Minutes of the Upper Nehalem

Watershed Council

Mist-Birkenfeld Fire Hall

29 October 2004

The meeting was called to order at 7:01 PM, by Dennis Nelson, Chairman. Those present introduced themselves:

Jim Buxton Landowner

Lauren Jacobsen landowner

Byron Rickert Weyerhaeuser

Dennis Nelson Izaak Walton League

Steve Butsko LFCo, Fishhawk Lake

Maggie Peyton NWC

Alan Kelso ODF

Bill DeJager Col SWCD

Bill Langmaid Landowner

Michele Long ODFW

Adam Roberts ODOT

Marc Auerbach Landowner

Melinda Trask ODOT

The minutes were read and approved.

Jim Buxton gave the Treasurer’s report and passed around reports for people to read.

Lauren Jacobsen reported on the Joint Steering Committee meeting.

Maggie Peyton briefly discussed the latest grant applications submitted to OWEB. Five applications were submitted. “Cedar Creek salmon access improvement” is intended to replace a culvert that blocks access for salmon. “Rock Creek watershed analysis” is intended to closely examine non-ODF lands in the Rock Creek sub-basin to improve efforts to improve salmon habitat and extent. “Bear Creek salmon habitat improvement” is a first step to removing fish passage barriers in Bear Creek (in Vernonia) by replacing a degraded culvert. “Humbug salmon habitat improvement” is a joint effort with Longview to replace 5 culverts and to place large wood in the East Humbug. “Juvenile winter habitat survey” is a continuation of a snorkeling study to be started this winter by Todd Boswell and crew.

No education grant was written due to time constraints. The Xerces Society did write a grant.

Maggie reported also that several other grant deadlines are coming up, including OWEB Council Support, DEQ Clean Water Act, and ODA Weed Board grants.

Lauren gave a report on the Upper Nehalem Steering Committee progress. Personnel and fiscal policies are ready for review. Discussion ensued with some problems noted. It was decided to adopt (temporarily) the personnel and sexual harassment policies used by the Columbia SWCD. Adoption was approved.

Jim Buxton announced that his job as Treasurer was becoming too large to be shared with his role as secretary, and asked to be dismissed from that position. Nominations ensued and Bill Langmaid was elected new secretary. Bill announced that he would be recusing himself from discussions on the coordinator (evaluations, etc.) due to a conflict in interest. Bill’s immediate supervisor is Maggie Peyton.

Jim then proceeded to give a report on the insurance policy obtained by the council.

Bill announced that Maggie had been selected to participate in a leadership conference sponsored by the Ford Foundation and held in Vernonia early in 2005. Congratulations ensued.

It was announced that a BLM Nursery work party would be held in one week in Molalla.