Bi-State Advisory Council for the WhiteClayCreek Preserve

November 3, 2008

In attendance at the meeting:

Council Members:

Bob Chartowich, ChairTheresa Silver, Co-Chair

Janet KalbAndy Urquhart

Fred MullerKenneth Prager

Dorothy Miller

PA State Parks Staff:

David KemmererKevin Fazzini

Ken LewisSharon Bleich

Bill MortonMarilyn Flannery

DE State Parks staff:

Charles Salkin, DirectorEsther Knotts

Nick McFaddenPaul Nicholson

Advisory council chair, Bob Chartowich, suggested a list of contacts be created that would include the advisory council members and staff from both PA and DE state parks associated with WhiteClayCreek. The list should include name, phone number, e-mail, and mailing address. Chaz volunteered to coordinate the list.

Chaz offered to have DE handle the printing and distribution of all future agendas for the advisory council meetings. The agenda will be developed by council then sent to DE and PA for additions. Council will give their thoughts to Chaz on an ongoing basis. DE has a web site to post the minutes, comments, etc. PA will provide a link to the DE site.

At the last meeting (April 30, 2008) DE council members provided issues. Preference was given at this meeting to PA members.

Teddi reported that two people from parks, one from PA Fish and Boat Commission, and several council members looked at:

1)a large jamb on the east branch – the PA Fish and Boat Commission said it should only be monitored. Ken mentioned the possibility of stabilizing the jamb if we want to keep it.

2)washouts on Peltier Road – they walked down the road to look at the washouts (driving on the road is only done by park staff). PA Fish and Boat Commission said the work needed goes beyond their authority (would need engineering and construction help) and they would like PA to step up to fix the washouts. A suggestion was made by the council to start a grass roots project to raise funds for the project that would be used as a match for state funds. Kevin Fazzini asked if one washout was any worse than the others. Bill Morton said one is very bad and there are three others. Estimated cost for repair is $20-30,000 each. Teddy felt it would be too dangerous for scouts to take on the project but thought her fishing club could help. Fred said public should “pay/invest” in it if they want it. A comment was made that Wilkinson is doing quarry work with native rock and someone should check into getting what he’s grinding up for road fill. Avondale quarry may be a good site for large stone. DE has 20 or more one-ton rocks that PA could have. Work needs to be done soon.

Bob made a suggestion that Teddy, Fred, Dorothy, and himself could be on a committee to ask for funds. Bob made a motion for council – to raise funds and that PA should make a sincere effort to fund the stream bank project. Fred said he would second the motion but wanted to confirm the “committee” would be the ones making the calls for funds. Dorothy indicated funds should not be solicited until plans are available. PA Fish and Boat Commission doing plans for base of project.

Bill Morton will be the contact for PA.

Sexton House – Janet wanted to know what’s going to happen to the building. The house has been stabilized by a massive volunteer project. Marilyn would like to have a porch and interior work done and be able to use it for environmental purposes and a possible watershed headquarters. Bob questioned if it was eligible for historic register and was told that it is not eligible by itself. Kevin reminded the group that the building would have to meet Labor and Industry (L&I) requirements for occupancy and that the PA state park policy is to stabilize historic buildings. He said the only exception would be for historic facilities being repaired in-kind and not being upgraded. Teddy said she would bring it up to her fishing club to see if they want to do any of the work. Dave suggested that we have a staff architect determine what can be done and what the cut off date is for historic preservation before any volunteers are given the go ahead. It was suggested to have the architect review and attend the next council meeting.

Ken reported that fish poaching is still going on. There is no response from PA Fish and Boat Commission. He and Bill are hoping Kate (ranger from PA) will be able to enforce once she is trained.

REPORT FOR PA

  • Iniatitives are moving forward – Conservation Landscape Initiative (CLI), Get Outdoors PA (GOPA), IConserve, and Nature Inn
  • Budget – 2 cuts already, expecting a 3rd, hiring freeze for wage and salary
  • Squeeze on project funds – Growing Greener expires 12/31/10, Key 93 funding (from property transfer taxes) affected by low housing sales
  • Budget woes would be more severe without increased revenue from the fee increase
  • Oil and gas lease in northern counties will benefit projects

REPORT FOR DE

  • Jobs bill related to election and expected in early stage of next administration
  • New governor and lt governor are both park users and parents of young kids who use the outdoors
  • Revenue is down and expected to go down further
  • Budget hasn’t been reduced yet, but expected
  • Already being asked to cut for next year
  • Hiring freeze – 24 of 200 positions vacant
  • Have to submit for complement reduction
  • Proposing a fee increase

RIVER ADMINISTRATION REPORT – via Bob

  • Reforestation study coordinated with DE Nature Society
  • Trail map for park – design by end of year
  • State of the Watershed report available
  • 12 projects for easement/acquisition
  • May 2, 2009 will be the White Clay Festival
  • discussion on if there should be a table to commerate the 25th anniversary of White Clay Creek Preserve
  • events scheduled for both PA and DE

2009 advisory council meetings scheduled for:

April 15, 2009 in DE

October 21, 2009 in PA

Meeting adjourned at 12:15 pm.