Big War on Little Pond. August 30, 2017

It was our trip to campground in Catskills, Little Pond. We use to camp on this ground every season. I love this camp. We used to be there when I was able to hike. Now I just sit on the waterfront, and enjoy the camping. No longer. Two days after this shot was taken camp ranger demanded I no longer can use my set up. It is prohibited by DEC.  Well, I tried to contact DEC and I tried to be reasonable. Why cannot I use my set up? 

From Environmental Conservation Law Part 190 8 (w) No person shall erect, construct, install, maintain, store, discard or abandon any structure or any other property on State lands or subsequently use such structure or property on State lands, except if the structure or property is authorized by the department or is:

(1) a geocache that is labeled with the owner’s name and address and installed in a manner that does not disturb the natural conditions of the site or injure a tree;

(2) a camping structure or equipment that is placed and used legally pursuant to this Part;

How this set up disturb or injure any site on camp? 
 It is very typical set up. No trees involved, no any injuries to the land.Just say me, why I have to have special permit from Albany to use this set up?
 Well, let us take another look at the camp
 on Little Pond. As it is demand according to the People With Disability Act Little Pond has accessible toilet. On day use area. Only one on the all campground. No one campsite around. 

Generally the DEC Recreation program does not allow the use of portable toilets or showers. We make ever attempt to provide our guests with restrooms, shower buildings or bathhouse changing rooms throughout our facilities. Our guidance rules on these topics were created in an effort to provide a reasonable measure of privacy for not only the site occupants, but also for the neighboring campers and visitors. The guidance was also created to ensure the safety of the general public and the environment by providing sanitary conditions in our facilities. The risks of an unintentional discharge from these type of units are a real possibility. In addition, the New York State Environmental Conservation Law Part 190, Use of State Lands has a section that prohibits the installation and setup of unauthorized structures like portable toilet and changing facilities.

Just think for a moment, what if all campers must use camping restrooms as changing facilities? Not reasonable, right?  Why camper who cannot use public restrooms must be prohibited to use own portable toilet rather then go to day use area every time when one have to go? Why this does not sound stupid? Because of I am not
 Buzzelli, Mike J (DEC) <mike.buzzelli@dec.ny.gov>
or
Fraser, Carole A (DEC) <carole.fraser@dec.ny.gov>
or any other official who demand I have no right to use my private portable toilet or shade to hide it.  
       As it is presented they use all attempt. The question is, what if campground still have no shower building for family where I can have shower? What I have to do? At least Little Pond has no family shower, all toilets be accessible, or site which can be accessible. So, before demand that camped must put down own set up, why do not look around, if there is place where camped can be?
      Well, there was suggestion. Around toilets there are all the time free sites. Reason? I am sure no one will take this site if there are other sites available. So, these sites put aside for people with disability.  How these sites done? They are just closer to the toilet. Is this site well developed? No. It is wet. In case of rain I may have free bed-ride right to the lake. 
     Really, I am interesting, is this really true that people with special needs need to be as closer to toilet as DEC can provide? I do not think so. I can be even closer to toilet if I stay home. It is next door from my bedroom. Really, why I need to go to Little Pond and have fun to fight with fly? 
       When I book my site I take a look at the very specific info I need. 
Site must be on waterfront with good access to the water.   For me now it is very difficult to sit on my boat. I am very poor in control my body, so boat must be stable, no move. My man hold it, and I take first step in it.  Then he helps me to take a sit. Now when I am in I will not go out till we return to the site. On some places there is good access to the water. In others it is not. 
      As I  was suggested I have to take site away from water, why? Do they prohibit me to take water trips on lakes and rivers? Good question. But if I can take these trips then why I cannot camp on water front? 
       Next look at the distance from toilets. I do not like smell of toilets. I do have asthma. Very often I do have Asthma attacks.  Also I do have headache , very often it is very severe. So, door flopping is not the choice for me.
       There still no answer what is wrong with my set up. How my set up, this set up, hurt trees or land? After we put down our tent and shade and fold our tables and put all in our car there is no evidence we had been there, just campfire place need to be cleaned. Looks like DEC never see how campers put on tarps all around the trees, and BTW, children's diapers go were? Does Little Pond ranger ever saw tarps tied to the trees?

via Ravenvoron