HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2005-10-06 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board
October 6, 2005
Final Meeting Minutes
PRESENT: Diane Conneman, Lenore Durkee, James Hamilton, Brent Katzmann, Jon
Meigs, Larry Sallinger
STAFF: Sue Ritter
The meeting was called to order at 7.35 PM.
Member Concerns: Lenore called attention to an article appearing in the Sunday,
October 2, Syracuse Post-Standard which discussed the possibilities of manure run-off
from farm operations into streams and lakes in New York State and the role of the State
in monitoring these operations to insure compliance with state regulations.
Chair Report: Lenore has received preliminary information on the proposal for "a
transportation-focused Generic Environmental Impact Statement" and ten-year
Transportation Mitigation Strategies being undertaken by Cornell University with the
Town of Ithaca as lead agency. The plan is intended to determine the effects of future
growth of Cornell on the transportation situation in the community.
Coordinator Report: Sue described the plans for rebuilding Hanshaw Road that would
include a sidewalk, grassed swales, and wider shoulders. The sidewalk would be
defined as "walkway' and, as such, would be maintained by the Town. Some
discussion followed on how the rebuilding process might provide safer access for
bicycle users and joggers.
The Park-and-Ride Committee, composed of the ITCTC (the Ithaca-Tompkins County
Transportation Council), in partnership with the Town of Ithaca, Cornell University, the
City of Ithaca, Tompkins County and the Ithaca Downtown Partnership conducted a
survey of Cornellians to gather information about employee's commuting habits and to
gauge interest in park-and-ride participation. Downtown Ithaca employees will be
surveyed in early Fall for the same purpose.
The Town's survey of historic (earlier than 1950) buildings has been completed. The
survey can be used for informational and planning purposes, and also identifies
buildings in the Town that might become candidates for listing in the National Register
of Historical Places.
Jon reiterated the point that approval of the Rite-Aid plans for Judd Falls Plaza does not
indicate approval for later phases of development and questioned whether this was
segmentation of the environmental review.
Minutes: The minutes of September 1, 2005 were approved.
Regular Reports and Updates:
Fischer Award: The tree ceremony is tentatively set for Wednesday, October 19
or October 26 at 4 PM.
ERC: The ERC visited the Equestrian Center planned for a site on Route
96/Trumansburg Rd. No serious environmental problems were anticipated from the
construction activity. The ERC comments included cautioning the developer to
preserve as much of the natural vegetation as possible (the successional vegetation is
particularly good bird habitat) and to take steps to avoid erosion of riding trails.
Mike Smith has prepared a preliminary checklist of items to consider when making site
visits and the CB members have been asked for input in developing the final list.
Scenic Resources Committee: Diane reported that the Committee is presently
ranking photographs of scenic views to see if the developing cataloging system will yield
useful information and be user-friendly. The system may eventually be available on the
Town web site.
Six-Mile Creek Monitoring Program: Larry said that the lack of rain this summer
has made it impossible to obtain as much good information on water quality as was
hoped for and another year of testing will be required to get more data, particularly
needed during high water episodes. Proposals for the coming year have been prepared
both to continue the present testing program and to invite more communities to
participate in the program, expanding the water quality database.
City of Ithaca Natural Areas Commission: No report.
Proposed Conservation Zone for Indian Creek Gorge and Lake Slopes UNA-
Lenore, James, and Diane reported that the COC was pleased with the resolution
prepared by the CB. The COC suggested redefining the boundaries of the Zone as
originally proposed by the CB . Work to describe the new Zone and to hold public
meetings is proceeding.
County EMC representative: No nominations for this position were forthcoming.
Other Business: None. The meeting was adjourned at 9.35 PM.
Submitted by Lenore Durkee
TOWNOFITHACA215N.TiogaStreet,Ithaca,N.Y.14850TOWNClERK273-1721HIGHWAY273-1656PARKS273-X035ENGINEERING273-1747PLANNING273-I747ZONING273-1783FAX(607)273-1704TOWNOFITHACAPLANNINGDEPARTMENTMEMORANDUMTO:CONSERVATIONBOARDMEMBERSFROM:SUSANRITTER,ASSISTANTDIRECTOROFPLANNINGJ.ZDATE:SEPTEMBER28,2005RE:OCTOBER6,2005MEETINGOFTHECONSERVATIONBOARDThisistoconfirmthatthenextmeetingoftheConservationBoard(CB)isThursday,October6that7:30p.m.Theagendaforthismeetingisenclosed(seethebackofthismemo),asaretheminutesfromtheSeptembermeeting,foryourreview.Inaddition,alsoenclosedistheNYSACC/NYSAEMCnewsletter.SeeyouonThursdayEnc.
TOWNOFITHACACONSERVATIONBOARD7:30p.m.,Thursday,October6,2005AuroraStreetConferenceRoom215N.TiogaStreetIthaca,NewYork14850(Therearentranceishandicappedaccessible)(607)273-1747AGENDA7:30pm1.Identii’volunteerforminutes7:31pm2.Personstobeheard7:35pm3.Membersconcerns7:45pm4.ChairandCoordinatorreports7:55pm5.RegularBusiness:Approvalofminutesfrom9/1/058:00pm6.R.FischerAward•Treeplantingceremonypreparations8:20pm7.Regularreportsandupdates•EnvironmentalReviewCommitteeProjectreviewchecklistsScenicResourcesCommittee•SixMileCreekVolunteerMonitoringProgram(Larry)CityofIthacaNaturalAreasCommission(Jon)8:45pm8.StatusreportontheproposedconservationzonefortheIndianCreekGorgeandLakeSlopesUniqueNaturalArea9:00pm9.NominationsforTompkinsCountyEMCrepresentative9:10pm10.OtherBusiness9:15pm11.AdjournmentCBMembersand*AssociatesLenoreDurkee.ChairEvaHoffinannLarrySaliingerMelissaAnthonyBrentKatzmannBarneyUnsworthDianeConnemanSusanMcCutcheonElissaWolfsontJamesHamiltonJonMeigst
TownofIthacaConsen’ationBoardSeptember1,2005Draft—MeetingMinutesPresent:LenoreDurkee.DianeConnernan.BarneyUnsworth.BrentKatzmann.EvaHoffmann,MellisaAnthony.JamesHamilton,LarrySallingerandJonMeigs.Absent:SusanMcCutcheonandElissaWolfson.Staff:ChrisBalestraLenoreDurkeecalledthemeetingtoorderat7:35p.m.Memberconcerns:BarneycalledattentiontotheexceLLentIthacaTimesarticleonRichardFischerandstiggestedthatweshouldkeepclosecontactwiththeauthor,LainK]aes.DianeCoimernannotedthatshehadnotlookedattheissueofatreeordinanceforthetownJonsharedwithheracopyofthecityordinanceandChrisBalestrasaidshewouldsharerelatedtowndocuments.ChairReport:LenorereportedthatnoonehadvolunteeredtoservetorepresentthetownontheEMC.ConradIstockwillattendonemeetingandSusanMcCutcheonwi]lserveontheForestHome/CornellPlantationsDeerFenceCommittee.CoordinatorReport:•ChrisBalestranotedthataLakeSourceCoolingDataSharingCommitteewillbeheldonSeptember7.MinutesTheAugust4.2005minuteswereapprovedwithminorcorrections.AttendanceattheNYSACCConferenceontheEnvironment:TherewassomeinterestbutseveralpersonshadconflictsbecauseitwasscheduledontheColumbusDayweekend.RegularReportsandUpdatesFischerAwardCommittee:LenoreaskedJonandBrenttocheckwhenthetreeisplanted,setadateandplanforabriefceremonyinEasternHeightsParkandclearthedatewithDanHoffman.ERC:LenorereportedthatthecommitteewouldbereviewingtheproposedadditiontotheSixMileCreekWinery.ScenicResources:Dianereportedthecommitteemetandfoundthataddingadditionalseasonalshotstotheinventorywasdifficultinthepresentprogrammingformat.Othersoftwarewasbeinginvestigatedfororganizingandmanagingthenumerousphotos.BrentsuggestedthatPowerPointmightbeabletoaccommodatethepicturesandwrittendescriptionsthatthecommitteedesired.SixMileCreekVolunteerMonitoringProgram:Larryreporedthatthelowwaterflowhasmadeiiimpossibletodohighwatereventtesting,Healsonotedthattherewasaproposaltocombine
requestsforfundingforbothSixMileandFallCreeks.Hediscouragedthatideabecauseofdifferentmunicpalityinterests.CityofIthacaNaturalAreasCommission:NoreportastherewerenoactivitiespertainingtoSixMileCreek.ConsiderationofaConservationZonefortheIndianCreekGorgeandLakeSlopesUniqueNaturalArea:ChrissharedacopyoftheparametersforaConservationZone.ThegroupdiscussedtheoptionsandboundariesforaZonethatcanbedefended.ThedrafiresolutionwasslightlymodifiedtoreflectthisdiscussionandamapoftheproposednewConservationZonewaspreparedandattachedtotheresolution.TheareathattheBoardagreedshouldbeincludedintheZoneislargerthanthe1JNAbecauseit:•createsawildlifecorridor•includeshospitallandswhichprovidebenetitstopatientsandstaff•includesthesteepslopesanderodiblesoils.•followsthetreelineofthematureforest•includestheareasthatbufferthesignificantstreamsandgorges.ApprovaloftheresolutionwasmovedbyJamesHamilton,secondedbyEvaHoffmanandpassedunanimously.ItwillbesenttotheTownBoard.OtherBusiness:BrentsharedthatliehasanemailfromthepersonwhohastheblackwalnutsavedfromtheRedbudWoods.Thispersonisseekingideasforpublicuseofthewood.BrentwillsharetheemailwiththeBoard.JonsuggestedthatthenewcoordinatorfortheCaxugaLakeWatershedInterinunicipalOrganization,DarbyKiley.beinvitedtomeetwiththeBoardasaknowledgeableresourceperson.Themeetingwasadjournedat9:23p.m.SubmittedbyDianeConneman
NYSACOncaHewYorkStateAssociationofConservationCommissionsConferenceontheEnvironmentToBeHeldinHamiltonSummer2005Volume30No.2WdandwaterwillbethefocusinHamiltonthisyearfromOctober8-40.ThisiswhentheNewYorkStateAssociationofEnvironmentalManagementCouncilsandtheNewYorkStateAssociationofConservationAdvisoryCouncilswillhosttheannualConferenceontheEnvironmentattheWhiteEagleConferenceCenter.IfregistrationisreceivedbySeptember3thefeewillbe$120.00perperson/doubleoccupancyforfullregistrationfromSaturday,October8toMonday,October10.Thisincludesthecostofhotelroom,allmealsandConferencefee.IfregistrationisreceivedafterSeptember3thefeewillbe$135.Thecostofregistrationatthedoorwillbe$150.Thegoalofthisyear’sconferenceistoprovidevaluableinformationonwindandwaterprojects,programsandtoolsthatwillbeusefulastheseresourcesareutilized,restoredorregulatedthroughoutNewYorkState.Windworkshoptopicswillinclude:BirdsandWindTurbines,WindFarmsandLandUsePlanningforRenewables,NYSEnergyPlanandlargeWindFarmInitiativesinNewYorkState,CapturingtheWind:Municipal,CommercialandResidentialInstallations.Waterworkshoptopicswillinclude:StreamandLakeMonitoringPrograms,LocalPartnerships;EyesandEarsofWaterProtection,TheHealthandManagementoftheGreatLakes:TheFutureofNewYork’sWatersandStormwaterInitiatives:PhaseIIImplementation.SaturdayafternoonoffersthesharingofawardwinningprojectsfromaroundtheStateandProjectW.E.T.ThespeakerforSundayeveningwillbeDerekStack,theCanadianExecutiveDirectorofGreatLakesUnited.HisroleistooverseethehealthandfutureoftheGreatLakesandthewatersthatfeedthem.Thethemeofhispresentationwillbe‘TheFutureoftheGreatLakesandItsImpactonNYSWaters”.AhighlightoftheConferencewillbeafieldtriptotheFennerWindPowerFacilityNewYork’slargestwindpowerproject.The30-megawattwindfarm,locatedinthetownofFennerinMadisonCountwasdevelopedtomeetNewYork’sdemandfordean,greenelectricity.Competedinlate2001,theprojectcomprisestwentyGETWindEnergy1,5MWwindturbines,thelargestmanufacturedinAmerica.TheprojectwasfundedwiththeassistanceoftheNYSEnergyResearchandDevelopmentAuthority(NYSERDA)underNYSERDA’scompetitivewindpowersolicitation.Theproject’sgreenelectricityismarketedtogovernmentalagencies,businessesandindividualsthroughouttheState,includingSUNYBuffaloandtheUSGeneralServicesAdministration.NYSACCProjectAwardbySept.30Sendsubmissionsto:ArleneKaufman3AndoverDrivePortJeffersonStation,NY11776Submityourentriesforthe2005
NeighBEARhoodWatchProgramTheNewYorkNeighBEARhoodWatchProgram(NWP)isapilothuman-blackbeareducationandcommunicalionprogramdevelopedbytheNewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation’s(NYSDEC)BureauofWildlifeandtheHumanDimensionsResearchUnit(HDRU)atCornellUniversityBlackbears,NewYork’slargestcarnivoreandsecondlargestanimal(secondonlytomoose),nowinhabitalmosteverycountyinthestate.Withapproximately8,000bearsroamingtheEmpireState,people-bearconflictshavebeensteadilyincreasing,particularlythroughouttheAdirondackstheCatskillForestPreserveandAileganyandSteubencountiesinsouthwesternNewYork,alongthePennsylvaniaborder.NewYorkexperienceditsfirstdocumentedbear-relatedhumanfatalityin2002inFallsburg,NY,intheHudsonValley,whereresidentsareexperiencingsomeofthegreatestbearproblems.TheNWPwasdevelopedinresponsetogrowinghuman-bearconflictinNewYorkandanidentifiedneedwithintheregionforincreasededucation.Theprogramhasthreegoals:1)reachasmanyresidentsaspossibleinthepilotcommunitiesofWoodstockandWarwick,NY2)reducethelevelofhuman-blackbearconflictinresidentialareas3)provideaprogramevaluationcomponentUsingcommunicationandeducationtheor3cinformationfromaregionalmailsurvey,andbiologicaldata,eightmaterialshavebeenspeciallydevelopedfortheProgram:brochure,refrigeratormagnet,lawnsign,bearmanagementtrunk(aneducationalkitwithabearhide,bearskull,photosoffoodbearseatandothermaterialstoteachaboutbearecologyandmanagement),billboard,BEARometer(aprintedguide),fadsheetandmagazinearticle.MaterialswillbedistributedMay-September2005andevaluatedinOctober2005.Resultswillassiststate-wideblackbeareducationalefforts.PartidpationinthisProgramisvoluntary.AnyquestionsorcommentsmaybedirectedtoMeredithGoreatCornellUniversitymlg35@corne1l.edu,607-255-6578,orMaltMerchantatRegion3NYSDEC,mlmercha@gw.dec.state.fly.us,845-256-3163.MoreinformationaboutblackbearsinNewYorkcanbefoundatwww.dec.state.ny.us.AnnBrandtLogocourtesyofCornellUniversityandtheNI’SDept.ofEnvironmentalConservation.WebsitesofNoteInkeepingwiththethemeofthe2005Conference,thefollowingwebsitesareallrelatedtowindandwater.•htIp://www.crest.orgWebsiteoftheRenewableEnergyPolicyPrectoftheCenterforRenewableEnergyandSustainableTechnology(CREST).Thesiteincludesalibraryofcurrentandarchivedpapers,aswellasinformationonhydropower,bioenerggeothermalenergyandwindandsolarenergy.•http:I/wwwepa.gov/owowhnonitoringlvolunteer/strewnWebsiteoftheUSEnvironmentalProtectionAgencycontainsamethodsmanualforvolunteerstreammonitoring.•http://zwrw.awea.orgOfficialwebsiteoftheAmericanWindEnergyAssociation.Includesnewsreleasesontopicsimportanttothefutureofwindenergyanonlinebookstore,andinformationonwindenergyandrenewableenergyevents.•http:Ilwww.eere.energy.gov/windandhydroWebsiteoftheUSDepartmentofEnergyWindandHydropowerTechnologies.ContainsinformationontheDOEwindandhydroenergyprogram,windpowerprojects,windturbinetechnologyandresearch,andwindenergybasics.•http:I/www.on.ec.gc.ca/greatlakes/WebsiteofEnvironmentCanada.IncludescurrentinformationconcerningtheconditionoftheLakes,managementplans,newsletter,sitemapandlinks.•http://www.nyruralwater.orgWebsiteoftheNYRuralWaterAssociation,anot-for-profitorganizationdedicatedtopromotingthedevelopment,improvementandsoundoperationofruraldrinkingwaterandwastewatersystemsthroughoutNYS.Containsinformationoncurrentprojects,trainingsessionsandnocostonsitetechnicalassistance.•http://www.dsireusa.orgWebsiteoftheDatabaseofStateIncentivesforRenewableEnergy(DSIRE).Acomprehensivesourceofinformationonstate,local,utility,andselectedfederalincentivesthatpromoterenewableenergy.•htip://www.renewableenergyaccess.comWebsiteofacomprehensiveandup-to-daterenewableenergynewsandinformationnetworkontheinternet.Youcanregistertoreceivetheirweeklynewsletter.2NYSACCnewsSummer2005
Summer2005NYSACCnews3ChesapeakeBayWatershedFarmingAccordingtoLindsayWIckham,FieldAdvisorandLocalIssuesSpecialistfortheNewYorkFarmBureau,agriculturalistsintheChesapeakeBayWatershedbelieveitisasimportantasevertocontinue,aswellasimproveon,theenvironmentalstewardshipthattheyhaveallpracticedthroughouttheyears.Unfortunately,agricultureisconsideredamajorcontributortotheBay’simpairedstatus.Theonustounderstandandsolvetheissuesisonthefarmer,part-timeorfull,tostepupandbealeadertohelpheadoffanythreattotheirfuture.WiththepossibleregulationsoftheEPAhangingovertheirheads,farmersmuststayvigilantonwaterquality.Thismayseemlikeashorttermissue,wheninrealityitisanissuethatwillexistforgenerations.Byinitiatingandimprovingsoundagriculturalpracticesandimplementingnewones,farmerscancontinuetooperateintothefuturewithoutmoreoversightandregulationsfromgovernmentagendes.InNewYork,farmershaveseveraloptionstoaidinmakinggoodmanagementdecisions.Atthelocallevel,thecountySoilandWaterConservationDistrictoffice(SWCD)isaninvaluableresourceforinformation,andhands-onassistanceforsettingupandimplementingBMPs(BestManagementPractices).Thingslikedrainage,soilerosionandsedimentcontrol,wetlandrestoration,covercropping,no-tillplanting,andnutrientmanagementareafewoftheprogramareasthattheycanassistwith,aswellaspossiblefundingfortheseprograms.TheSWCsalsoworkcloselywiththeNRCS(NaturalResourcesConservationService),FSA(FarmServiceAgency),andtheRC&D(ResourceConservationandDevelopment),allpartoftheUnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture.TheseagenciesalsooffervariousprogramsandfundingintheBMPandconservationarena.Often,SWCDsandtheseotheragenciescanassistwithanypaperworkthatmaybeneeded,includingpermits.TheNewYorkStateDepartmentofAgricultureandMarkets,inconjunctionwithlocalSWCDs,alsooffersAEM,AgriculturalEnvironmentalManagement,avoluntaryprogramtohelpfannerscontinuetobeintheforefrontofprotectingnaturalresources.ThisproactiveapproachoffersacomprehensivemethodforimplementingBMPstohelpconserveourenvironmentonalocal,state,andnationallevel.AgriculturistsmustallworktogethertohelpcleanuptheChesapeakeBay.Theymustfocusnotonlyonhowtoimprovetheirownwaterqualitcalsobutthatoftheircommunitiesandstate.Inordertoavoidfurtherregulationsfarmersneedtoreachoutandbeproactive.Thisisaboutallfarms,municipalities,businesses,andresidentsinthebasinandtheircombinedeffortswillhelpovercomethisseriousissue.LeeHank‘lounge,NYSACCDirector,hasworkedwithLindsayWick?w#IintheSusquehannaRiverBasinWatershed.SpotlightonMikelShakarjianNYSAEMC’sNewPresidentMikelShakaijian,NewYorkStateAssociationofEnvironmentalManagementCouncils’newpresident,hasbeeninvolvedwithEMCssince1999,whensheservedasTompkinsCounty’sEMCcoordinator.MikeliscurrentlyanassociatememberofthatEMCandhasbeenactiveontheNYSAssociationofEMCsBoardofDirectorssince2000.HergoalsfortheorganizationincludeimprovingcommunicationandoutreachamongstEMCsstatewideandupdatingtheAssociation’swebsite.Alargeeffortinthisdirectionistocoordinatethe2005ConferenceontheEnvironment.Sheisco-chairingtheConferenceCommitteewithNYSACC’sJoySquires.MikelwasbornandraisedinLewiston,NewYorkalongtheNiagaraRiver.Shehasbeeninvolvedwithenvironmentalissuessince1990,onbothavolunteerandprofessionalbasisinvariouspartsoftheUnitedStates.OneofherfavoritesayingsisbyMargaretMead,“Neverdoubtthatasmallgroupofthoughtful,committedcitizenscanchangetheworld.Indeed,it’stheonlythingthateverhas.”MikelhasaB.S.fromSUNYEnvironmentalScienceandForestnhandanM.S.fromtheUniversityofMontana.Herbackgroundincludesextensiveexperiencemanagingcomplicatedtechnologyanddevelopmentprgects,aswellasecologicalresearch.Shehasworkedforvariousuniversities,federalandstateagenciesandlocalgovernment,includingtheUSDeptoftheInterior,USDAForestService,thestatesofMontana,Oregon,SouthCarolina,andmostrecentlyNewYork.Mike!lovestheoutdoors,walkingherdog,enjoyingmusicandlivinginruralNewYorkState.NYSACCNewsArleneKaufman,EditorJoySquires,NYSACCPresidentNewsletterOffice3AndoverDrivePortJeffersonSta.NY11776631-928-3277631-331-4526faxTeach2345@aoi.cornNYSACCNewsispublishedthreetimesayear.CACsareencouragedtosubmitpressreleases,articles,artworkorphotographytotheeditor.ForadditionalcopiesofNYSACCNewsandaddresschanges,contacttheNewsletteroffice.NYSACCOfficeP.O.Box1732Huntington,NY11743631-366-6949631-366-4796faxjojtsq@aol.corn
4NYSACCnewSSummer2005President’sMessageListedbelowaretheDirectorsofNYSACC.Contactusforassistanceorjusttotalk.SeeyouattheConference.JoySquiresPresidentVicePresidentSecretaryTreasurerJoySquiresSimonSkohiikDonaldDugerAnnBrandt17ClarissaLane53GreenvilleRd.6186WhitingRoadExt.14EvergreenLaneE.Northport,NY11731Katonab,NY10536Jordan,NY13080Woodstock,NY12498Region1Region3Region7Region.3631-368-6949914-273-4266315-689-6361845-674-2113ext.8631-368-4796(fax)914-232-9552(fax)donduger@aol.com845-679-8743(fax)joyssq@aol.comsirnon@Iasbergabrandt@woodstock.ny.orgconstruction.crmREGIONIREGIONVIIICaroleWilderLeeHanleYounge631-842-1966607-562-3988(h)c25jw€)aoLcornlhy2@stny.rr.cornREGIONIIIREGIONIXStevenOtisSteveNobleEveFertigFrankMantione914-934-5250845-430-2547716-681-5918716-992-3551steveotisrye@aol.cornweatherl@aoLcornfranknan@localnet.comPeterRizzoJohnFava716-837-0627SamAkimbami914-273-8244pcrizzo@hotmail.corn716-773-9600FFjj@aol.compatsarn37@ade1phia.netNYSACCNewsNON-PROFITORG.3AndoverDriveU.S.POSTAGEPortJeffersonStation,NYPAID11776.SYRACUSE,N.Y.PERMITNO.1362