Dragon Run Steering Committee
November 10, 1999
Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission

AGENDA

Meeting Notes:

Dragon Run Steering Committee members in attendance were Dorothy Miller, Prue Davis, - Essex County; Ed Hall (Chairman) and Russell and Rachel Williams -King & Queen County, Jerry Horner-Gloucester County, Robert Major -Middlesex County. Also in attendance were Dave Rhodes and Mike Anderburg FODR, Billy Mills MPRA and Lewis Lawrence- MPPDC Staff.

The Chairman called the meeting to order and introduced attending members. Billy Mills, Executive Director MPRA and BFI Dragon Run Mitigation committee member gave a presentation on the BFI Dragon Run Mitigation Restoration fund. A committee was established to distribute $150,000 throughout the Dragon Run basin. Fund distribution is targeted for three areas: Natural Heritage, Public Outreach-Research, and Land Acquisition.

A 55 acre site in King and Queen, at the 602 bridge has been identified as a potential acquisition site for the Public Outreach-Research component of the fund. Billy asked the DRSC for a letter of support for this element of the fund. Prue Davis made a motion for the DRSC to support this effort and Dorothy Miller seconded the motion.

Conservation Roundtable: Dave Rhodes, Chairman -Friends of the Dragon Run, gave an update on the Virginia Coastal Program Grant they received to do public outreach about Conservation Easements. Dave conveyed this concept is a hard sell, but they were able to add a conservation easement along the Dragon. The Friends also have a Handicap access project scheduled for the spring.

Jerry Horner, DRSC member spoke about Shad restoration efforts around the state and suggested that the DRSC begin to explore a Shad restoration project for the Dragon. It was suggested that Lewie Lawrence make the appropriate contacts for the February meeting to invite appropriate state saltwater agency, state fresh water agency and state research staff to present a Shad restoration overview.

Other Business:

A discussion followed about invasive Submerges Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) and the impact that may be having on the health of the system. Billy Mills and Lewie Lawrence suggested that the DRSC apply for Water Quality Improvement Funds to begin to explore the linkage between absence of shad and other species, SAV issue, fecal coliform increase and land use. Dorothy Miller made a motion for the DRSC to apply for appropriate grants to conduct such research. Prue Davis seconded the motion.

Lewie Lawrence offered grant information about a new Birding program and the DCR trails program

Ed Hall requested that a discussion be undertaken about attendance at DRSC meetings. A brief discussion followed. Ed also requested that an attendance sheet be included with the minutes.

Chairman adjourned the meeting.

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Dragon Run Steering Committee
August 18, 1999
Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission

AGENDA

Present-Future

1. Discussion Items

Purchase of the Gloucester County Site—Tabled from the May meeting.

Balancing public access and a management plan

Chesapeake transfer of land along the Dragon

2. Other Business.
3. Next Meeting.

Meeting Notes:

Dragon Run Steering Committee members in attendance were Dorothy Miller- Essex County; Ed Hall (Chairman) and Russell Williams -King & Queen County, Betty DeHardit- Jerry Horner-Gloucester County; Cathy Wilson, Middlesex County. Also in attendance were Dave and Amanda Rhodes FODR, and Lewis Lawrence- MPPDC Staff.

The Chairman called the meeting to order and introduced attending members. Lewis Lawrence, staff for the DRSC gave a presentation of data bases, land ownership records, studies and mapping products related to the Dragon Run. The review covered material from 1950-1999 related to the Dragon Run.

After the review, Chairman Hall solicited comments related to past Dragon Run products and opened the meeting for comments about future Dragon Run products that might be needed by the committee.

Dorothy Miller suggested a future need for water quality studies.

Jerry Horner suggested a need for developing a notification system to let decisions makers or zoning officials be aware of a logging activity before it commences.

Ed Hall suggested an opportunity to discuss the history of the Dragon Run and the steering committee with the John Hancock company, new owners of Chesapeake Property.

The Chairman then moved to the next topic on the agenda, status review of Mr. Barbers presentation on the purchase of the Gloucester County Dragon Run site. A private landowner has purchased the site and the Game and Inland Fisheries involvement with the site is over.

A brief discussion followed related to public access, carrying capacity and management of the Dragon Run. Dave Rhodes, Friends of the Dragon voiced that his group is also concerned with carrying capacity and managed access.

Dorothy Miller motioned that a letter be sent to John Hancock welcoming them as new landowners along the dragon and offer them a brief history of the Dragon and share the DRSC vision for the future of the Dragon. Betty DeHardit seconded the motion.

It was suggested that a copy of the 1994 Dragon Run Access Plan be included with the minutes for a refresher on the public access plan.

The Chairman then moved on to other business.

Doroth Miller gave a update on the review of the Bay Act and the future of the Bay Act.

Dave Rhodes, FODR extended an invitation to all the members of the DRSC and staff of the PDC to attend the annual FODR picnic.

Jerry Horner expressed interest in knowing more about shad restoration efforts and the potential of future projects.

Betty DeHardit motioned that research be conducted related to property ownership and John Hancock. Dorothy Miller seconded

Dorothy Miller motioned that DRSC contact FORD to discuss what contacts they have made related to John Hancock. Betty DeHardit seconded

Betty DeHardit then with drew her original motion and merged her motion with Dorth Millers. The resulting motion is to Contact FODR and continue with property research related to John Hancock’s acquisition of land along the Dragon. Betty DeHardit seconded.

Lewis Lawrence reported from the last meeting that Gloucester County landfill cap amount is 2,000 tons a day and the King and Queen cap is 4,000 tons a day.

Chairman adjourned the meeting.

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AGENDA

1. Introductions

2. Topic Introduction.

3. Legislative Speakers if available

4. Other Business.

5. Next Meeting.

Meeting Notes:

Dragon Run Steering Committee members in attendance were Dorothy Miller- Essex County; Ed Hall-King & Queen County, Elizabeth DeHardit-Gloucester County; Also in attendance were Jerry Horner-RCC, Neal Barber-Virginia’s River Country, and Lewis Lawrence- MPPDC Staff.

The Chairman called the meeting to order and introduced Neal Barber, Director of Virginia’s River Country. Neal reviewed the work effort of the Middle Peninsula Land Trust and gave an overview of a proposed purchase of a 5-acre site to serve as public access for the Dragon. The site is located on the north bound side of Route 17 at the Gloucester County line. The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries would retain ownership to the site. Mr. Barber was asking for a vote of support for the acquisition of the site (site map attached).

A review of new environmental legislation followed. Delegate Morgan’s, House Bill # 2471 Solid Waste Management and Enforcement was written with the Dragon Run in mind. This bill increases the frequency of groundwater monitoring and authorizes the Virginia Waste Management Board to issue administrative orders that may include monetary penalties.

A question was asked related to new landfill tonnage caps, existing caps from King and Queen, and Gloucester. PDC staff will research and report to the committee for the next meeting.

Mr. Barber spoke about new legislation related to tax relief for conservation easements and is available to answer any questions related to this topic

Meeting adjourned.

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Dragon Run Steering Committee
February 10, 1999, 7:30 PM
MPPDC Offices - Saluda

AGENDA

1. Introductions

2. Election of Officers

3. 1999 Work Plan

4. Legislation Related to Watershed Management

5. Other Business

Meeting Notes:

Dragon Run Steering Committee members in attendance were Dorothy Miller, Prue Davis, and Sherri Gross: Essex County; Jack Miller and Robert Major: Middlesex County; and Ed Hall: King & Queen County. Also in attendance were Jim Uzel, MPPDC Staff; Dave Rhodes and Mike Auderburg, Friends of Dragon Run; and Tim Blackwood, STOP and Middle Peninsula Land Trust.

The annual election of officers resulted in the election of Ed Hall as Chairman and Dorothy Miller as Vice-chair.

The Committee discussed potential agenda items for the annual work plan. The Committee approved the meeting dates and time of 7:30 PM, and asked staff to prepare a draft plan for comment (enclosed).

The General Assembly is considering several bills with implications to issues of interest of the DRSC. The most abundant legislative topic concerns landfills and transportation of solid waste. Various bills passed by the House to the Senate provide for limiting landfill deposits to 2000 tons per day (per landfill), banning transport of solid waste (and others) on state waterways, increased inspection of barges and containers, and individual permits for solid waste offloading facilities. Other bills of interest includes the provision for the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation Fund to be used for land conservation by localities, public bodies, and nonprofits. The Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (renamed from the Virginia Conservation and Recreation Foundation by HB1747) does not appear to have any connection to the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. Currently, the Conservation Foundation maintains a fund from donations, and park entrance and concession fees for the purpose of purchasing and improving recreational parks. The new legislation would expand the use of the funds to land conservation and provide for cash matches to local governments and nonprofits for conservation purchases or easements.

In other business, the Committee discussed a complaint of heavy sedimentation down streamof the King & Queen landfill. The complaint was referred to the erosion and sedimentation control enforcement staff for the county.

Jim Uzel also announced that he will be taking a job with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission beginning March 1. Plans are for Lewis Lawrence, of the MPPDC staff to continue support for the Dragon Run Steering Committee.