January 27, 2000
Kittitas County Water Purveyors
The January meeting of the Kittitas County Water Purveyors was called to order by Chairman Pat Clerf. Those in attendance were Jack Carpenter, Barbara Pettit, Roger Satnik, Jim Schnebly and Urban Eberhart, Ed Wakkuri, Kittitas Reclamation District; Allen Aronica, David Chain; Natural Resource Conservation; Richard Bain, Wold Ditch; Jeff Brunson, Bull Canal Co.; Jack Clerf, Cascade Irrigation District; Pat Clerf, Ellensburg Water Co.; Jane Creech, Kris Hall, Department of Ecology; Steve Dowling, WSU Cooperative Extension; Kevin Eslinger, Steve Rosbach, Denmark Irrigators; Ben George, Taneum Canal Co.; Anna Lael, Kittitas County Conservation District; Brent Mellergaard, Manastash Creek South; Pat Monk, Joint Board Fish Biologist; Carol Ready, KCWP; Pat Taylor, Olsen Ditch; Craig George, Foothills Farms; Joseph Rinella, Gregory Fuhrer, U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey; Vern Stokes and Gary and Sheri Conner.
Item 1. Call to order
Chairman Pat Clerf declared the agenda for the January 27, 2000 meeting approved as presented. The minutes of the October 28, 1999 meeting were approved as presented by Chairman Pat Clerf.
Item 2. Kittitas County Conservation District
Anna Lael presented information on a new RCW effective July 1, 1999 permitting personal property tax relief when a BMP is implemented. Anna explained the PAM cost share funding has been renewed for 2000. Anna distributed grower letters explaining the three grower meetings are scheduled beginning in February. Anna explained the KCCD is applying for two grants through the Department of Ecology Centennial Clean Water Fund.
Item 3. KCWP Grant Update – Inter Local Agreements
Chairman Pat Clerf explained Inter Local Agreements have been signed by Cascade Irrigation District, Westside Ditch Co. and Ellensburg Water Co. and cash contributions of $.30 per acre have been received from Steve Rosbach, Kevin Eslinger, John Nylander, Paul Sorenson and Joe Sorenson. Continuing under KCWP Grant Chairman Pat Clerf explained 55 resumes were received and the review committee selected 4 finalists for interviews for the water quality position. Chairman Pat Clerf introduced Carol Ready explaining Carol has been offered and accepted the water quality position. Pat continued explaining Carol has impressive qualifications and experience and KCWP is fortunate to have her in the position.
Item 4. Water Quality Monitoring Results
Anna Lael, Kittitas County Conservation District, presented an overview of the water quality sample perimeters and results from samples taken from March 23, 1999 – November 3, 1999. Anna further explained the samples were taken from 9 sites located within irrigated agricultural lands; Cooke Creek at South Ferguson Road, Caribou Creek, Parke Creek, Wipple Waste Way at Moe Road, Cherry Creek at Moe Road, Cherry Creek at Thrall Road, Kittitas Reclamation District Turbine Ditch, Town Ditch at Thrall Road and Cascade Canal at Thrall Road. Anna explained the samples were taken on a rotating schedule including times of day and days of the week. Anna explained the information will be available in a final report.
Roger Satnik, Kittitas Reclamation District, presented an overview of the water quality sample parameters and results from samples taken in 1999. Roger explained KRD sampled approximately 27 sites including diversions from the Yakima River and tributaries as they enter into the Kittitas Reclamation District service area where they cross the North Branch Canal. Samples were taken before irrigation season, during irrigation season and after irrigation season with 257 total samples taken.
Greg Fuhrer and Joe Rinella, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, presented an overview of the historical use of pesticides and information regarding fecal coliform. Greg Fuhrer explained the August 1999 Synoptic Study included 34 sites located in the Yakima River Basin. The sites were located from Cle Elum to Kiona including tributaries, agricultural drains, surface water supplies and waste water treatment plants. Greg explained fecal bacteria are important indicators of sanitary quality. Fecal Coliform samples from Cle Elum to Kiona indicate a higher level of fecal coliform in the lower Yakima River Basin.
Joe Rinella explained the hydrology of the Yakima River and the flows of the Yakima River during the August 1999 Synoptic Study describing the Yakima River as a highly managed system primarily for agricultural purposes. Joe presented information on the use and effect of DDT and other organochlorine pesticides with the majority of them banned from use today. Joe continued explaining they are still being detected with the August 1999 Synoptic Study indicating the concentrations are substantially lower than 10 years ago.
Jane Creech, Department of Ecology, explained DOE has been collecting data to work on the total suspended sediment total maximum daily load allocation for the area. Jane continued explaining DOE is still working on the quality assurance and quality control procedures on the data therefore the results are not available. Jane explained metals; cadmium, copper, silver, zinc, lead and mercury were included in the testing for samples from the Upper Yakima River with the tests showing no exceedences on any of the metals. Jane explained Joe Joy, DOE, has requested he be contacted for sampling before irrigation season but after a significant storm event to view and sample the effects. Chris Hall, DOE, explained samples and testing by DOE, KRD and KCCD are all based on the same type of quality assurance allowing for comparison of data.
Item 5. Ag Fish Water Process Update
David Chain, Natural Resource Conservation Service, presented information on the FOTG’s that can be used to implement practices, which are generally recognized as meeting an acceptable standard. David explained the riparian buffer zone is being reviewed to reach a standard acceptable to everyone. Craig George explained he and Carol Poulsen have been attending meeting with Ag groups slated to help rewrite the FOTG’s 391. Jack Carpenter, KRD, explained irrigation districts are working on a Comprehensive Irrigation District Management Plan and guidelines for irrigation districts to voluntarily go through the process for protection from ESA.
Item 6. National Marine Fisheries Meeting Review
Pat Monk, Joint Board Fish Biologist, presented an overview of the January 26, 1999 meeting with NMFS in Yakima. Pat also presented information from a meeting with NMFS where they presented criteria and answered questions on the proposed rules on the taking of endangered animals.
Item 6. Other Business
Jack Carpenter, KRD, presented a Tri County Planning update explaining the various committees and representation on each committee.
Kevin Eslinger presented information on the Kittitas County Water Conservancy Board explaining the Kittitas County Commissioners had their 3rd meeting to address the need for a Water Conservancy Board on January 24, 2000. Kevin further explained the Commissioners have received no negative input regarding establishing a Water Conservancy Board and the decision was to continue with the process and Kittitas County pay for the start up of the Conservancy Board. The Commissioners discussed the Board requirements and make up with the decision all members must be Kittitas County residents with at least two board members being a water right holder or belonging to a partnership or corporation that holds a water right and one board member may represent a municipality. The next meeting is scheduled for January 31, 2000.
Item 7. Meeting Schedule
Chairman Pat Clerf announced the next meeting is scheduled for 7:P.M. February 24, 2000 at Sterling Savings.
All Business having been concluded the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pat Clerf, Chairman