Texas Water Monitoring Council

Texas Water Monitoring Council Meeting
August 12,1999

Minutes

View the Minutes from other TWMC meetings:

• April 6, 2000
• March 9, 2000
• February 3, 2000
• January 6, 2000
• November 5, 2000
• August 12, 1999
• June 3, 1999
• April 1, 1999
• February 4, 1999

The fourth bi-monthly meeting of the Texas Water Monitoring Council was held at the US Geological Survey in Austin on August 12th, 1999.

Attendees:

The 3rd quarterly meeting of the Texas Water Monitoring Council began with introductions. The minutes from the June 3rd meeting were approved.

David Thorkildsen introduced Russell Pankratz, who created the TWMC website and is working on the Texas Water Information Network's (TxWIN) web site. TxWIN, which is not yet officially launched, can be accessed at www.texaswaterinfo.net or www.txwin.net (or by clicking on the "TxWIN" at the top and bottom of this page. The TWMC web site is now a part of the Texas Water Information Network web site). David and Russell are requesting feedback on TxWIN's functionality. The Council agreed that once the TWMC webpage online forums are operational, it would be appropriate for the Committee chairs to act as moderators. The two committee chairs present agreed.

TxWIN contains information on cooperators, one of which is Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District. Darrell Peckham and David are scheduled to meet with Mike Mahoney, who is with the Evergreen District and is also the incoming president of the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts (TAGD). Darrell and David agreed to discuss TAGD's participation in TWMC.

Dean Robbins, Assistant General Manager of the Texas Water Conservation Association briefed the Council on significant water-related legislation passed by the 76th legislature. Legislation discussed addressed water planning and supply issues, groundwater issues, water quality, reservoir operations and flood control and budget appropriations. Dean announced that the Senate Natural Resources Committee is expected to announce an interim committee will be created to address groundwater issues and low-level nuclear waste disposal issues. This interim committee would be chaired by Senator Buster Brown of Lake Jackson.

Miles Hall, chair of the Data Network Committee, gave an update on his committee's activities. Only 4 or 5 respondents were interested in holding an annual meeting "in-between" Congresses tentatively set for September 23.

Denis Qualls, chair of the Data Management Committee was unable to attend the council meeting. The Data Management Committee did meet on June 3rd, immediately following the last Council meeting.

David Thorkildsen gave an update of the Network Optimization Program.

Eric Mendelman, chair of the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Committee gave an update for the Committee. Eric continues to work on the shell documents for the TNRCC TMDL program. The Clean Rivers Program QAPP shell is in use. Eric will contact Russell about posting it to the TWMC website. The draft QAPP, which follows the EPA QAR-5 format, is expected to be posted to the CRP webpage this summer. These shells contain elements identified by the QA/QC Committee.

Patrick Roques briefed the Council on the progress of TNRCC's staff reorganization.

Dee Lurry, chair of the Public Outreach Committee was not able to attend the Council meeting.

Meeting adjourned at noon. Next meeting scheduled for October 7th at 10am at USGS.

Texas Water Monitoring Council

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