Bear Lake Preservation Advisory Committee
Thur. Feb. 28th, 2002
Meeting held at Butch Cassidy's in Montpelier, ID.

The meeting was attended by representatives from PacifiCorp, the Canal Companies, Bear Lake Watch, Bear Lake Sands, the Bear Lake Regional Commission, and the Bear River Commission.
PacifiCorp presentations
FERC re-licensing of the Bear River dams - Monte
PacifiCorp is attempting to get the following issues resolved and agreed to by all parties by April so that FERC can issue a draft Environmental Impact Statement. Once the draft EIS is issued, there will be a public comment period.
1. Restoration of the Bonneville Cutthroat trout in the Bear River (not Bear Lake).
2. Instream flows and ramp rates. (try to restore the natural hydrology in the dry sections of the Bear River.)
3. Water Quality - a monitoring program
4. Recreation - increased flows in the Black Canyon and Oneida Narrows sections of the river for rafters.
5. Land Management Program - creation of a buffer zone on PacifiCorp land adjacent to the river and dams to protect riparian habitat.

During Q&A, Jim Kimball of Bear Lake Watch asked how come Bear Lake (as the source of the water) was not one of the issues. The answer was that FERC had denied the motion to include the lake as part of the process. Jim then told PacifiCorp that they were not listening to the issues voiced by the residents of Bear Lake and that if PacifiCorp continued to deny the Bear lake residents a voice in the operation of the lake, Bear Lake Watch would consider a lawsuit. Kelly Holt of PacifiCorp asked Jim to present the Bear Lake Watch view point later in the meeting.

Water outlook and dredging permit - Carly Burton
As of 2-27-02, the snow pack in the Bear River Basin averaged 77%. The average is lower in the upper drainages and highest (80-83%) at Tony Grove in Logan Canyon. Last year at this time the average was 69 %. The moisture content of the ground is still a huge unknown.

The elevation of Bear Lake is presently 5911 ft. In a normal year the lake drops 4 to 5 ft. once pumping starts (usually in May). Under the Bear River Compact, the Woodruff Narrows dam will be filled first. That translates to 1 ft. less water in Bear Lake. It could be another very tough water year.

A graph was handed out depicting the last 20 years of forecasts made in January and April and the actual water inflow to Bear Lake. The graph shows that forecasting is still a very inaccurate science. In most years, the actual inflow was dramatically higher or lower than either forecast. Everyone keep your fingers crossed that our March and April precipitation is considerably greater that the forecast.

PacifiCorp is gathering information requested by the Army Corps of Engineers pertinent to the dredging permit. To date the Corps has requested data directly related to the dredging (PacifiCorp only plans to dredge to 5904 ft.) and information about better irrigation practices. PacifiCorp is considering mitigation for the Bear Lake Cutthroat trout, shoreline vegetation (tamarisk), and recreation (better boating access). The lake level is currently at 5911'. There is a sand bar across the channel inlet at 5908'. Who knows how much the lake will rise due to Spring runoff. If required to dredge (by a low lake level), PacifiCorp would truck in a suction dredge. This would minimize the water quality impact by reducing the turbidity. The dredging would take 2 to 3 weeks. PacifiCorp stated again that they do not want to dredge.

Bear Lake Watch - Jim Kimball
Bear Lake Watch is interested in documenting the changes that have occurred and are occurring in Bear Lake. This would mean developing a model of the lake similar to the model for the Bear River. Input would be from the numerous existing studies, including the limnology study done by Dr. Lamarra, fisheries from the Utah/Idaho Fish & Game, the ongoing core sampling from the lake, and global warming study. The Bear Lake Regional Commission would coordinate the study. Bear Lake Watch has contacted both PacifiCorp and the Irrigators to explore funding for the model. The goal would be to model the ecology of Bear Lake.

In response to the earlier discussion regarding Bear Lake Watch's opposition to the FERC re-licensing, Jim stated that Bear Lake Watch would prefer to work within the framework of the Bear Lake Preservation Advisory Committee. The option of a lawsuit is a last resort to be used only if Bear Lake Watch continues to feel that the residents of Bear Lake have no input into the operation of the lake. Kelly Holt of PacifiCorp asked if Bear Lake Watch would provide a letter stating their goals and objectives.

Idaho Dept. of Water Resources - Bill Ondrechen
Utah Dept. of Water Resources - Will Atkins
The computerized model of the lower division of the Bear River is nearly complete. It has been tested and refined for two years. This model records all inflows and uses of water in Idaho and Utah. The upper and central divisions have manual models.

In Southern Idaho and Northern Utah, only single family residences on existing parcels of land are being approved for well permits. There have been no permits issued for subdivisions or commercial development.

Bear River Canal Co. - Dave Styer
Dave presented several graphs showing data on the water used by the different canal companies. Over the last 20 years, they have almost always used less than their maximum allotment of Bear Lake water. Last year, in late August, they voluntarily agreed to a 50% cutback in their use of storage water.

A great deal has been accomplished towards implementing the goals set by the Settlement Agreement in 1995. Hopefully, a couple of bad water years won't undo all the positive accomplishments.