Chehalis Basin Partnership

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• Meeting Agenda
• Chehalis Basin Partnership Budgets
• Chehalis Baisin Partnership Meeting Summary
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Meeting Agenda

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March 26, 1999 9:00 to 11:30 AM

Chehalis Indian Reservation - Casino Bingo Room

Chehalis Basin Partnership Meeting

Meeting Purpose: Report and discuss RFP for Level I Assessment, water quality project ranking for FY 2000, update on Chehalis flood project, update on legislation, information about salmon conditions in the watershed

Chair: Mayor Bob Spahr, City of Chehalis (360/507-3149)

Vice Chair: Dr. Sodhi, Chehalis Confederated Tribes (360/273-5911)

Lead Staff Brian Walsh, Department of Ecology (360/407-6310)

AGENDA

Introduction	Mayor Spahr	9:00-9:10 AM
1. Legislative Update	Senator Swecker	9:10-9:25 AM
II. Watershed Planning Grant/Scoping Committee Budget	Marc Duboiski	9:25-9:40 AM
Ill. Report from CBP Subgroup RFP	Subgroup / All	9:45-10:15 AM
IV. Update on Chehalis Flood Project	Mike Daniels	10:15-10:25 AM
V. Water Quality Project Ranking	Dave Campbell	10:25-10:45 AM
VI. Report From Citizens	Margaret Rader	10:45-10:55 AM
VII. Salmon in the Chehalis Basin	Mike Kelly	10:55-11:35 AM
VIII. Wrap-Up/ Adjourn	Mayor Spahr	11:35-11:40 AM

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Chehalis Basin Partnership Budgets

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1999 Budget (through February)

	Current	YTD		% of Budget
Revenues	Actual	Actual	Budget
Beginning Fund Balance	0.00	444,285.79	444,286	100.00%
Investment Interest Earnings	-	-	-	-
Total Revenue		444,285.79	44,286	100.00%

Expenditures

Salary	3,456.42	3,456.42	34,539	10.01%
Benefits	868.17	868.17	8,708	9.97%
Professional Services	0.00	0.00	362,160	0.00%
Education & Outreach	0.00	0.00	8,000	0.00%
Field Trips	0.00	0.00	2,000	0.00%
Room Rental, Food & Beverage	285.60	285.60	6,179	4.62%
Miscellaneous	0.00	0.00	22,700	0.00%
Total Expenditure	0.00	4,610.19	444,286	1.04%
1999 Ending Fund Balance	-	-	-	-

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Chehalis Baisin Partnership Meeting Summary

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Introduction

Dr. Sodhi welcomed everyone to the February Partnership meeting. The meeting was moved at the last minute to the Olympic National Forest offices in Olympia as a result of the flooding near the Chehalis Tribal Center. (The meeting was well attended despite the last minute change of venue.) Dr. Sodhi explained that Mayor Spahr was unable to attend due to family health concerns, so he would be chairing the meeting in his role as Vice-Chair. Commissioner O'Sullivan was also absent due to medical reasons. Dr. Sodhi expressed the group's well wishes for both Mayor Spahr's family and Commissioner O'Sullivan.

I. Report from CBP Subgroup on the By-Laws

Brian Shea reported on the CBP subgroup which met in February to review and revise the draft bylaws. According to Brian, the changes to the earlier draft are minor. The subgroup had incorporated all of the changes discussed at the last Partnership meeting. The by-laws have been reviewed by the Thurston County Prosecutor's Office. One of the most significant elements in the by-laws relates to decision-making. The group agreed to use the consensus decision making model at the January meeting. Dr. Sodhi mentioned that the Partnership had indicated at the January meeting an interest in gaining skills in consensus building. Brian Walsh stated that he is following-up on getting some state resources to assist the group in training. Given that the changes to the by-laws were relatively minor from the earlier draft, Brian suggested that the Partnership consider adoption of the by-laws as written. When asked by Dr. Sodhi if the membership was ready to adopt the by-laws as written, there was consensus agreement. Marc Duboiski mentioned that he is working on recruitment of a business representative for the Partnership.

II. Watershed Planning Grant

Marc Duboiski presented the 2514 budget. The Intergovernmental Agreement was signed on August 31, therefore, the budget is shown as going from September December. The Partnership has expended approximately $9,700.00 for 1 998.

(Primarily for Marc's salary as staff support to the Partnership) From January through February; approximately $4,600 has been expended. (A copy of budget will be sent out to all members). The Partnership agreed by consensus to approve the 1 998 budget per Brian Shea's suggestion. The 1999 budget will be discussed at the next Partnership meeting in March. Marc reviewed the steps in the watershed planning process (referring to Exhibit ES-5 from the Guide to Watershed Planning and Management). We have completed Phase 1 (Organizing) and are now entering Phase 2 (Assessment). Bulk of funding to be spent in Phase 2. Two separate assessments will be completed - Level 1 (using existing information) and Level 2 (gathering new information). Professional Services, draft RFP will be sent out to the members of the Partnership for the March meeting. Phase 3 should be reached by early summer, 2514 funding will cover Phases 1,2, and 3. Additional funds should be allocated by the legislature this session.

Sue Patnude (Ocean Shores) wanted to know what the plan is for education and outreach. Marc mentioned that the scoping group has recommended using the Drops of Water publication to achieve some of the education and outreach needs. Also, two field trips per year have been identified in the budget.

Limiting factors for salmon are being identified for the Chehalis basin. Carol Smith, WA State Conservation Commission, is assigned to for the Olympic region and has been working on Stillman Creek and Satsop River to compile and analyze key habitat information, e.g. sediment, stream flow, water quality, and riparian zones. Doug Fricke (Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force) stated that Carol Smith needs help on the limiting factors. Sara LaBorde (WA Dept Fish & Wildlife) said that we need to talk with Carol to find out what she needs most. Brian Walsh explained that he has been providing Carol with maps showing salmon habitat degradations. Don Meek (Port of Centralia) was concerned about the tendency toward endless studies. He urged action. Brian Shea countered that studies are necessary to get funding. Marc explained that he needs one more signature (from the Chehalis Confederated Tribes) to obtain lead agency status for the 2496 - Salmon Recovery project in the Chehalis watershed. Sara stated that the legislature is considering $25,000 per WRIA for 2496 coordination. Once this is obtained, the Partnership would be involved in helping to rank habitat improvement projects in the basin.

Ill. Intergovernmental Agreement

Brian Walsh provided copies of the signed Intergovernmental Agreement. To date, 1 5 entities have signed the document. Two additional signatures are needed from the attorneys for the cities- of McCleary and Montesano. (The door is still open for other entities. to join.) Brian mentioned that former Chair Dick Nichols stressed the need to make the group "official' through the approval of the document. That has now occurred. To commemorate the official formation of the group, CBP t-shirts were distributed.

Ray Lorton (Quinault Indian Nation) mentioned that The Quinault Nation will sign the CBP Agreement, it just hasn't gotten it done yet. The representative was surprised that the President of the Quinault Nation had not signed it, but they have signed the 2496 agreement.

IV. Update on Chehalis Flood Project

Mike Daniels briefed the group on the latest developments in the Chehalis flood project. The committee is trying to get all 5 members to participate. Public meetings have been held to describe the project - approximately 300 people attended various meetings. Questionnaires were distributed to these participants, and most felt that the project was moving at the right speed. As Mike explained, the project is still in its infancy with more public review ahead. There have been a lot of letters with good comments. The public also wanted more public forums to learn about and discuss the project. Mike feels that the project is a good start and that alternatives need to be explored. ("It's a work in progress.") Local governments are still seeking tribal involvement. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is now in the lead for the project. Dr. Sodhi stated that the Chehalis Tribe has concerns about possible salmon impacts and down stream effects. He acknowledged that 'solutions will not be easy".

V. Salmon Legislation

Ken Slattery (Department of Ecology) distributed bill information to the group. Ken discussed the bills submitted by the Governor. He walked the group through each section heading (the bill is approximately 65 pages), explaining the major provisions and intent of each. Senator Fraser was having a hearing on the bill the same day. It's fate would be known shortly.

Dr. Sodhi has concern that the legislature does not understand water rights as it pertains to the Federal Government treaties with the Tribes. Ken discussed that the Chairperson for the different committees understands about the Federal and Tribal treaties as it pertains to water rights. Dr. Sodhi also inquired about an Oregon statute that gives the state the authority to negotiate with tribes on instream flows. The intent is to avoid a lengthy (and costly) adjudication process.

VI. Report from Citizens

Ed Moerke (Lewis County Citizen) gave the report on the first CBP Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) held at the Centralia Public Library. Ed introduced the members of the advisory committee who were seated in the audience. He referred to the handout which listed the CAC's purpose and organization. The group will meet monthly, alternating between Centralia and Montesano.

VIl. Chehalis TMDL

John Spencer of CH2MHill Consultants presented information about the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) negotiations. (See enclosed handout)

VIll. Water Quality Grants & Loans

Dave Campbell (City of Chehalis) reintroduced the option of a local ranking process for FY 2000 water quality grant and loan applications. Projects which are locally ranked can receive up to 100 bonus points. Dave asked the group if they would be willing to take a shot at coming up with some criteria and ranking the projects in the watershed. Brian Shea suggested two rankings - one for WRIA 22 and another for WRIA 23. That way, two projects could receive 1 00 additional points. Brian Walsh offered to convene a meeting of the scoping committee and the CBP subgroup to come up with the proposed ranking to be discussed at the next Partnership meeting.

IX. Wrap-Up/Adjourn

Next Chehalis Basin Partnership meeting is scheduled for March 26 at 9:00 am at the Chehalis Indian Reservation.

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