Executive Committee Conference Call Minutes

WRP Executive Committee Meeting
April 10, 2003

Minutes

Members Present: Tina Proctor, Blaine Parker, Jim Athearn, Susan Ellis, Scott Smith, Ted Grosholz, Mark Sytsma, John Chapman, Dwight Williamson, Al Van Vooren

Members Absent: Mike Stone, Nate Dechoretz

Next call: Thursday, May 8, 9:00 Pacific Time

1. Western Regional Panel (WRP) Recommended State Actions

The Executive Committee (EC) made a few minor changes. Tina will send a new draft to the EC this afternoon for a quick review. After making any additional changes, she will send the draft to the WRP members by e-mail and request that people make suggestions with a deadline of April 30. The final document will be placed on the web site.

2. Review Proposals for State Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Management Plan Funding

After discussing the proposals, the EC agreed to divide the $18,000 available equally among the three states that have requested assistance - Idaho, Utah and North Dakota. Each state requested more money than $6,000 but the EC felt the limited funds would at least give each a boost in getting started with their State ANS Management Plans. The EC will continue to pursue potential options for providing additional funding assistance the states.

3. Committee Update

Coastal Committee - Ted reported on the Coastal Committee conference call held March 11. The Minutes are attached. The Coastal Committee asked for clarification on funding available for WRP projects. Tina and Jim agreed to provide information in writing before the next Coastal Committee call. One item that Ted left off the Minutes was a discussion about the value of combining the Inland and Coastal committees into a single Committee. The EC decided to put the topic of committee structure on the agenda for our next call.

Inland Committee - Inland Committee - Blaine reported that the Inland Committee had not scheduled a call since the Annual meeting in Salt Lake City. Mike spoke to Tina on April 9 about his unavailability for the September meeting because of conflicts. He will serve as co-chair until the meeting.

Annual Meeting Committee - The Annual Meeting Committee met by conference call on March 31st. Tina sent a questionnaire to the WRP E-mail list requesting input on topics for the meeting and field trips. She has received 12 responses so far. Paul Olin and his assistant Kim Beaird are still investigating hotels. The next call is scheduled for May 2 at 1:00 pm Pacific Time.

4. Bylaws Review

Mark has been reviewing the bylaws and reported it is does not describe the roles and responsibilities of the chair, vice-chair, EC and general membership. The bylaws also do not describe the coordination and communication function of the WRP. He has drafted language to clarify the roles of members and function of the organization and will send the draft to the EC for review and discussion at their May conference call. They will decide if changes to the bylaws will be proposed to the WRP members and what process to use to get a vote by the membership.

5. Report on Invasive Species Forum with The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has arranged for Invasive Species Forums with different conservation oriented foundations to provide education on invasive species issues and the need for more funding. Mark and Scott attended the Forum in Portland and Susan and Ted attended the one held in California. There were national as well regional speakers. The meetings were designed to create awareness and will hopefully result in new funding organizations being involved. Susan suggested that Rebecca Shaw and John Randall from TNC be invited to the WRP meeting San Diego.

6. Meetings

ANS Task Force Meeting - New Orleans, May 13-14 - Scott - not available so Tina will attend and give an update on WRP activities. She will give the Executive Committee an outline of her remarks a week before the meeting.

Ballast Water Treatment Technology Forum - Seattle or Olympia, WA, May 14. Scott is arranging this meeting and will send out an announcement on the WRP e-mail reflector next week with specific information about time and place.

100th Meridian Annual Meeting - Atchison, KS, June 4 and 5. This meeting is being held in conjunction with the Missouri River Conference. For details, see http://www.100thmeridian.org/

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Planning - ANS - Newport, OR, May 8. This meeting is for laboratories at OSU.

7. NOAA Grant for Rapid Response

Scott spoke with Dorn Carlson yesterday and NOAA has $20,000 for the WRP to use for Rapid Response Plans. Tina and Scott with find out more specific requirements for use of the money and report back to the EC.

8. Other Items

Mark mentioned that Oregon has created a Spartina Rapid Response Plan. It is available by contacting Mark at sytsmam@pdx.edu.

Susan reported that the California aquaculture coordinator has produced a Program Environmental Impact Report on Marine and Inland Aquaculture Facilities. It is available for public review at: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/aquaeir/