Minutes2009-12

Others: Manager Sarge Green, Kerri Arroues, NRCS, Kerri Birdwell, Clarence Finch, Ken Johnson, DWR, Jim Cooper, David Durham, NRCS, Roberta Howe, DWR, Jose Faria, DWR, Florence Cassel, Fresno State, Joe Tapia, DWR, Dan Schara, Westlands WD, Rod Steifvater, PVWD, Bob Beede, UCCE, Kurt Quade, Garrett Gilcrease, Doug Rayner, Jeff Gilcrease, Ron Smith and Tim Biehler,

Agenda and Minutes

A quorum was present and the Board members present unanimously found the agenda adequate for the meeting. Jorgen Clausen moved we accept the November 19, 2009 meeting minutes with an amendment to reflect actual expenditures. The motion to accept the amended minutes was seconded by Director Brughelli and approved unanimously.

Public Comments:

Florence Cassel from Fresno State attended the meeting at the request of Sarge Green because her contract (Department of Water Resources Task Order 14) to work on salinity-profiling was coming to a close at the end of the month. The report on her work was not included in the agenda but since no further costs could be accrued after December Sarge recommended she present a summary of her work under public comments.

Florence presented a report on using “electro-magnetic” surveys to map salinity in irrigated soils in the Westside Resource Conservation District. The project involved using GPS and the survey equipment all hooked up to a farm tractor. The maps provided by the work then give the farm operator a picture of how the irrigation method they are employing is managing the concentration and depth of soil salts with the objective of minimizing the impact of the salts on the area’s crop. The tool worked very well and Dr. Cassel is prepared to continue the effort where others wish to determine the soil salt profile. Dan Schara of Westlands indicated the District was interested in further use of the technique since many District areas were now being irrigated with well water that was saltier than their typical surface water.

Reports:

President Erro indicated that after the business meeting the audience would hear two special presentations: the first by Kerri Arroues of NRCS on the impact to soils from the heretofore mentioned significant increase in the use of groundwater; and the second by Ron Smith and his associates on the proposed contract with Westlands to provide services to treat salty water by various means but primarily “reverse osmosis” followed by salt partitioning. President Erro then called for “introductions” by all present. After self-introductions the Secretary-Manager was called to present the financial report. The total amount of pending payables was limited by the cash-on-hand. A new receivable to be submitted to the Department of Water Resources will be needed to replenish the checking account based on the large outlay in November. There was sufficient cash to address some invoices and they included Fresno State for Dr. Cassel’s work and to get current with the District consulting financial manager. The total proposed was $2,397.60. A motion was made by Director Clausen, seconded by Director Blankenship to pay these bills; motion carried unanimously. Under Director’s reports, President Erro summarized the Western Shasta RCD grant. Western Shasta transmitted a check to the District for work on Eucalyptus trees that was originally granted to them by the Eucalyptus Improvement Association. They could not implement the program in their area and sought a District to assume the activity. Since WRCD continues to work on agroforestry, we were recommended to Western Shasta as the potential recipient. The grant was transferred to us and Director Bramhall from Western Shasta called to check if we received the check, which we had. The grant came with an MOU that outlines the purpose and agreement between Western Shasta and WRCD on the use of the funds. President Erro signed the MOU. It basically commits WRCD to use the funds to raise agro-forestry stock, primarily Eucalyptus, for WRCD land holders and operators. As in the past, WRCD proposes to raise the appropriate seedlings in the Coalinga High School Ag Department Greenhouse. There were no further Director reports. Under the Manager’s report, Sarge Green discussed the upcoming renewal of the NRCS required “Five-year Plan” (2010 to 2015). He outlined the existing plan and advised that most of the issues under the last plan will likely remain ongoing activities. They included: range and ranchland improvements including ranch plans and riparian corridor management, upland habitat and Valley floor riparian corridor restoration and finally drainage and salt management through implementation of IFDM and other practices. The new area that needs significant consideration is water supply augmentation ranging from groundwater treatment to groundwater recharge activities that can assist in a firmer base supply now that Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta pumping restrictions are adversely impacting imported surface water supplies much more dramatically. Manager Green will outline the report with the new addition in upcoming months with overall report approval expected in late Spring.

Under Partner reports, Ken Johnson of the CA Department of Water Resources summarized the current suite of projects under way and anticipated on drainage and salt management. He provided a written report that is attached and made a part of these minutes. Ken was followed by Dave Durham of NRCS who summarized the EQIP program that started in the new fiscal year starting in October 2009 and the special expenditures for water conservation and air quality. Significant among the water conservation efforts was the 2 million dollar allocation for Westlands Water District and 1.5 million for Kings River Conservation District. The air program for off-road diesel tractors impacted 75 old tractors. The EQIP program application process for this year will likely be cut off on January 15th. Director Anderson mentioned that the match is an ongoing problem for rangeland operators.

The business meeting was then adjourned so as to get to the special reports and festivities. The motion to adjourn was made by Director Brughelli, seconded by Director Finster and unanimously passed.