Port Ludlow Natural Resources/Trails Committee Meeting

September 5, 2006

Dick Ullmann, chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.  Our former Chairman Mike Porter had been “relieved of “ his responsibilities by the PLVC. Dick stated that he would not be presiding in the future and hopes that the group will not disband since the community needs and deserves us.

The minutes of the August 1, 2006 meeting were approved.

Dick commended Phyllis Hansen for her new display in the kiosk near the recycling bins. The changes in the Around the Bay Trail and the Interpretive Trail are now posted there as well as in the two clubs.

Sub-Committee Reports:

            Financial Report: CFO Jack Manning was absent. No financial report was given.

            Stewards: Doris Monti was absent. No report.

                        Bobbie Collins, steward of the Interpretive Trail, reported that arrows are needed for the new switch-back area.

                        Dan Darrow reported that the ATB Trail looks good. Picnic Point is basically Scotch Broom Point. Timberton Loop has lots of bear scat. The Olympic Trail, which is still in development, has new routing signs, is mowed where needed, and Mike Porter removed roots where needed. The short steep hill is still there but the “daunting” hill has been re-routed.  The new routes have been roughed out by PLA/golf course people after discussions with the Trails Committee.

                        Dick Ullmann explained the Steward program to the Village Council visitors.

                        Larry Scott reported that the Rainier Trail work is on-going under the direction of Jack Riggen.

            Grant Sharpe Memorial: Marge Carter stated that the Ad Hoc committee has not yet spent any of the dedicated money for this project. Marge has the 10 new signs and Mike Porter has the stands and laminating materials. The new signs need to be placed so we will need a work crew. We also need some kind of sign commemorating Grant Sharpe. The proposed benches were going to be made by Mike Porter. We don’t know now where we will get them.

            Natural Resources: Dick Ullmann will have 18 birdhouses to be put together at Dean Morgan’s workshop in Oct./Nov. Some will be placed on the Interpretive Trail, some will replace some on the golf course, and some will be put on the Rainier Trail.

            Dick was called by the SBCA ARC about trees in the Bayview Village area that residents are threatening to clear-cut. The SBCA ARC would like a letter of recommendation from the NRC/Trails since the ATB Trail is involved. Dick recommended doing a few trees at a time to see how the area is affected.

Bob Azen, the Bayview Assoc. president, gave us a review of what has been happening there with the trees.  He also reported that Alan Thompson is the ARC leader in Bayview. In October the retention pond is going to be dredged. The area of the pond is contracted out for mowing, dredging, scotch brooming, etc.

Dick Ullmann will do another Noxious Weed Event in 2007. In the past few years, we have removed 15-18 truckloads of broom each year. Volunteers seem to enjoy this day, which usually ends with a barbeque feast as a reward.

There are still many Nature Guides of Port Ludlow available.

Dick recommends going to Islandwood, an ecological school on Bainbridge Island. A three hour tour is given each month to the public for $5. Dan Darrow suggested doing it as a winter hike.

            Unfinished Business: The Village Council representatives present were asked if the Mission Statement of Natural Resources/Trails had been accepted. They apparently had not reviewed nor acted upon the contents of the packet which Mike Porter had presented to them at their last meeting. The packet contained the revised Mission Statement and budget, among other things.

            The Washington Recreational Use Statute limiting liability of trail owners was brought up. The Village Council feels we need insurance to cover all entities where trails exist in the village despite this statute. Representatives did not know how much was being spent on this insurance.

            New Business: A lengthy discussion ensued concerning the PLVC relieving our Chairman, Mike Porter, of his responsibilities. It was pointed out that the action was taken without consulting with the Trails Committee. The ten NRC/Trail Committee members present gave many laudatory testaments to the leadership/work of Mike during the time he served. We made it clear to the five PLVC reps present that we felt that they have made an unprecedented and unnecessary decision and have left us with a huge hole in our modus operandi.  No clear plan was presented by the current PLVC Board to fill this hole.

            There will be no meeting on October 3. A meeting may be scheduled in November at a place to be determined. At this point in time, there is no chairman for the Committee.

            Soozie Darrow,  Scribe         

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