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Otter Creek council approves Smokey House road and trail stabilization project
Summary
The Otter Creek Basin Water Quality Council unanimously approved a Smokey House project to repair undersized culverts, regrade roads and address erosion across a 5,000‑acre property in Danby, Vt.; final contracting will be contingent on required wetlands permits and a revised budget.
At a meeting of the Otter Creek Basin Water Quality Council, members moved to approve a project proposed by Smokey House to repair forestry roads, upgrade culverts and address erosion on the group’s Danby property.
The project is meant to reduce sediment and erosion that reach headwaters of Otter Creek and to prepare multiuse forestry roads and recreational trails for increased public and research use. Council member Joia moved to approve the project “as presented today,” and council member Kate seconded; the motion carried unanimously.
Smokey House steward Walker, representing the applicant, told the council the organization stewards about 5,000 acres in Danby, including roughly 4,000 acres of forest and 1,000 acres of agricultural land, and is shifting toward applied research and expanded public programming. “We’re in this really exciting and dynamic relaunch phase,” Walker said, describing youth education, partnerships with regional foresters and plans for a summer apprenticeship program. He said deferred maintenance on roads, undersized culverts and degraded water bars have produced current and future erosion risks the project seeks to address.
The application that the council reviewed contained a revised budget; program staff Mike said operations and maintenance had been removed from the application budget that the council considered. Kate told the council that watershed project database tracking numbers are now assigned and that the application will be contingent on receipt of any necessary wetlands permits: staff had contacted Kyle Zapata, Everett Marshall and Josh Carvajal, and Zapata had responded in December that potential wetland impacts could only be determined during the growing season.
Walker said Smokey House will work with Vermont trail and road specialists and local contractors to size culverts and install best management practices. He identified Mariah Kegi of Sinuosity Trail Builders as the primary expert helping develop the plan under a planning grant from the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economy Collaborative (VOREC).
Council discussion noted the project had been tabled at the January meeting and returned with a revised budget. Several council members and staff emphasized that final contracting and implementation depend on required permits and completion of the road‑assessment tool before physical work begins. Mike told the council staff would follow up with the applicant about contracting details.
The council adjourned the Smokey House agenda item after approving the project and indicated staff will proceed with contracting and any necessary pre‑construction reviews. Walker invited council members and the public to visit the Smokey House property once work is underway.
Ending: The council said it will notify the applicant about next steps in contracting. The April council meeting was announced as the next regular meeting, when members will also review application materials and consider any changes to what applicants must submit.
