Update: US Coral Reef Task Force Mting Nov 2-3

Wed Oct 6 17:50:50 EDT 1999

Below is the most recent announcement and revised agenda for the 3rd
meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, Nov. 2-3, 1999 in St. Croix,
U.S. Virgin Islands.  Please note addition of a science workshop on
"Protected Areas and coral reefs" preceeding the meeting on Nov 1.

Information on meeting registration is included below.  Thank you.
___________
October 1, 1999

Dear Colleague:

On behalf of the Co-Chairs of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force
(U.S.C.R.T.F), I would like to cordially invite you to our next U.S.
Coral Reef Task Force meeting on November 2-3, 1999,  in St. Croix, U.S.
Virgin Islands, at the Tamarind Reef Hotel. The U.S.C.R.T.F.,
established by President Clinton in E.O. 13089 on Coral Reef Protection,
will discuss several coral reef protection recommendations that have
been developed by the Task Force working groups. Secretary Babbitt and
Secretary Daley or Deputy Secretary Mallett plan to participate, and we
look forward to representation and participation from government and
non-governmental organizations.

Key items for review and potential adoption or endorsement at the
meeting are: a Task Force Action Plan for implementing a range of
prospective actions, a coral reef enforcement protocol, a blueprint to
assist marine protected area managers, a mechanism for Coral Reef Task
Force oversight of E.O. 13089 implementation, and principals and
processes for addressing unsustainable trade in coral reef species.

A draft agenda for the meeting and associated workshops and field trips
is enclosed, along with the appropriate registration forms.  Additional
registration forms can be found on the web at http://coralreef.gov.  To
assist us with our planning,  please complete and return these forms by
fax to Jackie Ellis at 202-219-0229 by October 15, 1999.

The Tamarind Reef Hotel is located at 5001 Tamarind Reef, Christiansted,
St. Croix, USVI, telephone 340-773-4445, fax 340-773-3989, reservations
800-619-0014. When making reservations, please indicate that you are
with the Coral Reef Task Force Meeting.  There will be shuttles between
the Buccaneer and Tamarind Reef Hotels throughout the conference, and
other hotel accommodations are also nearby.

Please contact Karen Koltes (202-208-5345) at the Interior Department or
Roger Griffis (202-482-5034) at NOAA if you have questions about the
meeting agenda.  Jackie Ellis (202-208-4177) will help if you have
logistic or administrative questions.

We look forward to seeing you in November!

                                               Sincerely,

          /s/

William Y. Brown
Science Advisor to the Secretary

Enclosures
_________________
Updated DRAFT Agenda
Coral Reef Task Force Meeting and Associated Activities
October 31st through November 2nd, 1999
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Sunday, October 31st

8:00a.m. - 11:00a.m.  S.C.U.B.A. diving field trip, Salt River National
Historic Park
    Explore the recently dedicated National Park and its range of
marine resources, from mangroves to coral canyons.  Cost:
$55/participantBFee will be collected on site in advance of trip

1:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.  Snorkeling field trip, Buck Island Reef National
Monument
View one of the most extensive barrier reef systems under U.S. Federal
protection and learn about long term coral reef monitoring begun in
1975.

Monday, November 1st (VI Government Holiday - Bull & Bread Day)

9:00a.m. - 3:00p.m.  Marine Protected Areas Workshop by the Center for
Marine Conservation (Marina Conference Center, Tamarind Reef Hotel)

3:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.   Informal presentations on coral reef issues
Eight, 20-minute spots available.  If interested, please submit title
and short description of talk to Ashley Simons (fax: (202) 501-7759,
e-mail: Ashley_Simons at ios.doi.gov ) by October 20th, 1999.

7:00p.m. - 9:00p.m.  Reception, hosts TBA
(Mermaid Restaurant, Buccaneer Hotel)

Tuesday, November 2nd

8:00a.m. - 11:30a.m.  Cultural Tour to learn about the relationship
between cultural history and natural resources in St. Croix, from
pre-history through Danish ownership of St. Croix, VI.

8:00 a.m.   Bus pick up and departure from hotels

8:30 a.m.- 9:30 a.m.  Tour of Salt River Bay National Park and
Ecological Preserve

10:30a.m.- 11:30a.m.  Tour of Christiansted National Historic Site

11:30a.m.- 12:30p.m.  Free time in Christiansted

11:30a.m. - 12:30p.m.  Bus available to return to hotel

 11:30a.m.-1:00p.m.  Executive Session and Working Lunch for principal
Task Force members (Marina Conference Center, Tamarind Reef Hotel)
(By Invitation)

1:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.  U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting
(Marina Conference Center, Tamarind Reef Hotel)

1:00p.m.  Opening remarks from Co-Chairs, Governors, and Delegate Donna
Christian-Christiansen

1:30p.m.  Task Force introductions and budget update for FY 2000 and FY
2001

1:45p.m. - 4:00p.m. Panel presentation and discussion of integrated Task
Force Action Plan and specific recommendations

4:00p.m.  Public comment

5:00p.m.  Adjourn for the day

6:30p.m. - 8:30p.m.  Reception co-hosted by the National Park Foundation
and the U.S.V.I. Government (Buccaneer Hotel)
Heritage Dancers/ Scratch Band
Mocko Jumbies Stilt Dancers

8:00p.m.   Dinner at the Brass Parrot Restaurant for principal Task
Force members (By Invitation)

Wednesday, November 3rd

9:00a.m. - noon  U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting
(Marina Conference Center, Tamarind Reef Hotel)

9:00a.m. Continue discussion, decide on the draft Task Force Action Plan
and specific recommendations presented Tuesday

11:30a.m. Co-Chairs summarize actions taken and next steps

12:00p.m. Conclude meeting

12:15p.m. Press conference

-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Roger.B.Griffis.vcf
Type: text/x-vcard
Size: 424 bytes
Desc: Card for Roger B Griffis
Url : http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/19991006/21ba4f6c/attachment.vcf 