Rogue River Watershed Council Bear Creek Working Group Monday, August 10, 2015 8:30 am - 10:30 am Conference Room 151, Lausmann Annex, City of Medford MEETING MINUTES In attendance: Steve Mason, John Ward, Robert Coffan, Lori Tella, Natasche O’Brien Legg, Bob Jones, Ray Tharp, Eric Dittmer, Louise Shawkat, Ed Olson, Shane Jimerfield, Amie Martin Call to order: 8:40am by Working Group Chair, Steve Mason Rogue River Watershed Council Update Two new program managers have been hired: Donna Chickering and Sarah Sauter. Brian Barr has been busy out at Wimer and Fielder dams on Evans Creek. Removal of Wimer dam was completed and crews mobilized to Fielder dam downstream. Low flows in Evans Creek caused turbidity issues during the removal. The dams should be completely out by the end of August. Proposal from Lori Tella and Jennie Morgan As part of the merger, most of Bear Creek Watershed Council’s unrestricted funds moved into a “dedicated” fund, which restricts that money for use in the Bear Creek watershed. Bear Creek Watershed Education Partners (BCWEP) has historically run the Kids and Creeks event, with the Bear Creek Watershed Council as the major partner. The events offers an opportunity for people to learn about the Bear Creek watershed, contributing factors to water pollution, and see spawning salmon. The Rogue River Watershed Council (RRWC) would like to see the event continue, but BCWEP lost its funding for this year, so the RRWC would have to take the lead. Requested from the working group is approval to use a small portion of Bear Creek dedicated funds to help support the event. The total budget is about $3,500. The amount requested from the working group is $525. The remainder of the funds would come from the RRWC and BCWEP. The requested funds were approved by voice vote. Minutes transcribed by Natasche O’Brien Legg 1 Presentation Robert Coffan Chair, Rogue Basin Partnership Robert Coffan presented a general overview of the Rogue Basin Partnership (RBP) and their role in the basin. The mission of RBP is “to provide leadership and achieve watershed health throughout the basin.” The Rogue Basin Partnership is an umbrella organization in which many different types of organizations are housed: watershed councils, advocacy groups, conservation groups, etc. The idea is a “collective impact.” Many of the missions between these organizations are very similar. Through RBP, the opportunity arises to bring more money in from outside the state for projects and broaden the education/outreach expanse. A basin-wide Strategic Action Plan was developed the RBP plants to implement. RBP will be a management group that will manage their partners who will be doing the on-the-ground work. The Strategic Action Plan, facilitated by Bonneville Environmental Foundation, is an analysis of the Rogue Basin and its priority areas based off of a myriad of different factors related to critical fish habitat, water quality, fish passage barriers, etc. Robert presented several tables and maps from this publication, and explained were Bear Creek watershed fits into the plan. RBP would like to expand their staff to an Executive Director and an Administrative Assistant. Partner Reports Lomakatsi – Shane Jimerfield • Lomakatsi is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The celebration will run alongside the Streamside Recovery Week, which includes lots of events in the fall in Ashland and Medford. Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District – Lori Tella • Watershed Exploration Days is coming up in September, October, and November. Watershed Exploration Days are a culmination of outreach events related to watershed issues, available on a shared calendar hosted by the City of Ashland. The key event is the Salmon Festival. Any events for the calendar can Minutes transcribed by Natasche O’Brien Legg 2 be sent to Jen Sawtell ([email protected]) or call Lori Tella (541-664- 1070 ext. 420). • The Rogue Valley was chosen for the Pesticide Stewardship Partnership. Over the next 10 years, the partnership will work to reduce pesticide and fertilizer use through voluntary education and outreach. The kick off meeting will discuss more of what the partnership means and the beginning of an action plan. A waste cleanup event is scheduled for February in Grants Pass for large scale commercial agriculture. The Medford Water Commission received a grant from the Oregon Health Authority to help run the cleanup event. Rogue Flyfishers – John Ward • The Rogue Fly Fishers are working on a final assessment of interior Rogue section of the NOAA Coho Recovery Plan. John is taking on the responsibility of working within the Bear Creek watershed. Rogue Basin Partnership – Robert Coffan • The next Rogue Basin Partnership meeting is August 24th 2:00 – 4:00pm at the Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District. The meeting will be focused on decision making for a new set of bylaws. Southern Oregon Climate Action Network – Eric Dittmer & Louise Shawkat • Climate Trend Summit, October 13-14, Inn at the Commons. It is an all-day event on both days. People are coming from all over the state to discuss issues, concerns, and trends. One of the goals is to identify changes that can be made, implement those changes, and reconvene down to road to discuss problems or successes in trying to enact those changes. Medford Water Commission – Bob Jones • The Water Commission is donating money from their most recent fine for water quality breach, to an irrigation efficiency project in the Little Butte Creek watershed. • Expansion of Duff II in progress. Currently working on the permitting process for the expansion. • An agreement was renegotiated with the Eagle Point Irrigation District (EPID). Water delivery from Big Butte Springs will now stay at ¾ supply until July 1st, leaving more water in Big Butte Creek for irrigation diversion. This year, EPID should be able to provide an irrigation source all season. Rogue River Watershed Council – Bob Jones • Membership is open for the watershed council. There are three levels of membership: individual, family, and business. Membership forms are available online, as well as an electronic payment option. Minutes transcribed by Natasche O’Brien Legg 3 Rogue River Watershed Council – Ray Tharp • The last two fish passage barriers are being removed on Jones Creek in Grants Pass this summer. Increased numbers of fish have been recorded above previous barrier removal project sites through fish trapping. • The next Rogue River Watershed Council board meeting is August 25th, 9:30am – 12:00pm. Rogue Valley Services – Jennie Morgan • Sampling in Phoenix this summer on Anderson, Coleman and Payne Creeks. A major source of E. coli was found on Anderson Creek that was turned into DEQ. The other creeks have been identified as having E.coli contaminants, but a source has yet to be found. • Jennie is on the education and outreach committee for RRWC, and is working to get funding for Kids and Creeks, Salmon Watch, and Stream Smart. If you would like an event posted on the Rogue River Watershed Council website, please email Natasche at [email protected] Meeting adjourned: 10:30am by Working Group Chair, Steve Mason Minutes transcribed by Natasche O’Brien Legg 4 .