To:      Lake Davis Steering Committee 

From: Julie Cunningham 

Date:  September 23, 2004 

Re:      Notes from the September 20, 2004 Lake Davis Steering Committee meeting, Portola City Hall 

Present:  Mike Morrison (California Department of Fish and Game), John Heavin (U.S. Forest Service), Fran Roudebush (Steering Committee Chair), John Larrieu (City of Portola), Julie Cunningham (CDFG), Colleen Marsh (Lake Davis Coalition), Supervisor B.J. Pearson (Plumas County), John Ball, Ralph Hinton (California Department of Water Resources)-by phone, Doug Rischbieter (CDWR) – by phone 

Fishing Report:  Colleen and Mike have heard that fishing has improved since the weather has cooled. 

Water Level Update:  Ralph reported that the elevation of Lake Davis is 5,762.98 feet, corresponding to 43,472 acre-feet.  This is about 2.2 feet lower than the same time last year.   

Update on Project Planning/Groundwater Issues/Economics:  Julie gave a report on the work that DFG staff have been doing in preparation for a project proposal under CEQA.  Staff has been developing a project description so that the Department can release an Initial Study/Notice Preparation by the end of the year and hold public scoping meetings.  Jim Nelson, a DFG biologist in Redding (Region 1) has offered to facilitate the scoping meetings.  Fran requested that the first public scoping meeting be held in Portola.  Staff has also begun organizing existing baseline data on biology and groundwater for the Environmental Impact Report, developing plans on conducting the impact analysis, taking initial steps on obtaining the various permits that would be needed for a project, doing outreach work, developing a scope of work for the economic study.  Also, limited pike removal (electrofishing) is still taking place. 

Supervisor Pearson announced that the City of Portola had written a letter to Plumas County strongly urging them to get the Lake Davis water treatment plant built and online by December 1, 2005.  John Larrieu stated that current development proposals in the City require that more water be available, and this gap needs to be filled by Lake Davis water. 

Vacancy on Steering Committee:  Fran has received letters from Mr. Kent Peterson and Mr. John Ball expressing their interest in serving on the Steering Committee.  No one has applied to serve as an “inside city limits” business representative.   Fran wants to talk to Steve Clifton from Leonard’s Market to see if he is interested in serving as a business representative from inside the city limits.  Fran feels it is appropriate to only accept a business representative from within the city and one from without.  John Ball, for example, is interested in serving as an interested citizen, but does not represent a business interest. The Steering Committee will hold interviews after Fran talks to Steve Clifton.  Supervisor Pearson announced that he will be requesting that the Board of Supervisors appoint an official committee to deal with Lake Davis issues.  Fran requested that she, Jim Murphy and Colleen Marsh be invited to serve on it.   

Pike Report:  Mike reported that 11,049 pike have been caught this field season, which includes 45 angler-caught pike (there were 23 reports of angler-caught pike in 2003).  The field crews have been laid off due to budgetary constraints.  They will begin work again during the 2005 spring spawn.  Portola staff continues to do limited electrofishing. 

Announcements/Other Business:  Julie inquired if the Steering Committee would be interested in taking a trip to Sacramento to meet with DFG Director Ryan Broddrick in October.   November 10th had tentatively been set as a date for the Director to visit the Portola area.  There is interest in such a trip, so Julie will try to arrange. 

The next Steering Committee meeting is set for MONDAY, OCTOBER 25th,

Portola City Hall