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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200213_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 Jefferson County Public Health, Pacific Room 615 Sheridan St, Port Townsend, WA 98368 Thursday, February 13, 2020, 3:00 to 4:30 pm Attending: Mike Dawson, Richard Hull, Kara Cardinal, David Sullivan, Richard Wojt, Monica MickHager, Wendy Clark-Getzin, David Steele, Trevor Swanson (on phone) Absent: Al Cairns Staff: Lara Gaasland-Tatro Mike Dawson called the meeting to order at 3:05 pm. AGENDA AND MINUTES APPROVAL Dawson added to the agenda that Swanson would share DOH data during the Central Hood Canal project update. Steele moved to approve the agenda as amended, Richard Wojt seconded, all were in favor, agenda approved. Dawson corrected the November 2019 minutes to include Hull as being in attendance, Sullivan motioned to approve the minutes as corrected, David Steele seconded, all were in favor, the minutes were approved. Council Positions Dawson announced that Richard Hull would continue as Citizen Position 3 and thanked him. The council welcomed Monica MickHager into the City of Port Townsend position; she introduced herself and shared her background. Cardinal asked for clarification on the seat positions, which are a length of 4 years for citizen positions. Strait Priority Areas Project Update An amendment to the Strait Priority Areas Project was in process for extending the deadline through June 2020. A final meeting was held at Gardiner Community Center in January 2020. Results of stream, shoreline and marine monitoring were presented. Steele asked if the project area extended to the county line, Dawson replied that it did. Wojt asked if Clallam had a similar program, Dawson replied that there was a Streamkeepers program but he didn’t know of any work in the Diamond Point area near the county line. Swanson mentioned that Michael Friese of DOH will be doing a shoreline survey soon in the Diamond Point area, and may be able to come to a future meeting to explain the work DOH will be doing. During the course of the Strait Priority project Washington State changed bacteria standards from fecal coliform to E. coli. The Extraordinary Primary Contact designations were also removed. Trevor Swanson pointed out that Shellfish NSSP rules did not change and are still using fecal coliform at 14 geomean, 43 90th percentile for marine waters. Richard Steele asked for clarification about the greater number of failures of water quality standards in the summer since there are more shellfishing closures in the winter. Trevor explained that in certain areas (not in Jefferson County) the greater flows in fall or winter create larger loading of bacteria than small, higher concentrations of bacteria in the summer. Kara asked why bacteria levels are usually higher in the summer, Dawson explained that there was greater use of vacation properties and possibly increased ranging of pastured animals. Lower summer stream flows can be more concentrated, and warmer temperatures can lead to longer persistence of bacteria in the environment. EPA Manchester lab performed Microbial Source tracking analysis on some of the stream samples from the project. More detailed analyses were available than in a previous MST study from 2013. However, many of the 2018-19 samples were low in bacteria, so MST indicators were also low. Human fecal 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 indicators were found in Contractor’s, Snow and Salmon creeks. There was significant avian presence in Zerr Drain, this is likely from wildlife presence since it is the closest fresh water area to a highly used marine waterfowl area. This is also close to the DOH 296 marine site that has had elevated bacteria results. Cardinal asked what is done about bacteria load from wildlife. Dawson said that nothing will be done about the wildlife, that human sources are the main concern due to higher risk of pathogens. Richard Hull asked if EPA provided the service, they did which is good since MST is expensive. Swanson added that they recently finished a MST project in the Ocean Shores area and they didn’t find much due to low bacteria. They needed hits over 100 to get much in the way of MST results. They had mostly avian, one human, dog and some ruminant. DOH will be doing a short report soon and a full one with EPA in about a year. The only human result was in a ditch that didn’t go to the ocean. Port Townsend Stormwater results we recapped from Fall. Five sites downtown had high results. (See handout) Some of these sites were stormwater culverts and other private pipes such as downspouts and basement drains. Bacteria levels are expected to be high whenever stormwater flows, and signage would be appropriate since there is access to many of these beach areas. Dawson showed a draft of a potential sign to post near these areas to warn people of the potential bacteria. Hull indicated he thought the sign design was good. McHager asked what all was needed, and recommended that Dawson talk to John Mauro since to the Public Works Director position was in transition. Steele asked about the sign dimensions. Dawson replied the draft was 5.5 by 8 inches. Cardinal mentioned that the other city’s signs said 48 hours after rain events. Dawson said that we don’t have a reliable number of hours to use. Central Hood Canal project The project is on the same timeline as Strait Priority Areas and are seeking an extension through June 2020. A final presentation was given at the Brinnon Community Center in February. Nine hot spots were found along the shoreline, some of them have improved and can close them. Petitjean Creek had a cesspit that was decommissioned. Pit privies in the floodplain were decommissioned. There are 43 septic violation cases that are still being worked on. Swanson presented DOH monitoring data. Water quality improvements are seen, hopefully from the groundwork that JCPH has been doing. (See handout for full details.) Seven of the sites were improved. Steele asked at what point DOH changes sites to approved. Swanson explained that it would depend on improved water quality over a year and a half. Clark-Getzin mentioned that the new Duckabush River bridge project by WDFW has a comment period through February 20. Foundational Monitoring project Dawson introduced the upcoming Foundational Monitoring project during the final meetings for the other projects. The goal is increased efficiency, adapting to new standards, being more pro-active about pollution. There will be one Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for the county that will serve for any future monitoring. New state water quality standards for recreational waters include E. coli and Enterococcus, replacing fecal coliform. 14 streams that drain to shellfish beds will be monitored. The shoreline will be divided into about 118 miles of high priority shoreline that are in shellfish growing areas or public recreation sites. An annual water quality report will be produced. Currently the contract is being drafted and should go to the commissioners soon for their approval. 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 Lakes Dawson described wrapping up monitoring for the Anderson Lake Management Plan project. Next the consultant Herrera Environmental will be making a nutrient budget. We are also working with Ecology to share data as they are doing similar studies on multiple lakes. A final project presentation will be given in June. State Parks, at the state level, has indicated concerns about a management plan, and has classified the lake as natural, meaning there may be no management options. Wojt asked where Anderson drains to, Dawson replied that there is a small creek outlet that eventually drains to Chimacum Creek. State Parks indicated concerns about fish stocking at Anderson Lake by WDFW and did not open the park this year to allow stocking to occur.. Dawson has been considering a pilot project for bacteria monitoring in lakes. Kitsap County has been monitoring for bacteria in the summer in some of their lakes. The plan would be to try a small number of screening samples to see if there is a bacteria presence and if so, to apply for grant funding. Kara mentioned that Surfrider Foundation Might be able to help and do a volunteer effort with Lake sampling, or other sampling Richard Hull mentioned cost and that it might divert funding from Clean Water Projects. Mike answered that he would run the numbers but he estimated and 200-300 dollars would be sufficient. Richard Wojt asked about what the health department role was in responding to problems like this. Mike answered that many of the sites are county parks where we are actively promoting recreation. The cost would go up if there was pollution investigation and correction. Announcements: Next meeting May 14 Meeting adjourned at 4:31. There was no public comment.