MINUTES

 In attendance: James Kahl, William Richmond, Craig Hartsock, Ursula Lemanski, Mayor Donald Smith, Stephen Young, Virginia McGann, Paul Kahl, Alison Rice, Benjamin Sansom, John Winner, Ken Baxter, Larry Lubbers, Alan Klotz, Terri Belasco, and Jim George.

 Members absent: Connie Lyons, Joe Mills, William Kenny Frank Williams, Andrea Walker, Jay Hershey, Fred Crozier, Keith Eshleman, Mayor Craig Hartsock, David Cotton, Warren Foote, Jeff Griffith, Katharine Dowell, Ken Shanks, Joseph Hoffman and William Parrish.

Steve Young opened the meeting and welcomed three new members: Ken Baxter, Alan Klotz, & Terri Belasco.

I. Workgroup Updates

Grants & Projects:
  Steve Young stated that the group would begin looking at new projects    when the stream corridor assessment data is made available.

  It was reported that the Governor’s Flood Mitigation Task Force for    Western Maryland has scheduled an emergency meeting to be held on    Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 3:00pm in the Commissioner’s Meeting Room.

Craig Hartsock reported that $7,000 had been expended on plantings for the Neff Run Project in the area above Ocean Hill Road. The next phase of the project includes the installation of forty rock and cross vane weirs, culvert improvements, and bank stabilization work. Construction on this phase will begin in July/August. In addition, Mr. Hartsock reported that a grant had been submitted for the McDonald Mine Project, located below the Town of Barton.

Bill Richmond reported that the Mill Run AMD Remediation Project was close to completion.

Steve Young reported that construction on the Lonaconing Stream Restoration and Greenway Park Development Project would begin within the next couple of weeks.

Mapping:
Ben Sansom reported that he spoke with Jim Torrington (Garrett County) about the Garrett County portion of the GC Watershed. Jim Torrington will be sending mapping and land owner information to the planning office. Larry Lubbers stated that perhaps the MCC could fit that into their schedule. He stated that the Garrett County portion would probably take about one week to complete.

Steve Young reported that FEMA has agreed to defer completion of the revised floodplain maps for Georges Creek until 2003.

Plan Development:
The group is currently working on the Executive Summary, Watershed Vision Statement, and Problem Statement & Goals. A draft of these elements will be ready for steering committee review at the next quarterly meeting.

In addition, an educational brochure is being developed in cooperation with the public outreach workgroup.

Public Outreach:
Alison Rice disseminated a timeline of activities that will help meet the goals & objectives of the public outreach workgroup.

In addition, new ideas were discussed by the steering committee. Ideas included: creation of an educational CD-ROM and video.
 
Watershed Assessment & Monitoring:
Larry Lubbers presented a summary of preliminary results from the Georges Creek SCA Survey. He reported that SCA Draft Data will be made available in about two weeks for review.

II. Additional Discussion
The group discussed the issue of storm water management problems throughout the basin. Thus far the Georges Creek WRAS initiative has been concentrated on H&H only. Craig Hartsock suggested the idea of adding a storm water workgroup. It was decided that Craig Hartsock would chair that group. Any steering committee member who would like to participate on that workgroup can contact Craig Hartsock (301)777-1747 or Virginia McGann (301)-777-2199 ext.353.

III. Potential Projects
Ben Sansom stated that due to recent acquisitions in the Miner’s Avenue area there is an opportunity for possible Greenway Park Development.

The area upstream of the Westernport Project below Franklin is in need of restoration.
 

IV. TMDL Presentation
James George, Program Manager (MDE) did a power point presentation, discussing the connective relationship between TMDL’s and WRAS initiatives.
 

NEXT MEETING

September 11, 2001
1:00-3:00pm
County Commissioners Room
Allegany County Office Complex
701 Kelly Road
Cumberland, MD 21502

      Minutes prepared by: __________________
         Virginia McGann
 

Cc: Vance C. Ishler, County Administrator