Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
 Sand Mountain Blue Mountain Butterfly

LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
November 28, 2007, 3:00 p.m.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102
Fallon, Nevada

1. INTRODUCTIONS
Those present were:
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Brad Goetsch, County Manger
Craig Williamson

LVEA Staff Attending:
Erica Behimer, Executive Director

2. REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
Agenda approved

3. REVIEW / ACCEPT NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Minutes Approved, minutes not available on the website at this moment, but we are in the process of doing so and at that time we will establish a link from our website to the Friends of Sand Mountain Web site.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT
None

5. Quarterly Working Group Review:
Richard map and brochures are submitted in order to get the money back from the Question 1 Grant.

Richard- October 13th FOSM had a clean up and they handed out brochures and committed to 18 man hours in cleaning and going through the hill on as to where the markers and trail will be placed. There is a concern that a trail may be made that is just too outrageous for the riders to commit to. Richard Hilton wants to get a copy of the bid document and the status of the markers.

Brad Goestch stated that he would take Richard to the recorders office to get a look at the papers that he is requesting. These are all public record and he will get the files for Richard Hilton.
There were 5 bidders that submitted bids and they have selected a contractor and the signs are here and the rest of the materials are in route. They will be getting started by the end of December.

Richard is having an issue with the BLM as to getting a member to get out there and go trough were the markers are going to be made.

6. Project Updates:
Covered in the last set of minutes

7. NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS
The next meeting will be January 17 at 3pm.

LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
August 16, 2007, 3:00 p.m.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102
Fallon, Nevada

1. INTRODUCTIONS
Those present were:
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Steve Caicco, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Desna Young, Bureau of Land Management
Steve King, City Of Fallon

LVEA Staff Attending:
Erica Behimer, Executive Director
Maryann Renfroe, Assistant

2. REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
Agenda approved

3. REVIEW / ACCEPT NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Notes of last meeting were misplaced in the computer and will be reviewed at next meeting.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Desna requested that the meeting minutes be available on the website, which they currently are not due to the change in servers and website management. The SMBB website note will be updated and able to review, within the next month.

5. Review Map
            All members are content with the current trail map. Desna, stated that there is a more accurate map on the BLM website; www.carsoncity.nv.BLM

6. SAND MOUNTAIN TRAILS SYSTEM
            Sand Mountain Trails System hours and projects completed, LVEA needs the dates of the completions. Steve received his hours from Rick Gray. Richard Hilton with FOSM is concerned that the 200 man hours that he added to the report, were not accounted for. Erica Behimer with LVEA stated that the hours will be put into the next report.

7. SAND MOUNTAIN BLUE BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION PLAN
            Richard Hilton with FOSM is concerned with the money from the Question 1. He is confused as to when the money started, before the whole trail system project or after the closures.

8 .NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS
The next meeting will be November 28th at 3pm.

LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
March 15, 2007, 4:00 p.m.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102
Fallon, Nevada

1. INTRODUCTIONS
Those present were:
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Steve Caicco, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Laurie Sada, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Leo Drumm, Bureau of Land Management
Desna Young, Bureau of Land Management
Bryant Smith, Bureau of Land Management
Dan Peterson, CORVA
Brad Goetsch, Churchill County
Sarah Pedon, Student WNCC

LVEA Staff Attending:
Erica Behimer, Executive Director
Joye Carey, Assistant

2. REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
The agenda was reviewed and accepted.

3. REVIEW / ACCEPT NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Notes of last meeting were reviewed and accepted. There were questions regarding the terms “hanging” route and “star” portion as stated in the plan and their location. The map being used by LVEA is the map in the Conservation plan.  This map is very general and the group requested that the map be updated and more detailed.  It was determined that the terms and their locations needed to be clarified and the map should be updated.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT

• Brad and Erica updated on the Group on the City’s involvement and changes made to the plan at the City’s request. The group requested that a City representative present an explanation to the Group regarding the City having their signature on the plan without contributing to the plan and the explanation be added as an addendum to the plan. There were concerns about the Tribe not signing the plan because of the City’s position and the changes.  The Vice Chairman at the Tribe has changed.
• Laurie made a request that a City representative come to the next meeting and explain their position and their requested changes, it was decided this must be done before the group will sign an amended plan. 
• Desna submitted a copy of the Federal Register/ Vol. 72, No. 50/ Thursday, March 15, 2007/Notices from the Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management [NV-030-1232-PM-NV14; Closure Notice No. NV-030-07-001] Sand Mountain Recreational Area, NV, motorized Travel Restrictions. This notice places Emergency Restrictions on Motorized Use on Federal Lands, Churchill County, NV.

5. CONSERVATION PLAN UPDATE
The conservation plan submitted to the USFWS in October 2006 is the plan that the USFWS is currently using and at this time is the only plan that has been submitted. Comments made during #4. Public Comment also addresses this agenda item.

6. SAND MOUNTAIN TRAILS SYSTEM
            Sand Mountain Trails System Finding Agreement was presented to the Churchill County Board of Commissioners and will be signed after agreed changes are made. LVEA will circulate the signed version upon receipt. Question 1 monies will be monitored by Churchill County and Carbon Copied to LVEA.  County will be depending on the BLM for technical information and bids will be submitted to and paid by the County.   
            Steve submitted a spreadsheet for listing accomplishment initiation and completion dates. It was determined that LVEA would keep the hard copy and monitor the entries on the spreadsheet.
            Laurie proposed that Bi-annual meetings and an end of year meeting be held to view a synopsis of the spreadsheet for corrections and/or updates. For Question 1 purposes, the County needs to collect receipts and proof of what has been done from BLM.  The progress will be submitted to the LVEA and tracked on the hard copy spread sheet that Steve will e-mail Erica. BLM needs clarification on labor costs and what labor is specific to the accomplishment items on the spreadsheet.

7. SAND MOUNTAIN BLUE BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION PLAN
            The formation of a sub-group, made up of interested members present including representatives from the BLM, USFWS, Churchill County, City, User Groups and the Fallon Tribe was proposed to survey the trails and mark them after the Memorial Day Holiday so that the flags are not removed or destroyed by users.
            Richard stated that the Friends of Sand Mountain will be having a clean-up day on April 28th. More information is on their website, www.sandmountain.nv.org

8 .NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS
The next meeting will be May 10th at 3pm.

LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
May 3, 2006, 4:00 p.m.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102
Fallon, Nevada

INTRODUCTIONS
Those present were:
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Steve Caicco, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Craig Williamson
Leo Drumm, Bureau of Land Management
Don Hicks, Bureau of Land Management
Rick Gray, Fallon Tourism Authority
Chip Kramer, NAS Fallon

LVEA Staff Attending:
Jeannette Dahl, Director

REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
The agenda was reviewed and accepted.

REVIEW / ACCEPT NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Notes of last meeting were reviewed and accepted.

PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.

REVIEW DESIGNATED ROUTE MAP
The “hanging route” in the area of the “star” portion of the designated route was discussed.  The working group agreed to add a connecting route to the “hanging route” that would address safety issues.  Don Hicks will contact the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe regarding the addition of the connecting route but indicated that he did not believe the Tribe would have a problem with the addition.

The “Rock Route” can be addressed during the Land Use Plan Amendment process in the fall.

REVIEW DRAFT CONSERVATION PLAN
Friends of Sand Mountain and California Off Road Vehicle Association presented the working group with letters from their organization indicating that, although they do not agree with the elimination of the hill climb portion of the designated route, they agree to be signatories to the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Conservation Plan.  The Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe had previously presented the working group with a resolution from the Tribal Council agreeing to also be signatories to the conservation plan.

The completed plan will be placed on the Lahontan Valley Environmental Alliance (LVEA) Board May 22, 2006 meeting agenda.  With the LVEA approval, the plan will be forwarded to the Churchill County Commissioners and the City of Fallon for placement on their June agendas. 

It was suggested that a signing ceremony be held after approval of all signatories.  It was requested that all entities send LVEA names and addresses of those people who should receive invitations to the signing ceremony.  US Fish & Wildlife Service will need a one month lead time for the signing ceremony.

It was suggested that the working group do something special for Claudia Funari to thank her for all of her effort in regards to the conservation plan.  Also, “Thank You’s” should go out to all involved in the effort.

The 90 day finding will be completed by July 28, 2006.  If there is a need for a twelve month finding, it will be completed by April 27, 2007.

Leo Drumm will make changes to the designated route map and send them to LVEA to be included in the plan.

NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS
The next event will be the signing ceremony.  The date will be announced at a later time.

LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
March 29, 2006, 4:00 p.m.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102
Fallon, Nevada 

INTRODUCTIONS
Those present were:
Claudia Funari, Bureau of Land Management, Carson City
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Brad Goetsch, Churchill County
Dan Peterson, California Off Road Vehicle Association
Steve Caicco, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Craig Williamson
Rochanne Downs, Fallon Tribe
Michelle Single, Fallon Chamber of Commerce
Leo Drumm, Bureau of Land Management
Don Hicks, Bureau of Land Management
Dan Jacquet, Bureau of Land Management
Rick Gray, Fallon Tourism Authority
David Von Seggern, Sierra Club

LVEA Staff Attending:
Jeannette Dahl, Director

REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
The agenda was reviewed and accepted.

REVIEW / ACCEPT NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Notes of last meeting were reviewed and accepted.

PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.

REPORT REGARDING BLUE BUTTERFLY POPULATION RESEARCH-DENNIS MURPHY, UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA RENO

• Dennis Murphy, Professor of Biology at University of Nevada Reno, spoke regarding his plans to conduct a Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly research project. 
• Data collection will begin this season in a value neutral context. 
• The butterfly has a short data collection time since they fly for approximately one month in late summer.
• Population cycle must be considered when establishing a baseline population.
• Key areas must be identified so yearly counts are taken from the same site.
• Population data will only help to inform.  It will not give policy answers.
• The population research project will be coordinated with BLM activities in regards to habitat evaluation.
• Adaptive management will be used.
• In May the foot print at Sand Mountain will be developed.
• There is an opportunity for volunteer assistance with the population count.  The working group was invited to make contact with Dennis at the field site.
• Where the butterfly exists in 2006 will be considered suitable habitat.
• In five years there will be enough trend data to have a better understanding as to whether the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly should be listed.
• The data report will be made available.
• Counting will be done on transects.
• Other species will be observed to see if a trend can be seen.
• Funding for this population research project is through money from Senator Reid to Department of Interior to US Fish & Wildlife Service
• US Fish & Wildlife Service indicated that the population research project and BLM studies must be coordinated so they have standard plots.

REVIEW DESIGNATED ROUTE MAP

• Brad Goetsch began the discussion with a recap of the conservation plan progress made to date and reviewed the goal of completing the conservation plan and submitting it to US Fish & Wildlife as a tool to be used in deciding if the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly is to be listed as an endangered species.
• It was pointed out that the Tribe and the environmental community would prefer to see Sand Mountain closed while the OHV users, Churchill County, City of Fallon, and other recreationalists would rather see Sand Mountain kept open.  The goal is finding the compromise.
• The Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Conservation Plan was approved by all entities with the exception of the designated route map.
• The point of contention is the elimination of the hill climb by the BLM.
• The OHV representatives believe the elimination of the hill climb will be unacceptable to their members.
• The Fallon Tribe has approved the entire conservation plan that includes the elimination of the hill climb and a resolution from the Tribe was received.
• BLM stated that it is hard to justify responsible management with the hill climb included in the designated route system.
• US Fish & Wildlife Service indicated that a listing decision does not hinge on the exclusion or inclusion of the hill climb.
• There was concern for the possible lose of Question 1 funds due to changes made since match would be lost if there are no volunteer hours from the OHV community and due to changes in the route system that eliminates a need to develop new routes and purchase equipment to do that.
• Total route length has not been changed.  The map shows 21.6 miles of route.  The original number of 24 miles included the yellow routes to Dixie Valley and the Windmill. 
• The apparently “hanging “ route at the “star” was questioned.  Research will be done to see if there is enough turnaround room at the end of that route for it to be safe or if it needs some kind of loop trail added.
• BLM will look at other concessions that could be made for the OHV users.
• It was suggested that each entity submit a list of compromises they have made in the process of the conservation plan development in the form of a consensus paper.  This consensus paper would show where the group started, where it ended and what compromises were made.  It is believed that this will allow all entities to see that everyone has made compromises not just a few and will help the group come to consensus. 
• Consensus papers should be forwarded to LVEA who will coordinate them into one document.
• It was decided to add a section in the conservation plan stating each entities unresolved issues to be carried forward in the Land Use Plan Amendment this fall.
• Each entity will forward a list of unresolved issues to LVEA who will forward the list to Claudia Funari to be included in the conservation plan.
• Each entity will take the conservation plan to their group with the understanding that there will be unresolved issues to be taken up during the Land Use Plan Ammendment and seek approval even though there may be minor changes.

REVIEW DRAFT CONSERVATION PLAN
The portion of the conservation plan discussed is stated above.

NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS
The next meeting date will be May 3, 2006, 4:00 pm
The agenda for the next meeting will include:

• Review designated route map.
• Review draft conservation plan.

LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
February 28, 2006, 4:00 p.m.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102

INTRODUCTIONS
Those present were:
Claudia Funari, Bureau of Land Management, Carson City
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Brad Goetsch, Churchill County
Dan Peterson, California Off Road Vehicle Association
Steve Caicco, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Laurie Sada, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Craig Williamson
Rochanne Downs, Fallon Tribe
Michelle Single, Fallon Chamber of Commerce
Leo Drumm, Bureau of Land Management

LVEA Staff Attending:
Jeannette Dahl, Director

REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
Agenda item 5, Report Regarding Blue Butterfly Population Research-Dennis Murphy, University of Nevada Reno, was removed since Mr. Murphy could not attend.  Steve Caicco will try to reschedule Mr. Murphy for the working group’s March meeting.

REVIEW / ACCEPT NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Notes of last meeting were reviewed and accepted.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Dan Peterson reported that he would be attending training sessions to be an archeological steward.  This will allow him to monitor archeological sites.

It was announced that a confirmation letter was received regarding the funding by the Question 1 Grant Program of the Sand Mountain Trails System in the amount of $790,000.

REPORT REGARDING BLUE BUTTERFLY POPULATION RESEARCH-DENNIS MURPHY, UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA RENO
Agenda item tabled until the March 2006 meeting.

REVIEW DESIGNATED ROUTE MAP
A revised designated route map was presented to the working group by the BLM.  BLM explained that the western hill climb was omitted due to liability issues since the route was narrowly fenced not allowing for escape.  This area also is a poster child for environmental groups.  The southwest area where there is a sliver of habitat on the southwest side of the route will require three fences, one on each side of the route and one on the outside of the habitat area to prevent rider from enter the sliver of habitat.  Access to Dixie Valley will remain open as will the road to the windmill.  A small part of the agreed upon route, which was accidentally removed, will be replaced.

The BLM cultural site survey should be completed the week of March 3rd.

It was stated it appears that processes with the BLM outside of the working group are making it difficult for the working group to move forward.

The BLM and the Fallon Tribe are in agreement on the revised map but other members of the working group could not reached consensus on the route map.

Displeasure with the unilateral changes to the map was expressed. The group had approved previous maps presented by BLM.

REVIEW DRAFT CONSERVATION PLAN.
The Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Conservation Plan was approved and accepted by the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group with the exception of the designated route map. 

Claudia Funari will clean up the plan and email to Jeannette Dahl to be distributed to working group members.  Working group members will present the plan to their boards and council for approval to sign.

After the emergency closure of Sand Mountain areas, a Land Use Plan Amendment will be completed.  The route system could be revisited at this time.

US Fish & Wildlife Service reported that the 90-day finding will be published July 28th in the Federal Register.  Chances of a finding that will cause them to proceed to the status review are very good.  There will be a 60-day comment period beginning July 28th.  The final decision would take place by April 27, 2007.  The conservation plan would not be considered in the 90-day finding process but would be considered in a status review. December 2006 would be the drop-dead date for information to be included in the process.

The working work will target early June for the submittal of the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Conservation Plan to the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
 
NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS
The next meeting date will be March 29, 2006, 4:00 pm
The agenda for the next meeting will include:

• Dennis Murphy to discuss Blue butterfly population research project
• Review designated route map.
• Review draft conservation plan.

LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
January 31, 2006, 4:00 p.m.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102
Fallon, Nevada

INTRODUCTIONS
Those present were:
Claudia Funari, Bureau of Land Management, Carson City
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Brad Goetsch, Churchill County
Dan Peterson, California Off Road Vehicle Association
Steve Caicco, US Fish &Wildlife Service
Craig Williamson
Rick Gray, Fallon Convention and Tourism Authority
Steve Kramer, NAS Fallon
David Von Seggern, Sierra Club

LVEA Staff Attending:
Jeannette Dahl, Director

REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
The agenda was approved.

REVIEW / ACCEPT NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Notes of last meeting were reviewed and accepted.

PUBLIC COMMENT

• The March 2nd and 3rd meeting of the Sierra Front–Northwestern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council was announced.  The agenda will include discussions of Sand Mountain Business Plan and the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Conservation Strategy on March 2nd and a field trip to Sand Mountain on March 3rd. 
• Representatives from Churchill County and the City of Fallon will have an opportunity to speak on the economic impact Sand Mountain Recreational Area has on this area.  Jeannette Dahl has also be asked to speak concerning the working group.
• A private meeting of the Bureau of Land Management and the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe regarding Sand Mountain cultural sites will be held February 10th.
• The Sand Mountain user groups will meet with BLM  the week of February 13th   to discuss the route system since they did not feel the last changes made by the BLM were done fairly.

REPORT ON QUESTION 1 GRANT

• It was reported that the Sand Mountain Trails System Project has been recommended for Question 1 funding. 
• Since the grant request was submitted by Churchill County, it is believed that the funds would go to Churchill County and from them to BLM for implementation of the project.
• It was suggested that if trails are closed, the funding might not continue.
• It was suggested that the Question 1 funding should be included in the conservation plan to give it more legitimacy.

REVIEW DESIGNATED ROUTE MAP

• The BLM and user groups rode the Sand Mountain routes on January 17th in an attempt to finalize the route system.
• Upon review of the new designated route map, the working group noted several changes had been made by BLM.
• Due to cultural site issues, some of the routes were moved back in line with previous voluntary routes. 
• An additional route agreed to by Don Hicks, Carson City BLM, was not reflected on the route map and should be included.
• An emergency closure was added to the east portion of the route system due to BLM enforcement concerns.  Members of the working group had concerns regarding this change. This change did not allow access to nor escape from the Dixie Valley area. This closure could affect county roads and a discussion between BLM and the County is needed as to authority. Claudia Funari will take the information back to the BLM.
• Some of the changes made by BLM resulted in routes being moved back into Kearney Buckwheat habitat. 
• Livestock fencing and the location of cattle guards were discussed.

REVIEW DRAFT CONSERVATION PLAN.

• The working group reviewed the narrative of the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Conservation Plan.  Claudia Funari will make the recommended changes to the conservation plan and email it to LVEA for distribution.
• This document should be advantageous to other sensitive species in the Sand Mountain area.  The EPA for fencing and the Land Use Plan should address this.
• Routes were delineated through GPS process.
• Closure areas will be correlated with routes.
• Dennis Murphy, University of Nevada Reno, is interested in initiating Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly population research this coming summer and has agreed to attend a working group meeting to explain his project.

NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS
The next meeting date will be February 28, 2006
The agenda for the next meeting will include:

• Dennis Murphy to discuss butterfly population research project
• Review designated route map.
• Review entire draft plan.

LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
November 29, 2005, 4:00 p.m.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102
Fallon, Nevada

INTRODUCTIONS
Those present were:
Claudia Funari, BLM, Carson City
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Brad Goetsch, Churchill County
Leo Drumm, Bureau of Land Management
Dan Peterson, California Off Road Vehicle Association
Steve Caicco, USF&WS
Craig Williamson
Cara Mosedale, Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe 

LVEA Staff Attending:
Jeannette Dahl, Executive Director 

REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
The agenda was approved. 

REVIEW / ACCEPT NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Notes of last meeting were reviewed and accepted. 

PUBLIC COMMENT
The request from Dan Patterson, Center of Biological Diversity, for a copy of the draft conservation plan was discussed.  The decision was to mail a copy of the Draft Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Conservation Plan to Dan Patterson with a letter stating that this is a draft plan and is still in the process of being developed.  The letter should come from the working group.  

REPORT ON QUESTION 1 GRANT
Jeannette Dahl reported on the progress of the Sand Mountain Trail System Question 1 Grant submittal.  The project will be presented to the Question 1 review committee on December 9^th. 

REVIEW DRAFT CONSERVATION PLAN
Monitoring & Research Discussion

Baselines
      ·        Route photos taken in 2002 will be used as a baseline. 
      ·        Kearney Buckwheat vegetation monitoring will be completed for 2005. 
      ·        There is no baseline for Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly population monitoring.

Propagation of Kearney Buckwheat
      ·        Kearney Buckwheat will have more problems if kept to wet rather than to dry.
      ·        Seeds need a chill factor.
      ·        May be sprouted in March as per Steve Caicco’s experience.
      ·        Fallon’s Native Plant Center should be considered for propagation. 

Designated Routes
      ·        The management team and users will ride the routes and make the final route decision in mid January.
      ·        The map of the designated routes will come back to the working group for review at the next working
             group meeting.
      ·        The need for designated routes changes was due to cultural studies, the NEPA process and concern for
            other sensitive species.
      ·        The Sand Mountain Recreation Area boundaries will be adjusted.
      ·        Some routes will have to go through some butterfly habitat.
      ·        Trail mileage will remain the same.
      ·        NEPA work will have to be done for fencing. 

Signing Ceremony
A formal signing ceremony will be held when the conservation plan is completed.

 NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS
The next meeting date will be announced at a later time.
The agenda for the next meeting will include:
      ·        Review designated route map.
      ·        Review entire draft plan.

LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
October 25, 2005, 4:00 p.m.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102
Fallon, Nevada

INTRODUCTIONS
Those present were:
Claudia Funari, BLM, Carson City
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Brad Goetsch, Churchill County
Leo Drumm, Bureau of Land Management
Dan Peterson, California Off Road Vehicle Association
Rick Gray, City of Fallon
Steve Caicco, USF&WS
Craig Williamson 

LVEA Staff Attending:
Jeannette Dahl, Executive Director 

REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
The agenda was approved. 

REVIEW / ACCEPT NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Notes of last meeting were reviewed and accepted with the following corrections.  Under DISCUSS/DEVELOP DRAFT CONSERVATION PLAN NARRATIVE, The cultural survey was discussed, second bulleted item, change “road” to “rode”; fifth bulleted item change “included” to “referenced”.  

PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment. 

REVIEW UPDATED SAND MOUNTAIN BUSINESS PLAN
It was explained by the BLM representative that the Sand Mountain Business Plan uses actual numbers from collected data.

Carson City Field office has three rangers available to work Sand Mountain.  Rangers may have to be imported for heavy weekends.

The fees for Sand Mountain were doubled effective October 1, 2005.  A decrease in visitors due to the increase in fees has not been apparent. 

REVIEW DRAFT CONSERVATION PLAN
Half of the cultural study has been completed.  The BLM biologist will flag the recommended routes following the map developed by the working group.  This should be completed by November 1, 2005.  Routes will be reviewed during the first two weeks of November and the cultural survey and Tribe consultation should be completed by the week of November 14^th.  The routes must be surveyed.  The Tribe will continue to be involved in the cultural study.  At this time nothing culturally has been found that would change the routes.  After the routes are flagged, the working group will be taken on a tour of the routes. 

The question of “How do we know when we reach recovery?” was asked.  Until sufficient studies are completed looking at the relationship between the butterfly and the habitat a number of percentage definition of success cannot be developed.  Since habitat is being mapped, baseline data is being gathered. 

BLM is working on specific route system objectives that would help to define triggers.  US Fish & Wildlife Service needs to see habitat recovery. Numbers of incursions are not as important to them as an increase in habitat trend. 

Fencing will be prioritized based on high non-compliance.  The implementation process will include triggers to the next step in increased fencing if trend is not upward.  Trends will be worked with as opposed to hard numbers until sufficient data is gathered.  Meaningful studies are very important. 

NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS
The next meeting date will be November 29, 2005, at 4:00 pm, in the Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102. 

The agenda for the next meeting will include:

·        Review any concerns regarding cultural studies.

·        Confirm designated route map.

·        Review of plan narrative.

·        Review entire draft plan.

LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
September 15, 2005, 4:00 p.m.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102
Fallon, Nevada 

INTRODUCTIONS
Those present were:
Claudia Funari, BLM, Carson City
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Brad Goetsch, Churchill County
Leo Drumm, Bureau of Land Management
Cara Mosedale, Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe
Dan Peterson, California Off Road Vehicle Association
Rick Gray, City of Fallon
Dan Kaffer, USDA-NRCS

LVEA Staff Attending:
Jeannette Dahl, Executive Director

REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
The agenda was approved.

REVIEW / ACCEPT NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Notes of last meeting were reviewed and accepted. 

PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.

DISCUSS/DEVELOP DRAFT CONSERVATION PLAN NARRATIVE
The cultural survey was discussed.

• Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe will assist in the cultural survey.
• BLM and the Tribe road the west side routes for cultural issues.
• East side routes will be ridden shortly.
• Some sites were observed and will be documented but should not affect the designated routes.
• There appears to be no significant conflict at this time.
• The BLM cultural staff will also walk the routes at a later date - this will generate a document that will be included in the conservation plan.

After the emergency closure of Sand Mountain Recreational Area, a plan amendment will be completed. 

The Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) is still a proposal initiated by the BLM and the Tribe.  The conservation plan may negate the need for an ACEC.

The action tables, research and monitoring strategy conservation summary and the narrative were reviewed.  Claudia Funari will make the changes in the documents and send them to LVEA to be distributed to working group members by October 6th for review in preparation for the October meeting.

Dan Kaffer, USDA-NRCS explained that the NRCS and the Native Plant Center that will be located in Fallon could be of help in the propagation of Kearney buckwheat.

NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS
The next meeting date will be October 25, 2005, at 4:00 pm, in the Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102.

The agenda for the next meeting will include:

• Review any concerns regarding cultural studies.
• Review of plan narrative.
• Review action tables.
• Review entire draft plan.

LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
August 11, 2005, 4:00 p.m.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102
Fallon, Nevada

INTRODUCTIONS
Those present were:
Claudia Funari, BLM, Carson City
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Brad Goetsch, Churchill County
Leo Drumm, Bureau of Land Management
Steve Caicco, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Cara Mosedale, Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe
Rochanne Downs, Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe

LVEA Staff Attending:
Jeannette Dahl, Executive Director

REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
The agenda was approved. 

REVIEW / ACCEPT NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Notes of last meeting were reviewed and accepted. 

PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment. 

REVIEW CONSERVATION STRATEGY SUMMARY WORK SHEETS
The designated route map was reviewed.  A cultural study for the new routes was discussed.  The Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe will meet with the BLM at Sand Mountain for a field trip regarding cultural issues.  BLM will send cultural study information to LVEA to distribute to the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group members.  The designated routes will need to be ground truthed. 

DISCUSS/DEVELOP DRAFT CONSERVATION PLAN NARRATIVE
The conservation plan narrative was reviewed and changes recommended.  The updated conservation strategy summary work sheets will be added to the narrative and reviewed at the September meeting.

NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS
The next meeting date will be September15, 2005, at 4:00 pm, in the Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102. 

The agenda for the next meeting will include:
·        Review any concerns regarding the designated routes.
·        Review of plan narrative.
·        Review monitoring and research plan.
·        Confirm designated trails map.
·        Review entire draft plan.
This will be an extended meeting so a light meal will be served.

LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
July 14, 2005, 4:00 p.m.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102
Fallon, Nevada

INTRODUCTIONS
Those present were:
Claudia Funari, BLM, Carson City
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Dan Peterson, California Off Road Vehicle Association
Brad Goetsch, Churchill County
Leo Drumm, Bureau of Land Management
Tina Nappi
Edith Isidoro-Mills
Laurie Sada, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Carol Colip 

LVEA Staff Attending:
Jeannette Dahl, Executive Director 

REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
The agenda was approved. 

REVIEW / ACCEPT NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Notes of last meeting were reviewed and accepted.  

PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment. 

DISCUSS / DEVELOP CONSERVATION STRATEGIES
It was reported that a letter from the Question 1 Grant Program was received stating that the Sand Mountain Trail System and Habitat Protection Project is eligible for submission.  The deadline for submission of the application is September 6, 2005. 

Conservation Strategies were reviewed.  There will be five conservation strategies included in the plan: designated routes, increased law enforcement, fencing, trails and signage maintenance, education, and closure of shrub habitat to livestock.  Tables showing costs, funding sources and timelines will be added to each of the strategies.  Possible Congressional funding should be added to the table. Table information will be added to the narrative.

 Designated routes
The designate route map was reviewed.  Bureau of Land Management, Carson City Field Office, management has approved the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group’s recommended route map. Changes are needed on the northeast end of the map (#11) to conform to the working groups recommendations.   A cultural study may be needed where new trails are developed.  Some of the cultural areas may be considered so demolished that a cultural study is not necessary.  Alternative routes may be needed in case there are problems with the cultural study.  Routes in rocky areas must have a reasonable amount of sand.  Specific compliances may be necessary for new trails.  BLM believes that there is no NEPA requirement for emergency closure but Leo Drumm will confirm this.  It was indicated that there would be a need to mark actual trails using GPS.  Since this closure process is an emergency action, a long-term management plan will be developed and included in the Churchill County Plan Amendment. 

Increased law enforcement
BLM will check on possibility of additional $7000 in Federal funding.
It is anticipated that Churchill County and the City of Fallon may consider contributing $5000 each.
Sierra Front-Northwestern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council will review fee increases at Sand Mountain.  A table will be included with this strategy showing costs, funding and a timeline.  Camping regulation need increased enforcement. 

Fence, sign and trail maintenance
Costs to maintain trails will be identified by BLM.  A table will be included with this strategy showing costs, funding and a timeline. 

Education
Predation and disease will be deleted from the risks.  Anticipated outcomes will be added to the strategy summary as well as a table showing costs, funding and a timeline.  Camping regulations need to be included in education. 

Closure to Livestock
Anticipated outs comes will be added to the strategy summary as well as a table.
The conservation plan should have an Action (Strategies) section and a Needs section. 

Research Needs
            Research regarding need to set carrying capacity.
                        Camping     
                        Recreating
                        Setting carrying capacity needs to be added to adaptive management.
                        Research into Camping
                        Is current camping area appropriate in size?
                        Does camping area need to be enlarged? 
                       Does camping area need to be marked?
                        Are current camping regulations being enforced?
            Research the need to increase Kearney Buckwheat habitat
                        Propagation program.
            Research regarding the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly population.

Monitoring Needs
            Habitat (Kearney Buckwheat)
            Butterfly population
            Incursions
            Visitors
This plan will stop the loss of habitat but it is also necessary to determine if it will restore the habitat and if not, what is needed for restoration. 

Tribal concerns were discussed.  It is believed that all but one of the concerns has been addressed.  That ACEC that cannot be addressed in this conservation plan since it is a separate issue under the BLM’s jurisdiction. 

DISCUSS / DEVELOP DRAFT PLAN
No work was done on this agenda item.

NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS
The next meeting date will be August 11, 2005, at 4:00 pm, in the Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102.
The agenda for the next meeting will include:
·        Review of plan narrative.
This will be an extended meeting so a light meal will be served.

LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
June 20, 2005, 4:00 p.m.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102
Fallon, Nevada

INTRODUCTIONS
Those present were:
Claudia Funari, BLM, Carson City
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Dan Peterson, California Off Road Vehicle Association
Cara Mosedale, Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe
Brad Goetsch, Churchill County
Leo Drumm, Bureau of Land Management 

LVEA Staff Attending:
Jeannette Dahl, Executive Director 

REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
The agenda was approved. 

REVIEW / ACCEPT NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Notes of last meeting were reviewed and accepted.   

PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.

DISCUSS / DEVELOP CONSERVATION STRATEGIES
The Question 1 Grant Program pre-application for funding of trails, fencing, and signage was reviewed and amended.  LVEA will submit the pre-application. 

The letter sent to Kevin Kirkeby, Senator Ensign’s office, requesting assistance with funding was reviewed.  Mr. Kirkeby will forward the funding request to the Washington D.C. office. 

The amended Designated Trails Action Table, completed by Claudia Funari, was reviewed and accepted.  Claudia Funari will complete the cost, funding source and comment section of the table at a later date.  It was decided to have an overall action table as well as an action table for each conservation strategy. 

Leo Drumm indicated that BLM has some funding available for the purchase of signs. 

Leo Drumm will look into the availability of Federal funding for increased law enforcement at Sand Mountain.  He will check the Washington office for any agreements with BLM and Churchill County regarding this funding. 

BLM representatives explained that a Park Ranger would be doing the monitoring at Sand Mountain.  This will give a more balanced view.  There may be an opportunity for a volunteer camp or volunteer may be able to go with the Park Ranger to monitor.  The importance of photo points was stressed.

 The Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group (SMBBWG) map submitted to BLM was compared to the new BLM biologists recommended map.  It was stressed that the OHV users had compromised greatly in the development of the SMBBWG map and some compromise is needed from BLM.  Comments in regard to the BLM biologists recommended map include:  The new BLM biologists recommended map offers fewer routes than their previously recommended map; The new BLM biologists recommended map deletes routes already agreed upon; If fencing is in the gully rather than on top, it posses a safety hazard for any rider mistakenly coming down into it; If the route goes down the steep hill on the east side of the SMRA it will be impossible for most people to climb back out and they will have to ride approximately 30 minutes out of their way.  If coming from the other direction and being unable to ride out due to the steepness of the route, they will have ridden approximately one hour out of their way; There is concern for the rockiness of some of the BLM recommended routes.  The consensus of the working group was to re-submit the SMBBWG map to the BLM management without change along with comments regarding the BLM biologists recommended map.  Working group members will send their comments to Jeannette Dahl who will compile the comments and forward them to Leo Drumm for submittal.  The areas of the SMBBWG map were numbered for better identification.  Comments from the BLM management should be received prior to the July 14^th working group meeting. 

Conservation Strategy Summary Worksheets were reviewed and changes made.  Worksheets reviewed included: Increased Law Enforcement; Trail, Sign and Fence Maintenance.  The Increased Ticket Fees Worksheet was eliminated since BLM already has regulation concerning this.  The Adaptive Management Worksheet was also eliminated, as recommended by US Fish & Wildlife, since adaptive management will be used throughout the entire conservation plan.  

Jeannette Dahl will make changes to the Conservation Strategy Summary Worksheets and email them to the working group for review.  She will also coordinate the comments on the plan narrative and email them to working group members for their review prior to the July meeting.

DISCUSS / DEVELOP DRAFT PLAN
No work was done on this agenda item. 

NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS
The next meeting date will be July 14, 2005, at 4:00 pm, in the Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102. 

The agenda for the next meeting will include:

·         Review of designated route map and comments from BLM management

·         Review of conservation strategies: Education; Set Carrying Capacity: Closure to Livestock:  

           Kearney Buckwheat Seedling Propagation; Research/Monitoring.

·         Review of plan narrative. 

This will be an extended meeting so a light meal will be served.

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LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
June 6, 2005, 4:00 p.m.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102
Fallon, Nevada 

INTRODUCTIONS

Those present were:
Claudia Funari, BLM, Carson City
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Dan Peterson, California Off Road Vehicle Association
Cara Mosedale, Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe
Rick Gray, Fallon Convention & Tourism Authority
Brad Goetsch, Churchill County
Steve Kramer, NAS Fallon
Edith Isidoro-Mills
Leo Drumm, Bureau of Land Management 

LVEA Staff Attending:
Jeannette Dahl, Executive Director 

REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
The agenda was approved.

REVIEW / ACCEPT NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Notes of last meeting were reviewed and accepted.  

PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.

DISCUSS / DEVELOP CONSERVATION STRATEGIES
The June 3, 2005 field trip to Sand Mountain was reported to be helpful in planning the designated route strategy.

Designated route maps were displayed and the working group discussed the adjustments of the routes.  The maps with the suggested adjustments will be taken to Bureau of Land Management Carson City Field Office for review by the field office management.  The BLM representatives will report back on the comments of the field office management. 

Increased law enforcement was discussed.  The Churchill County Manager will look into the availability of federal funds to help with law enforcement.  The four weekends that will need the largest increase in law enforcement are: Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving.  Leo Drumm will look into what BLM believes is the need of increased law enforcement. 

Edith Isadoro-Mills spoke to the working group regarding a Kearney Buckwheat propagation program.  She would be interested in participating in this program as a grower.  She would need help with the actual planting and would need a source of Kearney Buckwheat seed.  The process would be to go through BLM contract and BLM would provide the plant materials. Volunteers could help with the planting. 

DISCUSS / DEVELOP DRAFT PLAN
No work was done on this agenda item. 

NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS
The next meeting date will be June 20, 2005, at 4:00 pm, in the Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102.

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LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
May 9, 2005, 4:00 p.m.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102
Fallon, Nevada 

INTRODUCTIONS
Those present were:
Claudia Funari, BLM, Carson City
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Dan Peterson, California Off Road Vehicle Association
Cara Mosedale, Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe
Rick Gray, Fallon Convention & Tourism Authority
Brad Goetsch, Churchill County
Steve Kramer, NAS Fallon
Steve Caicco, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Leo Drumm, Bureau of Land Management
Janet Schmidt
Craig Williamson 

LVEA Staff Attending:
Jeannette Dahl, Executive Director 

REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
The agenda was approved.
 

REVIEW / ACCEPT NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Notes of last meeting were reviewed.  Claudia Funari made the following correction: Under Discuss/Develop Conservation Strategies, second paragraph, toward the end of the first sentence change entire shrub habitat to entire route system. Meeting notes were accepted as amended. 

PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment. 

DISCUSS / DEVELOP CONSERVATION STRATEGIES
Brad Goestch reported on the meeting with representatives of the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group and BLM Carson City Field Office management regarding the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Conservation Plan.  The BLM is asking that a more restrictive designated route system be used as a starting point in the adaptive management plan of the designated route strategy.  They are willing to consider recommendations from the working group. The goal of BLM is to minimize disruption of habitat. The BLM is welling to put in writing that if, upon evaluation, there is significant improvement in the habitat, designated routes will be re-visited.  BLM will respond regarding the completed designated route strategy  by June 1st. 

The map showing the BLM recommended routes was reviewed.  Friends of Sand Mountain (FOSM) and California Off Road Vehicle Association (CORVA) were given copies of the maps to take back to their organizations for review. 

FOSM representative pointed out that they would like no net loss of routes but that adjustments would be acceptable. 

CORVA representative concluded that the working group should continue the development of the conservation plan on the assumption that members of the working group will come to an agreement as to what the route system will look like. 

BLM, CORVA, FOSM and other members of the Sand Mountain Working Group will meet at Sand Mountain to look at the recommended routes on the ground. 

Goals in developing designated routes include:
·        Minimize sectioning of habitat
·        Minimize fencing
·        Minimize duplication of routes 

Steve Caicco explained that the US Fish & Wildlife Service, in their evaluation process, will start with the best available scientific information as a baseline when making listing decisions.  They are not concerned with historical information but are more interested in current conditions.  They then look forward to improving and maintaining the population. 

Other consideration:

·        The possibility of the BLM and USF&WS partnering with Churchill County on an Orthophoto project was discussed.  System Consultants in Fallon also do air photography projects.

·        Federal money may be available for increased law enforcement.

·        There is a possibility of including county ordinances that would allow increased law enforcement at Sand Mountain.

·        There may be a possibility of the location of a camp host at Sand Mountain.

·        There may be a possibility of community volunteers for workdays at Sand Mountain. 

Target for completion of the conservation plan is July/August. 

DISCUSS / DEVELOP DRAFT PLAN
No work was done on this agenda item. 

NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS

A field trip to Sand Mountain will be held June 3, 2005.  Those attending must provide their own ATV and meet at Sand Mountain, at the first restrooms, at 10:00 am.  

The next regular meeting date will be June 6, 2005, at 4:00 p.m., at the Churchill County Administrative Building, Room 102. 

The agenda for the June 9th meeting will include:
Review/edit Conservation Strategy Summary Worksheets – designated trails by including the following:
            BLM recommendations
            Funding Requirements
            Funding Sources
            Mapping Boundaries
            Route Systems 

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LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
February 15, 2005, 5:30 p.m.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 136
Fallon, Nevada

INTRODUCTIONS

Those present were:
Claudia Funari, BLM, Carson City
Chip Kramer, NAS Fallon-Natural Resources
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Dan Peterson, California Off Road Vehicle Association
Cara Mosedale, Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe
Rick Gray, Fallon Convention & Tourism Authority
Carol Colip
Brad Goetsch, Churchill County
Craig Williamson
Earl Lewis
Derham Giuliani, BLM, Carson City
Alvin Moyle, Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe
Roy Risi

LVEA Staff Attending:
Jeannette Dahl, Executive Director
Helen Smart, Administrative Assistant 

REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA

The agenda was approved. 

REVIEW / ACCEPT NOTES OF LAST MEETING

Notes of last meeting were reviewed and accepted. 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Jeannette Dahl reported that Marci Haworth, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, said the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly petitioning process will begin in April, 2005.  The Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly conservation plan should be submitted to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services the first part of April.  U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service recommends, but does not require, that a person outside the working group review the conservation plan.  Dennis Murphy and Pete Brousard, University of Nevada Reno, were recommended. 

REVIEW THREAT SUMMARY MATRIX

The working group reviewed the Threat Summary Matrix   The risk factors were prioritized as follows:

1.      OHV Use

2.      Weeds

3.      Fire

4.      Climate/Weather

5.      Camping

6.      Predation/Wildlife

7.      Disease

8.      Livestock

9.      Site Potential

10.  Hiking

11.  Horseback Riding

12.  Pollution

13.  Military Actions

 Jeannette Dahl will prioritize the matrix and e-mail it to all members before February 25, 2005.

 DISCUSS / DEVELOP CONSERVATION STRATEGIES

The Conservation Strategy Summary Worksheet was discussed.  The working group agreed to accept the worksheet as formatted.  The sample worksheets were provided by Carson City BLM.  They were reviewed and edited by the working group.

 Actions on the Conservation Strategy Summary Worksheet are as follows:

1.  Closure of the BLM defined dune shrub habitat to motorized vehicles.

            Type of Action:  Action not accepted.

2.      Closure of the BLM defined dune shrub habitat to livestock.

            Type of Action:  Action accepted.

3.  Propose limited designation and designated routes in the Churchill County RMP Amendment.  Limit motorized vehicles within the BLM defined dune habitat to designated routes.

            Type of Action:  Action accepted.

4.  Full-time law enforcement and/or recreation staff will be present at Sand Mountain following limited designation.

            Type of Action:  Action accepted.

5.  Set a carrying capacity or maximum limit for the number people allowed into the Sand Mountain Recreation Area at any one time.

            Type of Action:  Action accepted.

6.  Educate the public on the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly, its habitat, SMRA regulations and proper riding practices.  Education will take place in the form of interpretive, cautionary and regulatory signage throughout the SMRA and dune system.

            Type of Action:  Action accepted.

(See attached Conservation Strategy Summary Worksheets for detail)

 NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS

The next meeting date will be March 1, 2005, at 5:30 p.m., at the Churchill County Administrative Building. 

The agenda for the March meeting will include:
Review/edit Conservation Strategy Summary Worksheets.
Develop Conservation Strategies.
Jeannette Dahl will send to all working group members, the edited Conservation Strategy Summary Worksheets.
Working group members were asked to develop additional conservation strategies and send to Jeannette Dahl before next meeting. 

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

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LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
January 19, 2005, 5:00 p.m.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102
Fallon, Nevada

WELCOME / INTRODUCTIONS
Those present were:
Elayn Briggs, Bureau of Land Management, Carson City Field Office
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Dan Peterson, California Off Road Vehicle Association
Cara Mosedale, Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe
Rick Gray, Fallon Convention & Tourism Authority
Carol Colip
Brad Goetsch, Churchill County
Craig Williamson 

LVEA Staff Attending:
Jeannette Dahl, Executive Director 

REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
The agenda was approved.

REVIEW NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Notes of last meeting were reviewed and accepted.

 PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment. 

DISCUSS DEVELOPMENT OF CONSERVATION PLAN

The time frame for US Fish & Wildlife Service to address the petition to list the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly was discussed.  Information at this time tells us that this issue may be addressed in April. The goal of the working group is to have a conservation plan completed before April.

The fact that the US Fish & Wildlife Service will use the best science available as they make their decisions was discussed.

When completed by the working group, the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly conservation plan will go to the Lahontan Valley Environmental Alliance Board and then to the Churchill County Commissioners before being submitted to the US Fish & Wildlife Service. 

REVIEW AND RATING OF THREAT SUMMARY MATRIX

The working group discussed the categories in the Threat Summary Matrix. 

 Impacts of “Camping” were defined and limited to the restricted camping area.  Impacts of “Hiking” were defined and limited to people walking in any area other than the camping area.

 The Threat Summary Matrix was reviewed using as a starting point the ratings from the threat summary matrix that was averaged from prior responses received from working group members.  All categories received ratings by consensus except Climate/Weather (one felt rating should be lower) and Pollution (one felt rating should be higher).

 See attached Threat Summary Matrix for details.

NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS

The next meeting date will be February 15, 2005, at 5:30 p.m., at the Churchill County Administrative Building, Room 102, Fallon, Nevada.
A light meal will be served.
The agenda for the February meeting will include:
Review of Conservation Strategy Summary Worksheet.
Development of Conservation Strategies.

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LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
December 8, 2004, 12:00 p.m.
Fallon Convention Center Fallon, Nevada 

WELCOME / INTRODUCTIONS

Those present were:
Claudia Funari, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City Field Office 
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Dan Peterson, California Off Road Vehicle Association
Cara Mosedale, Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe
Rick Gray, Fallon Convention & Tourism Authority
Carol Colip
Steve Kramer, NAS Fallon
Janet Schmidt
Brad Goetsch, Churchill County
Craig Williamson 

LVEA Staff Attending:
Jeannette Dahl, Executive Director

REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
The group approved the agenda. 

REVIEW NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Notes of last meeting will be reviewed at the next meeting. 

PUBLIC COMMENT
Janet Schmidt commented that she is attending the working group as a private individual and does not represent US Fish & Wildlife Service. 

DISCUSS DEVELOPMENT OF CONSERVATION PLAN
The working group discussed the “Threat Summary Matrix” and made the discussion to use the matrix in the development of the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Conservation Plan with the following changes:

Change heading:

·        “Factors Affecting Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly and it Habitat (Threats)” should be changed to “Factors Which May Affect Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly and its Habitat (Threat)”.

·        In the “Effects” column:

·        Delete: “Desired vegetation has sparse leaves and stems”; “Over mature vegetation”; “Optimum Habitat on > 40% of habitat area”; “Noxious weeds present”; Available nutrition source decadent/unpalatable”; Lack of vegetative root depth”; “Excessive annual butterfly mortality”; “Insufficient leaf duff for pupae and chrysalis development”.

·        Make separate categories for: “Increase in Cheatgrass” and “Loss/lack of vegetative site potential”.

In the “Factors Which May Affect Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly and its Habitat (Threats) column:

·        Delete: Recreation; Drought.

·        Add: Camping; OHV Use; Hiking; Horseback Riding; Military Actions; Pollution.

Define, in column 2, Yes as “Scientific Data Available” and Unknown as “Needs More Study”.

Jeannette Dahl will make the changes in the matrix and email/mail to members of the working group.  Working group members will rate the matrix and email/mail it back to Jeannette.  She will average the ratings and email/mail the matrix with averaged ratings to working group members for their review.  At the January meeting this matrix will then give the group a starting point so they can work toward consensus.

NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS
The date for the next meeting will be January 18, 2005, at 5:00 p.m., at the Churchill County Administrative Building, Room 102. 

The agenda will include:
Review of “Threat Summary Matrix”.
Rating of “Threat Summary Matrix”.

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LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
November 16, 2004, 6:30 p.m.
155 N. Taylor Street, Room102, Fallon, Nevada

WELCOME / INTRODUCTIONS

Those present were:
Claudia Funari, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City Field Office
Rick Benson, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City Field Office
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Dan Peterson, California Off Road Vehicle Association
Rochanne Downs, Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe
Dave Davies
Rick Gray, Fallon Convention & Tourism Authority
Jenny Swanson
Carol Colip 

LVEA Staff Attending:
Jeannette Dahl, Executive Director
Helen Smart, Assistant 

REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
The group approved the agenda as amended to move agenda item 4, Discuss BLM Range and Allotment Issues, ahead of agenda item 3, Public Comments. 

DISCUSS BLM RANGE AND ALLOTMENT ISSUES
Rick Benson, Bureau of Land Management, Carson City Field Office
The following handout was made available:
Sand Mountain ACED Grazing Allotment 

§         There are five BLM livestock grazing allotments in the Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC):

o       Salt Wells – Roy Risi – Winter use – largest allotment in ACEC – north of highway next to Sand Mountain

o       Frenchman’s Flat – Gary Takus – Winter use – East side of ACEC

o       Bucky O’Neal – Dave Stix/Bill Card – Winter use – South side of ACEC

o       La Beau Flat – White Sage LLC (Jerry Masterpool) – South/East side of ACEC and East of Bucky O’Neal – only small portion in ACEC

o       Mount Well La Platta – Bruce Kent – only 40 acres in ACEC

§         Off Highway Vehicle users have seen signs of cattle in north-east portion of recreation area

§         It was explained that at the time cattle are in the area, plants are dormant and can tolerate grazing to some extent

§         Rabbits and ground squirrels severely graze the Kearney Buckwheat

§         Concern was expressed by participants that cattle may be spreading cheatgrass and Russian Thistle

§         BLM will be conducting vegetation studies in the Sand Mountain area next year 

PUBLIC COMMENT
Rochanne Downs, Cultural Resource Director and Council Member, Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe

§         A presentation was given on the Fallon Tribe’s viewpoint on Sand Mountain and surrounding areas.

§         The presentation included:

            Culture
      Oral History
      Great Basin Tribal connection
      Sacred Sites
      Site Visitation
Why Sand Mountain is important
      Historical photos
Understanding of the economic values to community
      ACEC as submitted by the Fallon Tribe

Fallon Tribe requests:

§         One month closure for religious purposes and for healing time for the mountain

§         One month semi-closure for family and school visitations as well as healing of the mountain

§         Maximum capacity established

§         Protection of the habitat

§         Open/Closed areas of motorized recreational use

§         Establish set trails

§         Increase law enforcement

The presentation concluded that the homeland is not a wasteland. 

DISCUSS FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF SAND MOUNTAIN AND THE BLUE BUTTERFLY ISSUE
 Claudia Funari, BLM, Carson City Field Office

The following handouts were made available:
            The National Fee Demonstration Program Budget
            Sand Mountain Recreation Area National Fee Demonstration Program Budget           

Yearly pass - $45
Weekly pass - $20

Visitation:

§         44,450 average annual visits (1999-2004)

§         56,000 visits in 2004

§         5,000 + visitors on holiday weekends

Visitor Profile

§         80% from northern California

§         90% OHV/day use/camping (fee)

§         10% short tern (non OHV) (non-fee)

Fee revenues are used only for Sand Mountain
Fee are spent on

§         Maintenance technician to clean and repair facilities

§         Customer Service

§         Increase law enforcement presence

§         Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Sand Mountain fee collections and expenditures include:

§         FY 2003

o       Fee collections (Mar-Sept)                        $109,000

o       Expenses (Mar-Sept)                                    $140,000

§         FY 2004

o       Fee collections (Oct-July)                        $108,000

o       Expenses (Oct-July)                                    $115,000

Rick Gray, Fallon Convention & Tourism Authority

The following handouts were made available:
            Sand Mountain Economic Analysis
            Survey of visitors to Sand Mountain during Labor Day Weekend, 2003 

A survey conducted on Labor Day weekend 2003 indicated that:

§         The average per person, per day expenditure in Churchill County by visitors to Sand Mountain is $37

§         BLM estimates 50,000+ visit Sand Mountain Annually

§         The average length of stay is four days.

§         $7,400,000 is spent in Churchill County yearly by visitors to Sand Mountain

§         This is not an indication of total economic benefit to the area as it does not reflect multipliers or other economic linkages associated with visitor spending

§         76% of visitors were from California

§         37% of visitors reported staying in a motel

A more through analysis is needed and will soon be conducted 

DISCUSS DEVELOPMENT OF CONSERVATION PLAN

The following handouts were made available and reviewed:

US Fish & Wildlife Service Policy for the Evaluation of Conservation Efforts             (PECE) When Making Listing Decisions Under the Endangered Species Act       of 1973, As Amended (ACT)             Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Conservation Plan Draft Outline
Threat (Risk) Assessment Summary Matrix
Conservation Strategy Summary Worksheet draft example 

§         These handouts could be used as a starting point in the development of a conservation plan.

§         Jeannette Dahl will email these documents to Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group members and request that they review them, mark them with suggestions and return them by December 1st.  The suggestions will then be considered at the December working group meeting.

§         Claudia Funari will write up the species information section 

NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS
The date for the next meeting will be December 8, 2004, at 12:00 p.m., at the Fallon Convention Center.  Rick Gray will reserve a meeting room and provide lunch. 

The agenda will include:
Review Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Draft Conservation Plan Outline
Review Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly species information write-up
Review Threat Assessment Summary Matrix
Review Conservation Strategy Summary Worksheet

 Back To Sand Mountain Blue Mountain Butterfly                Top of Page

LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
September 20, 2004, 6:30 p.m.
155 N. Taylor Street, Room102, Fallon, Nevada 

THOSE PRESENT WERE:
Brad Goetsch, Churchill County Manager
Rachel Dahl, Fallon Chamber of Commerce
Claudia Funari, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City Field Office
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Dan Peterson, California Off Road Vehicle Association
Ivan Evans
Chip Kramer, NAS Fallon
Gary Juenger, USDA/NRCS
Cara Mosedale, Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe
Tina Nappe
Dave Davies

LVEA Staff Attending:
Jeannette Dahl, Executive Director
Helen Smart, Assistant

WELCOME / INTRODUCTIONS / PURPOSE OF MEETING

Executive Director of LVEA welcomed the group.  Those attending the meeting introduced themselves and explained their interest in the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly issue.

The purpose of this meeting and what was discussed at the August working group meeting was explained. 

REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA

·        The group approved the agenda as written. 

DISCUSS PAST EFFORTS TO ADDRESS SAND MOUNTAIN / BLUE BUTTERFLY / KEARNEY BUCKWHEAT ISSUES

            US FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE

·        A petition to list the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly as an endangered species has been submitted to the US Fish & Wildlife Service but due to time and funding constraints has not gone into the 90-day finding process. 

·        From the beginning of the 90-day finding process to final decision may take 12 months

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

·        BLM and the State of Nevada have designated the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly as a sensitive species.

·        BLM encourages Off Highway Vehicle users to follow the rules outlined by the BLM to avoid further impact to the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly and Kearney Buckwheat.

·        There can be no monetary fines for those riding off the suggested routes until the trail designation process is completed.

·        Voluntary routes have been identified with red and green signage indicating which trail should and should not be used by OHV users.

·        Vegetative studies of Kearney Buckwheat and population studies regarding the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly have not been conducted at this time.

·        BLM will set out plots this fall/winter and over the next five years will monitor disturbance, number of seedlings and soil characteristics.

·        BLM has a collected Kearney Buckwheat seed and shipped to England for germination studies.

·        All user fees collected at Sand Mountain are used to defray costs at Sand Mountain.  Expenses at Sand Mountain exceed fee income.  BLM is limited in funding for the Sand Mountain area since outdoor recreation is not funded federally through BLM.

·        BLM study of the volunteer program at Sand Mountain will end in November.

·        BLM will be presenting a new Recreation Management Plan for Sand Mountain in 1 to 1 ½ years.

·        BLM Churchill County Natural Resource Management Plan should be complete by the end of this year. 

           OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLES ORGANIZATIONS

·        OHV organizations have been working on an education program by distributing brochures to encourage proper uses of routes.

·        Sand Mountain maps indicating encouraged routes have been distributed to OHV users. 

·        Signs have been put up to point out the encouraged routes.  These restrictions are new to users who have had unrestricted use of the mountain and education will take some time.

·        4000 feet of fencing was installed by Friends of Sand Mountain at their expense, as a test to see if it would help users stay on the routes.

FALLON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

·        It was pointed out that the economy of Churchill County could be hurt if action isn’t taken to keep Sand Mountain open.  A letter of concern from Fallon Chamber of Commerce to Secretary of Interior Norton regarding the impacts to local economy has been sent.  The Chamber is waiting for a response.

FALLON PAIUTE SHOSHONE TRIBE

·        A representative of the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe explained that they are monitoring the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly issue.

DISCUSS GOALS / OBJECTIVES OF THE SAND MOUNTAIN BLUE BUTTERFLY WORKING GROUP

 GOALS

The working identified five possible goals:

·        Keep Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly from being listed as an endangered species.

·     Keep Sand Mountain open and usable for recreation.

·        Preserve the vegetative complex along with endemic species, including cultural and biological resources.

·        Develop a Churchill County Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Conservation Plan that can also be submitted to US Fish and Wildlife Service.

·     Develop positive projects including sources of funding and labor.

PROJECTS

The working group identified several strategies/projects for reaching the goals.

            ·         Increase education as to the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly issues.
·        Install substantial fencing to encourage proper use of routes and preserve habitat.
·        Improve route signage.
·        Improve fencing at Pony Express Station.
·        Obtain a rake and smooth ripples on the routes (safety issue) (Carson City Field Office may
      have a rake – contact Fran Hall).
·        Identify the locations of the Kearney Buckwheat population.
·        Develop recommendations for designated routes.
·        Monitor trails in the red zones that are not being used.
·        Develop baseline data for the Kearney Buckwheat and Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly.
·        Identify other areas that would be appropriate for recreational use to take pressure off of Sand
      Mountain.
·        Continue studying the possibilities of Kearney Buckwheat propagation (NRCS may be a help
       in this).
·        Investigate the possible inclusion of Kearney Buckwheat in Natural Resource Conservation
      Service database.           

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY WORKING GROUP MEMBERS

            BLM

·        Will provide number of patented claims in the ACEC.

·        Will provide large maps of the Sand Mountain and ACEC area.

·        Will provide a list of references regarding the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly.

·        Will ask if BLM Range Con can attend working group meetings.

           LVEA

·        Will provide information on Kearney Buckwheat locations.

IDENTIFY MISSING STAKEHOLDERS
The working group identified missing stakeholders that include: ranchers, local business owners, local recreationalists. 

NEXT MEETING DATE/AGENDA ITEMS

MEETING DATE:
The date for the next meeting will be October 18, 2004. at 6:30 pm.

AGENDA ITEMS
Develop a list of Impacts from the listing of the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly as endangered.
Develop a list of threats/risks to the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly.
Develop a list of strategies/projects/management efforts to meet goals.

 Back To Sand Mountain Blue Mountain Butterfly                Top of Page

LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
August 18, 2004, 7:00 pm
155 N. Taylor Street, County Commissioners Chambers, Fallon, Nevada
 

THOSE PRESENT WERE:
Speakers:
Claudia Funari, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City Field Office
Laurie Sada, US Fish & Wildlife Service (USF&WS)

Others Attending:
Elayn Briggs, BLM Carson City Field Office
Dan Jacquet, BLM Carson City Field Office
Corey Mathisen
Jeremy Evans, Evans Motor Sports & Repair
Dan Peterson, California Off Road Vehicle Association
Cara Mosedale
Ken Oyer
Earl Lewis
Janet Schmidt, Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge
Roy Risi, Rancher, BLM Allotment Holder
Rick Gray, Fallon Convention & Tourism Authority
Tina Nappe, Sierra Front-Northwestern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council (BLM)
Jake LaFleur
Pam Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Steve Kramer, NAS Fallon
Marcy Haworth, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Dan Kaffer, Natural Resource Conservation Service
Brad Goetsch, Churchill County Manager
Craig Williamson
Gary Juenger, Natural Resource Conservation Service
Rochanne Downs, Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe
Rachel Dahl, Fallon Chamber of Commerce
Joe Dahl
Dave Davies
Rod Dahl, Natural Resource Conservation Service  

LVEA Staff Attending:
Jeannette Dahl, Executive Director
Helen Smart, Assistant 

INTRODUCTION/WELCOME

·        Jeannette Dahl, Executive Director of LVEA, welcomed members of the audience and the speakers.

·        The speakers were introduced: Claudia Funari, BLM, Carson City Field Office and Laurie Sada, US Fish & Wildlife Service.

·        Jeannette Dahl explained the purpose of the meeting and why the group was formed:

·        LVEA works with its signatories on natural resource issues.           

·        LVEA coordinates working groups to address issues dealing with natural resources.

·        Jeannette Dahl explained what is proposed for the future of the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly working group:

·        Meetings will be held in Fallon.

·        Meetings will be held monthly.

·        Jeannette Dahl explained the purpose of this first meeting.

·        To have an effective working group, background regarding the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly is necessary.

·        This first meeting is an educational meeting to explain what has happened in the past, what is happening at present, and what we can expect to happen in the future in regards to how the BLM and USF&WS are dealing with the SMBB.
 

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT PRESENTATION

Claudia Funari, Bureau of Land Management, Carson City Field Office

• The biology of the Sand Mountain blue butterfly was explained which included:

·        Population distribution and status.

·        Natural causes of mortality.

·        There are 28 rare species in the Sand Mountain area: 5 plants; 23 insects.  Six of these species are found only at Sand Mountain.

• The potential non-natural threats to the Sand Mountain blue butterfly includes direct mortality by OHV users and vehicles.
• BLM suggested that the areas used for OHV be designated as “limited” and “open”.
• A visitors graph was shown.   The number of visitors increased from approximately 16,000 – 17,000 in 1980 to approximately 50,000 in 2003 annually.  There are more concerns for the Sand Mountain blue butterfly because of increased visitors.
• BLM has place high priority on the blue butterfly because it is only found at Sand Mountain, no other place in the world.
• BLM is trying to find a balance between recreation and the Sensitive Species policy.
• The life cycle of the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly was explained.

·        Adults emerge from July to mid-September then mate, lay eggs on Kearney Buckwheat and die.

·        Eggs hatch after one week and Larvae (Instars) mature through several stages during the next three to four weeks.  These larvae are tended by Desert Carpenter Ants.

·        The larvae pupate in leaf litter of the Kearney Buckwheat and wait for emergence.

• Threats to the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly include: direct mortality from off highway vehicles; habitat loss; reduced reproduction rate due to disturbance.
• Kearney Buckwheat is found in eight counties in Nevada and is the only host plant of the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly.
• Kearney Buckwheat is long lived, flowers in June through September and produces fruit until the first frost.  It also stabilizes blowing sand and adapts to disturbances.
• Introduced threats to the Kearney Buckwheat include OHV impact and weeds, especially Russian Thistle.
• Observation of the blue butterfly from a historical timeline from 1983 to present was presented.  The timeline includes the monitoring of Kearney Buckwheat and the trails system.
• The Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly and the Kearney Buckwheat will be monitored by the BLM as time and funding permits.

US FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE PRESENTATION

Laurie Sada, US Fish & Wildlife,  Reno

• The petition process for listing an endangered species was discussed.
• There are two listing processes.
•  Individual petitioning by a person or organization.
• After the petition is received, a 90-day internal finding is completed to determine if there is substantial threat to the species.
• This is the stage that the petition is in for the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly.  The USF&WS has not completed 90 day finding due to a lack of time and funding.

·        If the finding is substantial, a status review is completed by USF&WS that includes a 60-day public comment period.

·        If the status review shows the listing is not warranted then the process is complete.

·        If the status review shows the listing is warranted then the species is listed as a candidate species or listed as endangered depending upon the threat level.

·        Litigation can drive the internal process and cause a change in priorities during the listing process.

•  USF&WS can instigate the process on their own if they feel a species may be lost.
• Only the USF&WS can instigate an emergency listing.
• USF&WS can list a species without a public process.
• USF&WS did not believe the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly was in an emergency situation and so did not begin the process.
•  It was suggested that in order to have a successful conservation plan all threats must be addressed.
• If a conservation plan is in place or in the process of development, the USF&WS will look closely at the conservation efforts as they make their decisions.
• Reduction of threats must be proven to have the conservation plan be successful.  This may be difficult if time is needed to show proof that the plan will work.
• The endangered species act dictates that the species must be maintained in its historic range.
• The other rare species at Sand Mountain should be taken into consideration in developing a conservation plan.
• The endangered species act does not take economic impact into consideration when listing a species as endangered.

Questions and Answer Session

Q. Can the blue butterfly be found in any other place?

A. The blue butterfly is only found at Sand Mountain, no other
place in the world.

           Q. Does the public have priority over the endangered species?

A. The species has the priority. 

Q. What is the population of the Blue Butterfly?

A. The population of the Blue Butterfly is unknown.  It is also unknown if
the Blue Butterfly population is declining as the habitat is declining. 

Q. What kind of surveys and research is being conducted to preserve the butterfly?

A. Continuous studies and monitoring are being done, it is an on-going
process as time and funding allow. 

           Q. What ways does the BLM intend to improve the trails?

A. There will be continued monitoring of ways to improve the trails. 

          Q. What will BLM do in the future to improve the rules for Sand Mountain?

A. BLM is trying to enforce the rules and will continue to monitor Sand
Mountain in the future.

Q. Has the BLM looked for other communities of Sand Mountain Blue
Butterflies?

                A. BLM has looked directly around Sand Mountain but has not looked in
               outlaying areas.  No Kearney Buckwheat has been found in other areas
               directly around Sand Mountain. 

         Q. What effect does grazing have in the area?

              A. BLM does not believe grazing is an issue with the Sand Mountain Blue
              Butterfly.

         Q. Is The Nature Conservancy the only group BLM has gotten data from?

             A. The Nature Conservancy includes data from several different groups. 

        Q. What effect will drift fences used to control cattle have on the recreationalists?

            A. That is not known. 

        Q. Does the Kearney Buckwheat require water and could the draught cause the

             damage to the plant instead of OHV?

            A. The draught has had an effect on the Kearney Buckwheat as well as OHV.

       Q. BLM was asked if they were presenting facts or assumptions.

           A. BLM has conducted many studies and the presentation is on facts.

      Q. What is BLM doing with the fees they have been collecting at Sand Mountain?
          A. All fees go to the maintenance of Sand Mountain. 

      Q.    Has BLM conducted risk assessments on the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly and Kearney Buckwheat?

           A. No.  BLM has used the literature that is available.

 NEXT MEETING DATE/AGENDA ITEMS

·        The date for the next meeting will be announced at a later time.

·        Those attending the meeting introduced themselves and explained their interest in the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly issue.

LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes:
August 16, 2007, 3:00 p.m.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102
Fallon, Nevada

1. INTRODUCTIONS
Those present were:
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Steve Caicco, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Desna Young, Bureau of Land Management
Steve King, City Of Fallon

LVEA Staff Attending:
Erica Behimer, Executive Director
Maryann Renfroe, Assistant

2. REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
Agenda approved

3. REVIEW / ACCEPT NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Notes of last meeting were misplaced in the computer and will be reviewed at next meeting.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Desna requested that the meeting minutes be available on the website, which they currently are not due to the change in servers and website management. The SMBB website note will be updated and able to review, within the next month.

5. REVIEW MAP
All members are content with the current trail map. Desna, stated that there is a more accurate map on the BLM website; www.carsoncity.nv.BLM

6. SAND MOUNTAIN TRAILS SYSTEM
Sand Mountain Trails System hours and projects completed, LVEA needs the dates of the completions. Steve received his hours from Rick Gray. Richard Hilton with FOSM is concerned that the 200 man hours that he added to the report, were not accounted for. Erica Behimer with LVEA stated that the hours will be put into the next report.

7. SAND MOUNTAIN BLUE BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION PLAN
Richard Hilton with FOSM is concerned with the money from the Question 1. He is confused as to when the money started, before the whole trail system project or after the closures.

8 .NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS
The next meeting will be November 28th at 3pm.

LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes
March 15, 2007, 4:00 p.m.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102
Fallon, Nevada

1. INTRODUCTIONS
Those present were:
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Steve Caicco, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Laurie Sada, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Leo Drumm, Bureau of Land Management
Desna Young, Bureau of Land Management
Bryant Smith, Bureau of Land Management
Dan Peterson, CORVA
Brad Goetsch, Churchill County
Sarah Pedon, Student WNCC

LVEA Staff Attending:
Erica Behimer, Executive Director
Joye Carey, Assistant

2. REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
The agenda was reviewed and accepted.

3. REVIEW / ACCEPT NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Notes of last meeting were reviewed and accepted. There were questions regarding the terms “hanging” route and “star” portion as stated in the plan and their location. The map being used by LVEA is the map in the Conservation plan. This map is very general and the group requested that the map be updated and more detailed. It was determined that the terms and their locations needed to be clarified and the map should be updated.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT
• Brad and Erica updated on the Group on the City’s involvement and changes made to the plan at the City’s request. The group requested that a City representative present an explanation to the Group regarding the City having their signature on the plan without contributing to the plan and the explanation be added as an addendum to the plan. There were concerns about the Tribe not signing the plan because of the City’s position and the changes. The Vice Chairman at the Tribe has changed.
• Laurie made a request that a City representative come to the next meeting and explain their position and their requested changes, it was decided this must be done before the group will sign an amended plan.
• Desna submitted a copy of the Federal Register/ Vol. 72, No. 50/ Thursday, March 15, 2007/Notices from the Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management [NV-030-1232-PM-NV14; Closure Notice No. NV-030-07-001] Sand Mountain Recreational Area, NV, motorized Travel Restrictions. This notice places Emergency Restrictions on Motorized Use on Federal Lands, Churchill County, NV.

5. CONSERVATION PLAN UPDATE
The conservation plan submitted to the USFWS in October 2006 is the plan that the USFWS is currently using and at this time is the only plan that has been submitted. Comments made during #4. Public Comment also addresses this agenda item.

6. SAND MOUNTAIN TRAILS SYSTEM
Sand Mountain Trails System Finding Agreement was presented to the Churchill County Board of Commissioners and will be signed after agreed changes are made. LVEA will circulate the signed version upon receipt. Question 1 monies will be monitored by Churchill County and Carbon Copied to LVEA. County will be depending on the BLM for technical information and bids will be submitted to and paid by the County.
Steve submitted a spreadsheet for listing accomplishment initiation and completion dates. It was determined that LVEA would keep the hard copy and monitor the entries on the spreadsheet.
Laurie proposed that Bi-annual meetings and an end of year meeting be held to view a synopsis of the spreadsheet for corrections and/or updates. For Question 1 purposes, the County needs to collect receipts and proof of what has been done from BLM. The progress will be submitted to the LVEA and tracked on the hard copy spread sheet that Steve will e-mail Erica. BLM needs clarification on labor costs and what labor is specific to the accomplishment items on the spreadsheet.

7. SAND MOUNTAIN BLUE BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION PLAN
The formation of a sub-group, made up of interested members present including representatives from the BLM, USFWS, Churchill County, City, User Groups and the Fallon Tribe was proposed to survey the trails and mark them after the Memorial Day Holiday so that the flags are not removed or destroyed by users.
Richard stated that the Friends of Sand Mountain will be having a clean-up day on April 28th. More information is on their website, www.sandmountain.nv.org

8 .NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS
The next meeting will be May 10th at 3pm.

LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes:
November 28, 2007, 3:00 p.m.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102
Fallon, Nevada

1. INTRODUCTIONS
Those present were:
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Brad Goetsch, County Manger
Craig Williamson

LVEA Staff Attending:
Erica Behimer, Executive Director

2. REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
Agenda approved

3. REVIEW / ACCEPT NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Minutes Approved, minutes not available on the website at this moment, but we are in the process of doing so and at that time we will establish a link from our website to the Friends of Sand Mountain Web site.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT
None

5. QUARTERLY WORKING GROUP REVIEW:
Richard map and brochures are submitted in order to get the money back from the Question 1 Grant.

Richard- October 13th FOSM had a clean up and they handed out brochures and committed to 18 man hours in cleaning and going through the hill on as to where the markers and trail will be placed. There is a concern that a trail may be made that is just too outrageous for the riders to commit to. Richard Hilton wants to get a copy of the bid document and the status of the markers.

Brad Goestch stated that he would take Richard to the recorders office to get a look at the papers that he is requesting. These are all public record and he will get the files for Richard Hilton.
There were 5 bidders that submitted bids and they have selected a contractor and the signs are here and the rest of the materials are in route. They will be getting started by the end of December.

Richard is having an issue with the BLM as to getting a member to get out there and go trough were the markers are going to be made.

6. PROJECT UPDATES:
Covered in the last set of minutes

7. NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS
The next meeting will be January 17 at 3pm.

LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes:
January 24, 2008, 9:00 p.m.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102
Fallon, Nevada

1. INTRODUCTIONS
Those present were:
Marcy Haworth, US Fish and Wildlife
Brad Goetsch, County Manger
Craig Williamson

LVEA Staff Attending:
Erica Behimer, Executive Director
Maryann Renfroe, Assistant

2. REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
Agenda approved

3. REVIEW / ACCEPT NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Minutes Approved

4. PUBLIC COMMENT
None

5. QUARTERLY WORKING GROUP REVIEW:
Brad Goetsch reported the Far West Cultural Survey was 70-85% completed. There were no significant issues to report. There were simple flakes found, but everything went smoothly.
The Tribe has not been contacted regarding the report, but neither has anyone else at this point.
There is a fenced area being used for the storage of the signage for the Mountain project.
A status is needed from BLM on the progress of the mountain are at this point in time. There will be a letter written to request communication with the BLM and the working group. We would like to have bi-monthly reports and quarterly reports due to the fact that we have to have all our Q1 money requests in by December 2008. We will need to know what needs to be changed and what we will need more of.

6. PROJECT UPDATES:
Covered in agenda item 5

7. NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS
The next meeting will be April 10, 2008 at 3pm.
 

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LAHONTAN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Working Group
Meeting Notes:
May 1, 2008, 10:00 am.
Churchill County Administration Building, Room 102
Fallon, Nevada

1. INTRODUCTIONS
Those present were:
Chip Kramer, NAS Fallon Environmental
Dan Peterson, California Off-road Vehicle Association
Richard Hilton, Friends of Sand Mountain
Donald Hicks, Bureau of Land Management
Desna Young, Bureau of Land Management
Bryant Smith, Bureau of Land Management
Julie Guerrero, County Manager’s Office
Steve Caicco, Fish & Wildlife Service

LVEA Staff Attending:
Erica Behimer, Executive Director

2. REVIEW / MODIFY / APPROVE AGENDA
Agenda approved.

3. REVIEW / ACCEPT NOTES OF LAST MEETING
Minutes approved.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT
None

5. BLM Sand Mountain Site Progress Report
Questions were raised regarding updates to maps and signage. It was related that modifications regarding access have occurred due to cultural resource concerns. Cultural resource review is in progress. Habitat improvement based on visual estimates. However, no scientific measurement to confirm. It was noted that Indian Rice Grass is returning. Discussion followed regarding satellite photos. It was noted that few incursions are occurring. No recreation monitoring plan currently exists. Funding and plan details will be developed. It was noted that BLM will institute a multiple use management plan. Vegetation and recreation monitoring will be considered.

Specific updates to trail system discussed. Potential modifications of trail system following SHIPO evaluation. BLM expressed concerns regarding fragmented habitat preservation and public safety provisions relative to previously approved hill climb route on backside of mountain. Discussion followed. LVEA related that the organization supports BLM’s judgment regarding modifications to the conservation plan.

BLM emphasized agency responsibility for public safety. Concerns expressed regarding conservation plan modifications, closures and habitat preservation. BLM related need for adaptive management and further resource inventory to assess impact. Discussion followed regarding areas included in conservation plan. LVEA clarified its role as a facilitator for the Working Group.

BLM clarified the agency’s role in the Working Group and emphasized that Working Group discussions should focus on protection of the Blue Mountain Butterfly and preservation of species habitat rather than recreation management concerns. BLM related progress relative to implementation of the conservation plan. BLM also related that applicable restriction orders would be in affect for 8-10 years to allow for vegetation recovery. LVEA and NAS related that each is satisfied with conservation plan management.

FOSM expressed interest in reciprocal replacement for hill climb route. BLM reinforced its initiative to establish recreation management plan. Discussion followed regarding positive public feedback relative to trail system. Additional discussion followed regarding closed and open areas outside of conservation plan area, designation of ‘tentative’ trails, the need for additional resource inventories and budget concerns.

6. OTHER PROJECT UPDATES and ISSUES
Covered in agenda item 5

7. NEXT MEETING DATE / AGENDA ITEMS
The next meeting will be late September – TBA.