Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-NAC-2010-01-11C�ly 0 WAC, M dot �IN^Owy ae �0 Present: Alison Fromme (Chair) Joe McMahon (Vice Chair /Note taker), Gerry Cox, Anna Stalter, Robert Wesley. Absent: Ron Herring, Todd Miner, Sarah Steuteville, Jon Meigs. Also Attending: Dan Hoffman, City Attorney; Roxy Johnson, Watershed Coordinator; Wade Wykstra, BPW Minutes from Dec. meeting approved with minor corrections. Announcements: Dan Cogan is the new Common Council liason. *Y Alison reported members of the NAC approved, via email, to send the comments she prepared to the DEC concerning the sGSEIS. The NAC received comments from the Water Resources Council and the County Health Department. It does not appear that the comment period will be extended again. 38% of the land in the Six Mile Creek watershed has some form of mineral /gas lease. Alison will send recognition /appreciation to Wendy Wallit and Nancy Schuler for their service to the NAC. Wade emphasized appreciation to Wendy for her work on the Guidelines. Outreach: Alison noted she has just learned of the Six Mile Creek monitors and felt we should be in contact more with other groups with similar missions as us. We will generate a list of groups /individuals who we should be able to contact for reference and assistance when issues arise. Dan offered to be on the list as a trail reference. Joe gave a report on the possibility of a trail linking the Ithaca Falls Natural Area with the bird sanctuary. There is a major obstacle in the form of a cement retaining wall at the Lake St. bridge with little room behind the two buildings on the south side of the creek. This would involve significant engineering to bypass. The passage under Rt. 13 and the rail road tracks does not appear to need significant work. Mary Tomlin, Common Council member who was on the walk was going to check on right of way issues under the tracks. Vision for 2010: Three specific issues were agreed on as priorities for the Natural Areas: Conservation, Monitor, and Outreach. We need to make sure things that are not driven by big issues don't get lost. The Management Plan based on Robert's survey should be formulated. Andy Hillman's presence has been missed in our meetings. We would like to know whether he will be involved with the NAC or someone else from the city in his capacity. The water plant rebuild will be an active issue throughout the year. We need to stay involved with the proceedings. Joe is expected to be included on the mayor's Citizen Advisory Committee. It will be important to work with the DPW to coordinate when work can be done to minimize the spread of invasive species. We should generate a list of favorable plants for the DPW to plant. Anna's idea for outreach is to hold a series of informative walks instead of a single Wildflower Appreciation Day. Robert offered to lead one focused on plants. Dan Karig was suggested to lead one on geology and one with a focus on birds could be arranged. Alison would like to see more web presence related to the natural areas. There is little that is easily accessible now. Dan suggested generating links to the Friends of Six Mile Creek website. Zev Ross also needs to be contacted concerning that site and whether he will do updates or relinquish control of it. It was agreed the radio and newspaper should be utilized when students return in the fall to emphasize rules of the natural areas. The idea of having the rangers conduct a survey of the natural areas activities was R discussed, but it was pointed out that the rangers only work in the Six Mile Creek area. We discussed the Southwest Area and whether we should push for a Natural Area designation. The problem in the past was whether it would be a contiguous piece of land. Some people would like to see a park included, but the NAC wanted a natural area. This will be looked at more closely during the year. Alison pointed out that our charter says we have to have by laws. We agreed to look into this in 2010 and hopefully find a model to guide us in generating them.