Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 06/18/2008NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD Regular Meeting June 18,2008 DATE: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 LOCATION: 215 N. Mason - Conference Room 1-A TIME: 6:00pm For Reference: Alan Apt, NRAB Chair 221-9875 Ben Manvel, Council Liaison 217-1932 John Armstrong, Staff Liaison 416-2230 Board Members Present Alan Apt, Clint Skutchan, Rosemarie Russo, Liz Pruessner, Linda Knowlton, Glen Colton, Board Members Absent: Joe Piesman, Heather Manier Staff Present Natural Resources Dept: John Armstrong, Alexis Hmielak Call meeting to order Alan Apt called the meeting to order at 6:05 Introduction of Guests Tess Heffernan — City Manager's Office Agenda Review Public Comments None Review and Approval of Minutes: April 16, 2008 (No May meeting minutes as quorum was not achieved) Liz Pruessner moved and Rosemarie Russo seconded a motion to approve the April 16, 2008, minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously Proposed West Nile Virus Advisory Committee Tess Heffernan from the City Manager's office updated the NRAB on the West Nile Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). • The TAC was composed of scientists and citizens from CSU, CDC and two Air Quality Advisory Board members who met on weekly basis to review the City's West Nile policy and to make recommendations to Council. • There have been two separate work sessions to Council (April and June) where they discussed many recommendations - the most controversial issue being adulticiding. • The TAC studied and discussed 64 documents and proposed 4 options. • Council then asked the proposals be reduced down to 2 options for Council to consider on July 1. o One of the 2 options includes the addition of an advisory committee to the group. This was proposed by Greg McMaster from the Air Quality Advisory Board. The advisory committee will be comprised of three members. • Two or three nominations will be considered from the NRAB, AQAB and Larimer County Medical Society and one per board will be appointed by Darin Atteberry. ■ The advisory board would meet early in the season with the City Manager to determine communications protocol. • The challenge will be to stay abreast of all the information available on West Nile Virus, mosquito counts, tracking data, infected mosquitoes, human cases, etc., so that if the county health department might recommend adulticiding, three or more sets of eyes are looking at it. ■ It is not a decision -making body. The City Manager will be the sole decision maker. Tess explained she was here tonight to answer questions and get feedback from the NRAB. The group discussed Tess' presentation • Liz asked if Joe Piesman had read the proposal. Tess did not know. However, previous NRAB board member Amy Dean had read it. o Clint wondered, aside from Joe, who has been attending TAC meetings who would have the proper expertise to be on the advisory committee. • Tess explained the City has many personnel with expertise, but does not have a health department. This advisory board will provide another level of information. • Rosemarie asked if there is an economist looking at the spraying from the economic viewpoint. Tess stated there is not an economist on the TAC. However, the City has reviewed studies in other states and said it is difficult to quantify the economic loss from infection versus cost of spraying. • In answer to a question from Clint Skutchan, Tess Heffernan explained Darin felt the Natural Resources and Air Quality Boards were a natural fit with this project and that is why two of the members of the Advisory Board will come from them. • Clint also wanted to know how input would be supplied to Darin. Tess projected it would most likely be a conference call, because when the recommendation comes from the county to spray, it has to be done within 24 hours. • Alan Apt asked if adulticiding is effective. Tess stated much study has been done on it and results indicate yes. • In answer to several questions, Tess explained that Council has never written a policy about West Nile Virus - only operational plans and one resolution in 2004 about adultizicing. The decision on July 14 will be done by resolution because it is an administrative policy by the City Council (not a code). When you pass a resolution it goes into effect immediately. If it is passed July 14, it will be effective immediately Liz Pruessner nominated Joe Piesman to be on the WNV Advisory Committee. Tess pointed out since Joe Piesman had already volunteered to attend the meetings, he does not need to be nominated. She will contact Joe. Climate Task Force Status Liz Pruessner reported the Climate Task Force wrapped up their review and handed their report to Darin on Tuesday, June 17. She stated the recommendations don't look much different than the briefing Lucinda gave the NRAB at a previous meeting She sent an electronic copy to each member of the NRAB for their information. • Staff is now working on an implementation plan based on our recommendations and will present them at the July 22 Council work session. • Once there is a more firm implementation plan, the City will hold an open house in the fall and expects some action by Council in September. The city may not have time for a solid implementation plan but will give roadmap. • Lucinda can come back and brief us what this plan is going to look like. • Liz pointed out the Climate Task Force really pushed to identify the revised goal which is 20% reductions by 2020 and 80% reductions by 2050 based on 2005 carbon inventory. o This was determined by consensus in the scientific community to avert the worst climate change. o Council adopted the revised goal and we also pushed at that for an interim goal with phase -in programs from our list of ideas that could achieve 2.46 million ton reduction by 2013. This program would require community buy -in. Therefore, part of our recommendation is a strong call for the City to lead by example and incorporate carbon reductions as part of doing business. o This would also require doing assessments every few years and reporting back to Council. If reductions are not there - ramp it up. Another task force would be convened to do this. o In answer to a question by Clint Skutchan, Liz stated enforcement or consequences weren't decided upon if reductions aren't achieved on time. ■ John Armstrong stated there are already scales of performance goals being instituted in various City departments. However, there are no community consequences in place. • Alan Apt stated that this falls under NRAB purview and I suggested they do an annual review to help implement the program and keep it on our agenda on an annual basis. • Clint suggested public pressure could help with community buy -in. ■ Liz stated one of the CTF's recommendations is a community -wide climate challenge to get various community groups involved. • They also looked at how the Parks Department can reduce emissions from mowing and fertilizing and do more environmentally -friendly urban forest management. John Armstrong pointed out Lucinda Smith will be joining the NRAB for the next two meetings to talk about the Climate Task Force since the NRAB is interested in the topic. Also, John Phelan in Utilities knows the NRAB is interested in the energy supply policy and will give the NRAB an opportunity to weigh in on it. • Liz also discussed RECs and renewable energy o RECs continue to be controversial. However, on-the-ground-renewables are 7 times more expensive than RECs. o The CTF's recommendation was to encourage the City to be as aggressive as possible and push the renewable part of the portfolio to 15% renewables by 2013. Of that mix they encourage the City to purchase more -on -the -ground renewables to get the mix up to 60%. o Glen Colton questioned, since Fort Collins' has a reputation to be a "green" town, why is it not buying more on the ground renewables instead of renewable credits even though they may be more expensive. o Liz explained paying farmers for carbon offsets from their fields as a way to deal with climate change is already happening on the Chicago Climate Exchange. Solar is not cost effective right now but could be in 5 years, so that's why it's important to have interim goals and evaluations. o In answer to a question by Clint Skutchan, Liz stated the external forces that would come into play regarding the CTF recommendations would be buy -in by the City and citizens and behavior changes to help achieve the goals and addition to land use and transportation management. o Liz stated one CTF recommendation was to buy carbon offsets from local providers and that soon they would be more affordable. However, there are few contractors locally that know how to do energy efficiency retrofitting and renewable energy/green building projects that could provide opportunity for a local carbon offset fund. The CTF also encouraged smaller projects such as hydroelectric and other renewable projects. Fort Zed could be a pilot project. Northern Integrated Supply Policy / Glade Reservoir Alan Apt pointed out there was a staff presentation regarding the Northern Integrated supply Policy/Glade Reservoir to Council on Tuesday. He hoped the members of the NRAB had been able to watch it, as it would be relevant to the NRAB's recommendation - especially financial and water treatment and the negative impact of lower water quality on industry. In John Stoke's absence, Senior Environmental Planner, Rick Bachand has been reviewing the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and attending meetings regarding the Northern Integrated supply Policy/Glade Reservoir. He came to the meeting tonight to update the NRAB. • Rick stated the Utilities Dept. is trying to develop numbers regarding Glade Reservoir's impact on Fort Collins' water treatment. However, updated numbers are not currently available. • Rick Bachand briefly explained the impacts to local water quality from NISP. o The City uses Colorado Big Thompson water that goes into Horsetooth Reservoir and the blend depends on the season and water rights. o Currently the City can take water from various places. With Glade there would be less flexibility and the City may be relying more on Poudre River water. o Also, if Glade Reservoir is built, there will be less water in the river and the water will be more concentrated, resulting in higher water treatment costs. o If a pipeline is built between Glade and Horsetooth Reservoir, the lower quality, higher carbon content Poudre water won't have an opportunity to mix with the higher quality Horsetooth Reservoir water and will result in higher water treatment costs. o Rick stressed how important it is to have enough time to do a thoughtful analysis of the DEIS, as the review so far has exposed many inaccuracies and omissions. o Rick also pointed out an added issue are pollutants from missile sites that have leached into the ground where the reservoir is planned. They are concerned the EIS doesn't address the possibility these pollutants might find their way into the Poudre River. • Reduced river water quality would have huge impact on breweries and electronic manufacturers who have moved here because of high quality water. It would also adversely affect everyone else down the river that take water from the Poudre. ■ Rick pointed out any mitigation would only be to return the water quality back to state standards, which is lower than what Fort Collins currently has. • In answer to a question, Rick stated the EIS does not specify a pipeline being built from Glade to Horsetooth Reservoir, but he feels it will happen shortly after Glade is built. Also, water will not be pumped in from Horsetooth to Glade. • Alan asked why water would be taken out of the Poudre before it gets to Fort Collins. Why not take it out downstream. Rick Bachand stated it could be one of the alternatives, but is not sure. • Glen Colton asked how taking water out of the river would be saving farm land. o Rick stated because of limited time to review the EIS, the City staff has been focusing on the impacts to the river and the City of Fort Collins, not on agriculture. • Rick stated the City's Advance Planning staff are looking at economic impacts of Glade on the economic health of the downtown area and the value of the water for recreation and aesthetics to the citizens of Fort Collins. o People were surveyed what they would be willing to pay for the use of the Poudre River. Results showed that the market value of the water as a non -market commodity flowing through town is more valuable to keep it in the river than to build a reservoir. • In answer to a question by Glen regarding purchasing a water protection program, Rick stated the City would not be able to afford it. • Rick also answered the river may have more water in the winter to help fish make it through the winter. However, if you trade winter water for summer, we will get terrestrialization of the river and will actually loose fish habitat • Rick also stated one issue staff has with the EIS is that they say they can release water from Glade but there is no tool in the EIS to guarantee it. • In addition, the EIS does not give a baseline from which staff can build and will ask Council to reject the EIS if no extension is granted. In that case they will ask the Army Corp of Engineers to do another EIS to address our concerns. We're doing thoughtful analysis and we're highlighting the gaps in the data, but we don't know the answers to the bigger issues and are trying to be constructive to point out discrepancies and gaps in the data. • Glen Colton expressed his frustration seeing other cities saying they need water and no elected official is weighing in for Fort Collins. We need to have a public statement that we have serious concerns about this project. Rick Bachand stated that is the message staff has given to Council. Rick Bachand pointed out staff is taking four or five major comments pulled from the EIS and writing detailed comments on each. This will probably be a 200 page document. Alan Apt pointed out NISP is an action item tonight, therefore, the NRAB discussed what advice they wanted to give City Council. o Alan stated an extension to the EIS period is crucial. o Rick suggested the NRAB recommendation could request an extension to the comment period, support the analysis of staff, acknowledge the discrepancies and gaps in the EIS and allow staff to proceed with recommendations to the Army Corp of Engineers on behalf of the City. o Liz expressed her concern the EIS does not address climate change. Rick pointed out there is a current court case stating the Army Corps must address this issue. o Glen was concerned about how the estimates of the amount of agricultural land that would be taken out of use under the null alternative were calculated and recommended that staff review the impacts. Linda felt that would be in the purview of Larimer County, not the City of Fort Collins. o Alan stressed the huge economic impact this project would have on Fort Collins and increased costs to citizens in water treatment. o Rick Bachand pointed out the "no action" alternative is also important. o Liz was concerned that conservation was not part of the water analysis. o Alan stated agricultural water use is very inefficient and is a major issue in water conservation. o Rosemarie was concerned that the mitigation plan does not adequately address water quality monitoring especially TCE contamination from old missile silos. Glen Colton moved and Clint Skutchan seconded a motion to recommend to City Council the following: The Natural Resources Board supports the staff and council effort to address the NISP DEIS. The issues outlined by staff and a wide variety of expert consultants in the AIS are comprehensive and we support their suggestions for what must be addressed by city comments. Some of the issues of key concern to the Natural Resources Board are: -the impact of climate change -additional breeding areas for mosquitoes -destruction of riparian habitat (plant and animal) because of lower stream flows -water quality and treatment costs (with potential costs of $5 to $50 million to Ft.Collins ratepayers) -concern about TCE contaminants, mitigation and monitoring - lack of flushing flows on habitat -much shorter recreation season -negative impacts on trails and natural areas -economic impacts on our investments. We also strongly suggest analysis of the no action alternative, and other alternatives. Motion passed unanimously Glen Colton moved and Rosemarie Russo seconded a motion to recommend to the City Council the following: The Natural Resources Board supports analysis of the no action alternative, and other alternatives. Some of us feel that a major missing element in the DEIS is the analysis of major investment in agricultural water conservation. This should also be studied thoroughly by staff, and the Corps of Engineers in a supplemental EIS. The impact on local agricultural water availability is another issue worthy of study, as part of the no action alternative. This resolution passed 4-2. With Alan Apt, Rosemarie Russo, Glen Colton and Liz Pruessner for and Clint Skutchan and Linda Knowlton against Sustainability Committee John Armstrong reported that the Sustainability Committee has met only once. Committee Chair Ryan Staychock has resigned from the NRAB and moved to another state. Rosemarie Russo has also resigned from the NRAB to take a position with the City as Sustainability Coordinator. The group discussed the future of the Sustainability Sub Committee. • Clint pointed out getting quorum for the Sustainability Sub Committee has been difficult and wondered if there is enough interest for it. • John Armstrong pointed out it's up to the Sustainability Sub Committee to flesh out whether or not its efforts are necessary since many sustainability issues are already under the purview of the NRAB. • Linda suggested waiting until the NRAB has replaced the departing members. New Business None Announcements • Liz stated she was excited that Larimer County is now accepting plastics #1 through #7 as recyclables. John Armstrong pointed out the trash haulers are not required by contract to pick them up curbside until their contracts are renewed, but most are ready to accept them now. The recycling centers, however, will accept them now in the commingled containers. The group would like to see an announcement stating which haulers will take expanded plastic recycling at the curb. • John Armstrong announced there will be a trash study presentation at July's NRAB meeting. • Glen saw an article in the Coloradoan about improper reporting procedure to Council by City Boards and Commissions. Alan assured the group he does not send any recommendations by the NRAB to Council unless it is voted on by the NRAB. • Clint would like to have an update on Mason Street Corridor. John Armstrong will investigate getting a presentation to the NRAB at a future meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 7 Submitted by Alexis Hmielak Administrative Secretary I Approved by the Board on O , 2008 S' d if igne i(e AdmjHrstradive Secretary I Date