Location:  CWC Headquarters (Arkville, NY)

Present:  Ric Coombe, David Kukle, Steve Walker, Ed Snow, Bud Gladstone, Glen Faulkner, Will Outsen, Jeff Gearhart, David Edinger, Peter DiSclafani

Others:  Jeff Baker, Tim Cox,  Jason Merwin, Gemma Young, Samantha Costa, Jessica Fiedler, Nick Carbone, Elizabeth DiFalco,  Michelle Yost, Cher Woehl

1.  Call to Order:  Ric called the meeting to order at 6:20 pm. 

2.  May 19, 2025, Meeting Minutes Approval:  Motion to approve the minutes made by Ed Snow and seconded by Bud Gladstone.  Motion carried.   

3.  Ric opened the meeting by giving everyone a brief update on the opening of Phase II of the Lost Catskills Farm located at the Time and the Valleys Museum in Grahamsville, NY.   The event was a great success and Ric thanked everyone who attended.  He gave special thanks to CWC for participating and sharing information on the coalition and the watershed.  

4 & 5. LAP/SAP Negotiations/Status of Amended City CE to State:
Jeff opened with letting everyone know that the negotiations were abruptly suspended without resolution.   He provided a summary of the events occurring that led to this latest development.   Negotiations have taken place over the past year and have been positive and successful.  A primary area of discussion was the fee acquisitions and licensing agreements with the City.  Early in the year, the City and all parties reached agreement on these.  However in February of this year, Delaware County issued a resolution stating that they were against fee acquisitions but supported the licensing agreements.  Other counties in the watershed wanted to move forward supporting both fee acquisitions and licensing agreements.  Negotiations resumed in May, and progress was being made that would accommodate Delaware County and all other counties.

Jeff shared that Riverkeeper proceeded to issue a memo criticizing Delaware County’s position on fee acquisitions.  NYC called a meeting on Friday, June 13^th with the negotiating parties to discuss the disagreements between Delaware County and Riverkeeper.   At that meeting, NYC stated there were significant differences between Riverkeeper and Delaware County thereby suspending all further discussions on CSAP.   Jeff said it was apparent that this directive was a surprise to everyone attending the meeting.

Jeff proceeded to explain that there needs to be some form of CSAP to complement the flood hazard mitigation and streamside programs.  He also shared there may be situations where towns may want to move forward with land acquisitions.  While Jeff doesn’t believe the City will try and re-instate the Core LAP in Areas 3 & 4, he said we can’t be certain of this.  He did state that from a broader coalition perspective we need to determine the importance of the riparian buffer protection program beyond stream management and flood hazard mitigation projects.  Ric agreed and asked board members for their input on how critical a broader riparian buffer program really is.  Steve indicated that he didn’t see the need for these.  Peter shared that while the flood hazard mitigation element would be a good tool, he also doesn’t see the need for a riparian buffer program.  David E. also agreed that there isn’t a need for riparian buffers.   Ric and Jeff stated that we are still sorting through this decision to determine the impact and next steps, which may include a formal response from CWT.

Jeff then shared that they are finishing the elements for the side agreements, and they have completed the Conservation Easement changes.

On Conservation Easements, Peter shared the situation they are facing in Shandaken.  Peter explained that Shandaken is looking for property to relocate their Town Hall and Highway Garage.  Two years ago they found the land and proceeded to have meetings with DEP to discuss the land swap.  Discussions were going well, and it appeared that the swap would be happening as agreed to until it was discovered that the land was tied up with conservation easements.  In subsequent meetings with DEP and DEC, Peter indicated that DEC informed everyone they needed to review the proposal.  Peter emphasized that DEP and Shandaken have been working together very well for the past 2 years, and DEP has been very supportive throughout the process.  DEP has also been attempting to work with DEC to advance the process, to no avail.  Ric suggested that we send a letter to DEC to support Shandaken and DEP on this land swap effort.   Jeff agreed but will start with a call to DEC to see if he can resolve this. 

Glen stated that Middletown is in the same situation as Shandaken, reiterating everything Peter has shared.  Middletown has also been working very closely with DEP on a land swap only to be faced with the conservation easement issues and reviews by DEC.  

Ric expressed how land swaps are a critical piece of the watershed.  Jason agreed and indicated that CWC is working with Shandaken on their land swap.  Jason suggested CWT help to draft a process for the land swaps.   Ric felt this was a good idea as land swaps are the future, however he suggested we get one land swap completed first to better identify the process needed. 

6.  CWC Report:  Jason reported that CWC is 100% complete with the Shokan Project plans and they have been submitted to DEP.  He also reported that the negotiations on the operating contract have been completed and are getting finalized.  The Community Vitality Study is progressing, and the consultants will be scheduling the focus group meetings soon.  Jason shared that Cornell University is evaluating the effectiveness of the Best Management Practices (BMP) in the watershed.  This is currently measured solely by the numbers located in the watershed.  In closing Jason shared that CWT has hired three (3) interns which will be working to digitize the files, including the CWT files.  

7.  Warrants and Treasurer’s Report:  Bud reported that as of May 31, 2025, 
the checking account had $12,721.61,
the savings account had $101,368.23 and
the CD had $52,306.30. 
Ed Snow made the motion to accept the Treasurer’s report, seconded by David Edinger.  Report accepted.  
Bud presented warrant #117 in the amount of $1,796.00 for payment of the May legal fees and administrative support fees.  
Steve Walker made the motion to pay warrant #117, seconded by Glen Faulkner.  Motion carried.   

8.  Other:  Ric raised the issue regarding DEP’s project to install cell towers in the watershed.  DEP is currently developing the RFP for this project.  Ric suggested that we can support their process by providing them with information on the current cell towers in the watershed counties and maps of the populated areas.   Ric felt it would be beneficial to everyone for us to provide DEP with whatever information we can to help them as they move forward identifying the best locations for future cell towers.  Jason volunteered to reach out to each of the county planning offices to see what information they may have on this. 

9.  Adjourn:  Motion to adjourn was made by Ed Snow, seconded by Glen Faulkner.  Motion carried.  The meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm.