MINUTES

REGION H WATER PLANNING GROUP MEETING

10:00 A.M.

JULY 19, 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, Mark Evans, Jack Harris, David Jenkins, Carolyn Johnson, Marvin Marcell, James Morrison, James Murray, Ernest Rebuck, Jack Searcy, Jr., Gary Stobb, Michael S. Sullivan, Steve Tyler, Danny Vance, and C. Harold Wallace.

DESIGNATED ALTERNATES: Tom Michel alternate for Ron Neighbors, Ron Hudson alternate for Gary Oradat, Jace Houston alternate for William Teer, and Russell Kiesling alternate for Kerry Whelan.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Roosevelt Alexander, Mary Alice Gonzalez, Tom Manison, Ronald J. Neighbors, Gary Oradat, Tom Ray, William Teer, and Kerry Whelan.

PRESIDING: James Adams, Chairman

APPROVE MINUTES OF JULY 5, 2000 MEETING

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

APPROVAL OF TASK 3 REPORT

Mr. Taylor addressed the recommended comments of the RHWPG and stated that they would be incorporated into the final draft of the Task 3 Report to be presented for approval at the next meeting.

CONSIDER AND APPROVE VARIOUS MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Mr. Taylor discussed in-depth the association of major water providers to non-municipal WUG’s not currently served by a regional provider, the total demands for major water providers encompassing municipal contract extensions, municipal contract increases and non-municipal WUG’s. He also discussed management strategies for municipal conservation, irrigation conservation, non-municipal contractual transfers, new reservoirs and municipal wastewater reclamation for manufacturing use. He noted the suggested major providers for non-municipal WUG’s without a regional provider emphasizing water user group’s needs versus major water provider availability. In the group discussion, it was recommended that non-municipal contractual transfers be adopted in the report.

Judge Evans introduced Mr. Don Farris, Madison County Commissioner Precinct 2 and Mr. J. Miles, representing Leon County. Mr. Farris stated eleven (11) counties in the Brazos Valley area have joined to create four or five groundwater conservation districts with a coordinating board over Management Area 4 to protect the future water supply of the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer. He further stated that the Brazos Valley Council of Governments is assisting in this endeavor.

PRESENTATION BY JACE HOUSTON CONSIDERING GROUNDWATER WORK GROUP ACTIVITIES

Mr. Houston gave an update on the work of the groundwater stakeholder group assembled by the Texas Water Development Board and the Senate Natural Resources Committee. The group is meeting throughout the summer to develop consensus recommendations regarding the future management of groundwater in Texas. The group’s recommendations will be presented to the Senate Natural Resources Committee as part of its interim study on groundwater management. The group has focused its efforts in five major categories: exemptions, science, boundaries and joint planning, funding, and marketing. Mr. Houston provided an overview of the draft recommendations in each of the five categories.

DISCUSS UNIQUE STREAM SEGMENTS

Ms. Cindy Loeffler, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, introduced Ms. Colette Barron, attorney from the TPWD and Mr. Chad Noms from TPWD. Ms. Loeffler gave a brief presentation on ecologically unique river and stream segments. Ms. Loeffler answered many questions regarding the definition of what would alter a unique stream segment. She referred to TWC Section 16.051, (g) A state agency or political subdivision may not obtain a fee title or an easement that would:

(1) destroy the unique ecological value of a river or stream segment designated by the

legislature….

(2) significantly prevent the construction of a reservoir on a site designated by the

legislature….

Ms. Loeffler also stated that Chad Noms and Woody Woodrow have prepared a list of 27 streams that have met specific parameters germane to Region H.

Chairman Adams stated that stream segments and management requirements would be discussed at the next RHWPG meeting.

UPDATE OF JOINT MEETING WITH REGION I AND G SUBCOMMITTEES

Chairman Adams stated that Region G has responded and, will be sending five (5) representatives and Region I, as of this time, has unofficially indicated they will be sending seven (7) or eight (8) representatives to the joint meeting and fish fry on August 16, 2000.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Mr. Bartos discussed the revised work plan for the Galveston Bay Freshwater Inflows

Group (GBFIG) that was adopted at GBFIG’s meeting on 26 June 2000. GBFIG has begun looking at management strategies to meet freshwater inflow needs. He stated that additional studies are needed. He also stated that funding and support, within the participating state agencies, are critical to the successful accomplishment of GBFIG’s mission.

TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Mr. Rebuck had no comments.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None.

NEXT MEETING

August 2, 2000

10:00 a.m.

San Jacinto River Authority Office

Lake Conroe Dam

MEETING ADJOURNED