May 31, 2001

The May 31, 2001 meeting of the Kittitas County Water Purveyors was called to order by Chairman Pat Clerf. Those in attendance were Carol Ready, Barbara Pettit, Jack Carpenter, Roger Satnik, Jim Schnebly, Kittitas Reclamation District; Pat Clerf, Ellensburg Water Company; Jane Creech, Washington State Department of Ecology; Anna Lael, Kittitas County Conservation District; Vern Burghart, Westside Irrigating Co.; David Chain, Natural Resource Conservation Service; Pat Monk, Joint Board Fish Biologist; Steve Rosbach, Kevin Eslinger, Denmark Irrigators; Dick Bain, Wold Ditch; Jim Milton, Tri County Water Resources Agency; Ben George, Taneum Ditch Co.; Doss Roberts; Steve George, Hop Growers of Washington.

1. Call to order

Pat Clerf, Chairman, declared the agenda for the May 31, 2001 meeting approved as presented. The minutes of the March 29, 2001 meeting were approved as presented.

2. Staff Update

Carol Ready apprised the KCWP she is preparing a letter to the USBR requesting technical assistance to enhance irrigation district conveyance and on farm water use efficiency. Carol further explained this request is for funding through the USBR water conservation field services program in cooperation with Cal-Poly, which could include lining, piping, managing operational spills, designing and location of re-regulation reservoirs and various things to help irrigation. Carol explained the USBR may require the KCWP to be an established legal entity before funding could be awarded to them.

Carol presented information on a grant application submitted to DOE for $245,000.00 for funding for fiscal years 2002, 2003 & 2004 for water quality monitoring and TMDL pre-implementation work. Carol also presented information on a grant application submitted to the Bonnevile Power Administration through their fish recovery program for Phase III Yakima Tributary Screening and Habitat Program for $12,700,000.00 for a 5 year program in conjunction with KRD, USBR, Wash. State Fish & Wildlife, Autanum Irrigation District and Kittitas and North Yakima County Conservation Districts. Carol also submitted a grant proposal for $1,500,000.00 to Bonneville Power Administration for early action items. Carol presented information on the KCWP involvement with the Upper Yakima TMDL at the Water Summit Conference in Yakima.

Roger Satnik presented information on the DOE Hydro Grant (30K) explaining task 1 and 2 monies are expended and include the installation of five loggers on the Wipple Wasteway for flow study however USBR matching funds have not been received for completion of the study. Task 2 included working with CWU to create an updated hydrologic layer for the Kittitas Valley.

Carol explained the Small Ranch Manuals are published and available at various locations. Discussion followed regarding making the information available on the Internet.

3. Ecology Grant/Agreement Update – WQ Grant Requirements

Carol explained a requirement of the grant is to identify issues of concern to irrigated agriculture about water quality, prioritize the issues and make recommendations to address the issues and requested input. Carol suggested Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Water Rights, Economic and Financial Consideration and Balance and Equity as issues of concern for discussion. Lengthy discussion followed with the recommendation the strategic plan to implement recommendations be written to address areas in violation of DOE criteria. (SEE ATTACHED)

4. Fish Screens, the manufacturer, the criteria: Is there a Market?

Doss Roberts presented information on fish screens he is designing and developing for use with up to 4cfs. Mr. Roberts explained the basic screen designs would be 1 foot in depth, 18 inches wide and approximately 8 feet long for up to1 cfs and 1 foot in depth, 2 feet wide for up to 2 1/2 cfs and 2 feet in depth and 2 feet wide for up to 4 cfs and constructed of all aluminum and stainless steel. Mr. Roberts explained he is working with the State Department of Fish and Wildlife and National Marine Fisheries in developing the fish screens. The estimated cost for a small unit is $5,000.00 and the minimum cost estimate for any unit with a drum would be $12,000.00 to $15,000.00. Any fish screen installation would require approval from Washington State Fish and Wildlife and National Marine Fisheries.

5. TMDL – From The Farm Perspective

Jane Creech explained the draft technical report for the first portion of the TMDL on the main stem of the Yakima River and is scheduled to available on June 8^th. Jane further explained the report will recommend 18 NTU’s at the mouths of all the tributaries, which is the 90^th percentile, by 2006 or 2007 and meet water quality standards in the main stem and all the drains and tributaries 5 years after that. Jane further explained this is a draft and not the final report and there is opportunity for input and encouraged feedback through the workgroups. Jane explained the public comment period on the Teanaway temperature TMDL closes June 6^th.

6. Meeting Schedule

Chairman Pat Clerf announced the next meeting is scheduled for July 16^th at Sterling Savings.

Respectfully Submitted