Executive Committee Conference Call
Members Present: John Chapman, Karen McDowell, Mark Sytsma, Scott Smith, Susan Ellis, Tina Proctor
Members Absent: Al Van Vooren, Blaine Parker, Dwight Williamson, Ted Grosholz
1. Review of Annual Meeting
Susan suggested that there be a separation between membership and non-membership when comments are taken or in setting aside time for questions, particularly during the business meeting. She was concerned that because we ran over the scheduled time on the second day that speakers at the end were penalized. Mark and John complimented Susan on keeping the meeting moving very smoothly. Tina commented that the Work Plan discussion is what slowed things down because there wasn’t enough time allotted to that discussion. Karen suggested that the discussion be limited to members during the Work Plan presentations next year with public comment at the end.
2. Regional Panel Coordinators and Chairs Meeting, Nov. 17
Susan asked if anyone had suggestions for agenda items for the Regional Panel Coordinators and Chairs meeting planned for Nov. 17 after the next ANS Task Force meeting. Scott suggested a discussion of how the regional panels can do a better job of getting states to support NAISA. Another suggestion was to discuss how regional panels can participate in other panel’s meetings – how can we reach a balance? Karen suggested that they discuss who is working structurally with the panels and what isn’t working so well. Susan will forward the ideas to Everett Wilson.
3. Federal Representation for the Executive Committee
Jim Athearn has retired and will no longer be serving as the Federal Representative on the Executive Committee. The Guide to Procedures requires a panel vote on a new EC member. Tina suggested that we invite Linda Drees to serve in the interim before a new member can be elected, since she has been participating when Jim was unable to attend. There was a discussion about how to get other federal agencies more active. The WRP has never had active participation from the NOAA representative, Bob Emmett, because he is not actively supported in that role by NOAA managers. The WRP can write an official letter to NOAA asking for more active participation. John Chapman said he will talk to Bob Emmett, who is also in the Hatfield Marine Science Center. Susan will talk to Marcia Brockbank, ANS Task Force and WRP member, about bringing up the problem at the next Task Force meeting. Other active federal members are Joan Cabreza from EPA and Keith Ward from the Coast Guard. Keith is retiring in the next year however.
4. Coordination with Mexico
John will attend the Desert Fishes Council meeting in Tucson, AZ Nov. 11-14 as the WRP representative and begin working with the organization to create an ANS session or day at the 2005 DFC meeting in Coahuilas, Mexico. There is still $3,300 from last year’s budget to put toward this effort.
5. Coordination with Tribes
Blaine will not be able to attend the Western Regional meeting of the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society, Nov. 1-3. Tina got the agenda from Ted Lamebull and there isn’t currently very much related to ANS. Tina will call Adelheid to see if she can attend and what ideas she may have for working with the society.
6. Letters of Recommendation
The WRP has received two requests for letters of recommendation for Sea Grant proposals. Holly Crosson is submitting a proposal for education and outreach funding that addresses water gardening as a pathway for the spread of invasive aquatic plants. Paul Sweeney is submitting a proposal to support the partnership between the Western Governors Association, the WRP and the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
The Work Plan Committee will read the preproposals and create bullets of why we support the projects. Susan will write the supporting letters. Scott agreed to help with the WGA letter since he has been instrumental in the creation of the project.
7. Rapid Response Plan RFP
Susan only received one proposal from the RFP that was distributed in August—from Mike Fraidenburg. Since we expanded the scope after Mike sent in his original proposal, Susan will speak with him about how to refine the project so that he can provide the service we need for the $20,000. Mark suggested that Blaine Parker be involved because he really understands the Columbia River fisheries issues.
8. Funds for 2005
There were three projects chosen at the WRP annual meeting:
1. Cooperation with Canada - Bilateral Rapid Assessment of ANS in PUget Sound & Georgia Basin
2. ANS Early Detection Program - Developing a Prototype for Watershed Groups
3. Workshop to Develop Research Priorities for Invasive Aquatic Plants
Total: $20,750
The total available this year is $25,500, which leaves $4,740 to award. The EC discussed whether to distribute the additional funds among the three projects, to partially funds the fourth project which is a hull fouling cooperative project with Mexico or add the funds to the rapid response plan for zebra mussels in the Columbia River. Susan will summarize the options and recommend the best use of the money for the amount available. She will have the information available by early next week.
Mark reported that the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation is willing to add $5,000 to the Research Priorities for Aquatic Plants project.
9. Rapid Response Situation In Washington
Scott reported that an invasive sea squirt (Didemnium?) was found by a NOAA diver doing a recreational dive at Edwards Underwater Park in Puget Sound. This species has had a very negative impact on aquaculture on the East Coast and people have been keeping an eye out for it on the West Coast. Scott mobilized his department to contact the Director of Ecology and the Governor’s office to take action. The governor issued a directive to all affected agencies to take immediate action. The 30 square foot are has been covered with a tarp and chlorine tablets have been placed under the tarp. It will again be checked next week. Scott said the only way action could have been take so quickly was direct support by the Governor.
10. National Ocean Plan
Susan recently reviewed the National Ocean Plan prepared by the US Commission on Ocean Policy and has some questions about overlap with the ANS Task Force. She will suggest that this be an agenda item at the next Task Force meeting.
11. NALMS meeting
Mark mentioned that the NALMS meeting that the WRP supported financially for $5,000 is November 1-4. There is a session every day (4 papers each) on ANS. However, he was somewhat disappointed with the lack of papers that were received. Mark will be attending.
Minutes prepared by Tina Proctor, WRP Panel Coordinator
Executive Committee Minutes
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Kevin Anderson
Requested Amount $5,000
Karen McDowell
Requested Amount $10,000
Mark Sytsma
Requested Amount $5,750
bettina_proctor@fws.gov