Greenway Ecological Standing Committee

 

MEETING NOTES

 

DATE/TIME: January 19, 2010

LOCATION:  Beaver Island State Park Clubhouse

 

Attendees:

 

Alkiewicz, Edward -New York Power Authority;

Baxter, Robert - Wild Ones Niagara;

Beahan, Lawrence -Sierra Club;

Daly, Robert -New York Power Authority;

Frazier, David -Gomez and Sullivan Engineers;

Galati, Joseph P.-New York State Department of Environmental Conservation;

Gromosiak, Paul - Wild Ones Niagara;

Logan, Linda -Tonawanda Seneca Nation 

Patterson, Neil Jr.-Tuscarora Nation;

Rickard, Rene -Tuscarora Nation;

Schlueter, Scott L.-U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service;

Schoenwiesner, Steve -New York Power Authority;

Vanstrom, Michele - Wild Ones Niagara;

Westhafer, Dorothy -Quality Quest Coalition - Grand Island;

Wooster, Margaret -Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper;

 

Action Items/Agreements

 

  1. Progress report from Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper on Year 1, Niagara River Riparian Restoration Program [Presentation by Kerri Bentkowski and Zeb Strickland of BN Riverkeeper on a 3-year project private land owner stream buffering project awarded in March 2009. Due to a delayed start they request a six-month project extension through June of 2012. Action item: NYPA will poll committee and respond to BNR in writing. 
  2. Meeting scheduling and other admin tasks.  
    1. NYPA agreed to continue to act as Secretary in tracking projects, posting minutes and to respond in a timely way (within 3 business days) to project proponents on all committee decisions and requests for further information. NREC agreed to serve out the year as GESC Chair as long as a Vice Chair is identified. Action item: GESC members will identify a Vice-chair by the next meeting.

 

    1. The 2009 ESF Muskellunge study was discussed.  It was agreed that this topic should be added to the agenda for the February 2nd meeting.  Action Item:  ESF’s draft report (for Upper Niagara River only) and their budget assessment will be posted on GESC’s web site.
  1. Wild Ones' Niagara Gorge Rim restoration planning study (1 hr and 20 min).  After discussion of the Wild Ones gorge rim study and the responses to GESC questions, the Committee decided to vote on an itemized or task basis. Action: Members will review the 10 tasks and EDR/Wild Ones replies concerning questions on those tasks, and further discuss by email as necessary and with a goal of achieving a consensus based decision by Feb 2.
  2. Next Meeting: Feb 2, 1 -3 pm, DEC room 156.