May 29, 2003

The May 29, 2003 meeting of the Kittitas County Water Purveyors (KCWP) was held at the Public Utility District. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Pat Clerf. Those in attendance were Pat Taylor, Olson Ditch; Tony Jantzer, Cascade Irrigation District; Dave Duncan, Manastash Creek; Jim Schnebly, Barbara Pettit, Kittitas Reclamation District; Anna Lael, Kittitas County Conservation District; Jane Creech, Washington State Department of Ecology; Vern Burghart, West Side Irrigating Company; Ben George, Taneum Ditch Co.; Pat Clerf, Larry Browne, Ellensburg Water Company; Kevin Eslinger, Denmark Irrigators; Doss Roberts; Kathleen Satnik, Carol Ready; Kittitas County Water Purveryors.

Call to order

Pat Clerf, Chairman declared the agenda for the May 29, 2003 meeting approved as presented.

Activities Update

Carol Ready presented information on the Yakima Sub Basin Planning explaining Kittitas County opted to not participate. Jane Creech, DOE, presented information on the Upper Yakima TMDL Detailed Implementation Plan explaining she had been asked who would like to be the manager for collecting data. Jane asked that anyone interested should contact her as soon as possible. Discussion followed with the consensus discussion should continue with the KCWP Board.

Legislative Update

Carol Ready apprised the Purveyors Governor Locke signed HB 1113 authorizing KCWP to form as a Board of Joint Control effective July 27, 2003.

Water Quality Update

Carol Ready presented information on the 2002-2003 water quality sampling program. Kathleen Satnik presented water quality data from the three types of sampling ; fixed sites, travel sites and irrigation return flows. Carol Ready presented concerns regarding possible problems associated with the USBR Lab in Boise explaining turbidity levels reported may be lower than the actual turbidity.

Water Quality Compliance Policy for Turbidity

Carol Ready explained grant monies were received from DOE to assess the water quality situation and determine what could be done to reduce sediment load, associated pesticide residues, and turbidity. Carol further explained sediment may be reduced through best management practices, implementing sprinklers and improved rill irrigation.

Carol Ready presented a Water Quality Compliance Policy for Turbidity for review and discussion requesting comments submitted to her as soon as possible.

Carol demonstrated how to use the turbidity tubes explaining 50 turbidity tubes are available for landowner use.

Yakima Tributary Access and Habitat Program

Carol Ready explained the FY04 YTAHP funding, effective September, 2003 through September, 2004, includes projects in Kittitas and Yakima Counties including KCWP and may include additional project monies and cost share.

Anna Lael, KCCD, distributed the May, 2003 Kittitas County Conservation District Newsletter. Anna presented information on KCCD early action projects funded through YTAHP including removing a culvert that is a fish barrier and a flood hazard on Coleman Creek and installing fish screens and improving water use efficiency with sprinkler irrigation on the lower end of Dry Creek.

Yakima Tributary Stream Assessments

Anna Lael explained the stream assessment process and explained that approximately 31 miles of streams in Kittitas County including Coleman Creek, Dry Creek, Cabin Creek and Naneum Creek are included in the YTAHP stream assessments inventory fish passage barriers, diversions and stream gradient.

Meeting Schedule

Chairman, Pat Clerf, announced the next meeting will be October, 2003.

All Business having been concluded the meeting adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted

Pat Clerf, Chairman