Ireland Chides River Team

March 12, 1997 –

Sequim, WA - The Dungeness River Management Team (DRMT) received word that they were in a holding pattern from Clallam County Commissioner, Martha Ireland at their March 12 meeting at the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribal Center in Blyn. The team was scheduled to address geographical boundaries of the Dungeness River and plan to start a ground water committee.
Ireland who represents the county on the team brought a report from her fellow commissioners. "There has been a lot of discussion about this group and most of us are aware that the DRMT has had some public relations difficulties. There have been a lot of perceived problems with the process," said Ireland as she pointed out to the team that allot of time has been spent on the process rather than accomplishments. "We have not accomplished as much real on the ground as any of us would like," she said.
A meeting with the tribe to discuss the format of the DRMT was presented as a consideration by Ireland. She expressed that she did not think it was fair for the DRMT, river [Dungeness], or property owners to be left in the holding pattern that she illustrated as an airplane circling an airport and not landing, which she likened to the DRMT.
Ann Seiter, the facilitator, questioned Ireland about her choice of the three options which had been presented to the commissioners on the geographical focus of the river. "My recommendation has been the Dungeness River and the area served by irrigation systems. But, that is what they [commissioners] voted for," she said. Ireland had chaired the meeting at the time of the vote. The commissioner pointed out on several occasions that Leanne Jenkins, water quality planner had drawn up the options which Jenkins presented to the commissioners at their March 10 special workshop. Option B was chosen. "It gives this group a workable focus and is probably appropriate at this time," determined Ireland.
The team spent approximately two hours discussing the geographical boundaries of the river. There were suggestions that the Sequim Bay watershed, which is a separate watershed be included in the option. It was also discussed that the city of Sequim would be affected because of the Urban Growth Area (UGA). Tom Lawell representing the City confirmed that it would eventually affect Sequim because of the UGA boundaries over a period of time.
Dr. Peter Schroeder, a member of the DRMT, referred to the holding pattern and encouraged Ireland to "get on with business".
Cynthia Nelson of the Department of Ecology (DOE) requested of Ireland to go back to the board and include Bagley Creek. Option B includes from Seibert Creek from the west to Port Williams on the east, the Dungeness bay area on the North continuing south to the upper Dungeness River.
Well Driller Paul Stoican asked Nelson if she was involved with the Methow planning meetings. She admitted that she was attending, representing the DOE. County citizens have expressed thoughts of alarm at several meetings about the Dungeness/Quilcene and Methow Rivers as the two pilot areas of Washington State based on the Chelan Agreement.
Keith Winter of Olympic Groundwater Association is alarmed over the new regulations that are invading the Methow area and is concerned about this area as the sister pilot area to with Methow.
While the discussion of a new groundwater team, Roger Schmidt, who represents water users on the team said," I want the public's input; I think it's an exciting thing, let's say Ð if we decide to meter wells, let's take it to the people to discuss," insisted Schmidt.
Ireland mentioned that the Bogachiel River is also of interest and reminded the team that the river is in commissioner Phil Kitchel's backyard. "Sometimes it comes to meet him," she said, as she reminded the group that Kitchel is sensitive to river and property owners.
Kitchel has shared concerns about the amount of money that is being spent by the county for all of the meetings and reports on the river efforts. He confirmed that Jenkins, Martin, and Ireland are being paid for their time while attending the DRMT meetings.
At the end of the meeting Ireland asked for a motion to direct Bob Martin, Community Development director, to convene the groundwater work group and to recommend to the DRMT the mentioned items that they could work on. An appeal would be made to the community for interested parties to become involved in the work group. There would be no limit to the number of participants. It was moved by Steve Tharinger and seconded by Dr. Peter Schroeder in favor of Martin's volunteered position.