The Eightmile River

Wild & Scenic Study Committee

Meeting Minutes – September 26, 2005, Salem Town Hall

Present: Anthony Irving, Linda Krause, Nathan Frohling, David Bingham, Roger Dill, Sue Merrow, Walter Smith, Sally Snyder.  NPS - Kevin Case

Absent: Larry Reitz, Eric Belt, John Rozum, Randy Dill, Brad Parker, Bill Koch

  1. Call to Order 5:10 PM.
  1. Acceptance of August 15, 2005 Meeting Minutes – Unanimous
  1. Management Plan and Designation Support –

A motion was enthusiastically moved by Merrow and seconded by Bingham stating “The Eightmile River Wild & Scenic Study Committee formally supports Wild & Scenic Designation for the Eightmile River Watershed and endorses implementation of the Eightmile River Watershed Management Plan.” 

The motion passed unanimously.  (Note: Unanimous votes of support were also received after the meeting by all those not in attendance).

Smith of USDA NRCS and Snyder of CT DEP recused themselves from the vote.  Smith noted he recused himself from the vote due to potential appearance of conflict of interest in program delivery.  Snyder noted she was not empowered make such a vote on behalf of CT DEP.  It was recognized that the State of Connecticut through Public Act 05-18 (An Act Concerning Designation of the Eightmile River Watershed within the National Wild and Scenic River System) has supported Wild & Scenic Designation and  participation in the Management Plan. CT DEP supported this legislation.  Smith anticipates a letter of support for designation and the management plan will be forthcoming from NRCS.

It was noted at the next meeting a determination of the watercourses to include in the designation proposal to Congress will be finalized.

  1. Subcommittee Reports
    1. Management –

Frohling reported most of the updates to the second draft of the plan have been incorporated.  We are still waiting for CT DEP comments.  Changes from the first draft primarily provide clarification on certain points, no substantive changes to the tools has occurred.   Additional sections have been added including an executive summary, descriptions of major partners, discussion of the proposed land protection program, and a summary of benefits among others.

All land use commissions in the three towns are being asked to endorse the document as a draft.  Once in final form we will have to go back and revise the endorsement to reflect support of the final version.  Frohling reviewed the endorsement language being proposed to each commission.  Case reported that so far East Haddam and Salem Inland Wetlands Commissions have endorsed the draft plan.  Merrow noted we should try to get an endorsement from the East Haddam Economic Development Commission.  Frohling reviewed the key messages being developed by the subcommittee to be conveyed at the upcoming open house.  He also noted a new frequently asked questions sheet is being developed for the open house.       

    1. Outreach & Education –

Focus is on promoting and preparing for the October 13 Community Meeting Open House at the Fox Hopyard Golf Club.  7,400 postcard invitations are being sent to every household in the three towns, a media advisory has gone out with a press release to follow, maps and text displays are evolving as is the power point presentation.  A picture slide show is being developed to run while the formal presentation is not running.  Discussion ensued regarding details of food, beverages, and content/structure of the displays.

    1. Natural Resources –

No new business.

  1. Other Old Business
    1. The Lyme gravel pit application has been withdrawn from the Lyme Planning and Zoning Commission.   
  1. New Business
    1. Snyder reported on a gentleman from Haddam who wanted to organize a river clean-up in the area for October 1 associated with the CT River Watershed Council’s clean-up event.  Everyone agreed it was an appreciated gesture but the timing is too late and out plate is already too full.
    2. Smith reported NRCS is hosting a Farm Bill Forum soon.
    3. Bingham reported a quarry in Salem is continuing to cause siltation problems from stormwater runoff coming off the site into local waterways. 
  1. Next meeting date is Monday, October 24, 5:00-7:00pm, Lyme Town Hall.

Meeting Adjourned 7:00 pm.

Submitted

K. Case