MEMBERS PRESENT: James Adams, Chairman, Roosevelt Alexander, John R. Bartos, John Blount, Robert Bruner, Mark Evans, Jason Fluharty, Mary Alice Gonzalez, Jack Harris, Robert Istre, Carolyn Johnson, David Jenkins, James Morrison, James Murray, Ron Neighbors, Bill Roberts, Michael S. Sullivan, Jeff Taylor, William Teer, Steve Tyler, and C. Harold Wallace.

DESIGNATED ALTERNATES: Brad Burnett alternate for John Baker and Jim Sims alternate for Danny Vance.

MEMBERS ABSENT: John Baker, Marvin Marcell, Jack Searcy, Jr., and Danny Vance.

PRESIDING: James Adams, Chairman

Mr. Adams stated that Brad Burnett is the alternate for John Baker and Jim Sims is the alternate for Danny Vance.

Motion by Mr. Sullivan to approve the minutes of the February 2, 2005, meeting as presented.

Second by Mr. Morrison. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Mr. Jenkins to approve Wayne Ahrens, P.E. of West Harris County Regional Authority as a non-voting member of Region H. Seconded by Mr. Neighbors. Motion carried unanimously.

None.

David Parkhill reported that a response to the comments from the Sierra Club on Draft Chapter 3 had been responded to in a letter, which had been forwarded to all members. All comments will be included in the final draft of the 2006 plan.

Motion by Mr. Sullivan to adopt Report Chapter 3 as presented. Second by Mr. Alexander. Motion carried unanimously

David Parkhill reviewed the status of the plan report process.

1. Chapter 4 is not included in the handouts for the meeting, but will be sent out before next month’s meeting for review.
2. Chapter 5 to be presented at the meeting.
3. Chapter 7 is waiting on finalizing of Chapter 3, it will be sent out before the next meeting for review.
4. Chapters 8 and 9 to be discussed at the meeting.

Impacts of Water Management strategies on key water quality parameters were chosen based on:

1. TCEQ 303d List of Impaired Water Bodies
2. TCEQ Water Quality Inventory for Designated Water Body Uses

The Water Quality Parameters were identified into two groups; Nutrients and Minerals.

Impacts of Water Management Strategies:

1. No major water quality impacts identified.
2. Water conservation measures may reduce minimum instream flows.
3. Agricultural conservation could reduce nutrient loadings from tail water return flows.
4. Decreased instream flows from increased use of Brazos supplies will directly influence saltwater intrusion.
5. Brazos Saltwater Barrier can mitigate this effect.
6. Allens Creek and Little River Off-Channel Reservoirs potentially have positive impacts on suspended and dissolved solids.
7. Fully utilize existing supplies may amplify existing water quality concerns but return flows from these sources will provide some mitigating effects.
8. Luce Bayou IBT will potentially improve the quality of Lake Houston but decrease flows in the Trinity River below Dayton.

Evaluations of third-party impacts of reduced levels in water supply for area lakes were also considered. Lake level projections showed very little negative impact over a 50-year period according to historical data.

Andy Sterbenz reported that the major water right holders are Dow Chemical and the City of Brazosport. The Fresh Water Flow Study shows under WAM Run 3 conditions, salinity at the Brazoria pump station exceeds 500 ppm in average years. Steady state analysis indicates the upper intake is at risk during average flows and is certain to be influenced during low flows.

Recommendations are to extend TXBLEND3D model to a point above the Harris reservoir intake, confirm the potential salinity impact at the Harris intake using varying flows, and based on that analysis, identify an SWB site to protect one or both intakes.

Embedded strategies include:

1. Contract expansion
2. Expanded use of groundwater
3. Redesignation of existing permits
4. Industrial water conservation
5. New water rights permits for interruptible supply

The recommendations for each county were presented and discussed along with these alternative strategies:

1. Expanded desalination capacity
2. East Texas transfer
3. Alternative Brazos Basin reservoirs
4. Expanded transfer of City of Houston Supply to Galveston County, allowing expanded GCWA/CBWC service to Fort Bend County
5. City of Houston supply to Fort Bend County
6. Bedias Reservoir

Motion by Mr. Bartos to approve the management strategies except for the Fort Bend and Brazoria county strategies, which need more technical information concerning Irrigation Conversation and the Little River Off-Channel strategies. Second by Mr. Tyler. Motion failed (Ayes - 5, Nays - 13).

Motion by Mr. Neighbors to approve the management strategies contingent on review of the Fort Bend County Irrigation Conservation and the Little River Off-Channel strategies for Brazoria and Fort Bend counties. Second by Mr. Sullivan. Motion Passed (Ayes – 18, Nays – 1).

Motion by Mr. Taylor to approve a Resolution to adopt the alternative strategies except the East Texas Transfer into the 2006 Region H Water Plan. Seconded by Mr. Bruner. Motion Passed. (Ayes – 16, Nays – 1)

See Attached Table of Selected Strategies by County.

Brandt Mannchen with the Sierra Club encouraged members to take time to review the information before a vote on adopting the plan. He stated that if the alternative strategies are included in the plan, then why is there a need to plan in the first place. Information needs to be available to the public for their review before the meeting so that they may make public comments before any vote is taken

None

Wednesday, April 6, 2005

San Jacinto River Authority

Lake Conroe Dam

1577 Dam Site Road

Conroe, Texas