Hangman (Latah) Creek Watershed

Planning Unit Meeting

Spokane County Conservation District

June 13, 2006

Chair:             Walt Edelen, Spokane County Conservation District (SCCD)

Present:          Keith Holliday, Department of Ecology

                        Bill Rickard, City of Spokane, Environmental Programs

Reanette Boese, Spokane County

Bruce Carmack, Rockford resident

                        Dee Bailey, CDA Tribe

Rick Noll, SCCD

Gary Ostheller, Fairfield Grange

Steve Bortfeld, Hangman Hills Water District

AGENDA/Minutes:

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m.  May 16 minutes were approved with the following changes:

One grammatical correction to page 2.

Public Comments:

No-till tour will be held tomorrow.  Anyone interested in attending should be at the SCCD by 7:15 am.

The Cascade Earth Sciences group will begin work on the Feasibility study regarding the establishment of an irrigation district.  The project should be completed by the end of 2006.

Additional Topics

Spokane River TMDL:  There has been progress on this effort.  Ecology had proposed their Water Quality Implementation Plan Proposal in January 2006.  Ecology was working with the individual stakeholders/dischargers to determine its acceptance and feasibility.  Another document regarding foundational concepts for this plan is expected in mid to late June.  Another full group meeting will be scheduled to further discuss actions.

Hangman Creek TMDL:  Currently, this project has slowed down until Ecology can organize and complete the loading analysis.  Additional staff or other assistance is required to complete the project.  Rick Noll presented some data regarding fecal coliform results.

Interstate WQ Agreement:  Walt presented the idea that an agreement between the states is needed to assist in resolving the problems in Hangman Creek.  He proposed that the planning unit support this effort and pursue it.  The discussion was positive.  Keith Holliday suggested reviewing the Palouse agreement or the Middle Snake agreement.  Dee Bailey reported that Idaho was setting up a TMDL group in the headwaters (Watershed Advisory Group, WAG).  Walt will pursue this concept.

Phase IV SOW and Contract

Walt and Keith will work with Cathy Hubbard and the consultant to organize the contract.  It is possible that we are close enough to completing the MOA that we may be able to start the consultant.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was tentatively scheduled for July 11, 2006 from 10:00 to 12:00 pm at the Spangle Harvester Restaurant (Walt will confirm this through email).

ADJOURN

The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 pm.