Held at Martha Diehl and Ken Ekelund’s home at the Garrapata Trout Farm. Approx. 42 people attended

Agenda

2 pm Welcome and Updates - Ken Ekelund

Kleissner Property Presentation – Charly Kleissner

Social Time - 3 pm

Updates from Ken Ekelund

- After welcoming everyone and asking for a moment of silence, Ken gave an update on the Stream Gage (or as most would call it - Gauge) Project. The council raised over $1000 to buy and install a stream gage that gives us continuous recording information. This stream gage will help us determine how long it will take to sediment to go down stream and also if there is a problem with stream flow during the dry months. There have been concerns raised in the past about both of these issues. Ken showed a rough plot of data from the gage and showed how much the stream flow changes daily. There are very distinct dips and raises in the level of the creek. This is called the diurnal cycle and results because tress and plants draw less water at night. There was a lively discussion about stream flow, sediment and hydrology. Ken thanked all of those who have contributed to this project. (Note: although we have raised money for the gage we will continue raise money to buy more water measuring equipment and water quality test equipment.)

- Ken gave an update on the road survey that we received got funded. Pacific Watershed Associates (PWA) will be down in our area in October and November. About 15 different landowners in the watershed have signed up; they own a total of 75% of the land in the watershed. The exact timing is still a bit uncertain because PWA wants to continue work in Humboldt County until the first big rains come up there. We will contact them again to get a better time line. Ken asked anyone who had signed up to let him know if there is a specific time frame that they wanted PWA to do their piece should contact him as soon as possible. Ken showed the map with the watershed and the number of landowners who have already signed up. There is still time for other landowners who want to take care of this completely free and incredibly valuable survey. PWA will only go on the property of willing landowners. This survey is required for any restoration project using state funding. Letters are available to any landowners inside the Garrapata Creek watershed who would like to take advantage of this opportunity. Call Ken if you have any questions (625-9621).

- Ken talked about the meeting that members of the council had with Monterey County Public Works Department in Supervisor Dave Potter’s office to talk about Garrapatos Road. Dave Potter let the Public Works office know that he wanted them to cooperate closely with the council. We talked about possible funding sources for a re-design and possibly resurfacing of the county part of the road. It is apparent that any decision for funding will have to wait until after PWA does the road survey. While PWA is doing work, members of the county will want to come ask questions. We are going to be kept the residents in touch with any plans on improvements to Garrapatos Road and will work with the county on their grant proposals to improve the safety and environmental quality in the area around the road.

Presentation about the Kleissner Property by Charly Kleissner

- Ken introduced Charly Kleissner. Ken pointed out that the Kleissner Family wanted to come to the last general meeting but were out of town. At the June general meeting, several residents raised concerns about the work that has gone on the road.

- Charly Kleissner gave a very informative and extensive presentation, which included over 150 photographs. He talked about how they decided to buy the property they are calling (for the time being)"453" because it totals 453 acres. The land is located up Joshua Creek and was purchased in early 2000. When asked about how many parcels were involved, Charly stated that they have someone looking at that but it might be as many as 6 or 7 lots of record but they only plan to build a family house on one of them.

- Charly first started by showing the existing condition when they purchased the land; there were some major landslide problems that had damaged the road very badly in '98. Also he mentioned that the previous owners’had family living on the property and a house burned down in ‘97. He showed pictures of countless junk cars, trucks and other junk that was scattered over the entire property. Most have been removed, but a few remain in areas which cannot be accessed due to storm damage. Charly stated that the road restoration has been driven by the following three main objectives: Erosion control, sediment control, and clean-up of junk. Over 100 loads of junk and trash have been taken out so far.

- Charly then gave a virtual tour of both the lower and upper road. He showed areas of concern that they have on the road. One of the biggest areas of concern is a huge slide on the upper road. They wish to finish the last part of the work and are particularly concerned about having it finished so that it will be ready for heavy winter rains. They are hoping for quick resolution of their permits so that they can complete the remainder of the corrective work that they were hoping to do.

The official portion of the meeting was concluded at 3:45 and everyone retired to a great Pot Luck.

Our Very Special thanks to Lisa and Charly Kleissner for sharing information with their neighbors and giving a terrific presentation.

/Ken Ekelund

2 October 2001

P.S

We are still accepting donations to fund additionally scientific equipment and cover other cost to keeping the council going. (Donations are tax-exempt).

Checks should be made out to the "Garrapata Creek Watershed Council" and sent to:

Garrapata Creek Watershed Council

35811 Highway 1

Monterey CA 93940