The Executive Committee met on December 28th, 2009 beginning at 1:03 PM by telephone conference call. Present were: John Chase, Upper Reach; Dana Darlington, Chairman, Jim Beck, Immediate Past Chair, and Buzz Mattelin, Lower Reach, Ron Garwood, Reservoir Reach; Karl Christians, DNRC Vicki Marquis, MRCDC Coordinator and Carie Hess, Secretary and later by Jeff Tiberi, MACD and Paul Gies, Middle Reach.

Approval of November 28th, 2009 Minutes: John moved to accept the Executive Committee minutes as submitted and Buzz seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Financial report and approval of bill payments: The committee looked over the financial report John added that the voided check number 1017 need to be added to the financial report. Carie stated that she would get that logged into QuickBooks. The council also agreed to have Carie purchase a checkbook and approve the DC travel expenses which were 1528.25 in airfare, 2844.60 in hotel accommodations, and 120.00 in taxi fares. John moved to approve the financial report with the additional purchases and Jim seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

DC Trip Plan Update: Vicki had mentioned that on the DC agenda they had meetings with Bob Abby with BLM, Karl Roundtree NLSC Monument, Tester’s Office, USFWS Roland Guled, Rehbergs Office, Anita With EPA, and Mike Connor with the Bureau of Reclamation.

Next Meeting Date & Agenda: Vicki had a draft agenda attached in which she went over with the committee and it was decided to continue as planned.

Potential Legislation for 2011: It was noted that 4 items were discussed at the November meeting and Vicki asked the committee to prioritize them as she would not have the time to do all of them. Jeff stated that any of the items that are in conjunction with a resolution leave to the MACD. Dana thought that if there were any other advocates (Tony @ Ft. Belknap) for the wind generation that the council could look over their proposals or resolutions and sign a letter of support to save some time. Buzz thought the council should look this from a conservation point of view and about landowner’s rights. Karl added that the University of Wyoming had just published and sent out to area landowner’s a pamphlet about their rights. It was also talked about that the Judith Gap project kills about 6,000 bats a year. In the Stormwater regulations to prevent another Whitmore Ravine that there is a loop hole in the EPA regulations as there is nothing about volume. The council discussed talking with Jenny Chambers with DEQ, Deb Boeguard with NACD. The committee discussed the woodburning generators and thought that Scott would be a big help and might have something already started. John thought that thousands of acres of dead timber and the fuels reduction might tie together.

Calendar: Vicki had a sample calendar of the council’s activities made up and asked the committee their thoughts. John felt that the calendar would be useful and Karl thought that dates needed to be added and or to be announced added. Ron and Jim thought that the calendar was a good idea. Dana thought to post it on the council’s website and update it regularly so it is easily found and it could be hard mailed a couple of times a year.

CMR Fire workshop & tour dates:

Vicki mentioned that the Fire workshop could be held in March or April and John felt this was a good idea. Buzz mentioned that the council usually combines the quarterly meeting and a tour and thought that Ft. Keogh in Miles City might be good. Jim felt that the council should touch base with the Yellowstone folks and see if they were interested in a joint event.

Other Business:

Jim – State Water Plan- at the meeting in November he had his presentation turned toward data gathering but since then DNRC has stated that they will gather the data and hand it over to the MRCDC and have them figure out how it affects the various areas that either have to much water or severe shortages.

Karl talked about potential budgets cuts as the state revenues are lower than expected. He also advised the council of the language in their contract and the DNRC’s ability to withhold 10% of the contracted amount. He was just giving the heads up as this might come down the pike.

It was discussed that one of the Knox’s could serve as an associate to the council. They are very involved in the Missouri Stewards. It was also mentioned that a Supervisor from Montana was needed to sit on the Missouri River Team with NACD. The committee talked about Nick Schultz, Dean Rogge as possibilities for this position. Dana stated that if neither one of these two are interested that he would do it.

With no additional business being brought before the Committee, the call adjourned at 2:10 PM.

Approved by unanimous vote on January 25th, 2010

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Dana Darlington, Chairman

Submitted by:

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Carie Hess, Secretary