The Eightmile River

Wild & Scenic Study Committee

Meeting Minutes – June 26,  2006, Salem Library

Present: Bernie Gillis, Randy Dill, Jamie Fosburgh, Anthony Irving, John Rozum, Eric Belt, Parker Lord, Ralph Lewis, Linda Schroeder,  Nathan Frohling, Gloria Fogarty, David Bingham, Damon Hearne.

1. Acceptance of May 22^nd 2006 Meeting Minutes – Unanimous

2. The next meeting of the Study Committee will be July 24^th, 5pm in Lyme.

3. Anthony Irving welcomed the new members of the Eightmile River Wild and Scenic Coordinating Committee (ERWSCC).  He then gave an overview of the committee’s mission and explained the process of the transition between the Study Committee and the Coordinating Committee.  It was also confirmed that each of the town membership had been officially appointed by the various Boards of Selectmen and that the official appointment letters would arrive soon.

4. Damon Hearne then presented an overview of the Watershed Management Plan and answered questions regarding the plan.

5. Damon Hearne, Nathan Frohling and Jamie Fosburgh updated the committee on the status of the Watershed Management Plan as well as the Study Report.  Some discussion of local action to help the Study Report progress resulted in the conclusion that all was being done as possible.  Nathan Frohling reported that Congressmen Simmons is motivated to get the designation bill started in Congress.  The process is currently waiting on National Park Service authorization to release the study report for review which is expected to occur within the next few weeks.

6. Anthony Irving then briefly outlined the options for subcommittee needs for ERWSCC.  He noted that several approaches were possible ranging from only a few subcommittees with more details handled by the entire committee and executive committee, to the option of multiple sub-committees dealing with and reporting on a wider range of subjects.  Damon Hearne asked that each member consider what sub-committee topics they thought were necessary and submit to him interest in sub committee topic.  The potential list as presented at this meeting was:  Project review and Comment, Monitoring/Research, Outreach and Education, Land Protection/Open Space, Implementation

7. Nathan Frohling then discussed the funding gap issue and requested that each committee member provide 5 names of potential donors to the funding sub committee by July 10.  Some discussion followed regarding community foundations and potential business donors.

8. Damon Hearne outlined several ideas regarding a potential “Commissioners Summit” that would serve to launch the implementation process and the new coordinating committee.   Several members provided feedback that the most appropriate format might be a shorter evening meeting on a specific subject.  It was also suggested that if designation occurs in the fall the committee would have a good excuse to hold a “kick off” event.   The timeframe of November or December seemed to be the best option for any of the above options.

9. Damon Hearne then gave an update of progress on the riparian setback work that each town’s Planning and Zoning commission is working to draft.  East Haddam has released draft regs, Lyme is currently drafting and Salem has made the setback a top priority. 

10.  Damon Hearne then gave a brief update of the Whisperwinds subdivision plans in Colchester stating that the plans had been withdrawn and were being revised and re-submitted.

The meeting was then adjourned.

Submitted D. Hearne

July 24, 2006