Minutes Greybull River Watershed Plan Steering Committee Meeting

 

Time:  1:00 p.m.  Date:  April 9, 2008   Place:  Meeteetse Recreation District Building

Presiding Chairman: Steve Jones

Present:   Jason Burkhardt, Bob Capron, Eric Decker, Emily Ewart, Sandra Frost, Steve Jones, Tracy Smith, Ann Trosper, and Lew Wiser.

Steve called the meeting to order at 1:06 p.m. The agenda for April 9, 2008 and the minutes of the prior meeting on March 12, 2008 were approved by consensus.

 

Announcements

No announcements were made.

 

It was stated on the agenda that all participants are encouraged to submit items for the Issues and Concerns catalogue.

 

Additions/Corrections to Prior Work

The committee went over the revised general statement for the invasive species section. It was discussed that a list of invasive species should be included in the appendix. A definition of terms, such as “exotic” or “invasive” etc. should also be included.

 

The committee then discussed and changed some of the language for the following sections:

Wildlife Habitat (WH)>Habitat Maintenance (HM)>Invasive Species

WH>HM>Human Encroachment

WH>HM>Herbivory

WH>HM>Fire

WH>Water Quality

 

It was discussed that perhaps we need a new section addressing water quantity as it relates to wildlife habitat. The committee then agreed to add WH>Water Quantity as a new section.

 

It was agreed by consensus that the next meeting will be on May 14, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the Meeteetse Recreation Center . With no further business, meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m.

 

 

Links

For general information:  DEQ-WQD http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/watershed

The Watershed Plan working copy at the Meeteetse Conservation District website:  http://www.meeteetsecd-wy.gov/GRWSC-draft.htm

Previous Steering Committee meeting minutes:  http://www.meeteetsecd-wy.gov/grwpsc.htm

For general information:  Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Water Resources http://www.conservewy.com/wacd/water_resources/

Wyoming Water Development Commission:  http://wwdc.state.wy.us/

 

 

 

 

Minutes Greybull River Watershed Plan Steering Committee Meeting

 

Time:  1:00 p.m.  Date:  March 12, 2008  Place:  Meeteetse Recreation District Building

Presiding Chairman: Steve Jones

Present:   Bob Capron, Emily Ewart, Steve Jones, Mary McKinney, Tracy Smith, Ann Trosper, Lew Wiser, and Steve Yekel.

Steve called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m. The agenda for March 12, 2008 and the minutes of the prior meeting on February 6, 2008 were approved by consensus.

 

Announcements

No announcements were made.

Additions/Corrections to Prior Work

The committee went over the revised vegetation section. It was reiterated that common plant names will be used in the document in order to make it more readable and that there will be an appendix of scientific plant names in the back of the document. Emily is working on the scientific plant name appendix and will check if it is appropriate to list green ash and birch spp. in the river bottom section.  It was suggested that potentilla be added to the Vegetation>Foothills section. Tracy suggested adding a photo appendix of the plants listed in the document. The committee felt this was a good idea and discussed also adding links to plant identification sites. The group also felt that it would be beneficial to list the plant species under specific categories:  tree, forb, grass, or shrub.

The committee then went over the aquatic species section under the heading Wildlife and Recreational Natural Resource History since Steve Yekel was present. Steve approved this section.

Next, the committee looked at invasive species text written by Mary McKinney that was added under several different Issues and Concerns headings:  1. Wildlife Habitat (WH)>Habitat Maintenance 2. WH>Water Quality (WQ)                  3. Agriculture (AG)>Invasive species (IS)     4. AG>IS>Water Consumption  5. Recreation

It was decided that the document needed an introduction paragraph defining weed terms, such as exotic or noxious. It was also decided that the section AG>IS>WATER CONSUMPTION is too technical and should be modified. Mary McKinney will also check into a study conducted regarding invasive species along the Wyoming/Nebraska border.

The committee decided instead of going into great descriptive detail under Issues and Concerns, it would be more beneficial to list issues and concerns in a bullet format and take the explanatory text and put it in the introduction/background information. By doing this, a reader would be able to see issues and concerns more readily, but still have the opportunity to read a more detailed description if they wanted to. Steve Jones asked the committee if they felt comfortable if he or Emily pulled out the detailed information from the Issues and Concerns section and put it in the introduction/background information part of the document? The committee thought this was appropriate. Additionally, the bullet formatting for the Issues and Concerns will be worked on and any changes made would be examined the next meeting. The committee felt that it was a good idea in order to save time.

Steve Yekel will discuss the section WH>Pathogens with biologists and inform the committee of any inputs they may have.

Issues and Concerns regarding the section WH>Water Temperature were discussed. It was also brought up that if anyone had the time to write down issues and concerns before the next meeting that their language would be inserted into the working draft plan and then the committee would go over them. Tracy offered to look at the Issues and Concerns section regarding agriculture.

It was agreed by consensus that the next meeting will be on April 9, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the Meeteetse Recreation Center . With no further business, meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m.

Links

For general information:  DEQ-WQD http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/watershed

The Watershed Plan working copy at the Meeteetse Conservation District website:  http://www.meeteetsecd-wy.gov/GRWSC-draft.htm

Previous Steering Committee meeting minutes:  http://www.meeteetsecd-wy.gov/grwpsc.htm

For general information:  Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Water Resources http://www.conservewy.com/wacd/water_resources/

Wyoming Water Development Commission:  http://wwdc.state.wy.us/

 

 

Minutes Greybull River Watershed Plan Steering Committee Meeting

 

Time:  1:00 p.m.  Date:  February 6, 2008  Place:  Meeteetse Recreation District Building

Presiding Chairman: Steve Jones

Present:   Bob Capron, Emily Ewart, Linda Gillett, Gerald Jech, Steve Jones, Tracy Smith, and Ann Trosper.

Steve called the meeting to order at 1:03 p.m. The agenda for February 6, 2008 was approved by consensus. One of the names of attendees was corrected for the January 9, 2008 minutes. The January 9, 2008 minutes were approved by consensus as corrected.

 

Announcements

No announcements were made.

 

Additions/Corrections to Prior Work

None were noted.

 

Continue Plan Development - Issues and Concerns

Before going over issues and concerns, Steve reiterated to the committee that we are looking at issues and concerns by land use, in part because future total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) would refer to land use categories. Steve also stated that he felt that the committee needs to really address concerns in the plan under the Issues and Concerns section rather than just providing general information. Steve also told the group that he put in markers (abbreviations in capital letters denoting the section) in order for the committee to keep better track of where they are as the plan is being written. For example, (WH) denotes Wildlife Habitat and then could be used in the next subsection as a placeholder WH>habitat MAINTENANCE (HM).

 

The committee then revisited the Issues and Concerns from last meeting and inserted concerns for each topic. Topics covered included:

à        Wildlife Habitat

o       Herbivory

o       Wildlife Population Management

o       Fire

o       Water Quality

 

It was agreed by consensus that the next meeting will be on March 12, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the Meeteetse Recreation Center . With no further business, meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.

 

 

Links

For general information:  DEQ-WQD http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/watershed

The Watershed Plan working copy at the Meeteetse Conservation District website:  http://www.meeteetsecd-wy.gov/GRWSC-draft.htm

Previous Steering Committee meeting minutes:  http://www.meeteetsecd-wy.gov/grwpsc.htm

For general information:  Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Water Resources http://www.conservewy.com/wacd/water_resources/

Wyoming Water Development Commission:  http://wwdc.state.wy.us/

 

 

 

Minutes Greybull River Watershed Plan Steering Committee Meeting

 

1:00 p.m.  January 9, 2008, Meeteetse Recreation District Building

Presiding Chairman: Steve Jones

Present:  Ken Beer, Bob Capron, Karri Cary, Eric Decker, Emily Ewart, Gerald Jech, Hollis Jones, Steve Jones, Mary McKinney, Robin Moser, Tracy Smith, Ann Trosper, Lew Wiser, and Steve Yeckel.

Steve called the meeting to order at 1:03 p.m. The agenda for January 9, 2008 and the minutes for the December 12, 2007 meeting were approved by consensus, then everyone introduced themselves.

 

Announcements

Steve informed the committee that Nephi Cole has taken a temporary position as NRCS acting State Soil Scientist and will not be able to attend our meetings for the next three months. Ann Trosper, District Manager of Powell Clarks Fork Conservation District will be helping during Nephi’s absence.

 

Additions/Corrections to Prior Work - None were noted.

 

Issues and Concerns

Before going over issues and concerns, Steve explained to the committee that we are looking at issues and concerns by land use, in part because future TMDLs would refer to land use categories. Steve also read through the Issues and Concerns section in the draft plan that the committee has come up with so far.

 

The committee then began to over Issues and Concerns. Topics covered included:

à        Wildlife Habitat

o       Herbivory

o       Wildlife Population Management

o       Fire

o       Water Quality

 

Mary and Emily will work on inserting Invasive Species language in the draft plan in a different font color for Committee review.

 

With no further business, meeting adjourned at 3 p.m. It was agreed by consensus that the next meeting will be on February 6, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the Meeteetse Recreation Center.

 

Handout

Ortmann, Roath, and Bartlett.  Glossary of Range Management Terms no 6.105

 

Links

For general information:  DEQ-WQD http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/watershed

The Watershed Plan working copy at the Meeteetse Conservation District website:  http://www.meeteetsecd-wy.gov/GRWSC-draft.htm

Previous Steering Committee meeting minutes:  http://www.meeteetsecd-wy.gov/grwpsc.htm

For general information:  Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Water Resources http://www.conservewy.com/wacd/water_resources/

Wyoming Water Development Commission:  http://wwdc.state.wy.us/

 

 

 

Minutes Greybull River Watershed Plan Steering Committee Meeting

 

Place:   Meeteetse Recreation District Building   Date: December 12, 2007         

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Presiding Chairman: Steve Jones

Present:  Ken Beer, Jason Burckhardt, Bob Capron, Karri Cary, Eric Decker, Nephi Cole, Emily Ewart, Steve Jones, and Lew Wiser.

Steve Jones called the meeting to order at 1:07 p.m. The December 12, 2007 agenda and the minutes for the November 14, 2007 meeting were approved by consensus.  Steve then turned the meeting over to Nephi.

Issues and Concerns

The committee began to go over issues and concerns for the watershed plan.

Water Quality

The committee went over issues and concerns regarding water quality. Some of the issues/concerns discussed included:  pathogens (E. coli), water temperature, sediment, and physical/biological characteristics of water. One goal mentioned was to work towards water approaching pristine condition, pristine quality being location dependent. Another point made was that these parameters can be either numeric in nature, having quantitative limits and measures, or narrative.  It was also pointed out that many of these properties affect the uses of a waterbody and have the potential to affect human, wildlife (aquatic and terrestrial), and livestock health. 

Further discussion ensued regarding the significance of E. coli and why should someone care? The notion that E. coli is an indicator of other pathogens was brought up. Human health and the possible socioeconomic/regulatory impacts associated with having an impaired water body were also talked about.

Nephi then went over how the Greybull River became listed as an impaired water body.  It was also discussed how other water quality parameters are indicators of overall watershed health.        

Wildlife

It was discussed how resources, both aquatic and terrestrial, are important to the watershed. Also, how the presence and diversity of wildlife species are indicators of watershed health. Furthermore, how wildlife has a significant economic value within the watershed. The committee discussed how hunting, fishing, and non-consumptive wildlife uses all play an important role in the local, regional, and state economy. The intrinsic value of wildlife was also talked about.

The committee also went over habitat maintenance, invasive species, and human encroachment. Discussion occurred regarding how healthy wildlife populations are intimately tied to habitat. In addition, invasive species are generally detrimental to high quality habitat. Habitat fragmentation, degradation, loss of stewardship values, and a diminished quality of land and water management were all topics of discussion.

With no further business, meeting adjourned at 3 p.m. It was agreed by consensus that the next meeting will be on January 9, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the Meeteetse Recreation Center.

Links

For general information:  DEQ-WQD http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/watershed

The Watershed Plan working copy at the Meeteetse Conservation District website:  http://www.meeteetsecd-wy.gov/GRWSC-draft.htm

Minutes of the previous Steering Committee meeting:  http://www.meeteetsecd-wy.gov/grwpsc.htm

For general information:  Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Water Resources http://www.conservewy.com/wacd/water_resources/

Wyoming Water Development Commission:  http://wwdc.state.wy.us/

 

 

 

 

Minutes Greybull River Watershed Plan Steering Committee Meeting

Place:  Meeteetse Recreation District Building   Date: November 14, 2007      

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Presiding Chairman: Steve Jones

Present:  Ken Beer, Bob Capron, Eric Decker, Nephi Cole, Emily Ewart, Steve Jones, Mary McKinney, Don Newton, Colin Simpson, and Lew Wiser.

Introductions

Everyone in attendance introduced themselves. Steve Jones called the meeting to order at 1:09 p.m. The agenda for November 14, 2007 was approved by consensus.

 

Agenda, Minutes of Last Meeting, Next Meeting Date

Don Newton noted that on the minutes of the August 8, 2007 GRWPSC minutes in the 2nd paragraph, third sentence read incorrectly. It was then changed to read, “He also talked about how Farm Bill money usually isn’t available to small acreage owners, but Section 319 funding is.”  Minutes of the August 8, 2007 meeting were approved by consensus as amended. It was also agreed by consensus that the next meeting will be on December 12th at 1:00 p.m. at the Meeteetse Recreation building.

.

Issues & Concerns:

As always, Steve told everyone that all participants are encouraged to submit items for the Issues and Concerns catalogue. He then turned the meeting over to Nephi.                                

 

Background Information

Nephi asked the group if there were any comments or questions from the last meeting. He said that he thought morale and attendance have gone downhill since the last meeting so the committee should review background information quickly and then discuss the real reasons why we are here.

 

The committee went over the following background information:

      Vegetation – Mary will bring a list of species of other species that should be included in the descriptions, including grasses above the timberline. Emily will work on compiling footnotes of all the plant names and scientific names to be included as an appendix in the document. It was also discussed that we should look at an ecoregions map and include rangesite descriptions.

 

Issues and Concerns

Steve suggested looking at issues and concerns by land use, in part because future TMDLs would refer to land use categories.

The committee by consensus thought this was a good idea. Land uses and specific issues and concerns with each landuse were discussed, including:

(Landuse compartmentalized)       

Water quality                                        

Wildlife Habitat

habitat maintanence

invasive species

human encroachment

herbivory

population management

fire

 water quality

sedimentation

invasive species

nutrients

pathogens

temperature

dissolved oxygen

 Agriculture

grazing lands

vegetative cover

stocking rate and duration

climate change

animal waste

water distribution

pasture managment

 Invasive species

water consumption

loss of desirable species

water quality

economics

pollution potential

loss of agricultural lands

changes in resources management practices

increased population density

changes in water management

economics

affects landcover change

 crop production

sedimentation

nutrient management

pesticide mangement

economics

irrigation management practices

 water development

storage

conveyance

instream flows

fish passage

economics

impacts on land use

 AFO/CAFO-

 Forestry

 recreation

 mining

 oil and gas

 urban/rural development and landuse

 roads

Nephi then said we need a bigger turnout for next meeting. Also, that we really need to work with the people who pay the bills, i.e. landowners.

With no further business, meeting adjourned at 2:55 p.m. The next meeting will be on December 12th, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the Meeteetse Recreation Center .

 Links

For general information:  DEQ-WQD http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/watershed

The Watershed Plan working copy at the Meeteetse Conservation District website:  http://www.meeteetsecd-wy.gov/GRWSC-draft.htm

 Minutes of the previous Steering Committee meeting:  http://www.meeteetsecd-wy.gov/grwpsc.htm

 For general information:  Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Water Resources http://www.conservewy.com/wacd/water_resources/

  Wyoming Water Development Commission:  http://wwdc.state.wy.us/

 

 

 

 

  Minutes Greybull River Watershed Plan Steering Committee Meeting

Place:  Meeteetse Recreation District Building   Date: August 8, 2007     Time: 1:00 p.m.

Presiding Chairman: Steve Jones

Present:   Brett Belden, Laura Bell, Nephi Cole,  Emily Ewart, Sandy Frost, Jim Kirsch, Carol Jones, Hollis Jones, Steve Jones, Janet Hallsted, Don Newton, Deloyd Quarberg, Colin Simpson, Jack Smith, Carla Thomas, Terry Wilson, David Waterstreet, Dlane Winter, and Steve Yeckel.

Introductions

Steve Jones called the meeting to order at 1:08 p.m. The agenda for August 8, 2007 and the minutes of the July 11, 2007 meeting were approved by consensus.

David Waterstreet, Supervisor for the WYDEQ Watershed Program, Don Newton, WYDEQ’s TMDL/Watershed Planner, and Jack Smith WYDEQ’s Non-point Source Coordinator/Planning and Grants Supervisor introduced themselves. Then everyone else in attendance introduced themselves.

 

Issues & Concerns:

Steve told the committee if anyone was interested in writing down and submitting any issues and/or concerns they may feel free to do so at anytime. Also, he is forming a library of all issues and concerns.

TMDLs (total maximum daily loads) Discussion with WYDEQ:

David Waterstreet told the group that they will shorten up the history portion of their presentation and that Don Newton will give an overview of TMDLs and where the Dept. is going.

 

Don Newton then discussed what a TMDL is and how it is mandated by the 1972 Clean Water Act to write TMDLs for impaired water bodies (water bodies that are on the 303d list). Currently, there are no TMDLs written for non-point sources in Wyoming , There are 26,000 written in the U.S. with Idaho having over 11,000 written, Montana has written 500, Colorado has written 960, and Kansas has written 2,500.

 

He also talked about how ten years ago there were a lot of lawsuits against EPA for not writing TMDLs. However, the judge in Wyoming dismissed the lawsuit since   Wyoming was on the watershed plan writing tract with the idea that TMDLs would be written at a later date. TMDLs look at the loads/contributions to streams. Watershed plan is the implementation phase. Wyoming is doing a lot of BMPs already. He discussed how TMDLs are tools to guide the implementation of a watershed plan. Also, that it is a process that helps you focus on what you are putting on the ground.

 

It was discussed that anyone could write a TMDL, but WYDEQ has to adopt it and then present it to EPA. There is a strong public input process associated with writing TMDLs. Another option is for steering committees to “upgrade” their watershed plans to meet the requirements of being a watershed based plan. Watershed based plans have load allocations and are reviewed by EPA every 2 years. Don said there is no finger pointing, but with TMDLs or watershed based plans groups of land management practices are evaluated and approximately how much each group is contributing to the load.

 

Waste Load Allocations include the following:

 

  1. point sources (out of the pipe)
  2. Non – point sources in natural background
  3. Margin of safety (usually around 10%)

 

Third-party TMDL Development Tool Kit booklets published by the Water Environment Federation were handed out. Don told everyone that on page 13 the requirements for a TMDL were spelled out. He also gave Steve a handout explaining the difference between a watershed based plan and a TMDL. WYDEQ and MCD will post this on their websites.

 

WYDEQ stated that whoever writes a TMDL needs to use local information and make a real conscious effort to utilize all information. Following all procedures is important. Jack Smith talked about cumulative impacts. He also talked about how Farm Bill money usually isn’t available to small acreage owners, but 319 funding is. It was also discussed that TMDLs are not enforced, but voluntary and that TMDLs are living documents. It was then questioned as to writing TMDLs are just an exercise in futility since it is voluntary.

 

Then the committee members began to ask questions. A concern was how can do load allocations based on incomplete or even false information? WYDEQ said that you have to use the best information that you have. It was then asked how do you modify a TMDL if you find it was written incorrectly or changes have occurred? WYDEQ stated that you use “adaptive management” and every 2 years there is effectiveness monitoring to see if  BMPs are working. It was then asked if TMDLs have to incorporate accepted NRCS or DEQ BMPs or if new BMPs can be created? Jack Smith said that groups could come up with their own BMPs.

 

An audience member then asked if we use other states’ TMDLs that have similar situations as a boiler plate to write our own TMDLS so we aren’t starting from scratch. WYDEQ said yes that would be a good idea. Then the history of how water bodies in Wyoming were listed. WYDEQ sent out questionnaires to all entities that had information on what waters they thought were impaired and why. In 1997, WYDEQ wrote a TMDL work plan that was submitted to EPA. In 1998, WYDEQ re-evaluated to 400 listed water bodies and took water bodies off the list that did not have credible data. A “needs monitoring” list was developed with the idea that credible data would be collected for these water bodies within the next 5 years. This data then would be examined and see if the water body needs to go back on the 303d list.

 

The question was brought up what happens when TMDLs aren’t done. WYDEQ said that writing TMDLs is a process mandated by federal law (Clean Water Act) and that the EPA has the primary authority that TMDLs get written. If WYDEQ does not write TMDLs then is likely WYDEQ would lose their funding from EPA and that the EPA would then write TMDLs.

 

It was further discussed how 319 funding is tied to writing TMDLs. Also, how base funding there is a smaller pot of money available and more competition than obtaining incremental funding. Use Attainability Analysis Studies can be used to change a water body’s designation from primary contact recreation to secondary contact recreation. These studies can also be used to change a water body from being a cold water fishery to a warm water fishery.

 

The committee then took a short break and resumed discussion at 3:30 p.m. A more detailed discussion ensued regarding 319 grant funding. Jack Smith also talked about how WYDEQ has been getting their budget numbers for 319 grant funding late in the year (around April) so it has been difficult for them to determine how much money they will have to distribute. In addition, he anticipates that in 2008 the determination may be even later. Also, it was brought up that in order to qualify for 319 incremental funding, a TMDL has to be in place. Thus, there probably won’t be any application for incremental funding for a year since there has not been any non point source TMDLs written in Wyoming yet.

   

Links

a.       For general information:  DEQ-WQD http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/watershed

b.      Meeteetse Conservation District will set up a blind page with the Draft Greybull River Watershed Plan in progress and a link to the Owl Creek Watershed Plan at:  http://www.meeteetsecd-wy.gov/GRWSC-draft.htm

c.       For general information:  Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Water Resources http://www.conservewy.com/wacd/water_resources/

d.      Wyoming Water Development Commission:  http://wwdc.state.wy.us/

 

 

With no further business, meeting adjourned at 4:00p.m.The next meeting will be on September 12th, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the Meeteetse Recreation Center .

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes Greybull River Watershed Plan Steering Committee Meeting

Place:   Meeteetse Recreation District Building    Date: July 11, 2007          Time: 1:00 p.m.

Presiding Chairman: Steve Jones

Present:  Jason Burckhardt, Bob Capron, Nephi Cole, Eric Decker, Emily Ewart, Steve Jones, Robin Moser, and Greg Veregin.

Steve Jones called the meeting to order at 1:03 p.m. The agenda for July 11, 2007 and the minutes of the June 13, 2007 meeting were amended and then approved by consensus.

TMDLs (total maximum daily loads)

Steve told the committee that no one from DEQ could make it to this meeting, but they plan on coming to the next meeting August 8th to discuss TMDLs with the committee. Representatives of DEQ will also attend the Shoshone River Watershed Steering Committee meeting, Powell Clarks Fork Conservation District Board meeting, the Meeteetse Conservation District board meeting, and the Park County Commissioners Hearing in August.

Nephi talked about how it is likely that 3rd parties will be writing TMDLs for Wyoming since WYDEQ doesn’t have enough staff to handle the workload involved. Whoever develops TMDLs will be known as “quasi-regulatory.” Nephi also told the committee that the lower section of the Greybull River in Big Horn Basin county was listed as impaired roughly 10-11 years ago so DEQ will probably looking at writing TMDLs for the entire Greybull watershed shortly (possibly in 2008). He also talked about 319 grant money in relation to TMDLs.

Building GIS and Watershed Assessment Capacity in the Big Horn Basin :  Greg Veregin, a g graduate research assistant with the Department of Renewable Resources, UW talked to the committee about the project Dr. Ginger Paige and Dr. Scott Miller are working on GIS and watershed assessment tools. They are trying to figure out what needs people have and what level of training would need to be provided in order for people to use this technology.

 Continue Plan Development

The committee went over Surface Water, Ground Water, Vegetation, and Wildlife and Recreational Natural Resource History. Jason showed the committee a ground water map created by the Big Horn Advisory Group that the committee thought would be good to include, with permission. Steve will check the ecoregion classifications and compare them to our current vegetation section. Eric Decker suggested that the committee consider putting in a water management section.

Issues & Concerns:

Steve told the committee if anyone was interested in writing down and submitting any issues and/or concerns they may feel free to do so at anytime.

Links

a.       For general information:  DEQ-WQD http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/watershed

b.       Meeteetse Conservation District will set up a blind page with the Draft Greybull River Watershed Plan in progress and a link to the Owl Creek Watershed Plan at:  http://www.meeteetsecd-wy.gov/GRWSC-draft.htm

c.       For general information:  Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Water Resources http://www.conservewy.com/wacd/water_resources/

d.       Wyoming Water Development Commission:  http://wwdc.state.wy.us/

e.        

With no further business, meeting adjourned at 2:55 p.m.The next meeting will be on August 8th, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the Meeteetse Recreation Center .

 

Minutes of the Greybull River Watershed Plan Steering Committee Meeting 

Place: Meeteetse Recreation District Building Date: June 13, 2007 

Time: 1:00 p.m. 

Presiding Chairman: Steve Jones 

Present: Laura Bell, Jason Burckhardt, Karri Cary, Nephi Cole, Emily Ewart, Steve Jones, Dave Sweet, and Tracy Renner.

Steve Jones called the meeting to order at 1:09 p.m. The agenda for June 13, 2007 and the minutes of the May 9, 2007 meeting were approved by consensus.

TMDL Update:  Nephi then went over the latest news regarding TMDLs (total maximum daily loads) for Wyoming. He said EPA and Wyoming DEQ have indicated that TMDLs will be required for all listed water bodies 10 years after the day the water body was listed. The Greybull River was listed in 2002 for exceeding fecal coliform standards set by the Wyoming DEQ. Nephi and the committee then talked about the possibility of watershed steering committees, Wyoming DEQ, a third party, or a newly formed special district writing TMDLs. The Greybull River Watershed Steering Committee came to the consensus that it was not appropriate for the committee to write TMDLs and that the steering committee does not want regulatory authority. The committee also discussed use attainability analysis (determining primary versus secondary contact recreation use). Steve will work on scheduling a speaker from DEQ to address the steering committee regarding TMDLs at the next committee meeting.

Continue Plan Development Due to the discussion regarding TMDLs, there was no new plan development.

Issues & Concerns: Steve told the committee if anyone was interested in writing down and submitting any issues and/or concerns they may feel free to do so at anytime.

Links 

a. For general information: DEQ-WQD http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/watershed b. Meeteetse Conservation District will set up a blind page with the Draft Greybull River Watershed Plan in progress and a link to the Owl Creek Watershed Plan at: http://www.meeteetsecd-wy.gov/GRWSC-draft.htm c. For general information: Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Water Resources http://www.conservewy.com/wacd/water_resources/ d. Wyoming Water Development Commission: http://wwdc.state.wy.us/

With no further business, meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.

The next meeting will be on July 11, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the Meeteetse Recreation Center.

 

 

Minutes of the Greybull River Watershed Plan Steering Committee Meeting

 

Place:  Meeteetse Recreation District Building        Date:  May 9, 2007             Time:  1:00 p.m.

 

Presiding Chairman: Steve Jones

 

Present:  Karri Cary, Nephi Cole, Emily Ewart, Steve Jones, Mary McKinney, Wayne Reaves, Susan Reaves, Jason Burckhardt, and Robin Moser.

 

Steve Jones called the meeting to order at 1:18 p.m. The agenda for May 9, 2007 and the minutes of the April 11, 2007 meeting were approved by consensus.

 

Issues & Concerns:

Steve told the committee that if anyone wanted to submit any issues and/or concerns to be added to the list being developed, they could do so at any time.

 

Old  Business

The committee worked on additions/corrections of prior work on the Greybull River Watershed Plan, including climate, precipitation data, Snotel data for Timber Creek and Kirwin, and hydrographs.

 

New Business

The steering committee also collaboratively worked on writing the following background information: hydrology, and surface water. Next meeting the committee will revisit “high temperatures are generally carried by tropical air masses from the south” and develop two more paragraphs on hydrology , including:

            Changes in peak flows due to reservoirs etc.

            Changes in riparian area.          

            Base flow changes.

            Stream classification from upper to lower portions of the watershed (DEQ).

            Surface vs. Groundwater return flows.

 

The committee also discussed trying to keep each section around 2-3 pages long.

 

Links

a.       For general information:  DEQ-WQD http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/watershed

b.      Meeteetse Conservation District will set up a blind page with the Draft Greybull River Watershed Plan in progress and a link to the Owl Creek Watershed Plan at:  http://www.meeteetsecd-wy.gov/GRWSC-draft.htm

c.       For general information:  Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Water Resources http://www.conservewy.com/wacd/water_resources/

d. Wyoming Water Development Commission:  http://wwdc.state.wy.us/

 

With no further business, meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m.

 

The next meeting will be on June 13, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the Meeteetse Recreation Center .

 

 

Minutes of the Greybull River Watershed Plan Steering Committee Meeting

Place:  Meeteetse Recreation District Building         Date:  April 11, 2007           Time:  1:00 p.m.

Presiding Chairman: Steve Jones

Present:  Jason Burckhardt, Karri Cary, Nephi Cole, Eric Decker, Emily Ewart, Craig Geving, Steve Jones, Wayne Reaves, Susan Reaves, Steve Yeckel, and Clara Mae Yetter

 

Steve Jones called the meeting to order at 1:07 p.m. The agenda for April 11, 2007 and the minutes of the March 14, 2007 meeting were approved by consensus.

 

Issues & Concerns:

The committee was invited to write down and submit for future consideration any issues and/or concerns they may have.

 

Old  Business

The committee worked on additions/corrections of prior work on the Greybull River Watershed Plan.

 

New Business

The steering committee also collaboratively worked on writing the following background information: geologic zones, climate, soils, surface water resources, and hydrology. Next meeting the committee will try to revisit climate, precipitation, hydrographs, and hydrology. The committee will also work on incorporating Snotel information from Timber Creek into the plan.

 

Links

a.       For general information:  DEQ-WQD http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/watershed

b.      Meeteetse Conservation District will set up a blind page with the Draft Greybull River Watershed Plan in progress and a link to the Owl Creek Watershed Plan at:  http://www.meeteetsecd-wy.gov/GRWSC-Feb07.htm

c.       For general information:  Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Water Resources http://www.conservewy.com/wacd/water_resources/

d.  Wyoming Water Development Commission:  http://wwdc.state.wy.us/

With no further business, meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.

 

The next meeting will be on May 9th, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the Meeteetse Recreation Center .

 

 

Minutes of the Greybull River Watershed Plan Steering Committee Meeting

Place:  Meeteetse Recreation District Building         Date:  March 14, 2007        Time:  1:00 p.m.

Presiding Chairman: Steve Jones

Present:  Lee Allen, Ken Beer, Bruce Brinkman, Jason Burckhardt, Karri Cary, Nephi Cole, Emily Ewart, Steve Jones, Wayne Reaves, Susan Reaves, Ron Vore, Steve Yeckel.

 

Steve Jones called the meeting to order at 1:06 p.m. The agenda for March 14, 2007 and the minutes of the February 14, 2007 meeting were approved by consensus.

 

Wyoming Water Development Commission:  Bruce Brinkman and Ron Vore gave presentations regarding the role and functions of the Wyoming Water Development Commission. In particular, they discussed project planning and development and their levels (I, II or III).

 

Issues & Concerns:

The committee was invited to write down and submit for future consideration in the Issues and Concerns section any issues and/or concerns that might come to mind during the course of the meeting.

 

Old Business

The committee worked on additions/corrections of prior work on the Greybull River Watershed Plan, including the mission and purpose statement. The steering committee also collaboratively worked on writing the following background information: wildlife, recreation, natural resource history, and agricultural history sections of the watershed plan. The committee and Steve Yeckel went over the sections related to fisheries that were highlighted from the last planning meeting.

 

New Business

Next meeting the committee will work on the following sections:

Ø      Geology

Ø      Fishery questions

Ø      Climate/soils

Ø      Background

Ø      Surface Water Resources

Ø      Groundwater

Ø      Vegetation

Ø      Economics

Ø      % Land Ownership

 

Links

a.       For general information:  DEQ-WQD http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/watershed

b.      Meeteetse Conservation District will set up a blind page with the Draft Greybull River Watershed Plan in progress and a link to the Owl Creek Watershed Plan at:  http://www.meeteetsecd-wy.gov/GRWSC-Feb07.htm

c.       For general information:  Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Water Resources http://www.conservewy.com/wacd/water_resources/

d.  Wyoming Water Development Commission:  http://wwdc.state.wy.us/

With no further business, meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.

 

The next meeting will be on April 11th, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the Meeteetse Recreation Center.

 

 

Minutes of the Greybull River Watershed Plan Steering Committee Meeting

 

Place:  Meeteetse Recreation District Building

Date:  February 14, 2007    Time:  1:00 p.m.

Presiding Chairman: Steve Jones

Present:  Lee Allen, Bob Capron, Karri Cary, Nephi Cole, Emily Ewart, Jim Gould, Gerald Jech, Bettie Johnson, Steve Jones, Tracy Renner, Tracy Smith, and Dave Sweet.

 

Steve Jones called the meeting to order. The agenda for the meeting was approved by consensus.

 

Issues & Concerns:

The committee was invited to write down and submit for future consideration in the Issues and Concerns section any issues and/or concerns that might come to mind during the course of the meeting.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Steve told the committee about the following links that were included on the agenda for the meeting:

 

1)               Links

a.       For general information:  DEQ-WQD http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/watershed

b.      Meeteetse Conservation District will set up a blind page with the Draft Greybull River Watershed Plan in progress and a link to the Owl Creek Watershed Plan at:  http://www.meeteetsecd-wy.gov/GRWSC-Feb07.htm

c.       For general information:  Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Water Resources http://www.conservewy.com/wacd/water_resources/

 

Nephi  Cole, NRCS Watershed Coordinator, stressed that everyone’s input is important.

 

NEW BUSINESS

The steering committee collaboratively worked on writing the following background information: wildlife, recreation, natural resource history, and agricultural history sections of the watershed plan. Certain sections related to fisheries were highlighted for review by Steve Yeckel. Some of items the committee would like to include in the plan were as follows:

Ø      Influences beavers have had on the Greybull watershed.

Ø      Information regarding horses used by Native Americans as it pertains to the Greybull watershed.

Ø      A simplified geology map.

Ø      Economic information regarding fishing and hunting in the Big Horn Basin .

Ø      Herd estimates of animal species hunted, locally.

Ø      History of federal government grazing regulations.

 

OTHER OLD BUSINESS

Minutes of the Greybull River Watershed Plan Steering committee meeting on January 10, 2007 were handed out, reviewed, and approved by consensus.

 

With no further business, meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.

 

The next meeting will be on March 14, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the Meeteetse Recreation Center.

 

 

Minutes of the Greybull River Watershed Plan Steering Committee

 

Name: Meeteetse Conservation District             Type of Meeting: Watershed Steering Committee

Place:   Meeteetse Recreation District                Date:  January 10, 2007              Time:  1:00 p.m.

Presiding Chairman: Steve Jones

Present:  Ken Beer, Jason Burckhardt, Karri Cary, Nephi Cole, Mark Dallon, Eric Decker, Emily Ewart, Jim Gould, Ray Gullion, Joe Hicks,  Gerald Jech, Steve Jones,  Don Newton, Susan Reaves, Wayne Reaves, Albert Renner, Tracy Renner, Dave Sweet, Steve Yekel, and Clara Mae Yetter.

Steve Jones, Resource Management Coordinator for the Meeteetse Conservation District, called the meeting to order. The agenda for the meeting was approved by consensus. Minutes of the Greybull River Watershed Plan Steering committee meeting on December 12, 2006 were handed out, reviewed, and approved by consensus. Steve was then elected chairman by consensus and no committee chairs were selected at this time.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Background Information

®       DEQ-WQD http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd.watershed

®       Meeteetse Conservation District http://www.meeteetsecd-wy.gov/

®       Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Water Resources http://www.conservewy.com/wacd/water_resources/

 

Issues and Concerns

A few minutes were spent during which time everyone was invited to state a few of their issues and/or concerns. In addition, forms were provided for people to submit issues and/or concerns for later review.

  <