Mtg. Citizens Advisory Committee 04/25/2010 Notes

Results of the Citizen’s Committee Meeting for Watershed Grant 04/24/10 Outline of the Meeting

1. Welcome

2. Introductions

• Icebreakers ␣ Why are you interested in the watershed project? ␣ What aspect of this project most interests you? ␣ How involved do you want to be in the project?

3. Scope of Proposal

4. Organization

5. Promotion Items the Citizen’s would like to see addressed...

1. Why aren’t there wells and septic systems?

2. Improvements to water system

3. Protect home values

4. Why is there water without sewer?

5. Impact on Chesapeake Bay

6. River quality

7. Leaking septic systems

8. Community Infrastructure

9. Mountain Resources

10. Watersheds

11. Parks

12. Green Infrastructure

Additional questions that were asked and items to be considered...

1. What resources exist? /Who do you go to?

2. State funds to fix septic systems?

3. What is being monitored on the other side of the river?

4. What is coming into the Shenandoah from Virginia and then running into the Potomac?

5. When spraying for Gypsy moths is organic spray being used?

6. Surface runoff from gravel roads and large trails

7. Reusing water

8. Dumping – Encouraging the County to have a “free dump” day on the weekend periodically.

9. Can mandatory recycling be put into place?

10. Lawn fertilizer

11. Educating mountain residents on water usage and disposal (“Every drop matters”)

12. Address what is already here, not develop new areas (i. e. existing septic systems, unmaintained

gravel roads, existing platted lots, etc.)Upcoming Citizen’s Committee Meetings

It was determined that Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings around 7:00 p.m. would be the most appropriate times to have the Citizen’s Committee meetings in order to have the most attendance from the citizens that live on the mountain. Additionally, it was determined that the Blue Ridge Fire Hall, Blue Ridge Elementary, Keyes Gap Fire Hall and St. Andrew’s Community Center would be the best places to hold the meetings.

It was determined that the format and protocol for the next Citizen’s Committee meetings will be determined after Jennie Brockman and Seth Rivard have had the opportunity to meet with Downstream Strategies. Also, at the next meeting the anticipated needs of the Citizen’s Committee will be outlined and preferred advertising methods to announce the meetings will be chosen. In regards to advertising, several suggestions were made:

o Banners at 2 Entrances/Exits on the mountain

• Possible banner slogans – What’s your vision? Or what are your plans? • Possible meeting dates

o Table at Farmer’s Market

o Ads in The Spirit of Jefferson Newspaper

o Facebook

o Twitter

o Youtube

http://www.blueridgecommunitiesplan.com/uploads/documents/Results%20of%20Citizens%20Committee%20Meeting%20for%20Watershed%20Grant%2004_24_10.pdf