Meeting Minutes September 7, 2005

The meeting began at 7:10pm with introductions

Announcements:

1)The Forest Service is working on a supplement of the MR analyses and Frank Davis brought maps of the region and a draft manuscript entitled "Supplement to the Marys River Watershed Preliminary Analysis- Siuslaw National Forest, Fiscal year 2005" which he would like comments on. Please send any comments you might have by Sept 20th to him at 750-7077. The draft he gave us is based on our Marys River Watershed Preliminary Assessment which was prepared in April 1999. The report uses our data to look at culverts and fish blockages.

2) Kids Day for Conservation will take place on Saturday, September 17th , 10am-4pm at the Benton County Fairgrounds.

3) Cardwell Hills restoration meeting is set for Friday, Sept.23rd and will be facilitated by Commissioner Jaramillo. There are many landowners interested and there are an array of projects some of which include riparian habitat and oak restoration.
Presentation of Awards: Our past Chairman, Chuck Lane, was given a beautifully engraved plaque, which is only a small token of thanks for the decade he has devoted to the Watershed Council. We will miss his guiding presence. Larry Merriam, who was stepping down from his many years on the Steering Committee for many years, also received an engraved plaque with our thanks.
Coordinator's Report: Sandra reported on her summer activities which included: l) developing the approach to the Cardwell Hills restoration project; 2) wrapping up 4 grants with their final reports, which included superb comments by OWEB for our water quality monitoring grant; 3)Our Fiscal biennium grant got $70K from OWEB;

4)She will be working with the Steering Committee to deal with IRS technicalities.

Water Rights Issues: It was mentioned that the State of Oregon doesn't have the enforcement necessary to deal with water right violations and the questions was raised as to what the potential problems might be. The Water Quality Commitee was asked to prepare some information for the next meeting.
Fish Passage Committee: Woods Creek grant will be reapplied for. Things are coming together and hopefully in the next few years there will be funding available.

Outreach and Education: no report

Water Quality: met and will provide information at the next MRWC meeting

Stee ring Committee: didn't meet

Outreach and Education: Karen Harding reported that the Healthy Waters project with Philomath School distract and Oregon Trout is progressing well, with education resources that are available to Philomath schools. There is a weed management project that may be partnered with our Council.A proposal is due in October