MINUTES

REGION H WATER PLANNING GROUP MEETING

   10:00 A.M.

JUNE 21, 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, Jack Harris, David Jenkins, Marvin Marcell, James Morrison, James Murray, Ronald J. Neighbors, Gary Oradat, Tom Ray, Ernest Rebuck, Jack Searcy, Jr., Michael S. Sullivan, Steve Tyler and C. Harold Wallace.

 

DESIGNATED ALTERNATES:  Gary Stobb alternate for Robert Eckels, Allan Taylor alternate for Carolyn Johnson, Robert Stephens alternate for Danny Vance.

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:    Robert Eckels, Mary Alice Gonzalez, Carolyn Johnson, Tom Manison, William Teer, Danny Vance and Kerry Whelan.

 

PRESIDING:    James Adams, Chairman         

 

 

APPROVE MINUTES OF JUNE 7, 2000 MEETING

 

Mr. Houston read several corrections suggested by Mr. Sullivan that improved the content of the minutes.  Motion by Mr. Murray to approve the minutes as corrected.  Second by Mr. Jenkins.  Motion carried.

 

 

JUDGE ECKELS’ REQUEST TO BE REPLACED ON THE RHWPG BY GARY STOBB

 

Motion by Mr. Wallace to approve Gary Stobb as Judge Robert Eckels replacement to the RHWPG.  Second by Mr. Jenkins.  Motion carried.

 

 

REQUESTS BY ALVIN AND NORTH HARRIS COUNTY REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY FOR CONTINGENCY FUNDING

 

Mr. Adams explained that requests for planning funds from the Texas Water Development Board were being referred to the regional planning groups for approval prior to being considered by the Water Development Board.  Mr. Adams described the two requests that had been forwarded to Region H for consideration and explained that the sub-committee had met to review the two proposed funding requests.

The group discussed the City of Alvin’s request for contingency funds for studying the Mid-Brazoria County area.  Several issues were discussed including the scope of the request and the amount of funds requested.

 

Motion by Mr. Searcy to approve the requested funding for the City of Alvin.  Second by Mr. Harris.  Chairman Adams put the question and, after the vote, announced the motion carried with three (3) members opposed.

 

A discussion then ensued regarding the funding request of the North Harris County Regional Water Authority.  Several members discussed how the proposed NHCRWA study related to planning efforts that had already been completed by the Region H consultant team.  The purpose and scope of the two studies to be funded under the request were discussed at length.  The first study (Task A) involved the investigation of alternative water supplies, including outside sources of surface or groundwater, that could be used to supply the future needs of north Harris County.  The second study (Task B) would investigate the viability of reuse and reclamation projects to meet future water demands within the NHCRWA.  The group then discussed the timeline for completion of any studies utilizing planning contingency funds and the potential for other entities to request funding for similar projects.

 

The group also discussed whether or not it was appropriate for the regional water planning groups to be involved in the approval process for funding requests submitted to the Texas Water Development Board. 

 

Motion by Mr. Searcy to approve the funding request for Task A (Alternative Supply Study) for the North Harris County Regional Water Authority.  Second by Mr. Alexander.  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.  The request having been withdrawn, the motion to approve the request was tabled without objection.

 

REVIEW AND APPROVE DATES AND SITES FOR SEPTEMBER PUBLIC HEARING

 

Ms. Callaway requested that the Region H RWPG hold four meetings to provide opportunities for public comment on the draft plan at the following locations:

 

            Monday, September 18, 7 p.m.                                Tuesday, September 19, 7 p.m.

            Nolan Ryan Center                                                     White’s Memorial Park

            Highway 35 @ Highway 6                                            1-10 at Hwy 562/61 (Hankamer Exit)

            Alvin, Texas                                                               Chambers County, Texas

 

            Wednesday, September 20, 3 p.m.                          Thursday, September 21, 7 p.m.

            E. B. Cape Center                                                     Walker County Courthouse

            4501 Leeland                                                                        1102 University Avenue

            Houston, Texas                                                           Huntsville, Texas

 

Motion by Mr. Harris to approve the above dates and sites for the September public hearing.  Second by Mr. Tyler.  Motion carried.

 

 

REVIEW AND APPROVE JUNE REGION H UPDATE NEWSLETTER

 

Ms. Callaway presented a draft of the June Region H Update Newsletter.  The group discussed some of the dates and information printed in the newsletter including possible meeting dates at which the Region H RWPG would review any TWDB comments on the final Region H plan. 

 

Motion by Mr. Sullivan to approve the draft June Region H Update Newsletter with revisions noted.  Seconded by Mr. Murray.   Motion carried.

 

 

REVIEW AND APPROVE TABLES 8 AND 8A

 

Mr. Taylor presented Tables 8 and 8A.  A discussion ensued.

 

Motion by Mr. Jenkins to approve Tables 8 and 8A.  Second by Mr. Neighbors.  Motion carried.

 

 

REVIEW AND DISCUSS MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

 

Chairman Adams stated that the consultants would present the management strategies at the next meeting.

 

 

PRESENTATION BY BRAZOS RIVER AUTHORITY CONCERNING REGION G

 

Mr. Denis Qualls, a representative of the Brazos River Authority, made a presentation regarding several proposed reservoir sites being considered by the Region G RWPG.

 

 

GENERAL DISCUSSION

 

Mr. Bartos stated that on July 19th that RHWPG was going to be considering unique stream segments and offered to have staff attorneys comment if that was necessary. 

 

Mr. Adams said that Texas Parks and Wildlife had offered a presentation concerning stream segment designation.

 

Mr. Evans thanked Mr. Neighbors for allowing Mr. Jace Houston to attend and give a presentation to the East Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association annual conference in Nacogdoches.

 

Mr. Neighbors stated that he would like at some point to give an update to the group regarding the efforts of a stakeholder committee selected by the Senate Natural Resource Committee and the Texas Water Development Board.  The committee has been working over the summer to formulate legislative recommendations for next session regarding the management of groundwater.

 

 

TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD

 

Mr. Rebuck had no comments.

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

None.

 

 

NEXT MEETING

 

July 5, 2000

10:00 a.m.

San Jacinto River Authority Office

Lake Conroe Dam

 

 

MEETING ADJOURNED