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Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance
Minutes October 27, 2003
The meeting was called to order by Larry Kelly.
J. B. Meyers lead the group in the opening prayer.
Larry welcomed new faces and asked that members and visitors go around the room and introduce themselves and tell where they are from . Larry told new members and visitors to list e-mail addresses on the Attendance Sheet if they would like to have notification of meetings and other reports sent.
There were no changes to the Agenda. Larry discussed what subjects are usually addressed on the Agenda.
Minutes of the July 28, 2003 and the September 22, 2003 were brought up for approval. Motion was made, seconded and passed to accept both as written.
Janna Lehman gave the Treasurer’s Report, stating the current balance is $1,715.63. The only change being $25 for 2004 dues paid by the Pine Ridge One Improvement Association. There are 22 Organizational Members and 23 Associate Members paid. Motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the Treasurer’s Report as given.
Old Business:
DETDA Report: Charles English, DETDA representative, was not present.
East Texas Regional Water Planning Committee Report: Bill Huegel, representative, was not present.
New Business:
Lake Level: Larry Kelly
Larry explained to new members and visitors that Organizational Members have a representative attend to represent all the organization’s members, and those representatives take the information back to their organizations. Individuals join as Associate Members. Larry reviewed how this group participates to get legislative changes regarding the management of the Lake, as has been done recently in Louisiana, and now has the backing of the LA SRA in supporting the 168 msl level for no generation below that level. This new law recently passed in Louisiana becomes effective on May 1, 2004. The governor of Louisiana has appointed a Lake Level Council (Toledo Bend Conservation Pool), consisting of 18 members, to come together to work out any problems that may arise in implementing this law. This Council must report back to the governor’s office by March and again in April. If there is no compliance to this law by August 31st, when the Lake usually drops, then it will be brought to the attention of the Joint Board of the SRA of LA and the SRA of TX by the LA delegation and a motion made to follow the law. If the Joint Board votes to follow that law, there will be no problem. If there is a tie vote, then the LA delegation will take it to the full meeting of the SRAs of TX and LA, where LA has a delegation of 13 members, and TX has 9 members. This has never happened before. But the Louisiana Civic Association has set aside $2000, should there be a need to file a law suit to make the SRAs follow the law, in case that option is needed. The Lake Level Council has not yet met. As soon as that meeting is held, Larry will put that information out on the net. It was mentioned that Red Davis of Sabine County is to meet with the Texas governor about being appointed to the TX SRA Board.
Larry reported several members attended the October 13th meeting of the TX SRA Board held in Center, where the sale and piping of water from Toledo Bend to North Texas was discussed. The SRA voted to help fund The Toledo Bend Feasibility Study to consider piping the water to North Texas and a study on the effects on the estuaries below the Dam. Larry gave a brief summary of what the piping of the 400, 000 acre feet of water to North Texas would mean, and said it is not anticipated to begin until about 2015, if the feasibility studies are approved. He also explained how the sale of water compares to the income from power generation. Larry feels selling the water versus using water for power generation would keep this lake in better shape.
Todd Driscoll of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will be the guest speaker next month, and will make a presentation on the Fisheries of Toledo Bend.
Approval of New Members: None
Approval of Payment of Outstanding Bills: None
Next Meeting Date: November 24, 2003
Meeting Adjourned.
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