HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-NAC-2012-11-07City of Ithaca Natural Areas Commission — Oct /Nov Meeting
Nov. 7th, 2012
Members Present: Joe McMahon, Anna Stalter, John Meigs, Dan Hoffman, Tom Whitlow, Aaron Donato
(minute taker)
Also in attending: Roxy Johnson (Watershed Coordinator) Ray Benjamin (Manager of Streets and
Facilities) Jeanne Grace (City Forester)
Stream Bank Restoration
-Ray Benjamin spoke to the NAC regarding the damage to the bank of Six Mile Creek during T.S. Lee in
the Fall of 2011.
-High flow caused water to get behind the rip rap.
- Concrete footing held the bridge in place
-FEMA is willing to pay for the repairs.
-Plan for restoration involves burying the footing of the bridge with heavier rip rap, a geotextural fabric
to act as a medium for topsoil and reseeding. Willows and bushes to satisfy DEC guidelines. Work will
not go below the water line. Turbidity curtain will be in place for when work is occurring.
- Bridge has a concrete deck and can hold the weight of trucks and machinery needed.
-Rip Rap from water line to the top of the slope.
-Work will be done over the winter, and seeding will be done in the spring along with some finishing
touches. Jeanne will oversee plantings.
- Plantings will be deer resistant and viewing friendly.
All members were in favor 5 -0
Minutes from September Approved with minor changes
Reports and Announcements
Anna — Three people showed up and chatted at the Friends of Six Mile Creek Event.
- Surveys filled out including basic questions regarding reason for the visit and frequency among other
questions
-Not much awareness of the Friends of Six Mile Creek or NAC
Joe — Into the streets October 20th. Joe and Aaron blocked off a trail, Anna removed Garlic mustard,
both with about 15 volunteers total. Sign from access road saying NO OUTLET placed at the entrance of
blocked of trail.
- Additional update regarding the use of a person using a remote controlled car in the creek, removed
leaves and drives car in circles. If activity continues next year, it may be worth addressing.
Sale of Property
-Dan updated the NAC on the potential sale of land parcel adjacent to the Six Mile Creek NA.
- Parcel includes the remnants of two old streets, Old Giles St. and Division St.
- Tributary of Six Mile Creek runs along the property.
-Can be sold with a deed restriction to prevent development, but would be sold to adjacent
homeowners who can expand their lawn space.
-NAC recommended that the parcel be divided, and that Old Giles St. be sold but Old Division St. be
retained and made a part of the Natural Area.
-City would keep easement to maintain culvert.
Ithaca Falls Update
-Joe attended a presentation from agency performing soil samples
-Lead was higher than 1000ppm at some locations and at one location was over 10,OOOppm.
-Plan is to remove 3 feet of soil and cover and cap.
-Grant from EPA of 200,000 USD, and they are looking for support from groups like the NAC to gage if
the grant is worth awarding.
-Total cost could range between 4 -5 Million USD.
-Frost Travis could receive a tax abatement by supporting the cleanup.
-Site is adjacent to a Natural Area.
Unique Natural Areas Update
-Two new UNA's proposed
-In place to make sure that any encroaching development is conscious of the areas.
- Tompkins County EMC modified acreage of 40 sites.
- Hawthorne Woods UNA established behind equestrian center.
- Overall there is an increase in the acreage of the UNAs.
Lastly
-Trees that have been girdled in Six Mile Creek have died.
-Large dead sugar maple in the wildflower preserve.