South Hero Conservation Commission
Tuesday, July 18, 2023 @ 6:30 p.m.
Worthen Library Community Room & via Zoom
Members present: Bob Fireovid, Cynthia Kelley, Bridget Kerr, Cristin Lemieux Pullis
Members absent: Mark Naud, Dave Hobbs
Others present: Emily Alger, South Hero Land Trust (SHLT)
Finalize the Agenda – Bridget added flooding shoreline cleanup and tabled Rules and Procedure
& Bylaws. May minutes approval was also tabled as quorum of May members present was not
met.
Public Input (Ítems not on the Agenda) – Emily shared that Friends of Northern Lake Champlain
(FNLC) and SHLT have several events coming up and suggested CC members attend some.
Discussed the Final Report of the Community Values Mapping Events
A. Top 3 Things Learned – Bob shared that he is looking for guidance. Emily shared
that the results reinforced what we already know and found she heard specific stories about
mapped locations she had not heard before. She thought that following up with the attendees and
partnering with other community organizations to collect oral history would be a valuable
project. Cynthia agreed that the results were not unexpected. Cristin added that, as a new
resident, it was an invaluable too learn more about town and felt that the community, as a whole,
B. How do Events and Final Report Inform CC Work Plan? – Members would like to talk
to Jens Hilke of VT Fish & Wildlife about this.
C. Communicating Final Report to the Community – The CVM final report was not
completed in time to be part of the town plan, nor included as an appendix. Bridget will release
a link to the report via Front Porch Forum in the coming days since we know there are
community members who are eager to see the results. Bridget will explore writing a letter to the
editor to the Islander to reach additional interested individuals. Cristin suggested we also create
a Facebook page for the SHCC as an additional way to interact with the community. Bridget
motioned to create the aforementioned page, Bob seconded and all were in favor. Cristin will
lead the creation of the FB page. The CVM report will also be shared through the SHCC
Facebook page once created.
4. Shoreline Cleanup- CC members would like to get involved with helping with shoreline clean-
up. Bridget will contact Chuck Hulse, SH Health Officer, to ask if the town has requested the
free E-Coli testing kits that are available through the state. Emily reminded the group that
cleanup and rebuilding projects will continue for months and years, so there is value in holding
off in order to meaningfully collaborate with other organizations to assist with these efforts. It
was noted that White’s Beach already had some community members remove trash from the
shoreline and push back wood debris from shoreline edge. Due to the overwhelming amount of
wood and size of some pieces, machinery may be required to remove all the wood on the beach.
Emily shared that there is value in letting wood that is still in the water remain there in order to
become completely water logged, sink and become aquatic wildlife habitat.
5. The Community Resilience and Biodiversity Protection Act – Act No. 59 (H. 126) Effective
7/1/23, nicknamed the 30 by 30, 50 by 50 Act, sets goals of conserving 30% of the land in the
state by 203 and 50% by 2050. Currently, about 20% of South Hero’s land mass is currently
conserved. It is expected to take 12-18 months for the state to develop and inventory of existing
lands and make a plan to reach the goals.
6. Term Limits – After discussion of existing term limits, it was moved by Cynthia and seconded
by Bob and all voted in favor of making new member Cristin’s term would be 4 year.
7. Preparation for Next Meeting (Tuesday, 8/15/23) –
— Bridget will check to see if Jens and/or Lincoln of VT Fish and Wildlife will be able
to join the August or September meeting to discuss the final report of the CVM project.
— The benefits and drawbacks to having a land acknowledgement will be discussed,
whether or not we should write one and if so, how to do so respectfully.
— Discuss events Budget, fundraising ideas
8. Adjourn – Cristin motioned to adjourn, Bridget seconded, all in favor. Meeting Adjourned at
8:05 p.m.
—submitted by Cristin Lemieux Pullis