About the Whittier Watershed Council

The mission of the Whittier Watershed Council is to protect water quality and the life it sustains in the Whittier watershed ecosystem.

We are a community based, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that wants to work together with community members to monitor and protect through active stewardship of Whittier’s Watershed.

Whittier Watershed Councils’ Vision is to identify problems that affect the water quality of Whittier and advocate for the public’s right to protect a healthy environment, which sustains our ways of life, both physically and spiritually.

The WWC was established in 2005, is made up of concerned citizens from Whittier, Alaska and throughout South-Central Alaska.

Minutes from the September 2010 WWC Meeting



Whittier Watershed Council Meeting
Notes September 24, 2010
BTI Homeowner’s Lounge, Whittier
11:00 am to 1:00 pm


1. CALL TO ORDER
                 
Attending: Charlene Arneson (Chair), Mike Fretwell (ARRC),) Scott Kobe (city of Whittier) Gary Prokosch (DNR), Betty Charnon (USFS) not attending: Gerry Sanger (Whittier resident) June Miller (Whittier resident). and) Agency attending Meg Muller (NRCS), Kate Mohatt (USFS), Interim City Manage John Janik,
    
*         Guests: Jerry Vandergriff and Bob Hodson

2. APPROVAL OF THE MEETING AGENDA: Approved

3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES August 20, 2010: Approved with edits to dates.

4. PRESENTATION: None

5. NEW BUSINESS
a. PWS RAC
b. PROPOSALS FOR WATERSHED BY WWC & CITY:
Six proposals were discussed:
1)     Horsetail Falls Trail: Propose trail maintenance; to be drafted by SK
2)     Emerald Cove Trail: Propose trail maintenance; to be drafted by SK
3)     Muskeg restoration at the end of Shotgun Cove Road: Propose restoration of muskeg area damaged by ORV use; to be drafted by SK with information from BC
4)     O’Neill Rd. culvert (to Portage Pass Trail): to be drafted by SK
5)     Shakespeare Creek: the proposal submitted to the Coastal Impact Assistance Program has details on this project. The items to be submitted to RAC would include development of an assessment, NEPA, invasive weed control, removal of some debris, and additional needs on the culvert. New trail and fish viewing platform do not fit within RAC guidelines and would not be included in the RAC proposal. 1st draft to be done by Glenn Gray with assistance from BC and JJ. Glenn Gray will be contacted by JJ (?).
6)     Whittier Weed Control: proposal to hire SAGA (or similar) crew for 2 weeks of weed control work; to be drafted by KM

The due date for all of the proposals is 10/19/2010. A follow-up call to discuss progress with the proposals is scheduled on 10/6/2010 at 10:30 am. The number is 743-9583
c.          ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: No new report
d.         ANNUAL MEETING OCTOBER: The annual meeting is coming up. The tentative date is Nov. 4, 2010

6. TREASURER’S REPORT: No changes
                 
7. OLD BUSINESS

a. WATERSHED PLAN: 
MF will review the history section that was drafted by CA. MM will include extra information on the levee. MM received input from GP on hydrology, CA on history, and BC on archaeology and will include in report as necessary. This report will be highlighted at the annual meeting.

b. ARR CLEAN UP REPORT: MF: 
No report

c. LEVEE UP-DATE SCOTT KOBE, CHARLENE: 
Recent trip shows water running off and under the levee. CA will contact Bruce Sexauer to give us an update on the head of the bay projects, including the levee. There was also the suggestion to invite Bruce to give an update at the annual meeting. Any other updates on the levee?

d. SHAKESPEARE CREEK up-date: 
We need to nominate this creek to the AK Clean Water Action Committee. This will help us with funding sources such as the current grant submission to the Community Coastal Impact Assistance Program. CA will follow up with the nomination process.

There was discussion about the Portage Pass Trail and recommendations for improvements. BC noted that the Forest Service will likely propose some level of trail improvement as a RAC proposal. Currently there is some concern that the trail is somewhat hazardous. Jerry V. suggested the Exit Glacier trail as a potential model with posts and rope at hazardous areas. Note: Maybe we can schedule a hike of the trail with Forest Service trails specialist to get a better understanding of the problem. Also there was comment about the lack of signs for the trail.

        
7. VISITOR’S DISCUSSION
Jerry V. discussed his concerns about the condition of Smitty’s Cove. Conditions, especially for diving are deteriorating. Currently there are very limited places where people can dive in the Whittier area. Jerry talked about Smitty's Cove being designated as "Smitty's Cove Marine Park" by Ordinance in September of 2009. He also spoke on the fact that it has been turned into a mud hole by people dredging without putting up silt screens. He also mentioned the fact that we cannot get the park recognized by the Federal Government (NOAA, USCG, DNR, until we complete the survey that is supposedly underway right now.
Bob Hodson attended as a new property owner in Whittier. He is interested in learning what the WWC is all about. He talked about buying Ken Hunt's little building. He is getting ready to open a business for his son. Bob is the owner of Barney's Sports Chalet on Northern Lights in Anchorage. He owns several other businesses in Anchorage, and is looking for suggestions on what kinds of businesses he could open in Whittier to make jobs available to local residents. He also owns a lodge in PWS.
 
8. MEMBER DISCUSSION
We discussed providing the school with money to purchase bulbs for beautification. The WWC approved expenditures of up to $500 for bulbs by the school. Recommendations were made to look up grants to provide money for this. Bob Hodson suggested looking into the American Diabetes since they provide many grants.

9. DETERMINE DATE AND TIME FOR NEXT MEETING
Next meeting is 10/15/2010. There is also the RAC conference call on 10/6/2010 at 10:30 # 743-9583.

10. ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 12:50.

Notes submitted by Betty Charnon

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