Mountain Lakes Environmental Commission
January 2, 2005 Meeting Minutes
Attending: Paul Shorb, Jeana Macleod, Ray Rogers, Laurel Durenberger, Tom Carr, Christopher Stitt, Murray Robertson, Armen Melikian, Louise Davis
The meeting was called to order at 7:45. The December minutes were approved with minor changes.
Paul introduced Louise Davis as the new Borough Council liaison. A short discussion followed regarding the appointment process. Louise stated that there is a rotation of council members on various committees.
EC Membership:
It was announced that Margaret Gossett has resigned from the EC in anticipation of moving out of town and will no longer be attending EC meetings. Louise will ask the Council if there are any people, on their “volunteer list”, who may be interested in fulfilling Margaret’s term. The position would be an “alternate” member, but Paul stated that decisions of the EC usually are by consensus and all members have input. Paul also reiterated that someone might also consider assuming the chair position, at the end of 2005 or sooner.
Deer:
Why have deer stopped coming to the bait stations? It appears to be a mystery. DMS recommended to Gary Webb that they should stop their culling efforts. DMS reportedly took 7 deer on their first two days of culling (four from the new bait area near Condit Road) but none thereafter. Gary and Carl Cavalho of DMS subsequently walked the Condit Road and Birchwood bait site areas and saw no deer tracks in the snow, suggesting that additional deer were not coming to these bait sites.
Several theories were discussed. Ray, Jeana and Murray each said that they were seeing less deer, but that the deer do not seem to be all gone. It was suggested that the Tourne hunt had not yielded much of a kill. Phil had suggested that the mild winter offered an abundance of food, making the bait sites less attractive. The bow hunters took only a handful of deer, and were supposed to be hunting in completely separate areas once DMS began baiting, so should not have caused this problem. Armen noted that last year there had been an initial kill, then a decrease, followed by a surge in March. Paul asked whether the bait sites might have been sabotaged.
As far as the economics of halting the cull, it was felt that Gary did the right thing. Borough and DMS interests are aligned, under the DMS contract. Gary suggested that should we see evidence of deer, we could possibly call the program back into action. We should wait for the snow, re-bait the feeding stations and observe.
The EC reviewed again our bases for estimating the current deer population. The aerial survey of the deer population two years ago observed 130 deer. In spring 2003, after the survey and before the first hunt, more deer were born. Then about 70 were killed last winter, and then more deer were born in the spring of 2004. The following approximate numbers were suggested:
2003 survey 130
+30% (2003 reproduction) 170
- 70 (first hunt, 2003-2004) 100
+30% (2004 reproduction) 130
- 10 (car kills) 120
Suggesting a population of approximately 120 deer still in the area (prior to the bow hunting, Tourne hunting, and DMS culling this fall).
ACTION: Paul will call Carl Cavalho of DMS to discuss further what DMS thinks may have caused the reduced traffic at the bait stations, and when DMS should return.
Feeding Wild Animals:
Phil has sent forward a list of Do’s and Don’ts. An Internet link to a Humane Society web site was forwarded to EC members. It was mentioned that Parsippany might have passed a feeding ordinance. This conversation was tabled until the next meeting.
ACTION: All EC members should examine the Humane Society site, consider the best way to educate Borough residents, and consider whether also to enact an ordinance.
Eco-Hike:
Laurel suggested April 23rd as a date (Earth Day: Fake one as opposed to the Real March Equinox Earth Day). It was suggested that the hike be coordinated with the Woodlands and Trails Committees. It was also suggested that the day would be ideal to dedicate the trail.
ACTION: Laurel to Call Jerry Uhrig to coordinate and set the event.
Invasives:
Jeana mentioned that Lakes Management is planning an education campaign with a preliminary goal of instructing residents in the value of riparian plantings. Lakes Management offered to work with EC on non-point source pollution.
Paul reported that based on his November conversation with Jerry Uhrig, the Woodlands Committee would to present a list of the top-priority invasive plants and what to do about them, and then let the EC implement the public education about them.
ACTION: Jeana will talk with Lakes Mgt. about coordination.
Goose Culling:
An application has been submitted for us to begin addling.
ACTION: EC needs to decide by mid-March if we will pay the USDA to provide the service, or if resident volunteers will do it.
Riparian protection:
Ray asked for a definition of what problem if any needs to be addressed. It was noted that part of the answer is more runoff of nutrients (including lawn fertilizers) and suspended solids reduces the water quality of our streams and lakes. (See also the document “Backyard Buffers,” distributed at the last meeting by Jeana.) Growing and mowing a lawn right up the water’s edge is not as good as other plantings and landscaping that better absorb and filter runoff.
How should we handle this issue? Richard Uranker reportedly supports the need for a greater use of these buffers. Should we regulate, educate or do nothing? Jeana recommended education first.
The reminder message from the EC – re not putting leaves etc. into our lakes and streams - was posted on the Borough Hall marquee as requested.
Citizen education:
Since the EC in so many areas seems to end up recommending citizen education, Murray proposed publishing a Home and Garden book that would explain best practices for households regarding our lakes, woodlands, gardens, and the environment in general. It could be called the “Mountain Lakes Garden and Landscape Guide’” Its contents would include Do’s and Don’ts; proper pruning; tree preservation, vernal pools; stormwater regulations; birdfeeders etc.; why we keep the geese population down; riparian buffer information; catch basin info; underground storage tanks; etc. It might be partially paid for through underwriting from area landscapers and other advertisers.
Louise asked: What is the best way to educate? We should begin in the schools. She suggested a touring PowerPoint presentation. The book could be offered to the public afterwards.
It was asked how this piece would differ from the ERI; answer: while the ERI describes “What we have,” this piece would recommend “How to behave.” It could also be placed on the web.
ACTIONS:
· Louise will look for funding opportunities from ANJEC and the DEP
Wellhead Protection Ordinance:
ACTION: Louise will find out from council if they feel that this ordinance would be something that the EC should work on.
King of Kings property:
There are eight developable lots on this site. If it were zoned for cluster homes, that would offer the potential for 11 or 12. The Mountain Lakes Conservancy has raised $1 million dollars through a grant from Morris County Farm and Conservation. They are seeking additional grants and contributions to allow the Conservancy to purchase the land from King of Kings. The land has been appraised. Louise will have more liberty to discuss this issue next month.
Louise said that this parcel of land is environmentally significant due to its location at the headwaters of the Troy Brook. Mountain Lakes Brook also flows through this land that abuts on 30 acres of Borough-owned land. Combined with existing property, the area would be the second largest core area offering wildlife and aquifer protection. The Conservancy has no interest in being a landowner, and upon acquisition of this property would transfer it to the Borough.
EC website:
ACTIONS:
Planning Board:
Armen reported that the Board has approved a subdivision by Tom Menard at Boulevard and North Glen. Reportedly he plans to keep the old Hapgood that is there, and add a residence. He is waiting for NJDEP approval before going forward.
Adjourned at 9:55 pm.