Final Minutes
Governance Committee Meeting

Ralph Morgenweck, Governance Committee (GC) Chair, called the meeting to order. No changes to the agenda were suggested. The November minutes were approved as modified.

Open Comment Period - No comments were expressed.

January 13 Workshop Update

The Department of the Interior (DOI) was asked at the workshop to address several questions related to the preliminary analysis of the Program in the Biological Opinion. Steve Lydick described the analysis and modeling used by the Service to ascertain that nearly bank full average annual pulse flows were needed to build sandbars for least tern and piping plover habitat. Steve explained that modeling indicated that better conditions resulted when a near bank-full flow lasted for three days. Some years this flow was not met and in other years it was greatly exceeded because of natural flow peaks. Mark Butler explained that to arrive at this flow average the model assumed the channel capacity at North Platte was 3,900 cfs, one-foot of water was used from Johnson Lake and the modification of the Water Action Plan J-2 re-regulation reservoir to allow for a 500 cfs inlet and outlet.

Questions were asked regarding what the operational goals and criteria are in the model, how close current flows are to achieving an average annual bank full pulse flows, how close the flows are to meeting the bank full pulse flow objective if the channel capacity at North Platte were to be 3,900 cfs. Maryanne Bach suggested that a technical workshop be held in which various "what-if" scenarios could be run through the model.

Ralph reviewed the questions/issues that the DOI was asked to address:

a. Do the Land Action Plan and Integrated Monitoring and Research Plan need to change to harmonize with the existing FWS BO analysis?

2) Will the nearly bank-full pulse flow criterion impact depletion plans?

3) What were the operating criteria of the model when the average annual bank full flow rate was arrived at?

4) What are the costs associated with meeting the average annual bank full flow rate?

5) Does the Program Document's Water Section (specifically E.1.c) need to be reworded?

6) Are there are other needs associated with the average annual bank full flow rate?

7) How close are the current flows to meeting the average annual bank full flow rate? What if the channel capacity at North Platte is 3,900 cfs?

8) How did the FWS or others arrive at the sandbar elevation potential described by Steve Lydick?

The GC agreed to split their meeting agenda for the January 27 meeting to have a presentation and discussion on the above questions/issues.

The GC also discussed papers related to Opstudy and Instream Flow Recommendations at the workshop. Mark Butler noted that it is not necessary for the GC to determine how they will calculate wet/average/dry years, how peak flows are handled, and whether or not the Opstudy runs on a monthly or daily time step prior to the March 1 deadline.

National Academy of Science Review

Maryanne Bach explained that she passed out a draft contract between NAS and the FWS for review yesterday. Several parties have concerns and comments on the contract and scope of work and Maryanne will discuss these with NAS. NAS plans to decide whether or not they will accept the project at a meeting on January 15, 2003. The Executive Director's office was asked to send the lists of proposed speakers to Maryanne for distribution on to NAS.

Milestone and Subtask discussion, updates and decisions

Nebraska Depletions Plan (W1-EXT)

Jim Cook reported that the Plan has been revised and distributed to their Depletions Committee. A draft will be distributed to the GC by February 7, 2003.

Wyoming Depletions Plan (W2-EXT)

Mike Besson reported that Wyoming continues to work on internal comments and plans to distribute a draft to the GC by February 7, 2003.

Colorado North Platte Depletions Plan (W3-EXT)

John Lawson, Water Management Committee (WMC) Chair, commended that the WMC has submitted comments on the latest draft and are waiting for a revised version for further technical review. Wendy Weiss noted that some edits can be incorporated and that other comments are more global in nature and need further discussion. Ralph asked that a revised draft be provided by February 7 if possible so that the GC can address policy issues.

Forest Service Vegetation Management Plan (W9-EXT)

Polly Hays reported that a revised draft is available for technical review by the WMC but they are still waiting for results of modeling being conducted by a contractor, these will hopefully be available by January 31. Ralph asked that a completed draft be available by February 7 if possible. John Lawson noted that the Vegetation Management Plan has been through one round of technical reviews by the WMC and that the WMC can likely complete the technical review by February 7.

Federal Future Depletions Plan (W10,11-EXT)

Don Anderson reported that comments had been received from the WMC and a revised draft distributed on January 3, 2003. John Lawson noted that to date one set of comments on the January 3 draft has been forwarded to the Service.

John Lawson asked that all comments on the Colorado North Platte Depletions Plan, Forest Service Vegetation Management Plan, and Federal Depletions Plan be submitted to the WMC. Unresolved policy issues on the plans will be discussed at the February 18-19 GC workshop. It was noted that not commenting on the plans at the WMC does not imply agreement with the plan.

Habitat Protection Plan (L1-EXT)/Land Action Plan (L6-EXT)

Mary Jane Graham reported that the Drafting Committee along with Brian Barels and Mark Butler have worked on the document but have not addressed all issues. The plan is to have the land subgroup and GC review this draft and provide comments for GC consideration at the February 5 workshop. Comments on the draft Plan are due to Dale Strickland by January 31, 2003.

CA Schedule and Extension

Dale Strickland reported that gaps still exist in the Cooperative Agreement (CA) schedule and that they will be filled in after the current series of planned workshops and input from the EIS Team. The GC needs to formally decide whether or not to extend the CA by July 1, 2003. The GC agreed to begin formal schedule and extension discussions at the March 6-7 workshop. Curt Brown noted that he would be able to have an EIS schedule available by the March 6-7 workshop.

Subcommittee Reports and Recommendations

Water Management Committee

John Lawson, WMC Chair, reported that topics discussed at the previous meetings (e.g., depletions plans) have been covered today.

State Meeting - No meeting held and nothing to report

Land Committee - No meeting held and nothing to report.

Technical Committee - The Technical Committee (TC) plans a discussion of the IMRP at their January 17 meeting. The intent is to forward the document to the GC after comments are incorporated. The Whooping Crane Monitoring protocol is currently being peer reviewed, and the review should be completed prior to the spring 2003 implementation. The TC is also conducting an internal review of the fall 2002 implementation report from Greystone.

Finance Committee - Mike Besson reported that the Parsons invoice had been paid. The FC approved their draft Charter and it has been forwarded to the Drafting Committee for editing. The second of three reconciliations of $100,000 for work done by the USGS at Cottonwood Ranch was approved. The FC reviewed and recommends GC approval of a $10,000 budget for the TC to peer review of the Whooping Crane and Least Tern/Piping Plover Protocols. GC approved.

Drafting Committee - The Drafting Committee continues to work on the Land Action Plan and plans to begin work on review of the Structures Document.

Open Comment - Ann Bleed reported that the final Parson's report is expected February 28, 2003.

Adjourn - 11:15 a.m.

Future Meetings

February 5, 2003: Governance Committee workshop, Denver

February 18-19, 2003: Governance Committee workshop, Denver

February 28, 2003: Governance Committee workshop, Denver

March 6-7, 2003: Governance Committee workshop, Denver

April 16-17, 2003: Governance Committee Meeting and workshop, Omaha