|
Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance
Minutes August 25, 2003
The meeting was called to order by Larry Kelly.
Joe Griffin lead the group in the opening prayer.
Larry apologized for the lack of a prepared Agenda, and asked members and visitors to introduce themselves and tell where they are from , beginning with Stan Verret.
There were no changes to the Agenda.
Minutes of the July 28, 2003 meeting were discussed and approval was postponed until next meeting, when copies of the minutes are available online for all to view.
For members and visitors not present at last month’s meeting, Larry told about the report given by Bill Huegel, East Texas Regional Planning Committee representative. Bill’s report included information about the possible movement of 400 thousand acre feet of water, 300 thousand to the Dallas-Lake Fork area, and 100 thousand to the northern part of the basin. Larry believes that topic may be discussed at the upcoming LA-SRA Board meeting. Larry learned at the SRA Toledo Bend Joint Operating Board meeting that 2 letters of opposition have been filed against the TX SRA application to get the allocation of the 300 thousand acre feet under their control.
There was no Treasurer’s Report available.
Old Business:
DETDA Report: Charles English, DETDA representative, was not present.
East Texas Regional Water Planning Committee Report: Bill Heugel, representative, was not present.
New Business:
Lake Level: Larry Kelly
Larry has talked with Joe Salter, LA Representative that filed the Joint Resolution that would create the Committee that would work out any problems with implementing the new law that will go into effect on May 1, 2004. That law would require the power company to stop generation when the lake level drops to a level of 168 msl. The Committee should have 2 representatives from the Toledo Bend Civic Association, 2 from the Lake Association, 2 from the Citizens Advisory Committee, 2 from each of the power companies , 2 from the LA SRA, and 2 from the LA Public Service Commission, to meet to work out the problems. That Resolution did not get passed because it got bogged down in the Senate and overlooked. Joe Salter has written a letter and talked with the people in the Governor’s office, and an Executive Order will be put out about forming that Committee. Joe Salter told Larry last week a draft of that order has been done, but membership number had been cut to one (1) from each organization, thinking that was too many people for a committee. He went back to them and told them the agreement was to have 2 people from each organization on the Committee, and that is the way he would like to see it done. Larry feels the TX SRA is beginning to be more acceptable to changes being made. Larry has drafted a letter to send to the power company requesting they cease power generation now, because the Lake is now below 168 msl. The power company is down right now because of work being done on transformers. Heavy generation to make up for the down-time was noted on the past weekend. Also, there are plans to have heavy generation in September, and that could pull the Lake down even more.
We are still waiting to see how and when the feasibility study on moving the 300 thousand acre feet up north will be done. If all questions are resolved in the feasibility study and it is agreed upon, it will still be 2015 before water can be flowing. Currently, there are 3 years left on the present Power Agreement, and operation would most likely continue like it is now until 2015. Once water is being sold and water is reduced for power generation, the power company can cut back generation under the present agreement, but loss of that generation must be compensated for in some way. Discussion followed about the difference in amounts of water used for power generation versus the time and amounts that might be moved up north. It appears the sale of water would be beneficial to the Lake. Larry feels we just need to closely monitor the feasibility study and be involved in anyway we possibly can, and continue efforts toward having generation stopped when the lake level reaches 168 msl.
Other Comments:
A question was asked about the hydrilla situation in the lake. Larry Slocum said it was felt a lot of spraying done by the timber companies had caused it to die off, but it appears to be coming back. Don Driscoll said a number of people around the lake have been spraying, including the spraying for Salvinia with a product called Reward.
Another question was asked about who might be appointed to the LA Commission. Larry listed several names he feels would probably be appointed to represent each of the groups.
Linda Mauer , TX Co-chairman for TBBSA, was injured in an auto accident about 3 weeks ago. She has been released from the hospital and is now in Hermann Memorial Baptist Rehabilitation Center, Room 110, telephone (409) 654-5568.
Approval of New Members: None
Approval of Payment of Outstanding Bills: None
Next Meeting Date: September 22, 2003
Meeting Adjourned.
|
