To:       Lake Davis Steering Committee 

From:  Julie Cunningham 

Date:   June 10, 2004 

Re:      Lake Davis Steering Committee Meeting, June 7, 2004, Portola City Council Chambers 

Participants:  Doug Rischbieter (California Department of Water Resources)- by phone, Ralph Hinton (CDWR)-by phone, Jim Murphy (City of Portola), Jerry Dollard, Julie Cunningham (California Department of Fish and Game), Ivan Paulsen (CDFG), Kelly Hale (Plumas County Department of Environmental Health), John Heavin (U.S. Forest Service), Colleen Marsh (Lake Davis Coalition), Fran Roudebush (Lake Davis Coalition) 

Fishing Report:  Jerry Dollard reported that fly fishing and trolling at Lake Davis have been good, and shore fishing is fair.  Saturday June 12th is free fishing day. 

Water Levels:  Ralph reported that the current reservoir level is 5,765.61 feet above sea level, with a volume of 51,000 acre-feet.  Last year at this time Lake Davis was a little over 5,767 feet, with a volume of 58,000 acre-feet.   

Length of time to drain and refill lake questions:  Colleen initiated a discussion on reservoir levels, and getting a clearer picture of how long it could take to draw-down and refill Lake Davis.  Ivan and Julie will work with Curtis, Ralph and Doug to develop a clear report on the issue for presentation to the Steering Committee and for use in an environmental analysis.  Colleen suggested that if Lake Davis is treated with a piscicide that watering troughs be placed out for the deer. 

Lake Davis Coalition meeting May 25, 2004 debriefing:  Jim Murphy extended thanks to the state and federal agencies that contributed to having a productive Coalition meeting.  Fran received comments that people wanted more time for questions and answers.  The open house portion of the meeting was short, although a few people did come up to the tables and ask questions.  It was` suggested that the open house format be used in during the public comment portion of CEQA.  

DFG Project Update:  Ivan reported that the crews started working full-time on Monday, have caught a fair amount of this year’s young, which are 2-3”  They are also catching a lot of 1-year old fish (about 10”).   DFG has received reports of 27 anger-caught pike this year.  Previous annual angler catches are:   2000, 12 pike; 2001, 34 pike; 2002, 11 pike; 2003, 27 pike.  The larger number of pike being caught and reported this year is probably due to more and better-placed signs (thanks to Jerry Dullard) as well as larger numbers of pike. 

Ivan reported that a pike eradication project could be implemented in the summer of 2006, if an analysis under the California Environmental Quality Act is conducted this year, as planned.  John and Doug with discuss extending the Honker Cove boat ramp while the reservoir is drawn down with the California Department of Boating and Waterways and will report back at a future meeting. 

Well testing update & meeting with LD well owners:  Julie, Kelly, Colleen and Fran may arrange meetings with well owners regarding groundwater concerns as the need arises. 

Steering Committee Chairperson:  Colleen initiated a discussion regarding the selection of a Steering Committee chair.  She recalled that Jim’s position as chair was intended to be temporary, to fill in during Fran’s campaign for a seat on the Plumas County Board of Supervisors.  Others recalled events differently.  It was decided that Fran would resume chairing the meetings, and that Jim would chair in her absence.  Fran will run an ad for the County business position on the Steering Committee.  Jerry requested that an ad be run for the City business position as well, as he would like to step down from the Steering Committee when a replacement for him is found.  Meetings will be held monthly until further notice. 

Announcements:  Ivan spoke on Sep Hendrickson’s outdoor show on the radio on Saturday June 6 regarding the pike issue.  Articles have also appeared in the Sacramento Bee and one will be appearing in the Chronicle. 

Julie will give the Rotary Club information sheets on northern pike for use at the Lake Davis Fishing Derby table.

Next SC Meeting:  Monday, July 12, 2004, 1 to 3 PM, Portola City Hall Council Chambers.  The meeting is open to the public.