Final Minutes

Governance Committee Meeting

May 22, 2002
Crystal Inn
Denver, Colorado

Roger Patterson, Governance Committee (GC) Chair, called the meeting to order at 8:10 a.m. No changes to the agenda were suggested. The March Governance Committee (GC)minutes were approved as modified.

There was discussion regarding the March 25, 2002 Workshop notes. Mark Butler stated that wording regarding what flows the FWS would use to analyze water project against during a Program is not correct. Current language reads "Projects that are changed or added to the WAP as substitutes for projects presently in the plan will be analyzed for their impacts on species flow and annual pulse flow targets." Mark explained that ALL flows would be used to analyze projects, but that projects would only be scored against species and annual pulse flows. Water Action Plan Projects would not be expected to generate flows other than the species and annual pulse flows. Concern was raised that this effectively increased the total water amount above the old estimate of depletions of 417,000 af. Agreement was reached to change the wording to reflect that projects will be analyzed against all flows but scored against species and annual pulse flows (revised notes attached). The GC asked that confusion on the different types of flows be clarified in the glossary (e.g., pulse, peak, target, etc). Rick Brown asked that more dialogue on which flows can be used and when be done through a small Water Management Committee subgroup.

Open Comment Period - No comments were expressed.

EIS/BO Update

This topic was discussed in detail during the May 21, 2002, workshop; specifically the No Action Alternative, Action Alternatives, Screening Analysis, and DEIS outline. Comments on the Action Alternatives, Screening Analysis, and DEIS outline are due to Dale Strickland by June 7. For the No Action Alternative each state will appoint an individual to work with the EIS Team in conveying concerns and input to the EIS Team. Individuals appointed were Rick Brown, Colorado; Jim Cook, Nebraska; Mike Purcell, Wyoming.

Future EIS Workshop topics were discussed. The GC agreed that there would not be an EIS workshop in June. Topics/sections for a July workshop include revised Proposed Program Description, Hydrology, Geomorphology, and Economics. It was suggested that additional time be allotted for discussions.

Milestones and Subtasks

Pallid Sturgeon

Clayton Derby provided an update on development of the monitoring/research list and corresponding budget. The FWS was asked to work with the Executive Director's office in developing a draft for further work by a technical subgroup. The draft has been developed, reviewed by the Executive Director's office, and is currently being reviewed internally by the FWS. The GC also requested that the FWS develop an executive summary of information related to pallid sturgeon. The FWS has developed this summary but concern was expressed that it may not contain the level of detail some GC members had expected. Mark Butler noted that the document would be distributed if requested by the GC. Concern was raised that the technical group is not being brought in early enough in development of the monitoring and research topics.

Habitat Protection Plan (L1-EXT)

Mary Jane Graham explained that the Drafting Committee has been working with Brian Barels and Mark Butler on drafting the Habitat Protection Plan (HPP) and that the group is recommending that the document be reviewed and commented on by more technical individuals. Concern was expressed that the document identified the channel width ideal as 1150 feet and that this may not be the ideal at each individual parcel given each parcels unique characteristics and that this needs to be disclosed to the public. It was noted that Table 1 within the HPP is recognized as the ideal and that the Program will work within each parcels constraints. There are still holes identified which will be filled with information for documents still be developed (e.g., Structures Document). The Technical Committee, Land Committee, and subgroup will review the HPP. Mary Jane asked that GC members work with their technical representatives and explain where the document is in its development and why.

Forest Service Plan (W9-EXT)

Polly Hays, USFS, distributed a draft outline pertaining to the "USFS Vegetation Management Plan" (see attached). Comments will be received at anytime.

Federal Depletions Plan (W10, 11-Ext)

Don Anderson explained that a draft Federal Depletions Plan has been distributed to the Water Management Committee for review and responses have been received. Most comments ask for clarification on how this Plan is different from the Forest Service Vegetation Management Plan and for clarification on species/annual/pulse/peak flows. The FWS will revise the draft and have available for review along with the states' plans in July.

First Increment Milestone (P3-1)

Mark Butler explained that based on comments received the section pertaining to the Oversight Committee was removed from the Milestones Document for inclusions in the Program Document. A revised version will be distributed for an update to the "white binder".

Subcommittee Reports

Water Management Committee

John Lawson, WMC Chair, explained that the WMC reviewed and reached agreement on four documents at their last meeting. These include the Program Water Plan outline, Water Advisory Committee Charter, Program Water Management Process, and the water portion of the Structures Document. John explained that the WMC, in general, believes that the 1994 FWS flow documents referenced in the Program should be attached to the Program and not just referenced; this is addressed in the Program Water Plan outline. The topic will be discussed further within the WMC, including the need for discussion of definitions. The Water Plan outline, Water Advisory Committee Charter, and Program Water Management Process will be distributed as updates or additions to the white binder. Revisions to the water portion of the Structures Document will be forwarded on to the Structures Committee for incorporation. The GC asked the Structures Committee to review the Water Advisory Committee charter and all other committee charters for consistency.

John noted that an ad hoc group, not a WMC subgroup, had met to discussion Section D of the Program Document. The group could not come to agreement on the section and have provided a redline/strikeout version to the Drafting Committee for their consideration. The group identified this section as containing policy issues that need to be address by the GC. Roger Patterson asked that the States be afford time to discuss the section prior to discussion at the GC. Mary Jane noted that until discussions are held, the original section will be retained in the draft Program Document.

States Meeting

The states have not met since the last GC meeting.

Land Committee

No Land Committee (LC) meetings have been held. The next meeting will be to discuss the Habitat Protection Plan.

Technical Committee

Clayton Derby provided a brief report on completion of the spring 2002 whooping crane survey and noted that the next TC meeting will be May 30-31. A TC/GC workshop to discuss monitoring and research is planned for June 10.

Outreach Committee

Jerry Vandersnick, Outreach Committee (OC) Chair, provided the report. Jerry reported that a revised Outreach Plan was distributed on May 20. The plan outlines what the GC may implement in each state but that individual states as well as the DOI and Districts may well have their own outreach efforts. There is not a set schedule on when items will be implemented. He indicated that the committee is depending on the GC to indicate which areas to implement, when and where. Jerry asked for comments by June 5.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee has not met since the last GC meeting.

Structure and Staffing Committee

John Lawson provided the report in the absence of Maryanne Bach, Committee Chair. The Structures Committee will be incorporating information from the Finance Committee and the WMC on their respective portions of the Structures Document and then distribute a revised draft for updating the white binder. The Drafting Committee will also be reviewing charters as they become available for consistency in wording with the Structures Document and other Program documents.

Drafting Committee

All topics that they have been working were discussed earlier today.

Open comment

Ralph Morgenweck suggested, and the GC agreed, that a brief "global progress" report be provided by Dale Strickland at the end of each GC meeting.

The GC discussed several ideas related to the probable National Academy of Science, or similar body, review of the Program and science behind it. The GC agreed that a subgroup of Mike Besson, John Blakenship, Dave Sands, Paul Currier, Dave Little, BOR representative, and Jim Cook (Chair) be tasked with scoping the issue.

Adjourn - 11:35 a.m.

Future Meetings

June 10, 2002 - 1-5 p.m., TC/GC monitoring and research workshop, Denver

June 11, 2002 - States meeting, Denver

July 18 (and maybe 17), 2002 - GC/EIS Team workshop, Kearney

July 19, 2002 - GC meeting, Kearney

August 6, 2002 - GC/EIS Team Workshop, Denver, Kearney

September 18, 2002 - GC/EIS Team Workshop, Denver

September 19, 2002 - GC meeting am, Denver

September 19, 2002 - States meeting pm, Denver