Workshop for WMP Objective #3/STC Mtg.

April 6, 2006

County’s Forestry Building

Chad Stussy, Alan Borden, Terry Willis, Mark Swartout, Bruce Jones, Steve Craig, Jim Hill, Glen Connelly, Lee Napier, and John Kliem were present.

Steve announced that the Environmental program has some funding available for groundwater assessment.  Mark suggested we invite Darrel Anderson and the Environmental staff to the May workshop. 

Phase IV-DIP

John reviewed the Detailed Implementation Plan process for the group.  This includes using the Chehalis Basin Watershed Management Plan (WMP) to meet the requirements of RCW 90.82.043 (Phase 4).  This RCW describes the components of a DIP. The components include strategies (objectives), interim milestones together with identifying responsibilities, coordination/oversights, timelines and state or local approvals, and funding mechanisms.  This process also suggests the group consult with other entities to avoid duplication. 

Steve and Mark provided an overview and history of this objective.  Since the Partnership organized in 1997, they repeatedly found that lack of data and resources to collect or manage local data created a limitation for managing water resources. 

John asked the group to perform a reality check related to the list of interim milestones for completeness and sequencing. 

The group shared the following comments:

• Bruce suggested reorganizing the interim milestones and adding a financial committee. 
• Steve suggested following the Nisqually nonprofit as an example of how to achieve a separated legal organization that might include grant writing as a function of that organization.
• Steve suggested teasing out the various milestones.  Some are administrative and some are investigative programs.  He suggested a water management work plan that might cover a 2-4 year time period. With this plan, we would go to the funding sources/legislators with our prioritized request.
• Terry suggested reorganizing the interim milestones before we add to the list.
• Bruce suggested grouping the interim milestones by categories first, then reorder for each category.  The group followed this recommendation. 
• To view all the STC recommendations see Watershed Management Plan Objective #3, dated April 6, 2006. 

Watershed Planning and Implementation Budget for Ecology’s 2007-2009 Biennium.

Possible proposals-

• Watershed Festival $20,000 to hire a coordinator to help with outreach and education annually.  This might be a good use for a portion of the $75,000.
• Coordinated  Water Quality Monitoring $150,000 annually (2)  Needs tight list of deliverables. 
• Increase watershed management funding to benefit larger watersheds.  Suggested $100,000 per WRIA.  Not a project so just list it as a concern.
• GIS Clearinghouse fund the other half of the Gray Harbor College instructors position $75,000 for the biennium. (4)
• Phase 2 storage-Detailed feasibility study $500,000 for the biennium.  Identify tools to meet the water quantity goal.  Aquifer recharge, augment instream flows. (1)
• Map water rights part of Objective 11.  Suggested $250,000 per year. (5)
• Develop a watershed-wide water conservation strategy.  This would bring a variety of stakeholders to the table.   Currently only municipalities are required to include conservation measures.  This would provide some outreach and education to reduce water conservation.   (3)
• Feasibility study for coordinated Water System Plan for the I-5 Corridor-$75,000.  Bruce will help draft this proposal.  Thurston County already has a Coordinated Water System Plan.  (6)

Lee will put together the budget requests to the STC via e-mail. 

The group discussed the April CBP agenda.  It would include: 

• report out on today’s workshop,
• review the proposed budget requests,  
• a presentation by IAC staff regarding SWIM, and
• a report out on the SRFB process.

The date for next workshop/meeting of the STC was changed from May 4^th to May 18^th at Montesano City Hall.  This workshop will focus on WMP Objective 11.