Broad River Watershed Association Board Meeting

Aug, 12, 2009

Present at Meeting: Sam Linhart, Michael Moody, Victor Johnson, Pat Kelly, Mary Freeman, Paul Webb, Dudley Hartel, Debbie Lester, Robbie Griffith, Bud Freeman

July 8, 2009 Board Minutes were reviewed. Victor moved to approve them. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Because the accountant is on vacation, Victor presented a draft copy of the July financial statement. He does not expect any changes when the accountant returns. Dudley moved to approve the July financial statement as presented. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Victor said that the property that the office is on is probably going to be sold with in the next year. Robbie asked if the owner would be willing to donate the property to BRWA for a large tax write off. Victor agreed to ask him.

Jean reported to Mary that she will wait to mail the letter to Stephens County land owners along the North Fork of the Broad River until she can include the newsletter.

Robbie reported that the person who held the lease on Purvis woods two years ago has signed a lease for the upcoming hunting season. Even though Robbie reduced the cost of the lease slightly, it should still be enough to pay the property taxes. The cost of the liability insurance for the hunters has been reduced by going with an umbrella policy through Robbie’s company.

Robbie has talked to the guy from Wyoming who is interested in an easement on his property near Commerce. He said he will have to wait until he comes to Georgia to go any further with an easement. Robbie will meet with him then.

Robbie said that he agreed that BRWA as an organization does not need to get involved in the dispute between the river bank landowners and canoeing outfitters.

Sam discussed the plan to monitor below the water treatment plants in the watershed. There has been very little interest show by the group. He is considering handing the chairmanship of the watershed committee to someone else because he will be cycling off the board in Jan. Dudley suggested that we wait until after the annual meeting, find a new chairman and then evaluate what we want to do.

Pat Kelly will contact Mary Gazaway to clarify the summary of the Ecoli Monitoring project that Mary sent out in June. Pat will ask her to speak at a board meeting.

Victor had an update on the Broad River 319 projects from the Broad River News, the newsletter of the Broad River Soil and Water Conservation District. He said one of us needs to contact the local Natural Resource Conservation Service representative in Commerce and asked them to keep us informed of the progress of the Long Creek and South Fork projects. Robbie agreed to contact them.

Victor will try to attend the annual banquet of the Broad River Soil and Water Conservation District on November 17 in Carnesville.

Victor sent an email to Terry Chandler our representative on the board of the Soil Conservation District reminding him that we have money to sponsor a student to the Resource Conservation Workshop

Some one contacted Victor asking him about a newspaper article that a friend has told him about. The article said there was talk of a dam on the Broad River. Victor asked him to send him the article or at least find out what newspaper it was in. Victor suspects it is just a rumor.

Mary reported that Melissa will have the newsletter ready to mail by the end of August and passed around a draft copy. The mailed copy will be black and white. The website version will be in color. Mary asked for any suggestions for changes. Printing costs will be $125. Victor said the money is in the budget.

Jeff Pentz reported that Eric is still working well to address Jeff’s requests for changes to the website.

Michael is working with Roger Thomas to map and describe floats of several sections of the Broad. Roger has links from and to Brown’s Guide to Georgia.

Mary reminded everyone to e-mail committee reports for the annual report to either her or Jean.

Mary said that the board needs to bring breakfast for the annual meeting. Victor will bring coffee maker, coffee, cups and fruit. Jean will bring juice. Others agreed to bring food. Dudley and Pat agreed to bring fans since the air conditioner may not be working at the Park building. Mary has asked Pat Carithers if she can arrange catering once again. If Pat cannot then Mary arrange it.

Mary will arrange a nominating committee meeting on Aug. 18 in Athens at her house. She will try to get Ann Ellis and Ellen Forbes on a conference call for the meeting.

Land Trust Alliance is offering conservation legal defense insurance for conservation easements. The start up costs is $250 and $60 per parcel/year. This insurance money would pay for law suits challenging easement violations by neighbors, owners, etc. The insurance could be paid for by the stewardship fund. Need to let them know by next July if we want to participate. It was agreed to table further discussion until next month.

Dudley moved to adjourn. It was seconded and passed unanimously.