Via Phone Conference –

Nick Gerhardt, Nez Perce National Forest

HUC REVIEW

The meeting began at 9:15 a.m., MST.

There was another group meeting in the conference room until 9:00, so the Watershed meeting was delayed about 15 minutes to allow for setup of the phone lines, NetMeeting connection, etc.

The group reviewing the following hucs from Nick Gerhardt, Nez Perce National Forest:

17060305 (South Fork Clearwater) – Reviewed, preliminary linework and acreages approved by group. Additional work on this huc will include a) Digitizing preliminary lines to 24k ridgelines, b) Numbering 5^th and 6^th fields (Huc10, Huc12), and c) Naming 5^th and 6^th fields (HUC10Name, Huc12Name).

17060304 (Middle Fork Clearwater) – Reviewed, preliminary linework and acreages approved by group. Additional work on this huc will include a) Digitizing preliminary lines to 24k ridgelines, b) Numbering 5^th and 6^th fields (Huc10, Huc12), and c) Naming 5^th and 6^th fields (HUC10Name, Huc12Name).

17060302 (Lower Selway) – Reviewed, preliminary linework and acreages approved by group. Additional work on this huc will include a) Digitizing preliminary lines to 24k ridgelines, b) Numbering 5^th and 6^th fields (Huc10, Huc12), and c) Naming 5^th and 6^th fields (HUC10Name, Huc12Name).

The group reviewed the following linework from Leigh Bailey, Payette National Forest:

17060207 (Middle Salmon-Chamberlain) – Reviewed by group. Leigh will get with Betsy Rieffenberger on or before the next TWG meeting regarding the acreage on the Horse Creek 6^th field huc. Leigh will also work on the Trout Creek 6^th field huc to make it consistent with standards. Additional work on this huc will include a) Digitizing preliminary lines to 24k ridgelines, b) Numbering 5^th and 6^th fields (Huc10, Huc12), and c) Naming 5^th and 6^th fields (HUC10Name, Huc12Name).

17060210 (Little Salmon) – Reviewed by group. There is one 6^th field unit within this huc with approximately 7900 acres. Nick Gerhardt and Leigh Bailey both felt it would be advantageous to keep this huc at this size. Nick will write up a justification for the final review committee and forward a copy to Genna Ashley. Additional work on this huc will include a) Digitizing preliminary lines to 24k ridgelines, b) Numbering 5^th and 6^th fields (Huc10, Huc12), and c) Naming 5^th and 6^th fields (HUC10Name, Huc12Name).

The group reviewed the following hucs submitted by Nick Gerhardt, Nez Perce National Forest:

17060301 – (Upper Selway) – Reviewed by group. The Bear Creek 6^th field unit within this huc has 9736 acres. The group felt that is was justified to keep the unit at this level. Nick Gerhardt will write up a justification for the final review committee and forward a copy to Genna Ashley. Additional work on this huc will include a) Digitizing preliminary lines to 24k ridgelines, b) Numbering 5^th and 6^th fields (Huc10, Huc12), and c) Naming 5^th and 6^th fields (HUC10Name, Huc12Name).

17060209 (Lower Salmon) – Reviewed by group. The group identified one sixth-field unit with 9428 acres (China Creek) that they would like to see retained. . Nick Gerhardt will write up a justification for the final review committee and forward a copy to Genna Ashley. The group also identified one sixth-field unit (Slate Creek) with 41,334 acres. It was decided to split this unit into two units depending on the resulting acreage from one of two identified pour points. Nick will consult with Craig regarding the changes to this unit and let the TWG know where the unit was split. Additional work on this huc will include a) Digitizing preliminary lines to 24k ridgelines, b) Numbering of all 5^th and 6^th fields (Huc10, Huc12), and c) Naming of all 5^th and 6^th fields (HUC10Name, Huc12Name).

This concluded the Huc reviews.

MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION

Al Rea mentioned that a draft watershed coverage was still requested by the end of December. The group decided to try to get a draft coverage to Kenny Legleiter with concept lines and acreages, but time would probably not allow attributing huc numbers and huc names until after the draft lines were submitted. Spring of 2003 was the estimation for would be a feasible target date for completion of this work.

Genna Ashley said she would update the status map depicting the progress the TWG has made for each huc and send it on to each member for review.

Roger Hirschman has again contacted Titan regarding the pilot processing of huc 17040212. Titan sent a new coverage with some “jagged lines” that still did not meet 24k standards. Some of the items previously identified by NRCS were corrected and some were not. Titan increased their per-huc estimate from the $500 range to the $700-range.

The group expressed interest in the Oregon-Washington linework that was completed by Titan. Linda Davis will contact Dale Guenther and find out what the status is of these lines. Roger Hirshman stated that he had talked to Dale and did not get the impression that Dale’s group was expecting a “final” certification-ready product from Titan. Roger said he had not yet looked at estimates from other contractors but that could be a possibility if there was time and a need was identified.

Irv expressed an interest in beginning a review on the Bruneau River huc. He will talk to John Courtright about this possibility and get back with the group soon. Also, Irv will get with Zig Napkora regarding the linework that was sent from IDWR for their review to see if they have made any draft changes or have any comments.

IDWR still has several hucs with preliminary linework that has been completed by NRCS. The group could begin the review process on these hucs.

Utah is still waiting on Idaho for the Bear River lines. IDWR will work on getting those changes completed.

Cindy Lou is the new Chief GIS person for BLM.

The meeting concluded at 11:55 a.m.

FOLLOW-UP/ACTION ITEMS

Nick Gerhardt will send Genna Ashley 1) the justifications on the above-mentioned hucs, and 2) the completed linework for incorporation into the master watershed coverage.

Leigh Bailey will send Genna Ashley the changes on Hucs 17060207 and 17060210.

Genna Ashley will update the Status Map and distribute to the TWG.

Linda Davis will contact Dale Guenther regarding the Oregon-Washington lines that were sent out for certification.

Irv Cowley will get with John Courtright regarding the Bruneau River Huc, and also speak to Zig Napkora regarding the Southwest Idaho huc lines they were reviewing.

Next TWG Meeting:

August 19^th at 9:00 a.m. – The TWG will review any remaining Nez Perce/Payette National Forest linework from the July meeting, review the final draft changes on the Teton Huc 17040204 and begin the review process on the Salmon-Challis National Forest hucs 17060203, 17060201 and 17060204 with Betsy Rieffenberger.