The meeting was attended by 25 participants from states, the Service, U.S. Geological Survey, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society, and Tribes. Participating Service programs included the National Wildlife Refuge System, Federal Assistance, Law Enforcement, and External Affairs. Tom Roffe and Bryan Richards, chronic wasting disease project leader for Geological Survey, led technical sessions. John McDonald, a wildlife research specialist from Federal Aid, coordinated participation from the states, including New York, where CWD was detected for the first time in the Northeast earlier this year.

Workshop organizer and Refuges Division of Natural Resources Chief Joe Dowhan said, ?The workshop made a lot of progress towards developing a regional plan and increasing the levels of knowledge of the disease and coordination among the parties.?

Native American Tribes participated in the workshop, coordinated by the Northeast Region's tribal liaison, DJ Monette. Tribal representatives appreciated the opportunity to participate and use the Northeast Region's planning process as a model for developing tribal plans and working with states across the United States.

A draft regional plan to address chronic wasting disease in the region and a clear plan of how to complete the draft were outcomes of the meeting. Site specific plans will be stepped down from the regional plan, including plans for Montezuma and Iroquois National Wildlife Refuges. The priority for establishing other site-specific plans will be determined with a risk assessment, which will be done in conjunction with Dr. Roffe. Craig Bitler, wildlife biologist at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, was designated to take over regional chronic wasting disease coordination from Dowhan. Catherine Hibbard, a refuge program specialist in the Regional Office, was designated as Craig's alternate.

Key ties were established with some States and other workshop participants, as well as personnel within the Fish and Wildlife Service. Regional Office personnel from Refuges, External Affairs, Law Enforcement, and Federal Aid were educated about chronic wasting disease. The Northeast Region's planning effort was recognized by Tribal representatives as a model for Tribal planning efforts.