SPRING CREEK WATERSHED COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
Spring Township Municipal Building
July 21, 2010
1) CALL TO ORDER - At 7:00 pm the meeting was called to order by Chairman Miller who then led the Pledge of Allegiance.
2) ROLL CALL OF MUNICIPALITIES - The following members were present:
Paul Bartley (Milesburg Borough) Bill MacMath (Spring Township)
Amy Story (State College Borough) Ron Burd (Walker Township)
Steve Miller (Ferguson Township) Bob Donaldson (Patton Township)
Bob Eberhart (Halfmoon Township) Genie Robine (Benner Township)
Bill Fleckenstein (Potter Township)
The following were absent (excused) - Harris Township, Bellefonte Borough,
The following were absent (unexcused) - Centre Hall Borough, College Township
Guests: Todd Giddings, Barbara Fisher, Mark Ralston, Larry Fennessey, Bill Sharp, Brianna Hutchison
3) APPROVAL OF MINUTES - The minutes of the May 19, 2010 meeting were distributed via e-mail and posted on the Commission's. A motion to approve the minutes was made Mr. Donaldson and seconded by Mr. MacMath. The vote passed unanimously.
4) CITIZEN COMMENTS
A. Dr. Giddings addressed the Commission with data on the water table levels and stream flow. After the presentation, Mr. Donaldson noted that USGS is planning to abandon many stream gages and noted that being involved with the WRMP he understands the need for historical data. He posed a question that even though the stream gage below Milesburg is not in the watershed, it does have an impact and has value. He asked what value is in trying to maintain the gage. Dr. Giddings agreed there is great value in having the data. There was discussion on the desire to express interest in keeping the gages. Mr. MacMath made a motion to send a letter to the appropriate parties in an attempt to save the stream gages. Mr. Fleckenstein seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Mr. Eberhart asked if we are at a point where we may have to curtail our use of water if the groundwater levels are dropping. Dr. Giddings said he is not aware of any reduction requirements.
5) OLD BUSINESS
A. Public Materials - No report.
B. Spring Creek Watershed Association Report
1. Watershed Sustainability Initiative - Bob Eberhart noted that Ann Donovan is working on a workshop that is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday evening, October 6, 2010. Several speakers are scheduled including Erik Foley, PSU, Manager of Sustainability Programs who will discuss water resources in the broader context of sustainability and Julie Kollar, Pa League of Women Voters, Water Resources Education Network (WREN) who will discuss protecting water resources and Mark Ralston who will speak on Low Impact Development. The second part will be the following morning where Julie Kollar from WREN would like to hold a workshop for public water providers. SCWA is the sponsor for this workshop and would like other sponsors and asked if SCWC would consider sponsoring. To answer a question from Mr. MacMath, the site has not been finalized, however the group is looking at Patton Township. Mr. Eberhart noted that they want C-NET coverage and believe that Halfmoon Township will sponsor. Mr. Donaldson asked if there is an overall topic and Mr. Eberhart noted that the title will be something like "Sustainability of Water Resources." Mr. Eberhart moved that the SCWC be a co-sponsored of the workshop, which was seconded by Mr. Bartley. The vote was unanimous.
2. Prototype water testing procedures - the work group has not met. Mr. Eberhart noted that Halfmoon Twp has revised their ordinance to include water testing requirements and will provide the draft to Ms. Story for posting on the website.
3. Informational brochure on geothermal and well bore holes - Mr. Ralston mentioned Ag Extension documents on water testing and will forward links to Ms. Story for inclusion in the minutes and posting on the website.
C. Borehole/Water Well Ordinance Update - Dr. Giddings provided a recap of the process that started just 1 year and 1 month ago. He provided some the history of the first permit issued for a geothermal borehole located within the Centre Region. He noted that Harris Township plans to approve the Property Maintenance Code version in August and implement on September 1st. Mr. Eberhart noted that a public comment meeting is scheduled for the first week in August for Halfmoon Township. Potter Twp is looking at the ordinance version.
Mr. Eberhart echoed the congratulations to the SCWC on the completion of this project. He then noted that the SCWC may wish to take on another project which is groundwater recharge.
D. Groundwater Recharge - Mr. Eberhart introduced Mark Ralston who explained the need to look at groundwater recharge. Mr. Ralston began by stating that there is not a lot of information on groundwater recharge and maybe it should be looked at by local government. He reviewed the basics of groundwater recharge and the mean annual groundwater recharge between 1971 and 2000. He noted that the entire Spring Creek Watershed relies heavily on groundwater for drinking water. He related how the stormwater management ordinance are related to capturing small runoff events in an effort to encourage recharge.
He then noted that currently there is no existing analysis of recharge in the Spring Creek Watershed, that some areas likely provide more recharge potential but this is not well understood and that some areas may be relatively more sensitive due to water use, but again this is not well understood. Lastly, how will we know if adverse reduction of recharge occurs.
How can recharge be managed? protect the soil, through the implementation of Act 167 and make sure stormwater BMPs work properly. He noted DEPs BMP manual that includes non-structural BMPs as well as structural BMPs and explained the differences.
What can be done? identify important recharge areas and management them differently. Also identify land development practices that cause most impairment and manage them better. But Cautions: limiting land use can be viewed as "taking" and also requiring land development heroics can be viewed as obstructing development.
After the presentation, Mr. Donaldson mentioned that there is an important step which is education to the general public as well as the public officials. Mr. Miller asked about the size of recharge areas and are larger or smaller areas more important? Also, doo urban areas have as much importance as non-urban.
Dr. Giddings noted how a map which denotes recharge capacity could be incorporated into land development as the required "open space".
Ms. Robine asked how incentives can be incorporated so that BMPs are used. She also asked for clarification on the statement that was made on "taking". Mr. Donaldson stated that if there is strong enough support for this type of document then there needs to be a way to incorporate it into the land development process.
Mr. Ralston stated that the group is willing to volunteer some time to begin the process and develop a strategy. Mr. Donaldson noted that the 2 regional planning agencies need to be involved with this process as they can use this information in their long range planning. Mr. MacMath suggested that we develop some baseline data and get elected officials' opinion of how to incorporate into ordinances, etc. Mr. Eberhart noted that it has to be a watershed approach. He also noted that the well/borehole ordinance worked because the SCWC provided a directive and there were several people who volunteered their time to work on an ordinance. Currently we have 3 professionals who have expressed an interest and willingness to work on this.
Mr. Miller as chairman offered thanks on behalf of the SCWC for the efforts of the 3 professionals to date.
The group discussed what should be done if costs become an issue. Mr. MacMath noted that there should not be any costs so far and if the group decides that they want paid, we would have to revisit it and follow the by-laws.
Mr. Eberhart noted that the group will need to include other professionals. Mr. Ralston noted they have others on board and so far it is all volunteer.
Mr. Bartley moved to authorize the work group to proceed with their efforts to research watershed groundwater recharge. Mr. Eberhart provided a second and the vote was unanimous.
E. Stormwater Authority - Mr. Miller noted that this topic may become a larger issue with items such as the Atherton Storm Sewer Replacement project.
F. Spring Creek Canyon/Rockview Land Transfer Update Mr. Donaldson provided an update on the recent activity of the land transfer. He also note that just because the land will be transferred in the near future, there is a lot of effort still needed to secure the site before the public has access. To answer a question by Mr. Eberhart, Ms. Robine noted that the Fish Commission will own the stream corridor.
6) NEW BUSINESS
A. No new business
7) OTHER BUSINESS
A. Financial Report and Vouchers - There was no action since the May meeting and there were no vouchers presented for action.
B. Once Around the Watershed - Each municipality present is asked to provide some interesting news from their municipality.
Halfmoon - looking at the well/borehole ordinance in next few weeks. Also completed a wind turbine ordinance.
Benner - nothing.
Spring - well/borehole ordinance passed also have a wind and solar ordinance.
State College - nothing.
Ferguson - nothing.
Milesburg - well/borehole ordinance being reviewed.
Potter - well/borehole ordinance passed.
Patton - looking at master plan for Greyswoods and dedicated open space. Hired consultant to investigate presence of endangered species. Marcellus shale is a very big topic and conservation groups are struggling with dealing with the impacts.
Walker - nothing
Bellefonte - Received $3,000,000 State Redevelopment Assistance grant for redevelopment of its waterfront.
C. Remaining Meetings - The following meeting dates remain for 2010: August 18, September 15, October 20, November 17, and December 15.
D. C-NET Air Times - This meeting can be viewed on C-NET on the following days/times:
Wednesday, July 28th at 7 pm
Thursday, July 29th at 8 pm
Friday, July 30th at 9:30 am
Saturday, July 31st at 4 pm
Sunday, August 1st at 1 pm
Thank you to the Centre County Commissioners for sponsoring the airing of the July meeting.
8) ADJOURNMENT - At 8:53 pm, with no other items for discussion, the meeting was adjourned by motion from Mr. MacMath and a second from Mr. Bartley.
