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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSix Mile Creek People & Preservation - Report of the SMC Study Committee - March 1984 SIX MILE GORGE PEOPLE and PRESERVATION Report of the Six Mile Creek Study Committee March 1984 v d /�ldT: ,�PdrxSard ��T�pO �l CITY OF ITHACA 10B EAST GREEN STREET ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850 TELEPHONE: 272-1713 CODE 607 MEMORANDUM OF TRANSMITTAL To: Citizens of Ithaca John Gutenberger, Mayor Members of the Common Council Members of the Board of Public Works From: Six Mile Creek Study Committee Gerald Schickel , Chairman Date: March 16, 1984 Re: Public Information Meeting on Draft Recommendations of S.M.C.S.C. The enclosed report contains 14 recommendations on access , uses and environmental concerns in the Six Mile Creek Gorge, along with a short statement of the rationale for each of them. They will be presented to the Common Council and the public at an informational meeting at Central Fire Station, 310 West Green Street, at 7:30 P.M. on April 2, 1984. If there are adjustments to be made, they will be included before the report is formally presented to the Common Council on April 4, 1984. There is also a longer report with documentation, minutes, reports, maps, history, etc. , on file at the City Clerk's office. It will be avail- able after March 26, 1984. "An Equal Opportunity Employer with an Affirmative Action Program" 3 CHARGE TO THE COMMITTEE The Committee should examine the initial and basic purpose of our Six Mile Creek Watershed area from its creation to its present need. It should examine the existing rules and regulations and documentation, its perimeter and its actual land area and water flow. Most of that data is available, some may have to be collected. The study should then review the various competing and compatible uses that are currently present for which there is interest or demand. For example, hiking, camping, dirt bike riding, fishing, target practice, public highway crossing and many others. The goals should be to identify and prioritize the basic public needs and requirements in the watershed area so that methods for preserving and protecting and maintaining those can be established and implemented. In addition, it is hoped that compatible issues can be examined and allowed or rejected depending on their risk versus public benefit. Such study should include research on other watershed areas throughout New York State, developing technology in watershed management, public hearing and input on appropriate use of watershed area and plans and development for the future. The Committee should feel free to pursue various other appropriate and necessary tangents as they develop. VOTING MEMBERS ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTED Peter Rogers (1 ) Planning & Development Board Harold Gerkin (2) Board of Public Works Dan Hoffman (3) Common Council Elizabeth Mulholland (4) Circle Greenway Frank Moon Hydropower Commission John Perko Conservation Advisory Council Joel Rabinowitz Hydropower Commission Jerry Schickel Board of Public Works NON-VOTING MEMBERS Jeff Coleman Six Mile Creek Preservation Committee Leslie Dotson Tompkins County Planning Dept. Richard Fischer Environmental Management Council Donald Kinsella Superintendent of Public Works Montgomery May Town of Ithaca Peter Lovi Town of Ithaca Planning Carolyn Peterson Common Council SubCommittee Chairs: (1 ) Legal & Enforcement (2) Recreation (3) Competing Interests (4) Historical Much cooperation also was given by City of Ithaca: D.P.W. Secretaries, Engineering Department; Planning Department; Police Department; Tompkins County Sheriff' s Department and Finger Lakes Park Commission. SIX MILE CREEP STUDY COMM IfIIt, SUMMARY Of RECOMMEMDAfION!", WHEREAS, Six Mile Creek is a natural area of q: vol he-iuty clww Io rc ..iderrlinl ne i ghhol-hoods , and WHEREAS, part of this area is the City of Ithaca wow r supply , and WHEREAS, the area already has Wildflower Prvnerve designation , and WHEREAS, human impact on the area must be controlled, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Six Mile Creek Study Committee recommends that the City of Ithaca institute a Six Mile Creek manactement program which includes the following: I . PUBLIC ACCESS. The City should permit public access to the Six Mile Gorge for walking and nature study between Aurora Street and the sixty foot dam only on marked paths specified for such purposes. Access to the reservoir area above the sixty fool dam and the surrounding shore area should be prohibited except by special permit from the Department of Public Works for scientific studies. No access should be permitted between sunset and sunrise. 2. PUBLIC ENTRANCES. The Committee recommends that there be only six entrances , all to be marked: Hudson Street at Renzetti Place, Giles Street at Columbia at the present stairway, Giles Street into the Indian Camp Ground (west of bridge) , Giles Street to VanNatta' s Dam Pond (east of bridge) , Giles Street just below East State Street , Waterville Road (Route 79) as near Honness Lane as possible. (to be selected by Circle Greenway in consultation with the Town of Ithaca.) Public parking for gorge use should be maintained only at VanNatta' s Dam Pond just south of Giles Street bridge. 3. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES. The City should prohibit the following activities throughout the gorge area: Swimming Boating Ice skating Camping Littering Amplified sound Wood cutting Trapping Rock climhinq and rapelling Hunting , shooting and carrying ,inns Motorized vehicle and bicycle riding Plant digging Flower picking Cnnsunry>t inn of alchol ic. beveragr.s F i res of any kind Skiing Page 2 Six Mile Creek Study Committee Summary of Recommendations 4. GORGE RANGER. The position of Six Mile Creek Gorge Ranger should be established to advise users of regulations governing Six Mile Creek and to demonstrate the City's intention of protecting such a unique natural area. The Ranger should be provided with adequate communication equipment to communicate readily with law enforcement agencies. The Ranger will work under the direction of the Superintendent of Public Works and will serve as liaison with the Overseer Committee and Circle Greenway. S. OVERSEER COMMITTEE. The Mayor should restructure the current committee as the Six Mile Creek Overseer Committee for a period extending through June 1984. This committee will continue to work on the long-range plan for the Gorge and monitor the results of the recommendations accepted by the City. Changes to the Six Mile Creek Master Plan or Map should be reviewed by the Overseer Committee prior to implementation by the Board of Public Works. 6. CIRCLE GREENWAY. The City's Circle Greenway should continue to maintain trails and the Wildflower Preserve within the Gorge and should work closely with the Department of Public Works in these matters. It will explore and open new trails in accordance with the Master Plan or Map. It will provide certain educational services. I 7. CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL AREA DESIGNATION. The designation of the Six Mile Creek as a Critical Environmental Area (CEA) pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) would serve the best interests of the City of Ithaca. a. The Planning and Development Committee should begin consideration of CEA designation for the section of Six Mile Creek from Aurora Street to the City limits. b. The Planning and Development Committee should initiate discussion with the Town of Ithaca Town Board concerning the possibility and the specifics of CEA designation for the Town of Ithaca section of Six Mile Creek. 8. CONSERVATION ZONING. a. Specific boundaries are recommended to form a Conservation Zone within City limits that would further enhance existing zoning by creating new construction guidelines. b. The Planning and Development Committee should initiate discussion with the Town of Ithaca Town Board concerning the development of guidelines for a Conservation Zone for the Town of Ithaca section of Six Mile Creek. Page 3 Six Mile Creek Study Committee Summary of Recommendations 9. MAINTENANCE a. All DPW maintenance and construction activities in the Six Mile Creek area should be carried out in an environmentally sensitive manner with proper Department of Environmental Conservation permits, with appropriate Town of Ithaca environmental review, and consistent with the City' s water supply needs. b. Regular training of City personnel in environmentally sensitive stream woodland work techniques, and long-range erosion control measures should be developed in cooperation with the DEC. 10. SIX MILE CREEK MASTER PLAN OR MAP. The City should budget for and adopt a Master Plan or Map for Six Mile Creek which includes all present and approved future roads, trails, clearedareas, and structures to be maintained or created. 11 . EDUCATION. The City, acting through the Six Mile Creek Study Committee, should widely publicize, by late April , the new policies and rules for public use of Six Mile Creek Gorge. Circle Greenway should be given the task of overseeing the educational uses of the Gorge. 12. ALTERNATIVE SWIMMING AREAS. In order to relieve pressure for natural swimmingin the Gorge, the City should study swimming possibilities at Stewart Park, Beebe Lake and other places. 13s PROPERTY' ACQUISITION. The City should consider acquisition of certain properties - now privately owned (or the development rights thereto) , within the Gorge or along its rim, in order to create a buffer zone of more consistent width. The City should also explore the feasibility of developing a joint recreational corridor, together with the Town of Ithaca, along the south bank of the Gorge. 14. SIGNAGE. The City should direct the DPW in consultation with the SMCSC to provide adequate and attractive signage to alert the public to the rules and regulations covering trails and hazards to the Gorge. SIX MILE CREEK STUDY COMMITTEE SUPPORTING STATEMENTS FOR SUMMARY I . PUBLIC ACCESS The City should permit public access to the Six Mile Gorge for walking and nature study between Aurora Street and the sixty foot dam only on marked paths specified for such purposes. Access to the reservoir area above the sixty foot dam and the surrounding shore area should be prohibited except by special permit from the Department of Public Works for scientific studies. No access should be permitted between sunset and sunrise. At this time, the Sixty Foot Dam Reservoir is the City water supply. The Thirty Foot Dam Reservoir has served as an additional water supply in the past, but is not currently able to serve that function due to a broken connecting main. The Committee felt that, because it was important to provide as much protection as possible to the City water supply, public access should not be allowed above the Sixty Foot Dam, except by special permit for academic (not recreational ) use. Until now it has been illegal to use this area between the Thirty Foot and Sixty Foot Dam. It was felt that public access could be allowed up to that point as long as the Thirty Foot Dam Reservoir was not in use as an active water supply. Public entry and egress is directed to six specific points (cf. item 2 below) which would lead into approved, marked, and maintained trails. Unsafe trails would be clearly marked and/or blocked so as to prevent their use. 2. PUBLIC ENTRANCES The Committee recommends that there be only six entrances, all to be marked: Hudson Street at Renzetti Place, Giles Street at Columbia at the present stairway, Giles Street into the Indian Camp Ground (west of bridge) , Giles Street to VanNatta' s Dam Pond (east of bridge) , Giles Street just below East State Street, Slaterville Road (Route 79) as near Honness Lane as possible. (to be selected by Circle Greenway in consultation with the Town of Ithaca. ) Public parking for gorge use should be maintained only at VanNatta' s Dam Pond just south of Giles Street bridge. In keeping with the desire of the Study Committee to have the Six-Mile Creek Gorge remain a natural wild life area, we are recommending that the number of public entrances to the Gorge be limited. North of Giles Street there are already two; one at Giles and Columbia with railroad tie stairs leading into the gorge, and the other on the northwest side of the bridge at VanNatta's Dam which leads to the old Indian campground. South of Giles Street there is already an official public entrance at Giles and VanNatta' s Dam which is the entrance to the Wildflower Preserve. The Committee recommends that the City permit the public to enter at two other sites in the City. One is on Giles just below East State Street. This entrance already has easy walking paths Page 2 Six Mile Creek Study Committee Supporting Statements for Summary 2. PUBLIC ENTRANCES (Continued) and is readily accessible to East Hill residents. The other entrance should be on South Hill at Hudson Street and Hillview. This is another easy walking trail and follows a City sewer line and the old switchback. This path also has the advantage that can connect with a future trail to follow the old railroad line below Morse Chain to Buttermilk Falls State Park. One additional entrance which is required along Slaterville Road is an exit/entrance for the Circle Greenway trail . The exact site for this entrance is under study by Circle Greenway. As for parking, the Committee recommends that the Giles Street South entrance at VanNatta' s Dam be the only entrance with provision for parking. The City should also take action to discourage parking along Giles Street. 3. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES The City should prohibit the following activities throughout the Gorge area: Swimming Rock climbing and rapelling Boating Hunting, shooting and carrying arms Ice Skating Motorized vehicle and bicycle riding Camping Plant digging Littering Flower picking Amplified Sound Consumption of alcoholic beverages Wood Cutting Fires of any kind Trapping Skiing a. At our meeting on November 9, 1983, swimming was unanimously prohibited in the Six Mile Gorge east of Burns Road (easterly line of City-owned property) to Aurora St. , Ithaca. At that time, Alderman Schlather and Andrew Mazzella, Manager of the Finger Lakes Region of the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, addressed the subject of legal liability and the hazards of unguarded swimming. Also taken into account were the reports of Andrew Frost, Senior Environmental Health Technician of the Tompkins County Department of Health, dated July 29, 1983, and that of the Subcommittee on Recreation dated July 28, 1983. The reports included figures from a turbidity test taken by Mr. Frost at the Thirty Foot Dam showing a clarity of 48 to 60 inches. Dates of that test were between 7/20/83 and 7/28/83. As reported in the minutes of the July 20, 1983 meeting of the Subcommittee, if swimming were to be allowed, the City of Ithaca would be compelled by State Law to provide: two (2) lifeguards, a boat, sanitary facilities, an emergency access road, an approved communications system. Also, regular tests by the Tompkins County Health Department for clarity and cleanliness of the water are among the limitations for a legal swimming area. Page 3 Six Mile Creek Study Committee Supporting Statements for Summary 3• PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES (Continued) b. The following activities which would be prohibited were discussed at our September 7, 1983 meeting: boating, bicycling, ice skating, use of motor vehicles (except of emergency and service) , camping, trapping, shooting and carrying of arms, wood cutting,plant digging, flower picking, littering, building of fires, consumption of alcoholic beverages, and amplified sound. It was felt these activities were inappropriate in a natural area, and some would be hazardous. c. Rapelling and rock climbing were discussed at our February 8, 1983 meeting. A motion was made and passed by a 4 to 1 vote to prohibit these activities in the Six Mile Creek Gorge area. A document is on file from the NYS Office of Parks, etc. , explaining the limitations of rock climbing in State parks. Our rationale for the prohibition is the condition of the rock which has been described by climbers as "rotten rock" or shale which is subject to slides and falling. 4. GORGE RANGER The position of Six Mile Creek Gorge Ranger should be established to advise users of regulations governing Six Mile Creek and to demonstrate the City' s intention of protecting such a unique natural area. The Ranger should be provided with adequate communi- cation equipment to communicate readily with law enforcement agencies. The Ranger will work under the direction of the Superintendent of Public Works and will serve as liaison with the Overseer Committee and Circle Greenway. A desire to provide the Department of Public Works direct information on activities in the gorge and the inaccessibility of the Gorge to both City and County law enforcement agencies has led the Committee to recommend the creation of a Gorge Ranger to patrol the area during the summer months. The primary duties of this person will be to advise visitors of the regulations and hazards in the Gorge, including contacting law enforcement or life safety agencies in cases of emergencies. This person will also work with the Circle Greenway Commission on trail maintenance and educational activities within the Gorge. The Ranger will not be a peace officer, but should be provided with communica- tions equipment to contact DPW or law enforcement agencies. The Ranger should report to the DPW, but will also act as a liaison between DPW and the Circle Greenway and Six Mile Creek Overseer Committee. This arrangement is not new to the City since the Landmarks Commission works with a preservationist hired by the City under the Planning Department. The Gorge Ranger should have the ability to deal with large numbers of the public in a friendly but persuasive way and should have some background in environmental or biology-related areas. Page 4 Six Mile Creek Study Committee Supporting Statements for Summary 5. OVERSEER COMMITTEE The Mayor should restructure the current committee as the Six Mile Creek Overseer Committee for a period extending through June 1984. This Committee will continue to work on the long-range plan for the Gorge and monitor the results of the recommendations accepted by the City. Changes to the Six Mile Creek Master Plan or Map should be reviewed by the Overseer Committee prior to implementation by the Board of Public Works. As the Six Mile Creek Study Committee approached the end of its deliberations, it became increasingly clear to Committee members that there was a need for some sort of overseer or advisory committee to provide continuity with respect to City policies in the Six Mile Creek Gorge, once the work of the Study Committee was completed. An ongoing Six Mile Creek committee is considered especially important should the City decide to implement some or all of the recommendations contained in the present Report. Also, there are several issues that the current Committee did not have time to examine thoroughly. After a number of proposals for an Overseer Committee had been discussed, it was decided that in terms of continuity, the most sensible arrangement was to extend the life of the present Study Committee, to cover at least the initial implementation period for the recommendations contained herein. By the beginning of the 1985 Summer season, the proposed Advisory Committee should be better able to recommend what kind of permanent Six Mile Creek committee is needed, based on the experience that will have been gained during the 1984-85 transition period. In general , the composition of the Six Mile Creek Study Committee, as created by former Mayor Shaw, has been a workable arrangement. However, Committee members are of the opinion that some restructuring is necessary, particularly in terms of the voting member vs. non-voting member issue that the Committee has had to live with up to now. Professional staff support--in particular by the Superintendent of Public Works, the Town of Ithaca Planner, and a staff member of the County Planning Department--has been very helpful to the Study Committee thus far. It is recommended that staff advice, input and participa- tion should continue with the proposed Advisory Committee. Purpose of the Advisory Committee: (a) Acting in an advisory capacity, the Committee shall assist the Department of Public Works, the Planning and Development Committee, and other City committees or departments in considering and implementing the recommendations of the Six Mile Creek Study Committee (contained in this Report) . (b) The Committee shall monitor the results and ongoing implementation of Study Committee recommendations that are accepted by the City. (c) If the Gorge Ranger position is created, the Committee shall meet regularly with the Ranger (as often as once a week, if necessary, during the summer) to hear and discuss his/her report of activities and conditions that were encountered in the Gorge during his/her patrols. Page 5 Six Mile Creek Study Committee . Supporting Statements for Summary 5. OVERSEER COMMITTEE (Continued) (d) The Committee shall continue to work on the Master Plan or Map for the Gorge (See Recommendation 10) in conjunction with Circle Greenway, and shall review any changes thereto prior to implementation by the Board of Public Works. (e) The Committee shall examine a number of specific issues that the Study Committee did not have time to consider thoroughly (including: draining/lowering the level of the Lower Reservoir, annexation of City-owned Watershed property in the Town of Ithaca, instituting stiffer fines for trespassing or swimming, and the potential impact of hydropower development) . (f) In connection with all of the above, the Advisory Committee shall make policy recommendations as needed. 6. CIRCLE GREENWAY The City' s Circle Greenway should continue to maintain trails and the Wildflower Preserve within the Gorge and should work closely with the Department of Public Works in these matters. It will explore and open new trails in accordance with the Master Plan or Map. It will provide certain educational services. Six Mile Creek Gorge is an important segment of Circle Greenway for it represents one of Ithaca' s most noted features, our Gorges. Its trails provide for unstructured recreation, especially walking, in a beautiful natural setting located just a few blocks from downtown, and between two heavily populated residential areas, East Hill and South Hill . Circle Greenway has found that by keeping the VanNatta Dam Pond area consistently clear of litter, and by developing a better looking parking lot, people tend to treat the area with more respect. In other words, the evidence of a City presence has upgraded the area causing destructive people to go elsewhere, and encouraging more responsible people to enjoy the Gorge. Circle Greenway works with the Department of Public Works through a system of work plans sent to the Superintendent; heavy work such as dangerous tree felling is done by the DPW crews, Circle Greenway and its volunteers do light work such as trail maintenance, clean-up, and clearing seating sites. The Gorge, from Aurora Street to the Easterly line of City-owned property, east of Burns Road, was designated a Wildflower Preserve in April 1970. However, at that time no special group was designated to care for it. Circle Greenway, in the course of its work in the Gorge became aware of the special flora quality of the area (see Dr. Richard Fischer' s article in "The Circumnavigator" (see documentation] and has informally become its champion. Its preservation requires: (a) Constant knowledgable monitoring. Page 6 Six Mile Creek Study Committee Supporting Statements for Summary 6. CIRCLE GREENWAY (Continued) (b) A current flora survey of the area (last one in 1920's) . Circle Greenway has arranged to have this done during spring and summer of 1984 by Dr. William Dress of Cornell . Funding has been provided by Common Council . (c) Development of a program of public information about the value of the Preserve (See Recommendation #11 ) . Walking, birding and other quiet recreational activities plus Wildflower preservation make an appropriate mixed use of Six Mile Gorge. To these will be added, this spring, a measured mile recuperation walk from VanNatta' s parking lot back to the parking lot in a one-mile loop with measured marks and resting places. Circle Greenway has support and advice from patients and doctors for this "Get Well Walk"; it is an appropriate and valuable addition to Gorge use. 7. CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL AREA DESIGNATION The designation of the Six Mile Creek as a Critical Environmental Area (CEA) pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) would serve the best interests of the City of Ithaca. a. The Planning and Development Committee should begin consideration of CEA designation for the section of Six Mile Creek from Aurora Street to the City limits. b. The Planning and Development Committee should initiate discussion with the Town of Ithaca Town Board concerning the possibility and the specifics of CEA designation for the Town of Ithaca section of Six Mile Creek. The State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) provides local governments with an official designation that is intended to facilitate environmental protection of "areas that are of exceptional or unique character." This designation is called "Critical Environmental Area" (CEA) . More specifically, the designation helps insure that projects or developments which might impact the area be given careful environmental review. The Six Mile Creek Gorge from the Town of Ithaca/Town of Dryden line to Aurora Street in the City of Ithaca exhibits all of the characteristics typical of a CEA, as listed in the SEQR Handbook. The CEA designation thus seems "tailor-made" for Six Mile Creek. Additional and more detailed discussion of CEA designation for Six Mile Creek may be found in the "Competing Interests" Subcommittee' s report on this subject, in the Documentation section of this Report. (See also Minutes of October 26, 1983) . Because the City-owned portions of the Six Mile Creek Gorge (and adjacent areas deserving of protection) lie within two separate jurisdictions, two Critical Environmental Areas would have to be designated: one by the City of Ithaca and one by the Town of Ithaca. Page 7 Six Mile Creek Study Committee Supporting Statements for Summary 7. CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL AREA DESIGNATION (Continued) Conclusions and Specific Recommendations: (1 ) The Six Mile Creek Study Committee believes that the designation of Six Mile Creek as a Critical Environmental Area would serve the best interests of the City of Ithaca, for the following reasons: a. Such designation would help protect the viability and quality of the City's water supply. b. Such designation would help foster the preservation of the Six Mile Creek Gorge and its rims in as natural and wild a state as they are currently. (2) The Planning and Development Committe of Common Council is the appropriate official body to: a. Begin serious consideration of the pros and cons of CEA designation for the City section of Six Mile Creek, and b. Initiate discussion with the Town of Ithaca Town Board concerning the possibility and the specifics of CEA designation for the Town of Ithaca section of Six Mile Creek. (3) The suggested boundaries of the two CEAs are as follows: a, City of Ithaca Section: It is recommended that the CEA boundaries be identical to those proposed for the City Six Mile Creek Conservation Zone. (See overlay Map and Recommendation #8) . b. Town of Ithaca Section: Precise boundaries are not proposed in this Report. However, in the event that both CEA designation and a Conservation Zone are considered favorably by the Town, it is suggested that the boundaries of the CEA and the Conservation Zone be identical . (See Recommendation #8) . In general , the CEA should contain current City Watershed property and also those contiguous "rim" properties recommended for acquisition in Recommendation #11 . (4) During the CEA designation process, in addition to the steps required by SEQR (See Subcommittee Report) , it is strongly recommended that at least one pre-designation public meeting be held to discuss all aspects of the intended designation. In addition, it might be useful to prepare a relatively brief "generic EIS" that would inform the public of the various rationales behind the proposed CEA and the ramifications of taking such a step. (See P. B-39 of SEQR Handbook, included in the Documentation section of this Report). Page 8 Six Mile Creek Study Committee Supporting Statements for Summary 8. CONSERVATION ZONING a. Specific boundaries are recommended to form a Conservation Zone within City limits that would further enhance existing zoning by creating new construction guidelines. b. The Planning and Development Committee should initiate discussion with the Town of Ithaca Town Board concerning the development of guidelines for a Conservation Zone for the Town of Ithaca section of Six Mile Creek. (a) City of Ithaca The lands under special consideration for Conservation zoning are, in general , all the lands zoned P-1 bordering Six Mile Creek upstream of Aurora Street to the City limits plus the lands zoned R-la along Giles Street and the land between Hudson Street and Six Mile Creek. (Refer to the Map in documents for specific boundaries). These original zones will remain but will also have additional construction guidelines imposed to protect the sensitive environment of Six Mile Creek. This area plus the new guidelines form the Conservation Zone. Three key guidelines are proposed. The City currently requires a twenty foot bank or high water level setback to determine building sites. This requirement should be changed to a fifty foot setback from the rim of the gorge. A rim definition would have to be agreed upon but would generally mean the place where the land clearly drops away to form the Gorge. The second proposal is to include design review for building in this environmentally sensitive area as is done in City historic districts. Thirdly, no new construction would be permitted in badly eroding places. (b) Town of Ithaca The lands under consideration for Conservation zoning are, in general , bounded on the northeast by a line between City property and Slaterville Road and on the southeast by a line between City property and Coddington Road and including all the City-owned watershed land in the Town. (Refer to the Map in documents for suggested boundaries) . The underlying base zoning is generally R-30. An additional conservation zone could include further building and design require- ments. Some suggestions have included site plan review for any construction, buffer areas which would be a specified distance from the City land, dis- couraging change of land contours, and consideration of visual impacts of construction. Additionally, no changes should be made in existing zoning that would allow more intensive residential , commercial , or industrial use in the area. (See Minutes of January 25 and February 15, with Zoning attachment) . Page 9 Six Mile Creek Study Committee Supporting Statements for Summary 9. MAINTENANCE a. All DPW maintenance and construction activities in the Six Mile Creek area should be carried out in an environ- mentally sensitive manner with proper Department of Environmental Conservation permits, with appropriate Town of Ithaca environmental review, and consistent with the City' s water supply needs. b. Regular training of City personnel in environmentally sensitive stream woodland work techniques, and long-range erosion control measures should be developed in cooperation with the DEC. The City Department of Public Works is the agency responsible for operating and maintaining the water supply system, including the stream, all dams, and water processing equipment. In the process of carrying out this necessary work, DPW needs to cut and maintain access roads and rights-of-way. DPW also works on maintaining Circle Greenway trails, parking, and picnic areas. The Committee understands and accepts the need for these activities, but wishes to emphasize the natural values of the area, and, therefore, the need to carry out these activities in a low- impact, environmentally sensitive manner. Full cooperation with the Department of Environmental Conservation in the matter of stream work permitting is just one important element in this approach. In the summer of 1982, the City, in cooperation with DEC, initiated training for DPW personnel in environmentally sensitive stream work techniques. The Committee supports this positive action, and feels that it should be part of a regular program, in conjunction with the planning and implementation of long-range erosion control measures. Cooperation with the Soil Conservation Service and Tompkins County Planning Department will aid the DPW in developing low cost, effective, and environmentally sensitive stream and bank maintenance projects. Similar cooperative training efforts should be pursued for any cutting or clearing in the area. 10. SIX MILE CREEK MASTER PLAN OR MAP The City should budget for and adopt a Master Plan or Map for Six Mile Creek which includes all present and approved future roads, trails, cleared areas, and structures to be maintained or created. In order for local officials and the community to have a comprehensive under- standing of present land uses, areas in need of special protection, and planned modifications, an accurate, large-scale Map of the area is needed. Such a Map would form the basis for a "Master Plan" of the Six Mile Creek area. The development of this Master Plan should be a major goal of the Overseer Committee, in conjunction with the Planning Department and DPW. Page 10 Six Mile Creek Study Committee Supporting Statements for Summary 10. SIX MILE CREEK MASTER PLAN OR MAP (Continued) The Master Plan/Map should include present land uses, including buildings on City land and on adjacent properties, vegetation, property lines, zoning, topographic contours, trails open to the public, trails not suitable for use, picnic areas, eroding areas, and any proposed modifications. The proposed Critical Environmental Area should be outlined on this Map, as well as the proposed Conservation Zone. The area above the 60-foot dam that is to remain off-limits to the public should be clearly delineated on the Map. Other approved suggestions, such as property acquisitions, trash dumps to be cleaned up, or warning sign locations, should also be mapped. Once complete, this Map should be officially adopted by the City, and together with any land-use policies adopted, should constitute the Master Plan for Six Mile Creek. Once the Map/Plan has been adopted, any modifications proposed, such as addition or elimination of trails, roads, picnic areas, buildings or access routes, should be considered by the Six Mile Creek Overseer Committee (or its successor) , and approved by the Board of Public Works, before implementation. The creation of a Map of this quality will require professional expertise and time beyond the resources of the Six Mile Creek Committee; the continued assistance of the City' s Engineering Department would be most helpful in accomplishing this task. The Overseer Committee should work with DPW to develop a budget for Gorge maintenance and improvement. 11 . EDUCATION The City, acting through the Six Mile Creek Study Committee, should widely publicize, by late April , the new policies and rules for public use of Six Mile Creek Gorge. Circle Greenway should be given the task of overseeing the educational uses of the Gorge. The following activities have been in the Gorge for several years, and will be continued: (1 ) Public tours by Circle Greenway to explain the value of the Wildflower Preserve, - or simply to enjoy the flowers. Other environmental features of the Gorge such as birds, insects, geomorphology, are also tour topics. Other groups (Cayuga Bird Club, Cayuga Trails) use the Gorge. Circle Greenway encourages this use and publicize their events in the "Circumnavigator." (2) Grade school wildflower walks are usually organized and led by teachers, but Circle Greenway participates, if requested. (3) Cornell University research projects are organized through the University, but Circle Greenway likes to be informed of location and subject. Page 11 Six Mile Creek Study Committee Supporting Statements for Summary 11 . EDUCATION (Continued) New activities planned for 1984: (1 ) Trail mapping. (2) Beginners' Wildflower guides. (3) Flora survey of Gorge by Dr. William Dress. (4) Brochure on use of Gorge. (Do's and Don'ts as developed by SMCSC) for public distribution. (5) Lengthen the season of wildflower interest by introducing summer and autumn wildflowers (sun-loving) as part of the enhancement of the VanNatta' s Pond parking lot. (6) Brochure for "Get Well Walk," how to use a part of the trails for recuperation. (7) Development of a long-term plan for care and interpretation of the Wildflower Preserve. 12. ALTERNATIVE SWIMMING AREAS In order to relieve pressure for natural swimming in the Gorge, the City should study swimming possibilities at Stewart Park, Beebe Lake and other places. Testimony for Chief Herson seemed to indicate that illegal swimming in the Gorge increased significantly when Beebe Lake and Stewart Park were closed. It is the Committee's belief that there is a large demand for a natural swimming facility within the City or near Cornell in the summer and that unless this is recognized, the gorge will continue to be used for illegal swimming. Thus, to releive the pressure on the Gorge, the City is encouraged to conduct studies by itself, or with Cornell , into the swimming possibilities at Stewart Park, Beebe Lake and other places. 13. PROPERTY ACQUISITION The City should consider acquisition of certain properties now privately owned (or the development rights thereto) , within the Gorge or along its rim, in order to create a buffer zone of more consistent width. The City should also explore the feasibility of developing a joint recreational corridor, together with the Town of Ithaca, along the south bank of the Gorge. Page 12 Six Mile Creek Study Committee Supporting Statements for Summary 13. PROPERTY ACQUISITION (Continued) The present boundary of the City' s watershed property is irregular. In most places, City ownership provides a "buffer" of about 500 feet from the water' s edge; in some places the buffer is as wide as 1500 feet; However, in a few places, privately-held property extends almost to the water's edge. In the area of the Wildflower Walk, several land-locked private lots are scattered through the otherwise publicly owned area. Lack of an adequate buffer zone creates the potential for undesired activities to occur in very close proximity to the City' s water supply (i .e. , on private property outside the City' s control ) . Development in these areas could cause problems in terms of erosion, increased illegal access, and litter. In addition to the impact on the water supply, inappropriate uses of land on the rims of the Gorge could detract from the natural , unspoiled character of the Six Mile Creek area which the City should protect. For these reasons, the Committee recommends that the City consider adding certain properties within the Gorge or along its rim to the City's watershed holdings. This could be done by outright purchase or by acquiring the "development rights" to the property, allowing it to remain in private hands, while preventing undesired uses. Property acquisitions have been tentatively identified as "high priority," by the Committee. The abandoned railroad rights-of-way along the south bank of Six Mile Creek are presently used for a variety of recreational purposes, including hiking and cross-county skiing. The City, in conjunction with the Town of Ithaca, could explore the feasibility of further developing the right-of-way and adjacent land into an official recreational corridor. 14. SIGNAGE The City should direct the DPW, in consultation with the SMCSC, to provide adequate and attractive signage to alert the public to the rules and regulations covering trails and hazards to the Gorge. The Six Mile Creek Study Committee feels the City should inform the public about acceptable Gorge usage; we must provide effective signage at appropriate places. They must be simple, forceful , and explicit. We do not want to clutter the Gorge with signs, but the following seem necessary (at this writing) : a. Entrances (6) : "Six Mile Gorge Wildflower Preserve. Use only marked trails, 0 •. City of Ithaca." "Prohibited Uses" list (unfortunately long) will have to be posted beneath each Welcome sign. b. Swimming (many) : "Absolutely No Swimming. City of Ithaca." Signs to be placed at former swimming places and on the trails leading to them. Page 13 Six Mile Creek Study Committee Supporting Statements for Summary 14. SIGNAGE (Continued) C. Trails (several ) : "Do Not Use This Trail . It is too Dangerous. City of Ithaca." Although this might seem to point out an attractive nuisance it does clearly state the City' s position. This is for paths we cannot cut off by physical means. d. Hunting (many) : "No Hunting, No Shooting, No Carrying of Arms. City of Ithaca." To be posted at legal distances apart in areas where shooting takes place, especially on the south bank. e. "Circle Greenway 0" and "Alternate Paths •" are stenciled onto trees or posts; more will be painted this spring. 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