Future Fanatic
Nirvana
In my search for the proposed stream restoration plan of Delaware County Soil and Water's, I found some interesting reading. Well, interesting to me. But there are a few here that might also find this worthy of a few moments.
What is particularly interesting are the date of the meeting: May 11, 2005(pre-humungo flood), the fact that this Restoration idea has been around since the year 2000(why is it we're just hearing about it now)and the comments of Mr. Rowe(why did no one help this guy in May 2005?) at the end of Mr. Weidenbach's and Mr. Gladstone's presentation.
It's long, but enjoy:
REGULAR MEETING
DELAWARE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MAY 11, 2005
The regular meeting of the Delaware County Board of Supervisors was held Wednesday,
May 11, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. in the Supervisors’ Room of the Senator Charles D. Cook County Office Building, 111 Main Street, Delhi, New York, Chairman James E. Eisel, Sr. presiding.
The Clerk called the roll and all Supervisors were present.
Mr. Donnelly offered the invocation.
Mr. Smith led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as presented.
The Clerk read a letter of thanks from Loretta Babcock Employee of the Month for March 2005 thanking the Board for honoring her and for the Savings Bond.
The Clerk reported all other communications received have been referred to their respective committees for review.
Chairman Eisel granted privilege of the floor to Mr. Utter who introduced Executive Director of Soil and Water Conservation District Rick Weidenbach and Stream Coordinator Scott Gladstone.
Mr. Weidenbach stated that tonight’s presentation is a continuation of four public meetings on the Stream Corridor Management Plan that the Soil and Water Conservation District has prepared over the last four years for the West Branch Delaware River and its Corridor. He explained that New York City wants to manage the stream corridor and in fact has been asked to. He said the option we have is that we can manage this resource ourselves.
Mr. Gladstone referenced the handouts outlining the powerpoint presentation and theStream Corridor Plan Recommendations placed on each Supervisors’ desk. He noted that the project began in December of 2000 and consists of 353 square miles with 662 stream miles. The presentation outlined the program’s goals and expectations and discussed the 14 recommendations in the draft packet. The responsibility of the Soil and Water Conservation District, he explained, is to facilitate the plan’s recommendations, continue to work with all DCAP partners, Watershed Agricultural Council and Catskill Watershed Corporation partners on identified water quality initiatives, facilitate partnerships between government, watershed associations and communities, provided technical assistance and training to watershed associations and organizations and to initiate public education and outreach. It was pointed out that communities must take responsibility for stream stewardship, sponsor community based projects, facilitate partnerships between government, watershed association and communities, form watershed associations to work with all agencies, and facilitate public education and outreach.
Mr. Utter referenced the slide depicting what is referred to as a problematic gravel bar and recommended adding another paragraph to the draft that advocates the removal of such gravel bars. He stated that if this gravel bar had been removed the water would not have been diverted cutting out hundreds of tons of soil. Many such problematic gravel bars exist throughout the county.
Mr. Weidenbach agreed and noted the particular gravel bar referenced in the presentation will cost approximately $500,000 to fix because the gravel bar was not removed. He encouraged the Board to make the recommendation of adding another paragraph to the plan as referenced by Mr. Utter.
Mr. Utter remarked that the proper authorities were approached about cleaning up this gravel bar when it would have cost approximately $2,500 and were refused permission. Now the gravel bar has done immeasurable damage.
Mr. Marshfield noted that as a result there are problems further downstream.
Mr. Bachler commented on the amount of silt that must have gone downstream, adding ifNew York City is concerned about water quality they should pay for it.
Mr. Weidenbach commented that a long term stream maintenance program is needed and encouraged the Board of Supervisors to adopt this plan as a starting point. In response to Mr. Thomas, Mr. Weidenbach said in the past we have not had a science based approach, adding he believes that the agencies involved will approve of this concept. He explained that Mr. Gladstone’s team has the expertise to remove the gravel bars and reconstruct the channel. Mr. Thomas pointed out that we have had three major floods in six months.
Mr. Donnelly suggested that a copy of the draft plan be sent to our congressmen and senators as that is where the money is going to come from, adding we have none here.
In response to Mr. Utter, Mr. Weidenbach suggested that Chairman Eisel provide a letter acknowledging the Board’s support of the plan along with the resolution that will be presented tonight.
In response to Mr. Thomas, Mr. Gladstone said the material removed from the streams would make an excellent road base.
Mr. Weidenbach stated that the authorities would never allow berming out the streams as the increase in water velocity would create problems somewhere else. However, he felt confident that removing the gravel bank and reconstructing the stream would be an acceptable approach.
Mr. Marshfield remarked that brooks from Delhi to Walton have changed or left their course. He commented that you used to be able to take gravel out and keep the brooks cleaned up but, they are slowly filling up so when flooding occurs we run into troubles. He stated that homeowners in his town are obtaining permits to try and fix their own problems, agreeing that there has to be a plan.
Mr. Weidenbach explained that stream maintenance is a never ending process, adding that the DEP is committed to bring this down to the local level.
Mr. Marshfield remarked that he agreed with Mr. Bachler, that the City of New York should kick in major dollars to clean up these streams.
Mr. Rowe commented that he would like to see this extend beyond the watershed towns, adding that there are big problems in Hancock and there is no funding.
Mr. Weidenbach stated that it will be a long process, however, DCAP is committed to the entire county not just the watershed towns.
In response to Mr. Rowe, Mr. Weidenbach agreed that the Japanese Knotweed is miserable and explained that it appears the banks are very well vegetated but the Japanese Knotweed has no root structure so it doesn’t hold the bank well. He noted that New York City is funding research in that area.
What is particularly interesting are the date of the meeting: May 11, 2005(pre-humungo flood), the fact that this Restoration idea has been around since the year 2000(why is it we're just hearing about it now)and the comments of Mr. Rowe(why did no one help this guy in May 2005?) at the end of Mr. Weidenbach's and Mr. Gladstone's presentation.
It's long, but enjoy:
REGULAR MEETING
DELAWARE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MAY 11, 2005
The regular meeting of the Delaware County Board of Supervisors was held Wednesday,
May 11, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. in the Supervisors’ Room of the Senator Charles D. Cook County Office Building, 111 Main Street, Delhi, New York, Chairman James E. Eisel, Sr. presiding.
The Clerk called the roll and all Supervisors were present.
Mr. Donnelly offered the invocation.
Mr. Smith led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as presented.
The Clerk read a letter of thanks from Loretta Babcock Employee of the Month for March 2005 thanking the Board for honoring her and for the Savings Bond.
The Clerk reported all other communications received have been referred to their respective committees for review.
Chairman Eisel granted privilege of the floor to Mr. Utter who introduced Executive Director of Soil and Water Conservation District Rick Weidenbach and Stream Coordinator Scott Gladstone.
Mr. Weidenbach stated that tonight’s presentation is a continuation of four public meetings on the Stream Corridor Management Plan that the Soil and Water Conservation District has prepared over the last four years for the West Branch Delaware River and its Corridor. He explained that New York City wants to manage the stream corridor and in fact has been asked to. He said the option we have is that we can manage this resource ourselves.
Mr. Gladstone referenced the handouts outlining the powerpoint presentation and theStream Corridor Plan Recommendations placed on each Supervisors’ desk. He noted that the project began in December of 2000 and consists of 353 square miles with 662 stream miles. The presentation outlined the program’s goals and expectations and discussed the 14 recommendations in the draft packet. The responsibility of the Soil and Water Conservation District, he explained, is to facilitate the plan’s recommendations, continue to work with all DCAP partners, Watershed Agricultural Council and Catskill Watershed Corporation partners on identified water quality initiatives, facilitate partnerships between government, watershed associations and communities, provided technical assistance and training to watershed associations and organizations and to initiate public education and outreach. It was pointed out that communities must take responsibility for stream stewardship, sponsor community based projects, facilitate partnerships between government, watershed association and communities, form watershed associations to work with all agencies, and facilitate public education and outreach.
Mr. Utter referenced the slide depicting what is referred to as a problematic gravel bar and recommended adding another paragraph to the draft that advocates the removal of such gravel bars. He stated that if this gravel bar had been removed the water would not have been diverted cutting out hundreds of tons of soil. Many such problematic gravel bars exist throughout the county.
Mr. Weidenbach agreed and noted the particular gravel bar referenced in the presentation will cost approximately $500,000 to fix because the gravel bar was not removed. He encouraged the Board to make the recommendation of adding another paragraph to the plan as referenced by Mr. Utter.
Mr. Utter remarked that the proper authorities were approached about cleaning up this gravel bar when it would have cost approximately $2,500 and were refused permission. Now the gravel bar has done immeasurable damage.
Mr. Marshfield noted that as a result there are problems further downstream.
Mr. Bachler commented on the amount of silt that must have gone downstream, adding ifNew York City is concerned about water quality they should pay for it.
Mr. Weidenbach commented that a long term stream maintenance program is needed and encouraged the Board of Supervisors to adopt this plan as a starting point. In response to Mr. Thomas, Mr. Weidenbach said in the past we have not had a science based approach, adding he believes that the agencies involved will approve of this concept. He explained that Mr. Gladstone’s team has the expertise to remove the gravel bars and reconstruct the channel. Mr. Thomas pointed out that we have had three major floods in six months.
Mr. Donnelly suggested that a copy of the draft plan be sent to our congressmen and senators as that is where the money is going to come from, adding we have none here.
In response to Mr. Utter, Mr. Weidenbach suggested that Chairman Eisel provide a letter acknowledging the Board’s support of the plan along with the resolution that will be presented tonight.
In response to Mr. Thomas, Mr. Gladstone said the material removed from the streams would make an excellent road base.
Mr. Weidenbach stated that the authorities would never allow berming out the streams as the increase in water velocity would create problems somewhere else. However, he felt confident that removing the gravel bank and reconstructing the stream would be an acceptable approach.
Mr. Marshfield remarked that brooks from Delhi to Walton have changed or left their course. He commented that you used to be able to take gravel out and keep the brooks cleaned up but, they are slowly filling up so when flooding occurs we run into troubles. He stated that homeowners in his town are obtaining permits to try and fix their own problems, agreeing that there has to be a plan.
Mr. Weidenbach explained that stream maintenance is a never ending process, adding that the DEP is committed to bring this down to the local level.
Mr. Marshfield remarked that he agreed with Mr. Bachler, that the City of New York should kick in major dollars to clean up these streams.
Mr. Rowe commented that he would like to see this extend beyond the watershed towns, adding that there are big problems in Hancock and there is no funding.
Mr. Weidenbach stated that it will be a long process, however, DCAP is committed to the entire county not just the watershed towns.
In response to Mr. Rowe, Mr. Weidenbach agreed that the Japanese Knotweed is miserable and explained that it appears the banks are very well vegetated but the Japanese Knotweed has no root structure so it doesn’t hold the bank well. He noted that New York City is funding research in that area.