Onondaga Lake Citizen Participation Plan

ONONDAGA LAKE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN Lead Community Participation Working Group Meeting Notes

December 3, 2009 @ NYS DEC Offices, Syracuse, NY

Attendance: BJ Adigun, Jeffrey Freedman, Dan Gefell, Dereth Glance, Christa Glazier, Hugh Kimball, Les Monostory, and Jack Ramsden. NYSDEC-Ken Lynch, Tara Blum, Diane Carlton, Tom Annal, Stephanie Harrington, Honeywell-Tom Thoren and John McAuliffe, Parsons-Paul Blue and Tim Johnson, SUNY-ESF- Neil H. Ringler, Terrestrial Environmental Specialists, Inc-Joe McMullen

Public: Four members of the public signed in (including two applicants for the CPWG)

Absent: Cara Burton, Terry McHugh

Meeting was called to order by Jeff at 4:05PM.

Approval of the Minutes: The meeting notes from the October 26 meeting were approved.

Presentation by Honeywell on elements of the SCA and Habitat Plans: John McAuliffe introduced the technical experts in attendance: Paul Blue and Tim Johnson on the Sediment Consolidation Area, and Joe McMullen and Neil Ringler on the Habitat Plan. John gave a brief overview of the history leading to the plan for Sediment Containment, Dredging, and Capping and suggested we discuss that area first and then move to the Habitat Plan. The SCA Civil & Geotechnical Initial/Intermediate Design will go to the public repositories in the next few days

Sediment Consolidation Areas: Paul Blue described the research and planning that went into the sediment consolidation area to be staged in Settling Basin #13. There are many details to consider and they are now working on the details of the operations. Public comments have been incorporated into the current design and further public input is needed starting in January through Fall 2010 with a finalized plan established in 2011 to be ready for the start of dredging in 2012. Paul answered questions at the end of his session on various aspects of the process. (see SCA handout)

Habitat Plan: Tim Johnson spoke about habitat restoration and spoke about pulling people together and asking, “What is it going to look like when it is done?” This question applies, not just to the Lake, but to the entire eco-system. Joe McMullen expanded on the previous question by adding one – “What do we want it to look like?” He offered that we have a tremendous (exciting) opportunity to restore an entire eco-system including macro-invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians, mammals, birds, plants, and fish. Neil Ringler addressed the aspect of the habitat plan related to fish populations and the need to create favorable conditions for spawning and recreational uses. Joe spoke again on the vegetation situation as it relates to restoration and dealing with invasive species and he also discussed some of the bird issues around the Lake. The schedule for this plan would include public review in early 2009 in order to finalize in late 2010. (see Habitat handout)

Public Involvement/Outreach and Scope of Public Comments for the January Public Meetings: Ken and Stephanie advised the group that the Martha Eddy Room at the Fairgrounds

6/5/2018 ONONDAGA LAKE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN Lead Community Participation Working Group Meeting Notes hasd been reserved for January 14 for a public meeting on the SCA and Habitat Plan. Both documents will be released prior to the meeting. e Members of the CPWG were encouraged to contact the DEC (Stephanie) prior to December 20th with suggestions for the type of presentation that would do the most good as far as getting information to the public. The presentation just given to us could be tweaked for that event. Again, the Lead CPWG needs to e-mail comments and suggestions to Stephanie by December 20, 2009 so that the format of the January 14 hearing/meeting can be establish structur ed. Dereth suggested, and there were no objections, that the Lead CPWG needed to meet prior to the meeting and it was agreed to meet on January 7th at 4:00PM, location to be determined. The role of the CPWG at the meeting on the 14th will be discussed at that time, but a dialogue leading up to the meeting on line was encouraged.

Membership Update: Dereth advised the group that Charles Bowers had resigned creating a second vacancy in the CPWG. Stephanie said they had five applications for the two spots (two of the applicants were in attendance and were introduced). The deadline for applications had just passed so there was a possibility of more coming in the mail in the five day window.

Next Steps: Comments and suggestions to DEC by December 20 on the presentations for the January 14 meeting. Selection of new members of the CPWG by DEC.

Dereth thanked the public and the speakers for attending and the meeting was adjourned at 6:05PM.

6/5/2018