Tuesday, February 13, 2018

2:00 pm, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Valley Laboratory, Windsor, CT

Council members present: Theodore Andreadis, William Hyatt, Paul Larson, Richard McAvoy, Darryl Newman

Others present: Donna Ellis, Connie Trolle

1. R. McAvoy called the meeting to order at 2:13 p.m.

2. New Council Members:

a. Connie Trolle: McAvoy introduced Connie Trolle, who is representing a nonprofit association concerned with oceans, lakes, and rivers. Trolle serves as President of Connecticut Federation of Lakes and Bantam Lakes Protective Association. She shared several publications with the group, including a draft sustainable development and storm water management manual for the Town of Morris. Trolle discussed successful treatments for several aquatic invasive species in Bantam Lake and ongoing studies to address problems with blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). McAvoy informed the group that he made multiple requests to the Governor’s Office between August 2017 and February 2018 to request a formal appointment for Trolle to join the council, but the status is uncertain at this time.

b. Cameron Weimar: McAvoy informed the group that Katherine Winslow stepped down in October Winslow informed the chair that Cameron Weimar had been designated to replace her as IPC representative for the Connecticut Commissioner of Agriculture. McAvoy had notified Weimar via email of the meeting scheduled for today but has not received a response. McAvoy indicated that he would follow up with the Commissioner’s office to confirm the appointment.

3. Review and Approval of the November 14, 2017, Minutes

The meeting minutes from November 14, 2017, were distributed and reviewed. T. Andreadis moved (second: W. Hyatt) to approve. Motion Carried.

4. Updates

a. Annual Report: McAvoy sent the IPC Annual Report via email on January 3, 2018. The report is also posted on the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG) website. Members of the Environment Committee are asked in the report to address the municipal preemption, which expired 10/1/14. Newman stated that ideally the preemption can be attached to a bill that would pass both the House and Senate.

b. Legislative: No report from IPC members. Trolle described the agenda for an Environment Committee meeting that was held on 2/9/18 and included discussion on license plates to generate funds for aquatic invasive species.

c. CT DEEP Update:

i. Hydrilla in Coventry Lake and the CT River: Hyatt summarized ongoing management of Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) in Coventry Lake, which was confirmed in 2015. There have been two years of survey and treatment, funded through a variety of sources, including lake grant funding and Supplemental Environment Payment (SEP) money. Hyatt told the group that new infestations have been found in deeper water, and that several more years of treatment are needed for this invasive species. Hydrilla was confirmed in the Connecticut River during the spring of 2016, when plants were discovered in a cove in East Hartford, followed by additional plants observed in Glastonbury during 2017. There is no chance for control of Hydrilla in the Connecticut River. Efforts will target outreach and education, such as cleaning boats at boat launches and the use of inspectors, to prevent the further spread to other lakes, streams and rivers in CT.

ii. Anticipated Efforts to Control Water Chestnut in the Housatonic River Drainage: Hyatt told the group that water chestnut (Trapa natans) continues to be found in the Housatonic River. Removal of these small patches is labor intensive. A source population of Trapa was found in a pond at the Southbury Training School. Hyatt said that SEP funds are being used to contract with a vendor to help alleviate the problem farther down in the watershed. Federal Aquatic Nuisance Species funding, which typically runs $25 – $40K, might not be forthcoming this year and is under review.

iii. Invasive Species at the National Level: A handout from the Blue-Ribbon Panel on Wildlife was distributed by Hyatt. A bipartisan bill to establish the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act was introduced into Congress in December 2017, and hearings are scheduled this week. Hyatt mentioned that the act would provide $1.3B per year for conservation programs, including state efforts to manage invasive If approved, the money would funnel through DEEP and grant proposals would be submitted. Connecticut would be eligible for $12.6M per year.

5. Old Business:

a. Policy on Spread of Invasive Species via Fill, Top Soil, Mulch, etc.: Council members and D. Ellis discussed options to reduce the spread of invasives via fill, top soil, and mulch. Ellis mentioned the summary document on Best Management Practices or policies that were developed in other northeastern states that UConn Extension intern provided to the council in 2016. Other states in the US may have policies that could be examined as well. The group talked about steps that could be taken to address this issue, as the state lacks definitions for top soil and mulch. It would be cost prohibitive to pay a licensed contractor or landscaper with A suggestion was made to have someone address the council at a future meeting. McAvoy included language in the IPC Annual Report that there is a need to address this issue in Connecticut. Discussion on this topic will be ongoing.

b. Policy on Cultivars of Invasive Species: Hyatt and other council members discussed the issue of a policy on invasive plant cultivars, whether cultivars fit under the genus and species designation, and the need to resolve the issue or determine a practical solution. Hyatt mentioned discussion of this issue in the past, when former Connecticut Green Industry Executive Director Bob Heffernan contacted businesses individually if they were selling a prohibited cultivar. Larson commented that the new introductions of four sterile Japanese barberry cultivars by UConn’s Dr. Mark Brand will change the nursery industry, and they may want to raise the bar with which cultivars to not sell. The industry may be more open to making the changes in approximately two years.

c. Future Joint Meetings with CIPWG: Ellis mentioned that CIPWG members would be very interested in a future joint meeting with the IPC. During 2018, CIPWG will be planning the October 4 invasive plant symposium and will not have a spring general meeting. The CIPWG general meetings will resume during spring 2019, and a possible joint meeting could take place then.

6. New Business:

a. Draft Letter to the Environment Committee Emphasizing the Importance of Extending Municipal Preemption on Invasive Plants: Newman shared a draft letter from the IPC to the Environment Committee to establish legislation restoring the municipal preemption and extending the end date to October 1, 2020. The group reviewed and commented on the letter. A final version will be signed by each IPC member and submitted to the Environment Committee.

b. Letter Acknowledging Katherine Winslow for Service on the IPC: McAvoy drafted a letter of appreciation from the council for Winslow to thank her for her many years of service. Council members reviewed the Ellis will look through IPC minutes to determine how long Winslow served on the council.

c. Agenda Items or Guest Presentations for Future Meetings: McAvoy asked the group to think about speakers or agenda items for the July 10 or other 2018 IPC meetings. Hyatt suggested seeing which bills and issues were discussed during the legislative session. Sarah Taylor is the new Collection Manager of the UConn Herbarium, and perhaps she can give a talk at a future meeting. J. Silander could present an update on invasive plant risk assessment. Council members were asked to send other ideas to McAvoy.

d. Other: Hyatt mentioned that there may be a new policy to conduct Phragmites aerial spraying, which is more efficient than applications made on the ground and uses far less A public hearing will be held. Hyatt will keep the group informed of any updates.

7. Next Regularly Scheduled Meetings for 2018: July 10, September 11, and November 13 at The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Valley Laboratory, Windsor, CT.

8. Adjourn

The meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.