May 27, 1999
Joint Water Purveyor Meeting

The May meeting of the Kittitas County Water Purveyors was called to order by Chairman Pat Clerf at 7:00 p.m. Those in attendance were Jack Carpenter, Barbara Pettit, Roger Satnik, Jim Schnebly and Urban Eberhart, Kittitas Reclamation District; Richard Bain, Wold Ditch; Jeff Brunson, Bull Ditch; Tom Brunson, Packwood Ditch; Vern Burghart, Westside Ditch Co.; Jack Clerf, Cascade Irrigation District; Pat Clerf, Ellensburg Water Co.; Dave Duncan, Manastash Creek; Kevin Eslinger, Steve Rosbach, Denmark Irrigators; Ben George, Taneum Ditch Co.; Pat Monk, Joint Board Fish Biologist; Ray Owens; Ryan Anderson, Washington State Department of Ecology; David Chain, Natural Resources Conservation Service; Anna Olsen, KCCD; Steve Dowling, Kittitas County Cooperative Extension Ag. Agent; Dick Burkhalter, Don Weitkamp, Parametrix Inc.

Item 1. Call to order, introductions

The agenda for May 27, 1999 and the minutes of the April 29, 1999 meeting were approved as presented by a motion from Ben George and seconded by Kevin Eslinger.

Chairman Pat Clerf introduced guest speakers beginning with Greg Fuhrer, USGS National Water Quality Assessment Program.

Greg Fuhrer, US Geological Survey Water Resources Division USGS, distributed information on the National Water-Quality Assessment Program and presented an overview of the NAWQA Study explaining the program is at the local and national levels. Mr. Fuhrer explained the pilot program began in the Yakima River Basin in 1986. Funding has been provided for 2 ½ years of field work and 2 years of report writing. Mr. Fuhrer explained one of the goals is to sample two designated agricultural drainage sites weekly and twice per month at the integrative site near the bottom of the basin during the irrigation season and reduced sampling in non-irrigation season for a one year period. Mr. Fuhrer presented a national listing of pesticides included in the testing perimeters. Mr. Fuher further explained the various testing areas and parameters to be included. Both ground water and surface water studies will be included in the project.

Dick Burkhalter, PE, Environmental Engineer with Parametrix Inc., presented an overview of the company explaining Parametrix Inc. offers comprehensive services for salmon recovery in the Pacific Northwest including Biological Assessments, Habitat Conservation Plans, Permitting, Surface Water Management/Water Quantity and Water Quality. Mr. Burkhalter introduced Dr. Weitkamp Ph.D., Fisheries Biologist who gave a presentation on the Endangered Species Act.

Dr. Weitkamp distributed information and presented an overview on the ESA.

Dr. Weitkamp explained the ESA is very complex and constantly changing.

Anna Olsen, KCCD, and David Chain, Natural Resource Conservation Service, distributed and presented information on the application and use of Polyacrylamides (PAM). Mr. Chain explained PAM is currently used in the Kittitas Valley and has a long history of safety in the food industry and is now being used in the agricultural environment. Pam is applied directly to the furrow to increase water penetration into the soil and help prevent erosion.

4. Anna Olsen, KCCD, presented an overview of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Map explaining a study session is scheduled for May 4, 1999 and encouraged attendance.

5. Roger Satnik, KRD, presented information from the April 19, 1999 samples with the fecal coliform exceeding the DOE recommended standards in 8 out of 10 sites sampled. Roger Satnik further explained the May sampling results were not available. Anna Olsen, KCCD, reported similar results in fecal coliform for April and a spike in fecal coliform on May 4, 1999. Anna Olsen reported the May 19, 1999 sample results for fecal coliform indicate lower levels.

Ryan Anderson, Washington State Department of Ecology, reported their sampling results were not available. Mr. Anderson explained he works in the Water Quality and Education Project and works closely with the Sunnyside/Roza Board of Joint Control and the Conservation Districts.

Mr. Carpenter presented information on the "Auzzie Tube" for measuring turbidity. Mr. Carpenter explained the "Auzzie Tubes" are available through KRD or Anna Olsen at KCCD at a reasonable cost.

Mr. Carpenter presented updated information on the grant process explaining preliminary reports indicate the application is still being considered.

Chairman, Pat Clerf, discussed the summer meeting schedule. Discussion followed with the consensus no meetings be held in June and August with the meeting time to continue at 7:00 p.m.

Sample test results from KRD, DOE and KCCD.

It was suggested Dick Bain present his report pertaining to the Washington State Salmon Recovery.

All Business having been concluded the meeting adjourned.