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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-05 CAC Minutes CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL March 5, 2025 6:30 In Person Lansing Town Hall MINUTES 1. Call Meeting to Order Present: Ed Dubovi, Robyn Bailey, John Fleming, John Hatfield, Travis Kitch, Lisa Scanlon, Todd Walters Excused Absence: Brian Boerman Non-CAC attendees: Jerry Sheng, CCE; Siobhan Hull, CCE; Christine Montague, Town Board, Jon Negley, SWCD A quorum of the CAC members was present. 2. Presentation by Jon Negley, District Manager, Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District The mission of the Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is to provide assistance to citizens and units of local government in making sound decision s on the management of soil, water and related natural resources based on their needs. The SWCD will further assist in the implementation of decisions by seeking and coordinating technical and financial assistance from federal, state, and local governments, and private sources. This is a voluntary program that does not have any regulatory authority. Key function of the SWCD is assistant with developing and coordinating grant applications from multiple sources. Areas where input is offered include: A. Agriculture Environmental Management . Assist in establishing BMPs (Best Management Practices) B. Stormwater Pollution Prevention C. Water Quality Improvement • Member of the Fingerlakes Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance • Member of the Eastern Fingerlakes Coalition D. Aquatic Invasive Species Control • Hydrilla Eradication (Cayuga Inlet) For AEM BMPs, SWCD assists with waste management, cover crop decisions, nutrient management, buffer planting and stream bank erosion control. Assistance to the Town of Lansing has included ditch management with the installation of “fleximats” to reduce erosion, culvert outlet stabilization installations, stormwater ponds to reduce water flow, and stream realignment in the Salmon creek watershed. Discussion ensued concerning the erosion issues at the site of the Lansing Rod and Gun club. New initiative is needed to deal with this major problem. SWCH is developing a new 5-year strategic plan and input from the various interested parties would be welcome. 2. Discussion on the implementation of the Climate Smart Communities program Jerry Sheng from CCE was present to outline the program and to advise on its implantation. Ruth Groff is now the principal contact for the CSC program in the Town of Lansing. Ideas on how to move forward are still needed 3. The CAC had been asked to investigate the issue of plantings that might be used for buffers. After contacting various sources, the conclusion was that there are no defined BMPs for this and each instance needs to be assessed. Also, John Zepko, Lansing Town Planner maintains his certification as a NYS Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional (CNLP). The CAC will not explore this issue further.