Kittitas County Water Purveyors

Minutes of Regular Meeting

                                                          February 24, 2004

 

The Board of Directors of the Kittitas County Water Purveyors met in Regular Session on February 24, 2004.  Directors in attendance were

Chairman Pat Clerf and Kevin Eslinger.  Also in attendance were Urban Eberhart, Larry Bland, Ed Wakkuri, Brad Haberman, Roger Satnik, Kathleen Satnik, Carol Ready, Jack Carpenter, Tony Jantzer, Jane Creech, Janeice Jump, Tom Myrum, Washington State Water Resources, Linda Crerar and Greg Wright, Washington State Department of Agriculture.

 

The Minutes of the January 20, 2004 meeting were approved as presented with a motion from Kevin Eslinger and seconded by Pat Clerf.

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Tom Myrum, Linda Crerar and Greg Wright presented information on the Comprehensive Irrigation District Management Plans explaining this program was designed for irrigation districts or other delivery of water dealing with ESA and the Clean Water Act.  The CIDMP guidance document, if followed closely, provides districts with one clear pathway to address impaired water quality conditions.  Tom continued explaining the main idea comes from REF 38 Comprehensive Water Conservation Plans with the methodology from the CWCP adopted for the CIDMP along with the effect of ESA and Clean Water Issues on operations.  Tom continued explaining the development of the 10-step plan to developing a Comprehensive Irrigation District Management Plan.  Tom discussed the development and implementation of the CIDMP in a pilot project with the Dungeness Water Users Association.  Tom explained the most important factor in preparing a CIDMP is the starting point and the second most important factor is the formation of the technical advisory team that serves as the core of the process.  Linda Crerar explained that an important part of the process is to make sure agriculture is viable and remains viable.  Tom continued explaining the Dungeness Water Users Association has been a very positive experience and success thus far explaining the process is not yet complete.  Linda Crerar explained the CIDMP is a voluntary not a prescriptive process and projects have the authority to end the process at any time.  Linda further explained the CIDMP is a performance-based approach.

 

Linda explained they approached the Salmon Recovery Funding Board for funding and received $500,000 to start up to 3 pilot projects.  Linda continued explaining the State of Washington allocated up to $1.1 million out of the Centennial Clean Water Fund to help complete the 3 current pilot projects and start at least three new pilot projects.  Linda continued explained there is funding available to start the CIDMP and they have been successful in getting additional resources for continuing.

Lengthy discussion followed with Tom, Linda and Greg explaining they would be available to return to discuss the CIDMP.  Tom Myrum thanked all entities for their support of the Washington State Water Resources Association.  Tom, Linda and Greg left the meeting at this time.

 

Carol Ready presented update information on YTAHP explaining Tucker Creek is on the to do list.  Carol continued explaining progress continues on the Manastash Project explaining permits are going fairly smooth and there is discussion regarding hiring a consultant for design and management.

 

Jane Creech distributed and explained the posters being distributed by DOE regarding herbicide and chemical collections.  Jane further explained the report on temperatures is scheduled to be written by DOE in 2006 and suggested any input on temperatures should be provided to DOE.

 

Kathleen Satnik apprised the Board David Schneider has taken over the  Grant Manager position from Pat Irle.  Kathleen also apprised the Board the FY 2005 grant application has been completed and submitted.  Kathleen explained KCWP will receive an extra 100 points for being the “top priority” project for WRIA 39 as it is the only application submitted the WRIA.

 

Kathleen further apprised the Board BMP assistance fliers were mailed to landowners in the Kittitas Reclamation District, Bull Ditch, Cascade Irrigation District with Ellensburg Water Company going out February 25th and names and addresses needed from West Side.

 

Kathleen apprised the Board she has attended Ellensburg Water Company, Bull Ditch and West Side meetings and the Kern Growers Meeting is scheduled for March 2nd.

 

Kathleen apprised the Board the interim report for the current 319 grant is due the end of March and will include water quality data from 2002 through 2004.

 

Kathleen apprised the Board the KCWP water quality lab passed the first on-site inspection and she has received verbal approval from David Schneider, DOE Grant Manager, to purchase all equipment necessary for running total suspended solids (TSS) with current grant funds.

 

Kathleen apprised the Board three turbidimters and loggers for monitoring water quality are currently located at Teanaway by Lambert Rd. Bridge, Naneum at Fiorito and Wilson near the mouth of the Yakima Canyon with another one going in tomorrow on Upper Naneum.  Kathleen explained the turbidimeters and loggers have recorded important data for background and are catching the natural events.

 

Kathleen apprised the Board Ellensburg Water Company is listed on the new 303(d) explaining comments have been submitted. 

 

Chairman Pat Clerf announced the next KCWP Board meeting will be March 23, 2004.

 

All business having been concluded the meeting adjourned. 

 

 

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Pat Clerf, Chairman