PBAC Minutes

May 20, 1999

University of Idaho McClure Hall # 403

Members Present:

Craig Benjamin (WSU), Steve Busch (Moscow), Larry Kirkland (Vice Chair-UI), Derek Pohle (Whitman County), Tom Scallorn (Moscow for Gary Presol), Mark Workman (Pullman).

Members Absent:

Jay Becker (WSU), Sue Hinz (Pullman), Pam Palmer (Moscow), Loreca Stauber (Latah County), Tom Townsend (Chair – Latah County).

Visitors:

Kevin Brackney (UI), Ron Cooper (Pullman), Dr. Kent Keller (WSU), Scott King (King Groundwater Science), Dr. Jim Osiensky (UI), Kathleen Warnick.

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by PBAC Vice Chair Larry Kirkland at 2:40 pm.

Approval of Minutes

L. Kirkland suggested that the word “compel” on page 5 be changed to “should encourage” or similar. No one understood the procedural note on the bottom of page 5 indicating that no motions can be entertained under New Business. That statement did not make sense.

No further comments were forthcoming and the minutes were approved by consensus.

Reports and Announcements:

L. Kirkland informed the Committee that:

a) Steve Gill would not be present due to a work conflict in Sandpoint.

b) No applications had been received for the Executive Secretary/Technical Advisor position. J. Osiensky thought that three applications had been received and they had been forwarded to Tom Townsend’s home address. L. Kirkland later checked with Tom’s wife and they found no applications for the position. Peggy Hammel of IWRRI confirmed that only one application had been received and another was yet to come.

c) The rehabilitation of the WDOE well between Moscow and Pullman was waiting for final details to get worked out between Steve Gill and the well driller from Grangeville.

PRESENTATION OF MULTI-YEAR STUDY PROPOSAL: by Dr. C. Kent Keller (WSU) and Dr. Jim Osiensky (UI):

Copies of the proposal were handed out to those who did not have a copy. The Chair asked Dr. Osiensky to review the essence of the proposal. Dr's Keller and Osiensky are proposing to:

1.Gather extensive hydraulic response and chemical isotopic data, and

2. Locate and quantify natural discharge from the basalts. Using this data they, with the help of graduate students, intend to:

a) Provide refined evaluations of the rates of flow of ground water from the Wanapum/Vantage into the Grande Ronde and the consequences of this hydraulic connection on water quality in the Grande Ronde, and

b) Confirm the high, basin-scale, hydraulic diffusivity of the Grande Ronde implied by previously gathered water-level data and related flow-modeling studies.

The results are intended to help address practical issues related to future groundwater development and possible recharge enhancement efforts.

C. Benjamin asked how the Committee could be sure it would get progressive results in a timely fashion. After much discussion, the Chair asked the Committee if they all supported the proposal and felt this was the best way to spend the proposed allocation of funds. Following some additional discussion the Committee members agreed that even though they could not say absolutely this was the best bang for the buck, the proposals are good and will further PBAC’s goals and objectives. In addition, it appeared to be the consensus that getting going now is also important. A lot can be learned this summer by installing data loggers and pressure transducers as well as maximizing the information collected from the drilling of a new well in Palouse.

The discussion then shifted to the details of funding, when money would be needed and how the funding should be managed.

To firm up the commitment, C. Benjamin made the motion: “In view of region’s persisting problem over ground water supply as manifest by the continual decline in the Grande Ronde water table, PBAC hereby assess the major entities an additional $20,000 a year and the counties an appropriate increase to provide the appropriate funds to do the needed research that will more expeditiously permit a resolution to the ground water supply problem.” The motion was seconded S. Busch and after minimal discussion passed unanimously.

Some discussion then followed concerning the willingness of the Counties to increase their funding level. The county representatives were encouraged to make the best case they could to their respective commissioners.

After move discussion about working out the details, which was delegated to the principles and the executive secretary, L. Kirkland made a motion to authorize the principles to spend up to $10,000 for appropriate data loggers so that the data collection could begin this summer. M. Workman seconded the motion. It was passed unanimously.

New Business

L. Kirkland announced that he is in the process of setting up a water purification test at the Moscow WasteWater Treatment Plant. Alpha Engineering out of Montana has a portable electromagnetic purification unit it is willing to bring over and demonstrate within the next month. Alpha claims its unit will destroy all bacteria and can greatly reduce the phosphorous content of the wastewater. All PBAC members will be contacted when a test date is established.

Adjournment

After setting the next meeting for June 17th at 2:30 in the Cal Warnick Library, the meeting was adjourned.

Next Meeting

2:30 PM

Thursday June 17, 1999

University of Idaho McClure Hall 304

Respectfully Submitted,

Steve W. Gill, PBAC Executive Secretary/Technical Advisor