Water Quality Committee Meeting

October 13, 2005

 

Terry Willis, Patrick Wiltzius, Harry Pickernell, Ron Schillinger, and Lee Napier were present.

 

 

WSDA Aquifer Assessment Presentation

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.

 

Last month, Kirk Cook asked the group to consider, as a pilot, a voluntary evaluation program of pesticide management in the Chehalis Basin.  If the group agreed, he would put together a scope of work for the group to consider and provide input.  WSDA will do a pilot program somewhere in the state.  The CBP/WQC has the opportunity to influence the outcome through their involvement.

 

Willis shared her understanding that the overall goal is to confirm if pesticide instructions on the label are working if correctly applied.  Not checking to see if pollution was being contributed by a certain source. 

 

Wiltzius asked if there the proposal includes a ground water or soil sampling component?  Will there be any soil sampling? How does this proposal dove tail with Charles Pitz’s work?

 

The group was interested, but wanted more information regarding the scope of work and the role of the CBP and the Water Quality Committee. 

 

If the proposal focused on an area, the Wynooche was suggested due to the diversity of land uses with pesticide application.  Another suggestion was made to use the same area as Pitz’s work. 

 

Napier will forward the questions on to Cook and see if he can provide a response by November.

 

Water Quality Priorities for the Western Olympic Basin

Napier distributed Rountry’s handout.  At the Partnership meeting, Dave Rountry distributed a handout entitled Help Choose Water Quality Priorities in the Western Olympic Region.  Ecology would like to hear ideas about important water quality issues and needs in the Olympic Western Region. This area is describes as beginning at Cape Flattery on the north end of the Olympic Peninsula and continuing south to Ilwaco at the mouth of the Columbia River.  The ideas will help Ecology’s work-planning for water quality assessments and other important water quality projects.  If you are interested in submitting ideas, contact Dave Rountry by November 6th.  His e-mail is drou461@ecy.wa.gov or call 360.407.6276.

 

Schillinger intended to suggest to Rountry the Black Creek area which is listed as a 303(d) for temperature impairment.  It seems peculiar to him that this area is listed and questioned if the natural conditions preclude the area from meeting the water quality standard. 

 

Willis announced that the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) has secured many wetland conservation areas from Montesano to Porter.  Grays Harbor Conservation District worked with NRCS to identify potential sites, determined buffers, prepared a restoration/preservation plan, and provided financial incentives.  The wetlands are placed in a perpetual conservation easement. 

 

Work Plan-Phase IV

Napier shared that the Water Quality Committee is asked to help developed the detailed implementation plan to meet the requirements of Phase IV.  The biggest issue is who will do the tasks?    If we determined the who, then they could determine how and when to do the work. 

 

Action 38- Ask Noxious Weed Coordinators to come to the November meeting.  Invite all counties and Taylor’s contact.  Birdie Davenport, USDA, and the Nature Conservancy, Conservation Districts, Tribes, Multi-County Noxious Weed Coalition, Weyerhaeuser,

 

Action 31- Invite Dave Rountry, Chehalis River Council, Kahle Jennings, Lewis Conservation District, someone from Ecology who knows the funding sources (Steve Craig), Ask CD to develop a list for Task 7.  Task 13 for CAC and CRC.  Task 11 is hard to determine if you don’t know where the areas are from Task 10.  Ask WDFW and the CD working on barrier assessments to help identify the high quality waters.  Work on this item in January.

 

Action 36-Invite Green Diamond, Weyerhaeuser, DNR, Steve Stinson, Ken Miller, Ron Schillinger, QIN, Conservation District (Brian Thompson), Ron Mauel,  to the February meeting,  WA Forest Protection Association (Heather), WA Dairy Association-Jay Gordon.  Beerbower to understand the consequences of conversion for development.

 

Action 41-Columbia Pacific RC & D, County Health Department for Task 9,  Tasks 8 and 10 Dave Rountry and Kahle Jennings, Chanele for Task 7, hobby farms but they are not regulated except through voluntary work with CDs, CD for Tasks 3 and 4.  Task 5 an outcome of November meeting with legislators.  Jay Gordon WA Dairy Federation- Schedule for March.

 

For December try to get Kirk to attend.

 

 

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

 

For November work plan and determine protocol for review of grant applications

The next meeting is October 13, 2005.