John Ladenburg opened the meeting and announced that the primary subject of
discussion would be the Task Force’s response to the National Marine Fisheries
Service’s draft Biological Opinion. This is a crucial point in the progress of
the LTTF. It is the policy of our Congressional delegates to save Lake Tapps;
Pierce County’s policy is to save Lake Tapps, the represented Cities also want
to save the Lake. We need to move this process forward and work to see that all
these government policies come true.
Process Update
Rhonda Hilyer described how the Task Force recommendations to NMFS on the BO
were developed. The Biological Committee and the E&O Committee spent 49
hours in meetings, and many more hours in subcommittee meetings and 100’s of
hours individually reviewing documents. The committee meetings were open to
observers, and were attended by representatives of the Muckleshoot Tribe and
other organizations. It was an intense process which proceeded in the spirit of
compromise and collaboration.
Hilyer reminded that it is important to recognize that the Biological Opinion
issued by NMFS is a preliminary draft. There will be another opportunity to
comment after NMFS issues its final draft.
Review of Recommendations
Shawn Bunney reminded the Task Force members that the decision lies with NMFS;
the LTTF is making recommendations on the BO. Bunney walked the Task Force
through the set of recommendations, focussing on the most critical, which has to
do with water temperature. [A full set of recommendations is available from
Agreement Dynamics.]
Ken Castile urged the Task Force to accept the recommendations. He expressed
special appreciation to Sue Mauermann for WDOE’S commitment to collaboration.
Castile added comments about the need to look at harvest limits as a bigger
piece of the solution. Castile talked about the corrections that have been made
to historical negative impacts on fish at Mud Mt. Dam, and said that until
harvest is corrected, we will be spending very large amounts of money in the
river per fish.
John Farrell spoke to the process of developing the recommendations, and said
that the integrity of the committee is unquestioned. Farrell spoke to the water
temperature issue. He reminded the task force of the long list of issues that
were raised and have been worked on by the Task Force since late 1999. Water
temperature was never raised as a concern until late May of 2002. The water
temperature issue should not be used to derail the lake.
Farrell reminded the group of the goals: 1. Save the fish 2. Save the Lake 3.
We need an economically viable project. To do that we need to be able to
generate power. The LTTF should say to NMFS, "Yes, we need Reasonable,
Prudent Alternatives, and the RPA’s should be economically viable."
John Blanusa commented that the rivers are in better shape now than fifty
years ago, when the rivers were full of sewage, but also full of fish. He said
the fish are not in the river because of harvest, "You gotta let them come
back and spawn."
Sue Mauermann said that Ecology’s position during the development of the
recommendations was that, 1. We wanted to be able to sign on to the
recommendations, because it’s symbolic of our commitment to save Lake Tapps.
2. We wanted to be able to explain Ecology’s interests. 3. We wanted to be
able to participate in crafting the solutions. Ecology understands the
connection between environmental health and economic health, and wants more
conversations to try to meet their technical interests.
Barbara Skinner said that she didn’t see anything about "one true
science"; the fish biologists don’t seem to be able to agree.
Bunney said that this set of recommendations is about jeopardy of the
species, this is not the settlement agreement that would make it possible for
PSE to accept the FERC license. There is a commitment to maintaining the best
possible conditions in the river, while meeting the objectives of saving the
salmon and saving the lake. The fish biologists’ opinions are each informed by
the policies of the biologist’s individual organization. The Task Force has to
take these opinions and apply an economic overlay.
Mark Quehrn commented that the license must consider all aspects: technical
feasibility, economics, and intended purposes of the project, as well as
environmental impacts. Fish are not the only consideration.
Gary Sprague announced that WDFW is not on board with the recommendation
about water temperature criteria. The recommendations are still under review at
WDFW’s highest levels. Ladenburg, and Senator Roach offered to meet with WDFW
officials.
The Task Force expressed support of the recommendations. Ladenburg will
forward the recommendations to NMFS.
Other Business
2003 meeting schedule
Hilyer announced the following schedule:
January 23
February 20
March 27
April 24
May 22
June 19 [later changed to June 26]
July 24
Dike Repair
Ed Schild announced that PSE has received an order from FERC to proceed with
the dike remediation that is called for in the license requirements. Even
thought the decision has not been made to accept the license, PSE will go ahead
with this remediation. Schild said that nothing has changed at the dikes, but
new knowledge about earthquakes has prompted FERC’s decision.
PSE is doing its best to get dike remediation completed in time to bring the
lake back up next May. FERC will attend the next Task Force meeting to discuss
the remediation.
Farewell to Jan Shabro
Ladenburg thanked Jan and noted that this was her last meeting as Co Chair.
However, she will be representing the community as state legislator, and
continuing to work the problem. Shawn Bunney will assume duties at Co-Chair.
Comments from FERC
Keith Brooks spoke to the recommendations. He attended all the committee
meetings via telephone. He gave great credit to the Task Force members for their
work on this important part of the White River process.
