Western Regional Panel
Members Present: Tina Proctor, Ted Grosholz, Jim Athearn, Susan Ellis, Scott Smith, Mike Stone, Al Van Vooren
Members Absent: Blaine Parker, Dwight Williamson, Mark Sytsma, John Chapman, Nate Dechoretz
Next Call: Thursday, July 10, 2003
1. Update on WRP meeting planning
John Chapman has come up with a list of Mexican scientists to invite to the WRP meeting in La Jolla. Some will be able to drive and others will be covered from WRP funds. The contract with the hotel will be signed at the end of June and Tina will get a notice out on the e-mail reflector reminding people of the dates and letting them know about hotel reservations.
2. 100th Meridian Meeting
The annual 100th Meridian Initiative meeting was held in Atchison, Kansas following the Missouri River Natural Resources Conference at Benedictine College. Presentations were about the 100th Meridian database run by Bob McMahon and David Britton at University of Texas at Arlington, Asian carp in the Missouri River, zebra mussel prevention in California and the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial activities. Minutes will be available June 20th at www.100thmeridian.org.
3. Addition to Recommended State Actions
After seeing the presentation by David Britton at the 100th Meridian Initiative meeting, Tina mentioned she was impressed with the data layers he has developed from the recreational boat surveys. Most of the data is from the 100th Meridian States although some surveys have also been done in the northwest. David can pull up data from queries about specific water bodies or stretches of rivers which tell where most of the visitors come from (infested or non-infested waters), and what highways they most likely traveled on. Ultimately, this information will allow states and others to specifically target high-risk travelers and specific highways.
Scott and Tina suggested that we add a recommended action to the list of Recommended State Actions. Survey trailored recreational boats according to 100th Meridian Initiative Guidelines. This would be a subheading under II 2. Implement programs to prevent the spread of invasive species from boating as well as other pathways.
The EC voted in favor of adding this recommended action to the list.
4. $20,000 from NOAA for Rapid Response
NOAA has awarded $20,000 to each of the regional panels for use for rapid response. The Great Lakes and Northeast Panels are using their funds to help develop their model plans. The EC discussed various ideas about how to use the money and then asked Tina to find out from Dorn Carlson what is the time frame for our request and what are the parameters for use of the money. Tina will let the EC know Dorn’s response and then compile ideas about how to spend the funds before the next conference call.
5. Changes in Guide to Procedures
The EC reviewed, discussed and approved suggested changes to the WRP Guide to Procedures to keep them current, descriptive and accurate. The proposed changes are attached to the Minutes and will be mailed to the membership for an e-mail vote before the next annual meeting.
6. Committee Structure
Tina presented three ideas for a change in the committee structure of the WRP. The EC is proposing that we have one standing committee called the Work Plan committee that will take the place of the Inland and Coastal committees. All other committees will be ad hoc or as needed. They will be created when needed to provide guidance on legislative or other issues or work plan projects. This proposed change will also be presented to the membership in an e-mail vote before the next annual meeting.
7. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
According to the WRP Guide to Procedures, the chair and vice chair should be elected by the EC at the first meeting after a fourth year annual meeting (next one in 2005) OR at the beginning of each calendar year. We failed to have an election in 2003 and the EC discussed the disruption that would be caused by having one now, so close to the annual meeting. The EC decided to wait until the beginning of the next calendar year (2004) to elect a chair and vice chair.
8. NAISA update
NAISA will get a hearing at 9:30, June 17th in the Environment and Public Works Committee. The following people are scheduled to testify: Panel I -- Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.); Panel II -- Barry Hill, director of interior issues for the General Accounting Office's Office of Environment and Natural Resources; Panel III -- Lori Williams, executive director of the National Invasive Species Council; Joseph Angelo, director of standards for the U.S. Coast Guard; Matthew Hogan, deputy director of the Fish and Wildlife Service; Timothy Keeney, deputy assistant secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere for the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration; and Tracy Mehan, assistant administrator for Water at the Environmental Protection Agency; Panel IV -- Jim Beers, science advisor for the American Land Rights Association; Sebastian Hargrove, government relations associate at the Nature Conservancy of Idaho; Michael Hauser, aquatic nuisance species specialist at the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation; and James Weakley, president of the Lake Carriers' Association.
Scott will call Jonathon Champion at NEMW Institute and get summaries of the bill and Tina will send to the EC.
9. Hawaii and other islands Regional Panel
Scott has been asked by TNC in Hawaii to attend a meeting about the ANS Management Plan they are preparing for the State. There doesn’t seem to be a leader taking the initiative to request an Islands Regional Panel, so this is an opportunity for Scott to seek input into ways that the WRP can better interact with Hawaii and the other Pacific islands. Scott is not representing the WRP at this meeting, but he will share any insights that he may have about how the islands can be better included in WRP meetings, policy development and projects.
10. Science advisors
Last year, John wrote a memo regarding the role of University members of the WRP as science advisors, that was never discussed by the EC. Since John recently resent the memo, Jim suggested that we put it on the agenda for discussion at the next conference call.
Minutes prepared by Tina Proctor, WRP Panel Coordinator
Executive Committee Minutes
Thursday, June 12, 2003
DRAFT
bettina_proctor@fws.gov