News Release
WGA Forest Health Summit
5/27/2003
Chuck Butler
406-444-5523
cbutler@state.mt.us
Montana Media: Please be advised of the following information from the Western Governors' Association regarding next month's Forest Health Summit in Missoula. Governor Martz is the WGA Chair and host for the Summit.
Western Governors' Association
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT:
The Western Governors' Association will host a Forest Health Summit June 17 - 19 in Missoula, Mont. (http://www.westgov.org/wga/meetings/forest_health_summit.htm) to accelerate locally driven projects that will prevent catastrophic wildfires by reducing fuel loads and restoring lands. Participants will hear from experts in the field and participate in breakout sessions to develop recommendations for the Governors, the Bush administration and Congressional representatives to consider. An agenda (http://www.westgov.org/wga/meetings/agenda.htm) and registration
(https://secure.com-us.net/westgov/secure/scripts/f2003/f2003.cgi)
information are available on the Web at www.westgov.org .
A day-long field trip on June 18, will include stops at the University of Montana Lubrecht Experimental Forest, Pyramid Mountain Lumber Co., Clearwater Stewardship Project and the Big Larch Campground. Space on the field trip buses is limited and media must be registered by May 23 to guarantee a seat. For additional information about the field trip stops, including media availability at the Big Larch Campground, contact Karen Deike, WGA Communications Director at (303) 623-9378 or kdeike@westgov.org.
WHO:
Montana Gov. Judy Martz, WGA Chair
Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, WGA Co-lead for Forest Health
Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, WGA Co-lead for Forest Health
Secretary of Interior, Gale Norton
U.S.D.A. Forest Service Chief, Dale Bosworth
Panelists and meeting participants representing a diverse group of
stakeholders, including government, academia, environmental groups and
the forests products industry.
WHEN:
June 17 - 19, 2003
WHERE:
Holiday Inn - Parkside
Missoula, Mont. 406-721-8550
REGISTRATION, CREDENTIALS AND FEES:
Members of the media must be registered and credentialed to attend the
meeting, field trip and/or press conferences. It is highly recommended attendees register
(https://secure.com-us.net/westgov/secure/scripts/f2003/f2003.cgi) by the June 3 cutoff date for pre-registration to avoid possible delays onsite. There is no fee to attend the meeting and field trip or to cover a speaker during lunch and dinner. However, there is a charge for those who wish to have meals during those events. Credentials may be picked up at the Holiday Inn Parkside lobby from: 1- 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 17; 6 -10 a.m. and 3 - 8 p.m., Wednesday, June 18; and 6:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Thursday, June 19. A photo identification card issued by an employer or law enforcement agency is required to pick up credentials. Members of the media who do not have a company- or law enforcement-issued identification may receive credentials by submitting a driver's license and a letter, on company letterhead, from a news editor verifying employment.
FILING ROOM:
A filing room will be set up in the Holiday Inn Parkside with phone lines, a work area and a bulletin board for messages. Background material on speakers and panelists is available on the WGA Web site. Faxes may be received and sent from the WGA staff office. The office location and fax number will be available at the registration desk upon
check-in.
CONTACT:
Karen Deike, WGA Communications Director; (303) 623-9378
Chuck Butler, Communications Director, Montana Governor's Office; (406)
444-3111
* * * * * * *
Karen Deike
WGA Communications Director
(303) 623-9378
