# Presentation: 432843

## DMG 5 Year Plan

- FY 06 Goals and Objectives

## Goal 1.  Restore selected upland and riparian habitats identified for restoration.

- A.  The DMG will work with the Mojave Weed Management Area (MWMA) to coordinate weed management activities in the Mojave Desert and implement the WMA long-range plan, including assisting the MWMA with coordination of restoration activities in the Mojave River.  The DMG will assist the MWMA in obtaining funding and implementing priority weed control activities identified in the Riparian Challenge.  **(FY 06, BLM, ongoing.)**
- B.  The DMG will work with the Low Desert Weed Management Area (LDWMA) to develop a long-range plan, seek funding, and coordinate weed management activities in the Low Desert.  **(FY 06, BLM ongoing.)**
- C.  The DMG will provide information on new/current restoration techniques, sources of labor and material, partnership opportunities, ongoing restoration projects, and monitoring via the DMG’s restoration webpage.  **(FY 06, BLM/MDEP, behind schedule.) **
- Create a database of restoration projects in the Mojave and Colorado Deserts and analyze
-      the effectiveness or various restoration projects and techniques.  **(FY 06-07, USGS/BLM, on track)**
- E.  The DMG will provide guidance and recommendations to USGS researchers within the Mojave Desert, including the Recoverability and Vulnerability of Desert Ecosystems project, aimed at improving the management applicability of research efforts.  **(FY 06-10, BLM/NPS, ongoing.)**

## F.  BLM, GS, State Parks, and CDFG will implement the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the conservation and restoration of the San Felipe Creek-San Sebastian Marsh Watershed.  (FY 06-10 BLM/ABDSP, ongoing.) 

- G.  The DMG will finalize the **Riparian Habitat Restoration Challenge for the California Deserts** effort, secure grant funding, support existing grants, and implement the following high priority riparian restoration projects:
-     1.  Amargosa River
-     2.  San Sebastian Marsh/San Felipe Creek
-     3.  Mojave River
-     4.  Dos Palmas
-     5.  East Mojave Desert
**    ****(FY 06-10, BLM/NPS/CDFG/ABDSP, ongoing.)**
- H.  The DMG will support NPS efforts to update and reprint the **Beginners Guide to Upland Habitat Restoration**.  **(FY 06, NPS/USGS, behind schedule/funding dependent.)**

## Goal 2.  Clean up and restore illegal dumps that pose a public health or 

***Environmental threat, and reduce the incidence of illegal dumping in the future.***
- A.  The illegal dump database will be maintained and high priority sites will be identified for cleanup based on threats to public health, safety or the environment.  A report of priority dumpsites will be provided to the managers.  **(FY 06, BLM/NPS/Kern/San Bernardino, behind schedule/dependent on staff support.)**
- B.  The DMG will clean up and restore illegal dumps by leveraging budgets with grants and partnerships, and sponsoring community/volunteer illegal dump cleanups on public lands.  **(FY 06, BLM, ongoing.) **
- The DMG will coordinate and implement actions to prevent illegal dumping in the California deserts.  The DMG’s focus will be on:
-     1.  Sponsoring an illegal dumping enforcement workshop (IDEW) in Kern County.
-          **(FY 06, on track)**
-     2.  Cooperating with state and local government to increase the awareness of
-          illegal dumping and its environmental consequences, create prevention
-          solutions, and improve illegal dumping laws.  **(FY 06-10, BLM, ongoing)**
- D.  The Hazmat Work Group will provide information to the Raven Work Group/EA team concerning solid waste disposal as needed/requested.  **(FY 06, BLM, ongoing)**

## Goal 3.  Recover the desert tortoise in the California recovery units.

- A.  USGS will finalize and distribute their report on the Effectiveness of Desert Tortoise Recovery Actions. **(FY 06, GS, behind schedule)**
- B.  As a condition of any new or renewed Endangered Species Act (ESA) and/or California Endangered Species Act (CESA) research permit, the FWS DTRO and CDFG will require all agencies/institutions/researchers to abide by established data management protocols and submit to the desert tortoise data repository a brief annual report along with a complete copy of their field data. **(FY 06, FWS/DFG, on track)**

## C.  The DMG will implement a multifaceted education and outreach campaign aimed at increasing public support for and involvement in desert tortoise recovery in California.  Required actions include:

-     1.  Support for the Tortoise Outreach Coordinator **(FY 06-08, NPS)**
-     2.  Media campaign
-          	 a.  Radio PSAs **(FY 06-07, NPS)**
-         	 b.  Media kit **(FY 06-07, NPS)**
-          	 c.  News releases **(FY 06-08, NPS)**
-          	 d.  Television PSAs/programming **(FY 06-07, NPS)**
-          	 e.  Desert Tortoise Summit **(FY 06, NPS)**
-          	 f.  Media Field Days **(FY 06-07, NPS)**
-     3.  Desert tortoise education component **(FY 06-07, NPS)**
-     4.  Desert tortoise newsletter **(FY 06-07, NPS)**
-     5.  Desert tortoise color brochure **(FY 06-07, NPS) **
-     6.  Public attitude and effectiveness study **(FY 06-08, NPS)**
-     7.  Raven management **(FY 06, Defenders of Wildlife)**
-     8.  Desert tortoise website **(FY 06-08, MDEP)**
-     9.  Desert tortoise merchandise **(FY 06-08, Joshua Tree NP Association)**
- D.  The DMG will complete appropriate NEPA compliance and secure the necessary permits required by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to implement a raven management program in the California deserts. **(FY 06, FWS, on track)**

## E.  The DMG, in cooperation with the University of Redlands, USGS, and interested stakeholders will initiate an inventory of raven nests. (FY 06, all)  

- F.  The DMG will implement raven management actions in selected Desert Wildlife Management Areas (DWMAs), critical habitat, and/or NPS units. **(FY 06, FWS, funding dependent)**
- G.  The DMG Free Roaming Dog Work Group will, in cooperation with local animal control agencies, acquire and analyze data and produce GIS maps depicting information on occurrences of "uncontrolled dogs" in the desert and observations of dogs on LDS transects, desert tortoise study plots and in the DTNA, as well as uncontrolled dog reports from participating county animal control agencies.  An effort will be made to assess the threat of free roaming dogs associated with current and projected urban development in terms of its proximity to desert tortoise critical habitat and DWMAs.  A completed draft report will be presented to the DMG.  **(FY 06, CDFG, funding dependent)**
- H.  Develop a Coordinated Desert Tortoise Headstarting and Translocation Plan. **(FY 06, DOD/USGS/FWS/CDFG, ongoing)**
- I.  The DMG will identify and implement actions to help control the spread of disease and allow for collection of information that will lead to a better understanding of diseases that affect desert tortoise. **(FY 06, no lead, funding dependent)**

## J.  The DMG will develop recovery action plans for desert tortoise recovery units in the California deserts that identify and cost share high priority DT recovery, monitoring, and research action. (FY 06, DT Implementation and Planning Work Group/FWS, behind schedule)  

- K.  The DMG will explore and identify opportunities for increasing funding to support DT recovery and effectiveness monitoring. **(FY 06, DMG Ad hoc work group, on track)**

## Goal 4.  Reduce and maintain burro populations to appropriate management levels 

***and in appropriate locations.***
- A.  BLM, FWS, DOD and the State will continue work to reduce burro populations to appropriate management levels (AML); NPS will work to eliminate burros entirely from Death Valley National Park and the Mojave National Preserve.  Water trapping will be conducted within the Mojave National Preserve, NAWS China Lake, Ft. Irwin, Clark Mountain Herd Management Area (HMA), Centennial HMA, and along the Colorado River within the Picacho State Park west of Yuma AZ.  An estimated 200 burros and 25 horses will be removed during FY06.**  (FY 06, BLM/NPS/DOD, on track.)**
- B.  BLM will continue to monitor the habitat within the three remaining herd management areas, Chocolate – Mule Mountain, Chemehuevi, and Chicago Valley.  **(FY 06, BLM, ongoing)**
- C.  BLM will continue to place a large emphasis on adoptions in FY06.  The target for the State is 1,000 animals.  Of those, 300 animals will be adopted in Ridgecrest with an additional 300 animals adopted at five scheduled satellite adoptions within Southern California. ** (FY 06, BLM, ongoing)**

## Goal 5.  Protect cultural resources and enhance public awareness of the sensitivity 

***and value of paleontological and cultural resources in the California deserts.***
- A.  Complete development of a functional Mojave Desert Historical Resources GIS (MDHRGIS); provide DMG agency training on use of the system. **(FY 06, OHP/PACRAT, on track)**
- B.  Develop an MDHRGIS implementation plan to be executed upon delivery of the system by the California Office of Historic Preservation in the fall of 2006. **(FY 06, OHP/PACRAT/MDEP, on track)**
- C.  The DMG will conduct the first annual 2-day PACRAT Workshop, designed as a forum for sharing new information/methods and identifying high priority regional research questions, during the summer of 2006. **(FY 06, PACRAT, on track)**
- D.  The DMG will conduct a review of the written general overviews of the ethnography, rock art and historic/prehistoric archaeology of the California Deserts.  Based on this review, the DMG will focus on and seek funding for creating/updating one overview topic.** (FY 06, PACRAT)**

## E.  The DMG will create a means for disseminating information on new archaeological/paleontological work in the desert through short (abstract length) written discussions utilizing the DMG website. (FY 06, PACRAT/MDEP)  

- F.  The DMG will develop an annual outreach program that contributes to other statewide events during California Archaeology Week. **(FY 06, PACRAT)**
- G.  The DMG will devote effort towards scoping and implementing consistent regional standards in archaeological recording and reporting. **(FY 06, PACRAT)**

## Goal 6.  DMG agencies will strive to understand and work collaboratively to resolve conflicts in each agency’s mission.

- A.  Each agency will actively consider DMG partner agency mission requirements in their land and resource management and planning activities and analyze/consider potential impacts of their proposed land management decisions/actions on other agencies. **(Ongoing, all)**

## Goal 7.  Develop a coordinated interagency system for delivering useful, comprehensive and consistent information about desert resources and recreation opportunities.

- A.  The California deserts website, **www.californiadesert.gov**, will be maintained by the Mojave Desert Ecosystem Program (MDEP).  The interpretive subgroup of the DMG will reassess the success of this program during FY06**.  (Ongoing, MDEP, on track)**
- B.  Agency webmasters will input information on recreation opportunities and sites in the California deserts on **www.californiadesert.gov** and update their information as needed. **(Ongoing, agency webmasters)**
- C.  DMG agencies will maintain interpretive posters currently installed at Caltrans roadside rest areas in the California deserts.  **(FY 06, Caltrans/State Parks/NPS/BLM/MDEP, on track)**

## D.  DMG agencies (Caltrans, State Parks, NPS, BLM, MDEP, San Bernardino County) will complete conceptual exhibit plans for the exhibits at the reconstructed Valley Wells rest area.  This will be followed up with formal exhibit designs in FY 06 and exhibit fabrication during FY07. (FY 06 - 07, NPS/Caltrans, on track)    

- E.  Maintain and operate the interagency “gateway” visitor center at Lancaster, California. **(Ongoing, State Parks, on track)**
- F.  Work with private partners to assess the feasibility and scope of establishing national scenic byways on selected routes in the California desert. (**FY 06, Caltrans/State Parks/NPS/Counties, on track**)

## Goal 8.  Coordinate scientific studies and monitoring programs needed for effective resource management.

- A.  Complete manuscript peer review and publish THE MOJAVE DESERT: Ecosystem Processes and Sustainability a compendium of papers form the 3rd Mojave Desert Science Symposium. **(FY 06, NPS/USGS, on track) **
- B.  Continue to support desert tortoise monitoring (Goal 9). **(FY 06+, FWS, ongoing)**
- C.  Coordinate the development of standard protocols for monitoring of climate and precipitation patterns in the desert. **(FY 06-07, USGS, behind schedule)**
- D.  Mine existing data on high priority monitoring needs. **(FY 06-07, NPS/USGS/ CDFG/BLM/DOD, ongoing)**
- E.  The Mojave Desert Ecosystem Program (MDEP) will maintain and update the web accessible Research Inventory Database. An inventory of existing resources, research and monitoring studies will be initiated to populate the database. Managers will implement protocols to encourage scientists to input data and/or update the database. **(FY 06, NPS, behind schedule)**

## Goal 9.  Monitor desert tortoise population status in relation to recovery goals for the California deserts’ recovery units.

- A.  Continue Line Distance Transect sampling to assess desert tortoise density, habitat quality, and threats. **(FY 06-10, FWS/MDEP, on track)**
- B.  Sample selected desert tortoise Permanent Study Plots (PSP) in California. **(FY 06-10, FWS, funding dependent/on hold)**
- FWS will identify opportunities to integrate LDS and PSP efforts to:
-       1.  Produce the best data in the most cost effective manner possible;
-       2.  Provide a method by which managers can prioritize funding for PSPs and
-            LDS.  **(FY 06-10, FWS, on hold)**
- D.  Publish a report of desert tortoise LDS monitoring results for FYs 01-04. **(FY 06, FWS, behind schedule)**
- E. FWS will establish an in-house repository for all desert tortoise data via an MOU. The MOU will outline protocols for the structure and maintenance of the data repository and accessing data in the repository. The DOD Mojave Desert Ecosystem Program (MDEP) will coordinate with the FWS to develop a single master database for all desert tortoise data and transition all of its desert tortoise data to the master database. **(FY 06-08, FWS/MDEP, on track)**

## Goal 10.  Inventory, monitor, and protect desert water resources.

- A.  Use DMG endorsed Level 1 spring survey protocols to inventory/characterize springs/wetlands in the deserts. **(Ongoing, NPS/BLM/DOD, funding dependent)**
- B.  Develop a web accessible database for spring and wetland data. **(FY 07-08, MDEP, on hold)**
- C.  DOI agencies (BLM, FWS, GS and NPS) will continue to work cooperatively to manage and protect water resources in the Amargosa Basin pursuant to the January 2004 MOA.  Priority emphasis will be on:
-       1.  encouraging the NV State Engineer to require meters on all existing water uses in the
-            basin; **(FY 06, NPS, on track)**
-       2.  developing a coordinated interagency groundwater monitoring plan; **(FY 06, USGS, on   **
**           ****track)**
-       3.  refining the Death Valley Regional Flow System Model to answer specific
-            management questions within the Ash Meadows and Lower Amargosa areas** (FY 06-**
**           ****08, NPS/BLM/USGS, funding dependant)**
-       4.  continuing development of an agreement between DOI agencies and Nye County re:
-            protesting water right applications in the Amargosa Basin;** (FY 06, NPS, on track)**
- D.  Assess the scope and feasibility of a DMG sponsored workshop or conference to bring attention to the importance of and strategies for protecting water in the desert. (**FY 06, NPS, USGS, BLM, DOD, on track**)

## Goal 11.  Integrate and share data and database management systems needed for effective resource management and planning.

- A.  The Mojave Desert Ecosystem Program (MDEP) will maintain its GIS database (**www.mojavedata.gov**) of resources in the California deserts. **(FY 06, MDEP, on track.)**

## Goal 12.  Ensure the orderly and efficient operation of the DMG and its work 

***groups.***
- A.  Update the DMG Work Plan to reflect FY 06 priorities and FY 05 accomplishments. Detailed annual work plans will be developed for specific initiatives as needed. **(FY 06, DOD/DOI Coordinators, on track)**
- B.  The BLM Natural Resources Restoration Coordinator will coordinate implementation of dump clean up and habitat restoration efforts on behalf of the DMG. **(FY 06, BLM, on track)**
- C.  The FWS Desert Tortoise Recovery Office (DTRO) will coordinate implementation of various tortoise monitoring, research and recovery activities on behalf of the DMG. **(FY 06, FWS, on track)**
- D.  MDEP will maintain the DMG website (**www.dmg.gov**) to allow for the efficient dissemination of information about DMG and work group activities. **(FY 06, MDEP, on track)**

## E.  The DMG will coordinate its desert tortoise activities with the Clark County HCP and the SNPLMA Conservation Initiative where there is program overlap. (FY 06, DOI, on track)  

- F.  DMG member agencies will provide incentives/time for appropriate staff to attend and actively participate in standing and ad hoc DMG work groups. **(FY 06, Managers, ongoing)**
- G.  DMG member agency Managers will participate in and provide management guidance to standing DMG work groups.
-      1.  PACRAT **(Thomsen, Wood, Reynolds)**
-      2.  HAZMAT **(Trost, Maben)**
-      3.  DT Information and Education **(Sauer, ****Black****)**
-      4.  DT Planning and Implementation Work Group **(Williams, ****Martin, Black****)**
**         ****(FY 06, all DMG agencies, on track)**

## Goal 13.  Garner support for the DMG, its mission, activities, and funding initiatives.

- A.  DMG representatives will brief federal, state, and local agencies, Congressional representatives, and interested parties about DMG activities and initiatives, as requested. **(FY 06-10, DOD/DOI, ongoing)**
- B.  The DMG will cooperate with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to secure funding for DMG initiatives and establish a California Deserts Conservation Fund. **(FY 06, DOI, ongoing.)**

## Goal 14.  Make high priority Abandoned Mine Land (AML) sites that pose a significant environmental and safety threat safe by reducing or removing physical and chemical hazards associated with the site.

- A.  Reclaim high priority AML sites that pose a significant environmental and safety threat when appropriate.  **(FY 06 – 10, BLM, NPS, Kern County, Ongoing, funding dependant)**
- B.  Gain a better understanding of AML sites by combining existing AML data into one database/data layer.  **(FY 06, BLM, MDEP, resource dependant)**
- C.  Form partnerships to leverage funding and accomplish initiative goals.  **(FY 06, BLM, ongoing, on track)**

## Goal 15.  Ensure the long-term protection of Mojave Ground Squirrel habitat

***and the viability of the species.***
- Foster communication and coordination among participants and other interested
-      parties to identify opportunities for collaborative action to further the acquisition,
-      protection, restoration and management of MGS habitat.  **(FY 06, DFG/FWS/BLM/NPS/DOD/Kern County, ongoing)**
-   Determine the extent of the MGS range.**  (FY 06, CDFG/FWS/BLM/NPS/ **
**       ****DOD/Kern County, ongoing)**
-   Determine habitat type.**  (FY 07, CDFG/FWS/BLM/NPS/DOD/Kern County, **
**       ****ongoing)**
-   Develop an Adaptive Management Plan.  **(FY 07, CDFG/FWS/BLM/NPS/    **
**       ****DOD/Kern County, ongoing)**
-   Develop and implement effective conservation measures to sustain long term
-        viability of the species.  **(FY 08, CDFG/FWS/BLM/NPS/DOD/Kern County,  **
**       ****ongoing)**