SPRING CREEK WATERSHED COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
Spring Township Municipal Building
April 20, 2011
1) CALL TO ORDER - At 7:01 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) Gay Dunne (Bellefonte Borough)
Bob Donaldson (Patton Township) Mark Stevenson (Halfmoon Township)
Dave Breon (Benner Township) Bill Sharp (College Township)
Bill Fleckenstein (Potter Township) Steve Miller (Ferguson Township)
The following were absent (excused) - Harris Township, Walker Township
The following were absent (unexcused) - Centre Hall Borough
Guests: Barb Fisher, Todd Giddings, Bob Eberhart, Mary Carol Fryer, Matt Genchur PWRA, Kristen Saacke Blunk, Mark Stephens
3) APPROVAL OF MINUTES - The minutes of the February 16, 2011 meeting were distributed via e-mail and posted on the Commission's website. It was noted that the March 16, 2011 meeting was cancelled. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Mr. MacMath and seconded by Mr. Bartley. The vote passed unanimously.
4) CITIZEN COMMENTS
A. There were no citizen comments.
5) OLD BUSINESS
A. Groundwater Level Report - Dr. Giddings provided an update on the stream flow and groundwater levels within the Spring Creek Watershed in the last 2 months. He first noted that the funding for data collection and real-time data delivery from the stream gage has been secured through 9/30/2011. He also noted that the stream flow is up by 3 times compared to one year ago. At Well CE686 he noted that the water table level is up 15 feet from one year ago which totals 8.21 billion gallons of groundwater in storage.
Mr. Fleckenstein asked about the level of the groundwater in 2003 and 2004, to which Mr. Giddings noted that at its maximum it was 33 feet below ground level. Mr. Eberhart reiterated the status of funding and questioned if anyone is doing anything about future funding. Mr. Donaldson asked if Mr. Giddings knew who was continuing the funding, to which Mr. Giddings noted the 3 funding partners.
B. Spring Creek Watershed Association Report - Ms. Saacke Blunk noted that Watershed Cleanup is this Saturday. She also noted that Mr. Eberhart is chairing a candidate forum to be held on May 5, 2011 at 7:00 pm at the Centre County Courthouse Annex. To date, all 13 candidates have agreed to attend. Chairman Miller noted that the e-mail vote had a majority of those responding, but not a majority of the SCWC and asked if the group is interested in sponsoring it. Mr. Donaldson stated that the group has always supported its sponsor as it is meant to get the candidates to talk about environmental issues. Ms. Dunne agreed. Mr. Miller noted he thought it was geared toward a political stance. Mr. Bartley stated that he discussed it with his Council and they are in favor of sponsoring the event. Mr. Donaldson made a motion for the SCWC to act as a co-sponsor to the Candidates Forum. Mr. Fleckenstein provided the second. The vote passed 9-1, with Mr. MacMath voting against.
. Ms. Saacke Blunk noted that the first WRMP broadcast was taped and it reviewed the 12 years of its existence. She introduced Ms. Mary Carol Fryer from the Penns Valley Watershed Group and asked her to comment. Ms. Fryer stated that water quality is a watershed-wide issue and noted that it is essential to the economic and health of our communities. She noted her background is in agriculture and Penns Valley is agriculture based and the quality of the foods is dependent on the quality of the water.
Ms. Saacke Blunk noted that the next meeting of the SCWA will be held on May 17th and will discuss source water planning and has asked PSU to discuss how they will implement their source water plan.
C. Stormwater Authority - No new information was presented.
6) NEW BUSINESS
A. Mark Stephens of DEP addressed the SCWC on the "PA Source Water Protection Program". He noted that it is a voluntary community effort to protect drinking water sources from pollution. A Source Water Protection (SWP) Plan establishes goals for public (community) water suppliers which is defined as 25 full time customers or 15 connections. A SWP Plan has minimum elements including a local steering committee with public participation; delineation of the source water protection area (SWPA) for groundwater and/or surface water; contaminant source inventory; source water protection area management method and commitment (ordinance/education); contingency planning; and new source planning.
He provided an example that shows the protection zones for groundwater wells, which include Zone I (100-400 feet from well) and Zone II (0-10 years of travel).
He explained what is a potential source of contamination (PSOC) as well as both point and non-point pollution sources. He noted that Centre County has for many years arranged for special collections of many hazardous materials. Mr. Stephens also discussed the Marcellus Gas Well Development and how it can be a concern to water systems. He mentioned the differences between Water Supply (109) and Oil & Gas (78) regulations. He also reviewed CWS-SWP Risk Reduction Strategies noting both regulatory and non-regulatory methods. He touched on various ways of education including along the road, on the farm, along the stream and in the classroom. He provided a list of those community water systems that do not have a Source Water Protection Program.
The Commission members asked questions of Mr. Stephens. He concluded with a plea of the SCWC on how to assist in getting the many without SWPP to do so and suggested a written request. Mr. Stevenson asked if there were existing brochures that could be distributed. Mr. Donaldson questioned if DEP pays for a consultant to develop the technical aspects of a plan for a small system which can cost $40-50K per each. Mr. Stephens mentioned the partnership between DEP and PRWA which includes some mini-session seminars. Mr. Miller asked if the plan includes any reporting to which Mr. Stephens answered there is one report that is requested that states that the plan is still active. Mrs. Fisher asked if there are some systems that are of higher priority. Mr. Stephens noted that a priority list could be established and noted that anything that happens higher in the watershed usually helps those down below. Mr. Donaldson stated that SCWC should support this, but wondered what that really means. Mr. Stephens noted that the goal is to inform us of the program and even check in from time to time to see if progress is being made for the SWP of those who do not have them.
Ms. Saacke Blunk noted that the SCWA was interested in the SWP program because there may be 1000s of people who are using water assuming that it is protected when it most likely is not and thought that the group could help educate and work toward establishing programs. Ms. Dunne noted she has heard of some decrease in funding and asked if that will have an impact on the program. Mr. Stephens answered that they don't have to work harder, just smarter. Mr. MacMath asked if we could write a letter to the water system entities (as provided by DEP) and coordinate a meeting in the near future and ask Mr. Stephens address the group. Mr. Donaldson continued that the municipalities be invited as many of the SCWC are alternate members and that someone be asked to sponsor the meeting on CNET. Mr. Stevenson asked to include the municipal managers as well. Mr. Stevenson then noted that this program dovetails nicely to the matrix that was developed of the various environmental controls and the same time of matrix could be developed for the water systems. Mr. Breon asked if there are specifics components in the SWP.
The group then discussed the semantics of purchasing land or easements in order to protect the source water. Mr. Eberhart continued that the program would be more palatable if the landowner were rewarded for efforts made in protecting the source water.
Mr. MacMath made a motion that the SCWC send a letter (as provided by DEP) on SCWC letterhead to the 20 or so water supply companies and then consider an introductory meeting. The second was provided by Ms. Dunne and the vote was unanimous.
7) OTHER BUSINESS
A. Financial Report and Vouchers - as of March 31, 2011
Beginning Balance: $10,629.19
Income n/a
Expenses n/a
Ending Balance $10,629.19
To date, all municipalities have contributed their dues for 2011. No vouchers have been presented for action.
B. Once Around the Watershed - Each municipality present is asked to provide some interesting news from their municipality.
Halfmoon - CWC will develop walking trails within Conservation Easement.
Benner - Applying for grant from DCNR for development of plan and implement path in Spring Creek Canyon. Game Commission has begun work replaced bridge at Shiloh road, started parking lot and completed Phase I Archeological Study.
State College - No report
Ferguson - No report
Bellefonte - moving toward opening spring creek between High and Lamb Streets for catch and release fishing.
College - No report
Milesburg - Adopted the well and borehole ordinance
Spring - No report
Patton - Discussion of Ridge Side Ordinance
Potter - Well and borehole ordinance still under review by Planning Commission
C. Remaining Meetings - The following meeting dates remain for 2011: May 18, June 15, July 20, August 17, September 21, October 19, November 16, and December 21.
D. C-NET Air Times - This meeting can be viewed on C-NET on the following days/times:
Friday, April 22 - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 23 - 5:30 a.m. & 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 24 - 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 26 - 7:00 a.m.
Thank you to the Patton Township for sponsoring the airing of the April meeting
8) ADJOURNMENT - At 8:56 pm, with no other items for discussion, the meeting was adjourned by motion from Mr. MacMath and a second from Mr. Stevenson.
