SCIENCE TECHNICAL ADVISORY TEAM
DRAFT MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 30, 2005
Attendees: Bill Shaw, Sherry Barrett, Cathy Blasch, Carolyn Campbell, Neva Connolly, Jason Douglas, Doug Duncan, Diana Durazo, Mima Falk, Julia Fonseca, Natasha Kline, Leslie Liberti, Jessica Lee, Jenny Neeley, John Regan, David Scalero, Cecil Schwalbe, Linwood Smith, Bob Steidl, Lori Woods, and Annette Plicato
Absent: Rick Brusca, Paul Fromer, Sherry Ruther, George Ruyle, and Tom Van Devender
Chairman Shaw called the meeting to order at 9:07 a.m. STAT members agreed with Bill that, when possible, mailed copies of agenda packages are better than ones sent electronically.
The minutes were approved as written.
Lori Woods stated that the purpose of these evaluations was to have a smaller index of the items listed in the MSCP. The species not included for coverage are the Arizona Shrew, the Ground Snake, and the Southern Yellow Bat. Members agreed that the Desert Tortoise should be included. Sherry Barrett suggested that STAT members study the evaluations very carefully and think about the effect. It is important to get your comments to Lori Woods.
Lori Woods began the discussion on the cacti evaluations. Mima Falk is responsible for pulling the information together concerning the cacti. The Chair made a motion, which was passed by the members, to not include the Acuña Cactus on the permit application. The cacti evaluations will be redistributed.
Mr. Shaw asked for comments concerning the Pima Pineapple Cactus CLS map. After the discussion, a motion was passed to adopt the outer red line on the map as one Priority Conservation Area.
Lori will send out a revised map and revised PPC PCA analysis numbers. Julia Fonseca will summarize everyone’s comments for the next meeting. Mima Falk will provide some additional information at the next meeting.
Chairman Shaw mentioned that he and Maeveen Behan have discussed bringing in a professional to observe and evaluate STAT’s meetings.
Diana Durazo with Pima County Administrator’s Office distributed information and a map concerning the County’s growth since 1985. The data also projected population and housing in the year 2030.
Julia distributed maps of the Tortolita area illustrating that acquiring property is continuing slowly. No one wants to sell per the property’s assessed value. Property acquisition in this area will help ongoing conservation efforts.
Julia led a discussion on the resolution that was passed by the Board of Supervisors on August 15, 2005 affirming the principles of the Endangered Species Act. A cover letter will be sent to the Congress of the United States expressing their support. An article was written in the Arizona Daily Star acknowledging the Board’s action.
Due to the important issues at hand, the decision was made to have STAT meetings every month for the next few months. All meetings will be in the morning from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. On September 27, the meeting will be held at the Public Works Center, 201 N. Stone Avenue, in Basement Conference Room A. On October 25, the meeting will be held at the Public Works Center, 201 N. Stone Avenue, in Basement Conference Room C, and on November 29, the meeting will be held at the Public Works Center, 201 N. Stone Avenue, in Basement Conference Room C.
The meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Annette Plicato