A/GVWC Board of Directors Meeting Minutes, December 5, 2009

AGV Watershed Council

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Minutes of December 5, 2009

The meeting was called to order at 10:10 am. by acting chair Bob Burke. Directors Jon Sassin, John Roberts, and Barbara Chasteen were present; Dave Erickson was present for part of the meeting. Nicholas Call and Derek Roy, Special Agents from the National Marine FIsheries Service (NMFS) also attended part of the meeting.
Watershed Protection Issues. Nick Call and Derek Roy explained their role as federal law enforcement officers with the local NMFS jurisdiction, which stretches from Half Moon Bay north to Arcata and Siskyou County, and inland to Napa County. Their duty is to enforce the Endangered Species Act. Their primary concern is the protection of endangered species such as salmonids from direct loss due to low stream flows, turbidity, and other threats, as well as from habitat loss such as deforestation and destruction of spawning beds. They work closely with local agencies and groups with similar concerns.

Nick and Derek explained that they feel the most effective means of protecting the watersheds (and thus endangered species) within their jurisdiction is to work with landowners on issues of concern. They prefer to emphasize education, cooperation, and prevention, and use legal enforcement tools such as criminal or civil sanctions and fines as a last resort.

There was a lively discussion regarding current local threats to stream flow such as erosion, vineyard frost protection, habitat destruction such as deforestation, non permitted water diversions, as well as creek monitoring projects. NMFS is working with Sonoma County agencies regarding the cumulative effects of habitat loss such as from forest conversion and vineyard development, and is installing automatic stream monitoring devices in the watershed.

Asked what the watershed council could do to help NOAA/NMFS to protect local streams, the officers suggested several actions to take:

• Publicize the contact information for agencies involved in protecting local watersheds.

• Be their ‘eyes and ears’ by staying in tune with what’s happening and who’s doing what
in the community, passing the word (even anonymously) if something doesn’t look right.

• Let them know about areas of concern for the Atascadero/Green Valley Creek             watershed; they can pass on concerns to appropriate agencies. GVC has been designated a critical habitat and they can find money, contacts, and help for any problems even if it does not involve a particular owner or a criminal case.

• Join with other appropriate groups in the greater watershed, for example the Middle Russian River Stewardship Alliance and the Resource Conservation districts.

• Help identify locations where either permitted or non permitted diversion from streams is taking place, so that Fish and Game biologists can come out and help non permitted landowners comply with the law; this would help all the agencies that are trying to protect stream flow

• Encourage landowners along creeks to allow fisheries biologists stream access so that they can work to solve any problems together. Early cooperation is preferable to enforcement situations for the landowner, the agencies, and the environment.

2. Report on Sacramento Workshop on Sprinkling for Frost Protection

Bob and John attended the workshop and noted the power point presentation re vineyard frost protection regulation. ‘Private property rights’ is a big issue.

3. Russian River Coho Water Resources Partnership

A new group consisting of OAEC, Goldridge and Sotoyome RCDs, and others, has been funded by the National Wildlife Foundation for 5 years. AGVWC might want to be part of it. Bob Burke will invite a representative to inform the board about the group.

4. Vineyard Conversion

John Roberts reported on the recent Board of Zoning Appeals hearing regarding a proposal by Cornell Winery for a ridge top clearing project above a tributary of Mark West Creek. A previous project in this area caused massive erosion and destruction of spawning beds in the creek. No action was taken at the hearing. John will monitor action on this issue.

5. Watershed Maps

John Roberts has received a map from Matt Dietsch showing the location of vineyards and other agricultural lands in the watershed.   He will look into acquiring a copy.

Regarding the current AGV Watershed Map project, John and Jean presented the map and educational packets to teachers at Appleblossom School and were well received. Jean and John will go to 15-16 schools in total. Bob Burke suggested that the board commend John and Jean for having designed the map, refined it, acquired the necessary production money, and taken the time to present it to the schools. Jon Sassin so moved, Dave Erickson seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The entire board volunteers to assist Jean with school visits if needed (if John can’t attend).

6. Business Cards and Letterhead

The Board is ready for delivery, as these are useful for meetings and letters. A digital letterhead would be ideal. This project was referred to director Zeno Swijtink.

Next meeting of the Board will be held on January 9, 2010.

The meeting was adjourned at 12 noon.

Respectfully Submitted,

Barbara Chasteen
Secretary

AGV Watershed Council	Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Minutes of December 5, 2009


The meeting was called to order at 10:10 am. by acting chair Bob Burke. Directors Jon Sassin, John Roberts, and Barbara Chasteen were present; Dave Erickson was present for part of the meeting. Nicholas Call and Derek Roy, Special Agents from the National Marine FIsheries Service (NMFS) also attended part of the meeting. Watershed Protection Issues. Nick Call and Derek Roy explained their role as federal law enforcement officers with the local NMFS jurisdiction, which stretches from Half Moon Bay north to Arcata and Siskyou County, and inland to Napa County. Their duty is to enforce the Endangered Species Act. Their primary concern is the protection of endangered species such as salmonids from direct loss due to low stream flows, turbidity, and other threats, as well as from habitat loss such as deforestation and destruction of spawning beds. They work closely with local agencies and groups with similar concerns. Nick and Derek explained that they feel the most effective means of protecting the watersheds (and thus endangered species) within their jurisdiction is to work with landowners on issues of concern. They prefer to emphasize education, cooperation, and prevention, and use legal enforcement tools such as criminal or civil sanctions and fines as a last resort. There was a lively discussion regarding current local threats to stream flow such as erosion, vineyard frost protection, habitat destruction such as deforestation, non permitted water diversions, as well as creek monitoring projects. NMFS is working with Sonoma County agencies regarding the cumulative effects of habitat loss such as from forest conversion and vineyard development, and is installing automatic stream monitoring devices in the watershed. Asked what the watershed council could do to help NOAA/NMFS to protect local streams, the officers suggested several actions to take: • Publicize the contact information for agencies involved in protecting local watersheds. • Be their ‘eyes and ears’ by staying in tune with what’s happening and who’s doing what in the community, passing the word (even anonymously) if something doesn’t look right. • Let them know about areas of concern for the Atascadero/Green Valley Creek watershed; they can pass on concerns to appropriate agencies. GVC has been designated a critical habitat and they can find money, contacts, and help for any problems even if it does not involve a particular owner or a criminal case. • Join with other appropriate groups in the greater watershed, for example the Middle Russian River Stewardship Alliance and the Resource Conservation districts. • Help identify locations where either permitted or non permitted diversion from streams is taking place, so that Fish and Game biologists can come out and help non permitted landowners comply with the law; this would help all the agencies that are trying to protect stream flow • Encourage landowners along creeks to allow fisheries biologists stream access so that they can work to solve any problems together. Early cooperation is preferable to enforcement situations for the landowner, the agencies, and the environment. 2. Report on Sacramento Workshop on Sprinkling for Frost Protection Bob and John attended the workshop and noted the power point presentation re vineyard frost protection regulation. ‘Private property rights’ is a big issue. 3. Russian River Coho Water Resources Partnership A new group consisting of OAEC, Goldridge and Sotoyome RCDs, and others, has been funded by the National Wildlife Foundation for 5 years. AGVWC might want to be part of it. Bob Burke will invite a representative to inform the board about the group. 4. Vineyard Conversion John Roberts reported on the recent Board of Zoning Appeals hearing regarding a proposal by Cornell Winery for a ridge top clearing project above a tributary of Mark West Creek. A previous project in this area caused massive erosion and destruction of spawning beds in the creek. No action was taken at the hearing. John will monitor action on this issue. 5. Watershed Maps John Roberts has received a map from Matt Dietsch showing the location of vineyards and other agricultural lands in the watershed. He will look into acquiring a copy. Regarding the current AGV Watershed Map project, John and Jean presented the map and educational packets to teachers at Appleblossom School and were well received. Jean and John will go to 15-16 schools in total. Bob Burke suggested that the board commend John and Jean for having designed the map, refined it, acquired the necessary production money, and taken the time to present it to the schools. Jon Sassin so moved, Dave Erickson seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The entire board volunteers to assist Jean with school visits if needed (if John can’t attend). 6. Business Cards and Letterhead The Board is ready for delivery, as these are useful for meetings and letters. A digital letterhead would be ideal. This project was referred to director Zeno Swijtink. Next meeting of the Board will be held on January 9, 2010. The meeting was adjourned at 12 noon. Respectfully Submitted, Barbara Chasteen Secretary