# Presentation: 853962

## The Desert Managers Group:Coordinating DT Recover Actions Work Group Report

_**October 1, 2004**_

## Summary DMG DiscussionJuly 2004

**Purpose** :
- Understand the role and responsibility of various organizations/groups involved with planning and implementation of DT recovery, monitoring and research activities
- Define role and responsibility of the DMG

## Groups Evaluated

**DT Management Oversight Group** (Williams)
**Fort Irwin Mitigation Group** (DOD)
**West Mojave Plan Implementation Group** (Hamill)
**Desert Tortoise Monitoring Implementation Committee **– (Williams)
**Desert Tortoise Recovery Plan Assessment Committee** – (Williams)
**FWS DT Recovery Office** (Williams).
**DT Recovery Team**. Williams
**Desert Managers Group** (Hamill).

## Comments/Concerns

- It’s unclear how DT work gets coordinated or done.
- The relationship between the DMG and MOG is unclear.
- There appears to be duplication of effort and overlap among the groups.
- responsibility of the various groups and the land managers responsibilities is unclear.
- It’s unclear how managers can get science support/advice.
- The focus needs to be getting recovery actions implemented on the ground. Staff are needed to make recovery actions happen (FWS-Ventura is allowing staff to dedicate a portion of their time to work on recovery actions)
- no one is clearly in charge
- Role of the DMG is to coordinate implementation of recovery actions in California (e.g., raven management)

## Conclusion

***Established work group to define: ***
***the role and function of the FWS recovery office and its relationship to various work groups/ organizations, including the DMG.  The Work Group will also address the ***
***role and responsibilities of the DMG in the planning and implementation of recovery, monitoring, and research activities for the desert tortoise in California.  ***
***Participants:  Mary Martin, Bob Williams, Ray Bransfield, Glenn Black, Linda Hansen, and Todd Esque, Shannon Collis, Paul Hansen, Dick Crowe***

## Setting the Stage

- EAFB does not want the DMG to become a decision making body/forum—its role is coordination not decision making.
- FWS is looking for a commitment by the agencies to work cooperatively to share resources to accomplish high priority recovery actions.
- Funding is limited and incentives are needed to get the agencies to work cooperatively to recover the DT.
- focus should be on implementation of recovery actions and effectiveness monitoring—this will not happen without additional resources.

## Proposed Management Framework

**Desert Tortoise Recovery Actions in California**

## DT Implementation/Planning Work Group

- Responsibilities:
- Oversee mgt plan/recovery action assessment
- Prioritize recovery actions- (based on commitments/actions included in existing agency land management plans)
- Develop step down implementation plan
- Annually review progress, evaluate effectiveness, develop coord work plan

## Membership:

- Agency senior level biologists/resource specialists
- DTRO Coordinator (staff support)
- GS Science Committee representative
- Invited Stakeholders

## Stakeholder Involvement 

- DMG would set the ground rules for participation
- Invite stakeholders that will contribute to implementation (solution focused)
- Should not have veto over priorities
- Qualification requirements for involvement/participation

## Next Steps

- Establish DT implementation Planning work group
- Clarify mission, assignment, membership
- Stakeholder involvement/participation
- Land Management Plan/Recovery Action Evaluation
- Define scope
- Partner with University of Redlands