Members ATtendance

VISITORS:  Jeff Fealko, graduate student working on Moscow Mt. runoff study; Fritz Fiedler, Professor UI; Scott King, King Groundwater Science, Inc.

 

1)      Call to Order AND APPROVAL of October 17, 2002 Minutes
Mark Workman, PBAC Chair, called the meeting to order at 2:35 PM.  The minutes of the October 17, 2002 meetings were approved by consensus. 

2)      Report by Jeff Fealko on his Attendance of Geological Society of American Conference    
Jeff is carrying out the Moscow Mountain Front runoff study for PBAC under the supervision of UI Professor Fritz Fiedler.   The purpose of attending the conference was to gain feedback on the Moscow Mountain runoff study and gather beneficial ideas and practices from other studies.  Jeff handed out a one page summary of several highlights from the conference.  Other communities, notably Denver, are struggling with similar challenges to PBAC on how to best provide supplemental water for growing communities and how to deal with falling water levels in the aquifers supplying domestic water.  Denver is preparing to build a large reservoir to capture surface runoff and also to hold treated waste water for direct use and injection into the local aquifer.  Jeff indicated that what Denver does and how it is accepted may be helpful to PBAC and area entities in dealing with the local water supply challenges.
Based on what he learned at the conference and observations on the sources for most domestic water in Idaho, 96 percent presently comes from ground water, Jeff felt that PBAC is probably in a leadership role in Idaho, which could help with obtaining funding to effectively utilize surface water from the Moscow Mountain Front.

3)      Review and update on the two applications for large water rights in the Palouse Basin 

a)   Naylor Farm application north of Moscow requesting 2.4 bgpy
Kirkland reviewed the Naylor Farm application for a pumping right that could withdraw annually as much as 2.4 billion gallons, which is approximately as much as all the PBAC entities combined pump in a year.   The application has been formally protested by both the City of Moscow and the City of Pullman.  Representatives from the two cities and Kirkland, representing PBAC, are presently meeting with representatives from the Naylor Farm to facilitate understanding of facts and possible solutions for dealing with differences.   PBAC has also officially protested the Naylor Farm pumping application but due the agreement with the State of Idaho, PBAC’s formal position on the application will be considered, if need be, after the informal protest considerations in an IDWR fact finding hearing.
Kirkland handed out a discussion paper given to Mark Cook, Director of Public Works from the City of Moscow, and to Mark Workman, Director of Public Works from the City of Pullman, in preparation for their first meeting with the Naylor representatives.  This discussion paper was not intended for release to the public.  It was intended to highlight the major problems and issues associated with the pumping application that need to be addressed.  
There was considerable discussion of the legal process which a water use application must follow before it can become a patented right when there is protest.  The confusion associated with this legal process is increasing the concerns related to the application.

b)     The Garfield Application for up to 1 bgpy for a possible water bottling operation
 Kirkland summarized his discussion with two of the principals for a Washington application for up to one billion gallons per year for a possible water bottling operation in the vicinity of Garfield.  The principals were well aware of the very slow processing for permitting water rights in Washington and were prepared to wait.  Their perspective is that nothing further will be done toward considering a water bottling operation until the water right is in hand.  By that time the economics of bottling water could have changed considerably.
In discussions about the quality and quantity of water produced by the City of Garfield wells, it became apparent that the wells are probably in the Wanapum and not the Grande Ronde.  Since it is still unclear whether the Palouse Basin extends that far north, Kirkland suggested that PBAC keep in contact with DOE concerning the application and continue efforts to define the northern boundary of the basin.

4)      Proposed Information Sheet on the Palouse Basin to be handed out by IDWR & DOE
Kirkland handed out a draft document entitled, “ Palouse Basin Water Supply Information Sheet for Potential large Users (Pumpers)”.  When a finalized version is accepted by PBAC, the intent is for IDWR and Washington DOE personnel to hand this out to all parties desiring to pump more than the household exemption of 5000 gallons per day.  The consensus is that the Naylor Farm application or any similar large pumping application should never have gotten as far as it did without a meeting with PBAC or its representatives.  A significant amount of consternation and misinformation have resulted that could have been alleviated by early meetings to discuss the proposed application.  All PBAC entities were asked to review the draft and send comments to Kirkland so he could finalize a new version by the next meeting.

5)      Status on Projects and Research Support

a)   Whitman County 16 Pak Proposal
Kirkland summarized the development proposal made to PBAC at the previous meeting by Roger Whitten and handed out copies of what he provided to Whitten following the last meeting.  The Whitman County Planning and Zoning decided to go another direction with their proposal so will not be coming back to PBAC for endorsement.  Kirkland considered the exercise a good one for PBAC in that more development proposals for the Palouse Basin area are likely to appear in the near future.  This is a topic PBAC should revisit at a future date.  The handout addressed use of best available management practices and technology in using both ground water and managing surface runoff to maximize infiltration and minimize pumping needs.  It suggested that new wells be limited to the Wanapum aquifer so far as possible.  Given that development is probably going to occur, PBAC should support that development which has the least adverse impact on the ground water resources while providing appropriate social benefits.

b)   Other Projects
Kirkland mentioned that the WSU well # 8 drilling project had gone out to bid.  Drilling is expected to start in December or January.
He also asked PBAC to consider allotting additional funds toward a more detailed monitoring program in the vicinity of the Naylor Farm property.  Several area residents have contacted Kirkland and have indicated that they are willing to let PBAC monitor their water levels.  Kirkland was requested to set up a meeting with Jim Osiensky and Kent Keller to discuss what might be involved in a detailed monitoring program.
The Palouse Water Conservation Network, PCEI and the City of Moscow are sponsoring a Groundwater Information Forum.  On Tuesday, November 19, Kirkland and Keller presented some basics on the Palouse Basin and answered many questions.  This evening, November 21, the forum will continue presentations on ways to conserve water and a panel to address questions.

 

Due to the late time, the meeting was adjourned after agreeing to December 19, 2002 for the next meeting date.

6)      NEXT MEETING DATE

The meeting was adjourned by consensus.

Respectfully Submitted,

Larry Kirkland

Note: these minutes are submitted in draft form and have not yet been approved by the Committee.