Final Minutes
Governance Committee Meeting

Introduction

Ralph Morgenweck opened the meeting and welcomed members and guests.

Larry Schulz gave a short update on the email difficulties that some individuals within the Department of Interior were having. Larry indicated that the problems had been corrected and the correct combination of characters is name@prs.usbr.gov.

Dale Strickland asked for amendments to the agenda and Ralph Morgenweck noted that he needed to leave the meeting early and Mike Besson would chair the Governance Committee (GC) after he left.

Ralph presented Jim Cook, former Chair of the Outreach Committee, with a recognition plaque for his work.

Dale asked that the GC for a moment of silence in respect for the victims and families involved in the Columbine School shooting the previous day.

Minutes

The draft minutes of the February 10 Governance Committee meeting were reviewed. Dale Strickland read suggested changes to the minutes, and the minutes were approved as amended.

Outreach Committee Update

Jeff Buettner, Outreach Committee (OC) Chair, gave a presentation on the Committee’s efforts at outreach. Jeff presented the committee’s goals, objectives, problems, accomplishments and possible changes/additions to outreach. Jeff noted that he and most others feel the OC is doing an acceptable job, but that there is room for improvement, and that he is looking for new ideas.

Jeff discussed some of the current efforts of the OC. These efforts include a tabloid insert in several Nebraska newspapers, brochures, web site, radio and TV interviews, and other direct contacts with the media. Mike Besson noted that Wyoming might want to put a tabloid type insert in Wyoming newspapers when the water management action plan is released. Several individuals inquired about the costs associated with inserting a tabloid into newspapers. Jeff indicated the cost is quite reasonable given the wide distribution.

The issue of Land Committee (LC) meetings becoming more of a forum for outreach than a forum for LC business was discussed. Vernon Nelson, LC Co-Chair, noted that it might be possible to mail the tabloid insert directly to those individuals that attend LC meetings in addition to the newspaper insert. Several individuals felt that the outreach message would be better received if it came from some of the local organization or if outreach efforts occurred in conjunction with local organization activities. In Nebraska, an agricultural interest group is forming including Nebraska Water Users, Nebraska Cattlemen, Nebraska Corn Growers, the Farm Bureau and others to follow the progress of the Cooperative Agreement. The group will present both the positives and negatives of the CA to their membership.

The GC discussed having listening sessions in the Central Platte so those individuals with concerns would be talking with the “decision” makers instead of only to the LC. Ralph suggested the Farm Bureau or other local organizations might sponsor such meetings. Vernon Nelson suggested GC members and representatives from other committees attend Land Committee meetings. Representatives of the CA from Colorado frequently attend meetings held by groups interested in the CA and usually receive numerous questions.

Ralph asked if anyone had suggestions for the OC. Paul Currier noted that the next point of major controversy will likely be when the Action Plan is released and the OC may want to put together another newspaper insert or other mailing then. Measuring the effectiveness of OC efforts and determining outreach needs was discussed. Suggestions made to accomplish this included conducting an opinion poll and including a reply section on the brochures/newspaper inserts.

In summary the OC was given the following guidance to consider:

Whooping Crane Model

Ralph Morgenweck led the discussion regarding the FWS’s intent to revise the current whooping crane model. Ralph noted that there are more than twice as many crane sightings than when the model was first developed. The FWS needs to use the best available biological information when writing biological opinions, and updating the model will help provide the better information. Ralph also noted that an update of the model does not necessarily require a change in Target Flows since the model is only part of the information used to establish the flows. FWS does not believe the updated model will indicate a need to change the target flows and Ralph indicated that based on preliminary information, it does not appear that an updated model will indicate a significant, if any, change in the target flows.

The FWS intends that the updated model will be peer reviewed. The role of the GC in the peer review was discussed. It was decided that the FWS will handle the peer review through the Mid-Continental Ecological Services Center (MESC), which is the group that is actually updating the model.

Jim Lutey distributed the draft Scope of Work provided to MESC for updating the model. Jim asked that if there were any comments to get them to Dave Carlson as soon as possible. The draft-updated model is expected in October and peer review will likely take five to six months. The final model should be available approximately 60 days after peer review is completed.

Executive Director’s Report

Dale Strickland reported the following disbursements since the March meeting: payment of $1,073.33 to CNPPID for the cost of brochures.

Dale also reported that the Finance Committee approved reimbursement requests made by Rhodell Jameson for $242.41 and Vernon Nelson for $662.16 for travel and meetings.

Committee Reports

Water Management Committee

John Lawson provided the report for the Water Management Committee (WMC). John provided the schedule for upcoming meetings including: WMC meeting June 1 at FWS office in Lakewood; Workshop on June 14 at FWS office in Lakewood; WMC meeting July 13 in North Platte.

Boyle Consulting is considering comments received from the WMC on the draft Water Conservation/Supply Study. The process continues to be on schedule. Boyle will begin providing the WMC with revised components of the draft May 7 and all of the information to the WMC by May 28. John will distribute draft reports to the GC as well as the WMC as they are provided from Boyle.

During the April 20 meeting, the WMC held a discussion with the lead Water Administrators from Wyoming, Nebraska, and Colorado. The meeting with the administrators focused on potential alternatives, the Tracking/Accounting System, and how the administrators would treat alternatives under existing law. The administrators gave summaries on their facilities and how they currently do accounting. All the administrators agreed that storage water would be the easiest to protect and account for. The administrators expressed a willingness to work with the WMC in developing a Tracking/Accounting System. Becky Mathisen and Ann Bleed will be using “hypothetical” program water and routing it through the existing Tracking/Accounting systems in their states and report back to the WMC.

The revised draft Short List of Alternatives Report will be presented by the three states at public meetings during mid-June. Each state will run the meetings, accept comments, and record the proceedings. Boyle will provide a description of the report and process used to screen alternatives. Boyle will also be available to answer questions about the process or the report. Boyle will be asked to provide an executive summary of the report for the states to use in announcing the meetings. This will be an addition to Boyle’s initial scope of work and may require a budget amendment.

Boyle is still anticipating being able to provide the final Draft Water Conservation/Supply Report by August 9, 1999. This will require the states to hold the meeting as early as possible in June. Boyle asked for GC comments on the draft report by June 21 and comments generated from the public meetings by June 28.

The WMC created a new subcommittee to identify demonstration projects. Suggestions are to be sent to John or the subcommittee by the next WMC meeting.

Finance Committee

Committee Chair Mike Besson reported on the April 20 meeting. The ED received a letter from Carroll Sheldon requesting a detailed report of expenditures. Nebraska will supply the information to him.

The Finance Committee (FC) meeting approved a request by the Land Committee to have WEST assist the Habitat Criteria Subcommittee in preparing a White Paper of habitat management methods, compiling a survey of regional habitat managers, participating in a technical meeting of managers and drafting a Habitat Management Guidance Document. The GC approved this decision.

The selection of a contractor for writing the Land Ownership Entity Options White Paper was discussed. Interviews of the two top contractors were conducted and Conservation Partners was selected for the project. The FC will negotiate the scope of services with the contractor. The GC approved Conservation Partners subject to successful negotiations and conflict of interest check.

A draft contract with the Nebraska Community Foundation is being reviewed by the states. The states will add their own “boilerplate” requirements to the contract. A conference call will be held by the FC May 10 to finalize a draft agreement for the Foundation’s review.

The FC will review the statements of qualifications for facilitation services. A selection committee consisting of the ED, each state, DOI, and the chairs of each committee will recommend firms and individuals to be included in the pool. Once identified, it is the FC’s recommendation that the firms in the pool be signed to an Indefinite Delivery Contract through the Foundation.

Mike indicated that Dale had covered the disbursements during his Executive Director’s report. Mike also mentioned the need to start negotiations with the Executive Director for year three.

Land Committee

Rhodell Jameson and Vernon Nelson provided a report on Land Committee (LC) activities. Rhodell introduced Lisa McDonald from Hazen and Sawyer. Lisa updated the GC on work being conducted on Third Party Impacts. Hazen and Sawyer are in phase 1 of the project and are conducting working group sessions. A draft Work Plan will be prepared by mid-May. A presentation will be made to the GC when the final Work Plan is completed. Dale mentioned that questions have been asked at the workshop that the FWS would best be suited to answer. Dale asked that a FWS representative attend the final workshop. The Colorado representative asked Lisa what baseline was being used: current condition or what would happen under ESA without a program. Lisa reported that they are looking at several options, including these two for possible use as a baseline.

Rhodell reported that the Habitat Criteria Subcommittee has “scored” two parcels of land and is satisfied that the Habitat Ranking Criteria are usable. The Subcommittee is going to modify the form to include a place for comments. The final draft of the Habitat Ranking Criteria will be presented to the LC at their May 27 meeting. The Subcommittee is presently working with the ED on evaluation of habitat management options.

Rhodell also briefly reported on the Land Ownership Entity Subcommittee and Mapping Subcommittee. Rhodell noted that Land Ownership Entity had already been discussed at the GC meeting today and there has been no change with Mapping.

Vernon Nelson suggested that the LC not hold meetings in June and July to allow time for the subcommittees to work on their tasks. The GC agreed. Vernon also reported on Carroll Sheldon’s suggestion for a study of possible pollution caused by large bird concentrations. The GC indicated that this issue is not a LC milestone and therefore not LC responsibilities. The EIS will likely address the issue and if the GC needs to address the topic in the future the issue may be delegated to the Technical Committee. Finally, the tenure of the LC Co-Chairs was discussed. The current Co-Chairs terms run through July. The GC will appoint Co-Chairs for year three of the CA by the July GC meeting.

Technical Committee

Jay Maher reported on the Technical Committee (TC) meeting held in Cheyenne, Wyoming, April 13 and 14, 1999. At the last GC meeting Jay handed out a draft TC Charter and asked for comments. Dayle Williamson had provided a strike-out version to Jay which was distributed at the GC meeting. Paul Currier expressed concern that missing three meetings would result in removal from the TC. Doug Robotham requested a “place holder” for Colorado on the TC and he will appoint a member in the near future. It was agreed that the ED’s role on the committee was one of assistance and not as a co-chair. The suggested changes were made and the Charter was adopted.

Outreach Committee

Jeff Buettner had no further information since his morning presentation.

Partners for Wildlife Presentation

Kenny Dinan from the FWS gave a slide and power point presentation on the scope of the Service’s Partners for Wildlife Program. The program is to provide money and assistance to private landowners and others for habitat restoration and enhancement. Fifteen Wildlife Extension Agreements (WEA) are in place along the Central Platte. This has resulted in the improvement of 300 acres for whooping cranes by clearing undesirable vegetation along 6.5 miles of river. The landowners enter into10 year agreements. Adjacent landowners often ask for assistance in clearing their lands. Kenny provided an average and range of costs for clearing lands as well as maintaining cleared lands.

Kenny noted that a fast biological response is often observed. Between 1993 and 1998, 51 whooping cranes have been observed in cleared areas and most sites have been used one year after clearing. Kenny also noted that currently 65% of sandhill crane observations are made on cleared areas.

The FWS offered a tour of project lands followed by a barbecue in conjunction with the July GC meeting in North Platte, Nebraska. A final decision regarding the logistics of the tour will be made at the June Meeting.

Milestone Reports

Dale Strickland asked that he be provided electronic copies of all quarterly reports for the web page.

Colorado – Doug Robotham distributed written quarterly reports and provided a brief oral update. Colorado believes it has the institutional basis in place to protect program water to the state line. Data is currently being collected on water use and population increases and Doug will report 1998 estimates at the July meeting. Demonstration wells are in place at Tamarack for examining yield estimates. Doug reported that Colorado is looking for closure regarding new water related activities in the North Platte for the EIS/NEPA compliance. The other states will also need to respond to their new water related activities. Doug reported that a $600,000 request for CA expenditures has been made to the legislature. A budget bill with $300,000 for CA activities is on the Governor’s desk. The remaining $300,000 of Colorado’s commitment will likely come from the Endangered Species Trust Fund.

Nebraska – Dayle Williamson reported no change for W3-1 and W3-2. W4-1, W4-2, A3-1, A2-2, and A2-3 are on track. Legislation to address W16-1 and W12-2 will likely not pass this year but will be considered next year. A “future depletions” proposal will not be available until after July, 1999.

Brian Barels reported on Milestones pertaining to the Districts. A submission pertaining to R5-1 has been made to FERC and they are waiting for a response. Brian would like comments on the Development Plan for Cottonwood Ranch by May 21.

Wyoming – Mike Besson indicated nothing new to report.

Fish and Wildlife Service – Jim Lutey reported that the Baseline Document will be available for review by the GC and TC June 7. Comments are due back to the Service within 60 days. The FWS anticipates the report will be available for peer review September 6. The FWS and TC are working together to develop Milestones R3-1 and R2-1.

EIS – Larry Todd reported that they are continuing to work on screening of elements in preparation for developing alternatives.

Future Governance Committee Meetings

The issue for discussion at the June meeting will be the relationship of Milestones R1-1, R2-1, and R3-1 and the TC and Service’s progress on the three milestones.

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 3:25 PM.