WRP Executive Committee Meeting
Present
Support Letters At the Sept. Panel meeting, the EXCOM was directed to write support/information letters for particular issues; ballast water guidelines, scientists letter supporting clean list approach by FWS and Colorado River Basin management plan. The drafts were completed and sent to membership for two week comment period ending December 20, l998. The minimal comments were incorporated into the letters and reviewed by the EXCOM. The Caulerpa letter will be sent as amended. Discussion ensued regarding the content of the ballast letter and a few comments of members not to send the letter. Additionally, some EXCOM members that attended the ANSTF believed that in light of the information presented at the meeting the letter may be moot.. i.e. The Coast Guard has a time line for guidelines and grants for ballast water research have been awarded to west coast researchers. The majority of the EXCOM present voted to send the letter after clarification of west coast research funding. Max Haegele will call Bob Peoples to obtain funding information and redraft letter accordingly.
Status of Western Governor's - The IPA on invasives within the Western Governors Association is very near finalization. Action should occur within the next two months.
Presentations on WRP before the California Water Commission and Western Water Council - Max Haegele reported on his comments on the WRP before the California Water Commission and will provide comments to Randy Brown.
Tribal Representation on EXCOM - Derick Toba attended the EXCOM as an observer for tribal members. Alaska Natives have supported Derick as an appointee to the EXCOM but Derick is waiting to here from inland tribes. Linda will contact alternate inland tribal representative (Joe de Santos) to help facilitate a response.
Annual Report to ANSTF and 1999 Work Plan - Coordinator requested EXCOM to provide comments on first draft of annual report. Substantive and not editorial comments were requested. Additionally members that have not provided activity reports were asked to send them in. Coordinator was instructed to contact some members directly.
Mitten Crab Workshop and Idaho State Plan Workshop - Support commitments by for these workshops discussed. Chair requested the Coordinator to review minutes of past panel meetings and excom to determine status. Coordinator will report findings to Chair by l/15/98.
Adhoc Breakfast Meeting of Panel members attending the International Zebra Mussel and other ANS meeting in Duluth. EXCOM determined an informal breakfast meeting would be beneficial for members present at conference. Coordinator will send out a notice in e-mail reflector to notify members of date and time.
Salt Cedar Biocontrol agents - Max informed the EXCOM that the release of biocontrol agents in the west by APHIS has been approved by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Several states in WRP region have states which will participate.
Mitten Crab Fishery proposed by California Fish and Game- Selected members of the Coastal Committee have drafted a letter from the WRP requesting the CFG reconsider this action. Randy Brown is to determine when the CA Commission is meeting to consider the Departments proposal. Randy has found that the Commission meets Feb 4 and 5 so a letter will have to be sent within the next week to ensure consideration. Randy and the coastal committee will redraft the letter with comments provided by EXCOM and submit to Panel for quick review and than the Coordinator will send the letter after signing by Chair.
Next Conference Call- February l8, l999 ll:30 EST
January, 5, l999
Andy Cohen At Large
X
Randy Brown
CA
X
Alternate: Nate Dechoretz
Max Haegele
USBR
X
Chairman EXCOMM & WRP
Bill Harvey
TX
Edward Theriot
USCOE
X
Alternate: Jim Athern
Mark Sytsma At Large
X
Dwight Willimson
Alternate: Wendy Raley
Linda Drees
FWS
X
Panel Coordinator
Non-federal call l-800-545-4387 and give ID M44281
Federal call 1-700-991-2598 and give Conferee # 18595