Nottingham Conservation Commission Workshop Meeting of July 7, 2011
Sam Demeritt, Chairman, called the meeting to order. Other Commission members present were Susan Mooney, Celia Abrams and Pete Landry.
The purpose of this workshop meeting is to brainstorm proactive projects that will serve to enhance the public’s appreciation of and stewardship toward the Town’s natural resources.
Vision: It was decided that the Commission (NCC) adopt a vision statement that can be posted on the Town’s website and included with correspondence and press releases. It was suggested that Chapter 36-A: 4 of the state statutes be referenced in the vision. Mooney will bring a draft to the next workshop meeting. And she will also update the Commission’s website page.
Outreach: Some ideas included the following: a self guided nature walk, a nature walk with a leader, partnered with the school/library/rec department, spring and fall, family groups, a checklist with Q and A like a scavenger hunt, perhaps including the Forest Society, a maple sugar house tour. Ask for more community participation in the LRWA river quality testing in Nottingham. Would new/improved trails be allowed on the WRP properties? Demeritt will check on this. Fishing too? Some trail sections might need to be wheelchair accessible to comply with federal regs.
Goals: Trail system connecting properties along the North River corridor; Prime Wetland designation; Invasive species control; Wetland buffers determination based on “functions and values” and increased aquifer protection through the planning board. Re: Invasive species (IS) control, Landry has copied the latest map of the town provided by O’Donnell so the Commission will be able to “pinpoint” IS in Nottingham. The purpose is for “management” (not control) of these species. Some IS of immediate interest are burning bush, Japanese knotweed, purple loose strife and autumn olive. As members do roadside cleanup, pull up turtle crossing signs and generally drive around town, IS will be noted for locating on the map.
Grants: Mooney had forwarded a link to the Community Impact and Express Grants available through the NH Charitable Foundation.
Turtle Crossing Signs: Landry had seen some DOT signs in York, Maine. He will take another look. Might be a grant opportunity for the NCC.
Four Generals’ Greenway: #1: The NCC will map those areas most important for the Greenway based on Fish and Game assessments and the recent study The Land Conservation Plan for New Hampshire Coastal Watersheds, August 2006, provided by the partnership of The Nature Conservancy, Strafford Regional Planning Commission, the Forest Society, the New Hampshire Estuaries Project, among others; find out how the Greenway connects to similar areas in the surrounding towns. #2: Approach landowners in the Greenway area to increase their awareness of the special opportunity as a part of the Greenway.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:03.
These minutes were accepted as corrected at the NCC meeting held on August 8, 2011. Corrections have been made.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan P. Mooney
| 
