NEFA DISCussion

Ouch.

Here's what I would do, ask DCR how they allow these activities in some of the Parks that are around, that are run by them.

Now, they only thing I can think of is that they are saying, basically... conservation land is meant to be untouched to the point where no permanent structure can be put up. Frankly thats a load of crap. If they are so concerned with conservation, then some of the disc golf courses that exist today, shouldnt. I wont name names, but some of the practices on disc golf courses wouldnt fit in with ANY conservation commission's guidelines, now I understand that most are on private property, some of them are in agriculutural use. However, for instance, Borderlands, which is always wet, and is full of naturally occuring wetlands, totally subjugates most of the Wetlands protection act at the State Level, (some of the practices) not all.

So, I would ask them, if it's alright with the Local Con. Comm. and they determine it not be an ADVERSE impact, who are you to say that this is infact an active recreation that is going to cause and ADVERSE impact.

Is this state owned land or local commission owned land?

steve wrote:ok. the property the commission wants us to use is the Barr property, 20 acres adjacent to Tyngs. High School. The area is accessed through a trail on school property, the passage rights through which will be negotiated. Lori, the conservation director, will look into getting permission to use the land, etc.

So, does the DCR own the Barr property or does the town?...seems from the above quote, it's the town, if so, how does a state agency like the Dept of Conservation and Recreation weigh in on this project?

from lori:
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It's not looking good. But, it's not a matter of them not wanting a course on Conservation Land. The issue is the Barr and Hunter properties were bought with a Self-Help Grant which requires the land to be use for passive recreation only. I'm sorry!

DOH! Sorry to hear the news Steve - Under the purview of the grant, what activities can be considered "passive recreation?" An argument can be made that DG fullfils that simple requirement!

I just spoke to Lori on the phone; the land is owned by the town, but the state has veto power because it was a "self-help" grant (so much for helping ourselves).

I asked what the requirements for passive recreation are; lori didn't know and all she heard from the state was that DG ain't it. She said if we took the baskets home after each game, it would be fine.???

In the meantime, Lori will look into other town holdings to see if anything is available for our purposes.

-steve

Sorry to hear it...hope you guys can find a new area

Ugh.

That sucks man.

Which leads me to my course, I wonder if the land I am proposing was bought with the self help grant.. I dont think it was for some reason.