PressRelease:






PBWC REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
05 December 2007



Meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Tim Bliss, Chair.

Approval of Minutes: 11/07/07 – Jim Young indicated two revisions, page 2: Status Report on Council Projects,  Pine Creek – 5 Point Diversion: “ODFW commits requested $65K for the screen portion, the web wedge bar costing ~$30K. In full consensus, the council approved the November minutes as revised.


Recognition of Guests / Unscheduled Business:

Guests: Mike McNamara, guest presenter
Lyle Defrees, Sumpter Valley landowner
Dan Warnock, Sumpter Valley landowner
Bob Gecy, USFS and Baker Valley landowner


PRESENTATION – LiDAR FLIGHT, SUMPTER VALLEY DREDGE TAILINGS:

Mike McNamara updated the council on the status of the Watershed Action Plan for the Sumpter Valley Dredge Tailings (SVDTs). He explained usage impacts on the area including mining, grazing, sediment deposition and the Sumpter Valley Rail Road. He stated that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently testing the dredge tailings for residual mercury and explained the concerns expressed over disturbing the tailings. Mike did not know the test results but stated that the summaries can be referenced on the EPA website.

Via a power point presentation, Mike gave a status report on the Watershed Council/Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)-sponsored grant for the LiDAR (“light detection and ranging”) flight over the dredge tailings. The flight took place in September and Mike has received the data generated from it. The US Forest Service (USFS) and USBR will coordinate integration of the data into an aerial topographical map modeling terrain on 1’ contours. The cost savings of aerial data gathering is great when compared to total station (land generated) surveys. The knowledge to be gained from the flight products is well worth the grant dollars spent.

Mike closed by stressing that the Watershed Council invited all partners to participate in project planning during the Upper Powder Watershed Action Plan meetings. Mike is still extremely interested in the project though he now is no longer with the Wallowa-Whitman. He still works for the USFS and is able to continue leading the project. Lorrie Harvey left the Baker County Parks and Recreation Department. She has been replaced by Karen Spencer. The County is the most integral partner in the project. Mike is communicating with Karen. Other important partners are very interested in the project, i.e. local landowners, the USFS, USBR, Watershed Sciences Consulting, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, etc. A suggested plan of action for closing down the LiDAR component of the project is to project a 30% design over the whole reach with a specific detailed pilot project design for Section 10, below Highway #7.

Mike defined next steps:
1. Meet with Baker County/Parks & Recreation
2. Letter of support from the Watershed Council to partners, e.g. Baker
County, Baker Valley Irrigation District, Baker Valley SWCD,
landowners, USBR, etc.
3. Coordinate with USBR on the data summaries.
4. Begin gathering quotes on restoration design costs from consultants.
5. Search for funding.

The long-term project goal is to restore a properly functioning floodplain on the tailings. This enhances fish habitat, bull trout recovery and reduction of sediment sources. Lyle Defrees and Dan Warnock noted that there is more sediment deposition occurring at the upper end of the tailings than at the reservoir entrance and suggested that sediment deposition should be tested throughout the tailings. Mike will check accumulated records and stated that the LiDAR data could help answer sediment questions.

Dan pointed out that the tailings are undergoing remarkable healing on their own. Years ago the tailings were approximately 64% bare and now revegetation is extensive. River meanders are also restoring. Mike acknowledged that more information is needed but that the data evaluation from the flight should answer many of the questions and confirm observations. He called for a meeting hosted by the Watershed Council to identify the next steps and build a time line for the project.


GENERAL BUSINESS:

PBWC Fiscal Agent Status:

Attorney, Charlie Vaughan, addressed the council on our operational status and risk coverage. He was able to confirm that currently we are not a public entity and that to restructure ourselves into one would change who we are and how we operate. Thus, as structured, we do not qualify for Special Districts Association of Oregon (SDAO) risk and liability coverage. Furthermore, we probably do not want to move in that direction.

Charlie’s recommendation is that we shop for standard coverage from commercial sources. He pointed to questions we should be answering:
• We should approach Baker County. Do they carry group insurance that we may buy into? What are the County errors and omission policies covering liability for county committees?
• We should ensure we are covered for employment discrimination suits and that we have enough liability coverage for our appointed board members. How do insurance companies address this?
• What coverage does OWEB provide in specific terms? There are certainly gaps and these should be identified. What should we be looking for?
• Can the Network of Oregon Watershed Councils buy insurance to blanket all councils?

PBWC Fiscal Operations:

Vickie Valenzuela, Council Treasurer, laid banking operations options before the council. She recommended Banner and Sterling Banks as offering the best savings rate and checking efficiency. The Council noted that Sterling Bank offered as good savings as Banner and that our bank account is currently with them. The Council directed by consensus vote that the Treasurer open a Money Market account at Sterling (Business Power Plus Account).


Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Council and the Conservation Districts:

The Council viewed the MOA currently proposed for submission to the Districts. The only change proposed by the Steering Committee is that of employer for the PBWC. There is still language describing the Baker Valley SWCD as employer for Council staff. The Council proposed changing the MOA to reflect the Watershed Council as its own employer. The Council agreed with the above proposal in full consensus.


Watershed Council Work Plan 2007-09
The Work Plan was tabled.


NOWC State Gathering of Watershed Councils:

Vicki Wares, Council Coordinator, thanked the Council for the opportunity to attend the state-wide gathering of Watershed Councils. The political networking and training opportunities presented there were relevant and important. She stated that it is also a significant benefit to this council to serve on the NOWC board of directors for the Southeast region. The network is establishing itself as a 501(c)(3) and important proposals are being considered which affect:
• Voting representation,
• NOWC support from its Watershed Council members and,
• NOWC responsibilities to the councils it is formed to support.
Vicki would like to make a series of future reports on the sessions and workshops she attended. Dan Weitz confirmed the importance of PBWC’s active participation in state-wide activities.


Status Report on Council Projects:

 The Powder River – Kirkway Project funding of $37,933.00 has been approved by OWEB. Tim Bliss and Darrell Dyke will serve as the technical advisors and project leads. They met with Vicki November 26th to prepare a time line and the Request for Proposal (RFP) for engineering survey and design. Tim expressed his disappointment that the project will not be on target for 2008 implementation. The goal, however, will be to submit grant applications for implementation before the OWEB deadline of October 20, 2008. If funding is secured implementation would occur fall of 2009.

 Jim Young reported that the Pine Creek floodplain planning team met with Idaho Power representatives regarding stream gauging stations on Pine Creek. Flow data will be an extremely important parameter in developing a flood mitigation plan. The City Recorder of Halfway also attended to gain information on water quality monitoring. The ODEQ is mandating the city to monitor flow, temperature and turbidity. Jim updated the Council on the committee membership. Jerry Franke resigned his membership due to travel difficulty (too far) and Marion Crow has not been able to attend due to health. Patty Walker of Halfway, Hells Canyon Journal reporter, has agreed to serve with original members: Jim, Bruce Lindley, Tim Bliss and Suzanne Fouty. A committee meeting will be planned to outline the Scope of Work for a professional watershed plant to be written.

 Jim also reported that the 5 Point diversion implementation funding is not available until the permitting is completed. This will make readying the construction materials this winter difficult but Jim is working hard to finish the permitting.


Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Council Attendance: [11 members, 9 voting]
7 = Quorum Eric Schoenfeld Timothy Bliss, Chairman
Jim Young Suzanne Fouty
Aaron Umpleby Bruce Lindley
Jerry Franke Paul Wares
Dan Weitz Darrell Dyke
Vickie Valenzuela Vicki Wares, Council Coordinator

Others Attending: None Attachments: None


Next Council Meeting
January 9, 2008
5:30 p.m. School District 5J Supervisor’s Office
SE Corner 4th and Broadway