Meeting Minutes

September Steering Committee

Thursday, September 26, 2002 – 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Friant Learning Academy, Town of Friant

1.      Welcome and Introductions

 Karla Fullerton, Chair called the meeting to order at 6:15 pm and welcomed everyone. Introductions were made.  Handouts for the meeting were provided. 

2.      Agenda

 There were no changes to the agenda

3.      Review and Approval of Minutes

 The minutes were reviewed and approved as written.  It was also suggested by Denis Prosperi that the Upper San Joaquin River Basin Storage Investigation be retained as a discussion item under Other Business. 

4.      Assessment Planning

 Terry Sandridge gave a report on the last meeting held on 9/18.  Participants were Fullerton, Sandridge, Middleton, Thomas & Haze:  

1. Leadership – Terry offered to lead the assessment activities – with Steve Haze as his support.
2. Literature Search versus Field Work – Terry indicated that the assessment would be primarily a literature search in which an effort would be made to locate information already available for determining the general condition of the watershed based on the team’s areas of interest.  There would be very little field work – if any.  The assessment would be a “snap-shot” report.
3. Scope of Assessment – It was generally agreed upon that everything identified as being important to assess based on the worksheet hand-out was still in scope.
4. Most Difficult Work – It was agreed that groundwater information would probably be the most difficult to obtain, (Dave Hopelain’s question).
5. Watershed Assessment Report Format – Terry suggested as a starting point that the Skipanon (Oregon) Watershed Assessment report be used as a model for publishing our own watershed assessment report.

The Steering Committee then discussed other items related to assessment activities:  

1. Craig Tolmie, Vegetation Management Coordinator for California Department of Forestry and new Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Liaison gave the Committee an overview of information they can provide.  This included vegetation and fuel models – along with fire history within the watershed study area.  CDF has a database on the internet called FRAP – Fire and Resources Assessment Program that could be a wealth of information.

2. Tony Ward, Madera County Planning Commissioner and a member of the Eastern Madera County Water Oversight Advisory Committee talked about their experiences on water availability and quality – and the importance of obtaining information within the various watersheds.  Denis Prosperi suggested that members of the Water Oversight Committee from Eastern Madera County be responsible for obtaining information on wells and land-use.  He felt that Dave Hopelain and Claude Rust would be good resources.

3. Jeannine Koshear of California Parks and Recreation indicated that they are doing a study of potential impacts within the Millerton state recreational area (SRA).  The ISIS Center at California State University, Fresno is looking at land entitlements and potential cumulative impacts that may affect the SRA.

4. Terry announced that David Durham, District Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Services has agreed to serve on the TAC as the Liaison.  Kevin Moody, has also joined the TAC as the Liaison for the US Bureau of Reclamation.

5. Karla conveyed that members of the Technical Advisory Committee have been welcomed to actively participate in support of the Steering Committee and other committee efforts.  The Agency Liaisons are seen as a valuable resource.

6. The Steering Committee devoted time to assign individuals to be responsible for leading the collection of information for each of the assessment components, (See updated Watershed Assessment Worksheet)

4.      Other Business –  

1. Madera Co. Groundwater Study Proposal – Steve Haze passed out a request for support from Elissa Brown, Madera County Grant Writer.  The request of support was for a groundwater Study proposal to be submitted to the California Department of Resources under AB303 for the Oakhurst area in eastern Madera County.  Tony Ward, presented reasons for applying for the grant, the importance of the groundwater study – and, its potential benefits to MAWC’s own assessment efforts.  He conveyed the importance of knowing what the “groundwater balance” is – and the association of land-use policies.   They have found a “high level” of uranium in the water.  Trends include wells being drilled 200 ft. deep in the 1970’s, then 400 ft. in the 80’s and currently 800-900 ft deep.  It is estimated that the recharge rate versus discharge for groundwater is 5-15% per year.  They are looking at other possibilities such as utilizing surface water.

The Steering Committee directed Steve Haze to contact Elissa and write a letter of support based on the example provided by her.  In response to a question from Lloyd Carter, the letter would avoid references to private water rights and the County of Madera’s jurisdictional rights.

2. Education – Karla requested that Steve Haze contact Phil Desatoff, Geologist for Fresno County to provide a watershed presentation at the next meeting on 10/24.

3. Upper San Joaquin River Basin Storage Investigation (USJRBSI), CALFED –  (none)

5.      Announcements

1. Upper Finegold Watershed Planning Grant – Steve Haze announced that the Sierra Foothill Conservancy is one of thirty statewide finalists for Proposition 13 funds for watershed planning activities in the Upper Finegold Creek watershed.  These funds are targeted for small communities within watershed areas that are experiencing economic and environmental impacts.  The Community of North Fork has a 17% unemployment rate.  Five economic and resource management organizations participated in the discussions in advance of the proposal being submitted – and wrote letters of support.  These were:  North Fork Community Development Council, Coarsegold Resource Conservation District, North Fork Chamber of Commerce, Central Sierra Watershed Committee and the Yosemite-Sequoia Resource Conservation and Development Council.  Final decision by the State Water Resources Control Board is expected in mid-October.  Karla wanted to know if this was a duplication of the current Coalition’s efforts.  Steve Haze conveyed that it is anticipated that the Watershed Coalition will have an organizational arrangement similar to the Madera County’ Water Oversight Committee.  Already there are a number of individuals on the Steering Committee who are from the North Fork area.

2. SJRMP Advisory Council Meeting – The next San Joaquin River Management Program Action Team meeting is for Friday, September 27^th in Sacramento. CALFED Governance: California Bay-Delta Authority and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Comprehensive Study will be discussed.

3. Spring Event – Karla proposed that an event be held for members.  She suggested that possibly we could take a boat tour of Millerton Lake.

6.      Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:00 pm.  Next Steering Committee meeting:

Thursday, October 24, 6:00 to 8:00 pm.  Friant Learning Academy, Town of Friant

Tentative Agenda

1.      Welcome / Introductions

2.      Review Agenda

3.      Review and Approval of Minutes

4.      Watershed Presentation by Phil Desatoff, Geologist – Fresno County

5.      Assessment Planning

6.      Other Business

7.      Announcements

8.      Adjournment

Attendance – (18)

Steering Committee

§    Phyllis Calkins, Finegold Valley Land Owners Association

§    Lloyd Carter, California Save Our Streams

§    Karla Fullerton, Fresno County Property Owner

§    Howard Hendrix, Highway 168 Fire Safe Council

§    Ed Martinazzi, Madera County Property Owner

§    Joe Middleton, Madera County Water Oversight Committee/EMC

§    Steve Ottemoeller, Madera Irrigation District

§    Terry Sandridge, Sierra Resource Conservation District

§    Walter Shubin, Public

§    Denis Prosperi, Madera County Water Oversight Committee

§    Bryan Wagner, Madera County Property Owner

§    Alita Warner, Finegold Valley Land Owners Association (Alternate)

Technical Advisory Committee Liaisons

§    Jeannine Koesher, State Parks and Recreation (TAC)

§    Kevin Moody, US Bureau of Reclamation (TAC)

§    Craig Tolmie, California Department of Forestry (TAC)

Others in Attendance –