Jim,
 All excellent news!! Kudos to you for taking the initiative to set these goals into motion. If there is ever a viewing platform, I think we should name it after you!! 

Rick Sussman
Woodbine,MD



As you know, since the summer, we have been teaming with the Montgomery County Chapter of the Sierra Club on monthly invasive plant removal projects at the Blue Mash Nature Trail.  This past Sunday, instead of removal work, the Sierra Club folks arranged for a behind-the-fence tour of the closed Oaks Landfill.  
 
Peter Karasik, from the County's Division of Solid Waste, led the tour.  Afterward, I had a good discussion with him.  I want to pass along a couple of interesting developments.
 
First, Peter told me that they are amenable to organized birding field trips inside the closed landfill by prior arrangement.  So this means we should be able to plan future Bird Club field trips to Blue Mash that include the landfill area.
 
Second, I talked to Peter about improving viewing access to the smaller pond seen through the fence from the mowed trail south of the gravel road.  I pointed out that trees and bushes have grown up inside the fence which now block views of the pond.  Peter indicated that he would follow up with their landscaping contractor about doing tree trimming in that area to open up the view.  Today Peter emailed me that he had visited the area with the landscaping contractor this morning and had pointed out the problem growth.  He indicated that the contractor will trim the trees soon and asked that we check and report back.  So if any of you are at Blue Mash in the next couple of weeks, let me know if the trimming has been done (I'm guessing it won't happen sooner than next week since this is Friday).
 
Third, I mentioned to Peter the idea of having some kind of viewing platform near that same pond to allow better views.  Peter was interested in the idea and said he would follow up.  I'll let you know if I hear anything more.
 
Jim Nelson





-----Original Message-----
From: Jim and Ann Nelson <>
To: Friedland Linda <>; Schindler Lydia <>; Michael Bowen <>; Combs John <>; Martin Andy <>; Sussman Rick <>; Jim Green <>; England Mark <>; Ford Diane <>; Wright Chris <>; Beukema Brad <>; Patton Helen <>; Wechsler Sally <>; Urciolo Anna <>; Dater Suzanne <>; Strother David <>; Pretl Steve <>
Sent: Fri, Oct 30, 2009 10:38 am
Subject: Developments at Blue Mash



As you know, since the summer, we have been teaming with the Montgomery County Chapter of the Sierra Club on monthly invasive plant removal projects at the Blue Mash Nature Trail.  This past Sunday, instead of removal work, the Sierra Club folks arranged for a behind-the-fence tour of the closed Oaks Landfill.  
 
Peter Karasik, from the County's Division of Solid Waste, led the tour.  Afterward, I had a good discussion with him.  I want to pass along a couple of interesting developments.
 
First, Peter told me that they are amenable to organized birding field trips inside the closed landfill by prior arrangement.  So this means we should be able to plan future Bird Club field trips to Blue Mash that include the landfill area.
 
Second, I talked to Peter about improving viewing access to the smaller pond seen through the fence from the mowed trail south of the gravel road.  I pointed out that trees and bushes have grown up inside the fence which now block views of the pond.  Peter indicated that he would follow up with their landscaping contractor about doing tree trimming in that area to open up the view.  Today Peter emailed me that he had visited the area with the landscaping contractor this morning and had pointed out the problem growth.  He indicated that the contractor will trim the trees soon and asked that we check and report back.  So if any of you are at Blue Mash in the next couple of weeks, let me know if the trimming has been done (I'm guessing it won't happen sooner than next week since this is Friday).
 
Third, I mentioned to Peter the idea of having some kind of viewing platform near that same pond to allow better views.  Peter was interested in the idea and said he would follow up.  I'll let you know if I hear anything more.
 
Jim Nelson