Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 1997-02-06TOWN OF ITHACA 126 EAST SENECA STREET, ITHACA, N.Y. 14850 TOWN CLERK 273-1721 HIGHWAY 273-1656 PARKS 273-8035 ENGINEERING 273-1747 PLANNING 273-1747 ZONING 273-1783 FAX (607) 273-1704 TO: Conservation Board Members FROM: Geri Tierney, CB Coordinator O DATE: 29 January 1997 RE: Our next meeting Greetings. Enclosed please find materials for our February 6th meeting. I have enclosed two items to aid your interpretation of the South Hill Unique Natural Area (UNA) Report: 1) a reproduction of the accompanying map and 2) an excerpt from the Heritage Program Rare Plant List. The latter includes definitions of global and state rank codes (e.g., G1) used in the UNA report. Please bring your copy of the South Hill UNA Report, distributed for our last meeting, because we will be discussing follow-up items to this report such as our request to designate this area as a state -regulated wetland and our recommendations to the Planning Committee. We will also discuss criteria for designating boundaries to the Coy Glen UNA. Please also bring the 11/7/96 minutes distributed for our December meeting. The Town Board has not yet had the chance to officially appoint new members to the Conservation Board, but is scheduled to do so at their February 10th meeting. As always, please call me at 273-1747 if you have any questions. See you on February 6th. yt - TOWN OF ITHACA CONSERVATION BOARD MINUTES FEBRUARY 6, 1997 ADOPTED: 3/6/97 PRESENT: Chair Phillip Zarriello, Eva Hoffmann, Lois Levitan, Richard Fischer, Jon Meigs STAFF: Geri Tierney GUESTS: John Yntema, Kara Hagedorn, Barney Unsworth, Frank Baldwin, Elizabeth deProsse. Chair Phillip Zarriello opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. o Lois Levitan raised the issue of cleaning Town culverts and ditches. Concern was expressed about the method and ensuing erosion that typically results. Chair Zarriello stated that Fred Noteboom, Highway Superintendent, should be invited back to the CB to discuss that issue, and to meet new members. o Geri Tierney distributed information on a New York State Wetland Conference in Rochester this March. Anyone interested in attending this conference, please notify Ms. Tierney before February 14. o One- and two-year terms for the Conservation Board were discussed. John Yntema volunteered serve a one-year term. o Chair Zarriello reported that the EIS for the Cornell University Lake Source Cooling Project will be available in March for review. An update was given on the Cornell Veterinary School Incinerator Project. Information and the Town's involvement on the Water Front Study was discussed. o The Ithaca Town Board reappointed Phillip Zarriello as CB Chair. The CB will nominate a Vice -Chair in March. Subcommittees activities and membership were discussed. Members will be appointed to subcommittees at the next meeting. The chair of the ERC (Environmental Review Committee) and the CB will continue to provide a preliminary project review and make the determination as to whether a full ERC project review is needed. k -V M The CB formerly received summaries of development review projects. The CB would like continue receiving this summary in order to keep informed. o Approval of the minutes from 11/7/96 with no changes was moved by Lois Levitan and seconded Phil Zarriello. All members present voted in favor, except Eva Hoffmann who abstained. o Actions regarding the South Hill UNA were discussed. The Ostman/Wesley report map, showing vegetation areas and their characteristics, was reviewed. The necessity of buffering the South Hill Swamp from nearby residential development, including pets, pesticides and invasive plants that accompany them, were considered. The issue of urgency related to development pressure in this area was discussed. The Evan Monkemeyer sketch plan (for single family homes on large lots) is currently the only proposed development in the immediate area. The Planning Board has asked Mr. Monkemeyer to revise the sketch plan to provide a buffer between the development and the UNA. The CB agrees that the eastern boundary of Monkemeyer's property be undeveloped to buffer the UNA. Jon Meigs suggested the CB should comment on the proposed community park associated with this development. The activities associated with a recreation park may conflict with the preservation of the UNA. Meigs proposed that active recreational public areas be distanced from the South Hill UNA. The CB discussed buffering the UNA from proposed park development in that area, particularly from dogs. The CB noted options for buffering the natural area, including distance, fencing, signage and recommend no direct connection be made between the potential recreational park and the UNA. The CB felt it is important that they be involved in the park planning process in this area. The CB would like to rehire Nancy Ostman and Bob Wesley to better document plant life in the UNA this spring/summer. Wildlife information would also be useful. o The CB tabled the discussion of the Coy Glen UNA until the March meeting. ACTION ITEMS: o Jon Meigs will draft a resolution to staff, Planning Board, and Town Board to request development actions in this area be minimized until the CB completes their analysis of South Hill UNA and can properly delineate area that should be protected. o Frank Baldwin will be contacting DEC to determine what is required to have the South Hill UNA redesignated as a DEC regulated wetland. AL, . k. w o Dick Fischer will contact local "birders" who may be interested in providing a bird survey of the South Hill UNA. The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m. f�.....:. ...Y......::::.. x.. frYf... i•:::: v: v:::; ....• v...?. r...v.......x.}n................nn.....n................................... , u...: ..........:. . .n...-..... .... ..... r.......... rf.. .. .x. r.... .. F.•i:•i%?........... rcr r.................n..n........-................. n...:::................ m::..... v:: :::::::: . r.................r fi. r............ r... xn.......-........... f.. r.......:.. r. ... :.:........... r.:.v: •iii: }iii'•;:•}}:v{ ....................: ..... ........................... .... ......... ... .. ...............n... .. ..... ................ . ::::•..:.::::;; .•v: • xk:........ n. . : r ................... r. ... r:::: :.:: :w;..•:::±.vi:::3}:?�:i'ffii'/.?�:•iiii:-iiii:{•ii:??•i:•i:•:: i:•i'•: iii: {{{{•::•i:::.iY::?i :•,{:•;.f.•.•F.+rv:::::.•::::::•::::fvf.•::•:?:f.•: :.::::: .:: r:r :i.lfr:...... ..:f....-: r:f.:ffvx:w: ..........::::: :r:.r.::::::: r .... .. ....r ........ ...... .... :.v+ :ilii:•: f... f..:.......m .r.::....:............ ff.. /:: rrv: i:•i:::: v:::::::::•: k:::::::::::.v.:::.:::........... n............. rn..... r. nrir .::.... r.. ............ .r..... ............. v:::v. ;..; ..; ..:r:.v rvrii . .. r........ f.{{:w:::::::: .... .. ..f...f.......... f..rk ..... ...................... : :: ....i......n............ n...... ................. r::::::::::: rr:.. ,v{ .......... n.... r ..........................:.:...... x. r. r. ...... r:::::::: r. v.....:v; ....... w:::v ;::::: •:::::: ru:::w:::::::: .............. .....r..vrr}. r.... v.. ....................:.......................... r•v::: r.........:.... rr ::::::::.}w:::::::: .n ......... ................. ... .......... n... r••: rr• ::::v::•:::: r•:: v::::w.:v::::::.r ............... r.: •:: w::::::::::..: rr�: �:::::: n:::: rv:r•r v::::::::::: •:: ........... x. u...-.... ... ..r . ...:........... rf. n. . ...... r.. ............ f. u..r/............ .r. r-............ .... f................:::.n........ ;.. r:. �:ff.{{i;{i i•::::: f::v:..:::::::: w::::::: �:n:::::.v:::: ?•:: ..f. f ............: x ..: f. r:: f?w; ...; ... :.f..:r.: r ..... x............-...n.r........ . ............ � .. .vY•ivi �'•iiii'i:Y:{•i{?:i:;{{.: .r• •r xv:.::{-::::::rw: x: ?r .. •r• r r::.'-: ii?•i ff: Y••: x:: v.{:v: iiiii ?•fr%•i: }:t iii}iii::?:ri:::::.vv:....: .................. {?v:::: k: m:::.v?:.:::•k::.vv:•:f.?:..:....x....f..fr-v.........rk.rk.ff..n............. r.........:.....nffnM}}/..... .:.v...... .... .. n... TOWN OF ITHACA CONSERVATION BOARD 7:30 pm, Thursday, 6 February 1997 Town Hall Board Room 126 East Seneca Street Ithaca, New York 14850 (Handicap -accessible entrance ramp on West side of building) (607) 273-1747 AGENDA 7:30 pm 1. Persons to be heard 7:35 pm 2. Member Concerns 7:40 pm 3. Coordinator and Chair Reports 7:50 pm 4. Committee Reports 8:00 pm 5. Business a. Elections b. Subcommittee Appointments C. Approval of minutes from 11/7/96 8:30 pm 6. Items for Discussion a. South Hill UNA Report Follow-up b. Coy Glen UNA Boundary Criteria C. Additional Projects - Revisit 1995 List 9:30 pm 7. Adjournment CB Members: Phil Zarriello Richard Fischer Eva Hoffmann Lois Levitan Jon Meigs (File Name: c:\28p1an'1cb\02-06-97.agd) Town of Ithaca Conservation Board -- Proposed 1995 Plan of Work Activities Long-term and On-going Activities: (in committee and with other Boards and Departments) * Environmental Atlas and Geographic Information System (GIS) * Stormwater management ordinance * Environmental review * Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan * Tax abatement for conservation easements * Protection of Coy Glen Watershed * Wetland regulations and ordinance * Stream buffer regulations and ordinance ,. Short-term Activities: (please prioritize 1, 2, or 3, based on your interests) South Hill Recreationway "Event" Tree planting activity (Arbor Day??) Clean-up activities (using TC Solid Waste funds) Town curbside recycle event Facilitate monitoring of birdhouses in Town parks Town park usage study/monitoring Stream quality "indicator"- species demonstration Develop a citizen monitoring program for streams (schools, home owners, groups, etc.) Sponsor or participate in Earth Day (25th anniversary) activities planned in the area Combined project with the Town Parks Department Streamside workshop on NPS pollution Support or participate in "Celebrate Cayuga Lake" activities in July Inform Town residents about our Board and our activities (PR) Identify important veiwshed in the town (particularly public) [suggested: photo contest, photo album, maps and descriptions, etc.] Conduct biological inventory of new parkland acquisitions Conduct field studies of Town Unique Natural Areas (UNAs) to facilitate resolution to designate as Critical Environmental Areas (CEAs) Write articles in the Town newsletter about important issues, and/or CB activities Inform the public about issues, ordinances, regulations, and policies which affect them such as, SEQR, park dedication, wetlands, stormwater management, environmental assessment, UNAs or CEAs, and others. Activity with wildlife such as bird banding or other (with Lab of ' O-: or other group) Other activities (please specify): New York Natural Heritage Program New York Rare Plant Status List 1L7 j 20 xc�e ?� TT January 1996 Edited by: Stephen M. Young Botanist For more information, suggestions or comments about this list, please contact: Steve Young, Botanist New York Natural Heritage Program 700 Troy -Schenectady Rd. Latham, NY 12110-2400 518-783-3941 FAX 518-783-3916 E-mail: syoung@tnc.org To report sightings of rare species, contact our office or fill out and mail us the Species Field Reporting Form provided at the end of this publication. The New York Natural Heritage Program is funded by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Divisions of Lands and Forests and Fish and Wildlife and by The Nature Conservancy. Return a Gift to Wildlife Contributions also provide major support. New York Natural Heritage Program Rare Plant Status List WHY IS THE LIST PUBLISHED? The New York Natural Heritage Program publishes the rare plant status list: 1. to assist in conservation and protection efforts by government and private organizations and the general public, 2. to provide information for use in the environmental review process, 3. to provide information to educators and researchers about New York's rare plants and 4. to assist those in search of rare plants. WHAT DOES THE LIST CONTAIN? The list contains the name, heritage rank, counties of occurrence and legal status for all plants that the Heritage Program actively inventories. The active inventory list contains most plant taxa (species, subspecies and varieties) that have fewer than 100 occurrences in the state or those that are considered highly vulnerable to extirpation and have been documented by a Heritage report and/or a herbarium specimen in the last 15 years. It also contains rare historical taxa (i.e. plants that have not been documented in the last 15 years). The extirpated list contains taxa which are considered no longer extant in the state. The watch list contains taxa that are considered rare, uncommon or declining in numbers, but which may need more information or monitoring to decide if they should be actively inventoried. This list is not synonymous with the New York State DEC Protected Native Plants list (March 1990). The Heritage list contains all plants that are rare, while the DEC list contains native plants that are protected by state law. Most rare plants that are on the Heritage list are listed by the state. The DEC protected plant list is included in New York's rare plant law that is open to public comment and approval by the state legislature. The protected plant list also includes the category of Exploitably Vulnerable (plants in danger of exploitation, but not necessarily rare [e.g. all orchids, most ferns]). HOW IS THE INFORMATION COMPILED? This list has been compiled over many years from a variety of sources. By consolidating these sources the program enhances their usefulness and identifies gaps in knowledge. Information is gathered principally from field work as well as from published and unpublished reports, herbarium specimens and oral reports. When occurrences of rare plants are discovered in the field, quantity of individuals, quality and location of the population are documented, and, if warranted, specimens and photographs are taken. These occurrences are then monitored, and changes in biology and land conservation status are recorded. Information gathered from all sources is mapped on topographic maps and entered into a computer database that serves as a "communal memory" of rare plant, animal and natural community information from across the state. Electronic data are backed up with paper or manual files; both are carefully protected from unauthorized access. Information that we gather and receive during the growing season is "transcribed" and entered into the database during the winter, thus information received in April of one year may not be available in the database until February or March of the following year. HOW DOES THE LIST CHANGE? Each winter, after. entry of new information into the database is completed, the list is reevaluated by Heritage staff, the State Botanist and other botanists familiar with the State flora to decide if certain plant species should remain or be removed from the list, or if their rarity ranking should change. Recommendations for new plants to be added to the list are also evaluated. WHY ARE PLANTS RARE? Plants are rare for different reasons. Some species have narrow habitat requirements that are met in only a few areas of the state or world. Other factors that contribute to the rarity of species are low reproduction rates and disturbance or loss of habitat from human -induced activities such as: pollution, development, introduction of exotic plants and pests, and over collection of useful or attractive plants. Natural biological, climatic, and geological events can reduce or isolate widespread species resulting in global or local rarity or even extinction. However, at present, natural processes play a relatively small role in species extinction when compared to human activity. Often these factors work in combination to limit species distribution. Plants that are considered rare only in New York State are usually, but not always, on the edge of their range. They are more common elsewhere but -exist at only a few localities in New York. Some state rarities are also globally rare. WHY PROTECT RARE PLANTS? When rare plants are protected, distinctive populations of species are preserved along with their genetic variation within their natural habitat. This "biodiversity" of organisms is an important component of healthy, functioning ecosystems upon which all life on earth is dependent. Diverse ecosystems are more resistant to disturbance, and thus better able to support- the organisms that provide humanity with many useful products and tolerable living conditions. If the elimination of plant species continues in New York and throughout the world, it could eventually bring about demise of humanity. Since there is usually a lack. of complete information about the complex interactions within specific ecosystems to decide which plants are "expendable", all species should be protected. Some believe that plants are not only essential to survival of the human race, but they also have an equal right to exist because they have survived and adapted for as long as or longer than humans. Plants are also indicators of the quality of the environment. Some plants decline in numbers, or disappear altogether, under the influence of increased air or water pollution. State -rare plants, usually on the edge of their range, are subject to environmental conditions different from the center of their range. Therefore they often have genetic differences that allow them to cope with these conditions. Their populations. are important reserves of genetic diversity of the species as a whole and should be protected. They may also be important components of ecosystems uncommon in the state or indicate important processes taking place in otherwise common natural communities. A rich natural heritage is one of New York's most valuable resources - one that is treasured by residents and visitors alike. EXPLANATION OF CATEGORIES This list is produced directly from the Heritage Program's Biological Conservation Database (BCD) and includes the following categories: SCIENTIFIC NAME - The genus, species and subspecies or varietal name derived from Latin or Greek roots. Standardized names are used throughout the world. This list follows Mitchell's Checklist of New York State Plants 1986, Bulletin No. 458, New York State Museum. COMMON NAME - The most commonly -accepted English name for the plant, or the name most often used in New York. COUNTIES OF OCCURRENCE - Each county is designated by the first four letters of its name. The county name is followed by a "C" (confirmed) where the plant is now known to exist. The name is followed by a "P" (probable) if the plant has been documented by a specimen which is over 15 years old. The name is followed by a "T' when it is possible that the plant occurs there because there have been unconfirmed reports of its existence (i.e. oral report, plant list, literature citation). A county map is included. at the end of this list. GLOBAL AND STATE RANKS - These rarity ranks have been developed by The Nature Conservancy and are used by Natural Heritage programs in every state. They are not linked to any legal penalties but provide information used for determining federal and state status of rare plants. STATE AND FEDERAL STATUS - These status codes reflect rarity, vulnerability and the action priority status of plants. Their status is backed up by state and federal laws that provide penalties for the "taking" of plants. EXPLANATION OF HERITAGE RANKS AND CODES Each taxon has a global and state rank. The global rank reflects the rarity of the species throughout the world and the state rank reflects the rarity within New York State. GLOBAL RANK GI = Critically imperiled throughout its range due to extreme rarity (5 or fewer sites or very few remaining individuals) or extremely vulnerable to extinction due to biological factors. G2 = Imperiled throughout its range due to rarity (6 - 20 sites or few remaining individuals) or highly vulnerable to extinction due to biological factors. G3 = Either very rare and local throughout its range (21 - 100 sites), with a restricted range (but possibly locally abundant), or vulnerable to extinction due to biological factors. G4 = Apparently secure throughout its range (but possibly rare in parts). G5 = Demonstrably secure throughout its range (however it may be rare in certain areas). GH = No extant sites known but it may be rediscovered. Global Ranks continued GX = Species believed extinct. GU & G? = Status unknown. STATE RANK S 1 = Critically imperiled in New York State because of extreme rarity (5 or fewer sites or very few remaining individuals) or extremely vulnerable to extirpation from New York State due to biological factors. S2 = Imperiled in New York State because of rarity (6 - 20 sites or few remaining individuals) or highly vulnerable to extirpation from New York State due to biological factors. S3 = Rare in New York State (usually 21 - 100 extant sites). S4 = Apparently secure in New York State. S5 = Demonstrably secure in New York State. SH = No extant sites known in New York State but it may be rediscovered. SX = Apparently extirpated from New York State. SE = Exotic, not native to New York State. SR = Reported from the state, but existence has not been documented. SU = Status uncertain because of the cryptic nature of the plant. TAXON RANK The T -ranks are defined in the same way as the Global ranks, but the T -rank only refers to the rarity of the subspecific taxon, not the rarity of the species as a whole. If a species has a T - rank but no subspecific name, or a subspecific name and no T -rank, there is a discrepancy between the scientific name from Mitchell's list, which New York Heritage uses, and the scientific name used by The Nature Conservancy national office. DOUBLE RANKS (i. e. S1S2, S2S3, SIS3) The first rank indicates rarity based upon current documentation. The second rank indicates the probable rarity after all historical records and likely habitat have been checked. Double ranks denote species that need additional field surveys. A "Q" indicates a question exists whether or not the taxon is a good taxonomic entity. A "?" indicates that an identification question exists about known occurrences. It also indicates the rank presumably corresponds to actual occurrences even though the information has not been documented in heritage files or historical records. It serves to flag species that need more field studies or specimen identification. EXPLANATION OF PLANT LEGAL STATUS FEDERAL STATUS The categories of federal status are defined by the U.S. Department of the Interior as part of the 1974 Endangered Species Act (see Code of Federal Regulations 50 CFR 17). Recent changes in federal status were published in the Federal Register on Feb. 21, 1990 (Vol. 55(35):6184-6229). A summary of federally listed plants is in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service publication "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants" (July 15, 1991). (blank) = No Status LE = Taxa formally listed as endangered. LT = Taxa formally listed as threatened. PE = Taxa formally proposed as endangered but a final ruling has not been made. PT = Taxa formally proposed as threatened but a final ruling has not been made. C1 = Candidate, category 1 --Taxa with sufficient information to list as endangered or threatened. C2 = Candidate, category 2 --Taxa which may be appropriate for listing but for which more data are needed. 3A = The taxon considered extinct by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 3B = Taxa no longer considered taxonomically distinct by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and thus not appropriate for listing. 3C = Taxa shown to be more abundant, widespread, or better protected than previously thought and therefore not in need of official listing. * = The taxon is possibly extinct. NEW YORK STATE LEGAL STATUS The following categories are defined in regulation 6NYCRR part 193.3 and apply to New York State Environmental Conservation Law section 9-1503. Part (f) of the law reads as follows: "It is a violation for any person, anywhere in the state to pick, pluck, sever, remove, damage by the application of herbicides or defoliants, or carry away, without the consent of the owner, any protected plant. Each protected plant so picked, plucked, severed, removed, damaged or carried away shall constitute a separate violation." Violators of the regulation are subject to fines of $25 per plant illegally taken. A separate booklet containing only the list of protected New York State plants may be obtained from the Natural Heritage Program or the Division of Lands and Forests at (518) 457- 7370. E = Endangered Species: listed species are those with 1) 5 or fewer extant sites, or 2) fewer than 1,000 individuals, or 3) restricted to fewer than 4 U.S.G.S. 7 1/2 minute topographical maps, or 4) species listed as endangered by the U. S. Department of Interior, as r enumerated in the Code of Federal Regulations 50 CFR 17.11. New York State Legal Status Continued T = Threatened: listed species are those with 1) 6 to fewer than 20 extant sites, or 2) 1,000 to fewer than 3,000 individuals, or 3) restricted to not less than 4 or more than 7 U.S.G.S. 7 1/2 minute topographical maps, or 4) listed as threatened by the U. S. Department of the Interior, as enumerated in the Code of Federal Regulations 50 CFR 17.11. R = Rare: listed species have 1) 20 to 35 extant sites, or 2) 3,000 to 5,000 individuals statewide. V = Exploitably vulnerable: listed species are likely to become threatened in the near future throughout all or a significant portion of their range within the state if causal factors continue unchecked. (The attached list does not contain a complete listing of the species in this category. U = Unprotected EXPLANATION OF PHENOLOGY LIST The phenology list shows the months of the year when the flowers (F), fruits (R) or vegetative parts (V) of each rare species can be seen. This information has been gathered from herbarium specimens, heritage field data, Gray's Manual of Botany and individual expertise. The months in which the plant can be seen may differ from year to year depending on the weather and there is often some overlap between flowering and fruiting times. Some species may not be visible for years at a time if they grow in a habitat where conditions conducive to germination or growth occur only sporadically (e.g. coastal plain pond shores). An attempt was made to include information that would assist searching for these species at a time when the plant could be identified properly. For some species there is very little information about phenology in New York State and assumptions were made from Gray's Manual of Botany. We would appreciate any information that would update this list and increase its accuracy. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The New York Natural Heritage Program gratefully acknowledges the efforts of all the field biologists and plant enthusiasts who have contributed to the database over the last 15 years. For our historical perspective, we are indebted to the curators and staff of more than 20 regional herbaria, especially the herbarium of the New York State Museum, who have provided access to specimens, invaluable assistance, and knowledge of rare plant natural history. Additional thanks to Rachel Novak who spent many hours designing and generating the database reports in this list and also Bob Zaremba for his timely comments on rare plant status. Town of Ithaca Conservation Board - History and Accomplishments T wn oard Resolution No. 25 on February 12, 1990 established the Town of Ithaca Conservation viso Council (CAC) under the auspices of New York State Guideline- s uideline- r-- - nse ation Advisory Councils. Shirley Raffensperger was the Town Su; th was held on March 1, 1990 and chaired by John Whitcomb, who Board was instrumental in the creation of the CAC. John continued to cha evv 10 S'e kA later successfully ran for Town Supervisor. After completion of the Open Space Inventory, the Town Board redesignated Conservation Board (CB) by Local Law No. 4 on April 12, 1993. The purpo `' fc, S C remained the same as the CAC, except the CB is mandated to provide enviror received by other Town boards as specified by Local Law No. 4. Thus, to fulfill the mission of the CB, the Environmental Review Committee (ERC) remains an essential subcommittee. In addition to. the ERC and the subcommittees already mentioned, a number of other subcommittees have existed and/or continue to be active depending on the interest of the CB. These include: ► Scenic Views Committee - to identify and protect public scenic views and viewsheds, ► Parks and Greenways Committee - to identify needs and possible locations for natural and recreational parks and linkages between natural areas, ► Environmental Atlas and GIS Committee - to .computerize and expand on the information contained in the Open Space Inventory, and ► Tree and Shrub Plantings Committee - to sponsor and plant trees and shrubs in public areas and encourage plantings on private lands. The efforts of the various CB Committees have created a dialog to develop Town policy on: Stream Corridor Protection, Wetland Protection, Storm Water Management, Viewshed Protection, Steep Slope Protection, and Pesticide/Herbicide usage by the Parks Department. In addition, the CB has written many award winning reports recognized by the New York State Association of Conservation Councils: ► Six Mile Creek: A Heritage to Preserve (1992 Special Achievement Award) ► Open Space Inventory (1992 Special Achievement Award) ► Planning for Agriculture in the Town of Ithaca (1992 Special Achievement Award) ► Wetland Guidelines (1993 Educational Award) ► Coy Glen Biological Corridor - Draft (1994 Research Award) Past and Present Members: James Ainslie . Richard Couture Th e CAC was established to assist Town staff and other Town boards to pr scenic resources of the Town. Three subcommittees were established at the _bb Agriculture -- to assess the state of agriculture and methods to ensure its su,, Richard Fisher Review -- to review and comment on the environmental significance of pror Janet Hawkes` Parks, Natural Areas, and Stream Corridors -- to protect natural areas and w� Eva Hoffmann I also charged with developing an Open Space Inventory to map and characterOeS� the Town. After completion of the Open Space Inventory, the Town Board redesignated Conservation Board (CB) by Local Law No. 4 on April 12, 1993. The purpo `' fc, S C remained the same as the CAC, except the CB is mandated to provide enviror received by other Town boards as specified by Local Law No. 4. Thus, to fulfill the mission of the CB, the Environmental Review Committee (ERC) remains an essential subcommittee. In addition to. the ERC and the subcommittees already mentioned, a number of other subcommittees have existed and/or continue to be active depending on the interest of the CB. These include: ► Scenic Views Committee - to identify and protect public scenic views and viewsheds, ► Parks and Greenways Committee - to identify needs and possible locations for natural and recreational parks and linkages between natural areas, ► Environmental Atlas and GIS Committee - to .computerize and expand on the information contained in the Open Space Inventory, and ► Tree and Shrub Plantings Committee - to sponsor and plant trees and shrubs in public areas and encourage plantings on private lands. The efforts of the various CB Committees have created a dialog to develop Town policy on: Stream Corridor Protection, Wetland Protection, Storm Water Management, Viewshed Protection, Steep Slope Protection, and Pesticide/Herbicide usage by the Parks Department. In addition, the CB has written many award winning reports recognized by the New York State Association of Conservation Councils: ► Six Mile Creek: A Heritage to Preserve (1992 Special Achievement Award) ► Open Space Inventory (1992 Special Achievement Award) ► Planning for Agriculture in the Town of Ithaca (1992 Special Achievement Award) ► Wetland Guidelines (1993 Educational Award) ► Coy Glen Biological Corridor - Draft (1994 Research Award) Past and Present Members: James Ainslie . Richard Couture James Baker Monika Crispin# Celia Bowers Christiann Dean Melinda Boyar Richard Fisher Jeff Caster" Janet Hawkes` Candace Cornell' Eva Hoffmann I * Chairs # Associate Members T Dooley Kiefer Lois Levitan Ruth Mahr laura marks Jon Meigs Elizabeth Mulholland Mary Russell Loren Tauer Cheryl Smith John Whitcomb* Philip Zarriello`