January 20, 2005 Meeting Minutes

pullman city hall, east end meeting room

Members Attendance

 Visitors: Bill French, Palouse Water Conservation Network; Mark Solomon, Moscow Citizen;  Mike Forbes, Latah County Resident; David Hall, Latah County Resident; Bob Haynes, IDWR;  Mike McVay, UI Grad Student; Farida Leek, WSU Grad Student.  

1)    Approval of the December 16, 2004 Meeting Minutes – Rob Corcoran, the PBAC Chair, called the meeting to order at 2:30 pm. The December 16 minutes were approved with several minor grammatical changes. During the introductions, it was noted that Jon Kimberling will be taking Peg Hamlett’s place as the City of Moscow Council Representative. 

2)    Update on GIS Database and Basin Cross-sections (Farida Leek) – Farida Leek gave an update on her Ph.D. project: “Comprehensive Data Compilation and Analysis.” One of her goals is to develop a foundation for sound development and management of ground water in the Palouse Basin. She is compiling information about basin wells and digitalizing them in Arc GIS. This information will be available for individual wells and as composite overlays. Farida has used the information thus far to compile several maps showing the elevation of the water bearing basalts in the basin. Her next maps will feature the water levels, coverage of stream networks, soil horizons and climate information.  In addition, Farida is using Reference Manager to store, study and research information from papers written about the hydrogeology of the Palouse Region. The goal of this project is to create a library of information specific to the Palouse region. Farida reviews each report, enters the author, title and abstract then highlights specific pertinent information. She currently has completed 42 out of 142 references. The rest will be gradually added to the database since each entry takes considerable time.  

3)    Description of Deep Aquifer System Monitoring Project (Mike McVay) - This project continues what Erik Stern was working on before he died. McVay has experienced a few setbacks with understanding past research and the data that are being collected. Currently he is working on organizing the database so it is easily accessible. He is also creating a set of protocols for data collection, entry, and labeling/naming so anyone can follow the assumptions and procedures.  He is working on consistent documentation of field work, data manipulation and database construction. Future research will include enlarging the monitoring system in scope and density; applying statistical analysis to current data; performing flow analyses; and investigating the groundwater connections between: Moscow and Pullman, the Colfax and Palouse and Moscow and Palouse.  

4)    Permission to Purchase 6 Loggers and a Leveloader- Kirkland presented a request for six additional loggers and a leveloader for $5600. These will allow researchers to collect more water level data and access logger data files more readily and with less effort. After much discussion it was agreed to use the funds Latah County will be contributing to PBAC. These funds are to be used first to collect comprehensive water level data from the Palouse Basin in Idaho.  After a brief discussion, a motion was passed to allow the purchase of the 6 loggers and a leveloader.  

5)    PBAC Citizens’ Advisory Group- Strong opinions were expressed concerning the role and composition of the IDWR proposed Citizens’ Advisory Group to give feedback to PBAC on how it is doing.  Mark Solomon strongly advised PBAC to stay within the parameters outlined by IDWR Director Dreher and resist the expansion of potential members beyond those suggested. It was also suggested by several PBAC members that a review of the by-laws of PBAC may be needed before a vote. After much discussion Corcoran advised PBAC to be prepared to make a motion at the next meeting. Kirkland stated that if PBAC should decide not to follow through with the Citizen’s Advisory Group then PBAC should seek out feedback through other channels.  

6)    OLD BUSINESS

a)    2004 Annual Report- Kirkland handed out several graphs that are to be used in the Annual Report, which showed a flattening of water levels in the Moscow area. The graphs also showed a water level recovery each year indicating at least some recharge to the deep aquifer in the Moscow area. He also handed out the executive summary which referenced key issues covered in the annual report.  

b)    Budget Sheet – N/A 

7)    REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

a)    WRIA North Fork Palouse Recharge Proposal- Handed out but not discussed.  

b)    Naylor Farm- Tom Stroshein gave the Committee a quick update on the appeal of the hearing officer ruling. Glen Saxton, the hearing officer, ruled that he would hear additional presentations and comments on the geology in the vicinity of the Naylor Property. Stroshein said Latah County is planning to call expert witnesses for the hearing. No date or place has been set for the hearing.  

c)     Exposure in the Communities – N/A
 

8)    NEW BUSINESS – none 

9)    NEXT MEETING DATE  

Respectfully Submitted,

 Larry Kirkland