April 20, 2000 Meeting Minutes
University of
Idaho, McClure Hall Rm. 411
Dave Dittmer (representing WSU), Larry Kirkland (Chair-UI), Juliet McKenna (PBAC), Gary Presol (Moscow), Tom Scallorn (Moscow), Tom Townsend (Latah County), Mark Workman (Pullman)
Jay Becker (UI), Craig Benjamin (Vice-Chair-WSU), Steve Busch (Moscow), Sue Hinz (Pullman), Les Wigen (Whitman County), Derek Pohle (Whitman County), Loreca Stauber (Latah County)
Kathleen Warnick (citizen, Moscow), Bill French (citizen, Moscow), Tom Lamar (Palouse Clearwater Environmental Institute), Kathleen Warnick, Denise Ortiz (Pullman resident)
Chair Larry Kirkland called the meeting to order at 2:35 PM. Minutes were approved as is.
L. Kirkland prepared a list of tasks to accompany the new PBAC goal of stabilizing the water levels in the Grande Ronde aquifer by the year 2020. The list of tasks is attached to these minutes. Committee members should be prepared to provide input at the May 18,2000 meeting on tasks that may have been omitted, priority of the tasks, and should consider costs of implementation and how to accomplish this.
As discussed previously, the PBAC operations budget is paid by the entities and is underfunded to carry out minimum operations. (The surplus of the past has been used up).
Beginning in FY01 (July 1, 2000- June 30, 2001), PBAC agreed that annual contributions from each entity for the PBAC operating budget will be doubled in the short-term, with additional discussion on a long-range funding plan to occur in the future. This means that beginning in FY01, the contributions will increase from $4,000 to $8,000 for the cities and universities, and from $2,000 to $4,000 for the counties for a total of $40,000. Expenses from the last 5 years have been approximately $34,000, which would leave $6,000 in reserves as discretionary funds. M. Workman noted that the additional $4,000 will not be available from Pullman until after January 1, 2001. Pullman will be invoiced in May for $4,000 and again in January for $4,000, for a total contribution of $8,000 per fiscal year. G. Presol motioned and M. Workman seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Funding for the OK research project will continue at current levels for the next 2 years ($20,000 from each city and university). Jim Osiensky requested in writing to roll over left-over funds from FY00 into FY01. Funds are left over this year because the project did not start until September 2000. M. Workman motioned and D. Dittmer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Following up on an idea presented at the last meeting, J. McKenna presented an example, shown below, of how to raise $100,000 of supplemental funds based on the quantity of groundwater pumped by each entity. As a further incentive to reduce the demand on the Grande Ronde aquifer, contributions could be scaled to represent pumping from the Grande Ronde aquifer only (resulting in a lower percentage for Moscow, and possibly UI). After the 3-year funding of the OK project at current levels, these supplemental funds could be used for research, matching funds for grants, and seed money for recharge projects in the future.
Example of How to Raise $100,000 in Supplemental
Funding
(and Encourage Less Groundwater Pumpage)
|
|
Percent of Total
Groundwater Pumped in 1999 |
Annual
Supplemental Contribution |
|
Moscow |
33% |
$33,000 |
|
Pullman |
34% |
$34,000 |
|
Univ. Idaho |
12% |
$12,000 |
|
Wash. State Univ. |
21% |
$21,000 |
|
|
TOTAL |
$100,000 |
A copy with 10 color pages was distributed to PBAC members. Another 100 black and white copies will be available for general distribution. Please let J. McKenna know if there are individuals who should be mailed a copy.
As part of the Osiensky-Keller research, Landon Beck, a UI graduate student, provided groundwater elevation (potentiometric surface) maps of wells involved in the a basin-wide pump test that was conducted on 3/17/00. The test resulted in measurable drawdown in only one well (WSU test well). Additional smaller scale pump tests are planned.
Drilling of Pullman Well 7 should begin in May and the well will be completed over the winter. John Bush (UI Geology Department professor) will be hired by Golder Associates to log the borehole, perform geochemical analysis on some samples, and prepare a geologic log delineating the different geologic units.
J. McKenna received committee approval by consensus to provide funding for an conservation coordinator (intern) position for the summer. She anticipates paying $8/hour for 10-20 hours per week for 10 weeks for a maximum of $1,600 plus overhead.
National Groundwater Awareness Week –May 7-13, 2000; several events are planned; Moscow Water Department is designing a full page color ad in the Moscow-Pullman Daily News to commemorate the event. J. McKenna asked if Pullman and PBAC could be involved in the production of this ad, and said that with some communication, this is an example of an area where PBAC can help the two cities work cooperatively on water conservation and community outreach. Pullman printed a notice to include in water bills about summer water rates; however it went to press before PBAC was able to provide some water conservation tips to include along with the notice.
J. McKenna requested funds to reprint water conservation brochure. This was approved by consensus. Changes to the brochure should be given to J. McKenna by 6/1/00.
L. Kirkland’s will be meeting with Bob Haynes, Coeur d'Alene branch of Idaho Department of Water Resources and Norm Young of Boise IDWR to review some options for obtaining assistance/funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Power Flush Toilet Program – L. Kirkland thinks a subsidized low flow power flush toilet replacement program on the Palouse is a cost-effective way to conserve water. These toilets cost $150, and use less than 1.6 gallons. By offering a $100 subsidy to consumers to purchase these toilets, the resultant savings to the city from reduced water use would be less than obtaining new water sources (drilling new wells, etc). Concerns voiced include the cross connection control and the impact on sewer systems from reduced water flow. J. McKenna will look into the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power program and report back to the committee.
May 18, 2000
at 2:30 pm in
McClure Hall
Room 411.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Juliet M. McKenna
Executive Secretary/Technical
Advisor