SULPHUR RIVER BASIN AUTHORITY

STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

MINUTES

SULPHUR RIVER BASIN AUTHORITY

STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2006

1:30 P.M.

PRESENT:

Jim Thompson, SRBA President

Jennifer Delk, Project Manager-----TCEQ

Nancy Rose, SRBA Secretary

Robert Cook, TCEQ

Dr. Mike Buttram, Texarkana College
Paul Price, HDR Austin, TX
Peggy Jones, HDR Austin, TX
Patty Hartman, Texarkana College
John O'Conner, Mt. Pleasant TX
Diane Atkinson, ATCOG
Dr. Jane Morris, New Boston, Texas
Molly Berridge, Texarkana, Texas
Adam Whisenet, Tyler TX
Bill King, Texarkana Water Utilities
J.D. Phillips , Texarkana Water Utilities

VISITORS:

David Nabors, Paris, Texas
Sharon Nabors, Paris, Texas
Kishin Williams, Tx. College-- Texarkana, Texas
Elizabeth Layman, ATCOG-- Texarkana, Texas
Gary Smith, TWU-- Texarkana, Texas
Brian Creed, City of Commerce, Texas
Terri Richardson, Texarkana Gazette

ITEM# 1: CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL------------------1:30 P.M.

Jim Thompson, SRBA President called the Meeting to order at 1:30 P.M.
He welcomed and thanked everyone for coming.
He asked that each one please state their name and whom they represent.

ITEM# 2; APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Jim Thompson, SRBA President asked were there any questions or comments to the Minutes for July 21, 2005.
John O’Connor made the motion and Adam Whisenant seconded to approve the Minutes for July 21, 2005 as presented.
The motion carried with all members present voting AYE.
Jim Thompson, SRBA President introduced Dr. Mike Buttram of Texarkana College to do his Presentation.

ITEM# 3: HEAR REPORT ON CURRENT MONITORING IN BASIN:

Dr. Mike Buttram, a Chemistry Professor at Texarkana College discuss the insights into Monitoring processes in the Sulphur River Basin. He stated that during systematic monitoring the sites are close together and some have probably never been tested before. He stated that he and Patti Harmon and Texarkana College students collected samples from Rice Creek, Anderson Creek and Caney Creek for biological and habitat monitoring.

He stated they found tadpole madtom fish living in Big Creek. He stated that they also found the western starhead top minnows living in Anderson Creek.

He stated that both are intolerant or less tolerant to pesticides and chemicals. He stated that they did not find many fish living in Rice Creek. He stated that finding fish in these Creeks states that they are moderately healthy.

ITEM# 4: REVIEW OF BASIN HIGHLIGHTS REPORT & WEB PAGE:

Ms Peggy Jones, with HDR.Engineering/Paul Price discussed the Basin Highlights Report 2006. She stated that within the Basin Highlights Report are issues of the “Water Quality Monitoring within the Sulphur River Basin” and “Sulphur River Basin FY2006 Sampling Stations” and “Sulphur River Basin Watersheds and Segments of Concern” and “Sulphur River Basin Water Quality Conditions” and “Special Studies within the Sulphur River Basin” and “Public Outreach”.
She stated that the Web Page, www.sulphurr.org has lots of information it has the Basin Steering Committee Meetings and Texas Watch and Quality Assurance (QAPP) and Water Quality Monitoring and Data Analysis and Reporting.

ITEM# 5: HEAR REPORT ON COOPER LAKE:

Mr. Rob Cook, TCEQ does routine monitoring in the Sulphur River Basin. He also detailed the impairments and drought related changes taking place at Cooper Lake near Sulphur Springs, Texas. He stated water quality impairments are assessed every two years. He stated as of last years, Cooper Lake was considered to have two impairments. It has high levels of depressed dissolved oxygen and a high pH. The pH levels are expected to stay between 6 and 8.5. He stated the levels in Cooper Lake have been registering over 8.5. However this may not be hazardous.

He presented a map of Northeast Texas detailing the ecological regions showing Cooper Lake to be in a different ecological region than it is currently being considered. The region Cooper Lake is in has common lake pH of 9. He stated if the EPA accepts the ecoregion maps and raises the number, then it will no longer be considered impairment.

He also showed pictures of the lower lake levels from the boat ramps on Cooper Lake.

ITEM# 6: QUESTIONS AND ANSWER PERIOD:

Everyone was allowed to ask their questions during each Presentation.
Dr. Jane Morris asked for information concerning each monitoring station and the data. 

Amendment to the Minutes (July 19, 2007): Molly Berridge said that she stated at the last meeting that Wright Patman levels could be raised to provide enough water for all of our needs plus some.

ITEM# 7: ADJOURNMENT:

 The Meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m.