October 30, 2024 Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

11/06/2024 03:21:43 PM Page 45 to 48 of 203 12 of 80 sheets 45 research them separately, I didn't look for that in this1 case. That's based on my knowledge and experience and2 observation.3 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Okay.4 COUNCIL PRESIDENT RUTHERFORD: That's it for5 me, sir.6 THE WITNESS: I'm sorry, excuse me for one7 second Mr. Chairman, if I may. There was a third thing8 you asked me to look up and was that, what the Mayor9 asked.10 MAYOR McCARTNEY: Essex County.11 THE WITNESS: Essex County. I just want to12 make sure I get it right.13 COUNCIL PRESIDENT RUTHERFORD: That's if for14 me, Mr. Chair.15 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you Council16 President.17 Vice Chair Guarino.18 VICE CHAIRMAN GUARINO: Thank you, Mr.19 Chairman.20 Mr. DeFeo, quick question. The current21 invasion of nonnative North American pests, i.e. spotted22 lantern and Joro spiders coming into the area and the23 effect with the forecast and current moisture and rain24 distrubution, what kind of effect did that have or did25 46 you take into consideration in your forecast for1 reforestation and regeneration?2 THE WITNESS: Well, I don't know of anyone3 that's done a particular study on this level drought in4 New Jersey and the impact. Clearly you're not going to5 have seed germination at this time of year as a rule6 anyway, we're going to the end of the growth season.7 Secondly, in this kind of a drought8 obviously seeds cannot germinate, that's basic science9 101.10 As far as the change in climate going11 forward and the invasive species, certain invasive12 species of course are a host. The spotted lantern fly,13 the good news this year, believe it or not, we haven't14 been stomping as many spotted lantern fly's as we have15 over the past few years. There are, we don't quite know16 why, but we are finding that to be good news. We have17 found that some native spiders and native insects are18 eating spotted lantern fly's and some bird species, I19 guess, they're acquiring a taste. We will have a new20 spider coming in soon that also has a taste for them,21 you probably have heard about. A very large spider.22 Harmless, but likes them, which is good.23 As far as the impact of regeneration of the24 forest. It clearly would slow it down and that's just25 47 common sense. It is basic science. The, can I say what1 will happen as we go forward if we have droughts2 evisceration in perpetuity, well it wouldn't

t clearly would slow it down and that's just25 47 common sense. It is basic science. The, can I say what1 will happen as we go forward if we have droughts2 evisceration in perpetuity, well it wouldn't make much3 difference if there was deer fencing or not, because4 nothings going to grow anywhere. We have to,5 truthfully, you have to hope for some rain. That's the6 best we can hope for. Clearly it will slow it down.7 Invasive species, clearly emerald ash borer, wiping out8 our ash trees. Spotted lantern fly doesn't, per se,9 wipe out a particular species. The key is to get rid of10 invasive like Ailanthus, which is a host species. We'd11 like to make sure that doesn't occur. I didn't see much12 Ailanthus in that forest, which is good. But getting13 rid of invasive species helps, because invasive species14 are often hosts for invasive insects and that's15 something that we would like to reduce.16 VICE CHAIRMAN GUARINO: Okay. Thank you,17 Mr. DeFeo.18 Thank you, Mr. Chairman.19 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Mr. DeFeo, is there any20 federal or state organization that the applicant can be21 suppled with seedlings to replant in the forest to help22 move things along?23 THE WITNESS: There are programs run by the24 Department of Environmental Protection each year and the25 48 Department of Agriculture give out seedlings. I'm not1 certain a commercial developer or professional developer2 would be eligible for them for free, but there are3 programs federally and on the state level for that. I4 haven't looked into the specifics. They're typically5 designed for homeowners and towns looking to do local6 parkland.7 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Can you look into that and8 see whether the developer and/or the town could find9 that out and start replanting as part of this project?10 Mr. Alper.11 MR. ALPER: Thank you.12 Mr. DeFeo, I'm going to apologize, I'm going13 to jump around back to some of your testimony and things14 in your written report and a lot of sort of questions15 that Council President Rutherford had.16 First, the idea of the tree credit for the17 fenced area, is that common in projects like this?18 THE WITNESS: It's a very good question.19 Projects like this are not common. I have not seen, and20 I've spoken to environmental chairs from multiple towns21 and planners from multiple towns and counties that I22 work with or know over the years, and I said, has anyone23 ever had this

ot seen, and20 I've spoken to environmental chairs from multiple towns21 and planners from multiple towns and counties that I22 work with or know over the years, and I said, has anyone23 ever had this type of ordinance, I won't use the word24 settlement agreement again, this type of an ordinance25