November Meeting Notes:

Scott Wright from Pillar Consulting gave an excellent talk for most of the meeting about culverts. Scott explained the protocol used by his firm to help Benton County complete a culvert assessment along all of their roads. Results of that study are available at the Benton County office near Avery Park. Scott also discussed the culvert replacement process, adding details about cost and planning. The first step is the identification and prioritization of barriers to fish passage. To that end, Scott has developed a 5 page protocol for surveying culverts. He went over this form in detail. The form is designed to help a person understand the terminology used by engineers for culvert survey and replacement. There were many good questions from the audience regarding issues that effect private property culvert survey and prioritization for replacement or improvement. The culvert assessment team of the MRWC will be grappling with these issues over the next 2 months to develop a work plan for the next 15 months. Anyone interested in attending this workgroup please contact Sandra Coveny at 758-7597 or via email at sandrac@peak.org

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THREE ACTIVE COMMITTEES The three committees that will be implementing the 15 month action plan are going to begin meeting over the next few months. Your input is needed. If you have an interest in any of the following committees, please contact Sandra Coveny at 758-7597 or via email at sandrac@peak.org as soon as possible.

Culvert Assessment Team

Already meeting (last scheduled meeting Friday November 19th) This team will implement the action item identifying and beginning the strategic removal process of barriers to fish passage on private and public lands.

Outreach and Education Subcommittee

This committee will begin meeting in early December. There is currently staff support for implementing our outreach and education strategy. This team will develop a long term strategy for outreach and education about issues having to do with restoring and maintaining the health of the MRW., and work toward producing outreach and educational flyers and workshops to complement the projects of the council.

Water Quality Monitoring Subcommittee

This committee will develop a monitoring strategy that is comprehensive and that fits with efforts throughout the Willamette basin. Committee will identify gaps in baseline water quality data using the watershed assessment and other available information. They will then devise a monitoring plan.