Meeting Notes Little Spokane River Management Plan Meeting 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Riverside Fire Station Meeting Room 3818 E Deer Park Milan Chattaroy, WA 99003 Chair: Shallan Dawson, Spokane County Conservation District (SCCD) Present: Lindell Haggin Ruth Rasmussen Stan Grant Dale Gill Rico Reed Mary Sterling Kathleen Werr Bill Gilmour, Spokane County Jeanne Dammarell Bart Haggin Rick Noll, SCCD Meeting was called to order at 10:10am, followed by self introductions. A meeting agenda with copies of the December 7, 2004 meeting minutes had been distributed. Bill motioned to approve the minutes, seconded by Kathleen, Motion Carried. Rico asked about the Conservation Futures Program, and if there was any new information. There was no update at this time. Attendance of this group has been changing since it’s inception, and the quorum list could be updated. Rick motioned to add Lindell Hagen as a representative for the Audubon Society, Bart Hagen as a representative for the Friends of the Little Spokane River, Jeanne Dammarell representing Landowners and Eloika Lake Association with various participants. Bill seconded the motion, Motion Carried. Rick will contact participants that have been absent to see if they want to continue with this group, and adjustments will be made at the next meeting. WSU Sampling The first round of sampling has been done, and this effort will continue monthly to determine a load allocation for the TMDL. The TMDL for Spokane River identifies a load reduction for the Little Spokane River as it discharges into the Spokane River. The point sources within the Little Spokane River watershed will also be determined and given a load allocation reduction, if necessary. Issues for Audit Sheets The group continued identifying issues for the audit sheets. The first issue discussed was noxious weed treatment, specifically the use of herbicides on Eurasian water milfoil. The desired behavior to minimize the use of herbicides and reduce nutrients. The competing behavior was identified as unlimited use of herbicides. Benefits and motivations to minimize the use of herbicides and reduce nutrients were identified as: Better water quality Provides more ownership of Avoids long-term chemical dependence Won’t disrupt native communities More labor More time More cost Increased disturbance/sedimentation Longer control time? More coordination Restrictions on watercraft Benefits or motivations for unlimited use of herbicides was identified as: Easy Don’t know any other way to treat Relatively low cost Less labor Covers large area No disturbance of sediment Quick application/results Costs or barriers for unlimited use of herbicides was identified as: Permits needed Stop water use Wildlife Benthics Excess killing of other wetland plants All consequences of use are unknown The second issue discussed was shrub and lawn maintenance in relation to fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. The desired behavior was identified as minimizing the use of these chemicals, and to stop the over-use and improper use of these chemicals. The competing or current behavior was identified as continuing the current chemical practices. The benefits or motivations to minimizing and stopping the over/improper use of chemicals was identified as: Health soil Save money and time Less water needed Reduced non-point could reduce municipal treatment costs Native/site-appropriate grasses require less maintenance The costs or barriers to minimizing and stopping the over/improper use of chemicals was identified as: Requires education on proper grass and soil type Not know where to buy alternative Expectation that outside of house should look like a carpet Change perspective on what outside of house should look like High traffic areas (kids) may need more treatment The benefits or motivations to continuing the current chemical practices were identified as: This is the standard as seen on TV Perceived to be better and greener grass Easy to use, buy, and apply The barriers or costs to continuing the current practices were identified as: Over application increases costs More mowing Must buy into system Decrease water quality/macro invertebrates Homework The group will review the next audit sheets for Februarys meeting. Next Meeting The next meeting will be February 1, 2005 at the Riverside Fire Station, starting at 10:00 am. The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 p.m.January 4, 2004
Old Business
New Business
Better macro invert Community lake/stream maintenance
Diversify treatment could min resistance to chemicals used
Costs or barriers to minimize the use of herbicides and reduce nutrients was identified as: