Attendance: See attached list

Call to Order

Minutes from the November 18th Meeting
Minutes for the November 18, 1999 STAT meeting were approved as written by all members present.

Decision Support Model
Two handouts were provided in the package sent to STAT for this meeting. The first one provides suggestions from Peter Stine on the process to identify conservation targets for the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan. The second is a series of two E-mail conversations between Peter and Julia Fonseca regarding the selection criteria for target species.

STAT will hold discussions on conservation targets for the Decision Support Model (DSM) in January and February of next year. STAT's first priority is to develop goals and objectives for the selection criteria, and then apply the criteria for each individual species. The DSM team will need the selected conservation targets by March or early April of next year.

Discussion Paper by Tom Scott
A discussion paper, "The Selection of Design of Multiple-Species Habitat Preserves,"by Tom Scott was provided in the package to STAT for this meeting. The overall feeling from this paper is that it is a great source for new ideas and is very supportive of the work currently being performed by STAT. Tom Scott will be invited to speak at the January 27th meeting, along with two other people involved with other efforts regarding multi-species conservations plans, Jerre Stallcup and Mike White. Biographical paragraphs for these people will be available in the next package sent to the STAT.

Heritage Data Management System (HDMS) Report
The HDMS report, provided in the package sent to STAT for this meeting, was produced by Pima County staff with assistance from Sherry Ruther and Sabra Schwartz from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The report describes the information currently available on the HDMS database, along with limitations and biases associated with the data. The report will be revised to include comments from Ms. Schwartz, and a final version will be included in the next package sent to STAT.

Robert Steidl asked if staff is keeping a list of sources for species information. Julia Fonseca described two handouts and a table in the STAT package that displayed information available for the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP). Julia also explained that one of the tasks for the biological consultant will be to work on developing a list of sources.

Bill Shaw displayed the new report produced by Pima County staff that updates current projects involving the Science and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) portions of the SDCP. Copies of the memorandum to the Board of Supervisors that accompanies the report will be sent to all STAT members. Copies of the report will be made available to STAT members who want them as they become available.

Riparian Vegetation
Julia Fonseca provided a handout and a brief presentation on past and future efforts to map riparian vegetation in Pima County. The bulk of her presentation covered the riparian mapping performed for the Pima County Flood Control District's riparian ordinance. A description of this effort is provided in the handout.

Status of Data Collection
Julia Fonseca pointed out the handouts displaying information available on species considered for the SDCP, including the revised table showing a breakdown of the numbers of species within each status category. Sherry Ruther found one error in the table which will be corrected by staff.

Julia Fonseca gave a brief explanation on the work being performed by PAG to map perennial and intermittent streams and shallow groundwater zones for Pima County. PAG is currently obtaining information on shallow groundwater by reviewing well information from ADWR, notable publications, and vegetation through maps and aerial photographs. This work is expected to be complete by the end of December 1999. The report and maps will be continually updated by PAG until the information is needed by STAT or the biological consultant.

Julia showed a new map display of the resources area boundaries. The map includes three research natural areas located within the Coronado National Forest and the Silverbell Resource Conservation Area. Some of the boundaries were revised to reflect a better level of protection (i.e., Cienega Creek boundary differentiates only those portions affected by covenants, conditions and restrictions). Future map layers include the various uses allowed within the reserves.

Riparian and Aquatic Ecosystems Prioritization
Maeveen briefly described another report produced by Pima County staff involving environmental restoration efforts by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in cooperation with Pima County. The STAT was invited to comment on the report.

Pima County staff is in the process of determining riparian areas within the county which should be protected based on criteria such as the presence of endemic species. Staff would like to have input from the STAT regarding what criteria should be used as well as possible sites where protection is needed. The individual sites will be ranked in order from most important to least. This exercise is being performed to ready conservation and/or restoration efforts in case sources of funding are made available, and to assist in identifying priorities for the SDCP subarea plans.

Future Meeting Dates
The next meeting is set for Thursday, January 27th from 9:00 a.m to 11:30 a.m at the Water Resources Research Center, 350 N. Campbell Avenue in Tucson, Arizona. Other dates for next year include February 17, March 23, April 20 and May 25.
Announcements
The STAT agreed to have Maeveen Behan or other staff make short (5 minute) presentations on other SDCP efforts during future meetings, as they deem appropriate.

Request for Proposals and Scope of Work for the SDCP

A discussion session was held regarding the Request for Proposal (RFP) and Scope of Work for the biological consultant. This session was closed to those who may have a conflict of interest related to the contract. RFP's were due by December 16, 1999. A copy of the RFP is located on Procurement's web site, www.co.pima.az.us/procure.

ATTENDANCE LIST

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)
Cecil Schwalbe U. S. G. S. & School of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Arizona
Mima Falk U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Tucson)
Robert Steidl School of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Arizona
Steve Prchal Sonoran Arthropod Studies Institute

STAT Members Absent:

Gary Nabhan Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
Natasha Kline Saguaro National Park

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
Sherry Barrett U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
John Regan Pima County Technical Services (GIS)
Lori Woods RECON Environmental, Inc.