WRIA 14 TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETING

Wednesday, October 13, 2004

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Shelton Civic Center

Shelton, WA

MEETING SUMMARY

Attending: Diane Marcus-Jones & Stephanie Kenny, Mason County; Jeanne Kinney, Thurston County; Theresa Parsons, City of Shelton;  Phil Wiatrak, Dept. of Ecology; John Konovsky, Squaxin Island Tribe;; Jim D’Aboy Cosmopolitan Engineering; Steve Nelson, SLR International;  & Susan Gulick, Sound Resolutions.

1.      Discuss Storage Project with Cosmopolitan Engineering

q       Steve Nelson and Jim D’Aboy gave a detailed presentation on the geology, topography, natural features, land use, etc. of the study area for potential water storage and/or recharge from the regional facilities.

q       The next step will be to identify recommended sites and do a more detailed assessment.

q       The TC recommends that the study move forward, and will take this recommendation to the Planning Unit.

q        John would like the study to assess stream augmentation, particularly to John’s Creek and possibly Goldsborough Creek.

2.      Updates   

q       The contract with Plateau Communications for plan writing has been signed.

q       NW Land and Water is continuing to finalize the wells for the study and will report back at the next PU meeting.

q       Stephanie updated the TC on the County’s investigations in high fecal coliform levels in Uncle John’s Creek.

q       The water quality grant expires on December 31^st.  If a no-cost extension is necessary it needs be requested soon.

q       The storage grant expires March 1^st and it does not appear that it will need to be extended.

3.      Preliminary Discussion of Watershed Plan

q       The TC brainstormed some key issues for the watershed plan, including:

ü       Low impact development requirements

ü       Storm water management

§         Small development/incremental impacts from individual lots

§         Encourage local governments to adopt Ecology’s stormwater manual or an equivalent

ü       Impacts of development on water quality, particularly in terms of Shellfish impacts.

ü       Water demand: how the WRIA can meet the increasing demand for water due to growth.

ü       Instream water needs: how to ensure adequate water for streams and the tribal homeland.

ü       Political will: what will inspire decision-makers to follow through with implementation?

q       The TC would like to have an Ecology stormwater expert give a briefing on plan options at a future TC or PU meeting.

q       The TC also recommends a meeting of the Tribe, County, City (elected officials and staff) to discuss the issues for the plan and how they can best be addressed.  The TC wants to ensure that all parties are comfortable with the process.

4.      Closing/Plan Next Technical Committee Meeting

q       The next PU meeting will be on Wednesday, Oct. 27^th from 2:30-4:30 at the Shelton Civic Center.

q       The next TC meeting will be on Wednesday, November 10^th from 10-12 at the Shelton Civic Center.