At its November 2001 meeting, the Council created a subcommittee to assess the funding needs of DEC marine resources program and to make recommendations on what are the highest priority such needs as well as a strategy to secure the necessary funds to meet those needs. The following councilors are members of this committee: Relyea, Danielson, Davi, and Wise. Mr. Wise stated that this subcommittee needs to begin work before the next Council meeting (in April). Mr. Colvin information on DEC’s marine resources program operating budget for FY 00/01 to the full Council. He noted that, while similar information is not yet available for the current fiscal year, the marine program has basically been level-funded. He also distributed an updated marine resource program organizational and staffing chart. To the subcommittee members, he gave the current year detailed marine resource program work plan.

Mr. Wise said that he hoped to have the subcommittee make its final recommendations at the Council’s November 2002 meeting. Mr. Colvin responded that, if possible, having these recommendations available as early as the Council’s September 2002 meeting would be preferable if these recommendations were to influence the next fiscal year budget.