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Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance
Minutes January 23, 2006
The meeting was called to order by Don Driscoll, Texas Co-Chairman.
The opening prayer was given by Don Driscoll.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was lead by Don Driscoll.
Don welcomed several visitors to the meeting, including Skip and Linda Austin from El Camino Bay, Gene Graham, Dave Foster, and Bob Reinke of River Bend area, and James Clemons of Best Park Marina near Holly Park Marina.
Minutes of the November 28, 2005 TBBSA Meeting were approved as presented.
Janna Lehman, Treasurer, reported the balance remains $1785.22. There are 18 organization members and 25 associate members approved at this time.
Old Business:
Lake Level Issues: Don reported the letter to the local newspaper concerning current Lake Level Issues was published. It was called to his attention that there was no mention in that letter about
litigation being needed that will require a solicitation of funds. So, when a letter of solicitation goes out, an interest-bearing account will have to be set up to handle the collection. Also, there will be other legal matters to consider.
LA-SRA Law Suit: Don said he and Larry Kelly traveled to Shreveport the first week of January for the hearing on the lawsuit filed by Entergy Louisiana Inc., Entergy Gulf States, Inc. and CLECO Power LLC. versus SRA of LA and the individual SRA Commissioners. For the benefit of visitors and members, Larry Kelly explained what the Law Suit was about and the issues and goals of TBBSA. He also explained how over the years he has been involved in working first as LA Co-chairman of TBBSA to help get a law passed in LA to stop power generation when the lake level dropped below 168 msl. He has since been appointed as a commissioner for SRA-LA. The SRA-TX was not listed in the lawsuit, but became an “Intervener”(or party to the suit), and the hearing was held to go over the Consent Decree that would settle the lawsuit by the issuance of a preliminary and thereafter permanent injunction enjoining the defendants from enforcing or complying with the LA law, and requiring them to fully comply with the terms of the FERC. Janna asked if she could post all the documents regarding the law suit on the TBBSA web site. Larry said all three documents are public knowledge and can be posted.. Several questions were asked about what problems there might be if Texas passed a law similar to LA and Larry further explained about incomes from power generation and water sales for the two SRAs, and how SRA-LA did not have funds to fight the lawsuit. Larry said the power sales agreement expires in 2018. In 2008, the SRAs have to notify the FERC of intent to apply for re-licensure, and that will be the next opportunity that we will have to influence the lake level.
East Texas Region I Planning Committee: Bill Huegel said the Region I Planning Committee is for the projection of water requirements and the definition of how those requirements will be met through-out the state. He said the state owns the water in Toledo Bend Lake, and the water will go where the state can negotiate it to go. Bill believes the way to go is to sell the water in Toledo Bend to make money. He showed a chart representing somewhere around 2050 and where the water is going from power generation, the way it used to flow before the dam, and the way it will be once the sale of water begins. Dallas wants water and Houston will want water, but has up to 2050 to make that request. The water to Dallas will eventually end up in the Trinity River and then on down to Houston, anyway. Bill feels we need to work with the SRA to find how our basin is going to be compensated for the water being sold to another basin. He also feels that a contract will be signed with Dallas and the SRA before 2008 comes up, and we need to working with that in mind. Bill says the LCRA is already working with the Highland Lakes Group in that area regarding the sale of water to San Antonio. The final plan for 2050 has already been submitted to the state and will be coming out in final form next year.
Larry answered questions and joined other discussions regarding efforts to get lake level legislation in Texas. Letters to our legislators must be written by all the residents or property owners around the lake. Due to low levels, at least two major tournaments have been cancelled, Bass Masters and Bass N’Bucks. The economy around the lake is hurting due to a low lake level. Larry thinks we need to start gathering money and mailing lists. Bill says we also need to keep in mind critical dates. There are also other groups and entities wanting water downstream, such as the Corps of Engineers.
New Business:
Letter of Solicitation Forms: No report given.
Approval of New Members: Skip and Linda Austin, Hemphill, TX, James Clemons, Hemphill, TX and Joseph Patton, Alexandria. LA were approved as new members.
Approval of Outstanding Bills: Janna presented three bills for payment: 1) $125 for dues to LWLF- voted to NOT pay this year; 2) $15 for membership in Sabine County Chamber of Commerce- voted YES to pay; 3) $150 donation to the Library- voted YES to pay.
Closing Comments: Don thanked the visitors, members, and new members for coming to the meeting. Also, it was suggested Janna see if a copy of the Sabine County Voter Registration Lists could be obtained. The last list of residents given to Larry could not be downloaded into a usable format.
Next Meeting Date: Monday, February 27, 2006
Meeting Adjourned @ 8:00 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Betty Griffin, Secretary
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