MEMBERS PRESENT: James Adams, Chairman, John R. Bartos, John Baker, John Blount, Robert Bruner, Jason Fluharty, Mary Alice Gonzalez, Jack Harris, Robert Istre, Carolyn Johnson, David Jenkins, Marvin Marcell, James Morrison, James Murray, Ron Neighbors, Bill Roberts, Jack Searcy, Jr., Michael S. Sullivan, Jeff Taylor, William Teer, and C. Harold Wallace.

DESIGNATED ALTERNATES: Jim Sims alternate for Danny Vance.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Roosevelt Alexander, Mark Evans, Steve Tyler, and Danny Vance.

PRESIDING: James Adams, Chairman

Mr. Adams stated that Jim Sims is the alternate for Danny Vance.

Motion by Mr. Jenkins to approve the minutes of the December 1, 2004, meeting as presented.

Second by Mr. Morrison. Motion carried unanimously.

Chairman Adams reported that the quote for the insurance renewal was $1,539 a year. Motion by Mr. Sullivan to approve renewal of the Director’s and Officers Liability Insurance. Second by Mr. Searcy. Motion carried unanimously.

Ken Kramer with the Lone Star Sierra Club commented that he does not feel the amendments that will be considered by the group are necessary at this time because the 2006 Plan would be approved soon. He believes that the water management strategies in the amendments would not go through the same analysis that they would receive by waiting for the 2006 Plan. He wants all the amendments to be evaluated and reviewed for the 2006 Plan rather than amending the 2001 Plan.

Brandt Mannchen with the Houston Sierra Club commented that all the amendments should be reviewed in the same manner as the original plan in 2001 and that these reviews could be completed as part of the submission of the 2006 Plan. No shortages of water supply have been reported, so these proposed amendments could wait until the 2006 Plan.

Mr. Searcy stated that the nominating committee recommends the present slate of officers for 2005.

Motion by Mr. Searcy to approve the current slate of officers, Jim Adams, Chairman; Mark Evans, Vice-Chairman; Ron Neighbors, Secretary; Michael Sullivan and Harold Wallace, members of the Executive Committee. Second by Mr. Harris. Motion carried unanimously.

Written comments regarding the proposed amendments were received from Brandt Mannchen. A copy of the correspondence was included in the summary report of the public hearing and written comments on Amendment 1.

1. Add wastewater reuse, the permitting of additional yield in Lake Houston, and the permitting of unappropriated flows in the San Jacinto River as a water management strategy for the City of Houston and the San Jacinto River Authority.

Motion by Mr. Sullivan to approve amendment as presented. Second by Mr. Searcy.

Motion carried. (19-2)

2. Add the permitting of interruptible supplies from Buffalo, Brays, Sims, and White Oak Bayous as a water management strategy for the City of Houston.

Motion by Mr. Sullivan to approve amendment as presented. Second by Mr. Baker.

Motion carried. (19-2)

3. Add the redesignation of Chambers-Liberty Counties Navigation District supplies from irrigation use to mixed irrigation, municipal, or manufacturing use as a water management strategy option for Chambers County.

Motion by Mr. Sullivan to approve amendment as presented. Second by Mr. Searcy. Motion carried unanimously.

4. Add the permitting of additional supplies from the Brazos River System as a water management strategy for the Brazos River Authority.

Motion by Mr. Sullivan to approve amendment as presented. Second by Mr. Neighbors. Motion carried. (18-3)

5. Add wastewater reuse as a water management strategy for the North Harris County Regional Water Authority.

Written comments regarding the draft of Chapters 1, 2, and 6 were received from Brandt Mannchen. These comments will be reviewed and addressed by the consultants at next month’s meeting.

Mike Reedy reported that a summary report on the questions raised at the December meeting concerning shortages was sent out for clarification of the Region H Summary Table. Shortages were added up by WUGs that had no contract for water supplies.

The conservation plan requirements question that was raised at the December meeting for more clarification was reviewed. Individual irrigators contracting with irrigation district wholesale water providers are not required to develop a conservation plan.

The draft Report Chapter 3 was submitted to the members, and comments will be received by the consultants through the end of February. Proposed action and adoption on Chapter 3 will be at the March RWPG meeting. Chapter 3 includes the groundwater supply updates which are consistent with the management and regulatory plans of local conservation and subsidence districts. The Freeport Seawater Desalination Project options were reviewed as a feasible option to include in the Region H Plan.

East Texas Interbasin Transfer to San Jacinto and Trinity River Basins was discussed as a possible strategy for meeting shortages in the future.

Andy Sterbenz presented an evaluation by county of WUG’s with shortages, wholesale water providers, and potential strategies for dealing with potential future shortages. In February, the RHWPG will select wholesale water providers and strategies to recommend for each area. Screening criteria includes costs, yield, environment, local preference, institutional constraints, impact on water resources, location, and water quality.

Ken Kramer with the Sierra Club commented about projected reductions for clothes washers due to the new energy standards published after the TWDB projected the plumbing code savings. Secondly, he questioned why WUGs with shortages could not use water conservation to meet their shortages instead of expanding their contracts. He also suggested considering drought management as a strategy in the plan.

Bill Roberts reported that the TWDB is considering the BRA & COH application for Allen’s Creek operations and are issuing a statement against the junior water rights provision for interbasin transfers. TWDB still has to consider approving the amendments that were approve by Region H.

Wednesday, February 2, 2005

San Jacinto River Authority

Lake Conroe Dam

1577 Dam Site Road

Conroe, Texas