Final Minutes
Cooperative Agreement
Technical Committee Meeting
CNPPID's Eagle Viewing Center
Lake Ogallala, Nebraska
Call to Order
Jay Maher called the meeting to order at 1:15 p.m., welcomed the attendees, and introductions were made.
Agenda and Minutes
Dale Strickland suggested adding Mike Fritz to the agenda to discuss the Nebraska Game and Park's proposal to conduct an evaluation of data sets for the whooping crane, least tern, and piping plover. Dale also suggested the Technical Committee (TC) discuss when and if someone with design expertise should be consulted with regarding research and monitoring protocols. Both topics were added to Tuesday's agenda.
Clayton Derby read Jim Lutey's suggested wording change to the April meeting minutes. After revisions, the minutes were accepted by consensus.
Status Reports
Peer Review
Clayton distributed copies of the most recent Peer Review Work Plan. The only change was the date for review of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Baseline Document.
Objectives for Monitoring and Research
No new information.
EIS Team Needs
Dave Carlson was not present to update the TC on the response he is working on to Curt Brown's request for information.
Subcommittee Reports
Technical Committee Schedule
Clayton distributed a draft time schedule for activities related to the TC. Dale noted that this schedule would be presented to the Governance Committee (GC) at their July meeting and will be used by the TC in budgeting items for the first quarter of Year 3. It was noted that the Integrated Process section (R1-1, R2-1, R3-1) is in the most need of updating.
There was general discussion regarding the schedule, and one of the suggested changes was to include peer review of Water Management Committee and Land Committee documents for budgeting purposes. Most of the other discussion and changes dealt with the Integrated Process section. A major point of discussion centered on review of the Baseline Document by the TC. It was decided that the TC should provide one response to the FWS for technical/biological issues and each member should provide a response for his/her party. Clayton Derby will act as a "clearing house" for TC comments. He will receive and compile all comments into one document. Comments are due to Clayton by July 23, 1999. He will compile and redistribute the comments by July 27. Jim Lutey reminded the TC that ,when the document is first distributed, there will be sections (water quality, hydrology, and sediment) that are not included, and he will hopefully provide these sections in July. Jim also noted that the FWS anticipates the Baseline Document being independently peer reviewed.
Other changes suggested in the Integrated Process section included adjusting the dates for completion of R1-1, R2-1, and R3-1 in regard to the tern, plover, crane, sturgeon, and other species sections, removing the workshop with experts, and general update for completion of tasks.
Relationship of R1-1, R2-1, and R3-1
A draft outline describing the goals and objectives for least terns was handed out. Sharon Whitmore and Jan McKee led the discussion. Sharon updated that TC on the last Tern Subgroup/FWS meeting and the progress that has been made since the last TC meeting. Jan continued the discussion by reading the introductory paragraphs, and individuals commented. There was discussion regarding the difference between using valley and river when referring to the central Platte and how monitoring for the success of the Program will be accomplished if restricted to just the river. It was noted that the Recovery Plan for terns does not view sandpits as least tern habitat but that it was the feeling of some that cleared islands will not be maintained by flows alone either.
There was concern expressed by several on the TC that the Program should only be accountable for habitat and flows and not directly to species numbers. However, the FWS needs some quantitative goals, and these goals are not known at this time. Because the Recovery Plan states the recovery level for terns on the Platte is 750 individuals, the FWS needs to know if the numbers are increasing. However, these goals need to take into consideration breeding, migration, and winter habitat and not just breeding habitat.
It was decided that an additional section needed to be added that identified what the Program can produce and how that is tied to the Recovery goals. The added section will need to outline how the program will be evaluated. Dale suggested that this section follow the existing last sentence in paragraph two of the introduction.
After the lengthy discussion above, the group continued to work through the document. It was decided to change "increase in habitat" to "restore habitat" throughout the document. There was discussion concerning when "X" will be defined. It was decided that "X" would likely not be defined until suitable habitat is defined and the Program determines how the habitat and water will be allocated during the first increment. The Tern and Plover Group will come up with an "X" over the next 3-4 months using the best available information. There were many other wording changes and various other edits. Near the end of the discussion, Martha Tacha brought up the point that "spike flows" were not addressed.
Jay distributed the Draft TC Charter to the Governance Committee (GC) at the last meeting in Kearney, Nebraska. He has not received any comments to date from the GC.
Jay went over his comments/suggestions for the Draft Charter. This led to a discussion and further edits from the entire group. Some of the items discussed included, but were not limited to, 1) do members serve as individuals or as representatives from organizations, 2) should the chair be appointed by the GC or elected by the TC, and 3) what "voluntary" and "appropriate technical training and experience" were referring to in paragraph 6 under Committee Makeup. The TC was able to reach consensus on all of the suggested changes. Jay is still attempting to confirm the membership list and is still waiting for replies. Terry Schaffer from Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center was added to the membership list. Clayton made the changes and distributed a revised draft during the meeting. Jay will distribute the revised Charter to the GC and ask for approval at the next GC meeting.
Adjourn for May 17 at 7:15 p.m.
Call to Order for May 18 at 8:20 a.m.
Relationship of R1-1, R2-1, and R3-1 (Continued from May 17)
The FWS presented wording for tying Recovery and Program goals together. The suggestion was modified slightly by the group and was included after the last sentence in paragraph two of the introduction. The conversation included more discussion regarding the goals the Program needs to meet to be considered a success. One point expressed was that monitoring should be designed to provide information for adaptive management and to evaluate biological response of the species to Program activities. One member expressed concern over removing wording that holds the Program accountable for some species response at some level.
Identification of Protocols
Dale mentioned that the next step needed in the tern process was to identify and prioritize protocols that need to be written. The group went through the Monitoring and Research Measurements identified in the Least Tern Document and identified protocols that are currently available and those that will need to be written. Mark Peyton wrote the suggestions on a flip chart and will summarize electronically. During the discussion it was noted that it is impossible to monitor "suitable" habitat because no one knows exactly what that is, therefore monitoring will need to focus on the elements in suitable habitat (vegetative cover, flows, prey base, etc.) Another point of discussion was the need to consider what areas will need to be monitored, random selection or "hand-picked" sites. It became apparent while going through the Monitoring and Research Measurements that many of the Research Measurements will be addressed within the Monitoring Measurements and their associated protocols. It was again brought up that it might be time for the TC to bring in someone with more design experience.
Monitoring and Research Discussion at the June Goverance Committee Meeting
Dale briefly explained that the GC has been spending a portion of their previous few meeting addressing major topic points. So far they have discussed ground water flooding and outreach efforts. The committees have been using this opportunity to update the GC, present any problems, ask for input, and obtain preliminary approval on issues.
At their June meeting, the GC will be focusing on the progress and potential problems the TC is facing. Jan McKee will present the process the TC and FWS are following for completing R1-1, R2-1, and R3-1 and how the milestones are tied together. Jay Maher will present the work that has been done for the least tern as an example. The GC will likely be interested in scheduling and budgetary items.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Proposal
Mike Fritz briefly explained that the NGPC applied for and received partial funding through FWS Section 6 funds for compiling and analyzing habitat use and population data for whooping cranes, least terns, and piping plovers. For the crane data set, the NGPC proposed addressing all of the Central Flyway from Texas to North Dakota and on into Canada. For the tern and plover data set, the NGPC proposed addressing just Nebraska data. At the current level of funding ($20,000 of $28,000 requested), some of the objectives will not be achieved.
Mike asked the TC for guidance on what topics they felt should be highest priority if the NGPC does not come up with the additional funds by the June meeting. Mike also asked if it would be appropriate for the TC to add into their budget the additional funds needed. Mike indicated a desire to collect the data in a manner compatible with the Program's data needs, at least at a regional scale. The data could be useful in relating bird use in the central Plate River Valley to their regional populations. Jay will bring to the GC, as an attention item, that the TC feels that this is important and may need funding. The TC realizes that the FWS may provide further funding outside of Section 6 funds.
Additional Items
Jan McKee needs comments regarding the observation sites by June 7th instead of August 1.
The need for design expertise was briefly discussed. The group agreed that this type of assistance would help the committee's efforts. Dale explained that there was some money in his budget that would support help from the Executive Director's office. Dale will try to schedule Lyman McDonald to attend the June meeting to assist with design issues.
Upcoming Meetings
The June TC meeting is June 28 and 29 at CNPPID Eagle View Center, Lake Ogallala.
There is no July meeting planned.
The August TC meeting will be August 4, 5, and 6 at CNPPID's Jeffrey Lodge.
Adjourn for May 18 at 12:45 p.m.
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Name |
|
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David Zelenka |
Wyoming Water Development |
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Mark Peyton |
CNPPID |
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Mike Fritz |
NGPC |
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Sharon Whitmore |
USFWS, Grand Island |
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Rocky Plettner |
NPPD |
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Mark Czaplewski |
Central Platte NRD |
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Kevin Urie |
Denver Water/Colorado Water Users |
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Jim Lutey |
USFWS, Denver |
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Martha Tacha |
USFWS, Grand Island |
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Larry Hutchinson |
NGPC-Fisheries, Lincoln |
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Jim Jenniges |
NPPD |
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Ken Schilz |
Nebraska Water Users |
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Jay Maher |
CNPPID |
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Dale Strickland |
Executive Director |
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Clayton Derby |
Executive Director |
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Steve Gloss |
University of Wyoming |
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Jan McKee |
USFWS |
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