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DRAFT COX HALL CREEK MEETING Friday, December 21, 2007 Cape May County Administration Building Crest Haven, NJ Attendance: Peter Kocsik, Joe Lomax (Hatch Mott McDonald and Lomax Consulting)), Lee Spruell, Claire Nagel (Chairperson and Secretary Cox Hall Creek Focus Group), Harold Nebling (NJDEP), Pierre Lacomb (USGS), Ed Sikorai, Brad Rosenthal, Kent Schellenger, Leslie Gimeno and Brian O’Connor (Cape May County Employees). Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 9:45 a.m. Opening Remarks by Pete Kocsik This is the kick-off meeting for the next phase of the Cox Hall Creek project, in the initial engineering work a hydrologic model must be developed as a basis for the preliminary design. Hydrology modeling will provide the basis for perimeter channel/berm design, and the design of the outfall pipes, the culvert under Club House Road. Hatch Mott Associates will model tides, determining how far tidal salt water will go up into the creek under various conditions such as storms, winds, etc. Concurrently they will do modeling of storm water run-off to determine how much storage volume will be needed in the basin. Modeling will enable them to understand dynamics of inflows and outflows. They would like to tap the resources of the County, e.g., study old photos on record. How did the connection of Cox Hall Creek with the Bay develop, recreate what happened in the 20’s and 30’s. Brian will give them whatever photos he has. They will run 24-hour models and attempt to determine how much of a restriction the current pipes are. Kent Schellinger, Assistant County Engineer, suggested that they set up a conference call with himself and Ed Sikora, County Mosquito Department as they have some ideas about these models. Consensus on the engineering assumptions and design goals is very important to assure the design process is as efficient and cost effective as possible. Kent would like a list of the software to be used and the base line assumptions before getting too far along in the process. Once the software to be used is determined a preliminary analysis based on existing data should be run. This analysis should test the sensitivity to the various design assumptions and data reliability. For example what would be the effect of a 10% error is the estimated storage volume or the estimated stormwater runoff volume. How important is a 0.1 foot error in tidal range. These items would identify areas where the model could be improved by better data and where existing data is adequate for the development of preliminary designs. Ed and Kent would prefer at least two culverts to improve reliability and reduce vortex scouring. Brian asked if tide control is going to be on outfalls. There is concern about windy ---PAGE BREAK--- conditions when the tide may not go out for several days. Pete said this was somewhat outside the scope of this project. He said that what they are doing is laying the groundwork for the rest of the project. Joe Lomax: Regarding Environmental and Regulatory Aspects This is an environmentally sensitive area and there are a number of public concerns also. The permitting process should be fairly easy if approached correctly. He would like to have a joint process meeting with State DEP, US Fish & Wildlife, US EPA and the rest of the agencies that may be involved. Joe will try to bring them here for such a meeting. Costal Zone Management, Tidelands, State Fish & Game are additional state entities that may be involved. The US Geological Survey and NRCS should also be involved. He would like two weeks lead-time. We need to be clear about the key issues that need to be addressed. One issue is the easement process. Leslie raised the issue of Green Acres ownership of some of the adjacent properties. Joe said it might be possible to work around that property. Brian said that US Fish & Wildlife is very interested. He said that Lower Township has agreed that if wells in affected properties go salty, they would help owners to get public water or dig deeper wells. Joe said we need to work on the pre-application process to have as unified application process between State and Federal agencies as possible. Joe said public meetings have been very helpful in keeping the community informed and suggested two meetings, one before the applications are submitted and one shortly before the public comment period. Brian asked if they would address the issue of band ditches. Joe said they would help to move water from storms and provide a suitable habitat for the natural control of mosquitoes. The fish in the band ditches will act as a biological control of mosquitoes. Tentative Time Table End of April—Preliminary report and public meetings May-June—preliminary design. August-September—meetings Discussion The Pond Creek project has stagnated, possibly because there is not enough private/public interest to educate Congresspersons. Leslie commented on the importance of public input as part of the process. Public meetings would be held at the Clubhouse. Not too many options would be presented. Focus on Scenarios 5 & 6. Suggested putting Vol. 3 on the County website. Brian will do that. Ed said it’s important to realize the limits in kind work the Mosquito Commission can do. Their blanket permit is up for renewal. Kent emphasized the importance of minimizing the amount of maintenance required. Pierre Lacomb said the sea level has risen 8” since the 1930’s. How will that impact the modeling? Pete said they might need to factor that into their modeling. Pumps may be more necessary than they are now. ---PAGE BREAK--- Pierre suggested that we document conditions in back yards currently so folks can’t claim this project did it all. Anyone with a 30’ or less well is on borrowed time anyway. Estimate sensitivity for homes at various levels. It was suggested that a memorandum of agreement needs to be developed between Lower Township and Cape May County to spell out what part the each will play. Leslie will have to take the lead on this. Brian asked Harold what he thinks of the project. Harold replied that he wants to see this project get done one way or another. Brian will give him a copy of the proposal. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m.