Rochester, Washington
August 22, 2008
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Draft Meeting Summary
MEMBERS & ALTERNATES PRESENTBonnie Canaday, Chair, City of CentraliaBob Beerbower, Grays Harbor CountyMark Swartout, Thurston County (Alternate)Kahle Jennings, City of Centralia (Alternate)Art Lehman, Port of CentraliaChris Hempleman, Department of Ecology Bill Schulte, Lewis County Farm Bureau Jim Hill, Citizen, Lewis County (Alternate) Patrick Wiltzius, City of Chehalis (Alternate) Mark White, Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation (Alternate) Bob Macleod, Thurston CountyLyle Hojem, Citizen, Lewis CountyTeri Liomin, Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force (Alternate) |
Janel Spalding, Grays Harbor CollegeDon Loft, The Evergreen State CollegeEric Devlin, Nature ConservancySara Sutherland, AmeriCorpsLorena Merchant, Grays Harbor CollegeBirdie Davenport, Department of Natural Resources Pete Holm, Chehalis River CouncilLonnie Crumley, Streamworks ConsultingNancy Allison, Washington Coast Sustainable Salmon Partnership Cheri Lindgren, Puget Sound Meeting Services Guy McMinds, Quinault Indian Nation |
Chair Bonnie Canaday called the Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. Everyone present provided self-introductions.
The following corrections were requested to the July 25, 2008 minutes:
· Clarify that Mr. Penberth was not complaining about the unavailability of the June minutes but was stating the CBP was in violation of the Open Public Meeting Act (OPMA).
Ms. Spaulding noted the Partnership is only required to publish meeting announcements and notices in the newspapers, which has been done.
· Dave Vasilauskas is a representative from Chehalis rather than Centralia.
The June 27 and July 25 minutes were approved as amended.
Nancy Allison, Executive Director, Washington Coast Sustainable Salmon Partnership, outlined the boundaries of the coastal region. She presented the ranked lead entity list of projects for consideration for Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) funding. The Partnership needs to approve the list prior to submittal to the Resource and Conservation Office in Olympia by September 8, 2008. The lead entity list will be presented to the Grays Harbor County Board of Commissioners for final approval on August 25, 2008.
The top three projects selected for funding include:
· Chehalis Water Typing Assessment - $80,000
· Hoquiam River Surge Plain Acquisition - $389,100
· McCormick Creek Fish Passage Correction - $176,954
The projects total $646,054. Approximately $639,209 is available to the lead entity, which represents 9% of the statewide allocation. Hoquiam River Surge Plain Acquisition sponsors agreed to accept less than the proposed request to enable funding of all three projects. The full coastal allocation is $1.8 million.
Ms. Allison reported she met with the four lead coastal entities to discuss how the funds should be allocated. The formula is based on 70% for habitat and 30% for fish. Most of the points and dollars are targeted for improving habitat. This coastal region has relatively healthy fish stocks.
In response to a question from Mr. Jennings concerning the funding allocation, Ms. Allison stated there will be some remaining funds from some lead entity groups. It’s unknown whether those funds can be used to fund new projects identified after the September 8 deadline.
Ms. Allison provided an overview of the top three projects:
· Chehalis Water Typing Assessment. Errors in Washington state water type mapping produced by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) results in under protection of 40% to 60% of fish bearing streams in the state. Work by the Wild Fish Conservancy (WFC) has documented streams mapped incorrectly or not at all limiting the effectiveness of habitat protection on private land under local government land use and state forest practice regulations. The WFC will document and correct water type classifications using established state protocols in approximately 40 square miles of at-risk lands in the Chehalis basin. Under the old rules, only 5.31 acres were protected compared to 25.23 acres protected under the new system at a cost of $2,300. The WFC will work with stakeholders to pinpoint priority sub-watersheds. Results will be incorporated into a web-based interactive Geographic Information System (GIS) available to planners, landowners, and resource managers. The WFC will also submit assessment results to DNR for corrections to state regulatory maps.
· Hoquiam River Surge Plain Acquisition. The proposal is the first of two phases to acquire 1,138 acres or nearly seven river miles including intact riparian habitats critical to rearing depressed salmon stocks. Phase 1 will acquire 714 acres in 2009. Phase 2 will be completed in 2010 and involves acquisition of 426 acres. The project sponsors believe it’s a timely opportunity to acquire several hundred acres of largely intact contiguous riparian wetland habitat from a landowner who has recently divided it into numerous lots for sale.
The project sponsor emphasizes the riparian wetland in question extends along several river miles of the mainstem, west, and middle forks all under tidal influence of good fish and wildlife habitat. The habitat is diverse. The Hoquiam River is home to several species of salmonid two of which are considered depressed stock. Since the riparian area is located just north of Hoquiam and its northern expansion zone and close to Highway 101, it’s threatened with development and subsequent habitat degradation. The lower Hoquiam River already has temperature problems, is rated Class B water by DOE, and is on the 303(D) list because of riparian forest removal. It’s critical remaining riparian habitat remain intact.
Mr. Schulte arrived.
· McCormick Creek Fish Passage Correction. The project replaces a fish barrier on a field crossing located on McCormick Creek. The barrier has been assessed as a total blockage. The barrier correction is rated as a high priority for action in the lead entity work plan and a number one ranked culvert for replacement in the culvert inventory. The existing culvert will be replaced with a 14’ x 70’ bridge. The project will open five miles of quality spawning and rearing habitat. Last winter the US Fish and Wildlife Service Chehalis Fisheries Restoration Program awarded a grant, which will serve as matching funds for the project.
Ms. Allison reviewed three alternate projects:
· Black River Conservation Initiative - $169,705. The project is a multi-year collaborative conservation project protecting unfragmented portions of the Black River watershed to prevent further fragmentation and conversion of an intact ecosystem. The project includes acquisition of both land and water rights. The request only covers a portion of the costs associated with the water right acquisition and will protect 350 acre-feet of water resulting in increased flows for the Black River.
· Preacher’s Slough Fish Passage - $155,000. The primary objectives will provide passage to off channel riparian habitat juvenile anadromous fish and improve hydraulic connectivity between the Chehalis River and its floodplains and wetlands. The slough is completely blocked at the upstream end by Preacher’s Slough Road. The project will correct the barrier and restore fish passage and natural flows through the slough.
· Eaton Creek Fish Passage Correction - $117,974. The project removes the last fish barrier culvert in the Eaton Creek anadromous zone. The project opens 1.5 miles of habitat through placement of a standard low profile bottomless culvert 21.5 feet wide by 56 feet long.
It’s unlikely the SRFB will award more than the $1.8 million allocated to the coastal region.
The lead entity project list was presented to the Partnership for approval.
Mr. Lehman asked which of the top three priorities has the best chance of securing funding. Ms. Allison replied that if the McCormick Creek sponsors are willing to lower their funding request by $6,000, it’s likely all three top priority projects would be funded.
Members concurred with the requested action and approved forwarding the projects for funding consideration.
Mr. Hill thanked project sponsors and the Habitat Work Group for compiling the list of projects.
Ms. Allison congratulated project sponsors. Ms. Allison recognized the efforts of Ms. Napier as lead entity coordinator.
Ms. Hempleman provided a status report on flows in the basin. Currently, there are four gauges in the basin strategically located for flow monitoring purposes. When flows are below a certain level, the Department of Ecology (DOE) notifies upstream landowners to contact DOE about daily water availability. To date, flows have been sufficient and DOE hasn’t issued any letters.
Ms. Spaulding distributed information promoting the Chehalis Watershed Festival and Awareness Week events. The date of the festival is Saturday, September 27, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Morrison Riverfront Park and Rotary Log Pavilion in Aberdeen. She reviewed exhibitors, vendors, and entertainment events. New this year is a water taste test. Ms. Spaulding reviewed a list of activities and sponsors for Awareness Week from September 20-27, 2008. She encouraged members to attend the festival.
Copies of a sample proclamation declaring September 20-27, 2008 Chehalis Watershed Awareness Week were distributed. Ms. Spaulding advised member jurisdictions of the goal to adopt proclamations at their commission, board, or council meetings.
Chair Canaday said a special presentation to the Centralia City Council is scheduled for September 23, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Ms. Spaulding reported Ms. Napier is coordinating a special presentation to the Grays Harbor County Board of Commissioners.
Mr. Swartout advised he will coordinate a date with Ms. Spaulding for Thurston County.
Mr. Wiltzius said he will forward meeting information for the City of Chehalis to Ms. Spaulding.
Mr. White reported the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation Tribal Council typically meets each Tuesday.
Sara Sutherland, AmeriCorps volunteer, briefed the Partnership on the Chehalis River Watershed Pledge. Copies of a presentation were distributed. The pledge provides citizens and businesses with information on how to protect and improve water in local rivers, lakes, streams, and groundwater. The Steering Technical Committee (STC) reviewed the pledge materials earlier in the month and provided feedback. There are plans to rework the map.
Citizens can complete a pledge card and mail it to Grays Harbor College. The pledge initially focused on Grays Harbor County, the major funding contributor. STC members are interested in expanding the pledge basin-wide. The resource page will be revised to reflect each county within the Chehalis basin. The pledge contains eight basin elements involving stormwater, lawn care, animal waste, toxics/hazardous waste, road rage, reducing solid waste, energy use, and getting involved. Ms. Sutherland asked members to review the energy and resource contents.
DOE donated glass sun catchers as incentives to encourage participation. The first 200 people to mail a pledge card will receive a sun catcher. Ms. Spaulding is assisting in the implementation of the watershed pledge and will follow up with pledge respondents.
Mr. Swartout commented that the Thurston Conservation District also has a watershed pledge program. He suggested Ms. Spaulding should coordinate efforts with the conservation district to help reduce confusion between the two programs.
Mr. Wiltzius reported that prescription drugs disposed in toilets eventually pass into the waterways. Dumping household grease in drains causes sewer backups and overflows that also damage streams.
Ms. Sutherland noted that the Chehalis River Watershed Pledge will debut at the Watershed Festival. The intent is to promote a sustainable program. Dunsire Printers Inc., Grays Harbor Paper, and Grays Harbor County are collaborating to print and pay for the first round of the pledge booklets.
Mr. Holm complimented AmeriCorps volunteers for a great job. He said the pledge should serve as a great resource.
Ms. Spaulding invited e-mail comments on the program.
Members were provided with work plan documents. Ms. Spaulding reported on her work with Ms. Napier and the STC to develop a work plan for 2009. She said she is seeking support and approval of the work plan by the Partnership.
Ms. Spaulding said her time is paid through the DOE Planning Unit Support Grant. After expenditure of the funds, time will be funded through the Watershed Council Year 2 (Legislative Appropriation 2) Grant. Materials for projects and other implementations are paid with funds from the WRIA Phase 4 Year 3 DOE grant.
Ms. Spaulding reviewed Task 1 (develop outreach strategies) for the WRIA Phase 4 Year 3 Grant, which includes updating and distributing a survey to measure local citizen values and understanding of watershed management to determine where to target outreach activities. She suggested using the survey created by Mr. Lehr. Mr. Lehr is willing to help analyze the data. Other tasks involve exploring the development of a stream team, modifying existing outreach strategies, and working with the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) to evaluate organizational structure and determine the best way to involve citizen input. Deliverables were highlighted.
Ms. Spaulding presented Task 2; develop outreach materials and newsletters for distribution to local communities and the media. One subtask consists of writing articles highlighting activities/studies in the basin, CBP meetings, and ways people can help improve water quality, quantity, habitat, and publishing the articles on the website and/or in the Drops of Water publication. Other subtasks include developing public service announcements, publishing meeting notices in local newspapers, updating Partnership brochures and outreach information, distributing and updating the Chehalis River Watershed Pledge, and updating the CBP website to improve user-friendliness.
Mr. McMinds suggested researching the geological history of the Chehalis basin and incorporating the information in outreach materials.
Related to the geological history of the basin, Mr. Hill suggested contacting Pat Pringle at Centralia College.
Mr. Swartout suggested mailing an updated brochure to legislators who represent the Chehalis basin area.
Ms. Spaulding reviewed Watershed Council Years 1 and 2 (Legislative Appropriations 1 and 2) Grant tasks, subtasks, deliverables, and budget. The Year 1 Grant is used to advertise and implement Watershed Awareness Week and the Watershed Festival. The Year 2 Grant covers water quality monitoring with the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, GIS Clearinghouse, a portion of Mr. Loft’s time, and Grays Harbor College staff time associated with the Ecosystem Diagnosis and Treatment (EDT) Model. She noted the $75,000 budget for her time is one component of the larger $430,000 grant.
Ms. Spaulding reviewed Planning Unit Support Grant tasks, subtasks, and deliverables. She reported she and Ms. Napier are working to modify the tasks to dovetail with the work plan.
Ms. Spaulding reviewed a matrix translating the facilitator’s contract into a work program. She provided an overview of the time estimated to complete tasks. The position and projects are funded for two years.
· Dr. Joel Green, formerly with the QIN, was hired by Grays Harbor College to replace Mr. Lehr. Dr. Green will attend the next Partnership meeting.
· A presentation by David Batker, Executive Director, Earth Economics.
Mr. Swartout referred to an article published in the Seattle Times on assigning monetary values to the region’s “natural” gifts. It’s an interesting topic Mr. Batker will speak about at the September 26 meeting. Economic science data could be used to augment the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process to improve understanding of economic impacts of a project.
With there being no further business, Chair Canaday adjourned the meeting at 10:42 a.m.
Prepared by Cheri Lindgren, Recording Secretary
Puget Sound Meeting Services