Full Council Meeting

Cloverdale Veterans Memorial 9-2PM

Thanks to Bob Anderson and Scott Barrow for facilitating the meeting! Bob started with announcements at 9:15AM due to lack of quorum.

AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS-Karen Rippey reviewed progress in drafting a scope of work for the Russian River Watershed Adaptive Management Plan, which has been in discussion with the Steering Committee in November and December 2002. Karen prepared a packet with the latest revision, a listing of prospective contacts and acknowledged that the WAMP process will not take up significant portions of the agenda/calendar of the RRWC over the next year like the POA. However, there is a need for interested Council members to provide inputs in drafting the scope of work to be approved by the Council so that the project timeline can be maintained. Agency members are particularly encouraged to participate in this process as the WAMP will need the support of both counties and be founded in solid science. There will be a meeting of those interested in developing the scope of work on January 29 at 2:30PM in the Cloverdale library.

Dave Evans acknowledged that the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board was due to meet January 23 at the Santa Rosa office. One agenda item will be consideration of waiver of waste discharge requirements for currently active US Forest Service timber sales and similar operations.

AGENDA/MINUTES OF 11/9/02 APPROVAL-By 9:20AM there was a quorum. The agenda for 1/18/03 and minutes from 11/9/02 were unanimously approved without correction by 31 ayes.

ANNOUNCEMENTS-David Dietz announced that the California Native Plants Society is looking for a task involving oak woodlands that can be addressed at the local and state level. One example is the potential for a standard used when considering oak woodland habitat during development or construction activities.

Dennis O'Brien announced the Mendocino Board of Supervisors recently voted not to suppport (3-1) further Eel River diversions at Dos Rios for additional waters for Redwood Valley. Richard Shoemaker is now chairman of Mendocino Board of Supervisors.

Brock Dolman thanked members of the Council that submitted comments as individuals or through their organizations for the Water Resources Element of the Sonoma County General Plan update. The watershed approach was strongly supported in the many comments received by county staff. The West County Watershed Network will meet at Occidental Arts and Ecology Center at 7PM on January 29.

Peggy Maddock asked the public caucus members to meet at the break to confirm Steering Committee representation for 2003.

David Berman announced the preparation of maps to be used by watershed educators. The first map addresses the lower Russian River and its sub basins. There will be a meeting of watershed educators on January 23 at 3:45PM at the Willowside School in Santa Rosa.

Zeno Swijtink announced the first draft of first flush results is now being finalized for a meeting on February 22 at the Raven theater in Healdsburg. Although the first flush monitoring was supported by regional board staff, state budget cuts have diminished ongoing support. Donations are needed for the rental of the hall for the results meeting. At the results meeting, there will be discussion of the potential for additional citizen monitoring during the last storm of the season in April/May timeframe.

Zeno also announced a series beginning at Sonoma State University on Global Climate Change. On February 7 at 7PM at the COOP, the first session will address "Science, Policy & Ethics". Zeno will lead another talk on water issues associated with global changes in weather patterns and potential north coast regional impacts on March 29. The talks are free if you pre-register through the website at http://www.sonoma.edu/projects/climatechange. Otherwise pay $10 at the door.

Brian Hines announced the availability of materials on GREEN TAGS FOR TROUT brought to you by Trout Unlimited and the Bonneville Power Authority. Individuals throughout the Pacific Northwest can opt for green tags electricity produced by renewable resources such as wind or solar by paying approximately 2 cents more per kilowatt hour. Help offset 100% of your personal energy use by purchasing green tags. Visit http://www.B-E-F.org/news/releases/091102.shtm .

Dennis Murphy announced the Russian River Property Owners Association, that includes landowners for 70% of the riverfront between Cloverdale and Geyserville, has begun a voluntary program for arundo removal. He also shared a photo showing recent storm impacts associated with the Dry Creek Rancheria property.

POA PUBLIC WORKSHOPS MOTION-Peggy Maddock presented a motion from the Public Outreach and Education work group to have workshops at the March, May and July meetings of the RRWC that would start during the regularly scheduled meeting at approximately 11AM and continue till 3PM. Each conference would address one of the three strategy areas from the Plan of Action, i.e., fluvial geomorphology, water conditions & characteristics, connections between human activity and habitat. The motion passed as presented with 32 ayes, 0 no, 0 abstain. Council members recommended:
· After the initial presentations were made, additional sessions should be scheduled in Santa Rosa or Ukiah where a larger audience is expected.
· Balance in speakers presenting POA topics so that different scientific points of view were addressed.
· Lunch refreshments are needed to avoid nutritional distraction.

FISH PASSAGE PROJECTS MOTION-Richard Miller presented a motion from the Salmonid Restoration work group for "RRWC work to enable the Community Foundation to accept mitigation funds until an appropriate fish passage project can be identified, scoped and funded contingent on Bob Coey's recommendation." Richard explained the need for an ongoing list of fishery passage and restoration projects like those outlined in the DFG Basin Restoration Plan. The intent of the motion is to allow the Council to support current efforts by NOAA, NCWQB, DFG, NMFS and Sonoma County District Attorney to direct funds collected from fines or mitigation settlements to fish passage projects locally within the Russian River watershed in a timely manner.

Leah Mahan of NOAA's Community Based Restoration program would act as project manager for $210K funding now being discussed for two fish passage projects and one bank vegetation project in the Wine Creek watershed. Council recommended that monies be directed towards the basin where situation occurred, e.g., Wine Creek and that some sort of prioritized list be developed for future reference as money becomes available. Motion passed 30 ayes, 1 no .

EPA LETTER MOTION-Bob Rawson reviewed letter language from meeting packet for a letter to EPA requesting that the original July 2000 rule be retained in order to prevent water quality impacts associated with abandoning TMDL program. The concern is that recent federal efforts to reclassify isolated wetlands and remove TMDL and NPDES requirements are not in sync with the Clean Water Act and its protections and are attempting to subvert Supreme Court decisions. Members reviewed concerns about landowner burden of regulatory directions that are inconsistent between agencies and regions. A perception of impairment can result in as much regulatory oversight as a scientifically, proven condition. As California water quality protections are higher than federal standards, the impacts to local programs are questionable. Asking for specific impacts to Russian River watershed features like the Laguna de Santa Rosa that might be affected by a rule change, is another tactic. Others favored supporting Clean Water Act in general rather than specific language that was not adequately reviewed or understood by the public at large. Original motion failed with 15 ayes, 11 no, 3 abstain.

Fred Euphrat worked with members during a break to setup for Willow Creek presentation and presented an alternative letter that asked for expected impacts with regards to Russian River watershed. That letter was approved with 26 ayes. (Letter was mailed 1/22/03.)

WILLOW CREEK WATERSHED UPDATE-Michele Luna, Executive Director of
Stewards of Slavianka, gave an overview of work completed in the Willow Creek watershed due to Prop 13 grant money that was used with other funding from RRWC, Landpaths, and City of Santa Rosa. Two landowners, CA State Parks and Mendocino Redwoods Company, own the 9 square miles which encompasses the Willow Creek watershed. The watershed maintains summer flows and has streamside vegetation but sedimentation continues to impact fish migration. Prunuske & Chatham has been collecting data to develop an integrated watershed management plan with a technical advisory committee of scientists and public scoping meetings which are just beginning.

The watershed lowlands between 2nd and 3rd bridge are choked up with siltation. The original stream channels have been diverted and modified by culvert placements that direct water away from the channel. Other portions of the stream channel have been straightened with little concern for natural meander needs. A project originally funded in July 2001 to collect stream hydrology data and model sediment transport was suspended when funding was interrupted. Landpaths continues to work on uplands assessment and develop solutions for gully repair challenges in the watershed.

RRWC funding was used to develop environmental education curricula for middle (Monte Rio Middle School) and high school (El Molino High School- ag classes) level students to study erosion, sediment and macroinvertebrates. A copy of the teacher's guide was presented to the coordinator for future reference by RRWC members. Volunteers from Stewards of Slavianka go into the classrooms before the field trips to Willow Creek and share materials with teachers and students to prepare them for the field experience using the Streamkeeper's Field Guide, posters of insect and salmonid life cycles and videos such as "Return of the Salmon". The classroom program is compatible and keeping contact with watershed education efforts by David Berman.

All volunteers are trained in a two-day training session which covers techniques for presenting materials at the various stations. Getting student interns from Sonoma State and students needing community service hours has been an effective strategy. The next volunteer training is scheduled for March 27 at the Jenner Visitor's Center from 10AM-3PM.

Citizen action teams have been formed to participate in the first flush stormwater monitoring as well as ongoing local sampling for dissolved oxygen, temperature, ammonia and other parameters. Action teams also help restore areas such as the Mendocino Redwoods Company hunting camp where various articles have been abandoned over the years. During a recent 2 day effort, two dumpsters were filled to overflowing with additional restoration and cleanups scheduled for Earth Day 2003. As more funding becomes available, it is hoped that projects will move from design to implementation. All school programs currently rely on volunteers.

Recent news is 40"-44" of rainfall recorded during last storms which caused widespread power outages of several days and Jenner Beach cleanup scheduled for January 26, 2002 from 9AM-1PM.

WILLOW CREEK WATERSHED MOTION-Scott Barrow reviewed a letter written in support of land acquisitions from Mendocino Redwoods Company by CA State Parks and Recreation and the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. There were concerns that only one of the motions related to the issue was agendized by the Steering Committee, that "conservation" language should be amended to "ecological restoration" and that grazing activity by leaseholders should be supported where it benefits the ecosystem. Motion passed with amendments to letter by 28 ayes, 0 no

2003 MEMBERSHIP-Rosters for the 2003 RRWC and Steering Committee were available. The public caucus amended their Steering representation so that Rusty Klassen is again the primary member and Richard Miller moves to alternate. Economic caucus roster needs updating to remove names of alternates that are not participating. Membership motion passed 26 ayes, 0 no.

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGES TO RULES OF OPERATION-Jerome Dix presented the work of the Steering Committee in adjusting the Steering Committee structure and operations. The Steering Committee has been working since last August to adjust its structure for better credibility in dealing with the Community Foundation. The potential change to the rules of operation was discussed first. The rule change would affect the quorum requirement of the Steering Committee. Six people would still be needed to conduct business, however, not all three caucuses would be required to be present.

All Steering Committee meetings are noticed with an agenda. Instead of the group being stymied by lack of attendance, the responsibility for attendance and representation would shift to each caucus to maintain their presence. Several members expressed the concern for more participation by the economic caucus so that our work reflects of the whole community. Economic members noted that their caucus meetings are usually better attended than the RRWC meetings, which indicates interest; however, economic members are often forced to choose between their livelihoods and their RRWC participation due to limited time.

After discussion of adopting the motion during today's agenda, it was agreed that it was unfair to members for the matter to be considered now when it was on the agenda only as a discussion item. Motion to put the matter on the March agenda was passed with 23 ayes.

Structural recommendations were reviewed as an organizational need for the RRWC to have designated points of contact with the Community Foundation as the partnership is developed. Using the structural changes to test the workability of nonprofit structure before incorporating was suggested. Each job description would be elected by the Council at large from nominations by each caucus. Having staggered terms will allow present Steering Committee members to mentor the next slate of officers. Initially the first term would be longer than one year for some members so that the staggering could be implemented. Filling the positions with RRWC members, rather than exclusively Steering Committee representatives, was mentioned as a way to alleviate the burden on existing Steering Committee members that typically invest at least 6 hours per month.

Hopefully, the workshops planned for this spring will encourage more participation by the community at large and provide some new members for the Council. People that were involved with the Council initially and discouraged by lack of restoration activity should be invited to come back now that there is activity for specific projects. The Council itself does not perform projects, but it can endorse projects to improve funding potential. Members of the Council can bid and contract for any restoration work as individuals. Anyone can participate in work groups.

Urgency of the need for restructuring was reviewed as RRWC meets only every other month and the year of partnership with Community Foundation is already started. Rusty Klassen and Zeno Swijtink stated their intention to continue working with the Community Foundation. Members stated that rather than have new players introduced to the relationship, it was better for recognized representatives of the Council to move the discussion forward.

All caucuses are encouraged to meet and review the organization alternatives before the February 5, 2003 Steering Committee meeting. (Public caucus will meet 2/3 at Windsor library 5PM) Each caucus is encouraged to select representatives for possible election in March. Motion from the floor to have an action item on the March agenda that initiates the Steering Committee changes and creates the proposed positions was passed with 23 ayes. Members also affirmed Rusty, Zeno and Jerome as Community Foundation reps with 23 ayes. Neither motion had any opposition.

2003 GOALS-Linda Curry reviewed the 9 goals for the RRWC in 2003. The Steering Committee reviewed existing work in progress and recommended that RRWC activity be focused on meeting the 9 goals. Handout detailing goals and expected outcomes is available. Coho recovery work group goal was deleted as that activity is perceived to be more of an ongoing support activity for RRWC. Russian River Cleanup goal was expanded to explicitly include cleanups that start in July in Mendocino County.

WORK GROUP STRUCTURE-Scott Barrow reviewed proposal to recreate work groups to align with five POA strategy areas. With 5 work group chairs from the full Council, rather than just Steering Committee members, it will help to focus the energy of our volunteers. Having regular work group reports in our agenda will allow work groups to develop potential solutions for issues identified in the POA.

Some mechanism to identify existing expertise within the Council to develop the POA strategy areas is needed. Models include having a workgroup dedicated to POA strategy area with subgroups that work on particular issues before being brought back to work group for discussion/action and potential work by RRWC. Zeno Swijtink volunteered to head the Connections between Human Activity and Habitat group. Rules of operation would need to be amended to reflect different work groups if POA alignment is chosen.

NEXT MEETING-On March 8, first action item in agenda should be organizational structure.