Hangman Creek Water Quality Improvement

Planning Meeting

June 17, 2004

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

Present:          Elaine Snouwaert, Department of Ecology

Pat and Jennie Kane

                        Rob Lindsay, Spokane County

                        Cathy Mc Beth

                        Bill Rickard, City of Spokane

                        Don and Margaret Hartmeier

                        Connie Johnson

                        Terry Doupe

                        Doug Allen, Department of Ecology

                        Carol Wider

                        Anna Hansen

William Sayres Jr.

Amy Voeller, SCCD

AGENDA

The meeting was called to order at 6:30p.m.and began with introductions.  A public meeting for instream flow issues was held prior to the Hangman Creek Water Quality Improvement Plan meeting.  The instream flow for Hangman Creek is being studies by a committee tasked with evaluating water quality issues.  Rick gave a summary of water quality committee work and introduced Bill Rickard from the City of Spokane.  Bill gave a summary of the Watershed Planning in Hangman Creek (WRIA 56) and presented instream flow issues.  A discussion followed regarding water rights, water use and restrictions, and water quantity issues.  Attendees were asked if additional water was available in Hangman Creek, how would they like that water to be allocated.  Approximately sixty percent would want to use the water for future appropriations, and forty percent would leave the water in the creek for instream uses such as fish, wildlife, and aesthetics. 

The Hangman Creek Water Quality Improvement Plan meeting began at 8:15p.m.  A quorum was not present, therefore the minutes were not approved. 

OLD BUSINESS

Water quality problem

Last meeting a question was asked to Ecology about a possible water quality violation in Spokane County/Whitman County.  According to Ecology, an anonymous complaint was made regarding horses in a creek.  The landowner was contacted and asked to work with the local conservation district. 

Time sheets

Rick asked for everyone to please fill out their timesheets and keep them up to date.

CSO outfalls

Bill Rickard from the City of Spokane is looking into this.  There are only two outfalls that discharge into Hangman, and soon one will be not functioning at all.  Bill will speak about this more next month. 

Publishing Minutes

The North Palouse will publish approved meeting minutes.

Community events, sign-up

Rick reported that the Conservation District set up a display for Fairfield Flag Day.  The Conservation District is planning on having the Bio-bug at Tekoa for Slippery Gulch.  He asked for volunteers to oversee the display. 

Future Presentations

Next month Ecology will provide a presentation on a successful TMDL.  The Conservation District will present information on turbidity and riparian areas within Hangman Creek. 

Hangman Creek field trip

The group expressed interest in having a Hangman Creek field trip sometime in August.  This will allow people to see areas of concern within the Hangman watershed. 

Homework

Rick asked attendees to think of issues and concerns regarding the Hangman Creek field trip. 

Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 15, 2004, from 6:30p.m. to 8:30p.m. at the Fairfield Community Center.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40p.m.