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Home My WebLink About2009-01-29CONSERVATION BOARD CHAIR: NANCY MUNKF.NBECK CRAIG SCHUTT BOB BECK CHARLIE SMITH STEVE BISS3EN MILO RICHMOND STAN MARCUS 13ARO PRENTISS BOARD LIA81ON: DAVID MAKAR TOWN ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNERI DAN KWAGNOWSKI Meeting Notes January 29, 2009 Conservation Board Meeting 93 East Main Street Dryden, W 13053 T 607 844.8888 F 607 84x.8008 dank0dryden.nry.us Present: Nancy M., Craig S., Bob B., Charlie S., Mike R., Bard P., Dave Makar, Dan Kwasnowski, Guest: Martha, Decision Summary: The CB passed a resolution endorsing a letter to be sent to the Governor requesting that the real estate tax continue to fund the Environmental Protection Fund, and that the state maintain the current funding level. Recommendation that the Town Board write a letter as well. WU•c •. 1• 1.,1!c 2. EMC Update - Stan - Exausad 3. Workplan review - Additions, subtractions... ' Riparian Buff- r Manageme %1 has x},•11! :• .1 1 Mat ! Aroft :.1! , the next meetina, �•� •. : • �.1 1 •111 =! 1: ! • • • 1 :11 1 • •!�•1 1 � 1 - + - • 3 • • 1: • • 1 r4 I Lore j 1 1 1 • • 1 11 1 • i • • 1 .1 1 1! -1 1 11: l 1 1: 1•. 1 + •1. • 1: -1• -11:1 I • 1: 1: • • • • a z : k • • • • • 1 L • 1 • 1 1 • • Kamm OWN i U01MY4110:11IMMW Moll: 61 11•! �•..• 1: •1. 1 • 1: ••. • I t 1- ► 1 1• ! 1 1• 1: 11 •. • ► • : 1/ ! •6 11 1 Ile ! • . • • • • 1 11 1 • 1 - . 11 R11 • • : • 1 11 f .11:1 • 1 • 1 . t 1 11 • • Other topics discussed. Tompkins County Planning Agricultural Features Focus Areas - There Is a meeting with farmers concerning the County's ongoing Ag Focus Areas effort. The CB re- quested that the County come and discuss this plan with them. Scott Doyle will be contacted. The regular meeting of the CB will be the last Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm. Another notice will be posted concerning the open seat on the Conservation Board. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday February 24th at 7:30 p.m. • What are the effects on wildlife? How will this be addressed in the Environ- mental Assessment (SEQRA)? Will the impacts, if any, be substantiated? 5. Riparian Buffer Law: Dan Kwasnowski presented a very preliminary draft of a Riparian Buffer Law. The highpoints of the draft are the utilization of a dynamic buffer that is less arbitrary, and the ability to use a management plan approach to larger properties and projects that allows flexibility and would ultimately protect more habitat and water quality. The draft needs a lot of consideration of definitions, an improved Findings of Fact and Purpose section, and the numbers that are included are cursory and the CB will have to consider some better data and mapping to determine what the buffers may be. Dan asked the CB dig into the law in earnest and come prepared to discuss details at the next meeting. 6. Open Seat: The open seat on the CB has not yet been filled. An announcement will be placed in the paper. 7. Mike Richmond presented several studies that involved some members of the Conservation Board that he thought the board should know about. These include Conserving Natural Areas and Wildlife in Your Community, by Karen Strong a Cor- nell student that worked with some members of the board. And the GAP analysis that Charlie Smith was very involved in, and the new Breeding Bird Atlas of New York State. References Tower Impacts: From Bill Evans via email to Bard Prentiss: The problem with these kind of decisions Is that there is not really any solid research to support what's best for birds -- in this case, the decision whether to build one higher tower with lights versus multiple shorter towers without lights. Any assessment of relative bird Impacts will be largely theoretical. That said, my first thought is that if the taller tower would also have guy wires, then I suspect it would be poten- LU.m Bally more hazardous to birds than several shorter towers, The tower fighting aspect is less of an Issue for birds in suburban areas that already have artificial lighting, My website www-Lcwprkilt.com has a lot of information, From Charlie Smith: Communication Towers: A Deadly Hazard to Birds, sent as a PDF, Fram Afte Richmond: hftP:/Arvww, dec.ny- ov/lan d 00083. html.