Meeting Minutes

 December Steering Committee

Thursday, December 12, 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 6:10 pm and welcomed everyone. Introductions were made.  Handouts for the meeting were provided, (see list) 

2.      Agenda

Unfortunately, the presentation from Phil Desatoff was postponed.  There were no other changes.

3.      Review and Approval of Minutes

The minutes were reviewed and approved as written.

4.      Watershed Presentation – Steve Haze conveyed Phil Desatoff’s apologies that he would not be able to meet with the group until next February.

5.      Assessment Activities

Terry Sandridge gave a report of the three (3) assessment work sessions held since the last Steering Committee meeting on 10/26.  These work sessions were held on 11/6, 11/26 & 12/10.

1. Overall Progress – Terry indicated that his expectation is that he as well as individual assessment team members will be able to begin giving their own reports in January.  Beginning January through April will be extensively a data collection effort.  By May, the team will be “digesting” the data collected for its meaningfulness.  Karla was interested in knowing if they had encountered any problems to-date.  Terry had none to report.  The next work session is scheduled for Tuesday, January 21^st.

2. Section 5 - Sediment, Erosion and Soils – Joe Middleton conveyed that he had met with Scott Kruse to discuss the subject of soils.  He also contacted Dave Durham, District Conservationist (Fresno Co.) regarding soil maps.  Joe indicated that CD’s with information should be available in January.  Joe also met with Don Nielson, District Conservationist (Madera Co.) and reviewed Madera County’s soils assessment conducted in 1951.  Don indicated that there should be more information available – and is arranging a meeting for Joe and Ron Vargas, a soils expert with NRCS.

3. Section 1 - Economics, Recreation and Tourism – Jeff Roberts indicated that he has started to look at recreational resources within the study area.

4. Section 1 - Climate – Burke Zane has agreed to be responsible for climate info.  He has been in contact with Scott Kruse who has extensive historical information.

5. Section 1 - Cultural Resources – Lloyd Carter has been in contact with Jed Davis regarding possible sources of information.  Steve Haze indicated that a new publication “Indians of the Sierra Foothills” by Marvin Kientz may be a good resource.  Steve Haze will get a copy to Lloyd.

6. Section 3 - Ground Water – Steve Haze gave an update of his efforts related to groundwater (see hand-out).  He met with Dave Hopelain & Claude Rust Co-Chairs for the Eastern Madera County Water Oversight Advisory Committee regarding cooperation between the two groups.  Since Dave is also on our Steering committee this should help.  Based on their recommendation, Steve did queries of the GeoRef database on the internet.  A couple of possible studies in the Sierra came up.  He also met with Richard Fronk regarding well drilling history.  A follow-on meeting is to be scheduled.  Finally, an introductory meeting was held with Dr. John Suen, Dept Chair of Earth Science at CSUF regarding the study conducted by Lawrence Livermore Labs at the Raymond Quarry in Madera County.  A copy of the study synopsis was provided.  Dr. Suen indicated that the department will be establishing a lab that may be able to assist in dating ground water in the future.

7. Other Sections – See hand-out from Steve Haze for other data collection activities.  This format may be a possible way for individual assessment team members to present their progress.

4.      Other Business –

1. Educational Workshops – Steve H. noted that the watershed program is required to conduct educational workshops in which the public can attend.  The group agreed that it would be beneficial to send out press releases advertising these workshops.  Joanna Clines, Chair for the San Joaquin-Sierra Weed Management Alliance has tentatively agreed to give a presentation on noxious weeds at the General meeting on January 8^th.  He will re-confirm with Joanna – and provide necessary assistance. 

Terry suggested that it might be good to have Craig Tolmie, Department of Forestry Vegetation Management Coordinator and possibly Chuck Peck of the Sierra Foothill Conservancy give presentations related to vegetative management practices.  This could be for the General Meeting in April.

2. Upper San Joaquin River Basin Storage Investigation (USJRBSI), CALFED – The group was contacted by Steve Osgood, consultant for this program.  They are interested in giving a presentation in the near term and wanted to know our schedule. 

3. Meeting Schedule for 2003 – The group discussed whether it made sense to schedule meetings earlier in the month.  There are numerous recurring meetings scheduled in the 4^th week.  It was agreed that the 2^nd Wednesday of each month should work.

4. Meeting Locations – The question came up as to whether the Courthouse at Millerton Lake would work as a meeting place.  Steve will check to see how feasible it may be.

5. Other – The group asked about the panel discussion that was held on December 5^th between the Friant Water Users Authority and Natural Resources Defense Council regarding restoration efforts on the San Joaquin River.  Lloyd Carter shared his view of the panel discussion.  He believed that their restoration plan will be finally available in March, 2003.

5.      Announcements

None

6.      Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:15 pm.  The next meeting will be a combined General and Steering Committee session:

Wednesday, January 8, 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.      Noxious Weeds Presentation – Joanna Clines, Chair, Weed Management Alliance

5.      Program Accomplishments

6.      Assessment Activities

7.      Upcoming Activities

8.      Other Business

9.      Announcements

10. Adjournment

Attendance – (8)

Steering Committee

§    Lloyd Carter, California Save Our Streams

§    Karla Fullerton, Fresno County Property Owner

§    Joe Middleton, Madera County Water Oversight Committee/EMC

§    Jeff Roberts, Millerton Lake Area Chamber

§    Terry Sandridge, Sierra Resource Conservation District

§    Bart Topping, Madera County Property Owner

§    Burke Zane, Sierra Club

Technical Advisory Committee Liaisons

§    None

Assessment Team

§    None

Others in Attendance –

Hand-outs –

§    December Steering Committee Meeting Package with Agenda

§    Draft Steering Committee meeting minutes of October 24, 2002

§    Watershed Assessment Status, Steve Haze – 12/10/02

§    Watershed Assessment Activities and Timeline Worksheet – 11/26/02

§    Watershed Assessment Publication – Table of Contents – 2^nd Draft Outline – 11/21/02

§    Watershed Assessment Publication – Content Structure Guideline – 11/21/02