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The PPJV is composed of a multi-agency/organization Management Board, five multi-agency/organizations State Action Groups/Steering Committees, a Joint Venture Coordinator and farmers, ranchers, communities, businesses, wildlife organizations and clubs, colleges and universities, school and youth groups, and many concerned citizen conservationists throughout the PPR. Additional agencies, organizations, and individuals are invited to join the PPJV as partners in on-the-ground waterfowl and habitat conservation efforts.

U.S. PRAIRIE POTHOLE JOINT VENTURE MANAGEMENT BOARD

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks North Dakota Game and Fish Department South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Dakota Wildlife Trust Ducks Unlimited, Inc. National Wildlife Federation The Nature Conservancy Wildlife Management Institute Audubon Society Delta Waterfowl Foundation Pheasants Forever

The BOARD provides general oversight and guidance for the joint venture. It is a broad policy making group, interpreting the NAWMP's international goals and objectives into direction and instruction for the PPJV. Specific responsibilities include:

        Review and take action on committee recommendations

        Ensure communication and problem resolution among Federal, State, and private PPJV partners

        Prioritize PPJV and North American Wetlands Conservation Act projects

        Determine policy and guide implementation of PPJV activities

        Influence and take action on national and international policy and legislative issues

The CHAIRPERSON of the Board is responsible for organizing regular meetings of the Board, assigning tasks and providing agendas for meetings, facilitating group decision making, and evaluating progress of committees and projects. The Chairperson instructs, coordinates, and participates in the decision-making process of the Board. The Chairperson functions as spokesperson for the PPJV in public relations efforts, particularly at high-level meetings, banquets, and other public gatherings where PPJV efforts will be promoted.

BOARD members are responsible for participating on working committees, participating in State Steering Committees or Action Groups, and for providing up-to-date information and review on PPJV projects. Members assist in bringing new initiatives to the Board, ensure good internal communications on PPJV matters in their respective agencies or organizations, provide assistance on external communications and fund raising, and provide regular feedback and evaluation to their agencies or organizations and to the Board on PPJV activities.

MANAGEMENT BOARD PARTNER RESPONSIBITIES

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

  	Serves as primary coordinating agency for administration and funding distribution to PPJV activities.
  	Uses partnerships with other Federal and state agencies, private conservation organizations and landowners and programs such as NAWCA to enhance and protect wetland habitat.
  	Uses long-term protection strategies, intensive management, and newly developed short-term easements and extension agreements in combination with USDA programs to enhance and protect wetland habitat. (Small Wetlands Acquisition Program, National Wildlife Refuge System, Perpetual Grassland Easements, Extension Agreements).
  	Provides technical assistance, information and education materials, and education programs to enhance wildlife and wetland habitat on private lands.

  
  
• State Wildlife Agencies

  	Provide leadership to organize, implement, and sustain State Action Group/Steering Committee activities necessary to obtaining goals and objectives identified in PPJV and State Implementation and Project Plans.
  	Coordinate State funding allocations to PPJV projects.
  	Expand private lands programs and intensive management activities to enhance and protect waterfowl and wetland habitat using USDA programs whenever possible.
  	Provide technical assistance and distribute information and education materials to promote protection and enhancement of wetland habitat.
  	Enhance coordination of Federal and state waterfowl and wetland programs to achieve PPJV and NAWMP objectives.

  
  
• Non-Governmental Conservation Organizations

  	Provide support and information at Federal and state levels for agricultural and wetland legislation, as well as for NAWMP and NAWCA policies and procedures that will enhance the capabilities of Federal and state agencies to meet PPJV and NAWMP objectives.
  	Develop partnerships with Federal and state agencies to develop and implement wetland habitat protection and enhancement projects, fund positions, fund research and management studies, fund educational materials and other needed projects and activities.
  	Provide fund raising expertise and develop, implement, and participate in fund raising efforts for PPJV activities and projects.
  	Expand private lands programs including land acquisition and intensive land management activities where applicable.
  	Assist in the development and dissemination of wetlands educational materials and information to the media, legislative bodies, and general public.

The JOINT VENTURE COORDINATOR is responsible for coordinating and directing activities in support of the goals and objectives of the NAWMP and PPJV. The Coordinator ensures the integration of needs, agendas, and activities of all member agencies and organizations of the Board, and provides staff support to the Chairman and other Board members. The Coordinator facilitates the development and implementation of PPJV partnerships at all levels, provides direction and technical assistance, and evaluates, reviews, and approves for Board consideration, planning recommendations and reports. The Coordinator guides, encourages, and stimulates positive action at all levels of the PPJV, and serves as a communication link to NAWMP and other joint ventures.

PPJV STANDING COMMITTEES and AD HOC COMMITTEES are constituted and approved by the Board, and their charges are determined with the assistance of the Coordinator. Standing and Ad Hoc Committees have specific goals and assignments. Additional committees may be formed as the need arises. Current PPJV Standing and Ad Hoc committees include:

STANDING COMMITTEES

• Technical Committee - Provides technical biological management guidance to the Management Board, including recommendations on monitoring, assessment, evaluation, planning, cross-regional and cross-border cooperation and activities, implementation and evaluation plan updates, and biological information source for communications activities. Reviews proposals, develops and investigates potential PPJV activities and carries out Board assigned tasks. Convenes working groups as needed to carry out all activities.

  The Technical Committee is composed of 5-7 individuals with expertise in the following areas: waterfowl research and management, non-waterfowl migratory bird research and management, strategic planning, prairie ecology, agricultural partnerships and international liaison. The Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET) offices are ad hoc members of the committee.

• Communications Committee - Plans, develops, conducts, and evaluates a communications/education program for internal and external audiences of the PPJV. Promotes development of informal networking system for information and education programs, extension programs, and media at all PPJV levels.

AD HOC COMMITTEES

• Implementation Plan Committee - Reviews and amends the PPJV Implementation Plan as necessary.

STATE COORDINATORS and STATE ACTION GROUPS/STEERING COMMITTEES

The State Coordinator serves as a liaison between the Action Group or Steering Committee and the PPJV Coordinator. The State Coordinator, may, in some cases, be a member of the PPJV Management Board.

The STATE ACTION GROUP/STEERING COMMITTEE is a broad-based entity whose members support the purpose of the NAWMP and the PPJV. Membership includes Federal and state agencies, private conservation organizations, and interested individuals. Members contribute resources (funds and staff) and/or expertise in support of PPJV activities.

The purpose of the State Action Group/Steering Committee is to form a coalition of private, state, and Federal organizations within each state to develop and implement a cooperative effort directed to protect, restore, create, and enhance wetland and associated grassland habitat. Basic strategies will integrate wildlife, agriculture, water development and other land uses into a plan of action on public and private land that will provide long-term benefits to wildlife.

The State Action Group/Steering Committee will:

	Coordinate wildlife and other resource-based programs to avoid duplication and determine how each specific program can complement others to the benefit of all.
	Develop, review and submit NAWCA projects to the North American Waterfowl and Wetlands Office.
	Define, prioritize and quantify, (e.g., numbers of acres, numbers of structures) specific strategies necessary to implement the State Action Plan. Review and update State Action Plans on a 5-year basis.
	Develop and implement specific habitat protection, restoration, management, and enhancement projects.
	Facilitate communications on PPJV activities and needs between partners, the media, legislators, Governor and other local and regional officials.
	Provide the PPJV Board with priority needs including funding and communication products.

All State Action Groups/Steering Committees are encouraged to use their own initiative to identify priorities that they deem most appropriate to the achievement of PPJV goals and objectives.