 |
Lyme Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes – November 3, 2008
- Chair Matt Stevens opened the meeting at 7:30 with the following in attendance: Matt Stevens, Dick Jones, Russ Hirschler, Blake Allison, James Graham, Lee Larson and Adair Mulligan (members) and Lou-Anne Conroy, Tom Morrissey, and Jon Chamberlain (public).
- The minutes of October 6, 2008 were approved as submitted.
Tom Morrissey presented a conceptual plan and proposed agreement for Post Pond, Chaffee Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Lyme Recreation Area. The proposal recommends a 1-acre land swap that would move the ball field to the upland in the Chaffee Wildlife Sanctuary and the current ball field to become a wetland restoration project. The new field location would be accessible by a bridge and path from the beach area. The proposed project has a ball field that is 20% larger than the current location. In addition, the proposed agreement has a perched beach at the current beach location. The commission members and public attendees engaged in an extensive discussion regarding the concept proposal.
- Dick commented that the State ROW on Route 10 could be an issue in who may control beavers impacting the State highway.
- Blake asked if moving the ball field to the upland would have an impact on existing wildlife.
- Adair commented on the current management of the Chaffee for grassland bird habitat and the impact this proposal would have on resident and traveling wildlife using the sanctuary, plus new disturbance of riparian function of a crossing of Trout Brook. She reminded that the Chaffee sanctuary is currently subject to a Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program contract with NRCS.
- Lee commented on the loss of edge habitat and habitat fragmentation as a result of moving the ball field.
- Adair indicated that the wetland restoration may be cost prohibitive, and it is extremely difficult to get back the full function of a wetland. She was concerned that removal of the berm to restore the current ball field to a wetland could open up the parking area to occasional flooding.
- Matt commented on costs as well as the DES and Cooperative Extension restoration guidelines that would have to be met.
- The possibility of moving the ball field across Route 10 onto privately owned land was briefly discussed.
- James and Dick were concerned about impacting the other side of Trout Brook and said that the human intervention aspect would be difficult to manage.
- Lee asked that if the proposal gained support, the entire area be covered by a conservation easement.
- James asked if a Prime Wetland designation would prohibit control over water levels.
- Lee said that we would need to investigate the federal regulations to see what changes, if any, can be done.
- At the end of the discussion, the following were designated as the major issues that warrant some additional research: Wildlife Access, Federal Funds used to Purchase land, covenants on the Nichols Deed, Wetland Restoration Criteria, State ROW/Route 10
, and the WHIP Contract.
- The commission was informed that the Watershed to Wildlife field data are in and the report should be ready for the commission at the December meeting.
- A brief report was given about the meeting with DES, EPA, and USACOE. DES’ Collis Adams is trying to be accommodating and wants to reach an agreement. The permitting fee would be $10K. The Wetland Scientist would cost $8K, and the Conservation Easement would be at least $8K. There may be some additional costs for construction beyond those pledged and appropriated last year.
- Lee gave a trails update.
- Ledyard Bank had a give back to the community day. Volunteers marked and reopened the Clay Brook Trail from Route 10 to the Lyme Town Forest. The Landowner has chosen to post his land due to some issues with hunters, but will continue to allow hikers. UVLT has said that they will continue to keep the trail open only if the landowner signs a trail agreement. Lee suggested that the Lyme CC keep an informal agreement with the landowner to keep the trail open because it is the only access to the western town forest.
- Lee said that the signs at the Trout Pond Trail continue to get ripped down. The commission decided to blue blaze the beginning of the trail in an effort to direct hikers on the trail. Russ will check with UVTA to see if they have Blue Blaze Paint.
- The Commission discussed two possible winter events: a Winter Wildlife hike at the Chaffee Sanctuary and a Winter Snowshoe Hike. Dates and details will be discussed at a future date.
- Other Business: Lee asked if someone can pull the water gauge at Post Pond. Matt volunteered.
- Publicity: James will post a list serve message reminding people to wear orange during hunting season with a link to the NH Fish and Game website. Adair will mention the winter events in the Church Newsletter.
- The meeting was adjourned at 9:05.
Submitted,
Russell Hirschler
Recorder Pro Tem
| |
