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Now that the Town of Lansing has signed a 25 year lease for Salt Point with the DEC, plans are going forward to improve the property to create a nature center.  Located across Salmon Creek from Myers Park, the area has suffered several incidents of illegal activities, partying and dumping.  The Town wants to restore it to a place where birds and animals that naturally lived there can return, where residents can enjoy "a quiet place," in the words of Town Supervisor Steve Farkas.

A committee of residents has been working on a Salt Point Management Plan that was sent to the DEC for approval.  A draft is now available to the public at the Town Hall, and residents may call Darby Kiley to request a copy be e-mailed.  Last Tuesday began a 28 day public review period, during which residents may respond to the plan.

According to the draft plan, Salt Point will have one entry drive that will follow the railroad tracks to a parking area, and another that follows the inlet to the old fish hatchery location.  Motor vehicles will not be allowed anywhere except those two roads.  Trails will be laid out with with trail markers and kiosks with information.  Hunting and fishing will be allowed, but not with motorized boats.  There won't be camping, swimming or parties.  Residents will be encouraged to enjoy the area as a nature preserve, and a quiet alternative to the more activity-based Myers Park.

"We're trying to create as much of a natural habitat that was there," Farkas said in the Town Board meeting last Wednesday.  "There are a lot of birds that nest there and protected things.  We want to put that back to where it should be."  When he says "we" he means the whole community.  The Highway Department will be involved in building the roads and helping with other similar work.  Residents will also be asked to help.  "We'll be looking for a lot of volunteers," Farkas says.

Councilman Bud Shattuck announced the public review period and then moved to schedule two public hearings on May 17 which will be part of the regular Town Board meeting that month.  The first, at 6:05, will be to approve the SEQR, an environmental review form required by the State.  At 6:10 a public hearing will be opened to discuss the Salt Point Management Plan.  After that the Board will vote on whether to accept it in its final or amended form.

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