STC Meeting

November 3, 2005

Department of Ecology 300 Desmond Drive

Mark Swartout, Steve Craig, Taylor Pittman, Randy Lehr, Kahle Jennings, Jim Hill, Chad Stussy, Chanele Holbrook Shaw, Lonnie Crumley, and Lee Napier were present. 

CBP Agenda

Jim and Chanele reported on the status of the nomination committee work for the upcoming elections.   Currently the group is without a vice chair since Jim Haslett resigned.  At this time, the nomination committee has approached Bonnie Canady as a possible vice chair candidate.  The committee has a few other people in mind to approach and assess their level of interest.   

The monthly flow report is a good addition to the agenda.  Napier asked if Kahle could send the current month report to her for inclusion in the meeting mailing packet. 

The group talked about the Nisqually presentation.  Mark asked if we needed any follow up.  Generally the group really appreciated hearing about their organization.  Chanele commented that she realized we had a lot more in common than she realized.  Jim appreciated hearing about their citizen involvement and recruitment.  The group asked Jim and Chanele to work with Steve to try and reenergize the CAC following the Nisqually approach. 

The group discussed the possibility of forming a nonprofit. This topic has appeared in various forums, but never really pursued for various reasons. 

Planning for the Legislative Committee Assemblies

The STC drafted a meeting agenda for the CBP to consider: 

• Briefing presentation of the background of the CBP and watershed plan and salmon recovery; (Jim Haslett)
• Roundtable discussion by CBP members including local elected officials, staff, public and private interests, and citizens.  To have this discussion the CBP needs to identify common/top priority implementation issues.  The STC brainstormed for some possible ideas.  The list included in no particular order: Aquifer characterization because we don’t know how much water is available;  Watershed council grant begins to examine the inchoate water rights and it will use the water rights database;   Recovery planning in a non-recovery area;  Comprehensive outreach component; Agriculture viability see Action 36.
• A suggestion was made to discuss how we are using the Phase IV money and then also explain that the work of the CBP is much larger than the scope of 2514.  Other issues are flooding and storage.   
• We need to share that the Chehalis is the second largest watershed in the state and then emphasize that you can’t support all watersheds at the same level of funding.  Need funding for sustainability.  
• A suggestion was made to have the chair and elected officials present issues.
• CBP members needs to confirm who will attend at the CBP meeting. 
• What is important to the legislators?  Include a contact list.

GIS Clearinghouse Proposal

Steve reviewed the concept for this proposal.  A clearinghouse would help to connect the data collection “dots” from a variety of organizations.  Steve proposed this concept internally to Ecology and asked the Department to consider providing funding as the catalyst for this effort.  Ecology is willing to allocate $75,000 for this proposal.  The money could be used to purchase equipment/software.  Steve is trying to persuade Ecology to allow the money to be spent on some staff time. 

The group needs to develop a work plan for this program.  This could begin with the summit idea.  We would invite Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Andrew Kinney, GHC, Lewis County, Centralia Community College, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Fish and Wildlife, both tribes, Department of Ecology, Lewis Conservation District, Mason Conservation District, Mason County, Mike Kuttel, and Grays Harbor College.

The group would like to meet before the next CBP meeting.  Considering the time framework this might not occur, but they would try to schedule the meeting before the legislative assemblies.  Steve will take the lead in organizing this meeting. 

For the December meeting, it would start after the legislative assemble meeting for the house.  We plan to meet at Ecology. 

Phase IV-Work Plan

Napier distributed the revised Work Plan #9 and asked the group to review her additions.