MINUTES
Feb 20, 2003
Attendees:
Larry Bywater (Swaner Nature Preserve), Michael Boyle (Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District), Karen Nichols (Stantec Consulting), Derrick Radke (Summit County), Mary Perry (Friends of East Canyon Creek), Ralph Mickelson (NRCS), Paul Dremann (Trout Unlimited), Russ Findlay (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation), C. Ross Anderson (Macfarlane Ranch), Insa Riepen (Recycle Utah), Jeremy Shaw (State Parks), Steve Noyes (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation), Barbara Carey (Mountainland RC&D), Bill Bradwisch (Wildlife Resources), Paul Lammers (United Park City Mines), Mike Luers (Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District), Bruce Erikson (SE Group), John Whitehead (DEQ Division of Water Quality)
Agenda Item - Status Report on East Canyon WWTP
Phosphorus Removal Upgrade:
Michael Boyle reported that the chemical phosphorus removal facilities for the East Canyon Plant were put on line in November 2002. Initial results appear quite promising with effluent levels of phosphorus in the .02 to .06 mg/l range. This is much better than originally anticipated. Construction on the plant upgrade and expansion is nearing completion. Final landscaping and other finish up items will be completed by early summer 2003.
Agenda Item - East Canyon Flow Coalition:
Mike Luers briefed the group on the efforts undertaken to date by the East Canyon Creek Coalition (a sub-committee of the East Canyon Water Quality Steering Committee) to address the need for flow augmentation in East Canyon Creek. Mike and others have met with the major water suppliers in the Snyderville Basin, along with state and local agency leaders to attempt to gain support for this effort. Many of the water suppliers appear to be supportive and may join in the effort to restore flows to the creek. In addition, a 319 funding proposal for $250,000 has been submitted to EPA to tap federal funds to assist in purchasing senior water rights that can be used for "in stream" flows.
Agenda Item - Riparian/Fishery Sub-Committee Report:
Bill Bradwisch informed the committee about the Riparian/Fishery work group meeting held on February 4, 2003 to sort out the results from the East Canyon SVAP study completed recently, and to begin the process of identifying project areas along East Canyon Creek where available funds can be spent on stream rehabilitation. There is approximately $150,000 available now for such projects. The sub-committee hopes to see projects started this summer.
Agenda Item - Recreation and Urban Sub-Committee Report:
Karen Nichols reported on part of the contract effort to address nonpoint source concerns related to recreational industries and construction stormwater runoff. Some of the high points included survey results that show approximately 70% of the construction sites inventoried did have the requisite permits from the state and local stormwater programs. This is believed to be significantly improved from 2 to 3 years ago. In addition, the overall land use for the Snyderville Basin has been delineated. The largest land use segment of developed lands is for residential purposes. This highlights a need to educate homeowners and reduce over-application of fertilizers and pesticides. The Draft report is being reviewed by golf course, ski, and storm water representatives this week. A final draft report would be presented to the overall committee at the next meeting.
Agenda Item - Ice Dam Removal:
Russ Findley from the Bureau of Reclamation gave a slide presentation on the planned removal of the Ice Dam on East Canyon Creek near Kimball Junction. The planning process is still in its early stages, however, the basic scenario is to remove a sufficient portion of this old earthen dam and replace it with a more natural step pool structure that will allow fish migration and free flow through this section of the stream. Currently, there is approximately a four foot drop via culverts that acts as a biological barrier. The plan includes designs to make sure that the sediment that has been impounded behind the Ice Dam over the last century is retained in place. The timing on this activity is not known yet by BOR. If all things went smoothly in the next few months, the removal could happen during low flows later in 2003.
Other Items:
Publicity/Press Coverage - A healthy discussion was undertaken during the meeting regarding the need/opportunity to communicate to the press the success stories that are beginning to play out in the efforts to restore East Canyon Creek. It was pointed out that there are several success stories that would be worthy of press releases or articles. These include but are not limited to:
- Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District's East Canyon Phosphorus Removal Process.
- Efforts to gain "in stream" flow augmentation by the East Canyon Creek Coalition.
- Upcoming stream channel and stream bank restoration efforts and projects.
- Outcome and project work from the Recreation and Construction Industries study.
The consensus of the group appeared to be that a non-governmental agency like Mountainland should be the entity issuing press releases and that the group underwriting the news should be the East Canyon Water Quality Steering Committee. Resources that could be utilized to assist in formulating press releases might include the public information officers from DEQ and DNR. Ray Loveless will need to orchestrate this effort to assure good coordination and maximum positive press coverage.
Water Fair - Insa Riepen informed the committee about an upcoming water fair planned for April 24, 2003. Last years fair was an overwhelming success attended by over 500 fifth grade students. Insa is looking for other entities that would provide a booth and speaker for the day relating to water conservation or water quality. She also needs someone to act as a speaker for a watershed booth that will explain the concept of a watershed. In addition, any water related handouts, brochures etc. would be much appreciated.
Next Meeting:
The next meeting for the East Canyon Water Quality Steering Committee is set for May 15, 2003 at 9:30 a.m. at the Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District Offices.
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