HomeMy WebLinkAbout20260212_CWDAC_MeetingNotesAlways 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 Notes
Thursday, February 12, 2026
3:00 to 4:30 pm
Jefferson County Courthouse
First Floor Conference Room
1820 Jefferson St, Port Townsend 98368 and hybrid via Zoom
Attendance: Mike Dawson, Heidi Eisenhour, Monica MickHager, Kara Cardinal, Carol McCreary, Lee
Steele, Sierra Young. Guests: Jacquelyn Stenman, Brad Stone, Andrew Jauhola, Scott Chernoff, Sarah
Longacre.
Call to Order at 3:05
3:05 – 3:09 Introductions
Sierra Young replacing Joe Holtrop at Jeff Co Conservation District
3:09 – 3:10 Agenda and Minutes Approval
Monica moves to approve agenda, Heidi seconds, all in favor, none opposed, no discussion
Monica moves to approve minutes, Sierra seconds, all in favor, none opposed, no discussion
3:10 – 3:11 Public Comment - none
3:11 – 3:31 Hood Canal #3 Data Report – Scott Chernoff, Dept. of Health (DOH)
Compared to December 2024, six stations’ water quality has improved with no declines – stations 124,
136, 138, 140, 142, and 137
The addendum we started last year has been on hold, but we are back at it. We’re hopeful to upgrade
Dosewallips. Elevated FC in Pierce Creek (and worsening creek WQ trends over the last few years) may
delay upgrade of Duckabush delta, even though marine data look good.
Upgrade evaluation for Conditional area around Duckabush delta:
What we need to upgrade (Conditionally Approved to Approved):
1.) Must meet NSSP SRS Approved standards based on 30 samples. DONE!
2.) Must have stable or improving trends. DONE!
3.) Must have restoration work accomplished or underway. DONE!
4.) Must meet APC Approved standards for last 15 closed period (May through Oct) samples (10%
of samples below 43 FC/100mL). At 6.7% and stable. DONE!
5.) Must not have pollution sources affecting area. Pierce Creek has elevated FC
a. Dept is currently analyzing data and looking at options.
b. JCPH: Beaver dam at stream site making it difficult to estimate flow.
Upgrade evaluation for Restricted area around Dosewallips delta:
What we need to upgrade (Restricted to Approved):
1.) Must meet NSSP SRS criteria. DONE!
2.) Need to confirm status of seals (what we’ve seen is far fewer than in past = good).
3.) Shoreline conditions seem to support upgrade.
4.) FC geomeans and E90ths look great. Still some evaluations to do but upgrade likely.
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
Upcoming Reports:
• Discovery Bay due 2028
• Hood Canal 1 report almost done
• Quilcene shoreline in March/April
• Hood Canal 4 shoreline in July
• Port Townsend shoreline in October
Scott provided context and background on what different classifications mean and what it means when
they change.
3:31 – 3:56 Clean Water District Annual Report 2025 – Mike Dawson, Jeff Co Public Health (JCPH)
Dawson summarized the completed 2025 Clean Water District Annual Report available at
https://www.jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/DocumentCenter/View/23960/Jefferson-County-Clean-
Water-District-Annual-Report-2025.
Dawson also mentioned that Jefferson County eliminated the budget for Lakes Cyanobacteria
Monitoring in the 2026 budget passed at the end of 2025. It was subsequently restored in early 2026,
but not to the requested amount.
3:56 – 4:09 Prioritized Work Plan 2026 – Mike Dawson, JCPH
Dawson outlined ideas for prioritizing water quality monitoring in 2026 to be more efficient. The outline
document was shared that included the following brainstorm list of possible strategies:
1. Re-evaluate shoreline reaches where boat monitoring can be more efficient.
2. Reduce the wet season target by half because of the difficulty of the season.
3. Increase our resampling threshold from 100 to 200 EC and 30 to 60 entero, or higher. Current
thresholds far below the hot spot geomean criteria of 320/110.
4. Rotate monitoring 3 of the 5 monitoring areas each year.
a. Have 3 staff monitor areas 1, 2 and 3 in 2026, 4, 5, and 1 in 2027, 2, 3 and 4 in 2028, etc.
5. Monitor half of each monitoring area each year, and switch to the other half the next year.
6. Reprioritize to focus on commercial shellfish growing areas and not recreational beaches.
7. Explore ways to make staff time more efficient in other tasks (PIC tasks, code enforcement)
8. Other ideas?
Discussion was deferred due to lack of time. No action was taken.
4:09 – 4:25 Reducing Flood Risk in the Brinnon Reach – Tami Pokorny, JCPH Natural Resources
Funding: Recreation and Conservation Office Salmon Recovery Funding Board and NOAA
• Acquisition
• Planning
• Design
Matching Funds: USFS Secure Rural Schools, In-kind contributions from Jamestown S’Klallam and JC DCD
Contractor: Natural Systems Design
Goals: land acquisition
History:
• River fluctuation over the years
• Historical logging, man-made dams and lakes
• Agriculture and development – blocking side channels
• Brinnon within floodplain, causing flooding
• State park sewer system under US-101
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
• MPR
Flow through US-101 crossings:
• 2- Year: Minor inundation, influenced by sea level and high tide.
• 100-Year: Impoundment of water along US-101, water comes from a combination of flood flows
from the west and tidal inundation.
Potential Channel Migration Risk:
• Berm is serving purpose of mitigating channel migration towards town and US-101 north of the
bridge.
• Potential channel migration risk upstream of berm extent into old channel scar.
Climate Change Projections
Impacts from climate change:
1.) Sea level rise – ESA (2023)
2.) Increased magnitude and frequency of peak flow events
Resulting influence on flood risk:
1.) Higher flood depths and slightly larger extents, which have a higher magnitude closer to where
sea level rise has an influence.
2.) The majority of existing buildings and the main transportation route in and out of town (US-101)
are likely to be impacted by sea level rise over the next century.
Flood Risk – Areas of Heightened Risk
1.) Overflow channel north of fire station
2.) Low Area near Community Center
3.) Berm area (RM 0.4-0.7)
4.) Low Area between State Park Campground and US 101.
Department of Ecology Flood Control Assistance Account
• County defines viable paths forward to mitigate flood risk for consideration by community:
“pathways”
• County vets pathways with partner agencies including State Parks, WSDOT, and Ecology and
Tribes; Collaborations with Coastal Cohort, NGOs; Seeks complementary funding.
• DRAFT Action Plan consisting of alternative trajectories and supporting information
• Community workshops and events
• Selection of preferred trajectory
• Final draft action plan
• Comment period
• Comments attached to final draft action plan
• Resolution to proceed with implementation
4:25 – 4:26 Announcements
• Advisory Council District 3 Citizen Position open
• Next meeting May 14
4:26 – 4:30 Room clean-up and exit (building closes at 4:30)
Adjourn