A/GVWC Board of Directors Meeting Minutes, August 2, 2008

AGV Watershed Council

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Minutes of August 2, 2008

A meeting of the board of directors of the Atascadero / Green Valley Watershed Council was held on August 2, 2008, at 345 Montgomery Drive in Sebastopol, beginning at 10:00AM. Directors Jean Redus, Stephen Fuller-Rowell, John Roberts and Bob Burke were present, as well as members Jo Bentz, Barbara Chasteen and Richard Miller.
Financial Report. John reported that thirteen members have already paid their dues for the upcoming year, and John agreed to contact those members who have not yet renewed their membership.

Candidates for Supervisor. Jean reported that Rue Furch would be appearing later in the meeting, and that Efren Carrillo would be available to meet with the board at some later date.

Projects for the Council. Jean distributed a list of potential projects for the Council for the upcoming year, developed at the recent special meeting of the board. Jean asked each director, within the next week, to identify five projects he or she would be willing to lead, and ten projects he or she would be willing to work on.

Candidate Rue Furch. Rue Furch joined the meeting and answered questions by directors and members regarding matters of interest within the watershed, the Fifth District, and the County.

Gravel Mining in Russian River Zone. Stephen reported that the Sonoma County Water Coalition yesterday delivered to the County Board of Supervisors a letter addressing the request by Syar Industries, Inc., to extend their permit to mine gravel from the banks of the Russian River. Details of the request can be found here. The Board of Supervisors is expected to render a decision by August 18.

Trenching in the Atascadero. The board reviewed a copy of the Cleanup and Abatement Order issued by the Regional Water Quality Control Board relating to the trenching that took place on June 20 in a blue line tributary of the Atascadero just north of Occidental Road and west of the Joe Rodato Trail. A copy of the Order can be found here. The board reviewed the action by Council members and others upon learning of the trenching and concluded that it was only the prompt actions by those people that allowed the authorities to stop the trenching when they did. The board concluded, however, that it was inappropriate for the Council to have used the word "desecration" in e-mails describing the trenching, as such word was emotive and judgmental, at a time before all the facts had been learned. Accordingly, the board decided to remove the word "desecration" from the Council's website, while keeping the photos of the trenching available on the site.

Approval of Minutes. The board approved the minutes of the July meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 12:20

Respectfully submitted,

Bob Burke
Secretary

AGV Watershed Council	Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Minutes of August 2, 2008


A meeting of the board of directors of the Atascadero / Green Valley Watershed Council was held on August 2, 2008, at 345 Montgomery Drive in Sebastopol, beginning at 10:00AM. Directors Jean Redus, Stephen Fuller-Rowell, John Roberts and Bob Burke were present, as well as members Jo Bentz, Barbara Chasteen and Richard Miller. Financial Report. John reported that thirteen members have already paid their dues for the upcoming year, and John agreed to contact those members who have not yet renewed their membership. Candidates for Supervisor. Jean reported that Rue Furch would be appearing later in the meeting, and that Efren Carrillo would be available to meet with the board at some later date. Projects for the Council. Jean distributed a list of potential projects for the Council for the upcoming year, developed at the recent special meeting of the board. Jean asked each director, within the next week, to identify five projects he or she would be willing to lead, and ten projects he or she would be willing to work on. Candidate Rue Furch. Rue Furch joined the meeting and answered questions by directors and members regarding matters of interest within the watershed, the Fifth District, and the County. Gravel Mining in Russian River Zone. Stephen reported that the Sonoma County Water Coalition yesterday delivered to the County Board of Supervisors a letter addressing the request by Syar Industries, Inc., to extend their permit to mine gravel from the banks of the Russian River. Details of the request can be found here. The Board of Supervisors is expected to render a decision by August 18. Trenching in the Atascadero. The board reviewed a copy of the Cleanup and Abatement Order issued by the Regional Water Quality Control Board relating to the trenching that took place on June 20 in a blue line tributary of the Atascadero just north of Occidental Road and west of the Joe Rodato Trail. A copy of the Order can be found here. The board reviewed the action by Council members and others upon learning of the trenching and concluded that it was only the prompt actions by those people that allowed the authorities to stop the trenching when they did. The board concluded, however, that it was inappropriate for the Council to have used the word "desecration" in e-mails describing the trenching, as such word was emotive and judgmental, at a time before all the facts had been learned. Accordingly, the board decided to remove the word "desecration" from the Council's website, while keeping the photos of the trenching available on the site. Approval of Minutes. The board approved the minutes of the July meeting. The meeting adjourned at 12:20 Respectfully submitted, Bob Burke Secretary