2021-04-12-minutes-public-works-study-session

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.,Aspect 4,'CON SULT1NG Icicle Strategy, Chelan County Department of Natural Resources j Chelan County, WA Dan is providing technical assistance and facilitation on the next phase of watershed planning in the Wenatchee Basin to develop an integrated plan to meet instream and out -of -stream needs. This planning effort has included facilitation of the diverse Icicle Work Group to develop an integrated project list including groundwater augmentation efforts at the Leavenworth National f=ish Hatchery, automation and optimization of 7 Alpine Lakes, evaluating an irrigation district pump exchange project, domestic and irrigation conservation projects, instream flow and habitat improvements, water banking, and Tribal harvest protection measures. Dan led development of a Programmatic EIS for the project, including development of a SEPA/NEPA integration strategy, and is now focused on outreach and technical assistance for implementation of multiple projects. Methow Valley Irrigation District (MVID) Support I Okanogan County, WA Dan authored three trust water rights and two new water bank Reports of Examination's (ROE'S) for Ecology to help implement the OCR -funded Instream Flow Improvement Project. Dan also facilitated meetings between the District, Town of Twisp, and OCR to negotiate the purchase and transfer of 138 acre-feet of water under the project, reconfigure an existing lease agreement, develop a new water service contract, and obtain appropriate permitting authorizations to implement the deal. Wenatchee Basin Water Rights Processing, Chelan County NRD I Chelan County, WA As project manager, Dan led Chelan County's processing of pending applications for new water rights in the Wenatchee Basin. Dan and his team performed public outreach to over 140 water rights applicants, estimated permitting costs, reviewed existing water rights to prevent impairment, developed a streamlined water right review, and authored new water right decisions for Ecology in the first large-scale Coordinated Cost Reimbursement Program in Washington State. The effort is resolving up to 25 years of backlog by accessing the reserve created in the Wenatchee Instream Flow Rule. Future permit exempt and municipal water demands were estimated on a 50 -year planning horizon. This effort includes coordination with the Wenatchee Water Workgroup, the Icicle Workgroup, the Wenatchee Conservation Committee, and other local outreach. WRIA 31 Appraisal and SEPA Scoping I WRIA 31 Planning unIUKlickitat County, WA Since 2009, Aspect has supported the WRIA 31 watershed committee with assessment of water storage within the Horse Heaven area. The work has involved coordination with water resource stakeholders including local farmers and municipalities, county commissioners, and Ecology. Aspect conducted a broad screening of storage alternatives, which concluded with a preferred alternative that included two in - channel surface reservoirs, and an ASR reservoir. A more detailed appraisal assessment was completed that resulted in the Switzler reservoir being selected. Dan facilitated planning unit meetings on key water rights, water storage and SEPA/NEPA review, assisted in the development of the water storage study, and helped coordinate the roll-out of SEPA Scoping for the Switzler reservoir between 2 counties and Ecology. An EIS is currently under development led by Aspect. Horse Heaven Hills Conservancy I Klickitat, WA Dan developed Eastern Washington -wide acquisition and transfer protocols for a large Klickitat County - area vintner that resulted in evaluation of dozens of water rights for acquisition and three completed water right transfers (two using the Trust Water Right Program). The Nature Conservancy Water Bank Pilot I Yakima, WA Dan helped The Nature Conservancy with a pilot water bank in the Yakima basin wherein tributary water rights would be acquired for environmental benefit, then leased downstream for economic return to fund additional habitat work. Dan's assistance included developing potential lessee interviews with dozens of farmers and industrial users, and developing a regional habitat benefit model. Halier - Resume Pege 1 2