Meeting Information September 2014

AGENDA

September 29, 2014

10:30- Until complete

5275 Leesburg Pike

Falls Church, VA 22041

MEETING MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

Meeting Minutes

September 29, 2014

Council Teleconference

SFBPC Participants:  Scott Kovarovics, James Adams, Doug Boyd, Thom Dammrich, Gene Gilliland, Fred Harris, Betty Huskins, Gary Kania, Mike Nussman, John Sprague, Alvin Taylor, Jim Zorn, Ron Regan

Designated Federal Officer:  Brian Bohnsack

Other participants:  None

The meeting was called to order at approximately 10:30 am by Scott Kovarovics and Brian Bohnsack.  It was determined that a quorum of Council members was on the call and the meeting began.

Council members had a detailed discussion regarding the status of the proposed draft strategic plan for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program.  The Council compared the status of their recommendations and vision for the program that were provided previously to the Service’s fishery program in 2013 and if these recommendations were included in the strategic plan.   Mike Nussman, John Arway, Gene Gilliland and others made specific comments and recommendations about the draft strategic plan.   Council members reviewed and made comments on a draft letter with the Council’s Fisheries Issues committee’s review of the draft strategic plan that was circulated in advance of the teleconference.  A motion was made to accept the letter in principle and then to refine it based on comments received during the meeting.  (Post meeting follow up: the Council forwarded their comments on the draft strategic plan to the Secretary of the Interior in a letter dated October 6, 2014).

After the conclusion of the discussion on the draft strategic plan, Scott Kovarovics moved on to other agenda topics. 

The Council discussed the Department of the Interior’s response to the detailed letter dated May 21, 2015, which proposed several recommendations on ways to improve the boat access permitting processes which was submitted to the Secretary and to the current chair of the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation (FICOR).   The Department of the Interior/FICOR response dated July 15, 2015, indicated a willingness to facilitate further coordination among various Federal agencies that are involved in the permitting processes.  Council members expressed their appreciation of the response and the desire to follow up further with this.  (Post teleconference meeting note:  Council members have remained engaged on this issue and have subsequently scheduled follow up meetings with staff in the Corps of Engineers national headquarters and also the National Marine Fisheries Service headquarters and will be following up accordingly). 

The Council discussed briefly whether to meet in conjunction with the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council.  The Council determined that it would continue to evaluate this option and would pursue it if the logistics made it practical.

Council member Doug Boyd gave a brief update on the National Fish Habitat Plan board meeting.  Doug serves as the Council’s representative on the Board.

Scott Kovarovics and Betty Huskins updated the Council on the status of the current assessment of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation.  The assessment is progressing and the Council’s assessment team hopes to have it finalized in advance of the Council’s next full meeting.

John Sprague gave a brief update on the Boating Issues Committee and the upcoming review of Boating Infrastructure Grant Program Tier II proposals that the Council’s subcommittee will be ranking later this year.

The meeting was adjourned.