Minutes of Regular Meeting
April 6, 1999
The Board of Directors of the Kittitas Reclamation District met in Regular Session on April 6, 1999. Directors in attendance were Chairman Urban Eberhart, Vice Chairman Jim Schnebly, Paul Weaver, John Scott and Larry Bland. Also in attendance were Janeice Jump, Gary Diefenbach, Lance Elliott, Ed Sullivan, Jim Esget, Norbert Ries, Paul Harrel, Larry Nickel, Dave Kaumheimer, Chris Lynch, Rick Parker, Jack Carpenter, Barbara Pettit and Legal Counsel John Gilreath.
A motion from Larry Bland and seconded by Paul Weaver approved the agenda as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
Deviating from the agenda Chairman Urban Eberhart introduced Bureau of Reclamation Personnel.
Rick Parker, Bureau of Reclamation Yakima Field Office Manager, presented updated information on Keechelus Dam preliminary alternatives. Mr. Parker explained District Managers would be updated as information becomes available. Mr. Parker distributed preliminary breakdown information on safety of dams explaining they are currently passing inflows and keeping the reservoir elevations down which does not require extensive monitoring. The enhanced monitoring is scheduled to begin later this month or first of May. Mr. Parker stressed Yakima Basin Irrigation Districts will have input into the Keechelus Dam process. Discussion followed with concerns expressed on the operation of Keechelus Reservoir and the importance to the Kittitas Reclamation District of keeping it operational. Chris Lynch, Bureau of Reclamation, discussed the snow pack explaining there is still a lot of snow in the higher elevations and the water content is good explaining the April 5th system status report shows 83% of average with 53% of capacity. Mr. Lynch explained there should be no problem with flood control and there should be a good carryover. Dave Kaumheimer, Bureau of Reclamation, discussed the Endangered Species Act (ESA) with the listing of bull trout a year ago in all five reservoirs and steelhead listed in March, 1999. The Bureau of Reclamation is working through the process with U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service to comply with the ESA. Norbert Ries, Bureau of Reclamation, presented information on the water quality plan assistance explaining $10,000. of nonreimbursable monies have been dedicated to water quality testing utilizing the Bureau of Reclamation Boise testing lab with the stipulation KRD is responsible for costs over and above the $10,000. Mr. Carpenter explained the current KRD testing peramaters, proposed testing sites and overview of the current water quality program. Jim Esget, Bureau of Reclamation, presented an overview of the Enhancement Program explaining decisions from National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Endangered Species Act will effect the planning and outcome. Mr. Esget presented information on Trendwest explaining the Bureau has no direct interest in Trendwest until the Enhancement Program gets a proposal or exchange offer from Trendwest. Dave Kaumheimer, Bureau of Reclamation, presented information on a Trendwest Master Planned Resort EIS under the State SEPA process and peer review of the water supply analysis explaining the review was especially critical of the master planned resort water supply analysis. Comments were made that there be no third party impacts. Rick Parker distributed information on proposed projects and budgeting of funds with the estimated costs plateaued for this year and next year. Bureau Personnel left the meeting at this time.
Deviating to New Business Lance Elliott, Ranger, Washington State Parks distributed a letter of request for use of the KRD right-of-way for the annual trail ride scheduled for May 26, 1999 with the stipulation KRD would be named beneficiary in a $1,000,000. liability policy and all activity will be strictly limited to the roadway and monitored. A motion from John Scott and seconded by Jim Schnebly approved the request as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Larry Nickel, representing the Kittitas County Water Quantity and Quality Coalition, addressed the Board regarding the lack of information concerning ground water. Mr. Nickel recommended that a bibliography of ground water data be compiled. Mr. Nickel further explained the coalition believes the Yakima River Basin needs an aquifer recharge study to be conducted and paid for by Master Planned Resort and Olympic Pipeline and requested written support from the Kittitas Reclamation District. The board requested information about the Kittitas County Water Quantity and Quality Coalition and who were the members of that organization. Mr. Nickel refused to provide any information or membership of the Kittitas County Water Quantity and Quality Coalition. The Board took no action on Mr. Nickel’s request.
Ed Sullivan addressed the Board requesting that KRD lower his private driveway culvert by approximately 15 inches explaining the ditches have filled in over the years and the tops of the pipes are now exposed effecting the capacity. Mr. Carpenter explained road culverts are the landowner responsibility and that there is not a capacity problem at this location Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board he had extended the courtesy of KRD equipment and personnel to lower the culverts as normal O&M scheduling permitted. Discussion continued with Mr. Carpenter withdrawing the courtesy of KRD working on Mr. Sullivan’s private culvert. Mr. Sullivan further explained there is water in the lateral and questioned the source of the water. Mr. Sullivan stated he objects to the co-mingling of Menastash Creek and KRD water. Mr. Sullivan further stated he felt the use of creek water is a courtesy and he would stop the flow of creek water if KRD does not lower the culverts. Mr. Sullivan left the meeting at this time.
Deviating to New Business Mr. Carpenter presented a turnout permit request from Gary Diefenbach Sec. 3 Twn. 16 Rng.19 modifying an existing turnout. A motion from Larry Bland and seconded by John Scott approved the turnout permit as submitted. The motion passed unanimously.
Returning to Old Business the minutes of the March 2, 1999 meeting were approved as corrected with a motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by Larry Bland. The motion passed unanimously.
Moving to Water Update, a motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by Jim Schnebly set the water allotment at 2 CFS per irrigable acre with the turn on date no later than April 20, 1999 and a tentative turn off date of October 1, 1999 to allow for the proposed main canal rehab project.
Mr. Carpenter presented a meeting review explaining the meetings have or will be discussed under agenda items.
Moving to Easton Drum Gate O & M Mr. Carpenter apprised the Board that one of the USBR inspection recommendations was the painting of the Easton Drum Gate exterior surface explaining a similar facility was painted at a cost of $70,000. The estimated replacement cost of $2,400,000. explaining the Easton gate was built in place with limited ability to paint exterior edges.
Urban Eberhart presented an update on the Tri County Water Resource Agency explaining it is still in the formative process.
Jim Schnebly presented an update on the Kittitas County Water Purveyors explaining two meeting were held in March with water quality sampling sites being established.
Urban Eberhart presented a Trendwest update explaining he and Mr. Carpenter attended the Scoping meeting where he stated the KRD position as recommended by Legal Counsel that there be no third party impact.
Mr. Carpenter presented an update on the West Taneum Road Elk Viewing Site/KRD O & M Road improvement explaining the Kittitas County application for funding was rejected.
Mr. Carpenter presented an update on the Non-Point Source 319 Grant explaining he has been collecting signatures from local water districts as required by the DOE grant priority ranking requirement.
Moving to New Business a motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by John Scott approved the Yakima Basin Joint Board 1999 Assessment in the sum of $15,000.00. The motion passes unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented information on the Swauk Valley Ranch explaining the water delivery system for a portion of the property has not been used for numerous years and if requested KRD has a responsibility to deliver water to the property.
Mr. Carpenter distributed the 1999 newsletter draft for review and comments explaining the final draft will be submitted to the printers and mailed as soon as possible.
Mr. Carpenter presented a crossing permit from Harvey Larsen Sec. 23 Twn. 18 Rng.19 A motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Larry Bland approved the crossing permit as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Carpenter presented information on the Erickson pipeline explaining it has required continuous repairs over the years. Money was included in the 1999 budget for replacing the old concrete tile with PVC pipe. Mr. Thayer has offered to excavate the trench if KRD purchase and install the pipe if the project could be complete for this irrigation season. A motion from Larry Bland and seconded by John Scott approved KRD the purchase and installation of the Erickson pipeline. The motion passed unanimously.
Upcoming Meetings:
April 8, 1999 Jack Stanford Syntheses Yakima
TCWRA Yakima
April 9, 1999 KID Pump Exchange Tour Kennewick
April 12, 1999 Phil Bloom KRD
DOE Yakima
April 13,1999 KRD YRBWEP Tour KRD
April 15,1999 Ditchrider Meeting KRD
April 19,1999 River Ops. Yakima
USBR Budget Mtg. Yakima
April 21, 1999 IAC Yakima
WSWRA
April 22, 1999 KVWP Ellensburg
Mrs. Pettit apprised the Board the audit of the District, by the State Examiner’s Office, for 1997- 1998 is scheduled to begin April 8, 1999.
With a motion from Paul Weaver and seconded by Larry Bland the Board adjourned to Executive Session for 30 minutes to discuss Legal Issues. The motion passed unanimously. The Board returned to Regular Session with a motion from Jim Schnebly and seconded by Paul Weaver. The motion passed unanimously.
Summary Vouchers for the month of February, 1999 expenses Vouchers #15982-16042 & 16043-16071 & 16075-16120 in the sum of $114,507.12 were presented for approval. A motion from Jim Schnebly land seconded by Paul Weaver approved the Summary Vouchers as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
The Directors monthly Payroll Vouchers were presented for signatures and checks distributed accordingly.
All Business having been concluded the meeting adjourned.