Rochester, Washington
August 24, 2007
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Meeting Summary
MEMBERS & ALTERNATES PRESENTBonnie Canaday, Chair, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Centralia Kernen Lien, Lewis County (Alternate) Lee Napier, Grays Harbor County (Alternate) Lyle Hojem, Citizen, Lewis County Bob Beerbower, Grays Harbor Mark White, Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis (Alternate) Charles Caldwell, Port of Grays Harbor Richard Graham, Lewis County Steve Kalinowski, WDFW |
Bob Macleod, Thurston County Chanele Holbrook-Shaw, Citizen, Thurston County Kahle Jennings, City of Centralia (Alternate) Terry Harris, City of Chehalis Art Lehman, Port of Centralia Mark Swartout, Thurston County (Alternate) Patrick Wiltzius, City of Chehalis (Alternate) Paula Sandirk, Napavine (Alternate) Jim Hill, Lewis County Citizen (Alternate) |
OTHERS PRESENTBruce Jones, Citizen Jerry Louthain, HDR Engineering Inc. |
Cheri Lindgren, Recording Secretary, Puget Sound Meeting Services |
Welcome, Introductions, and Roundtable Comments
Chair Bonnie Canaday called the meeting of the Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) to order at 9:32 a.m. Everyone present provided self-introductions.
Members accepted the minutes of July 27, 2007 as presented.
Ms. Napier referred to item 2 under special projects and presentations. An action by the Partnership on how to move forward with the Watershed Coordinator position was added to the agenda.
Members accepted the agenda as modified.
Discuss and Consider Amendment to Detailed Implementation Plan Proposed Interim Milestone 3.5
Ms. Napier reported the Partnership planned to take action on the amendment to the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) proposed Interim Milestone (IM) 3.5 at the July 27, 2007 meeting. However, there were several missing members and a representative from the Quinault Indian Nation (QIN) did not attend the meeting. Members agreed to send a letter to QIN inviting them to attend the August meeting.
Mr. Jennings distributed copies of a letter inviting QIN to the September meeting to work with the Partnership on a long-term cooperative effort to protect and enhance water resources throughout the basin. He apologized that he was unable to send a letter in time for the August meeting. Chair Canaday signed the letter. If the CBP agrees, the letter will be mailed later in the day. The Partnership could take action on proposed IM 3.5 at the September meeting.
Mr. Harris said QIN has not made their concerns known. The letter simply invites the Tribe to the next meeting, which could defer an action to the Partnership’s October meeting or later. He suggested the letter could ask that QIN forward concerns and/or changes in writing in time for the September CBP meeting.
Ms. Napier said waiting for a written response could further delay action.
Members reviewed discussions from the July 27, 2007 meeting regarding the matter.
Mr. Harris said QIN was involved in drafting the proposed revisions to IM 3.5. After further reflection, he suggested the Partnership could take action on the proposed amendment and forward the amended DIP to QIN. The Tribe can forward any concerns for the CBP’s review at a future meeting. Mr. Graham agreed. The DIP could be amended in the future.
Ms. Napier noted the DIP is on a two-year review schedule.
Mr. Beerbower suggested moving forward. Both tribes should be engaged in Partnership activities.
Ms. Napier noted that the tribes receive electronic and hard copies of Partnership meeting agendas.
Several members agreed the Partnership should take action on the proposed amendment and revise the letter accordingly. The Tribe has the option of providing comments.
Chair Canaday indicated the letter will be revised and sent later in the week.
The Partnership agreed to amend the DIP to include the proposed amendment to Interim Milestone 3.5.
Discuss Legislative Appropriation Year 2 Scope of Work, Scope of Work for Planning Unit Support, Watershed Coordinator Job Description
Ms. Napier distributed two handouts:
· WRIA 22-23 Chehalis Basin, Scope of Work for Year 2 of the Watershed Council Grant (Legislative Appropriation)
· CBP Work Program and Budget Summary, July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008
Ms. Napier reported the Department of Ecology awarded the CBP $45,000 for administrative support. STC members reviewed the proposed Watershed Coordinator job description last month.
Ms. Napier reviewed the Scope of Work (SOW) for Year 2 of the Watershed Council, including tasks, deliverables, and estimated costs for Fiscal Years (FY) 2008 and 2009.
Concerning task 1, increase administrative capacity, the Watershed Coordinator will assist with coordinating implementation of tasks described in the watershed plan.
Mr. Harris asked if comparable wage study information is available for similar positions. Ms. Napier said the successful candidate will not be hired as a county employee. Grays Harbor County will contract with the successful candidate. Funds allocated for the position are comparable to wages paid employees within other local jurisdictions without benefits.
Discussion followed concerning advancement opportunities within the Partnership for a Watershed Coordinator.
Specific to task 2, Chehalis Basin GIS clearinghouse, Ms. Napier reported that Grays Harbor College will pay for year 2 (FY 2008). Sixty thousand dollars allocated for FY 2009 covers salary costs.
Discussion ensued about task 3, assessing long-term water quality trends in the Chehalis Basin. Ms. Napier explained implementation was initiated by Grays Harbor College with a grant from DOE. The Chehalis Tribe is contributing as water quality technicians, collecting data on a monthly basis, and forwarding the information to the college. Goals include avoiding duplicative efforts, addressing data gaps, and exploring placement of long-term monitoring probes.
Mr. Lien and Mr. Jones asked for further details about how the $245,000 allocated will be distributed. Ms. Napier responded Mr. Lehr provided her with salary and monitoring probe costs. She said she doesn’t have the breakdown available at this time. Mr. Swartout said a breakdown was provided to legislators.
Ms. Napier stated task 4, analyze the connection between river flow and groundwater levels, is a step towards understanding hydraulic continuity in the Chehalis Basin. She described STC discussions over the last year that focused on learning more about modeling. Last month, the Partnership agreed to utilize US Geological Survey (USGS) services to initiate an assessment of water resources for the basin. DOE will contract with USGS to conduct seepage runs and other measurements of ground and surface water interaction. An agreement between DOE and USGS in the amount of $45,000 was executed. USGS representatives will attend the September meeting and brief members on seepage work and potential next steps. A next step could include USGS developing a detailed SOW designed to assist the CBP with implementation of IM 1.2 ($55,000). There is a potential that USGS could provide a 50/50 match.
Mr. Jennings said it’s not clear whether USGS will charge the Partnership for a more detailed SOW.
Ms. Napier said task 5, acquire data and administration of Ecosystem Diagnostic and Treatment (EDT) model, relates to the Habitat Workgroup’s efforts. A model has been conducted for the Chehalis Basin; however, the data resides with the consultant. There is no one available locally to administer the model. The idea is to contract with Grays Harbor College and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to acquire EDT data and a license to use the model. Ninety thousand dollars is budgeted in FY 2008 to acquire the data ($40,000) and pay an administrator (Grays Harbor College).
Mr. White conveyed that he will follow up with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about acquiring the data on behalf of the tribes.
Members voiced no objections for staff initiating discussions with DOE about pursuing a contract for SOW for Year 2 of the Watershed Council Grant.
Ms. Napier reviewed the SOW for planning unit support. On behalf of the Partnership, Grays Harbor County has contracted with DOE to enhance the effectiveness of the CBP by building a direct public involvement and outreach capability by increasing staff support. A total of $45,000 was awarded and is reserved for administrative support. She reviewed project tasks. Twenty thousand dollars is apportioned for FY 2008. The remaining $25,000 is allocated to backfill the outreach component and helps fund the Watershed Coordinator in 2009.
Members voiced no objections to the SOW for a grant between DOE and Grays Harbor County for planning unit support.
Ms. Napier reviewed the job description for a full time, contracted Watershed Coordinator. She described Grays Harbor County’s Statement of Qualifications (SOQ), recruitment process, and the county’s facilitation in selecting the candidate. General roles, responsibilities, recommended qualifications, and direction was reviewed. Ms. Napier clarified that Puget Sound Meeting Services (PSMS) will continue to provide meeting summaries.
Mr. Kahle indicated that it’s not the Watershed Coordinator’s responsibility to engage in lobbying efforts on behalf of the CBP.
In response to a question from Mr. Swartout about a timeline, Ms. Napier said pending Partnership approval the intent is to advertise the position in September. Hiring could occur in October or November. Further details will be discussed at the September meeting.
Mr. Jennings suggested revising the third line within the fourth bullet under recommended qualifications to read, “… with citizens and/or natural resource constituent groups is also…”
Mr. Harris said regardless of grant funding availability, it’s important that the Partnership commit to funding the position.
Mr. Hojem agreed the person filling the position should feel comfortable that their job is secure.
Discussion followed about organizational structure and financial advantages associated with nonprofits.
The Partnership generally concurred and directed Ms. Napier to move forward with advertising the position.
Mr. Swartout and members complimented and thanked Ms. Napier for her work to create a work program and budget summary.
Ms. Napier reviewed the work program and budget summary matrix components - project lead, grant/program, tasks per contract, deliverables, due dates, FY 2008 budget, and whether funding is secure.
Chair Canaday asked Ms. Napier to post the summary on the Partnership’s website to inform the public about activities occurring within the Chehalis Basin.
Chehalis Watershed Festival Update
Mr. Hill provided a festival report. The core group meets again on August 28, 2007 to assemble teacher packets. Packets include resource materials for third grade through high school students. He said he hopes to have a packet for members to review at the next meeting. Kathy Jacobson and Danielle Warner will hand deliver packets to teachers. Ms. Warner is working on a brochure for distribution at the second annual festival scheduled for Saturday, October 13, 2007 in Aberdeen. The Chehalis River Story DVD is in progress. It will be included in teacher packets or mailed out at a future date. Several people have contributed pictures.
Ms. Holbrook-Shaw provided an update on festival activities. Ms. Pittman is working on a calendar highlighting activities during the week of October 6 – 13, 2007. Input is welcome. Activities include organic and non-organic farm tours in the basin, shellfish tours, and a children’s fishing event on October 6, 2007 to kick off the week. The Tall Ship Harbor Festival is also on October 13, 2007. She expressed excitement about this year’s watershed festival event. Vendors are not permitted to sell. Local artists and farmers will promote and/or display services and/or products.
Mr. Hill said core members will ask counties and/or cities for proclamations recognizing watershed week and/or the watershed festival.
Mr. Swartout asked that a festival representative plan to attend the Thurston Board of County Commissioners meeting to accept the proclamation.
Members discussed local entity due dates for timely issuing proclamations. Ms. Napier said she is working on the text and will coordinate scheduling with local entities.
Ms. Napier reported Ms. Pittman and Ms. Jacobson are attending a Farm City Dinner on September 27, 2007. One issue is whether members would like the STC to develop a message on behalf of the Partnership that Ms. Pittman could present at the dinner meeting. A majority of the time will be devoted to the Chehalis Basin Educational Consortium, Mr. Hill’s slide show, and discussion on possible agricultural restoration projects and funding from US FWS. Ms. Pittman would like to develop a handout about funding opportunities and a fact sheet about US FWS’s restoration and diversion program.
Members directed the STC to develop a message on behalf of the Partnership.
Ms. Napier asked whether members are agreeable to include US FWS and others as project sponsors on festival materials.
There were no objections about naming groups or individuals contributing to the success of the festival as sponsors.
Review Salmon Recovery Funding Board 8th Round Grant Cycle Project List
Ms. Napier distributed Appendix C-1, a ranked list of Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) projects proposed for the eighth round grant cycle. Ten draft applications were submitted. She reviewed the process that included meeting with project sponsors in early June, providing feedback to reviewers, and project sponsors revising and resubmitting applications by the first of August. Final applications were distributed to the local review group that met in August and developed the ranked project list. The Partnership is serving as a citizen review group. If approved, she said she will present the list to Grays Harbor Commissioners and submit the list for consideration. Funding decisions will occur in December/January. She reviewed the projects in further detail including prospective sponsor, SRFB funding request, and sponsor match. The top four projects are guaranteed funding:
1. Controlling salmon impeding weeds in the Chehalis Basin
2. North Fork Little Hoquiam dam removal
3. Budd Creek barrier culvert correction
4. Sampsom acquisition
5. Mills property acquisition
6. Eaton Creek barrier correction
Discussion ensued about why project #6 is not ranked higher. Mr. Hojem stated he’s unsure whether the Partnership would allocate funds to acquire land. Ms. Napier said the ranking is directly related to ranking criteria. Budd Creek has a depressed stock while Eaton Creek does not. Additionally, there is an unwilling landowner near the Eaton Creek barrier correction project.
Ms. Napier noted another component of the North Fork Little Hoquiam dam removal project is that the city is placing a water right into trust once the barrier correction is open.
Members voiced no objections to Chair Canaday signing Appendix C-1 – Lead Entity List.
In response to a request from Mr. Beerbower, Ms. Napier outlined project locations.
Ms. Holbrook-Shaw left the meeting at 11:11 a.m.
Mr. Jennings reported the state recently lost a lawsuit concerning fish passage through barriers and culverts. He suggested scheduling a briefing within the next several months about potential implications to counties and cities. Mr. Swartout agreed and added that further clarity about what Puget Sound and West Coast tribes are willing to accept to resolve the lawsuit should surface next week.
Closing Comments and Adjournment
With there being no further business, Chair Canaday adjourned the meeting at 11:17 a.m.
Prepared by Cheri Lindgren, Recording Secretary
Puget Sound Meeting Services