MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT

JUNE 17, 1997

PRESENT: Chair Carsky, Legs. Latimer, Delfino

ALSO PRESENT: Comm. DeSantis, Mr. Yoegel,

Ms. Lelash, Mrs. Keating, Comm.

Oliva.

ITEMS DISCUSSED:

Chair Carsky called the meeting to order at 2:30 P.M. At the request of Leg. Latimer, the Committee reviewed the matter of last September’s fish kill in Playland Lake. The County Administration representatives, Comm. DeSantis and Comm. Oliva, met with the Committee to address the issue and outlined:

• An algae bloom occurred that depleted the lake’s oxygen, not the loss of tidal water flow interchange due to the bridge reconstruction;

• NYSDEC has not provided specific rationale or reasons for the algae bloom, except to identify other such incidents that occurred at other Long Island Sound locations in 1996; while weather (excessive heat) may have been a contributing factor, the County Administration will pursue a letter from DEC outlining their evaluation;

Action for the Future:

• To reduce/eliminate future incidents, the Comms. Oliva and DeSantis stated that the following additional actions will occur:

• Closer review of environmental safeguards for Type II (unlisted) actions. (Type II actions do not legally require full environmental impact statements)

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• A manual is under development to be outline "best management practices" for operations at Playland Lake;

• Commitment to late summer testing (August to October) to check on nutrient levels in advance of any algae bloom;

• Provide an update to the Board’s Environment Committee in November regarding the Fall, 1997 season at Playland Lake.

There were less scaup on the lake last season. The naturalist at Read stated that there may be less scaup on Long Island Sound in general.

There was some concern that the dam is not low enough, but the County does not believe that is the case.

Chair Carsky said this could be positive, but is it adequate and the Comm. stated it is adequate. Seasonal testing must take place during August to October when most of the oxygen depletion takes place.

The Comm. stated that the County has taken the appropriate steps so that this will not happen again and they feel that there is a good oxygen exchange at the new dam.

Leg. Latimer asked the Comm. about his quote in the article and the Comm. stated that he took exception with it and with Mr. Anderson after he wrote the article.

Leg. Latimer also asked the Comm. about another quote and the Comm. stated that he did not make that quote either.

The Comm. feels that the bridge was not responsible for any oxygen depletion. The Comm. also stated that he will send the Board a copy of the rebuttal.

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The Committee thanked Comm. DeSantis and asked him to stay as we went on to discuss the Bronx River Reservation. Comm. Oliva sated that the County received $80,000 to do a study on the Bronx River Corridor Plan. The Comm. stated that the adjoining commentates are no united in this effort. It is the Planning Department’s goal to have a meeting by the third week in July to form an advisory committee. The Comm. stated that there has been a lot of citizen interest but the Comm. feels that there should be elected officials at the meeting.

The Comm. stated that the idea is for the communities to rally around to enjoy this passive park. Certain standards should be incorporated. It should not be looked at as just a road. Whether people will see it as a tourism item, that remains to be seen.

Leg. Latimer asked the Comm. where on the parkway can you stop and Park to walk and ride. Both Comms. stated. that the County Center, Kensico, Tompkins Avenue, railroad stations, etc. There is no signage on the parkway to let people know that.

Leg. Latimer asked what is the next step. Chair Carsky stated that kicking it off is the next step.

On motion of Leg. Latimer, seconded by Leg. Delfino, Leg. Carsky will be the Board’s representative on this Committee.

Bids are due back on June 25 on a five mile portion. The part in Yonkers is now being used as a nature walk. There is one portion of the Putnam Right of Way that goes through a neighborhood in Yonkers.

Chair Carsky thanked Comm. Oliva for coming

On motion of Leg. Delfino, seconded by Leg. Latimer, the minutes of June 10, 1997, were approved 3-0.

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On motion of Leg. Latimer, seconded by Leg. Delfino, the Good Neighbor, Outdoor Light and Does lack of fowl mean lake is foul communications were received and filed 3-0.

The Committee reviewed their field trip to Burlington, New Jersey for June 24 at 7:30 a.m.

On motion of Leg. Delfino, seconded by Leg. Latimer, the meeting adjourned at 3:30 P.M.