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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2009-06-04 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board June 4, 2009 7:30 p.m. Final minutes Members present: Diane Conneman, James Hamilton, Eva Hoffmann, Jon Meigs, Nirav Patel, Andy Goodell Staff: Darby Kiley Guests: Herb Engman, Town Supervisor Persons to be heard: Herb: Update on the gas drilling issue Herb gave a brief background of the current local issues, and the fact that he grew up in oil and gas country in PA he had some previous knowledge of the issue. He inherited a gas lease through a land purchase in Newfield has had some experience in dealing with gas drilling companies. There is pressure from the state and concentrated efforts to regulate local government power in terms of how to regulate the gas leases. They are currently working on `hydrofracking' type of approach. Normally we only get 30 days for the review and comment for the DEC Environmental Impact Statement process, but a lot of people have been writing to get an extended review process lasting 90 days. To this Diane added that this board had recently passed a resolution and sent a letter to Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton and other legislators requesting a longer review of 60 days. In term of what could be done currently on the issue, Herb mentioned the following: 1) Good natural resource inventory of specific areas such as natural areas, wetlands, aquifers, unique areas and critical environmental areas of town, so all municipalities could be included. (Jon added that local municipalities have more authority to carry out any legislative process on the issue.) 2) Gather all our reasons as to where gas drilling could be permitted or not. 3) Evaluate as to what are the current regulations for weight limits on road. 4) When a gas company wants to cross a right of way, the town needs to give permission and has authority for driveway cuts and for such situations permits could be issued. 5) Disposition of`fracking' water—Ithaca Waste Water Treatment Facility is clear that they will make a decision based on aspects related to biology, saline water, etc. 6) Town is partners in Bolton Point facility and so wants to make sure that nothing could contaminate Cayuga Lake. 7) Town of Ithaca is being pro-active about this but it remains to be seen how state and federal handles it. With respect to State agencies, Herb and others had a meeting with Barbara Lifton but it seemed from the meeting that she does not understand the potential impact. She said NY has the strictest regulations, and Herb said that DEC is severely under staffed compared to PA, and so allowing DEC to regulate this is seemingly absurd. Currently, Lifton does not want to 1 do anything since she has not heard from local governments. However, as far as Tompkins County is concerned we can handle the added regulations. On separate note, NY State does not tax gas coming out of ground, but if it were taxed, that money could be used to mitigate local effects of gas drilling. Herb also explained the procedure involved in this new type of extraction process and mentioned the recent presentations held in the area. In the states where there has been open pit type of extraction, there have been disastrous accidents. Furthermore, it is not evident if there is a responsible way of disposing the `fracking' liquid. Diane added that she and Tony have been going to presentations that were mentioned. This update concluded with Herb and the board discussing ways to be proactive about the issue of gas drilling. Ideas suggested included: Diane: If we could go back to report from 1992 Open Space Report and also the 2001 Draft Natural Heritage program, where do we start? Herb: Town has a good map already with UNAs and we need to figure out where the aquifers are located. The areas not included in existing maps could be included, such as agricultural areas, protected farms, Finger Lakes Land Trust, Nature Conservancy, Cayuga Trails Club and Cornell property. Eva: All conservation zones should be included. Herb: Spoke with Cornell and they have not leased their land, but obviously they are considering it. State parks and town parks should be included on the inventory map. Darby: Streams and buffers should be considered. Is there a list of what other municipalities have put together currently? Herb: This is a brainstorm list thus far and we shall have an exhaustive one. Will get back to you. James: Water monitoring has been going on since 2004 in selected localities within the town. Herb: We need to have tested well before it gets polluted. Accidents do happen and we are concerned about the damage that ensues. Diane: We need a natural resource inventory. Do you see this list as all in one list that is integrative or separate maps? Herb: For clarity purpose separate maps would be good but also one that shows the overlay among the separate components. Jon: Do we have access to what properties have leases already? Herb: The group Shaleshock has gone through the county clerk's records, and there are leases on about 13% of town of Ithaca properties, and Groton is more than 50%. Coordination is going on between different agencies in Tompkins County but this effort has to be done quickly. At the end of August NY state will release its findings. Eva: I went to all day workshop, Sue Ritter was there too. The workshop was organized by forest owner association, has a list of people if you were interested. Members' Concerns: None Chair and Coordinator Reports 2 Chair: Diane Most issues have been discussed during the introduction with Herb and also mentioned about the letter that was sent to Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton, who has yet to respond. Coordinator: Darby Verizon cell tower: Town staff is expecting the consultants report and project should be on next Planning Board agenda. Jon asked about an item on the last Planning Board agenda about a temporary residence hall at Ithaca College. Diane responded that the Planning Board approved it and Ithaca College has permission to have the temporary building for 3-4 years. The company then reuses the modular facilities on another site. Business: Approved minutes from the May meeting Invasive plant policy: Extensive discussion held on the draft, and was changed to follow recommendations by various board members. James Moved the Draft Resolution on recommendations regarding invasive species control on Town property and Nirav seconded, all voted in favor, thereby the resolution passed unanimously and will be sent to town board. Regular Reports and Updates: Environmental Review Committee: None Scenic Resources Committee: Tony is away and he sent an e-mail with the slide design. The committee continues to work on the sign. R. Fischer Award Committee: Good dedication ceremony for this year's award recipient- Tom Reimers. Coverage was in the Ithaca Journal, Cayuga Trails Club and also the condo newsletter. Roger Hopkins has also put some pictures on CTC website. James added that the Tulip poplar has been replaced over at Coddington Road (from last year's award). Tompkins County EMC: No report since Kristine absent. Herb added that the EMC is updating the UNA project. Sixmile Creek Volunteer Monitoring Program: 14 sites samples taken on June I", Potters Falls sampling site is now being monitored for health concerns. 3 City of Ithaca Natural Areas Commission: Jon participated in a meeting at Cornell where consultants were gathering input on management issues in the Fall Creek corridor from Beebe Lake to Cayuga Lake. He suggested that regulations and actions are needed to upgrade and improve the area for recreational access, but that meeting focused only from Stewart Avenue to Beebe Lake. Issues of access, safety, and promoting non- invasive activity within the area were discussed. Comprehensive Plan: Diane: Last meeting the discussion was on the proposed Village in East Ithaca(East Hill Plaza) with Cornell, major renovations of the area, straightening out of Pine Tree Road, welcome center for Cornell, seating plaza for refreshment, etc. One of the issues discussed was who will be the residents of the area and will it be a mixed community. Another issue discussed was the summary of the survey recently conducted and debated if there should be narrative or just release as is, it was decided that it will be released as is and there will be a specific section in what was covered in first comprehensive plan. Other Business: Coy Glen: Should be discussed next time Summer meeting schedule: Darby suggested that the Board could cancel the meeting in July but it was decided that with August commitments, there should be a meeting in July. Darby will make sure that a staff person is available if the board decides to meet in July. Jon: Staff will be making efforts on inventory and board could comment on it. Eva: Agrees with Jon that the town staff should produce maps. Jon: Could we be provided with all relevant maps then we could provide feedback by the necessary time. Diane this shall be decided over e-mail Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:18pm These draft Minutes generated by Nirav Patel. Approved at Aug 6, 2009 4