The Eightmile River

Wild & Scenic Study Committee


Meeting Minutes – June 23, 2003, East Haddam Grange Hall

Present - Study Committee Members: Anthony Irving, Peter Sielman, David Bingham, Jon Morris, Nathan Frohling, Sue Merrow, Sally Snyder (late), Walter Smith, David Tiffany, William Koch, Eric Belt. NPS Staff: Jamie Fosburgh, Kevin Case. Guest: Ken Geisler

Absent - Study Group Members: Maureen VanDerStad, Linda Krause

1.) Meeting Called to Order at 4:45 PM.

2.) Minutes of May 19, 2003 Meeting – distributed by Snyder, tabled until next meeting

3a.) Outreach & Education Sub-Committee Report –  Smith and others reviewed the Salem and Lyme community meetings.  General consensus was that they both went well and public support for the process was evident.  It was noted Salem turnout was lower than hoped.  It was clear in Lyme the attendees wanted this process to be done soon and to be successful.  Press has been good.  Frohling recognize Walt Smith for the great job he has done leading the O&E Subcommittee.  All heartily agreed. Les Cone of Lyme will be joining the O&E Subcommittee.  The subcommittee’s focus will turn to completing their workplan.

3b.) Cultural/Historic Subcommittee – Subcommittee has not met in a long time.  Case has communicated with VanDerStad to schedule a meeting and get the group reinvigorated.  There was concern the subcommittee is behind and needs to catch up.

3c.) Natural Resources Subcommittee – It was reported the consulting botanist Bill Moorhead has been contracted and recently met with local naturalists to collect information on local botanical hot spots.  He has identified a number of areas in the field he would like to visit and is working with local contacts to help in getting landowner permission and access to areas.  It was noted a strong local knowledge of East Haddam was still missing and would be helpful to Moorhead’s efforts.  Frohling noted overall the Subcommittee’s workplan is strong – decisions need to be made regarding what can be accomplished within existing financial and time constraints.  Sielman asked how data/findings will presented to the full study committee – in pieces as it is developed vs. a full final compilation of information.  It was felt the best strategy will be to feed the full committee information as it is developed so they can follow direction/approach.  Fosburgh asked what is being pursued in terms of hydrologic modeling.  It was noted no decisions have yet been made on modeling approaches.  A meeting has be scheduled with Rick Jacobson of the CT DEP Fisheries Bureau to discuss modeling options at the July 7 Natural Resources Subcommittee Meeting in Salem.  If there are funding needs for an expanded hydrologic modeling effort there may be an opportunity to request additional funds in the NPS budget. 

Snyder noted she has had discussions with others in DEP regarding their interest in further water quality sampling in the Eightmile Watershed.  There is little interest because there are no perceived problems in the watershed.  Currently the water quality classifications is B/A for surface water.  Bingham noted there are a few sites that problems may exist at including the old Salem dump, which is being monitored regularly.  Case noted the subcommittee is also exploring the Clean Water Act’s “Outstanding National Resource Water” designation as a possible water quality protection tool. 

3d.) Management – The need for an initial meeting was discussed.  It was noted Krause is still interested and willing to lead a local/state regulation review process.  Frohling noted there are few things that should be going on now related to management, even though the subcommittee is not formally meeting – including the regulation review and possibly completing a comprehensive build-out analysis.  Case suggested it would be valuable for the Management Subcommittee to meet once in the near future to agree upon what needs to be accomplished in preparation for when the management subcommittee begins meeting regularly.   Frohling noted all three towns are at various stages of reviewing/changing their zoning or subdivision regulations.  Now is an optimal time for the Study Committee to take advantage of the local energy being put into such an effort and work with the communities in a coordinated fashion on possible changes to local regulations that could offer optimal protection for the Eightmile Watershed.   It was agreed it is important to try and work collectively with towns on establishing consistent regulations for the entire watershed.  

4a.) Old Business –  Gravel Operation Proposal Near Beaver Brook – The IWC Hearing in Lyme closed.  Commission has 35 days to render decision.  Fosburgh has had no notice of an application being filed with Army Corps yet.

4b.) Financial Policy – The Study Committee policy “Eightmile River Wild & Scenic Study Committee Criteria for Funding Projects from the Wild & Scenic Budget” dated June 23rd was approved in its entirety with minor changes.  Sielman 1st, Bingham 2nd.  Unanimous.  See attached for final document. 

A revised budget was distributed for discussion.  Frohling noted $20k should be added to the Management Subcommittee.  Also, it should reflect anticipated financial needs through 2004.   Action should be taken at next meeting to approve a complete budget in its entirety.  A brief discussion ensued regarding available federal funding through 2004 and the challenges regarding the tight study timeline and Case’s available time to manage the process. 

4c.) Executive/Ad Hoc Policy Committee – Smith distributed a revised description of the subcommittee dated 6/23/03.   Approved unanimously Sielman 1st, Bingham 2nd.  (see attached) The formal name will be the Administration and Policy Subcommittee.  It was agreed that either email or voicemail was an acceptable form of communication for this committee and when significant decisions needed to be made between full Study Committee meetings the subcommittee will seek consent from a majority of Study Committee members.    

5.) New Business – Irving noted that the Study Committee needed to make an effort to communicate with Colchester and East Lyme as small portions of their towns are within the Eightmile River Watershed.  Merrow offered to cal and speak with the first selectman in each of the towns to determine how they would like to be involved. 

6.)    Next Meeting Date –

July 28, 4:30 PM, Lyme Town Hall.

Meeting adjourned 6:45 PM.

Submitted K. Case

Eightmile River Wild & Scenic Study Committee

Criteria for Funding Projects from the Wild & Scenic Budget

Final Approval June 23, 2003

1.      All requests for the allocation of funds to subcommittees must be supported by budget estimates necessary to complete the subcommittee’s workplan. Such allocations must be approved by the full Study Committee.

2.      Subcommittees have the latitude to expend funds within their lump sum allocation in a way that helps them best achieve their goals.  Any expenditure in excess of their budgeted lump sum allocation must be approved by the full Study Committee. 

3.      Policy Proposal - The full Study Committee must approve the expenditure of funds in excess of $500 for requests outside the subcommittees’ responsibilities.  In consideration of such requests the Study Committee must find the expenditure will clearly help in accomplishing the main study goals:

a.  Determining eligibility of the Eightmile River for Wild & Scenic River designation;

b.  Determining the suitability of the Eightmile River for Wild & Scenic designation;

c.   Promoting public outreach and participation in the Study process; or

d.  Developing the Eightmile River Watershed Management Protection Plan

            Such requests should clearly detail:

a.     The goal(s) to be addressed

b.     Who is responsible for expending/managing the funds requested

c.      Timeline for completion

d.     Costs, including other sources of support

Written proposals should be distributed by to all members of the Wild & Scenic River Study Committee with the regular meeting notice.  The proposal will be presented/discussed at the full meeting for a possible vote, or to be voted on at the next full monthly meeting giving members adequate time for consideration and project proponents adequate time to respond to any questions, concerns and recommendations of the Committee.

There must be adequate funding in the general budget in order for the Committee to consider funding requests.

4.   A petty cash fund will be established by the Lyme Land Conservation Trust with a balance not to exceed $500.  The fund will be managed by the National Park Service Project Manager for use by the Committee for items such as, but not limited to, meeting food, stationary items, or postage.    

8-Mile Wild and Scenic Study Committee

Approved June 23, 2003

Committee Structure Proposal:

Inasmuch as the Study Committee is charged with the overall responsibility to implement the Plan, and since the Study Committee is focused on developing the Plan, and since there are concerns that might arise outside of the monthly meetings that would divert the attention of the Study Committee from meeting its objectives within the specified time frame, it is proposed that the Study Committee authorize the creation of a subcommittee to attend to those issues that lie outside the scope of the regularly scheduled meetings.

These might include, but are not be limited to: special attention to significant activities that affect the watershed that may impact the Plan; funding oversight; general policy and procedural issues, and implementation progress.

The subcommittee would be duly appointed by the Study Committee as are the Outreach and Education; Cultural /Historic/Recreational; Natural Resources and Management Plan Subcommittees.

The proposed title is the Administration and Policy Subcommittee.

Its membership should include an NPS Staff member; the Chair of the Study Committee, Nathan Frohling and Sue Merrow.  Other member’s assistance could be called upon as the specific issue arises.

Submitted by Walter Smith, as directed by the Study Committee on 5-19-03.