Western Division of the American Fisheries Society
EXCOM Teleconference Minutes
Date: December 17, 2002

Participants: Don MacDonald, Eric Knudsen, Tom McMahon, Monica Hiner, Bill Bradshaw, John Alves, Mary Whalen, Steve Elle, Dana McCanne, Mary Buckman, Dave Zafft, Amy Harris, Chuck Knutson, Dave Manning, Jim Tilmant, Jim Whalen, Pat Byroth, and Eric Wagner

2003 Annual Meeting (Tom)

• Mexican Connection (Eric)
  • Encouraging people coordinating the Mexican Symposia to bring things together.
  • Spreading the word about the international reception
  • Conclave to discuss Mexican Chapter
  • $6,000 in travel support. Travel scholarships can be applied for. Also, a registration waiver and free housing will be available for students.
• Fund Raising—Jim, Eric, and Don have a list of proposed sources and have a revised letter that will be sent out soon.
• Final Budget
  • WDAFS Business lunch cost decreased to $10,000.
  • International Social (in penthouse) cost decreased to $1,500 (approx. 60 people)
  • An arrangement has been reached between the Division and California-Nevada, where the Division will receive the first $15K of $20K in proceeds from the meeting. After the initial $20K of profits are realized, the Cal-Neva Chapter will get additional proceeds until they match the profits received by the Division ($15K total).
  • Chuck motioned to accept the budget with revisions, Mary Buckman seconded the motion.
  • Eric had additional questions for decreased registration costs for Mexican members.
  • Don suggested we increase travel support for Mexican Travel to $7500 and stick with that (no reduced registration fees). If additional funds are earmarked for Mexican Travel they will go directly into the travel fund.
  • The budget was unanimously approved
• Final call for posters and papers out now.
• Registration form is in the process of being developed. Tom asked for suggestions on who else to send it to. We can email it out on the list server and snail mail it to people not on the list. Eric reinforced the fact that we need to also focus on marine-oriented people.

• There are several concerns about hosting the meeting at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City. One of the concerns is the cost for the meeting space, which is dependent on the number of attendants. Dave Manning has several suggestions for how to negotiate with the hotel about costs. There are several other hotels that might have a decreased cost, but they charge a shuttle fee from the airport ($13.00) and parking ($6.00). All of the rooms are at the current per diem rate of $90/night.
• We have not heard from the Whirling Disease group yet about their willingness to co-convene.

• Submissions for January/February issue ASAP (December 31st)Chuck and Don are working on an invitation to the 2003 Annual MeetingDon will submit a President's MessageBallot submissionsFeature Articles—Coal Bed Methane?
• 2003 Annual Meeting Agenda

• Four fires in South Utah caused fisheries concerns this past summer. Issues surrounding this issue include using water from a whirling disease positive drainage to suppress fires in a whirling disease negative area. Retardant drops that result in fish kills are also an issue.
• Elevate this issue to the Division and National level. A draft statement needs to be completed. Jim volunteered to take charge of this, but would like to remain anonymous due to concerns for his job.

• There are 25 members on the committee at this point The committee held its first teleconference on December 11th. Revisions in Prospectus
  • Working on Species List (includes anadromous)Concerns about changing “abundance” to “status”Not likely to discuss restorationKey issues and habitat requirements will be identified
  • Areas to be considered—Will include Hawaii if they can get a Hawaii Representative. Include Mexico?
  Future Actions: 1) Revise Prospectus; 2) Start compiling species list; 3) Start compiling data sources
• Next Teleconference January 29th.

• Bill gave a brief description of the issue and problems it poses with water quality. Don will forward the information to the Environmental Concerns Committee. Bill suggested that we find out where current developments are and also where scheduled developments will be. John Alves suggested that we partner with other organizations on this issue, such as the Wildlife Society, Sierra Club, etc.
• Don will work with Bill on terms of reference.