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<br />a) Recent trip to Omaha. Last Friday Dan and I met with the Corps, a very successful <br />trip, met with Eric Lautz, Dave Brandon, Kayla Eckhert, who is new project planning <br />branch chief, and Robert Michaels, now highest ranking civilian in Omaha district, DPM. <br />Deputy District Engineer Programs and Projects Management. Lead role is delayed, <br />he's filling in. Meeting was to talk about project management issues, high on the agenda <br />was the topic of schedule. Everyone aware we are patiently waiting for the PDEIS, few <br />things in works coming together to make this happen. Didn't get any promise, but by <br />11/13 should have something distributed. We keep getting this message, they're trying <br />their best, but no actual promise. Good news is Kayla is on the ball, very impressive, her <br />staff has done a good job of briefing her on this project. Didn't have to spend a lot of <br />time on "Chatfield 101". Good questions being asked. I asked what is the district's <br />priority of Chatfield, how do we fit in with other projects in the district? Got the sense <br />they really hadn't set a priority, and we may not have been the top one, and realizing <br />there are other people in other rooms who think they are number one too, one thing that <br />struck me is Kayla pledged to take a good hard look at this, when prioritizing projects. I <br />got the sense Chatfield was a big deal. One piece struck her as new was the fact our <br />original deadline for this EIS was in 2002. Going over history of this, could be a ROD, <br />could be an EIS, in general terms we are many years behind schedule, that made her take <br />pause. Meeting went quite well. Helpful for this group to ask Dave and Marge to draft a <br />letter to go to the Corps signed by all, this wouldn't hurt at all, if you want to do this. <br /> <br />Rick: To have a letter and a visit from CWCB, they are hearing that we are here, and to <br />accompany that with a letter, we as the 15, to let them know subtle, would like to move <br />this along in a timely way, a great idea. Talking with Marge to bring this about. <br /> <br />(?): Can we couple this with an invitation for her to come out? <br /> <br />Rick: That would be great. <br /> <br />(?) For like a tour? <br /> <br />Marge: For a tour or to come to a meeting, whatever you think...a little more than just <br />"we need this". <br /> <br />Tom: I caution you, she will be on maternity leave in early spring. <br /> <br />Rick: The sooner the better. <br /> <br />Tom: There are some other things we talked about, they are on the agenda as other <br />items. We will hold off and talk about them then. Dan? <br /> <br />Dan McAuliffe: Right on... she's brand new, and staff have not prioritized anything, and <br />she said she is pretty clear about our priorities. <br /> <br />Rick: What about a letter from the congressional delegation? <br />