SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL ADVISORY TEAM
MEETING MINUTES OF
JUNE 8, 2006
Attendees: Bill Shaw, Lori Andersen, Kerry Baldwin, Sherry Barrett, Rick Brusca, Neva Connolly, Cathy Crawford, Diana Durazo, Julia Fonseca, Tedra Fox, Paul Fromer, Carianne Funicelli, Trevor Hare, Maryam Nabiyouni, Jenny Neeley, Brian Powell, John Regan, Scott Richardson, Bill Roe, Sherry Ruther, Cecil Schwalbe, Linwood Smith, Bob Steidl, Tom Van Devender, Lori Woods, and Annette Plicato
Absent: Doug Duncan, Mima Falk, Natasha Kline, and George Ruyle
Chairman Shaw called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m.
The minutes were approved as written.
Dr. Shaw opened the discussion on this topic by explaining that we need to start considering the habitat priorities for the 2008 Bond Initiative. Bill Roe stated that the 2004 bond money has been spent. There was not enough money in 2004 to buy the land stated in the ordinance.
Julia Fonseca gave staff’s analyses in two categories: grasslands and wetland riparian. She explained maps and written material illustrating these recommendations. The suggested area for grasslands comprises approximately 29,000 acres. The wetland riparian analysis will be honed in response to input from Rob Marshall and Helen Wilson at the last CAC meeting.
Sherry Ruther discussed staff’s tortoise analysis. The information was mostly obtained from Arizona Game and Fish. RECON incorporated this information with data they had already researched.
Cecil Schwalbe presented a study done by Taylor Edwards on the tortoise in Arizona. He showed the hazard that interstates create and discussed their gene exchange.
The Chairman summarized by stating that the current analysis methods do not need to be modified but re-emphasized.
Dr. Shaw began the discussion by giving a brief background. He told those present about the subcommittee’s meetings over the past six months. The Chairman introduced Brian Powell with RECON who has been hired to head the monitoring plan development.
Brian handed out and discussed the phases of this plan. Phase I will be deciding the goals and objectives of the plan. The timeline on this will be tight. The first meeting will be June 23 at 9:00 a.m. in the Water Resources Research Center, 350 N. Campbell Avenue. Phase II will be the ranking process and leading into the development of protocols. Phase III will be the actual implementation.
Paul Fromer handed out a revised take analysis of the MSCP. The analysis is divided into different categories and species including the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and the Burrowing Owl. He explained and summarized the results.
The next STAT meeting will be on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. The location will be announced at a future date.
Julia introduced Maryam Nabiyouni. She is a volunteer that will be assisting Water Resources in the development of a report on Pima County’s drought status.
The meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Annette Plicato