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NRCS to Participate in U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting
NRCS
will participate at the 13th meeting of the United States Coral Reef Task Force
(USCRTF) to be held on March 3, 2005, at the Department of Interior in
Washington, D.C. Representatives of 12 Federal agencies, seven
states/territories and three Freely Associated States serve on the Task Force,
which meets twice a year to discuss priorities, progress, and other issues
related to conservation and management of coral reef ecosystems. USCRTF meetings
also provide a forum for a wide variety of interested government and
non-government stakeholders to present and discuss issues and contributions with
the Task Force.
The one day business meeting will include updates on current and past USCRTF
resolutions and Federal agencies’ activities so that new Task Force members are
made aware of each agency’s responsibilities and coral reef related activities.
Discussions will also take place on the State of the Reef report, the
Progress Report to Congres, and
Local Action Strategies. Presentations on the
National Academy of Sciences study and the
President’s Ocean Action Plan are
also slated to take place.
The NRCS Conservation Communications Staff will provide assistance with the
Conservation Security Program exhibit at the meeting. More information is
available on the Task Force website.
Your contact is Howard Hankin, NRCS National Aquatic Ecologist, at 202-690-0082,
or howard.hankin@usda.gov.
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