See other minutes at: Governance Committee / Land Committee / Water Management Committee / Water Action Plan Committee

Final Minutes
Technical Committee Meeting

September 21st, 22nd and 23rd, 1999
Ockinga Hall, UNK
Kearney, Nebraska

September 21, 1999 - Jim Jenniges led a tour of NPPD's Cottonwood Ranch for members of the Technical Committee (TC). Attendance and minutes were not recorded.

Agenda and Minutes

Paul Tebbel called the meeting to order at 8:15 a.m. on September 22, and introductions were made. Paul noted that items on the agenda would be prioritized to insure completion of certain tasks. Mark Czaplewski asked that a status report on the recent Governance Committee meetings and Habitat Acquisition Planning Task Force meeting be included on the agenda. Suggested changes were made to the draft minutes and the minutes were accepted by consensus.

During discussion of the minutes the issue of review for the Baseline Document and interpretation of R3-1 was discussed. Sharon Whitmore commented on what the document is intended to be and what the FWS is wanting from the TC.

Status Reports

Peer Review

Dale Strickland updated the TC regarding the process and progress of the peer review being conducted for the Draft Water Conservation/Supply Study. Dale noted that several Governance Committee members expressed concern that the peer review would imply acceptance or non-acceptance of the report. Dale clarified that the peer review is being conducted along with an administrative review and review by the Water Management Committee and all three reviews will be used to strengthen the final report.

Habitat Acquisition Planning Task Force

Mark Czaplewski updated the TC on the first meeting of the Habitat Acquisition Planning Task Force (Task Force). Mark commented that an outline of a Habitat Acquisition Plan has been drafted and will be further "fleshed-out" at the next meeting on September 29. Dale noted that a detailed outline is needed for the EIS Team and the entire plan will be completed before the Program is implemented. The Task Force will work with both the TC and Land Committee.

Governance Committee Meeting Update

Two Governance Committee (GC) meetings had occurred since the last TC meeting. Dale updated the TC regarding the Water Action Plan debate at the September 17 meeting and what will be done to further the process. Dale and others updated the TC on the discussions from the August 18 GC meeting pertaining to direction given to the TC for pallid sturgeon. Dale and others also commented that the Baseline Document has been addressed at recent GC meetings and that information will be presented during the Baseline discussion.

Relationship of R1-1, R2-1, and R3-1

Whooping Crane

Martha Tacha went through suggested changes that she had received since the previous meeting and agreement was reached. Dave Carlson also suggested changes. One of the suggested changes was to include "quality" along with "area and distribution" when referring to a change in suitable migration habitat in the Potential Biological/Physical Response (R3-1). Several TC members felt that "quality" was implied because "suitable habitat" is used and others felt that including "quality" further defined the Potential Biological/Physical Response. Consensus on the change was not reached and a minority opinion regarding the inclusion of "quality" will be taken to the next GC meeting for resolution.

Pallid Sturgeon

Gene Zuerlein and Sharon Whitmore suggested minor changes and the document was accepted as final.

Other Species

Martha Tacha distributed several items dealing with the topic of "other species" for consideration and discussion. Jan McKee had not drafted an Other Species Document but did have two main points that needed clarification before further progress could be made. The first point was a clarification on the "study area". The group agreed that if significant monitoring is done for other species the entire monitoring and research budget would quickly be spent and that it would be best to monitor general groups or habitats and not specific species. However, the TC also agreed that there needs to be sensitivity towards other species wherever Program projects are being conducted. The TC agreed that for other species the study area should include areas where any Program activities are occurring in the basin upstream of the Loup River. Monitoring would need to be done when the specific projects are identified for NEPA, ESA, etc., compliance of the projects. Dale noted that a protocol may need to be written that addresses a process that would be followed to identify "red flags" and for actions to be taken when problems are identified.

During discussions, Sharon Whitmore noted that when demonstration projects or some alternative to provide water is being considered there needs to be coordination with the TC or Technical Entity for their input and consideration. The Technical group of the Cooperative Agreement or Program would be able to give input regarding known concerns before projects are carried forward.

The second point that the other species subgroup needed clarification on was exactly what species would be on the "other species" list or how guidelines should be developed to evaluate if a species should be places on the list. It was decided that the subgroup should address this and bring before the TC. A subgroup of Mike Fritz, Jeff Lucas, Martha Tacha, Dave Felley, and Gary Lingle drafted an Other Species Document for consideration by the group.

Mapping

Larry Wells gave a presentation on the various types of methods and their capabilities for mapping areas along the Platte River. The presentation included explanations of LIDAR, regular photogrametry, and conventional surveying or survey grade GPS. The methods would provide various levels of accuracy for contour levels and would differ in cost. Larry also provided information regarding how and why vegetation classifying is being conducted for the central Platte valley. Larry noted that aerial infrared photographs of the central Platte are available on CD-Rom and will be available soon on the web. Please contact Larry Wells directly for complete details.

Baseline

Paul Tebbel said that he has had several conversations with Jim Lutey for clarification on the intent and use of the Baseline Document. Paul reported that Jim expects the document to serve two purposes: 1) document existing conditions for the EIS; and 2) as a baseline for monitoring and research. The FWS wants the TC to act as an advisory body by providing an overview as soon as possible on what is needed to make the document appropriate for these tasks. Jim asked the TC to review the document and provide "general" comments on how to make the document acceptable for both purposes. There was discussion regarding the suggested schedule and what will be done with the TC's comments. It was noted that another draft document would be distributed that contains all sections and takes into consideration the TC's comments. The TC agreed to provide comments on format, content, and how well the document addresses Milestone R1-1 to the Executive Director's office by October 8, 1999. The Executive Director's office will draft a comment letter to the FWS from the TC by October 15. The response will be further discussed at the October 19 and 20 TC meeting.

Protocols

Whooping Cranes

Jim Jenniges distributed several documents related to his draft outline protocols and budgets for whooping cranes that he developed using the Whooping Crane document. A significant amount of time was spent discussing the pros and cons of the first monitoring protocol. Dale suggested spending a minimal amount of time on each protocol at this point and to just identify which ones should be retained or which ones were missed. Dale reminded the group that the draft outlines and budgets were for estimating the Monitoring and Research budget needs in the Program. This information will be included in the draft "Integrated Monitoring and Research Component" being prepared for the EIS Team.

The entire group spent some time discussing the need, objectives, basis, and budgets for the three monitoring protocols and nine research protocols. Only two of the three monitoring protocols involved additional work and budget. The third protocol was the utilization of GIS information collected during the Program. All monitoring protocols were accepted as necessary and only minor budget adjustments were made. During discussions Dave Carlson noted that an additional protocol might need to be added that addresses the "quality" of habitat and not just rely on GIS or photographs. Of the nine research protocols identified, one was eliminated, two were combined into one, and the remaining ones were accepted as necessary with some budget adjustments.

Least Terns and Piping Plovers

Mark Peyton distributed his draft outline and budgets for monitoring protocols. Mark explained the process he used in developing the outline and budgets from the Tern and Plover Documents and noted that he had not addressed research. The group agreed that the draft protocol currently under development would likely cover several of the monitoring protocols. Overall, one monitoring protocol was eliminated and minor budget adjustments were made to the remaining four. There was significant discussion over how often and how extensively the prey base should be surveyed. It was decided to retain monitoring of the prey base in the river and that prey base monitoring in sandpits was not needed but some research to determine if suitable prey exists in sandpits may be needed. Several members commented that the research should contain a bird behavior component and not just prey sampling.

Adjourn for September 22, 5:15 p.m.

Call to Order for September 23, 8:30 a.m.

Protocols - continued from September 22

Least Terns and Piping Plovers

Mark Peyton drafted estimated budgets for research items identified in the Tern and Plover documents. The group agreed that the research items were necessary but some editing was done. Several individual items related to flow were combined into one large research topic and budget adjustments were made.

Pallid Sturgeon

Sharon Whitmore provide estimated budgets for the research and monitoring items identified in the Pallid Sturgeon Document. Some adjustments to the budget were made and the items were accepted as necessary for the Program.

General Protocol

Martha Tacha presented a draft outline and estimated budgets for several general protocols that will be used across species. There was significant discussion and disagreement regarding inclusion of areas outside of the Lexington to Chapman area in two of the protocol outlines. Dale Strickland reminded the group that at this time they were to only look at the purpose of the protocol and budget to determine if they were necessary with or without adjustment. The group agreed that all identified work was necessary and made budget adjustments.

Other Species

Mike Fritz distributed copies of the Other Species Document that the subgroup had developed the day before. There was some discussion regarding the Program actively managing for other species. The subgroup noted that at least one place in the Cooperative Agreement says that the Program will manage for other species. The group modified the document to clarify that other species management will occur if it is commensurate with management for the target species. The TC realized the importance of monitoring and control of invasive exotic species on Program land and that some work may need to be done on non-Program land to assess the effect of the Program, but they agreed that this will be handled through "General Protocols". The group agreed with the estimated budget for monitoring of other species. The TC will have until October 5 to provide further comments to the Executive Director's office on the draft Other Species Document.

The agreed upon monitoring and research protocols and estimated budgets will be incorporated into the draft "Integrated Monitoring and Research Component" (IMRC) being prepared for the EIS Team. The draft IMRC will be presented to the GC at their next meeting. The Executive Director's office will summarize the identified monitoring and research protocols and budgets and distribute to the TC by October 1. The TC will have until October 5 to comment.

Integrated Monitoring and Research Component

Dale Strickland noted the short amount of time remaining and asked that the group send editorial comments through e-mail or regular mail following the meeting. Several TC members suggested changes that clarified major points in the document. There was discussion on how the Environmental Account (EA) will be managed and how adaptive management will be used by the EA Manager. Comments on the IMRC are due to the Executive Director's office by October 5. The draft IMRC will be presented to the GC at their next meeting.

Baseline Comments

Mark Czaplewski had expressed concern to Dale regarding making "global" comments on the Baseline Document in an attempt to make the document serve both intended purposes. Mark had suggested that the TC make the necessary revisions to the document themselves. Several members felt they did not have the time to do this, but thought that it may be necessary to hire another contractor to revise the document. The TC is to include these suggestions along with their other suggestions in their comments to the Executive Director's office by October 5.

Future Meetings

1-5 p.m. October 19 and 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. October 20, Maloney Lodge, North Platte

11 a.m. - 6 p.m. December 7 and 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. December 8, Quality Inn, North Platte

Adjourn for August 6th, 12:40 p.m.

	TASK LIST
Work Topic	Due	Person/Entity
Compiled Protocol list and budget	October 1	ED Office
Comments on compiled list	October 5	Technical Committee
Other Species Doc. comments	October 5	Technical Committee
Comments on IMRC	October 5	Technical Committee
Baseline Comments	October 8	Technical Committee
Minority Report	October 15	Chair, minority holders
Compiled Baseline Comments	October 15	ED Office

ATTENDANCE, September 22, 1999

Mark Peyton, CNPPID

Mike Fritz, NGPC

Sharon Whitmore, USFWS, Grand Island

Mark Czaplewski, Central Platte NRD

Martha Tacha, USFWS, Grand Island

Jim Jenniges, NPPD

Dale Strickland, Executive Director/Governance Committee

Clayton Derby, Executive Director' Office

Bob Swanson, USGS, WRD

Gene Zuerlein, NGPC

John Shadle, NPPD

Paul Tebbel, Audubon

Bob Henszey, Platte River Trust

Rocky Plettner, NPPD

Gary Lingle, UN Platte Watershed Program

David Carlson, USFWS

Dan Lechefsky, Bureau of Reclamation

Larry Wells, Mapping Committee

Jeff Lucas, Private citizen

Kevin Urie, Denver Water/Colorado Water Users

Phil Ogle, Wyoming Water Development Commission

Allan Jenkins, UNK

Shari Miller, NRC-Outreach

Dave Felley, USFWS

ATTENDANCE, September 23, 1999