Dublin Conservation Commission
Minutes
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Attending: Jack Lewis (chair), Ed Germain, Sue Yarger Karen Bunch
Minutes: The following amendment was suggested for the July 8, 2009 minutes on page 3 under Other topics: The 63 acre Beech hill property and 183 acres of the Hugh and Gay Eaton property on Old Troy Road. The minutes were accepted as amended.
Howe Reservoir Driveway: Paul Waterman and Ed Germain met with the NHDOT officer at the site to determine state permitting requirements. It appears that paving of the apron will be required, and the drainage inspection looked fine. Mitigation regarding line of sight will probably be required, both east and west of the driveway. Jack Lewis reported for himself and Jerry Branch, noting that continued progress is being made on improvement of the property – trails and clearing.
Dublin Open Space Committee Intern Proposal: The topic from last month’s meeting was brought up; it is hoped that a representative of the open space committee will attend a DCC meeting to discuss what they want to do.
Dublin Lake: Karen Bunch reported the following water quality sampling sessions: July 9 (deepest spot of lake, 2 beaches and 4 inlets) and August 11 (annual visit of Volunteer Lake Assessment Program coordinator, sampling at deepest spot of lake and 2 beaches plus a site visit to an inlet of concern). The inlet phosphorus levels for July 9 were average at 3 sites and high at one site. One more sampling session is planned for the season on September 10 (approx. 30 inlets.) Weed Watch sessions were held on July 10 and July 11. No invasive aquatic plants were spotted. A weed watch for August 20 is planned to complete the circuit of the lake. The Lake Host program will continue through August 30. A shortfall of funds to cover the
lake host salaries has been covered this year by the Beech Hill Dublin Lake Watershed Association. The regulation of the level of the lake has been a concern, and discussions are ongoing about a way to come to an agreement and procedure for changing the dam height to maintain an optimum level. Jack Lewis suggested that rocks at three spots of the lake be chosen for marking: 1) near the Women’s Club Beach 2) near the Griffin/Morris property and 3)near the outlet of the lake. Advice should be obtained from people in those 3 areas to come to agreement on an appropriate lake level, then marks could be made on the rocks to be a guide in fine tuning the opening of the dam. This suggestion met with approval of the group.
Doug Cygan Presentation: Should DCC sponsor more programs of this type, host more talks on such topics? Could such programs be planned in coordination with the Garden Club of Dublin or another group? The feeling is that rather than planning regular presentations, it makes sense to arrange a talk when we hit on something that is needed.
Galerucella Beetles: On Thursday, July 30, commissioners released 1,000 (total) beetles at 2 sites: at the Rte. 137 boat landing on Mud Pond and at a spot on East Harrisville Road. On inspection, a limited amount of buckshot-pattern chew marks that could indicate action by last year’s beetles was observed. Later in August the plan is to release 1,000 more beetles, at a spot on Rte. 137 along Mud Pond just south of Rte. 101 AND at the intersection of Cobb Meadow Rd. and Monument Rd. It was suggested that at the September meeting, a plan to purchase more beetles for release next year be discussed.
Japanese Knotweed: This season commissioners are turning a piece of Upper Jaffrey Road into a test ground for methods of controlling Japanese Knotweed.~ At this point we have a "Cut and Cover" segment done by the original crew, with the stalks removed.~ We also have a 150 foot section of "Brush Hook and Leave" done by Rusty Bastedo.~ Most recently Jack Lewis did a 35 foot section of "Pull Where Possible, Cut and Bag".~ There is still room in the stand for~other options, including "Round-Up Without Cutting" (spray, concentrating on the underside of the leaves) and~"Cut and Round-Up the Stumps”. This last method involves a) cut leaving 8” of stalk b) spray stalks with RoundUp immediately c) remove and bag the cut tops. Additionally,
Sue Yarger talked with Doug Cygan about a study being conducted in Washington State on the use of the Alphalara itadori (A.i.) psyllid insect for control of Japanese knotweed. The possibility of Dublin being a North East regional test site for A.i. was discussed.
Dublin Advocate Article: No article will be submitted for the September/October issue and a plan is in place to submit one on the Galerucella beetle for the November/December issue.
Monadnock Conservancy Annual Meeting: Two commissioners plan to attend.
Harris Center Environmental Leadership Awards: DCC donated funds toward this awards program and has received thank you notes from the 2 recipients.
Harris Center Raptor Celebration: The event, to take place August 30, was announced.
Recognition of 2008 Conservation Easements in Dublin: Plans were made to send letters to the Dublin property owners who donated easements in 2008.
NH Lake Management Guidelines Information Folder: This document was presented to DCC by Sue Yarger to be used as a reference.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:44. The next meeting will be Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Note, at the time of submission of this document, the meeting date has been changed to September 10 at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Karen Bunch, acting secretary
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