Lake Davis Fisheries Management

To:      Lake Davis Steering Committee

From:  Leslie Tigan, Secretary

Re:      Draft Notes from the September 12, 2005 Lake Davis Steering Committee meeting held at Portola City Hall

Voting Members Present:     John Ball (Rotary), Jim Murphy (City of Portola), Bill Powers (Plumas County Supervisor, District 1), Steve Clifton (Leonard's), Dennis Alexander (Grizzly Ranch), Terry Bergstrand (Plumas County Sheriff), Fran Roudebush (Lake Davis Coalition), Colleen Marsh (Lake Davis Coalition), Mike Gardner

Agency Representatives Present: Ed Pert (DFG), Julie Cunningham (Fish & Game), Ivan Paulsen (Fish & Game), Judy Schaber (USFS), Ed Pert (DFG), Bob Orange (DFG), Sherry Howell (DFG), Jerry Sipe (Plumas County), Jerry Dollard (Portola Business), Angie Dillingham (USFS), Jim Nelson (DFG), Mary Randall (RWQCB), Lori Powers (DFG) By Phone: Ralph Hinton (DWR), Doug Rischbieter (DWR), Mike McNamara (DHS)

Minutes: It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes of the August 15, 2005 meeting.  AYES: Ball, Murphy, Powers, Clifton, Alexander, Bergstrand, Marsh, Gardner

ABSTAIN: Roudebush

Project Directors Report: Ed Pert reported that the notice of preparation would be released and distributed on Wednesday, September 14, 2005.  The project being proposed is to drawdown the lake to 10,000 to 20,000 acre feet and then treat the lake and tributaries.  The current time line would have the treatment take place in the fall of 2007.  He noted that postcards were being mailed to the local residents explaining the project and outlining the public comment process.  He explained that the project was the responsibility of the Department of Fish & Game but that they were working closely with the Forest Service.  He introduced Angie Dillingham of the USFS.

Ms. Dillingham explained that since DFG would be using USFS land for the project a special use permit would need to be issued, the permit application process includes an environmental document following federal guidelines.  She explained that the federal environmental document would be done concurrently with the State environmental document being prepared by DFG.

Mr. Pert reported that scoping meetings would be held in Portola and in Sacramento.  Portola's meetings are scheduled for Monday, September 26, 2005 from 1-3 pm and from 6:30 - 9 pm.  Meetings in Sacramento are scheduled on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 at the same times.

Julie Cunningham requested a volunteer from the Steering Committee to attend the consultant interviews.

Fran Roudebush asked if the public would be able to view the label of the rotenone solution selected to be used, if the environmental documents would address economic impacts of the project, and requested information on any springs found below the lake. 

Jim Murphy explained that the City and County planned to have the Lake Davis Water Treatment Plant reconstructed and on line by September 2006 and suggested that DFG would need to work with the City to determine its water needs prior to the project.

Ms. Roudebush questioned if anyone had an idea of how long it would take for the lake level to recover.  Ivan Paulsen reported that although no one could be sure of the weather, using historical data the lake should be usable for recreation in the summer of 2008.

Agency Reports:

DFG -  Mr. Paulsen reported that the tributaries had been surveyed and stream flows are low.

USFS -  Judy Schaber reported that the spawning sign was being made, and that upgrades to the Lightning Tree Campground and Freeman Trail were being made.

DWR - Ralph Hinton reported that the lake is currently at 5766.19 elevation, 53000 acre feet, last year it was 3 feet lower.

City of Portola - Jim Murphy reported that the City and the County were making progress on funding for the treatment plant and that they would be addressing the projects impact on the City's water and economic state.

Plumas County - Jerry Sipe reported that funding for the well testing was right on track.

Other items and agenda items for October meeting

Fran Roudebush volunteered to sit in on the interviews with consultants for the Committee.

Set next meeting date:  The next meeting was scheduled for 1-3 pm on October 17 at City Hall.

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 2:26 p.m.