CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Ed Taggart gaveled the October Huff Run Watershed Restoration Partnership meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. on October 16, 2007.
ATTENDANCE: Ed Taggart, President; Bo Hysong, Vice President; Jeremy Broadwater, Secretary; Maureen Wise, Coordinator; Mike Steinmaus, Rural Action Director; John Slack, Member; Jim Toms, Member; John Pirolozi, Member; Merv Burton, Member; Sandy Chenal, Crossroads RC&D Coordinator.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Given by Maureen Wise in absence of Judy Rufener
Balance carried forward from September 18, 2007 $5447.51
Receipts: 9-22 $130.00
$30.00
Total Receipts: $160.00
Expenses: #636 Free Press $18.80
Total Expenses: $18.80
New September 18, 2007 Balance $5588.71
MOTION by Toms to accept the Treasurer’s report, Seconded by Burton, motion
passed with a vote: all yea.
MINUTES: Broadwater presented minutes from September 18, 2007 HRWRP meeting.
MOTION by Slack to approve the September 18, 2007 minutes of HRWRP meeting, Seconded by Hysong, motion passed with a vote: all yes.
OLD BUSINESS
319 GRANT CONCLUSION: Sandy Chenal updated members on the status of the 319 Grant. The 319 Grant is now “closed” and a report is presented to the Ohio EPA. Chenal reported that the project results have exceeded the overall goals specific to reducing acidity and metal loads. Acid loads to the stream were reduced 675.4 lbs/day and metals were reduced by 51.3 lbs/day between the three project in the grant. The total dollars spent with the grant were $1,987,257 with over $700,500 going to local contractors. The final technical report is on file in the HRWRP office.
FALL TOUR REMINDER Taggart announced the scheduled Fall Tour as a reminder for all members. Wise clarified that a lunch at the Crossroads Restaurant will start the tour at 11am on Thursday October 18, 2007. Two 15 passenger vans are reserved for participant transportation.
VISTA UPDATE Wise shared with HRWRP members that the new VISTA will not start on November 22. Amber’s new scheduled start date is December 12, 2007. Members discussed how Amber is driving to participate in the Fall Tour.
MOTION: Broadwater moved to reimburse mileage expenses incurred in Amber’s travel to and from the Fall Tour, Seconded by Burton; vote; all yea.
NEW BUSINESS
PROJECT UPDATES: Wise gave updates on the following environmental projects:
Wise discussed the Technical Advisory Field Day. The TAC visited Mineral Zoar, Lyons and the ball field site.
The Mineral City baseball fields was discussed by HRWRP members. The ODNR engineer submitted to Wise a plan calling for the construction of a fence around the tributary flowing through the fields. This would not allow children to enter the AMD and sewage ridden tributary. There is no room for a passive treatment system. HRWRP members were not ready to endorse such a fence erection.
Burton commented on sighting minnows along county road 90.
GRANTS UPDATE Wise discussed how the OSM grant proposal for Belden Project was awarded this month for $100,000. Wise enthusiastically stated how rare of an occurrence this was given the two-week turn-around time period.
Wise is also applying to the Reeves Foundation of Dover, Ohio for $50,000 towards the Mineral Zoar project.
OEC WETLAND LETTER: Ohio Environmental Council is calling for public response to the EPA’s change to their rules. During this public response period any public member can provide comment to this particular subject. Wise will collect any letters from HRWRP members. The OEC prepared a letter for citizens to sign on to.
CORRESPONDENCE: Taggart read correspondence. Taggart discussed a meeting in Marietta for the Ohio Mineland Partnership. Sandy Chenal announced their RC&D council meeting on November 9th with Sean Logan, ODNR Director. Taggart highlighted the recipet of the Office of Surface Mining’s newsletter and Crossroads Conservation District sent a letter soliciting additional donations, other than membership dues. Taggart encouraged members to donate personally, however HRWRP members did not wish to donate more than a membership.
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION: Broadwater made motion to adjourn, Second by Taggart; vote: all yea.
Taggart adjourned the October meeting at 6:42 pm.
Respecfully submitted by Jeremy Broadwater, HRWRP Secretary