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GJJ4~~ -4- ORGANIZATION OF THE HIGH PLAINS COUNCIL Governor David Boren of Oklahoma hosted a six state meeting in Oklahoma City on November 24, 1976. The purpose of the meeting was two-fold -- to review the RFF study design and to form some type of a state coordinating group. The study design suggested a rather elaborate advisory group to carry out the intent of the four-year study. Those involved would be: (1) the principal contractor; (2) a general advisory board; (3) six state advisory boards; (4) three sets of state research groups; and (5) nine assessment groups, The initial meeting resulted in the states expressing strong desires to change the organizational concept outlined in the RFF study design. Those changes were recommended and a resolution was developed to establish a coordinating group to be called the High Plains Council. The resolution required ratification of at least half of the states from the executive level. During December 1976 the resolution was approved and on January 7, 1977 the organizational meeting of the Council was held in Dallas, Texas. At that meeting it was determined that the Governors of each of the six states would serve as Council members. In addition, each of the Governors were asked to appoint three state members to serve with them, An early determination was made that at least one of these members should come from the area of the state which has the underlying Ogallala Aquifer, Thus, the Council consists of 24 state members. In addition to the state members, one federal member serves on the Council. That position is occupied by the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development in the Department of Commerce. A Council membership list is contained in attachment 3.