HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2005-06-09 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board
June 9, 2005
Final Minutes
Present: Brent Katzmann, James Hamilton, Diane Conneman, Melissa Anthony, Larry Sallinger,
Eva Hoffmann, Lenore Durkee, Susan McCutcheon.
Staff: Susan Ritter
Meeting called to order at 7:35PM.
Chair/Coordinator Report: Lenore had no report. Sue distributed copies of the NYS Association
of Conservation Commission newsletter. She discussed the idea of CB members being assigned
Town email address aliases, similar to what the Town Board uses. This would allow personal
email addresses to stay private, but the aliases could be used on more publicly available
documents, such as the CB list provided to the Town Clerk's office and the CB website. All
members expressed support for obtaining town assigned email addresses, and favored the idea of
posting these addresses on the town's website, but prefered inclusion of the addresses on other
board documents to be determined on a case by case basis.
Several members had just attended the public meeting concerning the Town's progress in
drafting a Transportation plan, and this was briefly discussed.
Sue described the recent meeting concerning Watershed Assessments for Fall Creek, Salmon
Creek, and Cayuga Inlet, sponsored by Tompkins County. The consultants, Milone and
MacBroom, had previously studied the erosion in Six Mile Creek, and were now hired to
examine these other creeks. The study concluded that these creeks are still in the process of
natural erosion and have not yet reached equilibrium since the period of glaciation. The
wetlands that had naturally existed at Cayuga Lake's south end would have collected these
sediments. To insure that ongoing development does not exacerbate this problem, measures such
as stream buffers should be employed.
Minutes: Approved unanimously.
The Fischer Award: The presentation ceremony will follow last year's format. Lenore
reviewed her outline for the presentation. A copper beech tree will be planted in the Eastern
Heights Park in the fall to honor the awardee.
Stream Setback Law: Use of graphics in the ordinance discussed. 219-A-2 language was
changed to reduce redundancy. Language discussing the harm that invasive exotic species cause
should be incorporated into 219-A-2. James requested changes throughout the draft to correct
grammatical errors. Melissa recommended clarification of the definitions of drainage areas used
in chart 6.17a.
Brent asked about the calculation of the setback with slope versus how the measurement is taken
(horizontally or along the slope) and this is answered in Paragraph F, Page 5. More discussion
of slopes, percentages and setbacks followed. Sue Ritter will consider using graphics to illustrate
how 219-A-6 works. Sue digressed into a brief discussion of tree ordinances to address
preservation of forested land.
Diane expressed interest in expanding prohibited activities to include disposal of hazardous
materials, Amended Paragraph 6, Page 8.
Our suggested changes will go to Codes and Ordinances for additional input and then to other
Town boards (Planning, Town) for consideration, then will be distributed to other water resource
professionals for comments (ie. Tompkins County Water Resources Council)prior to the general
public.
Reports: Environmental Management Council: Lenore received information from Herb that the
EMC is continuing discussion of burn barrels, wind power, and the green grocery baskets to use
in place of plastic/paper.
ERC: Some members of the committee have reviewed the Rite Aid sketch plan proposal for the
Judd Falls Plaza. There is no update on the Friends Meetinghouse proposal.
Scenic Resources Committee: The Committee met on June 8th. Photos were reviewed and will
be matched to grid maps. Work on the inventory will continue this summer, as well as work on
a policy to precede actual ordinance.
Six Mile Creek: James reported that the last meeting concerned gathering of BMI (Benthic
Marine Invertebrates) data in the near future. Current data is being put into a meaningful format.
Sue recommends developing a budget forecast for the Town's budgeting process.
NAC: No report. Sue Ritter discussed the options that the City is considering for the water
filtration plant and that the NAC will be following the progress of this project.
Other Business: The award certificates were displayed and members voted on the most pleasing
format.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15PM.
Submitted by Larry Sallinger/Lenore Durkee
TOWNOFITHACA215N.TiogaStreet,Ithaca,N.Y.14850TOWNCLERK273-1721HIGHWAY273-1656PARKS273-8035ENGINEERING273-1747PLANNING273-1747ZONING273-1783FAX(607)273-1704TOWNOFITHACAPLANNINGDEPARTMENTMEMORANDUMTO:CONSERVATIONBOARDMEMBERSFROM:SUSANRITTER,ASSISTANTDIRECTOROFPLAImING6.‘.DATE:JUNE2,2005RE:JUNE9,2005MEETINGOFTHECONSERVATIONBOARDThisistoconfirmthatthenextmeetingoftheConservationBoard(CB)isThursday,June9that7:30p.m.Theagendaforthismeetingisenclosed(seethebackofthismemo),asaretheminutesfromtheMaymeeting,foryourreview.AlsoenclosedarethedraftStreamSetbackLawandthelistofproposedmodificationssuggestedbyCBmembersattheMay5thmeeting.Theencloseddraftlaw,version5/6/05,islargelythesameasthe3/28/05versionyoupreviouslyreceived.Thedifferenceisthattheredtext,indicatingtheCodesandOrdinancesCommittee(COC)suggestedmodifications,arenowincorporatedintothelaw.Also,thisversionincludesseveralCBmodifications,suggestedearlier,thattheCOChadalsoagreedtoattheirAprilmeeting,includingchanging“ExoticInvasiveSpecies”to“Non-NativeInvasiveSpecies”andthewordingforSection219-A-S(10)concerningapplicationofherbicidesandpesticides.Pleaselookovertheenclosedlistofsuggestedmodifications,fromtheMayCRmeeting,andletmeknowifitismissinganyitems.Andfinally,enclosedtbryourinfonnation,isanewspaperarticledescribingarecentlawsuitbetweentheTownofSkaneatelesandadeveloperovertheissueofviewshedprotection.SeeyouonThursday.Enc.
TOWNOFITHACACONSERVATIONBOARD7:30p.m.,Thursday,June9,2005AuroraStreetConferenceRoom215N.TiogaStreetIthaca,NewYork14850(Therearentranceishandicappedaccessible)(607)273-1747AGENDA7:30pmI.Identil5’volunteerforminutes7:31pm2.Personstobeheard7:35pm3.Membersconcems7:45pm4.ChairandCoordinatorreports7:55pm5.RegularBusiness:•Approvalofminutesfrom5/5/058:00pm6.RichardB.FischerAwardFinalpreparationsfor6/13/05ceremony8:20pm7.ContinueConsiderationofDraftStreamSetbackLaw9:00pm9.Regularreportsandupdates•EnvironmentalReviewCommittee•ScenicResourcesCommitteeSixMileCreekVolunteerMonitoringProgram(Larry)•CityofIthacaNaturalAreasCommission(Jon)9:25pm10.OtherBusiness9:30pm11.AdjournmentCBMembersand*AssociatesLenoreDurkee,ChairEvaHoffhrnnnLarrySallingerMelissaAnthonyBrentKatzmannBarneyUnsworthDianeConnemanSusanMcCutcheonElissaWolfson*JamesHamiltonJonMeigs*
TownofIthacaConservationBoardMay5,2005DraftMinutesPresent:MelissaAnthony,DianeConneman,LenoreDurkee,JamesHamilton,EvaHoffmann,BrentKatzmann,SusanMcCutcheon,JonMeigs,LarrySallingerStaff:SusanRitterLenoreDurkeecalledthemeetingtoorderat7:37PM.MemberConcerns:JonMeigsinquiredaboutthestatusofcertaindevelopmentactivitiesincludingtheDrakeSubdivision,IthacaCollege2-LotSubdivision,andahousebeingbuiltonFiveMileDrive.SuerespondedthattheDrakesubdivisiononMecklenburgRoadwassubmiffedtothePlanningBoardforSketchPlanreview.IthacaCollegehasdividedoffa1-2acrelotfroma12acreparceltheyownonStoneQuarryRoad.ICwillretainownershipofthelargerundevelopedparcelbutissellingoffthesmallerresidentiallottoaninterestedbuyer.ThehouseunderconstructiononFiveMileDriveislocatedonalotthatrecentlyreceivedsubdivisionapprovalaspartoftheJohnYoungsubdivisionnearGlensideRoadandFiveMileDrive.ChairReport:None.CoordinatorReport:SueRiflerexplainedthatbecauseofitsMS4designation,theTownofIthacaisrequiredbytheNYSDECtodevelopastormwatermanagementplan,includinganordinance,by2008.AnnualreportsontheprogresstheTownismakingtowardthisendarerequired.TheTown’s2004AnnualReportonthedevelopmentofthestormwatermanagementplanhasbeencompletedandisnowreadyforpublicationontheTownWebsite,withpublicinputinvited.TheERCisbeingaskedtoexamineasketchplanfortheproposedNamgyalMonasteryonDanbyRoad.CoyGlenwillbeaagendatopicfortheJunemeetingoftheCodesandOrdinancesCommittee.TheTownBoardisconsideringregulationsontheuseofburnbarrels.SuealsodescribedtheuseofTownemailaliasesforCBmemberswhowouldprefertokeeptheirpersonale-mailaddresseslessaccessibletothepublic.TheFischerAward:Forthebenefitofthenewmembers,Lenoregenerallydescribedthenatureoftheawardandthenreviewedwhatwasdonelastyear--thefirstyearoftheAward.Itwasagreedthat,attheJune13thmeetingoftheTownBoardandaspartofitsagenda,acertificatewouldbepresentedtoDanHoffmanwhosenamewouldalsobeplacedonthepermanentplaqueintheTownHall.TheCBalsofavoredatreeplanting,
andSuesaidthattheTownparkmanagerhassuggestedacopperbeechthatcouldbeplantedinEasternHeightsParkinthefall.ThefundsforthiswillcomeoutoftheCBbudget.Newsreleaseswillbesenttothemedia.BrentexpressedhishopethattherewillbegreaterrecognitionofthegrassrootsconservationeffortsofcitizensoftheTownthatmaymeritconsiderationfortheFischerAwardinthefutureandthatweshouldpublicizetheAwardinwaysthatwillreachmorepeople,suchasmediacoverageand,especially,thedistributionofflyersateventslikeEarthDayandtheIthacaFestival.TheStreamsetbackOrdinance:DiscussioncontinuedonvariousaspectsofthedraftordinanceandwillberesumedattheJunemeeting.Committeememberships:ToacquaintthenewmemberswiththeworkoftheCB,andtoencouragetheirparticipation,itsvariouscommitteesweredescribedaswellasotheractivitiesinwhichtheCBisinvolved,suchasrepresentationontheCityofIthacaNaturalAreasCommission,theSixMileCreekVolunteerMonitoringProgram,andtheCountyEMC.AnupdatedlistofCBmembersandthecommitteesonwhichtheyservewillsoonbeprepared.Regularreportsandupdates:SixMileCreekVolunteerMonitoringProgram:thestormeventmonitoringresultsarestillbeingdetermined.Therehavebeenanumberofnewvolunteersjoiningthegroup(insomecases,replacingvolunteerswhohavedroppedout).Allmunicipalsponsors,includingtheTownofIthaca,haveagreedtosignonforanotheryearoffunding.Otherbusiness:SincetheIthacaFestivalparadeisscheduledforJune2,andwillcoincidewiththeregularmeetingtimeoftheCB,membersagreedtorescheduletheCBmeetingforThursday,June9.Themeetingadjournedat9:35PMSubmittedbyLenoreDurkee
DraftStreamSetbackLawModificationsproposedbytheConservationBoardattheir5/5/05meeting#1219-A-2Findings.F.change“meander”to“meandering”;NowReads:Undisturbedriparianareasprovidethespaceneededtoaccommodatethenaturalmeanderofstreamchannels.ProposedChange:Undisturbedriparianareasprovidethespaceneededtoaccommodatethenaturalmeanderingofstreamchannels.#2219-A-4Definitions.Bankfuldefinition—change“floodplain”to“overitsbank”;NowReads:BANKFULL-Theconditionwherestreamfiowjustfillsastreamchanneluptothetopofthebankandatapointwherethewaterbeginstoflowontoafloodplain.ProposedChange:BANKFULL-Theconditionwherestreamfiowjustfillsastreamchanneluptothetopofthebankandatapointwherethewaterbeginstoflowoveritsbank.#3RiparianAreadefinition—deletealltextafterword“groundcovers...”.NowReads:RIPARIANAREA—Anareaadjacenttoastream,thattypicallycontainstrees,shrubs,andothergroundcovers,thatperiodicallymaybeinfluencedbyflooding,thathelpstostabilizestreambanlcs,limitserosion,filtersoutpollutants,andreducestheseverityoffloodingandthatperformsotherfunctionsconsistentwiththepurposesofthisLaw.ProposedChange:RIPARIANAREA—Anareaadjacenttoastreamthattypicallycontainstrees,shrubs,andothergroundcovers.#4219-A-SProhibitedactivitiesinstreamsetbackzones.Addthattheactivitiesarealsoprohibitedinthe“streams”themselves.NowReads:219-A-8Prohibitedactivitiesinstreamsetbackzones.ProposedChange:2l9-A-8Prohibitedactivitiesin“streams”andstreamsetbackzones.
05/6/05DRAFTTOWNOFITHACALOCALLAWNO.OFTHEYEAR2005ALOCALLAWAMENDINGCHAPTER270OFTHETOWNOFITHACACODE,TITLED“ZONING.”BeitenactedbytheTownBoardoftheTownofIthacaasfollows:Section1.Chapter270oftheTownofIthacaCode,entitled“Zoning,”isherebyamendedbyaddingSection270-219-Aasfollows:“219-A-i.Title.ThissectionshallbeknownastheStreamSetbackLaw.§219-A-2.Findings.TheTownBoardoftheTownofIthacafindsthatsteadypopulationgrowthandlanddisturbanceintheTownhaveresultedinthecontinuallossofmuchofitsnaturalriparian(streamside)vegetation.ThislossrendersmanystreamsintheTownsusceptibletoerosionandflooding.Thepresenceofvegetatedriparianareashasrepeatedlybeendemonstratedtobeaneffectivemeansofcontrollingerosionandflooding,trappingparticulatesandassociatedpollutants,andprotectingwaterqualitywithlittleornomaintenancecost,Riparianvegetationperformsthefollowingfunctions:A.Riparianvegetationlessenstheseverityofstreambankerosionbecausethedeepandextensiverootsystemsofthevegetationholdsoilinplace.B.Thesoil-rootcomplexofthevegetationfiltersandabsorbsvariouschemicalsandparticulates,keepingthemoutofstreamsC.Attimesofheavyrainorflooding,vegetationslowswaterrunoffvelocitytomaintainthestreambedandstreambankandlessenstheeffectsofflooding.D.Byslowingrunoffvelocity,riparianvegetationallowsrechargingofthegroundwater.E.ByreducingtheamountofparticulatesandchemicalsinstreamsthatenterCayugaLake,vegetatedriparianareasareacost-effectivewaytomaintainthequalityofthisimportantdrinkingwatersourcefortheTown.F.Undisturbedriparianareasprovidethespaceneededtoaccommodatethenaturalmeanderofstreamchannels.
05/6/05DRAFTG.Vegetatedriparianareasprovideimportanthabitatforbirdsandotherwildlifeandtheyimprovetheenvironmentforaquaticspeciesbystabilizingwatertemperaturesandreducinglevelsofsedimentandpollutants.H.Vegetatedriparianareasenhancethenaturalbeautyofstreamsandpreservescenicvaluesandrecreationalopportunities.I.Nativeplantspeciesareanimportantcomponentofahealthyripariancommunity.Invasiveexoticspeciestypicallymultiplyquicklytoformdensesinele-speciesstandsthattendtocliminatenativespecies,reducingdiversity,andde-adingriparianhabitat.§219-A-3.PurposeandObjectives.ThepurposeofthisLawistopromotethepublichealth,safetyandgeneralwelfarebyestablishingrequirementsforstreamset-backstoprotectstreams,otherwaterresources,property,andriparianecosystemswithinthejurisdictionoftheTownofIthaca.TheobjectivesofthisLawareto:A.Regulateactivitiesthatnegativelyimpactstreamsandnativeriparianvegetation,sothatthebenefitsprovidedbysuchvegetationarenotlost;B.Reducetheamountofsediment,organicmatter,pesticides,andpollutantsenteringstreams;C.Protectpublicandprivatepropertyfromlossesduetoflooddamageanderosion;D.Ensurelanduseproposalsarecompatiblewiththeabovepurposesandspecifylanduseinareaswherestandardzoningpracticesarenotadequate;E.Allowreasonableuseoflandthatisconsistentwithresponsiblelandmanagementandthatwillconserveandprotectstreams,riparianvegetation,andstreamsidewetlandstotheextentpracticable;F.Recognizethelegitimateinterestsoflandownerstomakereasonableuseofwaterresources,andotherwiseengageintheuseoflandforagriculturalpractices;G.Minimizeexpenditureofpublicmoneytoreducestreamerosionandsiltation;andH.ProtecttherightofthepublictoftillenjoymentoftherecreationalopportunitiesofferedbytheTown’sstreamsandbyCayugaLake.§219-A-4.Definitions.Asusedinthissection.thefollowingtermsshallhavethemeaningsindicated:2
05/6/05DRAFTBANKFULL-Theconditionwherestreamfiowjustfillsastreamchanneluptothetopofthebankandatapointwherethewaterbeginstoflowontoafloodplain.DEVELOPMENTACTIVITY—Anyhuman-madechangetoimprovedorunimprovedrealestate,includingbutnotlimitedtotheerection,construction,orenlargementofbuildingsorotherstructures,mining,dredging,filling,paving,excavationordrillingoperations.EROSION-Anyprocesswherebysoilsaremovedbywater.EXISTINGLANDUSE-Alandusewhich,priortotheeffectivedateofthisLaw,is:completed;ongoing(asinthecaseofagriculturalactivity);underconstruction;fullyapprovedbythegoverningauthority;orthesubjectofafullycompletedapplicationthathasbeensubmittedforapprovaltothegoverningauthorityortheappropriategovernmentofficial,foranyconstruction-relatedpermit.NON-NATIVEINVASIVESPECIES—Aslistedonthe“InvasivePlantsofTompkinsCounty,NY”listingproducedbytheTompkinsCountyEnviromnentalManagementCouncil(preparedbyFR.Wesley,April1998)thesearealienorexoticplantspecieswhichspreadandcompetewithnativespecies,ofteneliminatingthelatter.IMPERVIOUSSURFACE-Anypaved,hardenedorstructuralsurfacewhichdoesnotallowinfiltrationofwater.Suchsurfacesinclude,butarenotlimitedto,streets,driveways,parkinglots,tenniscourts,buildings,andswimmingpools.RIPARIANAREA—Anareaadjacenttoastream,thattypicallycontainstrees,shrubs,andothergroundcovers,thatperiodicallymaybeinfluencedbyflooding,thathelpstostabilizestreambanks,limitserosion,filtersoutpollutants,andreducestheseverityoffloodingandthatperformsotherfunctionsconsistentwiththepurposesofthisLaw.SELECTIONTREECUTTING-Aforestrypracticeusedtocreateormaintainuneven-agedstandsoftreesbyperiodicremovalofindividualtrees.SLOPE-Theincreaseinelevationperunitofdistance,expressedasapercent.STREAM-Awatercourseoranysurfacedepressionwherewaterflowsperenniallyorintermittently.STREAMSETBACK—Anareathatextendshorizontallylandwardaspecifieddistancefromeachsideofastream.STREAMBANK—Thesidesoftheactivestreamchannel,usuallymarkedbyabreakinslope.STREAMSIDEWETLAND-Theareaimmediatelyadjacenttoastreamthatisinundatedorsaturatedbysurfacewaterorgroundwateratafrequencyanddurationsufficienttosupport,andthatundernormalcircumstancesdoessupport,aprevalenceofvegetationtypicallyadaptedforlifeinsaturatedsoilconditions.(seeillustration)3
05/6/05DRAFT§219-A-S.Applicability.A.Exceptasspecifiedbelow,thisLawshallapplytoallparcelscontainingthosestreamsdescribedinsubsection219-A-6below,forwhichdevelopmentactivitiesareproposedorundertaken.B.Exclusions.ThisLawshallnotapplytothefollowing:(1)Parcelswithexistinglanduses,asthattermisdefinedinsubsection219-A-4above.Notwithstandingtheforegoing,thisexclusionshallnotapplytodevelopmentactivitiesthatareproposedorundertakenafiertheeffectivedateofthisLawonparcelswithexistinglanduses.(2)Parcelsthatarelessthan1acreinsizeandinexistenceasoftheeffectivedateofthisLaw.§219-A-6.Streamsetbackstandards.A.Streamsetbacksarerequiredforstreamshavingadrainageareaequalto,orgreaterthan,50acres.ThesizeofstreamdrainageareasaredeterminedbytheTownofIthaca’sGeologicalInformationSystem(GIS).B.Therequiredsetbackwidthatanypointalongastreamisdeterminedbythesizeoftheupstreamdrainagearea,slopeofthelandadjacenttothestream,andtheexistenceofanystreamsidewetland.C.Thesetbackshallbecomposedoftwodistinctzones.Specifiedactivitiesconsistentwiththeobjectivesdescribedinsubsection219-A-3areallowedineachzone.D.Streamscoveredbythislaw,withtheircorrespondingsetbackwidths,arefoundonthemapinAppendixA.E.DefinitionsandpurposesofStreamSetbackZones1and2(seeillustration).(I)StreamSetbackZoneIisthestreamsidezone.(a)Thestreamsidezoneisintendedtoprotectthephysicalandecologicalintegrityofthestream.(b)Vegetationmustremainundisturbedtothemaximumpracticalextentinthiszonetoassureproperfunctioningofthiszone.However,certainactivitiesarepermittedasdescribedinsubsection219-A-7.(c)Thiszonewillbeginattheedgeofadefinedwatercourseatthebankfullfloworlevelmark.Itwillbemeasuredhorizontallylandward,alongalineperpendicular4
05/6/05DRAFTfromthispoint,therequireddistanceasdetemrinedbydrainagearea,presenceofstreamsidewetlands,andslope,tothebeginningofStreamSetbackZone2.(2)StreamSetbackZone2istheoutersetbackzone.(a)Theouterzoneisintendedtopreventencroachmentintothestreamsidezone,andtoprovidedistancebetweendevelopmentactivityandthestreamsidezone.(b)Vegetationinthiszonemayvary,butplantingofnon-nativeinvasivespeciesisnotallowed.(c)TheouterzonewillbemeasuredperpendicularlyfromtheouteredgeofStreamSetbackZone1andextendhorizontallytheremainingdistanceofthesetbackasrequiredbydrainagearea,presenceofstrearnsidewetlands,andslope.F.RequiredminimumstreamsetbackwidthsbasedondrainageareaareshowninChart6.Fa.Thesetbackmeasurementwillbeginattheedgeofadefinedwatercourseatthebankfullfloworlevelmark.Itwillbemeasuredhorizontallylandward,alongalineperpendicularfromthispoint,thespecifieddistancerequiredbythedrainagearea.Chart6.FaMinimumStreamSetbackWidths(Feet)DrainageArea(Acres)SetbackZone1SetbackZone2TotalSetbackWidth>50acresandlessthan200acres201535>200acresandlessthan1500acres302050>1500acres5050100G.Iftherearenoslopesof25percentorgreaterandnostreamsidewetlandspresentwithinthesetbacksrequiredbyChart6.Fa.thenthetotalsetbackwidthwillbedeterminedonthebasisofdrainageareaaloneasindicatedonChart6.FaH.Setbackwidthadjustmentsforsteepslopesof25percentorgreater.(1)Wheresteepslopes(25%orgreater)arelocatedwithinSetbackZone1,asspecifiedonChart6.Fa,thewidthofSetbackZoneIwillextendtheentiredistanceofthesteepslope,butinnoeventshallexceedtheTotalSetbackWidthrequiredinChart6.Fa.IfthedistanceofSetbackZoneIequalstheTotalSetbackWidth,asspecifiedonChart6.Fa,therewillbenorequirementforestablishmentofSetbackZone2.IfthedistanceislessthantheTotalSetbackWidth,thewidthofZone2shallbeadjustedsothattheTotalSetbackWidthisachieved.TheadjustmentinwidthoftheStreamSetbackshallapplyonlytotheareasontheparcelwheresteepslopesarelocated.(2)Steepslopesof25percentorgreatershallbedeterminedbyoneofthefollowingmethods:5
05/6/05DRA[‘1’(a)On-sitemeasurementofslopesbyregisteredprofessionalengineers,surveyors,orlandscapearchitects,usingacceptedengineeringpractices.(b)UseofmapspreparedbytheSoilConservationService,UnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture,foundinSoilSurveyTompkinsCounty,NewYork,1965.(c)UseofUnitedStatesGeologicalSurvey7.5MinuteQuadrangles(3)Slopeistobemeasuredalongalineperpendiculartothestreamchanneltothelocationwherestructuresorusesareproposed.I.Setbackwidthadjustmentwhenstreamsidewetlandsexist:(I)‘Wherestreamsidewetlandsprotectedunderfederalorstatelawareidentifiedwithinastreamsetback,thatportionofthestreamsidewetlandisnotcountedtowardstherequiredsetbackwidth.Inthesecases,itwillbenecessarytoextendthesetbackwidthbeyondthatrequiredsubsections2l9-A-6GandHtomakeupfortheamountoflandexcludedduetotheexistenceofstreamsidewetlands(seeappendixforillustration).TheadjustmentinwidthoftheStreamSetbackshallapplyonlytotheareasontheparcelwherestreamsidewetlandsarelocated.(2)WetlandsshallbedelineatedbyaqualifiedprofessionalunderguidelinesestablishedbytheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersandNYSDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation.J.Theapplicantwillberesponsiblefordelineatingandidentifyingthestreamsetbackzoneonallsubdivision,siteplans,andbuildingpermitapplications.Thisdelineationshallbedoneatthetimeofsubmissionofanyapplication.Thisdelineationshallbesubjecttoreviewandapprovalbytheappropriateboardorofficer.K.Priortoanysoildisturbingactivity,thestreamsetbackzoneshallbeclearlydelineatedwithconstructionfencing,staking,orothersuitablematerialbytheapplicantonsite,andsuchdelineationshallbemaintainedinanundisturbedstate,untilthedevelopmentprojectiscompleted§219-A-7.Permissibleactivitiesinstreamsetbackzones.A.Thefollowingstructuresandusesareallowedinthestreamsetbackzones,providedthatmeasuresaretakentoprotecttheoveralleffectivenessofthestreamriparianareaandachievetheobjectivesinsubsection219-A-3.:(I)STREAMSETBACKZONEI-Permittedusesandstructuresarerestrictedtothefollowing:6
05/6/05DRAFT(a)Installationofutilityserviceandmunicipalwaterandsewerconnectionsforone-andtwo-familyresidences,providedthattheydisturbonlytheminimalarearequiredforinstallation;(b)Emergencyrepairofpublicutilities;(c)Selectiontreecuttingwithinthestreamsetbackzoneaslongastheprotectivefunctionofthesetbackareaisnotcompromised;(d)MaintenanceofimpervioussurfacesifinexistencepriortotheeffectivedateofthisLaw;(e)Themaintenance,repair,replacementandreconstructionofexistinghighwaysandbridges,electricaltransmissionandcommunicationlinesandpoles;(1)Constructionofcrossings:(i)onedrivewaycrossingperstreampertaxparcelwillbeallowedforanindividuallandowner;(ii)limitedcrossingsofstreamsthroughtheripariansetbackbyvehicles,stormsewers,sewerandIorwaterlines,andpublicutilitylinesaspartoftheregularsubdivisionandsiteplanreviewprocess.(g)Streambankstabilization;(h)Restorationofnativevegetation;(i)Developmentofanarrowpermeable(non-paved)footpathwithintheripariansetback;(j)Pruningoftreesandvegetation;(k)Placementofbenchesorseating.(2)STREAMSETBACKZONE2-Permittedusesandstructuresarerestrictedtothefollowing:(a)Allactivitiesdescribedinsubsection219-A-7A.l;(b)Landscaping,toincludemowinganddecorativeplantings,providedthatexoticinvasivespeciesarenotusedandthatactivitiesinthiszonedonotharmtheriparianarea.§219-A-8.Prohibitedactivitiesinstreamsetbackzones.A.NoactivitiesareallowedthatwouldhaveadetrimentalaffectonthestreamincludingbutnotlimitedtothefollowingprohibitedactivitiesinbothSETBACKZONES1and2:7
05/6/05DRAFT(1)Constructionofnewbuildingsorstructures;(2)Miningorremovalofsoil,sandandgravel,andquarryingofrawmaterials;(3)Wastestorageordepositionofwaste,includingbutnotlimitedtogarbage,refuse,recyclablematerials,collectibleyardwastes,tires,rubble,discardedmotorvehicles,anddiscardedappliancesandotherbulkitems;(4)Installationofseptictanksorsepticdrainfields;(5)Storageofmanure;(6)Storageofhazardousornoxiousmaterials;(7)Developmentofparkinglotsorotherimpervioussurfaces;(8)Dredging,deepening,widening,straighteningoranysuchalterationofthebedsandbanksofnaturalstreams;(9)Dumpingordisposalofsnoworicecollectedfromroadwaysorparkinglots;and(10)Applicationofherbicide,pesticides,fertilizers,orotherchemicals,inconcentrationorfrequencythatexceedstheguidelinesprintedonthemanufacturer’slabel.(11)Motororwheeledvehicletrafficinanyareanotdesignedtoaccommodateadequatelythetypeandvolume.B.ThefollowingactivitiesareprohibitedinSETBACKZONEIonly:disturbanceormowingofexistingvegetationexcepttomaintaintheagediversitybyselectioncutting(seesubsection219-A-7A.1c)ortoremovediseasedtreesorshrubsornon-nativeinvasivevegetation,orifthevegetationpresentssafetyorhealthhazards.§219-A-9.Nonconformingstructuresorusesinthestreamsetbackzone.A.TheprovisionsofArticleXXVofthischaptershallapplytononconformingusesandstructures,exceptnonconformingresidentialstructuresorresidentialuseslocatedwithinthestreamsetbackzoneandexistingasoftheeffectivedateofthisLawmaybeexpandedsubjecttothefollowing:(1)Theexpansionmustnotimpactthestreamchannel.(2)Theexpansionmustnotexceedanareaof15%ofthefootprintoftheexistingstructureorusethatlieswithintheStreamSetbackZone.§219-A-b.Variances.8
05/6/05DRAFTTheZoningBoardofAppealsmaygrantvariancesfromtherequirementsofthissectionpursuanttosection235ofthischapter.InadditiontotheitemsrequiredbytheTownforallvarianceapplications,theapplicantshallprovideaproposedmitigationplanthatoffsetstheeffectsoftheproposedencroachmentintothestreamsetback,ifsuchaplanispossiblefortheparcelthatisthesubjectofthevarianceapplication.”Section2.Ifanyprovisionofthislocallawisfoundinvalidbyanycourtofcompetentjurisdiction,suchinvalidityshallnotaffectanyotherprovisionsofthislocallaw,whichshallremaininftllforceandeffect.Section3.ThislocallawshalltakeeffectuponpublicationofthelocallaworanabstractofsameintheofficialnewspaperoftheTown,oruponitsfilingwiththeNewYorkSecretaryofState,whicheveristhelasttooccur.9
IUCCOC.
TOWNOFITHACA215N.TiogaStreet,Ithaca,N.Y.14850www.town.ithaca.ny.usTOWNCLERK273-1721HIGHWAY(Roads,Parks.Trails,Watcr&Scwcr)273-1656ENGINEERING273-1747PLANNING273-1747ZONING273-1783FAX(607)273-1704TOWNOFITHACACONSERVATIONBOARDCANCELLATIONOFJUNE2,2005MEETING&MEETINGRESCHEDULEDFORJUNE9,2005NoticeisherebygiventhattheregularmeetingoftheTownofIthacaConservationBoard,scheduledforThursday,June2,2005hasbeencancelled,andisrescheduledforThursday,June9,2005.SusanRitter,AssistantDirectorofPlanningDated:May27,2005
NYSACOneat4NewYorkStateAssociationofConservationCommissionsTheErieCanalTrailSpring2005Volume30No.IElbridgeCAC’sinvolvementhasbeenwiththewesternOnondagaandeasternCayugaCountyportions.TheStatehasawardedacontractforPortByrontoLock51inJordan.Workhasbegunandshouldbecom_pletedinthesummerof2005.ThebidsareinfortheJordantoVanBurensectionandthatcontradwillbeawardedsoon,hopingforcompletionbyDecember2005.Thespecificationsforthetrailinclude:6”crushedstonebase,stonedusttopping,8widewith2’shoulders,andbrushclearedback5’wherespacepermits.Inareaswherethetowpathnolongerexistsalternaterouteswillbeused.Someofthesewillbealonghighways,withsignagetoshowthewayaridalertmotorists.Therewillbekiosksandpicnicareasatsignificantpointsalongthetrail.OpportunitiesforCACsandCBsexistallalongthetrailsystem.Goalsofthetrailsysteminclude:•helpinglocaleconomies•providinghistoricalawarenessofNewYorkscontributiontoourdevelopmentasanation•affordingtravelersanopportunitytoenjoythebeautyanddiversityofupstateNewYorkWhencompleted,thesystemwillstretchover500miles,thelongesthiking/bikingtrailintheUnitedStates.NewYorkStatesetoutononeofthemostambitiousengineeringprojedsinmodernhistory.ItwasproposedtobuildaninteriorcanalacrosstheStatefromtheHudsonRivertoLakeErie.WenowknowthattheErieCanalwasamajorfactorinournationsexpansiontothewest.Withina-yearfreightratesdroppedtotenpercentoftheformerrates.TheentirecostoftheCanalconstruction($7,000,000)wasrecoveredintwelveyears.Thecanalunderwentseveralchanges-anupgrade,thentheBargeCanal,thentheNewYorkStateCanalSystemwhichstilloperatestoday.The524-mileNewYorkCanalSystemconnectswithhundredsofmilesoflakesandriversacrosstheEmpireState,linkingtheGreatLakeswiththeHudsonRiverandwithfiveDonDugerNYSACCSecretaryInanambitiousundertaking,NewYorkStatehasappropriated$35,000,000todevelopandimproveahikingandbikingtrailalongthetowpathfromAlbanytoBuffalo,aswellasalongconnectingcanalways.Someyartshavealreadybeencompletedusinglocalfunding.ThereareseventymilesfromFairporttoLockportandthirty-ThefederalgovernmentwasapproachedforfundingandsixmilesfromDewitttoRome.‘---cv-.,irefused,sayinessentially,“WhyLwz%LiwaterwaysinCanada.5Jsanirattant2005ConferenceontheEnvironmentWindandWater:WavesoftheFuturetobeheldatTheWhiteEagleConferenceCenterHamilton,MadisonCounty,NewYorkOctober8-10,2005MoreinformationtofollowAseveryonelearnedinelementaryschool,in1817B1
What’sHappeninginRegion9InthisissuewearehighiightingtheactivitiesandconcernsofCACsandCBsinRegion9.Infutureissueswewillpublicizetheinterestsand/oractivitiesofotherregionsofthestate.SendinformationtoNYSAACNewsortoaNYSACCDirectorinyourregion.TheNYSACCBoardofDirectorsurgestheCAC/CBsinRegion9andotherstosubmitapplicationsforawardstobedistributedatthe2005Conference.TownofEden-NewOpenSpaceMapTheEdenConservationBoardhascompletedworkonanewopenspacemapprioritizingopenspaceintothreecategories:Primary(mostenvironmentallysensitive,Secondary,andOpen(leastenvironmentallysensitive).ThismapwillassisttheConservationBoardinrecommendingpropertyforconservationeasementsandreviewingmajordevelopments.TownofBoston-EarthDayProgramTheBostonConservationAdvisoryCouncilplannedanddirectedanEarthDayprogramattheBostonValleySchool.Thisinvolvedassistingparentsandchildrenintreeandshrubplanting,preparingthesoilwithcompost,ahawkdemonstration,aZoomobileprogram,assistingstudentsinbluebirdhousebuildingandprovidingsmalltree/shrubsforthestudentstoplant.TownofAmherstTheAmherstCAChasbeenwrestlingwiththesavingofgreenspace.TheuseofPowerPointpresentationsinshowingalternativestodeveloperssiteplansishelpingtopointoutdesignslessdamagingtotheenvironment.RedoingtheOpenSpaceIndexandmappresentsseverallayersofinformationthatcanbeintermingledinavarietyofdisplaysinherentintheGIS.Inaddition,theCACisworkingtoconvincetheTownthatadogparkisneededtoalleviatetheproblemofoff-leashdogsdestroyingtheenvironmentinTownparks.TownofClarenceTheTownofClarencehasauthorizedborrowingtwelveandahalfmilliondollarstoprotectopenspacebypurchasinglandordevelopmentrights.PassingthisbondhelpedtoleveragefundsfromNYSAgricultureandMarketsandtheUSDepartmentofAgriculture.Alocallandconservancyhasbeengiventheresponsibilityofdecidingwhichopenspaceshouldbeprotected.Protectingfarmlandisahighpriority.TownofHamburgTheTownofHamburgboughta21-acreparcelofgreenspacecontiguouswith51acrespurchasedbytheNYSDe—partmentofEnvironmentalConservation.Thisareawillbeusedforpassiverecreationsuchashikingandbirding.FrankMantione,DirectorandPeterWarnWebsitesofNoteInkeepingwithourleadarticle,thefollowingwebsitesareallrelatedtotheErieCanal.•http://www.canals.ny.usOfficialwebsiteofNewYorkStatescanals,gearedtothecanalstoday,butwithsomeimportanthistoricalfads,includesinformationonexcursionsandvacations,canalcultureandmaps.•http://wwuzcanalsnys.orgWebsiteoftheNYSCanalSocietywhichbringstogethercanalenthusiastsfromacrosstheStatetolearnaboutthehistory,developmentandon-goingactivitiesassociatedwiththenumerouscanalsystemsfoundthroughouttheState.•htlp://www.ptny.orgOfficialwebsiteofParksandTrailsNewYork,anorganizationcreatedtoprotectNewYork’sparksandhelpcommunitiescreatenewparks,includesinformationontheCanalwayTrailandCorridorandcyclingtheErieCanal.•http://www.epodunk.com/routes/erie-canalCombinessongs,historicinformation,postcards,panoramicphotos,mapsandcommunityprofilestocreateacomprehensivemultimediapackageaboutthecanalanditsnationalimpact.•http://www.history.rochester.edu/CanalAportionoftheUniversityofRochesterDepartmentofHistorywebsitewithmuchhistoricalinformationfromoriginalsources,includesachronologyoftheCanal,mapsandanextensivebibliography.•http://eriecanalmuseum.orgWebsiteoftheErieCanalMuseumhousedinthe1850WeighlockBuildinginSyracuseNYSACCNewsNYSACCnewsSpring2005ArleneKaufman,EditorJoySquires,NYSACCPresidentNewsletterOffice3AndoverDrivePortJeffersonSta.NY11776631-928-3277631-331-4526faxTeac1i2345@aol.comNYSACCOfficeP.O.Box1732Huntington,NY11743631-368-6949631-368-4796faxjoyssq@aol.comNYSACCNewsispublishedthreetimesayear.CACsareencouragedtosubmitpressreleases,articles,artworkorphotographytotheeditor.ForadditionalcopiesofNYSACCNewsandaddresschanges,contacttheNewsletteroffice.
AnnualNYSACCProjectAwardEntryForm2005NameandaddressofConservationBoardorConservationAdvisoryCommission:ChairpersonPhone______________________________E-mail________________________________ProjectCategory:____Action____EducationResearch____SpecialProjectProjectInformation:YourAwardEntryshouldinclude,ifrelevant:•Aprojectdescriptionof250wordsorless•Thereasonswhytheprojectshouldbeconsideredforanaward•Theamountoftimespent(professionaland/orvolunteer)•Costoftheprojectandsourcesoffunding•Anyrelevantmaterials•AbriefprojectsummaryandbackgroundinformationonyourCSorCACforpublicitypurposesiftheprojectisanawardwinnerEligibilityRequirements:•Formandattachmentsmustbecomplete•EntrymustbepostmarkednolaterthanSeptember9,2005SendSubmissionsto:ArleneKaufman3AndoverDrivePortJeffersonStation,NY11776Ifyoursubmissionisanawardwinner,youwillbenotifiedpriortotheConference.AllawardswillbepresentedattheAwardsCeremonyatthe2005ConferenceontheEnvironment.Fax
Spring2005NYSACCnews3Woodstock’sPhotovoltaicProjectAwardTheTownofWoodstockiscurrentlynegotiatingwiththeNewYorkStateResearchandDevelopmentAuthority(NYSERDA)forapotentialphotovoltaicaward.NYSERDAisapublic-benefitcorporationwhoseprincipalmissionistodevelopinnovativesolutionstosomeoftheState’smostdifficultenergyandenvironmentalproblems,includingpeakdemand!systemreliabilityeffortsandeconomicdevelopment.ThefundingforthisNYSERDAprogramcomesfromVirginiaElectricPowerCompany(VEPCO)pursuanttoalegalactionbroughtbyNewYorkAttorneyGeneralEliotSpitzerunderthefederalCleanAirAct.UndertheresultantConsentDecree,VEPCOisobligatedtoprovide$1.8millioninfundingtoNYSERDAtoaccomplishtheinstallationofsolarphotovoltaics(‘PV”)onmunicipalbuildingsinNewYorkinordertodisplacetheneedformorepollutingsourcesofelectricitygeneration.“Woodstockisoneofadozensuccessfulapplicantsinthisprogram,”accordingtoTownSupervisorJeremyWilber.‘TheresultingtwophotovoltaicsystemsatTownHallandthenewTownHighwayGaragewillprovidebothenvironmentalandfinancialbenefitstoourresidentsbyoffsettingtheexpenseofTownelectricitypurchases,whilecontributingtolong-termreductionsintheairpollutioncausedbypowerplantemissions.”ForinformationconcerningWoodstock’spr9ect,e-mailAnnBrandtatAbrandt@woodstockny.orgChoosing“GreenPower”NewYorkStateenergyconsumerscannowbuy“greenpower”fortheirhomes.Thiscleanerelectricalpowercomesfromwindenergy,hydro,biomassorlandfillgasresourcesinsteadoffromamixofconventionalgenerationthatincludesfossilfuelsandnuclearpowerwhichhaveadverseenvironmentalandhealtheffects.Windturbinesproducenopollutantsandhaveminimalimpactonbirdpopulations.Hydroelectricgreenpowercomesfromsmallexistingdamswhichgenerallyhavelimitedenvironmentalimpact.Biomassreferstoorganicmaterialwhichisburnedinboilerstoproduceelectricity.Itcanbeenvironmentallyfriendlyifcertaincriteriaaremet.Electricitygeneratedbyburninglandfillgasisconsidered“green”becausethisprocesspreventsunburnedmethanefromenteringtheatmosphereanddisplacesfossilfuels.Butremember...thecleanest,greenestelectricityiselectricitynotused!Whenakilowatthourofelectricityissaved,moreisdonetohelptheenvironmentthanusinganysortof“green”energysource.Theaveragefamilycouldprobablyreduceitselectricalconsumptionby50%byadoptingenergyconservingbehaviorandusingenergyefficientappliances.SpotlightonPeterRizzoOurNewestDirectorWhenNYSACCDirectorsfirstmetPeterRizzoatthe2003ConferenceontheEnvironmentinBuffalo,hewasstillinHighSchool.WeinvitedhimtojoinNYSACCasaDirector.Sincetheageofseventeen,PeterhasservedasanappointedofficialontheTownofTonawandaCommissionforConservationoftheEnvironment.ThisCommissionoverseesalloftheenvironmentalconcernsfacingtheTown,spearheadingcountlesseffortstoensureenvironmentalintegrityateverylevel.EverytwoyearstheTonawandaTownBoardappointsanactiveandinterestedhighschoolstudententeringhisorherjunioryearasastudent-representativeontheTown’sEnvironmentalCommision.Peterwasappointedin2001.Fromtheoversightofhazardouswasteremovalandremeditiontotheimplementationofatown-widegardentour,hehasplayedaroleinfacilitatingpositivechangeintheTown,aswellasprovidingthemunicipalitywithayouthfulperspectiveandoutlookonthefutureoftheTown’senvironmentalconcerns.HehascontinuedhisserviceontheCommissionasafullmember.Nowenteringhisthirdterm,aswellashisthirdyearofstudyasanEnglishmajor,EnvironmentalPlanningandDesignminor,attheUniversityofBuffalo,PeteralsoservesontheTownofTonawandaCrimeResistanceExecutiveBoardandtheTownYouthCourt.HecoachesLittleLeaguesoftball,isamemberofhiscollegehonorsociety,playsthetrumpetintheUBJazzEnsembleandisactiveinstudentgovernment.NYSACCisdelightedtohavePeterjoinourBoard.ForacopyofTonawanda’slegislationregardingyouthmembershipontheirCommission,e-mailPeterRizzoatpcrizzc%4buffalo.edu.torniMvjnnMikelSharkajian,thenewlyelectedpresidentoftheNewYorkStateAssociationofEnvironmentalManagementCouncilshasinvitedNYSACCmemberstoNYSAEMC’sannualNYSDECUpdatetobeheldMonday,June27thattheNYSDECofficesat625Broadway,inAlbany.ForfurtherinformationconcerningtheUpdatecontactMikelatmshakariian@wahoo.com
4NYSACCnewsPresident’sMessageSpring2005IliketheErieCanal.HereIamlivingonLongIsland.Iwouldnotgiveupmyquickandeasyaccesstosaltwater,buttheErieCanalhasnoequivalentwhereIlive.IlikethehistoryoftheCanal—distanthistoryandrecenthistory.SinceIamaretiredfourthgradeteacherand4thgradesocialstudiesisNYShistory,IspentmanyyearsteachingthehistoryoftheCanal.EverytimeIcomeupstateandseeit,Ibuntintosong.“Lowbridge,everybodydown”andsooncomesburstingfmmmymouth.It’sembarrassinglypredictable.Ilikethesmallmuseumsscatteredalongtheway.Ilikethebigmuseums.IlikethedescriptiveinformationalongtherouteandtheTrailblazersmarkersinstalledalongmajorsegments.Ilikethelocks.Ilikethesmallshopsinsomeareas.Ilikethefancyrestaurantsinsomeplacesandthecasualsnackshopsinothers.IlikehowtheCanallooksasyoudriveandcrossitagainandagain.Ilikethateveryplacepeopleareexercising—walking,running,biking,rollerblading.IlikethatabikercanindeedgofromAlbanytoBuffaloandsosooncanwalkersandrunners.Ilikethatforasmallsumyoucanpurchaseareallyneatsmallspiralboundguidetowheretotravelandstayifyouarecycling.There’saneight-day400-milebicycletourfromBuffalotoAlbany,whichwilloccurthisyearJuly10—17.Thisistheseventhannualbiketour.IlikethatatalltheNYSThruwayreststopsyoucan(mdCanalinformationandit’snotallthesameinformation.Therearegoodfreemapsandmuseumbrochures.IliketheeffortthatisbeingmadebytheNYSCanalCorporation,asubsidiaryoftheNYSThruwayAuthority.Thisfocusisoncommunitydevelopment,businessgrowthandharborrevitalization.IlikethatGovernorGeorgePatakiandtheNYSLegislatureappmved$50,000,000tocompletetheEricCanaiwayTrailandtofundharborandportprojects.$35millionwillcompletethebikeandpedestriantraillinkingLakeErietotheHudsonRiver.ITherestwillbespentoncanaldevelopmentincamIlikethattherearesomanyCanalwebsites,thatwecouldnotbegintolistthemall.Butmostofall,IlikethepotentialforConservationCommissions.InthisissueofNYSACCNewstheeffortsoftheF.ibndgeCACarecovered.ForfurtherinformationonreplicatingthiseffortcallDonDugerat315689-6361.AtarecentNYSACCBoardofDirector’smeeting,itwassuggestedthatweaskadifferentquestionineachissueofthenewsletterandseeifreaderswouldliketorespond.Sohere’stheQuestion.DoestheErieCanalprovideapotentialrestorationproject,aneducationalproject,anenvironmentalproject?IsyourCACdoingsomethingspecialasflbridgeis?Letusknow.17ClarissaLaneEastNorthport,NY11731Phone631368-69493AndoverDrivePortJeffersonStation,NY11776NON-PROFITORG.U.S.POSTAGEPAIDSYRACUSE,N.Y.PERMITNO.1362munities.JoySquiresWaysToReachMeFAX6313684796e-mailjoyssq@aol.com