Wednesday, May 26, 2010

MEETING MINUTES

9:00 AM

Coordinator/Facilitator:  Jeannie Habben 

1.              Introductions 

2.              Mission Statement

The Mission Statement was read by Tom W. 

3.              Review of Minutes/AgendaThe minutes and agenda were accepted as presented 

4.              Updates, Handouts & Extra Information for Committee

Public Comment

·         Tom W stated that his town hall meetings will resume after the elections in June.  The next town hall meeting will be held on July 22 in Oakhurst at the Community Center.

·         Chapman University is offering a six week course in Watershed Management.  The program begins on June 16^th and clarifies the many water-related issues tat are of such critical importance to Californians. For more information  and to register go to www.watershed.chapman.edu.

·         It was reported that there is a new storm water prevention plan that is being issued from the state.  Everyon on one acre or more will have to get a permit from the state and after January 1, 2011 will have to measure the quality and quantity of storm water run-off. A large fine will be attached to this new law.

·         Nelder Creek came off of the latest 303d listing released from the state.  Madera County still has eight areas listed.

·         June 1 is the ribbon cutting for the new Sheriff/Fire station in Oakhurst

·         The Hite Cove Trail is now closed.  There are portions of it privately owned by to land owners and there is no signed MOU with the Forest Service for public use. They have now pulled the Docents from this area and are turning people away.   

 5.       Upper San Joaquin River Watershed Assessment – Final Report

            Steve Haze – Sierra Resource Conservation District 

Steve H, with assistance from Brandi M and Jeannie H, gave a presentation based on the final report that was submitted to the state Department of Water Resources.  It explained the Upper San Joaquin River Watershed Project and Assessment. The project purpose was to establish a collaboration and clearing house of information through the Stewardship Council of various organizations and agencies that are involved in some form of watershed activity within the geographical range of the Upper San Joaquin River basin.  Over a two-year period, the Council would build a number of significant interrelated programs that consist of the following: 1) Council formation; 2) Formation of a team to conduct a Watershed Assessment based upon existing information; 3) Identification of existing/planned monitoring and restoration activities; 4) Gap analysis; 5) Education and outreach; 6) Identification of existing/planned monitoring and restoration activities; 7) Conduct study of watershed conditions; and 8) Assessment & Protection and Enhancement Plan publication. 

Data gathering of existing information was collected, and was to be analyzed and synthesized for the understanding and determining potential impacts to the watershed and the riparian corridor. Data gathering areas chosen by the Assessment Team included: 1) Water Resources; 2) Hydrology; 3) Land Use & Water Use; 4) Ecology; 5) Vegetation Management/Fire Safety;

6) Geology & Soils; 7) Hazards; 8) Air Quality; and 9) Invasives & Pest Management. Each one of these areas was covered by an Assessment Team Leader.   

 6.       Project Updates 

      Sustainable Forests and Communities Collaborative – Elissa Brown/Mandy Vance

Meeting will be held  from 10 am – 1 pm, Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at the Yosemite Gateway Board of Realtors Office, which is located at 40298 Junction Drive, Suite B, Oakhurst , CA, USA 93644. Please bring snacks /lunch as needed--we will provide coffee, however. You can find the documents we will be referencing in our meeting in the attachments on their website:  http://sites.google.com/site/sustainablesierragroup2/other-documents 

      Chowchilla/Fresno Rivers Watershed – Jeannie Habben

Jeannie H shared a document that stated the the USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is considering taking regulatory actions to issue permits authorizing the environmental release of a weed feeding arthropod. The organism proposed for release is a scale insect (Rhizaspidiotus donacis) that feeds on leaf collars, stem nodes, and rhizomes of Arundo grass.  This is something new and something to  watch for future successes in eradicating this weed. 

       Coarsegold Resource Conservation District – Larry Ballew

CRCD completed their fund raiser at the beginning of the month.  It was very successful.  They cleared about $3,500.00 and everyone had a good time.  They learned a lot from this first event so that when they do this again, it will be even better.  They had a booth at the Relay for Life event on May 15.  Southern California Edison donated Sugar Pine and Giant Sequoia seedlings and the Larry B and Jeannie H handed them out to all participants and their family and friends.  This was the “Trees of Life” booth.  

       Madera Region Regional Water Management Group – Jeannie Habben

This group met in Chowchilla this month and discussed the duties of the various positions that are required to run the RWMG.  These would be the Fiscal Agent or Sponsor, the Lead Agency, Chairperson, Chair Pro-tem, and the Secretary.  They will be preparing to meet with the state and local DWR representatives and the other two counties in the Central Cal area to discuss boundaries and regions. 

       Madera County Water Advisory Commission – John Reed

The next meeting will be held on May 27, 10:00 am at the Board Chambers.

John R is looking for individuals who would like to be on a new sub-committee that he is forming to develop a Water Resources element of the General Plan. 

       San Joaquin River Stewardship Project – Steve Haze

This group, in working together with Steve Starcher to move ahead on the San Joaquin River Stewardship Program Summer Camp for kids.  This is for students in the K – 6 grade age range and is a fun and educational summer camp. It is one week of nature mapping, swimming, canoeing, and visiting the fish hatchery, Millerton Courthouse and Lost Lake Park. There will be lots of hands on activities. Dates still available: July 12-16, July 19-23, and July 26-30. 

        Southern Sierra Integrated Regional Water Management Plan – Elissa Brown

Their next meeting is today from 1:00 to 4:30 at the Forest Service Office in Clovis. They are moving forward with writing their planning grant. 

       Upper Fresno River Watershed Assessment – Elissa Brown

This project is completed and was reported on last month. For any further information go to: www.fresnoriver.org 

       Upper Merced River Watershed – Connie Nielson

They are continuing to look for funding for the Briceburg – Phase II project for displays.  They had approximately 50 people participate in their conservation landscaping display during the Agri-Tourism Day. On May 15 they held their quarterly water monitoring day.  They are continuing to work on their weed grant working on Italian and Yellow Star Thistle. They are working with Sierra Institute to finish up the Mariposa County Watershed Assessment and hopefully will be able to present it next month. On June 22 at 5:30 there will be a stakeholder education workshop on Wildflowers at the Midpines Community Center.  

      Upper San Joaquin River Stewardship Council & Assessment – Steve Haze

This project is completed and was reported on above. For any further information go to: www.usjrwatershed.org 

       Yosemite/Sequoia Resource Conservation & Development – Robyn Smith

Their next meeting will be held on June 10 at the UC Center of Fresno State at 10:00am. They will be sharing information learned at a non-profit management workshop.  Six members attended a learned about laws, roles & responsibilities, fund raising dos and don’ts, etc. The Chipping project is on hold until they receive a response on the grant application they have submitted. They will hopefully receive this grant which will be additional funds in June. Taylor (VISTA) leaves for Alaska on June 10 and the RC & D received the approval to keep the other two VISTAs if they cost share. 

7.      Pending Grants & Grant Proposals

The Madera County RAC met for the first time this month and they have $142,000.00 to distribute.  They will be looking for applications to use up all of these funds. They will be looking to get these funds approved and distributed by September.  

8.      Legislative/Regulatory Updates

          Nothing to report at this time.   

  9.      Adjourn

          Next Meeting: June 30, 2010; 9:00 am to 12:00 noon