U.S. Coral Reef Task Force to Meet March 1-2 in Washington, D.C.

Contacts:
Ben Sherman, NOAA Public Affairs, (301) 713-3066 Ext. 178
Tom MacKenzie, US FWS (404) 679-7291

The United States Departments of Interior and Commerce announce a public meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) March 1-2, 2007, in Washington D.C. Through the coordinated efforts of its members, including representatives of 12 federal agencies, the governors of seven states and territories, and the leaders of the Freely Associated States, the Task Force has helped lead U.S. efforts to protect and manage valuable coral reef ecosystems in the U.S. and internationally.

This public meeting will feature welcome remarks by Dick Kempthorne, secretary of interior; a keynote speech by Lynn Scarlet, deputy secretary of interior; a closing talk by Jim Sanchirico, Resources for the Future; and a panel on the accomplishments, challenges, needs and partnership opportunities of the Local Action Strategy initiative.

A mini summit on the 2008 International Year of the Reef (IYOR 2008) will be held prior to the start of the business meeting on Wednesday, February 28. The goal of the summit is to inform and engage the wider U.S.-based marine conservation community in planning and action for the international year. The mini-summit is free and open to the public.

WHAT:

The 17th biannual meeting of the United States Coral Reef Task
Force.

WHEN:

Wednesday, February 28, 2007 – Friday, May 2, 2007

WHERE:

Main Auditorium, U.S. Department of Interior, Washington D.C.
NOTE: Advance registration is requested and is available on the web at: http://www.coralreef.gov

SCHEDULE:

Wednesday, February 28, 2007, U.S. International Year of the Reef 2008 Mini Summit

12:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Agenda available on Web site: http://www.coralreef.gov/

12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Mini Summit Registration and Meet and Greet

1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Background on IYOR 2008 Designation and Planning Efforts to Date

2:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. U.S. IYOR Coordination and Collaborative Action (break out groups)

Thursday, March 1, 2007 U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Business Meeting

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Agenda available on Web site: http://www.coralreef.gov/

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Public Comment
Anyone intending to provide public comment is required to sign-up in advance at the reception desk, or e-mail Beth.Dieveney@noaa.gov by February 23. Each speaker will be provided three to five minutes.

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Keynote Speaker: Lynn Scarlet, Deputy Secretary of Interior

2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Remarks by Dick Kempthorne, Secretary of Interior

2:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Local Action Strategy Special Session

Friday, March 2, 2007 U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Business Meeting

8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Agenda available on Web site: http://www.coralreef.gov/

10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Consideration of Task Force Resolutions

11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Presentation by Jim Sanchirico, Resources for the Future