MEETING MINUTES
Black Hill Ranger Station
Attendees:
Gabrielle Oldham Kathie Jarmon
Ron Anderson Dori Murphy
Michael Morgan Tom Frederick
John Bennett
Treasurer’s Report:
Submitted by Tom
Frederick
Board discussed
and approved treasurer’s report.
NRCC Update:
Gabrielle reported
that the week went basically good. The weather cooperated throughout the week.
Several students
went home during the week due to illness and probably not being ready to be
away from home.
NRCC staff and
student advisors did a great job.
Gabrielle will
have pictures next meeting.
Timber Harvest Plan Reviews
Zook Forest
Retention Area Timber Harvest Plan
The Board reviewed
and voted 6-0 to approve the Zook THP.
Cochran
Critical Area Timber Harvest Plan
The Board reviewed
and voted 6-0 to recommend approval to Cecil County Division of Planning and
Zoning on the Cochran THP.
Tom will mail out
notifications to appropriate offices.
Tom went over a
letter received from the County regarding a previous Forest Retention Area
harvest review. It concerned the Edward Manor III Plan review. The County received complaints and inspected
the harvest. Although they found no
violations in the 5 acres the Board reviewed, other areas contained sediment
and erosion violations, harvesting in areas not covered by the Erosion and
Sediment Control Plan and harvesting in Forest Retention Areas not covered by
the Board’s 5 acre review. It is unclear at this point if the Maryland
Department of the Environment will review/sanction the sediment/erosion
violations. But at this point the County
has stopped any future development activities until the landowner complies with
many conditions regarding their Forest Conservation Plan.
Big Tree Program
John reported that
it was a very busy early summer for the state and local Big Tree Program. 45 trees were measured across the State. 11 trees were measured in Cecil County
including 6 County Champions. Kathie,
Dori and John measured the trees primarily in the southern portion of Cecil
County. He presented pictures of the
Cecil trees and trees measured at Towson State University.
John reported that
the State Committee is trying to meet to resolve a couple of continuing
issues.
Website Update:
Ron has updated general information on the website. He will need to get pictures from recent local Big Tree measurements and NRCC to add to the website.
New Business:
Kathie reported
that one of the lights on the electronic board is out and could not be fixed
easily. She suggested to just continue
to use the board. If more lights go out
then she can ask her friend to fix it, but not necessarily for no charge. Her friend donated all of the components and
labor last time and she would feel better being able to offer some payment this
time, if needed. The Board agreed.
Michael and Tom reported
that there is work going on in the Gramies Run
planting at Fair Hill NRMA. It is
distressing to see trees removed that the Board spent a lot of effort getting
established in a successful planting. It
looks like about 25 feet along one side and 10 feet along the other side of Gramies Run were cleared to implement a stream restoration
project. It is hoped these areas will be
replanted and these projects will provide long term benefits to the
watershed. There was some skepticism
expressed.
Tom handed out
re-appointment certificates to Gabrielle, Ron, Michael and John.