Bear Lake Watch
General Membership Meeting

Saturday, August 24th 2002 at 10:00 a.m.
Canyon Cove Motel in Garden City, UT

President Dick Motta - called the meeting was to order at approximately 10:00 a.m.

Merlin Olsen - apologized for the Newsletter's late arrival. Water in the lake has arrived late also. The drought situation is serious. We have filed an appeal regarding the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission application for re-licensing. Our contention is that they cannot operate the power plants without Bear Lake water. Under the rules of the appeals process, FERC is allowed to rule on their own decision. This is why we filed our appeal with the 9th Circuit Court.

Jim Kimbal - Every 20 years FERC must re-license power generating dams. Our goal is to make sure that Bear Lake is included when making the re-licensing decision for the Bear River dams downstream of Bear Lake. We have been asked, what does Bear Lake Watch really want? We want a model of Bear Lake. A mechanism that will measure what's going on in the lake - chemically, biologically, nutrient levels, sediment levels, etc. A computer model that will show the social and environmental impacts, the short-term and long-term impacts of how Bear Lake is being operated by PacifiCorp. Most of the data for the model is available now, but it is scattered throughout several reports and is not in compatible formats. A model would bring it all together. This would give everyone, PacifiCorp, Bear Lake Watch and the Irrigators, the information to know what is happening with the lake now and in the future. Adjustments in the Bear Lake system could then be made by utilizing the information that the model provides.

Merlin Olsen - The State of Idaho is looking for more water storage. Idaho Water Resources board had a meeting on Aug. 8th and went to Rocky Point. The field trip was followed by a meeting the next day. At this meeting Eulalie Langford and Conrad Michaelson made pledges for their support for this upstream storage facility. There will be some opposition. It will have to go through the regular scrutiny. Bear lake Watch is definitely in favor of this project. The water levels of Bear Lake and the amount of nutrients in the water could be more carefully regulated with this facility in place. Political support will be needed. Check the web page for when and how to show your support.

Jack Barnett of the Bear River Commission sent out a memo about a month ago stating that the this years allocation of water to downstream irrigators could be filled by the 27th of August.

Dick Motta - It will cost Utah Power and Light $600,000 to dredge. They are not going to dredge unless they absolutely have to. To date, they have not dredged the lake.

Lou Mate' asked when does PacifiCorp pump in the Fall? Who decides when and how much to pump? Merlin responded that they haven't pumped for the last two years. A couple of members stated at this point that they were pretty sure that they saw water running in December of last year. Merlin responded that they are not always pumping water downstream when it looks like they are. Sometimes they are transferring water to Mudd Lake for the bird refuge. Jim Kimbal - If the lake level is above 5918', Utah Power and Light pumps water out of the lake in the Fall (down to 5918 ft.) to allow Spring runoff to be diverted into the lake to minimize the potential of downstream flooding in the Spring. Their objective is to get the water out before mid-January when the river freezes. They are the only ones involved in this decision. Bear Lake Watch would like to be more involved in this decision. Let's figure out more carefully what is the latest date to begin any planned Fall pumping and thereby take advantage of last minute weather forecasts.

PacifiCorp has a number that you can call that will give you the level of the lake. 1-800-547-1501 It is apparent that there is some frustration regarding accountability of who is using the water and how it is being used.

Jim Kimbal - Bear Lake Watch, Inc., the Irrigators, and PacifiCorp have been asked to contribute $17,000 each towards the making of a model. Initially it is planned that all of the information already available regarding the lake be coordinated and put into a computer model. This amount is for the initial start-up. A motion was made for Bear Lake Watch, Inc. to contribute $17,000 if it is available to this model project, if and only if the other two groups match the amount. The motion was seconded. Vote was taken - 27 in favor, 0 opposed. Motion was passed.
There is a symposium to be put on by US Geological Service planned for October 2002. The symposium will be in Bear Lake, most likely to be held at Bear Lake West. Date and time to be announced. (Check the web page) The US Geological Service will have their drilling samples and the cores. They will be reporting on their findings and the condition of the lake. We have been asked to sponsor the symposium with $250.00. A motion was made, seconded, and passed ( 27 in favor, 0 opposed) to donate the $250.00.
Signs will be posted in the local post offices, stores and newspaper regarding the symposium. These dates and times will also be on the Bear Lake Watch web site.

It was requested by the membership that the next general membership meeting be held in late July versus August as it is thought that more people may be available then. It was also requested that our meeting notices be posted in the local stores, post offices, and newspaper so that more people will get the information.

It was affirmed that the slated officers remain for the upcoming year.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 12:30 p.m.