Environmental Advisory Board Meeting

Ogden Dunes Environmental Advisory Board Minutes - 16 May 2023 Town Hall, 5:30 pm Attendees: Bianca Passo, Frank Lani, Vicky Albritton, and Susan Adams. Karl Krizmanic and Susan MiHalo also attended. Review and Approve Agenda - No additions Review and Accept Minutes from Previous Meeting - Susan moved and Vicky seconded. New Member - New Member Ted Davenport (not present) has been approved and Frank will add his name to the EAB's webpage. Community Fund Grant - As for our successful grant application for funding to continue restoration work in Long Lake Marsh, we are still waiting on official confirmation. We expect to access the funds in time to host a volunteer event in July (tentatively July 22nd in the morning) where Susan and Carol will educate the public about invasives such as Purple Loosestrife as well as seeding natives. Save the Dunes Pollution Prevention Roundtable - Bianca reported that members are creating tools that will help us review all the NPDES permits when they come up for renewal - all at once - in about a year. MONITORING NEARBY INDUSTRIES https://www.in.gov/idem/resources/lake-michigan-sites-of-interest/ Cleveland Cliffs Monthly water quality monitoring - Nothing to report US Steel Midwest - Nothing to report PreCoat Metals Violations Observed in February - PreCoat has now been granted "Title 5" status (meaning they are legally permitted to become a "major polluter"). The Town Council sent in the EAB's comments registering our objection to this new status. But Susan M suggested that we might request a review of the permitting process and alert the ELPC (Environmental Law and Policy Center) especially since PreCoat is located within an Environmental Justice area. Susan will also talk to people at IDEM about this. Residential lighting task force (Sue Adams) - The shields are set to be installed on street lights in early June. As Sue A will be gone then, Karl agreed to keep an eye on the matter. Memorial Day Booth - The EAB will have an informational table on Kratz Field on Memorial Day. We will have various flyers to hand out, including: Save the Dunes information/applications, brochures on Indiana invasive species, recycling, and light pollution. We will also have entertaining environmental quizzes with prizes to give away and Frank purchased ODEAB reusable shopping bags to sell. Bird Town (status update) - Frank, Vicky, and Karl assessed the requirements stated in the "Indiana Bird Town" application. Before we send it in, we need to ask the Ogden Dunes Town Council to designate a specific parcel of land as a protected bird habitat. Karl will talk to TC members soon. Pollywog Pond seems perfect. Additional criteria can be met relatively easily. National Invasive Species Awareness week Feb 2024 - Nothing to report. Septic Coordination Workgroup Report - Vicky reported that a bill was recently signed (HEA 1402 on May 8th) allowing Indiana homeowners to seek a second opinion from a qualified professional if local health officials condemn their septic systems. It is feared that this could lead to unchecked pollution in cases of prolonged disputes between private contractors and health department officials. Beach Clean Up - The date is set for September 16th, 2023. Beach Water Quality Monitoring - IDEM has approved funding for beach water quality monitoring but due to a delay the contract was not sent out yet and therefore has not been finalized. We hope to get it finalized before Memorial Day. Recycling - Nothing new. Long Lake Marsh - Susan MiHalo and Carol Angarola are planning a volunteer day in July & possibly September. Next Meeting: June 20th Meeting was adjourned at: 6:50 p.m. Vicky moved, Sue A seconded. Minutes taken and submitted by: Vicky Albritton