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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2011-07-07 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board July 7, 2011 7:30 p.m. Final Minutes Members present: Andrew Goodell, Aaron Donato, James Hamilton, Eva Hoffman, Jon Meigs, Diane Conneman, Kristine Shaw, Ellie Stewart, Tony Ingraham, Larissa Smith Staff: Michael Smith, Environmental Planner; Herb Engman, Town Supervisor Guests: None Persons to be heard: None Members' Concerns: • James noted that the SGEIS for Marcellus shale gas drilling will be issued July 8, and there will be a 90-day comment period. It is a large document and we should learn what we can about it, perhaps splitting up sections of interest to CB members and writing comments, as we did with the draft document. We should especially address the fact that ours is an area that is not protected from gas drilling as the NY City watershed is. • Eva distributed a letter she wrote to the Town in 1979 about water use and cost, specifically how installing a water meter at her home showed a much lower usage than the flat sewer rate assumed. • Tony spoke of a new invasive insect, the brown marmorated stink bug, that Cornell is studying. It affects a broad range of agricultural crops, including fruits and vegetables, and it overwinters in houses. Though it is not a big problem in NY State at the moment, it is a serious pest in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and is bound to become a serious pest here. • Jon said that with respect to gas drilling, he understands that because so much of the Town is protected in various conservation areas, we are not likely to see more than three wells in the Town. Herb commented that several towns in the county are working on gas drilling ordinances and regulation. He said that there never has been a gas well in the Town. At the next Town Board meeting, they need to make some small changes to existing laws in order to ban gas drilling. The Town Board will be considering this at their July 11 meeting. They still need to pass a road preservation law. Three municipalities may be able to mount a common defense if they are sued by the gas companies. Chair Report: • Rich Southworth contacted Diane about removal of invasives on South Hill. Diane passed this information along to Rich Schoch. • Diane passed around an announcement about an environmental conference July 21-22 about the Marcellus shale issue. • An invitation to have this month's CB meeting at EcoVillage was deferred, and Diane realized that meeting venue changes must give adequate public notice. Coordinator Report: • Ithaca Beer Company has received preliminary site plan approval for their expansion project. Jon asked why isn't the rest of their development plan being included. Mike said that all their current development plans are on the 12 acres. Most of rest of Mitchell property will be agricultural, plus a personal house. • The final site plan for Holly Creek has been received, but one part is still missing. Business: • The minutes from the June meeting were approved with several minor changes. • Water conservation resolution:There was a lengthy discussion about tiered rates for water usage as an incentive to conserve water usage, thereby reducing Town pumping and distribution costs, and therefore reducing the largest single greenhouse gas producing item in Town operations. Herb gave us a lot of information about the details and history of water rates in the Town, including declining water usage, the needs to have a rate structure that covers fixed costs, inter-municipal cooperation and infrastructure usage, and system leakage. Regarding the draft resolution, the Town would have to get Bolton Point input, but it will be shared with the Town Board. Kristine said that even if nothing happens to change things at this point, it will get the discussion, and thinking, going about this issue. Katie's work could be helpful for other municipalities, and the EMC could be a good ally. • Swallow-wort eradication:There has been discussion with people at EcoVillage regarding the infestation at Westhaven Preserve. We would like to get West Hill neighborhood organizations involved. Larissa suggested getting Tom Whitlow's restoration ecology class at Cornell interested in this as a project, though it was noted that there are many people suggesting projects to him. A date and time was set for an eradication work session and demonstration at the park for July 20 from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. Ellie said she would work on neighborhood contacts and making signs for the entrance to the preserve. We will meet where we planted the Fischer Award tree. • Conservation Zone Amendments:James was disappointed that the "teeth" for tree protection had been taken out of the wording, that there was nothing to prevent someone to clear-cut if they claimed they were not engaged in a timber harvest. Kristine pointed out that the definition of timber harvesting might cover this question. We felt that the addition of the wording, "for any purpose," to that definition would be important to help avert ambiguity. Diane will write up a letter of our comments for the COC. James was concerned that there is no mention of penalties for violations. Mike pointed out that the zoning code discusses enforcement and penalties in Sections 270- 231 and 270-239. Kristine said she will investigate what those penalties are. Regular Reports and Updates • Environmental Review Committee (Nirav): No report • Scenic Resources Committee (Tony): The Town Board approved the East Shore Park interpretive sign proposal unanimously at their meeting last month, including the expenditure of$2000 of Town funds, including those still available in the CB's allocation, for this purpose. Tony has spoken with Sarah Fiorello at Cornell Plantations about possible help with this project, particularly in design, and will be meeting with Rick Manning of the Cayuga Lake Waterfront Trail project about their experience with their interpretive signs. • R. Fischer Award Committee (James):The award tree at Westhaven Preserve is doing well. Kristine noted that the Fischer Award has stimulated knowledge of and interest in the Conservation Board by West Hill residents, including at EcoVillage, making the award program a big success. • Tompkins County EMC (Kristine): Kristine will bring our water conservation resolution to them for discussion. • Sixmile Creek Volunteer Monitoring Program (James): They sampled the creek on 6/21/11 and the water was very low. • City of Ithaca Natural Areas Commission (Jon): No report • Comprehensive Plan (Diane): No report • Cornell Plantations Natural Areas Academy (James): So far, James has put in over 68 hours and traveled 190 miles in six workshops and 18 "directed stewardship activities." Most recently they conducted a "sweep" of CU Plantations's Natural Area on South Hill adjacent to the Town water tank. Swallow-wort infestation is in the woods, meadows and swamps near the tank. Digging the young plants is not difficult. James worked to weed out invasive honeysuckle, privet, and bittersweet on a west-facing slope above Judd Falls Road at the west edge of the Mundy Wildflower Garden. They planted several species of native wildflowers, and weeded out lily-of-the-valley and other non-native species planted in the garden in the past. Other Business: • Jon noted that giant hogweed has been found in the Sixmile Natural Area, near the 30- foot dam. • Kristine may go to the Marcellus shale conference, but needs to check her schedule. • The August meeting is cancelled. We will meet next on Thursday, September 1. Meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Draft minutes prepared by Tony Ingraham