The Eightmile River

Wild & Scenic Study Committee

Meeting Minutes – June 6, 2005, Lyme Town Hall

Present: Anthony Irving, John Rozum, Randy Dill, Nathan Frohling, David Bingham, Sally Snyder.  NPS - Kevin Case.

Absent: Eric Belt, Larry Reitz, Linda Krause, Brad Parker, Jamie Fosburgh, Sue Merrow, Walter Smith, Bill Koch

1.      Call to Order 5:10 PM.

2.      Acceptance of April 25, 2005 Meeting Minutes – Unanimous

3.      Study Timeline – Frohling and Irving provided an update to the Committee on the timeline for completion of the Study.  After conversations with Congressman Simmons and his Legislative Director in Washington it became clear if the Study Committee wants to achieve Wild & Scenic designation in this Congressional term, it will be most possible if a positive study report is delivered to Congress this calendar year.  This coupled with other reasons associated with potential future funding and staffing levels has led to a determination that we need to work towards a completion of the Study by November.  By completion it is meant we will have finished going to town meetings in each of the three watershed communities asking for town votes of support.  At the same time, the Committee must complete all the components of its work and not short change any of the necessary processes. It was agreed by all this is a very tight timeline to finish the work associated with the management plan, however it is the consensus of all involved that we can get it done, and would only consider not being completed by then due to a circumstance where had a clear opportunity to achieve a much better plan and stronger protection for the watershed if we waited.   

4.      Subcommittee Reports

a.      Management – 

Discussion of Management items were mostly held until the Management Subcommittee meeting which took place right after the full Study Committee meeting.  It was reported that post-summit meetings were scheduled with the staff and board chairs for each of the three towns.  The meetings will include gathering feedback on the Summit, further discussion of priority tools, and planning for a Summit II.

b.      Outreach & Education –

Case reported the Outreach and Education Subcommittee has three main priorities for the summer: promoting activities such as hikes or talks that will keep the study in the public and convey the special qualities of the watershed; completing a newsletter with a progress update on the study, a summary of the remaining timeline, and details on the benefits of Wild & Scenic designation; and updating the website.  Because of the importance of the content of the new newsletter it will be mailed to all households in the watershed.   It was suggested that one of our greatest challenges is reaching those people not already engaged and supportive of the Study.  Opportunities to get more press or speak with more community groups were suggested as possible strategies to reach more people. 

c.      Natural Resources –

Case reported we have so far received three draft sections of the Biodiversity Report from Moorhead.  There is much more to come hopefully very soon.  The review of the Phase I UMASS fish study has been extended to gather comments from DEP and NPS fisheries specialists.  NPS has signed a contract with UMASS for Phase II of the fish study.  A few weeks ago water level and temperature monitors were installed in five places in the watershed which will provide us with continuous flow and temperature data.  Graduate students at Central CT State University, under the guidance of Dr. Clayton Penniman, are undertaking extensive water quality sampling throughout the watershed.  The sampling began a week ago and will go nearly to the end of the calendar year.  They will be testing for nutrients, bacteria, dissolved oxygen and other key variables.   The CT DEP has generously offered to provide some quality control support on the sample analysis.

5.      Other Old Business

a.      Fox Hopyard Diversion Permit – No new information at this time.

b.      Lyme Gravel Pit – The application to the Lyme Planning & Zoning Commission has been withdrawn by the applicant

c.      Lyme Representative - Irving is still working with the Selectman to get a representative from a land use commission back on the Study Committee.   

6.      New Business – It was reported a quarry operation near Little Brook, a tributary to the Eightmile River in Salem, was causing siltation problems. 

7.      Next meeting date is Monday, July 11, 2005 at the Salem Town Offices.

Meeting Adjourned 6:15 pm.

Submitted

K. Case