May 30, 2002

The May 30, 2002 meeting of the Kittitas County Water Purveyors (KCWP) was held at Hal Holmes. The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Kevin Eslinger. Those in attendance were Greg Bohn, Jane Creech, DOE; Carol Ready, Barbara Pettit, Roger Stanik, Jim Schnebly, Kittitas Reclamation District; Steve Rosbach, Kevin Eslinger, Denmark Irrigators; Jack Clerf, Tony Jantzer, Cascade Irrigation District; Jay Anderson, Vern Burghart, Westside Irrigating Co.; Ben George, Taneum Ditch Co.; Pat Taylor, Olsen Ditch; Anna Lael, Kittitas County Conservation District; Pat Monk, Joint Board Fish Biologist; Doss Roberts and Chet Morrison.

1. Call to order

Kevin Eslinger, Vice Chairman declared the agenda for the May 30^th meeting approved as presented.

2. October 11, 2001 and February 28, 2002 Minutes

The minutes of the October 11^th and February 28^th meeting were approved as presented.

3. Activities Update

Carol Ready presented updated information on the legal formation of KCWP explaining forming as a Board of Joint Control is not an option at this time without a legislative change. Carol explained after lengthy discussion with the IRS it appears KCWP could qualify for 503c status.

4. Fish Screen Funding

Carol explained the BPA contract is being sent for signatures. Carol further explained the BPA money covers fish screens, riparian enhancements, fish ways and on farm water use efficiency. Carol also explained there is no relinquishment of water with the BPA contract.

5. 2002 Water Quality Monitoring Overview

Carol explained there is now a temperature TMDL on the Teanaway and temperature is the focus of future local TMDL’s. Carol further explained she is looking for 40 locations to install loggers on tributaries, irrigation delivery systems, runoff water, or seepage water out of fields to collect air, soil and water temperature data. Carol explained the loggers will monitor every 15 minutes for a couple of months. Carol explained the water quality this year does not include as many sites or as many perimeters. This year water quality sampling includes temperature, total suspended solids and turbidity. Assessment will be done for turbidy coming off fields and in road ditches explaining it is one way to determine what land use practices are doing.

6. Steelhead ESA Status Review

Pat Monk presented information on the Steelhead ESA Status explaining the Yakima Basin has been the main group to help with funding for the project. Pat explained the project is to assess the viability of steelhead in the region. The NMFS steelhead listing in this region was done in the 1990’s which was a low point for steelhead with some rivers seeing a steep decline. A big concern listed in the federal register was stray fish entering specific river basins. Habitat concerns were also listed. 2001 legal decisions prompted NMFS to review the status of the steelhead populations and have asked for new data and analysis. NMFS will analyze all the new data to for a determination on delisting of steelhead.

7. Kittitas County Conservation District Update

Anna Lael presented information on the Irrigation Efficiencies Program explaining enough funding has been allocated to hire a staff person. Anna further explained a portion of water saved through this program must be placed in the State Water Trust limiting eligible participants.

Anna explained the Teanaway Project is funded through DOE is designed to assist landowners to converted to a more efficient system not addressed through the USBR project. Anna explained the PAM cost share program and water quality monitoring will continue this year.

8. TMDL Update

Jane Creech, DOE, explained Max Linden is leaving DOE and Chris Hall will be moving to another department within DOE. Jane Creech presented information on the Teanaway Temperature TMDL explaining she has prepared a draft document for review. Jane explained the Upper Yakima TMDL technical report was published in April and she has copies available tonight. Greg Bohn, DOE, presented information on fecal coliform studies explaining he is gathering data and has noticed from the upper watershed to the first canal the bacteria looks significantly less and from the first to the second canal the bacteria is increasing and down past Ellensburg in the Badger Creek area the bacteria is high explaining it appears there is a significant increase as you come through the different areas. The source of the fecal coliform is not know at this time. Greg estimated the technical report may be prepared by year end.

9. NPDES for Aquatic Herbicides, Possible KCWP Involvement

Carol Ready explained a meeting was held with Kittitas Reclamation District, Cascade Irrigation District and Westside Irrigating Company to discuss aquatic herbicides and NPDES permits. Carol further explained KCWP could provide water sampling and shipping for aquatic herbicides with costs on a reimbursable basis at a rate to be determined. Discussion followed regarding the requirements for certification of individuals performing the water sampling and sampling requirements.

10. Meeting Schedule

Vice Chairman, Kevin Eslinger, announced the next meeting will be scheduled as needed.

11. Adjourn

All Business having been concluded the meeting adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted

Kevin Eslinger, Vice Chairman