Via Phone Conference –

Michael Philbin, Caribou-Targhee National Forest

Tim Bliss, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

The meeting began at 9:00 a.m., MST.

There was a problem with the IDWR connection to the NetMeeting Server, so the group was unable to use NetMeeting to review the Teton Huc 17040204. There was some limited discussion regarding the delineation process and multiple pour points. It was decided to postpone reviewing the Teton Huc until the July TWG meeting when NetMeeting could be available.

Al Rea discussed the results of his discussions with Bob Pearce in Washington, D.C. regarding the acreage size requirements, numbering sequence and delineating natural lakes.

Acreage size requirements: It was decided that the size criteria set forth in the standards should be closely adhered to. All 5^th and 6^th field hucs should stay within their acreage ranges and there should be little exception to this unless special circumstances are justified. For example, if an area is a true watershed but under 10,000 acres, it could be delineated at the next level, i.e., a 7^th field huc, but not a 6^th field. This helps with consistency at the National level.

Numbering sequence: If a huc is the ONLY 6^th field area within a 5^th field huc (i.e., a big composite such as a lava field), then number it 00. This would only occur if there were no other 6^th field hucs from the 5^th field level. If there were two or more hucs, then they would be numbered 01 and 02 regardless of the presence of hydrography.

Natural Lake Delineation: If a lake is large enough to fit into the size criteria for 5^th or 6^th fields, then it should be treated as a coastal area and can be delineated around the lake shore boundary. Any smaller units left over around the lake that do not meet the size requirements of a 5^th or 6^th field unit would become a part of the lake unit.

Nick Gerhardt from the Nez Perce National Forest brought maps of hucs 17060301, 17060302, 17060304 and 17060305 for review.

Huc 17060301 – This huc had many 5^th and 6^th field huc acreages that were too small and had to be re-delineated. The group spent time regrouping the units and discussing options. Changes were made and Nick will take this huc back and delineate the agreed-upon areas. He will bring the changes back to the July meeting.

Huc 17060302 – Some minor changes were made during the meeting and Nick will make those changes and bring the huc back in July for a final review.

Huc 17060304 – This huc had no changes and was approved by the TWG. It is ready for National Review.

Huc 17060305 – Some minor changes were made during the meeting and Nick will make those changes and bring the huc back in July for a final review.

Roger Hirschman from NRCS brought the Titan data for review. Titan was contracted through NRCS to delineate one pilot huc (17040212) at a cost of $550.00. Roger identified several areas where the Titan lines were off the ridge, did not delineate to the confluence, etc. There was much discussion regarding Titan’s quality control process, whether or not they actually review the data after it has been generated. Roger will get his comments to Titan and let them know what Idaho’s specs would be for a final dataset.

There was some discussion regarding the timeline for having a draft watershed coverage completed. Kenny Legleiter from NRCS wants all data in draft format by December 2002. Unless additional funds and/or resources are secured for this endeavor, Idaho will only have approximately 15-20 hucs completed by this deadline. It was decided that the group should probably contact NRCS and let them know this well before the deadline.

The next two watershed meeting dates were scheduled –

July 24^th at 9:00 a.m. – The TWG will review the Teton Huc with NetMeeting, Nick Gerhardt will bring back hucs 17060301, 17060302 and 17060305 with changes for a final review. He will also be bringing hucs Middle Salmon-Chamberlain, Lower Salmon and Little Salmon for the review.

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

The meeting was concluded at 2:00 p.m., MST.