PressRelease:






PBWC REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
01 June 2011

Meeting was called to order at 5:30pm by Tim Bliss, Chairman

Recognition of Guests / Commissioners Comment / Unscheduled Public Input
No guests present; Peggy Browne not arrived yet.

Approval of Minutes: 05/04/11
• Tim Bliss noted that page 2 – Burnt River Subbasin Main Stem. Coordinator reported that Bliss presentation at Huntington HS happened the day after the May meeting. The section needs to be moved to the June Minutes.
• Jerry Franke asked for revision of his announcement that "he has several old-style recording devices (A-35s / A-71s) to that he may donate to interested parties."
• The May minutes were approved as revised by Council consensus.

Watershed Status Reports:

Powder Basin:
- Small Grant Program- No report.
- Basin Municipalities- Eric reported that Rock Creek volume is down from 2 weeks ago.
- Monitoring Program Development- EPA budget is in holding pattern.
- WASH Committee – Aaron reported that the WASH budget is in red ink (~ 1 month).
- DEQ-TMDL Process – No Report.
- Significant Points of Diversion – Rick Lusk reported that, to date, 33-36 points of diversion have been completed to specifications, which includes installation of measuring devices. After the meeting he submitted information that: of 36 High priority SPODs identified in District 8:
o 30 measurement devices installed
o 3 under approved work plan development
o 1 w/o installed measurement device
o 2 abandoned.


Status Update on WASH Feasibility Study for Water Storage and WASH Committee Activity:
Peggy Browne, Director of the Baker County WASH Committee, briefed the Council on past and current activities. Peggy explained that the water storage appraisal study has been 2 years in the making and that the draft is out now with comments due by May 1st. The draft is not posted for public review, decision per USBR. The final report is targeted for July 2011.

The draft is disappointing for the Ag community in the Powder Basin. The economic analysis (cost to benefit ratio) was calculated on only 2 factors of the 5 factors comprising the value of a multi-beneficial use project. Those factors are irrigation, flood control, recreation, hydro power, and instream flows. The committee will submit comments on the need for the cost-to-benefit ratio to be based on all 5 factors and not just on irrigation and flood control.

Peggy announced that the best cost-to-benefit ratios were found on Hardman (Burnt River) and Thief Valley (Powder River) Reservoirs. She repeated that the draft USBR study is not available for public review but that the WASH draft document, “Ecologically Adaptive Water Management Program”, is available for review. The document is the result of a literature review combining all Powder Basin data on water use. It is available online on the OWRD website; contact <peggy@browneconsulting.biz>. Peggy encouraged anyone to contact her on questions or comments.

The WASH committee has 3 current priorities they are working on:
• Submitting the written input for the final water storage appraisal document
• Submitting a Systems Optimization Review grant to collect hydrological data for the Powder Basin
• Submitting grant proposals to Idaho Power for funding water management studies and projects in the Powder Basin.

In a question and answer period, Peggy stated:
• A fish passage component will be a part of every project proposed and undertaken.
• An aim of the WASH committee is “100% control” of all water in the basin.
• The term, “Beneficial Use,” includes stream health.

Watershed Status Reports (continued):
Brownlee Subbasin:
- Brownlee Reservoir Assessment- Tim Bliss reported that he is currently reviewing 3 chapters: Introduction, Historical and Hydrology & Water Use. Karen had a question on the CERP product. Vicki explained that it is a database for the Council to use in prioritizing watersheds for restoration.
Burnt River Subbasin:
- Main Stem- Tim Bliss reported that his presentation at Huntington High School went very well. He gave his slide presentation to the whole school in the gymnasium; then he proceeded to the field with the Science teacher and the 7th & 8th graders. The students were engaged and taking transects of the cemetery groundcover was good practical application of the classwork. Student data was very good and confirmed Tim’s estimate from the internet aerial photos that the groundcover there is at about 65%. The Council thanked Tim for his excellent education and outreach event; the WC needs to follow up with more of the same. Other watershed reports were tabled due to time constraints.
- North Fork – Suzanne reported that the fencing of the aspen stands is scheduled to begin in July. The poles and rails are being manufactured by Parma Post and Pole.

Steve Edwards presented the 2nd, 3rd and 4th goal drafts to the Council. He explained that the Board of Directors is working on these yet but that we hoped that the General Council would give input and suggestions. Again he repeated that the Work Plan is a companion (short-term) document to the Strategic Plan already approved by the Council. The Work Plan will serve to guide the Board and the staff in directing Council operations through the next biennium. The council reviewed the draft. One change was indicated: Goal 2 – “Keep landowners and the greater public informed and facilitate their involvement….” Denine Schmitz asked how we will measure progress toward our goals. The Board will consider this question as they work through the planning process.

Vicki asked for direction from the Council as to Work Plan review on future Council agendas. The Council agreed that it would like to have Steve lead us under Board direction and Council approval, goal by goal, in future brief agenda items.

OWEB Board & Budget Outlook / Watershed Council Support – Karen explained the Measure 66 Lottery funding wherein 70% of lottery funds are managed by OWEB and of that percentage 35% are designated non-capital leaving 65% in capital funding for restoration projects. Due to some political pressures, the 65% restoration funding may be at risk. Karen noted that the PBWC ranked in the “Very Good” category and that lack of detail on the grant application probably kept us back from a better ranking. She closed by mentioning that monitoring applications will be accepted in October and encouraged the council to apply.

PBWC Board of Directors Report - Tabled due to time constraints


The meeting was adjourned at 7:32pm

Council Attendance: 9 members [Quorum = 6]
Tim Bliss, Chair Denine Schmitz Eric Schoenfeld, Treasurer
Jerry Franke Rick Lusk Paul Wares Aaron Umpleby
Steve Edwards Suzanne Fouty
Vicki Wares, Coordinator

Non-member Attendance
Peggy Browne, Director Baker County WASH Committee
Karen Leiendecker, OWEB Eastern Region Representative

Attachments: None


Next Monthly Meeting
July 6, 2010
5J District Supervisor’s Office; North Conference Room
4th and Broadway 5:30 p.m.
Meetings of the PBWC are open to the public. All are welcome.