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Home My WebLink AboutCB Minutes 1997-10-02i•:ii•;;4;{::{::;•i:iir:�:?�:?�:?�:?�........... •..... :.....:?k:i:•:{.}•{{:v:i•:;::::v:v:::v:•::v: •.�::: w:::::: ? 5.........::...............................f...................... t::u:::. ::::::::::::k::+::{:.{... i } ;} ..... ....•::.... ....�i}:Lkiik:•ik::•:::•:}::>iU:::::::::::::::::::::::: n. � :.....:...........:::?:•. }.:•}:{•i:risF}iii}Si}k:4k:•}{i:•:.::...........:..:........:::3:•:I:1:•: r•}k::•ki}ki}i}:.....................:......... TOWN OF ITHACA CONSERVATION BOARD 7:30 pm, Thursday, 2 October 1997 <•: �•: • .... • : �.� :._:.}» ::}::}:•: f:•>S: �:ii'i :�€i::.......:. i..::.....:•i.. i.. }.......: i.<•}:•> :•:3:•:::::•;:t•}>: }:•;k:•r'::•f:<. •:. •:. •:.o-::=•:::::k•>:•:tk•:::•;:i•r:::•:;>:•:{.>:=•::i•::� :•:� ::i;•: ..:...........:.. .... ... < . }.:::::::::: }::: ... ':: •.}}ivi:• :•iM; k:4k:•iF.vk:•:ii:•F.r.:ir::::::::: }::::::::............ . k.. ..... .. r.:• ::.: Fiikivi:•:iz •kimiiiiii}ik}:•}}:•v: **OLD JAIL CONFERENCE ROOM** 125 East Court Street Ithaca, New York 14850 (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. Business: Approval of minutes from 7/17, 8/7 and 9/4 8:05 pm 5. 1998 Membership - Reappointment and recruiting 8:15 pm 6. Coy Glen Project - Boundary Identification 8:30 pm 7. Draft Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan Comments 9:30 pm 7. Adjournment CB Members and Associate Members: Phil Zarriello, Chair Frank Baldwin Richard Fischer Lois Levitan Barney Unsworth (File Name: 028p1mN6\10.02-97agd) Kara Hagedorn, Vice Chair Elizabeth deProsse Eva Hoffinann Jon Meigs John Yntema OF I T� _ _ 9 TOWN OF ITHACA zi 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 O FROM: Geri Tierney, CB Coordinator DATE: 24 September 1997 RE: Our next meeting - October 2, 1997 Greetings. Enclosed, please find the agenda and materials for our October 2nd meeting. Please note that this meeting will not be held in the Town Hall Board Room, because the Town Board will be meeting then. Both this month and next month, we will be meeting in the Old Jail Conference Room. The Old Jail Conference Room is located at 125 East Court Street, just two blocks north of Town Hall. Enter the building on the east side from the parking lot, go up the stairs to the "first" floor, turn right and go down the hall to the Conference Room. I'll be walking over there from Town Hall before the meeting, so if you are unsure of the location, meet me at Town Hall at 7:20 to walk over together. At this meeting. we will finalize our written comments on the 3/10/97 draft of the Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan. While we discussed this last week, we did not have time to finalize comments from the Conservation Board as a group. In particular, we should discuss whether and how strongly we support this plan, and whether there are significant policy issues on which we would like to comment. We will try to finalize a draft at this meeting, in order to advise the Town Board and Planning Board at the upcoming public hearings. We will be discussing 1998 membership at this meeting. The terms of five members will expire in December 1997. These members are Phil Zarriello, Lois Levitan, Richard Fischer, Jon Meigs and John Yntema. These members should let the CB know if they plan to renew membership, and they must notify the Town Board in writing whether or not they seek reappointment. I've enclosed draft minutes from 9/4. The draft minutes from 7/17 and 8/7 were distributed for the last meeting - please bring them this time. As always, please call me at 273-1747 if you have any questions. See you on October 2nd. TOWN OF ITHACA CONSERVATION BOARD MINUTES DRAFT SEPTEMBER 4, 1997 PRESENT: Chair Phil Zarriello, Vice Chair Kara Hagedom, Elizabeth deProsse, Lois Levitan, Jon Meigs, Barney Unsworth, John Yntema. ABSENT: Frank Baldwin, Richard Fischer, Eva Hoffmann. STAFF: Geri Tierney, Coordinator. GUESTS: Grace Allen, Lanny Joyce. Chair Zarriello opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Grace Allen stated that she is not from the Town of Ithaca, that she is from the Town of Lansing. She is here because she has spent so much time going to the Town of Lansing in regards to the draft Environmental Impact Statement (dEIS) on the Lake Source Cooling (LSC) Project. The Town of Ithaca and the City of Ithaca were raising questions as to the possible effect on water quality of the LSC project, particularly the mussel control activities. This is a subject near and dear to her heart because she takes her water from the lake. The Town of Lansing has no public water available where she lives and most of her neighbors do not have public water. She made comments on the scoping documents , and basically she feels those comments were brushed aside. Since she was so interested in the water quality, she contacted the Town of Ithaca regarding her concerns. Ms. Allen asked what was the Town of Ithaca's interest in water quality regarding this project? Chair Zarriello stated that the Town of Ithaca is interested in water quality in general. Ms. Allen mentioned the Town of Ithaca comments on the dEIS. She has concerns in connection with the lake sediments, and stability of things, and what is going to be done. She is concerned that Cornell is saying that there will be no impacts on drinking water. They are really denying that there are people that might be affected in the vicinity of the lake intake. She is approximately 4,000 feet from the proposal on the survey map. Cornell has a quotation from the director of Bolton Point operations which states that there may be some people on the 1200 block of East Shore Drive who take their water from the lake, and then they show where the possible users are located. The point is that she wants their references. They say that, in connection with the heavy metals and because of the distance from any possible users, and because they know about good management practices, they would not have any impacts on water quality. The point is that they do not really know; they have not said whether there is going to be chemical pollution and toxicity from the heavy metals. It all depends on a whole series of things: deviation, magnitude, etc. They say the impact would be non-detectable. Maybe they are right and maybe they are wrong, but they are not going to know. She and others will be affected by this. As for the pigging, it really disturbs her because they cannot reverse water flow from the outflow. They will be discharging approximately 26,000 gallons in the transmission twice a year during operations. They said there would be no impact because of the distance from the possible water users, but she lives south- southeast of that intake and the prevailing wind is north-northwest, so anything that happens would come straight towards her. She agrees that maybe the heavy tissues and shell fragments will settle out, and neither of those would concern her because she can filter them out. It is the very fine pulverized shells that concern her because she would need to put more filters on. She normally puts the filters on twice a month or approximately three weeks apart. If she gets a really heavy wind, it will rile up the surface and then scour the bottom. Then she gets so much silt sedimentation and will need to change the filters just about everyday. While this construction is happening she can imagine doing this on a daily process. They did not say anything about constraints of weather, and very fine sedimentation will be carried at surface level. They say that the heavy sediment will settle, but the very fine stuff will go to the surface, and it is the surface water that is carried to the beach, so it will be the surface water carrying pulverized sediment that she will receive. In addition to not being able to filter the fine sediment, the other problem is with the mussels - the smell and the taste, and that is something they can do nothing about, once it is in the system. She was on Lake Erie a few weeks ago at a place called Geneva on the Lake, talking to a Motel Manager. He was Mous because people are getting wells drilled so there are a lot of things coming up on the beach, and the decomposition is so different. Indeed there was a smell, and the water was so bad. Jon Meigs said that directly contributed to the lake decomposition. Ms. Allen responded, yes. She called the Sea Grant Program at SUNY, and she talked to Charles Nagle. Initially he said she was absolutely right that they should be doing some monitoring when they actually do the pigging operation. She gathered that Mr. Kauffman from Bolton Point, who has talked to him since, and he is mortified that instead what it really depends upon is how they get the mussels out. That does not help her if they get a lot out of there, if they are not monitoring. And what is going to happen? There is going to be no monitoring ofthe silt sedimentation where they say in some instances the measurement of heavy metals exceeds the New York State Guidance Values, and there is a possibility depending upon the magnitude, the deviation, and etc., that there could be some toxicity of the water. Then in the next paragraph, they jump on the safety wondering if it would effect water quality. Chair Zarriello stated that he and Lanny Joyce discussed this issue earlier today. All the dredging operations will be monitored. Ms. Allen stated that the documents do not mention that. Chair Zarriello stated that this will be added because of the residents' concerns. Lanny Joyce stated that Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) felt the control of the mussels was not adequate when dredging is done, then it would be good to have a monitoring program to institute. Chair Zarriello asked if the first check would be a visual one to see if there is anything coming out of the filtration. Mr. Joyce responded, yes. In general they will want to pay attention to what is going on, and there will probably be a camera down there during pigging to see how the whole operation works. They are not sure there will be mussels growing. During June to December; the mussels will land inside the intake pipe, and they will grow very slowly from June to December because 39 degree water is not their normal climate. So whatever growth occurs in that time period will be flushed out during pigging. Chair Zaniello stated that the Zebra Mussels are not just going to be in the pipes, they are also going to be on the shorelines. Mr. Joyce stated that they would be much closer to the shore. There is a band that runs around the circumference of the lake where the mussels are already living and dying. The mussels have a five year life cycle, and they grow approximately 1/4 inch per year. Chair Zarriello stated that he is not dismissing Ms. Allen's concerns. There is a video conference on Zebra Mussels on September 10th, that people might be interested in attending. There is a $5 cover fee. If this is really a concern, he feels the contribution of the LSC project is going to be minor part of what already exists. The concern is a modification to the water intake, to run the water through a sand filter before use. Ms. Allen stated that is not the issue. She does not have an intake line - she has a V 12 (??), so the water comes up and is filtered by gravity. She is concerned about is the fact the water she draws, which comes from a shallow depth, will be full of pulverized shells. She cannot filter out particles smaller than 20 microns. Chair Zarriello asked Ms. Allen if she is using cartridge filters. Ms. Allen responded, yes. She cannot filter smaller particles, and she does not know if there sill be a taste and smell attached to the pulverized shells. There is nothing here that gives her any confidence that this would not happen. Chair Zarriello stated that he does not understand Ms. Allen's well situation. If it is a beach well, she should not be getting fine particles as a result of the changes in clarity. Ms. Allen responded, yes, she would. Chair Zarriello stated that it seems like there is a direct connection to the Lake. Ms. Allen stated no, not in terms of her taking fill and tissue through the actual well. Chair Zarriello stated that if these particles get into her well, then there has to be a direct route to the water. Ms. Allen stated that she is not concerned about that. She is concerned about the water contamination, water silted with the fine pulverized material, etc. Chair Zarriello asked if even the fine particles, the clays and silts that are out there now - is she is picking those up in her well and does she have to change her filter fairly often? Ms. Allen stated yes, that is correct. Chair Zarriello stated that he is having a hard time visualizing Ms. Allen's well, because if it is a beach well and the water is being run through gravel, she should not be getting the fine particles in her well. Ms. Allen stated that it does happen. There is a lot of scouring when there's water in the shallow area, and her water comes from very shallow water. The water picks up sediment and silt that comes through the well and needs to be filtered. Her well goes down to the beach instead of her garden. Chair Zarriello asked Ms. Allen if her well sits directly in the water with no gravel. Ms. Allen responded, yes. There is gravel below, but the well sits on the beach. Chair Zarriello stated that is what he is asking, because that is why she has a problem with silt. Ms. Allen stated that as anyone has with any well there is some type of silt or some kind of sediment coming in. Chair Zarriello stated that if there is direct contact with the water, sure there would be. Ms. Allen stated that she does not, because she does not have a line going out into the lake. She does not have fouling and the eroding by the tissues and shells in her well. It is the fine particles that she needs to worry about. She is just concerned about the fact that there is so little attention paid, and she knows that Mr. Joyce does not agree, she heard that secondhand. Mr. Joyce does not agree that there is little attention being paid. When she reviewed the comments that she wrote (three pages of comments) in the scoping document, her comments are summarized as just being three kinds of concerns. There is one reference to drinking the water. They know she takes her water from the Lake, and yet it comes out per Mr. Kauffman that there "may" be people using Lake water there. There are many other factors, she has messes of stuff here, and she was simply concerned because when she read the CB comments in the dEIS, drinking water concerns were purely in connection with the biofouling mechanisms. She wanted to know in particular why the Conservation Board was limiting their concerns to those chemicals. Were the CB concerns incorrectly summarized in the dEIS? Chair Zarriello responded, no. Those were responses to the Board's direct comments, but this Board had raised comments previously in regards to the modeling study and the updated phosphorus. Those issues have been addressed. What Ms. Allen was reading were responses to comments that this Board felt were completed. Ms. Allen asked if the Board feels that these are adequate responses to their comments. Chair Zarriello responded, yes. Having the video camera on the site during the first few pigging operations to see what comes out, and there should be a plan if they see large quantities of mussel material coming out that some monitoring be done as part of the pigging operations to be sure that it is not a problem. Ms. Allen asked what would happen if they do find that things are not as painted in the impact statement. Would the impact be if the effect of the pigging is different from what they expect? Mr. Meigs stated that depends on how severe it is. It might call for some corrective action. Chair Zarriello stated that pigging could be done more often so there would not be a large quantity of material. Ms. Allen asked what happens to the residential users when that happens. 4 Chair Zarriello stated that this is all hypothetical, if it happens and if the pigging schedule was done on a semi-annual basis, it may have to be increased to every five months so there would not be large quantities building up. The evidence indicates that is not going to be the case. Ms. Allen stated that she wished she had more confidence. Chair Zarriello stated that he needs to go with what the data suggests. If the data suggested differently, he would suggest that they should be modifying their plans now. These comments are based on some hypothetical condition, but the data does not indicate it will happen. Ms. Allen stated that she is completely dependent on the Lake for water for three residential units. Chair Zarriello stated that he lives on the lake and he received the water directly from the Lake for years, and he knows the problems associated with it. If he was still getting his water from the lake he would be concerned, but the more general concern that he has is the non -point source run off. That is a quality issue far more serious than the LSC project. There have been some analyses this past summer indicating that residuals of pesticides are high in Cayuga Lake. There should be more investigations as to why that is. Ms. Allen stated that she has talked to Bolton Point quite often about that. Chair Zarriello stated that when things are balanced out, those efforts should be directed at how the City of Ithaca directs their storm drains (and perhaps even the Town of Ithaca). Ms. Allen stated that right now we are talking the LSC project. Chair Zarriello stated that, as he mentioned before, he thinks the data is sound and the evidence suggests that it is not going to be a problem. Mr. Joyce has suggested what they plan to do to monitor the situation. If there is cause to react to that, then they would be in a position to identify that to make a judgment call.. Ms. Allen asked what about the sediments, chemicals, and the heavy metals. Chair Zarriello stated that is part of the dredging operations. That has been addressed in terms of the silt curtains. Ms. Allen asked what are they going to do. Chair Zarriello stated they would do a visual inspection, and if things are moving outside the curtains, have a plan to do some analysis. That is being adequately addressed as a result of the concerns of Ms. Allen and others. Ms. Allen asked how long ago did the Conservation Board write their comments on the environmental impact statement. Chair Zarriello stated that was several months ago. Ms. Allen asked why didn't the public hear about all of this. Mr. Joyce stated that there was a 30 day review period for the agencies to do an adequacy review. As an involved agency, the Town's Conservation Board had an opportunity to judge whether the entire document was adequate or not for public review. When the DEC judged the document to be adequate, then it was passed onto the public review period instead of the normal 30 day review period, it was made into a 60 day review period. The public comment period was extended to twice as long as required. Ms. Allen asked if the Conservation Board is dealing with other aspects of the project as well. Chair Zarriello responded, yes. Ms. Allen stated that she would be mailing in her comments on the Lake Source Cooling Project. Chair Zarriello stated that if there is anything that could be done to ease her concerns, she can make an effort to hand in her comments. Mr. Meigs asked Ms. Allen how many other residents along the her portion of the lake shore are there who have the same condition? Ms. Allen responded, approximately three. It is very difficult because they never see each other. They are all down below the road level, and are widely spaced out. She knows the next house above hers takes water from the lake, because she rented that house for a year. She thinks there are two other houses that take the water from the lake. She cannot say anything more than that. She thinks the new houses that were built three or four years ago receive their water through the Village of Lansing, but there are other houses between them and her. Mr. Meigs asked if there would be any Town of Ithaca properties that would still be drawing water from the lake. Chair Zarriello stated that he thinks they all have public water now. Ms. Allen stated that on the west shore, many people have wells. Chair Zarriello stated that the properties up to the Town line have public utilities. Ms. Allen asked if the Public Health Department has any registry of lake water users. Chair Zarriello responded, no. Ms. Allen stated that they did a big survey four or five years ago. Chair Zarriello stated that the Public Health Department did a survey when they supplied the chemicals for the control. Ms. Allen responded, yes, but there has been a more recent survey. She thought it was done specifically to get a registry of lake users. Chair Zarriello asked Ms. Allen if she has talked to John Anderson at the Tompkins County Department of Health. Ms. Allen stated that she tried the other day. She left a message, but he never called back. She thanked the Board for their time and left the meeting. Mr. Joyce stated that he would like to say that they are open and available whenever people have questions and comments. Cornell took the comments that Ms. Allen put together very seriously, and the comments provided guidance as they responded to the scoping in March 1995. That was a very important part of what they did by responding to the questions and comments about water quality. He thought they did a thorough job in addressing those comments. They have been talking to Ms. Allen regularly, but it was only tonight that he discovered she was unhappy about the way here comments were addressed. He was surprised it was this late that he found out. He would have appreciated knowing Ms. Allen's concerns earlier to deal with them sooner. Barney Unsworth stated that he still does not understand completely what Ms. Allen is concerned about. Chair Zarriello stated that the well Ms. Allen is describing sounds to him like a well that he used to use - a submergible pump that sits on the lake bottom. Any time it rains, sediment is sucked into the pipes and clogs the filters. If he was still on that system today, it would need to be modified because of the zebra mussels. A beach well is one that is surrounded by a fair amount of gravel, and the sediment usually settles out before going through the pipes. Also, mussels are not sucked into the pipe. That is why he tried to raise that issue with Ms. Allen because it sounds like, given her concerns and the overall picture, that would be what he would want to build. Mr. Unsworth stated that the power station does a lot more pigging than people realize. Mr. Unsworth asked if there is any way to gain from their experience as to what is drained off afterwards, and how far it would travel and what effect it would have. Mr. Unsworth stated that what Comell plans to do is being done in a many times larger scale up the lake, but somehow we never hear anything about it. Mr. Joyce stated that pigging is not used at Milliken. There are a number of different water systems that use the lake, and their main flow goes through the steam condensers in the power plant. That is a flow that is larger than what Cornell proposes to use. It is a hot flow through a large, relatively shallow pipe, so they kill the zebra mussels with heat. After the zebra mussels are dead, they gradually decay and fall off into the lake. Cornell does not have the ability to use this method because they will not be using hot water. They proposed a closed water route that has a maximum temperature of 60 degrees. The water will not reach 100 degrees - which is necessary to kill zebra mussels.. The proposed system would follow the cooling load that is heavily driven by the outside air temperature. Cornell has modeled a high flow rate, and requested a permit for this high flow rate, just to be conservative. Milliken does not use pigging, but pigging is commonly used in other locations of water intakes on the Great Lakes. It is becoming the treatment of choice where chemical treatment is not acceptable to DEC, or the other states' equivalent to DEC. DEC made it very clear to Cornell that any chemical means for controlling zebra mussels was not going to be looked upon very favorably. So this proposal is not unique, but it is different. Most of the water lines into the Great Lakes do not go much deeper than 20 to 40 feet, so they are very easy access by divers. In those cases because they are right in the zone where the zebra mussels are growing and multiplying in huge quantities each year, they attract enormous quantities of mussels. Pumps are needed to disperse the mussels. There would be more pigging done for the use of zebra mussel control. The City of Waterloo uses pigging for zebra mussel control, and Cornell has watched their process. Chair Zarriello pointed out that if the proposed pipes do accumulate mussels, they would be expelled at a depth of 250 feet, so there is less chance of that reaching the surface. Mr. Joyce stated that the pigging would not be done at a high velocity. Water would move only at a couple feet per second. The water would not be shooting out of the pipe like a jet. Ms. deProsse stated that Ms. Allen was talking about the heavy metals and things. She was concerned about churning them up from the bottom of the lake. Mr. Joyce stated that in the area of the intake and the outfall pipes close to shore, that dredging would be done to keep the pipes submerged below boating depth. Those shallow sediments were analyzed carefully at the request of DEC. Those sediments do have concentrations of metals and pesticides. That is why Cornell is very carefully addressing the removal of the lake sediments, and containing the area that would be dredged to a small area surrounded by the silt curtains. Ms. deProsse asked what are silt curtains. Mr. Joyce stated that silt curtains are the black fabric that runs along the edge of construction sites to control sediment run off. It is not a perfect device, but it does a good job of containing the sediment as long as there is no heavy current going through. Ms. Levitan asked what does pigging mean. Mr. Joyce stated that pigging is basically putting a foam bullet through the pipe to push out anything that is inside clinging to the surface. It cleans the inside of the pipe from zebra mussels, as opposed to controlling them with chemicals. Cornell is proposing to let the mussels grow there from June until December, if they land and grow there at all From December to June there are no free floating mussel babies in the lake, because the mussels don't reproduce in water temperatures below 50 degrees. Bolton Point has a screen over their intake, and they use chlorine to kill any mussels that do foul their screen. This works because they chlorinate the water anyway, and the chlorine is not released back into the Lake. Cornell cannot chlorinate without having it all go back into the lake. Ms. Levitan stated that there was a letter in the Ithaca Times from a resident who was very concerned about the project. Ms. Levitan asked about the model that concerns this resident. Mr. Joyce stated that the resident was referring to the thermal and hydrodynamic modeling that Comell did at the lake which actually was the state of the art based on local meteorological data that was collected at the Game Farm Road Weather Station. It was verified with data taken from the lake and calibrated to see if it was realistic. In this model, Cornell needed to make an assumption about fluoride. All along Cornell has been questioned about how hard could they run the lake source cooling? What is the limiting factor and how do we know that it was taken into consideration for the modeling of the impacts on the lake? Cornell decided to model everything 25 percent larger than what it is actually going to be built, and they also chose to model as if the plant ran 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all summer, in an attempt to represent the worst case scenario. In reality, the cooling load, and therefore, the lake source cooling will typically vary two -to -one daily, and ten -to -one seasonally. Cornell only has a three -to -one variation seasonally in the model. Cornell used very high quantities of water pumped through the system at the highest flow rates that was imaginable to go through the system, in attempt to see if the impacts are still negligible. Then they will feel better running it at a real flow rate, at which they expect to operate for the first 30 to 50 years. That is hard to explain in the dEIS. It was direct response of the community saying to us how hard could the system be run some day and what is the limited factor on how big of a flow could be pushed through. It turns out to be the pipe size. The pipe size could be pushed as hard as it could be done, and it was modeled that way. Ms. Tierney asked Mr. Joyce if he was talking about the correct model? The resident's article referred to a model with a four mph wind which never varies, and a current which likewise does not change speed or direction. Mr. Joyce stated that there are two different modeling efforts in the dEIS. That was a direct response of comments from the DEC, who wanted to know what the lake -wide impacts would be. In addition to the model he just described, there was a field modeling effort in the vicinity of the outfall. That is what the resident is referring to. That model is used to analyze the performance of a diffuser and an outfall in a body of water, river, or lake. Cornell made assumptions and did sensitivity work on the southern basin of the lake. Mr. Joyce stated that the model parameters were chosen conservatively to create the largest possible pool of undispersed outflow. If there was higher current and wind, the outflow would be dispersed faster. So Cornell used very low numbers to show the worst possible effect, that of a stagnant day where the water just comes up and sits there because there is no current in the southern basin. Chair Zarriello asked Mr. Joyce if he thinks they could add a plan to monitor after the pigging operation, if they detect a significant quantities of mussels. Mr. Joyce responded, yes. He thinks monitoring makes sense to see how the process works. This would help ascertain what volume is growing each year. These monitoring reports would be used over time to see what is going on with the lake. He does not think that Cayuga Lake is finished being populated by zebra mussels. Seneca Lake is radically different now than Cayuga Lake, from a water clarity standpoint. People at Seneca Lake found zebra mussels five years before they were found in Cayuga Lake. Chair Zarriello stated that some sampling of intake depth can be done before pigging and then immediately after to see the difference. Mr. Joyce stated that the biomass of zebra mussels from this project is relatively small compared to the whole lake biomass of zebra mussels that are dying all the time. There is a very small amount of zebra mussels in Cayuga Lake to worry about. Not that it couldn't have an impact, but it is just very small, relatively speaking. Bolton Point mentioned that they would like to have a monitoring plan available should the dredging operation near shore prove inadequately contained by DEC standards. Monitoring at the intake is something that could be considered. Comell feels confident that the impact of zebra mussel shells in the intake area is not a major concern. Zebra mussel shells are not in a very big quantity. But Cornell is open to suggestions. This will be a learning process, and they will be developing a few general guidelines that Cornell could collect data on, to put the details together as it gets closer. MEMBER CONCERNS: Mr. Meigs asked about the filling behind the cemetery property. Mr. Tierney stated that this project did go through the Planning Board for approval, but that an ERC letter was not in the file. That proposal should have gone through ERC review. Mr. Meigs asked Ms. Tierney if she thinks this proposal is being handled acceptably. Ms. Tierney stated that she has not looked at the site yet. Mr. Meigs asked what does the file indicate. Ms. Tierney stated that the file indicates that the Planning Board and the Town Engineer thought there were no problems and everything was fine. She did not look into that proposal any further. Mr. Meigs stated that he heard that it might be a temporary dewatering operation, which suggested that they may be removing what is being put there. Ms. Tierney stated that she did not get that impression from looking at the file. She thought the fill was going to be permanent. Mr. Meigs stated that he would like to look into that further, and would contact the Planning Department for further information. COORDINATOR AND CHAIR REPORTS: Ms. Tierney stated that it is becoming that time of year to renew membership and recruit new members. Five Board member terms are expiring this year, and those members should consider renewing membership. The award of grant that the Conservation Board applied for will not be known until December. Director of Planning Kanter mentioned that the Conservation Board should go ahead with the project, and perhaps the Town could find another way to publish the materials if the CB did not win the grant. The first opportunity to distribute this information will be in the fall newsletter to be distributed at the beginning of October. The deadline for articles for that issue newsletter will be September 12. The Town received another letter from the Finger Lakes National Forest, regarding the new Forest Plan. They wanted to remind the Town that their meetings are ongoing and invited the Town again to attend. In addition to the conference notice that was supplied in the mailing, which is the conference specifically for the Conservation Board, there are other conferences that may interest the Board. The Conference on the Environment is on October 17 - 19, and there is money in the budget to send two or three interested members. Any interested members should contact the Planning Department within the next week. DRAFT ZONING ORDINANCE REVISION COMMENTS: Chair Zarriello stated that comments on the draft Zoning Ordinance revision are due next week. In the packet there was a cover letter from the Codes and Ordinances Committee along with an Executive Summary. The Conservation Board reviewed both the Executive Summary and the revised ordinance and discussed comments. The Conservation Board will summarize their comments for the Codes and Ordinances Committee. LAKE SOURCE COOLING DEIS COMMENTS: 10 Ms. Tierney stated that if the CB wished to comment on the dEIS, they should do so immediately as comments are due next Monday. Chair Zarriello adjourned the meeting at 9:30 p.m. Minutes transcribed by Debby Kelley on 9/15/97. Partially edited by JAY 09/21/97. Edited by GLT 9/22/97. 11 4" 1 N FRAL TOWN OF ITHACA CONSERVATION BOARD MINUTES FINAL OLD JAIL CONFERENCE ROOM, OCTOBER 2, 1997 Present: Chair Phil Zarriello, Vice Chair Kara Hagedorn, Frank Baldwin, Elizabeth DeProsse, Richard Fischer, Barney Unsworth. John Yntema. Absent: Eva Hoffman, Lois Levitan, Jon Meigs Staff: Geri Tierney, Coordinator Chair Zariello called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm Persons to be Heard: None Member Concerns: Kara Hagedorn expressed her belief that the growing possibilities for cellular phone towers in our region have already begun to create a visual distraction in our viewsheds - one of our most important environmental treasures. Unless steps are taken to control them, they will be as invasive as purple loosestrife in the next few decades. Kara sees them as particularly out of place in agricultural zones, and would like to see the Town Codes and Ordinances tightened in this regard. Also, such codes should provide for their combination with other towers where possible and the firm erecting them should be required to make provision (by posting a bond, perhaps?) for their removal when they are no longer in service. The CB voted to authorize Kara to speak for the group in contacting the County Environmental Management Council about this topic, and to write a letter to the Town Codes and Ordinances Committee as well. Lib DeProsse reported on her attendance at the recent conference; Building Partnerships for Sustainable Watersheds. She is a resource for those wishing information on the participating groups and the programs which will be growing out of the meeting. She plans also to represent the CB at the upcoming 1997 Conference on the Environment in Port Jefferson. Coordinator and Chair Reports: Phil Zarriello reported on the ongoing meetings involving Cornell and the community in the matter of disposing of low-level radioactive waste. A proposal by a pathologist, Fred Quimby, for using sodim hydroxide to decontaminate waste was considered but not adoopted., which was a disappointment to Phil. He saw it as an environmentally sound idea, perhaps the best of the current alternatives, and a procedure which would only be used occasionally. A consultant has been hired to construct a matrix of the alternatives, their cost, etc. and future meetings will deal with this report. Phil read a letter from John Clancy of State Parks responding to our communication suggesting state acquisition of acreage on the fringe of Upper Buttermilk State Park property. Discussion followed regarding the prospects for such action by the state in the near future. Since Walter Wiggins apparently is not in compliance with the agreement which the Planning Board had made concerning his donation of property in this area to the Town, Phil volunteered to contact him in this regard. Geri Tierney is leaving her Town position in a few weeks in order to join the staff of the Dept. of Natural Resources at Cornell. Fortunately for us, she wishes to continue her link with the CB as an associate member. Phil Zarriello had an appropriate letter of commendation for Geri which was duly signed by those present She expressed her thanks, and also circulated a card she had brought along so that members could communicate with Lois Levitan regarding her tragic loss. There are still funds available in the Town budget for CB projects and activities, and Geri suggested that topographical maps be made available to the membership and also provided for the Town Hall meeting room. This was agreed to. Business The minutes for the CB meetings of 17 July, and 7 August were reviewed and accepted with minor revisions. The minutes for 4 September were also reviewed and accepted after some discussion and revision. Page 2 1998 membership: The CB terms of five current members are expiring in December. In order to be renewed for another year, a letter of application must be sent to the Town Board. Dick Fischer indicated that he would be seeking renewal, as is John Yntema, and Frank Baldwin is not. Others are undecided as yet. Coy Glen Proiect: Geri Tierney reminded the group that the Town should be urged to add some additional protection provisions to the boundaries of this Unique Natural Area, and the CB needs to walk the area and make some recommendations. Tentative plans for such a visit on October 14 were made. Draft Open Space Plan Comments: Hurried consideration was given to the comments of Kara Hagedorn and Lois Levitan regarding this plan. Since a public meeting of the Town Board to consider this topic is scheduled for next week, a group of CB members plan to meet on Sunday afternoon to prepare our statement. Geri Tierney distributed copies of a press release concerning CB membership which she will place for us. Minutes prepared by Barney Unsworth. DRAFT TOWN OF ITHACA CONSERVATION BOARD MINUTES DRAFT OLD JAIL CONFERENCE ROOM. OCTOBER 2. 1997 Present: Chair Phil Zarriello, Vice Chair Kara Hagedorn, Frank Baldwin. Elizabeth DeProsse, Richard Fischer, Barney Unsworth. John Yntema. Absent: Eva Hoffman, Lois Levitan, Jon Meigs Staff: Geri Tierney, Coordinator Chair Zariello called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm Persons to be Heard: None Member Concerns: Kara Hagedom expressed her belief that the growing possibilities for cellular phone towers in our region have already begun to create a visual distraction in our viewsheds - one of our most important environmental treasures. Unless steps are taken to control them, they will be as invasive as purple loosestrife in the nest few decades. Kara sees them as particularly out of place in agricultural zones, and would like to see the Town Codes and Ordinances tightened in this regard. Also, such codes should provide for their combination with other towers where possible and the firm erecting them should be required to make provision (by posting a bond, perhaps?) for their removal when they are no longer in service. The CB voted to authorize Kara to speak for the group in contacting the County Environmental Management Council about this topic, and to write a letter to the Town Codes and Ordinances Committee as well. Lib DeProsse reported on her attendance at the recent conference; Building Partnerships for Sustainable Watersheds. She is a resource for those wishing information on the participating groups and the programs which will be growing out of the meeting. She plans also to represent the CB at the upcoming 1997 Conference on the Environment in Port Jefferson. Coordinator and Chair Reports: Phil Zarriello reported on the ongoing meetings involving Cornell and the community in the matter of disposing of low-level radioactive waste. A proposal by a pathologist, Fred Quimby, for using sodim hydroxide to decontaminate waste was considered but not adoopted., which was a disappointment to Phil. He saw it as an environmentally sound idea, perhaps the best of the current alternatives, and a procedure which would only be used occasionally. A consultant has been hired to construct a matrix of the alternatives, their cost, etc. and future meetings will deal with this report. Phil read a letter from John Clancy of State Parks responding to our communication suggesting state acquisition of acreage on the fringe of Upper Buttermilk State Park property. Discussion followed regarding the prospects for such action by the state in the near future. Since Walter Wiggins apparently is not in compliance with the agreement which the Planning Board had made concerning his donation of property in this area to the Town, Phil volunteered to contact him in this regard. Geri Tierney is leaving her Town position in a few weeks in order to join the staff of the Dept. of Natural Resources at Cornell. Fortunately for us, she wishes to continue her link with the CB as an associate member. Phil Zarriello had an appropriate letter of commendation for Geri which was duly signed by those present She expressed her thanks, and also circulated a card she had brought along so that members could communicate with Lois Levitan regarding her tragic loss. There are still funds available in the Town budget for CB projects and activities, and Geri suggested that topographical maps be made available to the membership and also provided for the Town Hall meeting room. This was agreed to. Business The minutes for the CB meetings of 17 July, and 7 August were reviewed and accepted with minor revisions. The minutes for 4 September received a more lengthy scrutiny. Board discussion was centered principally on (a) the problems of a secretary who is charged with preparing minutes involving dialogue concerning a topic so freighted with technical jargon as the Cornell Lake Source Cooling Project and (b) the wisdom of allowing such extensive consideration of the concerns of someone who is not a town resident. These minutes were approved as well. Page 2 1998 membership: The CB terms of five current members are expiring in December. In order to be renewed for another year, a letter of application must be sent to the Town Board. Dick Fischer indicated that he would be seeking renewal, as is John Yntema, and Frank Baldwin is not. Others are undecided as yet. Cov Glen Project: Geri Tierney reminded the group that the Town should be urged to add some additional protection provisions to the boundaries of this Unique Natural Area, and the CB needs to walk the area and make some recommendations. Tentative plans for such a visit on October 14 were made. Draft Open Space Plan Comments: Hurried consideration was given to the comments of Kara Hagedorn and Lois Levitan regarding this plan. Since a public meeting of the Town Board to consider this topic is scheduled for next week, a group of CB members plan to meet on Sunday afternoon to prepare our statement. Geri Tierney distributed copies of a press release concerning CB membership which she will place for us. OF Ir 9 TOWN OF ITHACA 21044- 126 EAST SENECA STREET, ITHACA, N.Y. 14850 \� Y 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 Bgwd FROM: Geri Tierney G DATE: 8 October 19 RE: Our Upcoming Trip to the Coy Glen - 10/14/97 As decided at our meeting last week, we will be making a field trip to the Coy Glen next Tuesday, October 14th. As you recall, our goal is to try to draw a more accurate boundary for the Unique Natural Area than is currently available. To accomplish this we've contacted landowners along the perimeter of the UNA (as seen in the County's UNA Handbook) and asked for permission to see their property. While several landowners have denied us permission, others have agreed. Next Tuesday we will take a look at two or three properties in the northern reaches of the UNA - that of Warren Teeter, Thomas Botsford, and perhaps Nelson Eddy. (Mr. Eddy gave tentative permission several months ago, but is now reconsidering the idea). I've enclosed a map of the area, and will have better maps available on the day of the walk. We will meet at 2:50 pm in the southeastern portion of the Wegman's parking lot (on Route 13, enter the lot and turn left, park near the road). From there, we will carpool over to meet Mr. Teeter at 3:00 pm at 1413 Mecklenburg Road. Please carpool with us if at all possible (or set up your own carpool) so we don't have to park too many cars in Mr. Teeter's drive. There will be some trails for us to walk on, but I suspect we may have to do some bushwacking as well, so you may wish to come prepared with long pants and sturdy shoes. Please let me know in advance if you think you will be joining us. As always, I can be reached at 273-1747. DRAKE 41b, 25m 4_Q am a FORD :11190 I i d Is cj YMCA --- ---------------- ---------- ----- CORNELL U. V. _-7-- ------- ...... . . . . . . RAF LONGHOUSE ---------------- Lc%l'S a A PETE ALB UNI oil 77F- ■ C-11 I KRAUT 'E - NN kbeW rtyoo _ -7 n MCOCK T 1:' RNERS-. nnimmu I i i i I ITI- 1 1 1 TV —Ijca DRAKE 41b, 25m 4_Q am a FORD :11190 I i d Is cj YMCA --- ---------------- ---------- ----- CORNELL U. V. _-7-- ------- ...... . . . . . . RAF LONGHOUSE ---------------- Lc%l'S a A PETE ALB UNI oil 77F- ■ C-11 I KRAUT 'E - NN kbeW rtyoo _ -7 n MCOCK T 1:' RNERS-. nnimmu I i i i I ITI- 1 1 1 TV i d Is cj YMCA --- ---------------- ---------- ----- CORNELL U. V. _-7-- ------- ...... . . . . . . RAF LONGHOUSE ---------------- Lc%l'S a A PETE ALB UNI oil 77F- ■ C-11 I KRAUT 'E - NN kbeW rtyoo _ -7 n MCOCK T 1:' RNERS-. nnimmu I i i i I ITI- 1 1 1 TV Public NoticeF,'','' SEP 9 997 j Applicant: Date: Cornell University Publ'tshecf`-`-s'"` U.S. Army Corps Expires: Oct. s, 1997.____ of Engineers In Reply Refer To: Buffalo District CELRB-CO-R RE: 94-101-65 (2) Section: NY 10 and 404 Application for Permit under Authority of Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344) Cornell University, 135 Humphreys Service Building, Ithaca, New York 14850, has applied for a Department of the Army permit to install and operate a closed-loop cooling system. The proposed pipeline would pump water from Cayuga Lake through an intake pipe to a heat exchange facility (HEF) t.o be constructed at 983 Route 34 in the Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York. The HEF will extract the heat from the water and transmit cool water approximately 2.4 miles to the Cornell Campus. Enroute to Cornell, the line will cross under Pleasant Grove Brook (Section 404 crossing) and under the Fall Creek bridge (Section 10 crossing). The purpose of the pipeline is to replace the outdated chlorofluorocarbon -based, central chilled water system currently in use. The installation of the proposed pipeline will require the following activities: 1. The mechanical excavation and removal of approximately 6,100 cubic yards of lake bottom material using a barge -mounted crane equipped with a clamshell bucket. The excavation -will include a trench area 1.,010 feet long, 6 to 14 feet wide and of variable depth, to lay the intake and outfall pipes (5,000 cubic yards) and 1,100 cubic yards to prepare the spoils transfer barge unloading area. A weighted silt curtain, equipped with floats and marine lights, will surround the daily excavation area. All spoil material will be placed on an adjacent barge., transported to shore, off-loaded and taken to an approved landfill. (REFER TO DRAWING SHEETS 2 AND 3) 2. The placement of 10,560 feet (2 miles) of 63 -inch water intake pipe. A large portion, 9,550 feet, will be laid on the bottom of Cayuga Lake. (REFER TO DRAWING SHEET 4) 3. The installation of 460 feet of 48 -inch outfall diffuser pipe nine feet below the Ordinary High Water level of Cayuga Lake (384.7 feet Barge Canal Datum). (REFER TO DRAWING SHEET 5) 4. The discharge of approximately 1,200 cubic yards of clean backfill material for approximately 100 feet from the shoreline over the intake and outfall pipes. Additionally, 1,100 cubic yards of riprap stone will be discharged at the transfer barge site to restore and stabilize 300 feet of the shoreline. (REFER TO DRAWING SHEET 6) Arrnouwlt tA1R a s.eAnA.t srAalu.AreA f+o AaroAAreA PLAP4 VIEW 1 C A Y U G A L A K E I I PROPOSED RIP -RAP I uxE s+1DAE uAt I I I I I AUADL aM�p1Mp I oerp� rL A (•' cC>, WE ww I 4-- F--------------- I � I LLax,ILAT MAAIo MLA I' -- naroe AoroL>t OWr ACAfµ YN7 (]) G(Zo S S SeeTi om LSITE m„ O1 2 ARG n pw AIM a y � ---------------t Too orsrdc AhnISNr rare /A&w L -M IOIAXft \ CN ff C' v.T iAI 1 q 1 M MIrT)1 pbT Af NSC ro NV ro' SO% QIM1741 AVM Or 0"p" —, Moo n. SICK Mi. BETWM ----m-o Uou SpADM xWI,v--------- --- solloA aSICK AMTYaO eortaA n rnsn.s A+nc nv a ANat rAa AI r w r M r rAnA a CAYUGA ILAKE amt or uq tort - - AVf0Qf cAWL mmcftn Grin V moo aio burr ooLs nol w¢ Grp Itw srrr a %- E= IT tuhwrnn x.n n. rArt AT r (rrCmowOr AI^I'�Trl - ru aro" LD1_ w[A.rtr m slraa wIR MLnm •ApA z",e SECTION ��% Mf SaJ-lAQ STVS I faLC1rD M[ ntA A(Orq A4{A raz. /X ]r.4 Uvn Cornell Lake Source Cooling Project Process•ng #94-101-65(2) Sheet of // CORNELL UNIVERSITY BRAG\ NEW YORK FIGURE 1] uARMA LAKESHORE RESTORATION PIAN q GRYPHON CRK021-A 1 Ai lOtiW - - AVf0Qf cAWL mmcftn Grin V moo aio burr ooLs romr mrm AAo Ksrm wet In -I n wt arAw lA7[SIOAmt SOIACOIS f[T MQO wi res nu snnr NfAA •AAar woour,uaC mjowaU0.t[4r m" sr1—sm2& "" n 3• TD r rome sa• To A• (rrCmowOr AI^I'�Trl - ru aro" LD1_ w[A.rtr m slraa wIR MLnm •ApA z",e SECTION NAM M 101Attt7 To1wAp wa /ACL A—A (STON c;LopF IAKF FOCF) T»L•x %CCIIOA 9e 4 AOT TO rd z Cornell Lake Source Cooling Project Process•ng #94-101-65(2) Sheet of // CORNELL UNIVERSITY BRAG\ NEW YORK FIGURE 1] uARMA LAKESHORE RESTORATION PIAN q GRYPHON CRK021-A Application for Permit under Authority of Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.0 1344) Cornell University, 135 Humphreys Service Building, Ithaca, New York 14850, has applied for a Department of the Army permit to install and operate a closed-loop cooling system. The proposed pipeline would pump water from Cayuga Lake through an intake pipe to a heat exchange facility (HEF) t.o be constructed at 983 Route 34 in the Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York. The HEF will extract the heat from the water and transmit cool water approximately 2.4 miles to the Cornell Campus. Enroute to Cornell, the line will cross under Pleasant Grove Brook (Section 404 crossing) and under the Fall Creek bridge (Section 10 crossing). The purpose of the pipeline is to replace the outdated chlorofluorocarbon -based, central chilled water system currently in use. The installation of the proposed pipeline will require the following activities: 1. The mechanical excavation and removal of approximately 6,100 cubic yards of lake bottom material using a barge -mounted crane equipped with a clamshell bucket. The excavation will include a trench area 1,010 feet long, 6 to 14 feet wide and of variable depth, to lay the intake and outfall pipes (5,000 cubic yards) and 1,100 cubic yards to prepare the'spoils transfer barge unloading area. A weighted silt curtain, equipped with floats and marine lights, will surround the daily excavation area. All spoil material will be placed on an adjacent barge., transported to shore, off-loaded.and taken to an approved landfill. (REFER TO DRAWING SHEETS 2 AND 3) 2. The placement of 10,560 feet (2 miles) of 63 -inch water intake pipe. A large portion, 9,550 feet, will be laid on the bottom of Cayuga Lake. (REFER TO DRAWING SHEET 4) 3. The installation of 460 feet of 48 -inch outfall diffuser pipe nine feet below the Ordinary High Water level of Cayuga Lake (384.7 feet Barge Canal Datum). (REFER TO DRAWING SHEET 5) 4. The discharge of approximately 1,200 cubic yards of clean backfill material for approximately 100 feet from the shoreline over the intake and outfall pipes. Additionally, 1,100 cubic yards of riprap stone will be discharged at the transfer barge site to restore and stabilize 300 feet of the shoreline. (REFER TO DRAWING SHEET 6) Public Notice,,,` I IJ U ;i SEP 91997 �- i Jim �. Applicant: Date: Cornell University Published: --LL U.S. Army Corps Expires: Oct. s, 1997 of Engineers In Reply Refer To: Buffalo District CELRB-CO-R RE: 94-101-65 (2) Section: NY 10 and 404 Application for Permit under Authority of Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.0 1344) Cornell University, 135 Humphreys Service Building, Ithaca, New York 14850, has applied for a Department of the Army permit to install and operate a closed-loop cooling system. The proposed pipeline would pump water from Cayuga Lake through an intake pipe to a heat exchange facility (HEF) t.o be constructed at 983 Route 34 in the Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York. The HEF will extract the heat from the water and transmit cool water approximately 2.4 miles to the Cornell Campus. Enroute to Cornell, the line will cross under Pleasant Grove Brook (Section 404 crossing) and under the Fall Creek bridge (Section 10 crossing). The purpose of the pipeline is to replace the outdated chlorofluorocarbon -based, central chilled water system currently in use. The installation of the proposed pipeline will require the following activities: 1. The mechanical excavation and removal of approximately 6,100 cubic yards of lake bottom material using a barge -mounted crane equipped with a clamshell bucket. The excavation will include a trench area 1,010 feet long, 6 to 14 feet wide and of variable depth, to lay the intake and outfall pipes (5,000 cubic yards) and 1,100 cubic yards to prepare the'spoils transfer barge unloading area. A weighted silt curtain, equipped with floats and marine lights, will surround the daily excavation area. All spoil material will be placed on an adjacent barge., transported to shore, off-loaded.and taken to an approved landfill. (REFER TO DRAWING SHEETS 2 AND 3) 2. The placement of 10,560 feet (2 miles) of 63 -inch water intake pipe. A large portion, 9,550 feet, will be laid on the bottom of Cayuga Lake. (REFER TO DRAWING SHEET 4) 3. The installation of 460 feet of 48 -inch outfall diffuser pipe nine feet below the Ordinary High Water level of Cayuga Lake (384.7 feet Barge Canal Datum). (REFER TO DRAWING SHEET 5) 4. The discharge of approximately 1,200 cubic yards of clean backfill material for approximately 100 feet from the shoreline over the intake and outfall pipes. Additionally, 1,100 cubic yards of riprap stone will be discharged at the transfer barge site to restore and stabilize 300 feet of the shoreline. (REFER TO DRAWING SHEET 6) N I� 11U OCT - 71997 I To: The Town Of Ithaca Planning Board i From The Town of Ithaca Conservation Board i TC"AIN 13F ITHACA Re: Comments on the March 10, 1997 Draft Town of Ithaca Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan October 5, 1997 The Conservation Boards (CB) feels that this is an important plan that will benefit the Ithaca Community and should be adopted by the Town Board. We strongly support the plans inclusion of; (1) protection for lands west of Buttermilk Falls State Park, (2) protection of lands adjacent to Robert H. Treman State Park, (3) protection of Agricultural lands on West Hill, (4) protection of steep slopes on West Hill, (5) protection of the Cayuga Inlet, (6) protection for Unique Natural Areas identified by the County EMC, (7) protection of the wetland south of Chase Lane, and (8) Bicycle and Pedestrian Paths, especially the bike path from Aurora Street to Upper Buttermilk Falls State Park (this is a critical need to give pedestrians and bicyclist an alternative off of 96B and Stone Quarry Road). We respectfully summit the following modifications for your consideration; Chapter 1: Goals and Objectives: Conservation/Protection of open space and natural areas should be explicitly stated as goal. As part of this goal, the CB strongly supports the PDR program. We feel rezoning and other measures that protect natural areas should be implemented as soon as possible to protect these areas while waiting for the PDR to be implemented. The CB feels that Map 8-1 (pg 61) PROPOSED ZONING FOR OPEN SPACE needs a different legend to disti" uish between areas already preserved by other means, such as State Park Land, and Conservation Zones. In many instances, the Conservation Zones are used to compliment already existing preserved areas by providing a buffer between natural areas and intense development. This distinction will clearly define these buffers. This distinction is also important so that the amount of area in Conservation Zoning is not misinterpreted to look disproportionate to other types of land -use zones in the town. Additional areas for Conservation Zoning: (1) Undeveloped land between 968 and Stone Quarry Road to protect steep slopes in this area, control traffic growth on Stone Quarry Road, and protect the esthetics of proposed bike/pedestrian paths leading to Buttermilk Falls State Park. Stone Quarry Road and 96B north of King Road are labeled as existing problem areas (figure 14 -Areas of Concern:Road Systems) in the Town of Ithaca Comprehensive Plan. (2) Land north of the new Ithacare facility on 96B to protect a major vista in the town. (3) Holly Creek: headwaters and the stream corridor that leads to Owl Gorge in Buttermilk Falls State Park. Owl Gorge is a wild gorge in the park and provides important wildlife habitat (4) Land around the Eldridge Wilderness Area, especially the gorge and stream corridor that lead to the Six mile creek reservoir (5) Conservation zoning and/or PDR to protect the east side of Buttermilk Falls State Park from the Park Border to 96 B, north to West King Road. This will protect State Park esthetics, wildlife habitat, water quality, and hiking trails. (&)0) Agricultural zoning and Purchasing of Development Rights needs to be extended into the western flank of the Eco-Villiage parcel, Land or areas with in the proposed parks should be set aside for residepits to exercise their dogs. (7) The CB commends the efforts of the authors for their vision of a future that will allow expected growth, natural resource protection, recreation, and open space for the Town of Ithaca. OCT - 71997 ! OF H"!A A.. TO: Town of Ithaca Planrring' FROM: Conservation Board DATE: October 6, 1997 memorandum SUBJECT: Review of proposed Cayuga Professional Center modifications #9709255 THRU: Jonathan Kanter, Director of Town Planning On behalf of the Conservation Board, I have reviewed the proposed modifications to the Cayuga Professional Center (formerly Tompkins County Professional building). While the proposed changes appear to enhance the esthetic appearance of the existing building and grounds, it is not clear from the information provided what changes in storm runoff will result from the additional curbing proposed in the parking areas. If this curbing channels runoff, as opposed to sheet runoff onto pervious surfaces, this can adversely affect down- stream receiving waters in terms of both peak flows and water quality. If this is the case, then it would be desirable to direct this runoff to some type of storm runoff control such as an enlarged swale or detention pond. I would also prefer to see native plant species used such as sugar or red maple instead of an exotic species such as Norway maple. Other non-native invasive plant species included in the landscape plan are winged euonymous (Euonymos alatus), myrtle (vinca minor), and English ivy (Hedera helix), however only winged euonymous and Norway Maple are likely to spread significantly from seed dispersion by wind or birds. Alternative plant spe- cies should be considered for these species. Thank you for the opportunity to review this proposal. Phillip J. Zarriello, Chair eEpTIO/y. a v New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation NEW YORK STATE � Finger Lakes Region — PO Box 1055, Taughannock Park Road, Trumansburg, New York 14886-1055 607-387-7041 FAX 607-387-3390 P! 1 SEP 1 9 19w OF Mr. Phillip Zarriello Chair Town of Ithaca Conservation Board 126 East Seneca Street Ithaca, New York 14850 Dear Mr. Zarriello; George E. Pataki, Governor Bernadette Castro, Commissioner September 18, 1997 John C. Clancy, Regional Director Thank you for writing us about your concern for Buttermilk Falls State Park with respect to the proposed Buttermilk Valley Estates subdivision. The land acquisition suggestion you mention is an option we are currently exploring with our Executive staff in Albany. The Town of Ithaca's update of the Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan proposes several measures that will help protect the state parks. We applaud the Town's forward thinking. To the extent that we can, we will lend our support to the Town Board for the implementation of the new measures. We also hope that you, as chair of the Conservation Board, and Conservation Board members will assist us in conveying to Town residents and board members the impact that inappropriate development along the parks' borders can have on these sensitive and valuable town resources. Again, thank you for your concern. Finger Lakes State Parks Region is committed to working closely with the Town of Ithaca to more effectively protect state parks in the Town. SP Very truly yours, FINGER LAKES STATE PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION REGION 71 John C. Clancy Regional Director An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Agency 0 printed on recycled paper Regional Commission: '' s Beverly C. Anania, Chair ; I° Rowland Stebbins III James Wyckoff U Clement Granoff Linda Jackson P! 1 SEP 1 9 19w OF Mr. Phillip Zarriello Chair Town of Ithaca Conservation Board 126 East Seneca Street Ithaca, New York 14850 Dear Mr. Zarriello; George E. Pataki, Governor Bernadette Castro, Commissioner September 18, 1997 John C. Clancy, Regional Director Thank you for writing us about your concern for Buttermilk Falls State Park with respect to the proposed Buttermilk Valley Estates subdivision. The land acquisition suggestion you mention is an option we are currently exploring with our Executive staff in Albany. The Town of Ithaca's update of the Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan proposes several measures that will help protect the state parks. We applaud the Town's forward thinking. To the extent that we can, we will lend our support to the Town Board for the implementation of the new measures. We also hope that you, as chair of the Conservation Board, and Conservation Board members will assist us in conveying to Town residents and board members the impact that inappropriate development along the parks' borders can have on these sensitive and valuable town resources. Again, thank you for your concern. Finger Lakes State Parks Region is committed to working closely with the Town of Ithaca to more effectively protect state parks in the Town. SP Very truly yours, FINGER LAKES STATE PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION REGION 71 John C. Clancy Regional Director An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Agency 0 printed on recycled paper Fall Leaf and Brush Collection Continued From Page 41 As in the past, it is possible that a crew may be around to pick up leaves before the start date. Rest assured that we will be back around starting on November 10 to pick up leaves. Brush should be piled in neat bundles with cut ends facing forward and going with the flow of traffic (i.e. up the street). Do not tie bundles. Place bundles along the road shoulder or at the end of the driveway where no shoulder exists. Do not place any material in ditches. No metal, rocks, glass, roots, stumps, or lumber scraps will be picked up. Limb diameter must be 8 inches or less. Please do not use plastic bags. Leaves can either be bagged in biodegradable paper bags (30 gal- lon bags are available at local stores) or loosely piled along road shoulder (not in ditches) for collec- tion by Town's leaf vacuum equip- ment. If leaves are loosely piled, please make long windrows along road shoulder instead of one big pile. V Please do not put leaves at road- side until brush has been picked up in your area. Garden wastes such as old vegetable and flower plants should be put out with your leaves, either loose or bagged. For more information call 273-1656 or 273-8035 be- tween 6:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Vacancies in Appointed Positions The Town of Ithaca needs volunteers for interesting work on appointed boards and committees. Residents are invited to submit letters of interest to the Town Clerk, at 126 East Seneca Street, Ithaca, New York 14850 for consideration of appointment to the following by the Town Board. The current vacancies are: Zoning Board of Appeals: (1 Seat) Meetings 1 to 2 times monthly. Ethics Board: (2 Seats) Meetings I to 2 times annually. Representative -Recreation Partnership Board (1 Seat) Monthly meeting. Intermunicipal Youth Commission (1 Seat) Monthly meeting. In addition, the Town Board would like to hear from residents interested in serving on the following boards in the event that future vacancies might occur: Planning Board: Meeting 2 times monthly. Conservation Board Meetings 1 to2_times monthly. The Town Board wishes to provide the opportunity to serve the Town, and to contribute to the important decisions that help set policies for our community to all Town Residence. History Found The Town Clerk's office is very pleased to announce the acquisition of a piece of the Town's early history from an antique shop in Wilton, New Hampshire. The item is a small leather bound book entitled, "Ithaca Marks Record", with entries dating from April 1821 through December 1854. The entries describe the markings of identification which were made on livestock. The type of animal and the owner's name appear with descriptions like, "a crop off the right ear and a half crop off the left ear". Residents registered the animals by this mark, and each entry was signed by the Town Clerk. The book was used to identify lost or strayed animals, and aided the Assessor in evaluating ownership for tax purposes. Mandatory Referendum At the June 9, 1997 Town Board meeting, the Town Board passed a resolution enacting a Local Law, "Authorizing Conduct of Bell Jar Games By Authorized Organizations Within the Town of Ithaca". This action is subject to submission to the public for approval as a mandatory referendum and will be considered as a ballot item at the November 4, 1997 general election. If the electors of the Town of Ithaca voting upon the proposition approve the adoption of the Local Law, it will become effective on November 15, 1997. TOWN OF ITHACA - — �. s--- NEWS LETTER Meetings – Services- —ffi, �� " Improvements – Notices r �F!Ty TOWN OF ITHACA 126 EAST SENECA STREET ITHACA,"NEW YORK 14850 Bulk Rate U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 555 Ithaca, New York 14850 inside Town of Ithaca to acquire Downtown Post Office page 1 • • • 1998 Town Budget Calendar page 3 TOWN OF ITHACA r=`- -- NEWS LETTER -- - 19497 Meetings - Services - - - Improvements - Notices Fall Leaf and Brush Collection The Town of Ithaca Highway Department will once again be pick- ing up yard wastes (brush, leaves, gar- den wastes, and grass clippings) again this year. This service is for all areas of the Town of Ithaca out- side of the Village of Cayuga Heights and City of Ithaca. All yard wastes must be at roadside by 7:00 a.m. on the first day of col- lection. There will be no second collection and no call backs. The intention of the Town's roadside collection service is for residents to put a reasonable amount of yard waste, such as is generated during a normal year out All yard wastes must be at roadside by 7:00 a.m. on the first day of collection. at roadside for pick up by Town crews. Clearing of lots and hedgerows is beyond a normal amount of material. Those resi- dents wishing to do extensive brush clearing will need to make arrangements to bring their mate- rial (themselves) to the drop off area at the Town of Ithaca High- way facility at 106 Seven Mile Drive. Roadside collection crews reserve the right to refuse exces- sively large volumes of brush and improperly piled materials. Brush collection will begin Oc- tober 14, 1997. Collection of leaves, garden wastes, and grass clippings will begin November 10, 1997. (This has been moved one week later this year in order to try to accommodate the lateness of the season). Hopefully, collection will not be hampered by snow falls. continued on page 4 Town to Acquire Downtown Post Office The Town of Ithaca is in the process of purchasing the down- town Post Office at 213 North Tioga Street from the U.S. Postal Service for $1.00. The Town will lease approximately 5,000 square feet back to the U.S. Postal Service for at least the next twenty years. This space will be renovated as a postal store. According to Post Office officials Ithaca will be the first small city to have a postal retail packaging store of this nature. Postal service will not diminish and hopefully will improve. Work on The Town of Ithaca is in the process of purchasing the downtown Post Office at 213 North Tioga Street from the U.S. Postal Service for $1.00! the postal store will take about six months to complete and will not result in a disruption of service. The Town of Ithaca will spend approximately $1.6 million to remodel the building for the Town Hall space. There will be no debt incurred and the Town will pay cash for all renovations from our Capital Reserve Fund. The Town offices should move into this new facility in the fall of 1998. This purchase will allow for increased space to meet the needs of the Town far into the future. The new location will have ade- quate parking for staff and Town customers. Other benefits will also result. No property will be taken off the tax rolls, and the Town to Buy Post Office (Continued) present Town Hall, will most likely be added back to the tax roll when sold. Town residents will have a beautiful historic building, adequate space and parking (including space for the Town Court and functions), and the tax rate will not increase from the pur- chase and renovations. This is the most desirable solution to meet the Town's needs. The Town Board will be work- ing on the final lease with the US Postal Service and closing the sale in the next few weeks. The Town Supervisor and Town Board wish to offer a big thank you to the residents who served as members on the Town Hall Committee; Shirley Raf- fensperger, Chair; Barbara Thue- sen; Frank Liguori; Donald Brown; Ruth Mahr; and Nancy Goody. These individuals dedi- cated a great deal of time and effort to bring to fruition the acquisition of the Post Office building as the new Town Hall and Justice Court. Delinquent Water Charges j On August 11, 1997, The Town of Ithaca Town Board enacted Local Law #3/1997. This local law clarifies the use of unpaid quarterly water and sewer billing information for lien purposes on the Town and County property taxes. The local law requires a lien to be placed on the next year's property tax bill for any remaining unpaid water and sewer amounts as of October 15th of each year. This will be noted as "Delinquent Charge" on the tax bill. For more information contact the Receiver of Taxes office at 273-1721. Notes from the Conservation Board Page 2 inside... Park, Recreation, & Open Space Plan Update Page 3 Volume #48 Aort-rleast Subarea Study Underway After many years of talking about it and many months of get- ting funding in place to do it, the Northeast Subarea Study is about to get underway. Federal, County and local funds from participating municipalities have been commit- ted for this study and a "client committee" has been established to oversee the project. This com- mittee includes the chief officials in each of the affected municipal- ities, and representatives from the County and State. Town of Ithaca Supervisor Cathy Valentino has been elected to Chair the client committee, which will oversee the project. The purpose of the study will coordinate the technical aspects of the study. A working group, con- sisting of representatives of stake- holder groups, will be formed soon to provide input on study issues and general program direction. The es- timated time frame for completion of the study is twelve to eighteen months. Questions or suggestions regard- ing the Northeast Subarea Study can be directed to Jonathan Kanter, Director of Planning, at 273-1747. Special Announcement: Invasive Plants What are invasive plants and why are they considered a problem? Many people wonder this when they first hear about invasive plants. We label a plant "invasive" if it has a tendency to "take over" an area and exclude the native plants that lived there. While competition between species is natural, most invasive plants have been moved by people to a new location where they are free from the checks and balances of their native community. With this advantage, they are able to reproduce more successfully and outcompete native species and, in turn, impact the species which depend on our native plants for food and shelter. It is important to remember that not all species will ground -cover known as Periwinkle doesn't spread far, it can persist for decades and spread vegetatively to crowd out native herbs. And let's not forget Norway maple, the most widely planted street tree in the U.S.! This Eurasian maple looks so deceptively similar to our own sugar maple that many people don't recognize it. Next time you see a maple along the street, break off a leaf and look for the milky sap of the Norway maple. These trees easily escape into natural areas where they outcompete sugar maple and beech, and reduce the wildflower diversity beneath their dense canopies. What can you do to help? The first step is to know which species are invasive in your area. We are currently compiling a list of recommendations regarding Filing of Tentative Budget with Town Clerk. Most "exotic" species do not spread Some invasive plants are transportation problems within October 21, 1997 - 7:00 p.m. past where they have been planted. veryret this makes it pretty... ' ' the northeast subarea of Tomp- Meeting at West Hill Fire Station to It is the few species that do, which harder to recognize the kins County, which includes parts discuss fire protection for the Town, concern us. 7:00 p.m. - of the Towns of Ithaca, Dryden especially for the West Hill. Some invasive plants are very danger they pose. and Lansing, and the Villages of pretty, such as purple loosestrife — Update from the Lansing and Cayuga Heights. with its showy spikes of purple invasive plants in Ithaca, and this One of the primary goals of the Conservation Board flowers. This makes it harder to list should be available later this fall study is to find ways to reduce recognize the danger they pose. at Town Hall. Once you knew traffic impacts on residential The Conservation Board (CB) is Even purple loosestrife looks much them, don't plant them! If they are neighborhoods within the north- developing a public information less appealing after you've seen it PP g ou a y already growing in east area. It is anticipated that the campaign to raise awareness about covering large expanses of land that your yard, remove them! There are so many study will include a range of rec- keeping local natural areas healthy. used to be inhabited by a variety of ommendations, which could in- We are fortunate in Ithaca to have interesting Tants and flowers. This D P attractive non-invasive plants to choose from that it should be easy clude construction of new roads, much land protected as State has happened in many areas locally, to avoid the few plants that cause improved efficiency and safety in parkland, watershed protection land, including Sapsucker Woods. The problems. Share this information existing systems, and enhanced and preservation land, but these bottom line is that unless we want to With your neighbors. Ask opportunities for alternative protected lands are often near live in a less diverse landscape P ' we your local nursery to remove invasive transportation modes such as pub- residential areas. While many of us must worry about invasive plants Plants from their stock. Tic transit, car or van pooling, etc. choose to live near natural areas so In our area, there are perhaps 30 P P The study will include a substan- we can enjoy them, we often don't species of plants which are invasive tial public participation realize that many ordinary suburban enough to be a problem. You'd component. activities can have significant Probably recognize some of the nx impacts on nearby natural areas. worst. Perhaps you have a fragrant, The purpose of the study Wherever possible and practical, the exotic honeysuckle bush or vine , will be to identify, Town government strives to growing in your yard? If you've an quantify,d make incorporate protection for nearby ever walked the paths along Six-�' r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s natural areas into development Mile Creek you know how densely plans. However, the threats posed these plants can colonize a natural regarding transportation by suburban development to natural area. Their seeds are carried by problems. areas are diverse. Many of these birds, so we must be wary of m_ threats can be minimized b} y making planting these hardy invaders even a �� t A team of consultants has been small changes in our own lifestyles. in laces far removed from natural P selected to assist with the study. To encourage this, the CB has areas. Similarly, privet, a white- -- --- — The Community Dispute Resolu- a lied for a grant to PP produce flowering shrub, is widely planted y P tion Center (CDRC), located in educational materials to help raise in gardens and as hedges, but forms For more information about Ithaca, will coordinate the public awareness. The accompanying dense thickets wherever it can gain invasive species and how to control participation components of the article on Invasive Plants highlights a foothold. Our problems with p them, call the Cornell Cooperative study, and Creighton Manning, one of these threats to our natural invasive species are not limited to Extension GrowLine at Inc. from Delmar, New York, will areas. shrubs. While the purple -flowering (607) 272-2292. _.0 LWRP Park, Recreation & Open Grant Obtained I Space Plan Update Thanks to the successful grant application by Tomp- kins County for funding from New York State's Environ- mental Protection Fund, the Town of Ithaca will be partic- ipating with the County and the other five waterfront mu- nicipalities along Cayuga Lake in a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP). The LWRP will en- able the participating munici- palities in Tompkins County to create a coordinated, com- prehensive plan for the Cayuga Lake waterfront. It will expand on the successful work of the Tompkins County Waterfront Study by provid- ing for a coordinated ap- proach to address waterfront revitalization, use of the Lake, protection of natural resources, and long term management of the water- shed. Completion of the LWRP will also position the County and its municipalities to qualify for future water- front funding. Town Board member Car- olyn Grigorov has been ap- pointed to represent the Town on the LWRP Steering Com- mittee. Jonathan Kanter, Di- rector of Planning, will be the Town's representative on the Planning (or Technical) Sub- committee. Representatives from key stakeholder groups will be identified and asked to participate in a Review Sub- committee to provide input on general program direction. A consultant will be selected this fall to assist with the preparation of the LWRP. There will be updates on this exciting project in future is- sues of the newsletter. Ques- tions regarding the LWRP can be directed to Jonathan Kanter at 273-1747. This past spring the Town Board released the Planning Department's draft Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan for review by the public. The document contains recommendations on steps the Town can take over the next two decades to ensure adequate park and recreation facilities for Town residents, and to better protect some 5,500 acres of agriculturally important or environmentally sensitive open space. In June the Planning Department hosted a series of meetings to present the 20 year, $7.5 million proposal to interested members of the public. Overall, the public reaction to the Draft Plan has been positive. This fall the Town will be holding public hearings in order to gather additional public comments on the proposal, after which the Town Board could consider adoption of the Plan. The Planning Board has tentatively scheduled a public hearing on the evening of Tuesday, October 7, 1997, to consider a recommendation to the Town Board regarding the plan. Copies of the draft Plan are available at the Town Hall. 126 East Seneca Street, Ithaca. For more information contact the Town of Ithaca Planning Department at 273-1747. Change in Election District Polling Place At the September 8, 1997, meeting of the Town Board, a resolution was passed changing the Election District 9I1 Polling Place to the Axiohm building at, 950 Danby Road. This change was mandated pursuant to Election Law due to the increase in the number of registered voters in District #11. This change affects voters in that portion of South Hill and Six Mile Creek Valley bounded on the south by the Town of Danby, on the west by Troy Road and Board of Representatives District No. 12, on the north by the City of Ithaca, Slaterville Road (NYS Route 79), and Mitchell Street, and on the east by Pine Tree Road, Honness Lane and the Town of Dryden. For more information contact the Tompkins County Board of Elections at 274-5522. Town of Ithaca Student Interns This is the tenth year that Engineering and Planning Staff and Cornell University work study Interns have been working together. Again this past summer was an outstanding success both in terms of the quantity and quality of work done for the Town and the experience gained by the student Interns. The Town funds only 15 to 25 percent of the Interns salaries making our participation possible. We want to express our appreciation and gratitude to the team of six Cornell University Student Interns we had the privilege of working with. The members of this team were Christopher Abbot, Fiona Coll, Rudolph Lawrence, Jessica Lopatka, Allyson Molnar and Taber Sweet. We also want to extend a special Thank you to Renee Farkas and her staff, at the Community Work Study Program, Cornell University Public Service Center for their support. 1998 Town Budget Calendar: I Work on the 1998 Budget is almost complete. Copies of the budget may be picked up for review at the Town Hall after October 2, 1997. The Town Board is not expecting any increase in the General Town tax rate in the Tentative Budget. The Town Board is proposing a decrease of $26.00 in the Water Benefit Charge from $80.00 per unit to $54.00 per unit, and a $7.00 decrease in the Sewer Benefit Charge from $82.00 per unit to $75.00 per unit. The Fire Protection Fund Budget is expected to have an increase of approximately $.13 for each one thou- sand dollars of assessment. This means that a property valued at $100,000 would have an increase of about $13.00 for fire protection for the year. All budget numbers are still tentative and subject to change. Taxpayers are encouraged to offer comments to the Town Board about the budget, and to attend the public hearings to better understand how their tax dollars are being expended. The following outlines the applicable dates and times for the public hearings. September 30, 1997 - Filing of Tentative Budget with Town Clerk. October 2, 1997 - Town Clerk submits Tentative Budget to Town Board. The Town Board reviews the Tentative Budget and makes any changes, revisions, or alterations consistent with law. Upon completion of such review, the Tentative Budget becomes the Preliminary Budget. November 6, 1997 - Public Hearings on Preliminary Budgets will be held as follows: 6:30 p.m. - Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission (SCLIWC) 6:40 p.m. - Water and Sewer Benefit Levy 7:00 p.m. - Special Benefit Districts 7:10 p.m. - 1998 Town of Ithaca Budget November 6, 1997 - After Public Hearings, final revisions of Preliminary Budgets. Consideration of adoption of Final SCLIWC Budget. Consideration of adoption of Final TOWN OF ITHACA Budget. MEMO To: Town Board Town Planning Board From: Conservation Board Date: 8 September 1997 Re: Proposed Mecklenburg Heights development S& 8 M7 U TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING. ZONING. ENGINEERING C:(O[py The Conservation Board (CB) has reviewed the sketch plan for the proposed Mecklenburg Heights development (#9708253). While we realize this is only sketch plan review, we felt the materials received were inadaquate to make a determination of its environmental significance. We would expect more detailed information will be forthcoming should this project move forward. To facilitate future reviews the CB feels the developer should include information on the following; 1. Storm drainage. Surface and storm sewer flows will directly affect the adjoining properties and storm drainage infrastructure in the City of Ithaca. Applicant should provid the information necessary for Town and City staff to accurately assess the magnitude of impacts and determine the adequacy of any mitigative measures proposed by applicant. 2. Traffic. Volume, periodicity, modal split, and accident data must be provided in order to evaluate the need for, and adequacy of, traffic control measures to maintain appropriate levels of safety and flow on Mecklenburg Rd. (State Rt. 79) at this location where topography and differential vehicular speed levels are pronounced. The data and evaluation should cover a section of Rt. 79 extending beyond the intersections of West Haven Rd., in the Town, and Warren Pl., in the -City. 3. Use and development of the remainder of the property to be subdivided, with special emphasis on the portion of the 47 acres which applicant proposes to purchase. Desribe the purpose of a reference made to a Tuture access road extension' made on drawing S-1. Also, describe the site's setting in terms of land use, physical characteristics or other data necessary to explain the present proposal. The proposed low income development appears to have certain positive aspects. In particular, the building design appears to be asthetically pleasing and can be clustered to preserve open space. The proposed development has the potential for enhancing the quality of life for its prospective occupants, and thus for making a positive contribution to the Town. We hope that these comments will be useful, and we look forward to undertaking a more thorough review if the proposal proceeds. 4 w nim w nn President's Message For years I have written a President's Message promotipi the annual Confer- ence on the Environment. As you know, this conference is jointly sponsored by us, NYSACC, and by the New York State As- sociation of Environmental Management Councils, NYSAEMC. Never have I wanted so much to compose an enticing, intriguing, stimulating promotional Con- ference message. Why? Well, for the first time in twenty-six years of conferences, the 1997 Conference on the Environment will be held on Long Island, my home. Some of you may think of Long Island as an extension of New York City, it isn't! Let me share with you the Long Island I know and love. Long Island, and specifically Suffolk County, is unique because - • it truly is an island - water all around: quiet water, sailing water, kayaking water, river water, ocean waves • it leads the state in agricultural revenue, with stretches of farmland producing vegetables and wine grapes - wine tasters take note • it possesses the simplicity and charm of quaint vil- lages • it reflects the natural beauty and ecological diversity of freshwater and salt water wetlands • it includes the pine barrens - a unique ecosystem • it is the home of several major universities, includ- ing the State University of New York at Stony Brook, a provider of unique services to our community and the Conference • it has a history of whalers and revolutionary spy rings NYSACC 3 Andover Drive Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776 tall iwvi • it incorporates the sophistication and amenities of a metropolitan area • it is close, but not too close, to a vibrant New York City • it is blessed with extensive and varied beaches - rocky on the North Shore, sandy on the South Shore • it is a shoppers paradise, bargains you wouldn't believe, even a Tanger Factory Outlet Center I'm not saying you will love the Long Island Express- way, but no place is perfect. Come ... and stay a week! Conference planning really takes an entire year. How it comes together varies from year toyear depending on the people involved and the county oil conference site. The Conference is planned with participation from both organizations. Lee Hanle Younge, Vice President and former president of NYSAEMC, is Co -Chair, as I am. We work with a Conference Coordinator who in this Con- ference is a close friend of mine and NYSACC's office manager, Arlene Kaufman. One of the great pleasures of planning has been working with Suffolk County's EMC which is called the Council on Environmental Quality. It is headed by Theresa Elkowitz, a dynamic leader. Ideas flow, cooperation is abundant; whatever the problems, we work toward cre- ative solutions. My own Board, the Huntington Conser- vation Board, devotes a portion of each meeting to dis- cussing the Conference and is actively involved in every level of planning. I'm delighted that you will meet these dedicated environmentalists from both organizations. Please join us to share new ideas and new techniques, network late into the night, and explore a unique region of New York State. Joy Squires NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID SYRACUSE, N.Y. PERMIT NO. 287 NYSACC,,) Jut Volume 23 No. 2 Long Island Hosts 1997 Conference on the Environment his year's Conference on the Environment prom- ises to be an exciting one from start to finish. The theme, Environmental Management - Creative Solu- tions speaks to the determi- nation of conservation com- missions and environmen- tal management councils to pursue creative solutions to environmental manage- ment problems. Sponsored by the New York State As- sociation of Environmental Management Councils and the New York State Associa- tion of Conservation Com- missions, the Conference will be held atDanfords Inn, a country inn, located on the waterfront in historic Port Jefferson, Suffolk County. The Bridgeport/Port Jefferson ferry dock is adjacent to the Inn and provides an alter- nate route -just take the Connecticut Turnpike to Bridge- port and sit back and enjoy the ride across Long Island Sound. NYSAEMC/NYSACC Awards will be given following lunch on Saturday. At this time David Church, Director, NYS Planning Federation will discuss the need for im- proved planning in our state. Activities begin Friday afternoon with workshops and field trips. Current and future environmental issues in New York State will be addressed by John Cahill, Com- missioner, NYS Department of Environmental Conser- vation, our Friday dinner speaker. We understand that Suffolk County Executive Robert Gaffney will have a lively dialogue with former President, Theodore Roosevelt. To hear hot legislative issues discussed, listen and par- ticipate in the popular Legislative Roundtable which will include NYS Senators Owen Johnson, Kenneth LaValle, and Carl Marcellino; NYS Assemblymen Steven Englebright and Thomas DiNapoli, and Suffolk County Legislator Michael Caracciolo. Workshops covering a wide range of interests and needs are organized into the following three tracks: • Land Use Planning • Environmental Regulations • Water Resource Management Exciting field trips will be available throughout the three days of the Confer- ence. State University of New York at Stony Brook's Marine Science Research Vessel, R/V ONRUST, will be waiting at the Danfords dock to have Conference at- tendees learn something about marine instrumenta- tion and oceanographic sampling. A walking tour of Port Jefferson with an emphasis on environmental changes will take place on Friday afternoon. On Sunday morn- ing additional trips will include a walking tour of a por- tion of Long Island's Greenbelt Trail, sailing opportuni- ties for groups of three or four, and a tour of a marine environmental education center, the Mt. Sinai Nature Center. Our field trips are rounded out with a historical tour and lunch at Meadowcroft, a John Roosevelt home. We ex- pect a return visit from Theodore Roosevelt, one of history's most interest- ing environmentalists. For hotel registrations, call Danfords Inn di- rectly at 800-332-6367 be- fore Sept. 26 and state that you are registering for the Conference on the Environment. For further information, including additional Registration Forms, call the Confer- ence Coordinator, Arlene Kaufman, at 516-928-3277. SUNY -Stony Brook's Marine Science Research Vessel, RN ONRUST 2 NYSACC ae t4 Dredged Material Management The New York District of the Army Corps of Engineers is preparing a Dredged Material Management Plan (DMMP) to provide a reliable means by which sediment can be safely disposed of or managed to maintain the Port of New York/ New Jersey. The Port of New York/ New Jersey requires the removal of harbor sediment to allow for passage of the larger and more economical super tankers/ ocean liners, etc. so that it can compete more favorably with other Atlantic ports. An Interim DMMP Report dated September, 1996 covers technical disposal alternatives, the comparison of cost, ca- pacities and readying times for use, as well as specific dis- posal sites being considered. Many environmental groups in the Lower Hudson Valley are interested in this Plan because the DEC's Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste Materials has put forth a Draft Proposal 360.18, Special Regulations for Siting Landfills for Navigational Dredging Materials, calling for the re- laxation of existing landfill siting regulations to accom- modate importation of sediment from downstate port ar- eas and navigational channels. The sediment being considered for dredging from the New York Harbor region is known to contain some of the highest concentrations of dioxin on earth. As part of DEC's Draft Proposal 360.18, dioxin testing is discretion- ary and based on a straight chemical analysis rather than a bio -accumulative model using mixed and varying dredge components. According to sources involved in hazardous waste dis- posal, no matter which way dioxin is measured, it is a main component of most of the sediment being dredged for dumping and is at least 100 times more potent than cobra venom. Some of the identified disposal sites named in this DMMP Interim Report are the Brigham Brickyard of East Kingston, Cold Spring Quarry, 20 miles south of Poughkeepsie, Ce- dar Cliff Quarry a shoreline site on the western bank of the Hudson River, and Clinton Point Quarry, 5 miles south of Poughkeepsie. To propose dumping harbor sludge along the Hudson River and possibly the Mohawk River and Canal areas is to introduce a ticking time bomb to the residents of the entire State. Update. As we went to press, the Ulster County Legisla- ture was scheduled to pass two laws regulating the dis- posal of dredged material in the County. Permitting any type of dredge disposal facility within the County will be the responsiblity of the County Public Health Director. Ann Brandt Fall 1997 Croton -on -Hudson Open Space Inventory The Croton -on -Hudson Conservation Advisory Council has completed a comprehensive Open Space Inventory. It is intended to provide a reference guide for future land decisions by the Village. CAC member Paul Gisondo worked with Village tax maps as well as tax exempt property lists from both the Village and the Town of Cortlandt to gather the basic data. He then worked with the Village's Geographic Information Systems to develop a map which delineates the wide range of open space resources in the Village. Also shown on the map are the locations of present and proposed trails as presented by the Croton Trails Committee. When this phase of the work was finished, CAC mem- bers visited the sites to evaluate them. Their written re- port which accompanies the map sets forth their evalua- tion of the open space potential of the sites. Jon Goplerud The Early Bird Our first Conference registrant is probably coming from the farthest distance away! Eve Fertig is Chairperson of the Alden Environmental Conserva- tion Commission. Alden is just east of Buffalo. The A.E.C.C. won a NYSACC Environmental Project Award last year for establishing a research resource library. Eve, a pioneer wildlife rehabilitator, is flying into Islip MacArthur Airport on Thursday afternoon. "I don't want to miss Amy Freiman's workshop or her animals on Fri- day afternoon," Eve exclaimed. To meet Eve Fertig online, Contact http://.iwrc- online.org. Arlene Kaufman, Editor Joy Squires, NYSACC President Newsletter Office NYSACC Office 3 Andover Drive P.O. Box 1532 Port Jefferson Sta. Huntington, NY NY 11776 11743 (516) 928-3277(516) 368-6949 (516) 331-4526 fax (516) 368-4796 fax NYSACC news is published three times a year. CACs are encouraged to submit press releases, CAC activities, articles, artwork or photography to the editor. For additional copies of NYSACC News and address changes, contact the Newsletter office. Fall 1997 NYSACC 11 ewd One Million Seed Clams, and Other Good Things The harbor is not so busy now, as fall deepens. There are f often white caps on Al blue the -gray water. The scene is so familiar, T., you can shut your eyes and see it. But, beneath the water's surface, some- thing new is happening: the Town of Brookhaven just planted one million seed clams there. One hundred thousand of the clams were cultivated by the Connequot school district as part of its environmental education program. (Similarly, 300,000 oysters have been planted in Mt. Sinai Harbor, again with help from the Connequot students.) These initiatives come from the town's Conservation Ad- visory Council which is headed by East Setauket resident Steve Brown. Mr. Brown says, "The town's environmental division, in its proactive role, is responsible for these plantings." And there's more good news from the CAC. Through the town's Adopt a Preserve Program, work has been done at the Fireplace Nature Preserve in the South Shore hamlet called Brookhaven. Mr. Brown arranged to have Bellport High School students work with the Brookhaven Associa- tion at the preserve. "They're stewards of the area," he ex- plains. "They cut down the phragmites in the nature pre- serve and threw them away. Phragmites are a non -indig- enous plant which is very destructive to spartina grass. It has to be controlled or it will kill off the spartina - which is a natural water purifier." A grant from the Post Morrow Foundation has financed this work. Mr. Brown hopes to replicate the high school students" stewardship involvement here on the North Shore. As he puts it, "We've got some good stuff going on, I'll tell you." One example is the infiltrator installed at Conscience Circle on Strong's Neck. Mr. Brown notes that infiltrators protect creeks and harbors from the car oil and grease found in stormwater run off, thereby protecting such bodies of water as Setauket's Little Bay. "The vortex system runs the water in a circular motion and filters out the sediment, and the oil and grease, and then discharges [it] into a pre -planted, vegetated site." The plants are our old friends, spartina grasses which will utilize and breakdown the organic ma- terials. Susan Bridson DEC Pesticide Initiatives The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation is implementing a new state law. The Pesticide Reporting Law requires all commercial pesticide applicators and re- tailers to report all sales and locations of applications by zip code and street address. DEC will incorporate the in- formation as a data base that will help health researchers to identify possible causes of breast cancer or other ill- nesses. DEC has mailed reporting forms to all certified pesticide applicators, registered pesticide businesses and import- ers, manufacturers and compounders in the state and is now drafting guidance documents to help them comply with the requirements. Guidance documents will be sent throughout the year to others who make, apply or use pesticides in New York State. In response to the Pesticide Reporting Law, DEC is also implementing an initiative to monitor ground and sur- face water to evaluate the possibility of pesticide contami- nation. The Water Quality Monitoring for Pesticides Program will enhance DEC's ability to register pesticides, review sus- pensions and cancellations of pesticide registrations and assess the status, trends and health impacts of surface and groundwater contamination statewide. The monitoring program will build on data -gathering by other organizations to form a more complete picture of how pesticide use affects water quality. For more information on the Water Quality Monitoring for Pesticides Program, contact Larry Rosenmann of the Bureau of Pesticides & Radiation at (518) 457-0917. For information on the Pesticide Reporting Law, call DEC's Pesticide Reporting Help Line at (888) 457-0110. Environment Due to a generous donation, we are able to offer up- state EMCs and CACs free bus fare to the October 1997 Conference on the Environment. Contact Lee Hanle Younge at 607-734-4453 for informa- tion or reservations. _.... E Town of Ithaca Conservation Board October 2, 1997 Dear Geri, The Town of Ithaca Conservation Board wishes to acknowledge your assistance, dedication, and thoughtfulness as the Cuaison between the .Planning Department and this Board your efforts have been a tremendous help to this Board and the community at Targe, and have contrib- uted to the quality of the Town's environment that we can affbe proud of. your input will be missed. Aff of us wish you good health, happiness, andgreat success in your future endeavors. Sincerely, Members of the Town of Ithaca Conservation Board memorandum " Town of Ithaca Codes and Ordinances Committee FROM: Conservation Board VSEUP DATE: September 12, 19971997 SUBJECT: Draft Zoning Ordinance Revisions Articles I -XX THRU: Jonathan Kanter, Director of Town Planning The Conservation Board (CB) has reviewed the proposed revisions to Town Zoning Ordi- nances Articles I -XX. In general, the CB feels the Codes and Ordinances Committee has done an excellent job revising the zoning regulations. We are especially pleased about the inclusion of zones that recognize and aim to protect the unique natural areas of the Town. The CB would like to add the following comments for your consideration: 1. Definitions— add a second Natural Area definition that more broadly defines this type of land -use, but is not considered a UNA or otherwise identified as indicated in the present Natural Area definition. 2. Establish a Lake Front Residential Zone— present residential zoning along the lake does not recognize the uniqueness of this resource. A Lake Front Residential Zone should be designed to preserve its scenic quality. 3. The CB commends the addition of Conservation Zone and the authority of the Plan- ning Board to require cluster development if deemed appropriate in these zones. Specific wording changes to the Conservation Zone purpose are attached. 4. Pg. 22 Add 5c.— Prohibit use of invasive exotic plant species in Conservation Zones. 5. Pg. 17 Suggest removing Golf Courses from Conservation Zones as these area inten- sively managed lands that do not conform to the stated purpose of a Conservation Zone. 6. Pg. 30 CB supports density limitations in Agricultural Zones, but the CB feels the 2 acre minimum is not needed. In fact, the CB feels this can lead to more land fragmentation than would otherwise be allowed by the other restrictions that apply. For example, farmers have expressed the desire to parcel a small piece of land to maintain more farmland. 7. Pg. 37. Lot sizes in non-sewered areas can and should be on a sliding scale depending on site characteristics. For example lots should be a minimum of 3 acres if the average slope is greater than 5 percent and 2 acres if the average slope is 5% or less. Other site char- acteristics to consider are depth to water table and proximity to water bodies. 8. Pg. 43 Clarification is needed on mobile home park zones. Current wording is ambigu- ous and could be interpreted to mean mobile home park zones may be allowed by approv- al of the Town Board in low and medium density residential zones, but are allowed in other zones without the Board's approval. Also, the CB feels mobile home parks should be an exception and only allowed after careful consideration especially with respect to visual aspects of a mobile home park. Consideration should be given to adding wording that would restrict mobile home parks where they affect viewsheds. IVICCUTC61 Other issues mentioned in the cover letter: 1. The CB had no comment on second dwellings in residential zones. 2. The CB feels an overlay that protects steep slopes, wetlands, stream buffers, etc. is more managable than trying to incorporate restrictions into each zone to protect these features. However, it may be desirable in some instances to adjust the protection measures as it relates to a particular zone. A general phrase should be added to each zone stating that further restrictions can apply. Thank you for the opportunity to review this proposal and we hope you find these com- ments useful. Phillip J. Zarriello, Chair PAGE 2 OF 2