The weather was superb. We brought picnic lunches at noon on Sunday, August 30 to Frost Valley YMCA's Lake Cole. Our featured speaker was Lisa Rainwater, the Executive Director of The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development. Ms. Rainwater spoke on the greatest threats facing the Neversink River and Valley to date: Didymo -- an invasive algae easily transferred to uncontaminated waters as well as the Asian Longhorn Beetle and the Emerald Ash Bore.

 

Pat Wellington, President called the meeting to order. She invited children in attendance to tour the Raptor Center. During the business meeting Patti Candelari, Secretary, read the Minutes from the 2008 meeting and they were approved without corrections. We had a Treasurer's Report, prepared by Jennifer Grimes, then Pat Wellington reported on the activities for the year. She then announced the slate of officers for the 2009-2012 term who were voted into office: Bob Brieff, Barbara Redfield, and Pat Wellington.

 

Frost Valley YMCA had canoes and rowboats available as well as tours of the Sap House, Wellness Center, and Castle. There was a short Board meeting to elect officers: Pat Wellington, President; Barbara Redfield, Vice President; Patti Candelari, Secretary; and Jennifer Grimes, Treasurer.

 

 

The greatest threat by invasive species facing the Neversink at the moment is didymosphenia geminate, commonly known as didymo. The NYS DEC warns that this aquatic algae, also called “rock snot” has been confirmed to be living in the Esopus River and is easily transported to uninfected waters.

 

According to a DEC press release issued April 27, 2009, didymo is a “thick, gooey mat-like growth” making “footing difficult,” for anglers and “didymo can impede fishing by limiting the abundance of bottom dwelling organisms that trout and other species of fish feed on. There are currently no known methods for controlling or eradicating didymo once it infests a water body.”

 

The Board of the Neversink Association is helping to get this information to fishermen, friends, and neighbors along the Neversink to prevent its spread to these waters. Didymo has been found in the the Mainstem Delaware River (Delaware and Sullivan Counties), the East and West Branches of the Delaware River (below the Pepacton and Cannonsville Reservoirs), and in the Esopus Creek downstream of Shandaken Portal. It is carried from one body of water to another. The DEC recommends "cleaning gear and boots with detergent and allow to complete dry for a minimum of 48 hours hours as didymo can survive in cool damp conditions for 40 days."  For more info: http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/54244.html

 

Another threat to the Neversink Valley is the Asian Longhorn Beetle. This invasive insect kills hardwoods such as maple, elm, and ash. It has been found in trees in Massachusetts, New York City, and New Jersey. Experts warn against bringing firewood into the Neversink Valley for fear the ALB may be transported to our area. For more information about this threat go to:

An informational guide:

 

 

 

  

 

The Neversink Association, Inc.

P.O. Box 134

Claryville, NY 12725