Environmental Conservation Commission


The Environmental Conservation Commission is an all-volunteer commission dedicated to discussing and implementing ways to protect the natural resources of the town.

CLICK HERE FOR ECC MEETING MINUTES

Environmental Conservation Commission Members

Chair
Joan Parker

Commission Members
William Trifilo

Roberta Clements

Janet Kern

Neal Rindlaub

Jules Kaufman

Vacancy

NEXT ECC Meeting: Wednesday, December 13th, 2023 at 7pm

Held at Town Hall and Via Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85768681578?pwd=S2JHKzZVdHRnVytQWmk4ZWlIWGdRZz09

Meeting ID: 857 6868 1578

Passcode: 129821

Or dial by telephone - use same Meeting ID and Passcode as above: +1 929 205 6099

Agenda: ECC December Meeting December 13, 2023

(Tentative) 7:00 PM at Town Hall via Zoom

7:00-7:10 pm, Opening

Quote- Joan

Attendance

Approval of October minutes

Approval of November minutes

Volunteer for January quote

Next meeting scheduled for January 17, 2024, at 7:00 PM

7:10 pm- 7:25 pm- continue review of Clements Revised Draft Wetlands and

Watercourses Protection Law Starting at §220-35-10 Severability

7:25 pm- 8:00 pm- Discussion on revised draft as of September 2023

8:00-8:15 pm – No Mow May and lawn care initiatives

8:15- 8:25 pm – Scheduling PB coverage in 2024

8:25 pm – 8:30 pm – Privilege of the Floor, Please limit comments to three minutes, longer comments may be submitted in writing and will be part of the public record

Adjourn

Agenda: ECC November Meeting

Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 7pm

7:00-7:10 pm, Opening 

Quote- Joan

Attendance 

Approval of October minutes 

Volunteer for November quote

Next meeting scheduled for December 13 at 7:00 PM 

*Note that this will be the second Wednesday of December


7:10 pm- 8:00 pm- continue review of Clements Revised Draft Wetlands and Watercourses Protection Law

Starting at §220-35-7(D) Permit requirements and specifications- Planning Board Review

8:00-8:30 pm – presentation by Matt Bialecki

8:30- adjourn


OLDER Agenda: ECC Special Meeting

Monday, October 30, 2023

7:00 pm-8:30 pm review Wetlands and Watercourses draft law revisions

8:30 pm- adjourn

Next regular meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 15, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall and via Zoom.

ECC - Regular Monthly Meeting Agenda

October 18th, 2023

7:00 PM at Town Hall & via Zoom

 

7:00-7:10 pm, Opening

Quote- Neil

Attendance

Approval of September minutes

Volunteer for November quote

Next meeting scheduled for November 15 at 7:00 PM

7:10-7:15 pm, Outreach and Events

Third Thursday Environmental Series, October 19,

            WVLT Adjacent Land Owners Informational Session, October 21 at 10 am, TH, Bill

 

7:15-7:45 pm, A Tale of Two Drafts: two drafts and how we move forward, Joan

 

7:45-8:00 pm, Planning for No Mow May in 2024, Janet

           

8:00-8:25 pm, 2024 Goals & Objectives, Joan and all

            Outreach to support Water Resource Awareness, Conservation, and Protection

            Consistent Review of PB applications and use of NRI

            Other goals and objectives?             

8:25-8:30 pm, Privilege of the Floor, please limit comments to three minutes, longer comments may be submitted in writing.

8:30 pm, Adjourn

OLDER: ECC - Monthly Meeting Agenda

September 20th, 2023, 7:00 PM

7:00-7:10 pm, Opening 

Quote- Roberta

Attendance 

Approval of July minutes 

Next meeting scheduled for October 18 at 7:00 PM 

Volunteer for October quote

7:10-8:10 Discussion with David Church re: zoning code updates and draft Wetlands and Water Courses Protection draft law, balancing TB and ECC goals

8:10- 8:25 Round Table updates from members, please prepare so that comments are concise and allow time for all members

8:25- 8:30 Privilege of the floor, please limit comments to three minutes. Longer comments may be submitted in writing and will be included in the public record.

8:30 pm Adjourn meeting




Older Agenda: ECC Special Meeting

Thursday, September 7th, 2023

5:30 pm-7:30 pm review Wetlands and Watercourses draft law revisions

7:30 pm- adjourn

Next regular meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 20th, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall and via Zoom.

OLDER AGENDA:
ECC Special Meeting, August 24, 2023

5:00 pm-6:30 pm review Wetlands and Watercourses draft law revisions

6:30 pm- adjourn

Please vacate meeting room upon adjourning to make way for the next meeting.

Next special meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 7, at 5:30 pm at Town Hall and via Zoom


OLDER AGENDA:

ECC : Regular Monthly Meeting

Agenda: August 16, 2023, 7:00 PM at Town Hall & via Zoom


7:00-7:10 pm, Opening 

Quote- JoanJanet

Attendance 

Approval of July minutes 

Next meeting scheduled for September 20 at 7:00 PM 

Volunteer for September quote


7:10-7:25 pm, NRI Administration code update, Roberta



7:25-8:05 pm, Wetlands and Watercourse draft law revision, Joan, et al.


8:05-8:10 pm Request for volunteers: 


  1. Rail Trail network event, one member from ECC requested, plan outreach event to landowners, event tentatively scheduled for October 21

  2. UCEMC Annual Round Table, August 30, 5:30 pm -8:00 pm at Rosendale Rec Center


8:10-8:20 pm Budget Requests, Joan

8:20-8:25 Outreach, Janet

  1. Third Thursday Series, Thursday August 17 at 6:25 pm, a presentation about pollinaotrs

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83538684901l collaboration with WVLT, Parks and Recreation, OSC, and 

  1. Matt Bialecki presentation, potential dates

8:25-8:30 Privilege of the Floor

Comments limited to three minutes. Please have comments prepared. Longer comments or comments not heard due to time constraints may be submitted in writing and will be included in the public record.



Rail Trail is a corridor for wildlife, plants, outreach potential





OLDER AGENDA: ECC Monthly Meeting

July 19, 2023, 7:00 PM at Town Hall & via Zoom

7:00-7:10 pm, Opening 

Quote- Joan

Attendance 

Approval of June minutes 

Next meeting scheduled for August 16 at 7:00 PM 

Volunteer for August quote

7:10-8:00 pm, Wetlands and Watercourses Protection Draft Law review- Joan, et al. 

8:00-8:20 pm, Budget Discussion, Joan

2023 Budget spend down

2024 Budget requests


8:20-8:30 pm, Round table updates from members


8:30-8:40 pm, Privilege of the floor, if needed

Comments limited to three minutes. Please have comments prepared. Longer comments or comments not heard due to time constraints may be submitted in writing and will be included in the public record.



OLDER AGENDA:

Gardiner ECC : Revised Tentative Monthly Meeting Agenda

June 21, 2023, 7:00 pm at Town Hall & via Zoom

7:00-7:10 pm- Opening

  • Quote- Bill

  • Attendance

  • Approval of May minutes

  • Next meeting scheduled for July 19 at 7:00 PM

  • Volunteer for July quote

7:10-7:15 pm- Notices & Events

  • Third Thursday Environmental Series

  • NYSAAC COE 2023- September 20-22

  • Environmental Bond Act Listening Sessions and Virtual Meetings

    August 15, 1 pm- 3 pm, Westchester County Center

      June 26, 6 pm-8 pm and July 26, 6 pm-8 pm, Virtual Meeting

      https://www.ny.gov/programs/clean-water-clean-air-and-green-jobs-environmental-bond-act

  • Notice for July Meeting- Budget discussion

Spend down

Requests for 2024 budget

Finalize 2024 budget request at August 16 meeting

7:15-8:05 pm- Wetlands Draft Law- Joan, Jules, and All Members

  • Compare Clements rewrite to Sansalone et al draft- Joan

  • New Paltz law- Jules

  • Additional updates based on most current research?

  • Potential contacts for additional review of draft law?

  • Start planning outreach and education to TB, PB, and Gardiner residents?

8:05-8:10 pm- UC EMC updates- Neil & Roberta

8:10-8:15 pm- DWSPC updates- Michael

8:15-8:25 pm- Round table discussion and additional comments- All Members

8:25-8:30 pm- Privilege of the Floor- Please limit comments to a maximum of three minutes. Comments may also be submitted in writing and will be added to the meeting record.

8:30 pm- Adjourn meeting


OLDER ECC Meeting Agenda 

May 17, 2023, 7:00 PM at Town Hall & via Zoom 

7:00-7:10 PM Opening  

Quote- Jules 

Attendance  

Approval of April 19 minutes  

Next meeting scheduled for June 21 at 7:00 PM  

Volunteer for June quote 

7:10-7:15 Upcoming events 

Third Thursday Series, 7 PM on May 18 

WVRT Ribbon Cutting in NP, 2 PM on May 19 

PB Shawangunk, Blue Chip Farm Public Scoping Mtg, 7 PM on May 22 Native Plant Sale at Library, 10 AM on May 27 

7:15-7:20 Ground Rules for ECC Meetings- Joan 

Review and adopt Ground Rules as discussed in previous 2023 meetings

7:20-7:25 ECC Membership Terms- Joan 

7:25-7:35 Millbrook Meadows Subdivision update- Roberta & Joan 

Draft follow up letter to PB to press for conservation easement- Roberta

7:35-7:50 Wetlands and Stream Protection draft law- Roberta 

Confirm that members have original draft, revised draft, and supporting documents Establish goals for agenda item at June 21 meeting and plan how to get there

7:50-8:05 Water Conservation Awareness & Public Engagement- Jules

8:05-8:10 Lawn mowing & Landscape practices – Janet & Joan 

No Mow May- Janet 

Healthy yards and landscapes- Joan 

8:15-8:20 UCEMC update- Neil 

8:20-8:25 DWSP update- Michael 

8:30-8:35- Privilege of the Floor- please limit individual comments to a maximum of 3 minutes 

Adjourn

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ECC Special Presentation:


OLDER AGENDA:

ECC Regular Meeting - April 19, 2023, 7:00 PM

7:00-7:30 PM Special Joint presentation with ECC, OSC, Consultant Neil Curri, and Vassar College Interns- Roberta 

Update on NRI Online Mapper and CPP Maps 

7:30-7:40 PM Opening  

Quote- Neil 

Attendance  

Approval of March minutes  

Next meeting scheduled for May 17 at 7:00 PM  

Volunteer for May quote 

7:40-7:45 Millbrook Meadows Subdivision update- Joan 

7:45-7:55 PM Ground Rules for ECC meetings- Janet 

7:55-8:05 PM Water Resources and Conservation outreach in Gardiner- Joan Water use and conservation strategies for drought 

8:05-8:20 PM NYS Legislature Environmental Committee Bills for potential comment- Joan S5181/A5338 Prohibits discharge of any radiological agent into the waters of the state S01650/A05979 “private well testing act”; authorizes DOH to establish testing  standards 

S00227-A/A03296 PFAS surface water discharge disclosure act 

Night Skies- key words, multiple bills 

Insecticide and Pesticide- key words, multiple bills 

8:20-8:25 PM UCEM update- Neil 

8:25-8:30 PM DWSP update- Michael 

8:30 Privilege of the Floor- individual comments limited to a maximum of 3 minutes 




OLDER AGENDA:

ECC - March 15, 2023, 7:00 PM - Agenda

7:00-7:15 PM Opening  Quote- Michael 

Attendance  

Approval of January minutes  

Next meeting scheduled for April 19 at 7:00 PM  

Volunteer for March quote 

Third Thursday Environmental Series- March 16 at 6:30 PM 

John Messerschmidtt, “Invasive Plant of the Hudson Valley” 

7:15-7:25- What is SEQR and how does that relate to the Millbrook Meadows referral?- Joan

7:30-8:00 PM Millbrook Meadows draft memo and criteria discussion- Joan 

8:00-8:10 PM Continuing Education- Joan 

Minimum CE 

Documentation/Annual reporting 

Are there any journals or publications that you would read? 

8:10-8:25 Updates 

DWSP- Michael 

UCEMC- Neil/Roberta 

Agenda items for April 

8:25 -8:30 PM Privilege of the Floor – Open



OLDER AGENDA:

ECC  - February 15, 2023, 7:00 PM
Tentative, revised 02/09/23


7:00-7:10 PM Opening / Welcome  

Quote- Janet 

Attendance  

Approval of January minutes  

Next meeting scheduled for March 15 at 7:00 PM  

Volunteer for March quote  

7:10-7:40 PM Millbrook Meadows application referral from Planning Board- Joan On Thursday, February 9, applicant submitted an amended revised site plan and an amended revised environmental assessment. 

7:40-7:50 PM Ground Rules for ECC meetings- Janet 

7:50-8:05 PM TB meeting recap on Awosting Club agenda item- Janet  Written statement to TB from ECC?  

8:05-8:15 PM OSC ECC duties, clarification needed?- Joan 

Roberta’s email of 2/7/23 and 12/23/22  

16-5(J), should ECC retain this, share with OSC, or remove it? (Walls memo of November  2020)  

8:15-8:18 PM UCEM update- Neil 

8:18-8:21 PM DWSP update- Michael 

8:21-8:30 Privilege of the Floor-
individual comments limited to a maximum of 3 minutes 

Adjourn




NY-NJ WATERSHED PROTECTION ACT: H.R. 4677



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UCRRA 2022: PLASTIC and its IMPACT

Click here to view pdf slides of this presentation

Click here for informational brochure

♻️♻️♻️


🐝🌼POLLINATORS 🐝🌼

On March 12th, 2022 The Gardiner Environmental Conservation Committee (ECC) hosted a lecture by Angela Sisson from the Wallkill Valley Pollinator Pathway Project. Angela showed us how to incorporate a pollinator plot into our lawn and garden areas to support our local biodiversity, including plans and a list of beginner-friendly plants that belong in Gardiner. Angela shared a simple design plan and materials list. The community can feel prepared and inspired to plant their own Pollinator Pathway for this growing season!

View and download the presentation slides from Angela’s Pollinator Plot lecture, here.



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Gardiner Well Water Testing: All of us living in Gardiner rely upon wells for our drinking water.  In order to help protect the quantity and quality of our wells, the Town of Gardiner has established an Ad-Hoc Water Protection Committee which is working with the New York Rural Water Association (NYRWA), a private, non-profit organization, on a drinking water protection plan.  NYRWA is a federally-funded organization that provides free technical assistance to rural and small communities across New York. 



Gardiner Ad-Hoc Drinking Water Protection Committee
Kathie Beinkafner, Hydrogeologist
Roderick O. Dressel, Sr., Agricultural Representative
David Dukler, Former Town Board Member
Linda Geary, Open Space Commission Member
Michael Hartner, Environmental Conservation Commission Member
Jean McGrane, Open Space Commission Chair
Marc Moran, Planning Board Member
Thomas Niekrewicz, NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Representative
Bill Trifilo, Environmental Conservation Commission Member
Warren Wiegand, Town Board Member
Steven Winkley, NYRWA Hydrogeologist

Town of Gardiner Environmental Conservation Commission Ad-Hoc Drinking Water Protection Committee Well Testing Frequently Asked Questions:

The NYSDOH has a grant from the Centers for Disease Control to increase awareness of private well water and testing.  The Environmental Conservation Commission of the Town of Gardiner has initiated the well testing project as part of a larger effort to ensure that the Town has an adequate supply of safe drinking water in the future.  The Town has engaged the New York Rural Water Association (NYRWA), a not-for-profit organization, to lead this endeavor.  NYRWA is funded by sources including the U.S.  Department of Agriculture and will be conducting its work at no cost to the Town.

There are at least three privately-operated labs within 20 miles of Gardiner that test well water.  They can be found on Google by searching for "Water Testing Near Me." If you decide to sample your own well water, it is important to collect the water before it goes through any treatment systems.  For example, sampling water that has gone through a softener will give a very high sodium result and can potentially hide other contaminants.  Information on labs accredited for potable water testing is also available at https://apps.health.ny.gov/pubdoh/applinks/wc/elappublicweb/

Feel free to send any questions to the Chair of the Gardiner Environmental Conservation Commission, at michael.hartner@gmail.com.


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>> The NRI Online Mapping Tool is LIVE! <<
Access and view in extensive, interactive detail Gardiner’s Natural Resources Inventory Maps and information.

NATURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY FOR THE TOWN OF GARDINER: The NRI describes the Town of Gardiner’s fresh water, parks, natural habitats and scenic spaces that are essential to ensure continued prosperity, quality of life and responsible growth for our town. The completed Town of Gardiner NRI is a series of maps and a report that contains narrative descriptions, supporting data tables, and recommendations.

Interactive Gardiner Natural Resources Inventory Maps