2000 Meeting Minutes

---

Dragon Run Steering Committee

Wednesday, November 10, 2000 at 7:30, at the PDC

AGENDA

1. Conservation Roundtable
2. Special Area Management Plan (SAMP)
3. Mapping Conservation Land Holdings
4. Dragon Run Water Quality Sampling Effort

November 13^th or November 14

5. Other Business
6. Next meeting

Meeting Notes:

Dragon Run Steering Committee members in attendance were Dorothy Miller, Prue Davis, - Essex County; Ed Hall (Chairman) and Russell and Rachel Williams, W.F. Herrin -King & Queen County, Jerry Horner-Gloucester County, Robert Major -Middlesex County. Also in attendance were Teta Kain FODR, Keith C. Parham King and Queen and Lewis Lawrence- MPPDC Staff.

Agenda

Introductions- Chairman Ed Hall welcomed everyone attending the meeting and discussed the agenda for the meeting.

Conservation Roundtable- Teta Kain gave a review of Friends of The Dragon Run history and land holdings. Teta also extended an invitation to attend the upcoming general meeting. Dr Willy Reay CBNERR in Virginia at VIMS spoke about the effort of CBNERR to purchase a tract of land on the Dragon and future research efforts.

Special Area Management Plan (SAMP)- Lewie lead a discussion of SAMP and opened up the meeting to a discussion of SAMP activities. Below are the topic areas of concern from some elected, appointed, and citizens of the member localities whose jurisdiction the Dragon Run watershed drains. These topics represent areas of concern, future projects, future planning initiatives etc.

The Dragon Run Steering Committee fully supports the creation of a SAMP for the Dragon and looks forward to initiating and serving as a coordinator for this regional watershed planning initiative.

Regional Planning

• Land Management Assemblage Assistance- regional coordination of conservation land assemblage issues
• Create a higher level of volunteer protection tools and strengthen local government ordinances for watershed protection.
• Land use analysis, on-site septic, non traditional septic opportunities for development of land in the watershed- buildout projections
• Riparian Buffer for residential and agricultural uses- educate and implement
• Look towards the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act for implementation and protection tools.
• Review and implement past agreements of local government for watershed management- Past Dragon Run Steering Committee, MPPDC, and local government adoption.
• Economic Analysis-Understand and quantify resource value, local business value, land value, timber value, recreational value of the watershed.
• Watch Dog Dragon- Offer timber certification designation for loggers-"Friend of the Dragon Logging Program"
• Timber tracking- Create a watershed wide timber harvest and tracking program
• Purchase of Timber Rights in buffer- create a program
• Maps and designate certain areas as "special-timber, habitat, endangered species zones" for additional protection

• Access Management, clean up-work with VDOT and other agency players concerning environmental sensitivity training
• Focused access for general public- Implement an access management plan
• Establish public park access site
• Facilitate land purchase for different groups
• Expert on legislation-Bay Act changes, TMDL, TRIB Strategy
• Land fill expansion- local governments position and direction.

• Landfill truck transport route in Dragon Run Watershed- need to minimize

Education

• Creation of a watershed wide outdoor educational program
• Support for the revival of the Dragon Run Festival
• Offer timber certification designation for loggers-"Friend of the Dragon Logging Program"
• Public educational programs for safety and awareness

Natural Heritage

• Natural Heritage Inventory- continue and support

• Grant Support

• Environmental Grant Support Other Groups- need for professional assistance to coordinate and support grant initiative for environmental stewards of the Dragon.

Research

• Continue/Expand water quality and land use research
• Seek Specialized Study- certain watershed attributes require specialized study
• Work with large agricultural and silvacultural landholders to effectively improve productivity while preserving the watershed.
• Diversity of species- identify historic species and inventory current species to determine extent of current vegetation i.e. lob lolly, phragmites
• Old growth tree stands-inventory
• Flooding and 100 year storm effect on agriculture, run off and water quality.
• Old species once were no more-reintroduction (American Shad)
• Vegetation density vs. evaporation – is the Dragon drying up from a loss of vegetative cover

Recreation

• Recreation / hunting-new program new opportunities, eco-tourism, guided hunts, outdoor experience

Mapping Conservation Land Holdings- Lewie lead a discussion of the need to map conservation group land holdings for the regional. Land assemblage on a regional basis can illustrate how coordinated efforts can yiels larger benefits than a disjointed assemblage effort.

Dragon Run Water Quality Sampling Effort- Dr Willy Reay CBNERR in Virginia at VIMS lead a discussion of the pending November 14 sampling effort. Willy explained where samples would be taken and what would be monitored.

Keith C. Parham addressed the group. Reverend Parham leads a environmental awareness effort to promote awareness of the potential impacts of the BFI land fill in King and Queen County

Other Business- Charman Ed Hall reminded the group that the February 2001 meeting will be the election of officers and discussion of legislative issues related to the environment W.F. Herrin made a motion to adjourn, properly seconded and approved.

---

Dragon Run Steering Committee

August 10, 2000, 7:30 PM

MPPDC Offices - Saluda

AGENDA -Minutes

• Introductions.
• Resolution acknowledging the efforts of Heather Wilson to educate and promote awareness of the Dragon Run to local youth
• Land use – Water Quality project update
• Chesapeake Bay 2000 agreement update
• Virginia Motor Speedway update.
• Shad resolution support update
• Update on the BFI mitigation fund-Friends of the Dragon Run land purchase.
• Next Meeting.

Meeting Notes:

Dragon Run Steering Committee members in attendance were Dorothy Miller and Prue Davis- Essex County; Ed Hall, Russell and Rachel Williams, and William and Elise Herrin-King & Queen County, Jerry Horner-Gloucester County; Robert Major Middlesex County. Also in attendance were Davis Rhodes and Mike Anderberg-FODR and Lewis Lawrence- MPPDC Staff.

The Chairman welcomed everyone in attendance and called the meeting to order. A resolution was presented acknowledging the effort of Heather Wilson to educate and promote awareness of the Dragon Run to local youth. The resolution will be presented to Heather Wilson at the next Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission monthly meeting.

Lewie gave a review of the Land use-Water Quality grant as well as a brief discussion of the upcoming system wide water quality sampling project. The group discussed sample locations.

Lewie provided an update on the septic issue at the Virginia Motor Speedway. Indications from Three Rivers Health District at that the Speedway will use a mass drainfield and will not try for a discharge permit into Briery Creek. The final proposal should be delivered to the Health District shortly.

Lewie provided an update on the Shad Educational Support resolution supplied to all local government within the Middle Peninsula. Support for the resolution was indicated from all local governments presenting the resolution.

Davis Rhodes, Friends of The Dragon lead a discussion of the upcoming land purchase on the Dragon. Davis indicated that funding raising support for this purchase was overwhelming. Lewie also took the opportunity to present two recycling stations to the Friends as a gift from the Middle Peninsula Recycling Program administrated through the MPPDC.

Chairman Hall set the next meeting of the Steering Committee and called closed the meeting.

---

Date: 4/25/00

To: Dragon Run Steering Committee

From: Lewis L Lawrence, Director of Regional Planning

RE: Upcomming May Meeting

The May quarterly meeting of Dragon Run Steering Committee will be on Wednesday, May 10 at 7:30, at the PDC office. Watershed hydrology, water quality, and geology is the topic for the evening. I have arranged for Dr. Willy Reay from the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve – VIMS to be our speaker for the evening.

Last fall you directed staff from the PDC to apply for funding to conduct a Land use - Water quality study of the Dragon. Our application was funded. We will be collaborating with Dr. Reay and his staff on this project. As such, we will be discussing this project in conjunction with the general meeting topic.

If you have questions, please give me a call at 804-758-2311

AGENDA

1. Introductions.
2. Topic Introduction-Watershed hydrology, water quality, and geology
3. Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant Award
4. Other Business.
5. Next Meeting.

Date: 4/25/00

To: Dragon Run Steering Committee

From: Lewis L Lawrence, Director of Regional Planning

RE: May Minutes

I would like to thank those who attended the May meeting. We had an excellent watershed presentation by Dr. Willy Reay. In an effort to communicate Dragon Run information to the committee is a more efficient and expedient fashion, I have allocated space on the PDC website to the Dragon Run Steering Committee.

Since the Committee has several issues of importance currently being researched, reviewed or studied, a Dragon Run project update page will facilitate the transfer of information. To access this site, use the following address www.mppdc.com/projects/dragon.htm or click on the Dragon Run button on the main PDC web page at www.mppdc.com. I will provide answers to specific questions asked at each quarterly meeting via this site. This will enable committee members to participate more frequently than four times a year.

Attached are the minutes from the last meeting. If you have additional questions, please give me call at 804-758-2311.

Dragon Run Steering Committee

May 10, 2000, 7:30 PM

MPPDC Offices - Saluda

AGENDA

1. Introductions.
2. Topic Introduction-Watershed hydrology, water quality, and geology
3. Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant Award
4. Other Business.
5. Next Meeting.

Meeting Notes:

Dragon Run Steering Committee members in attendance were Dorothy Miller and Prue Davis- Essex County; Ed Hall, Russell and Rachel Williams, and William and Elise Herrin-King & Queen County, Jerry Horner-Gloucester County; Robert Major -Middlesex County Also in attendance were Dr. Willy Reay CBNERRS-Vims, Mike Anderberg-FODR and Lewis Lawrence- MPPDC Staff.

The Chairman called the meeting to order and introduced Dr. Willy Reay from the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve – VIMS. Dr. Reay gave an overview of CBNERR and gave a presentation on the movement of water. Dr Reay’s presentation focused on: Hydrologic cycle, review of Virginias water cycle, development pressure, surface water runoff, discharge determination based on land use, comparison of run off based on lands use, aquifers types, vegetative buffers, buffer zones, nutrient loading estimates, as well as other water shed issues. A question and answer period followed.

Lewis gave a review of the upcoming Land use-Water Quality grant award from Fish and Wildlife. A general description of the work program was offered. The Chairman requested a volunteer to serve as the liaison between the Dragon Run Steering Committee and the grant work committee. William Herring offered to serve as a liaison.

Prue Davis asked if old water quality data could be useful to this project? Dr Reay commented that he is reviewing all past work to determine what is known about the Dragon and what is useful for this project.

Jerry Horner asked if mercury concentrations are or could be monitored. Lewie offered to research these issues further and report to the committee.

Other Business- A general discussion of the change of ownership of the Virginia Race Way and the implications of sewage treatment and discharge to the Dragon was discussed. The committee requested that Lewie research the development plans and report back to the committee.

Old Business- The chairman asked about a shad support resolution to be issued by the steering committee to each unit of local government in the Middle Peninsula. This resolution was from the previous meeting. Lewie reported that the PDC board should first approve a resolution of support and then have the committee pass along the resolution to local government for consideration. Lewie also reported that several PDC agenda items and timing issues have caused a delay in the presentation of a Shad support resolution to the PDC board. This delay has nothing to do with the importance of the support resolution.

Jerry Horner asked about future VMRC speakers related to Shad on the Dragon. Lewie reported that VMRC is still a topic area and will be considered for future meetings.

The Chairman requested a motion to adjourn the meeting, William Herrin made the motion and Robert Major seconded.

---

Date: 1/27/00

To: Dragon Run Steering Committee Members

Cc:

From: Lewis L Lawrence

RE: Dragon Run Steering Committee Meeting

Good news, I have made arrangements for Tom Gunter- Director of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries-American Shad Restoration Efforts to speak at our next DRSC meeting on February 9^th at 7:30.

Mr. Gunter will be speaking about ongoing restoration efforts around the state and strategies used to reintroduce American Shad to different systems.

Due to the Atlantic States Fisheries Commission meeting in Alexandria, other speakers will not be able to attend. However, a Shad symposium is possible for later in the year if the committee desires to proceed with a restoration project. Several speakers expressed interest in a symposium.

Please clear your calendar to make that evening available. Good attendance makes a good impression.

LLL

Dragon Run Steering Committee
Quarterly Meeting
February 9, 2000

----- Agenda Topics -----

Other Information-Minutes

Meeting Attendance-

William F. Herrin and Edward Hall King and Queen; Robert Major Middlesex; Prue Davis and Dorothy Miller Essex; Jerry Horner Gloucester; Davis Rhodes Chairman Friends of the Dragon, Lewie Lawrence MPPDC; Tom Gunter VDGIF

Chairman Hall welcomed everyone to the meeting. The first order of business was to elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman for the upcoming year. Ed Hall was nominated by Prue Davis and seconded by Dorothy Miller to serve as Chairman. There were no opposing votes. Dorothy Miller was nominated by Prue Davis and properly seconded to continue serving as Vice Chair. There were no opposing votes.

Chairman Hall introduced Tom Gunter VDGIF. Mr. Gunter spoke about the importance of Shad to the Virginia economy. He estimated that $5.5 million would be generated if Shad were fully restored to the James River alone. Mr. Gunter additionally offered:

• Shad travel 400 miles up the James from the ocean to spawn.
• Shad reduction is due to factors such as: dams, over-harvest, off shore fisheries, and pollution.
• Existing restoration effort are joint project between many partners.
• Natural spawn rate is estimated to be between 5%-35% effective.
• Human interaction spawn rate is estimated to be up to 99% effective.
• Tetracycline used as a tagging identifier in the otolif (ear bone).
• Electroshock around dams is used to capture returning fish to see if any have the tetracycline tags.
• 39 million shad have been released into the James River.
• Estimated that 1 out of 400 Shad reach maturity.

Questions:

• How long do shad stay in a tributary?
• Answer-March-June spawn up stream
• Fall-Migrate down rivers
• Stay in salt water till maturity and return to spawn in March-June
• What can be done to start a restoration project on the Dragon?

Answer-very hard to do. Must convince a politician to champion the project, send letters to VMRC, engage legislatures, and have interest by the Secretary of Natural Resources.

Chairman Hall made a motion that PDC staff draft a Shad support letter and circulate to local government administrators asking for support. Jerry Horner seconded the motion.

Lewie Lawrence gave an overview of a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant the was applied for as directed by the DRSC committee. This grant will partner with VIMS-CBNERRS to conduct land use and water quality research and have the Friends of the Dragon Run and the Dragon Run Steering Committee disseminate the results.

Chairman Hall then opened the floor for general discussion and to give Frank Herrin, a new appointed member from King and Queen, an opportunity to address the committee.

During open discussion, it was suggested that PDC staff call committee members a few days before the meeting to remind members of the meeting.

Chairman hall then directed committee members to develop a topic list for future meetings. It was decided that the following meeting topics guide the next year: VMRC and researchers from Vims be contacted to discuss shad efforts, new environmental legislation be discussed, geology and hydrology of the dragon be discussed. Lewie will arraign for speakers prior to each meeting.

Chairman called the meeting and Frank Herrin seconded.

---