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Home My WebLink About09/1987 e ~ e? / r' 1,..1 }/' ":>c- A eO .-:::)'"",i-., /111. /J,,,l.-"e'v f~S~IEIFlS REClMO OCTI20 9J7 ~SU\1Nl1Q) iCOINlSIE IFlV J.\lNliCY }I,(----)-fl&/.A-I -4- a,..,..v w1t/,,/,4/-5 NEWSLETTER SwlI.JJ T_ om SEPTEMBER 1987 Volume II, Number 2 Lecture Series: The Conservancy arranged two lectures during this past summer which were very well attended. The first, a presentation by Chuck Hamilton of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) provided important information concerning how all of us can best protect and preserve our fragile island environment. In the two days that Chuck and his assistants, Doug Kerr (law enforcement officer), and Laurie Riley, (attorney) were on the Island, they had a total of 30 appointments to discuss specific situations. We wish to thank the Civic Association, the Ferguson Museum, and FIDCO, for their co-sponsorship of this event. The second, a presentation by Ed Steward, President of the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resource Recovery Association (SCRRRA), provided information concerning the current status of their plan to build a large regional solid waste incinerator in Preston CT. Ed also compared incineration technologies and discussed why they had chosen large- scale incineration (lower costs and better air pollution control). For those of you who were unable to attend, summaries of these presentations are provided below. Summary of Information Provided by DEC Concernino Coastal Areas and Inland Wetlands: Coastal Areas: The DEC regulates all activities out into the sea to the line where the seabed is six feet below the mean low water line. Further, with a few exceptions, they have jurisdiction to a point on the land which is 300 feet horizontally from the edge of the salt water wetland, and up to 10 feet above sealevel, or to the top of any adjacent bluffs. All activities to dredge, build structures, modify structures, landfill, or otherwise permanently alter these areas require a permit. Our freshwater wetlands are an extremely valuable and fragile resource also and have been designated as "of unique local significance". This means that even very small wetlands on the Island are covered by regulations. Permits are required for all activities similar to the above within 1 00 vertical or horizontal feet of the edge of the wetland. Wetlands are identified by the presence of certain plants, not just "wetness". Permits must be prominently displayed and the DEC-approved plans must be available on-site. Not all applications for permits are granted. However, in the permitting process, the DEC generally works with the applicant to satisfy both his or her needs and still protect the environment, as they are required to do under the law. Repair of existing structures without modification generally does not require a permit. Many of us attending the presentation were surprised at the severity of the penalties for violation of Conservation laws. The DEC audits work performed under permits for compliance. Fines can be $1000 a day plus restoration. The conduct of activities requiring a permit without first obtaining one is violating the law. The DEC has enforcement officers, but if it appears that work is already underway in a sensitive area, the State Trooper assigned to the Island may enforce the law by first inspecting the . . permit and plans to determine compliance, and then he may halt work temporarily if appropriate. For example, in areas adjacent to a wetland, bulldozing uncleared#n~ requires a permit, as does land clearing where the root structures are destroyed. \.' 1;.11 Summary of Information Provided bv SCRRRA Concernina Solid Waste Incineratio~,~r:r There l.i. a possible alternative to incineration of solid waste and garbage opjl'lfiShersi ~onl Island. The alternative involves establishing a garbage transfer station on the Island to compact the waste prior to transportation off the Island in special container trucks via the ferry or a special boat or barge. The garbage would then be shipped to the SCRRRA's new incinerator in Preston CT, scheduled for completion in 1990. This incinerator will have a capacity of 600 tons per day and will burn at a temperature of 1800 OF twenty four hours per day. This very high temperature and continuous burn rate is needed to meet Connecticut's strict pollution control requirements. Costs for this alternative would probably be in the area of $50 per ton plus transportation. During the question and answer session, Ed Steward indicated that SCRRRA would negotiate a contract with Fishers Island similar to the ones they have negotiated with other non-member towns. It would provide for a ten year term, 1990-2000, and if for any reason they wanted to cancel, they would give us notice 3 years in advance. They will have excess capacity of about 100 tons per day. The SCRRRA is working with the Connecticut DEP and the Town of Norwich on a clean-up plan for the Norwich landfill site to convert it to an ash disposal facility with an 18 year capacity. There is ash disposal capacity in the State in the event that Norwich is not ready in time. The Connecticut Siting Council approves the location of utility plants, such as the proposed incinerator. A Siting Council decision is expected in the near future, and after that, the SCRRRA will be free to negotiate with the Fishers Island Garbage and Refuse District. Committee Activities: In June, Cherry Rafferty and Jean Crane met with volunteers who had expressed interest in working on new committees and those already in place. Much needed work has yet to be assigned. If you are willing to do technical research, please call Cherry and let her know of your interest and area of expertise. In addition to the activities reported below, several other committees are being formed, and we will report their activities and membership in the next newsletter. Harbor Pollution' Studies: Pat Baker and Sissy Buller "put their arms in all kinds of water" to take samples which were then sent to laboratories in New London for testing. First, the good news about West Harbor. It's cleaner!! Much better than last year when the Conservancy found "hot spots" near Dock Beach and in the inner harbor. Once alerted, the neighboring property owners took prompt action. Hav Harbor Clean-up in ProQress: Now the not-so-good news: Hay Harbor has some "hot spots". The Conservancy are sharing these results with the residents and the Hay Harbor Club. Everyone is working to identify the sources of trouble and how to fix them. Coastal Resources' Besides working on Hay Harbor, Harry Ferguson and Liz Orr are organizing monitoring programs for our coastal resources. Harry and Liz are action- oriented, working with Frank Bohlen as their water quality advisor. Other volunteers who will be working with our town officials include Bill and Di Fisk, Sandy and George Esser, Sandy Riegel, Steven A. Cook, Nell Lynch, Charlotte McKim, Talcott Stanley, Liz Carter, and Carol Ridgeway. Ed Horning and Rick Ahman have taken responsibility for . . monitoring the moveable part of our coastline, namely the shifting sand bars, dunes, sand and stone beaches, and the small barrier islands. If we have a serious and permanent erosion problem, we need to know it. We all love the Island beaches, mudflats, salt marshes, and rocky shores! Water Usaae Studv Underwav: Under the direction of Bob Parsons and Nancy Murphy, the Conservancy has begun a first-ever analysis of the Island's water supply. Private well owners are being asked for data on the amounts and flow rates of water available to them from the Island's aquifer. This information will be combined with data from the Utility Company and sent to a geological consulting company for analysis. The topography of the freshwater ponds will be studied for possible future invasion by salt water. This is a complex area for the Conservancy to study, but we believe that it merits further research. We are all concerned that if the present building boom continues, a much larger summer population combined with a severe drought could cause a water rationing program on Fishers Island. Maooina: Sally Ferguson, the Fisks, Ed Horning, Penny Sharp, and Jackie Williamson are working on updating our earlier maps showing freshwater wetlands, the special vegetation which identifies freshwater wetlands, and the coastal brackish and tidal wetlands and salt marshes. In addition, we will develop a map showing bird habitats. We will be working closely with the Ferguson Museum. Land Use Preservation: Nina Stanley, Michael Wray, and others will be researching the 'people habitat', density, congestion, noise pollution, sewerage, etc. Fish Habitat: Francis Doyen will be heading up the Conservancy's efforts in this area. Environmental Imoact Studies: Martha Fransson has been working with the Garbage and Refuse District to research technical issues related to the proposed incinerator. Along with O.J. Anderson, Michael Wray, and others, she will be exploring the environmental impact of proposed industrial and municipal facilities. A Messal!e from the President: We are the Island's only organization dedicated primarily to the preservation and conservation of our natural resources. This does not mean that we will oppose all reasonable development plans and projects. What it does mean is that we are terribly concerned about the accelerating pace of development on the Island without due reaard or consideration for the lono ranoe effects which such unthinkina development could have on our fraaile environment and on the unique natural resources that make Fishers Island so special an area of the northeastern seaboard. The Conservancy's programs are entirely directed towards gaining and circulating the knowledge which will be useful and constructive in conserving these priceless resources - a direction that will take us into both educative and active environmental areas. We also believe that for us to engage in the preservation of our ecological heritage, we must continue to be both independant and self-supporting. We thank you all for your continuing backing for our operating programs and hope that you will continue that level of support as our growth continues and our programs show results. ANNUAL MEETING SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11 4:00PM AT THE SCHOOL