[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 48 (Thursday, March 12, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12111-12112]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6368]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Meetings

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of meetings.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces meetings of the Aquatic Nuisance Species 
Task Force and its Western Regional Panel to be held in conjunction 
with the Eighth International Zebra Mussel and Aquatic Nuisance Species 
Conference. Topics to be addressed during the meetings are identified.

DATES: The Western Regional Panel will meet from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., 
Wednesday, March 18, 1998, and the Task Force will meet from 1:30 p.m., 
Thursday, March 19, 1998 through 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The Western Regional Panel meeting will be held at the 
Double Tree Hotel, 2001 Point West Way, Sacramento, California. The 
Task Force will meet at the Red Lion Sacramento Inn, 1401 Arden Way, 
Sacramento, California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda R. Drees, Coordinator, Western 
Regional Panel at 913-539-3474, Extension 20, or Bob Peoples, Executive 
Secretary, Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, at 703-358-2025.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 10(a)(2) of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. I), this notice announces 
meetings of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force and its Western 
Regional Panel. The Task Force was established by the Nonindigenous 
Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990.
    Full agendas are planned for both meetings. Thursday afternoon, the 
Task Force will hear presentations reviewing the status of and 
prospects for controlling and preventing the spread of zebra mussels 
and a report of Task Force staff activities. In addition, there will be 
an update on the Administration's alien invasive species initiative, a 
report of the recent meeting of Task Force principals and progress on 
the unified budget initiative that was agreed to at that meeting, and 
presentation on progress developing the Task Force web site. Friday, 
several Task Force operational issues will be discussed, including 
membership, regional panel and committee policies, elaboration of the 
process for submittal and evaluation of aquatic nuisance species 
control program proposals, and proposed Task Force guidance for State 
and interstate ANS management plans. The Task Force's regional panels 
and committees will report on their activities and accomplishments. 
Information and updates will be provided on a number of topics, 
including the San Francisco Bay/Inland Delta Public Workshop, the Forum 
on Ecological Surveys, activities related to green crabs, several 
ballast water/shipping issues, and Gulf of Mexico initiatives.
    The Western Regional Panel will hear from members about 
nonindigenous species of concern and prevention and control activities, 
including efforts in the Pacific Northwest, the 100th Meridian 
Initiative to Prevent Western Spread of Zebra Mussels, and the status 
of and plans for State and interstate aquatic nuisance species 
management

[[Page 12112]]

plans. A presentation will be made on striking a balance between 
prevention and control activities. Panel operating procedures and 
committee work plans will be discussed and approved.
    Minutes of both meetings will be maintained by the Executive 
Secretary, Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, Suite 840, 4401 North 
Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22203-1622. Minutes of the Western 
Regional Panel meeting will also be maintained by the Panel's 
Coordinator, c/o U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 315 Houston Street, 
Suite E, Manhattan, Kansas 660502. Minutes for the meetings will be 
available at these locations for public inspection during regular 
business hours, Monday through Friday, within 30 days following the 
meetings.

    Dated: March 9, 1998.
Gary Edwards,
Co-Chair, Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, Assistant Director--
Fisheries.
[FR Doc. 98-6368 Filed 3-11-98; 8:45 am]
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