NOTES

USGS-FWS Monthly Directors Meeting

March 2, 2004

Attendance: Chip Groat; Steve Williams; Dan Ashe; Sue Haseltine; Bill Knapp

Future Challenges Project: One of the action items from the October, 2003, USGS-FWS Science Summit is –

“Organize a team to create a white paper outlining future management challenges and the scientific capabilities, information and analysis needed to address them effectively. Responsible parties: Ashe, Haseltine, Kaufman, Parker. Timeline: Initial meeting December 2003; completion by December 2004.”

The Directors were presented with a proposal, including a timeline and budget to accomplish this task, incorporating broad involvement from within the two bureaus and external communities. Action Item: Implement the Future Challenges Project Proposal (attached as Addendum I).

Council of Lake Committees MOU: The Directors discussed the recently negotiated MOU between USGS and the Council of Lake Committees. They agreed that discussions were headed in a constructive direction and continued to emphasize the need for the CLC to engage at the regional level of both organizations. Action Item: Director Williams asked Dan Ashe to contact Regional Director, Robyn Thorson to ensure that she is aware and supportive of the revised MOU. Update: The action item is completed and Director Williams has been informed by email that the region supports the current version of the MOU.

Bird Banding Lab (BBL) FACA Committee: The Directors were presented with a final draft of the charter for the proposed Bird Banding Lab Advisory Committee, and with a proposed list of member organizations and individuals who will represent those organizations. They were in general agreement that the chartering process should be completed. Action Items: (1)Dan Ashe is to check with Paul Schmidt about a question/comment by the Migratory Bird Program relative to representation by both DU Canada and DU/US. (2) Sue Haseltine will finalize and forward the FACA request; FWS and USGs will support it through their respective Assistant Secretarys. Update: Action Item (1) is completed and the document will recommend DU/US on the review committee.

Liaison Positions: The Directors discussed proposals to support three liaison positions. The first is the Liaison established via the USGS/IAFWA Memorandum of Agreement that was finalized on February 2, 2004. The search to fill that position has been announced by IAFWA. Action Items: (1)The Service will join the MOA and will provide $20,000-30,000 to support project work under the agreement. The Directors approved the proposed amendment to the USGS/IAFWA agreement and Dan Ashe will provide that to Eric Schwaab for IAFWA review. (2) Sue Haseltine will request representation on the selection committee for both bureaus. Completed, 3/8/03

The second position is an IPA position that Director Williams would like to support as a liaison between the FWS and The Wildlife Society. It was agreed that USGS would join that agreement and would provide $50.000 to support project work under that agreement. Action Item: Dan Ashe has the lead to develop the draft of this agreement working with Tom Franklin at TWS.

The Directors also discussed and approved the proposal to place a FWS Liaison at USGS Reston. This will be a GS/14-15 position and will be cooperatively funded. FWS will use a portion of the salary funds that formerly supported Reid Goforth and Linda Gaumer. Action Item: Dan Ashe and Sue Haseltine will outline the duties of this position and provide it to the FWS Personnel Office to develop a PD.

FY 2006 Budget: The Directors shared perspectives on the upcoming FY 2006 budget proposal. Both expressed views that it would be a very difficult budget process and that there would not be room for large initiatives. They agreed to pursue a joint initiative for FY 2006, discussing possible coordination in invasive species early detection and large river ecology. Increased support for FWS Science Support Program and CRUs was also discussed. Action Item: Both agencies are currently in the initial stages of budget development. The Directors agreed to meet again in mid-April and “lay on the table” the products of that effort and begin looking for areas where they could develop a joint initiative.

Directors’ Partnership Award: To acknowledge longstanding commitment and excellence in scientific partnership between the two agencies, the Directors discussed a proposal to establish a Directors’ Partnership Award. The proposal is attached as Addendum II to this memorandum. The Directors approved the proposal. Action Item: The Personnel Offices of each agency will be asked to take the proposal and develop a formal mechanism to implement this award.

Progress Report – NCTC Action Items: The Directors were provided with a verbal report on progress in implementation of the action items from the October 30-31, FWS-USGS Science Summit. They were pleased with progress and the enthusiasm being shown at all levels within the two bureaus.

Next Joint Leadership Meeting: The Directors agreed that a follow-up meeting should occur to review progress from the October, 2003 Science Summit. Action Item: Dan Ashe and Sue Haseltine will work to schedule a meeting during September-October 2004.