Beaver River Property Owners Association, Beaver River, NY - News Archives, Overland Access Issue

BRPOA Presentation
at the Town of Webb Board Meeting
March 13, 2007 - 7 PM

The meeting began shortly after 7 PM. Following a public hearing concerning the establishment of a Stillwater fire district and several other items of business on the agenda, the presentation by the BRPOA began at around 7:35 PM.

BRPOA President Carol Schoch presented the TOW Board with correspondence from elected officials and other authorities, who do not feel that an overland access route into Beaver River is feasible. These included letters from the NYS Dept. of Transportation, Dept. of Environmental Conservation, the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District, Residents' Committee to Protect the Adirondacks, Adirondack Council, the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks, and the Adirondack Scenic Railroad. A letter from Senator Seward also referenced a 2005 study that had reached the same conclusion.

Following this, the BRPOA President presented 46 letters from Beaver River and other Town of Webb property owners that frequently visit Beaver River as well as 62 letters from "friends of Beaver River" (visitors and others with an interest who are not on the TOW tax rolls), all stating their opposition to any plan for overland access into Beaver River. Petitions with 200 signatures from Beaver River property owners and visitors were also given to the Board. For the record, it was stated that not one "pro-road" letter was received by the BRPOA President.

Several members of the BRPOA gave short statements regarding the potential negative impact of an overland route into Beaver River. The BRPOA's attorney then presented various legal issues that the TOW Board should consider including the possibility that construction of a road into Beaver River might require an amendment to the New York State Constitution's "Forever Wild" clause.

Discussion followed, in which it was stated that the TOW Board itself had received four "anti-road" letters and "a few" in favor. No one was present to give any "pro-road" arguments to the Board, however. TOW Attorney Frye wondered why this was even being discussed, pointing out that he had written a letter to the TOW Board (presented at the February meeting), stating that there was no legal way this could be done. Supervisor Moore said the BRPOA had requested time to present its collective view on the question of overland access and he felt the information had really "fleshed out" the issue for the Board.

A motion regarding the January draft resolution and road access issue was then offered by Councilman Rivet : RESOLVED to dispense with any further consideration by this Board regarding the Draft resolution of road accessing Beaver River. Motion was seconded by Councilman Hanson. Passed with 4 ayes and 1 nay.

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