October 20, 1999
Participants
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Craig Alexander, Ken Baxter, Virginia Brumage, Robert Bryan, Betty Bryan, Larry Crossland, Warren Foote, Brandon Ghrist, Carvel Harding, Kellie Kuhn, Ruth Marsh, Ken Metz, Robert Miller, Randy Richardson, Bill Richmond, Everett Spiker, Sam Thrasher, John Winner, Craig Hartsock, Joe Mills, Larry Lubber, Ursula Lemanski |
Issues and Concerns
Acid Mine Drainage / Water Quality
Flooding
Education and Outreach
Coordination and Partnerships
Habitat and Recreation
Summary of Issues Discussion
The following section summarizes the concerns identified by area residents. Workshop participants were asked to list watershed concerns, and then using the list, vote on their top three. The rank each issue received based on the vote is shown in ( ). All listed topics will be addressed by the Neff Run Work Group. This workshop was a first step in working toward solutions to watershed problems. Workshop participants are encouraged to participate in future Work Group meetings, and to assist with development of a restoration strategy for Neff Run.
Acid Mine Drainage / Water Quality
- Address acid mine drainage issues in the watershed, especially seep on Neff Run mainstem adjacent to Route 36. (1)
- Assess the impacts of septic and/or sewage discharge on water quality in the basin. (18)
Flooding
- Identify causes and contributing factors to flooding throughout the entire Neff Run watershed. Perception is that flooding has worsened in recent years. Is there data available to document trends? How does this relate to land use changes? (2)
- Research impact of land clearing operations on run-off including timing and magnitude of run-off rates and subsequent impacts on flood flows. (11)
- Identify and assess impacts of landfill operation on surface and subsurface hydrology. What type of on-going monitoring and assessment is in place? What type of review is conducted to determine if original plan is adequately addressing run-off concerns? (9)
- Assess current policies on revegetation of cleared sites for development, extraction industries, and/or landfill operations. What types of plant materials are required? Are they sufficient to maintain infiltration rates similar to pre-construction activities, or has runoff increased? (There is concern related to clearing of mature forested areas and replacing with grasses in terms of impact on flooding.) (7)
- Assess problems and develop solutions related to the impact of flooding on emergency response operations. (There is concern that many sites in the watershed are cut-off during floods due to high water, hampering emergency/rescue operations.) (3)
- Develop solutions to flooding/stream stability problem at Ocean Hill Road / Miller Farm. (16)
- Develop solutions to flooding/stream stability problems on Dan=s Rock Road. Flooding has wiped out access to existing home site. (16)
Education and Outreach
- Promote public awareness and education of watershed management issues, and increase support for watershed enhancement projects. (3)
- Implement tangible on-the-ground project to demonstrate success toward resolving watershed problems. (This will be important to increasing awareness and public support.) (13)
- An educational program is needed to improve understanding and communication between various interest groups (federal, state, county agencies, landowners, businesses, citizens, non-profits, etc.) Better information is needed by the public related to various projects and programs managed by public agencies. (15)
Coordination and Partnerships
- There needs to be a more comprehensive, integrated approach to project work. Agencies need to work together to assess all impacts of a particular action, rather than looking at each problem area separately i.e. look comprehensively at long term impacts of actions on stream stability, flooding, water quality, habitat, etc. (11)
- Agencies or organizations undertaking a project in the Georges Creek Watershed should notify affected groups like the GCWA, Mill Run Watershed Assoc., or other community groups early in the process, so the public is better informed and has the opportunity to comment on the proposed activity. (9)
- There needs to be consistency in operations of agency programs, and a means for improving communication and understanding between agency/regulators and individuals (i.e. Athe little guy@ on site-specific problems. (7)
Habitat and Recreation
- Promote natural streambank and riparian area enhancement. Develop or acquire native plant list for projects. (Potential actions: 1. Work with S&WCD and/or DNR-Forestry to identify preferred species for planting, and 2. the GCWA could place this info on web site so others could access.) (5)
- Improve in-stream and riparian area habitat for recreational benefits such as fishing. ( 6)
- Improve stream access to support recreational activities i.e. fishing. (13)
To assist with developing solutions to any of the above issues, contact Sam Thrasher at 301-463-3238.
If interested in attending the next Neff Run Work Group Meeting, contact Ursula Lemanski 304-535-4018.