Broad River Watershed Association Annual Meeting

August 28, 2010

 

 

Present at Meeting:   Robbie Griffith, Jean Smith, Pat Kelly, Debbie Lester, Mary Freeman, Bud Freeman, Victor Johnson, Paul Webb, Michael Moody, Victor Johnson

 

Robbie opened the meeting by introducing the board members to the audience. He then pointed out that the annual report for the past year is available to all on the table in the back. The report explains everything that has been accomplished this year. Comments and questions will be welcome later in the meeting.

 

Victor presented and explained the financial report for the past year.

 

Robbie reported that the four conservation easements that BRWA is responsible for were monitored in the spring. The Freeman easement and the Odum easement are in Madison County. There are easements on the two tracks of land that BRWA owns; Purvis Woods in Banks County and Rough Road tract in Oglethorpe County.

 

Robbie stated that the Georgia River Network had conducted their annual Paddle GA event on the Broad River in June 2010. As a result of the BRWA’s participation and volunteer efforts, BRWA is eligible to receive $5000 in grant money to be used for projects that improve the Broad River. Robbie read the following list of projects that BRWA proposed to use the grant money to accomplish.

  • monitoring of an agriculture waste land application on Bertram Creek in Elbert County
  • continuing an ecoli monitoring project of Shiloh and Skull Shoals Creeks in Madison County for agricultural run off
  • helping establish a canoe trail on the Broad River

Mary moved the Paddle GA grant money be used for the projects as read by Robbie. Was seconded and pasted unanimously with Victor abstaining from the vote.

 

The board has proposed a change to the by laws. Currently the by laws state that officers must be board members of the association. The change will state that officers must be members of the association. Robbie asked for discussion. There was none. Mary moved to make the change to the by laws to state that officers must be members of the association. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

 

Robbie said that Debbie would be retiring from the board after serving six years. He asked for a round of applause to thank Debbie for her service. Mary, Jean and Pat have served one three year term and have agreed to serve another term. Sam Linhart has been nominated to fill Debbie’s position. Robbie asked for additional nominees from the audience. There were no further nominees.  Victor moved to approve the slate of four nominees, Mary, Jean, Pat and Sam for board members. The motion was seconded and was approved unanimously.

 

Victor explained the nominating committee’s duties and how it is made up. Two members who are not on the board need to be voted onto the board today. Sara Schatz nominated herself and Jeff Pentz. Victor moved to add Sara Schatz and Jeff Pentz to the nominating committee. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

 

Sam Linhart had received approval from the board to issue Certificates of Award to individuals who are not on the board but have contributed significant amounts of work to the association. This year April Ingle and Jeff Pentz were recipients. April is the executive director of Georgia River Network and has spent a significant amount of time assisting BRWA in many area of river management.  Jeff Pentz is the Director of Information Technologies for the Department of Health Services at UGA and has been invaluable in updating and maintaining the BRWA website and helping the citizens of Elbert County fight the proposed incinerator.

 

Victor reported that Northeast Georgia Regional Commission approved the nomination, presented by Pat Kelly, with help from fellow board members Dudley, Jean and Becca on behalf of the BRWA, of the South Fork, Dove, Indian and Long Creek tributaries of the Broad River (over 300,000 acres) as a Regionally Important Resource (RIR). An RIR is a natural or heritage resource that is of sufficient size or importance to warrant an additional degree of consideration by the local government before approving development in the area of the RIR.

 

September 25 is BRWA’s annual Fall Float and River Cleanup. Floaters will meet at Camp Kiwanis at 11AM. BRO will shuttle everyone upriver and the float will end at Camp Kiwanis with refreshments available afterwards at the outdoor pavilion. Victor has invited local county officials. A local Girl Scout troop is interested in participating in the cleanup.

 

Robbie invited everyone to stay for Dana Skelton’s Canoe Trail presentation and the Broad River Paddle GA video by Joe Cook. Afterwards all are welcome to stay for the catered lunch.

 

Meeting was adjourned.