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| Spotlight on PNWER Policy Sessions |
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As the clock ticks down to the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region's 25th Annual Summit in Big Sky, we'd like to give you a deeper look at our many workshops and policy sessions.
The 22 policy sessions held between July 12-16 will cover: transportation, workforce development, disaster resilience and cyber security, energy, market access, mining, water policy, border issues, expanding natural gas markets, energy and environment, trade and economic development, tourism, higher education and innovation.
Today we're spotlighting policy sessions on invasive species, cross-border livestock health, forestry and agriculture.
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Agriculture
2:30 to 5:30 p.m., Monday, July 13
Huntly Lodge Dining
Co-chairs: Patrick J. Kole, Vice President, Legal & Government Affairs, Idaho Potato Commission & Hon. Herb Cox, Minister of Environment, Saskatchewan
Regional Transportation Challenges Impacting Agriculture Rail capacity, port capacity, trucking issues and port slow downs - and their impacts on the economy.
Panel members:
- Leslie Blakey, executive director, Coalition for America's Gateways and Corridors
- John Youngberg, executive vice president, Montana Farm Bureau Federation
Cross-Border Harmonization
How the US and Canada are organized in public and private sector efforts to provide for research, market development and promotion programs.
- Kim Falcon, department chief, Montana Department of Agriculture
Social License Issues Impacting the Agriculture Sector
- Shelley Jones, manager, Ag Awareness Unit, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
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Invasive Species I
9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Monday, July 13.
Room: Gibbon/Lamar
Co-chairs: Oregon State Senator Arnie Roblan &
Dr. Mark Sytsma,Vice President for Research, Portland State University
Preventing the Spread of Invasive Zebra and Quagga Mussels into the PNWER Region
A Regional Framework to Prevent the Spread of Zebra and Quagga Mussels into the Pacific Northwest: An update on the PNWER Regional Plan for coordination against the spread of invasive mussels
- Lisa DeBruyckere, Creative Resource Strategies
Update on Regional Legislation and Current Gaps in Legislation in the U.S. and Canada
Discussion: Implementing the Regional Framework
- Moderated by Lisa DeBruyckere, Creative Resource Strategies
Innovations in Inspection and Control: Mussel Sniffing Dogs
- Cindy Sawchuck, strategic advisor, Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, Government of Alberta
Easing Action: A Perspective from Jurisdictions that have Addressed Mussel Infestations
- Jeff Forester, Executive Director, Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates (invited)
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Our first Invasive Species session focuses on zebra and quagga mussels
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Invasive Species II
2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Room: Gibbon/Lamar
Co-chairs: Oregon State Senator Arnie Roblan &
Dr. Mark Sytsma,Vice President for Research, Portland State University
Emerging Issues
Emerald Ash Borer
- Dr. Laurie Kerzicnik, insect diagnostician and assistant IPM specialist, Montana State University
Pike
Examples of Coordinated Response
Eurasian waterfmilfoil, curlyleaf pondweed, and flowering rush actions in Montana, including biocontrol research
- Jennifer Andreas, regional specialist, Washington State University
New Tools and Technology
Working Session: Enhancing Communication Among Existing Regional Invasive Species Partnerships
An opportunity for stakeholders from throughout the region to discuss how to improve communication among existing invasive species groups.
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Forestry
2:30 to 5:30 p.m., Monday, July 13
Room: Dunraven/Obsidian
Co-chairs: Chuck Burley, Government Affairs Manager, Interfor &
Montana State Senator Chas Vincent
Keynote Speech
Robert Bonnie, USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment.
Marketing Wood Products through Technology and Policy
Advancing the use of timber products in tall buildings by exploring new technology in engineered wood products and aligning building codes in the region.
- Thomas Maness, Dean of the College of Forestry, Oregon State University
Panel Discussion: Innovative Approaches to Forest Management
Montana's Master Stewardship Agreement
- Montana State Forester Bob Harrington
Wyoming Governor's Task Force on Forests
- Jessica Crowder, Policy Advisor, Wyoming's Office of the Governor Matt Mead
Collaborative forest management practices in Oregon
- Chad Davis, Senior Policy Analyst, Oregon Department of Forestry
Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program
- Russ Hoeflich, The Nature Conservancy
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Cross-Border Livestock Health
Cross-Border Livestock Health: Vesticular Stomatitis
9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Tuesday, July 14
Room: Dunraven/Obsidian
Co-chairs: Dr. Marty Zaluski, Montana State Veterinarian &
Dr. Larry Delver, Alberta Beef Producers
Changing Patterns of the Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) Virus
U.S. Policy on VS control - USDA
Canadian Policy on VS control - CFIA
VS Policy Discussion
Cross-Border Livestock Health II: Avian Influenza
9:15 to 12:12 p.m., Wednesday, July 15
Room: Dunraven/Obsidian
Coordinating a regional response to avian influenza,
Wildlife reservoirs and minimizing trade restrictions during outbreaks.
Cross-Border Livestock Health III: Electronic Health Certificates
2:30 to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 15
Dunraven/Obsidian
CFIA Import Permit Delays - effect on US and Canada livestock producers
- Mr. Michael Latimer, Canadian Beef Breeds Council
Update on Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS)
Update on Electronic Exchange of Export Certificates (EEEC) Pilot
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Photo credits:
Forest: U.S. Forest Service
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News from the PNWER Region
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WTO rules on Country of Origin Labeling
The World Trade Organization recently ruled that U.S. Country of Origin Labeling requirements broke international trade laws.
On Wednesday the U.S. House of Representatives agriculture committee voted 38-6 to repeal the labeling requirement.
U.S. Backs Down on Trade Dispute; The Globe and Mail:
PNWER has passed resolutions calling to strike down the labeling requirement, which imposes costly, unnecessary regulations on Canadian and U.S. meat producers.
Alberta inspectors catch mussel-infested boat
A boat infested with aquatic hitchhikers was intercepted by Alberta's watercraft inspectors before it made it into Sylvan Lake earlier this month.
Boat infested with invasive mussels intercepted at Sylvan Lake; The Calgary Herald
Beyond the Border implementation report
A joint report on achievements of the Beyond the Border Plan and Forward Plan for future objectives was released Tuesday, May 19.
Here is our synthesis of the report:
Read the White House's 17-page report in its entirety here.
Ottawa's report is here.
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PNWER British Columbia Business Luncheon
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A successful PNWER luncheon roundtable brought together delegate Dan Ashton, MLA and British Columbia business leaders on May 15 for a discussion on important issues facing businesses in the region.
Generously hosted by Don Dalik from Fasken Martineau, the meeting also featured an economic forecast from Ken Peacock, Chief Economist and Vice President of the Business Council of British Columbia.
See Peacock's presentation here |
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Nominate Cross-Border Leaders for PNWER Awards
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Do you know someone who has improved relations between the U.S. and Canada or designed and implemented a solution to a cross border issue? Nominate them for PNWER awards!
Every year, PNWER recognizes exemplary leaders who are reducing tension between the US and Canada in our region, or playing a major role in bringing greater awareness and collaboration between cross-border organizations and stakeholders.
Members of the private sector are eligible for the Robert Day Memorial Award and public sector individuals are recognized with the Hot Potato Award. Nominations are now open!
Submissions are due May 31st.
Wayne Daphnee, center, was presented the Hot Potato Award at the 2014 PNWER summit in Whistler, B.C. by Gary Doer, left, Canada's Ambassador to the U.S., and Bruce Heyman, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada.
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Thank you to our major sponsors for 2015:
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