Executive Committee Conference Call Minutes
November 30th, 2009

The Executive Committee met on November 30th, 2009 beginning at 9:04 AM by telephone conference call.
Present were: John Chase, Upper Reach; Dana Darlington, Chairman, Paul Gies, Middle Reach, Jim Beck,
Immediate Past Chair, and Buzz Mattelin, Lower Reach, Ron Garwood, Reservoir Reach; Vicki Marquis,
MRCDC Coordinator and Carie Hess, Secretary.
Approval of October 28th, 2009 Minutes: John moved to accept the Executive Committee minutes with the
change of Jim Beck being listed as Immediate Past Chair instead of Upper Reach, Jim seconded the motion
and it passed unanimously.
Financial report and approval of bill payments: The committee looked over the financial report and travel
expenses were discussed for the quarterly meeting at convention. It was discussed that Dean Rogge, Dick
Iverson, Paul Gies, Bill French, and Buzz Mattelin had not returned their claim forms for travel reimbursement.
Paul stated that he would fax his into Carie later on that day, John Chase stated that he did not need
reimbursed and Buzz was looking at RCAC for travel reimbursement, Dana had forgotten to put round trip and
needs to be reimbursed for 90 more miles. Carie let the committee know that she had made a mistake in the
mileage rate and that the council members would get the difference on their next check. John moved to
approve the unpaid bills (Check Detail report) and Ron seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
State Water Plan: Jim Beck reported that Ann Schwend had been contacted and that she talked about what is
expected of the council which was different than what was talked about at the quarterly meeting. Ann was
trying to set up a meeting date in early January. Jim and Vicki were going to attend and any others were
welcome. Dana Darlington brought up contacting Don and Nichole from the Yellowstone Council and keeping
each other informed and about possibly working together. It was noted that the Yellowstone Council has a
technical advisory committee and RAC to look at things like this as they come up. John Chase stated that in
order to do this the council would need to hire someone to handle the work as Vicki is already overloaded. Jim
Beck thought that a temporary employee to work on the day to day stuff could be hired as the work for the
water plan needs to have someone with a background in water issues.
DC Trip Arrangements: After the convention Dean Rogge mentioned that he would like to go to DC with Dana
and Vicki. Dana thought that this would be a good idea to have Dean go, and Ron agreed that if he would like
to go the council should help send him. Ron moved to send Dean Rogge along with Dana Darlington and Vicki
Marquis to Washington D.C. in January and Paul seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Approval of MRERP Comment Letter: Vicki mentioned that the comment deadline for the MRERP is 12/1/09
and that she had drafted a letter containing MRERP comments as well as comments from the sheets she had
received at convention. John Chase moved to approve the comment letter and send it to Jennifer Switzer, Ron
Garwood seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Council Involvement in Bovin Brucellosis Program: Vicki asked if the council wants to get involved as a council
on this or to send out to individuals to comment. John stated that he was not qualified to comment and Ron
stated that he had not attended the meeting at the MACD convention. Paul and Buzz attended the huntable
bison meeting and Buzz stated that it would hurt the livestock industry and that it is the CD’s place to comment
on how the lands are used. It was discussed that the individuals send their comments to Vicki and that she
would draft a council comment letter.
Press for Resolution: There was a draft press release that was reviewed and Vicki wanted to know about
comments or if anything needed to be added to it. Vicki talked about the lawsuit and what Intervener Status
was and asked if the council wanted to be included. If so they needed to get a hold of Hertha Lund the attorney
that has been hired by the Missouri River Stewards and the four counties. Initial cost would be $1,000 to be
put on the list of interveners and then the court sends all correspondence to them just like they were a party to
the lawsuit. Buzz asked if they could put comments in through the 4 counties that are already filing for
intervener status. It was thought to ask Don McIntyre since the MACD passed the resolution and to talk with
Laurie Zeller to see if there is any money for legal. Vicki said that she would talk with the BLM, Laurie and Don
and will forward any information that she gets. Dana’s letter was reviewed and Jim thought that something
should be added to the paragraph about the cottonwoods. Paul stated that a lot of damage is done by ice
scours and not cattle and Dana added that there has been talk about spring flows to spread the seeds. It was
also noted that in some areas the beavers are doing a great deal of damage as well.
CMR CPP Update: Vicki stated that she had forwarded an email that stated the timeline had been altered.
She talked about the draft document will have to be gone through fairly fast as they will have about a month to
go through the 500 pages. The committee talked about splitting the document up by sections or chapters and
having 2 people from each reach go through a section/ chapter. Buzz thought that Lance Vermeer, a fire
specialist at Fort Keough, might help go through the fire section.
Other Business: Vicki mentioned that the council was out of pens that she hands out with the display and that
they are on sale right now for $0.80 per pen. Ron moved to have Vicki purchase the pens and John seconded
the motion that passed unanimously. Buzz mentioned the tours with the legislative aides and Steve Guertin
and thought that they should be set up like the Holter Lake Tour. CCP will not be final until 2011, so there is
still time for comments. Dean has a folder with letters from local producers that talk about items from over the
last 50 years. It was noted that at the convention Dean and Monte did not want free range bison. In the last
legislative session there was a bill to remove the dual status from the bison and make them strictly wildlife but
it failed although not by much. It was noted that if the bison stay a dual status animal that the brucellosis will
continue to be a point of interest
With no additional business being brought before the Committee, the call adjourned at 10:13 AM.
Submitted by:
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Carie Hess, Secretary
Approved by unanimous vote on December 28th, 2009
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Dana Darlington, Chairman