SCIENCE TECHNICAL ADVISORY TEAM
DRAFT MEETING
MINUTES OF APRIL 1, 2005
Attendees: Bill Shaw, Marit Alanen, Sherry Barrett, Cathy Blasch, Carolyn Campbell, Jennifer Christelman, Jason Douglas, Doug Duncan, Mima Falk, Julia Fonseca, Paul Fromer, David Hogan, Ken Kingsley, Natasha Kline, Leslie Liberti, Brian Powell, John Regan, Scott Richardson, Phil Rosen, Sherry Ruther, George Ruyle, David Scalero, Cecil Schwalbe, Bob Steidl, Drew Taylor, Priscilla Titus, Marty Tuegel, Tom Van Devender, Lori Woods, and Annette Plicato
Absent: Rick Brusca
Chairman Shaw called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.
Minutes were approved as written. Lori Woods noted that the date of the state wildlife meeting has changed from March 28 to April 28, 2005. [Annette Plicato added it as a footnote to the February 10 minutes before sending it to the website.]
The Chairman asked STAT to review his memo to Chair Roe of the SDCP Conservation Acquisition Commission (CAC) that discusses the evaluation criteria for acquisition of lands outside of the Habitat Protection Priorities (HPP). The criteria were established to ensure a uniform procedure to evaluate possible modifications in the HPP priorities. STAT may endorse acquisition outside of the HPP under the following circumstances:
and, in addition,
Paul Fromer asked Mr. Shaw to define the word ‘crucial’. Mr. Shaw explained that STAT is setting a high bar. STAT will make the recommendation, according to conservation guidelines, that goes to CAC.
Julia Fonseca recommended adding the word ‘biological’ to the first criteria listed on the first page so it would read, “…priorities are crucial to accomplishment of the SDCP biological goals”. The motion was made, seconded, and approved by STAT.
Paul Fromer discussed the preliminary assessment handouts that were included in the agenda package. The information distinguishes the parcels acquired, or in the process of acquisition, by Pima County from 1999 to present with respect to their role in the implementation of the MSCP.
Paul explained the background and decision process of coming up with the lists of species that should be covered, provisionally covered, or not covered in Pima County’s application for Section 10 permits. Before this meeting, a subcommittee gathered to reduce the list. They came up with a list of species to be discussed.
Species on List to be Recommended for Coverage:
Abert’s towhee – Consensus was to recommend this species for coverage.
Cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl – Consensus was that this species should be covered; however, a subcommittee will meet to discuss specific conditions.
Chiricahua leopard frog – Consensus agreed that this species should be covered.
Lowland leopard frog – Consensus agreed that this species should be covered; however, a subcommittee will meet to discuss conditions for the applicant.
Needle-spined pineapple cactus – This species is getting closer to being listed. Conditions need to be set before coverage could be considered.
Mexican garter snake - Consensus was that conditions would be developed before agreeing to recommend this species for coverage. The members of the Lowland leopard frog subcommittee will include this snake in their discussion.
Mexican long-tongued bat – Consensus was that this species is not ready for coverage. Pima County has the potential for take. More information is required.
Burrowing owl – Consensus was to recommend this species for coverage with conditions for active management. The pygmy owl subcommittee will include this owl in their discussions, followed by the riparian subcommittee.
Southwestern willow flycatcher – This species will be included in the riparian subcommittee discussions.
Gila topminnow and Gila chub – Consensus was to recommend this species for coverage; however, new PCAs will be discussed at the next STAT meeting.
Lesser long-nosed bat – Consensus was to recommend this species for coverage.
Pima Pineapple Cactus – STAT will ask the Board of Supervisors, through the Pima County Administrator, to revise the Special Species Management Area for this species.
Species on List to be Recommended for Provisional Coverage:
California leaf-nosed bat – Consensus was to move this species to the ‘Recommend for Coverage’ list with conditions concerning roost and disturbances.
Red-backed whiptail – Consensus was to recommend this species for coverage.
Nichol Turk’s head cactus – Consensus was to move this species to the ‘Not Covered’ list. It is not affected by covered activities and there are no County impacts.
Tucson shovel-nosed snake – This species has not been detected in Pima County in years, but surveys have been limited to roads. Consensus was to recommend this species for coverage with conditions for further research.
Sonorella ambigua ambigua – Consensus was to recommend this species for coverage.
The next STAT meeting will be Friday, May 13, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. in the Water Resources Research Building, 350 N. Campbell. The meeting is scheduled to last several hours.
· Results of subcommittee meetings, with data sheets.
· Consider all other species, including tortoise.
· Adopt revised Gila topminnow and Gila chub PCAs.
Chairman Shaw adjourned the meeting at 2:10 p.m. on April 1, 2005.
Respectfully submitted,
Annette Plicato