St. Lawrence County Environmental Management Council 49½ Court Street, Canton, New York 13617-1169 Phone: (315) 379-2292 Fax: (315) 379-2252 E-mail: Planning@stlawco.org Web Site: http://www.stlawco.org/planning/emc.htm Draft MEETING MINUTES November 16, 2016 2nd-Floor Conference Room, Public Safety Complex 49½ Court Street, Canton, New York Action items in bold italics / Motions underlined. Blue boxes indicate internal links to sections of these Minutes. 1. Call to Order: Vice Chair Don O Shea called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM. 2. Roll Call, Determination of Quorum: It was determined that a quorum DID exist. Members present included: J. Berbrich; J. Brant; R. Burkum; L. Denesha; D. O Shea; S. Rau; L. Rudiger; A. Soutar; P. Whalen; D. Welch. Members absent included: B. Dashnaw; R. Marshall; P. Skomsky; D. Smith; B. Zimmerman. Staff: J. Tenbusch. Guest(s): Jon Rosales, Associate Professor, St. Lawrence University. 3. Acceptance of Order of Business, Items for New Business, Items for Unfinished Business: Accepted (Rau/Soutar). 4. Report by Representative of the Board of Legislators. Larry Denesha reported that: The proposed County Budget for 2017 was adopted at the BOL s November meeting. (See https://www.stlawco.org/ for a link to the 2017 budget.) Several residents from Parishville and Hopkinton attended the November BOL meeting to inform the Legislators of recent developments in their communities regarding wind farms. Demolition of vacant and dilapidated buildings at the J&L site in Clifton has begun. Denesha reported that 11 buildings are scheduled to be torn down. Another 17 buildings will be torn down in the future. Denesha reported that total assessed value in St. Lawrence County is approx. $9 billion. He noted that 1/3 of all land in the County is tax-exempt. He said that in Syracuse, many taxexempt properties pay fees. The SLC Attorney is investigating whether this could be feasible here. Denesha reported that there had been some discussion about eliminating fees for recyclables. He reported that the DMV revenues are up $200,000 over 2015. EMC: Everybody Must Care!
5. Hearings, Comments from the Public: O Shea introduced Jon Rosales, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at St. Lawrence University. O Shea reported that Dr. Rosales served on the EMC for four years (2007-2011). Rosales reported on the Paris Agreement on climate action (https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/international/negotiations/paris/index_en.htm ) and on significant developments in climate action. Rosales reported that the United Nations began to assess climate change science in the 1980s. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was begun in 1988. At the Earth Summit (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), 197 countries, including the U.S., signed the Framework Convention on Climate Change. Its Ultimate Objective was to ensure stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. ( Anthropogenic means of, relating to, or resulting from the influence of human beings on nature. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropogenic ) The Framework also established a schedule of annual Conference(s) of Parties. Over time, these COPs have been the sources of important international agreements. For example, the Kyoto Protocols, announced in 1997 (but never signed by the U.S.), committed its Parties by setting internationally binding emission reduction targets. The Protocol placed a heavier burden on developed nations under the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities." The Kyoto Protocol 1 (1995) called for an overall reduction of emissions by 5% between 1990 2012. That initial target was met. Kyoto Protocol 2 (2013) called for further reductions by 2020. The Durban COP (2011) included a Platform to develop a protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force under the Convention applicable to all Parties. The target date for this new protocol was 2015, in Paris. The Paris Agreement, announced in 2015, called for a limit on global temperature rise of less than 2º Celsius; it recommended trying to keep global warming to less than 1.5º C. The Agreement called for emissions of greenhouse gases to peak as soon as possible, then to begin to be reduced. Developed and developing countries would have to follow the same Minutes of the EMC Meeting 11/16/16 Page 2
regulations, beginning in 2050. In addition, each signatory country would be required to develop its own plan for nationally determined contributions (NDCs) by 2018. These NDCs would be that country s road map for how it intends to observe the Paris Agreement. Rosales reported that 110 countries have ratified the Paris Agreement ; it is now in force. The U.S. and China both ratified the Paris Agreement in 2016. He noted that Climate Tracker (http://climatetracker.org/ ) estimates that, if all current pledges for emission reductions are met, the global temperature will still rise by 2.8º C by the year 2100. He concluded that More still needs to be done. In answer to questions, Rosales stated that approx. 20% of global warming can be attributed to deforestation activities. He also noted that recent U.S. emission levels have dropped, while emissions from China and India have risen. At 7:20 PM, O Shea called for a brief recess. The meeting re-commenced at 7:25 PM. At this point, EMC Secretary Joe Brant chaired the meeting. A quorum still existed. 6. Approval of the Minutes of the September EMC Meeting: On a motion by Rudiger (Soutar), minutes of the meetings held on October 19, 2016 were approved. 7. Reports by EMC Members on Conversations with County Legislators: None. 8. Report of the Committees: a. Executive Committee: No report. b. Conservation of Resources Committee (CRC): D. Welch reported. See attached. c. Invasive Species Committee (ISC): J. Tenbusch reported. See attached. d. Watershed Management Committee (WMC). J. Brant reported. See attached. 9. Report of the Staff: Tenbusch reported that: The Planning Office has begun to participate in the Ft. Drum Joint Land Use Study (JLUS). http://www.danc.org/operations/regional-development/fort-drum-joint-land-use-study Matilda Larson, who had presented information about her work on the Agricultural Development Plan (https://www.stlawco.org/departments/planning/publications/agplan ) to the EMC in October, was recognized by the NYS GIS Association as a GIS Champion. T The certificate from the NYS GIS Association reads (in part): Thanks to Matilda, St. Lawrence County, despite its rural location, is a large user of internet mapping. She exemplifies what it means to be a GIS Champion, continually testing the limits of web-based GIS and encouraging the use of geospatial technology throughout the County. The EMC members in attendance wished to congratulate Matilda on her award. The County has been awarded a Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) grant from the NYS Dept. of State to develop a Revitalization Plan for the former GM site in Massena. For further information, see http://gmmassenaboa.skeo.com A Land Use Training Skills workshop will be held on Dec. 13 th. Minutes of the EMC Meeting 11/16/16 Page 3
10. Unfinished Business: Tenbusch reviewed R. Burkum s proposal to establish a new committee to address issues/topics related to the intersection between the environment and the economy. This committee will become operational in 2017; EMC members are asked to consider working on it. 11. New Business: A. Soutar reported that the Watertown Daily Times had recently had an article on a program whereby NYS DEC will work with the County to clean up delinquent parcels. Soutar indicated that the BOL would be involved in determining priorities. He asked if there might/should be a role for the EMC in this process. (See attached for a copy of the article.) Tenbusch will look into this and report at the next EMC meeting, in January. 12. Announcements: None. 13. Message to the Board of Legislators: EMC members were asked to speak to their Legislators about climate change: how international consensus has developed over time concerning the science and concerning the need for every country to work toward reducing its effects. 14. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned by consensus at 7:55 PM. Respectfully submitted: Joseph Brant Joseph Brant, Secretary Minutes prepared by J. Tenbusch Minutes of the EMC Meeting 11/16/16 Page 4
St. Lawrence County Environmental Management Council Conservation of Resources Committee Meeting Wednesday November 9, 2016 Meeting started at 4:45 PM. Present: D. Welch. J. Tenbusch attended as staff. Absent: J. Berbrich; R. Marshall; P. Whalen; B. Zimmerman. Item 1: Review Priority Projects. Project for "America Recycles Day". Tenbusch reported that there will NOT be any events regarding textile recycling in conjunction with America Recycles Day (Nov. 15 th ). - He noted that he had recently spoken with both Larry Legault, SLC Recycling Coordinator, and with Jan Oatman, Recycling Coordinator for the Development Authority of the North Country (DANC), in order to put together events for A-R Day. They told him about several problems/issues concerning the County s textile recycling program. - Tenbusch has invited Legault and Oatman to speak at the January EMC meeting (1/18/17) to talk to the EMC about progress with textile recycling. Meeting was adjourned at 5:05 PM. Next CRC meeting will be held Wednesday January 11 th at 4:45 PM.
St. Lawrence County Environmental Management Council Invasive Species Committee Meeting Tuesday November 15, 2016 Meeting started at 10:45 AM. Present: D. O Shea, chair; S. Rau; P. Whalen. J. Tenbusch attended as staff. Item 1: Review Priority Projects. Update re Countywide EAB Task Force. There was discussion about the just-completed EAB Task Force meeting. - The meeting had included a presentation by Jennifer Dean, NY Natural Heritage Program; she spoke about the imapinvasives Web site and smart-phone application (http://www.nyimapinvasives.org/ ). The meeting had also included a presentation by Erica Barthelmess of SLU re the Web site Nature Up North (http://natureupnorth.org/ ) - As had been discussed at the EAB TF meeting, the Task Force is looking for some method to enable Citizen Scientists to record observations about ash trees, in order to develop maps and datasets for presence of ash trees in SLC communities. P. Whalen expressed frustration that, after 20 years of EAB being record in the U.S. and with infestations spread to 22 states, there is STILL no common set of tools/methodology to inform/assist communities working on EAB. After some discussion about this shared level of frustration, the Committee agreed to invite the NYS EAB Task Force to speak at an upcoming mtg (either EAB TF; or I.S.Comm, or EMC mtg) about finding or developing tools that will assist local people to work on EAB issues. Item 2: Other Items. o It was suggested that the I.S.Comm or the EMC or the EAB TF put on a one-day conference on the topic. Tenbusch will inquire whether this could be made a track at the Local Government Conference. Walk-Through at Indian Creek Nature Center. O Shea proposed that the EMC take a field trip to Indian Creek Nature Center in early to mid- June 2017. He stated that there are at least 8 common invasive species on site. - O Shea felt that such a field trip should be scheduled to start at noon; it would take most/all of an afternoon. The Committee discussed whether this field trip should be scheduled in conjunction with an EMC meeting. - Rau suggested that the event be opened to other members of the public. - A rain date would be advisable. Hickory Lake Milfoil project. Tenbusch reported no progress.
St. Lawrence County Environmental Management Council Watershed Management Committee Meeting Monday, November 15, 2016 Meeting started at 4:00 PM. Present: J. Brant; D. Smith. J. Tenbusch attended as staff. Absent: L. Rudiger; P. Skomsky; A. Soutar. Item 1: Review Priority Projects. "No Mow Zone" project. Brant reported that he had made no progress since last month, when he made a presentation to the Village of Waddington Board about the NMZ project; the Village Board passed a resolution of approval for the project: - Brant is working on the application to NYPA; he hopes to submit it before the end of 2016. - Tenbusch will get information about insurance. Hickory Lake Milfoil Project. Tenbusch reported no progress on this project. He will begin to work on this project over the winter. Item 2: Other Items. Committee projects for 2017. - The Committee will continue to work on its No Mow Zone project. If this is successful, the Committee will look for additional sites to establish NMZs. - The Committee will pick up the Map of Amenities Along Black Lake. This project has been on hold for over 1 year. Speakers for EMC meetings. It was suggested that the EMC might invite speakers from the Oswegatchie River Blueway Corridor, and from the Grasse River Blueway Corridor projects to talk about their projects. The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 PM.