March 12, 2012

The following is a slightly shortened version of this month’s board meeting minutes, provided to the FLMR membership to keep you up to date with what is going on in FLMR.

In attendance were board members Marilyn Ortt, Susan Corcoran, Elin Jones, John Lee, Dave Blount, and Doug Albaugh, Watershed Coordinator Jesse Daubert and  VISTA Kim Steese.

Membership Report:  Marilyn gave Quincy’s report that we now have 83 paid members.  There were 42 responses to 54 renewal notices mailed in November, and so far there have been 4 responses to 11 mailed in March.  We have 7 new members since November.

Muskingum River Advisory Group:  the proposed new group probably will partner with MWCD.

VISTA Report:
Kim attended the Ohio Stormwater Expo on February 28.  For the “Rain Gardens, Clean River” program, she has found a location for a rain garden at Marietta High School.  A sign for that project will cost an estimated $200 at Discount Signs.  Kim will present her rain garden model for the first time at Putnam Elementary School on March 13.

Barrels for the rain barrel project are difficult to find at low cost.  Grimm’s Green Acres will give us 1 or 2 per season at no cost. 

The Stream Team will meet on March 14.  Kim now has a contact at Morgan Learning Center, the Washington State Community College AmeriCorps College Guide, Abby Kreager.

We are registered for a booth at WSCC Young Engineers and Scientists (YES) Days, May 17 and 18.

Watershed Coordinator Report:
A big “Thank you” to Susan and to Peoples Bank for a used computer system for the office.  Jesse will borrow an external DVD drive to load the program for maintaining the website.

Jesse, Marilyn and Elin interviewed 3 candidates for the VISTA position, and chose Derek Hennen.  His pre-service orientation will be May 21-24, and his term will overlap with Kim for about 1 month.

The Duke Energy Foundation grant application is now pending review.  $2200 remaining on the current grant will go to pay for the E. coli study.  The board approved paying $125 for Derek to attend the Ohio Watershed Academy.

Susan will go with Jesse to a meeting of the Watershed Coordinator Grant Program on March 15.

Jesse reported on the current status of wells drilled in the Utica shale formation, in the Muskingum River watershed.  Currently there are 2 wells that have been permitted in Meigs Township of Muskingum County (this land is owned by AEP). There are 2 wells in Brookfield Township of Noble County, one of which already has been drilled and the other is currently being drilled. There is 1 well permitted in Oilve Township of Noble County and 1 well that is currently being drilled in Sharon Township of Noble County.

Clean Ohio Conservation Fund Projects:

Luke Chute/Cabin Run – Dave and Doug installed several more signs on the Cabin Run tract.  Dave planted about 15 or 20 persimmon and pawpaw seedlings, that Doug started last year, in the northern portion of our original Luke Chute tract.

Old Business:

Bag Report – Dave ordered 2 aprons, which he will donate to the Eagles in Beverly.

Marcum timber theft – the unscrupulous timber buyer who deceived Mrs. Marcum into signing a contract to sell her timber has been apprehended.  He was caught in Akron.  Marilyn will get an update from the sheriff’s deputy.  This 215 acre tract is protected by a conservation easement held by FLMR.  See minutes for January 13, 2011.  Mrs. Marcum is now in a nursing home in Beverly.

New Business:

Possible grants for land acquisition – Clean Ohio is expected to be on a bill to be included in this fall’s election.  We are too late to apply this year to the Wildlife Conservation Society.  There is funding available from the Forest Service, but only for wetland.  Does anyone know of a wetland, preferably a large tract, that we might be able to buy?

Conservation insurance – Marilyn reported that we are eligible for conservation insurance from the Land Trust Alliance.  We have to decide whether to become an accredited land trust.

April program – Marilyn will try to arrange a program on coyotes.

Future Dates: 

FLMR meeting, Thursday, March 22, 7:00 p.m., Rm. 150, Selby Hall, Marietta College.  Lindsay Rist, ODNR Wildlife Communication Specialist, will present “Bobcat Country.”  Lindsay Rist will share the results of research done on bobcats in our area.  Katy Lustofin will introduce her.  Since it appears there is a resident bobcat on Luke Chute Conservation Area this will be an excellent opportunity to learn what our resident requires.

Respectfully submitted,
Doug Albaugh, Secretary