Study Committee Minutes 01 27 03

The Eightmile River

Wild & Scenic Study Committee

Minutes - January 27, 2003, Salem Town Hall

Present - Study Group Members: Charlie Fredette, Eric Belt, Anthony Irving, Peter Sielman, David Bingham, Jon Morris, Nathan Frohling, Sue Merrow, Sally Snyder, Maureen VanDerStad, Walter Smith, Linda Krause. NPS Staff: Jamie Fosburgh, Kevin Case.

Absent - Study Group Members: William Koch, David Tiffany

1.) Meeting Called to Order at 5:35 PM.

2.) Approval of January 7, 2003 meeting minutes – 1^st P. Sielman, 2^nd L. Krause – Fosburgh noted that under item 5 the minutes incorrectly named Fosburgh as the author of a memo to the Army Corp. The author was the project’s engineering firm. Minutes unanimously approved with correction.

3) Review of Subcommittee Charge – Irving reviewed a number of issues the subcommittees should remain aware of as they charge forward in their work. Primary issues include being sensitive to the proposed timeframe for achieving the study as discussed at the last meeting, while at the same time recognizing opportunities to leverage this process for resource protection opportunities during the study.

Also raised was the need to agree as a committee on the extent to which the study will focus on the river corridor vs. the watershed. Irving noted his preference for a watershed approach, not only because it makes sense from a resource conservation perspective but also because it is reasonable to do – the watershed is relatively small and undeveloped, making the study effort feasible within the timeframe and resources available. Frohling noted that because of the small size and capillary nature of the river system taking a just watercourse approach for the study would be difficult as you would end up including most of the watershed anyway. Krause asked about the inclusion of Hamburg Cove and noted the CT River Gateway Commission which she is closely involved with, is encouraging the Study Committee to include Hamburg Cove as a part of the study. Morris questioned whether taking a larger watershed approach towards the study would make achieving designation more risky. Irving noted that the Committee does not have to decide now where it may want to pursue actual designation. That is a separate process from this initial phase of the study of the resources. Sielman felt a watershed approach would actually strengthen a case for designation, he also questioned whether Hamburg Cove receives adequate protection from the Gateway Commission and whether this effort would duplicate their work. Krause noted that it would be duplicative, as the Commission’s powers are limited relative to the Cove. Snyder also noted the CT DEP recognizes Hamburg Cove is under increasing growth pressure and would welcome support to strengthen its protection. Bingham made a motion “The Study Committee will pursue a watershed approach, including Hamburg Cove, when undertaking the eligibility assessment and management review and will at a later date in the process determine what should be included in any final possible designation recommendation” 2^nd J. Morris. Passed unanimously.

Frohling noted the Oct. 28, 2002 Direction & Goals document is a good reference for the subcommittees to use. Irving clarified that the subcommittee heads, working with Case, will be the liaison with the full Study Committee. Fredette asked if any progress had been made on GIS support. Case noted he is still in process of reviewing available data sources and options for establishing a GIS capability for the Committee. He also asked the subcommittees to identify and let him know of any obvious immediate mapping needs they have.

Case reviewed the subcommittee members and their lead contacts. He will be developing contact lists and email groups for each subcommittee that will distributed in the next few days. The subcommittees broke out at 6:40 pm.

4) Sub-Committees Meet and Discuss Charge and Logistics –

The full committee reconvened at 7:00 PM with reports back from the subcommittees. Three subcommittees met including Natural Resources, Cultural/Recreation/Historic, and Outreach and Education. (attached is a current list of subcommittees and their members) The primary focus of each subcommittee was to identify immediate needs and set up times to meet.

Belt reported for Natural Resources noting they will be meeting on Feb. 3 at 3:00 PM at Salem Town Hall to go over existing GIS mapping work completed by the Eightmile Coalition and UCONN.

VanDerStaad reported for the Cultural/Historic/Recreational Subcommittee. They will be meeting on Feb. 19 at 10:00 AM at CRERPA, focusing initially on historic resources.

The Outreach and Education Subcommittee was reported on by Smith. He noted the subcommittee agreed it is important the outreach work follows a bottom-up approach. They will be developing materials such as a fact sheet, power point presentation, and frequently asked questions sheet, and suggested the Eightmile Coalition would be a strong partner in implement the outreach work. He also discussed the need to establish two databases one for landowners and one for media. It was recognized it is important to form an identity for the Eightmile Study. A meeting date has not yet been established. Smith will compile notes from meeting and distribute, then set up a meeting date for the subcommittee. Everyone agreed it is critically important to get information on the study out and into the public early and often to ensure there are no misconceptions about the process. Irving noted all future study committee meetings will be publicly noticed through town clerks offices.

The Management Subcommittee then convened, as many of the other subcommittee’s members also are on the management subcommittee. Frohling led discussion primarily focusing on setting a meeting date for the subcommittee. Sielman suggested holding off on the Management Subcommittee meeting for three months until the other subcommittees have a chance to get established. In the meantime work could begin on assessing existing local, state and federal regulatory programs that impact the Eightmile. The Study Committee agreed this is a good strategy and Case will take the lead working with Krause on pulling together existing regulatory programs information.

5) Other Old Business – State geologist presentation net yet scheduled. The Natural Resources Subcommittee will determine a date at their 2/3/03 meeting.

6) New Business - None

7) Next Meeting - Monday, February 24, 2003, Lyme Town Hall, 5:30 PM

Meeting Adjourned 7:35 PM.

Submitted K. Case

Eightmile River Wild & Scenic Study Committee

Sub-Committee List January 27, 2003

Natural Resources Email

Eric Belt – lead ericbelt@cs.com

David Bingham bingham@99main.com

Anthony Irving anthonyinlyme@aol.com

Sally Snyder sally.snyder@po.state.ct.us

Charlie Fredette charlie.fredette@po.state.ct.us