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| October 25, 2004 State of California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission Department of Parks and Recreation P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 Honorable Commissioners, The purpose of this correspondence is to advise the O.H.V. Commission and Division that the Imperial Sand Dunes Technical Review Team, by unanimous consensus, opposes the Desert Tortoise education grant submitted by the Desert Management Group. Our nine person review team was formed with a great deal of input from your Division and Commission. One of your recommendations was that we review, advise, and comment on the grant process. Although we no longer have an Memorandum of Understanding with the Commission, we are compelled to provide our opinion to your commission. At our October 21, 2004 meeting, the T.R.T. received information indicating that the Desert Management Group is seeking a grant to provide education which will emphatically state that the Desert Tortoise population is directly affected by off highway vehicle driving and by direct confrontation with humans. The “best” science so far has indicated that the Desert Tortoise population faces a much greater challenge. That challenge comes in the form of the ever increasing population of predator Ravens. In addition, the Desert Tortoise population is prone to, and suffers from naturally caused upper respiratory infections. In each case, the Raven and the upper respiratory infections, have proven to be the primary causes of death to the Desert Tortoise. The Desert Management Group is dedicated to their cause however, since the highest priority should be the survival of the Desert Tortoise, we feel that issuance of grant money should be focused on the management of the predator Ravens and disease control. After all, the Desert Tortoise is still dying at an alarming rate within the millions of “Closed” acres already set aside for their conservation. In addition, the Desert Management Group is well aware of this but has chosen to ignore these substantiated facts. It makes “logical” sense that if the Desert Tortoise is still dying a premature death, some cause other, than humans must be involved. If further information is needed, please feel free to contact us. Sincerely _____________________________ Jerry Seaver, Chairman _____________________________ Lawrence E. Jowdy, Vice Chairman |