UPPER JAMES RIVER ROUNDTABLE/MOUNTAIN WATERS RC&D
MINUTES
JULY 18, 2008
Lexington - Holiday Inn Express
Present
Tammy Stephenson, Kent Ford, Ellen Ford, Jim Echols, Paul Bugas, Nesha Mizel,
Caroline Bott, Jean Clark, Patte Wood, Ward Robens, Don Drake, Carol Craft, Gerry
Jackson, Jay Gilliam, Sara Jordan, Margaret Spencer.
Ms. Stephenson called the meeting to order.
Minutes of April 11, 2008
Upon a motion by Mr. Gilliam, seconded by Mr. Robens, minutes of the April 11, 2008
meeting were approved as presented by unanimous vote of the board.
RC&D - Consider Official Name
There was much discussion about the official name of the RC&D. Everyone present
commented about the pros and cons of keeping "Mountain Waters RC&D" and "Upper
James [River] RC&D." Mr. Robens made a motion, seconded by Mr. Gilliam to amend
the name to the "Upper James River RC&D." After additional discussion, Mr. Robens
and Mr. Gilliam agreed to amend their motions to change the name to the "Upper James
RC&D." The Board agreed by majority vote.
Ms. Stephenson said the only official filing to date is the Articles of Incorporation with
the State Corporation Commission. She researched the issue and found that if only the
name changes; there is an application and a $25 fee, which she will handle.
RC&D Bylaws
Ms. Stephenson reminded the Board that the Bylaws had been sent to all members via
email. Other than making the name change, they should be final. She asked that anyone
with questions or comments give them to her via email. Mr. Echols had a couple of
questions at the meeting, which were resolved.
RC&D Nonprofit Status
Ms. Stephenson reported that she will meet with the accountant on July 31 in Lexington
to complete the IRS application.
Localities/Agency Who Have Not Approved Application
Ms. Stephenson said she received an email from the Highland County Administrator this
week reporting that the Highland County Board of Supervisors had approved the
submission of the RC&D application at the July meeting. That leaves only Bath County,
which has not considered the application at a meeting yet, and Central Shenandoah PDC,
which will most likely approve once all its localities approve. Only Bath County is left in
this list of localities. The PDC also represents Highland and Rockbridge Counties and
the cities of Lexington and Buena Vista. Ms. Stephenson will meet with the Bath County
Administrator and Chairman of the Board soon to discuss the application.
Ms. Stephenson distributed a list of RC&D Council members and a list of Advisory
Sponsors/Ex-Officio Members. She asked everyone to review and let her know of
changes that need to be made on the lists. There was discussion that we should consider
adding someone from the Nature Conservancy, the RiverKeeper (David Sligh), and
VDOT.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Ms. Stephenson told the board that agendas will now be organized for all our focus
committees to report. Two of the four committees have chairmen, so two more are
needed, as follows. Anyone wishing to serve on the committees should let Ms.
Stephenson or the chair know.
Environmental Education Committee
Ellen Reynolds agreed to chair previously. Ms. Reynolds was unable to attend this
meeting, so there was no report. Mr. Robens said he would like to serve on this
committee.
Land Conservation Committee
Genevieve Goss agreed to chair previously. Ms. Goss was unable to attend this meeting,
so there was no report.
Outdoor Recreation Committee
There is no chair at this time. Ms. Mizel and Mr. Gilliam said they would like to serve on
the committee, but not chair. Mr. Robens and Ms. Wood agreed to co-chair this
committee.
Water Resources Committee
There is no chair of this committee.
Citizen Monitoring Update
Mr. Gilliam reported that he had an intern working with him this summer. They are
working on an outreach event with farmers to discuss pollution. They will also have
training sessions in Botetourt and Rockbridge Counties.
Mr. Ford said the Cowpasture River Preservation Association is collecting samples on the
upper Cowpasture River and the lower Bullpasture River. The data from their collections
can be found in their newsletter online.
DCR GRANT STATUS
Website
Ms. Stephenson reported that work continues on the website, but everyone still needs to
review and give feedback. Ms. Craft checked on domains in anticipation of an
organizational name change, and Upper James is available. Also, we need content and
pictures for the website.
Natural Resource Management Workshops
Ms. Goss chairs this ad hoc committee, but was unable to attend the meeting. However,
she provided the following written report from their July meeting:
Chair, Genevieve Goss
Members: Jean Clark (meeting 1), George Devlin (unable to attend), Ellen Ford, Ellen
Reynolds, Ward Robens
Also in attendance: Jay Gilliam
After considering several possibilities for workshops, the committee has decided to
pursue the following plan:
Workshop #1---This workshop is being planned for October 25 at Boxerwood Garden
(Lexington). It would incorporate an overview of Low Impact Development and
Stormwater Management techniques appropriate for the average citizen; instruction and
demonstration of how to build a raingarden; and instruction and construction of a
rainbarrel. The workshop would run from 10am-1:30pm and include a lunch and a tour
of Boxerwood. We are also considering incorporating environmental education activities
for kids. We have the date, place, speakers, rainbarrel supplier, caterer, etc. lined up and
should be able to finalize other details soon.
Workshop #2---This workshop will be the first to follow a template suggested by Jay
Gilliam----an informational presentation aimed at elected officials, local
government employees, and individuals who are affected by programs and
regulations such as erosion and sediment control, stormwater, nutrient management, cost
share. This workshop would present the full complement of programs available and
provide education on the latest laws and programs targeting nonpoint source pollution,
water supply, etc. Since other MWRC&D workshops targeted Mountain and Natural
Bridge SWCDs, the first workshop is planned for Botetourt County this year, targeting
Mountain Castles SWCD. Details are still being worked out for this.
Publication of Brochure
Ms. Craft chairs this committee and reported that they will have a meeting following the
RC&D meeting and will probably send a draft out to the group via email in the near
future.
Water Monitoring Supplies
Ms. Stephenson reminded everyone that we have $500 in the grant for water monitoring
supplies. She asked that Mr. Ford and Mr. Gilliam work on this so we can make the best
use of these funds.
RC&D Conference
It was reported at the last meeting that Mr. Gilliam attended the Virginia RC&D
conference in April. Ms. Goss is slated to attend the Southeast RC&D meeting in
Wytheville in September. This particular conference is only held in Virginia every few
years.
OTHER ISSUES/AGENCY REPORTS
Natural Bridge SWCD Appropriation
Ms. Stephenson reported that the NBSWCD appropriated $1,000 in the current fiscal
year's budget for our RC&D/Roundtable. We mad the official request and the funds have
been moved into our account. Mr. Gilliam reported that the same amount has been
appropriated for the next fiscal year. It was suggested that the other two SWCD may
consider similar appropriations.
State Observation Wells
Ms. Stephenson reported that DEQ has a Ground Water Characterization office and they
are looking for qualifying wells and springs to obtain needed information on ground
water on this end of the state, as there is almost no information. She asked that anyone
who knows of any potential sites or of someone that may know to let her know.
Website Library
Ms. Mizel reminded everyone that we talked about a project library and forum on the
website that we had discussed previously. She asked that everyone consider this and
provide input.
Project Development
Ms. Craft suggested that the RC&D consider developing projects in anticipation of
funding. If this is done, then a lot of the groundwork is complete once funding is
identified. This process could be expedited through the forum Ms. Mizel mentioned. Mr.
Gilliam mentioned that this would also help the mission of the Foundation for Virginia's
Natural Resources, which he chairs. Ms. Stephenson suggested we charge each of the
committees with developing projects to present to the Board.
Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries
Paul Bugas reported that fish kills occurred late in Spring 2008, with most of the
problems cropping up in June. The Jackson River, downstream of Covington, and the
upper James River, from Iron Gate to Natural Bridge, the Cowpasture River and Craig
Creek all experienced fish kills in 2008. The Forest Service and DGIF continue to
monitor the nuisance algae Didymosphenia geminata below Gathright Dam. Not much
news on Gathright Dam hydropower project. A draft license application will be sent to
stakeholders in September. DGIF, DEQ, and W&L University will embark on a study of
Hays Creek in Rockbridge County. This is in response to a large streambank renovation
project near Rockbridge Baths.
Mr. Echols gave a presentation on Order of the Arrow, which will have an event June 2128. He reported that they were expecting about 1100 scouts, but Ms. Downing reported
that only 400 had signed up so far. They will be working on new trail construction, trail
reconstruction, and campgrounds. There will be a need for volunteers. More information
on this will be distributed to the group.
The next meeting is scheduled for October 17, 2008. Ms. Stephenson is working with
Elisabeth Vogel, our new Craig County representative, to possibly hold the meeting
there.
As there was no other business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned.