June Meeting for the Whole Partnership

Who: The partners of the CLI
What: A series of work session to further our goals
When: June 22nd, 8:30-3:30- additional tours after (see below)
Where: Mont Alto Campus, Penn State University

The next meeting of the South Mountain Partnership will be held Monday June 22 at the Mont Alto Campus of Penn State University. Here is a link for directions to the campus: http://www.ma.psu.edu/Information/directions.htm?cn716

We will working further to develop a strategy to act on the goals we developed in the work group meeting. There will be an integrative session getting everyone up to speed.

Plans for the meeting include an update from Ted Eubanks on Fermata’s South Mountain Plan, presentations from the newly formed work groups, and much more. This will be a full day meeting with doors opening at 8:30 am with light refreshments and agenda items starting at 9:00 am and lunch will be included. We are working on a few on site tours for the afternoon to include the South Mountain Restoration Center http://www.asylumprojects.org/tiki-index.php?page=South+Mountain+Restoration+Center, and the South Mountain Museum. More details will follow.

From Vision to Action

For the life of the partnership a vision and many goals have been set. NOW is the time that we see the goals into action.

Above is a diagram (click on image to see details) explaining how the partnership will get from the big picture and over-arching vision down to the specific actions that meet our goals. Work groups are a critical part of refining and defining goals. Each action should have some measure of success that will be used to demonstrate the value of the partnership.

Goals and actions should tie partners across the board, have adequate resources and funding commited to them. Once they are prioritized they will be set into a schedule for the partnership to follow.

South Mountain Partnership Goals (to be revised)

(From June 7, 2006 Initial Meeting)

Goal #1 - Advance Land Acquisition and Protection in the SM Area
Short-Term Priorities
1. Re-visit DCNR Land Acquisition grant program – clarify public use requirement on easements (strong concern about DCNR’s requirement that there must be public use for all easements) (7V)*
2. Formulate a Regional Vision, consistent map (6V)
3. Focus on quick acquisition projects (this one was pool together resources to focus on the “big 3,000 acre acquisition for a big splash) (6V)
4. Save our Vernal Pools! Toe slopes of Cumberland County (focus on these lands) (5V)
5. Develop clear & compelling message (4V)
6. Develop one targeted acquisition projects in 4 counties (4V)
7. Develop advocacy groups (3V)
8. Engage County Commissioners (1V)
9. Get DCNR commitment for P.R. (1V)
10. TNC to compile GIS layers from others
11. Get Gov. & staff in to SM.

Long-Term Priorities
1. Share DCNR land acquisition (BSP/BOF) list with partners (7V)*
2. All 4 counties do land acquisition bond issues and/or annual funding (6V)
3. Plan projects (ID & prioritize conservation projects) (5V)
4. Modify grant process to insure that habitat or species of special concerns are given highest priority for funding (4V)
5. Cultivate legislative relationships (3V)
6. Wetland banking
7. Public opinion polls, focus groups
8. Hydro-logic study -USGS/DEP/F&B
9. Develop advocates to push for environmental projects
10. Approach regionally on common, united goal - elected officials, DCNR, non-
profits, planners
11. Legislative earmarks
12. H2O Rights Easements
13. Funding stewardship for ecological mgt.

Goal #2 - Improve the Effectiveness of Land Use Planning and Regulation in the SM Area

Short Term Priorities
1. Develop a vision for the South Mountain Area with goals. (7V)*
2. Form an Advisory Committee of specialists to be available to present at municipal planning functions (i.e. county and multi-municipal Comp. Plan Steering Committee meetings) including St. Geologist, Nature Conservancy, Bureau of Forestry and others. (On-going) Convene a conference to develop buy-in. (6V)
3. Finding common priorities among attendees. (5V)
4. Adopt open space plans (update) for all four counties. (3V)
5. Bring together 4 county commissioners - to discuss implementation conservation around the SMA & funding (bonds, penalty $, and all other potential sources). (2V)
6. Elevate historical & cultural aspects in the public planning process. (1V)
7. Determine vision of Commonwealth planning group in relation to South Mountain (State Planning Board).
8. Define the South Mountain Area Boundary - Geologically/Biologically.
9. Encourage & support the creation of local Environmental Advisory Councils (with support by PEC).
10. Develop tool/mechanism to disseminate & educate about county & regional
plans.
11. Enhancing role of regional and county planning.
12. Consistency in language in municipal ordinances/plans that border South
Mountain.

Goal #3 – Enhance Education, Communication and Information Sharing and the Public Recognition, Concern and Interest in Protecting the SM Area

1. Identify critical treasures and places in the SMA (5V)* – Short Term
2. Develop, Communicate and Market the SM Story (5V) – Long Term
3. Education of Municipal Officials (3V)– Short & Long Term
4. Develop a DCNR/DCED grant program targeted to the SMA and identified “Gateway Communities” (3V)– Short Term
5. Compile & Compare maps brought today-develop Top 10 Lists (2V) – Short Term
6. Work with School Districts (2V)– Long Term
7. Develop a South Mountain Cheat Sheet to tailor benefit messages to different audiences – Short Term

*The number in parenthesis represents the number of votes received from breakout group members