Meeting Information November 2016

AGENDA

November 29-30, 2016

Department of the Interior, North Penthouse Conference Room

1849 C Street NW,

Washington, DC 20240

MEETING MINUTES - NOVEMBER 29-30, 2016

On November 29-30, 2016, the Fishing and Boating Partnership (SFBPC) held a 2-day meeting at Department of the Interior in Washington, DC. Action items are listed below, followed by a summary of the meeting.

Decisional Items

The SFBPC made the following decisions:

• Approved formation of a new boating technology subcommittee.
• Reviewed and approved a letter to the Fish and Wildlife Service Director regarding the Council’s recommendations on administration of the Clean Vessel Act and Boating Infrastructure Grant programs in light of their being combined by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act and also effects of recent program rule changes.
• Identified the need for a January 2017 teleconference to 1) review and approve the Council’s Boating Infrastructure Grant Program Tier II subcommittee rankings, 2) review and finalize a letter to the Secretary of the Interior regarding the Council’s recommendations on priority focus areas, 3) review and approve performance metrics for the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, and 4) other Council business as needed.
• Identified the need for a subsequent in-person Council meeting in either March or April 2017 in the Washington DC area.
• Scott Kovarovics and Betty Huskins were elected as chair and vice chair of the Council.

New Acton Items

The SFBPC assigned the following action items:

• Develop a detailed draft letter to the Secretary of the Interior on the SFBPC’s recommendations for priority focus areas for the Department of the Interior due for review on January 2017 teleconference meeting. 
• Develop a detailed description of the knowledge, duties, and expectations for solicitation of volunteers for the newly approved Boating Technology subcommittee – assigned to John Sprague and Janine Belleque.
• Requested that Fish and Wildlife Service staff update the Council on the TRACS system at a future meeting and also provide expenditure history information on this effort.

Agreed that the Council will prepare an informative pamphlet (likely 1 page) that highlights the impact of fishing and boating, as well as informs the recipient of the Council’s recommended focus areas.  (This will likely be done by an outside contractor/design professional).

Tuesday – November 29, 2016

Designated Federal Officer (DFO)– Brian Bohnsack

Other attendees: Hannibal Bolton, Russ Dunn, Linda Friar, Kim Hintz, David Hoskins, Mike Leahy, Cheri Morgan, Frank Peterson, Stephanie Vatalaro, Christy Vigfusson, Bennie Williams,

Administrative Session:

New members of the Council and several returning members attended training on requirements of Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) groups and ethics provided by Kim Hintz, Associate Ethics Counselor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition, Brian Bohnsack, SFBPC Designated Federal Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, provided information on federal invited travel practices, history and background material of the SFBPC, and other material.

Open Meeting

1. Welcome- Scott Kovarovics (acting SFBPC chair) and Betty Huskins (acting SFBPC vice chair) welcomed attendees and thanked them for attending.  Council members and attendees introduced themselves.  A quorum of SFBPC members was present, so the official meeting began.Scott Kovarovics asked for changes or issues with the agenda.  After reviewing the agenda, Jim Zorn made a motion to adjust the agenda to move the election of the Council chair and vice chair to the end of the day’s agenda for November 29.  Mac McKeever seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.  (The original agenda had this scheduled to occur on November 30 in a closed session for this purpose.)Council members expressed their desire to have meeting minutes completed faster and made available to the Council members in advance of the meeting.  The Fish and Wildlife Service representatives, including the DFO, agreed to work on this issue and will try to get the minutes finalized more timely and made available sooner.
2. Priority recommendations- The Council then began discussions on the preparation of their recommended priority focus areas for the incoming administration.  Scott Kovarovics had prepared some possible focus areas for the Council’s consideration and provided them to the members.  (Copies were also made available to other attendees.) Council members engaged in a significant discussion on possible focus areas and determined that the following were their priority areas:Public access and Participation on Federal Recreation Lands
   
   Recreation Infrastructure
   
   Collaboration, Cooperation and Partnerships
   
   Outdoor Recreation Economics
   
   Appointments
   
   Proactive Conservation Efforts
   
   Collin O’Mara recommended the proactive conservation focus and mentioned that his organization has been involved with some of the external transition activities with the new administration.  Doug Boyd expressed concern about the lack of a recreation focus within saltwater fisheries management activities by the Department of Commerce.  Nicole Vasilaros and Mike Nussman referred to the incoming administration’s stated focus on infrastructure and the likelihood of bills focused on this being approved by Congress.  Janine Belleque mentioned that the states of Maryland and Washington each have implemented effective programs that promote and encourage recreation access via their Highway Trust Fund funding.
   
   Jim Zorn motioned that the Council prepare a letter to the Secretary to forward on the Council’s transition priorities.  John Sprague seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

Lunch Break

(Afternoon Session)

1. Update on the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program- Christy Vigfusson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, gave a general update on various issues of concern to the SFBPC.  Among the topics Christy spoke about was the status of the TRACS system.  WSFR staff is continuing to work with refining some of the reporting categories in the system.  Janine Belleque recommended that the WSFR program give a formal presentation to the SFBPC on the TRACS system at its next in person meeting.  Mike Nussman asked that the WSFR program would like for the presentation to include the WSFR Program expenditures on the TRACS system.
2. WSFR Request on Boating Issues Technology subcommittee and FAST Act Implications- Scott Kovarovics, Janine Belleque, John Sprague, other Council members and Christy Vigfusson had an extended discussion on the WSFR’s request for the Council to form a subcommittee on boating technology.  The WSFR Program had requested that this subcommittee be formed in a letter dated July 29, 2015, to the SFBPC.    The WSFR Program staff believes the focus of the subcommittee will change over time, but the current need is in regards to the Clean Vessel Act (sewage pumpout) program as it relates to the pending update of this program’s regulations.Betty Huskins proposed a motion that the Council approves the formation of a boating technology subcommittee as requested by the WSFR program.  Mac McKeever seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously. Scott Kovarovics requested that Council members (John Sprague and Janine Belleque) work with WSFR staff to develop a detailed description of the knowledge, duties, and expectations for the solicitation of volunteers for the newly approved Boating Technology subcommittee.  Scott requested that this be completed by the end of the year. The Council did not discuss the implications of the FAST Act on WSFR grant programs during this time slot.
3. SFPBC Boating Infrastructure Permit Process Pilot Project-   John Sprague and Janine Belleque updated the SFBPC regarding the background of the effort and progress made to date on the national level and also within the state of Florida.  Mr. Sprague expressed concern regarding gaps of accountability within the permitting processes and also expressed some concern about his experiences with coordinating with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).  Ms. Belleque followed up with updates on her progress with the Corps of Engineers’ offices in the Northwest, including their Portland office.  Ms. Belleque indicated that the Corps’ Portland office was sharing some of their work on this topic with the Sacramento district office.  Ms. Belleque expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in the permit process and the lack of communication sharing within and between federal agencies in their processes.  Ms. Belleque also expressed concern over the NMFS’ permitting processes.  In order to reinforce her concerns, Ms. Belleque had submitted official Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to the NMFS daily for an extended period of time.  Her actions ultimately resulted in discussions with the agency.  Jim Zorn asked about the role of tribes in the permitting processes.  SFBPC members answered Mr. Zorn’s question based on their knowledge and experiences. Council members thought recommended that some examples of the importance of this project be included in the transition letter to the Secretary of the Interior and be  highlighted in the transition focus areas letter.
4. Update on the SFBPC/RBFF/AFWA/USFWS Joint Working Group on RBFF Performance Metrics- Scott Kovarovics updated the Council on the progress of the multi-organization work group’s efforts with being made to develop agreed upon performance metrics.  The work group is scheduled to meet on Friday, December 9 and is nearing the completion of the metrics.  Scott indicated that the work group plans to have these completed by the beginning of the new fiscal year for the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF).  Jim Zorn stated this may be a topic of discussion for the Council’s planned January teleconference.   Mr. Kovarovics agreed.
5. Update on the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation- Frank Peterson, president and CEO  of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, updated the Council on the focus areas and progress of RBFF during their current fiscal year.  RBFF was just recently recognized as the #1 fishing blog on the internet.  Mr. Peterson and his assistant Stephanie Vatalaro showed two videos to the Council, including one from West Marine and its focus on diversity. 
6. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recreational fisheries program updates- Russ Dunn, National Recreational Fisheries Policy Advisor, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, gave an update on the various activities and progress NOAA is making on recreational fisheries issues.  Mr. Dunn highlighted NOAA’s activities over the last 12 months.  Among the highlights was the artificial reef workshop that his agency hosted.  Mr. Dunn thanked USFWS staff member Richard Christian for his help with the workshop.  One topic of interest that came out of the workshop is the better understanding of the roles artificial reefs can have with providing habitat for fish.Several Council members, including Doug Boyd, complimented Mr. Dunn for his work with advancing recreational fisheries issues within NOAA.  Several members expressed their appreciation of the level of cooperation and responsiveness Mr. Dunn has provided.
7. Public Comment- Scott Kovarovics offered the opportunity for public comments at the close of the day.  Brian Bohnsack indicated that he had received one comment from the public as a result of the Federal Register notice posting.  The comment received was general in nature regarding the boating industry.  (Copies of the email comment received are available.)Janine Belleque requested that the Council consider discussing the FAST Act and its effects on WSFR boating grant programs at the start of the day on November 30.  SFBPC Boating Issues Committee staff and WSFR staff had held a teleconference in early November to discuss this and had prepared a draft letter for the Council’s consideration.  Scott Kovarovics approved Ms. Belleque’s recommendation for this topic to be discussed first thing on November 30th.Doug Boyd proposed a motion that the public meeting be adjourned for the day.  Jim Zorn seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.
8. Closed session- Council selection of leadership- After the close of the public meeting, the Council held an election for its chair and vice chair positions.  Scott Kovarovics and Betty Huskins were both willing and eligible to serve second terms as chair and vice chair, as per the Council’s bylaws.   The DFO asked for additional nominations, none were received.   The Council then voted unanimously to elect Mr. Kovarovics and Ms. Huskins as the chair and vice chair for the 2016-2018 Council term.

Wednesday – November 30, 2016

Designated Federal Officer (DFO) – Brian Bohnsack

Other attendees: Steve Guertin, Linda Friar, Craig Martin, Ryan Roberts,

Christy Vigfusson, Bennie Williams,

Open Meeting

(Morning session)

1. Welcoming comments (Day 2) - Scott Kovarovics (Council chair) welcomed everyone to the start of day 2 of the Council’s meeting. A quorum of Council members was present and the meeting began.
2. FAST ACT Implications/ Boating Infrastructure Grant Program regulations on WSFR Grant Programs- Christy Vigfusson briefed the Council on the effects of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) on WSFR grant programs.  Specifically, Ms. Vigfusson discussed the Act’s combining of the Boating Infrastructure Grant program and Clean Vessel Act grant programs as a result of the FAST Act and the administrative flexibility the Act allows the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in transferring funds between these two programs.  Council members Janine Belleque and John Sprague joined in the discussion and presented their comments and concerns regarding the combination of these programs.  They also provided details regarding the teleconference between the Council’s Boating Issues Committee and WSFR staff member Lisa Van Alystyne in early November regarding this issue. 
   
   Although the FAST Act allows the WSFR program the administrative flexibility to increase/decrease funding by transferring annual allocations between the programs, the Council members recommended status quo funding remain for these programs.  Council members asked questions regarding this and also clarified comments regarding potential concerns regarding the effects of the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program regulations which had changed previously and which allowed state agencies to request up to $200,000 of Tier I funds from the program.  Previously this amount had been limited to $100,000 of Tier I funds (non-competitive awards).  This was discussed during the early November teleconference.  Mr. Sprague had expressed concern that this was reducing funding for the Tier II competitive awards.  Council members, including Alvin Taylor [during the November teleconference], expressed their support for the increased Tier I funds. 
   
   The Council considered a draft letter to the Fish and Wildlife Service Director that had been prepared on this topic.   The Council determined it was not necessary to mention concerns about the Tier I funding.  Scott Kovarovics instructed Ms. Belleque and Mr. Sprague to make revisions to the draft letter that reflected the Council’s support for the revised regulations.
   
   Betty Huskins proposed a motion that the Council finalize and forward on a letter reflecting the Council’s recommendations for the FAST ACT and Boating Infrastructure Grant Program regulations to the FWS Director.  Doug Boyd seconded the motion.  It passed unanimously.
3. Council meeting location and time- The Council next discussed the timing and location of its next in person meeting.  The Council recommended that the next meeting be held in the Washington, DC area and offered several potential dates in March and April 2017 for it to be held.  Brian Bohnsack will send out a Doodle poll to Council members for the input on potential meeting dates.
4. Steve Guertin, Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, gave an update on the priorities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Mr. Guertin indicated that priorities of the Service include: 1) Key Species Conservation, 2) Connected Constituency, and 3) Strengthening Services.  Mr. Guertin updated the Council on the status of the Service’s efforts to spend down carryover funds while also working on various budget scenarios for possible budget decreases.  Other Service priority activity focus’ areas include taking management actions based on the annual employee survey, pending leadership turnover with the Director’s retirement, and transition planning for the new administration.  Mr. Guertin indicated the Service plans to reach out to the advisory Councils for the input. 
   
   Mr. Guertin discussed the renaming of the FICOR working group to the new Federal Recreation Council.  The Fish and Wildlife Service assumes management control of the Federal Recreation Council in 2017.
   
   Mr. Guertin closed his presentation and responded to several Council members’ questions.
5. Update on Fiscal Year 2017 Priorities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program- David Hoskins, Assistant Director-Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program, gave an update on the status of the various activities, programs and budgets of the Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program.  Some of Mr. Hoskins highlights from his update included:
   • an update on the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force
   • the FWS’ issuance of $930,000in grants for quagga and zebra mussels
   • an update on the status of the national fish hatchery system, including reference to its deferred maintenance backlog approaching $190 million.
   • an update on the status of funds from the Tennessee Valley Authority
   • the FAC program is working with the US Department of Agriculture to update the Wild Fish Health Survey
   • the status of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan and the national habitat assessment completed by that effort.
   • the status of the FAC’s program’s administration of military bases, including the support of the Air Force for management of their bases.  The Air Force is funding almost $10 million for this purpose.
   • an update on the Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Program (AADAP).
   • an update on the status of the development of a communications strategy for the Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program.
   • an update of the status of the implementation of the strategic plan for the Fish and Aquatic Conservation program, including the development of a work plan module in the Fisheries Information System (FIS).

   Mr. Hoskins closed his presentation and responded to several Council members’ questions, e.g., Collin O’Mara asked about the role of state fish and wildlife agencies in the development of work plans.  Scott Kovarovics asked about the status of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Corps of Engineers.  Mr. Hoskins responded to these and other questions.

6. Continued Discussion on the Council’s Transition Priorities - The Council continued its discussion on the development of a letter to the Secretary of the Interior expressing their recommended priority focus areas.  The general format recommended included stressing the role of the outdoor economy to the nation and that the pillars of support of this are infrastructure, access, collaboration and pro-active conservation.  The Council recommended stressing that 80% of the recreational fishing occurs in freshwater in the U.S. 
   
   The Council assigned several members to prepare draft discussion points for each topic.  The assignments included
   • Access and Participation - lead Scott Kovarovics, including pointing out Key Biscayne access issue.  Ron Regan encouraged including reference to the R3 effort and need to include references to the importance of excise taxes.  John Sprague suggested a motto of “No Net Loss of Access to Federal Waters”.  Betty Huskins shared example of access signage project in North Carolina as an example.
   • Infrastructure - lead Nicole Vasilaros, should include reference to access signage and need for dredging.  Ron Regan mentioned the need for the national fish hatchery system to be included in this section, as well as the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program.
   • Partnerships and Collaboration - Janine Belleque and John Sprague, including references to the boating infrastructure permitting process project.  Ron Regan recommended it also include references to the National Fish Habitat Action Plan.
   • Pro Active Conservation - lead Collin O’Mara, includes references to returning power to the state fish and wildlife agencies when appropriate with management issues.  Gene Gilliland suggested motto of “Good for the Fish= Good for People”

   Scott Kovarovis requested that every Council member provide 3 compelling facts for consideration for the transition document. Members of the Outreach and Education Committee will work on compiling and finalizing the letter.  Additional members of the Outreach committee include Barb Gigar and Nicole Vasilaros.

Lunch Break

(Afternoon Session)

1. Update on the development of the National Park Service’s Director’s Order on Recreational Fishing - John Wullschleger, Fish Program Lead, National Park Service, gave a presentation on the background and pending planned release of a draft Director’s Order on Recreational Fishing by the National Park Service.  When published, the National Park Service will seek public comments on the draft order.  Mr. Wullschleger participated via a webinar.  Council members asked several clarifying questions.  Nicole Vasilaros asked about what is changing over previous versions and Mr. Wullschleger responded that he would provide a copy of the information in the near future on this.
2. Update on the status of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/American Boat & Yacht Council efforts on aquatic invasive species-  Craig Martin, Branch Chief- Aquatic Invasive Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, updated the Council on the status of this on-going effort with the American Boat & Yacht Council. Nicole Vasilaros asked about funding and Craig responded that funding for some parts of the overall effort have been from the Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program’s base funding.
3. Public Comment and Council Business - Scott Kovarovics asked for any remaining public comments.  No one requested to make public comments regarding Council matters.  Ron Regan did provide some follow up insight on Congressional bills and other government activity that that the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is monitoring.   Specifically, Mr. Regan mentioned that AFWA is following the NPD Director’s Order Number 100 and its progression.
4. Meeting adjournment - The meeting was adjourned.