
• Carry in – carry out
• Jim – see if Larry Johannesman can help with project concept and design
• Include interpretIVE

Peter Dustin talked about the important contributions of private groups, like the boy scouts and girl scouts for trail infrastructure along the Appalachian Trail. 
Peter also advocated working with local trail groups, rider organizations, etc. to build projects

DOC is planning to do more to packages outdoors tours.

Geo-Tourism

Gary Best, new BP&L Interpretive Planner – good contact for this project

Edge Program – After School Program operated by Maine Sea Coast Mission Weald Bethel program. Might be able to design signs.

Young Tunk Mountain – ridge just south of Sprague Falls Road, good views
Owners

• Peter Yeats
• Allens Blueberries – looking to sell the land
• Charlie

Charlie Corliss will send Jim a picture of the cable car that used to cross the river.

Zoning Maps for Cherryfield
Charlie noted that the proposed Cherryfield map is at odds with existing development and possible commercial uses to serve the Rail Trail and byway
Jim will seek copies of the proposed maps

Corridor plan for east-west connections

Sunrise Trail

• going to bid in January
• Plymouth Engineering is putting together a bid package
• Charlie Corliss collected a lot of GPS data, Plymouth wants more detailed information

Recreational Trails Project Proposal

• Chuck Simpson will prepare one proposal for about $300K
• Trail needs, trail heads, interpretation, etc.
• Deadline for state is December
• Competition throughout the state
• John Titus will work with others in advocating for downeast projects