Secretary’s Reports:

(1) Treasurer’s Report:  Wayne Bossert reported that the association had an account balance of $6,313.73 as of last report (5/23/08); and between 5/23/08 and 12/23/08 had a total of $14,723.11 in income; expended $6,309.95; and thus had an current account balance of $14,726.89 (as of 12/23/08).  Moreover, there remains $21,846.92 in the investment account, for a total association worth as of 12/23/08 of $36,573.81.  The income and expenditure details were provided in the board packet.  Wayne reported that only $200.00 of the total income was for the NWRA Intern program.  Support of this program within GMDA has decreased each year over the past 3 years.  Sharon Falk moved for approval of the treasurer's report as presented.  Jack Dowell seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

(2) Membership Report:  It was reported that the 2009 membership process was still underway and not all memberships were in at this time.  There did not appear to be any significant changes evident. 

(3) Awards Report:  No suggested nominees for any GMDA award were provided through the established awards process.

NWRA Report:  Ron Bishop reported that like last report, very little was happening on the federal scene.  NWRA was more or less "treading water" due to the administration change from President Bush to President-Elect Obama.  Some discussion was held regarding the NWRA Intern position.  Ron answered all questions and again urged GMDA members to solicit prospective intern candidates.  It was mentioned than GMDA did not have to restrict its support of the intern program to just those monies provided by the voluntary dues process - the $200.00 in this year's case - but no action was taken. 

State Caucus Reports: 

Colorado:   Jack Dowell reported that Tom Cech had been elected as the new 3-year director.  Colorado would be hosting the 2009 Summer Conference in Estes Park, CO on June 7-9, 2009.  The caucus recommended Mississippi for the next (35th) Winter Conference.  CREP program issues were mentioned as a possible NWRA issue to pursue.

Kansas:  Kansas Caucus reported that Wayne Bossert had been re-elected for the 3-year board member.  This caucus had also discussed the possibility of a Resolution regarding the developing Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) - either by GMDA on it's own, or by GMDA with the intent of offering it to the NWRA Resolution process.  After more discussion on the AWEP program, Jim Reasoner moved that the GMDA board take the issue to the general membership session tomorrow with a recommendation that a GMDA  Resolution be approved by the general membership - either to be offered by GMDA alone or to be requested by NWRA.  Ron Bishop seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.  Finally, Kansas suggested Corpus Christy, Mississippi or New Orleans for the 35th Winter Conference location.

Mississippi:  Dean Pennington reported that Will Long had been elected to the 3-year board position - replacing Frank Gwin.  Fran Gwin offered that his age and reduced mobility were factors in his asking to be replaced.  The board offered congratulations to Frank for his long and involved participation, and congratulated Will long for his acceptance to serve the state of Mississippi.  The Mississippi caucus suggested Florida or Texas as sites for the 35th Conference.  St Pete's Beach, Tampa, or San Antonio were specific locations offered.  Mississippi also recalled last year's Nebraska issue of data-sharing problems between the Nebraska's NRD's and FSA as possible NWRA issues.  Ron Bishop discussed the issue again to refresh everyone's memories.  He reported that his NRD and others are now required by law to certify irrigated acres in NRDs that are fully or over appropriated.  The Central Platte NRD had spent the past 4 years sparring with FSA who has all this data electronically but has been finding creative ways to resist providing any of it - presumable due to privacy issues.  The NRD's are government entities with a statutory obligation to maintain irrigated certifications who cannot understand FSA's refusal to cooperate and share the data.  Mississippi indicated they would support this issue if Nebraska would work up a suitable  proposal.  As it turns out, a Mississippi entity has also run into the same roadblock. - even after filling suit against FSA and winning the suit.  They still do not have that data as FSA was successful in getting new roadblock language in the 2008 Farm Bill regarding this issue.  Following more discussion, Will Long moved that GMDA craft a Resolution calling for FSA to share appropriate irrigation data with State and local entities.  Dean Pennington seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.  It was decided to draft a resolution for consideration during the Friday morning general membership session.  

Nebraska:  Larry Angle reported that Linda Luebbe was elected to the 3-year position, and introduced Linda who was in attendance.  The caucus suggested a number of  35th Conference sites ranging across the US and including the possibility  of a cruise ship as well.  The caucus strongly supported the FSA Resolution action taken earlier in the meeting as more NRDs are getting into irrigated acreage certifications.

Texas:  Due to Legislative issues in the state, no Texas delegates were in attendance.

Transfer of President's Gavel:  At this time Dean Pennington (MS) stepped down as GMDA President and meeting chairman and allowed Jan King (KS) to assume the GMDA presidency to conduct the rest of the meeting.

Election of Officers:  Jan opened the floor for nominations for Vice President.  Jim Reasoner (C) moved that Tom Cech (CO) be nominated and that nominations cease and a unanimous ballot be cast for Mr. Cech.  Sharon Falk (KS) seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

The floor was opened for nominations for Secretary/Treasurer.  Sharon Falk moved that Wayne Bossert (KS) be nominated and that nominations cease and a unanimous ballot be cast for Mr. Bossert.  Will Long seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

The floor was opened for nominations for the two NWRA representatives for GMDA.  Will Long moved that Ron Bishop (NE) and Dean Pennington (MS) be nominated and that nominations cease and a unanimous ballot be cast for both.  Jack Dowell seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Open Session:  Jan King recognized Jaime Crawford (MS) for a presentation regarding the Groundwater Protection Council.  Jaime reported that the Groundwater Protection Council (GWPC) was formed in 1986 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK.  The council is made up of 2 members from each of the 10 EPA regions – comprising a 20-member council.  The group had mainly been water quality oriented and controlled by state, EPA-program managers – mainly underground injection program folks.  With many other groundwater issues popping up, the council has decided of late to expand its interests and re-organize a bit.  They have just created a new groundwater availability and sustainability division and named Jaime Crawford as chair.  Jaime is interested in having GMDA involved in this new GWPC division and is before the GMDA board today asking if GMDA wants to be included, and if so, in what way.  Jaime reported his intent to begin the new division with a small oversight group to help define its mission and responsibilities, and a GMDA representative on this oversight group would be welcomed.  It was decided to also take this issue before the general membership session tomorrow morning.

Committee Appointments: With time running short, President Jan King re-appointed all committee chairs for another year.  These are:

Safe Drinking Water Act – Larry Angle (NE)

Endangered Species Act – C.E. Williams (TX)

Awards – Wayne Bossert (KS)

Groundwater – Dean Pennington (MS)

Clean Water Act – Dean Pennington (MS)

Resolutions – Tom Cech (CO)

As a result of  the caucus actions, the new 2009 GMDA board is:

Upcoming Annual Meeting Location:  The preference was clearly the SE USA with Savannah, GA or Charleston, SC being principal suggestions.  Vice President Tom Cech was provided full discretion on the specific locations, dates and facilities.

With no other business, and no objections, President King adjourned the meeting at 4:45 p.m., January 8, 2009.

Respectfully submitted, Wayne Bossert, GMDA Secretary

Attachment to the Minutes – Actions of the general membership session on January 9, 2009 regarding two special issues.

1)  Regarding the Ground Water Protection Council:  Frank Gwin moved that GMDA participate with the GWPC and that the GMDA board of directors appoint a representative to participate in a suitable manner with this group as soon as possible.  Will Long seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous.

2)  Regarding the FSA Data-sharing Issue:  Will Long moved that the full GMDA membership in attendance at the 2009 annual conference adopt and present the following GMDA resolution to the appropriate agencies and entities:

“Recognizing the historic, positive working relationships between local and state FSA offices and local groundwater management and natural resource districts, be it resolved that GMDA pursue through all available legal avenues the release by FSA of digitally stored data relating to land ownership, including CLU date, ownership data, operator data, cropping history data and land status data (irrigation and/or dryland), in GIS format, to facilitate the more economical and administratively efficient gathering of such data required to be maintained and kept current by groundwater management district, natural resource districts and similar governmental entities.”  Ron Bishop seconded the motion which passed unanimously.