Rochester, Washington
November 17, 2006
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Draft Minutes
MEMBERS PRESENTBonnie Canaday, Chair, Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Centralia Ron Schillinger, City of MontesanoTerry Willis, Citizen, Grays Harbor Mark White, Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Terry Harris, City of Chehalis Steve Craig, Department of Ecology Kernen Lien, Lewis County
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Lyle Hojem, Citizen Lewis County Chanele Holbrook-Shaw, Citizen, Thurston County Art Lehman, Port of Centralia
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ALTERNATE MEMBERS AND OTHERS PRESENTJohn Mudge, Citizen Dick Stone, Mayor, City of Montesano Chuck Caldwell, Port of Grays Harbor Randy Lehr, Grays Harbor College Kahle Jennings, City of Centralia Mark Swartout, Thurston County Lee Napier, Grays Harbor County
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Bruce Jones, Quinault Indian Nation Jessica Tate, Recording Secretary, Puget Sound Meeting Services |
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Chair Canaday called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
Ms. Napier reported she received notice that the ranking of the water quality grants is due by December 14, 2006 to Department of Ecology. The grant will be used to fund the Chehalis River Spatial Video Mapping project. The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis is the project sponsor.
Mr. White provided a brief description of the project. The system produces video recording of spatially manipulated aerial and thermal imaging to identify where temperature issues are occurring within the river. Data will be provided to Grays Harbor College for distribution to various entities.
Mr. Jennings explained that one advantage of making the project a funding priority is to receive 100 additional points to initiate a state ranking for statewide competitive projects.
Mr. Schillinger asked whether the Department of Ecology (DOE) is distributing funding for the Clean Water Grant. Mr. Jennings indicated funding is shifting more toward loans, but grant funding is available. The process is still in place, but there are few applications.
Ms. Willis asked whether the grant specifies funding is distributed to all agencies. Mr. Jennings stated each major river in the basin will be considered.
Mr. Craig stated any existing funded projects must be completed by the end of June 2007.
Ms. Napier suggested establishing a small committee to work on a fast-track basis to complete the application process.
Mr. Jennings indicated he will refer consultants to Mr. White to assist in completing the processes during the last week of November 2006.
Mr. Lehr offered assistance with technical aspects of the application process.
The Partnership agreed to pursue the Chehalis River Video Spatial Mapping project as proposed by Mr. White.
Ms. Napier described the committee’s nomination procedures. Nominations are received in November 2006, followed by an election in December 2006. Installation of officers occurs in January 2007. The Chair and Vice Chair positions are elected annually.
Mr. Swartout nominated Ms. Canaday for Chair. Ms. Napier seconded the nomination on behalf of Grays Harbor County.
Mr. Swartout proposed exploring the option of appointing a member from the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis as Vice Chair. Mr. White indicated he will present the proposal to the tribe.
Ms. Napier reported that nominations for Vice Chair will remain open until December 2006.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Legislative Briefings (Senate and House)
Ms. Napier reported a meeting is scheduled with the Senate on December 1, 2006 at 12:30 p.m. A joint meeting between the House and Senate is preferable. If a combined meeting cannot occur, a separate meeting with the House will be scheduled. The goal is to hold a combined meeting for an annual assembly forum.
Ms. Napier reviewed the proposed Senate meeting agenda handout. She reviewed a draft Chehalis Basin Partnership Newsletter and asked for suggestions and comments for improving the newsletter. The newsletter, significant handouts, and perhaps a slide-show presentation will be provided at the meeting.
Mr. Swartout suggested that specific information regarding Phase 4 DIP funding should be included in the letter to distinguish how the funds will be spent and for what reason. Ms. Napier acknowledged the request.
Ms. Napier suggested using the newsletter for a broader distribution to share information about the Partnership.
Mr. White suggested distributing newsletters to the Lucky Eagle Casino. Ms. Napier acknowledged the request.
Ms. Willis suggested simplifying the language in more specific terms to ensure important issues are conveyed clearly.
Mr. Schillinger asked about the Background/Update/2006 Accomplishments item 6 - Inchoate Water Rights. Mr. Jennings explained the rights are in document form and not fully developed. The rights are protected. However, they currently are not used.
Ms. Willis suggested the newsletter should be more specific to the Legislature in terms of requests. Information regarding past funding expenditures should be identified and more photos should be included. Chair Canaday agreed. Mr. Harris suggested including additional GIS clearinghouse information. Ms. Napier acknowledged the requests.
Mr. Jennings suggested identifying the Chehalis watershed as one of the only watersheds within the state that has an adopted plan.
Mr. Craig suggested including a request for funding list and a video documentary. The video documentary provides an historic overview with the appropriate amount of information regarding planning and implementation.
Mr. Swartout asked how funding for the video would be identified in the newsletter. Ms. Napier suggested using a portion of the Partnership’s $75,000 budget and identifying the video as part of the continued need for public outreach.
Chair Canaday asked about distribution of the video. Mr. Craig suggested using VHS and DVD formats and distributing copies to entities such as libraries, school districts, and websites.
Ms. Willis asked members to approve the video script before publication. Mr. Craig acknowledged the request.
Mr. Schillinger reported the video would also promote awareness and perhaps solicit additional participation.
Ms. Holbrook-Shaw suggested identifying subjects of focus within the video.
Mr. Craig suggested the Partnership review the issue of storage as it relates to flood control and benefits in terms of water release during critical months. The Partnership might want to consider pursuing additional funding to complete the top two requests for funding.
Mr. Swartout suggested conducting a workshop in December 2006 to develop a contract for future implementation by the Partnership. Steps and scenarios should be developed to meet instream flows during shortage periods, as well as identifying specific ways to provide storage. He suggested hiring a consultant for implementation processes.
Mr. Swartout indicated the newsletter should be as specific as possible in terms of project requests. Ms. Napier acknowledged the request.
Mr. Swartout volunteered to help develop funding proposal amounts for the newsletter prior to the meeting. He suggested the legislative requests should follow the introduction on the front page of the newsletter followed by the accomplishments.
Ms. Napier reviewed the 2007 Work Plan.
B. Follow up to Assignment to Discuss DIP Amendment
Ms. Napier reported the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) amendment will be developed as a result of discussions with the Quinault Indian Tribe. The tribe conveyed the importance of DIP Strategy #3, IM 3.1 - Clarifying Water Rights and Uses and suggested scheduling a workshop to discuss the issue.
Ms. Willis suggested that after extensive discussions and planning it is now time for implementation.
Ms. Holbrook-Shaw said members should put forth additional efforts to achieve a successful implementation process. She suggested the Partnership should schedule additional meetings during the implementation process.
Mr. Jones indicated the Quinault Indian Nation did not request a specific workshop regarding the issue of Clarifying Water Rights and Uses. Rather, the tribe would like to discuss alternative language regarding the issue. The tribe would also like to hold one workshop to discuss all issues.
Mr. Schillinger said the Partnership is currently not structured for implementation. He suggested the Partnership discuss the issue of the group’s structure. Ms. Holbrook-Shaw suggested utilizing a consultant to identify the group structure. Mr. Swartout stated the Partnership should identify group structure concurrently with implementation.
Mr. Craig said he is unsure whether the Partnership needs to hire a consultant and suggested pursuing non-profit organizations for managing and distributing funds. Mr. Swartout suggested a third-party consultant might be warranted to weigh the options.
Mr. Jennings suggested the organizational issue should be an element of 2007 planning.
Mr. Hojem agreed with Mr. Craig’s comments regarding working without a consultant.
Chair Canaday asked members to review the advantages of becoming a non-profit organization. Ms. Napier advised it would enable the Partnership to receive funding through non-profit avenues. Members could also pay member fees.
Mr. Lehr offered to provide a name of an individual from California who completed a nationwide survey on strategies, planning processes, and implementation by natural resources planning groups. The individual could become a potential consultant. Mr. Jennings added that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) might also have some resources to assist members with the transition process.
Mr. Harris suggested creating posters showing visual progress to assist in staying focused on the progress to date of each task. Future meetings should focus on task progress.
Chair Canaday commended members for their efforts and contributions to the organization.
Ms. Napier reported discussions are underway with Charles Pitz from DOE to gain information on how to develop the scope of work for the project. There is additional information to be gained before developing the scope of work. More information must be gathered before implementing a selected model for the project. There is limited time to work with Mr. Pitz. Mr. Craig suggested that perhaps there is free coordination available to work with USGS when Mr. Pitz is finished. Ms. Napier said another option is to bring the scope of work to the DOE and request additional time to work with Mr. Pitz.
Mr. Mudge said he developed a draft proposal to investigate specific water use of each parcel in Lewis County. The draft suggests information could be obtained conducting surveys over a year. Mr. Swartout responded that the proposal would create a highly controversial issue. Any work done by the Partnership becomes public information. Many laws would have to be changed to approve the proposal. Mr. Mudge noted that the Partnership would need to ensure the surveys could not be utilized by another agency.
Mr. Stone said he is unsure whether the proposal would achieve the desired goal. Mr. Mudge responded that an estimate on the amount of water used within the county is necessary.
Ms. Willis asked how property owners could measure water usage. Mr. Mudge replied that property owners would answer survey questions to the best of their knowledge.
Chair Canaday suggested a survey could take five to ten years to complete.
Mr. Schillinger added that most uses within the basin provide appropriate return levels.
MONTHLY PARTNERSHIP REPORTS
Mr. Jennings presented the Monthly Flow Report. This month, flows are significantly increased.
Ms. Holbrook-Shaw asked whether a low-flow situation could potentially return. Mr. Jennings replied that flows should remain stable for the remainder of the year.
The presentation was not provided because of time constraints.
Ms. Holbrook-Shaw suggested forming a committee of volunteers to plan the 2007 Festival. Planning the event requires approximately one year.
Ms. Napier indicated the festival will likely occur in May 2007 rather than September 2007.
Mr. Jennings said he will provide a comprehensive review of the flow chart at the December meeting.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Canaday adjourned the meeting at 12:04 p.m.
Prepared by Jessica Tate, Recording Secretary
Puget Sound Meeting Services