Enclosed please find notes briefly summarizing the discussion during the Interagency Advisory Committee (IAC) conference call held on September 10, 2002. The call primarily focused on:

- Recent Federal Changes in Committee Composition
- Latest Developments regarding Future Direction of the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP)
- Response to Several IAC Recommendations on Committee Roles & Operations

If you have questions or concerns about the enclosed notes, please do not hesitate to contact me, your REO contact person, or IAC Liaison Teresa Kubo, at 503-808-2171. Thank you for your ongoing participation in providing valuable input and advice to improve NWFP implementation.

Enclosures:

• Notes of IAC Conference Call on September 10, 2002

cc: Presenters, REO, & PAC DFOs

1765/kc

Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Distribution List

California
Mary Nichols, California Resource Agency, State Representative
Maria Rea, California Resource Agency (Alt)
Francie Sullivan, Representative of California Counties
John Wolley, CA Counties (Alt)

Oregon
Peter Green, Forest Policy Advisor, Office of the Governor
Lance Clark, Resource Analyst, Office of the Governor (Alt)
Rocky McVay, Representative of Oregon Counties

Washington
Robert Nichols, Senior Executive Policy Assistant, Office of the Governor
Karin Berkholtz, State Representative (Alt)
Albert McKee, Representative of Washington Counties

Tribes
Merv George, Jr., Executive Director, CA Indian Forest & Fire Management Council
David Herrera, Fisheries Manager, NW Indian Fisheries Commission
Bruce Davies, Policy Analyst, NW Indian Fisheries Commission (Alt)
Jim Anderson, Executive Director, NW Indian Fisheries Commission (Alt)
Katie Krueger, Environmental Policy Analyst, Quileute Tribe (Alt)
George Smith, Intertribal Timber Council
Theodora Strong, Yakama Indian Nation (Alt)
Gary Morishima, Intertribal Timber Council (Alt)

Federal Agencies
Anne Badgley, Regional Director, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Steve Thompson, California/Nevada Operations Office Manager, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Elaine M. Brong, State Director, Oregon/Washington, Bureau of Land Management
Ed Shepard, Deputy State Director, Oregon/Washington, Bureau of Land Management
Michael Pool, State Director, California, Bureau of Land Management (Alt)
Paul Roush, Wildlife Biologist, Bureau of Land Management, Arcata, CA
Art Eck, Deputy Regional Director, National Park Service
Kathy Jope, Natural Resources Team Leader, National Park Service
Jim Shevock, Associate Regional Director, National Park Service (Alt)
Linda Goodman, Deputy Regional Forester, USDA Forest Service, R-6
Jack Blackwell, Regional Forester, USDA Forest Service, R-5
Kent Connaughton, Deputy Regional Forester, USDA Forest Service, R-5
Bob Graham, State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Col. Richard W. Hobernicht, District Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Curt Loop, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Anne Kinsinger, Regional Biologist, USGS Western Region
Ron Kirby, Director, USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (Alt)
Robert Lohn, Regional Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service
Mike Crouse, Assistant Regional Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service (Alt)
Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta, Western Ecology Division, Environmental Protection Agency
Robert Lackey, Assoc. Director, Western Ecology Division, Envtl. Protection Agency (Alt)
Dave Powers, Environmental Protection Agency
Stan Speaks, Area Director, Portland Area Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Alex Whistler, Wildlife Biologist, Portland Area Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs (Alt)
Ron Jaeger, Area Director, Sacramento Area Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bob Szaro, Acting Station Director, Forest Service, PNW
Cindi West, (Alt)

ISSUE SUMMARY

ISSUE SUMMARY

REO Contact/Phone: Steve Odell/503-808-2166

Topic: Potential Future Direction of the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP)

Issue Statement: To update non-Federal IAC members regarding ongoing deliberations on potential future improvements to NWFP implementation

Summary of Discussion: This topic grew in large measure out of discussions initiated by the RIEC in May 2001 that were designed to identify and evaluate a wide array of potential future improvements to NWFP implementation which could more effectively meet the full suite of NWFP objectives. Since that time, the President made references to improving NWFP implementation during a visit to Oregon; members of Congress are working on proposed legislation; and there are several NWFP-related lawsuits pending in the courts. Steve Odell and Linda Goodman briefly reviewed the latest developments on all three fronts. RIEC members' comments regarding the substance of these developments were necessarily quite general in nature, principally due to ongoing litigation and confidentiality associated with some ongoing settlement talks. Several RIEC members also noted that, although numerous concepts and working drafts are under discussion, there is little definitive information available to share at this time. Some members were encouraged that several initiatives under consideration for adoption reflect actions similar to those that were discussed by the RIEC. The RIEC reiterated its appreciation for the IAC's previous input on this topic, stating that it was timely and valuable to RIEC deliberations. Several non-Federal IAC members expressed concern that a written record of RIEC's deliberations had not been distributed to the full IAC, and there was concern that IAC members are not directly involved in, or apprised of the status of, some discussions. The RIEC reiterated the deliberative and/or privileged nature of the discussions and expressed continued commitment to work with the IAC to respond to their concerns regarding this topic as information becomes more available and appropriate to share. Information sources were briefly reviewed, and all committee members were encouraged to access those sources directly for the latest information. For example, the Administration statement, "Fulfilling the Promise of the Northwest Forest Plan," is available on the White House website at http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/healthyforests/

ISSUE SUMMARY

REO Contact/Phone: Steve Odell/503-808-2166

Topic: Response to Several IAC Recommendations on Committee Roles & Operations

Issue Statement: To provide feedback on input received at the May 2002 IAC meeting regarding the number of IAC meetings, sequence of IAC and RIEC meetings, and general communications between the IAC and RIEC

Summary of Discussion: Steve Odell summarized the advice provided by non-Federal IAC members at the May 2002 IAC meeting regarding: (1) number and frequency of IAC meetings; (2) sequence of RIEC and IAC meetings, and the suggestion to have a non-Federal IAC member attend a portion of RIEC meetings; and (3) request for greater and clearer feedback and communications. He also reviewed the RIEC discussions and agreements relative to that advice: use of IAC conference calls to handle time sensitive issues, greater use of IAC subcommittees, having non-Federal members chair subcommittees and synthesize IAC advice for the RIEC, responding to non-Federal IAC input no later than the next IAC meeting, and having the REO continue improving the timeliness and methods of communication with non-Federal IAC members (these measures are detailed in the September 10, 2002 IAC Agenda Topic Overview). Steve Odell also outlined the role of the REO IAC Liaison, Teresa Kubo, who will serve as a central contact point for information requests, comments, and concerns regarding IAC/RIEC communications. The liaison role is designed to enhance communications, information sharing, and feedback in order to facilitate effective participation of non-Federal IAC members. Individual IAC members expressed a variety of views regarding what advice the IAC had provided to the RIEC, especially in regard to the number of IAC meetings recommended. Some non-Federal members expressed concern that the RIEC's agreements appeared to represent a rejection of IAC advice, as well as a lack of interest in meeting with the IAC. In addition, some non-Federal members expressed skepticism regarding the potential effectiveness of the measures agreed upon by the RIEC. Federal members noted that although the RIEC did not adopt all specific IAC advice on how to improve IAC/RIEC interactions, the RIEC did appreciate the IAC's concerns and share the desire to make improvements. The measures the RIEC agreed to were essentially different means to address the concerns and achieve desired improvements, given other considerations (e.g., funding, workload, FACA rules, process efficiencies). RIEC members expressed appreciation for the IAC's candor and reiterated their desire to have effective communications with the IAC, to have timely meetings, and to engage the IAC in meaningful discussions. The RIEC also expressed a commitment to monitor the effectiveness of the improvements and review the need for other changes in the future.

Next Steps (who/what/when): The REO will continue to post relevant information and/or links to information on the REO website, and will continue improving the timeliness and effectiveness of communication with non-Federal IAC members. In addition, non-Federal IAC members are invited to contact the REO IAC Liaison with requests, comments, or concerns relative to IAC/RIEC communications. The RIEC will also consider scheduling future conference calls (or other means) to improve communications between IAC meetings.

Attendees (many via phone):

Jen Carville, California Resource Agency (Alt)
Francie Sullivan, Representative of California Counties
Peter Green, Forest Policy Advisor, Office of the Governor
Lance Clark, Resource Analyst, Office of the Governor (Alt)
Rocky McVay, Representative of Oregon Counties
Karin Berkholtz, State Representative (Alt)
Albert McKee, Representative of Washington Counties
Merv George, Jr., Executive Director, CA Indian Forest & Fire Management Council
David Herrera, Fisheries Manager, NW Indian Fisheries Commission
George Smith, Intertribal Timber Council
Anne Badgley, Regional Director, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Jim Shevock, Associate Regional Director, National Park Service (Alt)
Linda Goodman, Deputy Regional Forester, USDA Forest Service, R-6
Anne Kinsinger, Regional Biologist, USGS Western Region
Ron Kirby, Director, USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (Alt)
Mike Crouse, Assistant Regional Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service (Alt)
Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta, Western Ecology Division, Environmental Protection Agency
Dave Powers, Environmental Protection Agency
Alex Whistler, Wildlife Biologist, Portland Area Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs (Alt)
Joseph LaVerdure, BIA
Cindy West, USDA FS, PNW Station
Kathy Anderson, USDA FS, Region 5
Dave Busch, USGS/REO
Becky Gravenmier, USDA FS, PNW
Teresa Kubo, EPA/REO
Gary Benson, USDA FS PNW, RMG/REO
Steve Odell, REO
Judy Nelson, USDI BLM
Shawne Mohoric, FS/REO
Ken Mabery, FS/REO
Phil Detrich, FWS
Steve Morris, NMFS/REO
Kath Collier, REO/BLM
Doug Heiken, ONRC