MEMBERS PRESENT: James Adams, Chairman, Roosevelt Alexander, John R. Bartos, John Baker, John Blount, Robert Bruner, Mark Evans, Jason Fluharty, Jack Harris, Carolyn Johnson, David Jenkins, Marvin Marcell, James Morrison, Ron Neighbors, Bill Roberts, Jack Searcy, Jr., Michael S. Sullivan, William Teer, and C. Harold Wallace.

DESIGNATED ALTERNATES: Paul Nelson alternate for Jeff Taylor and Robert Stevens alternate for Danny Vance.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Mary Alice Gonzalez, Robert Istre, James Murray, Jeff Taylor, Steve Tyler, and Danny Vance.

PRESIDING: James Adams, Chairman

Mr. Adams stated that Robert Stevens is the alternate for Danny Vance.

Motion by Mr. Searcy to approve the minutes of the September 1, 2004, meeting as presented.

Second by Mr. Alexander. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Mr. Searcy to approve the minutes of the October 6, 2004, meeting as presented.

Second by Mr. Alexander. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Mr. Searcy to approve the minutes of the October 6, 2004, public hearing as presented. Second by Mr. Alexander. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Adams stated that a letter of resignation had been received from Susan Morgan as the representative for the Brazos River Authority along with a recommendation that John Baker be selected as the representative for river authorities.

Motion by Mr. Jenkins to accept the resignation of Susan Morgan and appoint John Baker to serve as the replacement for Susan Morgan representing river authorities and to serve out the remainder of her five-year term. Second by Mr. Searcy. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Adams explained that the groundwater-related amendments taken to the TWDB were approved, but the surface water amendments were not approved due to a disagreement related to the required public comment period. The executive committee authorized the consultant team to renotice the amendments and resend the appropriate public notices extending the comment period for another 30 day period.

Motion by Mr. Searcy to approve the renoticing and reopening of the public comment period concerning the surface water amendments to the 2001 Regional Plan and to ratify the actions of the executive committee. Second by Mr. Marcell. Motion carried unanimously.

Mike Reedy presented the proposed consultants’ topics that they are working on for the upcoming meetings:

1. Draft Regional Water Plan
2. Selection of 2006 Water Management Strategies
3. Infrastructure Finance Report
4. Policy Recommendations

The schedule for the next six months was reviewed, and an executive summary of information to be discussed will be distributed well in advance of any required vote.

Brandt Mannchen with the Houston Sierra Club commented on the report in Chapter 2 regarding Table 2.4 (Comparison Between 2001 RWP and 2006 RWP Water Demands by County). He would like the consultants to explain the major percentage changes from the 2001 to present and what we will do to avoid changes in the future.

Jason Nelson presented the draft report for Chapter 6 related to the model conservation and drought management plans. He reviewed the rules that describe which entities are required to submit conservation and drought management plans, and briefly explained the typical contents of these types of plans.

Mike Reedy explained that no comments have been received to date on draft report Chapters 1 and 2, and that the consultant team would continue to receive any comments from group members or the public related to these chapters, and also Chapter 6, up through the date of the February meeting at which time the chapters should be ready for consideration by the group for approval.

The following management strategies from the 2001 Plan were discussed by the consultant team:

1. Municipal Conservation
2. Irrigation Conservation
3. Industrial Reuse on Ship Channel
4. Contractual Transfers
5. Voluntary Redistribution

Mr. Nelson provided information regarding the consultant’s recommended approach for implementing municipal water conservation BMPs in developing target water savings goals and costs for the region. Mr. Nelson informed the group that the irrigation conservation item was still in development and would be presented at the January meeting.

Andy Sterbenz presented information regarding industrial wastewater reuse by ship channel industries. He also discussed contractual transfers via the sale of available supplies between willing buyers and sellers. Finally, he also presented information regarding the voluntary redistribution of water contracts.

John Seifert presented information regarding groundwater supply numbers. Groundwater supply numbers were updated for Leon, Madison, and Walker counties consistent with the groundwater conservation district management plan for that area.

Mike Reedy presented an updated presentation on the shortage analysis for Region H, including a summary of shortages by county and the region as a whole. A discussion ensued regarding information provided in the summary shortage analysis table. The consultant team agreed to address additional issues in the following week.

Mr. Adams selected the following members to serve on the Nominating Committee: Jack Searcy, Robert Bruner, and Carolyn Johnson.

Mr. Adams stated that a letter had been received informing Region H of the replacement of Don Braddock upon his retirement by Sabina Finnegan at the Chocolate Bayou Water Company and requesting that she be appointed as his replacement as a non-voting member of Region H.

Motion by Mr. Sullivan to accept the replacement of non-voting member Don Braddock by Sabina Finnegan representing the Chocolate Bayou Water Company. Second by Mr. Jenkins. Motion carried unanimously.

Brandt Mannchen with the Houston Sierra Club commented that the public should be allowed to comment before an item is voted or presented for discussion.

Ken Kramer with the Sierra Club commented that certain strategies for water conservation planning related to water efficient appliances were not considered in the demand numbers for the future and might miss water savings resulting from requirements related to water efficient appliances. The Sierra Club and the National Wildlife Federation will challenge the amendments before the TWBD.

Bill Roberts reported that the TWDB has changed the water audit rules and more information is forthcoming. TWDB will correct the Brazoria County numbers for manufacturing.

Wednesday, January 5, 2005

San Jacinto River Authority

Lake Conroe Dam

1577 Dam Site Road

Conroe, Texas