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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20220512_CWDACminutesAlways working for a safer and healthier community 615 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, WA 98368 www.JeffersonCountyPublicHealth.org Community Health Environmental Health Developmental Disabilities Water Quality 360-385-9400 360-385-9444 360-385-9401 (f) (f) 360-379-4487 Jefferson County Clean Water District Advisory Council Quarterly Meeting Zoom Meeting due to COVID-19 Thursday, May 12, 2022, 3:00 to 4:30 pm In attendance: Mike Dawson, Greg Brotherton, Carol McCreary, Dave Steele, Glenn Gately, Sierra Young, Monica Mickhager, Richard Hull, Kara Cardinal, Trevor Swanson, Jacquelyn Stenman (staff), Tim Weissman (staff), Lara Gaasland-Tatro (staff). Due to technical difficulties with Zoom, the meeting was called to order by Dawson at 3:07. Dawson described how the meeting would run as a Zoom webinar. 3:09 – 3:14 Introductions (welcomed new member McCreary) 3:14 – 3:19 Agenda and Minutes Approval. Brotherton mentioned that, due to upcoming changes in the Public Meetings Act, public comment should be moved to the beginning of the meeting. Dawson said he would do that for the next quarterly meeting. Brotherton also asked if there was a preference for virtual meetings. Dawson said there was, as it made attendance easier for some members, but said he would follow county guidance for public meetings if it changes. Brotherton moved to approve the agenda, Mickhager seconded; all were in favor. Hull moved to approve the minutes, Brotherton seconded; all were in favor. 3:19 – 3:35 Updates from DOH. Swanson gave an update on the latest Hood Canal #3 monitoring data. Some stations improved, while others declined, but all met state standards. At the Duckabush there are still higher hits during closed period, but Swanson is hopeful that by end of summer the numbers will be better as past high hits drop off of the averaging period. Swanson presented the Early Warning Report indicating threatened water quality status at two Quilcene monitoring stations. He explained the format of the report and the statistics. He talked about the data, which showed a high bacteria count during the June 2021 heatwave, that caused a spike in the 90th percentile statistic. He indicated that high bacteria were found in several locations throughout Puget Sound during the heatwave. Swanson stated that Jefferson looks good compared to other counties. 3:35 – 3:55 Foundational Monitoring Project – Quilcene WQ. Weissman summarized the JCPH shoreline and stream water quality results in the Quilcene area. He explained the hot spot criteria and prioritization. The stream monitoring sites are Donovan Creek, Big Quilcene River, and Little Quilcene River. Weissman also summarized data from past projects in the area and some of the hot spots identified in them. A tributary to Donovan Creek (DVT/0.1) was a hot spot in 2017 associated with cattle in an adjacent pasture. There was some discussion about past attempts to achieve agricultural BMPs on the site. Cemetery Drain is a stream in Quilcene that was also a past hot spot. Ag BMPs and septic corrections were made in the area, but there are still concerns for both septic and ag sources, but bacteria averages are currently lower priority. JCPH also provides sanicans and a dumpster at the Big Quilcene River during salmon fishing season and conducts stream monitoring. Last year, no bacteria hot spot was found, but the sanicans and dumpster were heavily used. Cardinal asked about stormwater management. Weissman replied that the Quilcene Tidelands parking lots could use raingardens, or some way to better manage runoff, as well as pet waste signage and bags. 3:55 – 4:12 Clean Water District Annual Report Draft. Dawson shared the draft CWD Annual Report, and stated that some metrics in the Pollution Control Implementation Table needed to be added, including Always working for a safer and healthier community Community Health Environmental Health Developmental Disabilities Water Quality 360-385-9400 360-385-9444 360-385-9401 (f) (f) 360-379-4487 some from the On-site Septic team at JCPH, the Conservation District, and Craft3. The funding source remains unchanged. The parcel fee was used as match for three Ecology Clean Water grants in 2021. JCPH staff assignments stayed the same. WQ moved offices. An Annual Water Quality report was produced and posted on the website. Jefferson County revised code enforcement in 2021. A slowdown in septic system sanitary survey participation was attributed to COVID-19. Brotherton asked if urgent repairs/permits funded by cost share? Dawson replied that some were, about 20 received partial financial support. Brotherton asked about an article regarding shellfish devastation in Discovery Bay. Dawson replied that he was aware that some people are very concerned about shellfish mortality. Dawson urged people not to confuse non-point fecal bacteria or biotoxin monitoring with anything to do with shellfish population status, that JCPH does not do the sort of testing that was desired, and agreed to write a response to a citizen question. 4:12 – 4:20 Water Quality Blog/Wet Season results summary. Stenman gave a presentation summarizing the results of wet season monitoring, noting that we were continuing to see a very wet start to what is normally considered the dry season (April through September). Stenman listed the shoreline mileage achieved, number of samples analyzed, number of streams monitored and number of hot spots found for Northern Hood Canal and Foundational Monitoring projects. One stream site, Chimacum 3.0 at HJ Carrol Park has elevated bacteria and is getting additional monitoring. 3 stream sites failed part 2 of the state standard. Eight total hot spots were found and are being investigated. Stenman also described her work on creating a water quality blog that JCPH is considering replacing the print newsletter with. 4:20 – 4:32 Climate & Health Adaptation Initiative. Dawson and Gaasland-Tatro introduced some new work that JCPH was engaging with DOH on Climate and Health in a short, two-month project. 4:33 There was no public comment. The meeting was adjourned.