Meeting Called to Order

Approve Minutes: May 20, 2009

Rhett Boswell: DNR presentation.  Discussion of conservation easements, future direction, and possible funding.

Discussion and possible action for funding of the secondary water lines and coordination of those water lines with the installation of sewer lines, and discussion of looping the secondary water system.

Discussion of fire hazard issues.

Trails grant report

Board & Committee Reports

Adjourn

Present:
Board Members:
Karl Wilson    LaVerkin City
Bob Sandberg    Washington County-HCP
Clark Fawcett    Hurricane City
Annette Kleinman    Toquerville City

Advisory:       

Steve Meismer                        Virgin River Program
Dave Patterson                        Washington County Attorney Office
Darwin Hall                               Ash Creek Sewer District       
Rhett Boswell                        Division of Natural Resources
   
Others:
Ray Justice                        LaVerkin City Council   
June Jeffery        LaVerkin City Recorder
Darwin Hall                            Ash Creek Sewer District
Kyle Gubler                            LaVerkin City Administrator
Ron Wilson                            Forestry, Fire & State Lands   
Tom Kuhlmann                        Hurricane Fire Chief

Meeting Called to Order at 4:05 p.m. by Chair Karl Wilson.

Approve Minutes: Motion by Bob Sandberg to approve the minutes of the May 20, 2009 meeting, second by Clark Fawcett. Motion carried unanimously.

Rhett Boswell: Discussion on baseline inventory. There is renewed interest in conservation issues. Need to clean up the easements. Agreement with deed clarifying responsibility. DWR in a division of the DNR and holds 2 of 3 easements. Rhett is the designate in an advisory role from the Cedar City office representing DNR and DWR for all three easements. This is action not to remove Washington County, but to put all entities on the same page prior to any action taking place. DNR agrees with the direction but will want to sign off before the fact. They are legally obligated to do so to uphold the federal monies and the values of the conservation easement.

The baseline inventory is a legal document created at the conveyance of the easement. The park is a complicated piece of property because of structures, cultural, historical, and habitat value. The inventory is not biological, but legal. Rhett believes it could take a month to complete the document. He is currently researching existing records to verify easements and concerns. He will address rights of way, permitted and non-permitted uses on the property. It is a legal document done in non-legalese terms. There is an exhibit in the current deed that cannot be located. He is working to find those documents that were collected 5-6 years ago that can’t be found.  Dave Patterson stated that he would help in any way he can.

There was discussion that the grass has dried quickly. The city is watering the park once a week right now.

Rhett stated that DWR wants to see the wildlife value in front of the original plan created by this body. The baseline will outline scopes of work to fit the easement and other possible specifics that the plan doesn’t cover.

Clark said that the main water line to Hurricane runs through the park and is out of the easement. He will get the information from Hurricane City. Discussion that the line follows the road to the pump then crosses at the Terry West house across the field and up the hill into Hurricane.

Rhett would like to amend the easement deeds to create one deed for all, for easier management and reference.

More discussion about time frame. Rhett is finding the documents, clarifying and creating shape files. The conservation easement has moved up in priority in the Divisions. Discussion that winter is a good time to get things done. Eight years ago when the park was created the main concerns for Karl were that there was no funding mechanism for the conservation easements and for the public use; and that in 8-9 years fingers would point. This direction is a way to avert the second issue. Rhett mentioned that there may also be a funding mechanism as well.

Discussion that an interlocal agreement with the county - as the main player, Toquerville, Hurricane, and LaVerkin would be drawn up. The main goal is to fund the park. When the baseline is done, there may be grants available.

There have been many positive comments about the park, but there is a feeling that it is too restrictive. It needs to become friendly to public use without jeopardizing the conservation easements. Rhett would like to do this with built-in mechanism for maintenance. The DNR partners with the UPCD to fund habitat projects. They work on a graded scale. The proposal goes to UPCD – this fall is open for applications. This could be phased. With endangered fish, habitat (fly catcher) the wildlife value should rank high on the scale. Could include signage and stiles, trails and such in the application.  The number of partners involved in the project, also make a higher ranking. Rhett expects a quality proposal, which has a high chance of being funded. This would not necessarily be matching funds. The DNR website shows watershed and restoration initiatives. DWR used to be a clearing house, now that is done on-line on that website. DNR designs the plans for the projects.

Steve wants to make sure willows are established.

Secondary Water: Karl gave an update on the coordination of secondary water lines and the installation of sewer lines. There is a desire to install a secondary water line at the same time the sewer district installs in the same trench to save on cost. Cost estimate at about $10.00 per foot.  HDPE pipe will need to be used with the pressure that will be there. It runs about $10.00 per foot. There is some discrepancy on the length needed, but will run from the sewer pump at Lane Blackmore’s tap to the new sewer filter, run 10” through Ash Creek project to River Wood where the city has already paid for the line upgrade.

There was discussion about Type 1 water as preferable, but if needs to be Type 2 in the beginning will land apply until Type 1 is workable. Type 2 will need a valve installed. Type 1 will be a distinct benefit to the cities. Water rights belong to the original owners of the water. The interlocal agreement will define how that works. Possible metering and sewer district ability to meter. Acquiring Type 1 appears easier than at first thought.

Installation is estimated at about 6-8 months. Progress has been slowed by Division of Water Quality for some reason. Sewer lines will run in an old flue, about 5000 feet to the filter, then River Wood about 2000 ft.

Darwin stated that the Gordon Wood easement is recorded along Ash Creek. The district is working to condemn and re-record.

David said that he is waiting for two letters. Lori Rose and Bill Mader said they were done. Dave will look into the hold up. Bob contacted a couple of months ago, heard nothing. Discussion that information was sent to Larry Crisp. Steve will touch base with Larry. David will check for copies of the letter. Question about HCAC approval. David stated not an issue. Commission issued a letter.

Karl Wilson met with the CIB board for the grant approval to fund the master plan for the secondary water. The grants were awarded the city last week. This installation will be included in that study. Pipe will cost approximately $70-80,000, if have to dig trench, will be double that figure. Discussion that a Virgin River grant cycles for next year. There are secondary system benefits to that program. The installation could be done in phases. The big lines need to be the first phase.
VRLP is looking to add a grant writer. Owns 30 shares.

More discussion on time table. The money needs to be ready when the sewer district is ready to go. Six months is probably the soonest work would begin. Need to push the Division of Water Quality.

Discussion of fire hazard issues: Karl asked Todd Hohbein with the State Fire Marshall’s office to check on fuel loads in the park and hadn’t heard back from him. Discussion that the area is pretty dry. The concern is for people who go into the park and build fires where there is no improvement. If there is a fire, fingers start to point. Discussion about fuel reduction and protection. Bob had signs made to disallow fires. Discussion about ordinances on county level. City can enforce county ordinances, but the county has no jurisdiction within incorporated areas. The park is 318 acres with 51% in LaVerkin 49% in Hurricane.

Tom described a recent fire that came out of the area, up the hill into LaVerkin. Need to have prevention, containment, and evacuation strategies. Need to mitigate the tamarisk. At the least there need to be buffer areas. Discussion about pits, areas that are monitored, and enclosures. The ag use proposed by the sewer district will also act as a buffer. Irrigation will help protect as well.

There are springs throughout the park that bring up vegetation. Rhett would like to see a field trip to designate areas of concern and development.  Discussion about trees and protecting them. Ron Wilson said that there is grant money available for trees.

Discussion about access through River Wood. It is gated, but cars can drive to the power plant area. Gordon Wood property is on DWR land, Terry Wood property on DNR land.

Question about fire prevention money once the park is developed. When the plan is fully implemented there will be buffers in place. Rhett is concerned about larger gatherings and keeping fires within containment areas. There have been fires built on the river bank without permission. Discussion that enforcement is always a concern. There is a possible squatter in the park.

David passed out the following suggested fire restriction list. Mike Melton wrote it and it was approved by Dean Cox, director.

Setting, building maintaining, attending or using open fire of any kind, except campfire within approved fire pits and grills provided, in improved campgrounds, picnic area and permanently improved places of habitation or except as otherwise authorized.
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, camp trailer, building, developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared to mineral soil.
Discharging, or using any kind of fireworks, tracer ammunition or other incendiary devices.
Allowed Use: Devices fueled by petroleum or LPG products are allowed.

It can be implemented on the county level but will need to be coordinated with LaVerkin. There was concern that the document should come from a positive “what you can do” stand rather than a restrictive point of view. The directive is intended to be in effect at all times, not just seasonally.  There will also need to be an allowance for the governing agencies to burn for clean up needs during burn season through the local fire jurisdiction. Dave will make a draft and get it to Kuhlmann and the cities – Clark in Hurricane, and Kevin and Karl in LaVerkin.

Charcoal fires create problems, any type of LP is okay because of the ability to turn off.

There is an Eagle Scout project in the works for a fire pit. DNR would like to see a group area in – the sooner the better. Other designated areas will come as the scopes of work are written. DNR and DWR will need to sign off.

Scope of work discussion. Need to line out what is planned to be done, give background, describe the plan and how the project fits in the park, describe the construction and time frame. Basically outline each project. This committee oversees the scope and gives direction. Need to get DNR specs for fire pits etc.

Discussion vegetation removal, rocks, concrete, lodge poles, benches in group area, drainage area, definable space. Bob Sandberg will be the point of contact for anyone wanting to use the park. The county has $8,000 budgeted each year for the park. It is possible to disc the ground now. The DNR has herbicide that is good to use. Concern about affects in the river from leaching. Can’t be used around livestock. Ash Creek will have alfalfa crop and mixed grasses.

Fire signs discussion. State prison makes signs that are 4 x 8. Signs need to “give ownership” to the public to improve responsibility. “Help us protect your resource”. A kiosk by the barn would be desirable. Need to standardize signage and coordinate with BLM. Bob's sign will be stop-gap until something more permanent is put in place.

This item will be on the July agenda.

Trails grant report: Karl reported that the grant for the bridge was denied. The city needs to come up with a more defined scope of work and try again next year.

Board & Committee Reports: Darwin is concerned about trash and dumping that happens in the park. There needs to be a “no dump” sign or some other suggestion. Much discussion about how to limit access for dumpers without discouraging use by the public. The body would like to have suggestions with recommended action on the next agenda. Also as note, alignment of roads needs to be on the agenda as well.

There has been some review on the interlocal agreement for Confluence Park. There is some evidence that Toquerville never signed the agreement. David can issue another copy and have it signed by the new mayor/mayor pro tem.

Salt Cedar Beetles are doing their job. Tamarisks are being defoliated  all over the county. Growth cycle takes about 3-5 years.

Committee supports watering the park one night per week. Decreases pressure in town during that time. No pressure maintenance valve.

Adjourn: Motion by Annette Kleinman, second by Bob Sandberg. Motion carried unanimously.


Minutes taken by June Jeffery

 

Chair Karl Wilson

 

Date Approved, July 15, 2009