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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCanoe River Comm 09/07/1995- ��' _ �H �J CANOE RIVER AQUIFER ADVISORY COMMITTEE r- QCT- 5 Pri 3 P q MINUTES SEPTEMBER 7, 1995 [ MEMBERS PRESENT: Wayne Southworth, Suzanne Erikson, Ed Tartufo, John Grant, Tim Higgins, Dick Lewis, Joan Sozio, Fred Watson I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 1:00pm at Mansfield Town Hall. II. REVIEW MINUTES OF AUGUST 3,1995 The Minutes of August 3, 1995 were reviewed. MOTION: To accept the minutes of August 3, 1995 as written (Flynn/Erickson) Passed unanimous III. PETER SIMPSON -presentation on Eastern Edison's Power Line Easement Maintenance Program. Mr. Simpson, Manager of the vegetation management program at Eastern Edison spoke about right of way of vegetation management. Combined mechanical use with herbicides will provide a stabilization of vegetation. The right of ways in this area pass through the Canoe River Aquifer District. A slide presentation of right of way management was shove to the Committee. Theme of the approach is to try to establish stable plant communities on the right of way. The problem with mechanical control is that it causes an unstable control situation. This situation then produces high densities of undesirable plants which will grow into the lines and are difficult to manage for access and emergencies. The process of mechanical control is least environmentally sound. The integrated approach uses both mechanical devices and low volume selected use of herbicide. Only black cherries, red maples and a few other tall growing species are sprayed. We use materials adjacent to wetlands and along the entire right away with low mobility and low residues. Foliage application on back pack sprayers and hand held tools are used to cut, stump then the stumps are treated with materials to hinder CRAAC Minutes - September 7, 1995 growth. We are trying to convert our right of ways to a stable environment ti that are maintained on a four to five year cycle. Integrated management techniques will provide for a stable wild life population. Question and comments from the Committee: Impressed with company's attitude work will be a great benefit to the area, don't have stable edge community. Are you aware of the critical habitat areas with in your right of way areas? Do you know the locations of the vernal pools? Concerned with the use of pesticides currently banned items were once approved and are now considered dangerous. Once these stable desirable species are established why would you need to apply chemicals? What about planting your own low growing plants? What kind of plantings have been done? Did you do a benefit cost analysis of the program? Rights of way in Easton have been an issue of concern, areas were visited by Mr. Wayne Southworth. Expressed concern over the containers of herbicide requested if they could use squirt bottles to lessen the chance of spills. Mechanical management could also produce spills from the machinery. This system is being explored by many other utility companies. Education and knowledge will help the communities to realize the benefit of the program. Without the knowledge the fear of the unknown causes anxiety. How well are the technicians trained to the apply the accurate dosage of the chemicals? Are they supervised to insure the proper application is applied? Vendors are chosen for specialization and talents for specific areas that will benefit from their skills. Power line runs through the Great Woods area, concerned that this will allow more access to the right of way into the area by cyclists and individuals dumping. How do these chemicals compare to Round -Up? Concentrations are different but basically the same materials. What effect does Round -up have on fish, insects and bees? Low in toxicity not problem. Copies of the operating plan was made available for review. The Committee felt more comfortable with the knowledge that was presented. IV. VIDEO PROJECT There has not been much discussion of this project lately. This project is beyond the scope of ability of a amateur. The Plymouth County Wildland Trust hired a professional and produced an excellent documentary. Members may inquire to the costs of a professional documentary and explore the possibility of a grant to assist with the project. CRAAC Minutes - September 7, 1995 2 V. 1996 AWARENESS DAY SCHEDULED FOR NORTON This will be held in Norton. Mr. Fred Watson, discussed the Canoe River Awareness Day with the water superintendent in Norton about a possible location. National drinking water week and CRAAC Awareness Day could be jointly celebrated in the early part of May. The event will follow the same format as in the past, however, the Committee is open to new ideas. The subject of inclement weather was discussed concerns were expressed regarding a meeting space to provide for protection from the elements of nature. VI. CRAAC 1996 SHORELINE SURVEY PROJECT UPDATE Ms.Joan Kimball sent out a draft letter asking for participation in this survey, which is a visual survey of the river. This would be sent out to local colleges and high schools The Committee discussed possible renovations to the draft, including an introduction and explanation of the Canoe River Aquifer Advisory Committee. Revisions will be made and faxed to Mr. Wayne Southworth for his final approval. A time frame will need to be established in advance for training and actual survey data collection. We are now seeking input for interest and then send out a reminder when the training period is approaching. VII. 10TH ANNIVERSARY GOALS Mrs. Suzanne Erickson will log ideas and goals of the anniversary. Do we want to set goals to be achieved by the 10th anniversary or are these goals for the agenda. The Committee would like to see the completion of the Mill Pond Dam and the Shoreline Survey. Ms. Sozio read a list of suggested projects. The list included; creation of series of informational articles, media contact, develop ACEC Management Plan, inventory and assess dams in watershed, continue Land Protection Program, conduct promotional contest, post aquifer signs, develop educational programs and/or brochure for residents, organize river clean-ups and clearing of fallen trees and debris from river. The list of accomplishments of CRAAC should also be included. CRAAC Minutes - September 7, 1995 3 VIII. OLD BUSINESS • Land acquisition funds that are available for greenbelt water protection establishment within the Canoe River Aquifer area. This bill is in the legislative review progress. • Ms. Kathy Romero should be invited to discuss her new job with the DEP. • A newspaper article concerning the Mill Pond Dam a suggestion was made to forward this and letters to appropriate persons to aid moving this project forward. IX. NEW BUSINESS • Water Department Police under Chapter 111. Norton is discussing this as an agenda item. This will be placed on the October Agenda for CRAAC. • News letters were distributed for review. • Bottled water is now available for pet consumption. • Water clean-up project by Wheaton Students was conducted. • The next meeting of CRAAC is scheduled for October 5th at the Easton Water Department. The meeting was adjourned at 3:00pm. Respectfully submitted, 11 7 Maureen R. Doherty, Secretary CRAAC Minutes - September 7, 1995 4