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WWFPAT Notes

Those in attendance were:
Art Reese, Acting Chairman, Office of Federal Land Policy, State of Wyoming
Tom Ostermann, Wyoming State Forester
Stan Sylva, U.S. Forest Service/Wyoming Coordinator
Ginger Newman, Wyoming Association of Municipalities
Joe Evans, Wyoming County Commissioners Association
Colin Campbell, National Park Service, Grand Teton National Park (by phone)
Julie Hamilton, Office of Federal Land Policy, State of Wyoming

A brief overview of what the role of the action team will be was presented by Art Reese. The Interior Appropriations Bill signed into law by the President on Wednesday, October 11, 2000 states that communities, counties, state and federal agencies shall work in full partnership in decision-making with regard to the wildfires and future planning. Each state will have a working group to develop a plan for implementation of the provisions of the bill thus this committee was formed. This action committee will report to an executive committee which will consist of the Bureau of Land Management State Director, Regional Foresters and representatives of the National Park Service, Environmental Protection Agency and the Governor of the State of Wyoming.

The group selected the title of "Wyoming Wildfire Response Action Team". There was also discussion of "Wyoming Wildland Response Action Team". The name will be discussed and approved at the next meeting after all members have had opportunity to review.

The team will have a rotating chairmanship. Tom Ostermann was nominated and accepted the Chairmanship beginning October 24, 200 when the team will make a report to the Natural Resources Sub-Committee. He will serve as chair for ninety (90) days at which time the chairmanship will rotate again to another agency.

Art Reese suggested that in order for one entity to not appear as a lead agency, that the group use a simple letterhead of its own. The group agreed. Julie Hamilton will design something with the name and mission statement and circulate to members for their suggestions or approval.

The mission statement was discussed and the group settled on the following:

"To facilitate Wyoming's response to the national fire plan at the local, state and federal levels."

The group discussed a press release to make the public aware of the team and it's activities and that will be circulated to all members as well for their approval. Rachel Girt of the Governor's office will assist with composing the press release.

Tom Ostermann and Stan Sylva will gather available information on communities at risk in the state either for fire or socio-economic considerations. They will also contact John Glenn at the Bureau of Land Management and will coordinate and share information with the counties and municipalities to meet a sixty (60) day deadline for reporting to the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior who in turn will report to Congress.

Art Reese and Julie Hamilton will prepare an outline to meet the ninety (90) day requirement on how funds will be spent according to the provisions of the act. This will be circulated to all members for their approval.

The next meeting of the action team will be Friday, October 20, 2000 at 2:00 p.m,. The meeting room is yet to be determined but Julie will contact everyone when that is determined.

Attachment: proposed letterhead