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In This Issue:1. Workshop Results2. Our Concerns 3. Do You Remember? 4. Progress and Plans 5. Taking Care of Business 1. Workshop ResultsOur Watershed Workshop II: "Stream Study Design" led by Dominic Gregorio, (Citizen Monitoring Coordinator, Calif. State Water Resources Control Board) was held as planned, on Sat. July 28, 2001 and turned out well. Attendance was up from last year's workshop, but we still missed some very important people (many who had sent RSVPs that they would be there). The 10 important questions suggested by EPA were all answered. These answers provide guidance as we prepare our QAPP (Quality Assurance Program Plan) as required by the Regional Water Quality Control Boards. Discussions led us to listing observations that created our concern for the watershed.2. Our ConcernsIt became clear at the workshop that we need to present and repeat our concerns and the observations that they are based on. Our concerns center around changes that we see in and near the river that could indicate water and habitat degradation from specific land uses. Our observations:
3. Do You Remember?...the beautiful old store and coffee shop that used to be located near the still standing, rustic old visitor center? Many people seemed to at this year's gathering at the grove in July, so we asked around for photos and information. The reason the old store came down is still not too clear, but we thank Ward Eldridge, (NPS Museum Tech, at Ash Mt.) for providing us with this 1950's era sketch that he found in their files!
click on image for larger (68k) version |
4. Progress and PlansThis year we planned to "get the word out" that we are alive, healthy, and getting stronger every year! We have been meeting our plan by increasing our outreach to others with new pamphlets and more contacts through activities like our watershed workshop, our new banner and poster displays when we are in the canyon, and by getting involved with meetings such as the Regional Water Quality Control Boards Basin Plan Prioritizing meeting and the U.S. Forest Service's Sequoia National Monument meeting.We continue to build our base of interested folks who live and work in the local (Fresno...Visalia) area. We will again be attending the "Celebrate Sequoias" event at Grant Grove on Saturday, September 8, 2001, and having a booth set up to display our poster and reach out to help information exchange. This year we plan to draft our first edition of our Quality Assurance Program Plan and work with staff from the Regional Water Quality Control Board and other stake holders to begin making improvements and monitoring as much as we can within our financial and human resources. We need to remember our successes, which have included:
5. Taking Care of BusinessThanks to those of you who recently donated. This winter we hope to be able to purchase some equipment and supplies, so please remember us when you look at your income taxes this year and begin listing your donations.If you'd like to become a member, please print out and fill in our membership form and mail it to us with your contribution. Thanks for your support !!Your Board of Directors:Marlene Ballard |
