Great Basin Environmental Program Acting Commission Meeting Notes
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV
April 13, 2010
Participants:
Rang Narayanan, UNR
Stan Johnson, UNR
Jodi Stephens, UNR
Bob Alverts, UNR
Nat Frazer, USU
Chuck Gay, USU
Kathleen Clarke, Utah Dept. of Ag. and Food
Donn Thill, UI
Tim Prather, UI
David Lile, UC
Paul Doescher, OSU
John Cantlon, DuPont
Action and Discussion Items:
Key Action Items:
1) Each State needs to get Commission members appointed this summer. There is
more urgency for this given the interest in funding for GBEP.
2) UNR will gather existing by-laws and related governance documents as tool to
assist Commission with their upcoming work
3) UNR will complete template on statewide GBEP statistics and get out to members
prior to the next conference call.
4) UNR will send electronic copies of Nevada NGO inventory template and draft
multi-page color summary document. Suggested changes/additions welcome.
5) Nevada and Utah will complete list of writing team nominees for each of the 6
thematic areas by April 27.
6) Each state is asked to review and provide comments on the draft of 8 page color
GBEP brochure by April 20. This document was sent electronically on March 15
as an attachment to the March 2 conference call notes, and hard copies were
distributed at the April 13 meeting.
7) 2011 Conference Planning Committee named: Tim Prather, Jodi Stephens, Chuck
Gay, Rang/Stan, and Paul Doescher will talk with Larry Curtis about OSU rep.
8) Jodi Stephens will explore dates and places for 2011 conference.
9) Next conference call May 4, 2:00pm pdt
10) June 10 will not work for next meeting. Although we agreed the next meeting
would be held on June 10 in Salt Lake City, there are some schedule conflicts
with that date. Janet Corty, UNR will work with members to find another date for
our Salt Lake meeting. Once determined Utah will provide details on lodging and
address for Utah Dept. of Agriculture office.
Discussion Items:
Update on CABNR situation:
Ron Pardini, Rang and Stan gave an overview of the proposed decision to close CABNR.
At this point 3 departments are to be retained: nutrition, biochemistry, and natural
resources and environmental science. Departments to be closed are resource economics
and animal biotechnology, involving over 20 faculty members. The college is required to
cut roughly 1/3 of their budget, or $4.5 million. Stakeholders have expressed strong
support for CABNR and want to keep the college. Members indicated their willingness
to send letters of support to the Provost with copies to Acting Dean Ron Pardini.
Champion States Initiative:
John Cantlon, DuPont discussed the program and draft resolution involving 4 states:
Idaho, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming. He also discussed a draft resolution from the
Western Governor’s Association (WGA). Copies of these documents were attached to
the minutes of the March 2 conference call. John mentioned that Idaho Governor Otter is
the primary lead for invasive species issues in the western states. He noted that
Washington and Idaho have the strongest state weed laws in the nation, and that Idaho
also has an excellent weed awareness campaign that focuses on “harm”.
John recommends that WGA and Champion States Initiative be kept informed of
progress on GBEP, including details on specific requests for funding.
He mentioned strong interest from the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife
Agencies (WAFWA), particularly in connection with measures to reduce weed expansion
and protecting sage grouse and to help avoid listing under ESA.
Update on DC trip:
As noted in the March 2 conference call notes, Nevada had a number of positive meetings
in late February. Additional visits are planned for June.
Utah had a positive meeting with Luke Johnson on Senator Bennett’s staff
Idaho had a positive meeting with Rep. Minnick
Oregon had a positive meeting with Nathan Rae on Rep. Walden’s staff
Update on State Meetings:
Utah noted that the Governor recently formed a Balanced Resource Council, and named
Ted Wilson as Director. The new Council members are charged with finding solutions to
key resource issues. A meeting will be held in July with new Council members and
environmental organizations. The meeting will be used to describe and build support for
GBEP. Appointments of Acting Commission members will likely be made after this
meeting.
Oregon summarized two excellent meetings: one with NGOs and one with state and
federal agencies. There were excellent presentations and great interactive discussion.
Several participants offered to help on writing teams. Copies of Oregon meeting
presentations will be sent to UNR and placed on the GBEP website.
Idaho noted three possible dates for their combined NGO/agency meeting: Oct. 5, 6 or 7.
The meeting will be held in Boise. An invite list has been drafted.
California mentioned they continue with one on one contacts and discussions in the
northern part of the state. All have been supportive. The Southern Cal. Extension leader
had a heart attack, so no progress in that area yet. California has also contacted Rep.
McClintock’s staff and they have expressed interest and support. Their meeting will be
in September somewhere on the east side of the state.
Nevada noted their Governor has directed all state agencies to work with UNR on GBEP.
State agencies are holding a number of meetings and GBEP is part of the agenda. UNR
is continuing to work with NGOs on their project inventories.
Naming Additional Commission Members:
Nevada indicated that members have been identified and agreed to by the Governor.
They are drafting letters for appointments.
Utah indicated the three members will be: Ted Wilson, Director, Governor’s Balanced
Resource Council; Chuck Gay, Associate Director of Extension, USU; and Kathleen
Clarke, Utah Dept. of Agriculture and Food.
California indicated that several names have been identified, some of whom sit on
existing commissions. Larry was not aware of the process that will be followed. Nat
Frazer recommended consideration of a colleague, Hughey Johnson, who is a member of
the State Wildlife Commission.
Idaho shared a letter from Governor Otter naming Gretchen Hyde, Director of Idaho
Rangeland Resource Commission as one member. The other Idaho member is Donn
Thill, Asst. Director, Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station.
Oregon is working on additional members.
Stan noted that if possible, appointments to the Commission need to be completed this
summer.
Statewide GBEP Statistics:
California, Idaho and Oregon have provided information to date. Jodi is working on a
template and will forward to all members when completed.
Nevada NGO Project Inventory Template:
Jodi discussed draft template and noted incomplete response from Nevada NGOs. As
more details become available, she will complete template and send to all members.
Nevada Draft NGO Color Summary Report:
Stan reviewed the benefits of this draft document:
-- provides NGOs with summary information of their projects
-- provides useful marketing tool for NGOs
-- provides notoriety with info on the GBEP website
-- provides info that can be connected to similar work done by others and
opportunities for new partnerships
-- demonstrates the scope and kinds of work being done and how funds are being
used
-- provides basis for how new funds might enhance/expand existing work
Nominees for Team Leads/Writing Teams for each of the 6 thematic areas:
California, Idaho and Oregon have provided names to date.
After team leads and team members are selected UNR will develop a guidance package
that includes: expectations, criteria, directions, and a template to follow.
Additional nominees are to be sent to UNR by April 27.
Teams will be expected to develop for each theme 3-5 projects for each of the following
categories: research, on the ground projects, metrics. Teams will likely need at least one
face to face meeting.
Rang and Stan will develop a draft document, naming teams for consideration and
discussion during the May 4 conference call. Team member selections are expected to be
made on the May 4 conference call.
Website Revisions:
Jodi noted that Robert Conrad is periodically updating the website. At some point the
website will include a public section and a member section.
The OSU meeting presentation power point documents will be placed on the website
once received.
Review of 8 page GBEP draft color brochure:
Stan briefly reviewed the document and Nat Frazer provided comments on the hard copy.
Others members are asked to review and provide comments by April 20.
Invitation to North American Weed Management Association Meeting:
The association has extended an invitation to speak at the subject meeting to be held in
Pueblo, CO Sept. 27-30. We are scheduled for a 30 minute presentation on GBEP at
9:30am on Sept. 28.
Group recommended Rang, Stan or Larry Curtis make the presentation. UNR will
contact Larry to determine his availability. UNR will respond to the conference
organizers by April 16.
Next Conference Call:
Next call will be Tuesday, May 4 2:00pm pdt
Next Acting Commission Meeting:
June 10 will not work. Although we agreed the next meeting would be held in Salt Lake
City on June 10 there are some schedule conflicts with that date. Janet Corty, UNR will
work with members to find another date for Salt Lake City. We will meet at the Utah
Dept. of Agriculture office and Utah will provide additional details on meeting location
address, hotel information, etc.
2011 GBEP Conference:
A planning committee was named to help organize the conference: Tim Prather, Jodi
Stephens, Chuck Gay, Rang/Stan, and OSU rep. (UNR will contact Larry Curtis).
Jodi will work on dates and location.
The June meeting will devote time to this issue.
Initial Conference Thoughts and Ideas:
NOT A TYPICAL CONFERENCE
Goals:
-- provide overview of GBEP and update on current status and future plans
-- obtain buy-in and involvement from state and federal agencies
-- develop relationships w/potential partners (funding, projects, etc)
-- dedicate a portion of funding to projects that are proposed/developed at conference
-- provide a framework and pathway for active involvement of all parties of interest
-- cover all 6 thematic areas
Outcomes:
-- Commission demonstrate leadership by extending invitations and managing conference
-- Call to action – ask for commitment to get new work done
-- secure funding for future work
-- develop solid relationships for GBEP sign-on, funding support, projects
-- provide pathway to implement projects
-- provide pathway to conduct priority science/research/monitoring
Location: Salt Lake City, Reno, Boise?
Duration: 1.5 – 2 days
# Participants: 300
Participant List:
-- politicians
-- NGOs
-- state agencies
-- federal agencies
-- county/local govts.
-- Tribes
-- state Fire Marshalls and similar orgs
-- business community (chambers, banking, insurance, high tech, energy, retail, etc)
-- other
Budget:
-- Determine total needs, costs, and revenues
-- identify known funding sources
-- explore new funding opportunities
-- determine registration fee
-- identify/secure sponsorships
Program elements:
-- keynote(s) (Governor, Senator)
-- plenary sessions
-- breakout sessions
-- politician presentations
-- NGO presentations
-- agency presentations (eg, LCC [scope, funding, links to GBEP, collaborative
opportunities]
-- academic presentations
-- private sector presentations
-- overview of GBEP/Commission structure/governance, funding strategy, splits on
funding, 6 thematic areas, etc.
-- work session on distribution/allocation of existing funds [who wants to buy in? who is
interested in competing for funds? who has projects ready to compete? what are the
priority projects?
-- link with other groups (e.g., Weed Science Society, etc.)
-- consider trade fair as part of conference
Conference Program Ideas:
Day 1- Session 1:
-- Political Keynote
-- GBEP Overview/Progress Report/Vision for Future
-- discussants (NGOs, state agencies, federal agencies, academics, private sector)?
Day 1- Session 2
Concurrent sessions:
-- 5 State Presentations related to each of the 6 thematic areas
--discussants
Lunch with speaker
Day 1 – Session 3
Concurrent session:
-- repeat session 2
Day 1- Session 4
-- Federal and other agency presentations about support for GBEP (e.g. BLM, FS, ARS,
ARCS, etc)
Evening event with speaker and trade fair?
Day 2 – Session 1
-- Plenary Keynote Political Presentation
then Concurrent session:
-- Panel to address the 3 proposals for each of the 6 thematic areas
-- Discussants
Day 2- Session 2
Concurrent session:
-- NGO initiatives
Lunch
-- Political presentation
Day 2- Session 3
Concurrent session
-- Private sector presentation on the 6 themes (e.g., 1 chemical company, 1 seed
company, 1 mining company, 1 IPM company, banker?, etc. – how important is GBEP
to their business and how they might be involved/contribute) – 10 minute presentations
plus Q and A
Day 2 –Session 4
-- Wrap up
-- Next steps
-- Call to action
Notes drafted by BA 1-14-10