Meeting Minutes

Gunnison Basin Selenium Task Force

Steering/Technical Committees

May 20, 2004, 10:00am to 1:15pm

Delta City Hall, 360 Main St., Delta, Colorado

 

 

Attendees:      Tom Peltier (GVSTF), Rick Isom (Painted Sky RC & D), Paul von Guerard (USGS), Rick Krueger (USFWS), Mike Baker (USBOR), Dave Kanzer (CRWCD), Aung Hla (CSU Extension), Robert Johnson (Town of Paonia), Frank Tranchina, Fred Fisher (Shavano-NRCD).

 

Facilitator:      Sonja R. Chavez de Baca

 

I.                   Introduction/Agenda Review:

The meeting was called to order by Tom Peltier, former Gunnison Basin Task Force Coordinator and current Grand Valley Selenium Task Force Coordinator.  Tom introduced Sonja Chavez de Baca, the new Gunnison Basin Coordinator.  Introductions were made by Task Force Members.

 

II.                Develop Public Outreach Strategy (Mike Baker):

The discussion began with a brief background/history of Task Force public outreach and education efforts.  Efforts include the BMP Project (319 Grant) which addresses the effects of changing land use on water quality and educational materials such as the “Why Care About Selenium” justification paper. 

 

The approach as outlined in our 2004 Action Plan and as determined by the Task Force at the 4/29/04 meeting is to promote “Wise Water Use” as a means to meet water quality objectives for selenium concentrations and loading to the river system.  The group began by identifying the major areas where we could promote water use efficiency and continued with discussion of specific tasks that would accomplish public outreach at the government and general public levels.  Please see the Public Outreach Strategy on page 3.  The next step in our public outreach effort should include the identification of project leads in each area and task assignments.  This step can be carried out at the Technical Workgroup Meeting.  Sonja will take over maintaining the Action Plan, which will serve as a working template for the Task Force.  She will continue to refine tasks, responsibilities, and timelines.

 

III.             Outline Grant Application Plan:

 

AWPPG (Coordinator) - A brief overview was given on the Request for Initial Proposals (RFIP) for the Assessment and Watershed Protection Program Grant (AWPP).  The AWPP Grant focuses on projects that support a watershed approach to better address water quality problems in the U.S. and that build the capacity of all levels of government to develop and implement effective, comprehensive programs for watershed protection, restoration, and management.  The group decided that our focus would be on a project that looked at the effects of changing land use on selenium loading in the Grand Valley and Lower Gunnison River Basins.  Painted Sky RC&D agreed to be the sponsoring agency.  Rick Isom will make sure that there isn’t a problem with Painted Sky sponsoring a grant which would extend into the Grand Valley.  It was determined that Paul van Guerard and Mike Baker would take the lead on the AWPP Grant with Sonja coordinating the application completion and submittal.

 

Funding for Canal Lining (Mike Baker) – The group discussed possible funding for continued canal lining with Dan Beley.  Dan thought that the group should look into the Watershed Initiative Grant (a.k.a. Target Watershed Grant).  Sonja will work with Dan to get more information.

 

IV.              2004 State of Colorado’s Watershed Report (Coordinator) – It was decided that the Gunnison Basin Selenium Task Force would submit an article to be included in the 2004 State of Colorado’s Watersheds Report.  The report was identified as an important venue to showcase our watershed group and its activities and accomplishments.  The initial report distribution will be at the CWA annual conference in Glenwood Springs on Sept 9th & 10th.  Sonja will coordinate with Dave Kanzer on the preparation of the report due no later than July 1, 2004.

 

V.                 Organization of a Group Tour & Joint Steering Committee Meeting – A tentative date of July 8th was chosen to have a joint steering committee meeting and tour with the Grand Valley Selenium Task Force.  The meeting would likely be a half-day (morning) followed by a tour (afternoon).  It was decided that Montrose would be a good meeting location.  The Task Force suggested that the following site visits be included in the tour:  Loutsenhizer Arroyo and canal areas, the Montrose Arroyo, and the Phytoremediation Project site located on the Randy Meaker property.

 

VI.              Outline Agenda for June 17th Steering/Technical Meeting (Coordinator)

 

A.     The next meeting will be on Thursday, June 17th, from 10am to approximately 3pm at the League of Economic Assistance, 300 N. Cascade, Suite 1, in Montrose, CO.  The Technical Work Group will meet in the morning from 10am to 12pm.  The Steering Committee will meet from 1pm to 3pm. 

 

B.     The Grand Valley Selenium Task Force asked if it would be possible for the Gunnison Basin Group to switch our meeting day from Thursday to Wednesday.  Switching the meeting day will work better logistically for those individuals who are involved in both Task Forces.  Sonja will solicit comments via email and at the next meeting.