April 10, 2007 7:00 p.m

Judge Morris Estate

Newark, DE

Attendees:

Chuck Barscz Jessie Benjamin Ed Cairns

Sally Cheyne Martha Corrozi Nancy Detozier

Karl Grieshaber Marilyn Flannery Jan Kalb

Mary Jo Kulp Joseph Manning Jake Michael

Rick Mickowski Dorothy P. Miller Aileen Parrish

Janice Reissig Bill Wawkmis Gail Wawkmis

Linda Stapleford Kristen Travers Andy Urquhart

Andy Urquhart called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.., welcomed visitors, and asked attendees to introduce themselves.

MINUTES January 9, 2007

Ø The minutes of the January 9 meeting were read and approved by members present.

NEXT MEETINGS

It was agreed to wait and hold the next Management Committee meeting Tuesday, September 11, 1:00 p.m. in Pennsylvania at a site to be identified later.

The date for the next Executive Subcommittee meeting will be set for May via email.

BACKYARD HABITAT ASSISTANCE FOR HOMEOWNERS Janice Reissig, Habitat Steward, Delaware Nature Society

Janice presented an informative slideshow describing the Backyard Wildlife Habitat™ program which is conducted through a partnership between the Delaware Nature Society and the National Wildlife Federation. The program provides official certification for properties that meet four criteria necessary for wildlife habitat: food, water, cover, and places for wildlife to raise young. Property owners also implement resource conservation practices. Through the program, homeowners can receive FREE technical assistance from Delaware Nature Society Habitat Stewards to help evaluate your property and find ways to attract wildlife and positively impact water quality and decrease stormwater runoff. The slide presentation showed numerous examples of local gardens that have been certified. Contact John Harrod at the Delaware Nature Society, 302-239-2334 ext. 142, or see www.delawarenaturesociety.org for more information.

FY07 AND FY08 BUDGETS

A revised 07 budget to reflect the expected FY07 funding of $75,000 from the National Park Service (NPS) $875,000 Partner Wild & Scenic Rivers total allocation was presented and approved. This level of funding results from the NPS decision to adopt the significantly reduced level of funding for Partner Wild & Scenic River program recommended in the President’s FY07 budget. This occurred although the final overall NPS FY07 budget was not reduced from the FY06 level. The irony of this reduction at the same time the Partnership Wild and Scenic River received national recognition by Harvard University (see NPS report) was noted. [NOTE: Since the meeting the portion of funding from NPS for the White Clay Creek was increased to $85,500; the Exec. Subcomm. approved a revised budget to reflect that amount.]

The River Administrator, along with other Partnership Wild & Scenic Rivers and American Rivers, has been contacting our respective Partner state delegations with a request for increased funding for FY08 of $2.146 million to fund the now 10 Partner rivers.

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

Education Subcommittee

K. Travers reported that the watershed welcome packets titled Welcome to Our Neighborhood, White Clay Creek Watershed are beginning to be assembled and distributed. Five to ten copies will be distributed per municipality along with the 2006 Update. Municipalities can respond how they might wish to use them and the number they may want. J. Benjamin, Sally C., and M. Flannery volunteered to take some that were brought this evening to 4 of the townships and to the WCC Preserve. It was recommended to use the packets with preliminary open space preservation work in Chester County.

K. Travers also noted that Stroud did some elementary school programs with the City of Newark as part of Newark’s stormwater education requirements. L. Stapleford reported that M. Zechiel, UD Water Resources Agency graduate student, is continuing work on the second tackboard poster. This one will focus on people and the watershed. Scenic photos of community life in Avondale or Avon Grove are being sought for possible use in this poster and other outreach opportunities. Email riveradministrator@whiteclay.org if you have photos you might like to donate.

Historical and Cultural Resources

An appeal of Pennsylvania’s denial of a London Tract National Historic District was mailed to the Washington D.C. National Park Service office. The decision is still pending.

Fish & Wildlife

The botanical surveys in London Grove and Franklin Township are continuing on a township-wide basis. Derek Stoner is being contracted to do bird survey work. It was also suggested that he be sought as a Fish and Wildlife Subcomm. member. L. Stapleford will call E. O’Donnell regarding that suggestion.

Recreational Trails

The renegotiated contract with Katz Assoc. for the trail map/brochure is finalized and signatures are being obtained. The contract is almost identical to the previous one that expired at the end of 2006. Work should renew soon.

A. Urquhart suggested Wendel Cassel as a possible new subcommittee member for Recreation and Trails. Andy will pass along contact information to J. Michael.

Colonial Pipeline is placing a gas pipeline through Franklin and London Britain Twps. It consists of a 50 ft. easement along the pipeline. The company is favorably disposed to trails and may be a source of money for trail projects.

J. Michael updated the Committee on the proposed Master Trail project to involve several of the PA municipalities. He is writing a Chester County Vison Partnership Program Grant proposal to include Franklin, London Britain, New Garden, and London Grove Twps. and perhaps W. Grove. The idea has a lot of support. The grant would not fund trail construction but the study of possible connecting links between these White Clay watershed municipalities. He is looking for examples of this type of study. J. Benjamin suggested Berks County might be a good model.

Open Space

L. Stapleford reviewed the report given by Open Space Subcommittee at the recent Exec. Subcomm. meeting:

There are 14 on-going projects of which 2-3 are adjacent to the WCC Preserve. It is expected that 5-6 should be completed by the end of the year. A high priority property in Franklin Twp is moving forward.

Regarding municipal ordinance review, New London Twp indicated some interested in revision but has not yet committed; London Britain has formed a riparian buffer committee to work with residents after reading the review on their stormwater ordinances; R. Lonsdorf will look at Newark ordinances if L. Stapleford gets a copy and estimate cost to include them in the review process.

Although it had been reported earlier at that Exec. Subcomm meeting that the WCCWMC $35,000, and WCWA and London Britain Twp funds may not be needed for the Wilkins property, it appears now they will be needed..

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE REPORT

The Partnership W&S River program is one of the Harvard’s Kennedy School’s list of the top 50 programs for government innovation and could be one of the 7 winners for a $100,000 award. Chuck will email the American Rivers press release on this for L. Stapleford to distribute on the listserve.

Chuck is now conducting a Section 7 review of Westlyn in London Grove. Anyone wishing to see the plans and comment should speak with C. Barscz after the meeting.

ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

L. Stapleford reported briefly on the following items:

Homeowner Association Habitat Restoration Workshops – A third workshop was held 10:00 a.m. – 12:15

p.m. Feb.24 to assist Homeowner Associations with habitat restoration in the open spaces they manage. In contrast to the fall workshops 44 people attended. Response was very enthusiastic. Exit surveys suggested this time of year is much better. A grant has been submitted to Dockstader Foundation to do a similar type workshop in Chester County.

Website Design Assistance – A University of Delaware computer science professor is using the redesign of our website as a student project. An initial meeting has been held with the students and email communication is continuing.

United Water Delaware donation – United Water Delaware is in the process of determining the type of project(s) they would like to support through a donation. Like all grants or donations it would be given through the White Clay Watershed Association.

OLD BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

A suggestion has come to the Committee to encourage a local native plant retail outlet. Others at the meeting noted that some retail options already exist locally. More will become available as the market pressure increases. Purchasing and asking about native plants locally will build that market. Red Bud nursery on Rt. 352, Glen Mills, is a good source for native plants. Also, the American Beauties program is an experiement to brand native plants at local retail nurseries. Gateway Gardens in Hockessin and Waterloo Gardens in Exton participate. [NOTE: For more information on American Beauties, a cooperative venture of North Creek Nurseries (Landenberg) and Prides Corner Farms (in Connecticut) and the National Wildlife Association, see www.abnativeplants.com.]

The meeting as adjourned at 8:50 p.m.