**Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council**

**Meeting Minutes**

**August 8 and 9, 2007**

**Homer, Alaska**

**[Council members or alternates in attendance:]{.underline}**

William Taylor, Doug Hansen, Jim Range, Betty Huskins, Martin MacDonald,
Ken Haddad, John Sprague, Doug Boyd, Jim Anderson, Julie McQuade, Ryck
Lydecker, Mike Nussman

**[Others in attendance:]{.underline}**

Doug Hobbs (Council Coordinator), Phil Million, Mary Burke, Chris
Horton, Mathew Dunn, Mamie Parker, Laura Curlett, Vicki Dixon, Brian
Bohnsack, Christopher Estes, Michael Andrews, Jaime Geiger, Doug Beard,
Rick Schuldt, Gerry Jackson, Jeff Johnson, Linda Kelsey, Cecilia Lewis,
Tom Murray, John DeLapp, Rod Simmons, LaVerne Smith, Frank Peterson, Jim
Balsinger, Greg Pratschner, Bob Batky, Mike Stempel, John Cooper, Rowan
Gould, Ed Carter, Mark Bagdovitz, Tom Melius, Dan Castleberry, Kelly
Hepler, Hannibal Bolton, John Engbreng, Doug Vincent-Lang, Cheryl
Amrani, Darren Benjamin, Matt Hogan

**Wednesday, August 8, 2007**

Welcome and Remarks from Tom Melius, Regional Director & Greg Siekaniec,
Refuge Manager, Alaska Maritimes National Wildlife Refuge

**[Alaska presentations]{.underline}**

***Overview of Alaska Fisheries Issues***

\- [Doug Vincent-Lang, Alaska Department of Fish and Game]{.underline}:
Mr. Lang gave a brief overview of the structure of the Department of
Fish and Game and highlighted its role in managing recreational,
commercial, subsistence, personal use and tribal fisheries issues. He
also described challenges to the health of fisheries resources. They
include: competing uses, changing demographics, climate change, invasive
species, habitat degradation, urbanization, oil and gas development,
water quality and use, and forest development.

\- [Rod Simmons, U.S Fish and Wildlife Service]{.underline}: Mr. Simmons
discussed the organization structure to show how we're positioned to
best meet the challenges, as they relate to aquatic resources here in
Alaska. And, then I'm going to talk a little bit about our 2004
fisheries strategic plan, and how that's taken us in new directions.
And, finally, I'm going to highlight some of our program activities and
accomplishments that directly relate to both our strategic vision for
fish and wildlife and the Alaska regional strategic plan.

\- [John DeLapp, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]{.underline}: Mr. DeLapp
highlighted habitat issues in Alaska and programs and partnerships that
work to address habitat management needs.

***Boating and boating Safety Issues in Alaska***

Jeff Johnson, Boating Law Administrator, Alaska Office of Boating
Safety, Department of Natural Resources: Mr. Johnson spoke on the issues
of boating and boating safety in Alaska. He also highlighted programs
aimed at improving boater safety. He highlighted the "Kids Don't Float"
Program and shared video public service announcements created to improve
use of personal flotation devices on Alaska waters.

**Joint session with the National Fish Habitat Board Working Group &
USFWS Fisheries Program leadership**

[John Cooper, Chair, National Fish Habitat Board of
Directors:]{.underline} Mr. Cooper updated the Council on the current
status of the NFH Board and briefly described its most recent
activities. He also recapped the efforts to staff the board, to solidify
the scientific underpinnings of the plan and to get assistance from
Federal agencies through the potential signing of a Presidential
executive order. Cooper also briefly touched on the NFHAP legislative
effort and noted that draft legislation is being worked on by a Board
team. Cooper also inquired about the potential for the Council writing a
letter to the Interior Secretary expressing support for an NFHAP related
executive order.

[Christopher Estes, National Fish Habitat Board staff & Alaska
Department of Fish and Game]{.underline}: Mr: Estes briefed on draft
guidelines to establish fish habitat partnerships. These partnerships
are the action arm of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan. The
partnerships will implement on the ground projects that will fulfill the
objectives of the Action Plan.

\- Martin MacDonald asked about the process of establishing partnerships
and how it relates to a possible national reservoir partnership that
Bass Pro Shops has been spearheading and funding.

\- Jim Anderson asked if the Board was coordinating the Action Plan with
other management efforts; specifically management efforts in the Puget
Sound.

\- Doug Hansen asked if some potential Action Plan partnerships were too
broad and not focusing on fish species that were more closely aligned
with providing recreational angling opportunities.

[Doug Beard, U.S. Geological Survey]{.underline}: Mr. Beard described
the biological programs within the USGS. He also highlighted the role
the USGS has played in the NFHAP and the financial and personnel
contributions made to the effort. He also briefed the Council on the
activities of the NFHAP Science and Data Team. Mr. Beard indicated that
the USGS was providing funding and personnel to the NFHAP effort and
that it would assist with completion of an assessment of the status of
fish habitats, nationally.

[Lunch presentation:]{.underline}

[Amy Alderfer, Kachemak Bay National Estuary Research
Reserve]{.underline}: Ms. Alderfer briefed the Council on the work of
the Research Reserve and recapped the breadth of the natural resources
in the greater Kachemak Bay.

[Greg Siekaniec, Refuge Manager, Alaska Maritimes National Wildlife
Refuge]{.underline}: Mr. Siekaniec presented the film, "Journey of the
Tiglax." The film chronicles the work of the FWS Research Vessel Tiglax
as it travels the refuge to accomplish its work.

**Continuation of the Joint session with the National Fish Habitat Board
Working Group & USFWS Fisheries Program leadership**

[Hannibal Bolton and Linda Kelsey]{.underline} highlighted some the FWS
budget activities associated with the NFHAP.

[Doug Hobbs]{.underline} recapped the Councils efforts to lead the
creation of a Fish Habitat Partners Coalition and also its efforts to
lead the NFHAP communications effort. Hobbs touched on both the
successes of these efforts. John Cooper used this summary of activities
to raise the issue of whether the Council would continue to lead the
partner and communications effort.

***- Members agreed that the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
should take the lead on the Partner Coalition and the communications
effort.***

[Jim Range]{.underline} led a discussion on the status of efforts to
draft legislation to codify the NFHAP. He stated that the effort was
modeled on the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. He also spoke
about potential legislative vehicles for moving a NFHAP bill through the
Congress. Aside from a stand alone bill, Range mentioned that potential
vehicles include climate change legislation and organic legislation for
the Service's Fisheries Program. There was a long discussion about a
strategy. It was unclear which of these approaches would be used to move
forward with NFHAP legislation. Council members agreed that they wanted
to provide feedback on the legislative strategy.

**[Fisheries Issues Committee - Ken Haddad, Chair]{.underline}**

[Doug Hansen]{.underline} briefed council members on the Aquatic
Nuisance Species workshop held at the North American Wildlife and
Natural Resources Conference held in March 2007. The Council was a
supporter of the workshop. Hansen noted the recommendations that
resulted from the workshop that would be acted on by the Association of
Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

[Mamie Parker, Assistant Director, Fisheries & Habitat Conservation, U.S
Fish and Wildlife Service]{.underline} led a recap of the activities of
the Fisheries Program in addressing the recommendations the Council has
made over the years. Regional FWS Fisheries Program Chiefs also provided
similar information. Presenters included: Gerry Jackson, Mike Stemple,
Jamie Geiger, John Engbreng, Greg Pratschner, and Mark Bagdovitz.

\- Bill Taylor inquired about the status of mitigation hatcheries within
the FWS. Reimbursement for the activities of these hatcheries has been a
concern for the Council for many years.

\- Jim Anderson pointed out that the program needs to continue to
emphasize communications, and actively reach out to partners and
stakeholders.

[Mamie Parker]{.underline} raised the issue of the Fisheries Program
strategic plan and the need to revise and update it in the near future.

\- Ken Haddad suggested that this would be an issue that the Council
Fisheries Issues Committee could help with.

\- John Sprague asked about

**[Boating Issues Committee -- Ryck Lydecker, Chair]{.underline}**

[Summary and outcomes of "Working Waterfronts: A National
Water]{.underline} [Access Symposium"]{.underline}

*- Ryck Lydecker*

*- Thomas Murray, Virginia Sea Grant College Program*

[Report on FWS implementation of Boating Infrastructure Grant
Program]{.underline} [Review recommendations]{.underline}

*- Ryck Lydecker, BoatU.S. & SFBPC member*

*- Brian Bohnsack, USFWS*

[Clean Vessel Act Grant Program Review Team: Progress
Report]{.underline}

\- *John Sprague, Florida Marine Industries Association & SFBPC Member*

[Fishing and Boating Access]{.underline}

\- Update on activities of the Fishing and Boating Access Subcommittee /
Discussion of possible future inland fishing and boating access
conference

*- Chris Horton, National Conservation Director, B.A.S.S.*

*- Julie McQuade, States Organization for Boating Access*

[Update on EPA discharge regulation]{.underline}

*- Mathew Dunn, National Marine Manufacturers Association*

**Communications Committee -- Betty Huskins, Chair**

\- Discuss possible Secretarial commendation recognizing "Legacy
Leaders" who have done great things to promote angling, boating and
aquatic resource conservation.

\- Discussion of the new FishSmart Program. The program is an initiative
being driven by the organizations and businesses of the recreational
fishing industry to advance conservation and stewardship of fisheries
resources nationwide. It is an effort to enhance the sustainability of
fishery resources as pressure on those resources increases.

*- William Taylor, SFBPC Chair*

*- Mike Nussman, Council member*

**Federal Assistance Programs**

\- Program / budget update

\- Federal Assistance Strategic Planning process update

\- Briefing on preliminary results from the National Survey on Fishing,
Hunting and Wildlife Related Recreation / Discussion of ways to address
participation trends

\- Discussion of issues related to Sport Fish Restoration Fund
reauthorization

*- Rowan Gould, Assistant Director, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration
Programs, FWS*

*- other Federal Assistance staff*

**National Communications and Outreach Program update**

[Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation report]{.underline}

\- *Frank Peterson, President, Recreational Boating & Fishing
Foundation*

[Update on creating joint measures for the conduct of future Council
RBFF assessments]{.underline}

*- Doug Boyd, Coastal Conservation Association & SFBPC Member*

*- Doug Hobbs, SFBPC Coordinator*

***Identification of Future Strategic Issues***

Adjourn

Jim Anderson motion

Mike Nussman secong