Attendance
Committee members in attendance:
Daniel Barton, Jr., P.E.
Scott C. Blauvelt, P.G.
Donald C. Bluedorn, Esq.
Mitchell Brourman
Marie M. Clark
Terry Dayton
Gerald Feldman
Jeff Fliss
D. Curtis Kaelin
Richard C. Lehman
Jan Oliver
Robert Ritchey
Ronald J. Rohall, Chairperson
Deb Simko
Robert Softcheck
Charles O. Stowe
Jay Tarara
Others in Attendance:
Stan Geary
Bruce Golden
Paul Heyworth
DEP Representatives:
Pam Bishop
Charles Duritsa
Stu Gansell
Bill Gast
John Hines
Hoss Liaghat
Administrative Items
Minutes: A motion was made by Ms. Simko and seconded by Mr. Lehman to accept the minutes from the October meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
Bylaws: John Hines, at the request of Chairman Rohall, explained changes to the draft by-laws. Mr. Hines reviewed new Article X on Executive Session, which was added at the request of the committee. Mr. Hines also explained that four other changes were made to the By-laws. These changes were grammatical and made to Article IX, XI, XII, and XIII. Bob Richey made a motion to accept the draft By-Laws with the recommended changes. Robert Softcheck seconded the motion. The By-Laws were adopted unanimously by voice vote.
Statewide Committee Recommendations: Chairman Rohall discussed interest of additional regional committee members being added to the recommendations for statewide committee. He was requested to consider Vincent Vicites as a recommendation. The committee concurred and a motion was made by Ms. Simko and seconded by Mr. Stowe to add Mr. Vicites to the list after the Chair contacts to confirm his interest. The motion was approved unanimously by voice vote.
2004 Meeting Dates: Chairman Rohall reviewed the Committee dates for the year 2004. Dick Lehman made a motion to approve the 2004 meeting dates. Don Bluedorn seconded the motion. The 2004 Meeting Dates were approved unanimously by voice vote.
2004 Meeting Dates: Feb. 9, Apr. 12, Jun. 14, Aug. 9, Oct. 18, Dec. 13.
Scoping and Setting of Major Milestones
Stuart Gansell addressed the Committee reviewing the document entitled "Implementation Strategy and Schedule for Regional and Statewide Committees, November 16, 2003". Mr. Gansell explained the roles of the regional and statewide committee.
John Hines suggested that for purposes of an implementation strategy, four
goals should be considered by the committee:
1. Define regional issues.
2. Establish a process for determining Critical Water Planning Areas.
3. Outline regional plan components of the State Water Plan so that when statewide
policies are adopted, regions are ready to go.
4. Review and comment on drafts of regulations to be developed regarding the
registration process.
Mr. Fliss asked that both USGS and the Corps be invited to the Committees February meeting. Ms. Simko asked if any local water plans were done and the Committee should have a presentation on those plans in the future. She emphasized the importance of seeing concrete basin examples. Mr. Feldman asked how long range climate predictions would be addressed in the plan. Mr. Gansell commented that it should be addressed in the process. Ms. Simko suggested that the Ohio River Basin Commission should present their precipitation study to the committee that is being worked on by NOAA.
Overview of the Existing State Water Plan
Bill Gast gave a presentation (power point) on the previously completed state water plan. The Planning Principles document that Mr. Gast discussed as part of his presentation is out of print but will be scanned and placed on the DEP website.
Water Budgeting Vision
Bill Gast gave a presentation on water budgeting and the project DEP has contracted with the USGS. Mr. Gast explained that the system would allow for budgeting from the basin level to the watershed level. The watershed level would include 15 square mile areas or 3000 watersheds.
Other Business
Mr. Bluedorn made a motion to adopt the four goals summarized by Mr. Hines in the morning session. The goals include: Goal 1-Defining Relevant Regional Issues; Goal 2-Criteria and Consideration for Critical Water Planning Areas; Goal 3-Regional Component Outline for the State Water Plan; Goal 4-Input and Recommendations for the regulations to be developed for the Water Registration Process. Ms. Simko seconded the motion. The goals were approved unanimously by voice vote.
Mr. Bluedorn made a motion that the Statewide Committee should develop Policies and Guidelines in the second quarter of 2004 as opposed to the third quarter. Mr. Dayton seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously by voice vote.
Chairman Rohall asked for a location for the next meeting. Ms. Simko suggested Butler County. Mr. Fliss mentioned that DEP has used the Cranberry Township Building in the past. Mr. Ritchey said that Cambria County is available for the summer and they will provide lunch. Mr. Hines stated that his staff would work with Ms. Simko to get a list of locations within the basin. Mr. Rohall asked if the committee wanted to select a time and location for the public meetings. Mr. Feldman suggested that be a discussion point in February.
Public Comment
Jennifer Baer, Mountain Watershed Association presented comments on behalf of the Executive Director. Ms. Baer wanted the committee to acknowledge the degradation of water resources by development industries, in particular the affects on watershed such as the Indian Creek watershed. Ms. Baer gave the Chair a letter on the association's behalf (see attached). Mr. Ritchey distributed a written statement about issues to all the committee members.
The meeting adjourned at 3:10 PM.