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September 24, 2001 Watershed Area 17 Meeting Notes
Over 40 people attended the first task force meeting for New Jersey’s Watershed Area 17.
Freeholder Doug Fisher started meeting at 7:05PM opening the task force meeting requesting that the group concentrate on setting a direction for the watershed planning process and setting goals for the program. Bob Brewer explained that 75 people were chosen from 4 counties with all known interest covered; citizens at large, aquaculture, agriculture, municipalities, planning boards, real estate, employers, environmentalist and zoning boards. A list of all the task force members and the group they represent was made available and is also on the web site.
Steve Epstein, presented a presentation outlining the overall list of tasks associated with the development of the Watershed Management plan and what has been done to date for the Watershed planning process. The importance of joining subcommittees was explained. Task force members were urged to join subcommittees that may be of particular interest to them or where they may have an expertise. They were also requested to join or nominate people to build a speakers bureau which will speak to interested groups such as school children, environmental groups, senior groups, etc. A presentation of the data collected to date followed. Comments received included a question of whether the data was available on the web site. Currently a list of data coverages is posted on the web site and was made available at the meeting. Currently we are researching various ways to make the data available at the web site. Currently possibilities include zip files of coverages that can be downloaded or links to various sites that have the coverages. A discussed on the mode of operation of the subcommittees followed explaining that we will assistant in the formation of the subcommittees which would then be self administered and report to the Task Force and the Consultants. A question on the task force’s ability to comment on the program’s composition and the suggested subcommittee titles was raised. This question opened a discussion and explanation of the various suggested subcommittees. Members were urged to use the comment cards to suggest and comment on all of the things presented at the meeting. All comments will be answered promptly. Generally, the task force has been charged with setting the direction of the Study and the Plan. Task Force and Public Action Committee input is expected and appreciated.
A general review of legal issues for task force member education was requested at the meeting. We will attempt to develop a list of applicable laws and links for web browsers. The
timeline for the project was also requested. It was explained that it is
anticipated that the project will take three
years. The legality of the plan, which we are developing, was questioned. Barbara Hirst explained that the plan must identify actions to be taken, who will take action, when will they be taken and what resources will be necessary to accomplish this action. When these questions are answered the NJDEP wants to support the plan and if the NJDEP supports the plan and the plan identifies that certain actions are necessary to implement the plan then the plan will supersede any general State standards. Task Force Meeting Adjoined at 8:20 PM Public Advisory Committee meeting began at 8:30 PM with a viewing of Cumberland County’s film on Watersheds. The PAC was updated as to what tasks have been completed and the results of those tasks. A demonstration of the Geographic Information System (GIS) already developed was presented. Task Force Member Names were distributed. As well as the most recent newsletter, a list of data coverages currently available. Currently it is anticipated that the next PAC meeting will be in early December, 2001
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