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Swatara Watershed Association November 26, 2008 Due to Thanksgiving, a change in time and location was necessary. Called to order at 11:30AM at the home of Jo Ellen Litz. For lunch, attendees ate homemade chicken corn noodle soup. Welcome and introductions: Dick Blouch, Denise Donmoyer, Ann Lasky, Jo Ellen Litz, Jack Stouffer, and John Worrilow. Business: A handout on Marcellus shale was distributed. For a pdf summary, email swatara@mbcomp.com. Drilling for gas as well as solar and wind power are also expected to arrive in the Valley. SWA will follow these alternative energy options. 2009 Sojourn: Mark your calendars for the first Saturday in May-2, 3-2008. A thank you note was prepared for Richard Longenecker, former Pine Grove Township supervisor, who has faithfully delivered the Pottsville Republican for decades. His dedication allowed SWA to keep abreast of Schuylkill County happenings. In the future, SWA will follow Schuylkill County news online. Community Garden Plots: Would you consider helping to identify farmers who would be willing to host Community Garden Plots? With the down turn in the economy, people are losing jobs and/or looking for ways to save money on food. So, the current economy makes it more necessary now for people to grow their own food than in the past. Further, with so many new people choosing to live in Lebanon County, the plots can help the farmer to develop good public relations with his or her new and existing neighbors, educate these neighbors about farming, and supplement farm income. The plots will also provide physical exercise and improve mental health as people work with their hands, watch the plants grow and produce food, and then feel a sense of accomplishment with the harvest--all that and fresh healthy food. What is needed:
Star Barn: Each day brings new progress for Agrarian Country and The Star Barn projects as we move toward our multiple goals. All documentation has been submitted to the Planning Board for the zoning adaptations and we await notification as to the public hearing date. Recent activity at the Star Barn has it all cleaned up and ready for the Holidays. We continue our meetings with our development team as we work on details linked to financing. Our next major function will be a large booth at the 2009 PA Farm Show in conjunction with the famous Star Barn model. Terry Spahr, of El Segundo, CA builds award winning historic farm replicas which he exhibits at toy show festivals. He has had the star barn model at the Farm Show in prior years and this year he has completed the entire farm scene including the out buildings for the exhibit. We know you are quite busy but wanted to extend an invitation for you to become an Agrarian Country/ Star Barn Volunteer at our booth at Farm Show. If you have an hour or two to spare we would love to have you on the team! Volunteers will be on site for 4 hour shifts beginning Saturday Jan 10th at 9 AM on through Saturday January 17th. Please let either Roberta or me know if this is something you would enjoy doing and feel free to tell others who you know are excited about the Agrarian Country project. The more the merrier! We look forward to hearing from you soon. Enjoy the Holiday season – Ben Fundraising for Bordner cabin and Wise property—Implementing a Capital campaign in honor of 70th anniversary of the Bordner cabin. Bordner Cabin:
Wise property:
Union Township Farm: Pam Spayd Shellenberger, a US Fish and Wildlife Biologist who previously worked with Berks Co. Conservation District, is doing environmental reviews for project impacts to endangered and threaten species. She met with the developer/consultants/DEP at the house that is being donated to SWA. The 3 wetlands on site qualified as potential bog turtle habitat. Instead of surveying for turtles, the developer opted to implement a 300' buffer around these wetlands. Two of the wetlands are right behind the house and are formed from the spring house. The developer wanted to know if the SWA would be interested in acquiring not only the tract where the house is, but also the 300' buffer area around the two wetlands behind the house. He also would be willing to give responsibility of the 3rd wetland and its 300' buffer to the SCWA if they would be interested. She needs to get some deed restriction and conservation easement language to Griffith Jones (the consultant with HRG, Inc.) in the beginning of December and wants to meet on site to talk about where these buffers and wetlands are located and us to see the site plans. Swatara River: No report. No response from Senator Casey’s office. Water Trail:
Center for Land and Water: Jack Stouffer is waiting on notice for the next meeting in January. Governor Dick forest management plan calls for the removal of most of the recently killed gypsy moth trees. Tree tops will be left for natural cover for animals and to allow the majority of nutrients to be put back into the soil through decay. A test plot will be left untouched. Other:
October 29, 2008 The meeting was called to order at 9:30AM at the Watershed office. Welcome and introductions: Bob Arnold, Betty Conner, Denise Donmoyer, Stephanie Harmon, Rugh Henderson, Joe Hovis, Ann Lasky, Jo Ellen Litz, Jack Stouffer, Virginia Tilden, and John Worrilow. Business: Sojourn: POWR grant check received. Fundraising for Bordner cabin and Wise property--Received from:
Volunteers assigned to follow-up with phone calls and/or visits: Betty (Blyler, Wengert, LV Conservancy & Steckbeck); Ann (Felty, Bauer); Bob (LCF of Sportsmen); John (Dixon). Bass Pro to sell hotdogs… Set up a date for a Saturday after the election. Bordner Cabin:
Wise property:
Swatara River: No report. Litz will follow-up with Senator Casey’s office. Water Trail:
Center for Land and Water: Henderson reported that, per a strategic plan, at Tuesday’s meeting a structure was set up by appointing temporary chairs. SWA awaits final copy of the strategic plan for review and potential support. Other:
September 26, 2008, the Swatara Watershed Association met at the Bordner cabin in Swatara State Park. In attendance were: Betty Conner, George Conner, Angel Croll, Denise Donmoyer, Scott Ihn, Ann Lasky, Karen Light, Richard Light, Jo Ellen Litz, Jack Stouffer, and Joshua Weaber. SWA will undertake a fund raising effort to support Swatara Water Trail projects. Please consider a donation, including us in your Christmas giving, and/or a bequest. Thank you. Wise property: Additional funds needed to purchase this property. Jonestown Boat Launch: Completed by Jonestown Borough with State grants. SWA was asked for suggestions to finish the area: land scaping around the Water Trail sign, a bench; and/or an additional sign in between the legs of the existing sign that says "Welcome to the Swatara Water Trail" arched across the top; "Boat Access" arched across the bottom; with Jonestown larger across the center. As funds allow, this design could be added to identify other launch sites.
She gave SWA an update on Swatara State Park development progress. · For
day use, four parking lots with bathrooms will be built. Bordner Cabin: Scot Ihn finished the mantle. Yea, Scott!!! Some brick lining the inside of the fireplace may need to be reinstalled. Projects must first be approved by DCNR, then by Labor and Industry. Everything must have a sealed plan submitted and Labor and Industry approval. Steve Laudenslager is Lebanon’s inspector.
Bridge: Paula DeVaun, who is under Jeff Johns, provided a sketch. We will set up a meeting with the Northern Lebanon Rotary who donated $1000 toward the project and would like to construct the bridge, for their blessing before the sketch goes for placement and design. The bridge would be 34’ long x 6’ wide. In addition to the walkway, to meet Labor and Industry standards, there would be a turn around area and perhaps a picnic area. This project would require a lease amendment. Port-a-potty: outside of the 25’ footprint outlined in the lease. We need to have the latrine moved closer to the cabin. The real issue is getting it close enough for the service people to pump the latrine without having to back up on the bank. The toilet costs SWA $35 per month. Windows: An architect can advise us on whether installing windows would take the use of the cabin from a pavilion to a building requiring extensive Labor and Industry upgrades. A pro bono report will be sought. We will have to purchase window coverings of some sort. Electricity: Needed for security and safety. Our previously submitted drawings were not sealed documents. The sketch ran from the road to the cabin. Angel said the closest point that DCNR will run a line is to just south of the fossil pits, which is 1.4 miles. From there, it would be SWA’s responsibility to run underground line. The above ground lines have been stolen (must be the high price of copper). A sealed plan needs to be submitted, first to DCNR, then to Labor and Industry. We will contact MetEd and County Planning for input. A right-of-way, which costs $100 annually, must also be obtained from DCNR. Angel would be willing to see if the fee can be waived for a non-profit. We asked to have installation of electric lines and road construction coordinated. We will have to purchase the wire and other supplies. Angel will provide snail mail letters when permission is granted to move ahead on projects. So that she can monitor our progress, SWA will copy her electronically.
Stephanie Harmon reminds everyone that the 6th Annual Leb/Lanc Watershed Forum
will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2008.
Location: Quentin UCC (intersection of RT 419 & 72)
9AM-Noon
Speakers/Presentations:
Streamside Forests: Providing Cleaner Water, Naturally
Kristen Travers Stroud Water Research Center Education Programs Manager
Emerging Contaminants:
Arianne Proctor, PA DEP
What About My Back Yard: Impacts of Lawns on Water Quality
Harry Campbell III, Science Advocate Chesapeake Bay Foundation Swatara Watershed Association July 30, 2008 Called to order at 9:30AM at the Water Works, East Hanover Township--litter cleanup and watermelon. Welcome and introductions: Business: Intern Claire Taylor designed and addressed thank you post cards for the Swatara Sojourn. In addition, she attended a meeting with Evenlink to purchase a dedicated url for the Swatara Watershed. Sojourn: It is our understanding that John Coutts is no longer with PEC. An email was sent asking about processing of our grant. Bordner Cabin: Will speak with Robert Barth today concerning electricity at the Bordner Cabin. We had provided a sketch of running the underground electricity from the pole at the road to the cabin. Wise property:
Swatara River: USGS sent letters to each municipality requesting feedback on SWA’s quest to have the Swatara named a river. To be proactive, SWA also forwarded information to each municipality for consideration. In addition, on July 12, Mary Klaus ran an article and blog in the Patriot News. To calm fears and/or answer questions, a summary of our reasoning was submitted, which must have been satisfactory. After our posting, only one more post occurred, and that was favorable. http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2008/07/group_wants_swatara_creek_to_b.html Center for Land and Water is requesting ratification of their strategic plan. SWA sent an amendment request to include the Swatara Watershed in the AES Ironwood Tulpehocken/Quittpahilla Agreement with PA Fish and Boat. Provided instructions, equipment and a guided tour to artist Jean Wertz on the Swatara from Jonestown to Frog’s Hollow. Hopefully she got a few pictures to inspire her paintings.
June 25, 2008 Called to order at 9:30AM at the Rotary Pavilion in Jonestown Park. Welcome and introductions: Dick Blouch, Betty Conner, Denise Donmoyer, Tom Embich, Jo Ellen Litz, Jack Stouffer, Claire Taylor, and John Worrilow. Business: Welcome intern Claire Taylor. Claire will be a senior at Millersville majoring in graphic design. Claire will design sojourn sponsor thank you notes, and assist with transition of the Swatara web page to a new url. Sojourn:
Bordner Cabin: We thought the cabin we saved would end up on the big screen when it was considered for a movie backdrop for Ernest Borgnine, but the cabin was not chosen. Maybe next time. Wise property:
Farmland Preservation update—parts of each of the following counties are in the Swatara Watershed:
State Water Plan (ACT 220), --Jesse Senko is working for USGS/DEP on revisions, and the Swatara was picked to have water use assessed more thoroughly. Jesse was referred to our new Comprehensive Plan. Please provide additional feedback on these questions:
On a Stouffer/Embich motion, a new url for SWA’s web page was chosen: Swatarawatershed.com Swatara Painting: Local artist Jean Wertz is working on a painting of the Swatara.
Calendar:
May 28, 2008
Welcome and introductions: Bob Arnold, June Blouch, Richard Blouch, Denise Donmoyer, Tom Embich, Ann Lasky, Karen Light, Jo Ellen Litz, Soon Slayman, and Jack Stauffer.
Business: On an Arnold/Embich motion, the board accepted the audit from Bill Oyster and moved to pay the $1200 bill.
Lebanon Mutual, our insurer, has converted to stock form, but the change will not have any effect on our insurance coverage or premium.
Sojourn: Pictorial review. CDs of 2008 Sojourn available. Send $3 for postage and handling. Read a letter from Dirty Jobs stating that they “are not doing any volunteer jobs,…only doing dirty jobs that people get paid for. We will keep your application in case this changes. Again I want to thank you for sending in your idea” (Saralyn Wilhelmi). SWA also received a House citation sponsored by Representatives Gingrich and Swanger.
SRBC Draft Comp Plan for Public Comment to August 18 http://www.srbc.net/planning/compplanfiles.asp.
Bridges: Alternatives analysis shared for the Inwood and Mill Creek Bridges.
On a Lasky/Stauffer motion Conservation District award nominations include:
Penn
National/Hollywood Casino comments
due June 2:
http://www.pgcb.state.pa.us:80/?p=57 Pennsy Quarry application with SRBC. Comments were prepared by both Jo Ellen and Tom for submission to SRBC and DEP mining.
Swatara River: Nothing from USGS.
Swatara State Park & Bordner Cabin: Historical Society article on Old State Road. Lebanon Daily News article: Bids to redo Old State Road will occur in the spring of 2009 with completion the following spring.
Union Township property: No response to date. Try to set up June meeting at this site.
Wise property: For educational and informational purposes, four of five members of the East Hanover Township Planning Commission and Supervisor Dayne Burrows attended a "walk" of the Wise property.
Other:
5/31 Help is requested for a booth on Saturday for the Under 20 Festival @ LVC. 5/31 Tour and American Chestnut Grove in Pine Grove. At 10:30AM, meet at the waterfall lot at Sweet Arrow Lake. May 31,2008 - Light’s Fort Open House – 2-4pm 11th & Maple, Lebanon. Free admission, colonial crafts, demonstrations, tours. Questions: 717-270-0853 June 3 Center for Land and Water--last strategic planning session at MHS Horticultural Center. 6/3 Tom Powers, 7PM, at Sweet Arrow Lake with a Bat talk followed by a tour of an active bat colony. 6/10 Frog Float on Sweet Arrow Lake at 7PM. Bring your own canoe or kayak, or be one of the first 14 registrants to use a SAL craft. You’ll paddle through a wetland too. June 14 - Old Annville Days. The Ray Swingholm bridge, voted the best bridge under $1 million, will be turned over to Annville Township. June 25 SWA meeting—Union Township property—tentative July 30 SWA meeting--Watermelon at the Waterworks—litter cleanup. August 27 SWA meeting—invite new Swatara State Park Manger Angel to speak. September SWA meeting--AES Ironwood--tentative (plant must be on-line for tours) April 30, 2008 Welcome and introduction of attendees: Brooks Abeln, Paula Ballaron, June Blouch, Harvey Bomberger, Doug Deppen, Denise Donmoyer, Tom Embich, Steph Harmon, Ann Lasky, Dave Lasky, Jo Ellen Litz, Jack Stouffer, John Worrilow, Damion Zampogna Business: Sojourn planning May 3 & 4
Pennsy Quarry application with SRBC. When sinkholes formed in the Swatara two years ago, Pennsy created a grout wall forming a dam to hold back water. Now, Pennsy would like to de-water the dam to restart operations. To do this, they have to "stay ahead of the Creek." Currently, the limestone pit is 250’ deep and pumps 12.9 million gallons of water per day. Mining could take the pit to 500’ and require pumping of 29mgpd or 5% of the Swatara’s flow. SRBC does not consider an average flow below 20% to be a concern. Questions were asked concerning safety of boaters on the Swatara from intense dewatering causing sinkholes to reopen; increased sediment in the Swatara; dried up creeks on neighboring properties if sinkholes reopen; and impacts to fish, aquatic insects, and water quality. A statement to this effect will be forwarded as comment to SRBC. Union Township property: No response or meeting to date. Bordner Cabin United Way Day of Caring. Great job, everyone! Swatara River: Nothing from USGS. Wise property: More questions from Supervisor Donmoyer. Requested a follow-up meeting with Lori Yeich and Jackie Kramer. Executed DCNR contract received. Other:
MAY 17 & 18, 2008 - 19th ANNUAL UNION CANAL DAYS - The Friends of the Union Canal Tunnel Park will be hosting its 19th Annual Union Canal Days on May 17 &18, 2008. Great for adults and children alike. Canal boat rides through the 621-foot tunnel. Saturday’s highlights include lots of music, puppet shows for children, a chicken dinner and some great music at the end of the day. Sunday sheep to shawl demonstration and a concert by the Perseverance band at 2:30 pm. Both days feature early crafts demonstrators, musical performers and for children, train and carriage rides. Food court--pork barbecue, hot dogs, funnel cakes, pies, soup, and drinks. No charge for admission. Saturday May 17th (10:00 am – 7:00 pm) - Sunday May 18th (10:30am – 5:00 pm). For information about the Canal or Union Canal Days, contact the Lebanon County Historical Society at 717-272-1473 or 717-273-4115. May 24- Annville Memorial Day Parade. - Parade begins at 9 a.m.and will be held rain or shine, lasting approx. 2 1/2 hours. The parade route travels along Route 422, north onto College Ave., east onto Maple St. to the reviewing stand at Maple and Long Streets. A Memorial Service immediately follows the parade at the reviewing stand. For additional information on the parade call, Mary Jane Gacono at 717-867-5511. Photo by Rebecca Gacono. May 31,2008 - Light’s Fort Open House - 2pm to 4pm Located on the corner of 11th and Maple Streets, Lebanon. Free admission, colonial crafts, demonstrations, tours. Questions: 717-270-0853 June 14 - Old Annville Days. The Ray Swingholm bridge will be turned over to Annville Township. March 26, 2008 Welcome and introduction of attendees: Bob Arnold, Richard Blouch, Betty Conner, Denise Donmoyer, Tom Embich, Donna Fabry, Stephanie Harmon, Rugh Henderson, Griffith Jones, Ann Marie Lasky, Jo Ellen Litz, Jack Stouffer, Honorable Rose Marie Swanger, Ray Swingholm, John Worrilow. On 3-18-08, facilitated cleanup of trash. There were some documents, a cell phone with intact SIM card and two witnesses who provided circumstantial evidence. Not enough for a clear conviction but enough for a warning and possible circumstantial case conviction. GLRA issued a warning, and kept evidence and witness information. Senator Casey (PA) has launched a nationwide petition on his website against the Department of Energy’s implementation of the National Interstate Electric Transmission Corridor designation. NIETC designation affects all or portions of 8 states in the Mid-Atlantic and 2 in the Southwest, and is quickly becoming a national program. http://casey.senate.gov/actions/ Using the Swatara Water Trail map, on March 13, Tom and Jo Ellen, along with other interested parties, met with DCNR Lori Yeich, Terry Hough, F&B’s Jackie Kramer, Scott Bollinger, Earl Meyer and Planning Department staff to look for potential sites for projects that DCNR and FBC could support along the Swatara River. Sites identified include: Pine Road in East Hanover Township, Hershey Dam area by PA American Water Company, Wise Property, and Valley Glenn. South Londonderry properties were also mentioned. They are also looking for acquisition partners. Swatara River: Package of endorsements sent to USGS. New endorsements from Representative Rose Marie Swanger and Senator Mike Folmer. Google project to scan books from the Library of Congress contain many Swatara River references: http://books.google.com/books?q=swatara+river&lr=&sa=N&start=0 Sojourn Planning: May 3 & 4, 2008
Bordnersville Rd. Farm On behalf of Mr. Jeff Camp, Griffith L. D. Jones, HRG, offered the Association an historic bank barn, log cabin, spring house, and 3 wetlands on 7+ acres in Union Township. During Q&A, Jones agreed to ask Camp to partner with grounds maintenance…as a condition of industrial park tenants. The land will contain a conservation easement for the wetlands. SWAs interest in the property is to preserve the groundwater recharge area and headwaters of a tributary to the Swatara, preserve and/or re-establish three wetlands on the property, and preserve the barn with old growth timbers and log cabin, which is under the white siding. (SWA has published a book on Mills and Bank Barns.) If the donation comes to fruition, SWA will use the buildings for: conservation meetings and make the meeting space available to other conservation organizations, store canoes, an environmental education center as well as seek a DCNR grant to establish the best use for the rest of the property--planting Chestnut trees, providing habitat for a barn owl,.... We would need to determine if a conservation easement or farm preservation is the most appropriate way to ensure that the property retains it's special features. Bill Ross is a local contractor who is an historic barn and log cabin expert. We would consult with him too. On a Worrilow/Lasky motion, SWA agreed to move ahead with the offer. Jo Ellen will meet with Mr. Camp. Dick abstained. Wise Property
Swatara State Park Angel Croll is the temporary ranger for Swatara State Park. After flooding, Barb Davies, State Parks, called to say that stone was purchased for emergency repairs to Old State Road. DCNR is contracting with a backhoe to complete repairs, and we should be set to go for United Way Day of Caring on April 19 at the Bordner Cabin. At the Hershey Library, Manada Conservancy's April 21st panel discussion on the Swatara Greenway will focus on working with private landowners to find ways to protect the Swatara corridor in southern Dauphin County and western Lebanon County through conservation easements, land donation and private stewardship. Panel participants are Rich Zaino, Chair of our Greenway committee, Nancy Cladel, Manada President, John Conner, former President, Steve Rannels, naturalist and donating landowner, and Mike Benner of the Milton Hershey School. There will be opportunity for discussion, and to gather ideas from the audience. For more information check their web site, www.manada.org on the calendar page. Awards for Greenways Design Projects
The Conservation Fund: Kodak American Greenways
Awards Program The Lebanon Valley Conservancy has a position open for a part time administrative assistant. The candidate must be able to work well independently with minimal supervision, and as part of a team. Strong organizational, communication and writing skills, prompt and dependable. Will work closely with the Board of Directors. Candidate must have an enthusiasm for and commitment to land conservation and environmental protection. The position has flexible work hours and the possibility for advancement. For more information, contact the Lebanon Valley Conservancy at tmw@lmf.net. Resumes may be sent to LV Conservancy, 2120 Cornwall Rd. Suite 5, Lebanon, PA 17042 Watershed Specialist Stephanie Harmon reported that a Regional Action Plan by Gannet Flemming is being created with four representatives from each county. Betty Conner reviewed Lower Susquehanna Regional Water Board recommendations for further study as critical water planning areas. Because of extensive development, Conestoga, Chickees Creek, Swatara River, Conawago, Codorus Creeks and Deer Creek. Calendar: March
April
May 3-4, Swatara Sojourn canoe & camp. Entertainment: Lance Simmens was trained by Al Gore, and will present a program on Global Warming at 7PM Saturday night at Hershey Highmeadow Campgrounds (public welcome). Lance travels around the world with his presentations. Listen to the Down to Earth Band, wild animals with Beth Carricato from the Dauphin County Wildlife Rescue, and more. 28 SWA meeting at AES Ironwood (subject to their approval). June 25 SWA meeting at Custer farm on Bordnersville Road, Union Township February 27, 2008 Welcome and introduction of attendees: Dick & June Blouch, Harvey Bomberger, Betty Conner, Denise Donmoyer, Tom Embich, Steph Harmon, Rugh Henderson, Scott Ihn, Ann Lasky, Jo Ellen Litz, Jack Stouffer, Jack Worrilow To accommodate an anticipated name change from Swatara Creek to Swatara River, Tom Embich moved, and Jack Stouffer seconded a motion to change the name of the organization from the Swatara Creek Watershed Association to the Swatara Watershed Association. Motion carried unanimously. The website, letterhead, and banners will be updated. We will check with Attorney Henry to see if we must file any “official” papers. Swatara River:
Sojourn Planning: May 3 & 4, 2008 It's our 20th Anniversary--Still Paddlin' After All These Years! Administration
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