Dear Boathouse Volunteer.

Just a final reminder. The end of year volunteer thank-you party
is THIS THURSDAY 6:30 - 8:30 PM.

Details:
6:30-8:30PM,
Matthews Lounge,
The General Theological Seminary
175 Ninth Ave (b/w 20th & 21st).

Folks should check in at the front desk and say they're going to
the DTBH party in Matthews Lounge, and the receptionist will give
them directions to the space. (Matthews Lounge is in a building
across the garden in the Close) This is the same place it was
last time. Its a great space, and it should be a great time.

We will be serving Lombardi's coal fired pizza, plus an assortment
of salads and snacks.

We will also have assorted wine, beer, and softdrinks.

If you want to bring something a desert that can easily shared like
brownies, cookies, or twinkies are good suggestions, but it's not
required.

As always with the Boathouse everything is 100% free!!! and everyone
is welcome.


The following note is from Nancy Brous. It concerns kayak access
to the barge at Pier 66, which is around 26th St.

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
The kayaking, kayak polo, and outrigger community that is centered in the
Hudson River Park is faced with a serious loss of water access as a result
of existing DEC permit restrictions. John Krevey, the owner of the barge
formerly known as pier 63, soon to be relocated to pier 66a, is asking
support from the kayaking community in the form of a letter in support of
his application for reasonable and necessary permit amendments.

Letters should be addressed to:

Mr. Louis Oliva, Acting Director, Region 2
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
1 Hunter's Point Plaza
47-40 21st Street
Long Island City, NY 11101-5407

It is important to refer to Permit 2-6205-01687: Proposed Amendment to
Allow Human Powered Boating and Floating Docks

The issues as put forth by DEC and Hudson River Park Trust (HRPT) are
as follows:

Storage: The existing permit does not allow storage of private kayaks
on the barge (pier 66a). HRPT has built a boathouse at pier 66, for
which a RFP will soon be released.
Depending on who wins the RFP for the boathouse, as many as 70 kayakers
will have their access to the river threatened. Storage INSIDE the
barge benefits all park users by keeping private storage off public
park land, leaving the public boathouse to the public. The HRPT has
stated in public meetings that they support STORAGE of kayaks on the
barge. But they do not support launching kayaks from the barge, which
would require a floating dock.

Launching and floating docks: Without a floating dock, paddlers will have
to carry their kayaks up a flight of stairs, across the barge (which
houses a popular and crowded restaurant), onto the park's pedestrian
esplanade, to reach the existing dock of pier 66. The transport of
16-18 foot kayaks will undoubtedly cause traffic flow problems on the
esplanade when combined with pedestrians, rollerbladers, dog walkers,
and baby carriages.

Motorized vs Human Powered Water Areas: The area around pier 66a is
designated a "motorized boat" area on the HRPT water use map. However,
this arbitrary designation should not preclude launching kayaks in the
area. A careful reading of the Trust's applicable rules reveals no
prohibition of human powered boats in motorized areas (though motorized
boats may not operate in human powered areas).

These are the main issues. John will be submitting his permit amendment
within 2 weeks. Please help by writing a letter before that time. If
possible, send copies to:

Ms. Connie Fishman, President
Hudson River Park Trust
Pier 40, Second Floor
West Street at W. Houston Street
New York, NY 10014

Mr. John Krevey
Apartment 6S
375 South End Avenue
New York, NY 10028
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

You are receiving this email because you asked to be placed on the
email mailing list for the Downtown Boathouse. If you no longer wish to
receive these emails please send a note to volunteer@...

Tim Gamble