MINUTES
Coconino Plateau Water Advisory Council
February 27, 2009
USGS Building #3
2255 N Gemini Drive,
Flagstaff, Arizona 86001
Water Advisory Council Members Present
Liz Archuleta, WAC Chairman, Coconino County
Joelynn Roberson, WAC Vice-Chairman, Hopi Tribe
Rick Swanson, City of Flagstaff
John Kocjan, City of Page
Rob Adams, City of Sedona
Robert Kirk, Navajo Nation
Matthew Capalby, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Tom Whitmer, Arizona Department of Water Resources
Ron Sieg, Arizona Game and Fish Department
Cynthia Stefanovic, Arizona State Land Department
Rory Steinke, Coconino National Forest
Don Bills, U.S. Geological Survey
Bob Michaels, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Brenda Smith, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Paul Whitefield, National Park Service
Brenda Burman, The Nature Conservancy
Barry Baker, Tusayan-Valle
1. Welcome and Introductions
Liz Archuleta, WAC Chairman, called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. and asked for introductions by those in attendance.
2. Approval of Minutes December 5, 2008 and January 30, 2009 WAC Meetings
On a motion by Tom Whitmer, seconded by John Kocjan, the minutes from the minutes from the December 5, 2008 and January 30, 2009 meetings were approved as submitted.
3. Continuation of Water Ethic Discussion Rom Coles, NAU
Rom Coles led a facilitated discussion following up from the December 5 meeting on developing a regional water ethic.
4. Committee Reports
Technical Advisory Committee
Leslie Meyers, TAC Chair, said that the TAC met on Thursday and continued developing their work plan based on the strategic plan assignments to that committee. She noted that they were working on developing a sustainable water budget, that they are still identifying data needs to developing a plan to pursue funding and grants, they are developing ideas for adding some information to the website to address some questions that came up through the strategic planning process, and they will be looking at pros and cons of SB1575 related to water adequacy and will bring this information to the WAC at a later date.
Government Affairs Committee
Joanne Keene, GAC Chair, reported that an application was submitted in mid-February to the Bureau of Reclamation requesting authorization for the feasibility study through the Rural Water Supply Act. She reported that representatives from the City of Flagstaff met with Reclamation in Washington DC a few weeks ago and discussed the feasibility study. Joanne noted that the County and City will both be in DC in the next few weeks and each hope to meet with Reclamation for further discussion. Joanne said that the GAC is still trying to schedule a meeting with state legislators and they are considering a presentation to the rural caucus, perhaps in mid-March. She reported that the GAC also discussed funding for the feasibility study and the stimulus package. She said that the GAC would like to schedule a joint meeting with the TAC, possibly in March.
Public Outreach Committee
Patricia Cox, POC Chair, reported that the bylaws have been added to the CPWAC web site per the request of the Executive Committee, they are working on the press release for the At-Risk Waters Research Project and will be adding the final report to the web site, they will be coordinating with the TAC on several items to get information on the web site per the strategic plan, and that they have started to make contact with educators for the contest to design a CPWAC symbol which had been discussed at last month’s WAC meeting. Patricia said that the strategic plan called for a mascot but their committee believes that it is better identified as a “symbol.” She said that they have contacted Chris Newell at Willow Bend in Flagstaff and Kerri Schwartz from Project WET to coordinate the contest process for school children.
5. Report on SWAG and other State Water Issues
Tom Whitmer, ADWR, reported that the next SWAG meeting is scheduled for April 17. He said the agenda hasn’t been developed but he expects an update on rural issues, possibly including CPWAC activities.
Tom said that there have been 24-25 water related bills introduced this legislative session, with approximately 10-12 potential striker bills. He reviewed a number of bills and gave background, noting that the Senate hasn’t been hearing any bills so they were all getting stalled in the House.
6. Wrap-up and set agenda for next meeting Liz Archuleta,
Friday, March 27, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. WAC Chairman
Chairman Archuleta said that we are trying to schedule presentations on healthy water sheds for upcoming meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 11:55