October 11, 2001

The October 11, 2001 meeting of the Kittitas County Water Purveyors was called to order by Vice Chairman Kevin Eslinger. Those in attendance were Carol Ready, Barbara Pettit, Roger Satnik, Jack Carpenter and Jim Schnebly, Kittitas Reclamation District; Vern Burghart, Westside Ditch Co.; Mark Charlton, Kittitas County Farm Bureau; Jane Creech, Washington State Department of Ecology; Kevin Eslinger, Denmark Irrigators; Ben George, Taneum Ditch Co.; Pat Taylor, Olsen Ditch.

1. Call to order

Kevin Eslinger, Vice Chairman declared the agenda for the October 11^th meeting approved as presented. The minutes of the July 26^th meeting were approved as presented.

2. Activities Update

Carol Ready presented information on the Alsea Lawsuit regarding NMFS listing the Coastal Coho Salmon under the Endangered Species Act. The Judge ruled NMFS would delist the Coastal Coho Salmon as specified in the Alsea Lawsuit. Carol further explained other lawsuits are being filed resulting from the ruling including the Columbia Snake River Irrigators and the Kitsap Alliance of Property Owners have petitioned NMFS to delist the Puget Sound Chinook and Hood Canal Summer Run Chum Salmon for similar reasons.

Carol presented information from the Okanogan County Commissioners regarding a lawsuit filed against NMFS on the Methow Valley explaining they are asking for participation in a Brief filed by the Pacific Legal Foundation that will emphasize the need to implement the ESA in a manner that respects the integrity of state control over water resources including watershed planning process constitutional protection for water rights.

Carol presented information on the Black Rock Water Storage explaining the Governor has dedicated $500,000.00 to the project with additional monies identified for other farm relief measures.

Carol presented information on the DOE Grant application explaining the proposal is on the final list for funding.

Carol presented information on the September 25^th KCWP tour explaining it was well attended and a lot of important information was presented.

Carol announced signed 2001 Interlocal Agreements have been received from Ellensburg Water Company and Bull Canal and requested Interlocal Agreements from Olson Ditch, Cascade Irrigation District, Westside Irrigating Co. and Packwood Canal Co. be signed and returned as soon as possible.

3. TMDL Update

Jane Creech, Washington State Department of Ecology, presented a TMDL Update explaining the draft technical report has not been released for the Upper Yakima TMDL. Jane presented information on the Teanaway Temperature TMDL explaining the report has been submitted to the EPA and a detailed implementation temperature TMDL plan is being prepared. Jane explained talks are continuing on what the problems are and what can be done to address them along with looking at the properly functioning conditions. Jane encouraged anyone interested in more information is invited to attend the workgroups being held on the detailed implementation plan explaining a meeting is scheduled at the Swauk Teanaway Grange next week. Jane explained the Upper Yakima TMDL is located in Water Inventory Resource Area (WIRA) #39.

4. Water Law Reform Legislation Development

Carol Distributed and presented information on Water Law Reform Legislation Development including stream flow, water for growing communities, use it or lose it and funding for storage, drinking water.

5. Lead Entity

Kevin Eslinger discussed the lead entity status explaining Kittitas County has agreed to join in with a super majority vote for the citizen group. It is not known if anything was signed. Carol explained the Kittitas County Conservation District may have a proposal to submit to the State Salmon Recovery Funding Board.

6. Water Law Reform Legislation Development

Carol presented information on proposed 2002 legislation by Jim Waldo including stream flow, water for growing communities, use it or lose it and funding for storage, drinking water.

7. Meeting Schedule

Vice Chairman, Kevin Eslinger announced the next meeting will be scheduled for November or December.

Respectfully Submitted

Kevin Eslinger, Vice Chairman