NEW HAMPSHIRE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT MARCH 11, 2015 COMMISSION MEETING

Transcription

1 NEW HAMPSHIRE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT MARCH 11, 2015 COMMISSION MEETING Meeting Location: NH Fish & Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive Concord, NH Commissioners Present: F. Clews, D. Patch, V. Greco, R. Phillipson, T. Tichy, T. Hubert, W. Morse, T. Baldwin, B. Carr, J. Ryan, and J. McGonagle Commissioners absent/excused: Executive Director Normandeau Present Chairman Tichy called the meeting to order at 1:03 p.m., and asked the audience to join in the pledge of allegiance. He informed the audience that the public is entitled to attend all Commission meetings and when recognized by the chairman, the public may speak on any item on the agenda. The Chair reserves the right to limit comment to the extent necessary for the orderly conduct of the meeting. ACTION ITEMS: 1.) Commissioner McGonagle moved to approve the February 11, 2015 Commission Minutes as written and Commissioner Ryan seconded. The vote was unanimous in the affirmative. 1a.) Eric Orff, former Merrimack County Commissioner, presented longtime NH Moose Biologist, Kristine Rines, with the National Wildlife Federation Women in Conservation Award. The Federation chose to honor a select group of women across the nation to recognize their contribution to conservation during Women s History Month. Kristine has become an internationally known moose biologist over the last three-plus decades of her career, and has been a leader in innovative moose management. On behalf of the Commission, Chairman Tichy congratulated Kris Rines for her hard work & dedication. 2.) Commissioner Greco moved to accept the donation of $2, from the Meredith Rotary Club, to be utilized for Inland Fisheries Management, and Commissioner Hubert seconded. The vote was unanimous in the affirmative. 3.) Commissioner Patch moved to accept a donation in the amount of $80.00 from Greyson Thomas, Westborough, MA, to be deposited into the Search & Rescue Account, and Commissioner Ryan seconded. The vote was unanimous in the affirmative. 4.) Evan Mulholland, Legal Counsel, came before the Commission requesting approval of the final proposal for Fis. 312, relative to emerging technologies (drones, etc.). Evan reported that the majority of comments received were in favor of all 3 bans. 1

2 Commissioner Phillipson moved to approve the final proposal for Fis. 312, relative to emerging technologies (drones, etc.), and Commissioner Clews seconded. The vote was unanimous in the affirmative. Commissioner Carr inquired as to adding a sentence to the proposal to address handicapped needs. Evan agreed to insert adequate language to address this. At this time, Commissioner Morse moved to support HB-290, relative to the acceptance of risk in outdoor recreational activities, and Commissioner Phillipson seconded. The vote was unanimous in the affirmative. Commissioner Phillipson reported that he received a call from a landowner who owns 11,000 acres and had 2 fatal accidents on his property (timbering operation accident & ATV accident on trail). He further reported that the insurance company viewed these as claims; therefore, this bill would block any loop holes to not increase your insurance rates. Commissioner Morse stated, In my mind, this just gives added protection to the landowner. Evan announced that there would be a public hearing at the NH Fish & Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH, on April 8, 2015, at 6:30 p.m., regarding the moose reduction proposal and the proposal to ban chocolate for use in bear baiting. 5.) Further discussion relative to the funds requested from the Fisheries Habitat Account for the Osgood Pond Project in Milford, NH, took place amongst the Commission. Commissioner Tichy stated, The Selectmen made a good point that the pond would be used by numerous people and offers a lot of recreational opportunities. Commissioner Phillipson stated, The criteria is suited for cold water fishery, however, the project looked somewhat worth-while. Commissioner Baldwin stated, I feel we need to see more numbers. Commissioner Tichy inquired as to whether the Commission wanted to table the item & view the site. Jason Smith, Chief, Inland Fisheries Division, responded, I think it would be beneficial to hear back from the Friends of Osgood Pond. Commissioner Morse moved to table Action Item #5 until the April 8, 2015, Commission Meeting, and Commissioner Phillipson seconded. The vote was unanimous in the affirmative. INFORMATION ITEMS: 1.) Kathy LaBonte, Chief, Business Division, presented the monthly financial statement dated February 28, 2015 (See attached) 2

3 2.) John Magee, Fisheries Biologist II, came before the Commission requesting to expend up to $10,000 from the Fisheries Habitat Account to conserve 236 acres in Sutton, NH. John reported that in 2010, the Society for the Protection of NH Forests (SPNHF) successfully raised $1.2 million to purchase the 1,054-acre Black Mountain Forest on the western slope of Mount Kearsarge in the towns of Sutton & Warner. The land was purchased from the Lewin family, an old timber family in the region. In 2012, the Davis family donated an additional 10 acre parcel bringing the property to a total of 1,064 acres. Arthur Brown of P.K. Brown & Sons, Inc., approached SPNHF with an offer to sell his abutting 236 acres off North Road as an addition to this new reservation. John further reported that the Brown Tract was made up of two parcels. He reported that the brook running through and along the northern edge of the property contains the highest documented wild brook trout density of all the streams in the Lower Warner River watershed, which was comprehensively surveyed by the Inland Fisheries Division in In addition, he reported that SPNHF has signed a purchase and sales agreement with the landowner to purchase fee interest in the 236-acre property for $295,000 before October 15, The purchase price was based on a preliminary appraisal. In closing, John reported that the Inland Fisheries Division staff was in the process of completing a fisheries management plan for the Lower Warner River Watershed, and a core group of volunteers (Basin Woods Trout Unlimited, Conservation Commission and others) have set precedence of being active and in tune with wild brook trout conservation and restoration in the watershed. This item will come before the Commission as an action item at the April 8, 2015 Commission Meeting. 3.) Rick Fink, Chief, Facilities Construction & Lands Division, provided an update on access projects, energy improvements & other projects the division is involved in as follows: ACCESS PROJECTS: *Contract in process to have 96 concrete planks manufactured for use at three boat ramps. The planks will be stored at Michie Corporation and delivered to sites as needed. *Anticipates ramp rehabilitation at Otter Lake in Greenfield and Hot Hole Pond in Concord to take place this spring. The Hot Hole Pond project will also feature an ADA accessible fishing pier. *Address severe erosion at Meetinghouse Pond in Marlborough this spring. ENERGY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: *Division has been slowly replacing T-12 fluorescent tubes with T-8 fluorescent tubes. This work is done as the ballast or fluorescent light reaches its end and has to be replaced. The cost saving is derived from the reduction of power used, 32w for the T-8 vs. 40w for the T-12. *The F&G garage has switched thirteen 175w metal halide lights with thirteen 101w 3

4 LED lights. The new LED lights will produce an estimated 45 foot-candles, with a reduction of 74w of power. This level of illuminance is recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA). This project was funded 100% through a grant from the Energy Management Office. *HQ s nine parking lot lights will be replaced with 51w LED lights, with no reduction of illuminance to the lot. The longer the life of the LED will also reduce maintenance with a bucket truck. The cost of the lights and the installation will be paid 100% by a grant from Energy Management. OTHER PROJECTS: *The bid opening for the Owl Brook Paving Project will take place on April 1, The project will include grading and drainage improvements to the facility. *Negotiations with Harry-O Electrical continue for a standby generator for the Law Enforcement Dispatch Center. Project funding will be provided by a grant from Homeland Security. STANDING COMMITTEES: POLICY COMMITTEE: Commissioners; Commissioners McGonagle & Clews. Commissioner Clews reported that the committee did not meet. LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE: Commissioner Morse, Chair; Commissioners Hubert, Greco, Patch, and Baldwin. Commissioner Morse reported that the committee did not meet. RIVERS COMMITTEE: Commissioner Ryan: Commissioner Ryan reported that the committee met in conjunction with the Lakes Committee. LAKES COMMITTEE: Commissioner Clews: Commissioner Clews reported that the committee did meet & spent time discussing legislative proposals that may affect lakes. He reported that the next meeting would take place in April. AWARDS COMMITTEE: Commissioners Ryan and Morse. Commissioner Ryan reported that the committee met the morning of the Commission Meeting to review the Commission Awards of Excellence nominations. He reported that the committee would be meeting again in April. HANDBOOK & ORIENTATION COMMITTEE: Commissioner Patch, Chair; Commissioner Patch reported that he distributed handbooks to the new Commissioners. STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE: Commissioner Greco, Chair; Commissioners McGonagle, Tichy and Phillipson. Commissioner Greco reported that the committee would be meeting in the near future. WILDLIFE HERITAGE FOUNDATION: Commissioner Greco. Commissioner Greco reported that the committee met on March 4, He reported that the Foundation would have a booth at Discover Wild NH Day on April 18, He further reported that the Department s canines would be at the Fisher Cats hockey game on April 26,

5 NEW BUSINESS: N/A OLD BUSINESS: N/A COMMISSIONERS REPORTS: COMMISSIONER BALDWIN: Commissioner Baldwin had nothing to report at this time. COMMISSIONER GRECO: Commissioner Greco had nothing to report at this time. COMMISSIONER PHILLIPSON: Commissioner Phillipson had nothing to report at this time. COMMISSIONER MORSE: Commissioner Morse had nothing to report at this time. COMMISSIONER RYAN: Commissioner Ryan had nothing to report at this time. COMMISSIONER PATCH: Commissioner Patch had nothing to report at this time. COMMISSIONER MCGONAGLE: Commissioner McGonagle had nothing to report at this time. COMMISSIONER CLEWS: Commissioner Clews had nothing to report at this time. COMMISSIONER TICHY: Commissioner Tichy had nothing to report at this time. COMMISSIONER HUBERT: Commissioner Hubert had nothing to report at this time. Chairman Tichy stated, If there is something in HB-2 that you feel strongly about, this would be the time to talk about it. Dave Nickerson spoke relative to the use of dedicated funds and the Director s ability to utilize those funds for payroll purposes. Commissioner Baldwin felt that Mr. Nickerson misrepresented his comments in a recent conversation, therefore, asked Mr. Nickerson not to contact him in the future. DIRECTOR S REPORT: Director Normandeau reported that he has been visiting sporting clubs around the State and talking to them regarding the funding situation and making them aware of potential license increases. He reported that HB-2 contains a lot of language relative to fees. He stated, I did not know about the potential for a 12 th Commissioner to be added to the F&G Commission ahead of time. He encouraged everyone to call their representatives with any concerns relative to HB-2. 5

6 He further reported that a few employees from the Office of Energy & Planning (branch of the Governor s Office), who conduct easement monitoring, could soon be transferred to the Fish & Game Department, effective July 1, In addition, Director Normandeau stated, As of June , all lead jigs less than 1oz. will be illegal. CALL TO THE PUBLIC: Linda Dionne, audience member inquired as to the possibility of conducting a demonstration on bobcats at the upcoming meeting. Chairman Tichy denied the request. Dave Nickerson, audience member, spoke to the fact that he had a viable solution to the proposed rule change pertaining to the ban of use of chocolate for baiting. At this time, 3:30 p.m., Commissioner Phillipson moved to adjourn and Commissioner Greco seconded. The vote was unanimous in the affirmative. Respectfully submitted, Approved: Ted Tichy, Chairman James Ryan, Secretary 6