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Russian River Watershed Council

Full Council Meeting

Minutes of January 23, 1999

Veterans Memorial Hall, Cloverdale, 9 am - 1 pm

Summary of January 23 Meeting
Cover Letter to Interested Citizens
Cover Letter to Members of the Council
Sonoma County Supervisor Mike Rielly Draft Model of A Watershed Council Membership Based on Suggested Guidelines
Guidelines for Defining Mission, Goals, Objectives and Operating Principles
Russian River Watershed Council Public Meeting Cost from June 25, 1998 to November 7, 1998
Suggested Guidelines for Development of a Permanent Watershed Council Membership
Resources for Next Meeting (March 27, 1999) or Interim Period

Final Minutes
Russian River Watershed Council
January 23, 1999
Long-Term Funding Strategy
Project Study Plan Update: Lieutenant Colonel Peter Grass of the US Army Corps of Engineers, reported that Corps HQ in Washington, DC approved the PSP with minor language changes. Karen Rippey, Project Study Manager, will make those changes and bring them to the Council. When asked about how activities would be selected and implemented, particularly if they involved private property, Karen said that it was up to Council to pick those that have a chance to work. Cathy Bleier, Council coordinator, said that additional language had been inserted into PSP to give Council approval or veto power over what would be funded. Lt. Colonel Grass reported on a meeting with Mary Nichols, California Resources Agency Secretary, and Mendocino County Supervisor Richard Shoemaker to talk about the Council and the PSP. He said Ms. Nichols had many issues on her plate, but was supportive of watershed efforts in general. Mike Reilly also met with Mary Nichols, and described her efforts to work across Department as encouraging.
Fishnet 4C: Kallie Kull , Project Coordinator, described FishNet 4C’s efforts with Mendocino, Sonoma, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Monterey Counties to evaluate the effectiveness of their policies and programs in protecting and restoring coho and steelhead. The project is funded by Resources Agency and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Goals include identifying opportunities for improving County policies or procedures, including incentives, education, ordinances, training, and restoration. They will be reviewing actual activities, and she invited people to suggest case studies for Mendocino and Sonoma Counties.
Pacific Coastal Salmonid Conservation and Restoration - Randy Poole, Sonoma County Water Agency, discussed a request by California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska for $200 million from the federal government to support salmonid restoration. It would likely require a 35-50% match. In response to questions about how it would be used and Council input on projects, he said it would probably be used for on-the-ground restoration projects rather than planning, and administered by the State and distributed to counties. He thought that it would be useful for the Resources Agency and Cal-EPA to coordinate in this effort.
Current Budget
Cathy Bleier reviewed Council budget and options for funding Council operations while the new Resources Agency Secretary considers the PSP. Since the Dept. of Conservation has no more funds for operations, Liza Prunuske of Prunuske Chatham Inc. facilitated this meeting free of charge and the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (NCRWCB) handled the public notification. Two other offers of free facilitation are pending, one contingent on an in-kind match from a government agency. The Corps has offered an additional $4000 for facilitation, if needed. Sonoma State Organizational Development Program was suggested as a source of interns or volunteer facilitators. Dept. of Fish and Game (DFG) and State Lands Commission have also offered to help with mailing. Council members also suggested 1) eliminating duplicative mailing lists, 2) requesting self-addressed envelopes, and 3) looking for less expensive facilities further south. Council members also requested minutes, suggested that members assume secretarial duties on a rotating basis, and suggested a regular meeting schedule.
Mission Statement
Council members discussed the need to refine the mission statement. The facilitator, Liza Prunuske, provided some definitions and guidance for developing mission statements, and Nikki Barratt provided a hand-out of examples of goals from other watershed groups.

Jay Halcomb proposed the following mission statement on behalf of the environmental caucus (see attached for full proposed mission/goal statement):

The primary mission of the Russian River Watershed Council is the recovery of the Russian River Watershed’s ecosystem to a condition such that the native wild anadromous fishery, as a measurable indicator species, recovers to healthy and sustainable levels.

Mark Green said that the environmental caucus would leave the Council if fish were not primary to mission. Some council members, including the economic caucus, wanted to retain the mission used to convene the Council:

To protect, restore, and enhance the environmental and economic values of the Russian River watershed through an open, community-based process which facilitates collaboration and communication among all interested parties.

Public Member Caucus suggested working out mission in a Working Group. Council voted 37 to 4 to form a Working Group to meet in Cloverdale with the following assignment:

Meld two mission statements put forward in discussion.

Send new proposed mission statement to Council members before the next meeting.

If the Working Group has time, they should begin identifying goals.

Present one or more proposals for the Council to vote on at the next Council meeting.

Membership/Operating Principles
Geographic balance: After discussing the imbalance of county representation on some caucuses, the Council voted 40 to 1 to include City of Ukiah and Inland Power and Water as non-voting agency members of the Agency/Elected Representatives Caucus, and to allow City of Santa Rosa to rejoin if interested.
Structure: Supervisor Mike Reilly presented a proposal for membership criteria, organization, and operations. Jay Halcomb’s proposal also included some operating principles. After discussion, the Council agreed to form a Working Group with representation from each caucus to meet via teleconferencing facilities in Mendocino County Supervisors office and Sonoma County location (to be arranged). The Council gave the Working Group the following direction:

1. Investigate how other watershed councils with similar diverse membership deal with public representation.
2. Consider the size of the Council.
3. Consider having a steering committee.
4. Consider recommending Roberts Rules of Order for Council operation.
5. Present proposal(s) at next Council meeting or report on Working Group progress.

Delegation to Resources Agency
John Calaprice agreed to coordinate a delegation to visit with the Resources Agency. Each caucus was asked to select 2 representatives and have them contact John.
KRIS presentation
Patrick Higgins and Bill Kier demonstrated the KRIS (Klamath Resource Information System) program. KRIS is an IBM-pc compatible, interactive watershed-monitoring database with input and report capabilities including numeric data sets, charts, tables, graphs, maps, photographs, and text bibliographies, and which links with Arcview for specialized map handling. The focus of KRIS data is water quality and fisheries. It was originally produced under contract with US Fish & Wildlife, with funding from US EPA. Call (530) 842-5763 for a free KRIS CD. This free CD does NOT work on Macs.
Announcements

Sustainable Sonoma Conference at Sonoma State University. On February 12^th. Speakers will address issues of regional growth, tourism, transportation, water, and environmental compliance, and the benefits to business of adopting strategies that promote sustainable development.

Kerry Williams (Sotoyome RCD) and Laurel Marcus presented a manual of watershed management practices for landowners. All have been field-tested in real conditions. RCD is looking for more Russian River sub-watersheds to include in their enhancement program.

Larry Weeks (DFG) announced that SB271 funding will be available for restoration, planning, and education projects. Request for Proposals will be out in February; proposals will probably be due in April.

Diana Jacobs (State Lands Commission) announced a tentative gravel mining workshop in Santa Rosa May 13/14. (note: Has since been subsequently canceled).

Richard Retecki (Coastal Conservancy) said that the Conservancy has $7,000 for Council meetings. It would like to give it directly to them. Council would need to form itself into a non-profit or other legal entity in order to accept money.

Next Meeting
Council will meet on March 27, 1999 in Cloverdale at Veteranís Memorial Hall at 9:00 am. The Council agreed to continue to use the same planning group and to allow other members to participate, as interested. Environmental caucus asked that Mark Green and Krista Rector be included. Nikki Barratt from Public group has also joined. Tasks include 1) find a facilitator; 2) decide how to get minutes out to Council members; and 3) consider other meetings times (i.e., evenings, weekday). Group should consider including on the agenda:

Presentation technical, economic, biological issues facing the River.

Short updates from existing watershed groups.

Mission statement(s) proposal.

Membership/Operating principles proposal or report.

Announcements

Agenda for next meeting.

Page last updated April 20, 1999 (FC)

Russian River Watershed Council	Full Council Meeting
Minutes of January 23, 1999	Veterans Memorial Hall, Cloverdale, 9 am - 1 pm

Summary of January 23 Meeting Cover Letter to Interested Citizens Cover Letter to Members of the Council Sonoma County Supervisor Mike Rielly Draft Model of A Watershed Council Membership Based on Suggested Guidelines Guidelines for Defining Mission, Goals, Objectives and Operating Principles Russian River Watershed Council Public Meeting Cost from June 25, 1998 to November 7, 1998 Suggested Guidelines for Development of a Permanent Watershed Council Membership Resources for Next Meeting (March 27, 1999) or Interim Period
Final Minutes Russian River Watershed Council January 23, 1999 Long-Term Funding Strategy Project Study Plan Update: Lieutenant Colonel Peter Grass of the US Army Corps of Engineers, reported that Corps HQ in Washington, DC approved the PSP with minor language changes. Karen Rippey, Project Study Manager, will make those changes and bring them to the Council. When asked about how activities would be selected and implemented, particularly if they involved private property, Karen said that it was up to Council to pick those that have a chance to work. Cathy Bleier, Council coordinator, said that additional language had been inserted into PSP to give Council approval or veto power over what would be funded. Lt. Colonel Grass reported on a meeting with Mary Nichols, California Resources Agency Secretary, and Mendocino County Supervisor Richard Shoemaker to talk about the Council and the PSP. He said Ms. Nichols had many issues on her plate, but was supportive of watershed efforts in general. Mike Reilly also met with Mary Nichols, and described her efforts to work across Department as encouraging. Fishnet 4C: Kallie Kull , Project Coordinator, described FishNet 4C’s efforts with Mendocino, Sonoma, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Monterey Counties to evaluate the effectiveness of their policies and programs in protecting and restoring coho and steelhead. The project is funded by Resources Agency and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Goals include identifying opportunities for improving County policies or procedures, including incentives, education, ordinances, training, and restoration. They will be reviewing actual activities, and she invited people to suggest case studies for Mendocino and Sonoma Counties. Pacific Coastal Salmonid Conservation and Restoration - Randy Poole, Sonoma County Water Agency, discussed a request by California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska for $200 million from the federal government to support salmonid restoration. It would likely require a 35-50% match. In response to questions about how it would be used and Council input on projects, he said it would probably be used for on-the-ground restoration projects rather than planning, and administered by the State and distributed to counties. He thought that it would be useful for the Resources Agency and Cal-EPA to coordinate in this effort. Current Budget Cathy Bleier reviewed Council budget and options for funding Council operations while the new Resources Agency Secretary considers the PSP. Since the Dept. of Conservation has no more funds for operations, Liza Prunuske of Prunuske Chatham Inc. facilitated this meeting free of charge and the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (NCRWCB) handled the public notification. Two other offers of free facilitation are pending, one contingent on an in-kind match from a government agency. The Corps has offered an additional $4000 for facilitation, if needed. Sonoma State Organizational Development Program was suggested as a source of interns or volunteer facilitators. Dept. of Fish and Game (DFG) and State Lands Commission have also offered to help with mailing. Council members also suggested 1) eliminating duplicative mailing lists, 2) requesting self-addressed envelopes, and 3) looking for less expensive facilities further south. Council members also requested minutes, suggested that members assume secretarial duties on a rotating basis, and suggested a regular meeting schedule. Mission Statement Council members discussed the need to refine the mission statement. The facilitator, Liza Prunuske, provided some definitions and guidance for developing mission statements, and Nikki Barratt provided a hand-out of examples of goals from other watershed groups. Jay Halcomb proposed the following mission statement on behalf of the environmental caucus (see attached for full proposed mission/goal statement): The primary mission of the Russian River Watershed Council is the recovery of the Russian River Watershed’s ecosystem to a condition such that the native wild anadromous fishery, as a measurable indicator species, recovers to healthy and sustainable levels. Mark Green said that the environmental caucus would leave the Council if fish were not primary to mission. Some council members, including the economic caucus, wanted to retain the mission used to convene the Council: To protect, restore, and enhance the environmental and economic values of the Russian River watershed through an open, community-based process which facilitates collaboration and communication among all interested parties. Public Member Caucus suggested working out mission in a Working Group. Council voted 37 to 4 to form a Working Group to meet in Cloverdale with the following assignment: Meld two mission statements put forward in discussion. Send new proposed mission statement to Council members before the next meeting. If the Working Group has time, they should begin identifying goals. Present one or more proposals for the Council to vote on at the next Council meeting. Membership/Operating Principles Geographic balance: After discussing the imbalance of county representation on some caucuses, the Council voted 40 to 1 to include City of Ukiah and Inland Power and Water as non-voting agency members of the Agency/Elected Representatives Caucus, and to allow City of Santa Rosa to rejoin if interested. Structure: Supervisor Mike Reilly presented a proposal for membership criteria, organization, and operations. Jay Halcomb’s proposal also included some operating principles. After discussion, the Council agreed to form a Working Group with representation from each caucus to meet via teleconferencing facilities in Mendocino County Supervisors office and Sonoma County location (to be arranged). The Council gave the Working Group the following direction: 1. Investigate how other watershed councils with similar diverse membership deal with public representation. 2. Consider the size of the Council. 3. Consider having a steering committee. 4. Consider recommending Roberts Rules of Order for Council operation. 5. Present proposal(s) at next Council meeting or report on Working Group progress. Delegation to Resources Agency John Calaprice agreed to coordinate a delegation to visit with the Resources Agency. Each caucus was asked to select 2 representatives and have them contact John. KRIS presentation Patrick Higgins and Bill Kier demonstrated the KRIS (Klamath Resource Information System) program. KRIS is an IBM-pc compatible, interactive watershed-monitoring database with input and report capabilities including numeric data sets, charts, tables, graphs, maps, photographs, and text bibliographies, and which links with Arcview for specialized map handling. The focus of KRIS data is water quality and fisheries. It was originally produced under contract with US Fish & Wildlife, with funding from US EPA. Call (530) 842-5763 for a free KRIS CD. This free CD does NOT work on Macs. Announcements Sustainable Sonoma Conference at Sonoma State University. On February 12^th. Speakers will address issues of regional growth, tourism, transportation, water, and environmental compliance, and the benefits to business of adopting strategies that promote sustainable development. Kerry Williams (Sotoyome RCD) and Laurel Marcus presented a manual of watershed management practices for landowners. All have been field-tested in real conditions. RCD is looking for more Russian River sub-watersheds to include in their enhancement program. Larry Weeks (DFG) announced that SB271 funding will be available for restoration, planning, and education projects. Request for Proposals will be out in February; proposals will probably be due in April. Diana Jacobs (State Lands Commission) announced a tentative gravel mining workshop in Santa Rosa May 13/14. (note: Has since been subsequently canceled). Richard Retecki (Coastal Conservancy) said that the Conservancy has $7,000 for Council meetings. It would like to give it directly to them. Council would need to form itself into a non-profit or other legal entity in order to accept money. Next Meeting Council will meet on March 27, 1999 in Cloverdale at Veteranís Memorial Hall at 9:00 am. The Council agreed to continue to use the same planning group and to allow other members to participate, as interested. Environmental caucus asked that Mark Green and Krista Rector be included. Nikki Barratt from Public group has also joined. Tasks include 1) find a facilitator; 2) decide how to get minutes out to Council members; and 3) consider other meetings times (i.e., evenings, weekday). Group should consider including on the agenda: Presentation technical, economic, biological issues facing the River. Short updates from existing watershed groups. Mission statement(s) proposal. Membership/Operating principles proposal or report. Announcements Agenda for next meeting. Page last updated April 20, 1999 (FC)