FOBHL
Board Meeting Minutes
Bighorn Federal Meeting Room
March 9, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Lovell
Call to order and Welcome – Bob C
Approval of Feb email minutes: Motion by Jerry Second by Ferrell
BICA items
We ask Jerry to check to see if the NPS shield could be placed on the I90 billboard this summer promoting BICA. Email back: This shield is for NPS signs and not intended for other uses.
Bob C visited with Jerry Case on Feb 28 in Lovell with the following to report.
1. Jerry will issue a Superintendents compendium to clarify NPS regulations that affect BICA visitors.
2. All ramps including the new ML ramp will be open as usual for the coming season,
3. We visited about the upcoming program at NWC and what items to present to the public. Jerry and Chris will take the major portion of the time.
4. Jerry is excited about having a Triathlon event this June and said he will be the first to sign up!
5. The worn condition of the log boom at HSBend was discussed and that the Wyoming motor boat gas tax grant money might be able to be used to purchase a new log boom.
6. FOBHL will work with BICA to determine the placement of the new floating destination platform in the south lake.
7. BICA will let us know if we can again provide portable restrooms at South Causeway and JimCreek this summer.
Jerry ask Bob to thank FOBHL for all they do for BICA and to keep up the great support!!!
Board items
Ben Zeller met with us to discuss a Triathlon Event during the 2010 Bighorn Lake Celebration held at BICA. He presented the written plan for the event and received board support. He will work with Joe Anderson of the board on this.
The 2010 Bighorn Lake Celebration will be June 19, 2010 at Horseshoe Bend. We are beginning to work thru the details of permits, insurance and etc for this event.
The half page ad in the Cody Tourism booklet by the Lovell Chamber of Commerce needs some co-sponsor funding help. We would be paying $559 for our third. The board voted to check this out more to determine if this ad gives the bang for the buck we expect. Ken will visit with them and let us know more details. We feel in our own advertising that the area within 100 miles of Lovell needs to be our focus. For these folks will come back many times a year not just a once through visit.
The Wyoming House Bill HB0018 dealing with AIS authority and funding was passed this week. (Signed by the governor on March 10, 2010) We are concerned about how the program will be funded in the future; presently it will be by an annual fee charged to local and out of state boaters. Wyoming now has the “legal teeth” necessary to address this issue.
The Cody and Powell Home and Garden shows are coming up. We would appreciate David be in charge of the Cody show on April 9 and 10 and Bob N the Powell one on May 8. We have contacted each group to get registered for their shows.
Jerry L, Treasurer of FOBHL this year gave us a financial update with handouts. The first 2010 membership renewal reminders were sent out last week and we are seeing many payments coming in every day.
The March Boysen Reservoir irrigation water meeting will be in 3 wks in Worland. Who can attend with Jerry L?
FYI
The Interstate I90 12’ x 48’ billboard ad will begin running on Friday March 19 going until September 18, 2010.
Pat Slater (Powell Walleye Pro) took FOBHL membership and AIS info to the Billings Chapter of Montana Walleye Unlimited annual banquet in Billings on Saturday March 6.
The Northwest College TV show on AIS began running last week. This interview about AIS was with Cass Bromley of BICA, Dennie Hammer of WGF and Bob Croft of FOBHL. The video is also available on NW Trail website http://trail.northwestcollege.edu/home.html
There will be an AIS Summit meeting in Casper on March 16 from 8am to 5pm. This meeting is to inform all water users in Wyoming about AIS with presentations from federal and state government agencies in Wyoming, Colorado and Utah. Director, Lynn Richardson, will attend representing FOBHL.
The second February conference call of the Bighorn River Issues Group was on the 23rd. Since the mountain snow pack is 30 to 40% lower than normal for this time of year outflow from YT was reduced again to conserve storage. On Thursday and Friday outflow was dropped from 2500cfs to 2000 cfs. The March call was today. There is no change in the forecast so the present outflow will remain. The 3 month weather forecast shows it will be warmer and drier for our drainage areas. If the current trend continues BighornLake, Boysen and Buffalo Bill will not fill this year. BighornLake will be at 3628 feet at its lowest level and reach 3637 feet at its highest (3 feet below full lake). One positive thing is all the reservoirs are at above normal levels of storage for this time of year. BighornLake is actually gaining slightly now at 3629+ ft of elevation. The USBR is committed to keep YT storage up to provide more water for all stakeholder needs.
On March 23 at 7pm in the Fagerberg building room 70 on the campus of NW College in Powell Bob C will be joined by BICA Superintendent Jerry Case and Interpretive Chief, Chris Wilkinson for a public program about Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. There will be matted photos of BighornCanyon area given away as door prizes. We encourage all to attend and bring a friend!
Jerry L took Lynn on a tour of BICA areas he was not familiar with. We will do one on the water when it warms up.
There will be a flushing flow out of Boysen reservoir the end of March to clean the silt from the gravels prior to the fish spawning. The Wyoming office of the USBR will issue a public notice the week of the event.
The spring Bighorn River Issues Group meeting will be in Lovell on April 8 at the Lovell Community Center from 9-noon. Following lunch provided by FOBHL the Spring YT Operations meeting will convene. The public is invited to attend.
The Annual FOBHL member meeting will be a picnic at Horseshoe Bend in April.
The next FOBHL Board meeting will be at 6:30pm in Powell on April 13.