The Eightmile River

Wild & Scenic Coordinating Committee

Meeting Minutes – November 20 ^th, 2006, Lyme Town Hall

Present: Eric Belt, Linda Bireley, David Bingham (left at 6PM), Randy Dill, Gloria Fogarty, Nathan Frohling, Bernie Gillis, Damon Hearn, Anthony Irving, Parker Lord,   Sue Merrow, and John Rozum.  

1.       Call to Order – 5:00 PM 

2.       Acceptance of  October 16^th Meeting Minutes – Motion by Randy Dill to accept the minutes, second by Nathan Frohling, vote to accept was unanimous.

3.       Next meeting date of the Coordinating Committee will be December 18 , 2006, 5PM at the East Haddam Grange.

4.       Subcommittee reports;

            David Bingham,  (chair of the Project Review Subcommittee), had no report as his committee has had no recent meetings. However, Anthony Irving noted that the Fox Hopyard Golf Course has applied for a permit renewal to continue ongoing diversion of 100,000 gals. of water with a request to increase its allowed diversion by 50,000 gals. DEP may be providing funding for a new monitoring gauge on the Eight Mile River to enable hydrologists to accurately monitor water flow and quality concerns. He reassured the Committee that the DEP Commissioner has the authority to revoke such permits if any harm to the River is detected by the routine monitoring practices. David Bingham suggested that in future discussions this Commission consider using the more specific identification labels of East Branch, Main Stream, and West Branch. By general consensus, the Commission agreed to follow this suggestion. David also advised the Committee that the Salem Land Trust happily received $171,000 from the State to purchase 100 acres of the Litsky property on Darling Rd.

            Eric Belt (chair of the Research and Monitoring Subcommittee) summarized the ongoing work of Central Ct. students to monitor water quality in the Eight Mile River. He noted that a number of “warm spots” have been identified and will be further explored. Evidence shows slightly elevated levels of fertilizers, toxins and various nutrients. DEP has changed its classification to “A” (vs. “AB”) all the way through to Salem, noting there is no evidence of contamination from Salem’s landfill and Four Corners area. Damon is currently awaiting receipt of a report from Professor Piotr of UMASS regarding Phase 2 of his project.

            Sue Merrow  (chair of the Education and Outreach Subcommittee) reported that she and Linda Bireley were the only two members able to attend their recent subcommittee meeting. They reviewed practical, inexpensive outlets for dispensation of information, and the possibilities of organizing a series of symposiums headed by a multi-disciplinary team to educate and mobilize the public. They also discussed Web-site improvements, noting that Damon is working on a general framework while hoping to speak with a consultant regarding costs and capabilities. It was recognized by the full Committee that a detailed budget identifying a list of grantors and proposed products needs to be drawn up by the subcommittee to help focus and facilitate ongoing programs.

            Nathan Frohling, (chair of the Tools Implementation subcommittee), informed the group that East Haddam has completed passage of regulations addressing Riparian Corridor Protection with Overlay zones. Lyme continues to explore ways to provide user-friendly guidelines of sufficient effectiveness with the flexibility to deal with unforeseen “minor activities”. Salem is researching other townships (notably Bethany) to develop language that would clarify the ability of the equestrian community to continue usage of the river banks in a responsible, protective manner.

5.       Designation Planning:

            Nathan Frohling reported that a recent telephone call to outgoing Representative Simmons office led to their suggestion that he call the Courtney office staff for further work on the legislation to designate the Eight Mile River as a national Wild and Scenic River. Various strategies were reviewed, with the Committee hopeful that Sue Merrow will be able to successfully engage Christopher Dodd to facilitate the move for designation. Sue agreed to also approach Vivan Blackford, the contact person for Joe Courtney, in an effort to stress time sensitive issues such as budget management and to seek advice on the most appropriate way to maneuver our concerns through the political system. It is believed that March 2007 is the deadline for appropriation requests for the federal 2007-2008 fiscal year, so timeliness is critical for future success of our project.

6.       FY2007 Budget:

            The Committee reviewed the Budget supplied by Damon Hearne. During discussion, the Committee considered the feasibility of hiring Damon to conduct the necessary GIS work; it was noted that we could discontinue the hiring of an outside consultant at the small cost of raising Damon’s hourly rate by $2. Damon’s skill levels in this area were described. Linda Bireley moved to authorize Anthony Irving and Nathan Frohling to function as an Executive Committee with an assignment to update Damon’s contract and make recommendations for changes in job description and salary. Sue Merrow seconded the motion; motion carried unanimously.

            Though no final decisions were reached, the Committee discussed the allocation of funds, ongoing efforts to raise funds, identified areas likely to need additional funds and called for subcommittees to identify projects and attach prices.

7.       Updates from Staff:

            Tony and Damon recently attended a meeting of the Partnership Rivers organization in Concord, Mass. as unofficial members of the group. This organization works to coordinate efforts to secure and distribute federal funding for various river protecting agencies through the auspices of the National Park Service. Competition for funding often pits conservation groups against each other and this organization seeks to facilitate fund management for groups located on the Eastern Coast of the United States.

8.       Watershed News/Open Space Grant news – see David Bingham’s statements under Project Review Subcommittee.

9.       Other Business:

             Anthony Irving provided a brief summary of his recent approach to Ct. State Senator Eileen Daly regarding her perceived resistance to a proposed Real Estate Conveyance Tax. Though she understood the importance to the Eight Mile River Committee and local Land Trusts and Conservancies, she appeared to be totally opposed to the concept and not willing to share her reasons for taking this position.

            The Committee was also advised that this winter DOT will be changing its road management practices. DOT plans to begin using salt products to manage state highways instead of using the distribution of sand to cover the roads. The state of Maine uses this system; it is hoped that the problem of excessive, dangerous amounts of sand on our highways will be alleviated and that the salt will be more effective at reducing icy driving conditions.

Meeting adjourned, 7:05 PM.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Gloria Fogarty,

                                                                                    Secretary