Bradford Conservation Commission
Minutes
June 19, 2018, 7pm at Brown Memorial Library
Present:George Beaton, Seth Benowitz, Nathanial Bruss, Meg Fearnley, Patty Furness, Scott MacLean, Brooks McCandlish. Also present Chris Connors, representing Basil Trout Unlimited.
Secretary’s Report: The draft minutes of 5/15/18 were reviewed and accepted as read.
Treasurer’s Report: Meg stated that there was $9.53 interest earned on accounts in May.
Volunteer River Assessment Program: Chris Connors from Basil Trout Unlimited presented information on the volunteer river assessment program (VRAP), formed to create awareness and educate the public on the importance of maintaining the water quality of NH rivers and streams. This program is offering landowners with brook trout streams on property a free survey of their streams to determine fish variety, habitat analysis, and water quality. There will be an informational presentation in Bradford in the coming month (TBA) with an opportunity to be included in this survey.
Warner River Protection Program/SB445: Chris Connors updated us on SB445, which is now awaiting the Governor’s signature. A Local Advisory Committee (LAC) will be formed and will need a Bradford representative. The committee will be responsible for establishing by laws, creating a river corridor plan and reviewing permits, and overseeing VRAP. A Master Plan for the Warner River needs to be written to be EPA compliant, and will be created by an intern for Trout Unlimited and NH Fish and Game.
Beaver Deceiver: The Selectmen granted approval of installation at sites on Forrest Street and West Rd, and Seth’s sweat has resulted in the awarding of our first grant! Permission from neighbors has been acquired. An upcoming informational article in the Bridge will offer opportunity for donations. A motion was made to give Skip Lisle permission to begin construction, and passed unanimously.
ATV Usage on Class 6 Roads: The Selectmen declined to act on the Woodland ATV Club’s request.
Warner Friends of Mink Hills: Doug Southard has generously volunteered to attend the June 25 meeting at the Central Regional Planning Commission to report on the recent Selectmen’s decision.
Rural Heritage Connection Communications: The RHC plans to construct a Rail Trail bridge spanning the outlet near the Appleseed Restaurant. Two wetlands permits will be submitted for the supporting piles at each end of the bridge, and guidance from the BCC was requested for proper placement to protect the watershed. Loam will be used to build up each end of the bridge. The RHC also plans to tie the Rail Trail into the Tall Pines Trail at the entrance of that trail.
Smith Road Chestnut Tree: George volunteered to investigate the tree’s location and notify the owner of the property.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:05pm. The next meeting will be Tuesday July 17, 2018 at 7pm at Brown Memorial Library.
Respectfully submitted,
Patty Furness, Secretary