{Susan D. Merrow, Chair}
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PRESENT: Susan Merrow
(Chair), Janet Brooks (by phone), Alicea Charamut, Lee Dunbar, Karyl Lee Hall, Alison
Hilding, Charles Vidich (by phone), Karl Wagener (Executive Director), Peter
Hearn (Environmental Analyst). At 9:35 AM, Chair Merrow convened the
meeting, noting a quorum. Charamut offered a motion to approve the agenda,
seconded by Dunbar and approved by all. Chair Merrow asked if there were any
revisions to the minutes of February 22, 2017. There were none. Charamut made a
motion to approve which was seconded by Dunbar and approved by all. Chair’s Report Chair Merrow said she had testified before
the Committee on Government Administration and Elections (GAE) as well as the
Appropriations Subcommittee on Conservation and Development on behalf of the
Council. She said that she was impressed by the scores of individuals and
organizations that offered testimony in support of retaining a fully-funded
Council. She noted that among those who appeared in person was Mr. Paul Zagorsky,
who had appeared before the Council in connection with the New Britain water
supply environmental study. She said she is very appreciative of the strong
support of all those individuals and organizations that appeared or sent
testimony. She said that Governor Dannel P. Malloy and
Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection Rob Klee would be holding a
news conference later in the morning to draw attention to the potential adverse
effects of proposed funding cuts in the federal budget. Executive
Director’s Report Wagener added to Chair Merrow’s observations.
He said over 100 pieces of testimony were submitted to the GAE Committee on the
relevant bill, the majority in support of retaining the Council. He said that
some of the people who testified in person waited hours to give their
testimony. He said that the Committee’s deadline to vote on the bill is March
29. He said that the GAE Committee unanimously approved
the resolution supporting a constitutional amendment to protect state lands
from being conveyed without a hearing. Wagener said the deadline for the Appropriations
Committee to report out a budget is April 27. The bill on siting of solar facilities was
approved by the Environment Committee without amendment. The Council reviewed
and discussed each section of the bill. Wagener said he is looking for direction
from the Council as to what input would be recommended for the bill, should the
Council be asked to provide any. Discussion followed and consensus emerged.
Chair Merrow summarized the discussion saying the Council’s advice would be to
support the strongest language that can pass to create incentives to site the
facilities on appropriate sites, with the minimum being the Council’s original
recommendations. Wagener distributed a notice from Simsbury
resident Susan Masino regarding a regional forum on land stewardship. Citizen
Complaints Wagener outlined two complicated complaints
that had come to the Council and asked Hearn to elaborate on the research that
had gone into them. Hearn explained the inquiries he had made about allegations
that polluted soil had been handled inappropriately in connection with a
property in Newington. The extensive research into the question was
inconclusive and he said the best determination would be made by actually
testing the soil at the site. Hearn recounted complaints from Middletown
regarding an industrial operation that appeared to be operating without state
permits and in violation of local zoning and wetlands ordinances. He said the
site had been visited by a representative of DEEP and the operation complied
with the changes needed to prevent it from being a solid waste facility, which
would require a permit. Review
of State Agency Actions Wagener summarized an application before the
Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) for a cellular communications tower that would
be visible form the trails and scenic overlooks of West Rock Ridge State Park.
He said that the CSC had solicited agency comments and suggested that comments
requesting further analysis of the visual impacts from those sites, which have
regional significance, would be appropriate. The Council concurred. Discussion
of Annual Report Topics Discussion began with review of each
indicator. Wagener noted that Vidich had sent in comments that will be
incorporated into the text of the report. Charamut suggested including a more through
discussion of temperature in the section on hypoxia in Long Island Sound, to
better educate the public to the relationship between the two. Dunbar suggested
a reference to the sewage load from Massachusetts and north that are not abated
to the degree that Connecticut’s sewage effluent is treated. Hilding suggested
a re-write of the turtle page to clarify which are endangered and which aren’t.
Dunbar asked if the population trend for the state’s only non-endangered bat
could be included. Vidich said the ecological role of bats should be included
also. Charamut requested that the caption for the photo she provided of a dry
stream bed explain that it was a consequence of both drought and withdrawals.
Dunbar suggested that the three points made in “Progress and Problems” be
enumerated at the beginning of the narration. He suggested a distinction be
made between weather and climate. He also asked for greater emphasis on the
effect of land use on water quality. Vidich added that stream belts should be
discussed too. Hilding pointed out a few typos and places where more exact
language is appropriate. Charamut said that the contribution of pollution from
other states to Connecticut’s pollution should be added. There were numerous
suggestions for improvement. Members discussed the best approach for the “at
a glance” page, settling on the previous format but agreeing to possibly adding
a new chart format. Chair Merrow asked for a motion on the annual
report. Hall made a motion to approve the report subject to the changes discussed
and subject to final approval of the Chair. Hilding seconded the motion which
was approved unanimously. Discussion turned to when and how to release
the report. After discussion of possible dates, it was decided to keep all
dates open and to release it before the next scheduled regular Council meeting,
if possible. Other
Business Charamut announced that today is International
Water Day. It would be marked by an informational session at the Legislative
Office Building and she invited everyone to attend. There be no further business, Chair Merrow
asked for a motion to adjourn. Dunbar made a motion to adjourn which was
seconded by Charamut and unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at
12:03 PM. |
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