The Eightmile River
Wild & Scenic Coordinating Committee
Meeting Minutes – March 26, 2007, East Haddam Grange
Present: Roger Dill, Nathan Frohling,
Bernie Gillis, Damon Hearne, Anthony Irving, Parker Lord, Sue Merrow, Sally
Synder. Ralph Lewis, David Bingham, John Rozum, David Wardell.
ERWSCC Meeting 3/26/07
1. Call to Order – 5:00 PM
2. Acceptance of March 7th, Meeting Minutes. Correct last name in #4 “Snyder”. Change in #3 5 PM not PPM. Clarify sentence in last paragraph to read: “When responding to a question about Actograms, he stated they are usable now, through an Excel spreadsheet, in predicting impact on habitat by low flows.” Nathan Frohling moved to accept the minutes, Bernie Gillis seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
3. Next meeting in Salem 4/23/07. The May meeting is moved from the regular meeting date that falls on the Memorial Day holiday to May 21st in Lyme.
4. Legislative
update from Nathan Frohling. In the house, Joe Courtney has kept us on the
front burner. He has sent letter requesting hearing in the House Natural Resources
subcommittee. Nothing yet has been scheduled. American Rivers has noted
that the committee has been doing appropriations and global warming issues
which are larger in scope than the Eightmile legislation. Sheila Duffy (now
legislative director with Courtney) says she is hopeful for scheduling a hearing
for April prior to recess. Procedure in the house is: schedule hearing,
markup bill, take to floor. American Rivers, TNC, and ERWSCC asked for letters
to chairs of committee requesting that the bill be addressed. Nathan Frohling
passed around the letter from American Rivers and The Nature Conservancy.
Also, it would be a good idea to have letters from American Rivers and TNC
sent to Sen. Dodd.
In the Senate, Mark Wendsal has replaced Sheila Duffy in a temporary position
as environmental staff for Dodd. We need to follow up with Wendsal to keep
things moving.
5. The funding situation has not changed since the last meeting.
Subcommittee Reports
6. Outreach and Education – The committee met and discussed website which should be going live in a few weeks. Launch of the site will coincide with a postcard mailing announcing site. The committee is continuing to look for opportunities for free press. John Rozum mentioned that EHLT would like to have something for the upcoming newsletter. Lyme Land Conservation Trust also needs something by this week. Bernie Gillis asked can we get press coverage from Courant regarding lunch of website (perhaps on community announcements). David Bingham suggested getting other organizations to link to the new site. Anthony Irving suggested sending the postcards out to more people in the state. John Rozum stated that it would be nice if the newsletter content were topical.
Tool Implementation – Salem postponed the public hearing for the setback
regulation because of workload on town employees. But the regulation has what
we want to be in it and will move forward. In Lyme there have been some
content review issues that have been ironed out with the Lyme Zoning subcommittee.
The committee is considering an Open Space Protection Summit for the Fall
of 2007. Anthony Irving described why/how we want to make land use topics
interesting and important.
David Bingham mentioned a combined lot issue fueling back lot development
in Salem. Other issues may be more important than riparian setback etc.
Eileen Daily continues to oppose the Green Fund. ERWSCC discussed if it should
advocate for this bill. Sue Merrow stated it is just as important to hear
from individuals. The committee also discussed the bottle bill and other
issues that need support.
David Bingham made the following motion: ERWSCC endorses the municipal green
fund proposal within the global warming bill SB 1432. Ralph Lewis seconded
the motion. Sally requests that the DEP be withheld from the motion. Nathan
Frohling had some concerns that it may be inappropriate. David Bingham stated
that endorsing the letter does not constitute anything different than going
in front of town boards and commissions and asking for laws/regulations.
Nathan Frohling suggested that we check in with Jamie Fosburgh/NPS. It was
concluded that individuals can write letters without any problems. Damon
Hearne suggests amendment to Motion: Motion to request staff to draft letter
or content to be used by ERWSCC members to express support for the green fund
proposal within the global warming bill SB 1432. The letter should state that
information is being provided for individual consideration. Emails should
include the following subject header: “constituent concerned about Green
Fund in SB 1432”. Ralph Lewis seconded the amendment. All in favor. This
to be done ASAP.
Nathan Frohling requested that we do discuss our policy on advocacy and participation
in regulatory matters.
Upcoming issues in the state legislature are automatic approval for wetlands
applications, a bill that would combine Conservation and Inland Wetland Commissions,
Face of Connecticut legislation that would provide much needed money for
open space and farm/historic preservation and a bill from 1000 Friends of
CT.
The Committee agreed that staff should send out emails on worthy causes to
ERWSCC with a specific subject heading.
7. Project Review – East Haddam POCD is getting ready for review by the public. John Rozum says that it looks ok. The subcommittee will spend some more time on the subject.
8. Science
and Research – The subcommittee is working on plans for a science conference.
The committee should also be reviewing the Piotr report. David Bingham notes
that small deep dams can be beneficial for stream flow. In hot weather beaver
dams let out cold water in the summer because of flow from bottom of the dam.
It would be interesting to know the difference between mechanical dams and
beaver dams. Beaver dams may not have a bad temperature effect. It would
be good to know where the impoundments are that cause temperature to rise
in the river.
Feedback on Piotr’s report and raised the following issues: Bernie Gillis
thought it was pretty good. Much emphasis on his bailiwick. Must get info
together from Phase 1 and 2 in order to put Phase 3 together. Future of
the river due to climate change. Must consider where investments are made
in relation to how things will change due to Climate Change. Mussel study
needed. Understanding temperature and species as related to bigger picture
– ocean survivorship, global migratory issues etc. Ralph Lewis noted that
it is good to assess vulnerability due to temp change or ocean levels – choose
issues that will still be viable after Global Warming. Nathan Frohling pointed
out that the purpose of the Piotr report was: What will be the impact of
changing flow? How much do we need?
Damon Hearne gave a brief email update on the Koblyluck quarry issue from Gloria Fogerty. Sally Snyder added some details.
Damon Hearne gave a brief update regarding treated timber – it is important to differentiate between using for pilings and using for docks. ERWSCC should author a paragraph or website content on CCA PT lumber.
Meeting adjourned, 7:00PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Damon Hearne
Committee Staff