Capital Region Water Board Meeting

January 26, 2005, 1:00 PM

At

Susquehanna River Basin Commission

1721 North Front St.

Harrisburg

 

Present:  George Lazorchick, SRBC; Daniel Standish, City of Harrisburg; Walter Lyon, Consultant, Roger Karsnitz, SCAFEG; John Seitz, York Co. Planning Commission, Marshall Goulding, CRWB; Cindy Metzger, CRWB; Betty Conner, CRWB

 

Minutes - There was a correction in the minutes from November 17, 2004 pointed out by Betty Conner.  In the paragraph about the LS Act 220 Regional Committee work, it should say that there are 16 components divided between 6 basins not 5.  Roger Karsnitz motioned to approve the minutes with the correction.  It was seconded and motion carried.

 

Treasurer’s Report- Marshall Goulding

Marshall reported that a bookkeeper has officially been hired. The current bank balance is $17,113.12.  He also reported that he is in the process of getting signatures of the official Treasurer (John Hollenbach), Betty Conner (Chair) and Cindy Metzger (Secretary) as alternate signers for checks. 

 

Phase II Study Report- Marshall Goulding

Marshall has received forms and instructions to apply to the EPA for a grant to do our Phase II Study.  He suggested that we look for partners in this venture.  Walter Lyon has been communicating with Marshall about this and will be drafting a letter to perspective partners. 

 

Lower Susquehanna Basin Regional Water Resources Committee (Act 220) - Betty Conner

Betty Conner reported that the next quarterly meeting of the Lower Susquehanna Basin Regional Committee will take place on February 14.  The committee will be discussing draft documents from the Statewide Committee on the Critical Water Planning Area Criteria and Nomination Process, and a draft Outline for the Regional Component of the State Water Plan.  The Statewide Committee has three subcommittees:  a Critical Water Planning Area Subcommittee, a Public Outreach Subcommittee, and a Policy and Integration Subcommittee. 

 

The first regional public meetings and hearings will be held in May 2005.  Regional priorities will be discussed and input requested.  Each region will have its own priorities, similar but different. 

  

Walter proposed a motion, “To urge the Policy & Integration Subcommittee to address the need to harmonize water quality/quantity standards.”  Walter is asking that regulatory agencies work together and agree to the regulations that they create.  The policy committee should ask how much authority PA has over these issues. Marshall added that there is a pilot study to be conducted by the DRBC designed to develop new projection methodology. The Pilot Study will be initiated in the Delaware River Basin within Pennsylvania utilizing a small 15 mile watershed.  Walter asked if they would be looking at the old permits and various projections that were previously made.  Marshall said that they would be utilizing that type of information along with data from earlier studies. The Study is scheduled to be completed by late spring. 

 

 

Walter offered to draft a letter to the Policy Committee from the CRWB.  It was agreed to have him do that. 

 

Proposed Workshops:  Walter Lyon asked where we are as far as planning the upcoming proposed workshops to celebrate the first water law and to examine our current policies and problems.  He suggested that we need a Chair for the Planning Committee.  Betty said that she was going to call John Hines to discuss the project because he had already committed to sponsoring the workshops. 

 

Committee Reports: 

 

            Groundwater Committee- Marshall is working with a candidate for the Chair position of the Groundwater Committee

 

            Bylaws Committee- Marshall Goulding has gotten a quote for liability insurance of $887.00 per year.  He is looking for counsel about whether we actually need this coverage. After this decision is made, the Bylaws will be examined. 

 

Walter suggested that the check writer does not need permission to pay bills as long as the expense was provided for in the budget.  Marshall is checking the Bylaws to see if there is anything in writing about this.

 

            No Membership Committee Report

 

Basin Conditions Report- George Lazorchick reported that in December we had above normal precipitation.  In 2004 the Susquehanna River Basin had about the same statistics as 2003.  In 2003 the basin was 10.5” above normal, and in 2004 it was 10.3” above normal.  All water reservoirs full.  George is going to work up a graph of the past 10 year’s average for the basin for each year. 

 

New Business:  Walter is on a sub committee for the South Central Assembly for Effective Governance promoting the Corridor One Rail.  He motioned that the Board draft a resolution letter for this project.  Walter volunteered to draft the Resolution. Marshall Goulding seconded the motion and the motion passed. 

 

Next meeting:  3rd Wednesday in March.  March 16, 2005 at 1:00 PM at SRBC