Archive: News

Salt point was on the Lansing Town Board agenda again as officials discuss future additions to Salt Point.  Supervisor Kathy Miller and Katrina Binkewicz made it clear that they do not intend to try to ban hunting on the property, which is owned by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and managed by the Town.  Binkewicz also outlined several goals for 2014 including a picnic area, informational kiosks, nesting boxes, and proposed bathroom facilities and fishing pier.

"We've been in communication with (the DEC).  They're coming down there to talk about potential grant projects," Binkewicz said.  "We would not go forward without their full support.  In fact it would be a more successful grant if we had a letter of support (from DEC) for these projects."

There was some consternation about peoples' understanding about whether hunting will continue to be allowed on the point.  At the board's working meeting two weeks ago board members talked about safely integrating hunting with hiking, birdwatching and other activities.  One option that was discussed was preventing some hunting, while another was to keep hikers away from the park during hunting season.  Clear signage warning park users about hunting activities during the season was also discussed.

Lansing resident Flint Brann brought a petition by hunters and a letter from Ducks Unlimited urging the board to continue to allow hunting there.  He reminded the board that DEC requires hunting among specified activities on the property.

"Back in 2006 the Town leased it from the State," he said. "They wanted to manage it, clean it up, which they have.  But they were also required, and will be required, to allow hunting and fishing access there, as well as vehicular traffic on the perimeter road, and a motorized boat launch during hunting because you are not allowed to bring firearms into Myers Park."

Miller and Binkewicz characterized a Star article about the hunting discuusion at the working meeting as inaccurate (Editor's note: I stand by that article as balanced and accurate.  It was based on what was said at that meeting and much of the piece was made of quotations from board members taken from a recording of the meeting), insisting that hunting on Salt Point is not at risk.  Binkewicz read a statement to that effect, and her 'Letter to the Editor' expands on the issue on the Opinions page in this week's issue of the Star.  She said that she only proposed the possibility of banning shotgun hunting of deer, not all hunting.  Binkewicz added that the closing off of much of the perimeter road was done in consultation withthe DEC and with their permission.

Other projects slated for 2014 are contingent on raising grant money or on Eagle Scout projects.  Scout projects include a picnic area at the north overlook, a proposed trail with a boardwalk, and a proposed hill trail with benches.  Blue bird and other nesting boxes, new interior trails are also proposed, as well as a plan for maintaining the vehicle free area.

If DEC approves them and grant money can be obtained a bathroom and handicapped-accessible fishing pier could be implemented in 2015.  Also depending on the availability of grant money are more aesthetic barriers to replace the concrete barriers separating the walking area from allowed vehicle access areas.

A vote on a resolution to support the projects was posponed until the next Town Board meeting.

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