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Roaring Creek Valley Conservation Association
Meeting Minutes October 18, 2005
Time and place: 7 pm, Southern Columbia Area High School
Attendance: Kristen Vitkauskas, Joan Sattler, Cathy Haffner, Tom Spock, Mary Ellen Beaver, Wayne Petro, Mark Diebler, Carl Miller, Dick Knoebel, Buddy Knoebel, MaryAnn Bierly, Art MacMahon
Minutes: This was the 3rd organizational meeting for the Roaring Creek Valley Conservation Association. The meeting began with introductions and a review of the Roaring Creek watershed for new participants. Accomplishments of the group to date were highlighted, including garnering community support, deciding on a name for the group, and drafting a mission statement. It was noted that the mission statement is a work in progress, so suggestions are welcome at any time.
To better refine the mission statement and start identifying major goals for the association, the question of ‘how’ the association would like to conserve natural resources was posed. From this, many great ideas were shared including:
• Increase environmental awareness through education
• Flood control
• Wetland preservation
• Generate a species list (terrestrial and aquatic)
• Increase membership in RCVCA
• Promote recreation
• Protect and preserve what is here now
• Water quality monitoring
• Provide programs
‘Resources’ of the watershed were also discussed, including overall quality of life (livelihood for those who own businesses/farms in the watershed), forested areas, and many recreational opportunities.
The goal of this meeting was to identify committees within the association. From the list above, committees may be administrative/business committee, education committee, and monitoring committee. This will be discussed further when we write the by-laws for the association.
After this discussion, it was suggested that the mission statement be revised to reflect the ways in which the group intends to ‘conserve the natural resources of the basin and its rich culture’. For example, it could read: The Roaring Creek Valley Conservation Association seeks to conserve the natural resources of the basin and its rich culture through watershed stewardship, educational programs, and monitoring.
Joan Sattler from PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) explained how state support for community watershed groups came to fruition approximately 7 years ago. Realizing that over 90% of the state’s water pollution comes from non-point sources, the DEP decided that the best people to address community problems are the community members themselves. Watershed specialist positions were funded to facilitate formation of watershed groups which
could promote watershed education and conservation in their community.
Before adjourning, each person was asked to give their final thoughts on the goals and direction of the association. All comments were positive and many ideas for generating support were expressed, including designing a placemat with a Roaring Creek watershed map that could be used at local eateries.
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 17, 2005 at 7 pm. Southern Columbia Area High School.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.
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