HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012/06/26 - Oakland Bay CWD - OAKLAND BAY CLEAN WATER DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY,JUNE 26,2012
Call to Order-The meeting was called to order at 2:07 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance—John Konovsky led the flag salute.
Tim Sheldon and Steve Bloomfield were in attendance.
Cmmr.Bloomfield/Sheldon moved and seconded to adopt the agenda. Motion carried.
Cmmr.Bloomfield/Sheldon moved and seconded to approve the November 22,2011 meeting minutes.
Motion carried.
2011 Annual Progress Report -Debbie Riley,Public Health,announced that the pollution identification control
grant funding had come through and the work would begin on July I"
Bob Simmons,WSU Extension,provided an overview of the report. He noted that the work was the result of a
consortium of organizations. The City of Shelton had been working on controlling stormwater and was finishing up
their sewage treatment plant: The Department of Ecology had been getting a better idea of what was adding dioxin
to the bay. 2,200 youth have been reached through educational programs. KMAS initiated a radio program for
speakers to discuss environmental issues. They have also conducted targeted outreach programs for septic systems
on the bay. 775 residences reported septic maintenance activities. The Conservation District provided stream
restoration and technical assistance to residents. There were two beach clean ups and the Capital Land Trust was
restoring creeks.
Cmmr. Sheldon asked how many septic systems were in the watershed.
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Stephanie Kenny,Public Health,replied that there were approximately 4,000.
Jules Schultz,Washington State Department of Health,reported that during 2011 they completed a detailed study of
fecal chloroform after rainfall events. They were able to upgrade 750 acres of Oakland Bay. There would still be
conditionally approved areas and after three inches of rainfall they would still have to close certain areas.
Stephanie Kenny discussed Mason County's shoreline sampling. 370 samples were collected in 2011. Several sites
required investigation,which resulted in two sanitary surveys. There were also fourteen non-shoreline and three
shoreline complaints. There were a total of six septic failures found in the area. Samples from Highway 3 were sent
to Ecology for discussion with the Department of Transportation.
Cmmr. Sheldon asked if the culverts were sampled on Highway 3.
Ms.Kenny replied that there were about 40 sample sites but not all of the sites were regularly sampled.
John Konovsky noted that the results were not dramatic.
Cmmr.Bloomfield asked if there was any testing on stormwater discharge from the City.
Ms.Kenny replied that she did do extensive testing a few years ago and they were due for testing again.
Joyce Mercury,Department of Ecology,noted that one of the biggest things in Oakland Bay was the sampling from
last fall. She had seen preliminary data and there didn't seem to be any smoking guns upstream. There was some
dioxin found near the railroad tracks behind the old treatment plant,but Ecology wasn't doing any active
enforcement yet. There had been potential involvement from Simpson but there have been financial difficulties.
OAKLAND BAY CLEAN WATER DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
June 26, 2012 - PAGE 2
Tom Davis emphasized the importance of having citizens on the Oakland Bay Clean Water Committee. He was
able to assist in coming up with a program for a manure exchange program. The program was still in need of
funding. He felt that horse manure was a significant source of pollution.
Jason Regan,Taylor Shellfish,thanked the committee members for their work. He thought the work would change
how he does his job and how Taylor Shellfish manages their tidelands.
Terry Shaw,Craft 3,noted that there were a lot of changes in their organization over the past year. They have
helped a couple of residents with loans to upgrade their systems. They felt they could do a lot more and they could
provide the lending assistance to those who need it. He went over the details of the septic loan program.
John Konovsky, Squaxin Island Tribe,stated that the two fresh water hot spots remain Shelton Creek and Uncle
John's Creek. They were on the verge of the upgrade of 750 acres. They would be working together to
commemorate the event. He would still like to work on the upper end of the bay and Chapman Cove. He wanted to
challenge the group to upgrade Chapman Cove. He also stated that the most significant upcoming water quality
projects would be to fund the Bayshore Acquisition. They have applied for funding and they needed support. He
commented that the overall health of Oakland bay relied on nutrients. There was some progress but the monitoring
program needed to be upped. The Tribe had a proposal to implement a larger nutrient monitoring program.
Debbie Riley stressed the importance of the holistic approach to water quality. She presented a poster to exemplify
the work done in Oakland Bay.
Cmmr.Bloomfield discussed the history of Oakland Bay and how it turned into a commercially viable shellfish
harvesting area. He was excited about achieving success in the area.
Cmmr. Sheldon appreciated the historical prospective. He mentioned that the County was putting together the 2013
budget. There had been an allocation from.09 monies for Oakland Bay for the last four years. He wanted to let
people know that the Belfair Wastewater project also had a great need for funds. He was glad that the pollution
identification control grant had moved forward. He didn't want to go backwards but there would need to be a
discussion about funding.
Adjournment—The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
OAKLAND BAY CLEAN WATER DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MASON COUNTY,WASHINGTON
d Ring Erickson,Cha'
ATTEST: Tim Sheldon,Member
3WKGoudy,Clerk of ar St e Bloom d,Membet