Meeting Minutes EARIP
1
Location SAWS, San Antonio, TX
Date – April 5, 2007
Time – 9:00
Note taker: Andrea Feldpausch
· Welcome – SAWS (Start time 9:07 am)
· Update on Region L Water Planning – Con Mims
· Update on Listed Species – Need Names
· Explanation of HCP Process – Will Amy
· Question/Answer session
o responses mostly by Joy Nicholopoulos, Anna Munoz, Will Amy, Con Mims questions regarding the recovery process; ’96 plan; consultation process; current legislation; funding for RIP; identity of permit applicant; who has what authority; lawsuits in relation to RIP/HCP; role of USFWS; role of MOU
· Break (11:10-11:28)
· Discussion of MOU (Start 11:28 am)
o What is the MOU?
o MOU signifies existence of an RIP
o USFWS needs such a document, but content is not explicitly stipulated
o Is only a notice of intent, future documents will detail substance
o What scope, governance, issues, interests should be included?
o Should cost-benefit analysis be included?
o Future funding for facilitation, coordination, support? USFWS will fund Anna, but additional is needed for web site, managing data, etc.
o Should groundwater recharge be included?
o What stakeholders are missing? (Corps of Engineers, Military, Water Board, USDA, BLR)
o Can we call it an MOA?
· Straw poll—do we want to participate in a RIP?
o Majority yes to moving forward. One person abstained. Zero persons voted no.
o People need to state objectives/interests of organizations
o Need to include the right people, especially the decision makers – everyone needs to be upfront with needs and interests
o People agree to send in objectives/interests of organizations by the first week of May
o Should be one page with goals and purposes; Tarla should draft and send out for comment.
· Schedule for next meeting
o May 10th
§ Time: 10:00am to 2:00pm
§ Location: SAWS
§ Location and regular meeting schedule should be discussed over listserve
§ Will make decision about location/time at next meeting
Suggested Agenda Items for May 10
· Presentation of strengths, weaknesses, challenges faced by previous RIPs (Anna Munoz)
· Copies of MOA for signatures available (all participants)
· Discuss and decide on meeting dates and venues for June, July, August (all participants)
· Discuss how to work on items identified, but not detailed in MOU (governance, scope, etc.)
· Discuss relationship between RIP and parallel processes (legislation, other?)