SCIENCE TECHNICAL ADVISORY TEAM

MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 16, 2004

Attendees: Bill Shaw, Sherry Barrett, Doug Duncan, Julia Fonseca, Paul Fromer, Natasha Kline, John Regan, Sherry Ruther, Bob Steidl, Tom Van Devender, Lori Woods, Maeveen Behan, Carolyn Campbell, Neva Connolly, Trevor Hare, Ken Kingsley, Scott Richardson, David Scalero, Linwood Smith, Priscilla Titus, and Annette Plicato

Absent: Rick Brusca, Mima Falk, George Ruyle, and Cecil Schwalbe

Call to Order and Opening Remarks

Chairman Shaw called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m.

Approval of November 3, 2004 Minutes

The content of the minutes were approved without revision.

STAT Response to Conservation Acquisition Commission (CAC)

Bill Shaw said the CAC has an acquisition parcel list for the bonds, derived from a prioritization conducted by The Nature Conservancy and Arizona Open Land Trust based on the CLS. Julia Fonseca said that from time to time, the STAT may be asked to evaluate the biological significance of a property, if it is not on the acquisition list already. The CAC considered size of the property and certain special elements (vegetation) when considering properties for the list. Sherry Barrett will meet with a subcommittee of STAT to discuss the criteria/questions to be used in reviewing the CAC list. The subcommittee will present the criteria at the next STAT meeting. Julia will get the acquisition property list from the CAC. Bill Shaw would like to see a summary of what the CAC is doing. The CAC meetings are open to the public.

Conservation Land System (CLS) Update

Sherry Ruther began the discussion by explaining that the comprehensive plan amendment modifies the CLS language. A public meeting was held last Wednesday. Before the amendment goes before the Board of Supervisors for approval, the Floodplain and Erosion Hazard Management Ordinance must be approved.

Mesquite Mouse Grant

Neva Connolly briefed the team on this grant. In May 2004, the Arizona Game and Fish Department awarded Pima County a Heritage Fund Grant for the amount of $21,572.00. The grant project is to evaluate the status of mesquite mouse habitat, distribution, population, and trend in Pima County to identify areas where this species is still present and can be protected. The Science and Technical Advisory Team for the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan identified the mesquite mouse as one of the priority vulnerable species in Pima County. Little is known about the status of the mouse and about its habitat requirements. This study will contribute significantly to this limited base of knowledge and would significantly enhance our ability to plan appropriately for the conservation of this native species. The grant project has the following objectives: 1) examine historic records and available museum specimens for best available information and interview scientists who have trapped for the mouse historically; 2) evaluate conditions at accessible historic locations and conduct a live-trapping survey if conditions are appropriate; 3) identify the best remaining mesquite forests and woodlands on public lands in Pima County and conduct live trapping surveys on lands for which we can get permission; 4) prepare a report summarizing finding, including maps and photographs of areas surveyed, narrative descriptions of habitat conditions, and management recommendations.

SWCA was the consultant hired to work on this project. Ken Kingsley from the firm gave a report on the fieldwork that has taken place so far. There are 295 specimens worldwide. Identification is difficult. Measurements must be taken and pieces of the ear and tail are sent for DNA testing. Sherry Barrett wants to look at the PCAs when SWCA is done. A map was placed on the wall showing the mesquite mouse habitat and past collection points.

MSCP Take Analysis

Paul Fromer distributed information on the decision process for species coverage. The process should be completed within the month. He should have the results by the next STAT meeting. Sherry Barrett would like to see a subcommittee established to review the information from RECON. The Chairman feels the subcommittee should be formed after everyone has had a chance to review RECON’s information.

Biological Monitoring Subcommittee

The subcommittee had nothing to report since RECON’s list has not been finalized.

SDCP Species List

David Scalero presented species lists containing information that had been compiled by various sources including Saguaro National Park, University of Arizona, Arizona Game and Fish Department, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and others. Julia stated that it is Pima County’s intent to get a conclusive list. Tom Van Devender mentioned that the Ironwood National Forest would be a good resource.

Future Agenda Items

· Discussion of Section 10 Species List from RECON.

· Subcommittee’s report on biological criteria for CAC process.

· Update on the Pima Pineapple Cactus.

· Update on Mesquite Mouse.

· Carolyn Campbell will present Coalition’s thoughts on “Mondo Species”.

Next Meeting

The next STAT meeting will be Thursday, February 10, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. in the Water Resources Building.

Buffelgrass Inventory

Tom gave some background information on the grant that was approved to investigate Buffelgrass. He went on to explain that Buffelgrass is very dangerous because it sucks up the water and other nutrients from the ground. The first task that was assigned under the grant was a map showing the areas affected by Buffelgrass. This completed map was displayed at the meeting. The second task assigned was to go out and locate it in the field. The grass has been found off the highways in the right-of-way. It has also been located in Sonora but is kept down by the cattle. Tom would like to see an investigation into Fountaingrass. It is even more dangerous than Buffelgrass.

Other SDCP Updates

Maeveen Behan has been recruited to work on the state of the environment report. She welcomes everyone’s research notes.

Chairman Shaw adjourned the meeting at 2:50 p.m. on December 16, 2004.

Respectfully submitted,

Annette Plicato