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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20180208_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 Pacific Room, Jefferson County Public Health 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 Thursday, February 8, 2018, 3:00 to 4:30 pm Attending: Amy Leitman, Craig Schrader, David Steele, David Sullivan, Richard Hull, Richard Wojt, Wendy Clark-Getzin, Jean Snyder (via phone), Lawrence Sullivan (via phone) Absent: Al Cairns, Deborah Stinson Staff: Michael Dawson, Anna Bachmann, Cassandra Allen. Guests: Andrew Pavone, Blair Paul, Seth Book, Paul McCollum The meeting was called to order at 3:05 pm by Mike Dawson. AGENDA AND MINUTES APPROVAL David Steele moved to approve the meeting agenda. Richard Wojt seconded the motion. No further discussion. The motion was unanimously approved. David Steele moved to approve the meeting minutes for February 8, 2018. Richard Wojt seconded the motion. No further discussion. The motion was unanimously approved. HOOD CANAL #3 DATA UPDATE Jean Snyder phoned in on behalf of Trevor Swanson to relay DOH data updates. A table was distributed that showed data from 2016 through 2017 within the Dosewallips and Duckabush areas. Last year, Station 137 did not meet state standards. This resulted in the classification change to conditionally approved. DOH is now sampling on a monthly basis during the months of concern instead of the usual bi-monthly sampling. The Dosewallips marine water stations have shown improvement, including previously threatened station 125. It may get put on the threatened list this year depending on water quality trends. The restricted station continues to have results above the standard for approved status. The remaining stations are currently below 20 FC. The Duckabush had high bacteria results at stations 136, 137, 139, and 140. The results during the closed period May – October, showed that the time period of the closure is appropriate. Seth Book asked if DOH does any correlation with salinity and fecal pollution at Duckabush? Jean Snyder stated that it has been looked at but that a correlation was not found. By April 15, 2018 the DOH will make publicly available their annual report along with the threatened and concerned water quality list. CENTRAL HOOD CANAL PIC PROGRESS REPORT This is a Centennial grant project in the Dosewallips and Duckabush area with Anna Bachmann as the lead. Anna stated that sampling began in November. There are monthly samples being taken from Fulton Creek, the Dosewallips and Duckabush rivers, Pierce, Walker, and McDonald Creeks, and Rocky Brook. Nutrient samples are also being taken at the mouths of the above mentioned drainages. Sampling at Dosewallips shoreline showed a few high hits but the geometric means have been below the action level. Marine sampling at the Duckabush and Dosewallips will begin in May. Most of the septic system surveys will be done during the summer months when more property owners are likely to be around. Anna is coordinating with Fish and Wildlife to float the Duckabush River for better visualization and access to potential problem areas. Updates for this project are maintained on the JCPH webpage and the data results are being reported to the Hood Canal Regional PIC project. Seth, who previously worked in Mason County Public Health, stated that an issue they faced were individuals living Page 2 of 2 in RVs full time with no way to prove that they were properly disposing of sewage from the tanks. Amy Leitman mentioned that she has had feedback from individuals who are concerned with DOH requirements regarding their septic systems. The most prevalent issue is lack of funds to repair or replace systems. Mike Dawson stated that, in addition to the financial challenges, many of the Duckabush lot sizes are not large enough to replace or install new systems without cooperation from neighbors willing or able to grant an easement for a drainfield. However, there is potential for creating a cost sharing program that would benefit low income individuals. David Sullivan stated that the county and Board of Health have had lobbying efforts to permit composting toilets. They are in fact permitted in Jefferson County; however, graywater still needs to be disposed of properly and the permitting requirements are such that costs are essentially the same as a septic system. Therefore solutions that people are seeking are complicated. Amy and Seth asked how long the conditional closure will last? Lawrence Sullivan, who stepped in for Jean Snyder via phone, stated that it would be a couple of years minimum, all depending on data and successful repairs within the watershed. The monthly monitoring schedule will be maintained during the closure. Once the data holds positive after the upgrade, the need for additional sampling will decline. REVIEW DRAFT HOOD CANAL #3 CLOSURE RESPONSE PLAN A hard copy of the draft was distributed to everyone attending the meeting. A closure response plan is required when a shellfish area is downgraded. A shellfish protection district was established in 2007 in response to a downgrade in Discovery Bay. There were also concerns at that time about Hood Canal and Mats Mats Bay so the county decided to form a district that covers the entire eastern part of the county. Some of the funding comes from parcel fees after they are assessed. The primary goal has been to use the funds to leverage Centennial clean water grant funds which require a 25% match for the projects. Since the district was formed, the county has applied for and received a number of Centennial grants including the Central Hood Canal PIC project. There are four overall objectives in the plan which mirror the way Centennial Clean Water projects are structured. Mike requested that comments about the draft be compiled via email by the end of the month. Seth asked where the closure area is within the shellfish protection district? He recommended having a map to show a more detailed depiction of the Duckabush watershed. Richard hull raised concerns of having too much detail in the actual document and possibly adding the maps as an appendix or as accessory documents. Mike stated that the QAPP for the project has detailed maps showing the entire watershed along with the specific monitoring stations. Paul McCollum recommended that there be a paragraph added highlighting a technical group that would work on additional environmental DNA sampling. Amy recommended a project map be put into the plan with visual identifiers of the streams that are being sampled. Seth asked about information discussing illicit discharges, recreational use, and dye testing. Mike stated that all discharges are sampled and investigations are done on all high hits. Discharges from RVs are not allowed unless they are properly connected to a septic system. ANNOUNCEMENTS The county scheduled an April 9, 2018 hearing for the Black Point Master Plan resort development regulations and agreement. Details are on the county website. The movie Ebb & Flow, which covers the history of shellfishing in the state, will be shown at Peninsula College on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 5:00 pm. It was recommended to have the movie sponsored in Port Townsend. PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment. ADJOURN: The meeting was adjourned at 4:31 p.m. by Michael Dawson.