PressRelease
:
Powder Basin Watershed Council
3990 Midway Drive
Baker City, Oregon 97834
PBWC REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
2 December 2009
Meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Ulee Yanok, Vice Chair.
Recognition of Guests / Unscheduled Business: Commission Chair Fred Warner was welcomed. He thanked the members for their watershed work. He recognized Steve Edwards for his contributions to the Natural Resources Advisory Committee. Commissioner Warner announced that the County Natural Resources Plan is currently being drafted and the Commission is studying consolidation of all the input into a comprehensive plan. Commissioner Warner complimented Steve’s presence as a good fit.
Fred Warner announced the appointment of Jason Bland as new Watershed Council member. The Council extended welcome and asked Jason to introduce himself. Jason stated that he is from Halfway, Oregon. His family owns land on Clear Creek. Currently, however, he is a resident of the Kirkway subdivision, Baker City. Jason has been working with the Watershed Council on the Kirkway – Powder River project. He and Sarah Young have been networking with the other landowners, informing them of the project and encouraging a positive perspective of the proposed changes to their river banks.
Approval of Minutes 11/04/09 – The November Meeting Minutes were reviewed and a correction was made to the Board of Directors’ Report regarding Council staffing. …“funding to support a 20FTE position” was corrected to read, “funding to support a 0.5FTE position”. The minutes were approved as revised by Council consensus.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
Watershed Status Reports
Brownlee Subbasin:
Pine Creek – Jim Young reported that a contractor has been hired for the Brownlee Subbasin Assessment and the Pine Creek plan. Community outreach and education will be conducted this winter through a series of public meetings. The Outreach team will target Richland, Halfway and Huntington for these meetings. Citizens in outlying areas will be invited.
There was no update on the status of the Five Point diversion. Tim Bliss reported that the Boulder Creek report is almost finished. The PowerPoint presentation and an 8 page narrative on the study will be delivered to the Council, the Forest Service and the Assessment contractors.
Snake Tributaries – No update.
Burnt River Subbasin:
North Fork – Susanne Fouty reported on the USFS project targeting Camp, Gimlet, and Trout Creeks. The objective of the project is to protect aspen stands, restore healthy riparian zones and promote habitat for beaver. The focus is on aspen restoration. A secondary objective of the project is to gather goundwater storage data to analyze effects of beaver habitat restoration.
Suzanne is leading the search for project funding from the Forest Service and from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for habitat inclusion fencing. It has been determined that the elk are a major factor in riparian degradation of these sites. When she described the buck & pole fence as very expensive the Council agreed but pointed out that it is the most effective fencing for elk and should last over 15 years.
The project is moving forward now. A Whitman College student crew is being coordinated to monitor the site(s) and to plant and fence, under a program entitled, “Semester in the West”. . Willow slips are the primary planting material for the restoration. Suzanne requested that Jerry Franke assist in generating support from the Burnt River SWCD. She requested that others communicate and encourage public interest in the project.
South Fork – The Council asked Suzanne Fouty if the USFS had restoration plans for creeks feeding the South Fork. Suzanne did not know. There was no update.
Main Stem – Jerry Franke reported that the new Durkee diversion is almost finished. The new diversion will impact water use greatly. Rocks for the push-up dam will be removed from Burnt River and a new concrete structure will be installed.
The SWCD and NRCS are funding a terrific aspen project in the District. An extensive and healthy aspen stand is being fenced with junipers piled 4.5' high - 4' wide on three sides and protected by a rock face on the other side. The Council inquired into the possibility of a field trip to both sites.
Powder River Subbasin:
Upper Powder River – no update
Powder River / Baker Valley – Jason Bland gave a brief update on the Powder River - Kirkway Reach Project. Landowner outreach is proceeding well. Chuck Risley and Jason are the community leads. He complimented the Watershed Council on the landowner informational packets. They are proving to be an extremely valuable outreach tool.
Vicki Wares reported that the matching commitments are looking hopeful. She stated that the City is now very positive regarding hauling and staging the rock for the project if the County could see to donate it. Commissioner Warner indicated that this might be very doable. Specifications call for 500+ yd³ of 24” angular.
Tim Bliss reported that the Baker Sanitary project is still under study. Henceforth it will be referred to as the Sutton Creek Project. Commissioner Warner was very interested in the problems and solutions posed by the landfill site. Tim described the gully, 10' deep. Rainfall and snow melt sheet across land and collect in the gully which is an ephemeral drainage to Sutton Creek. Tim predicts that it will take a long term project to correct issues associated with the landfill.
Powder River / Powder Valley – no update.
Lower Powder River – no update.
Eagle Creek – no update
Commissioner Warner leaves.
Powder Basin: no further updates.
Network of Oregon Watershed Councils:
Sarah Young announced that NOWC is hosting an outreach & communication training in January in Pendleton. Interested members should contact the Watershed Council office.
Vicki Wares reported on the Measure 66 early renewal ballot for continuation of natural resource funding through lottery dollars to OWEB. The ballot is in phase I of the initiative process. The Nature Conservancy has gathered the necessary signatures for submission to the legislature. After scrutiny, December 16th, it will receive a measure number. Its new title will be, “Parks and Natural Resources Renewal Amendment”. The Network has come out in support of the measure. The Watershed Council office has full copies (electronic or hard copy) of:
Resolution adopted by the NOWC Board of Directors to support the measure and
Constitutional amendment as proposed
Permitting Process Defined:
Sarah Young briefed the Council on the permit review meeting hosted by the PBWC, 11/9/2009, in the Baker County Library, Baker City. She distributed an in-depth report on the multi-agency permit pre-application meeting. Copies are available through the Council office. Sarah stressed that, judging from feedback she received, the Council should target another next fall, starting early with preparations.
Vicki Wares asked for feedback from attendees of the meeting. Denine Schmitz commented that she found the process very helpful regarding the projects she is submitting for the Bureau of Land Management. Sarah stated that agency feedback she has received was also positive regarding content and applicability of the review meeting.
Jim Young reminded the Council that the Board of Commissioners requested the Council to help clarify the permitting process. Now after spending a year studying this issue, we are much more educated in the system. Questions to ask yourself if you are considering a restoration project:
Do they have jurisdiction over your project?
Your project might be designed for exemption. Permitting concerns need to be integrated into the project even before the design phase.
Invite the Division of State Lands to visit the site with you to assist in project planning.
Jim outlined Council follow-up:
1. Report to the County Commissioners on the permitting process. This will include presenting the WC as a resource for project planning.
2. Search for funding for another review meeting/workshop.
Powder Basin Watershed Health Concerns:
Steve Edwards distributed his paper, “PBWC Self Evaluation and Strategic Planning Background Information”. Due to time constraints, he suggested that members review the document for comment and revision at the January meeting. The draft is attached to the minutes.
In response to questioning, Steve stated that, “No the Commissioners have not adopted our watershed contribution yet. It has been accepted by the NRAC committee. There are several other sections pending. They cover subjects on mining, water rights, agriculture, recreation, etc. When the whole document is complete, which I think will be in February, it will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for adoption. Given the scope of the document and the policy implications in the County, I suspect that the Commissioners will organize at least one public hearing.”
Steve explained that the County watershed management perspective will, hopefully, be an outgrowth of watershed council perspective. We are the most diverse committee in the County, a valuable government resource. Our current task is to:
1. Integrate the County watershed document with the Watershed Health Concerns of the PBWC. This will provide staff and members with the whole perspective of watershed priorities, which we need for direction of our organization and for obtaining funding for our programs.
2. Complete the self evaluation of effectiveness mandated by the state (our primary funder).
3. Draft a strategic plan for the WC start with self-analysis SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.
Year’s end HOMEWORK for Council members is to study the watershed document and come to the January meeting prepared to discuss, revise and approve of a new statement on PBWC Watershed Health Concerns.
Jim Young stressed that we are at crossroads. We need to analyze where we came from and where we are going. To do this effectively we need a Strategic 5 year Plan. Jim briefed the WC on strategic planning with SWOT. He stated that the facilitator for this process should be an outsider. Jim & Steve will take the lead and will bring an agenda with time line for implementing both the planning and the evaluation.
Appreciation Extended:
Vicki Wares asked for time to thank all the donations of volunteer time for Council Activities. Donors were honored with expressions of gratitude and gifts from Patty Shumway, NRCS Earth Team Coordinator for the State of Oregon.
Sarah Young in particular was honored by the Council for her outstanding achievements as Assistant Council Coordinator. She received small gifts of appreciation in preparation for her life on the west side as a Master’s Program Graduate Student in Public Health Administration.
PBWC Board of Directors Report:
Treasurer’s Report: Eric Schoenfeld reported the fiscal balances as of November 30, 2009.
Checking $ 916.10
Money Market $20,220.24
He stated that he is currently in the process of revising and updating the Council Fiscal Policy which is already out-of-date due to our fast progress in the incorporated, non-profit world.
Council Staffing & Office Space: Vicki reported that the Board is following up on the Council request to consider hiring a part-time employee shared with the Districts. Currently we are in a holding pattern.
Council Meeting Schedule: Vicki presented the 2010 calendar year schedule of regular monthly meetings. All meetings are scheduled for the first Wednesday of every month. There are no conflicts with holidays or other activities at this time. Field Days are scheduled for June and September dependant on Council activities. In lieu of field days, the Council will meet in regular fashion at the 5J District Building. The Council approved the meeting schedule in consensus.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Council Attendance: 13 members, 12 voting [7 = Quorum]
Tim Bliss, Chairman Ulee Yanok, Vice Chairman
Bruce Lindley Eric Schoenfeld, Treasurer
Marion Crow Paul Wares
Jerry Franke Jason Bland
Steve Edwards Jim Young
Denine Schmitz Steve Brink
Suzanne Fouty Sarah Young, Assistant Coordinator
Vicki Wares, Coordinator
Others Attending:
Fred Warner, Baker County Commissioner, Board Chairman
Attachments: PBWC Self Evaluation and Strategic Planning Background Information
Next Council Monthly Meeting
January 6, 2009
5J District Supervisor’s Office
4th and Broadway 5:30 p.m.
Meetings of the PBWC are open to the public. All are welcome.
☼ UPCOMING EVENTS – COUNCIL TIMELINE ☼
Board of Directors Meeting
► 01/06/10 @ 1230 hours, USDA Service Center
County Commission Meeting
►01/06/10 & 01/20/10
OWEB Grant Application Deadline
► 04/19/2010 (restoration, acquisition, technical assistance)
Pine Creek Work Group
► 01/12/10 @ 1300 hours, USDA Service Center
NOWC Workshop “Outreach for Watershed Councils”
► 01/14/10 @ Pendleton
Holiday – MLK Day
►01/18/10
SWCDs Annual Meetings and Dinner
► 01/28/10 TBA