Notes by Brian Wolcott

Feasibility Study for flows, passage, screens, habitat for fish

Study will lead to action

Draft scope of work out to public

Addressing long-term flows with big money

Identify how much water where and when

Recon study identified

Exchange

Delivery

Water right purchase

Storage

Public input and review

Mainly targeting Milton-Freewater to mouth

Draft report by Thanksgiving

Action: Watershed Council report by Gary and Chris

Action: Also a formal public review

Other reporting/discussion opportunities

Action: Public scoping meetings – series of meetings during the study

Action: HCP

Action: Washington Planning Unit

Locations for storage

Identify fish needs at different locations

How do we involve public (agencies have difficulty with this)

Perceived by public as useless effort – no listening by agency

Scoping document will be available for review

October 15 – background info. Presented

November 25 – began review of draft

Cost share issue – 50/50 it is now around $200K short

People, by law, can veto project

Cost share verifies local support

NEPA is a federal law and requirement to ensure public can review how tax dollars are spent for environmental protection

Action: Need to tightly link the HCP with the Corps’ project

Can HCP $ serve as cost share?

HCP is a deal with Feds for 50 years of certainty regarding water use impact on fish, flows

HCP/COE tie in with long term flow improvement

“Jim did not use bureaucrat as derogatorily as Russ does”

Tony Weeks “100% cost by COE if public agrees a big project like “the Everglades” or “Jackson Hole, Wyoming” justifies it and Congress supports it, Walla Walla is through the first stage.”

Separate from smaller projects like Nursery Bridge

It’s critical to keep pushing for this Walla Walla Basin “big project”

If Congress looks at this project independently, we will have a better chance of them continuing to fund it. Stakeholders, including regulators shoould be involved

“3 irrigation districts are providing the bulk of the short term flow improvements.

Continued improvements are time limited/delayed by processes.” Brent

Until we get a plan signed we are all vulnerable to take regulations

“COE cost share may include BPA $? This is looking more likely.” Tony

Action: Peter will seek $(BPA) for outreach and education marketing for the HCP

Louis “Include the former Touchet project – storage – revisit this option.”

How to communicate to public regarding public processes

COE must include total basin in their plan

WWBWC and HCP committee / process offers to help inform public about CTUIR / Corps Feasibility Study