HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources July 8 20141
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
July 8, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Barry Buchanan called the meeting to order at 9:33 a.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(9:33:00 AM)
Present: Carl Weimer, Sam Crawford and Barry Buchanan.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Rud Browne, Ken Mann, Barbara Brenner and Pete Kremen.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. WATER ACTION PLAN UPDATE (AB2014 -067A)
Jack Louws, County Executive, introduced Tyler Schroeder, who has worked on this
and a number of other issues. He will update the Council on the Water Action Plan.
Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, submitted and read from a presentation (on file),
including objectives to reduce the water resource demands to a manageable list that the
County can articulate and move forward. Each County department will play a water
resource role. To achieve goals, they must identify financing and staff resources and
coordinate contract efforts. The major funding source for many of the programs will be the
flood fund. They must evaluate water quality programs and provide good scientific
information through the process, consider future stormwater efforts around Lake Whatcom
and the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) areas. Continue flood
preparedness, capital planning, and river and flood projects.
Consider water resource priorities. Continue existing programs and move others
forward. The priorities are listed in the memo in the Council packet. He submitted an
associated matrix (on file) that describes which departments play a lead or support position
for the various projects and issues. He described the different priorities, including water
quality through the pollution identification and correction (PIC) program and other
programs.
Brenner asked and there was discussion about whether the matrix for water quality
in shellfish growing areas should include sewers. Schroeder stated problems with sewers
would be included in the PIC program.
Crawford asked the difference between the OSS Onsite Sewage item on the matrix
and the Education and Compliance O &M Effort item. Schroeder stated education and
compliance is overall education and outreach. They would be similar. They are trying to
connect existing programs with each item.
Schroeder continued the presentation on the issue of water quantity.
Brenner stated they must determine the amount of water available. Schroeder
stated they will gather the data necessary to make decisions in the future with the
Natural Resources Committee, 7/8/2014, Page 1
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coordinated water system plan (CWSP), the water supply plan, and the groundwater model
and assessment. He continued the presentation with Lake Whatcom, including working on
the total maximum daily load (TMDL) goals. They must identify funding and the
accomplishments they've already achieved. They must also continue to reduce phosphorous
in Lake Whatcom through different water quality projects. The County must also work on
habitat issues through the Conservation Program on Agricultural Lands (CPAL) program,
critical areas ordinance (CAO), and public works programs. Additional enforcement is
necessary for planning and natural resources issues.
The NPDES compliance program must move forward. It must include ongoing
maintenance and operation and development regulations for private stormwater facilities.
Determine if the County can enter into agreements with cities or other districts under the
permit II to provide services.
The County must continue flood preparedness and flood plain management,
integrate habitat protection projects effectively, and maintain emergency preparedness.
His intent today is to update the Council on the administration's work. The
community and various committees and agencies will continue to provide content to the
Council. They will have more discussion on financing needs at the July 15 surface water
work session.
Crawford asked if the CPAL program gaps are part of the Portage Bay pollution
contribution problem. Best management practices for livestock should also be highlighted.
He asked about funding for the CPAL program. Schroeder stated the Portage Bay
community wants to continue to enforce the CPAL program.
Erika Douglas, Public Works Department, stated the Portage Bay Shellfish Protection
District Advisory Committee recommends a local and sustainable PIC program. One source
they will consider is livestock. No County staff is dedicated to the CPAL program at this
time. She described the PIC program and its participation level.
Crawford asked about a past program in which the Conservation District provided
farm plans and about continued funding for that program. Douglas stated they are
developing another partnership with the Conservation District through the PIC program.
George Boggs, Conservation District Technical Director, stated conservation planning
on agricultural lands is an alternative to big buffers so that land isn't out of production. It's
not enforcement. CPAL is the alternative to CAO enforcement. The Conservation District
can do a plan for a small hobby farm in a day. Conservation District funding from the
County has been sporadic, not sustainable, and absent in the last five or six years. They've
received other funds to help dairies with inspection issues. The Planning Department refers
people to the Conservation District regularly regarding short -plat conservation plans. More
than 45,000 acres use alternatives to buffers and are productive.
Crawford asked the potential for new plans and if there are issues with people not
complying with their CPAL plans. Boggs stated they propose to connect with the community
to raise awareness and change behaviors. Enforcement will be an option of last resort if
someone doesn't want to move forward.
Brenner stated the State Department of Ecology no longer contracts with the
Conservation District, which engages people in a more positive and clear way. The
Department of Ecology should contract with the Conservation District again.
Natural Resources Committee, 7/8/2014, Page 2
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Schroeder stated the County will continue to work with the Conservation District with
outreach to accomplish the PIC program. If they look at and agree with priorities and
funding sources, they can move forward and expand programs.
Boggs stated the land owners should be able to manage their land until they no
longer can. The strings attached to funding from other agencies are an impediment for the
Conservation District. Local resources and planning with sustainable funding and County
staffing will work to provide citizens more flexibility.
Louws stated aggressive use of flood and real estate excise tax (REET) monies will
allow them to implement many things next year. They will talk more about funding next
week.
Mann stated the CWSP update is scheduled for the Public Works Committee today.
He asked how the CWSP and water action plan programs impact each other.
Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, stated the CWSP has been in the works for a
couple of years, before the water action plan. He described the purpose of the CWSP, which
is about public drinking water systems. The program makes sure the service areas don't
overlap and that water system planning is coordinated.
Mann stated make sure they are clear about what they are doing so the two plans
don't overlap. All the plans must be consistent.
Weimer asked if there is a lack of coordination among all the County departments,
how they ensure all departments coordinate with each other, and if they need a new natural
resources department. Schroeder stated his role is to discuss coordination with the
departments involved and may extend beyond the water action plan. If the Council
provides support for these programs, they can discuss another department for the long-
term. In the meantime, he will play a role in that coordination.
Weimer asked if the County must play a bigger role in promoting its alternatives to
the Department of Ecology. Schroeder stated focus on outreach and farm plan flexibility in
the future. County departments must do different types of outreach. If outreach to a
property owner fails, enforcement is a necessary backstop.
Weimer asked if they will have a discussion on what is fiscally responsible.
Schroeder stated they will have a discussion on the level of service at the surface water
work session next week. They will discuss budgetary needs to accomplish the goals they've
discussed today.
Kremen stated he would like an estimate of how much the County has spent
addressing Lake Whatcom, including State and federal funding. They've spent millions, but
the lake quality has had no significant improvement. Make sure they spend money on
efforts that get results. Staff must be as sure as possible that they are spending money
effectively.
Weimer stated the Lake Whatcom Policy Group discussed that issue. For the first
time, Robyn Matthews' report will reflect that efforts over the last several years are
beginning to show small improvements. The TMDL has taught them to be more focused.
Natural Resources Committee, 7/8/2014, Page 3
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Schroeder stated the Lake Whatcom Policy Group has had good discussions about
TMDL responses and the associated fiscal response. The administration recommends
spending about $300,000 more per year from the County to supplement State grants, which
would accomplish the 50 -year response. The County is in a position to show the projects
that it has and will build, so they can show the number of acres that have been treated
based on each capital project. They will be able to see the number of acres treated, the
associated cost of that treatment, and the theoretical phosphorous that has been reduced
because of that treatment, which shows how the program is reducing phosphorous.
Browne stated he would like all information provided on this issue to include the
meaning of each acronym. In the matrix, identify current or proposed items that would
respond to the issue. Add the best estimate of funding that is secured or needed for each
item on the matrix. Identify whether the programs are existing or new. He asked the
process for the review of this plan and how they make amendments. Schroeder stated the
administration is providing a list of services and associated funds. Have a discussion to
make sure today's presentation is consistent with priorities to move forward, and then have
a funding discussion next week. They can go back over this discussion at the Council's
August 5 meeting. The Executive will take the Council's opinions on water resources and
work them into the budget.
Buchanan asked for a consolidated set of metrics for the entire water action plan that
can be reported to the public and made available on a website dashboard.
Brenner stated the resolution for a CWSP isn't necessary. Instead of a natural
resources department, they need more natural resources staff. The various departments
can share funding for one staff that works with all three departments.
Browne stated the matrix should include the name of the staff person assigned to
each of the issues. He would like to be invited to any discussion of these topics so he can
be better - informed.
Kremen stated creating another department is ill- advised. The County would still
require staff working from the various departments. Spend money on implementation, not
administration.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m.
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Barry Buchanan, Committee Chair
Natural Resources Committee, 7/8/2014, Page 4