Regional Ecosystem Office
333 S.W. First Avenue
P.O. Box 3623
Portland, Oregon 97208-3623
Website: www.reo.gov Email: REOmail@or.blm.gov

Phone: 503-808-2165 FAX: 503-808-2163
Memorandum
Date: November 29, 2002
To: Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Members (see Distribution List)
From: Stephen J. Odell, Executive Director
Subject: Agenda & Pre-work Materials for December 2002 IAC Meeting

Enclosed please find a proposed agenda and supporting pre-work materials for the meeting of the Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC) scheduled for 1:00-5:00 p.m. on December 4, 2002, in the Washington/Idaho room of the Lloyd Center-Double Tree Hotel, located at 1000 N.E. Multnomah Street in Portland. If you will be attending the meeting in person, we hope you will choose to avail yourself of the opportunity to get to know some of your IAC counterparts a little bit better by participating in an informal "lunch by the number" to which all committee members (Federal and non-Federal) are cordially invited. The lunch will be at Eduardo's, the hotel's on-site Mexican Restaurant, just prior to the meeting, from 12:00 noon-1:00 p.m. We will make a group reservation for those who choose to participate in the lunch; to that end, please contact Becky Loomis of the REO (503-808-2167) by 10:00 a.m. on December 3 if you would like to join in so that we can get an accurate count to the restaurant ahead of time.

In addition, in an effort to address any preliminary questions and ensure the most efficient use of IAC meeting time, an informal pre-brief has also been scheduled for the morning of December 4 for non-Federal IAC members from 10:00-11:30 a.m. in the fourth floor conference room of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Regional Office, located in the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Complex at 911 N.E. 11th Avenue in Portland. The BPA complex is located directly across the street from the Double Tree Hotel. Parking in the area is limited and we would suggest using the MAX light rail system (Lloyd Center/NE 11th Avenue stop). There is a security station at the entrance to the complex at which all non-Federal attendees will need to show picture identification; an REO staff member will meet IAC members in the lobby and escort them to the conference room. We also are required to provide a list in advance of those planning to attend the prebrief so would ask that you let us know if you plan to attend.

The enclosed prework materials comprise a proposed Agenda and brief overviews on the topics that will be addressed during the meeting. The primary topics to be covered include the latest developments with respect to the future direction of the Northwest Forest Plan, several new steps the REO has taken as a part of continuing to improve communications with the IAC, updates on IAC membership changes and the FACA rechartering process, and an exploration of topics that we have discussed since February 2001. Following this, we will ask committee members to participate in a brainstorming session to identify new potential IAC meeting topics that will conclude with a prioritization exercise, summary, and close-out.

If you have questions about the meeting or enclosed materials, please contact me or REO Management Analyst Kath Collier (503-808-2179). I look forward to seeing you at the meeting.


Enclosure:

• Agenda & Prework materials for December 2002 IAC meeting


cc: Presenters, REO, & PAC DFOs

1769/kc

Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Distribution List

California

Mary Nichols, California Resource Agency, State Representative
Jen Carville, California Resource Agency, State Representative (Alt)
Francie Sullivan, Representative of California Counties
John Woolley, Humbolt County, CA Counties

Oregon

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

Washington

Robert Nichols, Senior Executive Policy Assistant, Office of the Governor
Karin Berkholtz, State Representative
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
Jim Anderson, Executive Director, NW Indian Fisheries Commission
Katie Krueger, Environmental Policy Analyst, Quileute Tribe
George Smith, , Intertribal Timber Council
Don Motanic, Intertribal Timber Council
Theodora Strong, Yakama Indian Nation
Gary Morishima, Intertribal Timber Council

Federal Agencies

Anne Badgley, Regional Director, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Steve Thompson, California/Nevada Operations Office Manager, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
John Engbring, California/Nevada U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Phil Detrich, Project Leader, Yreka FWO, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Elaine M. Brong, State Director, Oregon/Washington, Bureau of Land Management
Judy Nelson, Chief, Branch of Biological Sciences, OR/WA, Bureau of Land Management
Michael Pool, State Director, California, Bureau of Land Management
Paul Roush, Wildlife Biologist, Bureau of Land Management, Arcata, CA
Jon Jarvis, Regional Director, National Park Service
Art Eck, Deputy Regional Director, National Park Service
Jim Shevock, Associate Regional Director, National Park Service
Linda Goodman, Deputy Regional Forester, Forest Service, R-6
Kent Connaughton, Deputy Regional Forester, Forest Service, R-5
Lisa Freedman, Director, Strategic Planning, Forest Service, R-6
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
Robert Lohn, Regional Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service
Mike Crouse, Assistant Regional Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service
Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta, Western Ecology Division, Environmental Protection Agency
Dan McKenzie, Western Ecology Division, Environmental Protection Agency
Dave Powers, Environmental Protection Agency
Daniel Opalski, Director Oregon Operations Office, 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
Ron Jaeger, Area Director, Sacramento Area Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bob Szaro, Acting Station Director, Forest Service, PNW
Cindy West, Deputy Station Director, Forest Service, PNW

 

Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Meeting
December 4, 2002 - 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Lloyd Center-Double Tree Hotel, Portland, Oregon - Washington/Idaho Room

PROPOSED AGENDA

Time Agenda Topics Purpose Presenter(s)
10:00 Optional Pre-brief for Non-Federal IAC Members Agenda overview and Q/A REO Staff
12:00 Optional "Lunch by the Number" for IAC members Eat & Greet  
1:00 Preliminary Matters

• Welcome
• Roll Call
• Preview Agenda

 Getting Started

 Elaine Brong
Steve Odell
Kath Collier
1:15 Opportunity for Public Comment  
1:30 Committee Members' Round Robin

• Personal Introductions/brief statements of IAC experience & aspirations

 Getting Better Acquainted IAC Members
2:00 IAC Communications & Operational Reforms Progress Report Teresa Kubo
2:20 Update on Future Direction of the Northwest Forest Plan

• Survey & Manage SEIS
• Aquatic Conservation Strategy Clarification SEIS
• RIEC Trends/Structure Changes

 Progress Report

Identification of opps. for IAC involvement

Dick Prather

Steve Odell

2:45 Break  
2:55 Identifying Future Topics and Issues

• A look back at topics and issues IAC has worked on since February 2001
• Brainstorming & Prioritization exercise

 Input- & Advice-gathering

 Steve Odell
Kath Collier
3:55 Break  
4:10 Review of advice and recommendations from today

• Summary
• Trends identified today/major points
• What RIEC/REO will do with this input

 Summary

Next Steps

 Designated Non-Fed committee member

Steve Odell

4:40 Hot Topics

• Update on NWFP-related litigation
• Update on FACA rechartering

 Information Steve Odell
Teresa Kubo
4:50 Meeting Close-out

• Final Opportunity for Q&As
• Meeting Critique & Feedback
• Review Next Steps & Meeting Date

 Recap

Housekeeping

Kath Collier
5:00 Closing Comments and Sign-off Formal Closure Elaine Brong

*-Topic for Meeting's Bonus Questions: National Wildlife Refuge System

AGENDA TOPIC OVERVIEW

Presenter/Sponsor: REO Staff/Dave Busch
REO Contact/Phone: 503-808-2192
Topic: IAC Pre-brief
Background: At the May 2002 IAC meeting, a widespread desire was expressed to have non-Federal members assume greater responsibility and involvement in IAC functioning and operations. In direct response to this input, the REO has adopted certain changes to IAC meeting preparations, including the decision to hold an IAC pre-brief on a trial basis. REO staff will conduct the prebrief, which will be devoted to reviewing the IAC meeting agenda, discussing expectations for the meeting, and providing time for non-Federal members to ask questions and share any preliminary thoughts or concerns. In sum, the goal is to provide an informal setting in which IAC members can be refreshed on key issues and so be better prepared for a fuller and richer participation in the committee meeting in the afternoon.
Overview: The pre-brief is scheduled from 10:00-11:30 a.m. in the fourth floor conference room of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Regional Office, which is located in the BPA Federal Complex at 911 NE 11th Avenue in Portland, as described in the cover letter.
Action Required: Please contact Becky Loomis (503-808-2167) by 10:00 a.m. on December 3 if you plan to attend the IAC members' "lunch by the number" and/or meeting pre-brief.

AGENDA TOPIC OVERVIEW
Topic: Committee Members' Round Robin
Issue Statement: To provide an opportunity for non-Federal IAC members to introduce themselves and become more familiar with their Federal counterparts on the committee
Overview: The meeting will present a first opportunity for many Federal IAC members to meet the non-Federal IAC members in person, and vice-versa. Because organizational interests and personal experience and expertise greatly influence how a committee will function, it is important to take time during this first face-to-face meeting for many IAC members to allow for members (both Federal and non-Federal) to introduce themselves to one another. In particular, committee members are invited to briefly share information about their own personal background and experience, including involvement in the IAC or other natural resource forums, as well as on their aspirations for the committee in the future.

AGENDA TOPIC OVERVIEW
Presenter/Sponsor/REO Contact/Phone: Teresa Kubo/503-808-2171
Topic: IAC Enhanced Communications & Operational Reforms
Issue Statement: To provide a progress report on recent efforts that have been undertaken by the REO to more effectively provide information to the IAC and to receive feedback from committee members on the efficacy of these efforts and how they might be improved
Background/Overview: During the September 2002 IAC conference call, Steve Odell announced the creation of an IAC Liaison position. This position has been filled by Teresa Kubo, who is EPA's representative to the REO. Since that time, efforts have been made to better define expectations for the new position as well as to explore other avenues for reestablishing and strengthening information sharing with IAC members. To this end, the following initiatives have been undertaken:

1) Keep IAC members current on NWFP-related news and developments through regular e-mail messages

2) Provide non-Federal IAC members with access to subscription news sources used by the Regional Ecosystem Office.

3) Periodic circulation of IAC Opportunities letter. This letter highlights potential avenues for IAC contributions and seeks to keep IAC members current on certain elements of NWFP implementation and monitoring.

4) Solicit input from IAC members on a list of topics that they would like to address.

5) Have non-Federal IAC member take the lead in synthesizing and presenting the principal themes and points arising from non-Federal members' aggregate input and/or provide time during IAC meetings for non-Federal "break-out" sessions during which non-Federal committee members can consolidate and prioritize major points of advice for presentation to Federal executives before the IAC meeting's close.

6) Provide RIEC response to non-Federal IAC input no later than the IAC meeting following the one at which the input is solicited.

7) When appropriate, offer pre-brief to IAC members prior to IAC meetings.

The meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss and provide feedback on these measures.

Action Required: IAC Review & Discussion IAC Recommendation

RIEC Decision XX Other: Information and discussion

AGENDA TOPIC OVERVIEW
Presenter/Sponsor: Steve Odell/Dick Prather
REO Contact/Phone: Steve Odell/503-808-2166
Topic: Update on Future Direction of the Northwest Forest Plan
Issue Statement: To report on the most recent developments in the ongoing discussions focused on making changes to the NWFP that will result in more complete and effective achievement of the full panoply of the plan's foundational principles and objectives
Overview: This segment will be broken up into three primary parts:

- Survey & Manage Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) - On October 21, 2002, the Forest Service and BLM published notice of their intent to jointly prepare an SEIS to satisfy the requirements of a settlement agreement entered into to resolve a lawsuit challenging the Survey & Manage (S&M) provisions of the NWFP. The notice states that the agencies plan to supplement the S&M SEIS they prepared in 2000 by considering an alternative that replaces the S&M mitigation measures with existing special status species programs. The vision is that agencies would achieve the goals of the NWFP through a more streamlined process. Dick Prather, the SEIS team lead, will update the IAC on the status and timeline of the new SEIS, and discuss potential opportunities for IAC involvement.

- Aquatic Conservation Strategy (ACS) Clarification SEIS - On November 25, 2002, a notice was published in the Federal Register announcing the intent of the Forest Service and BLM to prepare another SEIS that will focus on a proposal to amend the ACS to make it more consistent with the original intent of the strategy's architects, particularly with respect to ensuring projects are consistent with the ACS. Because this initiative was only recently announced, somewhat fewer details will likely be available at the time of the meeting.

- RIEC Trends/Structure Changes - Over the past year or so, the RIEC has been devoting time to discussing its future course and composition, as well as to developing direction on staffing, support, and funding issues, including the future of the REO. IAC members will be provided with an update on the changes underway or under consideration by the RIEC.

Action Required: IAC Review & Discussion IAC Recommendation

RIEC Decision XX Other: Information and discussion

AGENDA TOPIC OVERVIEW
Presenter/Sponsor/REO Contact/Phone: Teresa Kubo/503-808-2171
Topic: Identifying Topics and Issues Appropriate for Future IAC Advice & Input
Issue Statement: To identify, discuss, and develop a prioritized list of potential topics on which the IAC would like to receive information and/or provide advice over the next year
Overview: In order to guide agenda development and foster more meaningful involvement of non-Federal committee members, in February 2001 the IAC worked to develop a list of potential topics on which to solicit IAC input and advice. A recent evaluation of this list showed that many of the topics have been addressed. As such, it would be timely and beneficial to go through this exercise again. A status regarding the list of potential topics developed by the IAC in February 2001 will be presented at the meeting. The list included:

-- REO/RIEC coordination/review process and related exemption criteria
-- Analysis of recent science findings (e.g., thinning operations in dense young stands)
-- NFP amendments to overcome implementation obstacles and better meet NFP objectives
-- Proposed modifications to Aquatic Conservation Strategy in light of PCFFA court rulings
-- Developing options for new approaches to management for rare or little-known species
-- NFP Adaptive Management guidelines and process for considering new information
-- Coordination of NFP with salmon issues and initiatives
-- Future of NFP - course changes
-- AMA Broader Application - amendments
-- Relationship between PAC's and new county-based RAC's
- Package regional Federal initiative s and what linkages there may be (e.g., how the National Fire Plan fits in with the NFP)
-- Implementation of new S&M guides - strategic surveys policy
-- Economic side of the plan

From this overview we will move into a group brainstorming session that will gather and prioritize new ideas from IAC members. Several REO staff will be on hand to capture these ideas on paper. Once compiled, we will look for topics that can be lumped or split before asking IAC members to prioritize among items of greatest interest to their organizations.

Action Required: The REO recommends that IAC examine the potential IAC Topics list developed in 2001, and make a new list in light of present circumstances. Topics should be developed around high-level policy issues of relevance to the NWFP. The list of topics will be used to guide future agendas as a way of helping to ensure relevant issues are addressed.

AGENDA TOPIC OVERVIEW
Presenter/Sponsor: Steve Odell/Non-Federal Member (TBD)
REO Contact/Phone: Steve Odell/ 503-808-2165
Topic: Review of Advice and Recommendations from today
Issue Statement: At the May 2002 IAC meeting, a desire was expressed to have non-Federal members assume greater responsibility and involvement in IAC functioning and operations. In response, during the September conference call, the RIEC put forth the idea of having a non-Federal IAC member take the lead in synthesizing and presenting the principal themes and points arising from non-Federal members' input during IAC meetings. Capturing non-Federal input in this way would help to ensure an accurate representation of non-Federal input, and allow non-Federal members the opporutnity to highlight key points of advice.
Overview: This segment will wrap up the topic brainstorming session by reviewing topics, trends, and priorities identified during the previous exercise. An e-mail message was sent to IAC members on November 22 seeking a non-Federal volunteer to serve in this capacity during the meeting. Time will be allotted toward the end of the meeting for this volunteer to work with non-Federal committee members to develop the summary, and REO staff will be available to assist at any time prior to or during the meeting if desired. After the summary, there will be a brief discussion of the usefulness of this exercise, examining how the RIEC and REO will use the information as well as potential topics for the next IAC meeting.
Action Required: A non-Federal IAC member who would like to participate in this part of the agenda will need to be identified. Thank you in advance for your interest and willingness to volunteer!