Executive Committee Conference Call Minutes on Aquatic Nuisance Species

Executive Committee Conference Call Minutes

WRP Executive Committee Meeting
Thursday, November 8, 2001

Attending: Tina Proctor, Scott Smith, Jim Athearn, Paul Heimowitz, John Chapman

Absent: Nate Dechoretz, Mark Sytsma, Randy Brown, Blaine Parker, Dwight Williamson, Ted Grosholz

Next Conference Call: Thursday, December 13, 9:00 am Pacific Time

1. WRP Meeting

We're still waiting to hear about the availability of Senator Brian Baird(OR - D).

Jon Sjoberg is unavailable to do his presentation

Jim, Randy and Scott will have Panel Charter Procedures Review ready for the next conference call, so it can be approved and sent to the WRP members before the meeting in January. The Committee discussed filling the Industry-Inland and Academia-Inland slots.

We will show Paul's new Sea Grant ANS Detection Video at 4:30 on January 8th as an optional item for those people who want to stay and see the 23 -minute video.

There isn't time to add an Atlantic salmon in Pacific waters discussion, but it can go on the agenda for the next meeting if there is still interest.

Tina will call Cathy Hamil from Washington Department of Ecology to do the presentation on the Headwaters vs. Talent Decision.

Tina will call Sharon Gross, the Chief of the Branch of Invasive Species in the US Fish and Wildlife Service to do a short presentation at the beginning of the meeting regarding an update on the Task Force. [ Note: Sharon Gross has agreed to do this.]

Tina and Scott will send letter/e-mail to other Regional Panel Chairs to invite them and their members to the meeting.

2. Changes in Committee Structure

Discussion regarding having the committees based on smaller regions or states. Other panels have common issues of concern, such as the Gulf of Mexico or Great Lakes. What is unique about our panel is that we cover such a large area. What do Hawaii, Alaska and North Dakota have in common? It can be difficult to integrate discussion. Do we need a better mechanism to connect people involved? Group supported idea of encouraging informal regional work groups rather than doing major WRP committee restructuring. This could involve providing funding. The work groups would be encouraged to interact at WRP activities (such as the annual meeting or with the Executive Committee).

Discussion about Executive Committee (EC) participation. Scott will speak to all the executive committee members about whether they want to continue serving. We can add new members at the WRP meeting if necessary. He reiterated the importance of having an alternate if the member cannot participate in any EC activities.

3. Vision of the Panel

At the beginning of the WRP meeting in January, Scott will talk about what the individual members can do and ask that each member commit by the end of the meeting to accomplishing a specific item during the next year. He will also have the members report on what they need specifically for the accomplishment to happen. Tina will make a matrix of which states have an ANS plan, which are starting a plan, which have an invasive species council, and which participate in ad hoc or other formal/informal ANS coordination efforts.

4. Brochures, Fact Sheets, Display

Copies were mailed to all WRP members. Tina will have the remainder (15,000) and also the Table Top display for members to use at meetings. Contact Tina (303-236-7862, ext. 260) to have the display mailed.

5. Rapid Response Plan

Pat Akers is finishing the Final Draft. Jim Athearn suggested that we have an editor look at the document before it is printed. Tina will find someone in FWS to do a final proofreading. The Plan will be distributed to Panel Members before the meeting.