The Eightmile River
Wild & Scenic Study Committee
Meeting Minutes – June 1, 2004, Lyme Town Hall
Present: Nathan Frohling, David Bingham, Sue Merrow, John Rozum, Eric Belt, David Tiffany, Anthony Irving, Sally Snyder, Linda Krause, Walter Smith, Bill Koch; NPS – Kevin Case
Absent: Brad Parker, Randy Dill, Jamie Fosburgh, Larry Reitz,
1) Meeting called to order at 5:25 PM
2) Minutes of April 26, 2004 meeting approved unanimously.
3) Subcommittee Reports:
a. Outreach & Education –
Smith reported on the recently held Community Meetings. Approximately 180 people attended the meetings, 60-70% were people who had not attended the first series of community meetings in 2003. Two newspapers, The Lyme Times and The Day ran post- meeting articles. It was agreed there was significant interest and desire from the attendees to see the process move forward as presented, including the strategy for developing the management plan. Also a consistent concern was raised by attendees at all three meetings regarding the challenges associated with successfully implementing and enforcing local regulations. Overall the Study Committee was very satisfied with turnout, press, and community input. Other upcoming outreach actions discussed include the installation of the road signs (Thank You Sue Merrow!), the development of 60 second public service announcements by the Hale-Ray High school in East Haddam, a cable access television appearance by a few Study Committee members, the Eightmile Coalition making contact with local schools regarding possible school programs on the study, and landowner outreach meetings in specific parts of the watershed including Hamburg Cove and Lake Hayward. Also discussed was planning a meeting for the fall of all land use commission members in the three town area to present a draft management plan for input and reaction. The Outreach Subcommittee is ready to assist the Management Subcommittee in organizing the meeting logistics.
b. Management –
Frohling reported the Community Meetings provided the Management Subcommittee with a good consistent level of enthusiasm to continue what they are doing and to be proactive with protective measures. Krause reported on the work of the ad hoc committee in Lyme working on Lyme land use regulation updates. It was recognized by the Study Committee that we need to be in communication with the Lyme committee and accommodate their time frame for addressing regulatory issues associated with the Study’s interests. In discussing the fall meeting of local land use commission members, the Study Committee recognizes the local commission members must be presented with something specific and concrete to react to. It will not be a successful use of anyone’s time if it is just a meeting to collect open ended input on watershed management issues. The Management Subcommittee is considering hiring an intern for some of the research support. An outline of the Management Plan will be completed for the Study Committee to review by June 28.
c. Cultural/Historic/Recreational –
Case reported the UMASS intern Lauren Todd has begun her research and will be visiting the watershed this month. The Committee discussed Ethan Carr’s assessment that the Eightmile River Watershed as a Cultural Landscape was likely not an Outstanding Resource Value. It was mentioned that the Eightmile Landscape is in a rather unique condition in that it is a re-forested agrarian landscape that has never converted to the more common subdivided/fragmented landscape most of Connecticut is experiencing today. The Committee asked that the intern’s research clearly address this aspect of the landscape and assess the uniqueness of the Eightmile Watershed in that context. The Committee also noted it wants a strong justification why the Eightmile’s cultural landscape is or is not an outstanding resource value. Also very important will be the management recommendations they provide.
d. Natural Resources –
Case reviewed the status of the biodiversity report being developed by Michael Klemens, LLC. The Natural Resources Subcommittee provided the contractor with a seven page memo of comments on the first draft of their report. Two primary areas of concern were raised in the comments. First, the format of the draft document they submitted does not follow the original structure provided in the RFP making it difficult to determine if they provided all we asked for. And, second it was felt some important data sets were not included in the analysis. It was agreed Irving, Frohling and Case will take the lead on working with the contractor to resolve. Frohling noted this is our best opportunity to pull together all major biodiversity data for the watershed and as such we should ensure we work to get as comprehensive a product as possible. In other business, Case noted the 2nd draft of the geology section is completed and being sent off for review by Ralph Lewis, the Vernal pool field work is completed and data sheets are now being collected and recorded, and the instream flow study fish sampling is scheduled to begin in early July.
4) Other Old Business
a. Lyme/Beaver Brook Gravel Pit Application –
Public hearings for the Planning & Zoning application area scheduled for June 14, 23, and 28.
b. Study Timeline –
Case reminded everyone of the overall study timeline including having a draft management plan in the fall for review by the local land use commission members and others, a final round of community meetings in early 2005 and town meeting votes of support in spring 2005. A more detailed timeline will be developed and discussed for the next Study Committee meeting.
5) New Business – none
a. Cell Tower – No one was aware of a pending application before the Siting Council for a cell tower in the watershed.
6) Next Meeting dates – Monday, June 28, Salem Town Offices.
Meeting adjourned 6:45 PM
Submitted K. Case