Hangman Creek Water Quality Improvement

Planning Meeting

April 29, 2004

Chair:              Rick Noll, Spokane County Conservation District (SCCD)

Present:          Elaine Snouwaert, Department of Ecology

                        Lon Ottossen

                        Pat and Jennie Kane

                        Gary Ostheller

Dorothy Ostheller

                        Reanette Boese, Spokane County

                        Walt Edelen, SCCD

                        Bill Rickard, City of Spokane, Environmental Programs

                        Bruce & Jane Carmack

                        Ed Stender

                        Penny Tee

                        Jeff Phelps, Pullman

                        Cathy Mc Beth

                        Annette Bays, Spokane County

                        Kevin Allen

                        Charlie Johnson

                        Kris Budde

                        William Sayres

                        Micki Harnois, City of Spokane Valley Associate Planner

Amy Voeller, SCCD

The meeting was called to order at 6:37p.m.and began with introductions. 

Minutes

Open Discussion/Public Comment – No Comment

AGENDA

Review of Hangman Creek Water Quality Project

Rick explained the general timeline of this project.  The Planning Committee will meet every month for one to two years.  This Planning Committee is working on water quality issues

Ø      First Step:

In the beginning the Planning Committee meetings are informational.  There will be several presentations to the group.  If anyone is interested in Rick getting someone to talk to the group, please let him know.  An acronym and term list was provided for anyone interested.  This is a working document and will be added to as needed. 

Ø      Second Step:

What are water quality issues?

§         What do residents see?

§         What do agencies see

Ø      Final Step:

Bring Ecology and everyone together.  As a group, the Planning Committee will need to go out into the community and make sure all concerns are evaluated by the group.  Continue with public meetings to inform the general public.

There was some discussion regarding why this Planning Committee is being formed.  Rick explained that Hangman Creek is listed on the 303d list by the Department of Ecology to clean it up.  We are going to develop a plan that will help clean up the Hangman Creek watershed.  The committee is will produce documents that list some areas that are causing water quality concerns and ways to improve water quality.

There were questions asked regarding the guidelines this group creates and the DOE’s regulations.  Elaine Snouwaret, DOE,  will have the regulation documentation available at the May meeting.

It was recommended that someone from Ecology come to a Planning meeting and explain the water quality standards used by the State.  Elaine will ask for someone to do this.

Concern whether this group is going to be able to represent the entire watershed was voiced.  Rick explained that the SCCD has sent out numerous mailings to landowners and business owners and other interested parties.  The City of Spokane, Spokane Valley and the Spokane County are represented here.  Walt also said the Coeur d’Alene Tribe will be involved, and is working on a TMDL cleanup plan for the upper watershed.

The Planning committee discussed having representatives from other Watersheds, which have successfully gone through this process, come in and talk about it.  Elaine will check to see if Ecology can bring someone in.

Rick said that the Planning Committee would set up an outreach and education program.  The Planning Committee could set up a display/booth at fairs, etc.  The Planning Committee was encouraged to be thinking of ideas for an outreach program.  The suggestion was made to check into participating in the June 12, Fairfield Flag Day Celebration.  Rick will contact Sue at the Fairfield Town Hall for more information.

Water Quality Sampling Overview

Rick gave an overview of the water quality sampling that the SCCD is doing to help the Department of Ecology.  This is to determine where the water quality degradations are coming from.   The sampling will be done monthly and during any high flows.  There are currently 18 sites throughout the watershed.  A map of the sampling sites was provided.

The issues and concerns from the initial public meetings were reviewed.  The following list was presented to the group.

Fairfield – 49 attendees

§         Sediments from uplands (logged out areas)

§         Livestock

§         Developments – fastest growing tract – rural south

o       Increase of 80%

§         Asphalt blasting – rock plant that is coming in

§         Beavers – dams change the flow patterns

§         Low summer flows

§         Fertilizer – golf course - willing to sample

§         Creek straightening

§         Ditch dredging – sediment release

§         Roads – County grading, culverts, installed correctly, de-icer, chemical runoff

§         Sand banks – huge sand bluff-north

§         Maintaining riparian areas

§         Drain tiles - nitrates

Marshall – 15 attendees

§         Sediment

§         Bank erosion

§         Water uses

§         Land development

§         Does County enforce any regulations?

§         Storm runoff management.  Combined storm water over flows.

§         Move creek back to original path – 195

§         Maintaining wetlands

§         Red Band Trout

It was suggested that the Spokane County Cattleman Association be added to the mailing list.

Review Bylaws/Operating Procedures Document

Under

            4.   Membership:

a.       Membership Removals:

ADD 

Committee will make attempts to contact member

Under Rules and Responsibilities of the Planning Committee

5 a. Planning Committee Meetings:

            ADD/CHANGES

§         Meeting day – change from 4^th Thursday of the month to 3^rd Thursday of the month

§         Time -  6:30p.m. to 8:30p.m.

§         Place – Fairfield Community Center

5 b. Planning Committee Decision-Making:

There was a lengthy discussion on the decision making section of the By Laws/Operating Procedures document and possible changes regarding consensus, majority vote and quorum, etc.  Elaine Snouwaret, DOE, said to write it so the goal is consensus but if consensus can’t be reached then super majority of 80%. 

CHANGE  Rick will make changes in Bylaw/Operating Procedure document and mail corrected document to the Planning Committee for review prior to the May 20 meeting.  The changes will be discussed and voted on it at the May meeting

Open Discussion/Public Comment

Elaine Snouwaert is representing the State Caucus.  Certain issues/agencies can be brought in if requested or needed for discussion. 

Rick explained that local landowners can be compensated for the time put in on this committee.  If anyone is interested, please talk to Walt or Rick after the meeting. 

Homework

No homework assigned at this meeting.

Set Future Meeting Schedule and Next Meeting Date

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 20, 2004, from 6:30p.m. to 8:30p.m.at the Fairfield Community Center.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:25p.m.