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Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance
Minutes May 26, 2008
Maurice Patterson called the meeting to order. For our opening prayer, Maurice asked that we remember this is Memorial Day in a moment of silence, lest we forget.
Stan Verret presented the flag and joined Maurice in leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes of the April 28, 2008 TBBSA Meeting were approved as written.
The Treasurer's Report was approved as presented in printed format. The report showed 22 organization members, 177 associate members, and $9,289.64 Total Funds Available.
Old Business:
AIR BOAT NOISE PROBLEM: For members present who were unaware of the air boat noise problem, Vicky Ostrom explained about the noisy air boats spear-fishing around midnight to sometimes 3:00 a.m. in the area near Carrice Creek.. She and Bill Ostrom did some calling and research on ways to prevent this from happening. Vicky contacted the state and spoke with Major Alfonso Campos, Marine Enforcement Officer for the State of Texas. Maj. Campos said we need to do an ordinance for the noise control, so Vicky did some research on ordinances. She found the Federal 1972 Noise Abatement Act she mentioned last meeting is still on the books, but special interests groups representing industry and commercial interests got the U.S. Congress to pull funding for enforcement of the law. This leaves states, counties, and cities to control noise problems themselves. Vicky said across the southern USA there appears to be two types of ordinances to control watercraft noise. One type of ordinance sets a decibel limit on noise. A county north of Austin, TX has six lakes in its county that set a decibel limit of 0.92 db on watercraft. There are two problems with this ordinance: 1) 0.92 db level is not low enough; 0.93 db damages human hearing; air boats are averaging 0.95 db. Vicky checked with Susan Cowgill for these figures; 2) Enforcement would require purchase of Decibel Meters and training for law enforcement officers. The other type ordinance seems to be more straightforward and enforceable. A good example of this type was adopted into law in Jefferson Parish, LA in July of 2005. It simply states: 'No airboats may be launched or operated within one mile of any populated area between sunset and sunrise. Between sunrise and sunset airboats may only be operated at the engine's idle speed.' Vicky obtained copies of both the types of ordinances, and feels we would probably be able to use the second type best. However, Maj. Campos suggested we use the one with the decibel limit. Discussion followed and Glen Provost asked if Senator Nichols had been contacted about help with enforcing noise control. Maurice will get with Vicky and Bill Ostrom about getting some sort of ordinance that may be presented to County Commissioners.
GIANT SALVINIA: Jim Binns was unable to attend tonight. Maurice mentioned the excellent article by Jim Binns on Giant Salvinia that was published in the last 'Sabine County Reporter', and hoped everyone has read it. Maurice said Senator Nichols was able to get $75,000 for Toledo Bend Lake to help control the Giant Salvinia with use of chemicals.
New Business:
CONTRIBUTION IN MEMORY OF JAMES CLEMONS: For those members who were not aware, Maurice said James Clemons, long-time board of directors' member, friend, ex-marine, and well-read patron of the library, died on June 7th. In recognition of the work and support to TBBSA that Jim contributed, Maurice feels our group should make a donation to the library in his memory. After some discussion, Maurice moved we donate $500 in memory of James Clemons. Cliff Hunt seconded the motion. Vicky Ostrom suggested the donation be used to purchase books so labels can be placed inside showing the book was given by TBBSA in Memory of James Clemons. Motion passed.
NEED VOLUNTEER FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The death of James Clemons left an opening on the TBBSA Board of Directors. Maurice recommended the appointment of Cliff Hunt to fill the opening. Members were in agreement.
TBBSA NEWSLETTER: Maurice said Janna Lehman told him there is no newsletter this month because no one has submitted any news articles about the lake. Maurice reminded members it is everyone's responsibility to submit information about the lake. The information can be E-mailed or written by hand and given to Janna.
TOLEDOCHRONICLE.COM: Maurice said there a new online newspaper put out by Phil Yocom called TOLEDOCHRONICLE.COM. Without a vote, Maurice had asked Janna to take out an ad in the online newspaper, and it is in there. The ad will appear everyday for 60 days and costs $56 per month. Glen Provost wondered about the possibility of using the online newspaper to get our news out to members instead of the newsletter. Discussion followed regarding what percentage of our members still have no E-mail or access to E-mail. Also, advantages of putting our news online were discussed, such as reaching weekenders or part-time residents. Maurice said Phil changes the stories and articles about 3 times per week. He said as much as the Sabine County Reporter supports us and does a great job, that sometimes the news just doesn't get there. With all that has been discussed, Maurice suggested TBBSA subscribe to TOLEDOCHRONICLE.COM for an additional 4 months of advertising for a total of 6 months continuous ads. Maurice says the maximum he could charge for the additional 4 months would be $320 totaling $432 for the 6 months. Members approved.
TOLEDO-BEND.COM : Toledo-Bend.com is another website that gets a lot of hits, Maurice said. The website is run by Frank Dutton. Frank will put a 'flying banner' ad across the top of the website for $180 per year. Maurice said the website is very popular, getting a lot of hits from outside our area. Discussion followed regarding the information on the website. Maurice suggested we subscribe to this website for one year at $180. Members agreed.
Other Comments:
BOOKS FOR LOAN: Janna sent word there are 4 books (Las Sabinas) available for loan.
REGION I WATER BOARD MEETING: The next Region I Water Board Public Meeting will be held on June 4th at the Nacogdoches Recreation Center at 10 A.M.
TEXAS INSTREAM FLOW PROGRAM: Maurice said the Texas Instream Flow Program public meetings held in Orange on May 6th and 7th were not attended by anyone from TBBSA.
GRANDPARENT-GRANDCHILD FISHING TOURNAMENT 2008: Glenn Taylor reported he, Kay, and Glen Provost met with Ted Odell, an experienced bass tournament organizer, and discussed the tournament. The committee felt they had such a short time to prepare for a tournament and found there were several issues to address such as sanitation problems, that the tournament should be not be held this year. They will get more committees together and do it next year. Perhaps they will talk about it in January.
HIGH LAKE LEVEL: Several members discussed the high lake level that has remained for some time. Someone noted the lake level was 170 msl at this time last year.
DATES & LOCATIONS OF TEXAS SRA MEETINGS: Meetings will start at 9 or 10 A.M., actual site & times may vary but dates and cities shouldn't.
7/10 Hilton Hotel on Lake Ray Hubbard, 2055 Summer Lee Drive, Rockwall, TX 75032
10/16 Music Hall of Fame, Carthage, TX
12/11 Marshall Chamber of Commerce, Marshall, TX
Meeting Adjourned @ 7:05 P.M.
Next Meeting Date: June 23, 2008 @ 6:30 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Betty Griffin, Secretary
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