Technical Review Team
Minutes of Conference Call Meeting
April 28, 2004
TRT Members on Call:
Jerry Seaver
Jim Bramham
Nicole Gillis
Roy Denner
Harold Soens
Bob Ham
BLM Staff Present:
Greg Thomsen
Neil Hamada
Larry Caffey
Bob Zimmer
Chris Knauf
Jim Keeler
Nicole Riven
Visitors:
Bob Mason
Ed Waldhiem
This meeting was called to order by Jerry Seaver at 8:10 am.
Member Reports:
Chris Knauf- Mr. Knauf stated the monitoring project went well thanks to ECO (Environmental Careers Organization), and the Outfitter & his crew. The monitoring project was done two weeks ahead of time. There was significant impact of rain fall, 150 of the transects were monitored twice. One vehicle sustained damage to the bumper and no injuries were reported. Data from monitoring project on the PMV is being entered and will be sent by May, 15 to the State Office to be analyzed by John Willoughby. Fringed Toed Lizard surveys will be done in 3-4 weeks. More projects are proposed in the future, possibly some seed collection and population monitoring. There was question a on whether BLM’s survey correlated with the survey that Dr. Art Phillip is doing. Mr. Knauf says no, and explains there is a difference in the way each survey was being done.
Robert Zimmer- Mr. Zimmer gave a summary of the Easter Break events. Easter Break visitation was spread out over 3 weekends (weekend before Easter, Easter weekend and after). For the Easter break there was a count of 36,000 visitors for the combined weekends. BLM received assistance from the U.S. Forest Service, ISCO and their Coalition. The officers worked 12 hour shifts. Overall there were less serious violation compared to past holidays. Most citations were for regulatory violations and not for violent crimes. Overall, the impact of the Competition Hill Curfew and the increased presents of Law Enforcement Officers has had a positive effect.
Neil Hamada- Mr. Hamada reported medical incidents are down. 788 medical incidents were counted for last year to this date, this year only 675 to date. Night crews were cut back on Easter; also there were only 39 medical incidents most occurring in the daytime. ECO Park Ranger Rachel West made a contact with Imperial Valley Waste Management which has resulted into a partnership to pick-up and dispose of tires left in the Dunes. This last pick resulted in close to one thousand tires being disposed for North Dunes and around half of that amount was picked up in the South Dunes. The partnership with El Centro Regional Medical Center (ECRMC) is working out great. ECRMC provides the Cahuilla Ranger Station with staffing for medicals aids at no charge to the BLM. The BORSTAR Team who currently help with medicals in the South Dunes is currently being detailed to Arizona leaving one or two Borstar team members available here. Mr. Hamada also went over the budget chart and also talked on the building of the south dunes interpretative center that will act as a staging area for Border Patrol, ISCO, BLM and also serve as a first aid center.
Larry Caffey- Mr.Caffey reported that the rubber asphalt seal was applied to Gecko road also camping pads was repaired. Cartsonite posts were also repaired at Road Runner Campground. The dust palliative applied to the Wash Rd. did not work past Thanksgiving.
Greg Thomsen- Mr. Thomsen reports the Biological Opinion was received from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).the Bureau of Land Management sent it back with their comments to the USFWS. At this point, nothing has changed with any progress on the RAMP.
Nicole Gillis- Ms. Gillis reports the partnership group met with Ms. Kathleen Clarke to inform her on the economic impact the Dunes had on the Imperial Valley, and how she was concerned about the use of fees to pay for Piersons Milk-vetch monitoring. She also stated there is now an alcohol awareness mission being supported by the partnership to use alcohol responsibly. The partnership group also met with the U.S. FWS to stress the importance of accurate information in the draft report of economic impacts from the designation of critical habitat designation for Piersons Milk-vetch. She also reported that she would be sending in comment to the draft
She has been contacted by Vendors in the Dunes who have concerns about not being able to stay long term next season, The BLM agreed to discuss all vending issues with the TRT before making decisions on how things are going to be done for the next season. Another item of concern that she was contacted on, is making the permit process easier with the Imperial County Peddlers Permit. Nicole and Bob Ham are going to be working together to see if they can get a easier process to replace the Peddlers Permit and get it approved by Imperial County.
Neil Hamada agrees to send a E-mail to Bob and Nicole stating that the BLM doesn't require or have use for the sheriff fingerprint clearance.
Neil Hamada reported that the BLM was working on having season passes for the 05 season that starts Oct. 1, 2004 available earlier than they have in the past. Maybe as early as July
Meeting adjourned at 9:45
Next meeting TBA