MINUTES

REGION H WATER PLANNING GROUP MEETING

                                                                     10:00 A.M.

JULY 5, 2000

SAN JACINTO RIVER AUTHORITY OFFICES

LAKE CONROE DAM

1577 DAM SITE ROAD

CONROE, TEXAS

                                                                             

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:    James Adams, Chairman, John R. Bartos, Robert Bruner, Mary Alice Gonzalez, Jack Harris, David Jenkins, Carolyn Johnson, Tom Manison, Marvin Marcell, James Murray, Ronald J. Neighbors, Gary Oradat, Tom Ray, Ernest Rebuck, Gary Stobb, Michael S. Sullivan, Steve Tyler, Danny Vance, C. Harold Wallace and Kerry Whelan.

 

DESIGNATED ALTERNATES:  Carolyn Bilski alternate for Mark Evans.

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:   Roosevelt Alexander, Mark Evans, James Morrison, Jack Searcy, Jr. and William Teer.

 

PRESIDING:    James Adams, Chairman      

 

 

APPROVE MINUTES OF JUNE 21, 2000 MEETING

 

Chairman Adams stated that a revision needs to be made in the motion on page 3 stating, “the bylaws for the Region H WPG require a majority vote of the total voting membership for approval, and the vote appeared to be split almost evenly thus requiring a manual count of the votes, and as the votes were being counted, a representative of the NHCRWA announced that they wished to withdraw their request.”  Mr. Bartos also made a revision to his statement that on July 19th the RHWPG was going to be considering unique stream segments and offered to have staff attorneys comment if necessary.  Motion by Mr. Sullivan to approve the minutes as revised.  Second by Mr. Ray.  Motion carried.

 

 

DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF TASK 3 REPORT

 

Mr. Taylor discussed in-depth the water supply description and assessment associated with Tables 4, 5, and 6, the extensive available groundwater in rural counties, and the significant groundwater limitations within Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Montgomery and Waller Counties.  He also stated that there is 2.6 million acre-feet per year of existing surface water supplies with the total available water supply being 3.68 million acre-feet per year, that Region H relies on an extensive network of interbasin transfers, that environmental freshwater flow maintenance is an important issue for Region H, and that recreational water usage provides significant revenues to the Region H economy.

 

CONSIDER AND APPROVE VARIOUS MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

 

Mr. Taylor stated that today he would like to review the various management strategies and vote on them at the next meeting after the RHWPG has had an opportunity to read over the report.

 

 

CONSIDER AND AUTHORIZE ANOTHER JOINT MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF REGION G AND REGION I

 

Mr. Murray moved to invite representatives from Region G and Region I for another joint meeting and fish fry on Wednesday, August 16, 2000.  Second by Mr. Oradat.  Motion carried.

 

 

GENERAL DISCUSSION

 

A discussion ensued on the designation of unique stream segments.  It was stated that unique stream designation even limits the discharge of wastewater into it.  Also, the question was raised as to whether the designation of a stream segment was of any value to the region from a water supply standpoint.  Mr. Adams stated that he thought that since it is not mandatory at this time, the Region H WPG should consider designating reservoirs, but not stream segments, until there is more information available.  Mr. Bartos said he thought some streams needed to be designated.  It was decided to have representatives attend the next meeting to discuss the impact of designating unique stream segments.

 

 

TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD

 

Mr. Rebuck stated that the Texas Water Development Board has a new web page.

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

Ms. Glenda Callaway stated that there were 790 Region H WPG newsletters mailed out.

 

 

NEXT MEETING

 

July 19, 2000

10:00 a.m.

San Jacinto River Authority Office

Lake Conroe Dam

 

 

MEETING ADJOURNED