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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-NAC-2011-01-10City of Ithaca Natural Areas Commission Minutes for January 10, 2011 Present: Joe McMahon (Chair), Gerry Cox (Notetaker pro tem.), Ron Herring, Jon Meigs, Todd Miner, Anna Stalter Absent: Sarah Steuteville, Robert Wesley Also Attending: Wade Wykstra, BPW; Patricia Haines, Level Green Institute The Minutes of November 2010 meeting were approved. No Minutes were taken for December, as the meeting did not have a quorum. Patricia Haines described the forthcoming project, "A Year in the Life of Six Mile Creek." This will be an educational project sponsored by Ithaca's Center for Environmental Sustainability in collaboration with the Level Green Institute. Extending approximately from May 2011 to April 2012, this project will involve aspects of the entire watershed and employ varied forms and media: film, music, dance, meditation, poetry, art, photography, and public symposia. It will attempt to engage the entire community, young and old, to respond to the beauty, ecology, natural history, and significance of Six Mile Creek and its watershed. Patricia Haines emphasized that this project is not a statement of absolutes but rather a proposal. She will be the person weaving the project's varied threads into a tapestry. After April 2012, the Watershed Network will create an on -line gallery to extend the project into the years ahead. The members present agreed to support "A Year in the Life of Six Mile Creek." Reports and Announcements Jon reported on an extended conversation with Lisa Nicholas, Senior Planner. Although the SW Natural Area Master Plan was drafted in 2000, budgetary constraints have necessarily delayed its implementation. The City is still investigating possibilities for a SW park. Lisa Nicholas acknowledged that the vernal pools in this area will have to be taken into consideration. The area north of these pools and east of the railroad track is currently the preferred area for the spoils from dredging. Budgetary constraints are also delaying implementation of the Black Diamond Trail because of the expense of a bridge across the Inlet. To extend this trail, Jon said, the City will have to obtain a right of way from Emerson. In regard to the Six Mile Creek Trail, Jon reported that no current plan exists for extending this trail from its current terminus at the Gateway Building to the dam area. Money is again an issue, the more so because a bridge will have to be built at some point to cross the creek. In regard to Fall Creek, Jon said the nothing is going on below Ithaca Falls. Above the Falls, Cornell is stabilizing the edge next to Milstein Hall by deep soil mixing. Anna reported that Robert is finishing up his report that was funded by the Park Foundation. His "Botanical Survey of the Six Mile Creek Natural Area" includes not only species lists but will indicate GPS locations of rare and endangered species plus the locations of significant populations of invasive plant species. A copy will be made available to NAC for discussion. Wade informed us that his term as the liaison from BPW may be coming to an end. He would like to continue attending NAC if Mayor Petersen agrees. All present believed that he had been a most valuable liaison and hoped that he would indeed be able to go on contributing to our discussions. Joe said that NAC would need a new member to replace Alison Fromme.