Executive Committee Meeting
January 31st, 2008
Cascade, MT

The Executive Committee met at 8:30 AM on January 31st, 2008 at the Council office in Cascade. Present were: Jim Beck, Chairman; Rick Anderson, Vice Chairman; John Chase, Upper Reach; Paul Gies, Middle Reach, Boone Whitmer and Buzz Mattelin, Lower Reach; Sarah Carlson, MACD; and Vicki Marquis, Coordinator.

The committee began by reviewing the list of potential projects developed during the November quarterly meeting. Jim explained that the intent is to determine which project to spend the “Contract Labor” funding on ($13,535 available) while maximizing the impact along the entire length of the river. Karl noted that if possible, the Council should pursue one project in each reach area. Buzz noted that funding for MRRIC travel should be added to the list, as it will not be immediately available from federal or state sources. Additionally, Buzz noted that the Lower Missouri CRM is in the process of hiring a coordinator and that providing funding for that position might lead to a more formal relationship between the Council and the CRM. One other idea that had been mentioned previously, but was not on the list, is design and construction of “Save our Basin” placards for hotels and restaurants. Buzz brought a sample placard for reference.

After those three projects were added to the list, the Committee began eliminating the ideas that were duplicates, were already in progress, could be easily incorporated into Council activities without committing funds, or could not be completed and funded by the end of the fiscal year. The remaining project ideas were:
• Signs with conservation messages for River’s Edge Trail and recreation sites
• Cottonwood Forest concerns (“Summit” meeting, Russian Olive eradication)
• No Adverse Impact workshops and development of appropriate guidelines
• MRRIC Travel and WRDA outreach
• Lower Missouri CRM Coordinator funding
• “Save our Basin” placards

The Committee then prioritized the top four projects as follows:
1. Historic photo archive – catalog of photos of important sites/conditions along the river; placement of high water markers from historic flood events; documentation of special areas of concern
2. MRRIC Travel and WRDA outreach
3. No Adverse Impact workshops and development of appropriate guidelines
4. “Save our Basin” placards

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:45 AM so the Committee could join the rest of the Council and public for the presentations on Water Reservations at the Wedsworth Hall.

Submitted by:

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Vicki Marquis, Coordinator

Approved by unanimous vote on ____________:

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Jim Beck, Chairman