Meeting Minutes for February 2, 2005:
Meeting Began: 7:05 pm with introductions

Announcements:
John Kitzhaber, the former governor of Oregon, will give a free presentation on Watershed-scale Planning for Sustainable Forest Management on Thursday, Feb.3, 12:00-1:20 pm at the La Sells Stewart Center.

Committee Reports:
Outreach & Education: Mark Taratoot, Chair, no meeting. However, the watershed council grant for a full time outreach and education coordinator has been recommended for funding to the OWEB board by staff and reviewers. The high ranking of this proposal ensures funding if funding is available through the legislature, which is highly probably. Stay tuned…
LAWUC: Council data is available on website under reports and projects. Water Quality: Phase 2 monitoring nearing completion. Waiting for final storm.
Fish Passage: committee will be meeting in February to identify projects and their priority ranking for next grant cycle.
Steering Committee: Chuck Lane, Chair; Public Works is developing a plan but has not asked for our help. They are hoping for a stakeholder meeting. Public Comments are being solicited by the Philomath City Council but it has not been determined how or if these comments will be incorporated into the water master plan. Landowner Projects will be ranked by a Project Prioritization process in order to define priorities and goals. In order to “test drive” the process, the steering committee decided to test the process on the current water use issues.

Coordinator’s Report: Sandra Coveny. OWEB assessment grant for Cardwell Hills: Ranked #1, recommended for funding. OWEB Outreach and Education Grant: Ranked #3, recommended for one full year of funding. This means we will have a full time outreach and education coordinator and with results can apply for additional years of funding. EPA Regional Geographic initiatives pre-proposal: submitted December 15th, EPA will invite full proposals within a few months. Healthy Waters Initiative pilot project: Letter of interest submitted December 17th. Full proposal requested by grantees. Full proposal prepared by Karen Fleck Harding and submitted Jan.31st. Council Support Grant submitted to OWEB Dec. 15th. Recommendations coming from OWEB shortly.

Presentation: Steve Mamoyac, District Fish Biologist from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Rick Kruger, In-stream Water Rights Specialist, discussed the subject of how in-stream water rights affect Marys River flows. At present, the Marys River water levels and flow during the summer months are unacceptable to both the State and Federal governments, and finding a workable solution to this problem will present real challenges for us. There is much at stake for the community and for the fish, unless we can find a way to improve the situation. These presentations will be available on our website shortly.

Respectfully submitted Feb.9, 2005: Betsy Richardson