Meeting Minutes

November 25, 2008

The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:08 pm.

Adoption of the Agenda — Agenda accepted as written.

Adoption of Minutes — The October minutes were accepted as written.

Treasurer’s Report — No Report

Old Business:
Growing Greener Grants — No news.

Grants Received, obligations:
MCFORE, completed PA American Grant
Dominion, due February
New Dominion Grant due in December

Dominion Grant — Mike Malicki to find out when deadline is for money to be spent. New round of grant requests is open. Need ideas for restoration and education by December.

New Business:
DEP Public Meeting for TMDL — Representative from DEP did not show due to the weather. Jen Demchak talked to John Mital and suggested he attend the January meeting due to December meeting being so close to Christmas.

Wood Duck Chapter of TU — Cappy Hill addressed the group concerning the issue of gas well drilling. He discussed how drilling occurs, the amount of water needed for gas removal, potential pollution, etc. He suggested that TU and MCWC appoint a committee to put together a “letter of concern” to be sent to state legislators and representatives. The group discussed adding additional members to the committee from other watershed groups and sportsmen’s groups. Becky Dunlap said the PA Trout Unlimited had drafted a white paper and letter and that she could get that for the committee so they were not starting from scratch. A tentative date of January 14th at 6:00 pm at the Clearfield County Conservation District has been set up to hold the first committee meeting. Becky Dunlap will present a Power Point presentation on economics and impacts of gas drilling to act as an educational opportunity. Local watershed groups and sportsmen clubs will be invited.

Water Sampling — The first month of sampling for Phase II on Moshannon Creek will take place Sunday December 14th. We will be meeting at Art Beveridge’s garage at 9:00 am. We will have Carl, Aaron and Eric to act as group leaders. Sample location maps will be distributed at this time.

Trout Unlimited — Ryan Day was introduced as the new field technician working on the West Branch initiative. He will be available to help Moshannon Creek with sampling. Becky Dunlap handed out copies of the Economic Benefit Analysis and the AMD Remediation Strategy for the West Branch of the Susquehanna. Both of these documents can be found online. She also discussed the Education Grant that TU received through the Clearfield County Conservation District and was looking for volunteers to help organize the meeting in the Moshannon Creek watershed.

New Membership Application Time — No new memberships at this time.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 PM.

Next Meeting — December 23, 2008