TRI-COUNTY CONEWAGO CREEK ASSOCIATION LAWN FIRE DEPARTMENT - APRIL 24, 2002, 7:00 PM MEETING MINUTES I. Welcome and Introductions Matt Royer began the meeting by summarizing the previous meeting from March 26th. Those persons attending the meeting introduced themselves and noted applicable affiliations. II. Secretary's Report of April 10th Board Meeting A Dues system has been established to help fund projects, activities, and to help cover the cost of incorporation. Basic annual membership is $5.00. A graduated scale was used to encourage contributions: Member, $5.00; Contributor, $10.00; Supporter, $20.00; Steward, $50.00; Conservationist, $100.00. The Board has decided that membership dues will be due at the end of the membership year. A fifth ad-hoc committee will be established. The "Landowner Liaison" committee will be charged with working hand-in-hand with the Projects Committee in order to gain a better relationship with local citizens and landowners along the Watershed. Jack Smith has accepted the offer to be the "eyes and ears" of the creek and unofficially serve in the "Stream Steward" position. III. Treasurer's Report Hal Royer was not in attendance. Matt Royer gave the existing TCCCA account balance at $722.04 minus the $100.00 Incorporation fee. Some membership dues have arrived in the Elizabethtown post office box. IV. Watershed Snapshot Update The "Watershed Snapshot", an on-the-stream aquatic assessment, was held on Saturday, April 20th at 8:00 am. Two monitoring locations were assessed with the overall rating as "Fair". Nancy Kachniasz, Matt Kofroth, and Andy McAllister gave reports. The Hess Farm (Lebanon County, Rte. 314) items of interests were one Log Perch and one Water Snake. Mr. Hess has expressed interest in doing streambank fencing on his property. The Aberdeen Mills location yielded similar results in insect life as the Hess Farm location, including mayfly larvae and stoneflys. The electroshock "netted" Creek Chubbs, Rock Bass, and one Small Mouth Bass. It was suggested by Neal Wychock that extra money could be used to purchase electroshock equipment so that the TCCCA can perform its own monitoring of the stream A large number of general public was present at this event with many children who were excited to be observing wildlife in the streams. It is noted that some people were present who had seen the press release in the local papers. This was a wonderful opportunity to broaden the membership base. V. Stream Cleanup Update The stream cleanup is schedule for Saturday, May 11th at 8:00 am. The group will meet at the Lawn Fire Company on Route 241 (Mt. Gretna Road). The target area will most likely be the area of the Conewago where it flows under Route 283 and the Old Hershey Road, as well as a large streambank dump on Hertzler Road (Aberdeen Mills). Conewago Township has committed to pick up on Monday, May 13th. VI. WREN Grant Update The WREN Grant was submitted and sponsored by the Lancaster County Conservation District. Grant money has been requested to fund: 1) Streambank fencing/Riparian buffer brochure 2) Website design/maintenance 3) Public use and Recreational opportunities brochure VII. Projects Committee Report The Project Committee has met and has suggested various activities for TCCCA: 1) Month of June activity will most likely be a Bird Walk in the beginning of June. The location has yet to be determined. In conjunction with this activity, a long- range goal is to have a bird habitat assessment for the Watershed. 2) Long-term stream quality monitoring program. Some partners have been approached to help with this monitoring. Tim Hoover is already having Milton Hershey students monitoring three points along the Watershed. It has also been suggested to maybe reach out to local senior centers/retirement villages for long- term monitoring volunteers. 3) Picnic/workshop for landowners in the Watershed. 4) Bike Tour of Conewago (Fall '02). 5) Wildflower Walk (Spring '03) 6) Fishing Derby for local children. 7) Booth at the Elizabethtown Fair. 8) "Officials/Politicians" Day with tour and luncheon. VIII. Funding Committee Report The committee met on April 23rd. No representatives attended the meeting. IX. Other Business Jack Smith was introduced as the Conewago "Stream Steward". "Keep PA Beautiful" program will be held state-wide on Saturday, April 27th. The group has agreed to clean up Hertzler and Deodate Road. All members are invited to attend. Meet at the Rte. 230 Trailhead at 8:00am. Board member Erick Smith will be moving to Illinois. There is an opening on the Board if any is interested. X. Open Discussion May is National Watershed Month. The Ned Smith Center will be having a native plant sale on May 11th. XI. Video Presentation IV. Next Meeting The next TCCCA meeting will be held at the Lawn Fire Company, Route 241 (Mt. Gretna Road) on Wednesday, May 29th from 7:00-9:00 pm.