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Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance
Minutes October 25, 2004
The meeting was called to order by Linda Mauer.
The opening prayer was given by John Crisp.
Linda welcomed members and special guest, Robin Moore, the Democratic
nominee for the Texas House of Representatives, and invited her to speak to
our group. Ms. Moore chose to speak to the group later in the meeting.
Changes to the Agenda under New Business: Robin Moore to address members.
Minutes of the September 27, 2004 Meeting were approved as submitted.
Janna Lehman, Treasurer, reported a balance of $1,997.33. There are 19
Organization Members and 20 Associate Members paid for 2004. The
Treasurer's Report was approved as given.
Old Business:
East Texas Region I Planning Committee: Bill Huegel, representative, gave a
report of the topics discussed in the last meeting. One topic was regarding
Lake Columbia, formerly know as Lake EastTex, and the changes made in the
approach to meet the needs of the cities taking water from that lake. A
presentation was made by the U.S. Forestry Service on studies being done on
the Neches River Natural Wildlife Refuge near Anderson and Cherokee
Counties, a high quality area of 25,304 acres. A Conservation Task Force in
Boston came up with Conservation Methods and Rules to live by in doing the
Water Planning. Bill said East Texas doesn't use anywhere near the 140
gal./per day/person rule suggested. The next meeting of the Planning
Committee will be January 12th, and after that the meetings will probably be
every month. Work is about completed on Groundwater Modeling of the
Northern Gulf Coast Aquifer and the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer. Studies will
then have something as a guide for available water. Large springs (more
than 385 acre ft. per year) may be considered as part of our water supplies.
A requirement that the Legislature put on the Water Planning Committee was
identifying the critical reaches of the various streams we have, meaning no
dams or reservoirs can be built on them. By a contentious vote of the
group, identifying these streams was not done again this year. Discussion
followed regarding the legislative vote coming up on the Jasper-Newton
Counties Water District. Bill McCarty explained the taking of water without
some legal control of the supplies could be compared to olden times when oil
was being pumped out of the ground from others' property, and no laws to
control it. The general consensus of the group was that our groundwater
should be controlled to assure a future supply.
Documents on Projected Power Distribution Costs: Larry Kelly is still
working on obtaining documentation and will be contacting CLECO.
The position of TBBSA Co-Chairman of Louisiana has not yet been filled.
Larry will be contacting possible candidates in the coming weeks.
Data Base Collection Progress: Larry has received 4 or 5 membership lists.
All but one will have to be manually entered.
John Crisp reported about 10 people made the September 28th meeting with
Rep. Mike "Tuffy" Hamilton. Linda Mauer and Larry Kelly gave the same
presentations given at the meeting with Sen. Todd Staples. Rep. Hamilton
offered to help if possible. John sent him a copy of previous legislation
presented to the Texas Legislature by a former Senator, to use as a model.
Linda said a Thank You letter has been sent to Rep. Hamilton.
Larry Kelly reported on the SRA-TX Board Meeting in Greenville held on Oct.
21st.
When the session came to Toledo Bend, all that was said was the two Boards
are going to try to meet on Dec. 2nd. Larry spent several minutes
explaining the background and history of TBBSA to our guest, Ms. Robin
Moore, to help her understand our goals of stopping power generation at 168
msl level, and why this would be beneficial to all the stake-holders.
Larry explained about the legislation passed in Louisiana regarding the lake
level and the need for legislation to be passed in Texas to stop power
generation on Toledo Bend at 168 msl.
Harry Johnson reported the Sabine County Deerfest held on Oct. 16th was a
huge success.
No report of the money taken in was available. He explained to Ms. Moore
how and when the Sabine County Chamber of Commerce started the Deerfest, and
its activities.
Janna still has hats available for sale for $12.
New Business:
The SRA TX and the SRA LA Joint Board meeting is tentatively scheduled for
Dec. 2nd.
As soon as Janna has a firm date and place for the meeting, she will get the
mail-outs ready. Larry said it will be announced as soon as details are
worked out. Larry and John Crisp have worked out a presentation for the
meeting.
Ms. Robin Moore, Democratic Candidate for the Texas House of Representatives
spoke to the group about one of the things of most importance in the two
times she has run for representative of the House is the significance of
water in this area. She admitted she would be the first to say she didn't
have enough knowledge of that to be dangerous, but is certainly wanting to
learn. She remembered what happened to the economy and people around the
lake when the level was so low back in 1996. She went on to give her
background in education and experience, and her desire to work for the
issues important to people of this district and the State of Texas. She
answered questions from the floor, and gave her goals and platform for
running for the Texas House of Representatives.
Other Comments:
Stan Verret reported that he talked with the American Legion at their
meeting and the building is available for our fund raiser if the date and
time can be worked out, and if the rules of safety and maintenance are
followed. He suggested if a profit is made, a small donation be given to
help pay the utilities.
Approval of New Members: Joe R. Kelley of Hemphill was approved as a new
member.
Approval of Outstanding Bills: None
Next Meeting Date: Monday November 22, 2004
Meeting Adjourned
Respectfully Submitted,
Betty Griffin, Secretary
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