Environmental Issue Committee

January 26, 2011

1-2 PM Meeting

MINUTES

Present: Hal Crimmel, Alice Mulder, Larry Clarkson, Susie Hulet, Jake Cain, Jenn Bodine, Therese Grijalva, Cliff Nowell, Chris Brown, Mary Hall, Richard Pontius, Michael Hernandez, Meg Leatherbury, Volkan Sahin

Absent: Kara Hansen-Suchy

Excused: Shaun Jackson, Jon Marshall, John Mull

Item 1: Proposed Water Transmission Pipeline (part of minutes)

As an informational item Mary Hall, representing Weber Pathways, discussed with the EIC the possibility of WSU trading an easement for the proposed water pipeline for a conservation easement on lands currently owned by the City of Ogden. The benefits would be to guarantee existing trail access in perpetuity and to help preserve existing city-owned lands from development that would damage the unique east bench environment. She indicated that this idea had not yet been endorsed by the Weber Pathways Board.

Cliff Nowell reminded the group that WSU has not had time to develop a master plan for the university-owned property to the east of campus, and that to build a pipeline without the master plan in place would be premature.

Jake Cain asked the committee again to consider a) What is the value of a pipeline to WSU and b) Exactly what benefits does WSU receive from it?

EIC consensus was that the short time frame required by the city to make a decision on the issue does not give WSU enough time to consider how the pipeline will affect the university in terms of the campus viewscape, outdoor classroom space, open space, and how the pipeline will or will not fit into the university’s master plan.

Liaison Notes (not part of minutes)

-          Weber Pathways asked to assess Ogden City proposal (by provost in coordination with EIC). The recommendation below have NOT been approved by the Weber Pathways Board. They have yet to meet and vote on their “official” position.

o   Question: would pipeline path benefit trail system?

§  Answer: no; could not find how easement could benefit trails

·         Reasons: have existing trails; damage sensitive riparian areas along Strong’s Canyon creek?

§  Hopes WSU goes different direction.

o   2^nd Alternative

§  Conservation Easement

·         In exchange for utility easement, city would put in a permanent conservation easement along city trails in vicinity of WSU (trails contiguous to WSU property – how far would easement go….good question!!). WSU would put in conservation easement on its property.

·         City’s executive branch (i.e., Mayor) has authority to establish conservation easement.

·         Ensures preservation of trails – keeps trails accessible along Wasatch Front.

·         Easement would have strict guidelines to maintain easements (e.g., watering of vegetation to establish community) and severe penalties if guidelines violated.

·         Wendy Fischer, Executive Director of Utah Open Lands has experience with conservation easements.

·         No current conservation easements in Weber County.

o   WSU needs to decide what it wants to do with the undeveloped property (land use decisions) so it can make decisions consistent with future land use in the area.

Item 2: WSU’s Environmental Impact Statement

The EIC voted to endorse Facilities Management’s WSU’s environmental impacts assessment list, while recognizing that other impacts may be added to the list in the future.

Item 3: Recycling Summit

Chris Brown updated the committee on the upcoming Recycling and Sustainability Summit at WSU. Governor Herbert will keynote in the morning and Mayor Godfrey will present in the afternoon. The EIC will help sponsor the event and have a table at the summit.

Meeting adjourned at 2:15