HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-05-14 - CB Memo & Agenda
TO: CONSERVATION BOARD MEMBERS
FROM: MICHAEL SMITH, SENIOR PLANNER
DATE: MAY 29, 2014
SUBJECT: UPCOMING CONSERVATION BOARD MEETING – June 5, 2014
This is to confirm that the next meeting of the Conservation Board (CB) is Thursday, June 5th
at 5:30 p.m. The agenda for this meeting is enclosed (see the back of this memo). The draft
minutes from the May 1, 2014 meeting are attached.
At this meeting we will briefly discuss ideas and opportunities for coordinating and
communicating with the City of Ithaca’s Conservation Advisory Council. I have attached a
document from the CAC on steep slopes, natural areas, and water quality (previously emailed).
We will also discuss the EPA and Army Corps proposed rule to clarify protection under the
Clean Water Act for streams and wetlands. Public comments on the proposed rule are being
accepted until July 21st. Additional information, including the entire text of the rule (88 pages),
can be found at: http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/guidance/wetlands/CWAwaters.cfm#comment. I
have included in the packet the first few pages of the proposed rule, which includes how to
provide comments and the executive summary.
At the May CB meeting, everyone was in favor of scheduling a swallow-wort pulling event during
the NY Invasive Species Awareness Week (July 6 – 12, http://www.nyis.info/blog/). It was
tentatively scheduled for the evening of Thursday, July 10th. I have spoken with Rich Schoch
(Town’s Parks Maintenance Manager) about a location, and he suggested the East Ithaca
Nature Preserve. We will need to continue planning for this event at the June meeting.
We can also continue the discussions of deer management efforts in the area and on the pest
management policy research from other communities. Mike Roberts has provided an updated
draft report on deer in Ithaca, which is included in the packet.
As part of the Scenic Resources Committee report, I have provided in the packet an updated
version of the Scenic Views Map and Guide. We would like to see if there are any additional
comments or feedback before producing them for the public.
I believe that James has signed up to take minutes at the June meeting.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at msmith@town.ithaca.ny.us or at
273-1747 prior to the meeting.
TOWN OF ITHACA
215 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca, N.Y. 14850
PLANNING 273-1747 FAX (607) 273-1704
Conservation Board Members and Associates (*)
Michael Bennett, James Hamilton – Vice-Chair, Eva Hoffmann, Jon Meigs*,
Vladimir Micic, Michael Roberts, Carrie Simon, Kristine Shaw*, Ellie Stewart - Chair
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TOWN OF ITHACA
CONSERVATION BOARD
5:30 p.m., Thursday, June 5, 2014
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Aurora Street Conference Room
215 N. Tioga Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
(The rear entrance is handicapped accessible)
(607) 273-1747
AGENDA
5:30 pm 1. Persons to be heard
5:35 pm 2. Members concerns
5:40 pm 3. Chair and Coordinator reports
5:45 pm 4. Approval of minutes from 05/01/14
5:50 pm 5. Discussion of ideas and opportunities for coordination with the City of Ithaca’s
Conservation Advisory Council (CAC)
6:00 pm 6. Discuss possible comments regarding the Clean Water Act definition of
“Waters of the United States” (EPA and Army Corp proposed rule)
6:20 pm 7. Continue discussion on planning a NY Invasive Species Awareness Week event
6:40 pm 8. Continue discussion of deer management efforts in Tompkins County
7:00 pm 9. Update on pest management policy research from other communities
7:10 pm 10. Regular reports and updates
Environmental Review Committee (Vladimir)
Scenic Resources Committee (Eva)
Communications Committee (James)
Tompkins County EMC (Vladimir)
Six Mile Creek Volunteer Monitoring Program (James)
City of Ithaca Natural Areas Commission (Jon)
Cornell Plantations Natural Areas Academy (James)
7:20 pm 11. Other Business
7:25 pm 12. Review 2014 Work Goals / Set July Agenda
7:30 pm 13. Adjourn