FRIENDS OF THE HOCKING RIVER

PO BOX 132

ROCKBRIDGE, OH 43149

Monthly Update: March, 2002

Regular Membership Meeting 3/6/02 at 6:30 PM at the Hocking Valley Canoe Livery

Present: Bob Williams, Jock Klinger, Chet Miller, Lew Barbini, Dan Imhoff, Martin Hammar (secretary). Tere Amerine & Marcia Rose, guests

Minutes: Motion to accept minutes of 12/01 & 2/02 meeting approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Beginning balance $691.47, individual dues $10 from Andrea Jones received. No disbursements. Motion made, seconded and passed to accept the Treasurer’s report.

Meeting:

Old Business:

1. February River Outing - Martin, Dan & Sandra Imhoff enjoyed the river outing 2/24/02 from Haydenville to Nelsonville.

2. Ohio Environmental Council - Announce “Clean Water Act - Activist” workshop on 3/27/02. Dan says he will be attending.

3. DPL Plant - Bob announced the Dayton Power & Light have posted a legal notice identifying their agents for the EPA air permits. Unclear if issue is resolved or if further efforts are planned by DPL.

4. Cleanup - Motion made, seconded, and passed to keep the third Saturday in June as the first date for the twice annual river cleanup. Chet distributed raffle tickets for this year’s Olde Towne Canoe and paddles (100 to Dan, 20 to Bob, 100 to Martin). Lew will be preparing the campsite including port-o-johns, water and possibly showers. Martin will write a letter to the Hocking County Commissioners this month requesting funding for tire recycling. Dan will update the posters for distribution. This year there will be a campout on the Hocking River in Rockbridge at the Hocking Valley Canoe Livery (HVCL) campground beginning Friday 6/14/02. Cleanup participants will meet at the HVCL livery on Chieftain Drive in Logan to register (two waivers - one for FOHR & one for HVCL), obtain cleanup instructions & materials & equipment (gloves, garbage bags, life vests, & paddles). Participants will choose their preferred stretch of river (consideration of river conditions and abilities should be assessed) and be transported to the put-in spots identified. The cleanup participants are welcome to spend the day on the river and work at their own pace. Volunteers are needed again this year to help at the different collection points by providing refreshments and snacks to those unloading their boats. Pickup points for participants will be at the livery drop off sites along the river. The Festival will begin in the late afternoon at the HVCL campground with a cookout, followed by entertainment, and a bonfire (Bob is providing a 20’ x 12’ canopy, but others are still needed). Those that wish, can campout another night 6/15/02. There will be another group of volunteers gathered Sunday to collect trash and tires from the designated drop off sites and bring to a collection point for recycling or disposal.

5. Marathon Ashland Pipeline - Members discussed the implications of the Metro Park agreement with MAP and critical of the “gag order” of a public entity. A motion was made, seconded and passed to prepare and send a press release critical of the tactics of MAP, response by public officials, and environmental risks an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will reveal. Bob noted the “15” stop valves will not be evenly distributed along the length of the pipeline and only “6” shut off points will protect the environment south of Clear Creek to the Ohio river (averaging 18.3 miles of pipeline or ¾ million gallons of potential fuel leaks). ACE expected to rule on the question of an EIS by this April. Bob refers members to the STOP web page at www.stoppipeline.org for updates on developments. Members alerted to events in Winchester KY.

6. Friends of Clear Creek - Bob reports the FOCC have been re-energized by developments between MAP and Clear Creek Metro Parks. He says their remains an interest in joint activities with FOHR but no movement on mergers.

7. Development - Dan says the Hocking County Commissioners must prepare a 208 Regional Planning document for Waste Water Management. Members wish to review and/or offer input.

8. Alerts - Chet reports the owners of the gravel pit on the upper Hocking river have built an earthen bridge across the river for a truck crossing located south of Stump Hollow along old 33. Bob plans to take pictures and contact ACE about permits.

New Business:

ODNR Queer Creek Tributary - Bob reports the request for a public hearing to require an EIS from ODNR which plans to move a stretch of a tributary to accommodate a larger parking lot at Old Man’s Cave will pass after tomorrow (3/7/02).

Clean Ohio Greenspace Grant Endorsement - Martin reports that Mayor Paula Tucker of Logan has obtained from ODNR the 10 acre Willow Pond (a blue heron rookery) and is pursuing Ohio Greenspace grant funding. She would like to obtain easements to this area and provide a bird sanctuary with public access. An endorsement from the FOHR will help develop “points” toward consideration. The other grant is aimed at developing the old “canal aqueduct” by SR 664 for a hiking area. A motion was made, seconded and passed to provide a letter of endorsement for these two projects along the Hocking River and in its watershed.

Activities:

River Outing - The next scheduled canoe outing is Saturday March 16, 2002 beginning at 10 AM. The planned course will be from The Plains to Whites Mill in Athens.

Next Meeting:

Next Membership Meeting - Wednesday, 4/3/02 at 6:30 PM at The Family Fun Center.

Respectfully submitted, Martin Hammar, Secretary