Final Minutes
Land Committee Meeting

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Rhodell Jameson at 4:10 p.m.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

Jameson noted that on pages three and four of the March 15, 1999, Land Committee minutes, the meeting time of the April 8, 1999, Working Group Session #1 had been changed from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

There were no other corrections or additions to the March 15, 1999 Land Committee (LC) minutes. The minutes stand approved.

Other Items for the Agenda

Carroll Sheldon was added to the agenda with three items: (1) Sheldon voiced his concern over the previous LC meeting in March. He stated that the law enforcement present had a chilling effect on the meeting and that Nebraska 1st people were harassed for trying to register attendees. (2) Sheldon said the financial report from the Governance Committee (GC), showing a summary of disbursements, was inadequate. Dale Strickland asked Sheldon to describe exactly what he is asking for in writing and the Finance Committee (FC) would then review and respond to his request. (3) Sheldon announced the formation of the Contamination and Pollution by Waterfowl Committee. He explained the purpose of this committee is to address the concerns of the health and welfare of those residing in areas highly populated by waterfowl. A study is currently underway with a draft report to be completed. Sheldon asked that committee expenses be reimbursed from the FC. Strickland explained this committee is not sanctioned by the GC and does not qualify under the policy of reimbursements. Only committee or subcommittee chairs, or those assigned work by the GC, are authorized to receive reimbursements.

Committee Reports

Executive Director / Governance Committee / Water Committee / Technical Committee

Strickland stated little was to report due to the short time period between meetings and asked for questions from the committee.

Strickland discussed the Water Conservation/Supply study being conducted by Boyle Engineering for the Water Management Committee. When a draft report is completed, one meeting will be held in each Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado for explanations and to receive public feedback. An additional meeting for people in western Nebraska and southeastern Wyoming will be held in Scottsbluff, Nebraska or Torrington, Wyoming. A final draft report will then be produced by August 1999 and will be submitted to the GC. After this review, a final water conservation/supply action plan will be completed by the GC in December 1999.

Strickland stated that public questions concerning the GC could be answered by calling or e-mailing his office.

Sub-Committee Reports

Information and Education

No report was given.

Mapping

Larry Wells stated specific details on the eight target sites, from Lexington to Chapman, Nebraska, will be taken to the next Technical Committee meeting in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Wells again noted the web site for the database on the Platte River is http://mcmcweb.we.usgs.gov/platte.

Habitat Criteria

Don Batie reported on a recent scoring completed by the committee for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on a piece of land adjacent to the Fort Kearney State Recreation Area. Batie stated scoring is used to benchmark two pieces of land, determining which would be the most beneficial for the intended use. While the scoring process is still in preliminary stages, the committee has determined a comment section is needed on the scoring sheets.

Batie explained and reviewed in detail the Draft Report of the Recommendation of Criteria for Program Habitat Conservation. Questions were taken with an extensive discussion following. Batie will compose a cover letter for the report clearly stating its purpose and clarifying any possible misinterpretations. After further comments and recommendations are taken, the committee will finalize the report and submit it to the LC for approval. It will then be taken to the GC for review and final approval.

The committee will conduct an evaluation of past and ongoing management activity along the Platte River. Batie stated questionnaires were sent and will be compiled once received. From this, the group intends to provide an informational booklet showing what land management practices works with certain habitat.

Third Party Impact

Lisa McDonald, principal economist from Hazen & Sawyer was introduced and gave a short summary of the Third Party Impact's work plan. Two phases will be completed with the first phase consisting of scoping and defining issues; this includes three work sessions of methodology, collecting data and exploring options. Results will then be given to the GC for review and approval. The second phase, taking place from late June to early fall, will consist of an analysis of the Third Party Impact. McDonald stated the first phase should be completed by the next LC meeting. A full report will be given at that time.

Land Interest Ownership

Paul Matson announced that from the five contractors submitting bids, one or two firms would be interviewed during the next month. After the interviews, a recommendation will be taken to the FC and to the GC for final approval.

Mike Drain, CNPPID, provided a detailed five-year data report on Platte River flows from Lewellen to Grand Island, Nebraska. Drain also noted daily river and lake information can be found at the following Internet sites:

CNPPID web site: http://dbdec.nrc.state.ne/us.cnppid/

USGS web site: http://www-ne.cr.usgs.gov/arecgi/gen tbl pg

Review of Land Committee Time Lines and Schedules/Upcoming Events

April 16, 1999 - Third Party Impact, Kirk's Restaurant, Lexington, Nebraska, 8 a.m.

May 27, 1999 - Land Committee, Midtown Holiday Inn, Grand Island, Nebraska, 7-9 p.m.

Dinner Break/Business Meeting Adjournment

Jameson adjourned the business meeting at 5:55 p.m.

Open House

No minutes taken. A public "question and answer" session with each subcommittee was held.