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157th AWRBIAC Meeting Minutes - Approved

October 30-November 1, 2007
Branson, Missouri

Call to Order and Welcome

Mr. Greg Stanley, Chairman, called the 157th Meeting of the Arkansas-White-Red Basins Inter-Agency Committee (AWRBIAC) Meeting to order on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at the Grand Plaza Hotel in Branson, Missouri.

Those present were:

  • Mr. Greg Stanley, Commerce/NOAA/NWS/ABRFC

  • Mr. Bob Blazs, U.S. Geological Survey, Oklahoma District

  • Mr. John Gage, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Oklahoma

  • Mr. Kerry Wedel, Kansas Water Office

  • Mr. Paul Rydlund, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri District

  • Mr. Bo Bolourchi, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

  • Mr. Ryan Mueller, Missouri Department of Natural Resources

  • Mr. David Kannady, Department of Energy, Southwestern Power Administration

  • Mr. Jim Groston, Department of Energy, Southwestern Power Administration

  • Ms. Kathleen Garrett, Texas Water Development Board

  • Mr. Kalven Trice, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service

  • Mr. Jim Vandike, Missouri Department of Natural Resources

  • Ms. Cynthia Brookshire, Missouri Department of Natural Resources

  • Ms. Elizabeth Beat, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Southwestern Division
Treasurer’s Report

Ms. Elizabeth Beat, U.S. Corps of Engineers gave the Treasurer’s report stating the balance in the account amounted to $764.27.  Elizabeth noted that the bank at the Fort Worth location had been closed and a resulting check sent to her.  Elizabeth will deposit check in a credit union co-located within her office.  Elizabeth emphasized the necessity of the $30.00 registration fee that was motioned, seconded, and passed prior.  The registration fee will cover the room rental of $150.00 plus additional services provided during breaks.  All attendees submitted appropriate registration fees.

Approval of Minutes of the 156th Meeting

Chairperson Stanley asked for the minutes to be approved or asked for any corrections.  No corrections or concerns and minutes subsequently motioned to accept, seconded, and approved.

Agencies Five-Minute Reports 

  • Kansas Water Office Report:  presented by Kerry Wedel.

  • Louisiana Dept. of Trans. and Development Report:  presented by Bo Bolourchi.

  • U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri District Report:  presented by Paul Rydlund.

  • U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Miss. Valley, Memphis, Little Rock Reports: presented by Elizabeth Beat.

  • U.S Geological Survey, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas Reports:  presented by Bob Blazs.
  • U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Report:  presented by John Gage.
  • Texas Water Development Board Report:  presented by Kathleen Garrett.
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Report:  presented by Kalven Trice.
  • Department of Energy, Southwestern Power Administration Report:  presented by Jim Groston.
  • Missouri Department of Natural Resources Report:  presented by Ryan Mueller, Jim Vandike, and Cynthia Brookshire.
  • Commerce/NOAA/NWS/ABRFC Report:  presented by Greg Stanley.
Conclusion

Chairperson Stanley asked if there was anymore business before adjourning.

Adjournment

A reminder that breakfast will be at 7:30 AM tomorrow morning, Wednesday, October 31, 2007.      Meeting was adjourned.

Call to Order Wednesday, October 31, 2007

The Arkansas-White-Red Basins Inter-Agency Committee Meeting reconvened at approximately 9:00 AM on Wednesday, October 31, following breakfast.

Technical Program

Chairperson Stanley introduced the speakers for the morning session.  

“Impacts of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the Northern Gulf of Mexico: Tools and Assessments Looking at Measuring and Responding to Large Scale Impacts to Coastal Communities and Infrastructure”

Commander Alan R. Bunn, W. Gulf Navigation Manager, Navigation Services Division NOAA.

2005-2006 Drought in Oklahoma -- Comparing the Impact on Streamflow with Some Major Droughts in the 20th Century"

Robert Tortorelli/ Robert Blazs, USGS Oklahoma Water Science Center.

Chairperson Stanley adjourned the meeting for lunch and asked that we all meet in the lobby at 1:00 pm to load up and travel to tour the Table Rock Dam facility.

Tour – Table Rock Dam

All Committee Members met at 1:00pm and drove to Table Rock Dam in Branson.   Mr. Stan Jones met the members at their arrival.   For a few minutes, Mr. Jones discussed plant operations.   Mr. Dave Kannaday and Mr. Jim Grosten as part of the group were available to discuss operation and coordination of Southwestern Power.   A plant tour of the control center, generators and inspection galleys was given with detail regarding operation.

Call to Order Thursday, November 1, 2007

Chairperson Stanley called the Arkansas-White-Red Inter-Agency Meeting to order Thursday, November 1st at approximately 8:00 AM following breakfast. 

The state of Oklahoma was identified as the next meeting venue.   Mr. Robert Blazs offered potential presentation ideas from Oklahoma.  John Gage also mentioned a few presentation ideas from the Bureau of Reclamation.  All of these discussed in order to address the need (unfinished business) for additional technical presentations. 

Broken Bow Oklahoma or Oklahoma City was discussed as the next location (new business) for the AWRBIAC committee meeting in 2008.  Tulsa was discussed as a potential venue and mention of several USACE projects nearby (i.e. reservoirs).  Mr. Robert Blazs mentioned a discussion with Lou Klaver and Terry Sparks for the tour of the Port of Catoosa and stay in Tulsa.  Further discussion was made to stay at Cherokee Casino or other hotels.

Officers for the next upcoming year were discussed.  Motion made to create secretary position to have the responsibility of the minutes.  Motion seconded and approved.  Motion made and moved to nominate Ms. Elizabeth Beat for continued position as treasurer.  Motioned, seconded, and approved.  Elizabeth identified the need to have a second signature for the accounting process (funds).  Identified need motioned, moved, and approved that required second signature on funds would be the responsibility of the secretary’s position.  Mr. Paul Rydlund nominated as secretary, moved, seconded, and approved.  Mr. Bo Bolourchi and Ms. Kathleen Garrett  nominated as chairpersons.  Chairperson nomination moved to a hand vote with unanimous vote to Mr. Bo Bolourchi as chairperson for the next two years.   Mr. Bo Bolourchi approved as the next chairperson.

Chairperson Stanley mentioned that all 5 minute agency reports and the committee meeting minutes need to be emailed to him. 

Mr. Ryan Mueller identified the need to have the AWRBIAC website located on corresponding committee email so that all members and attendees can locate the mission, geographic importance, and contacts.  A discussion addressed the need to update and distribute the committee contact list (Excel Spreadsheet) to all members.  Mr. Paul Rydlund received a copy of the most recent AWRBIAC charter, articles or organization, and procedure from Mr. Robert Blazs.

 Mr. Kannaday made the motion to adjourn.   Mr. Blazs seconded.  

With that, Chairperson Stanley adjourned the Meeting at 9:00 AM.

Last Modified: 11/15/2007

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