|
Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance
Minutes June 27, 2005
The meeting was called to order by Don Driscoll, Texas Co-Chairman.
The opening prayer was given by Joe Griffin of Pendleton Harbor Subdivision.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was lead by Don Driscoll.
There were no new members. Loren Juday was invited to join as a member.
There were no changes to the Agenda other than inquiring about someone to take Meeting Notes at next month’s meeting. Betty Griffin will be out of town.
Minutes of the May 23, 2005 meeting were approved as written.
Janna Lehman reported the Treasurer’s Report is exactly the same as last month’s, with 17 Organizational Members and 23 Associate Members paid for this year. The balance is $1735.42.
Motion was made, seconded and approved as given.
Old Business:
East Texas Region I Planning Committee: Bill Huegel, representative was not present.
Committee Reports: None
Lake Level Legislation: Don Driscoll said our Legislature is now out of session, and it will be another two years before we can get legislation introduced. Don feels we should be promoting a membership drive while the Lake is below 168 msl, and he will write an article to be put in the local paper. Janna suggested the article might be entitled “If You Are Unhappy With The Lake Level, Come Join Us”. Further discussion followed regarding how low and how soon the lake will go down, especially if the region doesn’t get rain. Questions were asked about what can be done to enforce the Louisiana law regarding the stopping of power generation when the lake level drops below 168 msl. Larry Kelly said the LA-SRA voted to hire a group of lawyers and to possibly go to the LA governor’s office to see what could be done. More discussion followed on the possibility of court proceedings and getting the constitutionality of the law settled. Don and Larry have not been able to meet with Mr. Cook, liaison for B.A.S.S. Federation, to seek their support in getting legislation in Texas. Don would like the September meeting dedicated to working on strategies for getting legislation passed on the Lake Level. It was suggested Robert Nichols, a candidate running for Sen. Todd Staples seat, be invited to one of our meetings, perhaps the August meeting. Loren Juday asked how many fishing publications there might be around the lake that could carry articles about our issues with Toledo Bend Lake level. Don asked everyone to bring all information and suggestions to the September meeting.
By-Law Changes: Janna Lehman read the additional changes made to the TBBSA By-Laws. The changes were discussed and clarified regarding the board of directors and membership and voting rights. The final printing of the New Proposed TBBSA By-Laws will be mailed out to the membership. Motion was made, seconded and passed to present the New Proposed TBBSA By-Laws at the August meeting to be voted on by the membership.
New Business:
Public Meeting of Water Planning Board: A public meeting will be held on July 13th at 6 P.M. at the library in Nacogdoches. It is a very important meeting to accept comments from the public on the newly completed 5-year study on Water Planning. Larry Kelly plans to go and take some members of the LA Water Board. Don would like to go with him. Larry said the last session of the LA Legislature passed a Bill that ensures water can be sold out of the State of Louisiana, but the governor has to concur with the contract. Another key Bill that LA-SRA had been able to get submitted was on down-river flooding, however, was tabled in the Senate because no one that was for the Bill knew it was coming up in committee. About 25 or 30 people from down-river were there with a Senator and Representative to argue against the Bill because of down-river flooding. Had the LA SRA known about this, members could have been there with rebuttal, and perhaps kept the Bill from being killed.
Larry reminded several people that he had given out CDs with all the available TBBSA information and documents recorded on it. He also has notebooks filled with every report dealing with Toledo Bend Reservoir and TBBSA, and will loan them to anyone wanting to view them. Janna will see about posting some of the information on our web site. Larry will put together some information that Don can use to present to various organizations to ask for help with our issues. It was suggested we update our flyer with TBBSA information and have it available to hand out when anyone asks about the organization and its issues. Don will see about getting Robert Nichols to our August meeting, and invite Todd Driscoll of TPWD to the October meeting. We should give Vicky Ostrom information about our meetings to include in her library article in the local paper.
Approval of New Members: None
Approval of Outstanding Bills: None
Next Meeting Date: Monday, July 25, 2005
Meeting Adjourned at 7:47 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Betty Griffin, Secretary
|
