May 8,2023 Joint Public Session Questions & Answers
At the May 8, 2023 Joint Public Session hosted by the Town of Philipstown and the Villages of Cold Spring and Nelsonville, HHFT staff committed to answering all 210 questions that were submitted by residents in advance of the meeting. Find the answer to your question below.
| # | Question | Submitted by | Link to Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | For Breakneck Connector, how will the project details described in Attachment A of FEAF Part 3 be monitored during construction for compliance with FEAF? Has a cost estimate been produced? Will the results of Value Engineering resulting in redesign be fed back into an amended FEAF and reviewed for compliance? | David May, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 162 | What are the plans to create programming for our local community? | Anne Symmes, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 152 | The bridge on Lunn Terrace in the Village of Cold Spring is in terrible shape and needs to be replaced; Can the existing bridge handle the kind of traffic envisioned for the fjord trail, and what is NY State's plan to replace the bridge/when will that happen? | Stephanie Hawkins, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 13 | The Scenic Hudson web site states the mission of Scenic Hudson is, “To sustain and enhance the Hudson Valley’s inspirational beauty and health for generations to come.” How will construction of a boardwalk, and the subsequent impact of extremely large numbers of users of this boardwalk, on the bank of the Hudson not contradict this mission statement? | Steven Sohn, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 179 | The Parking/Shuttle webinar and followup report seems to make some important assumptions which would be the basis of how the Fjord’s Visitation Mngt System will be effective. For example: 77% of visitors are arriving by car, mostly from the south, with 2% by VCS Metro North. If this is so, why would you even bother with the dockside and Little Stony Point components other than to substantiate the term “ world class linear park with attractions” . Is this one person’s vision which in turn will be the Village residents nightmare? | Joe Curto, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 6 | How has the trail design considered environmental impact, climate change, and sustainability in its design? Will sustainable/climate-conscious materials and practices be used during construction? | Adele Westerhuis, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 101 | HHFT has cited visitation estimates ranging from 600,000 (July 22nd, 2022) to 743,626 in 2021 to 1,003,908 in 2028 (both 2nd February, 2023). What data points or studies were used to derive these numbers, why are they so inconsistent and how much new parking will be required to accommodate them? | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 103 | I have not seen any analysis of the current northbound traffic on 9D leading to the Main St traffic light during peak tourist weekends. The back up is often to Drug World for the day. We understand the growth of Beacon which has been designed to minimize cars. But with no Data from fjord we can only assume an order of magnitude increase of traffic leading back over the bridge and into the side streets. If you did this analysis, what are the results? Was it an Independent firm involving the village? If not, why not? Concerned about the results? Or it wasn't required so why bother? | Richard Franco, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 142 | In December 2021, the NYS Office of Parks sent HHFT a letter saying that HHFT would hire a project manager and send $5 million for the Breakneck connector? Who was hired and how was the $5 million spent? Has HHFT received an updated invoice? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 76 | Assuming transparency is important to Scenic Hudson/ HFFT, where are the schedules, locations, agenda and minutes of meetings of state agencies and Scenic Hudson/HHFT? When will they be published to a central location for public access? | Stephanie Hawkins, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 170 | The FT plan says Dockside Park is the entry point, but there is no plan for additional parking. There are other tourists who will be drawn to the trail by car, tour buses,etc. Currently, without the trail, there are tourists who visit for leaf changing season, cherry blossoms. They may not want to hike the trail but to drive in and take some photos. The Fjord trail's design will attract more people and I don't see how this can be ignored. What is the Fjord trail's answer to this besides hoping for people to take the train and shuttle? | Charmaine Choi, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 176 | Dockside and lower Main Street were impassibly flooded (except by boat) during Irene and Sandy- 1st by rain, 2nd by surge. The two conditions together would devastate this village. Yet this plan to place traffic on top of existing concerns will not alleviate them. In whose interest is that? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 172 | The Parking/Shuttle webinar and followup report seems to make some important assumptions which would be the basis of how the Fjord’s Visitation Mngt System will be effective. For example: Dan Berkowsky of Creighton Manning , used a growth factor of visitors from ’21 to ’28 of 35% total cumulative. NYS Parks recently did a glowing press conference touting 2022 park attendance statewide increasing over 20% in that one year. Are we really to believe this number and is this in fact the # you’re using in all your parking projections ? They will come by car and from the south and they will search for open parking until they can’t find it and then use the designated shuttle parking lots for a fee. What happens in-between is a nightmare if you live here | Joe Curto, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 180 | It's being called a Fjord Trail-a long narrow deep inlet of the sea. Cold Spring is positioned between this inlet and steep cliffs. Cars come to or through town on a narrow road that already bottlenecks at the 301/9D stoplight. How will more traffic solve our traffic problem? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 169 | Many people will be attracted to walk the boardwalk from Cold Spring Village. Given studies already done it appears that large numbers will arrive by car. How will Parks/HHFT people help deal with the traffic that will be created, given there is only one bridge over the tracks, and parking spaces are rare on weekdays. Additionally, what MNRR spaces that are available on weekends will not be nearly enough. Is this massive problem going to be left to VCS to deal with? Shuttles will not address this problem. | Judith K. Rose, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 168 | What is the plan to keep everyone from using Fair Street to get from the train station to the trail entry point? | Chip Loewenson, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 167 | Residents see the convergence of traffic by train, boat, car, bus, on foot, by bike, by motorcycles all vying to access a single Main Street. We can't handle the traffic as it is. How is the Fjord Trail, by adding more traffic, going to solve these existing traffic problems? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 82 | Pursuant to the Cooperative Agreement #C003145, HHFT designated Consigli Construction as the Construction Manager for the Breakneck Connector site. How did HHFT take multiple recent findings of fault against Consigli Construction before State Supreme Court into account when selecting them, what was their process and was NYSOPHRP aware of this? | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 112 | Were traffic studies done on Morris Avenue, Chestnut Street and Main Street and if so, who performed those studies and what were the days of the week, dates and hours of those studies? | Dave Merandy, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 98 | I’ve been told by HHFT staff that the Breakneck connector (and the project as a whole) will have zero impact on endangered or threatened species - who made this determination, and can the study that concluded this be released to the public? It must have been done in preparation for the construction now occurring at the Breackneck trailhead. | Michael Bowman, Village of Nelsonville | Note from HHFT |
| 148 | What are the projected costs for long term maintenance of the Fjord Trail? What items and services are included in these projections? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 147 | What is the expected lifetime of the Fjord Trail and what will happen to it then? How does HHFT plan to cover its operational costs during that time and what initial 5- or 10-year projections has it made for those costs? | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 146 | What is the basis for the assertion that creation of this linear park will be of economic benefit to Cold Spring, Nelsonville, and Philipstown., i.e., what, if any, evidence is there behind that claim? Neither the 2020 Draft Master Plan nor the Environmental Scoping document is at all specific on that point even though they have brief and vague paragraphs devoted to it? | Delmar Karlen, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 144 | Long term maintenance: We understand from public comments made by Amy Kacala that the maintenance costs will be covered by HHFT. Where specifically is the money going to come from? An endowment? If so, how much has been pledged-not promised, but pledged? Fundraising-what's the goal? How quickly? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 135 | What is the total projected annual cost of maintaining the linear park? That would include cleaning and other general maintenance as well as repair and/or replacement of items or materials which are damaged, destroyed, or just plain worn out. What entity will be responsible for that maintenance and where will the money come from? How many workers will be required for maintenance and how many of those will be full time and how many seasonal? | Delmar Karlen, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 133 | The HHFT staff continues to say that it will raise money for the long term maintenance of the trail, but all professional fundraisers know it is difficult, if not impossible, to raise money when there is no expense budget. If HHFT is currently a "subsidiary" of Scenic Hudson, with its president on the "Board" and back office functions fulfilled why hasn't Scenic Hudson produced an estimated maintenance and repair budget? | Gretchen Dykstra, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 132 | What is the estimated cost of the Breakneck connector and how much did the state pay and how much did HHFT pay? Will NYC pay anything? When the lead agency has changed and the trail has been segmented, what does it mean for accountability to the public going forward? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 126 | If you build it they will come, isn't just a dream in a movie. We've seen it here with the recently-built parking lot opposite Little Stony Point. A few years later and it's already inadequate. When does one stop and protect and preserve rather than exploit? What are the criteria? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 19 | How will NYSOPRHP weigh the public interest in protecting ‘the significant natural and scenic resources’ and ‘seven significant ecological communities’ that it cites in it’s 10/7/15 positive declaration against ensuring ‘this project becomes the epicenter for outdoor recreation in Hudson Highlands State Park (Ned Sullivan letter to Commissioner Harvey, 7/19/13)? | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 86 | 2016-era plans for the Fjord Trail generated a lot of concern, including from Riverkeeper; Assuming transparency is important to Scenic Hudson/ HHFT, how were Riverkeeper's concerns resolved to their satisfaction? Where are the 2023 plans for the Fjord Trail and will the Hudson River be undisturbed by its construction? | Stephanie Hawkins, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 124 | How can NYSOPHRP assert that the 2022 Breakneck Connector ‘is clearly no less protective of the environment’ when the full impacts of the larger SEQRA review, of which it was once a part, are unknown? The determination of no ‘significant adverse impacts’ seems self-serving, subjective and questionable. | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 130 | Why was the 2015 Master Plan that envisaged a simple $600,000 Bike-Ped bridge at Breakneck and a $3.7M pedestrian bridge and multi-use trail given a positive declaration, whilst the Breakneck 2022 FEAF featuring a much larger, more expensive (including for taxpayers) and more impactful structure was given the go-ahead? | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 105 | The DGEIS is due to be published within the next six months. How high above the mean high tide or mean high water level will the surface of the walkway be and how high above that, and of what type, will the safety railings and fencing be for the in-water sections? | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 67 | NYS Parks led the shoreline erosion mitigation project at Dockside which, unbeknownst to the public, included an 18' wide and 20' high berm. The Current quoted Linda Cooper saying it was the Fjord Trail. Before any approvals? Who paid for it? | Gretchen Dykstra, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 58 | There’s a significant amount of concern whether this project is a “ public” or “ private” development. It appears at various times to move back and forth depending on the outcome desired. For example: NYS Parks is the Lead Agency on Phase 1 ( Breakneck Connector & bridge). Was that awarded contract publicly bid and will you release the relevant documents to a central web site so the taxpayers can be assured it’s money is being spent wisely and legally? | Joe Curto, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 92 | Was the recent (early February, weekday) traffic count conducted in Cold Spring by the state to be used as part of the DGEIS? If so, how will data from a weekday in winter give accurate information about weekend traffic in leaf season? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 201 | What is the expected visitation to the Fjord attraction on peak weekends (not the annual average), where does HHFT predict these people will arrive (i.e. how many in Beacon vs. Cold Spring, how many by car vs. train), what kind of food/beverage/restroom/garbage/emergency services will they require, and how will these services be provided and paid for? Also, what research and calculations are these projections based on, who came up with them, and why have they not yet been widely and transparently disseminated? | Eric Tipler, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 200 | How will creating a tourist attraction, no matter how thoughtfully designed, mitigate the impact of increasing tourism in the Hudson Highlands, and especially Cold Spring? | David Limburg, Village of Nelsonville | Note from HHFT |
| 195 | I'm deeply concerned about the negative impact a 12-14 foot wide elevated boardwalk from Dockside to Breakneck Ridge, promoted as a regional attraction, would have on the village. We're already overwhelmed by the volume of visitors on weekends and our streets are often impassable. Why should we welcome this project? | Peter Henderson, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 192 | Haldane's students (sports, etc.) arrive and travel by bus. Residents already need to use back roads to the supermarket, etc. With the projected trail traffic, all must still pass through one intersection, 9D/301 (gridlock) How will students get to their events on time? or even get there at all? | Doris May, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 190 | Were you (HHFT) aware that the train information posted on your placards in Feb at the CS Firehouse was not only years out of date but also inaccurate because conductors are not able to get to people on trains for ticket counts when aisles are impassible on peak weekends? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 187 | If drivers arriving at the park find all the immediate lots and spaces full, what will be their option for visiting the fjord trail? Solely the shuttle buses? I assume illegal parking will not be tolerated? Will those shuttles stop at not only the fjord trail but also other trailheads for routes that provide eventual connection to the fjord trail? The intent of the question is to get a feel for the extent to which drivers will be encouraged to use public transportation and to which the fjord trail may indirectly promote other areas of the Highlands. | Jay Saunders, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 183 | The Parking/Shuttle webinar and followup report seems to make some important assumptions which would be the basis of how the Fjord’s Visitation Mngt System will be effective. For example: AKRF submitted Traffic Counts in 2022, will you release that hard data? | Joe Curto, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 182 | Why do you (HHFT) think your parking plans are sufficient when your projections are based on data from at least 7 years ago, pre-covid, and with annual visitor figures ranging upwards of 600,000? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 181 | Before making big structural changes I would like to know what you are doing about currently existing problems: Build parking lots on empty spaces and in the meantime mark off spaces on 9D for angle parking. These can be metered. Who can do this? DOT? Counties of Philipstown and Fishkill? | Constancia Dinky Romilly, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 77 | Every successful private-public partnership has a detailed agreement between the parties on construction and management costs, and expected revenue sources. We have seen nothing except a short agreement from December 2021 about a construction manager and $5 million for the Breakneck Connector even as taxpayers money is being spent on a segmented project. Has the NYS Parks OR any other State agency or department drafted a preliminary agreement between HHFT and NYS Parks for the entire trail? If not, why not? If so, what does it say? | Gretchen Dykstra, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 78 | Assuming transparency is important to Scenic Hudson/ HFFT, why are all meetings not recorded and published to a central location for public access? | Stephanie Hawkins, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 127 | If the Fjord Trail is built along the train tracks from Dockside to Little Stony Point, will Metro North build a chain link fence separating the trail from the tracks like it did at Breakneck? If so this would cut Cold Spring off from the river and spoil some of the most dramatic views in the Hudson Valley. | Dan Brochu, Philipstown | Note from HHFT |
| 113 | Independent of other park trails, what is the maximum daily capacity of the Fjord Trail while still providing a positive user experience? | Seamus Carroll, Village of Nelsonville | Note from HHFT |
| 115 | Why was a traffic study not done prior to the design proposal, so that the results could inform the proposal? | Mai Yee, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 110 | Amy Kacala has said in 2022 that there had been two traffic counts done to date-1 in 2016, 1 in 2020-both on weekdays. When exactly were those counts done-dates and times? Why were weekdays chosen? Are those counts being used for the DGEIS? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 108 | What traffic studies and or counts have been conducted, by who, on what days and dates, in what locations and what were the weather conditions at the time? Why are they not publicly available? | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 52 | Have any member(s) of the Town of Philipstown Board (current or past) while in its employment openly commented or affirm their support or positive guidance for any part of the HHFT, and if so was it before The Villages of Cold Spring or Nelsonville's receipt of a formal independent and accepted Transportation & Traffic study for the villages.. | Gordon Reid - Robertson, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 33 | If the proposed boardwalk/cantilevered trail is built above the predicted rise of the river what happens when the river floods the RR tracks? How will the tracks be fixed in a timely fashion as work is obstructed by the cantilevered path? Please make all correspondence with MNR available on this matter. | Gretchen Dykstra, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 49 | MJ Martin has said numerous times in public meetings that the “Steering Committee” has led the direction of the project and has met for almost a decade at this point. Elected officials and other stakeholders (I.e. the NYS Parks Police, former and current officials of the Villages of Nelsonville and Cold Spring) have said this is not true. Please provide us with the specific times that this steering committee has met, and the evolution of their decision making? Or has this just been a project designed and led by the HHFT leadership? | Michael Bowman, Village of Nelsonville | Note from HHFT |
| 72 | Assuming transparency is important to Scenic Hudson/ HHFT, where are the illustrations and clear descriptions and plans depicting how the fjord trail will be built and what it will look like, including elevations and specifications? Why have they not been published yet? When will they be published to a central location for public access? | Stephanie Hawkins, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 131 | The viewshed of Cornwall will be drastically altered by this project, To what extent has Cornwall been engaged and included in the development process of this project? | Dave Merandy, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 74 | Assuming transparency is important to Scenic Hudson/ HFFT, where are published the RFPs, Bids/Proposals, Scoring Rubrics and vendor selections for this project (including the Breakneck connector)? When will they be published to a central location for public access? | Stephanie Hawkins, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 121 | Page six of HHFT’s 2-2-23 Open House report rules out Route 1 because it ‘would require a new pedestrian bridge over the tracks that would offer significant cost and visual impacts.’ Why does the same standard NOT apply to the multi-million-dollar bridge at Breakneck or 2020 Master Plan route? | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 114 | The DGEIS is due to be published within the next six months. Have test bores for the pilings been conducted, who by and what are the results of those? | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 81 | Has the HHFT or its benefactors inclusive of N.Y.S Parks offered any inducements directly or indirectly to any Municipality, Department, Officials or private property owners within the physical scope of this project and if so, is New York State or its official aware of same. | Gordon Reid - Robertson, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 5 | As related to the proposed southern gateway to the linear park, Dockside Park, which is basically at sea level, how does HHFT plan on mitigating the sea level rise due to climate change? | Dave Merandy, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 109 | Visitation: HHFT representatives and posters at the CS firehouse stated that only 29% of visitors will come by train. What was the methodology for arriving at that figure? Also, break down the usage by shuttle and trolley (having parked elsewhere), boat, and motorcycle in leaf | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 116 | For Breakneck Connector, the information contained in both the 2015 and 2020 Master plans is schematic. Very little detail is offered. Have borings been undertaken? Have construction documents for the Connector and Bridge described in FEAF Section 3 Appendices been completed? Are they available for public review? If so, where? | David May, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 99 | What engineering studies have been conducted? Will piles be in river or along shoreline? Sheet-pile coffer-type or bound to rock below? Steel or concrete? What tolerances to vibration from heavy nighttime garbage trains? What is the subsoil or rock profile? How will worksites be accessed and work with the tides? | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 57 | Is Governor Hochul aware of how this project is materializing and if so, is she ok with it under her Administration ? | Joe Curto, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 89 | Under what precise circumstances would NYS Parks decide upon using their legally-assigned "dominion" over land-use issues, over the concerns or official protests from the community or the Village Board of Trustees? Please describe in detail. | Pete Salmansohn, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 8 | How can any structure, built strongly enough to withstand superstorms (Sandy and Irene), ice flows, and to accommodate thousands of people, NOT seriously devastate the ground and habitat it's built on? What will remain after the structure is damaged to permanently trash our shoreline? What is budgeted for clean up? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 46 | When will HHFT start being kinder and show more respect to the citizens of Cold Spring and Nelsonville? Supporters/staff are clearly pushing terminology such as "hysteria" when referring to issues that have arisen. In addition, they condone their supporters in using veiled racist terminology such as "people from other places", "from the city" or "others" against opposition as a way of diverting concerns. When will the HHFT just start respecting that the people opposed to their project are asking for real answers to real issues and are not racists? | Judith K. Rose, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 66 | There’s a significant amount of concern whether this project is a “ public” or “ private” development. It appears at various times to move back and forth depending on the outcome desired. For example: There’s a single individual who thru various related entities has contributed a significant amount of funds towards this project. It may be a coincidence but once this started the project scope became more of a “ world class linear park with attractions “ than a trail safety project. Would NYS Parks care to comment on that publicly? | Joe Curto, Village of Cold Spring | Slides from May 8 Presentation |
| 198 | Could HHFT describe its vision for how the day-to-day life of the village will co-exist with the cars/buses headed for the trailhead at Dockside? Will you put a limit on cars entering the village? If so, how will you distinguish a trail visitor from someone with village business? | Sheila P Rauch, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 106 | Have significant impacts and proposed alternates and mitigation related to the segmented Breakneck Connector and its proposed implementation with respect to the other trail sections been identified and evaluated in relation to the entire HHFT Master Plan action per NYCRR Part 617.3 (g)? If not, when will this occur? | David May, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 102 | HHFT has presented their 2020 "Master Plan" as an official Master Plan, yet it is not referenced in the SEQR documentation, so is fantasy. The 2020 plan bears so little resemblance to the plan referenced in the SEQR documents that it should require restarting SEQR. How does NYS Parks respond? | Peter Henderson, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 9 | Is there any concern for the several types of endangered species who make their home where they are planning to clearcut to put up cement boardwalk? | Cynthia Kling, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 41 | I think that this project is going to drastically exceed the villages capacity for visitors. I think that one single lane road cannot handle even conservative projections of vehicular traffic. Do we have to proceed with this project in its current iteration? | Charlotte Brooks, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 65 | How do you respond to complaints that you attempt to control the conversation around the Fjord Trail too tightly and thus stifle concerned or opposing voices? | David Limburg, Village of Nelsonville | Note from HHFT |
| 75 | This project has changed & grown dramatically since his expanded involvement financially even to the point where NY State Parks has allowed him carte blanche. It would be the right thing to do for Mr. Davis to share his vision firsthand & explain to us residents why we shouldn’t be highly concerned of that vision. | Joe Curto, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 87 | What is the role and the determinative powers of Garrison resident Chris Davis in this entire project? How much money has his foundation, family, or himself privately contributed , overall, to the fjord trail establishment, personnel, budget, etc.? | Pete Salmalsohn, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 202 | HHFT projects a 25 percent increase in annual visitors. How can this community be asked to support the Fjord Trail when there have been no definitive answers to the question of how the community can handle such an increase in people and cars? | Ned Rauch, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 205 | If too many people come to use the Fjord Trail, or overburden the village, how will HHFT reduce and control the number of visitors? | Seamus Carroll, Village of Nelsonville | Note from HHFT |
| 210 | Cold Spring is a uniquely-preserved 19th century village. It's a place of sovereignty. This Fjord Trail is being marketed to solve our traffic problems. Explain to us in detail how this does anything but turn our village into a giant concierge to service your new Disneyesque development. | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 209 | What benefits does VCS expect to derive from the Trail originating at Dockside (and Stony Point/Washburn Trailhead) if they cannot handle the volume of tourism it currently experiences? | Kelly House, Village of Nelsonville | Note from HHFT |
| 11 | The “interface” between the Metro North Station and Dockside Park, particularly the public walkway; what plans do Metro North, Village of CS and NYS Parks have for dealing with climate change, and crowd control on that stretch? Who is going to pay for climate control infrastructure on the segment controlled by the Village? | Rudolph Rauch, Lane Gate Rd. | Note from HHFT |
| 207 | If the project is built as planned, Cold Spring is poised to be a primary gateway for thousands of new visitors on peak weekends, which will permanently alter the character and economy of the village. What provisions are being made to address this, and what rights do residents have in determining the future of their town? | Eric Tipler, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 206 | This is a small, historic village and how will we handle all the new visitors? | Cynthia Kling, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 196 | The Fjord Trail claims to address problems of overcrowding on and around Breakneck. It expects a significant increase in annual visitation. How can it solve an overcrowding problem by adding crowds? | Ned Rauch, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 194 | How will HHFT determine if the village is being overburdened with visitors due to the trail? What conditions will trigger an active response? | Seamus Carroll, Village of Nelsonville | Note from HHFT |
| 191 | Does HHFT and NYS OPRHP really believe visitors arriving by car will abide by all the rules & regulations and only drive to and park at designated shuttle areas and then, after returning from the linear park, get back into their cars and drive home without driving into the Village? | Dave Merandy, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 85 | Assuming transparency is important to Scenic Hudson/ HFFT, where are the schedules, locations, agenda, minutes and supporting documents of the HHFT Steering Committee from its inception, including minutes from meetings of HHFT and individual Steering Committee members held outside of Steering Committee? When will they be published to a central location for public access? | Stephanie Hawkins, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 111 | The information baked into the 2017 Scoping document and 2020 Master Plan is woefully out of date. What measures has HHFT-NYSOPRHP taken to ensure the DGEIS comports with 2023 reality, and beyond, with respect to each and all of the Potential Project Impacts and thresholds outlined in the FEAF? | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 17 | How have climate change considerations and the environmental impact on the landscape been incorporated into the design? | Kaelin Martin, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 43 | How do you plan to separate walkers from runners, cyclists and other users on the elevated section of the trail? Will there be marked lanes for each and how will you accommodate them all on a 14- foot-wide path? By what standards could any solutions be considered safe? | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 31 | As a bicycle enthusiast can't you envision congestion on a multi-use boardwalk as in other areas around the country? Aren't there restrictions? | John Zuvic, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 39 | The trail is multi-use. Cyclists and toddlers represent just two on a spectrum with cross purposes. How will competing usage be managed? By whom and for how much? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 177 | Media coverage shows that years ago the town fumbled an opportunity to extend a sidewalk on Fair Street north toward Little Stony Point. Why not revive that effort instead of building a significantly more disruptive and expensive boardwalk from Dockside Park? | Ned Rauch, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 119 | The HHFT project was segmented following the 2015 Positive Declaration. Why and how did this occur? Is it assumed that other parts of the trail can and will be segmented as well? Does this segmentation serve the planners in circumventing doing the right thing for the environment? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 1 | How much will carbon emissions increase when there are 600,000 visitors to the linear park? Please quantify. How much (in terms of volume or weight) additional trash will be generated by the 600,000 visitors? Again, quantify. | Delmar Karlen, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 154 | What investments will be made by HHFT, Inc. to keep visitors off of local streets and out of high-impact neighborhoods? | Pepper Evans, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 136 | The State has already begun to spend taxpayer money on all three sections of the trail. Is there a formal pledge from the donor? If not, why not? If so, how much and for what? | Gretchen Dykstra, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 15 | The boardwalk is to be 8 feet higher than high tide, but Sandy and Irene flooded Dockside and stopped trains. What good is a raised boardwalk if the land is flooded and the trains don't run? How have climate change, sea level rise, and intensifying storms been factored in? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 20 | Has the design of the water’s edge portion of the trail taken into account the inevitability of sea-level rise? How will you mitigate the effects of that without repeatedly rebuilding it at tax-payer’s expense? | Kelly House, Village of Nelsonville | Note from HHFT |
| 18 | What is your plan to respond to river level rise resulting from global warming? | David Limburg, Village of Nelsonville | Note from HHFT |
| 16 | Given the climate emergency that we are all facing, what plans are in place with regards to expected sea level rise, and shoreline resiliency? | Davis McCallum, East Mountain Road South | Note from HHFT |
| 14 | The disastrous planting at Dockside has been excused by HHFT as December flooding and summer drought. Has the whole trail been planned without taking those 2 common phenomena into consideration? | Sheila P. Rauch, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 4 | How does the design of the riverside walkway from Dockside Park to LSP help protect the shoreline from current periodic flooding events as well as predicted sea level rise? | Lynn Miller, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 134 | This town has so many pressing issues that could benefit from the kind of resources being spent on this single, controversial project. Would the town and villages demand concessions from the Fjord Trail's chief backer, whose wealth has floated the project to this point? If just a small percentage of what's being spent on the Fjord Trail were spent on the town's Rec. Department, for example, the department might actually be able to expand its services to accommodate all of the community's children. | Ned Rauch, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 155 | What is your plan to rescue lost, sick, or injured hikers? | David Limburg, Village of Nelsonville | Note from HHFT |
| 156 | Who will be responsible for the trash pick-up, pay for helicopters to rescue hikers, and other costs associated with 600,000 tourists a year? | Cynthia Kling, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 159 | What provisions have been projected for the abatement of river pollution from trash thrown into the Hudson River from the “HHFT” boardwalk, and for the regular collection of trash on the boardwalk? | Steven Sohn, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 163 | How will HHFT support local emergency services to handle the demand that the Fjord trail will bring? | Teresa Lagerman, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 203 | This attraction seems likely to be featured in guidebooks and travel blogs, and could easily become a national and international destination. Have there been studies of visitation/usage that take this into account? Could there be tens of thousands of visitors on some weekends? And, is NYS taking into account the enormous impact this would have on the area's ecology, population, and natural resources? | Eric Tipler, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 62 | Of course with out mentioning any names why do I get the same answer from several folks who were or are members of the steering committee that I've interviewed that they felt that they had no input to the process and were in name only? | John Zuvic, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 171 | I was one of the locals who took videos of traffic on 9D. We wanted a simple trail to get hikers safely off the road. Yet HHFT admits this boardwalk is designed to attract more visitors-other than hikers. So how is this a solution to hikers on the road? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 141 | With the expected increase in tourism after the completion of the Fjord Trail, will the be a tax impact on local residents? For example, will our taxes go up in order to pay for maintenance, police coverage, rescues, etc? | David Limburg, Village of Nelsonville | Note from HHFT |
| 80 | How can you include Cold Spring citizens, who have an excellent feel for our village, its character, terrain, and downtown, in the deliberative process of connecting our town to the Fjord Trail? | Dar Williams, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 91 | The DGEIS has been six years in the making but under SEQRA only a 30-day comment period is allowed. Will NYSOPHRP commit to extending this to 60 days, and extending the deadline for publication until accurate and meaningful data relating to traffic & visitation, especially, has been collected & submitted? | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 79 | Christopher Davis and his family's charitable foundation have donated tens of millions of dollars to this project and to Scenic Hudson and substantial amounts to all the local environmental groups, including approx. 30% of the Hudson Highlands Land Trust's budget and $100k per year to the Riverkeeper, from 2018-202 [sic]. Why should the residents feel confident that these donations have not biased the environmental reviews of this project? | Dave Merandy, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 45 | How can the public provide real input on the Fjord Trail? | Kathleen McLane, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 139 | What are the projected costs for construction of the Fjord Trail in detail? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 129 | Does neither the donor nor the NYS Parks care about desecrating a historic and beloved view, made famous by some of the most respected American painters in the world? | Gretchen Dykstra, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 153 | What is your plan for disasters such as wildfires, flooding and wind damage due to extreme weather events, and train derailments? | David Limburg, Village of Nelsonville | Note from HHFT |
| 149 | Will any funds for the Fjord Trail be covered by the recent Environmental Bond Issue? If so, how much, for what, and why were local communities not apprised of this? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 97 | In 2022, Amy Kacala said a more recent traffic count was needed for the DGEIS. However, the DGEIS is slated to come out in October of this year. Leaf season, Cold Spring's busiest, runs through November. How will the DGEIS accurately depict/predict traffic without data from leaf season? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 145 | How much public money (from the federal, state, county and local levels) will this project cost? | Ned Rauch, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 95 | How can this project have gotten this far without a traffic study that includes Main Street and 9D on weekends on peak visitor days? | Sheila P Rauch, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 151 | How do you plan to handle situations in which visitors to the Trail behave in ways you did not anticipate - fighting, drinking, drug use, smoking, setting campfires, inappropriate disposal of rash or dog waste, having unannounced bike races during times of high pedestrian traffic, etc? | David Limburg, Village of Nelsonville | Note from HHFT |
| 138 | Were any funds in the 2024 proposed state budget earmarked for the Fjord Trail? If so, how much and for what? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 158 | How many bathrooms will be built and whois going to maintain them? | Fred Martin, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 137 | The Walkway Over the Hudson experienced substantial increases in the costs of materials such as concrete and steel bar stock during construction. This project is projected to take 5 years, probably longer, to complete. What contingencies are in place to cover cost overruns and who will be responsible for them? | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 100 | For the Breakneck Connector and Bridge, which agency approvals and permits have been obtained to date? Which agency approvals and permits are required prior to construction? Has MNR accepted the proposed design? What is the anticipated start date for construction? | David May, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 93 | Has an independent economic impact study been conducted for the Fjord Trail, and if so, what were its findings and where are they publicly available? Did it include the Village of Cold Spring, and if so, where is that information available? If not, why not? | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 68 | All public-private partnerships have documentation as to each party's role in the partnership. The HHFT staff have continually stated that HHFT will manage Dockside as well as the entire trail. Where are the documents saying as much? Which state agencies have participated in negotiations? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 150 | Supports of the project have been quoted as saying that this project will generate revenue to support critical infrastructure. In regard to the Village of Cold Spring, beyond the bathrooms, what infrastructure is being referred to and why is this comment continually being quoted if it is untrue? | Judith K. Rose, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 143 | Is any part of the $200 million allocated to Parks in the 2024 State Budget request allocated to the Fjord Trail? What does NYSOPHRP estimate its maximum commitments to the Fjord Trail through 2028, or completion of construction, to be? Who will finance any funding deficits in overall construction costs? | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 60 | Why was HHFT invited to answer our questions? NYS Parks is the project applicant and the lead agency. HHFT is not listed in the SEQR documentation, except for the Breakneck Connector portion. Scenic Hudson is listed only as "Project Manager," which is not an official role in the SEQR legislation. | Peter Henderson, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 197 | One of the main reasons for my moving to Philipstown was access to the Hudson and local trails. My access to all this is limited now by overcrowding. Many aspects of my enjoyment are ruined by overuse and disrespect for the rules. I fear that my now limited access will be further restricted, and my enjoyment lost altogether. What, if any, accommodations have been made for residents? I ask that residents, at the very least, be considered for special parking and access that might partially compensate for all the losses already suffered. | MJ Phillips, North Highlands | Note from HHFT |
| 160 | The Fjord Trail Connector EAF cites 9D being reduced to one lane of traffic 8-9 weeks at a time during construction over years. 9D is our route of escape should something go awry at Indian Point. What provisions are in place for the public in case of emergency during construction? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 37 | The current dramatic expansion of the project appears to increase the parking and over tourism problems it was supposed to address. How can this project be returned to the original project the community supported and protect the quality of life of our small town? | Irene Karlen, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 193 | If the trail begins at Dockside, visitors will drive there. Where are they supposed to park? | Teresa Lagerman, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 34 | Assuming the "boardwalk" doesn't get built from Dockside to Breakneck can Cold Spring manage with improvements going back to Plan A on Main St., down Fair St. to Little Stony Point? | John Zuvic, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 24 | Why is the state planning to build a major attraction in a tightly bounded riverside area with very few access points and natural chokepoints (mountains, river) that limit ingress and egress? | Eric Tipler, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 64 | Has New York State Parks and/or their agents offered or indicated that with significant donations from outside sources or contributions that they may or could be granted naming rights to the project or any part of this segmented HHFT project. Further, would this allow the applicant or NYS Parks or their agents, the ability to offer or provide concessions throughout any part of this the proposed project. | Gordon Reid - Robertson, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 118 | Since the Fjord Trail is committed to addressing safety issues around Breakneck Ridge and traffic issues in the Village of Cold Spring and beyond, how can the Village and Town constructively and amicably collaborate with the Fjord Trail and State Parks to maximize the benefits of the project to the community? | Richard Krupp, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 117 | Has the Village of Cold Spring or its Board contemplated hiring a "Forensic Economist "to evaluate the economic fallout / impact (on behalf of the villages) regarding the above privately sponsored Boardwalk included in the proposed HHFT plan. This evaluation would not just encompass the obvious Macro-Economic devastation to our community (i.e. Infrastructure, Traffic, loss of community). But would include a Micro- Economic analysis that could in the long run present far greater detriment and on a perpetual basis to our village(s), residents and property owners. This would include non-obvious and perpetual detriments such as (decades of Pensions for additional employees/ hires). Insurance, too, would be affected due to the increased projected statistical loss probability. This would be predicated on the significant increase in the village(s) daytime population when compared with a current official population of 2000 official residents. | Gordon Reid - Robertson, Cold Spring | N/A—question is for Village of Cold Spring elected officials |
| 83 | Since 2010, how much private funding has HHFT's Board Chair directed to local and regional non- profits such as Scenic Hudson, HHFT, Riverkeeeper, NY/NJ Trails and Hudson Highlands Land Trust - in the aggregate and per organization, per year. | Stephanie Hawkins, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 84 | Was NYC (with access to its water supply) brought in as a stakeholder as a means to push the Breakneck Connector segment of the project through because the Fjord Trail had been given a Positive Declaration? Was this a way of circumventing the SEQR process? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 88 | Has one of or collectively the Boards of The Village of Nelsonville, Village of Cold Spring and Town of Philipstown formally invited Mr. Chris Davis ( Board Chair HHFT inc. & Garrison homeowner) to address our community at the 5/8 meeting? No surrogates, no consultants or PR aides. | Joe Curto, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 29 | Is Little Stony Point being considered as the primary entrance to the trail, instead of Dockside? | Karen Shea, Village of Cold Spring | Social Media Post |
| 22 | Throughout NYS trails have been closed for various reasons. If we close the now new one way ascent up Breakneck all together we don't even need another bridge over the tracks there. Reach the summit from the north and south by other trails. Why can't we eliminate another infrastructure cost? | John Zuvic, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 123 | The Dockside Park Cooperative Agreement expires on 4/14/28, coincidentally about the time the Fjord Trail is slated for completion. How does NYSOPRHP plan to dispose of it after that date? | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 23 | The goal of the modest original plan, which the community supported, was to address safety, parking and overtourism. They suggested such measures as ticketing improperly parked cars and limiting tourism. Why can’t that be implemented right now? | Irene Karlen, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 48 | Assuming transparency is important to Scenic Hudson/ HFFT, where are the partnership agreements between/among public agencies, Scenic Hudson/HHFT documenting the objectives, financial commitments, governance rules, names, titles, and contact information of roles accountable, obligations and responsibilities of each party involved in the Fjord Trail Development? When will they be published to a central location for public access? | Stephanie Hawkins, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 186 | People will continue to come to our beautiful town. This can not be stopped, so we must have a plan to deal with this influx of people (who are not our enemies.) My question is: Where will the parking lots be located and, of course, where will the trail start? | Trisha Mulligan, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 165 | Is the MTA all right with all non permit parking spots being taken by trail visitors? | Sheila P Rauch, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 164 | Do you intend for the Village of Cold Spring to be responsible for this trash collection? | Steven Sohn, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 44 | What will the trail—in its entirety—look like? How many trees will be removed? How high will fencing be throughout? How will the trail be built along the river bank. Why haven't we seen final plans? | Ned Rauch, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 96 | For Breakneck Connector, is NYS funding involved? How construction of the project being procured? Is the project subject to an RFP and public bid process in line with standard NYS agency procurement procedures? Is this information a public record? | David May, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 28 | Why has the Fjord "Trail" pictured on a poster at the Cold Spring station morphed into a 12-foot- wide raised boardwalk surrounded by a chain link fence? Why not a natural trail? | Hope Scott Rogers, Philipstown | Social Media Post |
| 175 | As a resident of Fair Street in Cold Spring, I want to know why a sidewalk has been taken off the table as an alternate way to get people to the HHFT? It is probably the most walked on street without a sidewalk in the county and would greatly prevent congestion at Dockside park which is a much trickier access point and would not require putting chain link fences along the railroad tracks obscuring the world-famous view of the river and Storm King along Fair Street. | Kelley Linhardt, Philipstown | Note from HHFT |
| 51 | The berm at Dockside Park: who authorized this, at what cost and where was it stipulated in the Scope of Work? This type of so far unexplained activity goes to the heart of the issues of transparency, accountability and trust about the handling of this proposed project. | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 73 | Why has Scenic Hudson, who took on the leadership role of this project very early on, decided recently to form a subsidiary, the HHFT, with Christopher Davis, the major private donor to this project, as the chair? | Dave Merandy, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 54 | Has there been pressure on select local residents and officials from wealthy stakeholders to support the HHFT? | Kelly House, Village of Nelsonville | Note from HHFT |
| 56 | Why is all the information so hard to get and what is Chris Davis's involvement in this new attraction? | Cynthia Kling, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 63 | If the HHFT eventually takes over the management of Dockside, as it says it will, will it sign a legally binding agreement that says it will seek approval from the Village on any significant commercial proposal presented to NYS Parks? | Gretchen Dykstra, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 53 | If HHFT and NYS OPRHP are truly interested in partnering with the Village of Cold Spring, why will they not submit an application to the Village of Cold Spring Planning Board - regardless of the Village of Cold Spring's legal standing? | Dave Merandy, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 42 | Can Parks consider and manage (with the new bathrooms discussed at Little Stony Point) to take the trail from the road crossing there to the Cornish Trail on towards Breakneck with the other improvements? | John Zuvic, Cold Spring | Social Media Post |
| 50 | We live in a nationally recognized historic district and go before the Historic District Review Board for changes to our residences when visible from the street. The HHFT will radically change the character of our town and be visible to all. When will it go before our village boards? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 189 | Are there any plans to work with NYSDOT to install a complete sidewalk connection from the village traffic light to Little Stony Point along Route 9D? | Richard Shea, Village of Cold Spring | Social Media Post |
| 70 | Where do each our elected local officials - Philipstown, Cold Spring, Nelsonville Boards - all members & Nancy Montgomery stand on the HHFT; what are their reservations and what would they amend if given the opportunity? | Kelly House, Village of Nelsonville | Note from HHFT |
| 128 | Is this just an easy dumping ground for Dept of parks? | Cynthia Kling, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 27 | Can the plan be scaled down to include only the trail and the train/car parking to access the trail? The trail is a great idea. Access for all abilities is important. We don't need all the other stuff. | Michael Rauch, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 174 | Before making big structural changes I would like to know what you are doing about currently existing problems: Speed limit on Rt. 9 D should be lowered to at least 40. Who can do this? DOT? | Constancia Dinky Romilly, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 61 | There’s a significant amount of concern whether this project is a “ public” or “ private” development. It appears at various times to move back and forth depending on the outcome desired. For example: In the revised 2020 Master Plan, there’s significant references to a new private 501c3 called Fjord Trail Inc. If this entity is in fact responsible for all the areas referenced has that entity entered into a formal agreement with NYS Parks and if so why hasn’t that been released publicly? | Joe Curto, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 104 | If NYS "Threatened" Fence Lizards were to be found at Little Stony Point or in areas along the proposed trail itself, contrary to what previous research may have determined, how would that affect the construction plans? | Pete Salmansohn, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 2 | Building the proposed structure from Dockside Park to Breakneck Ridge, on the narrow area between the train tracks and the river, will necessitate cutting trees and disturbing the river shore. How can you justify this elimination of nesting areas, erosion of riverbank support (tree roots), and stripping of natural resources? | Hope Scott Rogers, Philipstown | Joint Public Session Recording - 01:35:14' |
| 59 | The Fjord Trail's finances are murky, and the relationship between HHFT, Scenic Hudson, and the state Parks Dept. is ill-defined. What is stopping the Fjord Trail from being more forthcoming about its finances? | Ned Rauch, Garrison | Note from HHFT |
| 71 | Why have HHFT and Parks been reticent to offer documents concerning their partnership? Why have our (Cold Spring) mayor's requests for transparency in these matters been ignored? If this project is to help solve locally recognized problems, why the secrecy? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 30 | Why are there no artist renderings of the elevated boardwalk showing the supports, height of the boardwalk, height of the fencing/rails or its proximity to the river and Metro North tracks? | Dave Merandy, Village of Cold Spring | Social Media Post |
| 90 | Please clearly demonstrate that HHFT is not significantly undercounting expected visitation in order to avoid exceeding new parking thresholds that could contribute towards triggering a positive declaration in regards to the forthcoming DGEIS? | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Note from HHFT |
| 199 | Visitation: How many people are projected to use the trail annually upon opening? After 5 years? After 10 years? What are these projections based on? Be specific. | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Joint Public Session Recording - 01:13:52' AND 01:19:49' |
| 188 | Where will visitors park? | Sara Yano, North Highlands | Social Media Post |
| 185 | If the parking lots and spaces overflow and there continues to be parking along 9D or on private property, will the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Scenic Hudson support vigorous enforcement, that is, ticketing and towing of offending vehicles? | Delmar Karlen, Garrison | Social Media Post |
| 184 | As in the Kevin Costner movie, Field of Dreams: "If You Build It, They Will Come". So, when they get here, where are they going to park? | Brant Thomas, Village of Cold Spring | Social Media Post |
| 166 | What is the real traffic and parking management plan for the Village of Cold Spring, for people who drive to walk the boardwalk at Dockside Park. How will it be enforced? | Judith K. Rose, Village of Cold Spring | Social Media Post |
| 157 | Once the Fjord Trail is completed, who will maintain the trail and associated facilities (e.g, bathrooms) and who will pay for that? | David Limburg, Village of Nelsonville | Social Media Post |
| 32 | Would you consider changing the Trail’s Gateway to the Dutchess Manor/HHFT hub in lieu of Dockside Park? | Kelly House, Village of Nelsonville | Social Media Post |
| 140 | How is this project being funded and who will who will maintain the new restrooms, pick up the garbage, and take care of the trail? | Christine Ashburn, Village of Cold Spring | Social Media Post |
| 173 | With the combined environmental impacts of sustainability, carbon footprint, traffic safety, congestion and parking, why is there no requirement for hikers to park and taking the train from the Croton Harmon Metro North Station from the south. | Timothy Donovan, Garrison | Social Media Post |
| 38 | We understand there are to be new playgrounds at Little Stony Point as part of the trail extensions. We already have playgrounds here in Cold Spring. Why should money be spent on things that are redundant? Why tamper with a natural river setting to build what we already have? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Social Media Post |
| 40 | Several members of various boards have said the Fjord Trail is a done deal because the tourists/hikers are already here - and that there’s no point in re-thinking it. Do you agree? Would you be willing to pause its development and go as far as redesigning certain aspects of it so that the villages of CS and N do not bear the brunt of the crush of tourism it will bring? | Kelly House, Village of Nelsonville | Social Media Post |
| 25 | Will the entire fjord trail and new restrooms be ADA compliant? | Aaron Leonard, Village of Cold Spring | Social Media Post |
| 26 | What accessibility considerations are being incorporated into the Fjord Trail’s design? | Marina Martin, Garrison | Social Media Post |
| 122 | Now it's almost all millennials who come to hike Breakneck. I think people want to know how the FT might allow and encourage a broader group - families with children, older folks, etc. - both locals and visitors, to experience the beauty of the Highlands? | Fred Rich, Garrison | Social Media Post |
| 120 | Can we change the name? We don’t want the world to think we are so ignorant as to think the Hudson River between Cold Spring and Beacon is a fjord. It is an estuary so call it a proposal for an estuary trail if you must. | Constancia Dinky Romilly, Cold Spring | Social Media Post |
| 125 | Why is it called a fjord trail when the State’s own signage at Little Stony Point refers to it as a ‘tidal estuary’? | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Social Media Post |
| 3 | Seven significant ecological communities, identified by the New York Natural Heritage Program, as well as Endangered and Threatened Species exist in the trail corridor. A far more modest Fjord Trail proposal was given a Positive Declaration in 2015. What has changed to make these habitats and species less vulnerable now? | Susan Peehl, Village of Cold Spring | Joint Public Session Recording - 01:46:14 |
| 10 | If the environmental review reveals that there will be significant impacts to species such as New England cottontail, cerulean warblers and submerged vegetation will the project be canceled? | Lauren Martin, North Highlands | Joint Public Session Recording - 01:39:22 |
| 208 | How can HHFT and NYS OPRHP claim they are solving the Village of Cold Spring's tourist problems when they are creating a major tourist attraction that will bring thousands more visitors to the Village of Cold Spring? | Dave Merandy, Village of Cold Spring | Joint Public Session Recording - 01:10:20 |
| 7 | MNR has requested a 25’ buffer between tracks and trail, meaning EVERY TREE along the river will be removed to accommodate a 14’ wide boardwalk shading the shoreline and preventing regrowth. How does this protect against flooding? | Grace Kennedy, Garrison | Joint Public Session Recording - 01:32:25 |
| 178 | HHFT predicts an increase of hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, with upwards of 66% arriving by vehicle. All vehicles arriving from the South and East must pass through the traffic light at Routes 9D/301. Will DGEIS address this increased traffic? How will negative impacts be mitigated? NYCRR Part 617.9(a)(b)? | David May, Cold Spring | Joint Public Session Recording - 01:28:30 |
| 12 | I watched the waterfront development at Beacon station for 7 years, from the start. We know that much of the river shoreline has been disturbed for over a hundred years. The restoration brought back wildlife and habitat including pollinators and native plants. What kind of plans are there to restore the natural habitat that existed pre industrial revolution and how will the restoration help mitigate the rising water levels caused by climate change? | Adam Osterfeld, North Highlands | Joint Public Session Recording - 01:41:56 |
| 204 | What is the projected increase in visitation to Hudson Highlands State Park? The Breackneck trailhead? The Village of Cold Spring? And what methodology was used to arrive at these projections? Specifically what time of year was traffic data gathered? What other projects, parks and attractions were used as comparables? | Michael Bowman, Village of Nelsonville | Joint Public Session Recording - 01:18:46 |
| 69 | Will the Fjord Trail be built even if a majority of people in the community are against it? | Alice Krakauer, Philipstown | Joint Public Session Recording - 00:19:02 |
| 161 | How will HHFT support the Village of Cold Spring to handle the increased strain in its infrastructure that the Fjord trail will bring? This is not a bathroom question -- the Village as it is can barely keep up with sidewalk repairs, garbage pickup, maintenance of the water treatment plant, etc. | Teresa Lagerman, Village of Cold Spring | Joint Public Session Recording - 01:52:34 |
| 107 | The Fjord Trail will have a big impact, but we have no data on what this impact (social, environmental, economic) will look like. Where are the studies that typically accompany projects of this large scale? Can we expect to see such analyses so we can have a fact-based debate? | David Duffy, Philipstown | Joint Public Session Recording - 01:00:01 |
| 35 | Given the concerns about 600,000 visitors using the Fjord Trail and potentially swamping the tiny Cold Spring Village on weekends, is it possible to have the Dutchess Manor site be promoted from the outset as the focal point/centerpiece for HHFT visitors...particularly those coming by car? This central point would have trail info, food, tons of parking, and be the designated starting point for trail access. All trail guide brochures, advertising, and other marketing information would direct visitors to this central point, noting that other trail access points may be available. Surely some will still come by train to the Cold Spring, Beacon, and Breakneck stations, and others drive and park at other areas along the trail, but having the focus on this mid-trail site should cause less stress on CS Village resources and residents. | Cathy Carnevale, Village of Cold Spring | Joint Public Session Recording - 00:56:19 |
| 21 | What viable alternatives to the proposed Fjord Trail have been proposed and evaluated, including alternative alignments and no build/no action options? Why are earlier iterations, much smaller in scope, impact, scale & cost to the taxpayer, no longer under consideration? What is the current status of any of these? | Andrew Hall, Cold Spring | Joint Public Session Recording - 00:45:00 |
| 55 | It's understood there is a fine line in this so-called public/private partnership between NYS and Scenic Hudson/HHFT. If this is truly a public project, exempt from local planning board oversight, then agenda and minutes from meetings under this partnership would be required under Open Meetings law. If this is truly a private project, then local board oversight is required by law and minutes can be hidden/withheld from the public. In this case, which is it? Ethically you shouldn’t claim both. Wouldn’t you agree? | Stephanie Hawkins, Cold Spring | Joint Public Session Slides |
| 36 | A trail between Cold Spring and Beacon is a great idea. But the "add-ons" will totally change the character of the area the Fjord Trail claims to celebrate. Why must we accept the "add-ons" along with the trail? | Ned Rauch, Garrison | Joint Public Session Recording - 00:49:02 |
| 47 | I liked this plan when it was a wooded trail. It transformed into a concrete extravaganza that will scar the landscape forever due to the influence of a private donor, Chris Davis. Even Parks deferred to him. Who elected him? How is he accountable? | Phil Weiss, North Highlands | Joint Public Session Recording - 00:25:12 |
