MWA Board of Directors Meeting

Monday, March 21, 2011

Attendees: Don Hendrich, Lynn Jenness, Ginnie Bowman, Karen Lippens, Doug McKenny, King Boyd, Stefanee Evans, Chet Greenwood, Ben Copans, Fritz Gerhardt, Dayna Cole and Gail Lynch Absent: Don Chapdelaine, Susan Watson, Sylvia Beauregard and Greg Hennemuth

The minutes of the February 9, 2011 meeting and also those of the November 15, 2010 meeting were approved.

Don reported that the meeting he attended on February 18 with David Mears, new commissioner of the DEC, was a good one.

Dayna provided copies of the Watershed Grant. Each of the three project goals will improve water quality, increase awareness of the issues, and/or reduce sediment loading. The goals are: 1) Complete a restoration project at a high-priority site along the Black River or its tributaries to reduce streambank erosion, minimize runoff, improve river stability and improve fish and wildlife habitat. 2) Further pinpoint phosphorus and sediment sources in the watershed and identify specific locations (prioritized) fur future actions to reduce nutrient and sediment inputs. 3) Identify and secure one or more Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and/or Wetlands Reserve Program projects to restore riparian fish and wildlife habitats and improve water quality. Buffer planting along the Black River is scheduled for May-June. There is funding for Fritz and Ben to do site selection for both the restoration project and water quality sampling, as well as landowner outreach. There was some discussion of possible sites. For CREP and WRP projects, once sites are identified and landowners are agreeable, the Federal Government enters a contract phase with landowners.

Water sampling will continue on the Black River. Fritz shared a map of possible sites. For smaller tributaries where MWA did water sampling in the past, Fritz proposes some “on the ground” surveying to identify projects to improve water quality.

Fritz will send a schedule and sign-up for work to be done this season, probably with a mid-April start.

Dayna also shared the Ecosystems Restoration Grant, under which she will contact landowners to solicit interest in the trees for streams and lakeshore buffering program, as well as the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and Wetland Reserve Program (WRP). 3500 feet of newly established buffers along lakes and streams will be planted by students. It was suggested that a demonstration site in the area along the bike path where the new picnic tables and information board re buffer planting would be effective in educating the public about native shrubs and buffers.

Although he was not at the meeting, Dayna mentioned that Jason Benoit of NorthWoods Stewardship Center is interested in partnering with MWA to do something on the Clyde River. Don will get in touch with Jason and discuss a possible canoe/kayak trip.

There was some discussion about our public meeting to be planned for this summer. Irasburg is the preferred location, and Don will explore that. DEC Commissioner Mears expressed interest in speaking. Don will contact him re possible dates. Fritz will give an overview of 2010 water sampling and explain what a watershed is. Both the public meeting and the canoe/kayak trip will be part of outreach and education for the Watershed Grant.

A possible shoreline walk was mentioned as another project for Outreach and Education. The Education Committee will discuss possible Rain Barrel project. Gail has material on a successful Rain Barrel project on Sanibel Island.

Karen presented the 2011 MWA Annual Budget. After some discussion, it was approved, and Karen will send a revision. Her Treasurer’s Report was that there were no changes from the February report.

The Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds sent information on bills of potential interest on environmental issues. Discussion included whether MWA should take a stand on such legislation. It was said that by our membership in FOVLAP we are supporting their positions. Representative Bob Lewis was mentioned as a person for us to contact about some of these bills. Chet will get in touch with him.

The Home Show will be held at IROC on Friday, April 1, 4-8 pm and Saturday, April 2, 9-5. Lynn passed around a sign-up sheet for people to man our booth.

Work will begin on our Spring Newsletter. Don will write up info re grants, plans for our Annual Meeting and a President’s letter. Fritz will report on 2010 water sampling. More details will follow (perhaps including info on a Rain Barrel project to be discussed by the Education Committee. Re the Clyde River Restoration Project, King will get more information on planting wildflowers or flowering shrubs and a date to do that. Our Annual Meeting will be held in June. David Meers, DEC commissioner will speak. We will participate in the 4th of July parade in Derby and also the Aquafest parade on July 8. King shared his idea for a float (which will feature a rain barrel). We are awaiting a report on MWA Website update from Bob Dunn’s Career Center students.

Other agenda items will be taken up at our next meeting, which will be held on Monday, April 11, 4 pm in Don’s classroom.

Submitted by Gail Lynch