Great Basin Environmental Program
Acting Commission Conference Call Notes
July 6, 2010
Participants:
Rang Narayanan, UNR
Stan Johnson, UNR
Jodi Stephens, UNR
Bob Conrad, UNR
Bob Alverts, UNR
Chuck Gay, USU
Kathleen Clarke, Utah Dept. of Ag. and Food
Larry Curtis, OSU
Website Update
Bob Conrad noted the GBEP website is being moved away from the UNR site. The new site will
be operational by July 30, 2010. The address is: www.greatbasinenvironmentalprogram.org.
Thematic Writing Team Lead Nominee Commitments
Stan reminded participants that he and Rang need information and contact details (name, title,
affiliation, email, phone) for the writing team leads and members suggested by the acting
Commission. As well, we need commitments for the team leads. Please check the draft report
from May 3, 2010 and fill in the contact details for team members from your state. DUE DATE
MONDAY, JULY 12.
Here are the contact responsibilities for team leaders as agreed upon at the June 9 meeting:
1. Wildfire: OSU, Larry Curtis
Co-Leads: Jeff Rose, BLM and Rick Miller, OSU
2. Water Resources and Conservation: UNR, Rang and Stan
Lead: Mark Weltz, ARS
3. Land Use and Health: Uof I, Donn Thill
Lead: Karen Launchbaugh, UofI
4. Urban/Rural/Wildland Mosaic: UofI, Donn Thill and UC, David Lile
Co-Leads: Gary Nakamura, UCB and Stephen Mulkey, UofI
5. Sustainable Communities/Cultures: USU, Chuck Gay and UNR, Rang and Stan
Co-Leads: Don Albrecht, USU and Tom Harris, UNR
6. Biodiversity: UNR, Rang and Stan
Co-Leads: Mike Pellant, BLM and Steve Caicco, FWS
Once team leaders are confirmed, UNR will organize a conference call to discuss the assignment
and provide instructions and due dates. Team leaders will have the option of selecting additional
team members to assist them, in addition to those on the list of names developed by Acting
Commission members.
As previously discussed, UNR will also make funds available for teams to meet to go over the
assignments (e.g., a 2 day meeting with one night stay).
The goal is to complete the writing assignments by Sept. 30. 2010. We will reassess this goal
depending on the commitments for funding next year at our August meeting.
2011 Conference Dates and Location
The 2011 conference will be held in Reno at the Nugget Hotel and Casino. Dates are Tuesday
Feb. 22 (travel day with opening session planned), all day Wednesday, Feb. 23, and the morning
of Feb. 24 – subject to Jodi’s confirmation of the additional day at the Nugget.
We need to begin the early detailed planning for the conference, building on the notes and points
discussed at the April, May and June Acting Commission meetings.
Rang wants Acting Commission members to develop lists of agencies, companies, NGOs to be
included in the invite list. He suggests we make a save the date announcement before long.
Kathleen suggested we contact leaders in the Administration to be sure we link with current
priorities and provide the Administration with win-win solutions to some of their priorities (e.g.,
Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) initiative, Regional Climate Centers).
Date Selected for August Acting Commission Meeting
August 17 will be the date for the next all-day meeting of the Acting Commission.
The location will be either Reno or Logan. A decision is expected from Ev Byington,
USDA/ARS by July 9 regarding the preferred location.
BLM Nevada State Director, Ron Wenker and Great Basin Restoration Initiative Coordinator,
Mike Pellant will be invited to attend the August meeting as will Nevada FWS Lead, Bob
Williams.
Chuck Gay will also extend an invitation to Ann Walker of the Western Governors’ Association
(WGA). We intend to talk with WGA about collaborative opportunities.
Washington, DC Trip Summary
Rang and Stan referred to the notes sent out to members, and mentioned that we had a positive
trip to DC that included discussions with BLM and FWS, who were supportive of GBEP and are
interested in working on linkages with the new LCC initiative.
They also mentioned several positive meetings with Congressional staffers including Idaho
Congressman Simpson’s Legislative Director, Missy Small. She indicated a strong interest in
pursuing a large scale terrestrial program similar in scope to the Chesapeake Bay and other
aquatic based initiatives. She thought the Great Basin was an excellent example and noted
interest in such an effort for the FY2012 budget. Nevada Congressman, Dean Heller, also
expressed support for GBEP and recommended we talk with Utah Congressman, Rob Bishop
about the program. He indicated Congressman Bishop heads the Western Caucus and would be
very interested in the things we are trying to do with GBEP.
Rang and Stan also expressed disappointment with our visit to Senator Reid’s office, who did not
provide a positive signal that the proposed $2 million earmark for the FY11 budget has been
included.
Rang and Stan will continue to explore and discuss funding opportunities for FY11 with Senator
Reid’s office and UNR.
Proposed Advisory Council
Stan mentioned the draft paper on the proposed Advisory Council that was sent to Acting
Commission members on June 15, 2010. The group agreed it was too premature to move
forward on this given the uncertain funding picture. We will discuss this issue at the August
meeting.
Note: There will be no conference call on August 3 due to the face to face meeting on August 17.
Notes by BA 7-7-10