DRAFT Minutes
Land Committee Meeting
Buffalo County Extension Building
Kearney, Nebraska
NOTE: This document is a DRAFT, based on one person's notes of the meeting. The official meeting minutes may be different if corrections are made by the committee before approval. Final Minutes will be posted after approval at the next Land Committee Meeting.
The meeting was called to order by Rhodell Jameson at 7:00 p.m.
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
Jim Tierney requested a correction to the December 4, 2001, Land Committee (LC) minutes. Page 2 under "Other Business" should read Jim Tierney shared an article from the Denver Post regarding the Platte River. It was an article on "Baseline Research Data: Mark Twain Quote". Roughing It, by Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) was first published in 1871, which dates this research back at least 130 years. ". . . Crossing of the South Platte," alias "Julesburg," alias "Overland City, . . . " p. 42; "We came to the shallow, yellow, muddy South Platte, with its low banks and its scattering flat sand-bars and pygmy islands-a melancholy stream straggling through the center of the enormous flat plain, and only saved from being impossible to find with the naked eye by its sentinel rank of scattering trees standing on either bank. The Platte was 'up,' they said-which made me wish I could see it when it was down, if it could look any sicker and sorrier. They said it was a dangerous stream to cross, now, because its quicksands were liable to swallow up horses, coach, and passengers if an attempt was made to ford it." p.43 (see attachment).
There were no other corrections or additions to the December 4, 2001. LC minutes. The minutes stand approved.
Executive Director Report
Dale Strickland stated since there had not been any recent meetings of the Governance Committee (GC) and the various committees, he did not have a report to give but would answer questions. Strickland also indicted he would contribute to reports being given by others throughout the meeting.
Good Neighbor Policy
A Draft Good Neighbor Policy was presented to the Land Committee as a part of the January LC newsletter. Jameson explained he and Vernon Nelson came up with the idea of a "good neighbor" policy 18 months ago and felt it would be a vital part of the finished Cooperative Agreement (CA) document. From this, the GC instructed them to form a subcommittee and prepare a draft. With attorneys' and a banker's guidance, several drafts of the policy were written. The intent of the policy is to be understandable and simple while providing landowners adjacent to Program lands with the protection of a "good neighbor" (the Program). Jameson noted this policy is unique and no other entity along the river has ever made a proposal such as this.
This document is a draft based on one person's notes of the meeting. The official meeting minutes may be different is corrections are made by the committee before approval.
Jameson asked the Land Committee to approve the Draft Good Neighbor Policy as written and be forwarded to the GC for approval. Approved by consensus.
Habitat Protection Plan
Mark Czaplewski reported that the Habitat Protection Plan (HPP) was extremely close to being wrapped up with a final draft when a proposal by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) prompted a concern over language in the document. The FWS requested that language be inserted in three area of the document referring to the Service's views on suitable habitat for the target species. Czaplewski indicated that other members of the LC and Technical Committee working on the HPP did not agree with the language. They also felt it was inappropriate to make the language part of a Program document, implying that it was agreed to by all parties. He expressed concern that even if it were referenced it would be considered a part of the Program in the future. He felt that this issue represented a potential serious delay in getting agreement on the HPP.
Strickland explained that including the language was a policy issue and since the HPP Task Force and FWS were unable to reach an agreement, the GC will act as a mediator and consider both parties' issues and rationale regarding proper language. Based on direction from the GC, the document will be redrafted and the revised draft will be available for review by the LC. The HPP and recommendations from the LC will then be forwarded to the GC for final approval.
Carroll Sheldon voiced concern about the FWS language and what it could do in the future when referenced upon. Sheldon felt the entire LC membership should have a chance to review the draft when completed and given an opportunity to submit their opinions, if any. Sheldon felt a mailing of the draft document should be sent to the entire membership, with ample time for review. Jameson explained the HPP is quite thick and the LC membership includes over 500 people. Therefore, it would be very expensive to print and mail the document to the entire membership. Strickland suggested an announcement be placed in the newsletter stating a draft copy is available by calling the LC secretary's office. Once the draft is completed, a LC meeting will be held for review. Further discussion was held.
TNC Proposal
John Heaston, The Nature Conservancy, reported the TNC proposal to work with the Program on land protection is still being finalized. TNC wants the proposal to be as thorough as possible with the wants and needs of the CA clearly covered. Heaston stated the proposal should be ready for LC approval soon.
Heaston introduced TNC's new grassland manager Tim Tunnell. While Tunnell was introduced, Heaston noted Tunnell's job position did not include working with the Land Committee.
Other Business
Lynn Holt, Platte River EIS Office, reported the platteriver.org website is not currently running. Holt briefly explained the Department of the Interior was having problems resolving Indian trust issues from the past and a federal judge mandated an internet/e-mail shut down for an uncertain amount of time. It was determined that a calendar of events would be included in each newsletter. Discussion was also held regarding the possibility of putting the platteriver.org website on a private server. Holt noted while the website is used by a number of people to obtain information, the Bureau of Reclamation pays for the website. Strickland stated he would work with Holt to look into finding a way to possibly bring the website back up.
Sheldon reported he is still working on forming a Peer Review committee. The committee should include members such as farmers, bankers, attorneys, landowners, etc. to review all documents in the proposed Program. They would then report to the GC on what they believe is fair and equitable. Sheldon also stated there was interest from many regarding the formation of this committee. He plans to ask the GC at their upcoming meeting to approve a Peer Review committee and will report back to the LC at our next meeting.
Discussion was held about on person's comments regarding the "mess" being made of the Platte River in some areas by landowners clearing islands and banks. It was stated that if a farmer/landowner tried to clear vegetation from the riverbeds the way other entities have, they would face serious altercations with permitting agencies. Further discussion was held.
Sheldon expressed his on-going frustration with the FWS. Sheldon again requested the entire LC membership is kept informed on current happenings.
Upcoming Meetings
The next LC meeting would be held when the draft Habitat Protection Plan could be reviewed and discussed. The newsletter would be mailed regularly to keep the public informed of recent happenings.
Jameson stated the GC would be meeting January 17, 2002, in Scottsbluff/Gering. Neither Jameson nor Nelson planned on attending.
Concern was expressed regarding GC meetings held in the western end of Nebraska. Sheldon voiced opposition to Scottsbluff/Gering meetings, stating it was difficult for central Nebraska LC members to attend. Strickland explained the GC meetings alternate between the three states of Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska. While usually the Nebraska meetings are held in the Kearney or surrounding area, two have been held in Scottsbluff/Gering. Barb Riege pointed out that the LC has been very fortunate to have most GC meetings held in the central Nebraska area. She reminded the group that western Nebraskans are also involved as stakeholders and are concerned about the Platte River, too. Strickland agreed to voice the concern to the GC at their upcoming meeting.
Adjournment
Jameson adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
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