Attendees:

Joan Koos
Peter Krukowsky
Alice Hemphill
Michael Craghan
Steve Taylor
Wilma Morrissey
Cathie Oliver
Jeffrey Pace
Brian Gallagher
Cathie MacLeod
Jerry MacLeod
Kevin Dunn
Faith Hahn
Robert Karl
Richard Famularo
Tim Thomas
Katrie Hilman

Mr. Taylor began the meeting by discussing potential MRWA projects for 2004. Given NJDEP's direction, the organization will obviously be working on stormwater management issues and Category 1 designation for the Manasquan. Current projects include the riparian restoration project and the membership drive for which the MRWA holds active grants. Mr. Taylor asked the group for other ideas and suggested an effort to provide planning tools to environmental commissions and planning boards within the watershed.

Many of the planning boards and environmental commissions do not utilize resources available to them. A perfect example is the use of Geographic Information Systems. While many of the towns in the watershed have access to this technology, they are not using it to its full potential. Perhaps if basic information was provided to them, they would begin to use it more frequently. The concept is to provide hard copy maps of various GIS layers to commissions and boards. A base set of maps that identify wetlands, forested areas, endangered species habitats, parklands, etc. would enable boards and commissions to make more informed decisions about potential land use changes. Having hard copy maps available to them during their meetings will enable them to better scrutinize development proposals to ensure minimal impacts to natural resources. Once they become familiar with the maps and begin to realize their potential, hopefully they will become more interested in learning the technology. Training is currently provided by the County for those interested and some towns are taking advantage of this training. Hopefully, through this program interest will grow and more local decision makers will signup for training.

Members were receptive to this idea and several said they would appreciate having the maps. Several others indicated they would also like to take the mapping training offered by the county.
Members suggested contacting Eric Anderson to collect information about who's getting the training and towns participating in the GIS program. Mr. Taylor agreed.

Members suggested getting schools involved in GIS mapping. Perhaps a senior class competition could be done to promote the program and provide GIS tools at the local level. Some concern was expressed since GIS programming can be somewhat complicated. The high school level may not be the appropriate forum unless they had strong leadership and direction. Colleges may be more equipped to handle a project like this.

Mr. Taylor informed the group that the stormwater management rule should be promulgated by January 6, 2004. At that time, municipalities will have 30 days to apply for a stormwater management permit and 12 months from that point to develop a stormwater management plan. Municipalities will receive a small stipend ($6,400) along with their permit to help them finance implementation of the stormwater permit.

Mr. Taylor informed the group that C1 designation, which is the highest level of environmental protection offered to a waterway, has been proposed for sections of the Manasquan River. C1 has been proposed from West Farms Road downstream through Allaire Park. Several tributaries have been proposed as well. They are: Marsh Bog Brook, Mingamahone Brook, Long Swamp Brook, East Branch Tributary (of Mingamahone Brook), Squankum Brook, Timber Swamp Brook, Manasquan Reservoir Tributaries, and Bear Swamp Brook.

Members expressed some concern about C1 designation. Currently, limited stream cleaning is permitted under a freshwater wetlands general permit. Stream cleaning of debris will not be allowed under C1 designation. This could impact recreational navigation on the river and compound mosquito problems in some areas. C1 may also limit local government activities in designated waterways. For example, public observation or viewing areas may be restricted and mosquito prevention control methods may not be permitted. Members suggested that NJDEP was already revisiting some of these issues because they were raised during the public comment period on the rule.

One member suggested that navigation rights may actually pre-date Clean Water Act authorities. If this is true, navigational exceptions must be granted. Mr. Gallagher agreed to update the group on this issue at a future meeting.

The Freehold Soil Conservation District is concerned about conflicts between C1 and the Soil and Sediment Erosion Control Standards. Current policy is to require all stormwater to reach a stable area within 300 feet. A stable area is considered to be a stream or river and not overland flow of stormwater. C1 designation requires a 300 foot setback for new development, so this requirement could present a potential conflict. Also, stormwater infiltration is not considered to be a stable system since failure of the system is assumed to calculate the proper drainage area of system. This could damper developments proposed under "low impact design standards." They are currently considering a combination of basins that include both infiltration and detention/retention as a potential solution.

Under announcements, Mr. Taylor reported that he submitted a Watershed Initiative Grant Proposal to NJDEP for consideration. Under the program, nominations must be submitted by the Governor, so NJDEP is collecting pre-proposals for consideration. Under the grant program, the MRWA is proposing to develop a market-based approach to environmental restoration by instituting development impact fees and tax incentives to restore floodplain function by elevating streambeds using stream restoration techniques.

Mr. Taylor discussed stream cleaning protocols with NJDEP. Fisheries scientist, Mark Borick, stated that the department doesn't typically allow stream cleaning of log jams because they provide important fish habitat. Also, removal of the material may be more disturbing to the system that helpful. Riparian areas are often impacted by heavy equipment and disturbing acidic soils in the stream could have devastating effects on organisms living in the stream. Typically, the DEP will only grant stream cleaning if material is jammed up against a bridge abutment and is causing a public safety concern. Material must be removed by working from the bridge to reduce or minimize impacts to the stream and the riparian area.

Mr. Taylor asked members to report to him any community cleanup needs. The State has expressed interest in having prisoners pick up trash and get involved in other cleanup activities. If members are aware of illegal dump sites that need to be cleaned, please call Mr. Taylor.

Announcements
Katrie Hillman said that Cornell Cooperative Extension has developed a GIS software program that might be helpful. She agreed to investigate and report back to the group.

Jeff Pace reported that the Jacques Costeau Society provides GIS training and buildout analysis tools. Jeff can provide more information if interested. Incidentally, Jeff has surveying equipment and GPS equipment available to him for project work.

The Water Resources Association will be sponsoring a GIS workshop in February. The software firm of ESRI will provide the training.

GIS training should be provided at an upcoming Area 12 Congress meeting.

Alice Hemphill along with the Manasquan Environmental Commission and a group of volunteers planted 5,000 dune grass plugs on Saturday, November 15th. Way to go Alice!!!

Two Sea Girt residents briefed the group about a proposed development in Sea Girt adjacent to Wreck Pond. Concerned has been raised in the community about the development and potential impacts to Wreck Pond. Mr. Taylor agreed to look into the details of the project but pointed out that the project area is outside of the Manasquan River watershed.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.