Final Minutes
Land Committee Meeting

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Vernon Nelson at 7:05 p.m.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

There were no corrections or additions to the August 9, 1999, Land Committee (LC) minutes. The minutes stand approved.

Nelson introduced and welcomed Shari Miller. Miller is Nebraska's Platte River Public Information Officer for the Cooperative Agreement (CA). Miller explained her role within the CA.

Subcommittee Reports

Mapping

Larry Wells reported that the last subcommittee meeting was held August 25, 1999, at NPPD in Kearney, NE. Wells noted that digital geo-referenced, color-infrared imagery, based on August 1998 information, would be posted soon on the USGS Mid-Continent Mapping Center website (http://mcmcweb.er.usgs.gov/platte/). CD-Roms will also be made available with the information; however, special compression software will be needed to view or bring the images into ARCVIEW. Some current versions of ARCVIEW already have the capabilities to view the .sid image extension. Contact Wells if you would like to receive the information.

The Bureau of Reclamation Division of Remote Sensing deadline for land-use land-cover (LULC) observation and accuracy data has been moved up to September 1999.

Wells explained and clarified that the Bureau of Reclamation LULC Classes information was taken from a 1998 mid-August infrared imagery. COHYST Vegetation Cropland Classes information is based on 1997 croplands.

Wells reported that at the last subcommittee meeting, extensive discussion was held concerning the value of LIDAR, its effectiveness and feasibility. He announced that before the Cottonwood Ranch tour was given on September 21, 1999, and the Technical Committee (TC) meeting on September 22, 1999, experts would be made available to answer any questions individuals may have.

Habitat Criteria

Mark Czaplewski announced that no meetings have been scheduled at this time.

Czaplewski stated that he and Don Batie are preparing a short, draft White Paper defining and clarifying the role of buffer zones. Discussion held.

At the last Governance Committee (GC) meeting, the Draft Recommendation of Criteria for Program Habitat Conservation was approved.

The first section of a report on habitat management methods, completed by WEST, Inc., has been released to subcommittee members. Comments are due by October 15, 1999.

Czaplewski reported that working groups of the subcommittee and TC have formed a Habitat Acquisition Planning Taskforce to develop a Habitat Acquisition Plan document. One organizational meeting has already been held. The next joint meeting will be held September 29, 1999, at the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, starting at 9 a.m.

Third Party Impacts

Lisa McDonald, Hazen and Sawyer, reported their contract had been signed mid-August. They are currently now in the middle of collecting data for Phase II of the study.

McDonald announced a timeline for the next few months of goals to be reached:

Land Ownership Entity

Paul Matson reported the next subcommittee meeting will be held September 20, 1999, at the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, starting at 9 a.m. This meeting will be with the facilitator, Collaborative Decision Resources (CDR), to review topics and details of the facilitated workshop November 8, 9, 10, 1999, at the Quality Inn in North Platte, NE. Discussion held.

Matson stated the final copy of the White Paper from Conservation Partners is expected soon.

Carroll Sheldon -- Discussion of Committee

Carroll Sheldon stated because his committee is in the process of gathering information, no report would be given. Sheldon asked to give the complete report at the October 15, 1999, GC meeting, which will be located at the Holiday Inn, Kearney, NE. Discussion held.

Other Business

Clayton Derby, Executive Director's Office, answered questions and stated that activities completed were reported during the subcommittee reports. Discussion held.

Upcoming Events

Nelson stated that there would not be a LC meeting in October. However, the monthly newsletter will still be distributed giving complete details on subcommittee activities.

Sept 17, 1999 - GC, Lakewood CO

Sept 20, 1999 - LOE, Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, 9 a.m.

Sept 29, 1999 - Habitat Acquisition Taskforce, Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, 9 a.m.

Oct 15, 1999- GC, Kearney NE

Oct 27, 1999 - Habitat Acquisition Taskforce, Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, 9 a.m.

Nov 8-10, 1999 - LOE Workshop, Quality Inn, North Platte NE

Nov 12, 1999 - LC CPNRD, Grand Island NE, 7 p.m.

Nov 18, 1999 - GC, Cheyenne WY

Dec 6, 1999 - LC Kirk's Restaurant, Lexington NE, 7 p.m.

Dec 17, 1999 - GC, Lakewood CO.

Adjournment

Nelson adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.