Executive Committee Conference Call Minutes on Aquatic Nuisance Species

Executive Committee Conference Call
Executive Committee Minutes
Thursday, June 10, 2004

Members Present: Tina Proctor, Susan Ellis, Scott Smith, Dwight Williamson, Mark Sytsma, Linda Drees (for Jim Athearn), Karen McDowell

Members Absent: Blaine Parker, John Chapman, Al Van Vooren, Ted Grosholz

1. Rapid Response for Columbia River Basin

Susan will talk to consultant, Mike Fraidenburg, about putting together a proposal to facilitate a meeting of people representing agencies and organization in the Columbia River Basin to discuss taking the steps toward a regional approach to preparing for the appearance of zebra mussels. Hopefully, we will have a proposal by the next conference call.

2. ANS Task Force Meeting

Tina made a presentation to the ANS Task Force Meeting in Columbia, MO on May 26th. The Task Force is looking for people to be members of the Research Committee and the Detection and Monitoring Committee. The EC is interested in getting more information about what would be required. Tina will call Everett Wilson to get more information.

Tina mentioned also that the Great Lakes Panel created a case study about Hydrilla to test the model rapid response plan. Tina will contact the GLP to get a copy to distribute.

3. Sea Studios Proposal

Dave Aplin from Sea Studios in Monterrey, CA talked to the EC about the program they have produced with National Geographic called “Strange Days on Planet Earth.” The series covers four issues: invasive species, climate change, toxics and loss of top predators and will be shown on PBS in April, 2005. There will be additional information on the PBS website (according to Dave, the most visited website in the world!) National Geographic will also devote the April, 2005 issue to invasives.

Sea Studios has funding to take one of these issues and develop an outreach project that could make a difference. Dave is interested in the MOU with the Western Governors’ Association and WAFWA to create a working group to develop a coordinated western states ANS prevention program by supporting legislation in all western states and finding sources of funds. Sea Studios would be able to use some of the material they have for the TV series to concisely tell a story to the targeted audience of state governors and staff and legislators. In addition, they would produce accompanying printed materials. Dave wanted to know if the WRP would be willing to be a sponsor and review materials. We do not have to provide funds.

The challenge is to be done by the broadcast time. The timeline is as follows:

By end of June – identify the project or projects and develop budget to sell to partners

July and August – pull together the team (WRP members and others) and have a 1-2 day meeting; identify the audience and components and then continue to meet electronically

Sea Studios will do production

They may need additional interviews in addition to what they already have.

Susan suggested that we ask if someone can view the episode just to make sure it is something we agree with. Suggestions for who would be on the team are: Paul Olin, Paul Heimowitz, Robin Draheim, Karen McDowell, Doug Jensen, Scott Smith.

After Dave got off the phone, the EC enthusiastically agreed to support the project as a sponsor and to help create a review team.

4. Work Plan Committee

Karen McDowell reported that she is working on getting more people on the Work Plan Committee in the next two weeks. The EC agreed that we would like the WP Committee to bring a list of ideas of projects WITH a person who is willing to be responsible that the project will be completed.

5. Work Plan 2004

US/Mexico Cooperation. Susan contacted the Desert Fishes Council – their next meeting in Mexico is in 2005, so there was discussion about budgeting the $5,000 for next year and making plans to have an invasives meeting at the same time as the Desert Fishes Council.
The case study rapid response plan can move forward if there is more money available. Mark will send the proposal about research on aquatic plants to Tina who will forward to the EC.
Tina will call all the people who agreed to lead a project for the work plan and find out exactly what is getting done and if there is any money available. She will report at the next conference call so we can make final decisions about the use of the money.

6. Updates on Other Projects

Tina received the report on the Pacific Coast Estuarine Database from Henry Lee and Debbie Reuser. The database has information on more than 3,200 species, of which 460 are nonindigenous and 301 are cryptogenic. The beta version also contains geomorphological and landscape data on 177 Pacific Coast estuaries and 538 sub-estuaries/tributaries. An alpha version will be available in August, a beta version in October and Version 1 will be available on CD in December, 2004.

Tina reported that Lynn Schlueter from ND Game and Fish Department produced a Survey of State’s ANS Precautions Used During Fishing Tournaments. This project was funded by 100th Meridian funds. Tina will send out an e-mail on the WRP reflector about the availability of the report.

Minutes prepared by Tina Proctor, WRP Panel Coordinator
bettina_proctor@fws.gov