Meeting was called to order by chairman Jay Wilkinson at 7:15pm.
All in attendance introduced themselves.
Minutes from the 6/17/97 meeting in Clarkdale were approved as written.
Mike Leonard with the Prescott National Forest introduced the Upper Verde Ecosystem Project. Al Medina with the Rocky Mountain Research Station in Flagstaff gave a presentation on research to understand the interactions in the ecosystem on the upper Verde River.
The upper Verde River Ecosystem Project is a project to integrate Research, the State and Federal Management Agencies, private landowners and stakeholders in an effort to understand the river, find out what is wrong with it and work towards fixing it.
The upper Verde Ecosystem Project actually started in 1996 and is a dynamic, and adaptive process which is continuing to change as new needs develop.
The VWA was asked to fulfill a role in the project as a liaison with private parties, as a voice for private interests, as a partner in the development of management options, as a source of resource information and as a communication linkage.
It was generally agreed that VWA would assume these roles in the Project with some concern expressed that this effort doesn't "reinvent the wheel".
The Treasurers gave the monthly report. VWA has a current balance in the account of $933.50 and has collected $3050.00 in dues for 1997.
American Heritage Rivers Initiative update was given by VWA coordinator, John Parsons. A Fast Facts sheet is on the Internet Web Page which gives the reasoning why VWA has started the nomination process and why the nomination process is seen as a benefit to VWA.
John stated that the AHRI nomination package will do double duty to provide info for nomination and also provide for interest in VWA and what VWA's mission in the watershed.
Jay Wilkinson talked about why VWA has an interest in the AHRI process, the approach VWA is taking in the process, and concerns VWA has about the process. Members of the audience where given time to comment about AHRI and their concerns about it.
John Parsons gave an update on activities of the VWA Coordinator. He has been revising the Internet home page with the latest work of VWA such as the revised Articles of Association, Fast Facts, Brochure, and meeting minutes.
Also included are the long range plan for VWA. He announced a new ability to retrieve Federal Register Notices directly off the Internet and distribute them to public libraries. He has agreements to distribute them to all libraries in the watershed.
John reported that VWA is facilitating and coordinating the Bridgeport well level monitoring project and put together a plan to have multi-agency support for the project in the Bridgeport area of the Verde Valley. VWA is also developing a strategy in conjunction with local communities and elected officials on how to deal with the probable designation of Critical Habitat for the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher along the Verde River and some of it's tributaries in the Verde Valley.
The Summer Student Intern Emily Burton gave a reported that she had been working with the Cooperative Extension Service in getting the Beaver Creek watershed research onto a web page and that she had done some writing for the VWA Fast Facts and had done work on the Brochure.
Dan Salzler reported on the activities of the long range planning group and that the revised Articles of Association would be voted on again at another meeting.
Bob Williams, author of "A Floaters Guide to the Verde River" gave a short overview of himself and the Book and stated that he spent over 10 years working on the book.
The Meeting was adjourned at 8:48pm.