The Eightmile River

Wild & Scenic Coordinating Committee

Meeting Minutes – January 22, 2007, Salem town Hall

Present: Eric Belt, Linda Bireley, David Bingham, Randy Dill, Gloria Fogarty, Jamie Fosburgh, Nathan Frohling, Bernie Gillis, Damon Hearn, Anthony Irving, Ralph Lewis Parker Lord, Sue Merrow (arrived at 5:40PM), John Rozum, and Sally Synder.    

1.       Call to Order – 5:00 PM 

2.       Acceptance of  December 18th  Meeting Minutes – Anthony Irving noticed a typing error in the second paragraph under the item of Executive Committee; specifically, the word “Committee” needs to be added to “the motion to establish the Executive Committee” by David Bingham. A second correction needs to identify Clayton Penniman as a professor from Central Connecticut, not from UMASS. Motion to accept the minutes as amended made by Sally Snyder, seconded by David Bingham; unanimous vote to accept the Minutes as amended.

3.       Though the next scheduled meeting date of the Coordinating Committee was to be February 26, 2007, Anthony Irving has a conflict on that date. After much discussion, it was decided that he will use e-mail to notify committee members of the rescheduled meeting dates for the next three months. The next meeting will be held at the Lyme Town Hall.

4.       Report on trip to Washington D.C. for designation work – Based on the recent meeting with Representative Courtney, Anthony indicated there are reasons to be optimistic about the future of the designation effort.  A delegation consisting of Eightmile River representatives, individuals from the American Rivers group and persons from Senator Dodd’s office, met with Rep. Courtney for 45 minutes. Rep. Courtney confirmed his resolve to move forward as expeditiously as possible in presenting the application for designation of the Eightmile River. He reported that the Bill is likely to be introduced into both the House and Senate by the end of this month. Two versions of the Bill are currently being reviewed by legal staff from the House and the Senate to insure consistency of purpose and language. Our delegation is hopeful that Senator Dodd will sway his legal counsel to match the version prepared by the House counsel – a version  we believe to be superior because of extra measures of clarity included on topics related to Federal condemnation of Land. Anthony thanked and praised Sue Merrow for a letter she had crafted encouraging  Rep. Courtney to continue his work on behalf of the Eightmile River Designation effort. The group also discussed how important timing is to the successful implementation of Federal designation. Jamie Fosburgh noted that the NPS will probably have funds available to add to our coffers after the Federal summer review of the NPS budget.

5. Subcommittee reports -

                          Eric Belt (Chair of Research and Monitoring Subcommittee) reported no activity; their meeting has been postponed until next month. Tony Irving mentioned that Professor Pyotr is leaving UMASS,  yet expects to fulfill his commitment to us by presenting an oral report at our meeting summarizing his impressions of our Phase I work, and his vision of what can be accomplished in our Phase II efforts and ideas regarding Phase III.

            David Bingham,  (chair of the Project Review Subcommittee), noted that no projects had yet been referred to his committee, although he anticipated one coming from the Friends of Fox Hopyard regarding some timbering issues. Damon Hearne

chose to address agenda item # 6 during this report and indicated a letter has been sent to ask the applicant to fully fund a stream gauge on the West Branch of the 8Mileriver and to advise the applicant that the cut-off date has been moved up to early July. DEP has done a very thorough review of the project, has taken care of our concerns and will be sending copies of our review letter to Lyme and East Haddam. It was also noted that Kobyluck Quarry in Salem continues to present significant problems and may require our intervention sometime in the future pending resolution of current legal issues.

            Sue Merrow  (chair of the Education and Outreach Subcommittee) summarized the topics discussed the recent subcommittee meeting. There was continued attention to the modification of the 8mileriver Web site; it is anticipated that approximately $3500 will be needed to complete the project. The plan is to use the same web address site, build in greater flexibility and provide more comprehensive information regarding proper management and usage of the 8mileriver watershed area. Efforts will be made to monitor the amount of usage of the Web site; it is recognized that there is a need to update the evaluation ability to explore the number of hits and determine where the greatest public interests lies. Wendy Goodfriend has 2000 pamphlets available for distribution which deal with water management issues. Linda Bireley has compiled a working list of people to invite to a first annual symposium, tentatively scheduled for early summer. Anthony reviewed the overall goals of the subcommittee including the broad goal of disseminating information, keeping the commission in the public view, creation of pamphlets to reach all appropriate parties, scheduling of public events, communications with newspapers and submission of newsletters to the three affected communities through existing free press agents. We also discussed the possible use of postcards offering tips of the month, considered sponsoring a Photo contest and recreation programs to encourage kids’ involvement with conservation efforts. We can also explore the option of involving local high school science departments and offer public speakers to address various aspects of environment education.

         Nathan Frohling, (chair of the Tools Implementation subcommittee), provided no  report other than to note the cancellation of the most recent planned meeting. Damon provided an update on the status of efforts in Lyme and Salem to create Riparian Corridor regulations.  Both Lyme and Salem  P&Z commissions continue to review possible plans and anticipate scheduling  public hearings in March or early April.

6. Letter to DEP re: fox Hopyard diversion permit: See Project Review subcommittee report listed above.

7. Watershed Updates: Land use commission, Open Space acquisition and Land Trust issues:

The Committee reviewed feasible options to maximize the potential acquisition of land for conservation including PA490, development rights, easements, etc. Anthony believes we should use our status to leverage funding efforts. He noted that the Sierra Club describes a practice of placing municipal conveyance tax receipts into a Green Fund which could be utilized to pay for storm drains, encourage construction of Green Buildings, and help communities with no Open Space options to explore alternative means managing environment issues. He also reported on Ct. legislation ( PA#6560) titled “Municipal Green Fund Tax” and suggested that Commission members encourage their respective Boards of Selectmen to politically support the bill.

The Commission was advised that the Lyme Land Trust will be celebrating 40 years of activity with a June 3, 2007 lawn party; details will be forthcoming.              

Meeting adjourned, 7:00PM.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Gloria Fogarty,

                                                                                    Secretary