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photo by Tom Lewis
There is ongoing and regular discharge of pollutants including oils, grease, sediment, heavy metals and fecal coliform bacteria entering the Swan River, Bigfork Bay, and into Flathead Lake from the Village area of Bigfork. These pollutants enter through Bigfork’s untreated stormwater system, and areas with inadequate stormwater containment, which carries nutrients and contaminants that are harmful to the ecosystem and the aquatic life of the lake. This discharge into Bigfork Bay, Swan River, and Flathead Lake threatens recreational activities and creates a potential hazard to human health and flood safety.
Stewardship Award Outstanding Individuals 2009 Pictured L to R, Gary Simmons, Karen Simmons, and Sue Hanson, Chairman of the Bigfork Stormwater Advisory Committee. Gary & Karen Simmons are instrumental in teaching best management practices in the North Shore area. The couple worked as liason between three HOA's in efforts to install a new breakwater at the entrance to the canal in the development. Simmons walk the canal and north shore beach area of Flathead Lake to pick up debris and litter.
Stewardship Award Outstanding Business 2009 Pictured L to R, Joseph Magaddino, Architect, Sally Bradshaw, owner of the Double Eagle, and Sue Hanson, Chairman of Bigfork Stormwater Advisory Committee Paul and Sally Bradshaw installed a detention and filtration system below the new construction of the Double Eagle in Bigfork Village. The design, suggested by architect, Magaddino, collects stormwater from the roof of the building which discharges into the detention area. The patio of the new building utilizes pervious pavers to filter water from the entry into the collection area beneath the building. The system is designed for a 10 year event.
MINUTES
May 26, 2010 Notes of Bigfork Stormwater Advisory Committee 48 North Work Session 1:00 p.m. July 1, 2010 DRAFT
Opened meeting at 1600. Present: Joe Brenneman, Tom Weller, Sue Hanson, Lamont Kinkade, Paul Rana, Debbie Pierson, Dave Prunty, Jim Williamson, Brett Walcheck.
The western edge of the system on Grand Dr. will begin approximately at the entrance to Marina Cay. The treatment systems on Lake St. are designed to also treat stormwater to be later connected from the River St., northern section of Electric Avenue and Grand Dr. east of Lake St.
Meeting adjourned at 1830. Minutes of Meeting Wednesday, 30 June 2010 DRAFT
Attendees for this meeting: Sue Hanson, Chairman Paul J. Rana, Secy Dave Christensen, Vice Chair Tom Weller, Member Lamont Kincade, Member Jasmine Linabary, Bigfork Eagle Frank Bear and Tiffany Bowler, That Coffee Shop Brad Stodghill, UPS Store Neil Navratil, Great Northern Sue Sutherland, Northwest Resource Conservation & Development
1230: Meeting opened by Sue. A quorum was deemed present and the meeting was called to order. The agenda for this meeting was approved unanimously.
1233: Minutes from the 26th of May meeting were accepted.
1234: Lamont described the advantages of the various types of placards for storm water inlets. Topics of discussion were size, shape, costs and modifications. Time table that the supplier has for production was also discussed. Lamont suggested that he order a supply of placards and donate to the committee as In-Kind contribution from the community. He will investigate further as some wording may cause a change in unit costs for the placards. Committee thought the oval shape might catch more attention. Lamont will investigate the price.
1250: Several guests offered insights about the construction times/days specifically. Both Neil and Brad expressed concern about the degree of notification of businesses along Grand Avenue during past construction projects. Several suggestions were made regarding weekend work and night work hours. Dave suggested that all concerns will be negotiated when the contractor and the engineers discuss the actual timing of the project. Tom suggested that contract can be written with these sorts of concerns accounted for. Christensen suggested 1) Committee hold a construction contract work session, 2) Pre-bidding meeting, 3) Pre-construction meeting with contractor.
1312: The RLK Hydro letter to the Commissioners was discussed but tabled until the meeting with 48 North on 01Jul10.
1317: Sue Sutherland discussed the tentative agenda for the summer workshop. The date of the workshop was determined to be Saturday, 11 Sept 10 and the times will be from 0900-1300. Discussion centered around display tables, donations from vendors, presentation times, and the use of the ARC (Bethany Lutheran Church activities hall). Lamont will further develop the theme of the workshop in conjunction with Sue S. Suggestion was “Flathead Lake - To Keep It Blue, It’s Up To You”. Kinkade will develop a logo for the Committee.
Incentives for participating were discussed and advertizing through the Chamber of Commerce newsletter and brochure production was suggested. Brad at UPS offered to donate a mailbox at UPS for registration. Food and catering are things that both Frank and Neil said they could consider helping with. Sue H will coordinate with Debbie Pierson to determine the best way to use NW Regional Resource Conservancy (Sue S) as a means by which funds can appropriately be distributed. The committee agreed that the Bethany Lutheran Church should receive a donation for the space that they give to the committee for routine meetings and for the workshops. Committee does not want to solicit sponsors. A fee of $50 was suggested for display tables for vendors.
1410: Discussion of the White Board outcome and the Strategic Plan was tabled until the next monthly meeting.
1413: Tom discussed the growth of the Flathead Stormwater Resource Group being headed up by the Whitefish Engineer, Karen Hilding. There are now more than 40 members from both Lake and Flathead counties. It was suggested that Flathead Lakers may be interested in a presentation for the FSRG.
1417: Tiffany offered a comment regarding the activities of the Boy Scouts in Bigfork and that there could be a possible role for them in the community education and outreach program. She will do some research and get back with Sue H. on the possible involvement potential of the BSA.
1418: Next monthly meeting will be on Wednesday, 28 July @ 1230 Bethany Lutheran Church.
1419: Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted by: Paul J. Rana Secretary, BSAC.
May 26, 2010 Minutes of Bigfork Stormwater Advisory Committee Bethany Lutheran Church
Members present: Sue Hanson, David Christensen, and Thomas Weller. Members of the public: Jasmine Linabary, Sue Sutherland, Julie Spencer, Edd Blackler.
The meeting was called to order at 12:35 p.m.
Agenda was adopted as presented.
Minutes of the April 28, 2010 meeting were approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
Inlet Labeling: Lamont Kinkade was not present to report on the inlet labeling at this time. Kincade has been asked to provide the number of decals necessary to label storm inlets throughout the Bigfork Planning Area. Per prior discussions, the decal is to be oval in shape and have language inclusive of “Drains to Flathead Lake”. Lamont has been asked to present to the Committee a firm cost proposal for review and approval of purchasing the decals.
Stewardship Awards: June 1, 2010 at 5:00 PM Russ Kinzer and the Bigfork School Board will be presented Stewardship Awards at the High School Library.
48 North: TSEP is stating it will only fund design and construction for Grand Drive, but not River Street. Flathead County has had conversations with the State Commerce Department & other agencies that “probably” funds could be released by TSEP to address River Street design and construction but no definitive understanding has been reached. 48 North has, at the request of the Committee, released the number of man-hours expended on the design thus far. This information was distributed by Sue Hansen to the remaining Committee members in attendance. Both Dave and Tom raised the question as to how the expenditure of hours relates to both the extent of design progress and extent of budget expended. Both Dave and Tom want to be clear that if 50% of the budget has been expended and the design plans are 50% complete. Deb Pierson and 48 North recently made a presentation to TSEP outlining the current funding strategy and where the various grant monies would be applied. The intent is to have the TSEP contract resolved and in place by the end of June 2010 to secure construction funding in time for fall construction. Dave and Tom will also attend the previously scheduled coordination meeting between 48 North and Sue Hansen to discuss design progress, and incorporation of “Basis of Design” comments. 48 North has suggested possibly omitting the new curb and gutter along Grand Drive prior to reaching MT 35 to avoid entanglements with MDT and preserve future funding options. It is being suggested by 48 North to post Construction Schedules and frequently asked public comments on the County website. Sue Hansen stated she would talk with Deb Pierson regarding the matter.
Public Meeting: Sue Hansen stated that over the course of time, requests come in for public information relative to the project, such as the PER and 48 North Assessment. This effort costs time and money. The Committee inquired whether the County could be the entity for exchange of money for services. A further inquiry was made whether the County has an ftp site to host larger files for public download such as the Supplemental PER prepared by 48 North. Sue Hansen stated she would make this inquiry. It has been asked that 48 North provide an explanation of the stormwater sampling results at the June 7th Public Meeting as both Mike Koopal and Tom Weller will be unable to attend. It was asked that all Committee Members be present at the Public Meeting on June 7th to help take notes and field questions. It was agreed that a video camera be provided to record events. Tom agreed to secure a video camera.
Sample Analysis: County Road Dept. swept streets but did not vacuum in the village prior to wash down. Workers, during wash down, were in front of the fire hoses scooping up debris and sediment where possible. Sue Hansen provided to the remainder of the Committee members present a copy of Mike Koopal’s latest pollutant levels collected during a recent, albeit light, rainfall event as well as during the street wash-down. The numbers showed very high levels of Zinc, TSS, and Phosphorus. There was concern that possibly the phosphorus numbers could be skewed by the fact that a water truck, provided by Saddlehorn LLC, may not have been thoroughly washed out prior to use. Discharge at the Public Dock showed high levels of foam. For the most part Village fire hydrants were used to supply the wash-down water. Julie Spencer of the Bigfork County Water & Sewer District (BFCWSD) stated her WWTP is constantly faced with abnormally high levels of Zinc, which is likely caused by stormwater infiltration into the sewerage system. This is a pollutant that is treated but at a cost as it passes through the WWTP. Sue Hansen asked that Julie quantify the additional costs burdened by the BFCWSD to address this matter. The intent is to use this information to gain further justification for grant monies and to educate the public as to financial impacts indirectly from stormwater pollution.
Stormwater Workshop: The Committee discussed what efforts need to be taken to jump start this summer’s public outreach workshop. The Committed asked Sue Sutherland of the Northwest Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) to provide guidance and support for this effort. Ideas for consideration include; drivable lawns, pervious pavers, pervious pavement, DNRC’s Running Waters exhibit, a field trip to a riparian restoration project, etc. Booths and presenters need to be secured. A field trip with lunch provided is being considered. Time frame considered would be sometime in early September, on a Saturday, from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. The September timeframe is being considered to avoid the summer festival season and to focus on outreach to local residents. In 2008 25 people attended a similar workshop in Bigfork. The primary means of advertising for that workshop was via newspaper ads. Sue Sutherland of NRD&C suggested setting a date and then asking prior supporters, Flathead Lakers, et al, if they are available to provide funding, presenters/exhibitor, or both. The Committee felt contacting Oasis Consulting as a potential presenter/exhibitor. At the appropriate time, Tom will make that contact. Sue Sutherland and Sue Hansen agreed to meet in the near future to define responsibilities and outline direction for the public outreach workshop.
NEW BUSINESS:
White Board Summary: Dave Christiansen presented his revisions to the “Guiding Principles” for BSAC, which were well received by all present. Given the timeline for the BFCWSD’s bond measure this fall, earnest pursuit of an RSID will be considered for the Fall 2011 to Spring 2012 timeframe. PUBLIC COMMENT: The Committee asked RD&C if it were available to provide grant administration support to Deb to ease her workload. It was agreed the matter would be discussed further at the next meeting.
Meeting was adjourned at 2:35 p.m. Upcoming Dates: Public Meeting June 7, 2010 White Board June 18, 2010 Next Meeting June 30, 2010
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