Committee Description

Updated Winter 2003

Purpose:

The Species Planning Committee monitors state and federal agencies, particularly fish and wildlife planning efforts by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game with the purpose to collect, interpret and disseminate to the membership information regarding species management. The Committee also devises strategies to help promote resource protection and maintaining a viable business climate. Role: The role of the Committee is to meet at least semi-annually, collect and disseminate species management information as well as formulate IOGA strategies to respond to resource management agencies, the public and to elected leaders. Committee members are encouraged to communicate with member outfitters in his/her region regarding pertinent state and federal agency matters of interest. The land-based members of the committee are encouraged to be attentive to IDFG winter scoping meetings, encourage outfitters in their region to provide input to IDFG, share that input with the committee, the Hunt Section Vice President and the IOGA Executive Director. The committee members should endeavor to be a conduit with a local IOGA chapter, if applicable, and consider attending IDFG Commission meetings, especially commission meetings where decisions affecting the industry are to be decided. Committee members are encouraged to develop positive relationships with appropriate IDFG regional supervisors, biologists and all IDFG Commissioners, especially the one appropriate for his/her specific IDFG region.

Relationships:

The Committee is one of the three current IOGA's standing committees and strives to have active members from all seven fish and game regions. Committee make-up and leadership is appointed according to IOGA bylaws. Notes of meetings should be kept and shared with the membership and IOGA staff through appropriate means including the IOGA newsletter, memos to the membership and chapters. The committee chair, Hunt Section VP and the IOGA Executive Director work closely together to coordinate meeting agendas and prioritizing those agendas. Any proposed actions and/or legislation are channeled to the Governmental Affairs Committee, to the sections, to the Board of Directors and to the IOGA staff. The Committee chair is encouraged to recommend to the Hunt Section VP assignment of members to track specific issues.

Make-Up:

Ideally, the committee is made up of an active member of the IOGA who is able to attend committee meetings and fulfill the job description outlined above.