Physical Resources Advisory Committee (PRAC) Minutes
May 11, 2011
Voting members’ attendance:
Amy Dlugos, Steuben Co. Planning; Diane Fiorentino, Chemung Co. Stormwater Coalition; Tom
Sears, Steuben Co. Planning; Scott Shaw, Chemung County Planning; Richard E. Stewart,
Steuben Co. Farm Bureau; Gene Stow, Chemung Co. Farm Bureau; Richard Ahola; Danielle
Hautaniemi, Schuyler County Planning; Ernie Hartman, Local 139;
Non-voting attendees:
V. Ehlen, STCRPDB; Elaine Farwell, Tanglewood Nature Center; John Trimber, MRB Group;
Richard Gunderman, Newtown-Hoffman Creek Watershed Coordinator; Jabe Warren,
Chemung County CCE; Peggy Coleman, Steuben County Visitors Bureau;
Welcome, Call to Order, & Approval of Minutes:
The PRAC meeting was called to order at 1:15pm, by the chairperson Amy Dulogs.
Richard Gunderman moved that the minutes of the prior meeting be approved; he was seconded
by Ernie Hartman. PRAC voted, and the minutes were approved.
Report from Members:
Amy Dlugos: Turnout has been large for the Steuben County Natural Gas Task Fore and subcommittee meetings. People are interested in the results of this process.
Danielle Houtenami: Schuyler County is in the process of writing a comprehensive plan.
Farm Bureau: Farmers are trying to ‘plant,’ it’s been a wet spring. N.G. Companies have sent
‘Force Misure’ letters to landowners. This letter is an attempt to extend leasing rights without
re-negotiation. Landowners should beware.
Ernie Hartman: Is working with State senators to write legislation promoting the use of local
labor in developing the Marcellus shale. He is also trying to pin-point a time when ‘drilling’ will
get underway.
Tom Sears: Transit Managers from all three counties and Mr. Sears have produced a map that
includes all bus routes in the region.
John Trimber: State GIS coordinators will be implementing a State tax map
viewing/dissemination system. Water testing is underway in the Town of Erin. A farmers
market will open on 6/11/2011.
Jen Trimber: Elmira College is conducting ‘baseline’ water testing. If the Elmira College water
testing results are ‘poor’ additional testing from a certified lab would be beneficial. Ms. Trimber
is developing a quarterly newsletter with information from the various sub-committees and
valuable webinars. The energy task force is considering a trip to Texas or Louisiana to see the
PRAC Minutes….May 11, 2011….page 1
effects of a long-established gas drilling operation. Ms. Trimber is also working to examine the
alpha (α) and beta (β) radiation resulting from drilling (in water or cuttings).
Dick Gunderman: The Chemung County Right-to-Farm law and the County Agricultural
Protection Plan were both passed.
Gene Stow: Farmers have been impacted by the wet weather and strong winds (as of late).
Richard Ahola: Senca Lake Pure Waters Association has many good projects underway. SLPWA
is concerned with the storage of LP in salt caverns. Seneca Lake is saltier than the other lakes,
SLPWA is concerned this is a naturally occurring phenomenon due to faults/failures of the Saltdome geology (that would also permit LP to escape into the lake water).
Elaine Giardine: There will be a Creek restoration at Newtown Creek on 5/23-5/24. Any
interested party is welcome to attend & learn, particularly ‘highway people and stream people’.
There will be a representative from NYS. Call 607-739-2009 for more information and to sign
up. Stream testing is underway for the third year, and it’s growing strong.
Staff report: Victoria Ehlen spoke about the CEDS and listing important projects in the CEDS by
completing a simple form.
Intergovernmental reviews:
Scott Shaw from Chemung County planning was in attendance, he described the project in
detail. PRAC members asked questions about the purchase of the property, Mr. Shaw answered
that the property has been owned by STEG/Chemung County since the development of Airport
Corporate Park. There were no comments on the IGOR.
Presentations:
Jabe Warren discussed, in detail, his predictions for agriculture in the next 50 years.
Peggy Coleman gave a presentation on the importance of tourism for the local economy.
Bookings based on social networking and ‘flash travelers’ are the new and important trends in
tourism.
Adjourn – The meeting adjourned promptly at 2:40 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Victoria Ehlen
PRAC Minutes….May 11, 2011….page 2