WELCOME, ROCK RIVER VISITORS
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Spring 2020 - What is New and What to Be Aware ofUpdate May 19, 2020
The Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order by Governor Phil Scott has been extended thru June 15,2020. The full Executive Order is at the hypertext link below https://governor.vermont.gov/sites/scott/files/documents/ADDENDUM%2014%20TO%20EXECUTIVE%20ORDER%2001-20.pdf CROSS STATE TRAVEL Commuter (day trip) traffic to and from Vermont by those who travel daily between Vermont and adjacent states is authorized for essential travel (e.g. essential work, healthcare, groceries) and currently authorized daily work, family visitation, or recreation. Travel to and from Vermont from outside the daily commuting area AND by those who do not travel to and from adjacent states daily is currently restricted and subject to mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Vermont. Those participating in essential work or currently authorized work that requires an overnight stay may utilize the state’s lodging, camping and short-term rental properties if the individual self-certifies upon arrival that they are authorized to work in Vermont, have not been in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, and have not experienced COVID-19-like symptoms in the past 24 hours including a fever above 100.4 F, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache or new loss of taste or smell. Leisure travel to Vermont – either for the day or overnight – remains prohibited unless the traveler self-quarantines for 14 days upon arrival. For more information about how to quarantine, visit the Vermont Department of Health’s quarantine chart. The above is from the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. The complete directive is on their website Agency of Commerce and Community Development https://accd.vermont.gov/news/update-new-work-safe-additions-be-smart-stay-safe-order Your continued Cooperation is greatly appreciated as it allows the the River Valley communities to see that you are concerned for their safety as well as your own. Updated May 1, 2020 If you are reading this sign, we, the Board of Rock River Preservation Inc., and the Vermont State Police ask that you reconsider your trip into the Rock River swimming holes at this time. Newbrook Fire and Rescue, the “first emergency responders” for the River, have contacted us with this request. The current Corona Virus outbreak, has placed demands and hardships on the support organizations in The West River and Rock River Valleys. In the event of Rescue needing to respond to an accident at the River, respondents would need to wear full PPE. This would slow their response time down, and cause them to use equipment that is limited for a small Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. If the injured party has been exposed to Covid 19, this could have an impact on Rescue should their member become infected. The 14 day quarantine of any member would severely handicap and short staff the Department in it service to the River Valley Community. The Vermont State Police will be monitoring the parking situation on Vermont Route 30. They will be asking people to leave in order for them to adhere to the State of Vermont and Vermont Department of Health's directives to Stay Home and Stay Safe during Covid 19. As you are aware of the restrictions on life activities that are in place in your area, the same holds true here in Southern Vermont. We care about the health of our community and that means we care about you. It is with this spirit of community care that we request people to follow the directives in place both within their state and the public health directives here in Vermont. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here’s the link to the State of Vermont Department of Health. https://www.healthvermont.gov/ Please Check Information for current Vermont Guidelines on our website http://www.rockriverpreservation.org/ We will be monitoring and updating the Rock River Preservation Website as changes in the area occur. Updated April 11, 2020 On April 10, 2020, Governor Philip Scott extended State of Vermont, Executive Department Addendum 9 to Executive Order 01-20, Extension of State of Emergence. The Executive Order and all Directives and addenda issued there under shall continue in full force and effect until midnight of May 15, 2020. The link below is to the complete Order from the Governor's Office website. https://governor.vermont.gov/sites/scott/files/documents/ADDENDUM%209%20TO%20EXECUTIVE%20ORDER%2001-20.pdf Stay Home Stay Safe Stay Connected As the days grow longer and the earth warms, our thoughts return to our beloved sanctuary along the Rock River in Vermont. This spring season is one with a difference: the outbreak of COVID-19 – Corona Virus. As you are aware of the restrictions on life activities that are in place in your area, the same holds true here in Southern Vermont. We care about the health of our community and that means we care about you. It is with this spirit of community care that we request people to follow the directives in place both within their state and the public health directives here in Vermont. Here’s the link to the State of Vermont Department of Health. https://www.healthvermont.gov/ The current Vermont guidelines include: Stay Home, Stay Safe Leave your home only for essential trips. This will help protect us all from COVID-19. Vermonters are being asked to stay home as much as possible to keep everyone safe during this pandemic. Please leave for essentials only, such as food, and keep a safe distance of six feet between yourself and others. This will help slow the spread of the virus and protect people who are more vulnerable. New Travel Update: Residents and non-residents coming to Vermont from outside the state - for anything other than an essential purpose - should home-quarantine for 14 days, following a March 30 order from Gov. Phil Scott. Travel to Vermont by anyone located in COVID-19 “hot spots” is discouraged.“ As much as we all want to come out after a long winter, please check the Vermont Department of Health website and follow their guidelines. That means we discourage visiting the river at this time in compliance with the state. The small communities of the Connecticut River Valley have limited health care services compared to what is available in larger urban areas. Vermonters have a strong sense of communitarian values; we live in valleys and are mindful how our actions impact our neighbors and the environment. To get through long winters we work together. You too can be like a Vermonter and feel good about doing what’s good for all. Stay Home, Stay Safe, Stay Connected. We will be monitoring and updating the Rock River Preservation Website as changes in the area occur. http://www.rockriverpreservation.org/ ROCK RIVER ENDOWMENT FUND As the result of a suggestion from a frequent donor, the Rock River Preservation, Inc (RRP) Board established the Rock River Endowment Fund, during their Board meeting on October 8, 2019. The fund has been established to ensure the financial sustainability for RRP going forward. The fund will provide a vehicle for men to include Rock River Preservation in planning their life/estate bequests. It will also accept current donation intended for the long-term financial viability of RRP. While we are in good financial shape now, there will be opportunities and challenges in the future to maintain and enhance our mission that can be served by the Fund. Fund assets will be separated from operating funds and invested in Vanguard Group mutual funds with low annual costs so that the initial investment can be preserved and grow with time. Donations to the Fund can be made by check sent to RRP, PO Box 1095, Brattleboro VT 05302 or through the Paypal link on our website. Please indicate that you want your gift to go to the Rock River Endowment Fund. All gifts are deductible in accordance with IRS regulations – we’re a 501(c)3 charity. If you have any questions or suggestions, you can email me at rockriverpreservation@gmail.com. Hugh Russell – RRP Treasurer. Annual Rock Preservation Fund Raiser At this time, we have tentatively placed a hold on the Annual Fund Raiser that has been traditionally held on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend. The current state of affairs with the Covid 19 – Corona Virus and the rules regarding gatherings necessitate this hold. We will be monitoring what progress might be made and updating this entry in the future. Please check back here for changes. Property for Sale We have been informed that a property abutting Rock River Preservation land on the west side has been placed on the market. If you are interested in this land, please contact the Realtor directly for any additional Information. We regret that we can not respond to email regarding this property - please call the Realtor directly. If the link below 'Click Here to View Listings' does not function, copy and paste the following link into your browser address bar: http://neren.paragonrels.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=c57beba0-e31e-4650-aa94-cd6844d6b013&Report=Yes It is the second listing; 0 Grimes Hill Road. This Property brought to you by: Thom Dahlin Berkley & Veller Greenwood Country Cell: 802-380-0235 802-254-6400 ext160 www.berkleyveller.com Wanted: A Few Good Board Members!
A year into the acquisition of the additional 21 acres, a number of things have changed for RRP. More items need to be taken care of and addressed.
Currently RRP has four board members and one advisory member. We are looking for two additional members to add to the board. We would also like to have people willing to work with the board on an ad hoc capacity, should there be a need. Click here for more details. Trail Restoration and a Call for Volunteers
The trail is a wilderness experience, with areas of difficulty, hence the importance to have proper foot wear when hiking in. Trail restoration will make the areas that have become difficult to traverse a bit more easy to travel on. In April, the board took the first steps to upgrade trail facilities for the 2019 season. We blazed a trail for Newbrook Fire and Rescue to have emergency access to the fifth beach, removed logs to allow passage for an ATV, and posted the first of the new brown/cream signs on the property that was purchased from the Swartz family. Other activities included marking out the safest trail across the two ledge areas on the main trail from Route 30 and a volunteer trail repair day in late May. If you're interested in contributing to these continuing efforts, please email RRP and give us your name and a way to contact you. Details About the Last Fall's Land PurchaseIn late November 2018, Rock River Preservation Inc. purchased 21 acres of the Robert Swartz property along Rock River. This historic transaction was made possible by donations from gay men across the country and Canada, some of whom have been gathering on this land for decades.
For perspective on the sale of this land by Robert Swartz and his daughter Jennifer to RRP, and visit our "Land Purchase" page and read the feature story by Scott Kearnan in Boston Spirit magazine. Thank you to the 200 individuals and couples whose donations made this possible! Rock River and Rock River Preservation, Inc.
Rock River is a tributary of the West River, running its entire course within Windham County, Vermont. The river provides essential habitat to a wide range of plants, animals and aquatic life, which depend on a clean water environment. As the river winds downstream, it has also traditionally provided sanctuary and solace to varied groups of users who prize the cool, clean water and warm rocks for summertime recreation.
Rock River Preservation, Inc. - formed by a group of gay men to purchase the land and preserve the area as it has been in the past - has protected this site through a conservation easement with the Vermont Land Trust. We users are all the caretakers of this special place. To ensure that the environment remains healthy, that everyone’s rights are respected and that all may continue to enjoy the tranquil beauty of this special place, please join us in observing the following guidelines:
Rock River Preservation wishes you an enjoyable visit.
IF YOU’RE HERE, IT’S YOURS! PLEASE HELP OTHERS FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES TO KEEP OUR RIVER BEAUTIFUL Rock River Preservation Inc., PO Box 1095, Brattleboro, VT 05302 rockriverpreservation@gmail.com |
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