Water Quality Committee Meeting

August 11, 2005

Bob Amrine, Dave Rountry, Terry Willis, Kahle Jennings, Patrick Wiltzius, Charles Pitz, Darrel Anderson, Harry Pickernell, Ann Wick, Kirk Cook, Ron Schillinger, and Lee Napier were present.

Groundwater Pilot Project

Charles Pitz, Department of Ecology, re-introduced the project to the group.  This proposal arose as a response to agency concerns about the lack of coordination related to monitoring of groundwater.  The Chehalis Basinwas proposed as a pilot site and the agency selected a 32 square mile area, south of Grand Mound. 

The project tasks included: 

• Identifying wells in the study area, gathering well (814) data, and identifying the geologic features. 
• Field work included a seepage run, which is the first tool.  Trying to idea the area where water seeps from the stream into the groundwater.  This can help to understand the natural and unnatural influence on streamflow. 
• The agency installed 13 piezameters strategically placed along the river. 
• He stressed that they were not trying to identify “bad players.”  They were trying to describe the condition(s) of the study area.   
• Using the maps, he showed areas documents as gaining and losing stream reaches. 
• They also install a couple of monitoring wells for longer term work and sampling. 
• They knocked on doors asking for permission to measure water level in well and samples the water. 
• They used a transducer station on eight wells between June 2004 and August 2005.  
• Developed hydrographs for the wells monitored. 
• In an effort to understand the basic chemistry of the area, they measured the water quality.   He received good cooperation in collecting about forty samples from various sites in the study area.  The wells were sampled for the following parameters: chloride, iron, sodium, nitrate+nitrite-N, arsenic, VOC, and lead.

Charles concluded by stating that this year of work provided a basic understanding of groundwater, how water level changes, and the water quality.  This is an opportunity for the community to continue monitoring from the pilot program protocol.

The report should be out around the end of the year.  He would be available to present to the Chehalis Basin Partnership. 

WSDA Aquifer Assessment Presentation

Kirk Cook with the Department of Agriculture shared information with the group related to WSDA seeking a partner to test their Pesticide Management Plan and assessment tools.  Participation, for all parties, is voluntary. 

Kirk briefly reviewed the history of this item.  He told the group that in the early 1990’s EPA began looking at pesticides of national concern (those which appeared frequently in groundwater).  As a result, in 1994 EPA developed the concept of Pesticide Management Plans (PMP).  The PMP would provide a method by which a pesticide of concern would be evaluated (state by state) as to its risk to groundwater.  Based on that risk, a plan for use would be developed or the pesticide would no longer be allowed for use in that state.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) elected to develop a generic PMP for Washington State and began that task in 1995.  Since that time, the original concept has changed allowing states more flexibility with how they determine “pesticides of concern”.   A major obstacle to completion of the generic PMP was the development and implementation of a technically valid aquifer susceptibility / vulnerability assessment tool.

In April 2005, WSDA completed work on the aquifer assessment tool.

At this time, WSDA is looking for support to test the assessment tool and the pesticide evaluation process outlined in the draft generic PMP in a watershed basin level area.

Kirk asked the group to consider, as a pilot, a report related to pesticide management in the Chehalis Basin.  He would then ask the group to review his work and provide input.  WSDA will do a pilot program somewhere in the state.  The CBP/WQC has the opportunity to influence the outcome.

Coordinated Monitoring Plan

Jennings shared the revised maps, for Appendix B, with the group for the subbasins of  Black River, Lincoln, North End Lincoln, South End Lincoln, and Skookumchuck as monitoring/cleanup site priorities.  He also presented a map for the Chehalis River Basin Monitoring and Sampling Sites.

Changes to the document include:

• He will move all the references to the end of the document. 
• Appendix A will be revised based on comments provided by Dave Rountry. 
• He would continue to work with WSDA to develop maps for the Lower Chehalis. 
• The group suggested he put the table and map for the Upper and Lower in separated Appendices. 

The document will be presented as a final draft to the CBP during the September meeting. 

The group discussed providing input into the water quality related work plans for Phase IV.  This would apply to WMP Action 31, 36, 38, and 41.  The group will discuss this during the October meeting. 

Agenda for next, and upcoming, meeting(s) will include: WMP work plans and USDA proposal.  In December, the group will review Ecology grant applications.

The next meeting is October 13, 2005.