| The Sunapee Area Watershed Coalition |
| Steering Committee Minutes 9/15/05 |
| Meeting Summary September 15, 2005 |
| Steering Committee Attendees: Terry Dancy, June Fichter, Deane Geddes, Cynthia Hayes, Kathryn Holmes, Ken Lawson, Bill Thomas |
| Discussion/decision on NHRWA: |
| June reported on her and R. Wood's discussion with Jennifer Palmiotto of NHRWA and also with Vicky Boundy of UVLSRPC. There had been some concerns regarding when and how NHRWA would be able to help in assisting in writing/creating a Watershed Plan. NHRWA looks upon each situation as unique, and will work with the Steering Committee, in a way so as not to have to "backtrack" on work already done. UVLSRPC will continue to be an important partner going forward, in their current role facilitating, drafting survey, and later in implementation and liaison with the town boards. |
| The Steering Committee agreed that given the amount of work to be done, working with both organizations would be advantageous, and made the decision to go forward. |
| The next step in the process is to draft a letter of interest to NHRWA. The Steering members advised that the letter should articulate the focus, and a copy should be cc'd to V. Boundy. |
| NHRWA will then apply for a working grant; their coming on board could be 6-9 months out. |
| Subcommittees |
| Education-June reported that Vicky is working on a survey draft; meanwhile, she and the subcommittee is working on a newsletter. The goal is to publish this late September or early Oct. The newsletter content is available, as well as several GIS maps; formatting and article writing needs to be completed. The survey and newsletter could be mailed as well as put on the website and internet. Special thanks to Ken Lawson for keeping the SAWC website updated with meeting minutes, etc. |
| Water Quality- committee has gathered much data; is in process of analyzing; may have something in 2-3 weeks. |
| Land Use-this committee, together with Vick Boundy, hopes to report at larger meeting in Oct. |
| The Steering Committee discussed a need for a Membership Committee. |
| Other |
| Fundamentally, the process should be: |
| 1. What has not worked, i.e. with impervious surfaces, have examples |
| 2. What does work, have examples |
| 3. Educate relative to 1 and 2 above |
| 4. Advise changes in the SAWC area, to be like item 2. |
| Some discussion centered around towns with new master plans---what can be done to guide implementation. |
| In addition to the newsletter, other modes of communication were discussed. |
| * It was noted that the town of New London added SAWC meeting minutes to their email list. |
| * The need to send to towns SAWC's status; and to discuss what items are helpful to them |
| * Next year, SAWC members should attend town board meetings, giving regular updates |
| June also reported a meeting with DES scheduled for next week, to discuss the Watershed Grant details. |
| Next Steering Com Meeting: October 6, 6:30, Ivey Center, Rm 108 |
| Next SAWC Meeting: October 6, 7:00, Ivey Center, 2nd floor (will meet 1st Thursdays) |
| SAWC: The link between land use and water quality |