Notes
Williams-Groat Meeting
April 16, 2004
FY 2006 Budget Initiative: The Directors discussed the potential for a joint science initiative between the two agencies. The USGS provided some preliminary thoughts on a $3 million proposal highlighting the Science Support Program, migratory bird conservation, and large river ecology. The Directors expressed support for this direction and also discussed a potential joint initiative for National Wildlife Refuge science. No decisions were reached. Both Directors wanted to continue their individual bureau budget processes, and committed to continuing the discussion prior to the May 14 deadline for submission of budgets to the Department. Action Item: A call or meeting will be scheduled early in May.
Patuxent Wildlife
Research Center/Patuxent Research Refuge:
Given the importance of Patuxent to both bureau missions, and in light
of recent Congressional interest in the status of the infrastructure at these
facilities, the Directors discussed and committed to a joint visit and
briefing. The purpose of the visit would
be to learn more about the facilities and programs at the PWRC and PRR, and to
listen to a joint presentation about the
challenges and opportunities facing our two agencies. Based on this meeting, they will consider a
possible future invitation to the Congressional Delegation for a trip and tour
of the facilities, and a presentation about the future for the PWRC and
PRR. The meeting will likely take place
on June 29 or 30. Action Item: USGS (Eastern Region) and FWS (Region 5) will
cooperate in developing and presenting a briefing on the challenges and
opportunities facing these facilities and recommending a shared vision and
strategy for the future. Update:
Suzette Kimball will coordinate an agenda with the two RDs,
Wildlife Disease Network Meeting: USGS is proposing a spring meeting to further explore the concept of a Wildlife Disease Network. Director Williams endorsed this idea. It was agreed that USGS and FWS would ask IAFWA to take the lead and involve USGS, FWS, CDC, APHIS, DOS. Action Item: Sue Haseltine will contact IAFWA.
Joint Session for the North American Wildlife Management Conference: The Directors discussed the possibility of chairing a joint session at the upcoming NA Conference. The session would highlight the growing partnership between the agencies, successes, barriers, and opportunities for the future. It would highlight the increasing importance of science in wildlife and fisheries management and our efforts to strengthen the use of science as a management tool. Action Item: USGS and FWS representatives to the NA Conference planning committee will raise this idea. UPDATE: This action has been accomplished and representatives report enthusiasm for this idea.
The Directors also received updates on the following topics:
Coordinated Bird Monitoring: Good progress; FWS/USGS team members identified; IAFWA Science and Research Committee has the lead for a report to Committees at the fall IAFWA meeting
Future Challenges Project: Underway; need to select contractor; August Workshop; Bill Knapp is lead for setting up workshop.
Sage Grouse and West
Nile Virus: USGS funding $300-400k
for additional work; focus on BLM/ State lands; WNV and sagebrush landscape
changes/ restoration important topics.
Pat Diebert (
Great Lakes MOU: Completed; signing “ceremony” at Patuxent meeting or other likely venue based on CLC input.
National Map MOU: Completed: consider signing at Patuxent meeting; Williams requested more information on MOU. Update: Mamie Parker organizing a briefing.
Bird Banding Lab FACA Committee: FACA charter and associated documents are complete and on surname route; FWS needs to alert ASFWP/ USGS same for ASWS.