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Dragon Run Steering Committee 1997 Meeting Minutes

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MEMO
TO: Dragon Run Steering Committee
FROM: Jim Uzel, Director of Regional Planning
DATE: November 13, 1997
SUBJECT: Meeting Notes from November 12, 1997

The Dragon Run Steering Committee met on Wednesday, November 12, 1997, 7:30 P.M. at the MPPDC offices. In attendance were: Dorothy Miller and Prue Davis, representing Essex County; Robert Major, representing Middlesex County; Ed Hall, Jean Barrow, and Russell Williams, representing King and Queen County; Teta Kain, guest from Friend of Dragon Run; Tom Smith, guest from Department of Conservation and Recreation - Division of Natural Heritage; and Jim Uzel, MPPDC.

Teta Kain presented a slide show and discussion of her 5 years of inventories of plant and wildlife on and around Big Island, in the Dragon Run. Her quality photography and knowledgeable commentary provided the Committee with a good sense of the diversity and importance of habitat in the Dragon Run.

Tom Smith presented a slide show and description of the Natural Heritage Program in Virginia. The Program surveys and identifies threatened and endangered species in the state, as well as significant habitat areas. Through voluntary landowner stewardship, conservation easements, and land purchases, the Department manages significant natural habitat areas in Virginia. Tom estimated that only about 8-9 person-days have been spent by the Division on Dragon Run surveys. The Steering Committee expressed interest in exploring the means to fund a more comprehensive regional natural heritage survey of the Dragon Run.

Jim Uzel asked the Steering Committee to confirm their direction in developing an issue paper on water impoundment and withdrawal from the Dragon Run, stressing that the planning document would follow the format of the Dragon Run Watershed Management Plan, with issues discussion, policy

options, and policy preferences. The Steering Committee affirmed their desire to have the issue addressed in order to preserve the habitat and character of the Dragon Run.

The Dragon Run Steering Committee adopted a Resolution of Memorial to Jimmy Morgan, a Steering Committee member who passed away on October 16, 1997.

The Next meeting of the Committee will be February 11, 1998.


MEMO
TO: Dragon Run Steering Committee
FROM: Jim Uzel, Director of Regional Planning
DATE: September 2, 1997
SUBJECT: August Meeting Notes

The Dragon Run Steering Committee met on Wednesday, August 13, 1997 at the MPPDC offices. In attendance were Robert Major, Middlesex; Russell and Rachael Williams, King and Queen; Ed Hall, King and Queen; Dorothy Miller, Essex; Prue Davis, Essex; Betty DeHardit, Gloucester; Tom Cramer, Friends of the Dragon Run; and Jim Uzel, MPPDC.

The DRSC meeting focused on a hypothetical reservoir located in the Dragon Run. The purpose of reviewing the hypothetical scenario was to look at the issues surrounding the utilization of the Dragon Run as a fresh water drinking source. The Steering Committee is not advocating such a scenario, however, it recognized that outside localities may wish to explore the use of the Dragon as a water source, and the Committee wished to assemble information to discourage such a move.

The MPPDC produced a graphical image of a hypothetical reservoir utilizing the Geographic Information System (GIS). In order to determine potential impacts, the graph included two scenarios, one with a pool level at 50 feet elevation and another at the 30 foot elevation. See map attached. After reviewing the impacts, it seemed that the 30 foot scenario was the more "practical" of the two. Part of the analysis was to compare the hypothetical reservoir with other proposed or built reservoirs in the area (see attached sheet). These numbers are taken from the Environmental Impact Statements of the Beaverdam and Cohoke reservoirs. The Dragon numbers were estimated, derived from the GIS, or from DEQ monitoring data.

The DRSC discussed the issues surrounding both impoundment and withdrawal of water on the Dragon Run. The major issues include wetlands

impact, multi-jurisdictional issues, citizen opposition, the status of the Dragon Run, EPA evaluation, and the formation of trihalomethanes.

The next meeting of the Dragon Run Steering Committee will be Wednesday, November 12, 1997.

The DRSC decided that it would be prudent to develop a new chapter to the Dragon Run Watershed Management Plan to address the water reservoir/withdrawal issues. Jim Uzel will explore the chapter development.


MEMO
TO: Dragon Run Steering Committee
FROM: Jim Uzel, Director of Regional Planning
DATE: May 23, 1997
SUBJECT: Meeting Notes - May 14, 1997 DRSC Meeting


The Dragon Run Steering Committee held its quarterly meeting on May 14, 1997, present were, from Middlesex: Jack Miller, Robert Major, and Cathy Wilson; from Essex: Dorothy Miller, Prue Davis, and Sherry Gross; from King and Queen: Ed Hall; and from the MPPDC: Jim Uzel.

The major agenda item for the meeting was a review of the 1997 General Assembly Legislation. New laws or amendments included changes to Silvicultural Practices limiting the ability of local governments in regulating silvicultural activities, The Water Quality Improvement Act, and the Open Space Lands Preservation Trust Fund. The amendments to the silvicultural law prevents a locality from utilizing its zoning, planning, or police powers from prohibiting or limiting, or charging fees or requiring permits for forestry operations when conducted in accordance with best management practices. However a locality may require a review to determine that a silvicultural activity complies with local zoning requirements, including BMPs. The amendment also does not effect the requirements for forestry under the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act.

The Water Quality Improvement Act provides for a funding source for 50% cost matching of projects improving point and nonpoint pollution sources. For the Chesapeake Bay drainage area of the state, the fund will be utilized to implement the Tributary Strategies for the reduction of nutrients. Therefore, in order for localities and private individuals to be eligible, a Tributary Plan must be completed for the basin concerned. For FY98 the General Assembly appropriated $15 million for this fund.


The Open Space Lands Preservation Trust Fund is established through amendment of Chapter 338 of the Code. The Trust Fund will be available for grants to persons conveying conservation easements under the Open Space Land Act and the Conservation Easement Act. The grants may be used for legal and appraisal costs or all or part of the value of the easement. The fund will receive monies through gifts or grants from private and public sources. The general fund may fund part of the program. Regional advisory boards will be formed to decide on grants requests.

In other business, the DRSC discussed the extension of the public comment period for the King William Reservoir. The next meeting of the DRSC will be Wednesday, August 13, 1997, and the topic will be Water Supply Issues related to the Dragon Run. Also we may have an update on the school age educational programs sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.


MEMO
TO: Dragon Run Steering Committee
FROM: Jim Uzel, Director of Region Planning
DATE: March 3, 1997
SUBJECT: February Meeting Notes

The Dragon Run Steering Committee met on Wednesday, February 12, 1997 at the MPPDC offices in Saluda. In attendance were Elizabeth DeHardit, Gloucester; Jean Barrow and Ed Hall, King & Queen; Robert Major, Middlesex; Sherry Gross, Dorothy Miller, and Prue Davis, Essex; Jim Uzel, MPPDC; and Bill DeHardit, guest.

The DRSC held elections of officers for the two year term of 1997 - 1998. Dorothy Miller of Essex County was elected Chair, and Ed Hall of King and Queen County was elected Vice-Chair.

The DRSC discussed various watershed management issues including the state Tributary Strategies effort. The MPPDC has established a Nutrient Reduction Task Force to address the Tributary Strategies issues in the Middle Peninsula.
Prue Davis also serves on this Task Force. Ed Hall expressed an interest in being kept informed of the activities of the Task Force.

The 1997 Work Plan was discussed by the DRSC. Suggestions for meeting topics included water supply issues - the harmful potential of drinking water impoundment or withdrawal from the Dragon ; General Assembly legislative acts impacting management of the Dragon ; Habitat restoration ; and Management Plan review.

The next meeting of the Dragon Run Steering Committee will be on Wednesday, May 14, 1997, 7:30 PM at the MPPDC offices in Saluda.



See meeting minutes from: 2009 |2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1996 | Top
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