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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-12-29 12/29/2020 Conservation Board 12/29/2020 Members Present: Gian Dodici (Chair), Bob Beck, Anne Clark, David Wilson, Nancy Munkenbeck, Craig Schutt, Peter Davies , Jeanne Grace, Tim Woods Absent: Liaisons: Simon St. Laurent (Planning Board), Alice Green (Climate Smart), John Kiefer (Planning Board), Loren Sparling (Town Board), Charles Geisler (Climate Smart), Joe Wilson (Planning Board), Marie McRae (Agriculture Advisory Committee) Review and approval of minutes dated November 24th, 2020 On motion made by B. Beck, seconded by G. Dodici, minutes were unanimously approved as written. Rail Trail Update: Dan Lamb sent the board the agreement that they have been waiting for a long time from the DEC for the Rail Trail between Stevens Road and Game Farm Road. It needs to be signed by Jason and the DEC. After minor revisions, it looks like a good agreement for 20 years replacing the 3 year agreement. That will allow the board to move forward with the state parks grant that they got back in December of 2017. They hope this agreement will satisfy the need to have all of the rights of way and easements for the sections of the trail included in the state parks grant. Otherwise, in their work with Erdman Anthony for the Route 13 project, the board decided to put that on hold for a month or so while they review cost options. Back in 2018 there was a preliminary design. The town hired Barton and Loguidice to give us their best estimate on what it would cost. That was paid for with a county tourism grant. We’re also working with DOT who have been very supportive of this project. Comprehensive Plan Update: There will be three virtual sessions. On January 20th,26th and 27th at 6:00 pm, we will be having virtual sessions with the Planning Board, the consultants and the public. You can find the details at Dryden2045.org. On January 20th the topics are affordable housing and land conservation. On the 26th they will be talking about transportation and walkable communities, the 27th is economic development and energy sustainability. We are trying to come up with a format that actually collects public input. 12/29/2020 Deer Management Update: Two sites were approved by owners to get a team of hunters on the owner’s land. Dryden Lake Dam: The board had a conversation about the resolution. Comments: • Taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for this. • We’re making assumptions, but we don’t know what will actually happen if we take this dam out. • The lake was much smaller before the dam was put in. • Removing the dam would remove recreational activities. • If you drop that water level even three or four feet, the lake would be half the size. • If you drop the level of the water, there won’t be water in the inlet to launch kayaks. • We could predict that it will be a sloppy mess. • Biologically, it could be a good thing in the future, but we don’t know that for sure. • I believe most people in Dryden would like to see this lake remain. Dryden Conservation Board Resolution Recommending Preservation of Dryden Lake Dam Whereas there has been a dam at Dryden Lake Dryden, NY since circa 1801; and Whereas the body of water known as Dryden Lake, created by the building of the dam, has provided numerous benefits to the citizens of the Town of Dryden and surrounding areas for over two hundred years, with its benefits changing and expanding over two plus centuries; and Whereas the lake originally provided power for a sawmill and ice harvesting, it created additional waterfowl and wildlife habitat that has made the lake today a birding “hot spot” with 228 species observed, providing migratory bird rest areas and nesting and foraging habitat (Canada geese, ducks, loons, herons, Bald Eagles) as well as habitat for numerous mammals, amphibians, turtles, etc; and Whereas Dryden Lake and its surrounding areas provides many forms of year round recreation for town and surrounding area residents, such as fishing, ice fishing, hiking, jogging, dog walking, biking, cross country skiing, snow shoeing (on the Jim Schug trail), kayaking, canoeing, ice skating, hunting, trapping, bird watching, picnicking, etc; and 12/29/2020 Whereas Dryden Lake and its surrounding natural areas are an important educational resource, being used both for formal classes in ecology and natural resources (Cornell University) and informal education of everyone from young children to lifelong education participants; and Whereas the Town of Dryden currently provides a community park at the Lake under an agreement with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; and Whereas the Dryden Lake park is a popular location for many community events with the lake being the center piece for those events; and Whereas the lake has a rich historical and cultural value to the citizens of the town; and Whereas the NYS DEC is considering the removal of the dam and the elimination of Dryden Lake in the form it has existed for over two hundred years; and Whereas the Dryden Town Board has requested a recommendation from the Conservation Board on the future of the Dryden Lake dam and ultimately Dryden Lake itself. Therefore, let it be resolved that the Town of Dryden Conservation Board recommends to the Dryden Town Board that the latter take all necessary action to ensure the preservation of a dam and the body of water known as Dryden Lake, maintaining its current contribution to the recreational and ecological benefits provided to the Dryden community. B. Beck moved – 2nd P. Davies Aye: B. Beck, P. Davies, A. Clark, C. Schutt, N. Munkenbeck, D. Wilson, T. Woods, J. Grace No: G. Dodici Climate Smart Community Task Force: Alice Green held a presentation asking the Conservation Board to take over the Climate Smart responsibilities. You can find the information at https://southerntiercec.org/what-are- climate-smart-communities. Comments: • In many municipalities, the Conservation Board usually is the home for this. • We should hire an outside source to take over Alice’s position. • No one on the board currently has time to take over another program. • There is no annual report required. • The record keeping is uploading the action steps that the town has taken. • I like the idea of recruiting someone to be in charge of this. • I could see us overseeing this. 12/29/2020 • You don’t have to be an officer of the town to take over this task force. • There is a coordinator. • Have to meet at least 4 times a year. • We are at bronze status, but we are could pursue a silver status. • There’s a number of steps that the planning board has taken on that mesh with action steps that are in the Climate Smart program. • It requires a person that is invested to take the lead on this. • We need someone as compassionate as Alice to take this lead over. • The work is like earning merit badges. • I would urge us to find whoever we can to work hard on this. • Part of the work is going to different department heads and talking to them about their work. • You don’t have to be an officer of the town to take over the chairmanship of this taskforce. • Dryden sustainability club might want to participate. The board shows a general interest in working with the task force, but no member is up to taking on Alice’s roll. They will be on the look out for someone who can fill Alice’s seat. Peter Davies notified the board that he will be leaving the Conservation Board once they find someone to fill his seat. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:26 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Emily Banwell