Friends of the Muscatatuck River Society: May 3rd @ 5:30pm in the Jennings County Visitor’s Center at Muscatatuck County Park Attendance: Tom Moore Sherida Moore Troy Jackson Simeon Stearns Bill Suhre Susannah Hole Greg Fischesser PJ Fischesser Minutes: Approved as submitted Treasurer’s report: Simeon reported a balance of $3,412.31 (after a deposit this week of $2,228.89) Purchases this month included: 1000 caribeeners, 500 pencils, 150 water bottles totaling $1,976.00 “Easy gels” for Hoosier Riverwatch for E.Coli water testing totaling $116.62 Simeon noted that Terry & Phyllis from the Historic Hoosier Hills are reviewing their balance due to a possible error. OLD BUSINESS: Meeting time/duration change re-cap: Tom Proposed moving our meeting location to a Jennings County Public Library conference room due to a) better climate control during extreme weather conditions and b) more room and furniture accommodation due to the growing numbers of members. The rooms must be scheduled in advance and can be scheduled for up to a 3 month duration period. Motion was made and carried to make an attempt to schedule the room for the next meeting; Simeon will contact Larry Cunningham at the library. Sherida will talk to Greg Martin and Susan Walters from the Muscatatuck Park staff to resolve any contractual obligations with the Visitor’s Center. Note there will be no meeting on July 5th. Dave McCorvie (North Vernon Treatment Plant supervisor) visit: Dave did not show due to miscommunication. Tom will call to arrange a more personal and official invitation with Dave to arrange his visit for our next meeting. April 23 River Sweep report: Despite the dismal weather on that dreary Saturday morning, the cleanup process proved to be an exceptional turnout. This could not have been achieved without the remarkable advertising job done by Simeon and Leanne. To quote Tom’s official Sweep report: “Seventy-nine hardy defenders of the river amassed 6,130 pounds of refuse and 60 tires on a dreary, wet, cold Saturday morning in April when it would have been so easy to stay inside, bringing the FMRS total trash collected since inception to 65,858 pounds and 323 tires. It was an admirable feat on the quiet banks of the Muscatatuck and, as always, Mother Nature thanks the volunteers.” Sweep pictures were taken, courtesy of Cheryl Trissler and Les Ticknor. Cheryl used a disposable digital camera and submitted them to the Plain Dealer; Les is working through some technical problems he had while retrieving pictures from his camera, and will submit them when they are resolved. The Scott County Highway was kind enough to donate a backhoe to use at the Tobias Ford site. This sight has always contained a lot of large items that were difficult to remove by hand, so he backhoe was greatly appreciated. Ideas and suggestions given to improve next year’s efforts are listed as follows: - Ask for gloves and Hazmat demonstration again from Dave Turner/Sheriff Department - Sherida to send thank you in paper to all contributors (IGA, Walmart, Papa John’s, Subway, McDonalds, etc.) and a letter to Sheriff’s Department, - Take more picture to publish in the papers - Solve the food shortage that occurred due possibly to people taking 2nd, 3rd or 4th helpings while late arrivals never even had a 1st helping. Suggestions include: Designate a food server to moderate distribution; use a ‘meal ticket’ issued at signup; have 2 different serve/pickup times; coordinate actual number of workers at each site via cell before placing the food order and to coordinate arrival of each site at Vinegar Mill; contact other places (i.e. JayC, Scott Starkey (chips) - Simeon and Tom suggested that the group attend the First United Methodist Church breakfast to support their cause; everyone that attended that morning will agree that they served a great meal! - Approach Dan Wright about fines for the trash dumping at the Vernon Cemetery and possibly organize a separate cleanup date for that. Maybe even look ino a third party service to clean this site? Rendezvous/ Canoe Race report: Bill Suhre thanked everyone who supplied or purchased items at the rendezvous for their support; proceeds totaled $314.00, less expenses for trophies, supplies, etc. (past record earnings totaled around $500). Financial proceeds were donated to the FMRS. A Plain Dealer representative was unavailable for pictures; Roger Robinette sent his digital pictures to the Plain Dealer. 15 canoes participated in the race and the float; river levels were up, but the canoeists were still able to do some cleanup at South fork. Grant issues / alternatives: *** Minutes from last meeting printed for reference *** - The group addressed the need to find a fund source replacement. One idea mentioned was to approach private sources; i.e. the SWCD offices in Jefferson and Scott counties, the Scott County Health Department (Ron Murphy) and Scott County Sheriff Department. A note that was submitted before last meeting from Jerry Goodin of the Scott County Health Department stated that they would partner with us if any area of focus directly affects Scott County. Tabled. - Another suggestion was to apply for a 319 grant next year with a focus on an 11-digit watershed bordering Jefferson and/or Scott counties (larger scope of area utilizing non-point source testing). Submission dates are in September or October of 2005 Tabled. -Simeon suggested searching the website ‘www.TGCIAlumni.com’ for sources of grant funding possibilities. Troy will research the site to find some possible sources by next meeting; Simeon to email login info to Troy. Tabled Tobias Ford perpetrator/cleanup follow-up report (From last year’s cleanup): Indiana State Police Sergeant Roger Drew dealt with the perpetrator and was instrumental in the cleanup process; Sherida to send a thank you note to Sergeant Roger Drew. Done Leanne Whitesell and Simeon Stearns Educational Report and Schedule: Activities included, but were not limited to, the following: - Earth Day report: Cancelled, but went to BC (40 students) and GC (50 students) for invertebrate education and pollution education, handed out pencils, water testing - River Sweep education station report. Cancelled due to weather. School educational activities: - Last week: Water Quality Management with United Christian Church and Nazerene Church education - 4/26: Macro Invertebrates education with 3rd grade at Scipio - 5/3: River water testing near Highway 50 and 6 Mile Creek with JCMS 8th graders - Next week: Water Quality Management education at Muscatatuck Wildlife Refuge with the county-wide 3rd grade group 180 total hours recorded so far toward the 319 Grant. 1200-1300 workbooks were issued to the schools (Scipo ordered 900 alone) with the following titles: Watershed Protection, Fish and Fishing, Big Rivers, Healthy Water/Healthy People; 200 workbooks on Stormwater Activities were also ordered. Not all the schools have returned their books yet. Please contact Simeon, Leanne or Troy for a more detailed report of educational activities. Status of the railroad rails at the commons: Tom will call a person suggested by Bill to open up more conversation on the subject. FMRS sign progress at the Vernon Commons: The sign design and location has been approved by the Vernon Council and is ready for manufacture. Greg to give info to Troy to pass on to Larry Allsop and Bill Suhre, who will in turn pass it on to the State office to begin manufacturing of the sign. Action Register: - APC Environmental section (Simeon Stearns) – No feedback yet, but it has been submitted. Central Services are not ready to be involved yet; the council is still busy trying to resolve zoning problems. Timeline for submission is 6 months ending in August. The Health Department is working on regulations to fix poorly designed or aging septic systems in the county; Simeon noted there is approximately 3500-plus failing systems in county. Efforts could go more smoothly if there were more cooperation with IDEM. Simeon noted an interest a possible cooperative effort with the new Purdue Extension agent Ken Salkelv and FMRS; Mr. Starkey has pictures of some of these failing systems tat could be used in the grant proposal. Simeon will make a handout for the upcoming APC meeting to convey these needs. - APC meeting last night – nothing to report - Simeon and Leanne to order more kits for Hoosier Riverwatch testing NEW BUSINESS: Hoosier Riverwatch Fun-Filled Field Days: The nearest event to us is Saturday, June 4th at Versailles State Park (Ripley County). For more information, log onto the web at http://www.riverwatch.in.gov/. Everyone is invited to attend. New commissioner Tom Eastlery of IDEM at the Jennings County Library May 11 at 6 p.m for Q&A Session: Tom will send an invitation Wednesday to the group, inviting them to attend the meeting. Set agenda for the next meeting: Old Business: FMRS sign progress at the Vernon Commons: Dave McCorvie (North Vernon Treatment Plant supervisor) visit Grant Issues IDEM Q & A session with Tom Easterly Education report from Simon and Leanne Grant money/task report Status of the railroad rails at the commons APC Environmental Section New business: Sherida to talk to Greg about sign Visitor’s Center; Simeon and Leanne discuss w/ Greg about camera issue Fair Booth: Need volunteers to work; Sell items for fund raiser (T-shirts, bottles, carabineers?); Les to coordinate recycling (not affiliated with FMRS) Task and contract balance Meeting adjourned @ 7:26 pm Next Meeting: June 7 REMINDER: NO MEETING IN JULY NEXT RIVER SWEEP IS…October 1st Mother Nature Thanks You Use the TIP LINE. Call 1-800-847-4367 (1-800-TIP-IDNR)