SCIENCE
TECHNICAL ADVISORY TEAM
DRAFT MEETING MINUTES OF MAY
13, 2005
Attendees: Bill Shaw, Marit Alanen, Sherry Barrett,
Carolyn Campbell, Neva Connolly, Doug Duncan, Julia Fonseca, Paul Fromer, Ken
Kingsley, Natasha Kline, Leslie Liberti, Christine McVie, John Regan, Phil
Rosen, Sherry Ruther, George Ruyle, David Scalero, Cecil Schwalbe, Linwood
Smith, Bob Steidl, Priscilla Titus, Tom Van Devender, and Annette Plicato
Absent: Rick
Brusca, Mima Falk, and Lori Woods
Chairman Shaw called the meeting to order at 8:40
a.m.
Minutes were approved as written subject to any
comments from Lori Woods.
Julia Fonseca explained the minutes from the March
10 meeting. The main issue discussed
was the land northwest of Arthur Pack Park.
This land is being considered for acquisition to connect the park with
State Trust lands. The motion was made
and seconded to approve the minutes as written.
Julia mentioned that a memo went to the commission
about the acquisition of properties not on the bond ordinance. Acquisitions in the Buenos Aires and the
Avra Valley/I-10 areas are continuing.
Julia presented material that detailed the
evaluation of lands previously acquired by Pima County. Handouts included information on acres
acquired by CLS category, by Number of Species PCAs, and by diversity of high/medium
habitat for PVSs. Information
distributed also included information on springs and streams on acquired
properties.
Topic delayed to a future meeting.
Paul Fromer explained purpose of subcommittees. These subcommittees discuss in detail
certain species to determine if they should be covered, provisionally covered,
or uncovered in Pima County’s Section 10 permit application. STAT’s May 19 meeting will discuss each
species in detail. Paul feels that the
populations of burrowing owls and ground squirrels are manageable. Sherry Barrett would like to discuss what is
done if these species are found.
In regards to the Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy-owl,
Scott Richardson suggested that STAT look at the long term need to increase
distribution of this species.
Sherry Barrett recommends working with AGFD on
special survey requirements.
Paul recommends coming up with a management plan for
the fish and aquatic species.
Chairman Shaw discussed a draft memorandum that was
distributed that will be sent to C. H. Huckelberry concerning CLS
guidelines. This memo was drafted in
follow up to Mr. Huckelberry’s request for presentation to the Board of
Supervisors. The memo revises STAT’s
original request for 75 percent of each site to remain undeveloped. Mr. Huckelberry was adamantly against this
request. He did agree to 65 percent,
which is specified in the revised memorandum.
Sherry Barrett requested wording be included that would mention
minimizing biological disturbances and design standards. She also requested that ‘maximize’ at the
end of the last paragraph be replaced with ‘optimize’. Mr. Shaw motioned that the revised
memorandum be sent to Mr. Huckelberry.
The motion passed with one abstention.
Sherry Ruther did not vote due to a conflict of interest.
Julia distributed information concerning the updated
PCA for Pima Pineapple Cactus that was approved by STAT in November 2004. The tables detail the impact in Pima County
and the permit area. Also included in
the handouts was a draft memorandum to C. H. Huckelberry concerning the cactus
conservation. Staff recommended
revising the last sentence of the fourth paragraph to replace ‘transfer of
genetic material’ with ‘connectivity’.
This memo will be discussed in greater detail at the May 17 and 19
meetings.
The Board of Supervisors continued the discussion of
the Ordinance until June 7, 2005.
Chairman Shaw noted that the riparian areas are not defined by
vegetative, non-vegetative, or degraded cover.
He motioned and STAT approved sending the Board a memorandum to this
effect. Julia will have a draft memo
ready for review at the May 19, 2005 meeting.
The subcommittee met and came up with five areas of
concern for STAT to review. Phil Rosen
distributed this information and outlined the subcommittee’s discussion.
At STAT’s next meeting in June, Paul Fromer and
Carolyn Campbell will update staff on the progress of the MSCP’s Implementing
Agreement Committee’s discussions.
Julia displayed and explained maps showing the
revised PCA. The Chairman motioned and
STAT approved the amended PCA.
This item was postponed due to the fact that Sherry
Ruther had left the meeting. It will be
placed on June’s agenda.
Mr. Shaw discussed the need to itemized goals for
the implementation of upland areas.
George Ruyle, Tom Van Devender, and Sherry Ruther will work together on
drafting them up and then report back to STAT.
Items to be included on June’s agenda will be
updates on MCLS, CLS, and Pima Pineapple Cactus.
Comments on the Multi-Species Conservation Plan are
still welcome. The draft document will
be issued on June 26, 2005.
The next two STAT meetings have been set. They are scheduled for June 27 and August 16
from 8:30 a.m. until Noon at the Water Resources Research Center, 350 N.
Campbell Avenue. Please mark your
calendars.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Annette Plicato