**Minutes from the**

**UPPER TRUCKEE RIVER FOCUSED WATERSHED GROUP**

**November 8, 1999 Meeting**

**[NEXT MEETING: January 6, 2000, 9:00 at the Lahontan
offices]{.underline}**

In Attendance:

  ------------ ----------------- --- ---------- ---------------------------
  Emily Husted TRPA                  Dale Payne Lahontan

  Larry Benoit TRPA                  Geoff Beer Trout Unlimited

  Tim Hagen    TRPA                  Robert     ~~CTC~~ Lahontan!
                                     Erlich     

  Kevin Hill   TRPA                  Rich Kentz League to Save Lake Tahoe

  Brian        CTC                   Shirley    Public/Ceilo Ranch
  Wilkinson                          Taylor     

  Joe Pepi     TRPA                             

                                                
  ------------ ----------------- --- ---------- ---------------------------

[The items addressed at this meeting included:]{.underline}

1.  UTRFWG Mission Statement and Goals

Discussion occurred regarding the mission and goals of the UTRFWG. It
was suggested that it might be worthwhile to revisit these aspects of
the group and determine if the group is focusing on the proper issues
and heading in the right direction. Time will be devoted to discussing
this issue during the next few meetings. Aspects to address might
include mission statement, goals, setting milestones, revisiting
existing sub-groups, or forming new sub-groups.

2.  Public Involvement

The group discussed the need for continued involvement of private
property owners in the Watershed Management Planning process, especially
those along the Upper Truckee River in Lake/Christmas Valley. The group
proposed the formation (or reestablishment) of a subgroup to address
these issues.

3.  Upper Truckee River Bioassessment

The Upper Truckee River bioassessment conducted by Dave Herbst and the
Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory (SNARL) will be funded through
June 30, 2000. These funds will cover baseline data on 8 river reaches
and a report on the findings. Funds presently do not exist for
subsequent data collection or analysis. In order to be meaningful, it is
necessary for the baseline data to be compared to future data along the
same reaches. The group discussed soliciting public agencies to match
funds in order to allow the data collection to continue every 2 or 3
years. More discussion on this issue is warranted.

4.  Desert Research Institute Cooperation

The Desert Research Institute (DRI), research arm of UNR, is putting
together a Scientific Advisory Panel. DRI has become increasingly
involved in projects based in the Lake Tahoe region. DRI's input in
project planning and development within the Upper Truckee River
watershed may be beneficial for our group. Gayle Dana of DRI has been
invited and has voiced interest in attending our meetings in the future.

5.  UTRFWG Minutes on the Internet?

The creation of a centralized internet site for posting minutes from all
Lake Tahoe region working groups was suggested. Discussion of this item
raised the issue of approval by management, and potential conflict of
interest. This issue will be addressed in future meetings.

The next Upper Truckee River Watershed Group meeting is scheduled for
January 6, 2000, 9:00 AM in the Lahontan conference room.

.

# Tentative agenda 

-   **Proposed: Regularly scheduled meetings -- First Thursday on a
    bi-monthly basis**

-   **Revisit UTRFWG mission statement and goals**

-   **Army Corps update on PSP**

-   **Army Corps update on 206 project---Bridge to bridge restoration**

-   **Public Involvement---Subcommittee volunteers?**

-   **Upper Truckee River Bioassessment funding**

-   **Discussion of categorical approach for Upper Truckee River
    Watershed Management Plans**

-   **Round
    Robin---Projects-Announcements-Introductions-Suggestions-Ideas-Thoughts**

# Action Items

-   Larry Benoit will bring a detailed list of categories for discussion
    of categorical approach in the Upper Truckee River watershed.
    Included in these categories are: private ownership, public
    right-of-way and urban runoff, meadow/marsh/SEZ areas, and upland
    areas.

-   Emily Husted will bring information regarding the focus and goals of
    some 30 working groups in the Lake Tahoe region to determine the
    UTRFWG's niche in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

-   The Lahontan Regional Board library will house Upper Truckee River
    data and information. All participants are encouraged to bring any
    pertinent watershed references to upcoming meetings, or send them to
    the Lahontan Regional Board Office. Both hard-copies and reference
    lists are useful, including internet site addresses.

# Other Items of Interest

-   The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), City of South Lake
    Tahoe, El Dorado County, and Lahontan will meet soon to discuss
    planning of a workshop to assist in data gathering from various
    sources such as the Tahoe Research Group, USFS, TRPA, Army Corps,
    USGS, and/or others (hopefully early in December) for use in
    computer modeling of a designated sub-watershed within the Upper
    Truckee River watershed. Access the NRCS website to review the AGNPA
    suite of models at
    [http://www.sedlab.olemiss.edu](http://www.sedlab.olemiss.edu/). If
    you don't have internet capability, please contact Dale for
    hard-copy information to review. Your ideas continue to be valuable.
    Please let us hear from you if you have any input or comments.

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Please review these minutes and call or e-mail Dale Payne at **(530)
542-5431** or **paynd@rb6s.swrcb.ca.gov** with any corrections,
additions, or comments. Thanks for your assistance and see you at the
next meeting.

An updated mailing list is enclosed with mailed hard-copy (not included
with e-mail version).