WILLIAMS LAKE

There has been a lot of recent publicity regarding a proposal by Canopy Development to expand hotel facilities at the Williams Lake Hotel and construct about 130 homes on the approximately 325-acres of the property located on Binnewater Road in the Town of Rosendale.

The Williams Lake Hotel situated on approximately 700 acres that includes hemlock and hardwood forests, several lakes, caves, and endangered species, including the Indiana Bat, a federally endangered species.  The property also contains a band of dolomitic limestone that was once an integral part of the local booming cement business.

In 1998, Ulster County Construction Company, through its owner, Anita Williams Peck, the granddaughter of Williams Lake Hotel founder Gustave Williams, contacted Rondout-Esopus Land Conservancy (RELC) to find a way to preserve the habitat of the endangered species with an appropriate buffer and to ensure that the land, which has been in her family since 1929, would remain pristine.

In February 1999, Ulster County Construction Company donated to RELC in perpetuity an easement covering approximately 426 acres of the Williams Lake Hotel land, designating it the “Preserve Area for the Walter Williams Commemorative Conservation Easement” in honor of Anita Peck’s father.  At the same time the company announced its intention to sell a 10-acre parcel located within the easement to The Nature Conservancy; this parcel contains caves that harbor six bat species as well as the Indiana Bat’s winter hibernation site.

The Preserve Area for the Walter Williams Commemorative Conservation Easement includes the Fourth Binnewater Lake, a deep natural lake with an undisturbed shoreline, and the Third Binnewater Lake, a remote water body providing wildlife habitat.   The land surrounding the Williams Lake Hotel and the Fifth Binnewater Lake are not included in the easement.

Specifically, the easement on the eased Williams property prohibits any future subdivision of the eased land, other than the parcel sold to The Nature Conservancy, which remains subject to the easement conditions.  In addition no structures are permitted other than (a) removable seasonal docks not exceeding 125 square feet in the aggregate, (b) up to five tent camping platforms not exceeding 300 square feet in the aggregate, (c) primitive sanitary facilities constructed in accordance with applicable law, (d) up to three lean-to structures not exceeding 300 square feet in the aggregate, (e) interpretive kiosks for the benefit of the public, and (f) up to six exercise stations.  The permitted location of each of the permitted structures is clearly defined and must be constructed in a manner that minimizes impact on vegetation, soil, or other natural features.

Rondout Esopus Land Conservancy is pleased to play a role in conserving this unique parcel of land and its very special features through the easement donated by Ms. Peck and her family.  RELC representatives have continually monitored compliance with the easement conditions since 1999 through periodic visits by RELC monitoring volunteers and professional consultants and will continue to do so if the property is sold.  We look forward to working with future owners in preserving this special place.  In the event that any plans call for a deviation from the easement conditions, RELC is prepared to vigorously defend the integrity of the easement and will use all available legal remedies.

 

 

January 2008