Kitsap Sun Aquifer Article 3-29-11

Deciding Whether to Attend Aquifer Meeting Tonight?  If you are trying to decide whether to attend the Aquifer Briefing tonight (3/29) at 6:30 pm at the Norm Dicks Center, you might want to read the following article in the Kitsap Sun this morning.  We have attached it below and also linked it http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/mar/28/as-expected-study-predicts-declinging-drinking/.  We will be learning about some of the same issues as they affect Illahee and the surrounding community from a noted hydrologist.

Aquifers Also Feed Illahee Creek.  Not only do our aquifers provide our drinking water, they also provide for the base flow in Illahee Creek, which is necessary to maintain if the stream is to continue to be fish bearing.  This will also be discussed.

Jim Aho

Kitsap Sun                                             Tuesday March 29, 2011

As expected, study predicts declining drinking water supply on Bainbridge

By Tristan Baurick

Monday, March 28, 2011

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — The results of a U.S. Geological Survey study of Bainbridge's groundwater supply were released this week, almost eight months after its preliminary results indicated the island's main sources of drinking water have and will continue to decline over the next two decades.

USGS hydrologist Lonna Frans said there is no significant difference between the preliminary results, which were released in July, and the final 95-page report. It took eight months to formally release the report because of the USGS's extensive review process, she said.

The study's aim was to develop a model that can simulate the potential impacts of increased groundwater pumping over the next 25 years.

Under likely conditions, the large Fletcher Bay Aquifer system, from which many high-capacity city and public utility wells draw water, is likely to drop by up to 10 feet by 2035, according to the study's preliminary results.

None of the study's results showed saltwater intrusion in island wells. Some residents with nearshore wells have expressed concerns about saltwater seeping into wells as their levels decline.

"The groundwater model gives us the tools necessary to make informed and sustainable water resource decisions," city water resources specialist Cami Apfelbeck said this week.

City water resources experts had recently stated that island aquifers were stable, and that any declines were temporary, despite a city-commissioned report that indicated otherwise in 2009.

The USGS report's findings also run counter to the notion that the island's groundwater levels are stable.

"Stable means things aren't changing, and that's not necessarily the case," Frans said when the preliminary results were released. "The (USGS study) does show decreases, and pumping is likely (the cause)."

Groundwater is the island's sole source of drinking water. Concerns about a dwindling supply could steer policy decisions for managing population growth and development.

City leaders expressed concern when the preliminary results were released, but decided to put aside discussion until the final report was released.

Water use has been a contentious topic on Bainbridge. Ensuring that the island has an adequate water supply was the top concern among the issues that worry residents, according to a 2008 opinion survey. Some residents fear that the limited supply fail to meet the demand of a growing population, and that policies should be enacted to better-manage development and water use.

The full USGS groundwater report is available for download at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2011/5021/.

Aquifer & Preserve Info 3-27-11

Signs In Illahee.  We heard there were 14 signs put up on Saturday reminding residents of the Aquifer Briefing being held at the Norm Dicks Center on Tuesday evening from 6:30-8 pm.  It looks like there are two different versions, which we found near the Illahee Preserve parking lot on Almira.

What is the Status of Our Aquifers?  There seem to be some differing opinions out there, with the four most common responses being:  

1.  Not a problem.  "We get too much rain for there to be a problem."

2.  There is a problem.  "Illahee Creek's flow is getting lower every summer."

3.  Don't know and would like to know more. (paraphase of most common response)

4.  Don't need to know.  "North Perry (Water) takes care of these issues."

Most Don't Know.  Most residents do not know what the aquifer situation is in Illahee or how important it is to understand it, and what residents can do to help.

Hydrologist Expert Opinion Requested.  That "not knowing" is the reason for bring back Dr. Massmann to help us better understand the aquifer situation in Illahee and the surrounding area.  Dr. Massmann has studied the Illahee situation several times before, first at the request of the Illahee Community following a study by Aspect Consulting that said development along Illahee Creek could lower the base flow in Illahee Creek by 15-20%.  The community paid for the study to verify those findings.  The second study entitled "Illahee Watershed Aquifer Protection Plan" was prepared by Dr. Massmann as part of the Department of Ecology and Port of Illahee grant.  Dr. Massmann presented those findings in 2009 at a presentation.

Important Subject.  Aquifers are an extremely important subject, since Illahee's drinking water comes solely from our underlying aquifers.  Our aquifers also supply the spring water that keeps Illahee Creek flowing during non-precipitation periods.

Latest Findings?  When the Bainbridge Island Aquifer study was done by the USGS, they included some of the surrounding areas, including Illahee.  Dr. Massmann has been asked to see if he can extrapolate any information from that study that might be applicable to Illahee and the Manette Aquifer.  

Suggestions for Residents.  Dr. Massmann has also been asked to provide residents with suggestions of what they can do to help protect and preserve our aquifers.

Stolen Car in Preserve?  We heard today that about 2 weeks ago a stolen car was driven into the Preserve from Thompson Lane and had to be hauled out by a tow truck.  We were asked why they hadn't seen the event or any pictures in an Update.  Well, the reason is that was the first we heard about it.  We would have been out taking pictures and getting more information had we known.  Please let us know about these events.  We don't mind getting multiple reports.

Rotary Trail Crew Work.  Thanks to the East Bremerton Rotary's chain saw crew who cleaned up another downed tree this morning that was crossing a trail.  The Preserve is almost entirely a volunteer maintained and supported park and we thank the Rotary and all the other volunteers who help day in and day out.

2010 Hours?  Just how many hours were logged in officially at the Illahee Preserve in 2010?  This does not include many hours of work that did not get recorded.  We heard that the number was just a little under 3000 hours!  Thank you to all those volunteers who help make the Preserve a great park and a success in volunteers planning, supporting, and maintaining a major county park.

2010 Dollar Support?  In addition to volunteer hours, there were some major financial support, that we heard amounted to over $12,000 in 2010.  The Rotary has been a major contributer, especially with the beautiful entrance signs which were installed in previous years.  The Illahee Forest Preserve is the non-profit organization (501.c.3) that supports the Preserve.  They paid for the dedication plaque, rock moving, etc.  Additionally, the Port of Illahee and the Department of Ecology paid for the rain garden plants.  Thanks to all these groups and organizations for stepping up to help.

Ducks in the Preserve Pond?  It appears we again have a pair of mallard ducks who think the Illahee Preserve detention pond next to the Almira parking lot should be their home.  We took the attached photo this afternoon.

Preserve Vandals & Learning Opportunities 3-22-11

Brush Thieves in Preserve.  It appears brush thieves have struck again in the Illahee Preserve as bundles of salal were found at the Petersville Road entrance on Monday.  Evidently the thieves are dropped off from a van or other vehicle and picked up later.  Rather than haul their cutting in daylight, they stash them close to a road, and pick them up later in the evening.  When the bundles were sighted some of the park stewards looked to see if they were still in the Preserve, but couldn't find anyone.  The stewards are hoping with more eyes in the woods and along the perimeter of the Preserve that they can get a license number or photograph of the culprits.  

Scout Sign Vandals.  We have had problems with someone taking down the new Eagle Scout trail signs and possibly discovered the culprits.  We asked for detailed description of those involved from the person who happened upon them during a walk and received the following:  

The 3 boys were late teens. 16 – 18 years old.  They were all white.   One wore heavy dark framed glasses.  One had pretty long dark brown hair,  one had shaggy shorter black hair.  There was a girl with them (also white) standing a ways away holding on to a medium to large reddish brown dog.  She may have been a little older than the boys.  She wore jeans and a light colored sweatshirt (?)  I stood and talked to her for a minute while our dogs sniffed each other and she said yes she was with them and she had told them not to take the signs down because she liked that they helped her not get lost.  I may have given them the impression that I was taking their picture with my phone (J) but sadly my phone doesn’t have a camera.  All 3 boys were smokers.  After I talked to them they stopped messing with the sign and stood in a group smoking.  I had heard kids yelling (whooping…animal or bird noises) earlier and my dog kept stopping and facing east. (We were on the middle trail that goes up to the compass circle.)  I saw them between the amphitheater and compass circle on the main trail.  The sign they were after was bolted to the tree and they did not have any kind of tools.  They were just banging and pulling with their hands. I was not confrontational with them but I also did not feel threatened.  They seemed like run of the mill prankster teenagers.  I hope some of this helps.

Volunteer Supported Preserve.  With the Preserve being almost entirely supported by volunteers and their collective efforts in its preservation and protection, it is important that we do whatever we can to curtail vandalism.  If you ever see anything wrong in the Preserve you can call 911, Preserve Stewards at 479-1049, or the Parks Department.

Forest and Stream Course.  There is a class starting on Saturday at the Norm Dicks Center for anyone interested in forest and stream stewardship offered by WSU Extension.  They will be using the Illahee Preserve for some of their forest work.  We checked and they still have room for anyone who wants to sign up.  The details are:

The 2011 Forest/Stream Stewardship Training begins Saturday, March 26!  Stream Stewards receive training that prepares them to work on upland and stream riparian restoration projects.  Everyone can become a stream steward.  The cost for the series of classes is $40 payable to WSU Kitsap Extension and includes materials and your own "WSU Stream Steward Volunteer" name badge.  Scholarships are available by notifying awbergstrom@wsu.edu of your need. For more information:   More information is also available at: http://kitsap.wsu.edu/Stream%20Stewards/index.htm

Aquifer Press Release Correction.  We had a correction to the Press Release that was sent out earlier.  The release stated the aquifers are the sole source of drinking water on the Manette Peninsula, which Illahee is in.  That is not true as the City of Bremerton has an extensive service area on the Manette Peninsula with much of the water coming from surface water from the  Union River.  Illahee's drinking water comes solely from the Manette Peninsula aquifers, which is provided by North Perry Water.

Aquifer Presentation Reminder.  Don't forget the aquifer presentation is next Tuesday (3/29/11) at 6:30 pm at the Norm Dicks Center.

Jim Aho

Press Release for Aquifer Meeting 3/29/11 3-17-11

Illahee Aquifer Issues.  Over the years some Illahee residents have been concerned about the increasingly low baseflows in Illahee Creek during periods when there is no or little precipitation, primarily in the summer time.  The baseflows in Illahee Creek are supplied from springs (or seeps) that emanate from the shallow aquifers.  

Base Flows Critical for Fish.  Adequate baseflows during dry periods is crucial for fish survival and are of special concern for those hoping at restoring Illahee Creek's fish (salmonids) population to near historic levels.

Aspect Consulting Report.  A number of years ago Aspect Consulting did an analysis of Illahee Creek during one of the dry summer months to identify the primary locations of the springs supplying the creek and the flows coming from the seeps.  The study noted the importance of infiltration of rainwater into the groundwater systems and aquifers, and noted that a proposal to run stormwater to the Sound could decrease the baseflow in Illahee Creek by 15 to 20%.

Parametrix Report.  When the Port of Illahee and the Department of Ecology funded the engineering firm Parametrix to conduct a watershed study of Illahee Creek, they included a requirement for an Aquifer Protection Plan to be prepared for the creek.  The plan was sub-contracted out to Keta Waters, an engineering firm specializing in hydrology.

June 2009 Briefing.  The Aquifer Protection Plan for Illahee Creek was presented at a briefing on June 30, 2009 at the Norm Dicks Center, during which Dr. Joel Massmann of Keta Waters, noted that the Manette Aquifer, which underlies much of Illahee and Illahee Creek, may be at water balance according to his calculations.  This was the first time many had heard this and in talking to those attending, many did not understand the situation or the implications.  

Water Balance?  As we understood the presentation, the Manette aquifer is recharged solely by the infiltration of rainwater, and that recharge amount is also what is being withdrawn for drinking water and what is being discharged into creeks such as Illahee.  In other words this aquifer may be essentially at water balance.  It will take more studies to confirm this and they were recently authorized, but it will take a number of years before they will be completed.

Implications of Being at Water Balance.  If Dr. Massmann is correct, then it seems to us that we should be paying attention to this situation, and understand possible implications:  such as What happens if we have a relatively dry rainy season, or several in a row, and we withdraw more water than is infiltrated?   Are we in danger of salt water intrusion into the aquifer?

Bainbridge Island USGS Aquifer Study Issued 3/1/11.  Dr. Massmann has been invited back to give another briefing on this subject, and will have some more information which he hopes to get from the USGS study of the Bainbridge Island aquifers.  This will be another opportunity for residents to better understand the groundwater and aquifer system that lies under us, and what we can do to make sure it remains a viable water resource into the future.

The Press Release.  We thought it might be helpful to preface the following press release with our thoughts and concerns in hopes that residents would want to learn more at the briefing: 

GROUNDWATER, AQUIFERS & INFILTRATION REQUIREMENTS

A Briefing of the Manette Peninsula Aquifer and the Illahee Watershed Aquifer Protection Plan by Dr. Joel Massmann

A briefing discussing the underlying aquifers in Illahee and the surrounding area will be held at the Norm Dicks Government Center on the evening of March 29, 2011 from 6:30-8 pm.

Dr. Joel Massmann will discuss the underlying aquifers and groundwater recharge on the Manette Peninsula and within the Illahee Creek watershed.  The presentation will address questions regarding how much fresh water is in these aquifers, where does this fresh water come from,  and where does it go.  These questions will be described in the context of relationships between groundwater for municipal supply and groundwater to support stream flow and wetlands. 

In June 2009, Dr. Massmann noted that the Manette Aquifer may essentially be at water balance and the water rights for the aquifer may have been over-allocated. (Also in June 2009 the Kitsap County Commissioners adopted a “Water as a Resource Policy” for Kitsap County.)   Since that time the Kitsap PUD and local water purveyors have funded USGS to conduct a detailed study of the Kitsap Peninsula that will take several years to complete.  In the meantime the implications of local aquifers possibly at water balance needs to be addressed.  Dr. Massmann has been invited back to discuss the aquifer issues again and any possible extrapolations for Illahee from the USGS Groundwater Study of Bainbridge Island that was issued on March 1, 2011.  He will also provide specific recommendations for protecting aquifers, which are the sole source of our drinking water on the Manette Peninsula.

Dr. Massmann has over twenty-five years of experience as a groundwater consultant.  He is the founder of Keta Waters and was previously a faculty member in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Washington.

Dr. Massmann’s study of the local aquifers was funded in part over the last few years by grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Washington State Department of Ecology; and by the Port of Illahee, the Illahee Forest Preserve, and the Illahee Community.  

Comments?  If you have any thoughts on this subject, or even disagreements with our comments, we would like to hear them and will include them in a future update, or you can comment on the blog http://illaheecommunity.blogspot.com/ or Facebook.

Jim Aho

Earthquake Insurance Feedback - 3-14-11

Quick Responses to EQ Insurance Question.  Thanks for all the quick responses to the earthquake insurance question.  We also heard that a number of people cancelled their EQ insurance after the 2001 earthquake when they realized the deductible was 10% of house value and didn't cover the damages they incurred.  Below are the email responses we received:

Jim, we have had earthquake insurance for some years and it costs about $300 per year for a house valued about $250K.  There is a 10% deductable and an exclusion of outside masonry.  I got mine through USAA insurance.

This response was only a website:   http://www.geovera.com/

Regarding insurance costs,

We have earthquake Insurance, as a rider on our Homeowners Policy through State Farm. They don’t itemize the different inclusions in our policy bill so I can’t tell you the exact cost, but coverage value of around $300,000 costs us a little over $1000 per year. I should tell you, while there is a $1,000 deductable on the bulk of our policy; the earthquake coverage has a whopping 10% deductible.

Everyone should be reminded to either put together, or inventory existing disaster supplies, to help them survive through the next big one.\\

Here’s a great info sheet put out by the Seattle City Government. www.seattle.gov/emergency/library/snap/kit/together_prepare_all.pdf

Jim, from talking with friends and collegues as well as checking my own policy it will run about a quarter of what my yearly home owners insurance premium runs, which is around $400.00 dollars.  I know Jim and I will be taking out insurance.  Looking at all the earthquakes that have occured around the Pacific Rim -ring of fire our area is one of the last to not experience a significant quake.  It's time we all start getting prepared-at least be able to take care of ourselves food and water wise for at least a week.

All insurance companies are different. I have had earthquake insurance an each house I have owned here in Washington State. Four separate homes. When I bought this house in Illahee I put earthquake insurance on this home and then the insurance company (Nationwide) said that I had to bolt the sill plate down to the foundation. The house was built in 1943 so essentially they were asking me to bring up to 2006 standards. I previously had Grange insurance on my homes and went back to them and they did provide me with earthquake insurance however, in 2010 they sent me a letter and informed me they would no longer insure me for an earthquake (a lot of insurance companies are dropping earthquake insurance). I am currently insured through American Family and am covered for earthquake. Looking at my policy I can't tell exactly what I am paying but I believe it is about $20.00 per month. I am certain if depends on the insured value of your home. My total premium in $760.00 per year with a value for the dwelling at $270,000.00. My insurance broker is Joshua Spain in Silverdale 360-536-9088. I hope this information is helpful.

We did have earthquake insurance on our home at a reasonable cost with Allstate. They decided to not issue earthquake insurance policies. We considered a policy with another compnay. The premiums were expensive and the deductable was considerable. Living on a fault line was an issue.

here is the verbage to go with your chart

Location, structure, and seismicity of the Seattle fault zone, Washington: Evidence from aeromagnetic anomalies, geologic mapping, and seismic-reflection data

Richard J. Blakely*1, Ray E. Wells*1, Craig S. Weaver*2 and Samuel Y. Johnson*3

+ Author Affiliations

1U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA

2U.S. Geological Survey, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA

3U.S. Geological Survey, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225, USA

Abstract 

A high-resolution aeromagnetic survey of the Puget Lowland shows details of the Seattle fault zone, an active but largely concealed east-trending zone of reverse faulting at the southern margin of the Seattle basin. Three elongate, east-trending magnetic anomalies are associated with north- dipping Tertiary strata exposed in the hanging wall; the magnetic anomalies indicate where these strata continue beneath glacial deposits. The northernmost anomaly, a narrow, elongate magnetic high, precisely correlates with magnetic Miocene volcanic conglomerate. The middle anomaly, a broad magnetic low, correlates with thick, nonmagnetic Eocene and Oligocene marine and fluvial strata. The southern anomaly, a broad, complex magnetic high, correlates with Eocene volcanic and sedimentary rocks. This tripartite package of anomalies is especially clear over Bainbridge Island west of Seattle and over the region east of Lake Washington. Although attenuated in the intervening region, the pattern can be correlated with the mapped strike of beds following a northwest-striking anticline beneath Seattle. The aeromagnetic and geologic data define three main strands of the Seattle fault zone identified in marine seismic-reflection profiles to be subparallel to mapped bedrock trends over a distance of >50 km. The locus of faulting coincides with a diffuse zone of shallow crustal seismicity and the region of uplift produced by the M 7 Seattle earthquake of A.D. 900–930.

http://gsabulletin.gsapubs.org/content/114/2/169.abstract

Other articles of interest:

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/pacnw/paleo/bainisl/sfhistory.php

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/pacnw/activefaults/sfz/sfzage.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_Fault

HI, and thank you for the heads up on the EQ...  We are also interested in any EQ insurance policies that people have found.  So as always thank you for all your hard work. Thank You For Your Responses.  Thank you for your helpful and thoughtful responses!  There are a number of residents who want to know more and your responses are appreciated. Jim Aho

Earthquak

Illahee in the News - 3-13-11

Illahee in the News.  Illahee makes the printed news quite often.  There is a nice article in the Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal, written by Kathleen Byrne-Barrantes entitled "Around the Sound ...  focus on Illahee and the nearshore environment."  The link is:  http://kpbj.com/feature_articles/2011-03-02/around_the_sound_focus_on_illahee_and_the_nearshore_environment

Illahee Car Story.  The Kitsap Sun recently had an article about Andy Barcheck and his amazing car story and how with the help of local craftsmen won a prestigious car award.  Andy and his wife live near Illahee State Park.  The link to the article is:  http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/mar/03/fourteen-years-in-a-garage-pays-off-for-man/

Long Time Illahee Resident Photo on Front Page of Kitsap Sun.  On the front page of Thursday's Kitsap Sun was an article on shortages of some produce with a picture of Audrey Boyer buying celery.  (For years Audrey put out an Illahee Community Newsletter, which she personally mailed to about 200 residents.  These Updates are now trying to follow her lead in keeping residents appraised of what is happening in Illahee.)  The link to the article is:  http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/mar/10/in-search-of-lettuce-southern-cold-snap-to-blame/

Rob Woutat Column.  Rob Woutat recently wrote about the changes to his neighborhood in Illahee which has some interesting comments following.  The link is:  http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/feb/24/rob-woutat-things-are-changing-in-the-old-hood/

Sense of Community?  What is interesting about the Woutat article is that there are a number of Illahee residents who are trying to foster a sense of community in Illahee.  There are some definite bright spots as those who regularly use the Illahee Preserve seem to know each other, as do those who use the Illahee community dock.  Whenever petitions were circulated there was also interest in what was happening in Illahee, with one early petition drive gathering over 700 signatures.   Another bright spot is we find that more and more residents are receiving the Illahee Community Updates, which are now also on a blog site and on Facebook.

What Else Can Be Done?  If you have any ideas about how to better bring together the Illahee Community, we would be glad to forward them on to the Illahee groups we are aware of:  the Illahee Preserve Stewardship Committee, the Illahee Forest Preserve, the Illahee Community Club, and the Port of Illahee.

Jim Aho

Earthquake Vulnerable - 3-12-11

Kitsap Sun Article.  Chris Dunagan wrote a pertinent article for Illahee residents in today's (Saturday's) Kitsap Sun regarding how this area is vulnerable to the same kind of earthquakes that happened in Japan.  http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/mar/11/japanese-earthquake-could-be-replicated-here/ What was interesting for the Illahee Community Club board members, who met on Thursday evening - the night before the Japan earthquake, discussed how the Illahee community lies on a fault line and that it is therefore more vulnerable to earthquakes and that this fact needs to be included in the Illahee film project, currently underway. 

 
Call From Physicist.  It was related on Thursday evening that a former Illahee resident received a call from a college friend, a physicist, who was working with USGS regarding the Seattle earthquake fault, who advised her to take out earthquake insurance since the Seattle fault line extended into the Illahee area.  We don't know if that family ever did get earthquake insurance since they have since moved.  We have talked with others in the area who are aware of the fault line and do have earthquake insurance.

Fault Line Extends to Illahee.  The first time many became aware that the Seattle fault line extends into the Illahee area, was during a presentation of the Illahee Creek Watershed Surface Management Plan report at the Norm Dick's Center by Dr. Derek Booth of Stilwater Sciences and Erin Nelson of Parametrix.  Both are licensed geologists and civil engineers, and during the presentation discussed that Illahee is indeed more vulnerable since it is located along the Seattle fault line.

Fault Line Map.  We found the attached USGS map as part of presentation made at a 2005 conference on the Seattle Fault.  Note how the fault line goes right through the tip of Bainbridge Island, through Illahee, and into Dyes Inlet.  

Cost of Earthquake Insurance?  We have residents who have expressed interest in EQ insurance so if anyone can give them an idea of what it costs, we will pass it on.

Jim Aho

Pheasant Photos - 3-5-11

Pheasant Pictures.  A few Updates ago we commented on how hard it was to get good pheasant pictures, since these birds are rather flighty.  Since then we received some nice photos from John Lind and Don Jahaske.  The best we could do here was a long shot of one down by the beach.

John Lind Photos.  John Lind gave us a number of pheasant photos he has taken over the past few years and we selected two of the bunch.  He and Arlene have named this one Hank.

Don Jahaske Photos.  The two photo below were taken a few days ago by Don Jahaske.  A few years ago Don purchased two hen pheasants from a pheasant farm for a roster that was in the area, since he hadn't seen any hens around.  He said it wasn't long afterwards there were two broods of pheasants in the area.  He tried to purchase some hens more recently but was unable to do so as evidently the game department was worried about diseases and the pheasant farms would not sell him any.  Hopefully there are still some hens around, though they are often eaten by raccoons and fox when they are nesting.  Since no one has reporting seeing hen pheasants around recently we are wondering if there are still any in the area.  Let us know if you see any hens around.