ROARING CREEK VALLEY CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION

Minutes of October 16, 2008 Monthly Meeting

The meeting was called to order by Vice-President Kristen Vitkauskas.

The September minutes were read. Correction was made to the name of the water company. The correct name is Aqua America, Aqua Pennsylvania Division.  Minutes stand approved as corrected.

The Treasurer’s report was given by Wayne Petro. Motion to accept by Mary Ellen Beaver and seconded by Mary Kirk.

Old Business:

The status of the Association’s 501(c)(3) was reviewed and noted to be nearly completed. A ‘dissolution clause’ needs to be added to our bylaws so the Association will be in compliance with federal guidelines. An amendment is required to do this. As our bylaws stand at this time, the bylaws can only be changed at the annual meeting, which is the December meeting.  Cathy Haffner provided a ‘dissolution clause’ that is used by another watershed group. Further action on the issue will include discussion during the November meeting and amending the bylaws at the December [annual] meeting.

Progress on the signage topic is continuing. Three property owners have been identified as potential sign locations.  The remaining four property owners need to be identified. This preliminary work is to continue.

Stream monitoring is planned to be performed in the spring.  A tree-planting project was also discussed.  It was noted that a watershed conservation group in the Lehigh Valley performed an assessment of the complete length of a stream.  The stream was walked, photographed and assessed.

The effects of drilling for natural gas as is being planned in Columbia County was discussed. Large volumes of water will be needed for this work. It is anticipated that the treatment and disposal of the ‘used’ water will be an issue.  It was noted that the DCNR has leased some of their land for drilling.  Conservation Districts have been charged with some oversight responsibilities but the DEP has the primary oversight responsibility.

New Business:

The Association may host a speaker at the November meeting who will talk on Bucknell University’s field monitoring in the Roaring Creek watershed.

The December 18, meeting will be held at the McWilliams Reservoir in the State Forest.  Attendees will meet at the gates at 6:00 pm.  The meeting will begin at 7:00 pm. Participants will be asked to bring a covered dish to share.

Nominations for Treasurer will be held at the November meeting. 

Wayne Petro offered to get prices on several different types of shirts with the RCVCA logo.  This information will be provided at the November meeting.

Motion to adjourn was made by Leon Soup and seconded by Nancy Salwocki.

Respectfully submitted,

Wayne Kashner

Secretary