MINUTES

REGION H WATER PLANNING GROUP MEETING

10:00 A.M.

MARCH 1, 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, Robert Eckels, Mark Evans, Mary Alice Gonzalez, Jack Harris, David Jenkins, Carolyn Johnson, Tom Manison, Marvin Marcell, James Murray, Ronald J. Neighbors, Gary Oradat, Tom Ray, Ernest Rebuck, Jack Searcy, Jr., William Teer, Steve Tyler, Danny Vance, C. Harold Wallace and Kerry Whelan.

DESIGNATED ALTERNATES: None

MEMBERS ABSENT: James Morrison and Michael S. Sullivan.

PRESIDING: James Adams, Chairman

APPROVE MINUTES FEBRUARY 2, 2000 MEETING

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

CONSENSUS PROPOSAL OF SUBCOMMITTEE ON GALVESTON BAY FRESH WATER INFLOWS

Mr. Whelan, Chair of the Subcommittee on Galveston Bay Fresh Water Inflows, stated that a consensus had been reached by the addition of the footnotes for Table 2A detailing the environmental water needs for Galveston Bay and Table 5 clarifying the environmental water supply needs.

Motion by Mr. Oradat to approve the consensus recommendation on the inclusion of the footnotes for Tables 2A and 5. Second by Vance. Motion carried.

REVIEW AND APPROVE TABLES 3 AND 4

Mr. Taylor reviewed Tables 3 and 4. Mr. Taylor stated that he felt that all the comments from the last meeting had been incorporated into the tables.

Motion by Mr. Marcell to approve and forward Tables 3 and 4 to the Texas Water Development Board. Second by Mr. Jenkins. Motion carried.

Mr. Rebuck requested that an electronic file and a narrative also accompany Tables 3 and 4.

REVIEW TABLES 5, 6 AND 7

Mr. Taylor reviewed Tables 5, 6 and 7 and the addition of Tables 5A and 7A.

Mr. Neighbors stated that the United States Geological Survey, the City of Houston, the San Jacinto River Authority, and the Subsidence District have entered into an agreement to expand the recent groundwater model completed for the City of Houston by the USGS.

Motion by Mr. Eckels to open for discussion concerns regarding the data in Tables 5A and 7A. Second by Mr. Oradat. Motion carried.

A discussion ensued on the accuracy of the data in Tables 5A and 7A as it is currently stated for Galveston and Harris Counties regarding uncommitted surface water and uncommitted groundwater. There were other concerns mentioned regarding specific data for several cities.

Motion by Mr. Eckels to approve Tables 5, 5A, 6, 7 and 7A subject to review by the Executive Committee for minor clarifications and corrections. Second by Mr. Oradat. Motion carried.

REVIEW AND DISCUSS WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Mr. Taylor reviewed and discussed the various water management strategies proposed. Mr. Rebuck stated that the planning group might discover the need for more than one water management strategy, but to be aware of particular regional issues.

Mr. Adams stated that there will be five year updates. Mr. Rebuck also added that amendments could be made to the plan.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Mr. Adams stated that liability insurance policies for the group had been reviewed and approved with the TWCA Risk Management Fund at a cost of $900.00.

Mr. Adams stated that the Region H Group has invited Region I for a joint meeting on April 26, 2000 at 10:00 a.m. with each group to hold its meeting for about 45 minutes. He also stated that after the meetings, Region H would host a catfish fry for lunch.

TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Mr. Rebuck stated that the Region H Planning Group had reached the halfway mark in the planning process. He noted that the group was already considering approval of Table 7, and he further stated that the planning group was progressing on its consideration of water management strategies.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Ms. Linda Shead, representing the Galveston Bay Foundation, thanked the subcommittee for the rewording on inflows for Galveston Bay.

NEXT MEETING

April 5, 2000

10:00 a.m.

San Jacinto River Authority Office

Lake Conroe Dam

MEETING ADJOURNED