MINUTES

REGION H WATER PLANNING GROUP MEETING

10:00 A.M.

AUGUST 2, 2000

SAN JACINTO RIVER AUTHORITY OFFICES

LAKE CONROE DAM

1577 DAM SITE ROAD

CONROE, TEXAS

MEMBERS PRESENT: James Adams, Chairman, Roosevelt Alexander, John R. Bartos, Robert Bruner, Mark Evans, Mary Alice Gonzalez, Jack Harris, David Jenkins, Carolyn Johnson, Tom Manison, James Murray, Gary Oradat, Tom Ray, Ernest Rebuck, Jack Searcy, Jr., Gary Stobb, Michael S. Sullivan, William Teer, Steve Tyler, Danny Vance, C. Harold Wallace, and Kerry Whelan.

DESIGNATED ALTERNATES: Jace Houston alternate for Marvin Marcell, David Sneed alternate for James Morrison, Tom Michel alternate for Ron Neighbors, and Ron Hudson alternate for Gary Oradat when he had to leave the meeting.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Marvin Marcell, Ronald J. Neighbors and James Morrison.

PRESIDING: James Adams, Chairman

APPROVE MINUTES OF JULY 19, 2000 MEETING

Motion by Mr. Vance to approve the minutes as presented. Second by Mr. Oradat. Motion carried.

PRESENTATION BY CAROLYN JOHNSON AND DEAN GRIGSBY ON DOW WATER CONSERVATION PLAN

Ms. Johnson stated that Mr. Dean Grigsby, Dow's North American Brine Improvement Leader, would like to update RHWPG on the Dow PO/Brine Water Conservation project and that Dow also is seeking written support from RHWPG for a letter to be sent to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the Texas Railroad Commission stating that Dow’s conservation plan is a viable plan for Region H.

Ms. Johnson gave a brief overview of the Dow Freeport facility that includes over 75 plants and covers 5000 acres. She provided a handout listing the products manufactured at the site. Mr. Grigsby stated that the Freeport PO Brine Water Conservation Project’s mission is to resolve critical issues and provide the Propylene Oxide Texas Leader Group, Chlor-Alkali business team, and the Environmental Operations business team the evidence supporting a preliminary business plan which achieves the goal of maximum water conservation using purified chlorohydrin process water. The PO Water Conservation Project is still in the validation stage and will require successful conclusion of the critical issues, if it is to be implemented. He also stated Dow’s EHS 2005 Wastewater Goal is to reduce the amount of waste and wastewater generated per pound of production by 50%. Mr. Grigsby presented Dow Chemical’s PO/Brine Water Conservation Project stressing the level of commitment and cost to the company and demonstrating that the company has bona fide expertise with a similar project operating in Germany.

Motion by Mr. Wallace to approve the letter of endorsement from RHWPG for the Dow PO Brine Water Conservation Project to be sent to TNRCC and the Texas Railroad Commission. Second by Ray. Discussion ensued regarding whether the item on the agenda was in the form necessary for a vote.

Mr. Wallace withdrew his motion. It was the general consensus that a drafted letter be placed on the next meeting’s agenda for consideration.

APPROVAL OF TASK 3 AND TASK 4 REPORTS

Mr. Taylor stated that only the Task 3 Report would be presented for approval today. He stated that Task 4 would be presented for approval at the next meeting. Mr. Taylor further stated that all of the RHWPG’s previous comments had been incorporated into this report.

Motion by Mr. Tyler to approve Task 3 as presented. Second by Mr. Jenkins. Motion carried.

CONSIDER AND APPROVE VARIOUS MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Mr. Taylor discussed in-depth the following management strategies; desalination, Luce Bayou interbasin transfer, SJRA-Lake Livingston diversion, City of Houston/TRA contract, SJRA/City of Houston water transfer and Sabine to Region H interbasin transfer. RHWPG agreed to endorse the following alternative strategies: municipal conservation; irrigation conservation for Brazoria, Fort Bend and Waller Counties; contractual transfers; the following reservoirs: Allen’s Creek, Bedias and Little River; wastewater reclamation; Luce Bayou; the Houston/TRA contract; current contracts; and to endorse conceptually the Sabine/Region H Transfer and desalination in the future.

Mr. Manison moved to accept the previously discussed management strategies. Second by Mr. Searcy. Motion carried.

DISCUSS UNIQUE STREAM SEGMENTS RECOMMENDATIONS

Mr. Taylor stated that the consultants are recommending the following six (6) unique stream segments: Menard Creek in Polk and Liberty County within Region H, Big Creek in San Jacinto County, Bastrop Bayou, Cedar Lake Creek, Big Creek in Fort Bend County within Brazos Bend State Park, and Armand Bayou.

Mr. Harris moved to approve the following unique stream segments as proposed by the consultant team: Menard Creek in Polk and Liberty County within Region H, Armand Bayou, and the portion of Big Creek in Fort Bend County within Brazos Bend State Park. Second by Mr. Searcy. Motion carried. Mr. Tyler voted no on the motion because he was opposed to limiting the designation of Big Creek to only that portion within Brazos Bend State Park.

Mr. Harris moved to approve the following unique stream segments: the portion of Big Creek in San Jacinto County contained within the Sam Houston National Forest, the portion of Bastrop Bayou adjacent to the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, and the portion of Cedar Lake Creek adjacent to the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge. Motion seconded by Mr. Bruner. Motion carried. Mr. Tyler voted no on the motion because he was opposed to limiting the designation of the stream segments to only the portion within a wildlife refuge or national forest.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Chairman Adams stated that Region G would be sending five (5) representatives and Region I would be sending seven (7) or eight (8) representatives to the joint meeting and fish fry on August 16, 2000.

Ms. Glenda Callaway reviewed the draft of the Public Hearing Notice for Region H Water Planning Group citing times and locations of the public hearings.

TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Mr. Rebuck stated that Mr. Pedersen recommended that RHWPG begin considering the “scope of work” and budget for ongoing work over the next five (5) years.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Ms. Linda Shead thanked RHWPG for including the environmental costs in their recommendations on estuaries and fresh water inflows.

NEXT MEETING

August 16, 2000

10:00 a.m.

San Jacinto River Authority Office

Lake Conroe Dam

MEETING ADJOURNED