WRP Executive Committee Meeting
Attending: Tina Proctor, Scott Smith, Randy Brown, Blaine Parker, Ted Grosholz, Jim Athearn, John Chapman
Next Call: Thursday, October 11
1. Agenda for WRP Meeting
Discussion to finalize WRP meeting agenda. There were some minor changes to times. More time is allocated for Committee meetings, including a planning meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 26 and a 7-9 a.m. breakfast meeting on Sept. 27.
Congressman Brian Baird (OR - D) may come and speak about the Stop Aquatic Threats Act or have a video of him talking to the group. If he can come, he will be the lunch speaker. Tina will call Mark to contact Senator Wyden (OR - D) or staff to speak about the Columbia River Aquatic Nuisance Species Initiative appropriation. If they are unavailable, Mark will talk about the appropriation immediately after lunch.
The Panel Charter Procedures Review session will be divided into sub-sessions: budgets, membership, and websites, among others. Jim, Randy and Scott will plan and facilitate this discussion.
We will add a Public Comment period at the end of Thurs., Sept. 27.
Executive Committee will meet for lunch on Tuesday, Sept. 25.
Tina will send out Minutes of previous WRP meetings to ExCom give background information.
Tina will call all the members who have not registered and report to the ExCom regarding reasons why they aren’t coming and whether they have an interest in continuing as members.
2. WRP Guide to Procedures
ExCom was elected at 2000 WRP meeting in Oakland.
Discussion of change of membership of WRP. It was agreed that the Western Zebra Mussel Task Force is no longer a functioning organization and we should suggest removal. Scott spoke to a representative from the Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team, who said the team is reorganizing and they are members of local organizations and would like to be represented on the WRP by the Washington state representative. Scott received a letter from the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission requesting that they be added as members and it was agreed that they would be a valuable addition. Scott also suggested that we provide a voting membership to a representative from the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. These four changes will be proposed to the WRP membership. During the discussion at the meeting, other proposed changes will be accepted and voted on.
There are two categories which are unfilled at this time: Academia-Inland and Industry-Inland. John will call Bob McMahon at the University of Texas at Arlington about the Academia position. Scott will talk to Marshall Meyer from the pet industry and Craig Regelbrugge from the nursery industry about their interest in filling the Industry-Inland slot.
3. Budget Guidelines
Discussion of Budget Procedures. Jim made an addition to the second paragraph under Funding Sources to clarify that Section 1204 of NISA authorizes funds for State ANS management plan implementation. Jim will make a report at the WRP meeting regarding the funds available in 2001 and where they were spent. Tina and Scott will get information to Jim. The Budget Procedures will be added to the Guide to Procedures after the Executive Committee Section and voted on by the members.
4. Inland Committee
Wendy was not able to be on the call but she led the Inland Committee Conference Call and created the Minutes. Tina and Blaine reported on the call. Attached are the draft minutes.
ExCom discussion on the need for a research symposium like the two that were put together by Massachusetts Sea Grant; one on the East Coast and one in Louisiana. Agreed that there is a need for one in the west and this should be an item for discussion during the committee meetings in Las Vegas.
ExCom discussion on the recent articles about opposition with the publishing of “white lists” of invasive species and that alien species shouldn’t cause all that much concern. Blaine will follow up on writing a letter that could be used by the WRP or the ANS Task Force to give another perspective.
Minutes prepared by Tina Proctor, Panel Coordinator, (303) 236-7862, ext. 260; bettina_proctor@fws.gov
Wednesday, September 5, 2001