LAKE RESTORATION & WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MARCH 20, 2014

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1 LAKE RESTORATION & WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MARCH 20, 2014 IN ATTENDANCE: Ed Runyon, Chairman (excused) Elizabeth Naskiewicz, Vice Chairman Rich Kleeman Jerry Barron, Env. Commission Liaison Jeff Mayfield, Assistant Township Manager Don Cartagena Dan Brescia Al Sauer (excused) Rob Nicastro, Deputy Mayor Don Smith, Guest The meeting was brought to order at 10:15 by Vice Chairman Elizabeth Naskiewicz. The reading of the Jan.16, 2014 minutes were bypassed since they had been previously reviewed by members. After two corrections were noted, a motion was made by Don Cartagena to accept them, as amended, seconded by Dan Brescia. All were in favor and the minutes were adopted. Hearing of Concerns of Guests in Attendance (None) Reports from Liaisons Jerry Barron made a request to us from the Environmental Commission that the following projects, which they had an interest in pursuing, be added to our scout project list for future consideration. It was agreed by the Committee to add them to the list pending Township approval. 1. A three acre Township owned parcel in Ramtown to become a park. 2. Landscaping for the Howell Senior Center OLD BUSINESS 1) Open Space Natural Areas - Bear Swamp (BSNA) and Big Woods (BWNA) a. Warm weather grasses in fields (BSNA) Ed Runyon has reported speaking to Brian Marsh (USF&W), who will evaluate the fields in spring, to determine if they need to be cut or sprayed. His concern is burr weed more than sweet gum growth at this point. b. Removal of dilapidated structures (BSNA) Possible options were discussed. Elizabeth Naskiewicz requested a site review in the near future with Jeff Mayfield and Jim Herrman, which would include not only this site but the BSNA site in general. Possible date, suitable for all, to be chosen. c. Parking lot/preventorium Rd. (BSNA) Deputy Mayor Nicastro reported additional information regarding letter requesting Green Acres permission for Township to construct lot needs to be sent by Ed Runyon to Jeff Filiatraut. He also explained that the money for the construction of the lot and the entrance gate to that section of BSNA is in a separate line item in the budget. d. Posting of BSNA & BWNA Nothing resolved at this time about illegal removal of signs in both locations.

2 2) Squankum Brook Restoration Project (BSNA) Ed Runyon sent information that we are working on getting volunteers to complete the remaining clean up of this project. It was suggested by Deputy Mayor Nicastro that the information on what is needed should be sent to the Council for possible assistance. 3) Deer Survey (BSNA & BWNA) a. Thermal imaging and spot light survey. Both Don Cartagena and Dan Brescia submitted separate reports which will be compiled with other reports, then entered into record when all data is received. b. Deer kill reports from HPD, Animal Control & NJDF&W To date we have reports from the HPD and NJDF&W. No data has been sent to us from the Clerk s office concerning Animal Control s figures. 4) Scout Projects a. Marking of trails in BSNA Clean up and marking of trails in the section east of Preventorium Rd and part of section leading out to Maxim Rd. is underway as an Eagle Scout project. Elizabeth Naskiewicz reported on a walk thru meeting she attended March15 th with our Assoc. Member Jennifer Karrigan and scout representatives to explain our expectations. b) Research and marking of Maxim Powder Mill site. (BSNA) This is also an Eagle Scout project currently in progress. c) Construction of pad and fencing around handicapped portable toilet on north side Echo Lake This project is being put on hold until details are worked out. 5) Repairs at Echo Lake a. Repairs to handicapped fishing pier Councilman Nicastro reported that the quote went out and work will soon start on the repairs. b. Repairs to gazebo No information to date. c. Painting of steel doors on pavilion storage area No information to date. Elizabeth Naskiewicz conveyed Ed Runyon s requested comment, however, that all these items are part of general maintenance and should be covered under such. d. Posting of Rules & Regulations for Echo Lake on site Jeff Mayfield requested a copy of the Rules & Regulations and the Township Ordinance adopting them in order to have signs made. Elizabeth Naskiewicz agreed to forward the two documents to him. 6) Dredge a. Repairs & insurance claim restitution /Future of dredge? Deputy Mayor Nicastro informed the Committee the parts have been replaced and that there is a meeting with the County scheduled concerning the dredge and the possibility of them taking possession of it.

3 b. Completion of Aldrich Lake and other Township Lakes Elizabeth reiterated this Committee s firm insistence that there would have to be an ironclad agreement between the Township and the County insuring the following: The County would, from then on, dredge not only Aldrich Lake but all other Township lakes, when needed. 7) Forestry & Woodlot Management Program for BSNA Work has been held up do to weather conditions. 8) Letters to be approved from 1/16/14 meeting. Two letters to be sent to Council from this Committee were read by the Secretary regarding: a. Dam on North Branch of Squankum Brook b. Capitol to Coast Trail A motion was made to approve was made by Don Cartagena and seconded by Rich Kleeman. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously. (Attachements 2) NEW BUSINESS: 1) List of Scout projects Updated list of scout project suggestions, which was previously sent to members for review, was discussed. It was decided the only items to be added were the two suggestions by Jerry Barron, on behalf of the Environmental Commission, discussed under reports from liaisons. The list will be forwarded to the scouts. (See attachment) 2) Quote for Fishing Derby Ed Runyon requested that the question of who will be responsible for the cost of the Fishing Derby this year be discussed at this meeting. Deputy Mayor Nicastro instructed the Secretary to send the formal quotes for stocking the lake to Steven Fecher, ASAP, so he could get the figures in the budget. With no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Don Cartagena and seconded by Dan Brescia to adjourn. All were in favor. The meeting ended at 11:35 a.m. Next meeting is May 15, 2014 These minutes were approved by the voting members present at the March 20, 2014 meeting and submitted April 24, 2014 with three attachments. Elizabeth Naskiewicz Recording Secretary

4 To: Mayor & Council From: Lake Restoration & Wildlife Management Committee Re: Dam/North Branch Squankum Brook Date: March 20, 2014 This concerns the pond on the left side of the Maxim Rd. entrance to Bear Swamp Natural Area. (part of the seven acre parcel the Township recently acquired from Van Schoick as part of the County Open Space Grant.) We have an opportunity to install tongue and groove boards rather than the flat edge boards that are presently being used. This would be our recommendation as it will basically seal the dam and prevent further downstream leakage. It is distressing to this Committee, that we should have to plead our case concerning the placement of the correct boards. Although this is a small impoundment, it affords recreational fishing for both adults and youngsters, provides a permanent habitat to wood ducks and great blue herons, and is a visually pleasing site to welcome visitors to Bear Swamp Natural Area. This will surely prove to be a valuable recreational asset to the Bear Swamp Natural Area project and we should all work together to insure this happens. cc/manager Assistant Manager Jim Herrman

5 To: Mayor & Council From: Lake Restoration & Wildlife Management Committee Re: Capitol to Coast Trail Date: March 20, 2014 We respectfully request, at this time, if there have been any developments in formulating the Capitol to Coast Trail through Howell that Councilman Guz forward them to our Committee. This would give us adequate time to evaluate its environmental impacts on Bear Swamp Natural Area. If he, or any other member of Council would care to review this project with our members, this Committee would welcome their presence. cc/township Manager Assistant Manager Jim Herrman

6 SCOUT PROJECT LIST Clean up existing trails in BSNA and work on new trails (with guidance) Clean up and maintain area entering BSNA on left of entrance road on Maxim Rd including around pond Assist in Sweet Gum control in fields in BSNA Osprey nest for Echo Lake Osprey nest for Lake Louise Osprey nest for Aldrich Lake Osprey next for Sparrow Lake Fish species identification sign for Echo Lake Fishing line disposal receptacles for Aldrich Lake Fishing line disposal receptacles for Lake Louise Fishing line disposal receptacles for Sparrow Lake (Deerwood) Removal of Black Willow on lakes edge Echo Lake Covered bulletin board for north side Echo Lake Covered bulletin boards for Bear Swamp Natural Area (Done) Covered bulletin board for Dog Park? Covered bulletin board for Aldrich Lake Covered bulletin board for Sparrow Lake Develop boundaries for Maxim Powder Plant in BSNA and research complete history of Maxim Powder Plant (DuPont) Assist in planting projects in BSNA Construct & bird houses and nesting boxes in BSNA Construct & install wood duck nesting boxes in BSNA Construct & install wood duck nesting boxes in Aldrich Lake Construct and install wood duck nesting boxes in Soldiers Memorial Park Construct & install wood duck nesting boxes in Sparrow Lake Construct & install wood duck nesting boxes in Lake Louis Complete history of rail systems within the Township Stream remediation projects on streams within the Township Fish Cleaning Stations Possible Environmental Commission Projects Creating small park on Township owned 3 acre parcel in Ramtown (if approved) Landscaping around Township Senior Center Updated March 2014