The Eightmile River

Wild & Scenic Study Committee

Meeting Minutes – December 19 2005, Salem Town Offices

Present: Anthony Irving, Nathan Frohling, John Rozum, Sally Snyder, Walter Smith, Eric Belt, Roger Dill, Linda Krause, Sue Merrow.  Also in attendance: Kevin Case, Dan Hubbard, Damon Hearne, Wendy Goodfriend.

Absent: Larry Reitz, David Bingham, Brad Parker, Bill Koch, Jamie Fosburgh, Randy Dill.

1. Call to Order 5:20 PM.

2. Acceptance of November 28, 2005 Meeting Minutes – Unanimous

3. Staff Transition/Office Space.

Damon Hearne was introduced as the new Study Coordinator and will be taking over from Kevin Case.  Hearne gave a brief background on his experience.  He also noted that Case will be handing over the duties in increments until his final departure date late in January.  The committee also discussed possible office space for Hearne in the Eightmile watershed.  Several options were discussed but no final conclusion was made.  Hearne will continue to work from his home office in Haddam until suitable office space is located.

Damon Hearne contact information: 860-345-2406, 860-575-8848 cell, dhearne@eightmileriver.org        

4. Tony Irving introduced a Special Resolution in Recognition of Kevin Case and presented Case with a framed document:
1. Text to be added

5. Remaining Activities
1. Obtaining Final Land Use Commission Endorsements – Committee members reported on progress with the land use commissions.  Discussion focused on concerns raised by the East Haddam Planning and Zoning Commission regarding several of the tier one tools.   Staff will stay in contact with the East Haddam planner to make sure that the proper information is provided to the Commission so that they are comfortable with the final endorsement.
2. Final Management Plan Production – Kevin Case and Sally Snyder reported on final wordsmith activities and tweaks before the final draft is sent to the printers.  It was decided that any changes will be shared with the various Town commissions as needed.
3. Town meeting votes – The study committee discussed the upcoming Town votes and reviewed the outreach and public relations work that Wendy Goodfriend and Dan Hubbard have been organizing. 
4. Remaining role of Study Committee/Establishing ERWSCC – The committee discussed the composition and role of the Eightmile River Wild and Scenic Coordinating Committee.   The structure stated in the Management Plan was related to the committee: three town representatives (two members and one alternate), one DEP representative, one Nature Conservancy representative, three representatives from local land trusts, and a NPS person if designation occurs.  Nathan Frohling expressed his interest of having the Study Committee remain in place until the ERWSCC is active so that there is not a loss of momentum with the project.   ERWSCC planning was then tabled until the next meeting.
5. Drafting the Wild and Scenic Study Report – Damon Hearne shared a draft outline of the study report with the committee.  Hearne will press to get as much accomplished on the study report as possible in January and will update the committee at the next meeting. 
6. Potential Wild and Scenic Legislation - Case and Frohling discussed the plan for working with Simmons on legislation language for designation.  Case will work on a draft of the legislative language.
7. Implementing Tier One Tools – Hearne will be working on implementation after the completion of the Town votes.  Linda Krause will be able to assist with language and planning for the implementation process.  Hearne will be sending follow up letters to the commissioners after the endorsements and votes to express appreciation of their support and initiate the implementation dialogue. 

6. Other Old Business  
1. Ongoing Research

                                                               i.      UMASS Flow Study – The Phase One Report is expected to be delivered in final form by December 20^th.   The Phase Two work is still underway.  Nathan Frohling noted that TNC is also working on regional flow studies and that some coordination between the two studies may be appropriate. 

                                                             ii.      Biodiversity Report – Final document should be available in the first week of January.

                                                            iii.      Water Quality Monitoring – Ongoing by Central Connecticut State University.  A report of findings is anticipated in late winter. 

7. Next Meeting Date Feb 6th, 5pm, Lyme.

Meeting Adjourned 7:00 pm.

Submitted D. Hearne