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.