SPRING CREEK WATERSHED COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
Spring Township Municipal Building
May 18, 2011
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) Gay Dunne (Bellefonte Borough)
Bob Donaldson (Patton Township) Mark Stevenson (Halfmoon Township)
Bill Sharp (College Township) Bill Fleckenstein (Potter Township)
Steve Miller (Ferguson Township) Don Franson (Walker Township)
Denny Hameister (Harris Township)
The following were absent (excused) - Benner Township
The following were absent (unexcused) - Centre Hall Borough
Guests: Barb Fisher
3) APPROVAL OF MINUTES - The minutes of the April 20, 2011 meeting were distributed via e-mail and posted on the Commission's website. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Mr. Stevenson and seconded by Ms. Dunne. The vote passed unanimously, with Mr. Hameister abstaining.
4) CITIZEN COMMENTS
A. There were no citizen comments.
5) OLD BUSINESS
A. Groundwater Level Report - Dr. Giddings was not present, but an announcement was made regarding the Pennsylvania Groundwater Association's Summer Field Conference. More information can be found on the web site: www.pgwa.org
B. Spring Creek Watershed Association Report - Ms. Fisher reported that Watershed Cleanup Day was held on Saturday, April 23, 2011 and was a huge success with over 300 volunteers. She also reported that the Candidates Forum was held on May 5, 2011 and all candidates participated with 45 attendees. The event was covered by the Centre Daily Times. Ms. Fisher noted that that Spring Creek Days was held on May 15, 2011 with a low turnout. High school student volunteers staffed the table.
The SWCWA met on Tuesday, May 17 and Steve Wyant from PSU provided information on PSU's source water protection plan. His presentation was recorded and will be posted on the SCWA website.
C. Stormwater Authority - No new information was presented.
D. Source Water Protection Program - Chairman Miller noted that a letter has been drafted for an invitation for the private water companies to attend an informational meeting. Mark Stephens will be asked for a list of the companies by municipalities and for additional publications with information. Mr. Donaldson's opinion is that Mr. Stephens included water companies in the entire county and feels that this group should be only concerned with the water companies in the Spring Creek Watershed. Mr. Donaldson noted that there is a parallel evaluation called the ground water recharge group and unfortunately Mr. Miller was not able to contact any of the members of the group.
6) NEW BUSINESS
A. Mr. Hameister mentioned an article in the Bay Journal, noting a headline that "Other States Look to Pennsylvania to Learn from Marcellus Shale Errors", Volume 21, Number 2, dated April 2011. Mr. Sharp also presented a publication named Marcellus Business Central a part of Pennsylvania Business Central. Mr. Stevenson asked about the Centre Daily Times article regarding Utica Shale and that it will not be as productive as the Marcellus Shale. The group further discussed the Utica Shale Formation.
Ms. Dunne asked if any of the municipalities have considered banning the drilling. The group discussed this issue and it was felt that the law that prohibits the ban. Mr. MacMath mentioned the drilling ordinance that was developed by DEP. The group also discussed the seismic testing.
7) OTHER BUSINESS
A. Financial Report and Vouchers - as of April 30, 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 - Approved a culvert widening under Municipal Lane to alleviate overtopping.
Harris - Riparian Buffer Ordinance was passed about 2 months ago. In July Open Space Plan will be presented to the Supervisors and a decision will be made about a referendum.
State College - MS4 permit report is due by June 9th.
Ferguson - Revisions have been made to Riparian Buffer Ordinance because of a question that was raised about the definition of "intermittent stream". There was discussion about the limits of the Riparian Buffer Ordinance as defined by Chapter 102 changes.
Bellefonte - Talleyrand park project is an edible landscape garden. Workers are members of the Talleyrand Park Committee with some high school students. The Borough received a grant of $3M for the Waterfront Development
College - May 4, Source Water Protection Board met and accepted plan, UAJA wetlands construction continues, completed by fall 2011 and CTWA has been made aware from solicitation from a company for line insurance. This program is not being promoted by the CTWA and customers are warned to "beware"
Milesburg - Nothing to Report
Spring - Nothing to Report
Patton - Nothing to Report, but did note that CWC has officially adopted a policy on the Marcellus Shale Gas Industry. Three entities have collaborated for hopefully a stronger voice
Walker - many intermittent streams seeing water
Potter - Nothing to Report
C. Remaining Meetings - The following meeting dates remain for 2011: June 15, July 20, August 17, September 21, October 19, November 16, and December 21.
Chairman discussed summer meetings and potential quorum issues.
D. C-NET Air Times - This meeting can be viewed on C-NET on the following days/times:
Thursday, May 26 - 7:00 a.m.
Friday, May 27 - 2:00 p.m. & 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 28 - 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 29 - 5:00 p.m.
Thank you to the Patton Township for sponsoring the airing of the May meeting. Chairman Miller has asked College Township and Bellefonte Borough as the next sponsors.
8) ADJOURNMENT - At 7:41 pm, with no other items for discussion, the meeting was adjourned by motion from Mr. MacMath and a second from Mr. Bartley.
