SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL ADVISORY TEAM
DRAFT MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 25, 2005
Attendees: Bill Shaw, Marit Alanen, Keith Bagwell, Sherry Barrett, Rick Brusca, Carolyn Campbell, Robert Cochran, Neva Connolly, Mike Cross, Carla Danforth, Doug Duncan, Diana Durazo, Trevor Hare, Mima Falk, Carianne Funicelli, Julia Fonseca, Natasha Kline, Jessica Lee, Susy Morales, John Regan, Sherry Ruther, Cecil Schwalbe, Linwood Smith, Bob Steidl, Robert Tucker, Lori Woods
Absent:
Paul Fromer, George Ruyle, and Tom Van Devender
Call to Order and Opening Remarks
Chairman Shaw called the meeting to order at
9:06 a.m.
The minutes were approved, with a correction
noted on paragraph 4, “Yellowback” to “Yellow Bat.”
Lori Woods stated that RECON is in the process
of updating the species pages. She will
be taking comments on the species evaluations until November 15, 2005 for the
next draft of the MSCP.
Carolyn Campbell presented an update of the actions taken by the MSCP IA Committee since May 2005. A handout was distributed that included motions and actions introduced by the Committee. Some of the ideas that the Committee is exploring are mitigation fee research, mechanisms necessary to establish a non-profit 501 (c)(3) trust that will fund resource monitoring and management costs, and Conservation Lands System mitigation standards, and the possibility of joint MSCP between Pima County, Town of Marana, and the City of Tucson.
Pima Pineapple Cactus Model Revision
Paul Fromer was not available to give an update for the PPC revisions. Lori Woods stated that Paul is looking at the landscape and PPC locations and continues to refine the PPC map. Paul is currently attempting to validate the PPC model with new data from Mark Baker.
Pima Pineapple Cactus Conservation Measures
Julia Fonseca gave a PowerPoint presentation that reviewed the PPC PCA and the characteristics within it. Connectivity constraints and opportunities were discussed. It was noted that there were more connectivity opportunities on the southern portion of the PCA, and very limited opportunities on the northern portion of the PCA. Bill Shaw suggested re-assessing the conservation goal of 90 percent and considering a goal of 70 percent. The other members of STAT were silent on this issue. While no decisions were made on the PPC recommendations, STAT agreed that the conservation committee would continue to work on the issue.
Pygmy Owl Delisting Proposal
Bob Steidl said STAT might want to consider the ramifications of the USFWS proposal to delist the pygmy owl and the owl’s coverage under the MSCP at the next meeting.
Connectivity and Fragmentation: Roadway Analysis
Julia Fonseca presented a PowerPoint covering a new way of analyzing fragmentation within the County. Based on a map analysis performed by the Nature Conservancy for the whole state of Arizona, Pima County’s Technical Service Department produced a map showing road densities and relative impact based on road type in Pima County.
Riparian Habitat Mitigation Ordinance Update
Carla Danforth presented an overview of the changes of the new Riparian Ordinance that went into effect on October 21, 2005. A handout was included in the back of the STAT packet that highlighted the differences between the old ordinance and the newly adopted ordinance. Key changes include the inclusion and regulation of Important Riparian Areas and Class D xeroriparian areas. Currently, County staff is working on developing new mitigation standards to implement the ordinance.
Announcements
Sherry Barrett announced that the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Critical Habitat Designation was finalized and available on the USFWS website.
Julia Fonseca passed out copies of the invasive species resolution that was adopted by the Pima County Board of Supervisors. The Nature Conservancy has developed a pamphlet on invasive species available at the Nature Conservancy and the SW Vegetation Management Association’s website.
Next STAT Meeting
The next STAT meeting will be held November 29, 2005 in the Public Works Bldg, 201 N. Stone Ave., in Basement Conference Room C.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:26 a.m.
Respectfully submitted, Neva Connolly