March 23, 2000 Meeting Minutes
University of
Idaho, McClure Hall Rm. 411
Jay Becker (UI), Dave Dittmer (representing WSU), Steve Busch (Moscow), Sue Hinz (Pullman), Larry Kirkland (Chair-UI), Juliet McKenna (PBAC), Loreca Stauber (Latah County), Tom Townsend (Latah County), Mark Workman (Pullman)
Craig Benjamin (Vice-Chair-WSU), Les Wigen (Whitman County), Derek Pohle (Whitman County), Gary Presol (Moscow), Tom Scallorn (Moscow)
Ron Cooper (Pullman), Kathleen Warnick (citizen, Moscow), Gerard Billington (Latah County) Bill French (citizen, Moscow), Tom Lamar (Palouse Clearwater Environmental Institute), Marcia Porter (City of Moscow)
Chair Larry Kirkland called the meeting to order at 2:35 PM.
Minutes were approved with minor typographical corrections that were provided by L. Kirkland.
L. Kirkland proposed adopting a goal on the status of water levels in the Grande Ronde aquifer (i.e. they are declining), as opposed to trying to adopt a position on growth in the basin. The suggested new PBAC Goal is a follows:
“PBAC resolves to stabilize the falling Grande Ronde water level over the next 20 years. All avenues are open to accomplish this goal. PBAC is committed to research over the next 10 years to determine the extent of pumping reductions and/or the amount of supplemental water needed to accomplish this. PBAC will concurrently develop a financial plan that is capable of providing the needed recharge, the needed supplemental potable water, the needed conservation, or some combination of these and other possible actions to meet the stated goal of stabilizing the falling Grande Ronde water levels.”
It was generally agreed that the entities are not looking for a PBAC recommendation to approve or deny proposed developments. In the event of proposed development or land use changes, G. Billington and L. Stauber would like PBAC to provide determinations on impacts to water use (i.e. estimating increased usage). After some discussion about the role of the PBAC in this regard, it was determined that this information has been and will continue to be supplied if requested. It remains the responsibility of the entities to request this information, as PBAC does not automatically comment on every land use change in the basin.
M. Workman noted that adopting this goal is not a commitment of funds, rather a commitment to look for funding. L. Stauber thinks the goal is not strong enough and the goal should be to incorporate changes in ordinances. J. Becker stated that each committee member needs to be educated on the issues.
L. Kirkland motioned and M. Workman seconded and the proposed goal was adopted by the Committee.
J. McKenna summarized the current funding situation. 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). J. McKenna noted that the current tight budget eliminates any discretionary funds and makes it difficult to accomplish anything but administrative duties. A few thousand dollars could recruit qualified student interns, allow maps to be published, and educational materials to be distributed. The PBAC could be more responsive to the requests of the entities. B. French suggested asking the tax payers if they are willing to support increased funding. M. Workman said that he regularly deals with a vocal contingent that already thinks water rates are too high. This points to the need for public education of the water supply situation and the costs of a solution.
There was no motion, but there was a general agreement to consider doubling the baseline funding from each entity (from $4,000 to $8,000 for Moscow, Pullman, WSU, UI and from $2,000 to $4,000 from the counties). To support the request of additional funds, J. McKenna will prepare a summary of the benefits to each entity of membership in the PBAC for distribution at the next meeting. S. Hinz noted that educating the City Council on this issue is essential to pass any additional funding.
Larry Kirkland suggested PBAC consider ways to generate additional funds to support research and projects that will lead towards the long-term solution. Currently, the member entities have pledged $80,000 per year for three years for this type of research. To achieve the 20-year goal, and maintain momentum, it is necessary to continue to have funds available. These funds could be used as a savings account for future “backstop” projects, as well as provide a source of matching funds for external grants. One possibility is for each entity to pay an assessment according to the quantity of water pumped by the entities. M. Workman noted that it is the responsibility of the entities to determine how to generate funds for water programs and PBAC should not determine rate structures for them.
L. Kirkland presented an example: to raise $100,000 a year for the purpose of longer term thinking toward how to pay for the stabilization of the Grande Ronde water levels, it would take about a 3% increase in water rates, roughly 3 cents per 100 cubic feet used. [Note this is a correction from the number presented at the meeting, which incorrectly calculated.] If that were split with a sewer rate increase in some fashion it would be even less. Three percent is about equivalent to inflation.
Comments have been received. S. Busch thought the inclusion of national residential water use data (70 gallons per capita per day) should not be included in the report since the PBAC does not have comparable residential end-user data. This table will be removed. The report is now available at the PBAC web site. A color copy will be given to PBAC members and black and white copies will be available for general distribution.
· J. McKenna summarized the findings of a WSU-Pullman wastewater reuse workshop conducted by Parametrix consultants. As part of this study, water demand in the basin will be projected through year 2020. The afternoon session was dedicated to listing potential sources of supplemental water and ranking them in terms of legal, economic, technical, environmental, effectiveness, and social viability. The following projects were identified:
1. Water Conservation
2. Water
Reclamation/Reuse for Irrigation Using Wastewater Effluent (WSU-Pullman project)
3. Surface Water as Alternative Supply
4. Groundwater Recharge Using Stormwater
5. Groundwater Recharge Using Streamflow
6. Using Wetlands as Off-Stream Storage to Augment Supply
7. Use of the Shallow Aquifer versus the Deep Aquifer
8. Groundwater Recharge Using Wastewater Effluent
9. Groundwater Recharge Between Aquifers
Based on this discussion, after water conservation, water reclamation emerged as the most viable. This information will be used to support the request for funding of this project (estimated to be around $10 million) from the Washington legislature. Parametrix has agreed to give a presentation on their work at the May PBAC meeting.
· As part of the Osiensky-Keller research, Landon Beck, a UI graduate student, arranged a basin-wide pump test that was conducted on 3/17/00. A total of 7,200 gpm was pumped from Pullman-WSU wells for 6 hours while Moscow-UI-Palouse wells were not pumping. Water levels were monitored in 12 wells around the basin. Preliminary analysis indicates that responses were minimal throughout the basin, indicating the Grande Ronde aquifer is complex. More analysis will be provided at the April meeting.
· Pullman is rebidding for the drilling of Well 7. Work should begin 6/1/00 and the well design will be completed over the winter.
The proposal was not funded this year. However, Representative Trail told L. Kirkland that he is enthusiastic about the proposal and PBAC will work with him to work on funding for the 2001 legislative session.
J. McKenna will attend the UI Spring Internship Fair on 4/11/00 to recruit for a conservation coordinator for the summer. Without a commitment of funds from the Committee, the position will have to be filled by a volunteer. PBAC members are encouraged to look for ways to use interns for the summer.
The week of May 7-13 has been declared National Groundwater Awareness Week by the National Groundwater Association. J. McKenna has arranged several events associated with this week and will coordinate for media coverage. J. McKenna will also give a presentation at the May 2, 2000 meeting of the Sierra Club at 7:30 P.M. in the Moscow Community Center.
April 20, 2000 at 2:30 pm in
McClure Hall Room 411.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:03 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Juliet M. McKenna
Executive Secretary/Technical Advisor