Conservation Committee asks Vernon family to move port-o-potty, flags fuel-cube on easement

The Conservation Committee accepted several monitoring reports on Jan. 19 and voted to send a letter to the Vernons requesting relocation of a port-o-potty and, if appropriate, removal of a fuel cube observed on conserved property.

AW summarized the Anderson monitoring visit and noted uncertainty of about three feet on the easement corner where the port-o-potty stands; committee members discussed surveying the corner when snow melts and whether that would clarify whether the portable toilet is on protected land. Committee member C. Fields told members that fuel cubes and on-site fueling were not permitted on easement property, and asked AW to locate the applicable state reference for inclusion in a notice. AW said she would draft a letter and circulate it for review. AW then moved that the committee request the Vernons move the port-o-potty and investigate moving the fuel cube; T. Rettberg seconded and the motion carried.

The committee also voted to accept the Anderson monitoring report provided the photo captions are corrected, and it accepted the Daley and Gilmore monitoring reports for other properties while discussing scheduling for resurvey and the cost-savings potential of aerial surveys.

Next steps: AW will draft the letter to the Vernons; the committee plans to resurvey the contested corner in coming field season and will follow up on state guidance about fuel-cube restrictions if available.