MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 13, 1996 Those in attendance were: Robert Bell, Chair Cliff Welsh, Member Wilbur Nelson, Member Richard Mercer, Member Glen Kroese, Member Don Roberts, Member Don Larson, Member Richard Jiskra, Member Dale Watermeier, Member Joe Hergott, Member Vince Kramper, Member Harold Klaege Roy Stewart, Member Dayle Williamson, Director Frank Bartak, Member Jim Cook, Staff Wayne Davis, Member Terry Kubicek, Staff Robert Gifford, Member Gayle Starr, Staff CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Commission Chair Robert Bell at approximately 3:00 p.m. in the Executive Building conference room at 521 South 14th Street in Lincoln, Nebraska. NOTICE OF THE MEETING Notice of the meeting was placed in the LINCOLN JOURNAL & STAR on June 6, 1996, notifying the public of the meeting. 1996 FARM BILL Bell called on Gayle Starr who noted that the agenda for the special meeting contained two discussion items involving the Federal Farm bill and the NRD studies mandated by LB 1085. He noted that he had been asked to facilitate the meeting and that the objective was to discuss the two agenda topics including the Commission's potential involvement in each and spend no more than one hour on each topic. Starr briefly reviewed the 1996 Farm Bill and called on Harold Klaege of the Natural Resources Conservation Service to review the details of the conservation portion of the bill. Klaege noted that the rules and regulations for the implementation of the conservation title are just now being prepared; therefore, the final details are not known at this time. He did review the various aspects of the conservation title that are available at this time and responded to Commission member's questions. It was noted that Natural Resources Districts are intended to play a key role in establishing priorities for technical and financial assistance. -2- LB 1085 Starr explained that a portion of LB 1085 enacted by the 1996 Legislature requires the Commission to conduct two studies relative to NRD board size, boundaries and mergers and a second one on NRD effectiveness and efficiency. He called on Jim Cook to review that portion of 1085. Cook explained that the first study is due in September, 1997, and relates to NRD Board size, boundary changes, mergers, and related aspects. He explained that a great deal could be gained from the 1989 study on the composition of NRDs done by the Commission and noted that each Commission member had been provided a copy of that study. There was a general consensus that the Commission, with assistance and input from the NRDs and the public, could conduct that study. Cook explained that the second study relates to NRD program efficiency and effectiveness and is due in September of 1998. He noted that the staff is of the opinion that it might be well to have the second study done by a disinterested party such as an accounting or consulting firm. It was agreed that some accounting firms and/or consultants should be contacted to determine what the cost of such a study might be and to further discuss this item at the next Commission meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at approximately 4:45 p.m. Chairman Director of Natural Resources