Dunes City Water Quality Committee Archive

Minutes 2011

April 20, 3:00 p.m.

A meeting of the Water Quality Committee of Dunes City was held at the Dunes City Hall , on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 .  Members present were Chairperson Jamie Mills, Bob Mohler, Carlton Smith, Mark Chandler, Milton Farrand, Steve Hager, John Stead, RoNelle Kuert and David Dumas.  Ken Henderson was excused.   Others present included Ken and Kathie Gregor, Ron Engleman, David Gosselin, Liz Vollmer-Buhl, Katie Neall, Mike Rivers, and Lane County Commissioner Jay Bozievich.  

The meeting was called to order at 3:03 p.m.   All present were asked to introduce themselves.  The minutes of the March 16, 2011 meeting were discussed and amendments made.  Upon motion made by Milton and seconded by John, and passed unanimously, the amended minutes were approved.  

Jamie explained the purpose of the meeting and reviewed the materials that were made available.  John suggested that perhaps the property owners attending the meeting would like to make some comments on the record before we headed out to the site.  The property owners present expressed some of their concerns.  Open discussion on various issues ensued.  Some of the suggestions that were made include:  

            1.         Road is in bad shape – improve the roadway so drivers can maintain better control of their vehicles.

            2.         Slow down the traffic.  Speed limit should be 45 from Pacific Avenue all the way to the bridge.

            3.         Make the same area a no passing zone.

            4.         Limit boat use on the lake to 4 stroke engines.

            5.         Test the soils between the roadways and the lake to see if there appears to be higher concentrations of pollutants.  

The group left Dunes City hall and traveled to Highway 101, across from the Myrtlewood Factory where the group discussed the issues of concern.  Next, the group, less the Hwy 101 property owners, traveled to each of the Canary Road bridges that cross Woahink Lake , and finished in the parking lot at Honeyman State Park .  Much discussion at each site occurred, as well as identification of possible actions that might be taken.  

            Other suggestions that were made during the tour include:  

            6.         Maintain the vegetative buffer strip at all sites.

            7.         Install petroleum separator in existing drains along 101.

            8.         Commissioner Bozievich will consult with Lane County road department to work on improving the bridge/road designs on Canary so as to not permit unimpeded roadway runoff into the lake.

            9.         Install speed bumps to act as a mechanism to divert runoff flows from the roadway into grassy areas at the “divers” parking area/boat ramp.  

            10.       Replace the asphalt currently at the “divers” parking area/boat ramp with grass pavement blocks.  

Along the way, it was pointed out by Honeyman Park Manager Mike Rivers that the rock walls lining both sides of Canary Road were installed by the CCC and, therefore, are historically protected.  

            11.       Work with Andy Kenyon (in Springfield) who works with volunteers who serve as “guards” at state parks (docents) to see if arrangements can be made to guard the Honeyman boat ramp from boat “rinsing”.  

            12.       Increase signage at all locations to remind the general public that Woahink Lake water is a drinking water source for not only those living around the lake, but those camping in the park as well.

Commissioner Bozievich also recommended that when writing letters to elected officials to be sure and set out specifics such as x number of boats are being washed and the lake serves as drinking water for x number of homes, etc.  

The committee members and others returned to City Hall.  Mark reported that the visibility in Woahink Lake had dropped to about 18’ and the lake is beginning to smell like a fish tank with its usual spring bloom.  Mark also reported taking cholorphyll and nutrient samples.  Steve reported that DEQ donated a new probe that does a continuous reading from top to bottom.  

Bob reported a 2.45 turbidity reading at Siltcoos with a 6’2” Secchi disk reading – both of which are very good for Siltcoos Lake .  He also reported witnessing blobs of oil from a bass boat that took off from the boat dock on Siltcoos.  

Jamie indicated she still has heard nothing from Kate Field at OSU regarding the DNA testing results.  

Mark indicated that no work had been done on the water testers handbook project, but they would schedule a meeting.  Discussion on everyone’s availability followed.  

Mark and Steve reported that Steve Hansen had responded regarding the QAPP submission.  It was suggested that we ask Steve to come to a future meeting to discuss his comments on the QAPP.  Jamie will make the arrangements, as Steve had earlier volunteered to come and do training with the water testers on data entry.  

Discussion about HABs came up, as Steve Hager sees a number of similarities with the weather patterns this year and the weather patterns of the year of the prior big bloom.  A question was raised as to what the standards are for DHS to issue a warning.  Jamie will look into an answer to the question and perhaps make arrangements for someone from DHS to come speak to the committee.  

Bob suggested that Dunes City and the Water Quality Committee be added to the notification of HAZMAT issues such as spills and cleanup status as there was a spill in Glenada and no one in Dunes City appeared to even be advised, although it could potentially have impacted the drinking water source of Dunes City residents.  Jamie will look into it.  

There being no further business to come before the Water Quality Committee, Jamie declared the meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.                                                           

 Jamie Mills, Secretary of the meeting

March 16, 2011 , 3:00 p.m.

A meeting of the Water Quality Committee of Dunes City was held at the Dunes City Hall , on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 .  Members present were Chairperson Jamie Mills, Ken Henderson, Bob Mohler, Carlton Smith, Mark Chandler, Milton Farrand, Steve Hager, and arriving late, John Stead.  RoNelle Kuert and David Dumas were excused.  

The meeting was called to order at 3:03 p.m.   Jamie indicated that Selena Carter, the road commission secretary, prepared the draft minutes of the December 15, 2011 meeting.  Discussion ensued and changes were made.  Upon motion made by Ken, seconded by Carlton and passed unanimously, the minutes of the Dec. 15, 2011 meeting were approved as amended.  The minutes of the February 16, 2011 meeting were discussed and amended.  Upon motion made by Mark, seconded by Ken, and passed unanimously, the minutes of the February 16, 2011 meeting were approved.  

Water Testers’ Observations:  Mark reported that the Secchi Disk readings on Woahink were between 26 and 27 feet, with lower readings in the arms.  All in all they were very good.  He reported they had a bit of a mishap with some of the equipment, but all was fine now.  Bob reported that the Secchi Disk reading off of the dock at the boat landing on Siltcoos Lake was 4 feet – better than it has been in a long time.  The surface also looked good with no floating debris or algae and nothing on the shoreland.  

DNA Testing of Maple Creek:  Jamie reported that she had sent a follow-up email letter to Professor Fields and had copied all committee members.  Mark stated that he was not sure that payment had been made.  Jamie said she would check, but that Fred had indicated to her that the check had been sent.  

Software Standardization:  The software standardization issue was discussed.  Bob suggested that a survey be sent out to the people that do business with Dunes City to find out what software they are using.  The consensus of the committee was to go with the Excel software and Microsoft Word 2010 would be the way to go.  Mark, as project manager for the water measurement committee, will check to see what version he has and if he needs an upgrade and let Jamie know.  

Water Testers Handbook:  Discussion was had regarding the laminated water testers handbook goal.  Steve, Mark and Bob have already been putting together data into a binder.  There are two copies of the binder, one at Mark’s and one at Dunes City .  Steve, Mark and Bob will finalize the document before the next, or possibly the May, committee meeting.  

Highway 101 Corridor:  Jamie reported that she had contacted our regional OWEB representative regarding the OWEB Technical Assistance Grant and asked him to review the project goals of the committee and let her know if any of them might qualify for the TA grant, but she had not heard from him yet.  A discussion regarding property owners and possible solutions/resolutions followed.  Ken recommended that Jamie get together with Richard and go over what discussions had already taken place.  It was also suggested that Jamie review minutes of prior meetings as well.  

Under Input/Suggestions from Committee Members, Mark reported that he had stopped by Honeymans following the last rainstorm and couldn’t help but notice the potential for runoff from the parking lot draining into the lake.  Discussion followed.  Jamie will arrange for the new manager at Honeyman to meet with the committee and do a tour of the Highway 101 issue, the Canary Road issue and the Honeyman Park issue for our next committee meeting.  It was also suggested that Liz Vollmer-Buhl from the Siuslaw Watershed Council and a representative from ODOT be invited as well.  

During the discussion of the scheduling of the next meeting, it was determined that everyone present prefers the 3:00 p.m. meeting time.  Consequently, future Water Quality Committee meetings will be scheduled for the third Wednesday of every month, at 3:00 p.m.  

Ken asked about the discussion at the last city council meeting regarding the water compliance fund.  Discussion followed regarding the fund, its history, and some of the circumstances surrounding Dune City ’s water right permits.  

There being no further business to come before the Water Quality Committee, Jamie declared the meeting adjourned at 4:31 p.m.    

Jamie Mills, Secretary of the meeting

A meeting of the Water Quality Committee of Dunes City was held at the Dunes City Hall , on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 .  Members present were Chairperson Jamie Mills, Ken Henderson, Bob Mohler, Carlton Smith, David Dumas, Mark Chandler, Milton Farrand, Steve Hager, and John Stead.  RoNelle Kuert attended via telephone.  

The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m.   Jamie indicated that she will be asking the road secretary, Selena Carter, to prepare the minutes of the December 15, 2011 meeting.  the Minutes of the January 19, 2011 meeting were reviewed and upon motion made by Mark, seconded by David, and passed unanimously, the minutes were approved.  

Water Testers’ Observations:  Mark had not been out on Woahink since the last report.  Bob indicated that he went out on Siltcoos in late January and reported some ugly algal blooms in Kiechle Arm.  David Dumas reported that his wife, April, had noticed more parrot feather around their dock on Woahink than usual.  

Draft QAPP:  The proposed QAPP (Quality Assurance Project Plan) was discussed briefly.  Jamie will make a quick change to the location references and re-send the document to Mark.  mark moved that the QAPP be reviewed by the committee members until February 28^th, at which time Mark will incorporate all of the changes (if any) and deliver a copy to the City Recorder for inclusion in the City Council packets for the meeting on March 10^th.  Ken seconded the motion and it passed by a vote of 8 to 1 with RoNelle voting nay.  

DNA Testing of Maple Creek:  Jamie indicated she spoke with Professor Fields via telephone, who had indicated she would contact the student doing the testing and apprise as to the status.  

Develop Budget Request: a brief discussion as to the amount of money the committee desired to request be put in the budget was had.  It was decided that $3,000 should cover the regular and DNA testing expenses.  Ken suggested that some money be put aside to acquire a boat or, as a minimum, to reimburse expenses related to using private vessels.   

Steve Hager presented a well researched and enlightening report on Weather Influences on Algal Blooms, wherein he researched prior bloom events and weather patterns and appears to have identified certain relationships.  He will continue his research to confirm the findings.  One item pointed out was that the Portland State University Study had made a correction to the percentage of nutrient loading caused by septic, having reduced the number from between 1 and 18% to between 1 and 4.5% on Siltcoos.   

Jamie pointed out that there are several county, state and federal actions pending and notices issued that may or may not affect Dunes City and its water resources, and asked how the committee would like to handle review of these documents.  Milt volunteered to monitor the state and county actions, after he is given information as to how to find them, and Jamie will continue to monitor federal actions.  

Draft Septic Ordinance discussion:  The draft language of the proposed septic ordinance was discussed at length.  John moved that the proposed ordinance be studied further before being considered by the council at a hearing.  Carlton seconded the motion.  During discussion of the motion, Ken said it should include a reference to collecting data to support the “whereas” clauses.  John and Carlton both agreed to amend their motion and second to read:  “That the proposed ordinance be studied further, such as researching data to support the “whereas” clauses, before being considered by the council at hearing.”  The motion passed unanimously.  

There being no further business to come before the Water Quality Committee, Jamie declared the meeting adjourned at 9:16 p.m.  

                                                                                                            Jamie Mills, Secretary of the meeting

January 19, 2011 , 7:00 p.m.  

A meeting of the Water Quality Committee of Dunes City was held at the Dunes City Hall , on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 .  Members present were Chairperson Jamie Mills, Ken Henderson, John Stead, David Dumas, Mark Chandler and water tester Bob Mohler.  Also present was Steve Hager.  Members Carlton Smith and Milton Farrand were excused.  Jamie indicated that member Ronelle Kuert had requested to attend via telephone, however, when Jamie called her cell phone, she spoke with someone who had found the cell phone that day.  Not having another telephone number with her to contact Ronelle, Jamie indicated she would excuse Ronelle’s absence.  

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m.   Jamie indicated that since Susie Navetta had had surgery, she had not had a chance to get the minutes of the December 15, 2011 meeting finalized.  Jamie indicated she would call Susie and see if she wants Jamie to prepare the minutes from the tape.  

Due to the break in the weather, the water testers were able to get out on Woahink earlier today.  Mark reported that the Secchi Disk readings were up to 27 feet at the outlet, with lower readings of 16 to 17 feet in the arms.  The dissolved oxygen levels were pretty homogenous at all levels.  They observed the water was muddier where Little Woahink flows into Woahink and suggested there may be an erosion issue somewhere around Little Woahink that may need investigating.  More discussion was had on this issue later in the meeting.  It was reported that Siltcoos Lake levels were too high to put the boat in at the dock.  

Steve Hager also reported that DEQ had requested an ELIZA technique test be run in relation to the Drinking Water Protection Grant.  Basically, the test is a color test for toxic microsystems.  Two samples are taken, one that is straight water and one that is concentrated.  He and Mark conducted the tests and the straight water test came out negative, but the concentrated sample (and the exact concentration is not known) came out to 2.5 parts per billion of microtoxins.  

Jamie asked John to read the purposes under Ordinance 197, the ordinance that created the Water Quality Committee.  A brief discussion regarding the duties ensued.  John raised a question whether the Committee has an obligation to assist the people who live around Little Woahink, who are residents of Dunes City, and were, in December of 2010 (last month) granted permits for water use (limited only to indoor use) from Little Woahink and now, because of the high turbidity that likely stems from failure to comply with erosion control ordinances, they can’t get good water.  A discussion followed regarding sediment and erosion at Little Woahink.  Mark indicated that Del Riesenhuber had mentioned the problem to he and Steve while they were doing the water testing.  John pointed out that the Water Quality Committee has no jurisdiction over violations, but the Conservation Committee does.  He asked if this Committee could ask the Conservation Committee to investigate.  Jamie indicated that the Conservation Committee’s jurisdiction doesn’t ‘kick in’ unless there is a signed complaint.  John indicated that as chairman of the committee, perhaps Jamie could sign the complaint.  Jamie indicated that legal counsel had suggested it wasn’t wise for council members to sign complaints, as it complicates consideration at the council level, but that perhaps Mr. Riesenhuber would sign a complaint.  Mark indicated he would talk to Mr. Riesenhuber.  

Jamie reported her findings to date regarding residents’ compliance with the Septic System Maintenance Ordinance, pointing out that if an individual brought proof into the office that they had pumped their tank within the last 5 years, they were logged into the database as having complied and no payment was required.  Jamie explained the difficulty in specifically identifying how much money was paid in the early years of the program, as it appears to have been logged and tracked differently than it is now.  She went on to say that in order to find out exactly how much money has been collected, the receipts issued for the payments will have to be sifted through, by hand.   Such a tedious process will require time from a volunteer, as Jamie does not want to ask office staff to do the work.  Bob commented that they just want to know how many people have complied so far.  Jamie said she will get that information.  

Ken Henderson expressed concern that the committee, after having worked so hard reviewing the language and making recommendations, had never received a final version of the ordinance.  Jamie asked if everyone wanted a copy.  John Stead pointed out that it was available on the Dunes City website.    

Jamie reported that she investigated the rumor that Siltcoos Lake water rights had been sold to the Japanese and found that the only activity that has occurred recently regarding Siltcoos Lake water rights is that the lease that was a by-product of the settlement of the lawsuit filed by Water for Life was renewed for an additional period of time.  

Jamie reported that there was a misunderstanding or miscommunication regarding the payment of the fees to perform the DNA testing of the Maple Creek samples and that she had emailed Professor Kate Field to get a specific dollar amount to tell Fred Hilden, so he can cut the check.  Mark asked if Jamie had heard back from the professor yet.  She said no, but she will do a follow-up telephone call.  

The DNA testing having been the last item listed under Old Business on the agenda, Steve Hager asked if this is where the discussion of the QAPP preparation should be.  Jamie indicated yes.  It was decided that interested persons to help work on the QAPP will meet at Dunes City hall on Monday, January 24^th, at 1:00 p.m. to finalize the document.  

Discussion then turned to the need to identify the committee’s goals for the year so we can submit a budget request to the budget committee.  Mark, Bob and Ken all asked if it would be possible to get prior financial reports so they can see what has been budgeted and spent in the past.  Jamie said she would provide that information at the next regular meeting.  

Goals were suggested and include: 

            1.         Finalizing and submitting the QAPP; preparing a laminated water tester’s handbook that describes, in detail (with photos), how to do each test;

            2.         Review the HAB protocol and be really prepared for the next bloom;

            3.         Pursue and finalize the inter-governmental agreement(s);

            4.         Correct issues with the Highway 101 corridor and Woahink Lake ;

            5.         Correct issues with Canary Road runoff and Woahink Lake ;

            6.         Get DNA testing results and if found to include human DNA, pursue changes to the septage application permits upstream;

            7.         Continue monthly water testing on both lakes pursuant to QAPP;

            8.         Develop relationship with the people who will be doing repairs to the railroad crossings on Siltcoos Lake (Liz Vollmer-Buhl at the Siuslaw Watershed Council was recommended as an initial contact);

            9.         Standardize/upgrade the software.  (Jamie will provide a report to the committee on the status of this action item at the next regular meeting.)  

Jamie asked the committee members to email her with any additional items that may occur to them.  

Bob asked if the Committee should publicly thank Ralph Farnsworth for his years of dedication, the fact that he is still allowing the committee to use his boat, the pounds of candy he has donated to the members.  Ken suggested the committee draft a resolution and submit it to the council for consideration.  Jamie will draft the resolution.  

Checking calendars, the next meeting was scheduled for the third Wednesday in February, which is February 16^th, at 6:30 p.m.   Jamie was reminded to notify Fred Hilden of the time change for the calendar and announcements.  Steve Hager asked if he could show one of two power point presentations he has prepared.  He suggested the one he calls: “Weather Influences on Algal Blooms in Siltcoos Lake .”  That power point presentation will be made at the next regular meeting.  

Jamie reminded everyone about the DEQ webinar regarding harmful algae blooms scheduled for January 26^th, from 10 am to noon .  She was asked to re-send the information to everyone via email.  

There being no further business to come before the Water Quality Committee, Jamie declared the meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m.

Jamie Mills, Secretary of the meeting