The Eightmile River
Wild & Scenic Study Committee
Present - Anthony Irving, Peter Sielman, Nathan Frohling, David Bingham, Eric Belt, Maureen VanDerStaad, Walter Smith, Jon Morris, Sally Snyder, Jamie Fosburgh (late).
Absent - NPS Staff: Kevin Case; Sue Merrow, Linda Krause, David Tiffany, William Koch.
1. Meeting Called to Order at 4:50 PM.
2. Minutes of April 28, 2003 Meeting Approved Unanimously
3a. Outreach & Education Sub-Committee Report – Smith reported that the next Public Outreach meeting will be held on Friday, June 13th at Lyme Town Hall sponsored by the Lyme Land Conservation Trust. Irving elaborated that there are two separate meetings; the first being the Land Trust Annual Meeting starting at 7:00 pm, and the second being the Eightmile W&S Public Outreach meeting at 8:00 pm. Irving said that he had sent the announcement flyer to the Outreach and Education Subcommittee for their review about a week ago but had received no comment. Frohling commented that he didn’t think the announcement clearly emphasized that the focus is on the Eight Mile Wild & Scenic Study Committee. Irving will see about modifying the flyer.
3b. Cultural/Historic Subcommittee – VanDerStaad reported nothing new to report. Individuals are working on their assignments.
3c. Natural Resources Subcommittee – Belt reported that the committee obtained a variety of water quality data from such sources as the DEP/EPA 305(b) report, and summarized the meeting with USGS attended by Case and Snyder (and partial conference call with Frohling) where it was agreed that the watershed is a good example of a free-flowing system. USGS and Case had suggested that a new gaging station on the Eightmile River above the confluence with the East Branch would be valuable. Belt described the geology maps he developed using the 2003 GIS cd’s. The subcommittee has developed a workplan which outlines how they intend to address various natural resource issues. Case is will be further fleshing-out the workplan for future work assignments. Bingham indicated that bobcats and endangered butterflies have been recently sited.
Frohling reported that the question of updating the rare, endangered and species of special concern lead to an inquiry with Bill Moorehead, botanist, to verify present listed species, unmapped but suspected species, and to confirm Natural Diversity Database records older than 10 years. Additionally, Moorehead would identify natural communities (e.g. cedar swamps). Frohling made a motion to spend up to $5,000 which would be in addition to the Natural Resources Subcommittee budget. Frohling noted that he hoped that DEP’s Ken Metzler’s list of natural communities would be ready and available for Bill to use. Belt seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously.
As a result, the March 21st draft budget for the Natural Resources Subcommittee is now $25,500 (including GIS?). Frohling made a motion that the $25,500 budget for the Natural Resources Subcommittee be for the 2003 calendar year. Smith seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously.
4a. Old Business - Gravel Operation Proposal Near Beaver Brook
Another Inland Wetlands meeting is coming this Wednesday. Bingham expressed his concern that development pressures for gravel/rock/sand mining operations will increase given current town regulations.
4b. Financial Policy– Item #3
May 6th Draft – the question was raised, “What sum triggers full approval by the Study Committee?” Irving proposed that we have a petty cash fund, perhaps in the amount of $500. Bingham made a motion for a $100 threshold for extra expenses beyond the individual subcommittees. It was also suggested that the Standing Committee have its own budget. Frohling made a motion that there be an accounting of all of the money by both the Eightmile Wild & Scenic Study Committee and the National Park Service; and proposed that $500 be allocated towards a petty cash account from which no single expense shall exceed $250, and that the red “X” in the draft financial policy be $1,000. Irving was uncomfortable making such a decision without further guidance from the National Park Service. Frohling withdrew the motion.
4c. Formation of Executive/Ad Hoc Policy Committee
Smith presented a proposal for a draft Executive Policy Subcommittee to be comprised of a NPS representative, the Eightmile Wild & Scenic Study Committee Chair (Irving), The Nature Conservancy representative (Frohling), and one representative from each town (which Irving can dually serve as). Sielman suggested that this subcommittee include one CEO (i.e. Merrow). Frohling additionally suggested that a representative from each of the subcommittees be appointed. Bingham made a motion to have the Chair (Irving), NPS staff person (Case), TNC (Frohling), and Merrow be appointed as the Administration and Policy Subcommittee. Irving seconded the motion which was approved unanimously. Smith will revise the policy as proposed.
5. New Business
Bingham commented that it was good getting started to write background information. Frohling reminded us that Case previously suggested that we work backwards from our endpoint to assign deadlines for report sections. Morris indicated that East Haddam Land Trust and Conservation Commission were interested in sponsoring the Public Outreach meeting, but he hasn’t seen the flyer yet for the June 23rd event (7-9pm). VanDerStaad asked if the East Haddam Land Trust would be responsible for the meeting notification; supposedly not as this would be part of the subcommittee’s budget reimbursed to the town who is the responsible party.
We had reached consensus that Case needs to provide us with timelines and deadlines for report writing tasks.
6. Next Meeting Date – June 23rd at 4:30 (with East Haddam Community Meeting to follow)
Meeting adjourned at 6:25 pm
(meeting notes by Snyder)