RRWC Meeting of September 16, 2006

Russian River Watershed Council

Full Council Meeting

September 16 , 2006

Veteran’s Memorial Hall, Cloverdale, California

Approve Agenda of September 16, 2006 – Action Item
Agenda approval – Ayes: 10, Nays: 0, Abstains: 0

Approve Minutes of July 8, 2006 – Action Item

Comment noted and changes made to July 8 meeting minutes.

Agenda approval – Ayes: 8, Nays: 0, Abstains: 2

Agency Announcements – Discussion

None

Community Announcements – Discussion

Russian River Cleanup next weekend, September 23. If you are interested in participation please contact Bob.

Sonoma County Watershed Stewardship Conference and Celebration sponsored by RRWC will take place on October 15, 2007, Sebastopol Community Center, 390 Morris Street, Sebastopol.

Thursday, September 21, 2007 Sonoma County Salmonid Coalition meeting at 8:00 followed by Water Rights meeting (Stream Channel Guidelines for AS2121) 10:00 at SCWA office, 404 Aviation, Santa Rosa.

Russian River Fest – 9/17/06 Burke’s Canoes.

Officer Reports – Discussion

Presidents Report: Tim Buckner reported that RRWC bank account is open and our non-profit status is almost complete.

Treasurers/Secretary Report: Tax ID number has been issued. Scott has submitted packet for final non-profit status which should be finalize within 30 days. The Treasurer’s report and financial reporting process needs to be accurate. Scott suggested that the reporting process be an item for the next Steering Committee meeting.

Public Outreach

Logo approved by Steering Committee was shared.

Draft flyer for Oct 15 Sonoma County Event was passed out for review. Several presentations scheduled: 1. Brock will present basin relations. 2. Dairy Waste Best Management Practices, 3. Karen Rippey RRWAMP update. Colleen requested that RRWC members volunteer to help at event and serve on a panel. Colleen suggested that anyone who has a topic that they would like to hear about to send her an email. A few suggestions: Friends of Sea Otters about ocean issues, pet waste in streams, Don MacEnhill to discuss Russian River issues, SCWA to discuss impoundment of water and its impacts, Eel River water imports, etc.

Adopt-A-Community-Watershed

Colleen requested support for a watershed educational and collaboration process. Colleen has spoken with Brock and he is willing to provide assistance. It may be a four day event to immerse attendees in to watershed ecology. The program would include: 1. Identify what community watershed you live in, 2. Join or form a community watershed group or council. 3. Attend and/or sponsor group leaders for the Water Institute Community Watershed program., 4. Assess and prioritize the needs of your local watershed. 5. Commit to contribute resources (time, money, knowledge, labor, etc.) each year, 6. Enroll other community members to support their local watershed.

Discussion: RCD has a watershed stewardship program to use as a model.

Motion: Provide a place and organizational structure for sub-watershed groups to meet, learn, and encourage capacity building for Russian River Watershed health.

Ayes: 10 Nays: 0 Abstains: 2

Sub-Watershed Work Plan with SCWA

The grant (approx. $4,000) would be seed money from SCWA to identify three sub-watersheds. This process would be followed by a proposal for potential restoration of the sub-watershed areas by RRWC. Tim presented a draft scope of work, attached.

Discussion:

Rusty said Chuck Conner discussed his willingness to help by naming one of the three sub-watersheds, Porter Creek.

One sub-watershed needs to be in Mendocino County.

This effort may be a template for future restoration for sub-watersheds.

It is important to remember that most sub-watersheds are private property so getting support will be difficult. The issue of public trust and property rights will continue to be a point of concern.

Identify a sub-committee to work on this process.

Ayes: 10 Nays: 0 Abstains: 1

Next Steps & Agenda Items for October 4 Steering Committee Meeting and November 11, 2006 RRWC meeting – Discussion

Potential agenda items for October 4 Steering Committee meeting

First Flush

Converting Steering Committee to Board

Financial Reporting Process

SWCA Grant

RRIIS

EPA Grant

Potential agenda items for November 11, 2006 RRWC meeting:

Public Outreach

SCWA Project Funding

Potential presentation: West Coast Watersheds (Karen Gaffney) - RRWAMP Outreach Contract, NCIWMP/RRIIS

PRESENTATIONS

Fish Friendly Farming (FFF) - Laurel Marcus

FFF is managed by California Lands Stewardship Institute (CLSI)

Agricultural lands in four Counties (Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa and Solano) are involved in the FFF program. In the Napa River watershed the RWQCB has designated the FFF program as the process to meet TMDL needs. CWA, TMDL, ESA pesticide requirements, etc are all met with FFF.

The certification agencies for the FFF program are the CDFG, RWQCB, Ag Commission, and NMFS. Approximately 50,000 acres are enrolled. FFF will soon be a marketed program.

CLSI provides technical assistance and support for sustainable farming and fisheries practices. For example: soil conservation measures such as mulching of secondary dirt roads (roads are the largest contributor of sediment into streams),cover crops between vines, filter strips, integrated pest management, etc. FFF is a pro-active approach to meet guidelines for sediment, pesticide reduction, etc.

FFF is organized to duplicate how land managers would manage land to support their schedules and productive expectations.

Wine grapes use one half acre feet of water per year. This is a relatively low water use compared to urban uses. FFF looks at water uses, locations of dams, riparian rights and stream side pumping (important to put fish screens on the end of pipe)

There are different management practices for confined and un-confined channels. Un-confined channels with flood plains are most typical near vineyards.

Riparian habitat supports for a variety of wildlife. Sizing of riparian corridor is determined by watershed area .

FFF assesses invasive plants (vinca, Arundo, blackberry, etc)

Incised streams are difficult and expensive to remedy.

Russian River Watershed Adaptive Management Plan – Dan Smith, ERDC

The Russian River Watershed has been divided into 1,290 watershed assessment units (WAU). The units provide a higher level of accuracy. The delineation is determined by stream order or DFG delineation when information is available.

Five primary assessment criteria for ranking: Condition, Vulnerability, Restoration Potential, Conservation Potential, and Development Conservation Potential. Each WAU is ranked using the five criteria.

The ranking is modeled using Environmental Management Decision Support (EMDS). EMDS uses Netweaver software.

Three Primary Conditions (Upland, Riparian, and Stream) are supported by Secondary Conditions/Assessment Criteria. The Assessment Criteria are defined by indicators. Each indicator has a proposition with a “truth” value to determine how close to the proposition the indicator is. Multiple indicators have a “unit” node to provide weighted averages between associated indicators. A “switch” node is used for qualitative data when quantitative data is not available.

Conditions are mapped so each WAU can be compared for watershed restoration, protection, and development potential.

Draft Proposal for Sub-watershed Work plans:                            8/17/06

Approval Item presented by: Tim Buckner

Preliminary discussions between the SCWA and the RRWC have yielded a concept for a cooperative agreement to work toward the following goals:

1. Recovery of the 3 species of Salmonids to self sustaining levels.

2. Resolution of water rights issues and stream flow requirements.

3. Resolution of TMDL issues.

Phase 1. Scoping study to target sub-watersheds.

Because of the magnitude and complexity of any of these goals, initial work will be limited to three sub-watersheds, with the objective of developing models that can be used in other areas. The objective of the first phase is to identify these three sub-watersheds according to criteria developed in Task 1.

Phase 1 Schedule:

TASK                                                       TIME/UNITS         TIMELINE     COST

1. Develop criteria for selection                   40 hours                      30 Days       $1000

    of subject sub-watersheds.

2. Survey Russian River Watershed            80 hours                      60 Days       $2000

    for potential sub-watersheds

3. Sort sub-watersheds for value                 80 hours                      90 Days       $1000

    based on criteria developed in

     Task 1 to select 3 for Project.                _________________________________

                                                      TOTAL 200 hours                  90 Days        $4000

Phase 1, the scoping of the project, will produce the analytical framework for the three target watersheds to be developed in Phase 2.

Russian River Watershed Council	Full Council Meeting
September 16 , 2006	Veteran’s Memorial Hall, Cloverdale, California


Approve Agenda of September 16, 2006 – Action Item Agenda approval – Ayes: 10, Nays: 0, Abstains: 0 Approve Minutes of July 8, 2006 – Action Item Comment noted and changes made to July 8 meeting minutes. Agenda approval – Ayes: 8, Nays: 0, Abstains: 2 Agency Announcements – Discussion None Community Announcements – Discussion Russian River Cleanup next weekend, September 23. If you are interested in participation please contact Bob. Sonoma County Watershed Stewardship Conference and Celebration sponsored by RRWC will take place on October 15, 2007, Sebastopol Community Center, 390 Morris Street, Sebastopol. Thursday, September 21, 2007 Sonoma County Salmonid Coalition meeting at 8:00 followed by Water Rights meeting (Stream Channel Guidelines for AS2121) 10:00 at SCWA office, 404 Aviation, Santa Rosa. Russian River Fest – 9/17/06 Burke’s Canoes. Officer Reports – Discussion Presidents Report: Tim Buckner reported that RRWC bank account is open and our non-profit status is almost complete. Treasurers/Secretary Report: Tax ID number has been issued. Scott has submitted packet for final non-profit status which should be finalize within 30 days. The Treasurer’s report and financial reporting process needs to be accurate. Scott suggested that the reporting process be an item for the next Steering Committee meeting. Public Outreach Logo approved by Steering Committee was shared. Draft flyer for Oct 15 Sonoma County Event was passed out for review. Several presentations scheduled: 1. Brock will present basin relations. 2. Dairy Waste Best Management Practices, 3. Karen Rippey RRWAMP update. Colleen requested that RRWC members volunteer to help at event and serve on a panel. Colleen suggested that anyone who has a topic that they would like to hear about to send her an email. A few suggestions: Friends of Sea Otters about ocean issues, pet waste in streams, Don MacEnhill to discuss Russian River issues, SCWA to discuss impoundment of water and its impacts, Eel River water imports, etc. Adopt-A-Community-Watershed Colleen requested support for a watershed educational and collaboration process. Colleen has spoken with Brock and he is willing to provide assistance. It may be a four day event to immerse attendees in to watershed ecology. The program would include: 1. Identify what community watershed you live in, 2. Join or form a community watershed group or council. 3. Attend and/or sponsor group leaders for the Water Institute Community Watershed program., 4. Assess and prioritize the needs of your local watershed. 5. Commit to contribute resources (time, money, knowledge, labor, etc.) each year, 6. Enroll other community members to support their local watershed. Discussion: RCD has a watershed stewardship program to use as a model. Motion: Provide a place and organizational structure for sub-watershed groups to meet, learn, and encourage capacity building for Russian River Watershed health. Ayes: 10 Nays: 0 Abstains: 2 Sub-Watershed Work Plan with SCWA The grant (approx. $4,000) would be seed money from SCWA to identify three sub-watersheds. This process would be followed by a proposal for potential restoration of the sub-watershed areas by RRWC. Tim presented a draft scope of work, attached. Discussion: Rusty said Chuck Conner discussed his willingness to help by naming one of the three sub-watersheds, Porter Creek. One sub-watershed needs to be in Mendocino County. This effort may be a template for future restoration for sub-watersheds. It is important to remember that most sub-watersheds are private property so getting support will be difficult. The issue of public trust and property rights will continue to be a point of concern. Identify a sub-committee to work on this process. Ayes: 10 Nays: 0 Abstains: 1 Next Steps & Agenda Items for October 4 Steering Committee Meeting and November 11, 2006 RRWC meeting – Discussion Potential agenda items for October 4 Steering Committee meeting First Flush Converting Steering Committee to Board Financial Reporting Process SWCA Grant RRIIS EPA Grant Potential agenda items for November 11, 2006 RRWC meeting: Public Outreach SCWA Project Funding Potential presentation: West Coast Watersheds (Karen Gaffney) - RRWAMP Outreach Contract, NCIWMP/RRIIS PRESENTATIONS Fish Friendly Farming (FFF) - Laurel Marcus FFF is managed by California Lands Stewardship Institute (CLSI) Agricultural lands in four Counties (Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa and Solano) are involved in the FFF program. In the Napa River watershed the RWQCB has designated the FFF program as the process to meet TMDL needs. CWA, TMDL, ESA pesticide requirements, etc are all met with FFF. The certification agencies for the FFF program are the CDFG, RWQCB, Ag Commission, and NMFS. Approximately 50,000 acres are enrolled. FFF will soon be a marketed program. CLSI provides technical assistance and support for sustainable farming and fisheries practices. For example: soil conservation measures such as mulching of secondary dirt roads (roads are the largest contributor of sediment into streams),cover crops between vines, filter strips, integrated pest management, etc. FFF is a pro-active approach to meet guidelines for sediment, pesticide reduction, etc. FFF is organized to duplicate how land managers would manage land to support their schedules and productive expectations. Wine grapes use one half acre feet of water per year. This is a relatively low water use compared to urban uses. FFF looks at water uses, locations of dams, riparian rights and stream side pumping (important to put fish screens on the end of pipe) There are different management practices for confined and un-confined channels. Un-confined channels with flood plains are most typical near vineyards. Riparian habitat supports for a variety of wildlife. Sizing of riparian corridor is determined by watershed area . FFF assesses invasive plants (vinca, Arundo, blackberry, etc) Incised streams are difficult and expensive to remedy. Russian River Watershed Adaptive Management Plan – Dan Smith, ERDC The Russian River Watershed has been divided into 1,290 watershed assessment units (WAU). The units provide a higher level of accuracy. The delineation is determined by stream order or DFG delineation when information is available. Five primary assessment criteria for ranking: Condition, Vulnerability, Restoration Potential, Conservation Potential, and Development Conservation Potential. Each WAU is ranked using the five criteria. The ranking is modeled using Environmental Management Decision Support (EMDS). EMDS uses Netweaver software. Three Primary Conditions (Upland, Riparian, and Stream) are supported by Secondary Conditions/Assessment Criteria. The Assessment Criteria are defined by indicators. Each indicator has a proposition with a “truth” value to determine how close to the proposition the indicator is. Multiple indicators have a “unit” node to provide weighted averages between associated indicators. A “switch” node is used for qualitative data when quantitative data is not available. Conditions are mapped so each WAU can be compared for watershed restoration, protection, and development potential. *Draft Proposal for Sub-watershed Work plans:* 8/17/06 Approval Item presented by: Tim Buckner Preliminary discussions between the SCWA and the RRWC have yielded a concept for a cooperative agreement to work toward the following goals: 1. Recovery of the 3 species of Salmonids to self sustaining levels. 2. Resolution of water rights issues and stream flow requirements. 3. Resolution of TMDL issues. Phase 1. Scoping study to target sub-watersheds. Because of the magnitude and complexity of any of these goals, initial work will be limited to three sub-watersheds, with the objective of developing models that can be used in other areas. The objective of the first phase is to identify these three sub-watersheds according to criteria developed in Task 1. Phase 1 Schedule: TASK TIME/UNITS TIMELINE COST 1. Develop criteria for selection 40 hours 30 Days $1000 of subject sub-watersheds. 2. Survey Russian River Watershed 80 hours 60 Days $2000 for potential sub-watersheds 3. Sort sub-watersheds for value 80 hours 90 Days $1000 based on criteria developed in Task 1 to select 3 for Project. _________________________________ TOTAL 200 hours 90 Days $4000 Phase 1, the scoping of the project, will produce the analytical framework for the three target watersheds to be developed in Phase 2.