untitled

Russian River Watershed Council

Full Council Meeting

Minutes of May 13, 2000

Veteran's Memorial Hall, Cloverdale, 9:00am - 1:00pm

Agenda
Cover Letter

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Unanimously approved
APPROVAL OF April 1, 2000 MEETING MINUTES:
Unanimously approved
ANNOUNCEMENTS
· Public Caucus met May 1 &endash; would like to send a letter to State delegation asking State to speed up distribution of funding to RRWC and expedite FCSA. (The letter was placed on hold because the State is processing the MOA and FCSA) Also, would like the RRWC to look into non-profit status as a future agenda item.
· Sotoyome RCD received additional $400,000 for on the ground agricultural projects (funds up to 70% of project costs).
· Mendocino County and State working on coordinator contract &endash; State reviewing - contract will be between County and coordinator &endash; hope to finalize in three weeks
Comment from member: (RRWC needs to establish a hiring committee &endash; representatives from each caucus)
WATERSHED INFORMATION, ASSESSMENT, MONITORING (WIAM) WORKGROUP REPORT
WIAM workgroup meeting is scheduled for May 24 at Hopland Field Station (contact Chuck Vaughn for directions). The meeting is to evaluate and specify the funding of the RRWC as provided in the PSP - identify specific study areas, consider putting one of the tribs on fast-track for GIS work, coordination with RCDs, possibility of mapping all appropriated water rights in the watershed.
PUBLIC OUTREACH & EDUCATION WORKGROUP REPORT
Discussion of Water Rights Seminar - topics: comparison of Alaska and Oregon water rights, add a water trust speaker, call Farm Bureau for a speaker (they have a water rights attorney)
Judy Christiansen has developed a list of contacts relevant to watershed issues - add to the list watershed groups working in the Russian River watershed.
BUDGET WORKGROUP REPORT
Reporting of meeting on Aril 19 &endash; The State signed the MOU and the RRWC Steering Committee members have signed and sent it back to the State.
Looking at RRWC budgetary needs &endash; Steering Committee sent a letter to the State requesting information about identified funding for FY 2001 and assistance in earmarking State funding for FY2002.
Steering Committee requesting approval from the RRWC to send a letter to Sonoma County Board of Supervisors requesting $200,000 from Prop 13 funding to support primarily scientific and technical assistance and evaluation.
Comments:
· Remove specified dollar amount (possibility to increase funding)
· Initial letter should be less specific and work with County to define specific needs and process to achieve the best results.
· Intent is to alert County of the RRWC interest and needs and to highlight that the language in the bill states that the funding is for a community-based watershed effort (RRWC meets this criterion)
· Important to send the letter for timeliness
Motion: Send general letter with no specified dollar amount or indication how funding will be spent, request that a significant proportion of the funding allocated to Sonoma County be spent to support the RRWC and will work with County to define specifics.
Total Vote: 35 (Ayes: 34. No: 0. Abstain: 1)
ADOPTION OF RRWC RULES OF OPERATION
Draft Rules of Operation were distributed with agenda. Because of uncertainty over one section of the Rules of Operation, the Steering Committee is requesting that the RRWC approve the Rules of Operation excluding Section 3 (defining workgroups) and have a separate vote on Section 3.
Move to accept Rules except Section 3
Discussion:
· Quorum &endash; rounding up always means quorum is 30 voting members
· Request to have the model agenda be included into Rules. Members felt that it was not necessary as long as the intent of the agenda was adhered to.
Important to have flexibility to allow for special needs.
Total Vote: 32 (Ayes: 31. No: 0. Abstain: 1)
Section 3, Workgroups - The concern over Section 3 focuses on the ability of the public working on proposals in a workgroup voting on proposals which will come before the RRWC for a vote.
Discussion:
· Bullet #4 amend to state that coordinators of workgroups must be RRWC members.
· Simplify reporting back to RRWC
· Workgroup members experienced with RRWC should vote - not just members of workgroup/general public
· Voting ability of public should be encouraged to have a growing organization
· No need to list duties of each workgroup in by-laws
· Identify workgroups as sub-committees of RRWC
Motion - accept Section 3 as written:
Total Vote: 32 (Ayes: 10. No: 19. Abstain: 3)
Direction: Take it back to Rules of Operation workgroup and modify to incorporate discuss points and bring it back to the RRWC for approval.
PRESENTATIONS &endash; Sustainable Forestry:
Helen Libeu, Forestry Policies &endash; Goals of sustainable forestry should be to sustain and increase size and age of the timber, and to sustain and improve other forest resources, including those publicly owned, such as water and wildlife. Tan Oak is most abundant tree, making up 51% of my forested land. The dense stands of tan oak are preventing a healthy and sustainable yield in commercially harvestable lumber.
There is extensive harvesting damage to the land and the sustainability of the land by small landowners as well as large landowners. The piecemeal harvest practices prevent the Department of Forestry from seeing the cumulative impact of harvesting practices in many areas of the State. The Board of Forestry will be providing input into watershed assessment. Mike Jani, Mendocino Redwoods Company, Forestry Practices - MRC is a privately owned forest land and forest product company. The company is working to increase the growing rate to achieve larger trees, increase wildlife and aquatic habitat, and to move towards the historical conifer levels within stands.
Conifers were burned to provide feeding ground for sheep. Redwoods can reproduce by stump sprouting, whereas Douglas Firs reproduce by seed germination. Today we still maintain some redwood stands but the Douglas firs have been replaced with tan oak, which crowd out most other species. Where historically conifers once dominated now poorly stocked forest land, Mendocino Redwoods cuts out up to 90% of the tan oak and replants with conifers. They leave the organic material on the land and selectively harvest our healthy stands to ensure a sustainable yield.
The company is mapping and replacing barriers to fish migration - replacing culverts with railroad flat car bridges. Also monitoring wildlife and their nesting habits to determine how harvesting will or will not effect their existence. The monitoring indicates that the spotted owl will nest in both old/new growth, native/nonnative vegetation. The company is recording baseline watershed information - evaluating and harvesting by identifying hot spots in need of corrective work.
Matt O'Conner, O'Conner Environmental, Inc., Forest Processes &endash; The erosion rates in Northern California are some of the largest in the world. In the Russian River watershed, the gradient of rainfall from west to east and north to south is dramatic and affects the morphology of the environment. The regional changes mean that not all parts of the watershed can be managed the same. We need to have adaptive management because different uses effect the landscape differently &endash; forestry increases the chances of landslides (mass wasting), vineyards are more specific to erosion factors, poorly constructed and maintained roads are problematic and the legacy of skid trails is evident throughout the forest lands. Riparian corridors protect an essential element to ensure a healthy watershed (wildlife/fisheries habitat). To understand how the system works, a watershed analysis is important. Three of the interrelated functional elements of an analysis are the watershed process modules (hydrology, mass wasting, erosion, riparian function, etc.), the resources modules (fish habitat, stream channels, water quality, pubic works, etc.) and evaluation (synthesis, vulnerability, routing, etc.). The information is compiled into causal mechanism reports and the last step is identifying and completing prescription to improve the system. O'Conner Environmental Inc. presentation material (Adobe Acrobat pdf)
Next RRWC Meeting: July 8, 2000
Page last updated June 8, 2000 (FC)

Russian River Watershed Council	Full Council Meeting
Minutes of May 13, 2000	Veteran's Memorial Hall, Cloverdale, 9:00am - 1:00pm

Agenda Cover Letter
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Unanimously approved APPROVAL OF April 1, 2000 MEETING MINUTES: Unanimously approved ANNOUNCEMENTS · Public Caucus met May 1 &endash; would like to send a letter to State delegation asking State to speed up distribution of funding to RRWC and expedite FCSA. (The letter was placed on hold because the State is processing the MOA and FCSA) Also, would like the RRWC to look into non-profit status as a future agenda item. · Sotoyome RCD received additional $400,000 for on the ground agricultural projects (funds up to 70% of project costs). · Mendocino County and State working on coordinator contract &endash; State reviewing - contract will be between County and coordinator &endash; hope to finalize in three weeks Comment from member: (RRWC needs to establish a hiring committee &endash; representatives from each caucus) WATERSHED INFORMATION, ASSESSMENT, MONITORING (WIAM) WORKGROUP REPORT WIAM workgroup meeting is scheduled for May 24 at Hopland Field Station (contact Chuck Vaughn for directions). The meeting is to evaluate and specify the funding of the RRWC as provided in the PSP - identify specific study areas, consider putting one of the tribs on fast-track for GIS work, coordination with RCDs, possibility of mapping all appropriated water rights in the watershed. PUBLIC OUTREACH & EDUCATION WORKGROUP REPORT Discussion of Water Rights Seminar - topics: comparison of Alaska and Oregon water rights, add a water trust speaker, call Farm Bureau for a speaker (they have a water rights attorney) Judy Christiansen has developed a list of contacts relevant to watershed issues - add to the list watershed groups working in the Russian River watershed. BUDGET WORKGROUP REPORT Reporting of meeting on Aril 19 &endash; The State signed the MOU and the RRWC Steering Committee members have signed and sent it back to the State. Looking at RRWC budgetary needs &endash; Steering Committee sent a letter to the State requesting information about identified funding for FY 2001 and assistance in earmarking State funding for FY2002. Steering Committee requesting approval from the RRWC to send a letter to Sonoma County Board of Supervisors requesting $200,000 from Prop 13 funding to support primarily scientific and technical assistance and evaluation. Comments: · Remove specified dollar amount (possibility to increase funding) · Initial letter should be less specific and work with County to define specific needs and process to achieve the best results. · Intent is to alert County of the RRWC interest and needs and to highlight that the language in the bill states that the funding is for a community-based watershed effort (RRWC meets this criterion) · Important to send the letter for timeliness Motion: Send general letter with no specified dollar amount or indication how funding will be spent, request that a significant proportion of the funding allocated to Sonoma County be spent to support the RRWC and will work with County to define specifics. Total Vote: 35 (Ayes: 34. No: 0. Abstain: 1) ADOPTION OF RRWC RULES OF OPERATION Draft Rules of Operation were distributed with agenda. Because of uncertainty over one section of the Rules of Operation, the Steering Committee is requesting that the RRWC approve the Rules of Operation excluding Section 3 (defining workgroups) and have a separate vote on Section 3. Move to accept Rules except Section 3 Discussion: · Quorum &endash; rounding up always means quorum is 30 voting members · Request to have the model agenda be included into Rules. Members felt that it was not necessary as long as the intent of the agenda was adhered to. Important to have flexibility to allow for special needs. Total Vote: 32 (Ayes: 31. No: 0. Abstain: 1) Section 3, Workgroups - The concern over Section 3 focuses on the ability of the public working on proposals in a workgroup voting on proposals which will come before the RRWC for a vote. Discussion: · Bullet #4 amend to state that coordinators of workgroups must be RRWC members. · Simplify reporting back to RRWC · Workgroup members experienced with RRWC should vote - not just members of workgroup/general public · Voting ability of public should be encouraged to have a growing organization · No need to list duties of each workgroup in by-laws · Identify workgroups as sub-committees of RRWC Motion - accept Section 3 as written: Total Vote: 32 (Ayes: 10. No: 19. Abstain: 3) Direction: Take it back to Rules of Operation workgroup and modify to incorporate discuss points and bring it back to the RRWC for approval. PRESENTATIONS &endash; Sustainable Forestry: Helen Libeu, Forestry Policies &endash; Goals of sustainable forestry should be to sustain and increase size and age of the timber, and to sustain and improve other forest resources, including those publicly owned, such as water and wildlife. Tan Oak is most abundant tree, making up 51% of my forested land. The dense stands of tan oak are preventing a healthy and sustainable yield in commercially harvestable lumber. There is extensive harvesting damage to the land and the sustainability of the land by small landowners as well as large landowners. The piecemeal harvest practices prevent the Department of Forestry from seeing the cumulative impact of harvesting practices in many areas of the State. The Board of Forestry will be providing input into watershed assessment. Mike Jani, Mendocino Redwoods Company, Forestry Practices - MRC is a privately owned forest land and forest product company. The company is working to increase the growing rate to achieve larger trees, increase wildlife and aquatic habitat, and to move towards the historical conifer levels within stands. Conifers were burned to provide feeding ground for sheep. Redwoods can reproduce by stump sprouting, whereas Douglas Firs reproduce by seed germination. Today we still maintain some redwood stands but the Douglas firs have been replaced with tan oak, which crowd out most other species. Where historically conifers once dominated now poorly stocked forest land, Mendocino Redwoods cuts out up to 90% of the tan oak and replants with conifers. They leave the organic material on the land and selectively harvest our healthy stands to ensure a sustainable yield. The company is mapping and replacing barriers to fish migration - replacing culverts with railroad flat car bridges. Also monitoring wildlife and their nesting habits to determine how harvesting will or will not effect their existence. The monitoring indicates that the spotted owl will nest in both old/new growth, native/nonnative vegetation. The company is recording baseline watershed information - evaluating and harvesting by identifying hot spots in need of corrective work. Matt O'Conner, O'Conner Environmental, Inc., Forest Processes &endash; The erosion rates in Northern California are some of the largest in the world. In the Russian River watershed, the gradient of rainfall from west to east and north to south is dramatic and affects the morphology of the environment. The regional changes mean that not all parts of the watershed can be managed the same. We need to have adaptive management because different uses effect the landscape differently &endash; forestry increases the chances of landslides (mass wasting), vineyards are more specific to erosion factors, poorly constructed and maintained roads are problematic and the legacy of skid trails is evident throughout the forest lands. Riparian corridors protect an essential element to ensure a healthy watershed (wildlife/fisheries habitat). To understand how the system works, a watershed analysis is important. Three of the interrelated functional elements of an analysis are the watershed process modules (hydrology, mass wasting, erosion, riparian function, etc.), the resources modules (fish habitat, stream channels, water quality, pubic works, etc.) and evaluation (synthesis, vulnerability, routing, etc.). The information is compiled into causal mechanism reports and the last step is identifying and completing prescription to improve the system. O'Conner Environmental Inc. presentation material (Adobe Acrobat pdf) Next RRWC Meeting: July 8, 2000 Page last updated June 8, 2000 (FC)