HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200813_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
Zoom Meeting due to COVID-19
Thursday, August 13, 2020, 3:00 to 4:30 pm
Attending: Mike Dawson, Monica MickHager, Wendy Clark-Getzin, David Steele, AL Cairns, David
Sullivan, Trevor Swanson
Absent: Richard Hull, Kara Cardinal, Richard Wojt
Staff: Tim Weissman
Dawson called the meeting to order at 3:08 pm. Zoom procedures were discussed. Introductions were
made.
Agenda and Minutes Approval
Steele motioned to approve the agenda, MickHager seconded. All in favor, none opposed, no discussion.
Some members did not have a video connection to the meeting and couldn’t read the draft minutes; it
was decided to wait to approve them until the November meeting.
Hood Canal #3/Duckabush Data Update
Swanson gave an update on Hood Canal #3 DOH monitoring data with an eight-page handout. Marine
bacteria levels have improved at four sites including the two sites of greatest concern. Weissman gave
an update on stream E. coli monitoring from January through July, 2020 at the Duckabush River and
nearby Pierce Creek with a spreadsheet table and charts. E. coli levels spiked in June and July,
particularly at Pierce Creek. Swanson asked for flow estimates. JCPH will investigate the source of the E.
coli in Pierce Creek through the Foundational Monitoring project once the QAPP is approved. Clark-
Getzin gave an update on the status of the WDFW Duckabush River Bridge project.
Annual Report
Dawson presented the draft Clean Water District Annual Report, which covers the calendar year 2019. A
summary of the narrative portion was read to members. The table of metrics was not complete and
Dawson talked about the metrics needed from JCCD. Cairns replied that he could supply those, and also
talked about the progress of the current JCCD Chimacum Flow Restoration project that will be
completed in the Fall. Cairns also discussed the status of the Chimacum Drainage District, with the next
step being a survey of landowners, and said he could give an update to the group in November. Dawson
said he would share the final draft report when the metrics were completed.
COVID-19 Adaptations to Water Quality Program
Dawson discussed the changes to the Water Quality Program work activities under precautions due to
COVID-19. JCPH has reduced activities that involve public contact. One consequence is that dye tests of
septic systems have been cancelled as they involve staff going into homes. JCPH has been considering
other alternatives for determining bacterial sources, including microbial source tracking (MST),
environmental DNA sampling, and Chemicals of Emerging Concern. JCCD has set up a proposal for an
MST study with EPA and JCPH and JCCD plan to apply for a Centennial grant project to help fund it. JCPH
and JCCD have been also considering other partnerships with Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe to do eDNA
analysis and with University of Washington for Chemicals of Emerging Concern (CECs) associated with
septic systems. Dawson showed portions of a presentation from Andy James of UW on CECs. Dawson
said that any letters of support for the project would be appreciated and that a draft project plan would
be shared in September. Swanson said that Karen Dubose in Skagit County had also been experimenting
with different source tracking methods as well and may be a good resource.
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
Announcements
Next meeting November 12th.
Meeting adjourned at 4:27. There was no public comment.