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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2012-05-03 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board 7.00 pm, May 3, 2012 Final Minutes Members present: Eva Hoffmann, Jon Meigs, Kristine Shaw, Andy Goodell, Vladimir Micic, James Hamilton, Ellie Stewart. Staff present: Mike Smith Guest present: Ben - an Ithaca High School student 1. Persons to be heard 2. Member concerns James mentioned that the Black Diamond Trail (between Rts 96 and 89) received funding to replace bridges and work has started. Andy had been up to the first bridge and seen the area re-graded and looked nearly ready for a bridge to go in place. The BDT information group stated that the trail will be a crushed limestone path. 3. Chair and coordinator reports Mike reported little movement with the Holochuck project, as they had a long list of conditions to work through. At the May 15th Planning Board meeting the Cornell Monopole and Longview Patio Homes projects are up for site plan approval. There are also additions to the East King Rd Hospicare center and a playground at Tutelo Park planned. 4. Business —Approval of minutes from 04/05/12 The minutes were approved with minor changes. 5. Continue discussion regarding timber harvesting The Board was concerned that landowners may have trees removed for stated purposes outside of"harvesting" but additional wording was found that refers to this as "cutting" rather than harvesting, so essentially any removal of trees would be regulated by this law. It was discussed that the Conservation Board identified that limiting timber harvesting is our goal within Conservation Zones. Andy mentioned that landowners are unlikely to know when laws like this change without advertising to go along with it. As it would be a better approach to inform landowners now, rather than cite them for unintended violations of the law later. It was discussed that this information could go in future newsletters. Jon asked if landowners within 500 feet of Coy Glen will receive notification about potential zoning changes. Kristine suggested that we send postcards to the landowners of the conservation zone (about 50), which Vladimir offered to design. 6. Discussion of invasive species on Town owned property Rich Schoch had previously given comments and said that he could provide tools for removing some invasive plants. The CU Plantations is taking care of the Swallow-wart at the Town water tank (Teton Court) which the Conservation Board saw on a field trip and has done some harvesting. There are additional concerns with the Pew Trail and the Westhaven Trail, though areas may be so thickly grown in with invasives that hand- pulling may be rather ineffective at this point. We continue to discuss herbicide sprays as a last resort, but the Town does not have a certified applicator on staff. Kristine suggests that we resolve that the town needs an applicator, and Jon suggested that we first get an idea of the level of need from the Town Board and Public Works Department. Kristine offered to contact Herb and Rich to find that level of need. 7. Regular reports and updates Environmental Review Committee — Nirav commented that there have been no recent meetings, and nothing to report. Scenic Resources Committee — Fossil Graphics is still working with our design, to be used on their high pressure laminate board. Communications Committee — There will be a tree planting party on 5/12 at 1 lam with refreshments. Coy Glen Conservation Zone Committee — The committee met on the 23rd to take look at the previously written report. They will divide the report and do research before meeting again, with a goal of completing this by the fall. Tompkins County EMC — Kristine reported that the hydrilla removal equipment used last year was not designed for this specific type of hydrilla, and had cut the plants into small pieces that may have exacerbated the issue. Pesticides will now be a required treatment, with expedited permitting needed to address this before hydrilla has a chance to grow out of control. Six Mile Creek Volunteer Monitoring Program —A regular average-flow sample was taken on 3/13, but the samples were not large enough for gas drilling baseline analysis which required more water than a typical sample. They will meet again on 5/9 to decide which samples should get extra analysis. City of Ithaca Natural Areas Commission — Nothing to report Comprehensive Plan — The land use map from Chapter 2 will hopefully be online in the near future for us to comment on the proposed updates. Cornell Plantations Natural Areas Academy — James hunted for Wooly Adelgids in Warren Woods and Coy Glen. There is no apparent spread in Warren Woods, but one tree that previously had them has become more densely populated this year. Coy Glen has none on the north bank, but a small infestation on the south bank which has spread slightly. 8. Other business The Board considered canceling the July meeting as it is close to a holiday weekend, to be decided upon at the June meeting. 9. Review 2012 Work Goals / Set June Agenda Future projects to consider included the Conservation Board Facebook page, and pesticide application. 10. Adjourn — 8:30pm