HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2002-09-05 TOWN OF ITHACA CONSERVATION BOARD
Final Minutes
September 5, 2002
Present: Don Weir(Acting Chair), Lenore Durkee, Eva Hoffmann, Conrad
Istock, Barney Unsworth
Absent: Diane Conneman, Richard Fischer, Jon Meigs, Elissa Wolfson, John Yntema
Staff. Susan Ritter
The meeting was called to order at 7:45PM.
1. There were no persons to be heard.
2. Member concerns: Lenore has revised the CB information brochure and has given the revised
version to Sue who will mail it to CB members in time for a discussion of the changes at the next
meeting. It was noted that the State has awarded a grant to the Town of Dryden and City of Ithaca
for programs to improve water quality in Cayuga Lake.
3. There were no reports from the Coordinator or the Chair.
4. It appears that Barney and possibly Elissa will attend the 2002 Conference on the Environment
5. In the absence of a quorum, approval of the Minutes from June 6, 2002 and August 1, 2002 were
deferred until the October meeting.
6. CB Membership: Sue reminded the CB that members whose terms are expiring will be receiving a
letter at year's-end asking if they wish to continue on the Board. Barney, Eva, and Lenore indicated
that they would be interested in renewing their membership. We also should be thinking about
names of those who might be good Board members.
EMC: Don Weir reported that there is a strong push to involve the County EMC and communities in
wind power development in this area. It appears that the wind speed at south end of Cayuga Lake is
sufficient to make the installation of wind generators worthwhile. There followed a discussion on
the merits of wind generation and problems of siting, etc.
Don reminded the CB that Cornell is required to reapply for monitoring permits in the Lake Source
Cooling project. The EMC wants to make sure Cornell will continue the originally proposed
monitoring frequency and is writing a support letter to this effect.
7. Reports and Updates:
LakeSlopes/Indian Creek UNA-- Members discussed the recent field trip to the area and agreed that
it deserves further attention. We need to establish boundaries and assess the plant diversity,probably
this spring.
Eldridge Preserve UNA: Sue reported that the Codes and Ordinances Committee has suggested a
modification to the Conservation Zone boundaries which is slightly larger than those recommended
by Mr. Desch,the owner, and will include the gorge and some of the older growth forest. The new
plan incorporates somewhat less land than that recommended by the CB. However, since the Codes
and Ordinance Committee did not have a quorum at its August meeting to establish this new plan,it
will be discussed further at their next meeting.
Discussion of Coy Glen and the South Hill proposal is being deferred by the CB until its next
meeting.
8. Many members were concerned about the condition of the NYSEG right-of-way along the old
railroad bed in the LakeSlopes/Indian Creek UNA. There has been considerable clearing of all
vegetation which then has been allowed to accumulate along the right-of-way. Accumulation of this
type invites fire, especially in seasons as dry as this summer. According to their document on
maintenance and management of rights-of-way,NYSEG's policy includes selective tree cutting and
brush removal. However,it appears that this is not being followed in this area. Since clearing and
maintenance is contracted out to private groups,the CB asked if NYSEG personnel do a follow-up
on work done by these crews. There followed a discussion that included the possibility of asking
Margaret Engasser,the Senior Forester for NYSEG,to talk to the CB about policy.
9. Other business: The Vice-Chair position will be considered at the next meeting.
10. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45PM.
Lenore Durkee, Acting Secretary