Minutes
Coconino Plateau Water Advisory Council
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
USGS Building #3
2255 N Gemini Drive, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001
Flagstaff, Arizona
Water Advisory Council Members Present
Liz Archuleta, WAC Chairman, Coconino County
Carl Taylor, Coconino County
Brad Hill, City of Flagstaff
Mark DiNunzio, City of Sedona
Robert Kirk, Navajo Nation
Tom Whitmer, Arizona Department of Water Resources
Sybil Smith, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Leslie Meyers, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Brenda Smith, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Bob Hart, U.S.G.S.
Rory Steinke, Coconino National Forest
Paul Whitefield, National Park Service
Brenda Burman, The Nature Conservancy
Michael Macauley, NRCD
1. Welcome and Introductions
Chairman Archuleta began the meeting at 10:05 a.m. and asked for introductions from those present.
2. Approval of Minutes October 30, 2009 CPWAC Meeting
On a motion from Carl Taylor, seconded by Tom Whitmer, the minutes from the October 30, 2009 CPWAC meeting were approved as submitted.
Chairman Archuleta asked to modify the agenda and hear from Brenda Burman and Brad Hill on agenda item number four related to the CAP ADD-Water Meeting.
3. Year-End Committee Reports
Chairman Archuleta introduced the next agenda item, asking the committees to report on what they’ve been doing the past year in implementing the strategic plan.
4. CAP ADD-Water Meeting Update; Brenda Burman, TNC
Brenda Burman reviewed the ADD-Water process, noting that there was lack of representation from rural areas. She mentioned that ADWR held a meeting yesterday to bring in the rural areas to discuss how to create level playing field with the concept of a statewide water commission as a possible first step.
Tom Whitmer said that he and Tom Carr had discussed the statewide commission as a mechanism for addressing water needs on a statewide basis including the rural areas, not just the area served by CAP.
Tom said that the outcome from yesterday’s meeting was a request for interested parties to provide comments to ADWR by January 15.
Technical Advisory Committee; Leslie Meyers, TAC Chair
Leslie Meyers identified the 2009 TAC priorities. She said that the TAC has primarily been working on developing a sustainable water budget. She mentioned that Leslie Graser was leading this but has left ADWR and now works for Prescott. Leslie reviewed the action plan and noted that a matrix had been developed which includes community water systems, ecological water needs, and appropriate governance. The TAC has worked on identifying data sources and monitoring sites. They will continue working on the project next year.
Leslie mentioned that the TAC also provided support for the CPWAC Legislative Day held this past summer.
The TAC still intends to pursue the application for rural water authority for feasibility.
Chairman Archuleta asked about the status of USGS ground water model. Bob Hart said it is out for peer review and it is expected to be back in early January.
Chairman Archuleta asked for an update on the rural water supply application. Leslie said they expect Reclamation to complete the directives and standards by mid-January. In February they would advertise and accept applications under the program. She anticipates TAC & GAC will work an application after the first of year, and hopefully know something by spring.
Liz provided a brief background of how and why the WAC is interested in pursuing feasibility under the rural water supply program and mentioned the meetings the WAC had with representatives from Reclamation’s Washington DC office this summer.
Leslie Meyers noted that ADWR transferred $100,000 to Reclamation for feasibility.
Brad Hill mentioned that the Flagstaff City Council approved using the USGS Regional groundwater flow model and information from the TAC’s sustainable water budget process to evaluate local water supplies under pending water adequacy rules.
Abe Springer, NAU, asked when Yavapai would be ready for feasibility. Leslie Meyers said it would probably be a couple of years.
Brenda Burman asked about possible competition for Feasibility through Rural Water Supply Act. Leslie Meyers said that there is a lot of interest in the program and not a lot of money. She also mentioned that at this point the CPWAC is primarily seeking authority to pursue the feasibility study under Rural Water Act, not funding.
Government Affairs Committee; Brenda Burman, GAC Chair
Brenda Burman reported the Government Affairs Committee update. She noted that the main goal this past year was to put together a legislative day since the WAC has been doing so much and they wanted to educate legislators. She said it all came together in August and had good attendance. Those in attendance included State House representatives Mason, Chabin, Deschene, and, a representative from Senator Kyl’s office. She said it was very-well received by those in attendance. She said they would like to have the CPWAC be the go-to organization for northern Arizona water issues. The GAC suggests some WAC reps make a winter visit to the capitol to keep communications going.
She noted that the Government Affairs Committee also participated in the meetings with Reclamation in August and September, meeting with Lori Lee Grey, Regional Director and Carol Erwin, Area Director, as well as representatives from Washington DC and Denver offices. She said that the job of government affairs is to maintain those relationships. In meeting other strategic goals during 2009 she noted that a representative from AMWUA (Arizona Municipal Water Users Association) came and gave presentation, opening that dialogue between the CPWAC and AMWUA. She identified goals for next year as keeping up relationships with similar groups.
Tom Whitmer noted that if a statewide water commission moves forward the GAC would have a role with that.
Public Outreach Committee; Patricia Cox, POC Chair
Patricia Cox gave the Public Outreach Committee report. She noted the 2009 accomplishments including a number of improvements to the CPWAC website: published strategic plan and other relevant information, created a link between calendar and agenda, researched information on website usage-she noted that in 2009 there were 4000 contacts with website. She noted that POC published an article in the countywide newsletter, compiled packets for the meetings with representatives from Bureau of Reclamation and Legislative Day, worked with TAC on a map showing the regional boundaries and then created a display board with the map. They are still working on the WAC iconic symbol (formerly referred to as a mascot).
2010 Goals – Several POC goals relate to promote water ethic once that’s adopted, outreach to community groups, continue to update and refine web page, complete iconic symbol contest, and continue to work with TAC on conservation awards.
Executive committee
Chairman Archuleta reported for the Executive Committee. She said that they need to develop a white paper on the water ethic and bring that back to the full CPWAC; they would like to take the CPWAC message to boards, councils, and other member organizations and agencies to show the goals and accomplishments to-date. They especially want to make these presentations to funding members. She asked members to look at calendars and put in requests for an approximately one hour presentation.
Chairman Archuleta noted that all members have access to CPWAC materials, any information public outreach has put together is available to all members. In regard to funding, they will be putting a funding request to organizations that have funded us in the past at the same amount; the purpose of funding is for staffing and operation. She noted that at least one-third of Sue Pratt’s time has been spent on WAC work which has been subsidized by the County. The funding is intended to pay for support staff and if not it will require each group around table would have to take turns providing support.
Chairman Archuleta said that it is probably time to look at elections for chair and vice chair and any other changes such as committee structures. She said they would be reviewing the bylaws to see when the elections were due. She also noted the concerns with proposed cuts at ADWR and the impact that could have on the CPWAC.
5. Report on SWAG and other State Water Issues; Tom Whitmer, ADWR
Tom Whitmer noted that the SWAG had not met for some time, but there is a possibility that it will be initiated under the new effort. In regard to the proposed State budget, the current plan calls for the elimination of the rural water division and statewide planning sections of ADWR. They are looking at a 71/2 % cut in the beginning of the year.
Chairman Archuleta asked about pending legislation. Tom explained the background behind the proposed statewide water commission.
6. Wrap-up and set agenda for next meeting-Friday, January 29, 2010
There was discussion about possible topics for the upcoming agenda. Chairman Archuleta asked for reports by each of the CPWAC members.
Mike Macauley said that the NRCD in 6 of 7 Colorado River states are looking at what different states are proposing.
Carol Taylor mentioned that he had been appointed a member of the BLM RAC which is concerned with uranium issues, some unknown water quality issues, and renewable energy projects.
Brenda Burman announced that The Nature Conservancy just entered into a multi-species conservation program on lower Colorado River.
Tom Whitmer announced that Tom Carr retired yesterday and noted what a big loss that is to the State and the communities he was involved with.
Bob Hart mentioned that Don Bills and others at USGS have been working on uranium directive with a report to be published in January.
Liz Archuleta announced that she has been made the Chair of the County Supervisors Association. She noted that also serves on the National Public Lands Commission, and is the new Chair of the County Board of Supervisors. She said it will be difficult for her to continue as chair of WAC. She noted that her role with CSA requires meetings on Friday mornings which will conflict with WAC.
Brenda Smith said that Shaula has been working on 12 month status review on a number of projects including Northern Leopard Frog, renovation of Stillman Lake, NEPA work on the CC Craigen reservoir, Little Colorado River Spinedace, and 4-FRI.
Rory Steinke reported that the Coconino National Forest plan revision Draft EIS is underway. It will address water quality issues and they are trying to include water ethic and sustainable water budget in the plan revision.
Paul Whitefield – LCR water rights adjudicate initiated Walnut Creek advisory committee and although there has not been a lot of work, they had the first meeting in 2 years with last month. He also noted that the three Flagstaff area Monuments merged with Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot in the Verde Valley.
Mark City of Sedona mentioned activity in the Northern Arizona Mayors association as a regional voice for cities and towns in Coconino, Yavapai, Mohave county areas.
Robert Kirk reported some recent changes including the Navajo Nation Council has been reduced to 24 members. Robert said he would like to have the Navajo Nation Water Rights Commission give a presentation to the WAC sometime.
Brad Hill reported that the City of Flagstaff has drilled three new wells, one of which is connected to the system. The biggest well is the one at Fort Tuthill which produces at 1400-1500 gpm and will go on line next week.
Sybil Smith reported that the new ADEQ Director, Ben Grumbles, is trying to forge collaboration on water quality and re-use issues.
The meeting adjourned for lunch 11:40 a.m.