PressRelease:

Powder Basin Watershed Council
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
10 July 2013

Call to order: Nancy Rorick, meeting facilitator, called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

Approval of Minutes: June 5, 2013
Nancy called for additions or corrections to the minutes; no changes were requested. The minutes for the June 2013 meeting were approved as written.

Comments from the Commissioners: Tim Kerns, Baker County Commissioner, was in attendance, but had no update from the County.

Election of Board Chair: This portion of the meeting was facilitated by Vice Chair Jim Young. At the June Council meeting, Nancy Rorick and Karen Spencer were nominated for the position of Board Chair. Both nominees were praised for their expertise and the strengths they would bring to the position. Eric Schoenfeld asked Tim Kerns if a conflict of interest would arise if Karen, a Baker County employee, chaired the Council. Tim didn’t fore see a problem, noting that Karen does not represent Baker County; rather, she reports Council activities to the Commissioners and County concerns to the Council.

Nancy and Karen reported that they would prefer to act as Co-Chairs. By co-chairing the Council, their different strengths will be combined. Denine raised questions about how the two would vote, as with six Board members, the potential for a tied vote arises. Marion motioned for both Karen and Nancy to co-chair the position with one vote each; Eric seconded. Johanna stated that while the Charter currently allows for co-chairs, it limits the number of Board members to five. Amending the Charter requires giving members notice seven days prior to the meeting; while this meeting could serve as notice of the intent to amend the Charter, appointing a sixth Board member would not be possible until August. Jim suggested amending Marion’s motion. Nancy would act as interim Chair until the August meeting, when the charter could be amended to include more than 5 Board members, allowing Karen to act as Co-Chair. The voting Council members were unanimous in support of the amended proposal.

Update from District 8 Watermaster, Rick Lusk reported on the availability of irrigation water within the basin. Calls from priority water right holders for irrigation water started as of mid-April; calls generally begin in June. On June 23,rd drought conditions were declared by the Governor for Baker County. When a drought is declared, individuals looking for alternative sources of irrigation water benefit from a streamlined application process. Rick reported on the current capacity of area reservoirs: Phillips Reservoir at 47%, Unity at 42%, Owyhee at 27%, and Thief Valley at 79%. Basin-wide, stream flows are one third to one half of normal.

Annual Work Plan: A work plan was sent out with agendas and minutes for Council members to review prior to the meeting. The annual work plan is now required as part of the Council’s OWEB support grant. The work plan was approved as written by Johanna.

Proposed North Powder Irrigation Project: Aaron presented a proposed project for irrigation improvements in North Powder. Jerry Gray seeks assistance to convert from flood irrigation to a central pivot system. Aaron explained that Jerry has already contacted the SWCDs and the Baker NRCS office, who directed him to the Watershed Council. OWEB grants can be used to cover all but the cost of the central pivot itself. After discussion, the Council approved seeking assistance for the cost of purchasing and installing the central pivot.

Update on Current Projects
Basin-wide Water Quality Monitoring: Aaron reported that in all locations, water quality data has been collected at least once. The continuous temperature logger has not been installed in Eagle Creek due to high flows.

Eagle Valley Point of Diversion Survey – Karen Riener has been hired as summer intern to assist Aaron with this project. The survey was started on Wednesday July 3, 2013. Aaron reported he thought it would go fairly quickly; there are fewer diversions on Eagle Creek than were found on Pine Creek.

Holbrook Spur Bank Stabilization & McMullen Slough Avulsion Protection: Johanna reported that the cultural survey component of the Joint Permit Application has been completed by USFWS.

Idaho Power Company Small Grant Program: Kathi reported that 2 of the 3 awards have been paid in full. The third awardee had underestimated the project cost and is applying for additional funding to complete the project.

Lower Clear Creek Project Development A visit to the proposed project site took place on June 20th. Representatives from the Council, ODFW, OWRD and the SWCDs walked through the site with Troy Brandt, of River Design Group. Troy presented on current site conditions and potential restoration strategies at a landowner meeting following the walk through. River Design Group will supply a report with restoration objectives and cost estimates later in the summer. Marion praised Aaron and Johanna for their work on this and other projects.

PBWC Board of Directors Report – Steve Edwards will be in Salem next week and will be meeting with Ryan Gordon of Network of Oregon Watershed Councils and Jerry Nicolescu of the Oregon Association of Conservation Districts. In the future, Steve may be in the Salem area on a monthly basis and will have the opportunity to meet with representatives of Salem-based agencies.

The Salvelinus confluentus Curiosity Society will meet August 13th through the 15th at Anthony Lakes Lodge. The organizers are looking for volunteers for the field day, which will be held on the 14th. Biologists will be conducting habitat and electrofishing surveys in the Upper Powder and North Powder headwater streams. Volunteers will be placed with experienced surveyors to assist with data collection. Nancy asked that Johanna email Council members the details.

There was no further business. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm
Council Attendance: 10 voting members [Quorum = 6]
Karen Spencer, Baker Co. Parks
Denine Schmitz, BLM Andrew Umpleby, PVWCD
Tim Bailey, ODFW
Marion Crow
Paul Wares, Director at Large
Nancy Rorick
Rick Lusk, OWRD Eric Schoenfeld, Treasurer
Jim Young, Vice Chair
Jerry Gray


Non-member Attendance Guest
Johanna Sedell, PBWC Executive Director
Aaron Bliesner, PBWC Monitoring Coord.
Kathi Vinson, PBWC Operations Manager
Tim Kerns, Baker Co. Commissioner

Next Monthly Meeting
August 7, 2013
Presentation
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
8/7/2013 @ 12:00 noon
Sumpter Valley Railroad Depot
2960 Broadway, Baker City, OR
541-523-7288