PressRelease:
PBWC REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

3 April 2013

Call to order: Meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm by Eric Schoenfeld

Recognition of Guest: Mark Henderson was recognized later in the meeting. Mark is the owner of Eastern Oregon Light & Power, a historical power plant located on Rock Creek. Mark will speak at a future Council meeting.

Approval of Minutes: March 6, 2012
Eric called for additions or corrections to the minutes and gave the council 2 minutes to review and/or comment on any items. The minutes for the March meeting were approved without amendment.

Comments from Commissioners: Eric asked Karen Spencer if there were any comments from the Commissioners. Karen said no, but reported that Brent Kerns has expressed interest in a vacant OWEB board position. Karen asked the Council to consider writing a letter of support. As few Council members know Brent Kerns, the Council asked Karen to invite Brent to come and speak at the May Council meeting.

Update on Current Projects:
OWEB Mini Grant: Johanna Sedell gave an update on the implementation of the 2010 Mini Grant. The funds supported a spring break reading program at the Baker County Library. The library hosted three sessions, each for a different age group. The children’s librarian led a nature walk along the Leo Adler Pathway. Participating children collected specimen and litter, planted flower seeds, and learned about the Powder River. The mini grant allowed the Council to purchase five digital cameras, which were used by the two older groups to photograph conditions along the pathway after learning about photo monitoring. The children created nature journals using the photos they had taken. Shannon Archuleta and Johanna worked with the groups.

Kirkway Restoration: Kathi Vinson reported on the ODEQ 319 Grant for the Kirkway Reach. Johanna and Kathi met with Gabe Williams of Resource Specialists, Inc. to discuss the project design, the participation of 5th & 6th graders, and the plantings. Gabe will furnish the planting design for the project as well as the informational write-ups and photos of the selected plants for use on the interpretive panels.

Basin-wide Water Quality Monitoring: Aaron Bliesner reported that the OWEB grant will allow the purchase of an additional set of equipment needed for the monitoring sites, including the replacement of the Deer Creek stream gauge. Some of the ODEQ equipment has already arrived. He will have a meeting with the Lower Powder Irrigation District next week to explain the program and will meet with a North Powder landowner to obtain permission for three of the sites. [Aaron please check for accuracy.]
Holbrook Spur Bank Stabilization: Aaron reported ODOT has installed riprap along Pine Creek just below the project site where the bank has undercut the road surface. This action should stabilize the bank and road surface; Council members expressed concern regarding the stability of the opposite bank if the riprap directs the current toward that bank. The landowner agreements for the Council project have been written. Jim will deliver the agreements to the participating landowners for signatures. Construction will be postponed until the 2014 in-stream work window as USFWS funding for the project has been held up by federal sequestration. The Council will seek additional funds to cover the cost of the two Pine Creek projects.

McMullen Slough Avulsion Protection: The implementation of the McMullen Slough restoration will also be postponed until 2014 due to lost USFWS funds.

OWEB Small Grant Program: The OWEB Small Grant Program has expended all of its funds until the July 1, 2013 when the small grant team will reconvene. It was suggested that a second Council member sit on the small grant team for a better balance between SWCD and Council members.

Idaho Power Company Small Grant Program: The Idaho Power Small Grant team met March 13th and awarded three grants totaling $19,960 of the $20,000 available. The projects funded are focused on improving irrigation efficiency in the Pine Creek watershed.

Council-SWCD Collaboration Working Group. Eric Schoenfeld reported that the next meeting will be April 12th, with the work group and SWCD board members engaging in an informal discussion. Steve Edwards will lead the meeting.

Eagle Valley POD Survey: The Idaho Power Company money has been received. The board approved the hiring of a summer intern to assist Aaron in the survey. Suzanne, Eric, and Aaron agreed to form the hiring committee. Aaron will circulate a timeline in May, with interviews planned for early June and July 1st as the anticipated start date.

Reports from Council Members: Jim Young read an email he had received from an Eagle Valley resident with concerns regarding water quality in Eagle Creek that may result from upcoming changes in management practices. The topic was tabled until the May meeting for further discussion. Nancy Rorick, who was unable to attend, requested that others announce an Authors talk Friday, April 12th at Crossroads by Mike Higgins regarding the Sparta Ditch “Ditch Walkers”. Andrew Umpleby with Powder Valley Water Control District reported that Wolf and Pilcher reservoirs are filling slowly.

Board of Directors Report: Next month Steve Edwards will facilitate the Council meeting. March 22nd was Vicki Wares’ last day as the Coordinator of the Powder Basin Watershed Council. We all wish her luck and wellbeing with her future plans and great adventures. She will be greatly missed.

Treasurer’s Report:
All funding and 10% holds from the grants which closed in December have been paid. Vicki was paid all of her accrued vacation and a bonus. Guyer, Lindley, Bailey, and Martin will conduct a review of the Council’s books after the end of this fiscal year, which ends on June 30, 2013.

Suzanne has talked with Carolyn Kulog who had attended the March meeting for Suzanne’s presentation. Carolyn has suggested that the PBWC sponsor speakers for events at Crossroads. This would give people a chance to attend the talks and get an understanding of what the Council does without the feeling that they had to attend a meeting. Suzanne suggested that Johanna contact Ginger Savage at Crossroads.
There was discussion regarding a company that films documentaries about restoration projects. The cost is $1,500 - $2,000 per finished minute. Most thought it was a great idea but not one that the Council could afford at this time.

Discussion began regarding the accusations of trespass brought against Tim Bliss in his exploration of the southern portion of the Brownlee watershed in the Huntington area. Tim has met with ODA, ODEQ, BLM, and SWCD members in Ontario to discuss his concerns regarding the watershed. Other agencies assumed that Tim represented the Council. A conversation ensued regarding Council leadership. The Council agreed to table the discussion.

There was no further business.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 pm


Council Attendance: 11 members [Quorum = 6]
Tim Bliss, Chairman
Karen Spencer, Baker Co. Parks Andrew Umpleby
Suzanne Fouty, USFS
Marion Crow Eric Schoenfeld, Treasurer
Paul Wares
Denine Schmitz Jim Young

Non-member Attendance
Johanna Sedell, PBWC Executive Director
Kathi Vinson, PBWC Operations Manager
Aaron Bliesner, PBWC Monitoring Coord.
Karen Leiendecker, OWEB
Tonya Dombrowski ODEQ
Guest
Mark Henderson



Next Monthly Meeting
May 1, 2013
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.

Board of Directors Meeting
5/01/2013 @ 12:00 noon
Sumpter Valley Railroad Depot
2960 Broadway, Baker City, OR
541-523-7288