Quarterly Meeting Minutes

September 16th, 2010

Malta Library Meeting Room

Malta, Mt.

Chairman Dana Darlington opened up the meeting at 2:10 p.m with introductions. Council members present were; John Chase representing Cascade County CD; Dean Rogge representing Garfield County CD; Dennis Mitchell representing Blaine CD; Dick Iversen representing Richland County CD; Nick Schultz representing Petroleum County CD; Ron Garwood representing Valley County CD; Bill French representing Phillips CD; Karl Christians representing DNRC, Tim Ouellette representing NRCS, the MRCDC Coordinator Laurie Riley, and the MRCDC Secretary Carie Hess.

General:

1. The June 2nd, 2010 minutes were read by the council members. Nick Schultz moved to approve the minutes as submitted and John Chase seconded, the motion passed unanimously. The July 6th Planning meeting minutes were read and Ron Garwood moved to approve as submitted Dick Iversen seconded, the motion passed unanimously. Carie Hess read the executive committee minutes Nick Schultz moved to approved as read and Dennis Mitchell seconded, the motion passed unanimously.

2. Carie read the financial package and answered questions as well as stated the changes that were to be made.

3. Correspondence received and sent since the last meeting was presented and reviewed.

4. Coordinator’s Report-Laurie stated that she wants to narrow efforts into 3 or 4(CMR CCP and Stakeholder Group, Madison-Missouri CREP, Cottonwood Regeneration in Monument, and MRRIC/MRERP) areas and do those well instead of doing all and not very well. She reported on the MRRIC meeting in Sheridan, the CCP came out on September 7th, presentations to the Water Policy Interim Committee on Cottonwood Regeneration, and that the committee is against flooding. Laurie stated that she would like to talk to the working group about ideas other that flooding. It was noted that Senator Hamlet was interested in the cottonwood regeneration as he had asked the group to present. It was further noted that the letting of that amount of water out of Tiber would take out irrigation pumps and riparian areas down the Marias. Dick Iversen suggested that the council talk with the Corp about the possibility for the m putting some funding toward an investigation of the area. He reported that in the Lower each the LoMoCRM received about $50,000 and part of that funding is to get some ideas and a plan on the cottonwood regeneration. She also reported on the CMR stakeholder group meeting in Winnett had 42 people in attendance and that the next meeting was set for October 4th in Lewistown. She also noted that at the Winnett meeting BLM, FWP and the Extension Service were not represented and that she would be working on that. She told the council that she was going to apply for a personal seat on the BLM RAC.

Reports:

1. Upper Reach:

 Whitmore Ravine Update: John Chase noted that there was no real report but that the grant requests were in limbo.

 CREP Update: Laurie also reported that she had been sent an email from Lana Nesbit asking for information to go with council’s CREP addendum. Lana had stated that the changes in the addendum did not need an EIS. It was thought to have her come out and do some site visits and that PPL would possibly pay for her to do so.

2. Middle Reach:  Monument Riparian Action Plan update –. The Riparian Assessment had been completed and received. Nick noted that he had heard at the BLM RAC meeting that they had found nothing and it was considered to be PFC or properly functioning condition which is the best rating you can receive.

 BLM RAC Update: Laurie noted that there were lots of presentations and that there had been 30 birds collard near Glasgow. These birds fly from Whitmayer into Canada and they come down into the CMR. There was also talk of developing a fee on the river for floaters and that there will be public meetings. The Hi-Line RMP was discussed and the council thought to open correspondence up with Jay Bodner on the RMP.

3. Reservoir Reach:

 CMR Comprehensive Management Plan Update: After some discussion about the CCP the council thought it best to write a letter to ask for an extension and have a few people take a look at the new report and report back to the council. Those to handle this task are Jeanne Rae Kirkegard, Dean Rogge, Nick Schultz and Laurie Riley.

 Stakeholder Group Proposal: Next meeting October 4th in Lewistown. 10am to 3 pm.

4. Lower Reach

 MRRIC Meeting Update: The next meeting is in Sioux City, IA Oct 19-21. Laurie is attending as Dick’s alternate.

5. MACD- no report at this time

6. DNRC- Karl stated budgets for the next fiscal year aren’t looking so good. Noted that Laurie Zeller was promoted to Bureau Chief and that as far as reporting keep it status quo for now.

7. NRCS- Tim reported that 3.2 million would be spent for the Sage Grouse Initiative this year and that the NRCS is looking to do a more landscape approach to funding focusing on projects with local support.

New Business:

Lacey Report distribution guidelines: The council discussed the distribution guidelines and it was thought that John would be contacted and made aware that his report would be made available if people came to the council and asked for it.

Old Business: none at this time

Public Comment: None

Next meetings:

 The council’s next quarterly meeting is November 16th at the Crown Plaza in Billings during the MACD State Convention from 4-6 p.m.

With no further business coming before the council, the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.

Submitted by:

___________________       ________________________

Carie Hess, Secretary        Nick Schultz, Chairman