In Attendance: Connie Trolle, Simon Leveque, Victoria Wallace

Also in attendance: Sydney Everhart, Rose Hiskes, Dave Laiuppa, Barbara Thomas

1. Victoria Wallace called the meeting to order at 2:13 p.m. A role call and introductions of new members were made.

2. Minutes of 11/9/21 – not approved due to lack of quorum

3. Updates from Council Members

a) Leveque relayed that any legislative inquiries be directed to Kayleigh Royston, (Kayleigh.royston@ct.gov) the Department of Ag legislative liaison. IPC members can reach out to Kayleigh or cc Simon if they have any questions regarding CT DOAG legislature.

b) C. Trolle – reported Bill Hyatt – had not yet seen any paperwork regarding the Invasive Plant Coordinator MOU. She said she was alerted to an item on the Environmental committee agenda to establish an office of Aquatic Invasive Species at the CAES. She will try to learn more for the IPC. (VW reached out for clarification 2- 18-22) The final study by the EPA regarding the Bantam Lake Watershed is on the DEEP website.

c) V. Wallace- relayed that Dean Chaubey appointed her as his representative to IPC. Vickie introduced Sydney Everhart new PSLA Department Head and asked Dr. Everhart to update the IPC on what she knew about the Invasive Plant Coordinator position. She asked Rose Hiskes to update the group related to CIPWG activities. She introduced Barbara Thomas, Chair of the Monroe Conservation Commission.

a. R. Hiskes reported on the CIPWG Steering Committee meeting. Active Committee- Outdoor Education intends to plan a few events this year, CIPWG is developing the educational program for the 2022 Winter Symposium, CIPWG is expanding the invasive management calendar.

4. Old Business

a) Chair of Invasive Plant Council – Position is vacant. With V. Wallace now IPC member, Wallace volunteered to serve as Chair until 2023 but noted that further discussion and a vote regarding position should occur at the next IPC meeting

b) Invasive Coordinator position – S. Everhart relayed that the IPC MOU and Statement of Work has been reviewed by DEEP legal and was sent to UConn for review. Dr. Everhart has reviewed the document and forwarded it back to DEEP. She confirmed that the DEEP funding source for the Invasive Plant Coordinator position legally requires that the coordinators outreach activities (at least this year) must be directed to Aquatic Invasive issues since 100% funding is from F&W aquatic programs. Position to be renewed annually. The intent is to pursue other funding mechanisms other than aquatic resources, in order for responsibilities to also be directed to terrestrial concerns. Former Invasive Plant Coordinators that were housed at UConn had a scope of work that included both terrestrial and aquatic responsibilities. The current funding source will allow the coordinator to handle IPC administrative duties in addition to aquatic outreach activities.

5. New Business

a) IPC Council Meeting Schedule for 2022: Meetings scheduled for June 16, 2022, and October 19, 2022. Time set for 2-4 pm. Status of whether the meeting will be virtual or in-person will be determined closer to the June meeting date as COVID concerns V. Wallace was not sure if we had conflicts with IPC meetings and other meetings in the past but reported that our Tuesday meeting date is in conflict with Water Policy Council meeting. We now have 3 people that attend both IPC and WPC. We saw a conflict with the last Tuesday meeting and our future meetings in 2022 reflect the change to a Wednesday and then Thursday to avoid a conflict.

b) Rose Hiskes asked if IPC can recommend to the Environment Committee that like Porcelain berry, Mugwort be placed on the prohibited list as it is of significant concern to CIPWG and IPC members. V. Wallace will reach back to RM for guidance on communication with the Environment Commitee.

c) Barbara Thomas, Chair of Monroe Conservation Commission, and Holly Kocet, Chair of the Newtown Conservation Commission, inquired about the process of review of invasive plants before the IPC makes a recommendation to the Environment Committee. She wanted to know what more could be done to aide the movement of recommendation of problem plants forward onto the prohibited list.

V. Wallace indicated that there has been some disruption with the committee as many of the IPC members retired and new committee members have been appointed. She thanked Barbara for her time and said the IPC will discuss this at the next meeting in June.

6. Adjourn

Motion to adjourn was made by Constance Trolle, seconded by Simon Leveque. Meeting adjourned @ 2:54 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Victoria Wallace February 15, 2022