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Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance
Minutes April 25, 2005
The meeting was called to order by Don Driscoll, Texas Co-Chairman.
The opening prayer was given by Steve McMahan of the South Toledo Bend Civic Association.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was lead by Don Driscoll.
There were no new members or visitors present.
Minutes of the March 29, 2005 meeting were approved as transcribed and posted.
Janna Lehman reported there are 13 Organizational Members and 23 Associate Members paid for this year. There is a balance of $1764.84. The Treasurer’s Report was approved as given.
Old Business:
East Texas Region I Planning Committee: Bill Huegel, representative was not present.
Committee Reports: None given.
Lake Level Legislation: Don lead discussion regarding the recent letters from TBBSA members and concerned residents to Rep. Roy Blake and Sen. Todd Staples. Don said he had written a letter to Rep. Blake thanking him for responding to our letters regarding the Lake Level Issue. He said he has yet to hear from Sen. Staples, although a person from his office called and said the Senator would be calling that day, but never called. Many copies of the letters to the legislators were distributed, but we have no way of knowing how many were actually mailed.
Letters were also mailed to legislators representing Newton County residents, and no replies have been received. Larry wondered if their offices could be called and queried about the volume of mail they have received regarding the Lake Level issue. Larry suggested a face-to-face meeting in Austin, or in the district office of Rep. Blake was needed to explain our issues, and also, another meeting with Sen. Staples. Time is of the essence since bills have a deadline and must be moved out of committee by a certain date, or they are dead. Don said the current status of the Lake Level Legislation is static at this time. Joe Kelley will check with his lobbyist neighbor and see if there might be a chance we could meet with our legislators.
Re-scheduling of Fish Fry: Janna reported she had collected all the information regarding having a fish fry, but too many conflicts came up for the April 30th date set for the fish fry, and wondered if the members would like to set a new date, or discuss some other type of fund raiser.
Larry shared the outcome of a very successful fund raiser he helped with for the South Toledo Bend Civic Association. Thirty trips out selling tickets on a bass boat rig provided about a $24,000 profit. He suggested another profitable item to raffle is a four-wheeler. Don will check with his John Deere contact about possibilities. Funds to hire a lobbyist is our biggest stumbling block, but that would be a big help in furthering our cause. Enlisting the help of large organizations such at B.A.S.S. or the N.R.A., was also discussed, and contacts may be found on the web. Conclusion at this time is the TBBSA will look at having a raffle rather than rescheduling a fish fry.
Letter from Entergy: Don began discussion of Entergy’s response letter to TBBSA’s letters of March 17, 2005 and March 29, 2005 inquiring about Entergy’s position on issues relating to the Toledo Bend Lake level. TBBSA’s letters were forwarded to Mr. John P. Hurstell, Vice President of Entergy Management. Along with his letter of response dated April 15, 2005, Mr. Hurstell also sent a copy of a letter sent to Mr. Jerry Clark of TX SRA , dated May 19, 2004 regarding Toledo Bend Project Power Sales Agreement Enforcement. Mr. Hurstell’s letter stated Entergy’s position remains consistent and Entergy expects the parties to the Power Sales Agreement to abide by its terms and conditions. Larry asked Janna to provide Don Driscoll with a copy of the annual report of the SRA of Texas. Don would like to have a lobbyist take that information to the legislature if possible.
Proposed Changes to By-Laws: Janna distributed several copies of updated Proposed By-Law Changes, and explained the changes made based on corrections and suggestions given previously. The Proposed By-Laws Changes will be presented again next meeting.
New Business:
Letters From TPWD To TX SRA: Larry Kelly said prior to the last Joint SRA Board Meeting, representatives of the LA Wildlife and Fisheries, the TX Wildlife and Fisheries, and LA & TX SRAs met in Orange to discuss control of the Giant Salvinia. At the Joint SRA Board Meeting, copies of letters from Todd Driscoll, District Fisheries Biologist, and Howard Elder, Aquatic Habitat Biologist, were distributed in packets to the board members, as written to the Operations Manager of Sabine River Authority. The subject of the letters was annual water level fluctuations at Toledo Bend Reservoir. After reading the letters, Larry sent an E-mail to Todd Driscoll with a list of five question that need to be addressed in considering their recommendations for control of the giant salvinia. Larry said the letters recommended drawdowns of the lake in summer and fall, then flooding in the early spring as a means of controlling the expansion of giant salvinia. Larry noted the letters did not mention any specific level to which the lake should be drawn down. Also, there were no studies done after the extreme drawdown and flood of 2001 to see just what factors curbed the growth of the salvinia. Larry complemented Don Driscoll on his presentation to the Toledo Bend Joint Operating Board regarding his experience in trying to control vegetation and spawning by use of drawdowns. Larry asked that anyone with questions regarding the recommendations by the TPWD and the SRA of TX, to please send them to him. Larry also noted that he has been elected as Chairman of the Joint Board of Sabine River Authorities.
Approval of New Members: Janna Lehman presented the name of Gene Hungerford, Milam, TX for approval as new Associate Member. Motion was made, seconded and passed to approve Gene Hungerford for membership.
Approval of Outstanding Bills: Janna Lehman presented two amounts for approval and payment: 1) Janna moved that $125 donation be made to the Library. Motion was seconded and passed to approve payment of that amount. 2) The second amount is $4.42 for the mailing of a certified letter to Entergy. Motion was made, seconded and passed to pay the $4.42.
Next Meeting Date: Monday, May 23, 2005
Meeting Adjourned : 7:40 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Betty Griffin, Secretary
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