Revised 8/02/99

MINUTES - 7/28/99 LAND USE & NATURAL RESOURCES COMM. MTG

Attendees: Jack Barbash, Dan Chasan, Jim Garrison, John Gerstle, Susie 

Kalhorn, Donna Klemka, Gardner Perry, Sharon Price, Lorin Reinelt, Carol 

Salkind, Mark Salkind, David Warren; John Koon & Susan Oxholm (King 

County-Water and Land Resources Division)



 John Koon described the services of the Water and Land Resources Division 

 (formerly Surface Water Management) as drainage basin planning, drainage 

investigation, complaint response, facilities management and upgrades (70 

storm water facilities on Vashon), stewardship programs, monitoring and 

agricultural assistance.

 A number of problems were cited by the attendees that needed to be 

addressed by King County, e.g. lack of review of building surface water 

management plans by the Buildings Dept, the Roads Division diverting water 

into streams which could increasse flows, causing storm events and causing 

stream bed erosion. Susie said that rural road standards are needed. 

 Jim stated that flooding and surface water drainage are not our primary 

concerns and questioned whether water retention and water quality would be 

addressed by Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD). Dan Chasan urged WLRD 

to look at the priorities in the Vashon-Maury Island Ground Water Management 

Plan ( currently under review at the State level with, as yet , no funding) 

and said that monitoring is needed for an early warning system for water 

problems. John Koon said that Ken Johnson at KC is trying to put together a 

County wide program for ground water management.

 Funding for WLRD service areas is from homeowners who pay $85 annually 

and commercial property owners who pay on an incremental scale depending on 

the extent of impervious or hard surfaces. Vashon is currently not a service 

area. Koon estimates that Vashon would be taxed $700, 000 per year if it 

were. 20% of this tax revenue would be siphoned off to pay general KC 

expenses such as the courts,etc. Lorin said that it would be more logical to 

have a special ground water tax for Vashon. Jim said that KC should allow us 

to set up an Aquifer Protection District if WLRD is to handle surface water. 

Susie, Lorin, Donna, and Jack commented that that surface water and ground 

water efforts should be integrated. Lorin commented that we should have a 

combination of funding to also address fish bearing stream protection. Also 

water retention needs to consider effect of clearing forests. 

 Jim raised another couple of issues: Can we opt out of WLRD taxation if 

aquifer protection gets implemented or WLRD performance is unsatisfactory 

and, secondly, can an Aquifer Protection District, if implemented, work 

together with WLRD. John Koon thought that it might be possible for KC to 

contract to a Vashon entity. 

 In terms of how WLRD money could be best used, Jack thought that using 

volunteers to take quality and quantity measurements in private wells. Mark 

said there are 150 small water systems on the Island. David said that it is 

only costing $20,000 to monitor Shinglemill Creek by using volunteers. Donna 

, Sharon and John urged that John Koon and Susan not come back until they 

have a more specific plan, priorities and a budget. John Koon said that they 

would try to have a presentation ready by the VCC meeting on Sept 16. KCs 

next year budget is adop[ted the day before Thanksgiving.

Next Meetings. 

Land Use Mtg August 3, 7:30-9:30 pm Chatauqua School, Multipurpose Room to 

plan public process and decide on proposed Comp Plan changes to be presented 

at the VCC

Land Use Mtg. Aug 18, 7:30-9:30 pm Chatauqua School, Multipurpose Room