YVSC Community Meeting Agenda

February 4, 2015, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Rm 113-114

Inspiring our Community for Future Generations

I. Call to OrderMission Statement

II.Introductions
III. Approval ofMinutes from January

IV. YVSC Updates

  1. Talking Green – Jan: Growing Cities – very inspiring and well attended group around local growing and local food; Feb: Passive House – also educational and well attended evening – update on our Blog; Food Chains- Feb 10; SIGA Workshop- Feb 26; Seeds of Time-March 10; Pump-March 24
  2. Waste Diversion – New 2015 Guide will be out soon; we are in discussion for a Stagecoach Green Machine like North Routt; 118 cars at January Electronics recycle event at Alpine Bank; Feasibility Study Phase 2 is in process – surveying regional partners
  3. Green Building/Energy – Building industry is increasing so our Green Building Program will working on more educational events throughout the year. We have added a new board member as well – Megan Moore Kemp of Mountain Builders to help us guide that committee. Censible Energy program with YVEA will be launched in March, currently working hard to get the resource list as comprehensive as possible. Up to $100 on lights, up to $200 on Appliances (Energy Star), as well as more rebates on weatherization. $22,000 in rebates will go to YVEA members with a utility bill.
  4. Sustainable Schools- Waterfilling stations; Northwest CO Environmental Education resources “Green Drinks” for Teachers and Parents at Aurum on Weds Feb 25 at 4:30pm ; Green house revitalization project at the middle school - fixing ventilization system, dirt has been brought in, and seeds have been started. Orchard Project at the middle school as well.
  1. RETREE Steamboat 2015 Locations have been tentatively selected – Working with CPW for planting along the Yampa again; and second phase of planting this year at Stagecoach (phase 1 planting in 2013 is at 90% success rate)

V. Partner Updates

1. Geoff Blakeslee – Nature Conservancy/Carpenter Ranch – Nature Conservancy Magazines passed out. A.New CO State Chapter hired Carol Fernandez (Patagonia, Argentina) working with Sheep producers and restoration of ranges in Argentina because ranges have been grossly depleted- been looking at Smartwool business model and range scientists and have been sharing that with Argentine producers with great success. Geoff’s work is divided into land and water protection; science-based organization working with land owners on conservation easements; work is prioritized based on the science and focus on unique or threatened habitat types. B.Work in Routt has been centered along Yampa River corridor (3 primary plants that make it a unique forest type and 4 endangered species). Epicenter for Sage Grouse, Jackson and Rio Blanco have some, but here we have the most. Recently closed on large Moffat Range and working on two more in the key core areas for the grouse.C. Water: 9 major basins in the area working on a basin implementation plan (finalizing by April), which is now rolling into a state plan (submitted in Dec). Our basin includes the Yampa, Green, and rivers. Two groups – one focused on flow rather and one on water quality (with RC Enviro Health Dept). Working on consumptive and non-consumptive water needs assessment – including recreational attributes (types of water use) and environmental attributes (riparian plant community, species, and habitat types). Developed the Watershed Flow Evaluation Tool. Also working on a restoration area from Hayden Pumphouse to Town of Hayden.

Marsha Daughenbaugh(Community Ag Alliance) and Mike Zopf(RC Environmental Health Dept) comments: Geoff has really gone “toe to toe” with the basin board for these efforts, and huge thanks to Geoff for his work.

2. Sasha Nelson – Conservation Colorado –A. Greater Sage Grouse Tours - 5th and Final Year! Registration is now open and seats are selling super fast. Check spots every day if it fills up, and - registerhere, You can also have large group sessions scheduled.
B. 2015 State Legislative Session is underway & we need your help. Take Actionhere. Fight for renewable energy standards – 30% by 2020 needs your help.Rainwater Capture bill out in next week or two. Stay in touch with

C. Support public lands -Learn moreabout on-going attempts at public land seizures and what you can do to help prevent the privatization of America's lands! CO plans for seizure and shared purchase is unconstitutional. Fact sheet, petitions, and more information comes through CC’s email list. Senate Bill 39 – State sharing jurisdiction over public lands. Sample argument for: “By states owning our federal lands we’ll have more local control.” Financial reasons against: What the state can’t do, they can’t provide the billions of dollars it takes to find forest fires when they break out. They can’t provide access – a very low percent are public. This is the first step towards privatizing land.

3. Casey Earp – Steamboat Springs – Accomplishments: 21 additional trash and recycling cans throughout the town. Transitioning to bear proof (significant investment). Continuing with YVEA for downtown investment, bringing 100 new lights with better bulbs and ambient light situation. 100 new trees downtown. First hydrodynamic separator on city water stormwater (separates out in a high pollution area). Green team has secured EV grant – EV station to come in the spring. Secured EPA grant to have consultants come in and help with goals. STAR program a go as well.

4. Community Ag Alliance – Marsha Daughenbough–Get RC cattlewomen’sLocal Beef at Allens over the weekend!

5. Todd Hagenbough – CSU Extension Office: CSU offers trees for planting – get forms at YVSC, Extension Office and Forest Service Office. Common Grasshopper spraying – last year was a serious grasshopper infestation and native grass and wildflower desolation. Warm winter and low snow means worse this summer. This effort is Use the Right Product, and Spray the right area.

6. CMC Students for Sustainability - Looking for volunteers; also have a working group with Real Food Club projects, engaging producers to provide food in the CMC dining hall. April 11-25th Beekeeping workshop ; also starting a food recovery chapter – distributing leftover foodwaste.

VII. Open Forum
Refrigerators with Freon will no longer be taken at Twin Enviro

VIII. Upcoming Events
Food Chains – February 11th, 6:30p Library Hall

SIGA Air Sealing Workshop – February 26th, 12:00 – 2:00p, Library Hall

Seeds of Time – March 10th, 6:30p Library Hall

PUMP, the Movie – March 24th, 6:30p Library Hall

Next meeting

March 4,2015
11: 30-12:30 pm, Centennial Hall room 113-114