| Doc. # 2007-66
Issue/Agenda Committee
Cayuga Lake Watershed Network
September 25, 2007 Minutes
Shaw Law Offices, Ithaca NY
Present: Brian Boerman, Doug Haith, John Mawdsley,
Ruth Richardson, Sharon Anderson
1. Fall Conference Update
After discussion of the pros and cons of various locations for the
Nov. 10 fall conference, Ithaca middle or high school were selected
as the preferred venue. The keynote speaker, Art De Gaetano, will
talk on the affects of climate change on water resources and Doug
Haith will be the capnote speaker giving and introduction to modeling.
Emphasis will be what models can do, new land use information, and
the results from an anonymous watershed.
2. Lake-Friendly Farms
Discussion of the need to have a CNMP to demonstrate Tier 4 and
what are appropriate equivalents. Brian noted that EQIP NRCS programs
requires a CNMP for funding. Some private lending institutions also
require CNMP. Sharon will call a Nov. meeting of the Joint IO/WN
Ag committee to discuss making sure criteria do not exclude smaller
farms. Sharon will write a letter to Tompkins County SWCD and the
Switzer farm. Brian suggested not making a decision with out the
meeting of the larger Ag. committee
3. Salmon Creek
The Salmon Creek Forum showed that trust underlies the conflict
as much or more than a lack/inadequate information. There is a possibility
of funding from USDA going to NYS Agricultural Mediation Program
(Charlotte Carter) to Community Dispute Resolution to do an assessment
of the situation. This would provide information for planning for
further work and provide the basic information needed to seek more
funding. Sharon was encouraged to continue pursuing this.
Oct 18 entities interested in the monitoring of Salmon Creek are
meeting to discuss how to coordinate efforts. DNA analysis by the
Engineers from a Sustainable World would be useful. Ruth and Sharon
will promote sampling in Salmon Creek as the focus for the ESW students.
They might consider is there a way to do some blind samples or otherwise
set up the sampling so that the community has confidence in the
procedure.
4. Committee membership
There is value in having members that are not on the Board. Brian
has asked Josh Hornesky from Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation
District. Others such as Cliff Kraft, one of his students, or Susan
Cushman might be willing to serve on a work group for a specific
purpose such as biological monitoring.
5. Water Resources Council and Environmental Management
Council
The benefits of having a Watershed Network presence were discussed,
especially on the WRC. Sharon will inquire about an association
membership that a Board or staff member could fill.
6. Update on 2007 Priority Issues
· Monitoring /Modeling: Doug will bring data for discussion
at next Issues Committee meeting.
· Stormwater: first step in paperwork for WQIP finally received
however process predicted to take 6 months before the funds are
available.
· Weeds and Invasives: work on the new publication has begun.
Sally Eller is helping get mailing addresses for lake shore property
owners from some of the town assessors.
· Watershed Health/Report Card/Biological Indices: a subcommittee
is needed to create a plan of action. Possible subcommittee members
include: Ruth, Susan Cushman, Cliff Kraft on one of his students,
Nick Shipanski, Tom Vawter, Doug. This could be a large effort that
needs additional help/resources. Might Chuck Kroll or faculty at
another institution have a student to do a literature review and
analysis for an honors project. This might be a good focus for a
joint project, where the Finger Lakes Institute could be funded
and the Watershed Network would have input. (NOTE – no one
put in charge of making this happen).
Next meeting: Oct 25, 4:30 at 2nd floor conference room at Bill
Shaw’s office
Suggested agenda items
-Modeling data -Doug Haith
-How is the process of selecting 3-4 priorities issues each year
working and when/how to discuss with the Board for 2008 planning
- LFF interest in attracting other Ag. sector applications
Submitted by,
Brian Boerman, Chair
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