The Eightmile River
Wild & Scenic Study Committee
Meeting Minutes - February 24, 2003, Lyme Town Hall
Present - Study Group Members: Charlie Fredette, Eric Belt, Anthony Irving, Peter Sielman, David Bingham, Jon Morris, Nathan Frohling, Sue Merrow, Sally Snyder, Walter Smith, Linda Krause, David Tiffany. NPS Staff: Kevin Case. Guest: Ralph Lewis, CT DEP Geologist
Absent - Study Group Members: William Koch, Maureen VanDerStad
1.) Meeting Called to Order at 5:35 PM.
2.) Presentation by State Geologist Ralph Lewis – Mr. Lewis began by presenting the Committee with the most recent 7-CD GIS data set of information published by DEP. Case is holding onto it on behalf of the Committee. The Committee asked Mr. Lewis to come and present background information on the significance of the geology of the Eightmile River Watershed as it relates to the work of identifying and establishing outstanding remarkable values for the area. The facets of plate tectonics were presented and applied to the Eightmile River Watershed. The Eightmile is unique as it is the only part of the state with strong east/west oriented hills present, spanning the contact between Iapetus (oceanic rock) and Avalonia (African rock) that was left behind when Africa separated from North America. He provided background on establishment and features of glacial till and stratified drift. The former found in the hills of New England and the latter in the valleys. Stratified drift plays an important role in groundwater hydrology.
Mr. Lewis went through the Natural Resources subcommittee’s questions related to geology. On the important question of the relationship between bedrock and flow he said he could work with us further on defining that connection for the Eightmile. Sielman asked if he felt the topography of the watershed is unique for CT. Lewis thought most definitely as it has mountains with east/west trends and faults with north/south tendencies creating a unique rectangular block structure to the landscape. Also he noted the area is geologically distinctive because there are two major terrains in this small watershed, with a major fault, the Honey Hill fault, going through the watershed and continuing all the way into Maine. There are a number of GIS mapping resources currently available at the 1:24,000 scale including bedrock, quaternary and surficial materials information. There are a number of glacial features also that aren’t mapped because they are at too small a scale, such as eskers and kames.
Regarding geology and its relationship to hydrology he mentioned the use by DEP of a regression equation that involved stratified drift to develop estimates of low flow in streams and rivers. To a large extent in CT surface water watershed boundaries coincide with areas that contribute to groundwater resources. Mr. Lewis offered to work with the Committee on writing up the eligibility report regarding geology. The Committee extended their appreciation for the time Mr. Lewis took to share his geologic knowledge of the Eightmile (and the GIS CD set).
3.) Approval of January 27, 2003 meeting minutes – Merrow 1st, Bingham 2nd, unanimous
4.) Study Committee Reports
a. Outreach & Education – Smith reported that the subcommittee meeting last week had to be cancelled due to snow and has been rescheduled for 2/25/03, 4:30 pm at the Grange Hall in East Haddam. Frohling spoke about the need to begin some community meetings soon and let people know who the Study Committee is, how the study works, and the need for public input throughout the process. Smith noted this is one piece of a needed larger strategy that includes public outreach, education and participation. Tone is important in such work. Awareness building is the first step typically in such a process, leading to an increase in knowledge and skills in communities. Bingham spoke about the need for a simple brochure about the study. It was agreed outreach needs to be town wide and not just watershed focused. The entire town can benefit from the study work and will ultimately be looked to for supporting and implementing a management plan.
b. Cultural/Historic/Recreational – Krause reported on behalf of the subcommittee. They met on Feb. 19. Initial focus is on historic resources of the watershed. Each committee member is responsible for gathering historic information for a particular town. Case will be focusing on collecting any known recreational information including boating, fishing, hiking, and equestrian.
The most challenging resource the committee sees addressing is scenic. They may possibly perform a scenic inventory of the watershed and work with a local landscape architect to develop some terminology and strategy to perform such a thing. The diversity in scenery may be unique in CT. Bingham also mentioned the watershed may be unique for the diversity and continuing presence of small cultural communities.
c. Natural Resources – Belt reported that the committee met on Feb. 3 in Salem and discussed a number of topics, reviewing all the GIS work that was done by the original Eightmile Committee. The next step that will occur at the next meeting on March 3 in Salem, is prioritizing the tasks for the subcommittee. Snyder and Fredette will be leading up aquatic research. Frohling, Irving, Bingham and Case will be working on Ecology/Biodiversity. Case reported that Frohling, Bingam and he had a conference call to discuss how to proceed with the biodiversity/natural community identification and mapping work. They agreed they should meet with some state specialists in this field including Ken Metzler and Hank Gruner. Case is setting up meeting. Snyder produced a good memo in response to the question list that helped in the conference call discussion.
One item that the subcommittee wants to move forward on is the mapping of potential vernal pools throughout the three town area. It is a data set that will be helpful in both establishing the eligibility information as well as the management plan. Bingham made a motion for “the Study Committee to fund up to $5,500 to perform potential vernal pool mapping for the three town area using aerial photography. The funding will be distributed on an invoice basis from the consultant doing the work.” Morris second. There was discussion on the need for the Committee to establish a budget for the Study so it will be obvious and clear how such an expenditure would measure up against other needs and priorities in the context of the available funds. As reported earlier there is approximately $70,000 available to the Committee currently. Case reported another $70,000+ is included in the federal budget that was just approved, for total available funding of over $140,000 for Study Committee work. It was suggested formal policies and procedures be established for the distribution of funds by the Committee. Both the budget and financial management policies will be put on the agenda for next meeting. After discussion the motion was approved unanimously.
Frohling noted the subcommittee is also interested in eventually performing a build-out and impervious surface analysis for the three town area. Consensus of the Study Committee was that the subcommittee should move forward on planning for such studies.
5.) Old Business – Case noted the effort to establish GIS capabilities continues. Nothing has crystallized yet, but a target date of the next Study Committee meeting has been set to resolve the issue.
6.) New Business – The idea was raised that the Committee should consider sending some representatives to the National River Rally in May. It is an excellent opportunity to learn the latest thinking and techniques to address river and watershed management as well as develop a greater awareness and connection to the national river movement and resources. Krause made a motion to “expend up to $5,000 to send up to three Study Committee members to the National River Rally in May. Expenses covered include conference fee, lodging, and travel” Bingham second. Passed unanimously. Frohling, Irving and Tiffany expressed an interest in attending.
A second new business item discussed was the issue of the proposed gravel pit in Lyme near Beaver Brook. Extensive discussion took place regarding the Study Committee’s role in such matters. The overarching question seem to center on whether there should be effort put forth to comment on proposed land use activities within the watershed that may have an impact on the resource the Committee is actively studying? There is an interest in ensuring the public does not perceive the Study Committee as an anti-development entity, which it is not. There is also interest in making the public aware that the Study Committee exists and is working to develop a long-term approach to protect the Eightmile Watershed. There is a crossing of Beaver Brook that is proposed to occur along the access road to the site. NPS may have an obligation to comment on any related Army Corps permit needed for the crossing. It was agreed more time was needed to discuss the issue.
7.) Next Meeting – March 24, 2003 East Haddam
Meeting adjourned 8:05.
Submitted K. Case