[Federal Register: April 19, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 74)] [Notices] [Page 19190-19191] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr19ap99-82] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Meetings AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of meetings. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice announces the winter meeting, field trip, and awards presentation of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force and meetings of its Ballast Water Program Effectiveness and Adequacy Criteria Committee, Western Regional Panel, Recreational Activities Committee, and Great Lakes Panel to be held in conjunction with the Ninth International Zebra Mussel and Aquatic Nuisance Species Conference. The focus of the field trip and other events and meeting topics are identified in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. DATES: The ANS Task Force events will occur as follows: ANS Task Force Awards Presentation, Monday, April 26, 1999, 12:25 to 12:45 p.m. Criteria Committee Meeting, Monday, April 26, 1999, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Western Regional Panel Breakfast Roundtable, Tuesday, April 27, 1999, 7:15 to 8:30 a.m. Recreational Activities Committee Meeting, Tuesday, April 27, 1999, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon ANS Task Force Harbor Tour, Tuesday, April 27, 1999, 12:45 to 3:00 p.m. Great Lakes Panel Ballast Water Research Agenda Symposium, Thursday, April 29, 1999, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ANS Task Force Meeting, Thursday, April 29, 1999, 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; Friday, April 30, 1999, 8:30 to 4:00 p.m. ADDRESSES: All events will occur at or depart from the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, Minnesota 55802. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert A. Peoples, Executive Secretary, Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, at 703-358-2025 or robert__peoples@fws.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. I), this notice announces a meeting, field trip, and awards presentation of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force and meetings of its Ballast Water Program Effectiveness and Adequacy Criteria Committee, Western Regional Panel, Recreational Activities Committee, and Great Lakes Panel to be held in conjunction with the Ninth International Zebra Mussel and Aquatic Nuisance Species Conference. The Task Force was established by the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4701-4741). The activities or topics for each event are summarized below. ANS Task Force Awards Presentation The First Annual ANS Task Awards for an individual and an organization recognizing significant long-term contributions to identifying and responding to ANS issues and problems will be presented during the Conference luncheon. Ballast Water Program Effectiveness and Adequacy Criteria Committee This brief inaugural meeting of the Criteria Committee will identify the requirements to be addressed and begin exploring how to address them. Western Regional Panel During this Breakfast Roundtable, the Panel will receive updates from its members, discuss the status of its annual report, work plan, and October 1999 meeting agenda, discuss the Western Informational Strategy, and honor the Panel Chair upon his retirement. Recreational Activities Committee The Committee will discuss ideas for a plan to disseminate the recommended national voluntary recreational activities guidelines recently submitted to the ANS Task Force. This will involve the implementation of Task B of the Committee's February 1998 draft Action Plan, i.e, develop an education/outreach strategy. Duluth/Superior Harbor Tour Weather permitting, a brief boat tour of this major international port in the middle of North America will explore introduced fish ecology, monitoring and impacts, highlight industry generated voluntary Great Lakes ballast water management guidelines, and visit the Great Lakes Ballast Demonstration Project facility. Great Lakes Panel Ballast Water Research Agenda Symposium This Symposium will identify current initiatives in ballast water research, allow the research community and users to provide their perspectives on gaps and unmet needs in ballast water research, and begin identifying points of consensus on priorities for additional research and next steps. ANS Task Force Meeting Topics to be covered Thursday afternoon will include briefings about the Chicago Waterways Nonindigenous Species Dispersal Barrier, the voluntary national ballast water management guidelines and regulatory changes, and the U.S. position on the IMO Marine Environmental Protection Committee's proposal for a new international instrument requiring ballast water management such as a new annex to MARPOL. In addition, updates on mitten crab and Caulerpa taxifolia efforts, an overview of Executive Order 13112 and its implementation (including agency efforts), a legislative update, regional panel updates, and the report of the National Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Survey Program Work Group will be presented. Topics to be covered on Friday include the Gulf of Mexico Regional Panel, recommended voluntary national recreational activity guidelines, the 100th Meridian Initiative to Prevent Westward Spread of Zebra Mussels, adoption of the Ballast Exchange Study, ballast water management initiatives under the Clean Water Act, establishment of a Legislative Committee, and the Executive Secretary's report. Minutes of all meetings will be maintained by the Executive Secretary, Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, Suite 840, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22203-1622. Minutes of the committee and panel meetings will also be maintained by the committee chairs and panel administrators as follows: Criteria Committee: Professor Jim Carlton, Williams College-Mystic Seaport Maritime Studies Program, 75 Greenmanville, Avenue, Mystic, CT 06355-0990. 860-572-5359, Ext. 3, jcarlton@williams.edu Western Regional Panel: Linda Drees, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 315 Houston Street, Suite E, Manhattan, KS 66502. 785-539-3474, Ext. 20, linda__drees@fws.gov Recreational Activities Committee: Patricia Carter, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Boulevard, Room 240, Atlanta, GA 30345. 404-679-7108, pat__carter@fws.gov [[Page 19191]] Great Lakes Panel: Michael Donahue, Executive Director, Great Lakes Commission, The Argus II Building, 400 Fourth Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48103-4816. 734-665-9135, mdonahue@glc.org Minutes for the meeting will be available at these locations for public inspection during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Dated: April 13, 1999. Gary Edwards, Co-Chair, Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, Assistant Director-- Fisheries. [FR Doc. 99-9763 Filed 4-16-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-M