Executive Committee Conference Call Minutes

WRP Executive Committee Meeting
July 13, l999

Present
Andy Cohen At Large X
Randy Brown CA X Alternate: Nate Dechoretz
Bill Harvey TX X Chairman EXCOMM & WRP
Edward Theriot USCOE X* Alternate: *Jim Athern
Mark Sytsma At Large X
Dwight Willimson X Alternate: *Wendy Raley
Derrik Toba X
Paul Gertler X Western Governor's Association
Linda Drees FWS X Panel Coordinator

*Alternate represented at meeting.

Introduction of Paul Gertler - Bill Harvey introduced Western Governor's Association IPA, Paul Gertler. Paul gave a brief description of his extensive work experience to date including coordination of EXON Valdez oil spill activity with regard to USFWS.

Invasive Species Coucil - The first federal interagency Invasive Species Council Meeting is to be held in Washington DC on July 22, l999 at the Ronald Reagan Building. Paul Gertler and Bill Harvey will be attending the Council meeting to provide input on western perspective. An agenda for the meeting has been sent out to WRP through the reflector. Action: PaulGertler and Bill Harvey will be attending council meeting.

WRP Meeting - Austin- The fall meeting of the Panel is scheduled for October 5 and 6th. The agenda for meeting was approved after inclusion of section on new business and CA ballast water legislative update. The excom members had suggestions for participants on the Regulatory Enforcement Models panel discussion. Suggestions included an field enforcement staff person from TX parks and wildlife, Jay Rendall from Minnesota=s invasive species office. Additionally, Bill Harvey will check about fieldtrips along the river while at the meeting. Action: The coordinator will contact potential speakers suggested for panel discussion.

ANSTF NW Meeting in Olympia - August 18th and August 19th. A lunch roundtable will occur on August l8th, l999. The topic of discussion will be the draft response protocol to zebra mussel invasion.
Action: Coordinator will arrange meeting location, time, and distribute protocol to members present.

Mitten Crab Fishery - The proposed mitten crab fishery will be submitted to Cal. Fish and Game Commission once again this August. The Panel sent a letter to the Commission requesting that permission for fishery be postponed until after March, l999 mitten crab workshop. The Panel will send a another letter to Commission reiterating previous objections to fishery. Action: The coastal committee will draft letter and submit to excom by August 20, l999.

Ballast Water Guidelines EA - Andy Cohen described comments that should be made to the Coast Guard=s EA on ballast water guidelines. Comments are required within the next week. Action: Andy will discuss the EA and need for comments with Coastal Committee. Those comments will be sent to Bill Harvey and the EXCOM for transmittal to the Coast Guard.

Next Conference Call - Tues., August 31, l999 11:30 AM EDT
Federal call - 700-991-2866 and give Conferee Access- 56299
Non-federal - 800-545-4387 and give Conf ID - M50185