Meeting called to order by WRP Chair - Max Haegele. Member introduction and brief reports on ANS activities and concerns in respective states, agencies and tribes.

The Western Governor’s Association Resolution on Invasives : Sylvia Gillen, a staff member with the WGA gave a brief welcome and description of the development and goals of the resolution on invasive species #98-018. The WRP continues discussions with the WGA to develop a working relationship with WGA including the feasibility of a staff member of the WGA acting as coordinator for the WRP. The feasibility of the WRP coordination role will depend on whether the USFWS is able to loan a staff member to the WGA to implement the resolution.

Policy and Legislative Developments:
Executive Order on Invasives - The EO is still in the process of review. It is believed that it will be issued within the next 6 months. The EO will create a National Invasive Species Council which will provide national leadership by utilizing an advisory committee of non-federal stakeholders to promote planning and action at local, state, regional and ecosystem-based levels.
Plant Protection Act - federal legislation which has not been passed. It increases civil penalty, replaces noxious weed act , increases regulatory authority on biocontrol
Proposed Rule on Ballast Water Guidelines and Regulations.
Proposed letter from Scientific Community on Pet/Aquarium Trade - Andy Cohen distributed the letter to Secretary Babbitt on control of invasives within the Pet Aquarium Trade that is being circulated throughout the scientific community for signatures. The letter asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to adopt a clean list approach to permitting entry of exotic species.
Action: The WRP agreed to send a letter of supporting the scientists approach.

Regional Efforts
l00th Meridian Initiative Control Plan(100th) - Susan Mangin of the USFWS discussed the recent drafting of the l00th Plan. The goal of the plan is to prevent western spread of z.m. into the western United States and Canada through a series of outreach and boater education/inspection, and monitoring efforts. Members were asked to provide comments on plan to Susan.
WA State Plan - Scott Smith (WDFW) gave a brief run down of the efforts that lead to the creation of the WA State Plan, particularly the development of the 60 members and advisors planning committee which contributed to writing the plan through specific tasked sub groups. The ANSTF has approved the Plan and funding is forthcoming from the USFWS.
Colorado River Basin Regional Plan - Mike Stone (WFW) reported that a CRB Regional Plan has been drafted by Wyoming, one of the member states. This Plan will be submitted to the CO River Fish and Wildlife Directors in January l999 for review and approval.
Action: The WRP EXCOM will draft a letter of support for this Plan in the event it is submitted for funding.

Ballast Water Outreach Program/ Efforts Underway on West Coast
Jodi Cassell CA Sea Grant provided an update on the Ballast Water Outreach Program that Sea Grant is funding. The proposal has includes 4 objectives to raise knowledge and information exchange on ballast water issues. These include;l. Brochure on vectors 2. Biannual newsletter 3. Project web site 4. Series of l6 video conference ballast water forums West coast industry is being invited to participate. Sea Grant is in the process of hiring staff and setting up advisory committee meeting.

Purple Loosestrife Management- Dave Weber(CDOW) and Debbie Ebberts(BOR) presented on purple loosestrife control and management in the Denver metro area. CDOW has lead efforts to reduce the spread of purple loosestrife along the front range with good success. Ms. Ebberts described use of biocontrol to manage large areas of loosestrife.

Mitten crab - The membership viewed a BOR video tape on the invasion of mitten crab. The crabs are blocking trash racks at and feeding on fish attempting to migrate up stream. This may effect mitigation and endangered species. The USFWS will be sponsoring a mitten crab workshop spring l999 to address mitten crab research, management and control in the Sacramento Delta

Panel Work Meeting: Tribal Representative to Executive Committee - Tribal Representatives to WRP requested that a tribal representative be nominated to serve on EXCOM.
Action: The Panel voted that Tribal representatives select nomination which will be put to Panel for vote. If only one representative is proposed that member will serve on the EXCOM. Mexico member to WRP - The membership discussed the importance of having a representative of the Mexican government appointed to the WRP. Members generally agreed that the presence of a representative would be useful considering shared borders and mobility of invasives across those borders. Discussion centered on how membership could be solicited either at the federal or state level. Discussion also arose over concern that funding was not available to hold meetings in any language other than English. Panel determined that request for representation from foreign countries would include request for English speaker.
Action: The WRP requested that the EXCOM explore the feasibility of Mexico membership at federal or state level and send an request to participate at next Panel meeting in TX.
Procedures Section 9, ll, 12, amended to include provision for mail in vote- The language for this provision is attached. It was decided that the EXCOM and WRP could each call for mail in vote of the Panel.
Action: Procedures amended to include provision for mail in vote

Geographic Restructure and Workplan accomplishments - The chair briefly described the geographic restructure called for through WRP vote in June l998. Inland, Costal and Island committees will replace the outreach, legislative and research/management committees. Prior to the afternoon meetings of these new committees the chair handed out a list of accomplishments completed by the WRP members over the last year.
Action: The Panel agreed that the l998 workplan would not be altered because of the new committee structure. Funding requests to the ANSTF based on inland and coastal committees priorities will result in new l999 workplan.

Committee Reports - The Inland and Coastal Committees met in session; selected chairs and began the task of identifying priorities and work items for l998 WRP work plan. These priorities and associated tasks were provided to the Panel in respective oral reports and are attached.

Workplan
Action: By November l5, l998 the committee chairs will enumerate and describe priorities and tasks, give date for accomplishment, responsible parties and approximate costs for inclusion in the workplan. These will be provided to coordinator by Nov. l5, l998. Additionally, needs which require extensive funding not now available such as economic analysis of impacts of invasion will be listed in the beginning of the plan. Discussion of funding of task ensued.
Action: It was decided to hold the USFWS funding in abeyance for 60-90 days and provide to the Western Governor’s Association staff personnel to conduct the work plan. However, if the position is not funded within the WGA the funding will be distributed evenly between the committees to facilitate implementation of the committee priorities.

Next meeting of Committees and Panel
Panel decided that Committees will call meetings as necessary but one committee meeting will be held in conjunction with full WRP meeting. The WRP will meet once a year. The next full meeting will be held in the third week in Sept. l999(after the 22nd) in Texas. Bill Harvey, the TX representative will identify appropriate locations.