MINUTES

REGION H WATER PLANNING GROUP MEETING

10:00 A.M.

APRIL 7, 1999

CITY HALL, CONROE, TEXAS

 

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: James Adams, Chairman, Roosevelt Alexander, John Bartos, Robert Bruner, Mark Evans, Mary Alice Gonzalez, David Jenkins, Carolyn Johnson, Honorable Tom Manison, Marvin Marcell, Ernest Rebuck, Michael Sullivan, William Teer, Steve Tyler, Danny Vance, Kerry Whelan.

 

ALTERNATES: Judge John Willy for Jack Harris, Ron Hudson for Frederick A. Perrenot, Michael White for James Murray, Tom Michel for Ron Neighbors, and Rick Rice for Harold Wallace.

 

PRESIDING: James Adams

 

APPROVE MINUTES OF MARCH 3, 1999 MEETING:

Motioned by Danny Vance. Seconded by William Teer. Motion carried.

 

APPOINT REPLACEMENT FOR CINDY SCHMIDT:

Motioned by John Bartos to appoint Kerry Whelan. Seconded by Judge Willy. Motion carried.

 

APPOINT NON-VOTING MEMBER FOR DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE:

Motioned by Robert Bruner to appoint non-voting member. Seconded by Roosevelt Alexander. Motion carried.

 

BRIEFING AND DISCUSSION - LEGISLATIVE TRACKING SUBCOMMITTEE:

An update was presented by Judge Evans, and handouts were distributed in the board packet. Call for additional information.

 

PRESENTATION BY CONSULTANTS (PUBLIC MEETINGS, POPULATION AND DEMAND INFORMATION):

Ms. Glenda Callaway presented summary with full transcript of four (4) public meetings. Judge Kirkham made formal request, if vacancy on board occurs to consider Liberty County representative. Next meetings to occur May 10, 11, 12, 13, 1999. Houston/Galveston area to sponsor workshop covering 10-15 counties in

early April or May.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRESENTATION BY MARK LOWRY:

Looking at existing data sets and subsidence district numbers with industrial, TransTexas, and Water Development Board consensus planning projection numbers with developed rates of growth and per capita usages throughout Region H. Municipal is by itself; industrial with manufacturing, steam, electric power generation, and mining; agriculture with livestock, irrigation. Houston/Galveston Coastal Subsidence District Management Plan from ‘96 by Turner, Collie & Braden. "County other" for 500 to 1000 population. The need is for management strategies for overall water budgeting. Texas A&M recommends going to maximum historic use of per capita rice consumption and changing demographics in certain areas. Pressures exist to increase irrigated acreage. Water Development Board’s estimates do not include turf grass irrigation, aquaculture, crawfish farms, nurseries; the Harris, Galveston, and Fort Bend Subsidence District projections do as industrial. Butch Bloodworth may be willing to speak to industry regarding existing data.

Potential for accepting final numbers at the May 5th public presentation, then preliminary projections by June meeting. Formal adoption of demand numbers to fit next series of tasks by August.

 

GENERAL DISCUSSION:

Planning Group Financial Report distributed by John Bartos. Michael Sullivan visited Smith Point, Ben Nelson, oyster farmer. Oyster houses diminished from 25 to 4 in the last 15 to 20 years. Ernest Rebuck mentioned Texas Water Development Board’s April meeting to consider authorizing institution of contracts for certain grant proposals, regional facility planning with eight projects to be funded by the board, two for Region H. Mr. Rebuck appointed to committee to look at water development strategies.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

None.

 

Meeting adjourned by consensus.

 

NEXT MEETING:

May 5, 1999

10:00 a.m.

City Hall

Conroe, Texas