RIEC Prework March 19, 2008

Regional Interagency Executive Committee 333 SW 1st P.O. Box 3623 Portland, Oregon 97208-3623 Website: www.reo.gov E-Mail: REOmail@or.blm.gov Phone: 503-808-2165 FAX: 503-808-2163
	Memorandum
Date:	March 13, 2008
To:	Regional Interagency Executive Committee (see attached distribution list)
From:	/s/Kath Collier, REO Management Analyst
Subject:	REGIONAL INTERAGENCY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA & PREWORK FOR March 19, 2008

LOCATION: Robert Duncan Plaza, Third Floor Conference Room 3A-B
TIME: 9 a.m. – 12 noon

Enclosed please find a proposed agenda and pre-work for the March 19, 2008 Regional Interagency Executive Committee (RIEC) meeting. The meeting will be held in the Robert Duncan Plaza, in conference rooms 3A-B located on the third floor, at 333 SW Third Ave., Portland, Oregon. The Robert Duncan Plaza is accessible to the Max light rail which stops at the building (First and Oak). Committee members are invited to participate via conference line (call toll free to: xxx-xxx-xxxx, passcode xxxxxx).

Based on the Regional Ecosystem Office review of anticipated agenda topics, we revised the start and end times for this meeting, which are now scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and end at 12:00 noon. Consistent with interagency discussions at the recent Senior Manager’s Group (SMG) meeting, coordination on the BLM western Oregon plan revisions has been merged into the regular meeting. There will not be a separate executive session.

In addition to this topic, the meeting will include discussions and decisions on the following ongoing topics:

Northwest Natural Resources Forum
Energy Impacts to the Northwest Forest Plan Area and Agencies
Barred Owl Control, and
several quick Hot topics including monitoring and recovery planning, critical habitat, etc.
We will also be honoring Linda Goodman, RIEC co-chair, who will be retiring shortly, as well as others who have retired recently.

Building Access Reminder: Be sure to bring your Federal identification and schedule time to check in at the guard desk for a visitor pass. A confirmation list of attendees will be provided to the guard desk which will speed processing. Be sure to let me know if you, or someone else from your staff, will be attending.

If you have any questions regarding the upcoming meeting, please contact your REO Representative, or Kath Collier (REO Analyst at 503-808-2179). I look forward to seeing you at the March meeting.

Enclosure:

1 – March 19, 2008 Agenda and prework (3p)

cc: Presenters, REO Staff

2288/kc

Regional Interagency Executive Committee Distribution List

Renne Lohoefener, Fish & Wildlife Service
Terry Rabot (Alt)
Ed Shepard, Bureau of Land Management, Oregon/Washington
Mike Mottice (Alt)
Tom Fontaine, Environmental Protection Agency, Western Ecology Division
Robert Lackey (Alt)
Linda Goodman, Forest Service Region 6
Jose Linares (Alt)
Bob Graham, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Tom Makowski (Alt)
Col. Thomas E. O’Donovan, US Army Corps of Engineers
Eric Bluhm (Alt)
Jon Jarvis, National Park Service
Rory Westberg (Alt)
Frank Shipley, US Geological Survey, Western Region, Biological Resources Division
Carol Schuler (Alt)
Robert Lohn, National Marine Fisheries Service
Mike Tehan (Acting) (Alt)
John Stein (Research)
Michael J. Pool, Bureau of Land Management, California
Paul Roush (Alt)
Dave Powers, Environmental Protection Agency, Region-10 OR Operations
Socorro Rodriguez (Alt)
Bov Eav, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station
Cindi West (Alt)
Beth Pendleton (acting), Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station
Garland Mason (Alt)
Stan Speaks, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Alex Whistler (Alt)
Steve Thompson, US Fish & Wildlife Service, California/Nevada Operations Office
Darrin Thome (Alt)
Randy Moore, Forest Service, Region 5
Art Gaffrey (Alt)

Others:
Dick Prather (BLM)
Jim Thrailkill (FWS)
Lisa Freedman (FS)
Monty Knudsen (FWS)
Chris Iverson (FS)

Regional Interagency Executive Committee DRAFT March 19, 2008 Meeting Agenda Duncan Plaza, Conference Rooms 3A-B (Third Floor), Portland, OR
Time	Topics	Purpose	Presenter
9 a.m.	Welcome Logistics, introduction, agenda overview	House- keeping	Kath Collier, Facilitator
9:05	Opening Remarks	Opening	Ed Shepard, Chair
9:10	Coordination on BLM Western Oregon Plan Revisions	Update	Dick Prather, BLM
10:30	Break
10:45	Energy Impacts to the NWFP Area and Agencies SMG Energy Subcommittee Near future issues (workload, ESA, etc.)	Update	Monty Knudsen & Terry Rabot, FWS
11:00	Barred Owl Control Results of recent pilot programs Next steps for FWS Agency support needs	Update	Terry Rabot, FWS
11:15	Hot Topics Northwest Natural Resources Forum Follow-up and Next Steps RIEC Review of Proposed Plan Amendments RIEC Support and Facilitation Updates on Recovery Plans, Critical Habitat Designations, and Monitoring	Updates	Dave Powers, EPA Debbie Pietrzak, BLM and Lisa Freedman, FS Terry Rabot, FWS Mike Tehan, NOAA
11:45	Closing Remarks & Recognition	Closing	Ed Shepard, Chair
11:50	Closing Reminders Next RIEC meeting, other key meeting dates, assignments, topics, map signing, etc.	House- keeping	Kath Collier, Facilitator
12:00 noon	Adjourn

TOPIC SUMMARIES

Topic: WESTERN OREGON PLAN REVISIONS
Sponsor: Ed Shepard, RIEC Chair
Presenter: Dick Prather, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Project Manager
REO Contact: Debbie Pietrzak, BLM Representative
Issue Statement: This segment continues BLM’s ongoing coordination with the RIEC regarding the western Oregon proposed resource management plan revisions.
Background: The BLM has been coordinating with the RIEC regarding proposed resource management plan revisions for western Oregon. The proposed plan revisions are in the process of being finalized, and the BLM expects to issue a decision later this year. Following a brief update by the Project Manger on the status of this effort, the RIEC will have an opportunity to discuss the proposed resource management plan.
Action Required:	[ x ] Information [ ] Decision

Topic: Northwest Natural Resources Forum (NWNRF)
Presenter/Sponsor: Dave Powers, EPA
REO Contact: Teresa Kubo, EPA Representative
Issue Statement: Dave Powers will present a follow-up on the 2007 Northwest Natural Resources Forum (NWNRF) and an update on the 2008 NWNRF planning process.
Background: Feedback from the attendees at the 2007 NWNRF was very positive and there was support expressed for moving ahead with a NWNRF in 2008. The NPS and USGS did a great job hosting the first forum. The Climate Change focus was relevant to all of the agencies attending and there were good presentations and discussion on this topic. In addition to drafting a broad vision for the NWNRF, the executives agreed to look at green/sustainable activities underway in their respective agencies and to share these with each other. There was also interest expressed in carbon related issues and BPA and EPA committed to putting on a workshop on this topic area. On January 25, 2008 BPA hosted a workshop on carbon trading in Portland. EPA is planning a follow-up workshop focused on carbon sequestration and offsets in April/May 2008 in Portland. The NRCS and EPA will be hosting the 2008 NWNRF, slated for November 18 and 19 in Astoria. The 2008 forum will be focused on Water Resources in the PNW. An invitation to all of the executives will be sent out soon along with more information on the 2008 topic. We anticipate that follow-up on green/sustainability activities will also be a topic of discussion. NRCS and EPA will be contacting agency staff as planning for the 2008 forum proceeds.
Action Required:	[ x ] Information [ ] Decision

Topic: ENERGY IMPACTS TO THE NWFP AREA AND AGENCIES
Sponsor: Terry Rabot, FWS
Presenter: Monty Knudsen, FWS, Energy Committee Lead
REO Contact: Mike Roy, REO representative (FWS)
Issue Statement: This presentation will update the RIEC on Energy Committee recent and planned activities/workload.
Background: This presentation will provide a summary of the March 5 Energy Committee meeting discussions between the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) staff and Energy Committee related to Liquid Natural Gas projects, and discussions between the FERC representative and Michael Carrier, the Governors Natural Resources Advisor related to the recent letter from Governor Kulongoski to the FERC.
Action Required:	[ x ] Information [ ] Decision

Topic: BARRED OWL CONTROL
Presenter: Jim Thrailkill, FWS, Barred Owl Working Group Lead
Sponsor: Terry Rabot, FWS
REO Contact: Mike Roy, FWS Representative
Issue Statement: The interim, interagency Barred Owl Working Group (BOWG) will be asking the Senior Managers Group (SMG) in the near future to provide direction on the final study design and experimental removal project, as well as, collecting advice on developing an outreach program for stakeholders. The purpose of this overview is to alert agencies that are not normally involved with the SMG, but may be interested in this potentially sensitive topic, of upcoming decisions and opportunities to participate.
Background: The BOWG has been working on a number of issues related to barred owls. The primary issues include: (1) Updating the FWS northern spotted owl survey protocol to reflect the barred owl influence, (2) A framework for reviewing and prioritizing barred owl research and monitoring study proposals, and (3) Reviewing, and eventually providing recommendations to Senior Managers, a scientific study design for the experimental removal of barred owls (along with various the elements (i.e., public outreach, permits, etc.) leading toward removal). The BOWG is frequently providing updates to the SMG and appreciates the continued support and involvement by personnel from the Federal (and other) agencies in implementation of the primary issues.
Action Required:	[ x ] Information [ ] Decision