A/GVWC Board of Directors Meeting Minutes, February 7, 2009

AGV Watershed Council

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Minutes of February 7, 2009

A meeting of the board of directors of the Atascadero / Green Valley Watershed Council was held on February 7, 2009, at 345 Montgomery Drive in Sebastopol, beginning at 10:05AM. Directors Jean Redus, John Roberts, Zeno Swijtink and Bob Burke were present. Members Jo Bentz and Stephen Fuller-Rowell were also present.
            Financial Report. John reported that there had been no financial activity over the past month, so the Council's account balance remains unchanged.

            Vacancy on Board. As a result of Stephen's recent resignation from the board, the other directors will be looking for persons willing to be appointed to fill the vacant seat for the remainder of the current term. Any member of the Council interested in serving should contact John or Jean.

            Atascadero Wetlands. Jo Bentz, on behalf of Friends of Atascadero Wetlands (FAW), reported on the status of the efforts by government entities to restore the wetlands west of and adjacent to Atascadero Creek, just north of Occidental Road that had been modified by the property owner last June without required permits. The unpermitted modifications affected, among other things, a tributary of the Atascadero known as Walker Creek. Although Walker Creek appears on USGS maps as intermittent, Stephen reported that he and Richard Miller inspected the creek last October (a drought year) and found noticeable flow, demonstrating that the creek is, in fact, perennial. Jo also reported that the owners of "Waterski Lake" have applied for a 404 permit from USACE and a 401 Water Quality Permit from the Regional Water Board. The 401 and 404 permits are to "mitigate" after- the-fact destruction of wetlands due to the construction of Waterski Lake. The Lake began construction in 1995. Reports indicate that Waterski Lake was built within the flood channel of Atascadero Creek and destroyed wetlands which were fed by "free-flowing" artesian wells. Although the comment period is over for the 404, the comment period for the 401 has not yet been posted. FAW will notify AGVCWC when the comment period for the 401 with the Regional Water Board becomes available.

            Logo for Council. Bob reported on his conversations with Molly Eckler, a local artist, regarding a logo for the Council. Molly has generously offered a 75% discount from her normal fee, so Bob proposed the expenditure of $150, which was approved by the board. Jean will work with Bob on designing the logo with Molly.

            Draft EIR for Water Project. Stephen reported on his review of the draft EIR for what is referred to as the "Water Project," proposed by the Sonoma County Water Agency, which can be viewed at http://www.scwa.ca.gov/projects/#WaterProjectDraftEIR The "Water Project," is a proposal by the Water Agency to draw down an additional 26,000 acre feet per year from the Russian River and Lake Sonoma. The Sonoma County Water Coalition has prepared a draft of a comment letter on the draft EIR, which Stephen summarized. After discussion, the board authorized John, as the Council's representative at the Water Coalition, to approve in principal the general direction of the draft comments, which will be subject to further revision by the Water Coalition.

            Meeting with Supervisor Carrillo. Jean has been in communication with Supervisor Efren Carrillo about meeting with the board. The directors discussed comments and questions to be presented to Supervisor Carrillo.

            Sonoma County Water Coalition. Stephen had circulated to the directors the current draft of a resolution proposed for adoption by the Water Coalition. Directors provided comments on the draft, which will be further revised by the Water Coalition.

            The meeting adjourned at 12:25

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Bob Burke

                                                                        Secretary

AGV Watershed Council	Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Minutes of February 7, 2009


A meeting of the board of directors of the Atascadero / Green Valley Watershed Council was held on February 7, 2009, at 345 Montgomery Drive in Sebastopol, beginning at 10:05AM. Directors Jean Redus, John Roberts, Zeno Swijtink and Bob Burke were present. Members Jo Bentz and Stephen Fuller-Rowell were also present. Financial Report. John reported that there had been no financial activity over the past month, so the Council's account balance remains unchanged. Vacancy on Board. As a result of Stephen's recent resignation from the board, the other directors will be looking for persons willing to be appointed to fill the vacant seat for the remainder of the current term. Any member of the Council interested in serving should contact John or Jean. Atascadero Wetlands. Jo Bentz, on behalf of Friends of Atascadero Wetlands (FAW), reported on the status of the efforts by government entities to restore the wetlands west of and adjacent to Atascadero Creek, just north of Occidental Road that had been modified by the property owner last June without required permits. The unpermitted modifications affected, among other things, a tributary of the Atascadero known as Walker Creek. Although Walker Creek appears on USGS maps as intermittent, Stephen reported that he and Richard Miller inspected the creek last October (a drought year) and found noticeable flow, demonstrating that the creek is, in fact, perennial. Jo also reported that the owners of "Waterski Lake" have applied for a 404 permit from USACE and a 401 Water Quality Permit from the Regional Water Board. The 401 and 404 permits are to "mitigate" after- the-fact destruction of wetlands due to the construction of Waterski Lake. The Lake began construction in 1995. Reports indicate that Waterski Lake was built within the flood channel of Atascadero Creek and destroyed wetlands which were fed by "free-flowing" artesian wells. Although the comment period is over for the 404, the comment period for the 401 has not yet been posted. FAW will notify AGVCWC when the comment period for the 401 with the Regional Water Board becomes available. Logo for Council. Bob reported on his conversations with Molly Eckler, a local artist, regarding a logo for the Council. Molly has generously offered a 75% discount from her normal fee, so Bob proposed the expenditure of $150, which was approved by the board. Jean will work with Bob on designing the logo with Molly. Draft EIR for Water Project. Stephen reported on his review of the draft EIR for what is referred to as the "Water Project," proposed by the Sonoma County Water Agency, which can be viewed at http://www.scwa.ca.gov/projects/#WaterProjectDraftEIR The "Water Project," is a proposal by the Water Agency to draw down an additional 26,000 acre feet per year from the Russian River and Lake Sonoma. The Sonoma County Water Coalition has prepared a draft of a comment letter on the draft EIR, which Stephen summarized. After discussion, the board authorized John, as the Council's representative at the Water Coalition, to approve in principal the general direction of the draft comments, which will be subject to further revision by the Water Coalition. Meeting with Supervisor Carrillo. Jean has been in communication with Supervisor Efren Carrillo about meeting with the board. The directors discussed comments and questions to be presented to Supervisor Carrillo. Sonoma County Water Coalition. Stephen had circulated to the directors the current draft of a resolution proposed for adoption by the Water Coalition. Directors provided comments on the draft, which will be further revised by the Water Coalition. The meeting adjourned at 12:25 Respectfully submitted, Bob Burke Secretary