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MINUTES COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT Tuesday, July 20, 1999 3:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chair: M. Kaplowitz. Members: V. Pinto; U. LaMotte; J. Maisano.
STAFF: Steve Bass; Charlotte Ryer, Sec’y.
ALSO PRESENT: James Grefig; Richard Magat; Irene Saltzburg; Comm. Sal DeSantis (WC/PRC); Gudrun LeLash (FCWC); Bill Randolph (CEO’s); Katherine McLoughlin (NY/LCV); Nancy Seligson (EMC); Sheri Sklar (NYLCV).
The meeting was called to order at 3:40 p.m. Chair reviewed various items directed to the Environment Committee. The CD-Rom titled, “The Croton Watershed Treatment Plant Project - Final Environmental Impact Statement” (distributed by NYC Dept. of Env. Protection), is now available for use. See Charlotte (rm. 822-ext. 2843), if interested in using. A memo will be distributed.
Comments on Metro-North’s Third Track project, which was presented and submitted by the Hon. Nancy D. Hand (Mayor of Bronxville), during the Eastchester Town Hall meeting on July 13th, will be placed on the Board agenda for all to review. A notice of extension for the public comment period from the MTA, regarding the mid-Harlem line third track project, has been extended to July 31st. This information will also be forwarded to the Board agenda. The Resolution of the Army Corps of Engineers regarding wetlands was signed out of (Env.) Committee last week and has been placed on the Board Agenda for a full vote. Next, Chair Kaplowitz entertained a motion on the Act to create a Westchester County Agricultural Farmland Protection Board, Legislator LaMotte moved the motion, and Chair Kaplowitz seconded the motion. Chair then opened the floor for discussion of this topic. Legislator LaMotte commented that her community has had good discussions with drafting this legislation and improvements have been made. She is very pleased that this MINUTES COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENTTUESDAY, July 20, 1999PAGE 2
legislation has been moved out of committee, and hopes this will save a number of farms in Westchester. Chair Kaplowitz wanted to first thank Bill Randolph and the Administration for responding to the whole issue of Agricultural and Farmland Districting, and recognizing the importance of open space. Legislators Pinto and Maisano also agreed that this legislation has their full support. The resolution was accepted by a vote of 4-0, and signed by all.
Next, James Grefig was introduced to the Committee, and Chair Kaplowitz noted that the Pest Management Committee is the only committee that was established by the County Board of Legislators to advise the Board and the full Administration when a vacancy is available and to make recommendations for replacements. Mr. Grefig gave a brief description of his background and his desire to become a valuable member of the PMC. Chair entertained a motion to accept Mr. Grefig’s appointment, on the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, all in favor with a vote of 4-0.
Next, the minutes of July 13, 1999 were reviewed, corrected and approved on the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Maisano with a vote of 4-0. A copy will be distributed to all Legislators for their information.
Next, Chair welcomed Comm. DeSantis and Mr. Richard Magat
to discuss the nuisance of geese.
Commissioner DeSantis suggested the County conduct a full-scale “Goose
Symposium” in the fall (November), a one or two day forum. It would be co-sponsored by a number of
organizations including: FCWC, DEC,
National Audubon Society. The thought
is to gather people under one roof, identify the problem, discuss the
solutions, devise a plan for implementation, then implement it. Commissioner DeSantis feels that this issue
has to come to a forum of total discussion, with all sides,
i.e.; the environmentalist, the conservationist, the animal lovers, etc. Then get everyone in one group, and form a
consensus from both the COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENTTUESDAY, July 20, 1999PAGE 3
environmental community, as well as the government entity that is going to take charge – to get a definitive plan of action and implement it. This will be a series of different kinds of techniques, including educating the public that will help resolve the goose problem. He hopes the State will interact in a positive way, and has also contacted the Regional Director of DEC, Marc Moran for his involvement, which he has agreed to. The suggested forum site is the County Center and the public will be encouraged to attend. Legislator Pinto commented on the conditions of the grounds from the geese at the Tuckahoe and (especially) Bronxville lakes - noting that, at times, it is almost impossible to walk on the paths. He also noted that there is a concern along the Bronx River Reservation because of the trail the geese leave and the fact that children play in the grass/field areas. Mr. Richard Magat spoke briefly of his concerns caused by the geese, stating that it is a matter of quality of life, and is under official jurisdiction. There are powers in the County, State and Federal government to take care of this problem.
Chair Kaplowitz asked if statistics showed that there are a lot more geese, or is it just being perceived that there are a lot more geese? Commissioner DeSantis responded that he sees the problems with geese at the Bronx River, Kensico Dam, and on the golf courses. He also noted that the number of geese are escalating, and on the golf course where there were normally 100 geese being seen, there are now 200 or more sighted. Legislstor LaMotte added that the geese are not only a Westchester problem, and she knows of a golf course that has a herding-type dog that chases the geese. The Commissioner interjected that there have been several Border-Collie dogs in the County system also, and that one dog was killed by geese. The Commissioner reiterated that the intent of this forum is to paint the problematic picture and begin to dissect it into a workable solution that is acceptable to the majority of people in the County.
MINUTES COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENTTUESDAY, July 20, 1999PAGE 4
Next, Chair Kaplowitz referred to the Committee agenda to review the remaining items. Item K-5 Pest Management Committee appoint-ment of James Grefig, was received and filed due to his being accepted (today) for the appointment.
With no further business to discuss and on the motion of Legislator Maisano, seconded by Legislator Pinto, the meeting adjourned at 4:31 p.m.
TAPE OF THE MEETING ON FILE. |