HomeMy WebLinkAboutSurface Water Work Session April 17 20121
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Whatcom County Council
Special Surface Water Work Session
April 17, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Kathy Kershner called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. in the
Whatcom County Civic Center Annex Garden Room, 322 N. Commercial, Bellingham,
Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Sam Crawford, Kathy Kershner, Bill Knutzen and Ken
Mann
Absent: Pete Kremen and Carl Weimer
SURFACE WATER WORK SESSION (AB2012 -024)
1. LAKE WHATCOM INVASIVE SPECIES PROGRAM
Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department, gave introductory remarks about the
surface water work session schedule.
Laurel Baldwin, Noxious Weed Board Coordinator, submitted and read from a
presentation (on file).
The following people answered questions:
• Teegan Ward, City of Bellingham
• Clare Fogelson, City of Bellingham
Brenner asked and there was discussion of what the zebra and quagga mussels and
asian clams cling to.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether they are temperature sensitive.
Baldwin continued the presentation on defining risk levels.
Mann asked and there was discussion of whether it's safe to assume that boats with
the mussels have made it to Washington waters.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether the mussels are alive, dead, and
capable of reproducing and how long they can live outside a water body.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of the lifespan of the mussels.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of whether the boat cleaning program
flushes them to the stormwater system and creates problems there.
Baldwin continued the presentation.
Surface Water Work Session, 4/17/2012, Page 1
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Kershner asked and there was discussion of the source of information on ecological
damages and impacts.
Brenner asked and there was discussion about:
• Contacting the State, joining with other affected
regional inspection station at the borders.
• Whether there are treatment options that would
from attaching to boats and pipes.
Baldwin concluded the presentation.
communities, and setting up a
prevent the mussels and clams
Hutchings stated the program would include the jurisdictions of Whatcom County,
the City of Bellingham, and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District. All three
jurisdictions have different roles. Identify the roles that each jurisdiction would take.
Regardless, something must happen now. It will take time to develop a more aggressive or
mandatory program, which would have to be based on information that doesn't exist today.
Today, get the word out to the community about the implications and gather information to
make future decisions.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether other jurisdictions have back - flushed chemicals to clean out their pipes.
• Whether a program would also include Lake Padden and other water bodies in the
community.
• Whether they should implement a boat certification program county -wide. Focus
on Lake Whatcom because that's where the majority of the public infrastructure is
and it's also the drinking water source.
Crawford stated this is a boater problem, and boaters should bear the cost. He
asked and there was discussion of:
• What information they're missing to develop a mandatory program.
• Whether a local boat sticker is required.
• What response of local boater groups has been.
Get a program together as soon as possible, including a sticker for fee payers. The
Sheriff's Office new boat can monitor for stickers when on the lake.
Brenner stated a concern is not making the fee too high, so boaters would just find
launch alternatives. She asked and there was discussion of whether the mussels can grow
in the Nooksack River.
Mann stated he agrees with Councilmember Crawford. He has concerns with public
outreach and information gathering. This problem may require a more rapid response. If
there is an outcry from the boating community, the Council must endure it. He asked and
there was discussion of how many border crossings between Skagit and Whatcom County
exist and could support an inspection station. In summary, first, move quickly. Second, do
not be afraid of political blow back. Third, consider inspection stations in those locations.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether it's possible to engage volunteers to do inspections.
• Whether they have considered asking the Governor to declare an emergency.
• How the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is using its budget.
Surface Water Work Session, 4/17/2012, Page 2
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Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether they've engaged the US Coast
Guard, Power Squadron, or other entities to coordinate an inspection program.
Fogelsong stated they can make use of volunteers once a program is up and running.
(Clerk's Note: Due to recorder malfunction, the rest of the meeting was not
recorded.)
Fogelsong described four components of the things that are happening now.
Brenner stated all counties in the state have this problem and can contribute funding
to the State for a State program.
Mann asked and there was discussion of controls in the eastern part of the County,
including the Dam run by Seattle Power and Light.
Hutchings stated and there was discussion of coming to a decision about what an
appropriate program will look like and how it will be funded.
Mann asked and there was discussion of the possibility of creating a second Flood
Control Zone District for Lake Whatcom and the people who drink the lake water.
2. LEVEE ELIGIBILITY FOR ACOE PL84 -99 PROGRAM
Paula Cooper, Public Works Department, stated this is about the County's ongoing
eligibility for PL84 -99 program. She described the program. The Army Corps of Engineers
inspected levees and found many deficiencies. The County has one year to address the
issues, but they won't complete it.
She referenced the graph in the work session packet and explained the three options
for transitioning levees, including the Corps' system wide improvement framework (SWIF)
program.
Mann asked and there was discussion of whether the County staff knew or was
surprised about the local systems that were kicked out of the program.
Cooper gave a presentation (on file) about the existing PL84 -99 levee system on the
Nooksack River. She is trying to get the subzones onboard with putting their levees into
this SWIF program. She asked if the Council is comfortable with the letter she wrote on
behalf of Executive Louws to the Army Corps of Engineers dated April 16, 2012 and going
forward with the SWIF program.
Crawford moved that the Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors Board of
Supervisors support the letter and its attachment, and request the Executive send the letter
and add a signature line for the Chair of the Board of Supervisors.
Kershner asked if there is an appeal process for the Corps decisions.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Brenner, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (5)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Kremen and Weimer (2)
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Crawford asked and there was discussion of whether the diking districts are opposed
to the program.
Crawford moved to support moving in the direction of a SWIF program and still
allowing flexibility for discussion among the diking districts on which levees will apply.
Crawford withdrew his motion because it seems like councilmembers agree to that
direction.
The Council concurred.
Mann stated and there was discussion of how the federal government is within its
rights to set standards if they are going to pay 80 percent of the repair costs, but they need
to be based on science and what is working in the field.
Crawford stated they are asking for a variance process that is more realistic.
Councilmembers should look at a website, www.bbmwd.com, which is an example of a
jurisdiction that has a great inspection program.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:11 p.m.
The Council approved these minutes on May 8, 2012.
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council &o.w hatcom .wa.us
Surface Water Work Session, 4/17/2012, Page 4