More Adirondack rails considered for recreation – Adirondack Explorer
Two connected railroad corridors, long mired in uncertainty, inched closer to a potentially recreational future in the past two months.
In October, New York State reached an agreement with Saratoga & North Creek Railway (owned by Iowa Pacific Holdings of Chicago) seeking a “voluntary abandonment” designation of the line that runs from North Creek to the old Tahawus mine in Newcomb. Then in November, the Warren County Public Works Committee voted 9-2 to begin the abandonment process for the 40-mile stretch of tracks the county owns from North Creek south to Hadley. Warren County also owns the land beneath the tracks. The voluntary abandonment, which has to be approved by the federal Surface Transportation Board (a process that takes about six months), frees the state, counties and municipalities involved to explore other uses for the corridor besides freight and passenger rail.
I think it would be really neat if they converted the Vanderwhacker Railroad line into a bicycle and snowmobile trail. While they can't undo the rail-bed permanently laid, they can take advantage of it to make it easier for people to hike back or bicycle and explore the wilderness during all seasons. Moreover, climate change, leading to less snow, it's increasingly difficult to have snowmobile trails with tracks under the snow. Maybe eventually they could also open it up to seasonal ATV or UTV use, although that's probably a bit of stretch for New York. Plus I think it would be nice if the Vanderwhacker Rail Bridge over the Hudson River could be safely crossed by foot.
Snow Covered Tent Site
A little ways back, following the old road west from the gravel pit on Irish Hill Road, there is a campsite. It is a nice little campsite, on a westerly slope, about a 1/4 mile from the road.
Taken on Saturday December 25, 2010 at Cole Hill State Forest.Snow falls over Sheridan Hollow
After Dark at Parking Area
Snow on Trees
Cuomo seeks to ban single-use Styrofoam food containers, packing peanuts in New York State
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced one of the proposals in his 2020 State of the State Agenda on Tuesday, and it could have an effect on restaurants, grocery stores and the shipping industry.
The proposal seeks to ban the distribution and use of single-use Styrofoam, also known as expanded polystyrene. The material is used to create food containers commonly used by restaurants, delis and food trucks for takeout meals. Grocery stores use it to package eggs, fish and raw meat. It's also used to make packaging materials like packing peanuts.
Under the proposed legislation, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation would also be given the authority to limit or ban the use of other packaging material based on its environmental impact.
Seems like a good idea. π€While I used to use a lot of Styrofoam plates and dishes π΅ up at camp -- I've switched over to paper because it's almost as cheap, doesn't melt with hot food, and I was reading how nasty some of blowing agents are for the environment -- and honestly Styrofoam kind of burns black and smells bad when you toss it in the fire, if the fire ain't roaring. π₯