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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-09-15city council minutesBook 18 Page 243 SPECIAL MEETING September 15, 1977 4:00 P.M. The Meeting was called to order by the President of the City Council, Al McCluskey, Acting Mayor. The _Roll of the City Council was called with the following members present: Olesen, Raymond, Banks, and Bauman. Absent: Williams. (DISCUSSION REGARDING THE RECLASSIFICATION OF INDIAN CREEK) President McCluskey called on Mr. Capestany to present what he felt should be the City of Caldwell's testimony on the amended petition requesting the reclassification of Indian Creek. Mr. Cape.stany stated that he took the worst case that he could think of regarding Nampa discharging. into Indian Creek. This was taking maximum temperature and the creek at maximum pH and Nampa discharging 20 mg /L of ammonia. Mr. Capestany then presented this statement as follows: CITY OF CALDWELL TESTIMONY ON THE AMENDED PETITION REQUESTING THE RECLASSIFICATION OF INDIAN CREEK. The City of Caldwell is dedicated to the intent of the Clean Rivers Act believing that man needs as clean an environment as he can possibly afford. The City of Caldwell opposes Nampa's petition to reclassify Indian Creek from a_'B'- stream to a non - specific classification of 'E'. However, we support an effort to retain the Class B classification with a modification of the ammonia standards. It is our belief that the ammonia standards can be modified while- still..maintaining.waters of sufficient quality to support recreation and warm water fish life. The data we have analyzed support our rationale. An evaluation of the river at its worst condition for ammonia toxicity indi- cates that 4% of the ammonia will exist in it toxic or un- ionized form. _This represents a concentration of 0.48 mg /L below Nampa's discharge. This concentration can be of acute toxicity to cold water species; however, warm water fishes exhibit a higher tolerance range; as high as 3.8 mg /L for ..some species.. Ammonia is not a static compound. Aside from just plain dilution, ammonia is lost thru volatilization, biological uptake and oxidation to-nitrite and nitrate. Thus, the concentration of ammonia will decrease considerably downstream from Nampa's discharge. This is evidenced by the present ammonia concentration levels at and below the Wilson Drain. We acknowledge the possibility of localized effects in the immediate vicinity of Nampa's outfall. However, we feel that the majority of the river segment will not be adversely effected by this discharge for the purpose of supporting recreation and warm water fish life. The ultimate test is the creek's ability to assimilate the ammonia input and support the different uses intended. We adhere to the principle that actual conditions °'ratp.er' than a theoretical standard should govern the degree of treatment. Should the creek exhibit in the future an inability to support the intended uses, remedial action should then be taken. i Book 18 Page 244 Much discussion followed this statement by Mr. Capestany. The City Council agreed that they wanted Mr. Capestany to present this as Caldwell's testimony and to strongly indicate Caldwell's opposition to the reclassification. MOVED by Raymond, SECONDED by blesen that this statement of testimony be adopted as the policy of the City Council of Caldwell and this statement be presented tonight at the hearing by Mr.. Capestany. Some discussion then followed regarding the Commissions testifying at the hearing. The Recreation Commission had contacted President McCluskey and informed him that they would not make a statement at the hearing as long as:the.City Council made their statement combined with theirs. They did agree with the stand that the City Council was taking. Councilman Olesen stated that he felt the Commissions should not make any s-tatement at all at the hearing as the City Council's statement would be the official policy for the City of Caldwell. Mr. Olesen felt if they wanted to speak up it should be as an individual., not representing the Commission they belonged to. Councilman Banks stated that he felt a sentence should be added to the statement to indicate that it does pertain to recreation and fish life. Mr. Capestany suggested adding to the last sentence of the last paragraph as follows• "Should the creek exhibit in the future an inability to support its intended uses of supporting recreation and warm water fish life, remedial action should then be taken." MOVED by Banks, SECONDED by Bauman that this be added as an amendment to the statement presented by Mr. Capestany. Much discussion then followed this motion. It was pointed out that this was covered already in the statement. Councilwoman Bauman then withdrew her second to the motion. The motion regarding the amendment_ to the original motion was lost due to a lack of a second. Councilman Raymond called a point of order as he felt the vote should be taken on the motion for the amendment, but the City Council disagreed and declared the motion regarding the amendment invalid. MOVED by Olesen, SECONDED by Banks to call for the question on the original motion and that debate cease. Roll call vote. Those voting yes: Olesen, Raymond, Banks, and Bauman. Those voting no: none. Absent and not voting: Williams, MOTION CARRIED Roll call on the original motion. Those voting yes: Raymond, Banks, Bauman, and Olesen. Those voting no: none. Absent and not voting: Williams. MOTION CARRIED Mr. Capestany also read a statement from the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce which was in agreement with the City of Caldwell's __.... position regarding the reclassification. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:45P.M APPROVED AS written THIS 20th DAY OF September 1977, or ATTEST: city -= e'rk