Executive Committee

Conference Call Minutes

February 23rd, 2011

The Executive Committee met on February 23rd, 2011 beginning at 1:05 p.m. by telephone conference call. Those present were Nick Schultz, Chair; Dean Rogge, Reservoir Reach; John Chase, Upper Reach; Dick Iversen, Lower Reach; Ron Garwood, Reservoir Reach, Jim Beck, Upper Reach, Laurie Riley, Coordinator; Carie Hess, Secretary; and Jeff Tiberi, MACD and Karl Christians, DNRC .

Approval of January 26th Minutes: Dick Iversen moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Karl Christians seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Financial report and approval of bill payments: The financial report and budget were read. John Chase moved to pay the unpaid bills and Ron Garwood seconded; the motion passed unanimously. Carie noted the changes she had made to the budget to reflect the termination account.

MRRIC: Laurie stated that at the quarterly meeting a speaker from the USFWS, Nick Tazor talked on the initiative on String of Pearls, the proposed new refuge from the Yellowstone intake to the Dakota boarder. It was stated that it was to be voluntary conservation easements with private landowners. Dick Iversen mentioned that the LoMoCRM was holding a meeting in Culbertson on March 1st from 11-2 where Nick Tazor was to explain to the major landowners on what the USFWS is proposing. Laurie also noted that the Missouri River recovery plan’s geographic scope is from Great Falls down stream with the area above Great Falls as an area of interest only.

CREP Addendum Update: Laurie informed the Executive Committee that she was too met with Glen Patrick in Helena Friday February 25th at 9 am to hopefully finalize the addendum. Laurie noted that Tim Ouellette was also attending and she was trying to contact Dana to see if he was interested in attending.

Cottonwood Regeneration Update: Laurie informed the Executive Committee that there is a meeting on March 12th with the BOR, BLM, and Wilderness Society in Lewistown. One of the things that was being discussed was the possibility of using some new equipment to plant 6ft rooted cottonwood poles for better success.

Website Updates: Carie noted that the website was current and up to date. Laurie had stated that the website was not a good one and that the council should look for funding to revamp. Karl agreed that the website needs to be revamped and it was thought to have Laurie look into the costs and possible funding. Karl stated that maybe the 223 grant program for possible funding.

CMR NWR Community Working Group: Dean talked about the February 17th meeting and stated that it was a little more disorganized than normal. He also stated that Steve Gilpatrick stirred the people up with the comment on what groups he allows to hunt his property. Kit Fischer is to do a presentation at the Jordan meeting in April. Karl thought that the group was making progress from the first meeting to now and that if everyone is patient progress will continue to be made. Dean had mentioned that he was interviewed by Russell Nemetz with the Northern Ag Network and he talked primarily about the monument and the stakeholder group. All in all it was a good meeting. Jordan meeting logistics were discussed as Laurie will not be there, Carie stated that she has everything almost completed so it is on track.

Refuge Manager: Rick Potts was named the new refuge manager but will not be in his job until after the April stakeholder meeting. Jeff Tiberi thought that the council should meet maybe at a CD office. It was thought that he could possibly be invited to the tour in May. An invitation letter is to be drafted and sent to Mr. Potts.

Quarterly Meeting Plans: The quarterly meeting was discussed and Ron and Dick were going to work on the tour. The meeting will be held in Glasgow and it was thought to have Pat Gunderson with FWP- Glasgow office help find a place. Possible areas were Pine Road which is just 20 -25 miles off the highway and is graveled, the T.V. tower area overlooks the CMR and river bottom, irrigated lands was a thought as well.

Big Sky Watershed Corps: Big Sky Watershed Corps is asking for a letter of support for the AmeriCorps volunteer whether or not the group will be using the volunteer or not. It was agreed that Laurie was to write a letter and have Nick sign.

Coordinator report: Natural Resource Partnership is asking for a ¾ to 1 page editorial on the importance of cattle and Laurie volunteered. Her thought was to show that all parts of the cattle are used in all avenues of life. John Chase simply said all things we use today come from either agriculture or mining. The deadline for this article is March 18th, 2011. Laurie was informed that Charlene with the beef check off might be of some assistance.

Next Conference call time & date: The next conference call is scheduled for March 23rd, 2011 from 1 to 2:30p.m.

With no additional business being brought before the Committee, the call adjourned at 2:20 PM.

Approved by unanimous vote on March 23rd, 2011

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Nick Schultz, Chairman

Submitted by:

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Carie Hess, Secretary