MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. PROGRAM FOR CONSIDERATION ON June 21 , 2005 A. National Wildlife Refuge Proposals I. Cache River National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas 2. Rappahannock River National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia 3. San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge, Texas 4. Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge, Texas . 5. Cape May National Wildlife Refuge, New Jersey 6. Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge, Tennessee B. North American Wetland Conservation Fund Proposals Canadian Proposals United States Proposals Small Grants MEMORANDUM A. Approval of Minutes of Meeting March 16, 2005 MEMORANDUM "A" MINUTES OF MEETING March 16, 2005 The Minutes of the meeting of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission held on March 16, 2005, have been prepared for reading by the Commission. It is respectfully recommended that these minutes be formally approved. I I MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION COMMISSION HELD IN WASHINGTON ON March 16, 2005 The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission met on Wednesday, March 16, 2005, in the Main Interior Building, Secretary's Conference Room 5160. The meeting was called to order at 8 :44 a.m., by Assistant Secretary Craig Manson, acting as Chairman. The following Commission members were present: HON. CRAIG MANSON, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior HON. THAD COCHRAN, Senator from Mississippi HON. BLANCHE L. LINCOLN, Senator from Arkansas HON. JOHN D. DINGELL, Representative from Michigan HON. CURT WELDON, Representative from Pennsylvania MR. DAVE GAGNER, Special Assistant to the Chief, NRCS, Department of Agriculture MS. DIANE REGAS, Director, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, Office of Water, Environmental Protection Agency Ex Officio members MR. ADAM TERRY, Representative Alexander's Washington D. C. Office MR VERNON BEVILL, Director, Game Bird Program, Texas Parks and Wildlife MR. STEVEN J. WEBER, Chief, Wildlife Division, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Secretary to the Commission: MR. A. ERIC ALVAREZ, Chief, Division of Realty, Fish and Wildlife Service Persons from the Congress of the United States, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and other agencies who attended the meeting are listed below. MS. KATHY HURLD, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, Office of Water, Environmental Protection Agency MS. SITENA GREGURY, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, Office of Water, Environmental Protection Agency MR. ROBERT HOLIFIELD, Professional Staff Member, Senator Lincoln's Office MR. WEST HIGGINBUTHON, Professional Staff Member, Senator Cochran's Office MS. KA TIE MURTHA, Legislative Director, Congressman Dingell's Office MS. AMY LEEDECKE, Legislative Assistant, Congressman Weldon's Office MR. CARLOS A. de la PARRA, Minister, SEMARNAT, Embassy of Mexico MR. ALPHONSO ZEGBE, First Secretary and Deputy Representative, SEMARNA T, Embassy of Mexico MS. SHEILA TOOZE, Environmental Affairs Officer, Embassy of Canada, Washington, D. C. MR. MA TT HOGAN, Acting Director, Fish and Wildlife Service MR. WILLIAM F. HARTWIG, Assistant Director, National Wildlife Refuge System, Fish and Wildlife Service MR. PAUL SCHMIDT, Assistant Director, Migratory Birds and State Programs, Fish and Wildlife Service MR. ROBERT GRAYES, Migratory Bird Conservation Commission Coordinator, Division of Realty, Fish and Wildlife Service MS. CHRISTIAN LEE CHRISTOFFERS, Realty Specialist, Division of Realty, RS, Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, Massachusetts MS. BRENDA JOHNSON-TURNER, Realty Specialist, Division of Realty, Fish and Wildlife Service MR. DOUG VANDEGRAFT, Chief Cartographer, Division of Realty, Fish and Wildlife Service MR. CARLTON CHEA THAM, Illustrator, Division of Realty, Fish and Wildlife Service MS. ANN GREEN, Secretary, Division of Realty, Fish and Wildlife Service MR. RIESLEY R. JONES, Regional Realty Chief, Division of Realty, R2, Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico MS. SUE OLIVEIRA, Regional Realty Chief, Division of Realty, R4, Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, Georgia MR. WALT QUIST, Regional Realty Chief, Division of Realty, R5 Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, Massachusetts MS. CHEREE PETERSON, Budget Analyst, Division of Budget, Fish and Wildlife Service MR. NICHOLAS THROCKMORTON, Public Affairs, Fish and Wildlife Service MR. DAVID SMITH, Council Coordinator, North American Wetlands Conservation Council, Fish and Wildlife Service MR. MICHAEL JOHNSON, Deputy Chief, Division of Bird Habitat Conservation, Fish and Wildlife Service MR. CLINT RILEY, Division of Bird Habitat Conservation, Fish and Wildlife Service MR. DAVID BUIE, Division of Bird Habitat Conservation, Fish and Wildlife Service MS. ELLEN MURPHY, Division of Bird Habitat Conservation, Fish and Wildlife Service MS. RODECIA MCKNIGHT, Division of Bird Habitat Conservation, Fish and Wildlife Service MR. TOM CASSIDY, The Nature Conservancy MR. SCOTT SUTHERLAND, Ducks Unlimited, Inc. MR. LEN UGARENKO, International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Representatives who attended the meeting on behalf of the North American Wetlands Conservation Council portion of the program are listed below. I I I I COUNCIL EX OFFICIO MEMBERS MR. JOHN BERRY, Executive Director, The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Washington, D. C. MR. MARY POPE HUTSON, Land Trust Alliance, Washington D. C. MEETING PROCEEDINGS Assistant Secretary Manson called the meeting to order at 8:44 a.m. He mentioned that Secretary Norton was a keynote speaker at the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference and she was sorry she could not be present at the meeting. Then he welcomed the commission members, new representative from the Environmental Protection Agency, state ex officio members, and others attending the meeting. Judge Manson then stated that since 1920, the Commission has overseen the establishment of 3 57 refuges in 49 States- over 12 million acres of marshes, prairie potholes, hardwood bottoms, and other havens for waterfowl, scattered from Maine to California and from Washington to Florida. He stated that the projects before the Commission for approval today reflect the continued growth in protecting and restoring wetland habitats under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act as well as through the Migratory Bird Conservation Act. Judge Manson recognized the 15 th anniversary of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and reflected on both where we have been and where we are going. He stated that in the 15 years since its signing, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act has invested over $640 million dollars in protecting and restoring wetland habitats across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. He acknowledged the representatives from the Canadian and Mexican Embassies. He noted that this is the last week for Service Director Steve Williams and the Secretary has announced that Matt Hogan will be Acting Director. He proceeded to introduce the ex officio members for the North American Wetlands Conservation Council. Judge Manson then proceeded to Agenda Item A. AGENDA ITEM A Assistant Secretary Manson called for approval of the September 8, 2004, meeting minutes which were unanimously approved. He then called on Mr. Eric Alvarez, Secretary to the Commission, to present the three Migratory Bird Conservation Act proposals for consideration. With the aid of maps and video projections, Mr. Alvarez presented the acquisitions proposed in the program. Mr. Alvarez and Regional Senior Realty Officers responded to questions about the individual proposals. Each state ex officio provided affirmative comments about the proposals within their representative states. The Commission's action for each proposal is given below. NEW MBCC REFUGE AND PRICE APPROVAL BLACK BA YOU LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana­ Boundary approval was granted for a 5,854-acre area. Price approval was granted for the fee title acquisition of 615 acres in one ownership for the recommended price of $150,000 or $244 per acre. Mr. Alvarez commented that $891,000 is currently available from LWCF and will be combined with $150,000 from the MBCF to purchase this 615 acre tract. The MBCF contribution to the purchase price equates to $244 per acre. Rep. John Dingell asked about the term of a lease depicted on the refuge may. Sue Oliveira, Senior Realty Officer, Southeast Region, stated that this was a 99-year lease no-cost lease from the State which aids the Service in allowing recreation on the refuge. ADDITION AND PRICE APPROVAL SILVIO 0. CONTE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, Pondicherry Division Coos County, New Hampshire-Addition of 825 acres in two ownerships was approved to expand the refuge and price approval was granted for the fee title acquisition of 516 acres in one ownership for the appraised value and recommended price of $304,000 or $589 per acre. Mr. Steven J. Webber, ex officio, stated that the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is working closely with refuge manager and participated in completion of hunting plan. Judge Manson asked about the donut holes shown on the map and asked Secretary Alvarez to discuss. Mr. Alvarez stated that we are seeking to acquire land in future or obtain management agreement from the current landowners. Rep. John Dingell asked about the status of acreage managed through an easement and owner of the easement. Walt Quist, Senior Realty Officer, Northeast Region, stated that the Audubon Society is the owner and we have begun the appraisal process and hope to bring before the Commission for approval at the