The Eightmile River
Wild & Scenic Study Committee
Meeting Minutes – March 13 2006, East
Haddam Grange
Present:
Anthony Irving, Nathan Frohling, John Rozum, Eric
Belt, Roger Dill, David Bingham, Randy Dill. Also in attendance: Damon Hearne.
- Acceptance of February 9, 2006 Meeting Minutes
– Unanimous
- Legislative Update – Nathan Frohling gave an update
on the legislation status. He noted that the designation bill is being
reviewed by Congressmen Simmons Office but that they are waiting for the
release of the Study Report to NPS. He stated that the intent is to release
the designation bill prior while the Study Report is working its way through
the NPS review process.
- Study Report update – Tony Irving explained the
status of the Study Report and that the version we are working on does not
need to be the finished polished version but rather a draft text-only version
that can be reviewed by NPS. Damon Hearne noted several items that he is
concentrating on for the Study Report. He also noted that Committee members
would have a week to review the document and return feedback to him.
David Bingham raised several concerns regarding
the an ‘entire designation’ as originally proposed versus the current ‘partial
designation’. The Committee discussed the fact that despite the partial designation,
they may request official NPS review of any project (in or out of the designated
areas) that may degrade the outstanding resources values of downstream waters.
- An additional agenda item was added at the request
of Randy Dill. Dill asked the committee their opinion on a bridge restoration
project in East Haddam. The bridge in question has been abandoned for some
time and is being considered for repair for a walkway only. The study committee
generally expressed support for projects that encourage people to be in
touch with the river as long as no additional disturbance would occur. Several
members of the committee suggested that perhaps giving up the right to vehicular
traffic (now and in the future) for this bridge may be an appropriate step
in assuring the committee that the rejuvenation of the bridge would not
result in environmentally damaging activities in the future.
- Nathan Frohling discussed the Tier 1 tools status
in regard to current land use commission actions. All three towns had
expressed interest in moving forward with the riparian setback recommendations
and had received further information from the Committee regarding details
of the regs. Frohling expressed that the committee should stay involved
with the process in order to provide feedback and input to the land use
commissions as appropriate. Randy Dill volunteered to attend the upcoming
East Haddam Planning and Zoning meeting and report back to the committee
on their progress.
- Tony Irving reported on bridge funding issues.
He stated that it has become apparent that because of the timing of the
study report and the designation prospects, there was very little chance
of receiving funding for congress for FY ’07. He stated that between $50,000
and $150000 was needed to fully fund the committee, staff and ongoing activities
in support of the implementation of the Management Plan. After some discussion
of the issue with input from all of those attending, it was decided to solicit
input from all committee members via email to get ideas and help with the
funding issues.
- ERWSCC – Damon Hearne discussed briefly the timeline
and upcoming needs for getting the Coordinating Committee of the ground.
It was agreed that he would poll members as to their interest in ERWSCC
as well as their suggestions for additional membership. The committee will
gather a list of possible names for submission to the selectmen’s offices
for consideration. Nathan Frohling emphasized that the Study Committee is
still very important and that its work is not yet complete.
- A celebration dinner date of April 13 was proposed
for a dinner at Fox Hopyard with Committee Members and spouses in attendance.
The next meeting was set for April 3.
Meeting Adjourned 7:00 pm.
Submitted D. Hearne