CVJV MANAGEMENT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA
DATE/TIME: Thursday August 23, 2012 9:30 AM-3:00 PM
PLACE: Grizzly Ranch, Suisun (directions below)
Phone Number: (916) 747-0545 (Bob Shaffer’s cell)
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
· DFG and Suisun RCD Roles and Responsibilities in the Suisun Marsh - Pat Graham, Grizzly Island WA Manager and Steve Chappell, Executive Director, Suisun RCD
· Recent Grizzly Ranch Acquisition - Jake Messerli, CWA
APPROVAL OF MAY 10, 2012 BOARD MEETING MINUTES
NEXT TWO BOARD MEETING DATES/PLACES
ACTION ITEMS
PRESENTATIONS
· Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program ( Sabreena Kasbati, CWA)
· PG&E CAES Compressed Air Storage (Robert Booth, PG&E)
DISCUSSION ITEMS
· Role of Resources Agency on the Management Board (Todd Ferrara, Resources Agency)
· JV Presentation to International Conservation Caucus Foundation Washington D.C. (Diane Ross-Leach, PG&E)
Diane shared her experience with Glenn Olson at the ICCF in late July. Staff of Congress were there, with lots of representatives from CA. they showed the 25th video and used other materials the CEO developed. Foreign embassies were also there. It was a positive experience and they are now much more aware of JVs. The emphasis was on education. Ellie asked if we could use them in our Congressional ‘education’. Can we leverage that? Diane felt it was worth a conversation. Different partners have different relationships with them.
ACTION: ELLIE suggested that the leg committee follow up with them to see what we might do to follow up with them that would facilitate our goals.
· Draft State Wetlands Policy (Kelly Katlett, Defenders, Dean Kwasny, NRCS)
We’re in the first of three phases. They released a draft in March. They’re now getting ready to roll out their lates draft in Septemner along with their CEQA document. Deals with permitting & mitiagation standards along with ‘what is a wetland’. Issue was discussed at Lands Com and agreed that a formal board response was needed. The concern is how it affects us doing business on enh & restoration projects. It creates another layer of permitting – that puts us on a level with development projects. It’s more than they should have to do. A requirement that has no exemption or fast track for restoration projects. We want restoration projects put into that exemption arena to fast track. The Water Board is interested in hearing from us. Right now they’re only hearing from industry and developers. Ellie asked if Defenders has a template that could be used by the partners. One NRCS example and one NGO example. Go to the SWRCB to find information on how to comment.
· Central Valley Flood System Conservation Framework and Strategy proposal solicitation
(Ron Melcer, DWR)
Discussed FESRO. Setting up guiding principles for flood control improvement work underway. RSP – they’re about to release in a few weeks. Central Valley Flood protection plan planning area. GET NOTES FROM RON) Prop 1E money. Staff will forward the proposal when it is released. The Lands committee will review it for opportunities to submit.
· CVJV Award Protocol (Bob Shaffer, CVJV)
Bob gave a background to our proposal for a formal way to recognize the contributions of individuals & organizations contributing in a significant way to our mission. Bob asked for input on the draft. Dean thinks a formal process is important and that it’s a great idea. Dan suggested that developkng formal criteria to send out. It would help them to think about who would be appropriate. Dan offered to develop a template himself. He’ll borrow the IWJV award criteria to help him think it through. We’ll keep the award itself flexible, based on who it is and the award. ACTION ITEM.
· NAWCA Grants (Bob Shaffer, CVJV)
Bob will be going back to the meeting in September trying to champion our recent submittals. With Council staff, a lot of acquisitions have been directed (75%) to the Prairie Potholes. We’re gonna weigh in on our concerns. We’re also concerned that more will be directed to those projects with public access. Here, a lot of our projects are on private lands.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
· CVJV 25TH Anniversary (Jill Shirley, CVJV)
· Social Media (Jill Shirley, CVJV)
LANDS COMMITTEE
· Lands Committee update (Virginia Getz, DU)
Get committee report and packet materials from Virginia. Letter should go out asap. Ruth will send it out tomorrow and request a 4 day turnaround time – for final approval. Motion: mccreary moved that we approved the letter and concept. Jake seconded. All approved – contingent on one final review. Ruth will send it all out (letter & proposal) then forward it to VG. Bob noted that if this goes well, it is a model process for other areas of the Valley.
VG followed up with more emphasis on our concerns with the Draft State Wetlands Policy. CVJV needs to provide input on the policy and send a formal letter to the Corps and the Board. We would be reuesting a streamlined process. Dean agreed to take the lead on developing a letter for the LC to review, then send to the board for their signature. Kelly will also help as needed. Ellie asked if key people from the NGOs should set up meetings with key people. If those working directly on this issue, thinks that it would be helpful then let Board members know. VG suggested the letter, then a follow up with a meeting from the CVJV.
· Watershed Working Group update - (Geoff Geupel, PRBO)
Geoff gave an update on the work of the WWG. Mokulumne/Cosumnes watershed was identifired as a prioritiy, but those working there are more focused on ecosystem services. Some of our partners are working with local RCDs. NRCS Workshops focused ON BIRDS as FOCAL SPECIES have been held. Meadow valleys and what practices private landowners can use to enhance habitats have been developed. Landowner guides/leave behinds. A wide variety of activities are on-going. Watershed targets for different species. Geoff hopes watershed targets (not basins) for bird species is something the board will embrace in the next IP.
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
· Report from the Science Coordinator (Greg Yarris, CVJV)
Greg summarized the work/progress of the various working groups. Greg Golette has taken over as chair of the riparian working group. Planning (choosing focal species and habitat targets) is the focus. Joint meeting of the Waterfowl and Shorebird working groups got together last week. Collaboration & communication is a priority right now. The main purpose of the meeting was information exchange. Reset the knowledge baseline for where to move forward on the IP. What are the complications and threats with respect to the next interation of the IP (ie. Mosquito abatement, ag practices, mercury etc.)
The outcome was the recognition that much has been accomplished in our IP, but that it’s time for an update.
The next Tech Comm (late October) will meet to determine what the plan should look like and how we should move forward. Dean asked about the timing of the M&E plan and how that would inform the IP update. Greg is updating it and will have it available for the gropu meeting in October. Ellie suggested that by our Feb meeting we will have updated/evaluated our M&E plan to inform our IP.
· Effects Analysis Tool for BDCP CM2 (Jeff McCreary, DU)
WATER COMMITTEE
· CVPIA 3406 Refuge Water Supply Update (Dale Garrison, FWS)
· Water Campaign Update (Dan Taylor, Audubon)
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
· Legislative Updates (Chris Unkel, DU, Mark Hennelly, CWA)
· Association of JV Management Board September Meeting (Bob Shaffer,CVJV)
ADJOURN
DIRECTIONS TO GRIZZLY ISLAND RANCH (next to Grizzly Island Wildlife Area)
· Hwy 80 to Fairfield
· Take Hwy 12 East toward Suisun City
· After 3.6 miles, Right onto Grizzly Island Rd.
· After 5.4 miles, stay Right over Montezuma Slough Bridge
· After 3.3 miles, Right onto Van Sickle Road, you will see “Welcome to Grizzly Island Wildlife Area”. Look for white fence
· After 0.4 miles, Right into Grizzly Ranch
· After 0.7 miles, Arrive at Grizzly Island Ranch