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Conference Call May 26, 2009 <br /> Participants: William Hatton, Chuck Fairchild, Patricia Johnston, Jerry Magee, Mark Brown <br /> Invited but not available: Joan Seevers <br /> Purpose of the call: To discuss National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS) and its relationship to <br /> the West Eugene Wetlands Project <br /> The following were questions that were posed at the beginning of the meeting to guide the discussion: <br /> 1. What is the criteria for NLCS designation? <br /> a. Is there specific criteria for Outstanding Natural Areas? <br /> b. Does the West Eugene Wetlands Project fit a NLSC designation? If so, what would that be? <br /> 2. NLCS designation, internal and external process <br /> a. What is the internal BLM process to nominate an area as an NLCS project? <br /> 3. What are the funding opportunities for NLCS projects? <br /> 4. How is funding allocated to NLCS projects? What can the NLCS funding be used for? <br /> 5. Feasibility of the WEW project achieving NLCS designation, fitting NLCS criteria? <br /> 6. How does the US Fish and Wildlife Service refuge and NLCS relate? Are they compatible? <br /> The discussion resulted in the following points: <br /> (Some of the detailed information provided below was researched after the conversation.) <br /> 1. _NLCS Designation can only be achieved through Congressional action or Presidential <br /> proclamation. NLCS as of 2009 does have a designated funding source, however, at this time <br /> the funds are not adequate to manage current NLCS units and it is unclear whether this budget <br /> will increase in the coming years to meet the program needs. NLCS National budget is <br /> approximately $28 million for FY09. <br /> The federal Bureau Planning System (BPS) is how funds are allocated for NLCS projects. <br /> Washington DC NLCS staff reviews BPS submissions and allocates funding accordingly, <br /> Of the NLCS categories, the West Eugene Wetlands would probably fit best the category <br /> Outstanding Natural Area (ONA) or "other" category which is administered under the overall <br /> National Monument /National Conservation Areas program, one of the four major NLCS <br /> Programs. There four NLCS Programs are: <br /> a. National Monuments /National Conservation Areas <br /> b. Wilderness /Wilderness Study Areas <br /> c. Wild and Scenic Rivers <br /> d. National Scenic and Historic Trails <br /> 2. NLSC designation would be compatible with the US Fish and Wildlife Refuge System. During the <br /> drafting of NLSC legislation coordination with USF &W Service is standard practice. <br /> NLCS Conference Call May 26, 2009 page 1 -- <br />