|
Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance
Minutes August 24, 2004
The meeting was called to order by Linda Mauer.
The opening prayer was given by Joe Griffin.
There were no new members or visitors present.
Linda Mauer noted a change to the Agenda. Under Old Business, Start of Data Base to be added.
Minutes of the July 26, 2004 meeting were read by Linda Mauer. Motion was made, seconded and approved to be accepted as read.
Janna Lehman, Treasurer, was absent. Linda Mauer received an E-mailed Treasurer’s Report from Janna. There have been no Bills paid. The current balance is $1977.33. Motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the Treasurer’s Report as given.
Old Business:
East Texas Regional Water Planning Committee Report: Bill Heugel, representative, gave a report for the June 9, 2004 meeting for East Texas Region I:
Region H (Houston) has a much greater need for the transfer of water from East Texas than presented in the previous plan, because of the removal of two reservoirs in their area , which were to supply the needed water. (Bedise and Little River). Region H is also trying to obtain an exemption from the Jr. Water Rights restrictions. The area of concern is within their own bounds and not outside such as East Texas.
TWDB stated the legislature has not yet released funds for many of the projects, and this can cause problems with the activities planned by the Water Planning Regions. TPW is to work with TWDB to develop criteria for establishing the impact of the water strategies developed on the instream flows and the associated plant and animal life.
Angelina Neches River Authority has requested $10 Million to begin work on Lake Colombia Reservoir. (near Jacksonville). Region C (Dallas) has money approved for studying the transfer of water from TB to the Dallas region. A similar approval of funding has been awarded to Region H for the same type study. Region I will be working with both groups.
Jerry Clark of the TX SRA gave a short presentation on the transfer of water to the Dallas area. His concept would be to have the Region C folks pay for the entire development of the pipeline. A similar approach was used by Dallas for the development of Lake Fork. Dallas has access to only 80% of that lake, and the rest is available for sale by the SRA, even though Dallas paid for the entire lake. A feasibility study conducted by the SRA indicates the plan would work and provide water at a reasonable rate. Competition for the water supply is coming from T. Boone Pickens, who has offered to build a pipeline to Dallas from West Texas. First indications are that cost of water would be greater than that offered by SRA, and would be mining water from the Ogalala Aquifer. The need for water to be shipped to the Dallas area was caused by the cancellation of the development of the Marvin Nichols Reservoir. Jerry Clark also pointed out the SRA is working to obtain control of water rights from TB that the state has retained. Presently the state has 293K AF that has not been assigned to anyone. Any group within the state could apply for those rights and the SRA would lose control of the water. Jerry also indicated about the time the transfer would go into effect, it would be time for new power company contracts. Since the price of water is considerably higher than the equivalent water used for generation, he sees their approach being one of operating from a "spot market", instead of long term contracts. Also, it appears the LA SRA will also be participating. Jerry indicated that if the water is taken from the lake in a more uniform process (essentially equal amounts each month), instead of the present method of taking it from May to September, the impact on the lake could be positive. The amount of water to be moved is equivalent to 20 days of 24-hour generation. One other thing brought out was making available $1000 grants to water companies. Applications are available on the Internet.
The next meeting of the Water Planning Board will be in October.
Meeting with Senator Todd Staples:
Linda Mauer stated about 14 members attended the meeting with Sen. Todd Staples and his aide, Kelly Stripling, in a meeting room of City Hall in Nacogdoches. Linda spoke first and presented some of our issues with low lake levels. Sen. Staples indicated he would be more than willing to take on our issues when he felt he could defend our issues.
Larry Kelly enumerated the three things we asked of Senator Staples: 1) We asked for his support in the lake level issue with the TX SRA; 2) We asked for his support with the Public Utility Commission; 3) We asked for his support with the power company, Entergy. Larry explained only 25% of the energy that comes off the dam comes to Texas, and the other 75% goes to Louisiana. Larry told Sen. Staples how we had the legislation passed in Louisiana regarding the 168 msl level, and it is now law. Also, how there was an agreement with power companies, the governor’s office, and the staff of the PSC of LA, to accept the difference in power lost during those years when they were not able to generate, and spread out the cost among the rate-payers as a fuel adjustment cost. Senator Staples was concerned about the flooding issue and wanted to be sure what we were asking would not adversely affect the flooding problems below the dam. Since the flooding lawsuit is now before the Texas Supreme Court, that issue is still of concern. Senator Staples asked that he be provided information on: 1) the flooding issue, 2) the exact figures used to calculate the cost-adjustment for the power , and 3) the legal interpretation used as basis for the law. Larry gave out copies of the draft he prepared on the flooding issue and asked the group to review and give input. Several changes were suggested. Larry will incorporate those suggestions and send it back out for review. Larry suggested folks take the paper home and see if there might be other ways of clarifying the issue, and get back with him. The other two issues can be documented by gathering numbers and figures. Larry made CDs with all the TBBSA data accumulated since the beginning, and gave copies to most of those going to the meeting with Sen. Staples. He did remove all the sensitive data regarding the Collaborative Effort. He will make copies for others, if desired. Larry discussed how and when the peaking power is produced, and how moving the generation of that power forward would solve our problems. The group that attended the meeting with Sen. Staples agreed on getting the feeling he would make an effort to help our efforts.
Linda said she stopped in San Augustine on the way home from the meeting with Sen. Staples and spoke with Samye Johnson of the Chamber of Commerce. Samye asked to be copied on the notes of the meeting, and indicated Duke Lyons, City Manager, was interested in the issues of Toledo Bend, as San Augustine is part of the corridor to the Reservoir. She would also like to be apprised of our reply to Sen. Staples.
Drafts of Letters to Sen. Staples:
Linda Mauer read the drafts she prepared for mailing to Senator Staples. The first one was a Thank You letter regarding our meeting with him and his aide, Kelly. One change was suggested in that letter. The other letter was in regard to asking him to endorse the reappointment of Cal Ebner to the Texas SRA. Approval was given by the membership. Linda will sign on behalf of TBBSA and mail them.
The need of another Louisiana Co-Chairman was lifted to the membership..
Linda encouraged everyone to work on getting the data bases from their organizations.
New Business:
After the information is gathered and sent to Senator Staples, and he has had time to review it, another meeting for follow-up will be coordinated with his office.
Approval of New Members: None
Approval of Payment of Outstanding Bills: None
Next Meeting Date: September 27, 2004
Meeting Adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Griffin, Secretary
TBBSA
|
