HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-HDPC-1989-11-06 HYDFtDPCWER CUMWSSICK
Minutes
November 6, 1989
Present: Ed Brothers, Cathy Emilian, Margaret Fabrizio, Helen
Jones, Dan Hoffman (Chair), Martin Sampson, Mike Sprague.
Absent: T. Araneo, E. Mulholland, A. Skutt.
1. Meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Dan Hoffman.
2. Minutes of September 18 were amended and approved unanimously.
3. New York State Recreational Rivers Designation.
Jim Novack of 401 Lake Street, came before the Commission with his
concerns regarding recreational designation of Fall Creek. He
believes that straight designation would be a disaster for the City
of Ithaca and would destroy the Fall Creek neighborhood. His
apprehension was based on investigation into a situation in
Riverhead, Long Island. He described "nightmare" stories that
people could not perform minor alterations to their properties
without a DEC permit which in one particular case took two years.
Recreational river designation of the Peconic River was sought due
to increased industrialization and development close to the river.
It was believed by members of the Hydropower Commission that a
building moratorium and the marshy nature of the river system may
have compounded the problems the people of Riverhead are facing. It
was explained that the designation being sought by Assemblyman
Luster is special legislation styled after article 15 but containing
amendments and modifications to meet local needs which must be
supported by the Department of Environmental Conservation or it
won't go to the legislature. Strong concern was expressed regarding
the protection this option would provide against hydropower
development and whether DEC was likely to support it. Some
Commission members agreed to research the negative community impact
of designation in into other populated areas.
Mapping Process. Ms. Jones reported that Fall Creek Conservation
Committee has been making progress in coming up with some
boundaries which is believed will minimize the impact on property
owners. She is awaiting tax maps containing the boundaries to
compile a list of affected property owners and reported that
preparation of legal descriptions of boundaries is near completion.
When the final maps are drawn, they will be on public display with a
written comment period, and followed by a public hearing for city
portion held by Common Council. A meeting is being held next week
with Marty Luster, Vern Husek (DEC) and Hydropower Commission
members to try and get a sense of whether the DEC might support the
bill being proposed. Marty Luster has asked the City to enumerate
special conditions requested.
4. Status of Activities under the Licensing Process. A decision has to
be reached by January about developing hydropower under the current
Hydropower Commission
Minutes - 11/6/89
Page 2
license; there was discussion regarding the economic feasibility of
continuing. Financial projections based on current power sale
rates were requested by the next Hydropower Commission meeting.
5. It was reported that Common Council has accepted the Hydropower
Commission's recommendation regarding the Van Natta Dam project and
voted to relinquish the license which expires in March. The City
had not yet taken formal action on this.
6. Next meeting date set for December 4 at 7:30.
Adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
EPJ-HYDRO/Minutes.Nov