The Eightmile River
Wild & Scenic Study Committee
Meeting Minutes – September 27, 2004, Salem Town Offices
Present:, David Bingham, Larry Reitz, Eric Belt, Walter Smith, Anthony Irving, Sally Snyder, Sue Merrow; NPS – Kevin Case,
Absent: Nathan Frohling, Bill Koch, Brad Parker, David Tiffany, Randy Dill, Linda Krause, John Rozum, Jamie Fosburgh
1) Meeting called to order at 5:10 PM
2) Minutes of August 30, 2004 meeting approved unanimously.
3) Subcommittee Reports:
a. Management –
Case reported the municipal regulation review being performed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service is almost complete in three forms: a very long comprehensive version; a medium version; and a quick snapshot version that readily offers comparisons amongst towns. Case, Heintz and Frohling have begun to meet with key town staff and land use board chairs to discuss the regulation review and components of the management plan. The first meeting was with Salem and went very well. The goals for each outstanding resource value have been completed. The subcommittee is now working on developing key attributes for each resource value as a way to monitor and measure effectiveness in meeting the broader goals. It is likely the “summit” of all land use commission members in the three town area will take place in February. The original goal of a December meeting seems unlikely with the need to still complete the introductory town meetings in East Haddam and Salem and further work that needs to be completed for the threat and gap analysis.
b. Outreach & Education –
Smith distributed a draft of the fourth issue of the newsletter. This month’s focus is on the cultural landscape. Comments are welcome. It will likely be finalized and distributed next week. There was a discussion of the remaining events in the area that the table top display could be present at including the Salem Apple Fest and the Salem Land Trust Annual Meeting. It was agreed that specific outreach to key landowner groups will take place after the meeting with town land use commission members to review the plan. The major purpose of meeting with landowners is to review with them the major components of the proposed management plan to collect their input and reactions. Case reported that he and Irving will be participating in a half-hour cable access television show to discuss the study. Smith discussed the concept of developing a photo/essay book about the Eightmile River Watershed. The Committee showed interest in pursuing. An article was placed in the recent Salem and East Haddam town newsletters as well as the Lyme Land Conservation Trust newsletter. All the newsletters have town-wide distribution.
c. Cultural/Historic/Recreational –
Case reported UMASS is to have a draft of the Cultural Landscape report to us next week and tentatively a public presentation of findings is planned for early December. Case asked for further reaction to the recent list of recreational opportunities that was emailed to the Committee for comment, specifically interested in anyone’s knowledge of where to gather information on actual usage levels. Suggestions were provided that he will follow up on.
d. Natural Resources
Case reported the contractor for the biodiversity assessment has asked for a months extension to complete his work. The Committee agreed recognizing the high quality and comprehensive product that will be the result. In the meantime they agreed a very brief project update would be helpful. It was reported that one plant of water chestnut was found in Hamburg Cove and removed. Water chestnut is an extremely aggressive invasive plant that can wreak havoc on native aquatic habitats. DEP has done a review of the entire Cove and found no additional plants, however it will be important to remain vigilant and set up some type of more permanent monitoring effort to ensure it does not gain a foothold in the area. It was suggested the Boy Scouts might be a good source of volunteers to pursue such monitoring. Case noted there will be a meeting with the UMASS instream flow research team next Monday to discuss preliminary findings and next steps. The water quality and water quantity drafts are out for review and should be finalized in the next few weeks.
4) Other Old Business
a. Rte. 11 Extension –
Following-up on last month’s discussion of the potential fast-tracking of the Rt. 11 project discussion ensued as to how to make an assessment of the potential impacts from the highway extension to the Eightmile River Watershed. The Committee is not interested in taking a position on the extension itself but rather understand what the potential impacts to the watershed may be and develop strategies to be included in the Watershed Management Plan that will minimize any impacts that would degrade outstanding resource values. Discussion ensued as to options for making such an assessment. It was noted Linda Krause felt it would be difficult to impossible for a land use planner to make a meaningful project of potential land use changes; there are too many unknown variables. It was suggested that perhaps a university researcher could perform a literature review of sorts to document what has happened in other areas where new highways have gone in to at least provide some historical perspective on changes to the landscape over time. Some Committee members felt such an exercise would be overreaching the bounds of the Committee’s responsibilities and purpose by attempting to get involved in local land use planning issues. Case will be following up talking with experts to get their input on what type of assessment might be valid and beneficial in developing a watershed management plan, as well a copy of the Rt. 11 Extension Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be obtained and reviewed for any insights already developed.
b. Pending Diversion Permit Renewal for Fox Hopyard Golf Course –
Case noted he is working on reviewing the permit and will be developing comments for the applicant and DEP similar to the tone and content of the letter sent to the Lyme Inland Wetlands Commission regarding the proposed gravel operation. Emphasis in the letter will be on the work of the Study Committee, the findings to date of the unique and important role instream flow plays in the Eightmile River Watershed and included will be questions asking for clarification or explanation on certain aspects on the permit. A draft letter will be circulated amongst the Committee before it is finalized. Case noted it will be important to communicate directly with the applicant first and soon so they are aware of the Committee’s interest and actions.
5) New Business – none
6) Next Meeting Date – Monday, October 25, 5pm, East Haddam Grange Hall
Meeting adjourned 7:00 PM
Submitted K. Case