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Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance
Minutes November 25, 2002
The meeting was called to order by Larry Kelly.
J.B. Meyers lead the group in the opening prayer.
There were no new members or visitors present. Larry made one change to the Agenda. Replacement of Joe Goodson as Co-Chairman of TBBSA. Joe Goodson has indicated he is resigning from the position of Co-Chairman of the TBBSA for Texas, and Larry explained the urgent need for a replacement. On December 12, 2002, the Texas SRA Board will be meeting in Greenville, TX and a voice from the Texas side needs to represent the Alliance. After a lengthy discussion about the need for a Texas Co-Chair to represent TBBSA in seeking legislative support in the coming Texas Legislative session, Linda Mauer agreed to serve if elected. Several members indicated they would help her with the areas of their “expertise”. Janna Lehman nominated Linda Mauer for Texas Co-chair, Charles English seconded the nomination, and the membership voted unanimously in favor of the nomination. Linda Mauer is the new Texas Co-Chair for 2003.
Minutes of the September 23, 2002 meeting and the October 28, 2002 meeting were approved and accepted as read.
Janna Lehman gave the treasurer’s report. The current balance is $2226.56, plus dues collected tonight. One error was noted in the listing of names of the Organization Members. Toledo Bend Citizens Advisory Committee is the correct name. Motion was made, seconded and passed to accept the report as corrected. Janna inquired about the number of hats still available. Larry has 2, with one being spoken for.
Old Business:
DETDA Report: Charles English reported making contact with Sen. Staples and several other legislators at the meeting in Lufkin on Nov. 22nd. that he and Larry attended. He noted it will be hard to get their attention to our efforts with the $5 billion shortfall in the budget.
It is very important that the TBBSA have representation at the upcoming Water Seminar in Lufkin on Dec. 16th, with Sen. Todd Staples presiding. Both surface and ground water will be discussed. One news item Charles noted, Sen. Buster Brown, former head of the Natural Resources Committee, is now the head of a Water Consortium that has acquired all the ground water rights in a county out west of San Antonio.
EAST TEXAS REGIONAL WATER PLANNING COMMITTEE Report: No report due to absence of committee representative.
New Business: Larry Kelly
LAKE LEVEL:
· FERC -Larry said we continue to wait for a decision from FERC on our request to change the operating guide for the Dam. The SRA of Texas has filed a letter with FERC regarding their intentions to make public and file with FERC the documents developed during the Collaborative Effort Process. Larry thinks this is a good idea as we may be able to use some of that information when it is made public.
· LA Legislation- Larry has been working with the TBCAC on a draft of legislation first submitted by Rep. Joe Salter, but never passed, relative to enacting laws to conserve the natural resources of the state, including water. The TBBSA Board and the La.TBLA Board needs to meet to accept the legislation as drafted.
· In answer to a question regarding the status of the Texas SRA lawsuits after the Summary Judgment, Larry said they are pending on Appeal. Lawsuits have been filed in Louisiana, as well, and Larry thinks we should align our group with the SRA to preclude such lawsuits.
· Joe Goodson has sent all the data on the petitions to Larry and he will put it all together, draft a letter to the TX SRA Board, and try to get it out soon to the membership for comments. Linda will check with the high school regarding the time of Spring Break, so a date can be requested for a meeting possibly in March. One other concern is this request will come to the SRA just as a new president is taking over.
· Web Site: Frank Davis reported the Alliance Web Site Committee met with Frank Dutton, Webmaster, and reviewed areas of the web page that needed deletions, updates, and changes to simplify the site. There are plans to modify the site to make it more “user friendly”. The Committee hopes to get all the changes done by the year’s end. Janna asked that next year’s meeting dates be confirmed, so they may be posted on the web site. The dates will be the fourth Monday of the month with the exception of May. May’s meeting will be on the third Monday, since the fourth is Memorial Day. No meeting in December.
Comments:
· A question was asked about alternating meeting sites between Texas and Louisiana. It was suggested maybe the business meetings could continue to be held in Texas with other get-togethers in Louisiana, perhaps at the Lions’ Club at Toledo Town. This will be discussed later in the coming year.
· Larry replied to another question saying if our efforts to get changes from FERC or Legislation fail, the Courts are our only remaining alternative. Then, there will be the problem of finding an attorney with knowledge of water rights, and then the problem of paying for the attorney.
· Don Driscoll suggested the cost of replenishing the bass stock lost during the drawdowns be brought to attention, and gave estimates of the huge amount of money restocking involves. After some discussion, Larry said if Don could get survey and cost information, he would see that it gets published. One other thought that has to be considered is the minimum flow of the river below the dam, so that the species below the dam are not affected.
· Janna requested permission to allow new members who have just paid dues, to be covered for 2003. The membership agreed.
· Yard signs are still available for $5 each.
APPROVAL FOR PAYMENT OF BILLS: No bills were submitted for payment.
The next meeting of the TBBSA will be January 27, 2003.
Meeting adjourned.
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