MINUTES TRI-COUNTY CONEWAGO CREEK ASSOCIATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 7 P.M. – 9 P.M. LONDONDERRY TWP. BUILDING I. Welcome and Introductions Matt Royer kicked off the meeting by summarizing the previous meeting and outlining the goals. Those persons attending the meeting introduced themselves and noted applicable affiliations. There were approximately 40+ persons in attendance. II. Introduction to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Stream Bank Fencing Program Frank Rohrer and Kristy Magaro from the CBF gave a presentation to the group. They explained stream bank fencing and buffer plantings available through the PA Habitat Stewardship Program of CBF and Ducks Unlimited. They discussed the benefits of stream bank fencing and riparian buffers. They showed examples of successful projects. The CREP stream bank program was also discussed. The groups discussed how they can work in tandem to achieve goals. Ideas raised included development of a TCCCA landowner liaison position or committee to identify landowners interested in stream bank fencing programs, and establishment of volunteer groups to conduct long term maintenance of fences and plantings for participating landowners. III. Steering Committee Report Royer summarized the progress of the Steering Committee. The committee met twice since the last monthly meeting. The group drafted the by-laws of TCCCA, to be finalized and approved by the Board of Directors once elected. The committee also discussed how to establish a Board of Directors and proposed a slate for presentation to the group. The Steering Committee also presented ideas for committees to move the group ahead. Committees are to be established by the Board of Directors. The Steering Committee recommends the establishment of four committees: membership; funding; projects; education/PR. In addition, ad hoc project teams should be established where needed. The Steering Committee also recommended a dues system to be voted on by the Board of Directors. IV. Report on Growing Greener Application Growing Greener grant applications were due in February. The Lancaster County Conservation District generously agreed to sponsor the watershed group for a Growing Greener grant application until its 501 (c)(3) status is arranged. Matt Kofroth, Lancaster County Conservation District, submitted the grant application to DEP. The grant request was for $5,000 in start-up costs to be used for logo development, letterhead, educational brochures, etc. Jineen Boyle, Watershed Manager for DEP, stated that TCCCA should expect to hear from DEP regarding the grant in July 2002. V. Municipal Liaison Reports TCCCA members contacted local municipalities to update them on the status of the group and to invite them to attend the meetings. Mt. Gretna was represented at the meeting by Chuck Allwein. Conewago Township appointed Jay Book to represent it regularly at TCCCA meetings. Other municipalities with representatives in attendance included South Londonderry Township and Elizabethtown Borough. Mt. Joy Township and West Donegal Township were contacted and invited to the meeting. Contacts with municipalities will continue. VI. Finalization of Mission Statement The drafting committee presented the draft mission statement. After a brief discussion, the following mission statement was adopted: TCCCA is a nonprofit volunteer organization committed to monitoring, preserving, enhancing and promoting the Conewago Creek Watershed through education, community involvement and watershed improvement projects. VII. Election of Board of Directors The group elected an 11-person Board of Directors. The Board will serve as the governing body, and will elect among themselves a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. TCCCA's first Board of Directors is attached with names and affiliations. The Board will have its initial Board Meeting on March 13, and will report on its progress at the next membership meeting. VIII. Susquehanna River Basin Commission's Stream Assessment for Conewago Creek Jen Hoffman, SRBC aquatic biologist presented a Power Point presentation on the stream assessment that SRBC conducted on the Conewago and its tributaries in 1997. She indicated which segments of the stream were determined to be impaired, and which segments area not impaired. She presented information on the types of aquatic insects found in the Conewago survey, and outlined problems and solutions for the watershed. IX. Establishment of Ad Hoc Committees Three project committees were formed to organize several activities for this spring: 1) A "Watershed Snapshot" day (April 20th or 27th), in which TCCCA members will take part in actual stream monitoring and assessment activities; 2) A stream clean up during the month of May, which is "Watershed Awareness Month"; and 3) Application for a watershed education grant sponsored by the League of Women Voters. X. Next Meeting Wednesday, March 27, 2002, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Londonderry Township Municipal Building TRI-COUNTY CONEWAGO CREEK ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS (Elected 2/27/02) Director Summary of Background Chad Angle Professional Engineer, Raudenbush Engineering, Inc. Resident, Hummelstown Borough Jay Book Retired Administrator, Lower Dauphin School District Farmer and landowner in watershed, Conewago Twp. Director, Dauphin County Conservation District Tim Hoover Environmental Educator, Milton Hershey School Nancy Kachniasz Lower Dauphin Middle School Life Sciences Teacher Resident, Elizabethtown Borough Erin McKinne Health, Environment & Safety Administrator, Bayer Corp. Resident, West Cornwall Twp., Lebanon Co. Mike McKinne CPA, Vice-President, RETTEW Associates Resident, Mt. Joy Twp. Lindsey Morris Tech Support, Tyco Corp. Landowner in watershed, Londonderry Twp. Tom Murray Professor of Biology, Elizabethtown College Resident, Mt. Joy Twp. Hal Royer Retired Educator, Conestoga Valley School District Farmer and landowner in watershed, Londonderry Twp. Matt Royer Environmental Attorney, PA DEP Resident, West Hanover Twp., Dauphin Co. Erick Smith Superintendent, John W. Gleim, Jr. Excavating Resident, Hummelstown Borough