NORTHEAST MULTISTATE ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE MEETING


USDA-CSREES, Waterfront Centre, Room 3301

March 5, 2003
9:00am to 12:00nn

 

Chair, Bob Seem

Members: Cathy Roheim (RI), Bill Trumble (NH)

 

Report and Recommendations

 

  1. Request to approve the proposal, NE_temp341, “Development of an Improved Management Program for the Internal Lepidoptera Pest Complex Attacking Apples in the Northeastern Unites States” 04-2003 to 2005. Submitted by J. Hunter/R. Seem (NYG).
    http://www.lgu.umd.edu/showInfo.cfm?trackID=3434
    Note: Bruce McPheron (PA) was recommended and he agreed to be the Advisor if proposal is approved as a Rapid Response MRP.

Action:  Recommends approval.

 

  1. Request to approve the proposal, NE_temp361, “Genetic Bases for Resistance and Immunity to Avian Diseases” 10-2003 to 2008. Submitted by K. Kerr (CTS).
    http://www.lgu.umd.edu/showInfo.cfm?trackID=3474

Action:  Recommends approval with the stipulation that specific points raised by one of the reviewers be addressed by the Technical Committee.  Chair Seem will elaborate on these points with the Advisor.

 

  1. Request to approve the proposal, NE_temp401, “Developing and Integrating Components for Commercial Greenhouse Production System ” 10-2003 to 2008. Submitted by T. Fretz (MD).
    http://www.lgu.umd.edu/showInfo.cfm?trackID=3614

Action:  Recommends approval with the stipulation that revisions described in the “Response to Reviewers” statement be incorporated into the final project statement.  Chair Seem will elaborate on these points with the Advisor.

 

  1. Request to approve the proposal, NE_temp521, “Biological Improvement, Habitat Restoration, and Horticultural Development of Chestnut by Management of Populations, Pathogens, and Pests” 10-2003 to 2008. Submitted by J. Anderson (CT-NH).
    http://www.lgu.umd.edu/showInfo.cfm?trackID=3754

Action:  Recommends approval.

 

  1. Request to Write a Proposal entitled: Development of bio-based alternatives for managing plant-parasitic nematodes in crops. 10-2004 to 2009. Submitted by L. Magnarelli (CT-NH)
    http://www.lgu.umd.edu/otherForms/listRequest.cfm?option=all&region=NE

Action:  Recommends approval

 

  1. Request to approve the proposal, NRSP_temp022, “National Animal Genome Research Program (From NSRP-8)” 10-2003 to 2008. Submitted by W. Trumble (NH)/M. Dentine (WI).
    http://www.lgu.umd.edu/showInfo.cfm?trackID=2715

Action:  Recommends approval of the proposal.  Upon implementation of the new project, NE-186: Genetic Maps of Aquaculture Species (terminating 09/2004) will be recommended for early termination.  The 5-year budget forecast in the proposal is not included in the recommendation for approval.

 

  1. Request to approve the proposal, NRSP_temp101, “National Program for Controlling Virus diseases of Temperate Fruit Tree Crops (NRSP5)” 10-2003 to 2008. Submitted by J. Hunter (NYG)/R. Cavalieri (WA).
    http://www.lgu.umd.edu/showInfo.cfm?trackID=3495

Action:  Recommends approval of the proposal excluding the 5-year budget forecast.

 

  1. Request for off-the-top funding:

·        NE-9 

Action:   Recommends approval for off-the-top funding for FY2004 at the funding level of FY2003, adjusted for any change in the Hatch appropriation, or the amount requested, whichever is less.  Advisor will be requested to clarify what is holding ARS from absorbing the staff.  The committee would also like to clarify whether the funded staff is being used exclusively for this project.

 

·        NE-59

Action:  Recommends approval for off-the-top funding for FY2004 at the funding level of FY2003, adjusted for any change in the Hatch appropriation, or the amount requested, whichever is less.  Recommends approval at FY2003 level if Hatch remains the same.  Advisor to NERCRD will be asked to explore possibility of forming a NRSP with the other regional centers for rural development.

 

·        NRSP-1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8

Action:   Recommends approval for off-the-top funding for FY2004 at the funding level of FY2003, adjusted for any change in the Hatch appropriation, or the amount requested, whichever is less. 

Note: At the NERA meeting, decision on all off-the-top funding requests (NE-9, NE-59, NRSPs-1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8) has been deferred to the summer meeting.

 

  1. Revision of the NERA Rules of Operation regarding MAC membership

Proposed Amendment to Article VI. Committees

“The Multistate Activities Committee will consist of at least three members:  three of whom will be NERA members; one of whom will be a Northeast Extension Directors Association (NEED) member; all members will be appointed by the NERA Chair for a three-year term.”

 

  1. Guidelines for participating in multistate research projects

The discussion focused on the advisor’s role in approving new participants, and voting rights.  The consensus is that the Technical Committee should be consulted before a new participant to an existing project is approved.  This is also a matter of building good communication within the group. 

 

On voting rights, only principal members can vote on official issues (e.g., funding, policies, and other major decisions affecting the project).  However, administrative issues are open to majority vote or whoever is present in the technical committee meetings.  This has been the practice in the Northeast.  No change is recommended.

 

  1. Update on the new NRSP guidelines

The new NRSP guidelines passed the ESCOP ballot and has been forwarded to CSREES.  Full implementation is dependent on when CSREES will adopt the new guidelines.  Under the new guidelines, a 10-member National Advisory Committee will provide general oversight of the NRSP program.  ESCOP had initiated the formation of this committee which requires one representative from the region who is also a MAC member.  This representative should be appointed by the regional chair.

Action:  Recommends Cathy Roheim (RI) to be the Northeast representative to the National Advisory Committee.

 

  1. Refresher's Course for advisors

The course will consist of three sessions to be presented by: Bob Seem, Louis Magnarelli and Rubie Mize.