Port Ludlow Natural Resources/Trails Committee

1 May 2007 meeting

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Larry Scott at 9:00 a.m. at the Bay Club.

The agenda for the day and the minutes of the 3 April meeting were approved.

Sub-committee Reports:

            Finance:  CFO Jack Manning was absent so no financial report was presented. John Cragoe did draw up the approximate vital statistics as to funds held by PLVC for the Trails Committee. This shows our account having, as of 10 April, 2007, $7226.91 in our general funds and $1439.79 in the Grant Sharpe Fund. PLVC has been asked for their annual contribution of $1000 which should be forthcoming. We also have a checking account for petty cash but the balance was not available. Approximately $300 for rental equipment will be coming out of that. We also need one more sign for the Grant Sharpe quiet area and more posts, arrow signs and walker signs for the other trails.

            No money was garnered for maps this month although 150 maps were distributed to the clubs.

            Natural Resources: NRC chief Dick Ullmann was absent. Larry Scott reported that we collected 3 full pickup trucks and one giant trailer load of Scotch Broom on Noxious Weed Day. All agreed that the weed wrenches borrowed from the county were extremely helpful in this activity. We also had a delicious dinner of hamburgers etc. for 33 people. Janet Hanz’s table centerpiece was the star of the day.

            Stewards: Head Steward Doris Monti sent an e-mail to all the stewards requesting them to review the various trail descriptions and note any changes or corrections. No changes were noted. We discussed printing the descriptions on different colors of paper to match their colors on our map. No decision on this matter was made.

            A committee attendee noted that the blackberries are beginning to reach out to touch someone and, therefore, the stewards should perhaps start carrying pruning shears wherever they go. Any walkers using our trails are welcome to do the same!!

Trails Status:

• Interpretive Trail – Bill and Bobbie Collins, stewards, reported that the trail is in good condition, no vandalism has been noted recently, and the temporary new entrance looks great.
• Timberton Loop – Port Ludlow firefighter trainees hope to work on the new beaver dam outlook next week.
• Timberton Spur – chips are staged at the bottom of the trail – we need motorized equipment to spread them up the hill.
• Around the Bay Trail – Steward Steve Holmes reported that chips are needed at the bottom of the Wedgewood Plat area.
• Ward’s Walk – needs widening, as the berry bushes encroach on this trail quickly.
• Montgomery Loop – needs signage along the roadway.
• 2 Bridges – Steward Julia Blakeney-Smith would like a leaning tree cut and would like help with pulling weeds.
• Ludlow Cove – it appears that making this a loop will be quite difficult. PLA has removed quite a bit of Scots Broom alongside the trail. The formerly planted native plants can now be admired!
• Kehele Trail – needs weeding
• Rainier - Stan Gustin reported that Lower Rainier needs chips and gravel about ½ way up the trail. This is a very difficult area to get to with a wheel barrow. We need to find close access to the problem area through resident’s yards.
• Bay Club Gazebo – Steward Janet Hanz reports that this is in good condition although it appears that landscaping debris is being dumped there.
• Niblick’s – needs further planning.

Old Business:

            Inventory: The inventory has not been done yet. Many things are not in the storage shed as they are being used by work parties. The recap of our assets will be updated shortly.

New Business:

            The committee voted to purchase 2 weed wrenches, one medium sized for $155 and one small for $130. Shipping and handling will, of course, bring up the total cost. Dan Darrow suggested that perhaps the noxious weed chairman at WSU might be able to obtain a better price for us.

Goals and Priorities:

            The following are the current priorities:

                        1. Finalize the Interpretive Trail temporary entrance

                        2. Timberton Loop Beaver Dam Trail (on hold)

                        3. Signage for all trails.

                        4. Niblick’s work

                        5. Lower Rainier water drainage (on hold, since we are going into the dry season)

The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m. The next meeting will be 5 June, 9:00 a.m. at the Beach Club

Submitted by Soozie Darrow, scribe #1