WRIA 56/HANGMAN CREEK Watershed Implementation Team (WIT) Meeting Tuesday, December 5, 2006 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Spokane County Conservation District Conference Room 210 N. Havana Spokane, WA Meeting Summary Attending: Dee Bailey, CDA Tribe Reanette Boese, Spokane County Walt Edelen, Spokane County Conservation District Brain Farmer, Dept. of Ecology Peter Grunte, Watershed Resident Susan Gulick, Sound Resolutions (Facilitator) Gary Ostheller, Fairfield Grange Bill Rickard, City of Spokane, Environmental Programs 1. Approve Meeting Summary q The meeting summary was approved with no changes. 2. Implementation Details for Water Quantity Recommendations q The WIT reviewed recommendations R7b and c. The WIT reviewed the 15 strategies included in the watershed plan for recommendation R7b (streamflow augmentation to Hangman Creek). q The WIT also brainstormed initial implementation actions. q Susan will summarize the discussion in a skeletal draft of the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP). q The DIP will note which recommendations have multiple benefits (e.g. water quality and water quantity benefits). This may be placed in a matrix format. q The WIT reviewed the difference between catchment basins and balancing basins for potential streamflow augmentation. Both types of basins capture water during high flows (which minimizes flooding). Balancing basins are deep ponds designed to store runoff during peak period and release the water slowly to the stream during low flows via an outlet structure. Balancing basins cost more than $1 million each to construct and approximately $15,000 per year to maintain. Catchment basins are shallow excavations that capture surface water runoff and allow it to infiltrate slowly into the groundwater. Individual catchment basins are much less expensive to install, but due to their small size the watershed would require many more catchment basins (over 600) compared to only six balancing basins. 3. Formation of the WIT q The WIT finalized the text of two letters to invite new members to join the WIT. q The first letter will go to all Group A purveyors. Reanette has compiled a list of these purveyors. q The second letter will go to smaller purveyors and many other interest groups. The WIT reviewed the initial list of interest groups that were invited when the Planning Unit first organized. The WIT made suggested additions to the list. q Walt will send out the letters to the various recipients. WIT members should send Walt any additional organizations that should be added to the list. 4. Local Prioritization for Ecology Centennial Grant Proposals q The City of Cheney asked that its wastewater treatment facility be ranked by the WIT. The WIT decided to rank it third. The SCCD’s TMDL Livestock Improvement Program retained its top ranking and the SCCD’s Nonpoint Phosphate Reduction Program remained the second ranked project. 5. Other Items q Walt submitted three ideas to Ecology for funding from Ecology’s operating funds: Hangman Creek Groundwater Monitoring Program; Livestock Improvement Program; and Stateline Gauging Program. The projects need to be completed by June 30, 2007. Brian will make sure the project suggestions are considered for funding by Ecology. The WIT supports all three projects. q Ecology received 23 applications for the watershed lead position and will interview the top candidates on December 19th. q Ecology has extended the comment period for the Avista 401 certification until the first of the year. q Ecology has met with the City of Spangle regarding the lack of adequate water rights for the bio-diesel project and the new proposed development. 6. Upcoming Meetings q The next WIT meeting will on Tuesday, December 19th, from 10-12 at the Harvester Restaurant in Spangle. q There will NOT be a meeting on Tuesday, January 2nd. The first meeting in January will be on Tuesday, January 16th from 10-12 at the Harvester Restaurant in Spangle. If you have questions or comments, please contact Susan Gulick of Sound Resolutions at (206) 548-0469 or by e-mail at Susan@Soundresolutions.com.