HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-14 EMC Final MinutesEMC Final Minutes 1
November 14, 2019 4:00 p.m. 2
TCAT, 737 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, NY 3
Attendance 4
Member Seat Member Seat
Steve Bissen P Town of Dryden Amanda Champion E Legislative Liaison
Maureen Bolton P Town of Enfield Susan Allen P Associate Member
Cait Darfler P Town of Ulysses Karen Edelstein E Associate Member
John Dennis P Village of Lansing Bill Evans A Associate Member
Brian Eden P Village of Cayuga Heights Anna Kelles A Associate Member
Pegi Ficken P Town of Groton Dooley Kiefer P Associate Member
Michelle Henry E Town of Newfield Dan Klein P Associate Member
Anne Klingensmith P Town of Danby Jose Lozano P Associate Member
Vladimir Micic P Town of Ithaca Osamu Tsuda A Associate Member
Steve Nicholson P Town of Caroline David Weinstein P Associate Member
Susan Riley P At-Large Robert Wesley P Associate Member
Tom Shelley P City of Ithaca Roger Yonkin A Associate Member
Ron Szymanski P Village of Freeville Darby Kiley P Planning Staff
Regi Teasley P At-Large Kristin McCarthy P Planning Staff
Guests – Anthony Arce, Tom Stern, George Adams, Ava Darfler 5
Call to Order – Chair Brian Eden called the meeting to order at 4:05 pm. 6
Privilege of the Floor –None 7
Agenda Review/Changes – None 8
Approval of September 2019 Draft Minutes – A motion was made by Pegi Ficken, and 9
seconded by Cait Darfler, to approve the September 12, 2019 minutes. (The October EMC 10
meeting was the public outreach event, hence there were no minutes to approve.) Motion was 11
adopted. Anne Klingensmith abstained. 12
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Presentation: Review of Proposed UNA Boundary Revisions 14
Robert Wesley provided background information on the UNAs included in this last batch of 15
boundary revisions. Many of the wetland-focused UNAs used the DEC-mapped wetlands 16
designation but now have been updated by using the GIS wetlands map created by Nick 17
Hollingshead. The Committee renamed UNAs after nearby local roads or some other significant 18
geographical feature. Some of the boundary changes involved land being moved into 19
agricultural production or had reverted to a more vegetated condition. Robert noted that 20
wetlands boundaries can be extremely geographically complex. Regi Teasley asked what 21
accounted for change to agriculture; Robert explained that it was likely the inaccuracy of earlier 22
boundaries which had been drawn with broad tipped highlighters. He drew our attention to 23
several UNAs of interest: Groton City Fen (lots of rare species and fens are supplied by 24
groundwater discharge so an adequate buffer must be included); Woodwardia Bog (peat bog; 25
has species of dwarf mistletoe, black spruce, tamarack); Groton Bank Swallow Colony (birder 26
could visit to check if bank swallows still nest there); and Caroline Woods (good example of 27
forested swamp). Tom Shelley inquired why a commercial site like Portland Point Quarry was 28
included as a UNA. Robert explained geologists find it unique because of the number of fossils 29
found on that site. Members commented that on the Route 222 Fen map it would be worth 30
noting that the “previous boundary UNA” on right-hand side is separate from this UNA and 31
covered elsewhere in the UNA Inventory. Brian thanked the UNA team for their hard work. 32
Action: Approve Resolution to Adopt UNA Boundary Revisions 33
Steve Nicholson made a motion, seconded by Steve Bissen, to approve “Resolution 2019-02 34
Recommending an Amendment to the UNA Inventory Document Consisting of Boundary 35
Revisions to 44 UNAs.” Motion carried. 36
Resolution 2019-02 Recommending an Amendment to the UNA Inventory Document consisting 37
of Boundary Revisions to 44 UNAs 38
1. Whereas, The Unique Natural Areas Inventory of Tompkins County, New York includes 39
an extensive database, GIS coverage, and report on 195 sites determined to contain 40
significant ecological, biological, geological, or aesthetic characteristics, and 41
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2. Whereas, The UNA Committee proposes boundary revisions updates to 44 UNAs (listed 43
below), and 44
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3. Whereas, These revisions are based primarily on updated aerial photography and GIS 46
technology, which greatly facilitates conforming these new boundaries to edge of 47
vegetation and /or land contours, and/or to changes in landcover observed during, or 48
since, the last field visit, and 49
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4. Whereas, These revisions are also based on inclusion of the National Wetlands 51
Inventory data, Lidar mapping provided by Nick Hollingshead, and inclusion of newly 52
protected lands (e.g., nature preserves), and 53
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5. Whereas, These revisions include the addition (where available) of avian information 55
based on the Ebird dataset, herpefauna censuses, large mammal census data, and 56
updated plant rarity status, and 57
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6. Whereas, These boundary changes decrease the acreage of these UNAs from 3,526 59
acres to 3,350 acres, a net decrease of 5%, now therefore let it be resolved, 60
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7. That the EMC approves amending the UNA Inventory to include these boundary 62
revisions to these 44 UNAs. 63
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8. Also, That the proposed new names for the 24 UNAs previously known only by number 65
and “DEC Mapped Wetland” be approved. 66
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UNA
#
Name (Proposed)
DMW (DEC Mapped Wetland)
Original
Acres
Revised
Acres
Percent
change
03 DMW (Holden-Decamp Wetland) 40.145 32.28 -19.59
04 DMW (Breed Wetland) 48.433 24.21 -50.1
05 Hemlock Creek Swamp 78.083 52.18 -33.17
07 DMW (Devlen Wetland) 120.818 134.5 +11.32
09 Groton City Fen 27.191 26.96 -.85
UNA
#
Name (Proposed)
DMW (DEC Mapped Wetland)
Original
Acres
Revised
Acres
Percent
change
12 Nubia Swamp 63.966 40.84 -36.15
14 Groton Bank Swallow Colony 3.332 2.15 -35.47
17 DMW (Sovocool Wetland) 42.828 45.54 -31.98
18 DMW (Spring Street Wetland) 165.719 122.46 -26.1
19 DMW (Munson Wetland) 76.467 87.97 +15.04
22 DMW (Davis Wetland) 20.302 22.57 +11.17
23 DMW (Lansing Station Wetland) 31.51 18.86 -40.15
26 DMW (South Lansingville Wetland) 23.353 14.7 -37.05
29 DMW (Buck Wetland) 36.741 27.75 -24.7
30 DMW (Van Ostrand Wetland) 26.114 20.13 -22.91
32 DMW (Sharpsteen Wetland) 129.028 60.54 -53.08
33 DMW (Smith Wetland) 70.436 41.55 -41.01
52 DMW (Benson Wetland) 60.217 63.22 +4.99
53 Portland Point Quarry (revised) 112.62 194.15 +72.39
60 DMW (Waterburg Wetland) 54.6 50.06 -8.32
65 Heads Corners Wetlands 57.189 66.56 +16.39
68 DMW (Bone Plain Wetland) 82.667 70.06 -15.25
69 Wood Road Swamp 213.293 113.34 -46.86
70 Caswell Road Swamp 88.379 103.27 +16.85
72 DMW (Freeville Depot Wetland) 11.44 23.94 +109.27
80 Woodwardia Bog 40.0966 36.28 -9.52
82 Etna Swamp 81.415 71.96 -11.61
83 DMW (Deibler Wetland) 33.3 30.15 -9.46
93 DMW (Sheffield Wetland) 34.687 49.01 +41.29
94 DMW (Van Dorn Wetland) 34.565 53.95 +56.08
95 DMW (Iradell Wetland) 46.572 83.29 +78.84
96 DMW (Hayts Wetland) 53.491 34.18 -36.1
107 DMW (Schwan Wetland) 56.812 45.89 -19.22
111 DMW (Dryden-Harford Wetland) 15.515 27.665 +78.25
126 Ellis Hollow Swamp 351.866 359.58 +2.19
141 Enfield Creek Swamp 158.592 151.31 -4.59
142 Weatherby Road Meadow 34.897 14.32 -58.96
147 Cayuga Inlet Flood Plain 181.591 185.661 +2.21
148 Cayuga Inlet Parnassia Fen 35.071 26.41 -24.7
157 Cooks Corner Gully 163.98 164.38 +.24
168 Cayuga Inlet Gorge, West Branch 130.258 138.6 +6.4
176 Willseyville Beaver Ponds 278.421 342 +22.84
192 Pony Hollow Creek Marshes and
Swamp
18.717 32.95 +76.04
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Next step is to mail notification postcards to adjacent landowners. 70
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Committee Reports 72
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Climate Adaptation: Regi Teasley 74
The Committee continues developing content ideas for its public outreach materials. The target 75
audience includes landowners, homeowners, and gardeners, with an eye to promote education 76
on ways to slow the flow of water into streams and the Lake and sequester carbon. They are 77
collecting and distilling information on sustainable practices such as rain gardens, bioswales, 78
and dense plantings. Steve Nicholson advocated for beaver ponds. John Dennis suggested 79
sending letters to highway and road departments of local municipalities regarding green spaces 80
being replaced by pavement (i.e. impervious surfaces). 81
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Environmental Review: Brian Eden 83
The Legislature approved the amended County Comprehensive Plan. Several suggestions 84
made by the ERC were included, such as expanding Business Energy Advisors Program, 85
promoting stream corridor protection, updating greenhouse gas emissions inventory, and 86
developing a countywide HABs strategy. A meeting was hosted by the State Departments of 87
Environmental Conversation and Transportation, as well as NYSERDA, in Ithaca on November 88
7 to inform the public about New York’s participation in a multi-state program to reduce 89
greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector with the Transportation and Climate 90
Initiative. 91
The Tompkins County Energy Task Force is coming to an end, but a resolution to create a new 92
Climate and Sustainable Energy Advisory Board will be voted on by the Legislature in early 93
December. Brian commented on other salient topics, including the return of inlet dredging, 94
debate over accessory dwelling units in City of Ithaca, overflow issues at the wastewater 95
treatment plant for Cayuga Heights, and possibility of LNG (liquefied natural gas) tank cars 96
gaining Federal approval to be moved by rail and the potential impact of their traveling through 97
downtown Ithaca. Cargill’s approval to mine beneath the Lake expires at the end of December. 98
The Office of General Services with the assistance to us by Assemblywoman Lifton has been 99
requested to conduct a public statement hearing in Ithaca and accept public comment from local 100
municipalities and residents prior to that date. 101
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Unique Natural Areas: Steve Nicholson 103
A draft report on the County Forestlands will come to UNA Committee for review soon and to 104
the EMC in December. EMC will review and vote to release the document for public comment. A 105
public presentation is planned for mid-December, with PEEQ receiving the report in January. 106
107
Waste Reduction: Tom Shelley 108
The Committee presented a proposed budget for $1,000 of County funds to support public 109
education and implementation of NYS plastic bag ban. They plan to order grocery totes printed 110
with EMC logo and distribute them with educational brochures at outreach events and targeted 111
public venues where people might not have easy access to free reusable bags. Members of 112
Committee spoke in favor of the 5-cent fee on paper bags at the last Planning, Energy, and 113
Environmental Quality Committee (PEEQ) meeting. Tom Shelley is attempting to coordinate 114
with Dominick Recckio of Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce on their reusable bag 115
initiative. Polystyrene Waste Reduction Act has been introduced in the NYS Legislature and is 116
something that the Committee might support in 2020. 117
Action: Pegi Ficken moved the proposed budget for $1,000 of County Funds Allocated for 118
Public Education and Implementation of the New York State Ban on Single-Use Thin Film 119
Plastic Shopping Bags. Regi Teasley seconded the motion, which passed. 120
Outreach/Community Education: Susan Riley 121
Roughly 60 people attended the fall outreach event in October. Susan gave a quick debrief of 122
the evening and asked for comments. Guest and prospective EMC candidate Anthony Arce 123
shared that he found it highly educational, and in particular, enjoyed learning more about zoning 124
and ways it can be used to address the prevalence of increasingly smaller household sizes in 125
the younger generation and retirees looking to downsize. Next program is scheduled for April 9 126
at Tompkins County Public Library. Barbara Eckstrom, Director of the County Department of 127
Recycling and Materials Management, and Tom Shelley will likely have an update on the state 128
plastic bag ban and County paper bag fee. Members should forward ideas for presentation 129
topics to Susan. 130
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Executive – Brian Eden 132
Brian invited Jose Lozano to say a few words about the presentation he will provide at the 133
December EMC meeting on his work at the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility. The 134
idea of submitting written committee reports for the agenda packet in advance of meetings was 135
proposed to members for consideration. Brian announced that he will be stepping down as 136
Chair of the EMC. Regi Teasley and Tom Shelley agreed to serve on the Nominating 137
Committee and will reach out via email before the December meeting to solicit nominations. 138
Brian distributed copies of the mid-year EMC committee reports. 139
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Staff Report – Darby Kiley 141
The County Legislature adopted the amended Tompkins County Comprehensive Plan. Darby 142
shared two events of interest; on 11/21 WRC is hosting a stream buffer protection training 143
workshop and the Community Science Institute is presenting on HABs in Lansing. 144
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Municipal Reports and Member Announcements 146
The Village of Trumansburg Planning Board granted preliminary approval to Ithaca 147
Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) for its proposed housing development on Crescent 148
Way. In addition, INHS was awarded a $1 million grant from New York State for the Village 149
Grove Apartments, a 40-unit multi-family affordable housing project that is part of the larger 150
Crescent Way subdivision, for its green energy-efficient design. The Town of Caroline continues 151
to roll out its “Brighten Up Caroline” program, which distributes free LED lightbulbs in the 152
community (up to 12 per household). The lightbulbs are delivered in hand-sewn reusable bags 153
that have proven extremely popular with residents. Tom Shelley reported that dredging is 154
scheduled to take place in Cascadilla Creek this winter as soon as the Lake level is low enough. 155
The City Harbor development will hopefully be heated/cooled with energy extracted from the 156
effluent of the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility. 157
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Chair Brian Eden adjourned the meeting at 5:30 p.m. 159