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PLATTE RIVER GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE MEETING <br />MAY 25, 2000 <br />HERSCHLER BUILDING, CHEYENNE, WYOMING <br />Agenda and Minutes <br />Mike Besson, Governance Committee (GC) Chair, called the meeting to order at 8:15 a.m. The draft minutes from <br />the April GC meeting were reviewed. Maryanne Bach and Margot Zallen suggested changes to the minutes (see <br />attachment) and Dale Strickland went over suggested changes submitted prior to the meeting. The minutes as <br />amended were approved by consensus. The agenda was modified to include time for discussion of a Central <br />Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District's (CNPPID) FERC license requirement. <br />Coordination of CNPPID FERC License <br />Mike Drain gave a brief report to the GC related to a portion of CNPPID FERC license that requires them to provide <br />estimates of net controlled conserved water to the GC. The GC or their delegates are allowed a minimum 30 -day <br />comment period after the report and estimates are provided. Mike suggested that the GC delegate the review task to <br />the Water Management Committee (WMC). Mike suggested allowing the WMC 30 days to comment, with John <br />Lawson compiling the comments for submission to CNPPID. Mike reported that Parsons Engineering would be <br />providing a technical report to CNPPID shortly and that this would be provided to the WMC and/or GC. The WMC <br />and/or GC would also be provided a letter from CNPPID to FERC for review. <br />Mark Butler asked for background related to the net controlled conserved water and the requirements in the FERC <br />license. Mike Drain explained that CNPPID agreed, as part of a lawsuit, to undertake water conservation supply <br />projects with a portion of the costs covered by the Bureau of Reclamation. As part of the FERC license, the net <br />savings attributed to the BOR funding would be added to the Environmental Account at no cost to the Program. <br />CNPPID is also to estimate the net conserved water amount attributed to CNPPID funds. CNPPID can then offer <br />that amount to the Program at the costs associated with the measures taken. The report being discussed relates to <br />• current projects and additional projects will be added by 2002. <br />Both documents (letter from CNPPID and report from Parsons) will be supplied to the WMC and only the shorter <br />letter will be distributed to the GC. John Lawson will receive all comments and formally present the comments to <br />the GC. The official Cooperative Agreement response will be from the GC to the FERC. <br />Public Comment <br />Vernon Nelson noted that a concerned Land Committee member could not be present but wanted to convey the <br />message that he would be at the next GC meeting to receive a full report on his earlier questions and demands. <br />Land Advisory Committee Charter Update <br />Dale Strickland reported that the Land Advisory Committee (LAC) Charter drafting committee had met for <br />breakfast May 25 and that the committee was satisfied with the current draft as amended. The draft will be <br />presented at the June 12 Land Committee meeting and then to the GC at their June 29 meeting. Issues resolved at <br />the breakfast meeting included 1) determination of how local Nebraska representatives will be placed on the <br />committee, 2) detailing that the LAC will maintain records and monitor compliance with Program milestones, and <br />3) determination of a quorum for meetings. Mary Jane Graham asked that the process for outreach functions be <br />clearly stated in the charter. Concern was raised that local Nebraska representatives not be singled out for this <br />process but all representatives should be charged with outreach efforts to their constituents. Outreach efforts will be <br />included as part of the Purpose section in the Charter. <br />Future Depletion Plans <br />Mike Besson noted that Wyoming's future depletion plan is not ready for review by the WMC and then asked Mike <br />Purcell to give a status report on development of the plan. Mike Purcell noted that Wyoming could not give details <br />in their plan because of the Nebraska v Wyoming lawsuit. Now that the lawsuit status is changing, details may be <br />added shortly. The latest draft of the plan will be provided to Curt Brown for inclusion in the EIS analysis. Mike <br />Purcell noted that if Curt needs more information or details, he could contact the Wyoming representatives. Mike <br />Page 1 of 1 <br />