**SUMMARY**

**DESERT MANAGERS GROUP MEETING**

**Marine Corp Base, 29 Palms, CA**

**April 21-22, 2004**

**Note*: Action items and major conclusions are italicized***

**[Day 1, 21 April 2004]{.underline}**

**Overview of the Marine Corps Base at 29 Palms**: Major Jon Aytes
welcomed the group to the Base and provided an excellent overview of the
mission, activities and resource issues at the Marine Corps base
(attached).

**Review DMG Vision and Mission.** This portion of the meeting was
facilitated by Paul Ideker. Curt Sauer and Jon Aytes explained the
purpose of the session was to acquaint new members of the DMG with the
history, charter, mission, activities, etc of the Group;

discuss and develop a shared vision for how the group will work together
in the future; and evaluate and come to agreement on stakeholder
involvement in the DMG

1.  **DMG Background and Overview**

-   Clarence Everly provided an overview of the DMG including its
    history, Charter, implementing MOU, mission, 5 Year Plan, funding
    strategies (see attached power point presentation). *Clarence noted
    that the DMG 5 year plan and accomplish report (attached) has been
    circulated for review. Comments should be provided by April 26, 2004
    at which time the document will be finalized, printed, and
    distributed.*

-   John Hamill described the results of the agreements reached as a
    resulted of the DMG Evaluation that was conducted in FY 01/02 and
    the Collaborative Management Workshop that was held in June 2003
    (see attached)

2.  **DMG member expectations about the role/value of the DMG to their
    work**

-   DMG members were generally on the same page with respect to the
    "official" goals and objectives contained in the group's original
    charter and many of the agreements reached within the FY 01/02 DMG
    evaluation (attached), with the exception of agreements related to
    stakeholder participation.

-   DMG members still see the primary value of the DMG as an opportunity
    to network and share information. They also enjoy having social time
    with colleagues and the ability to identify people who might be
    future project partners. Some members also found value in certain
    services the DMG could provide, including training opportunities.
    Using the DMG as a forum to coordinate or sponsor interagency
    collaborative projects is of secondary importance to many of the
    managers.

-   There is no coordinated strategy for securing funding for DMG
    activities---to varying degrees each agency currently seeks funds
    independently through its own budget process. In general, the
    managers have very low expectations about the ability to actually
    acquire more/new federal funding for DMG projects. Believing that
    the DMG could be a source for new funds -- when the probability of
    that actually being true is very low -- leads to unmet expectations,
    frustrations and a loss of credibility for the Group.

-   Using the DMG as a "Good Housekeeping" seal of approval on projects
    and proposals is a valued-added benefit that improves the advantage
    of projects that are competing for funds (federal and private).

3.  **Stakeholder participation/input guidelines**. Hamill reviewed the
    history and current issues associated with stakeholder participation
    and DMG meetings (attached) and distributed a letter written by
    Jennifer Foster expressing concerns about DMG stakeholder
    participation guidelines. Some managers continued to express concern
    that stakeholder participation was stifling an open and candid
    dialogue at DMG meetings. One option that was discussed involved
    holding one or two special stakeholder meetings annually in lieu of
    inviting stakeholders to attend regular DMG meetings. The DMG
    discussed the pros and cons of various options, but did not reach
    consensus. Curt Sauer drafted some stakeholder participation
    guidelines for use during the second day of the DMG meeting that
    were adopted by the group (attached).

4.  **Conclusions and Next Steps:** *The DMG established an ad hoc group
    to develop recommendations regarding stakeholder involvement for
    consideration by the full DMG. Members of the ad hoc group include
    Mary Martin (NPS), John O'Gara (NAWS), Bob Wood (EAFB), Greg Thomsen
    (BLM), Glenn Black (CDFG), John Hamill (DOI) and Clarence Everly
    (DOD). The goal is to develop and reach consensus on stakeholder
    participation guidelines before the next DMG meeting on July 14-15,
    2004.*

**Desert Tortoise** **(DT)**

1.  **Recovery Plan Assessment Committee** **Report**: Bob Williams
    reported that few agency comments have been received to date and
    that the comment deadline has been extended. FWS is scoping out the
    details on the proposed FWS recovery office; *Williams committed to
    seek DMG input on the office's role, responsibilities, location,
    etc.*

2.  **Desert Tortoise Recovery Action Program and MOA:** John Hamill
    reported that few comments were received during the public review of
    the DTRAP. The DTRAP and MOA have been finalized and forwarded to
    the DOI regional executives. Proposed signatories to the MOA
    include: FWS, BLM, NPS, GS, CDFG, and State Parks. However, the MOA
    is currently on hold pending clarification of the relationship of
    the DTRAP/DMG, with the MOG, the DT Recovery Plan review, the
    proposed FWS Recovery Office, the West Mojave Plan, and the Fort
    Irwin Expansion mitigation fund.

3.  **Data Management (DM) agreement:** Bob Williams reported that no
    progress was made on the proposed DT Data Management agreement.
    However, FWS still recognizes the need for better DM that is tied to
    the ESA/SESA permitting process. To that end a Desert Tortoise
    Monitoring Implementation Committee has been established to review
    all tortoise monitoring efforts. FWS is working on an agreement with
    the University of Redlands and MDEP re: Line Distance Sampling data
    and intends to work on a broader agreement later on.

4.  **DT Monitoring**: Phil Medica reported that he has taken a new job
    with USGS in Henderson, NV but will continue to coordinate LDS
    activities until FWS finds a replacement. DT monitoring started in
    early April and will be conducted range-wide in all DWMA's. So far,
    DT encounter rates have been relatively high. Sampling protocols
    have been modified to allow for sampling larger areas with less
    funding. Blood samples will be collected from DT for genetics and
    disease studies.

5.  **Raven Management**-- Amy Fesnock reported that the Raven EA team
    has met and agreed upon an aggressive schedule to complete the EA by
    Jan 05 (attached). A scoping letter will be sent out in a few weeks
    inviting public comments on the Program. She has received some
    comments that the goal should be to reduce raven populations not
    just manage raven impacts.

6.  **DT Information and Education Project** -- John Hamill distributed
    a copy of the grant request that was submitted to the National Fish
    and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) (attached). NFWF will consider the
    grant request at their June or August meeting. A matching grant
    request will be submitted to the California OHV Commission. *The DMG
    passed a resolution supporting the Project and encouraging the
    development of partnerships and grant opportunities to fund the
    Project (attached).*

**[Day 2, 22 April 2004]{.underline}**

**Joshua Tree National Park Overview**: Lorna Lange-Daggs reported on
the Park's education program. Class programs, curriculum guides for
teachers, and support materials (DT kits, etc) have been developed.
Education programs are developed to meet state education standards.
Lorna also summarized the education program component of the DT
Information and Education Project that was developed through the DMG
(attached). To date over 125K students have gone through education
programs sponsored by Joshua Tree NP.

Joe Zarki provided an excellent overview of the history and resources at
Joshua Tree National Park (see attached power point presentation)

**Report on previous day's discussion**: Curt Sauer reviewed the
stakeholder participation guidelines for the meeting (attached). Hamill
provided an overview of the previous day's discussion related to the
Desert Tortoise (see above). Howard Gross (NPCA) indicated that the
stakeholder guidelines were reasonable and Chris Spofera (SDOHV) said he
appreciated being invited to attend DMG meetings.

**PACRAT Report**

-   **Native American Conference**: Paul Smith distributed a copy of a
    conference brochure, encouraged DMG attendance, and DMG agency
    sponsorship of native American tribes who could not afford to
    attend. The Conference will be held on May 21-22, 2004 in 29 Palms.
    Information on the conference has been posted on the DMG website

-   **CHRIS Update**: Bob Bryson reported that the SHPO still had not
    provided the DMG with the Chris GIS database for the Mojave. *The
    DMG authorized Bob to draft a letter to send to the SHPO formally
    requesting the database and indicating the DOD was prepared to ask
    for a formal audit of the project if the database is not delivered
    or useable.*

-   **ARPA Training Update** Hamill reported that the Basic ARPA
    training class for cultural resource and law enforcement rangers was
    scheduled for Nov 3-5, 2004 in 29 Palms. Max class size is 44. The
    class will be sponsored by Joshua Tree NP and the BLM National
    Training Center. Details on the class will be posted on the DMG
    website. *MCAGCC agreed to look into hosting the training, if
    needed.*

**Grant Writing Class:** Curt Sauer reported that the DMG would be
invited to a NPS sponsored grant writing class that is tentatively
scheduled for sometime in October in 29 Palms or Palm Springs; details
would be forthcoming.

**Research database Update:** The database is currently operational.
Each agency needs to begin inputting data. *Dr. Debra Hughson reported
that only 3 of 13 system administrators have responded to the request to
set up an account for the research database. The managers agreed to
follow up with their staff.*

**Mojave Desert Science Symposium:** Debra discussed the preliminary
agenda for the Mojave Desert Science Symposium. The symposium will be
held at the University of Redlands Nov 14-16, 2004. She reported that
invoices had been provided to all the DMG members who agreed to
contribute to the symposium. *Managers were requested to make payment as
soon as possible.*

**Habitat Restoration Report**

1.  **Restoration meeting**: Russell Scofield reported that the
    restoration workshop/ meeting on February 28-March 1 was well
    attended and received positive reviews. He intends to sponsor these
    meetings annually.

2.  **Restoration database**: Russell reported that he is working with
    USGS to establish a restoration project database. So far, he has
    information on 25-30 projects to include in the database.

3.  **Riparian Habitat Restoration Initiative**: see Attached Brief.
    *Russell will prepare a DMG Strategy for Coordinated Riparian Exotic
    Management in the California Desert to support efforts to secure
    Federal and private funding.* He intends to meet with the California
    Wildlife Conservation Board and the National Fish and Wildlife
    Foundation to develop a coordinated grant request.

4.  Several managers asked if it would be possible to set up wilderness
    training for agency staff. The Carhart course was mentioned as a
    popular course. *John Hamill agreed to research the cost/feasibility
    of supporting such a course and report back to the managers* .

5.  **Roads Ecology Stud**y: see Attached Brief. Russell reported that
    USGS is preparing a publication related to the impacts of vehicular
    routes in the Mojave Desert. USGS has requested a one-half day
    meeting with key resource specialists to discuss agency needs. The
    Managers provided the following contacts for the meeting: Mike
    Ahrens, John Stark, Steve Smith, ECFO?, Route designation leads, Jim
    Foote, the WEMO Planning team biologists (LaRue, LaPre), and the NTC
    dirt guy.

**Illegal Dumping/Hazmat Report**

1.  **Results of Illegal Dumping Enforcement Workshop and next steps.**
    Russell reported that the IDEW was attended by about 120 people and
    that reviews of the workshop were very positive. Local government
    support was critical to the success of the workshop. He showed a
    video made by Riverside County to increase public awareness of the
    illegal dumping issue. Robert McCarthy (SOL) expressed concern that
    tribes should have been more involved in the Workshop. Several
    managers suggested including illegal dumping as an element of the
    proposed DT education curriculum. *Russell intends to organize an
    IDEW for San Bernardino County later this year.*

2.  **Illegal Dump Summit:** (See attached brief): Russell will prepare
    a prospectus for a Regional Illegal Dumping Summit and work with
    local governments and the California Integrated Waste Management
    Board to see if there is interest in sponsoring the event.

3.  **Illegal Dumping database** (See Attached Brief). Russell reported
    that Joshua Tree NPS had input all its illegal dumps into the
    database (over 40 sites) and that he was working with a Eric Boerner
    (MDEP) to make the database more functional and user friendly. *The
    DMG approved establishment of an ad hoc work group to further refine
    the database and develop strategies for populating the database.
    Members of the work group will include: Clarence Everly, Eric
    Boerner, Josh Greenwood, Curt Toovey, Jeff Ohlfs, Bill Wiley and
    John Key.*

**Coordinated Natural Resource Monitoring**

1.  **Update on selection of Mojave Desert research projects.** Wes Ward
    and Todd Esque reported that USGS will provide \$500K for three
    Mojave Desert research projects that address monitoring exotic
    plants in the Mojave Desert ecosystem, soils and geomorphology, and
    predicting DT habitat. Wes thanked the DMG for its input and
    comments on the proposal and indicted that DMG support was
    instrumental in the GS decision to commit fund the projects.

2.  **NPS Vital Signs Workshop---DMG participation:** Debra Hughson
    reviewed the DMG's efforts related to coordinating monitoring
    projects in the Cal deserts and discussed the upcoming NPS Vital
    Signs Workshop (power point presentation is attached). *The DOD
    (China Lakes and Edwards) said they would try to send
    representatives to the workshop. The DMG also agreed to reconvene
    the ad hoc group from the Coordinated Natural Resource Monitoring
    Workshop to review the Vital Signs Workshop products and report on
    how these may contribute to integrating desert-wide monitoring. The
    mission of the ad hoc coordinated monitoring group will be to review
    the NPS approach and make recommendations (at the July meeting) to
    the DMG on how it could be applied to the wider desert region. Debra
    will coordinate this effort on behalf of the DMG.*

**Outside Las Vegas \-- Federal Managers Group:** Bill Dickinson and
Jennifer Haley provided an excellent overview of the Outside Las Vegas
Federal Managers Group (attached). The major lessons they have learned
are to establish lasting relationships and strongly commit to
partnership, including dedicating time and staff. The major challenges
have been to: institutionalize the partnership into normal agency
operations and develop an understanding or appreciation in upper
management of what partnership is about and finding staff to dedicate to
the effort. They said they would benefit from legislation to allow money
to be pooled and spent outside designated agency boundaries.

**DMG event re: 10^th^ Anniversary of Cal Desert Protection Act.** Curt
Sauer asked if the DMG was interested in sponsoring an event to
commemorate the 10^th^ Anniversary of the California Desert Protection
Act. There was no interest in having a DMG sponsored event. Each of the
National Parks will sponsor their own events in coordination with local
communities and the National Parks Conservation Association.

**Caltrans roadside exhibit update.** James Woolsey reported that the
interagency group from Caltrans, BLM, NPS, State Parks, the County,
Edward Air Force Base, and MDEP was making excellent progress on
developing interpretive exhibits at road side rest areas at Fenner,
Valley Wells, and Boron. He reported there was high likelihood of
receiving a \$1.5M grant from Caltrans to develop interpretive exhibits
at the Valley Wells rest area. The group is working on a MOU regarding
maintenance of the proposed exhibits at Valley Wells, which needs to be
finalized before the effort can go forward. James also intends to hire a
contractor to work with Caltrans to help design the exhibits. Funding
for the proposed contract will come from contributions by NPS, BLM, the
County and a possible grant from NFWF.

**Next Meeting**

-   **Summer Meeting** -- July 14-15, 2004, San Diego, CA Host: Wes Ward
    (USGS)

-   **Fall Meeting** -- October 6-7, Edwards Air Force Base, Lancaster,
    CA Host: Bob Wood

**Stakeholder Comments.** Mr. Chris Spofera requested a status update on
the 1-800 reporting of dumps initiative. Russ Scofield articulated that
contact has been made with San Bernardino County and some preliminary
discussions have occurred. However, it appears at this time the best
course of action would be to pursue this issue through the San
Bernardino County Board of Supervisors and fold it into the illegal
dumping enforcement workshop initiative for the county.

**Roundtable Reports---Selected Highlights**

1.  Carl Benz( FWS) -- Brian Croft a former BLM biologist has been
    hired; the 12 month finding for listing of the desert synompterus is
    about to be released; The Biological Opinion on the Ft Irwin
    expansion is done and available at www.fortirwinlandexpansion.com.

2.  John O'Gara (NAWS)---China Lake is now reorganized under new command
    in San Diego. The EIS and ROD on the China Lakes land management
    plan is due May 14; A groundwater mgt plan will be sent out for
    review; NAWS is cooperating with BLM on wind energy systems to avoid
    air space issues.

3.  Mary Martin (NPS-MOJA) -- new NPS-MOJA office under construction in
    Barstow; livestock mgt plan is under development; The Fire
    Management Plan is almost complete.

4.  Bob Wood (EAFB)---concerned about desert synopmpterus listing.

5.  Hector Villalobos (BLM)- WEMO, NEMO plans and route designation are
    about done.

6.  Becky Jones (CDFG)---DFG is ordering new DT Hands Off posters and
    looking for funds for the DT outreach program; DFG is broke and many
    supervisory positions are vacant.

7.  Harold Johnson (BLM)-- Roxy Trost is new BLM Field Manager for
    Barstow; Bill Haigh is going to Oregon as a BLM Field Manager;
    political support is developing for the Amargosa Wild and Scenic
    River proposal.

8.  Bill Vereday (State Parks)---There any many vacant positions in the
    Mojave desert District; The general plan amendment for Red Rocks is
    stalled.

9.  Danella George (BLM-Palm Spring FO)---Gail Acheson has been selected
    as the new Palm Springs Field Manager; The ROD of the San
    Jacinto/Santa Rosa Mountains National Monument's joint management
    plans is done.

10. Greg Thomsen (BLM-El Centro)---\$900K is being spent for plant
    monitoring in the Imperial Sand Dunes---this effort is being paid
    for by user fees.

Attachments

1.  Attendance roster

2.  MCACC Overview (Power Point)

3.  DMG Overview (Power Point)

4.  Draft DMG 5 Year Plan and Accomplish Report

5.  Actions and Agreement related to the Operation and Priority Projects
    of the DMG (12/12/01)

6.  Highlights of the DMG Collaborative Management Workshop
    (6/12-13/2003)

7.  Briefing: Stakeholder involvement in the DMG

8.  Stakeholder Guidelines

9.  Proposed schedule for the Raven EA

10. DT Information and Education Project Grant Request

11. DMG Resolution in Support of the DT Information and Education
    Project

12. Brief: Riparian Restoration Initiative

13. Brief: USGS Study related to Vehicle Route Designation in the Mojave
    Desert

14. Brief: Illegal Dump Summit

15. Brief: Illegal Dump Data Base

16. Coordinated Natural Resource Monitoring (Power Point)

17. Outside Las Vegas Federal Manager Group (Power Point) Stakeholder
    Participation