Lake Davis Fisheries Management

To: Lake Davis Steering Committee

From: Leslie Tigan, Secretary

Re: Draft Notes from the July 16, 2007 Lake Davis Steering Committee meeting held at Portola City Hall

Voting Members Present: John Ball (Portola Rotary), Jim Murphy (City of Portola), Bill Powers (Plumas County), Steve Clifton (Leonard’s Market), Fran Roudebush (Lake Davis Coalition), Jerry Dollard (Dollard’s Market) Terry Bergstrand (Plumas County Sheriff), Claudia Wronker (GLRID)

Agency Representatives Present: Ed Pert (DFG), Julie Cunningham (DFG), Ivan Paulsen (DFG), Lori Wood (USFS), Chris Ericson (DWR), Lynne Ingram (USFS) Hank Foley ( Plumas County Health Dept.), Doug Rischbieter (DWR), Jason Roberts (DFG), Amber Rossi (DFG), Chris Erickson (DWR), Kevin Wright (DWR), Randy Kelly (DFG), Lisa Stone (DFG) By Phone: Dave Spath (DHS), Ralph Hinton (DWR), Jerry Sipe (Plumas County Environmental Health)

Acknowledged Guests: Gillespie, Diana Jorgensen, Larry Douglas, Dan Wilson

Minutes: It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes of the June 18, 2007 meeting.  All members present, with the exception of Fran Roudebush, voted in favor, Ms. Roudebush abstained.

Agency Reports:

DFG and Project Directors Report: Ed Pert reported that the meeting with first responders and the medical community had been scheduled, it was noted that it was not a public meeting.  He also reported that the “open house” type workshop was still scheduled for August 1st at the Portola Station Church from 6 to 9 p.m. The Economic Workgroup would be meeting on July 25 at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall, it was determined that this meeting would be open to the public.  Mr. Pert reported that outreach efforts were ongoing and an air monitoring plan was being worked on.

Jerry Dollard asked what, if anything DFG knew about the picture of the fish that was reported to have cancer and was published in the paper.  DFG representatives noted that they had just seen the paper and did not have any information on the fish pictured but would try to find records relating to the fish. 

Dan Wilson inquired as to the availability of a listing of the inert ingredients in the CFT Legumine formulation; he noted that the manufacturer is only required to report 1% of the inert material but that often the inerts have cancer causing agents. He also voiced concern that DHS does not track cancer within counties.  He explained that he has been in the teaching profession locally for 23 years and has seen a dramatic increase in various childhood disabilities including autism, ADHD, and downs syndrome, he noted concern with introducing the chemicals into the environment.

Dr. Spath corrected Mr. Wilson’s comments about DHS not tracking cancer and explained that incidents of cancer are tracked.  He also explained the term “significant risk” and how it is based on statistics.  Dr. Spath also noted that he would look at the plan presented by Larry Douglas.

Project Implementation:  Randy Kelly reported that plans for the implementation of the project are well under way.  Separate plans were being developed for 38 individual items.   He noted that the project would begin as soon after Labor Day as possible and that the entire process could take up to three weeks, with stream treatment being the first step.  Ms. Roudebush asked if workers would be wearing protective clothing and noted that since the chemical treatment is a pesticide the County Ag Inspector’s office would make inspections. There was discussion about the lake level needed for treatment and it was explained that the projected lake level on September 15 was lower than the called for level but within the contingency plan.

Neutralization: Mr. Pert reported that all four proposed options for the neutralization process has been approved but that the #1 option was preferred. 

Pike History – Ms. Cunningham presented a brief history of pike in California to the Committee, based on Dill & Cordone’s “Introduced Fishes in California.”.  She explained that in the late 1800’s a number of pike may have been intentionally planted in California by the U.S. Fish Commission. These “pike” (they may have been grass pickerel) did not seem to survive beyond a few years. She noted that the watershed in the state was much different at that time.  The habitat needs of pike match many California environments, and experience of pike spreading in other watersheds such as the Susistna River in Alaska indicated that pike would be very invasive in California.

Enforcement – Lisa Stone reported that all responsible law enforcement agencies were working together on a plan for the project.  She noted  that the goal was to prevent pike movement and protect the public.

Mr. Pert ended with a note that the Forest Closure meeting was scheduled for August.

USFS –Lori Woods reported that they are working closely with residents to develop the forest closure plan.  She also noted that Antelope Fire was contained and the Camp 5 chip seal project was advertised.  

Lynne Ingram reported that campground numbers were down at Davis and Frenchman.

DWR –Lake levels are at 5764.3 elevation, 17,100 acre feet.  It was also reported that Chris Ericson was being transferred and would no longer be working on the project.

DHS - Dr. Spath that training for sample collection was scheduled for the end of the month and they were continuing to work with DFG and Northcoast lab.

Plumas County Environmental Health –Jerry Sipe they had reached year 9 of the ten year monitoring plan developed after the 1997 treatment. He noted that they were awaiting results from the isotope tests and would then put together a long term monitoring plan.

City of Portola: Mr. Murphy reported that the treatment plant is out to bid and gave an update on the City’s ADA accessibility..

Items for the next agenda:  Ms. Roudebush requested a discussion of DFG employees living in the City. 

Set next meeting date:  The next meeting was scheduled for 1-3 pm on August 20 at City Hall.

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 3:21 p.m.