Call to Order
Minutes from the January 27th Meeting
Minutes for the January 27, 2000 STAT meeting were approved by
all members present.
Progress on land cover and threats assessment
Paul Fromer talked about the status of the land cover map for
the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP). Geographical Information
System (GIS) data was received from Pima County Technical Services
and downloaded into RECON's database. Paul displayed a map that
was generated using this data. The next steps in this process
will be to create a hierarchical system of vegetative cover types
and to increase the level of resolution of the map. Ancillary
data that is not digital will also be reviewed. Data checking
for the land cover map will not include field checks. Instead,
expert review will focus on non-riparian areas. Priorities for
incorporation of ancillary data will be determined with STAT input.
New mapping for the riparian areas will be incorporated from Harris
Environmental Group later. RECON is also refining the GAP management
status classification to provide more detail on the unreserved
(Status 4) lands. This will be based on the committed lands information
that they have received.
Some areas, such as the Tohono O'Odham Nation, currently lack information and show a low level of detail on the land cover map. Julia Fonseca suggested that the vegetation maps created by the Pima Association of Governments (PAG 208 maps) can be used to fill in the gaps where no other information is available, since they cover all of Pima County. She also mentioned that more information will soon be available from The Nature Conservancy regarding land cover along the Lower San Pedro watershed (Sub-area 1).
Lori Woods gave a brief update on the threats and stressors assessment for the SDCP. Reports for this study are being generated by sub-area, with information obtained through literature reviews, meetings, and interviews. Species information, including their specific threats, is being provided by SWCA. Lori completed a draft for Sub-area 1 (Lower San Pedro), and wanted to have the STAT review it for structure and content. Julia set a meeting date for this review on February 22, 2000.
In addition, Lori mentioned that she needs more information for this study. Maeveen will provide information on fiscal and economic resources for Pima County. Pima County staff will also provide Pima County's Reserve and Open Space Plan to RECON. New Heritage Data Management System data are needed; Sherry Ruther said these are on their way to Pima County. Information from the Sonoran Desert Ecoregion workshop held by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) would also be greatly helpful for this assessment. Julia stated that Rob Marshall from TNC might be available for the next meeting to discuss the results from this workshop.
Progress and discussion of riparian mapping
Lisa Harris was not able to attend this STAT meeting to provide
an update for their pilot study on riparian vegetation mapping
for the SDCP. Julia stated that they are delineating riparian
vegetation data based on aerial photographs and classifying vegetative
communities based on interpretation of the photographs. Once this
work is complete, they will review published sources and define
areas where there is disagreement or where field checking is needed.
A full presentation on this study will be provided by the Harris
Environmental Group next month.
Standards for biological adequacy
A discussion was held on the biological standards required by
the Endangered Species Act for take through Section 10 permits.
In these discussions, Gail Kobetich stated that while the Section
10 permit does not require recovery of the species, conservation
efforts must positively affect their recovery. In response to
this discussion, Bill Shaw stressed the need for STAT to provide
input on species needs and define what information is needed for
the Section 10 permits.
Process for selection species for the Decision Support Model
Peter Stine and Mike Gilpin gave a brief presentation on the processes
for determining conservation targets for the Decision Support
Model. An overview of their presentation is provided in a handout
included in the package of materials sent to the STAT for this
meeting. A biologically optimized alternative will be prepared,
in addition to alternatives utilizing other factors. The decision
support model may not address all species; Paul Fromer pointed
out that some species will be addressed though management options
(as opposed to land allocation). As part of the overall effort,
RECON is working on a report, due on April 3, which will recommend
target species for the overall SDCP and discuss the criteria used
to refine the vulnerable species list. In light of this report
coming out, the STAT decided to hold a workshop on April 12, 13
or 14 to determine conservation targets and constraints for the
Decision Support Model.
Land Stewardship
Neva Connolly gave a brief presentation on the land stewardship
report, which was recently released by Pima County to the public.
This report characterizes lands within Pima County based on their
level of protection using criteria developed by the Arizona GAP
analysis. Management plans obtained from various preserves located
throughout the county were used to determine the levels of protection
within their boundaries. The study found that approximately 1.6
million acres in Pima County are protected to some extent, with
18 percent of the acreage well protected. Most of the protected
lands are located in mountainous areas, while lowlands and riparian
areas are least protected.
Ecoregional conservation priorities
Two tables were provided in the package sent to the STAT for this
meeting. The first table displays conservation priorities developed
by the World Wildlife Fund for Chihuahuan Desert communities in
Pima County. The second table displays sites identified for conservation
in the Sonoran Desert Ecoregion Plan developed during a workshop
held by The Nature Conservancy. The Conservancy's results are
not yet available.
Status of Data Collection
David Scalero described a table provided in the STAT package displaying
priority streams for Pima County. This table was produced using
data obtained from the Pima Association of Governments' study
on perennial and intermittent streams and shallow groundwater
zones, Pima County's Riparian Habitat Classification maps, and
other resources. The final list represents the streams which ranked
in the top twenty for any of the following parameters: length
of perennial reaches, length of intermittent reaches, acreage
of hydro-mesoriparian habitat, acreage of dense riparian habitat,
acreage of shallow groundwater and number of fish species recorded.
This table was created to help prioritize sites for conservation
efforts by Pima County.
David Scalero also presented a GIS map displaying precipitation contours for Pima County, which was produced using the PRISM model developed by the Oregon Climatic Service and Oregon State University. The PRISM model uses point rainfall measurements and a digital elevation model to interpolate polygon values into an isohyetal contour map. The point measurements consist of mean monthly precipitation values for weather stations across Pima County that have more than 20 years of data recorded. To better display the variability of rainfall throughout the year, David created graphs showing average monthly precipitation at some of the weather stations and a table displaying percentages of rainfall at these weather stations during the summer monsoons. The graphs and table indicate an overall similarity in the amount of precipitation falling across Pima County throughout the year.
Julia displayed an overhead which showed a comparison of biologically significant caves found in Pima County. This was presented to remind the STAT and others of a unique natural resource which is often overlooked during conservation efforts. In addition, Julia presented a map of hydro-mesic vegetation along the Santa Cruz River. There is more hydro-mesic vegetation present than previously estimated. The study includes a description of each vegetative community found along with reasons for their occurrence in this area. This map represents another useful bit of information which can be used to better map riparian vegetation in Pima County.
Other Elements of the SDCP
Maeveen Behan briefly described a handout displaying the various
elements of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and the associated
reports produced for these elements. The public process will become
increasingly interactive and increasingly procedural. NEPA scoping
will begin after July 2000.
Bill Shaw and Julia Fonseca made a presentation on the STAT's work at the Ranch Conservation Team meeting on February 14, 2000. The most important thing taken from this meeting is that there needs to be good communication between the various project management teams. It is particularly important to stay away from negative terms which can produce adversity between different groups. In response, it was suggested by the Ranch Team to change the term "pest species" to a more positive term such as "potentially problematic species." Pima County staff is working towards changing their documentation to reflect the use of more positive terminology. The Ranch Conservation Team will make a presentation at the next STAT meeting.
Call to the Public
No questions or comments were made.
Future Meeting Dates
STAT Members Present:
William Shaw School of Renewable Natural Resources, University
of Arizona
Sherry Ruther Arizona Game and Fish Department
Doug Duncan U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Tucson)
Natasha Kline Saguaro National Park
Steve Prchal Sonoran Arthropod Studies Institute
STAT Members Absent:
Gary Nabhan Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
Robert Steidl School of Renewable Natural Resources, University
of Arizona
Cecil Schwalbe U. S. G. S. & School of Renewable Natural Resources,
University of Arizona
Mima Falk U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Tucson)
Staff:
Julia Fonseca Pima County Flood Control District
David Scalero Pima County Flood Control District
Neva Connolly Pima County Flood Control District
Others:
Maeveen Behan County Administrator's Office
Gail Kobetich U. S. Department of the Interior
Lori Woods RECON Environmental, Inc.
Paul Fromer RECON Environmental, Inc.
Ken Kingsley SWCA, Inc.
Peter Stine U. S. Geological Survey
Mike Gilpin University of California, San Diego
Harold Barnett Department of Economics, URI and SDCP Implementation
Team
Andy Holdsworth Sky Island Alliance and Coalition for the Sonoran
Desert Protection Plan
Barbara Rose SDCP Steering Committee
Renée Downing Coalition for the Sonoran Desert Protection
Plan
Ben Changkakoti Pima County Planning Department
Mikaila Milton Citizen