SPRING 2006 OUR 31 ST YEAR - Desert Tortoise Council · SPRING 2006 OUR 31ST YEAR ... Zonk Galleries David Hoobler P.O. Box 11059, Oakland, CA 94611 ... CONSERVATION NEWS * * * *

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wwwdeserttortoiseorg

THE DESERT TORTOISE COUNCIL NEWSLETTER

SPRING 2006OUR 31ST YEAR

Our Goal To assure the continued survival of viable populations of the

desert tortoise throughout its range

2006 ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM RECAP

The 31st Annual Desert Tortoise CouncilSymposium was held February 17 through 202006 in Tucson The Annual Business Meetingkicked off the weekendrsquos events A slightlyearlier start than normal was scheduled toaccommodate all the presentations

The 31st Symposium had something foreveryone plenty of presentations on deserttortoise research and management vendorsinvited speakers awards and meeting andmaking new friends Presentation highlightsincluded the keynote address by Dr ValentineLance featured and banquet speaker Dr BrianHenen spoke about the Namaqualand speckledpadloper as well as his work with four otherspecies of South African tortoises and twospecies in Madagascar Dr Mary Brown spokeabout lessons learned regarding URTD and thegopher tortoise and Dr Jim Juvik talkedabout releasing the wrong turtles in the rightplaces

There were presentation on research of Mojaveand Sonoran desert tortoises governmentmanagement efforts to recover the tortoise and

fire and its effects on tortoises and theirhabitats There were also presentations on theBolson tortoise headstarting and the efforts ofnon-governmental organizations regardingtortoise conservation Ancillary meetings wereheld around the Symposium to discuss Bolsontortoise conservation needs

Probably one of the most noteworthyrevelations was the intriguing possibility thatwhat we now know as the desert tortoise ispossibly three species instead of one Work ispreliminary and any other concretedevelopments will be reported here

Instead of the banquet this year we tried a mixerinstead All of the other normal Saturdayevening activities occurred By having a mixerin place of a formal banquet we reduced costsfor normal banquet attendees and we finishedthe evening a little earlier

On Monday there were field trips to SaguaroNational Park - East and the Granite HillsPermanent Study Plot

wwwdeserttortoiseorg

The abstracts can be found on our web page at

httpwwwdeserttortoiseorgabstractabstracts20062006abstractspdf

Photo Contest Winners

Each first place winner took home $50 and theBest of Show won $100

Wild Desert Tortoise Ken NagyCaptive (Pet) Tortoise Ellen SchafhauserOther Desert Reptiles Andrew WaldeDesert Mammals Shelley EllisOther Desert Wildlife Ellen SchafhauserWild Desert Plants Shelley EllisDesert Scenics Shelley EllisTortoise Conservation Andrew Walde

Best of Show - Shelley Ellis Desert Scenic photo of saguaro cactus

The DTC would like to extend a big Thankyou to Andrew Walde Andrew donated hisphoto contest winnings of $100 back to theCouncil to assist the on-going desert tortoiseresearch in Sonora Mexico Photo contestwinners at

httpwwwdeserttortoiseorgawardsphoto2006winhtml

Vendors and Exhibitors

Center for Biological DiversityDaniel Patterson

PO Box 710 Tucson Arizona 85702(520) 623-5252 x 306

Fax (520) 623-9797dpattersonbiological diversityorg

wwwbiologicaldiversityorg

Desert Tortoise CouncilPO Box 3273 Beaumont CA 92223

httpwwwdeserttortoiseorg

HABIT Research LtdJohn Joynt 692 Sumas Street Victoria BC

V8T 4S6 Canada(250) 381-9425

johnhabitresearchcomhttpwwwhabitresearchcom

Hahnrsquos Natural History BooksDonald Hahn PO Box 1004

Cottonwood AZ 86326(928) 634-5016

hahnnatusedonanet

Rincon InstituteMichelle Zimmerman 13701 E Old Spanish

Trail Tucson AZ 85747(520) 647-7833 or 1 (877) 6RINCON

Fax (520) 290-0969httpwwwrinconinstituteorg

Stevan LogsdonPO Box 4070 Silver City NM 88062

(505) 388-8101logsdon_johnsonzianetcom

Tucson Herpetological SocietyDennis Caldwell

PO Box 709 Tucson AZ 85702-0709httptucsonherpsocietyorg

wwwdeserttortoiseorg

Zonk GalleriesDavid Hoobler

PO Box 11059 Oakland CA 94611(510) 530-2681

davidhooblersbcglobalnethttpwwwzonktheturtlecom

Desert Tortoise Council Awards

Annual Douglas DuncanResearch Valentine LanceSpecial Jeffrey AardahlSpecial Mercy VaughnService Maggie FusariService Tom Egan

In addition the Best Student Paper Award andthe first David J Morafka MemorialScholarship both went to Erin R Zylstra of theUniversity of Arizona Tucson for her researchentitled Evaluating Monitoring Strategies forthe Sonoran Desert Tortoise in SaguaroNational Park

JOHN BEHLER

The Bronx Zoo asked me (David T Schiff) tolet Johns colleagues in the herp communityknow of his death on January 31 of this yearI had the good fortune of spending a day withhim just a week ago as we put the finishingtouches on a manuscript we were working onAt the end of the day we made plans to meet inlate winter at Bog Brook where we having beensurveying turtles together for nearly a quartercentury His death has been a great shock tome and everyone who knew him

John served as Curator of the HerpetologyDepartment since 1976 at the WildlifeConservation Societys Bronx Zoo Since 1996he has also served as the Program Coordinator

for the Wildlife Conservation Societys WildlifeSurvival Center on St Catherines IslandGeorgia Behler started his career with theWildlife Conservation Society as a New YorkState Council on the Arts curatorial trainee in1970

Behler assumed leadership positions in thedevelopment of captive breeding programs forendangered and threatened crocodilianstortoises and freshwater turtles Through hisefforts batagur turtles and false gharialssuccessfully bred in captivity for the first timeat the Bronx Zoo He received the AmericanZoo and Aquarium Associations (AZA)Edward H Bean Award in 1980 for mostsignificant reptile birth for his work withChinese alligators Behlers interests alsofocused on the ecology and behavior ofreptilians and reptilian diseases He had alsodone extensive field studies of the tortoises ofMadagascar and of North American spotted andbog turtles

Among his many conservation affiliationsBehler chaired the World Conservation UnionsTortoise and Freshwater Turtle SpecialistGroup and was a member of the Convention onInternational Trade in Endangered Species(CITES) Turtle Trade Working Group He wasa former coordinator of the AZAs CrocodilianAdvisory Group and was a member of theAZAs Chelonian and Lizard Taxon AdvisoryGroups Behler worked closely with the NewYork State Department of EnvironmentalConservations Endangered Species Unit andthe National Park Service He served on hiscommunitys Conservation Board and on theWestchester Co unt y Enviro nmenta lManagement Council

Behler received a Bachelors degree inZoologyBotany from the University of Miamiand a Masters degree in Biological Sciencesfrom East Stroudsburg University

wwwdeserttortoiseorg

A native of Pennsylvania Behler resided inAmawalk New York with his wife Heauthored more than 40 popular and scientificarticles and four guidebooks highlightingreptiles and amphibians

The following announcement was prepared bythe Wildlife Conservation Society

The Board of Trustees and Staff of theWildlife Conservation Society are profoundlysaddened by the death of our esteemedcolleague John L Behler As Curator ofHerpetology Behler began his WCS career in1970 in the Reptile Department as an internJohns knowledge and love of wildlife includedworking with WCS field staff on relatedprojects in Madagascar and Asia and is knownand appreciated world-wide His workexemplified the long history of WCS settingstandards for others to follow He assumed aleadership role among his peers ingroundbreaking captive breeding programs forendangered crocodilians tortoises andfreshwater turtles and also focused on theecology and behavior of reptilians

Johns quick wit charm and dedication allowedhim to share his lifes work with many Amonghis numerous affiliations John was a foundingmember of the American Zoo and AquariumsCrocodilian Advisory Group and workedclosely with the NYS Department ofEnvironmental Conservations EndangeredSpecies Unit Likewise Behler served hiscommunity on the Sommers ConservationBoard and Muscoot Farm Nature Center inWestchester County Park

Behler authored more than 40 popular scientificarticles five guidebooks highlighting reptiliansand amphibians and co-authored a book Frogs -A Chorus of Colors with his wife DeborahBehler

We are all saddened by the loss of our friend agreat scientist and conservationist Ourheartfelt sympathies go to Johns wife Debbiemother Mildred sister Judy Howells Johnschildren Cindy Sibilia and David Behler andhis five grandchildrenrdquo

David T SchiffChairman

Ed Note - John Behler was a featured speakerat several DTC Annual Symposia

The Current Board of Directors ofthe Desert Tortoise Council

Senior Co-Chair Pete WoodmanJunior Co-Chair Dan PearsonCo-Chair Elect Kristen MurphyRecording Secretary Lori RoseCorresponding Secretary Pat von HelfTreasurer Mike CoffeenProducts Manager Tom EganImmediate Past Co-Chair Doug DuncanBoard Member Tracy BaileyBoard Member Kristin BerryBoard Member Becky JonesBoard Member Cari RonningBoard Member Glenn StewartBoard Member Bob Turner

Newsletter EditorMembership Doug DuncanWebmaster Michael Connor

FUTURE ANNUAL SYMPOSIA

The symposia location for 2007 and beyond hasnot been set Suggestions or bids for futuresymposia locations and venues will begratefully accepted The Board of Directors isresearching several locations Las Vegas StGeorge and Laughlin

wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

15th ANNUAL SURVEYINGMONITORING AND HANDLING

TECHNIQUES WORKSHOP

The 15th Annual Surveying Monitoring andHandling Techniques Workshop is scheduledfor November 4 and 5 2006 at the Carriage Innin Ridgecrest CA The workshop is full If you would like to be placed on the waitinglist please contact Tracy or Mike Bailey att racybaileymchsicom Regis t rat ioninformation will be sent out via e-mail in mid-August to those registered The cost of theworkshop is $25000

The DTC Tortoise Handling Workshops arerecognized by the USFWS and CDFG but acertificate of attendance and participation doesnot guarantee a USFWS or CDFG permitHowever completion of the Workshop shouldhelp with the permitting process

NEWSLETTERMEMBERSHIP

For those receiving hard copy newsletters yourmembership expiration date will be in the upperright-hand corner of the label For thosereceiving their newsletter via e-mail we willresearch ways to include membershipexpiration dates if it is not to time-consumingIf we have your e-mail address we will notifyyou via e-mail when your membership hasexpired or is about to expire So when you joinor renew your membership please include acurrent e-mail address Member contactinformation is used solely for Council businessWe also use e-mail for the newsletters andrarely other special announcements Pleasesend change of mailing address or e-mailaddress to either the DTC address or themembership chair (fldhckycoxnet)

CONSERVATION NEWS

Federal Indictments filed for IllegalTrafficking of Protected Reptiles

A cooperative investigation led by US Fishand Wildlife Service Special Agents OregonState Police Arizona Game and FishDepartment wildlife investigators has resultedin federal indictments of nine people in theDistrict of Arizona The indictments stem fromviolations of the Lacey Act that involved theunlawful interstate sale and transport of reptilestaken in violation of state wildlife laws

Protected live reptiles including Gila monsterswere illegally collected then sold andtransported from Arizona to Oregon and otherstates Service agents and wildlife investigatorsserved several search warrants and conductednumerous interviews as part of theinvestigation To date indictments haveinvolved people from California OregonArizona Texas Nevada and New York

The Lacey Act prohibits the transportation andsale of wildlife in interstate commerce inviolation of state laws The Lacey Actprovides for felony violations maximumpenalties up to five years imprisonmentandor $250000 in fines

Gila monsters are protected by Arizona wildlifelaws One of only two venomous lizards in theworld the Gila monster can be found inportions of Arizona California Nevada UtahNew Mexico and Mexico Gila monsters arehighly sought after in the international blackmarket trade of live reptiles and can be valuedup to $3500 for each animal

wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

Mojave Max Makes Spring Debut

Mojave Max the famous southern Nevadadesert tortoise who resides at the Red RockCanyon National Conservation Area officiallyemerged from his burrow at 1132 am April 32006

The tortoises debut is hailed by hundreds ofstudents in Nevada and California who havebeen studying Mojave Desert weathertemperatures and conditions to scientificallyestimate when Mojave Max would emerge fromhis burrow in 2006 They entered their guesseson line at wwwmojavemaxcom

The entries are being tabulated and the officialwinner will be announced soon Eligibility forprizes offered in southern California includedstudents in grades 1 to 12 enrolled in schools inImperial Inyo Kern Los Angeles OrangeRiverside San Bernardino and San DiegoCounties

The Mojave Max Emergence Contest is one ofseveral components of a desert wide tortoiseeducation program being developed by theDesert Managers Group (DMG) to helpstudents learn more about the desert tortoisesaid Anne Staley DMG desert tortoise outreachcoordinator

The DMG is a consortium of county statefederal and military agencies that work togetherto manage federal and state lands withinsouthern California and frequently deal withissues directly and indirectly related to deserttortoises their habitat and the management ofboth

Our goal is to get all students in southernCalifornia involved in the contest and oureducational program to learn more about thetortoise which was federally listed as athreatened species in 1990 added Staley

The Mojave Max Emergence Contest is anexceptional teaching tool that provides a cleartie between the health of the environment andthe species that depend on it said Juan Palmafield manager for the Bureau of LandManagement Las Vegas Field Office

Like other desert tortoises Mojave Max entersa burrow to brumate (the reptilian form ofhibernation) every winter and emerges everyspring Warmer temperatures longer daylighthours and an internal clock are factors known tocontribute to his emergence every year

Bureau of Land ManagementGrazing Regulations

This issue has been covered in previousnewsletters First is the BLMrsquos news releaseand following that is a release from the Centerfor Biological Diversity Ed

BLM Issues Addendum to Final EISOn Proposed Grazing Regulation Changes

The Bureau of Land Management recentlyreleased an addendum to its finalEnvironmental Impact Statement (EIS) onproposed regulations that will change theBLMs management of public lands grazingThe addendum and final EIS posted on theBLMrsquos Website conclude that the proposedregulations will produce long-term healthbenefits for public rangelands The proposednew grazing regulations collectively known asa ldquorulerdquo will be finalized in the near future andpublished in the Federal Register

In producing this addendum the BLMconsidered all comments made on the proposedchanges to our grazing regulations said BLMDirector Kathleen Clarke ldquoThe proposed newregulations when finalized and implementedwill enable the BLM to manage publicrangelands more effectively and efficiently

wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

through among other things a better workingrelationship with public lands ranchers Wehave proposed these regulatory changes topromote the long-term health of publicrangelands which are vital to the economy andsocial fabric of Western rural communitiesrdquo

The BLM published its proposed grazing rulei n D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 3(httpwwwblmgovnhpnewsreleasespages2003pr031205_grazinghtm) The agencyfollowed up with a draft EIS and received morethan 18000 comments on those two documentsduring its public comment period The BLMpublished its final EIS in June 2005(httpwwwblmgovgrazing) after which theagency announced that it would prepare anadditional document to respond to commentsthat came in after the March 2 2004 commentdeadline

Interior Department Moves to CutConservation and Citizen Participation on

Western Public Lands

WASHINGTON DC ndash In another giveaway toindustry the Bureau of Land Management(BLM) is finalizing new rules that would limitpublic oversight of public lands grazing leasesacross millions of acres of the West Theserules are another administration attack on theinfluential National Environmental Policy Act(NEPA) an important law which has protectedthe public interest and environment for morethan 36 years

Livestock grazing on arid western public landscan be a significant environmental threat towildlife habitat water quality and recreationBLM has proposed to categorically excludelivestock grazing permits from the NEPAanalysis in cases where allotments have beenevaluated and the allotments are determined tobe meeting land health standards Howeverthere is no requirement that thesedeterminations involve standard science-basedmonitoring data or any quantifiable rationaleand there will be no formal opportunity for thepublic to participate in helping to make those

determinations There will be no analysis ofcumulative effects harm to plants and wildlifeor impacts to imperiled species There is alsono limit to the number of these permits that canbe excluded in any given year which could leadto widespread use of the exclusion

ldquoBLMrsquos rules are a big threat to westernlandscapes and we will fight themrdquo said GretaAnderson Range Restoration Director with theCenter for Biological Diversity in TucsonArizona ldquoNEPA has provided a way toparticipate in public lands ranching decisionsBLM wants to cut out essential public interestinput and concernsrdquo

The new rules also propose to excludeldquotemporary non-renewable grazing use permitsrdquofrom NEPA Unfortunately even short-termgrazing can have long-term impacts toecosystems and BLM should be taking a hardlook and analyzing all of the impacts of eventemporary use There are indications that long-lived species such as the desert tortoise arehighly dependent on a few good years in 100 tomaintain their populations Temporary usepermits are often geared to use additionalforage produced in good years Improperlivestock grazing on arid lands accelerateserosion pollutes waterways degrades wildlifehabitat and alters vegetation communities

Kolkata tortoise Clives petdies at 250 years

KOLKATA (Reuters) - A giant Aldabra tortoisethought to be around 250 years old has died inthe Kolkata zoo of liver failure authorities saidon Thursday

The tortoise had been the pet of Robert Clivethe famous British military officer in colonialIndia around the middle of the 18th century alocal minister in West Bengal state said

Local authorities say the tortoise namedAddwaitya meaning the The One and Onlyin Bengali was the oldest tortoise in the world

wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

but they have not presented scientific proof toback up their claim

Historical records show he was a pet of Britishgeneral Robert Clive of the East IndiaCompany and had spent several years in hissprawling estate before he was brought to thezoo about 130 years ago West Bengal ForestMinister Jogesh Barman said

We have documents to prove that he was morethan 150 years old but we have pieced togetherother evidence like statements from authenticsources and it seems that he is more than 250years old he said

The minister said details about Addwaityasearly life showed that British sailors hadbrought him from the Seychelles Islands andpresented him to Clive who was rising fast inthe East India Companys military hierarchy

On Thursday the tortoises enclosure wore adeserted look This is a sad day for us Wewill miss him very much a zoo keeper said

Wild Aldabra tortoises are found on AldabraIsland in the Indian Ocean Seychelles IslandsThey average about 120 kg It is believed thattortoises are the longest lived of all animalswith life spans often surpassing 100 years

Mojave Desert TortoiseMonitoring Report

The long-awaited monitoring report is nowavailable for review and comment It can bedownloaded as a PDF at

httpwwwfwsgovnevadadesert_tortoisedt_reportshtml

The report does not yet include results from the2005 season but these will be incorporated intothe final If you have comments on the reportplease send them to Roy Averill-Murray of theUSFWS Desert Tortoise Recovery Office byApril 29 2006

Fort Irwin Record of Decision (ROD) forthe Supplemental Final Environmental

Impact Statement (SFEIS) available

The Department of the Army announces theavailability of its ROD for the ProposedAddition of Maneuver Training Land at FortIrwin California On 20 January 2006 theArmy published a notice of availability of itsSFEIS The SFEIS reviewed theenvironmental cultural and socioeconomicimpacts of five action alternatives associatedwith the addition of maneuver training land atFort Irwin as well as a No Action (status quo)alternative

Based on the SFEIS the Army has chosen toimplement Alternative I the EastWestAlternative Under this alternative additionallands totaling about 150510 acres would beadded to the available training lands Thedecision includes training in new areas to theeast and west of the existing Fort Irwin and ina portion of southern Fort Irwin previously off-limits to training Expansion of the maneuverarea of the National Training Center (NTC)provides an extended battle space (land and air)for training Army brigade-sized units accordingto the Armyrsquos training and combat operations

Alternative I was chosen because it best meetsthe Armyrsquos need for additional training landThere are impacts to many natural resourcesexpected as part of the proposed actionespecially desert tortoise Mitigation has beenproposed to offset the impacts identified in theSFEIS Even taking into account thismitigation however there will still besignificant impacts to threatened andendangered species loss of vegetation coverloss and disruption of soil surfaces and loss ofwilderness characteristics to adjacentwilderness areas

The decision also restates the Armyrsquos statedcommitment to environmental stewardship byimplementing mitigation and monitoringmeasurers to offset potential adverseenvironmental impacts associated with the

wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

preferred alternative as identified in the SFEISand the ROD

Sign-on A Letter from BiologistsConcerning Science

in the Endangered Species Act

Though the letter from the Union of ConcernedScientists has been delivered additional actionmay be needed The letter with 5738signatures was hand-delivered to each senatorrsquosoffice on Wednesday March 8 2006 Severalscientists were in Washington DC topersonally deliver the letter to key senators andtheir staff and to discuss the importance ofscience to species protection In more than adozen additional states scientistsrsquo personalizedcover letters accompanied the biologistsrsquo letterand signatures

The efforts to protect science in the EndangeredSpecies Act continue and will likely extend intothe next session of Congress Although they donot currently have specific plans anopportunity may arise in the future to re-deliverthe letter with additional signatures If youwould like to add your name for considerationas a letter signer go this page

httpwwwucsusaorgscientific_integrityrestoringscience-in-the-endangeredhtml

The letter is open to biologists with or workingtowards an advanced degree In addition on acase-by-case basis we will consider those whohave extensive life experience working in thefield that gives them particular knowledge ofspecies and their habitats Read the letter at

httpwwwucsusaorgscientific_integrityrestoringbiologists-letter-onhtml

Recovery Plan RevisionThe First Step - Situation Assessment

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has securedthe independent assistance and impartialexpertise of the US Institute for EnvironmentalConflict Resolution (Institute) in engagingaffected and interested stakeholders in thecollaborative process to revise the RecoveryPlan for the Mojave Population of the DesertTortoise The Institute will assess thefeasibility of a collaborative approach torecovery planning using the structure ofRegional Working Groups and then ifappropriate designing convening andfacilitating a process aimed at reachingagreement on regional recovery action plansand achieving broad stakeholder support for ascientifically credible recovery plan Allworking group activities will be guided by theBasic Principles for Agency Engagement inEnvironmental Conflict Resolution andCollaborative Problem Solving

The Institute shall procure and manage theprovision of independent neutral services toinclude assessment process design conveningfacilitation meeting summaries mediation andpossibly other related neutral servicesassociated with conducting and documentingthe Regional Working Group process whichwill be focused on developing consensus-basedregional action plans The Institute willconduct the selection process with participationby interested stakeholders for choosing a teamof third-party neutral contractors to partner withand assist the Institute In addition the Institutewill provide ongoing advice on collaborativeproblem solving to FWS and Regional WorkingGroup participants along with projectmanagement and contractor oversight services

wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

PATAGONIAS ENVIRONMENTALGRANTS PROGRAM

Patagonia (httpwwwpatagoniacom) theoutdoor clothing and gear company providessupport for environ mental work through grantsto nonprofit organizations

Patagonia funds only environmental work andis most interested in making grants toorganizations that identify and work on the rootcauses of problems and that approach issueswith a commitment to long-term change Thecompany funds work that is action-orientedbuilds public involvement and support isstrategic in its targeting and goals focuses onroot causes accomplishes specific goals andobjectives that can be effectively measured andtakes place in countries where Patagonia hasretail stores or an international office

The company does not fund organizationswithout 501(c)(3) status or a comparable fiscalsponsor general environ mental educationefforts land acquisition land trusts orconservation easements research (unless it is indirect support of a developed plan for specificaction to alleviate an environmental problem)environmental conferences endowment fundsor political campaigns

Most grants are in the range of $3000 to$8000 Patagonia accepts proposals forprograms that fit its grant guidelines during themonths of April or August Only one proposalfrom an organization will be considered peryear

Please note that organizations based in acommunity in which Patagonia has a retail storeor an international office should submit theirrequest to the store Retail store applicationsare accepted year-round

Visit the Patagonia Web site for completeprogram information and grant applicationprocedures

Deadline April 30 2006 and August 31 2006

Request for Proposal link

httpfconlinefdncenterorgpnd10001676patagonia

For additional RFPs in Environment visit

httpfdncenterorgpndrfpcat_environmentjhtml

wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

Desert Tortoise Councilco Doug DuncanPO Box 331Tucson AZ 85702

Check one MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONRENEWAL CHANGE OF ADDRESSDATE EMAIL ADDRESS NAME PHONE

(Please Print) (Include Area Code)ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE

Regular ($1500 per year) Organization ($5500 per year) Contributing ($5000 per year) Lifetime ($300 or more) Student ($1000 per year- Requires endorsement of studentrsquos advisor or Major Professor)

NEWSLETTER FORMAT Mailed paper copy Pdf file via e-mail E-mail notice for web page viewing

Make check or money order payable to the Desert Tortoise Counciland send with this application

to Desert Tortoise Council PO Box 3273Beaumont CA 92223

The Desert Tortoise Council does not release its membership list

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    wwwdeserttortoiseorg

    The abstracts can be found on our web page at

    httpwwwdeserttortoiseorgabstractabstracts20062006abstractspdf

    Photo Contest Winners

    Each first place winner took home $50 and theBest of Show won $100

    Wild Desert Tortoise Ken NagyCaptive (Pet) Tortoise Ellen SchafhauserOther Desert Reptiles Andrew WaldeDesert Mammals Shelley EllisOther Desert Wildlife Ellen SchafhauserWild Desert Plants Shelley EllisDesert Scenics Shelley EllisTortoise Conservation Andrew Walde

    Best of Show - Shelley Ellis Desert Scenic photo of saguaro cactus

    The DTC would like to extend a big Thankyou to Andrew Walde Andrew donated hisphoto contest winnings of $100 back to theCouncil to assist the on-going desert tortoiseresearch in Sonora Mexico Photo contestwinners at

    httpwwwdeserttortoiseorgawardsphoto2006winhtml

    Vendors and Exhibitors

    Center for Biological DiversityDaniel Patterson

    PO Box 710 Tucson Arizona 85702(520) 623-5252 x 306

    Fax (520) 623-9797dpattersonbiological diversityorg

    wwwbiologicaldiversityorg

    Desert Tortoise CouncilPO Box 3273 Beaumont CA 92223

    httpwwwdeserttortoiseorg

    HABIT Research LtdJohn Joynt 692 Sumas Street Victoria BC

    V8T 4S6 Canada(250) 381-9425

    johnhabitresearchcomhttpwwwhabitresearchcom

    Hahnrsquos Natural History BooksDonald Hahn PO Box 1004

    Cottonwood AZ 86326(928) 634-5016

    hahnnatusedonanet

    Rincon InstituteMichelle Zimmerman 13701 E Old Spanish

    Trail Tucson AZ 85747(520) 647-7833 or 1 (877) 6RINCON

    Fax (520) 290-0969httpwwwrinconinstituteorg

    Stevan LogsdonPO Box 4070 Silver City NM 88062

    (505) 388-8101logsdon_johnsonzianetcom

    Tucson Herpetological SocietyDennis Caldwell

    PO Box 709 Tucson AZ 85702-0709httptucsonherpsocietyorg

    wwwdeserttortoiseorg

    Zonk GalleriesDavid Hoobler

    PO Box 11059 Oakland CA 94611(510) 530-2681

    davidhooblersbcglobalnethttpwwwzonktheturtlecom

    Desert Tortoise Council Awards

    Annual Douglas DuncanResearch Valentine LanceSpecial Jeffrey AardahlSpecial Mercy VaughnService Maggie FusariService Tom Egan

    In addition the Best Student Paper Award andthe first David J Morafka MemorialScholarship both went to Erin R Zylstra of theUniversity of Arizona Tucson for her researchentitled Evaluating Monitoring Strategies forthe Sonoran Desert Tortoise in SaguaroNational Park

    JOHN BEHLER

    The Bronx Zoo asked me (David T Schiff) tolet Johns colleagues in the herp communityknow of his death on January 31 of this yearI had the good fortune of spending a day withhim just a week ago as we put the finishingtouches on a manuscript we were working onAt the end of the day we made plans to meet inlate winter at Bog Brook where we having beensurveying turtles together for nearly a quartercentury His death has been a great shock tome and everyone who knew him

    John served as Curator of the HerpetologyDepartment since 1976 at the WildlifeConservation Societys Bronx Zoo Since 1996he has also served as the Program Coordinator

    for the Wildlife Conservation Societys WildlifeSurvival Center on St Catherines IslandGeorgia Behler started his career with theWildlife Conservation Society as a New YorkState Council on the Arts curatorial trainee in1970

    Behler assumed leadership positions in thedevelopment of captive breeding programs forendangered and threatened crocodilianstortoises and freshwater turtles Through hisefforts batagur turtles and false gharialssuccessfully bred in captivity for the first timeat the Bronx Zoo He received the AmericanZoo and Aquarium Associations (AZA)Edward H Bean Award in 1980 for mostsignificant reptile birth for his work withChinese alligators Behlers interests alsofocused on the ecology and behavior ofreptilians and reptilian diseases He had alsodone extensive field studies of the tortoises ofMadagascar and of North American spotted andbog turtles

    Among his many conservation affiliationsBehler chaired the World Conservation UnionsTortoise and Freshwater Turtle SpecialistGroup and was a member of the Convention onInternational Trade in Endangered Species(CITES) Turtle Trade Working Group He wasa former coordinator of the AZAs CrocodilianAdvisory Group and was a member of theAZAs Chelonian and Lizard Taxon AdvisoryGroups Behler worked closely with the NewYork State Department of EnvironmentalConservations Endangered Species Unit andthe National Park Service He served on hiscommunitys Conservation Board and on theWestchester Co unt y Enviro nmenta lManagement Council

    Behler received a Bachelors degree inZoologyBotany from the University of Miamiand a Masters degree in Biological Sciencesfrom East Stroudsburg University

    wwwdeserttortoiseorg

    A native of Pennsylvania Behler resided inAmawalk New York with his wife Heauthored more than 40 popular and scientificarticles and four guidebooks highlightingreptiles and amphibians

    The following announcement was prepared bythe Wildlife Conservation Society

    The Board of Trustees and Staff of theWildlife Conservation Society are profoundlysaddened by the death of our esteemedcolleague John L Behler As Curator ofHerpetology Behler began his WCS career in1970 in the Reptile Department as an internJohns knowledge and love of wildlife includedworking with WCS field staff on relatedprojects in Madagascar and Asia and is knownand appreciated world-wide His workexemplified the long history of WCS settingstandards for others to follow He assumed aleadership role among his peers ingroundbreaking captive breeding programs forendangered crocodilians tortoises andfreshwater turtles and also focused on theecology and behavior of reptilians

    Johns quick wit charm and dedication allowedhim to share his lifes work with many Amonghis numerous affiliations John was a foundingmember of the American Zoo and AquariumsCrocodilian Advisory Group and workedclosely with the NYS Department ofEnvironmental Conservations EndangeredSpecies Unit Likewise Behler served hiscommunity on the Sommers ConservationBoard and Muscoot Farm Nature Center inWestchester County Park

    Behler authored more than 40 popular scientificarticles five guidebooks highlighting reptiliansand amphibians and co-authored a book Frogs -A Chorus of Colors with his wife DeborahBehler

    We are all saddened by the loss of our friend agreat scientist and conservationist Ourheartfelt sympathies go to Johns wife Debbiemother Mildred sister Judy Howells Johnschildren Cindy Sibilia and David Behler andhis five grandchildrenrdquo

    David T SchiffChairman

    Ed Note - John Behler was a featured speakerat several DTC Annual Symposia

    The Current Board of Directors ofthe Desert Tortoise Council

    Senior Co-Chair Pete WoodmanJunior Co-Chair Dan PearsonCo-Chair Elect Kristen MurphyRecording Secretary Lori RoseCorresponding Secretary Pat von HelfTreasurer Mike CoffeenProducts Manager Tom EganImmediate Past Co-Chair Doug DuncanBoard Member Tracy BaileyBoard Member Kristin BerryBoard Member Becky JonesBoard Member Cari RonningBoard Member Glenn StewartBoard Member Bob Turner

    Newsletter EditorMembership Doug DuncanWebmaster Michael Connor

    FUTURE ANNUAL SYMPOSIA

    The symposia location for 2007 and beyond hasnot been set Suggestions or bids for futuresymposia locations and venues will begratefully accepted The Board of Directors isresearching several locations Las Vegas StGeorge and Laughlin

    wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

    15th ANNUAL SURVEYINGMONITORING AND HANDLING

    TECHNIQUES WORKSHOP

    The 15th Annual Surveying Monitoring andHandling Techniques Workshop is scheduledfor November 4 and 5 2006 at the Carriage Innin Ridgecrest CA The workshop is full If you would like to be placed on the waitinglist please contact Tracy or Mike Bailey att racybaileymchsicom Regis t rat ioninformation will be sent out via e-mail in mid-August to those registered The cost of theworkshop is $25000

    The DTC Tortoise Handling Workshops arerecognized by the USFWS and CDFG but acertificate of attendance and participation doesnot guarantee a USFWS or CDFG permitHowever completion of the Workshop shouldhelp with the permitting process

    NEWSLETTERMEMBERSHIP

    For those receiving hard copy newsletters yourmembership expiration date will be in the upperright-hand corner of the label For thosereceiving their newsletter via e-mail we willresearch ways to include membershipexpiration dates if it is not to time-consumingIf we have your e-mail address we will notifyyou via e-mail when your membership hasexpired or is about to expire So when you joinor renew your membership please include acurrent e-mail address Member contactinformation is used solely for Council businessWe also use e-mail for the newsletters andrarely other special announcements Pleasesend change of mailing address or e-mailaddress to either the DTC address or themembership chair (fldhckycoxnet)

    CONSERVATION NEWS

    Federal Indictments filed for IllegalTrafficking of Protected Reptiles

    A cooperative investigation led by US Fishand Wildlife Service Special Agents OregonState Police Arizona Game and FishDepartment wildlife investigators has resultedin federal indictments of nine people in theDistrict of Arizona The indictments stem fromviolations of the Lacey Act that involved theunlawful interstate sale and transport of reptilestaken in violation of state wildlife laws

    Protected live reptiles including Gila monsterswere illegally collected then sold andtransported from Arizona to Oregon and otherstates Service agents and wildlife investigatorsserved several search warrants and conductednumerous interviews as part of theinvestigation To date indictments haveinvolved people from California OregonArizona Texas Nevada and New York

    The Lacey Act prohibits the transportation andsale of wildlife in interstate commerce inviolation of state laws The Lacey Actprovides for felony violations maximumpenalties up to five years imprisonmentandor $250000 in fines

    Gila monsters are protected by Arizona wildlifelaws One of only two venomous lizards in theworld the Gila monster can be found inportions of Arizona California Nevada UtahNew Mexico and Mexico Gila monsters arehighly sought after in the international blackmarket trade of live reptiles and can be valuedup to $3500 for each animal

    wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

    Mojave Max Makes Spring Debut

    Mojave Max the famous southern Nevadadesert tortoise who resides at the Red RockCanyon National Conservation Area officiallyemerged from his burrow at 1132 am April 32006

    The tortoises debut is hailed by hundreds ofstudents in Nevada and California who havebeen studying Mojave Desert weathertemperatures and conditions to scientificallyestimate when Mojave Max would emerge fromhis burrow in 2006 They entered their guesseson line at wwwmojavemaxcom

    The entries are being tabulated and the officialwinner will be announced soon Eligibility forprizes offered in southern California includedstudents in grades 1 to 12 enrolled in schools inImperial Inyo Kern Los Angeles OrangeRiverside San Bernardino and San DiegoCounties

    The Mojave Max Emergence Contest is one ofseveral components of a desert wide tortoiseeducation program being developed by theDesert Managers Group (DMG) to helpstudents learn more about the desert tortoisesaid Anne Staley DMG desert tortoise outreachcoordinator

    The DMG is a consortium of county statefederal and military agencies that work togetherto manage federal and state lands withinsouthern California and frequently deal withissues directly and indirectly related to deserttortoises their habitat and the management ofboth

    Our goal is to get all students in southernCalifornia involved in the contest and oureducational program to learn more about thetortoise which was federally listed as athreatened species in 1990 added Staley

    The Mojave Max Emergence Contest is anexceptional teaching tool that provides a cleartie between the health of the environment andthe species that depend on it said Juan Palmafield manager for the Bureau of LandManagement Las Vegas Field Office

    Like other desert tortoises Mojave Max entersa burrow to brumate (the reptilian form ofhibernation) every winter and emerges everyspring Warmer temperatures longer daylighthours and an internal clock are factors known tocontribute to his emergence every year

    Bureau of Land ManagementGrazing Regulations

    This issue has been covered in previousnewsletters First is the BLMrsquos news releaseand following that is a release from the Centerfor Biological Diversity Ed

    BLM Issues Addendum to Final EISOn Proposed Grazing Regulation Changes

    The Bureau of Land Management recentlyreleased an addendum to its finalEnvironmental Impact Statement (EIS) onproposed regulations that will change theBLMs management of public lands grazingThe addendum and final EIS posted on theBLMrsquos Website conclude that the proposedregulations will produce long-term healthbenefits for public rangelands The proposednew grazing regulations collectively known asa ldquorulerdquo will be finalized in the near future andpublished in the Federal Register

    In producing this addendum the BLMconsidered all comments made on the proposedchanges to our grazing regulations said BLMDirector Kathleen Clarke ldquoThe proposed newregulations when finalized and implementedwill enable the BLM to manage publicrangelands more effectively and efficiently

    wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

    through among other things a better workingrelationship with public lands ranchers Wehave proposed these regulatory changes topromote the long-term health of publicrangelands which are vital to the economy andsocial fabric of Western rural communitiesrdquo

    The BLM published its proposed grazing rulei n D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 3(httpwwwblmgovnhpnewsreleasespages2003pr031205_grazinghtm) The agencyfollowed up with a draft EIS and received morethan 18000 comments on those two documentsduring its public comment period The BLMpublished its final EIS in June 2005(httpwwwblmgovgrazing) after which theagency announced that it would prepare anadditional document to respond to commentsthat came in after the March 2 2004 commentdeadline

    Interior Department Moves to CutConservation and Citizen Participation on

    Western Public Lands

    WASHINGTON DC ndash In another giveaway toindustry the Bureau of Land Management(BLM) is finalizing new rules that would limitpublic oversight of public lands grazing leasesacross millions of acres of the West Theserules are another administration attack on theinfluential National Environmental Policy Act(NEPA) an important law which has protectedthe public interest and environment for morethan 36 years

    Livestock grazing on arid western public landscan be a significant environmental threat towildlife habitat water quality and recreationBLM has proposed to categorically excludelivestock grazing permits from the NEPAanalysis in cases where allotments have beenevaluated and the allotments are determined tobe meeting land health standards Howeverthere is no requirement that thesedeterminations involve standard science-basedmonitoring data or any quantifiable rationaleand there will be no formal opportunity for thepublic to participate in helping to make those

    determinations There will be no analysis ofcumulative effects harm to plants and wildlifeor impacts to imperiled species There is alsono limit to the number of these permits that canbe excluded in any given year which could leadto widespread use of the exclusion

    ldquoBLMrsquos rules are a big threat to westernlandscapes and we will fight themrdquo said GretaAnderson Range Restoration Director with theCenter for Biological Diversity in TucsonArizona ldquoNEPA has provided a way toparticipate in public lands ranching decisionsBLM wants to cut out essential public interestinput and concernsrdquo

    The new rules also propose to excludeldquotemporary non-renewable grazing use permitsrdquofrom NEPA Unfortunately even short-termgrazing can have long-term impacts toecosystems and BLM should be taking a hardlook and analyzing all of the impacts of eventemporary use There are indications that long-lived species such as the desert tortoise arehighly dependent on a few good years in 100 tomaintain their populations Temporary usepermits are often geared to use additionalforage produced in good years Improperlivestock grazing on arid lands accelerateserosion pollutes waterways degrades wildlifehabitat and alters vegetation communities

    Kolkata tortoise Clives petdies at 250 years

    KOLKATA (Reuters) - A giant Aldabra tortoisethought to be around 250 years old has died inthe Kolkata zoo of liver failure authorities saidon Thursday

    The tortoise had been the pet of Robert Clivethe famous British military officer in colonialIndia around the middle of the 18th century alocal minister in West Bengal state said

    Local authorities say the tortoise namedAddwaitya meaning the The One and Onlyin Bengali was the oldest tortoise in the world

    wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

    but they have not presented scientific proof toback up their claim

    Historical records show he was a pet of Britishgeneral Robert Clive of the East IndiaCompany and had spent several years in hissprawling estate before he was brought to thezoo about 130 years ago West Bengal ForestMinister Jogesh Barman said

    We have documents to prove that he was morethan 150 years old but we have pieced togetherother evidence like statements from authenticsources and it seems that he is more than 250years old he said

    The minister said details about Addwaityasearly life showed that British sailors hadbrought him from the Seychelles Islands andpresented him to Clive who was rising fast inthe East India Companys military hierarchy

    On Thursday the tortoises enclosure wore adeserted look This is a sad day for us Wewill miss him very much a zoo keeper said

    Wild Aldabra tortoises are found on AldabraIsland in the Indian Ocean Seychelles IslandsThey average about 120 kg It is believed thattortoises are the longest lived of all animalswith life spans often surpassing 100 years

    Mojave Desert TortoiseMonitoring Report

    The long-awaited monitoring report is nowavailable for review and comment It can bedownloaded as a PDF at

    httpwwwfwsgovnevadadesert_tortoisedt_reportshtml

    The report does not yet include results from the2005 season but these will be incorporated intothe final If you have comments on the reportplease send them to Roy Averill-Murray of theUSFWS Desert Tortoise Recovery Office byApril 29 2006

    Fort Irwin Record of Decision (ROD) forthe Supplemental Final Environmental

    Impact Statement (SFEIS) available

    The Department of the Army announces theavailability of its ROD for the ProposedAddition of Maneuver Training Land at FortIrwin California On 20 January 2006 theArmy published a notice of availability of itsSFEIS The SFEIS reviewed theenvironmental cultural and socioeconomicimpacts of five action alternatives associatedwith the addition of maneuver training land atFort Irwin as well as a No Action (status quo)alternative

    Based on the SFEIS the Army has chosen toimplement Alternative I the EastWestAlternative Under this alternative additionallands totaling about 150510 acres would beadded to the available training lands Thedecision includes training in new areas to theeast and west of the existing Fort Irwin and ina portion of southern Fort Irwin previously off-limits to training Expansion of the maneuverarea of the National Training Center (NTC)provides an extended battle space (land and air)for training Army brigade-sized units accordingto the Armyrsquos training and combat operations

    Alternative I was chosen because it best meetsthe Armyrsquos need for additional training landThere are impacts to many natural resourcesexpected as part of the proposed actionespecially desert tortoise Mitigation has beenproposed to offset the impacts identified in theSFEIS Even taking into account thismitigation however there will still besignificant impacts to threatened andendangered species loss of vegetation coverloss and disruption of soil surfaces and loss ofwilderness characteristics to adjacentwilderness areas

    The decision also restates the Armyrsquos statedcommitment to environmental stewardship byimplementing mitigation and monitoringmeasurers to offset potential adverseenvironmental impacts associated with the

    wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

    preferred alternative as identified in the SFEISand the ROD

    Sign-on A Letter from BiologistsConcerning Science

    in the Endangered Species Act

    Though the letter from the Union of ConcernedScientists has been delivered additional actionmay be needed The letter with 5738signatures was hand-delivered to each senatorrsquosoffice on Wednesday March 8 2006 Severalscientists were in Washington DC topersonally deliver the letter to key senators andtheir staff and to discuss the importance ofscience to species protection In more than adozen additional states scientistsrsquo personalizedcover letters accompanied the biologistsrsquo letterand signatures

    The efforts to protect science in the EndangeredSpecies Act continue and will likely extend intothe next session of Congress Although they donot currently have specific plans anopportunity may arise in the future to re-deliverthe letter with additional signatures If youwould like to add your name for considerationas a letter signer go this page

    httpwwwucsusaorgscientific_integrityrestoringscience-in-the-endangeredhtml

    The letter is open to biologists with or workingtowards an advanced degree In addition on acase-by-case basis we will consider those whohave extensive life experience working in thefield that gives them particular knowledge ofspecies and their habitats Read the letter at

    httpwwwucsusaorgscientific_integrityrestoringbiologists-letter-onhtml

    Recovery Plan RevisionThe First Step - Situation Assessment

    The US Fish and Wildlife Service has securedthe independent assistance and impartialexpertise of the US Institute for EnvironmentalConflict Resolution (Institute) in engagingaffected and interested stakeholders in thecollaborative process to revise the RecoveryPlan for the Mojave Population of the DesertTortoise The Institute will assess thefeasibility of a collaborative approach torecovery planning using the structure ofRegional Working Groups and then ifappropriate designing convening andfacilitating a process aimed at reachingagreement on regional recovery action plansand achieving broad stakeholder support for ascientifically credible recovery plan Allworking group activities will be guided by theBasic Principles for Agency Engagement inEnvironmental Conflict Resolution andCollaborative Problem Solving

    The Institute shall procure and manage theprovision of independent neutral services toinclude assessment process design conveningfacilitation meeting summaries mediation andpossibly other related neutral servicesassociated with conducting and documentingthe Regional Working Group process whichwill be focused on developing consensus-basedregional action plans The Institute willconduct the selection process with participationby interested stakeholders for choosing a teamof third-party neutral contractors to partner withand assist the Institute In addition the Institutewill provide ongoing advice on collaborativeproblem solving to FWS and Regional WorkingGroup participants along with projectmanagement and contractor oversight services

    wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

    PATAGONIAS ENVIRONMENTALGRANTS PROGRAM

    Patagonia (httpwwwpatagoniacom) theoutdoor clothing and gear company providessupport for environ mental work through grantsto nonprofit organizations

    Patagonia funds only environmental work andis most interested in making grants toorganizations that identify and work on the rootcauses of problems and that approach issueswith a commitment to long-term change Thecompany funds work that is action-orientedbuilds public involvement and support isstrategic in its targeting and goals focuses onroot causes accomplishes specific goals andobjectives that can be effectively measured andtakes place in countries where Patagonia hasretail stores or an international office

    The company does not fund organizationswithout 501(c)(3) status or a comparable fiscalsponsor general environ mental educationefforts land acquisition land trusts orconservation easements research (unless it is indirect support of a developed plan for specificaction to alleviate an environmental problem)environmental conferences endowment fundsor political campaigns

    Most grants are in the range of $3000 to$8000 Patagonia accepts proposals forprograms that fit its grant guidelines during themonths of April or August Only one proposalfrom an organization will be considered peryear

    Please note that organizations based in acommunity in which Patagonia has a retail storeor an international office should submit theirrequest to the store Retail store applicationsare accepted year-round

    Visit the Patagonia Web site for completeprogram information and grant applicationprocedures

    Deadline April 30 2006 and August 31 2006

    Request for Proposal link

    httpfconlinefdncenterorgpnd10001676patagonia

    For additional RFPs in Environment visit

    httpfdncenterorgpndrfpcat_environmentjhtml

    wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

    wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

    Desert Tortoise Councilco Doug DuncanPO Box 331Tucson AZ 85702

    Check one MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONRENEWAL CHANGE OF ADDRESSDATE EMAIL ADDRESS NAME PHONE

    (Please Print) (Include Area Code)ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE

    Regular ($1500 per year) Organization ($5500 per year) Contributing ($5000 per year) Lifetime ($300 or more) Student ($1000 per year- Requires endorsement of studentrsquos advisor or Major Professor)

    NEWSLETTER FORMAT Mailed paper copy Pdf file via e-mail E-mail notice for web page viewing

    Make check or money order payable to the Desert Tortoise Counciland send with this application

    to Desert Tortoise Council PO Box 3273Beaumont CA 92223

    The Desert Tortoise Council does not release its membership list

    • Page 1
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    • Page 4
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      wwwdeserttortoiseorg

      Zonk GalleriesDavid Hoobler

      PO Box 11059 Oakland CA 94611(510) 530-2681

      davidhooblersbcglobalnethttpwwwzonktheturtlecom

      Desert Tortoise Council Awards

      Annual Douglas DuncanResearch Valentine LanceSpecial Jeffrey AardahlSpecial Mercy VaughnService Maggie FusariService Tom Egan

      In addition the Best Student Paper Award andthe first David J Morafka MemorialScholarship both went to Erin R Zylstra of theUniversity of Arizona Tucson for her researchentitled Evaluating Monitoring Strategies forthe Sonoran Desert Tortoise in SaguaroNational Park

      JOHN BEHLER

      The Bronx Zoo asked me (David T Schiff) tolet Johns colleagues in the herp communityknow of his death on January 31 of this yearI had the good fortune of spending a day withhim just a week ago as we put the finishingtouches on a manuscript we were working onAt the end of the day we made plans to meet inlate winter at Bog Brook where we having beensurveying turtles together for nearly a quartercentury His death has been a great shock tome and everyone who knew him

      John served as Curator of the HerpetologyDepartment since 1976 at the WildlifeConservation Societys Bronx Zoo Since 1996he has also served as the Program Coordinator

      for the Wildlife Conservation Societys WildlifeSurvival Center on St Catherines IslandGeorgia Behler started his career with theWildlife Conservation Society as a New YorkState Council on the Arts curatorial trainee in1970

      Behler assumed leadership positions in thedevelopment of captive breeding programs forendangered and threatened crocodilianstortoises and freshwater turtles Through hisefforts batagur turtles and false gharialssuccessfully bred in captivity for the first timeat the Bronx Zoo He received the AmericanZoo and Aquarium Associations (AZA)Edward H Bean Award in 1980 for mostsignificant reptile birth for his work withChinese alligators Behlers interests alsofocused on the ecology and behavior ofreptilians and reptilian diseases He had alsodone extensive field studies of the tortoises ofMadagascar and of North American spotted andbog turtles

      Among his many conservation affiliationsBehler chaired the World Conservation UnionsTortoise and Freshwater Turtle SpecialistGroup and was a member of the Convention onInternational Trade in Endangered Species(CITES) Turtle Trade Working Group He wasa former coordinator of the AZAs CrocodilianAdvisory Group and was a member of theAZAs Chelonian and Lizard Taxon AdvisoryGroups Behler worked closely with the NewYork State Department of EnvironmentalConservations Endangered Species Unit andthe National Park Service He served on hiscommunitys Conservation Board and on theWestchester Co unt y Enviro nmenta lManagement Council

      Behler received a Bachelors degree inZoologyBotany from the University of Miamiand a Masters degree in Biological Sciencesfrom East Stroudsburg University

      wwwdeserttortoiseorg

      A native of Pennsylvania Behler resided inAmawalk New York with his wife Heauthored more than 40 popular and scientificarticles and four guidebooks highlightingreptiles and amphibians

      The following announcement was prepared bythe Wildlife Conservation Society

      The Board of Trustees and Staff of theWildlife Conservation Society are profoundlysaddened by the death of our esteemedcolleague John L Behler As Curator ofHerpetology Behler began his WCS career in1970 in the Reptile Department as an internJohns knowledge and love of wildlife includedworking with WCS field staff on relatedprojects in Madagascar and Asia and is knownand appreciated world-wide His workexemplified the long history of WCS settingstandards for others to follow He assumed aleadership role among his peers ingroundbreaking captive breeding programs forendangered crocodilians tortoises andfreshwater turtles and also focused on theecology and behavior of reptilians

      Johns quick wit charm and dedication allowedhim to share his lifes work with many Amonghis numerous affiliations John was a foundingmember of the American Zoo and AquariumsCrocodilian Advisory Group and workedclosely with the NYS Department ofEnvironmental Conservations EndangeredSpecies Unit Likewise Behler served hiscommunity on the Sommers ConservationBoard and Muscoot Farm Nature Center inWestchester County Park

      Behler authored more than 40 popular scientificarticles five guidebooks highlighting reptiliansand amphibians and co-authored a book Frogs -A Chorus of Colors with his wife DeborahBehler

      We are all saddened by the loss of our friend agreat scientist and conservationist Ourheartfelt sympathies go to Johns wife Debbiemother Mildred sister Judy Howells Johnschildren Cindy Sibilia and David Behler andhis five grandchildrenrdquo

      David T SchiffChairman

      Ed Note - John Behler was a featured speakerat several DTC Annual Symposia

      The Current Board of Directors ofthe Desert Tortoise Council

      Senior Co-Chair Pete WoodmanJunior Co-Chair Dan PearsonCo-Chair Elect Kristen MurphyRecording Secretary Lori RoseCorresponding Secretary Pat von HelfTreasurer Mike CoffeenProducts Manager Tom EganImmediate Past Co-Chair Doug DuncanBoard Member Tracy BaileyBoard Member Kristin BerryBoard Member Becky JonesBoard Member Cari RonningBoard Member Glenn StewartBoard Member Bob Turner

      Newsletter EditorMembership Doug DuncanWebmaster Michael Connor

      FUTURE ANNUAL SYMPOSIA

      The symposia location for 2007 and beyond hasnot been set Suggestions or bids for futuresymposia locations and venues will begratefully accepted The Board of Directors isresearching several locations Las Vegas StGeorge and Laughlin

      wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

      15th ANNUAL SURVEYINGMONITORING AND HANDLING

      TECHNIQUES WORKSHOP

      The 15th Annual Surveying Monitoring andHandling Techniques Workshop is scheduledfor November 4 and 5 2006 at the Carriage Innin Ridgecrest CA The workshop is full If you would like to be placed on the waitinglist please contact Tracy or Mike Bailey att racybaileymchsicom Regis t rat ioninformation will be sent out via e-mail in mid-August to those registered The cost of theworkshop is $25000

      The DTC Tortoise Handling Workshops arerecognized by the USFWS and CDFG but acertificate of attendance and participation doesnot guarantee a USFWS or CDFG permitHowever completion of the Workshop shouldhelp with the permitting process

      NEWSLETTERMEMBERSHIP

      For those receiving hard copy newsletters yourmembership expiration date will be in the upperright-hand corner of the label For thosereceiving their newsletter via e-mail we willresearch ways to include membershipexpiration dates if it is not to time-consumingIf we have your e-mail address we will notifyyou via e-mail when your membership hasexpired or is about to expire So when you joinor renew your membership please include acurrent e-mail address Member contactinformation is used solely for Council businessWe also use e-mail for the newsletters andrarely other special announcements Pleasesend change of mailing address or e-mailaddress to either the DTC address or themembership chair (fldhckycoxnet)

      CONSERVATION NEWS

      Federal Indictments filed for IllegalTrafficking of Protected Reptiles

      A cooperative investigation led by US Fishand Wildlife Service Special Agents OregonState Police Arizona Game and FishDepartment wildlife investigators has resultedin federal indictments of nine people in theDistrict of Arizona The indictments stem fromviolations of the Lacey Act that involved theunlawful interstate sale and transport of reptilestaken in violation of state wildlife laws

      Protected live reptiles including Gila monsterswere illegally collected then sold andtransported from Arizona to Oregon and otherstates Service agents and wildlife investigatorsserved several search warrants and conductednumerous interviews as part of theinvestigation To date indictments haveinvolved people from California OregonArizona Texas Nevada and New York

      The Lacey Act prohibits the transportation andsale of wildlife in interstate commerce inviolation of state laws The Lacey Actprovides for felony violations maximumpenalties up to five years imprisonmentandor $250000 in fines

      Gila monsters are protected by Arizona wildlifelaws One of only two venomous lizards in theworld the Gila monster can be found inportions of Arizona California Nevada UtahNew Mexico and Mexico Gila monsters arehighly sought after in the international blackmarket trade of live reptiles and can be valuedup to $3500 for each animal

      wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

      Mojave Max Makes Spring Debut

      Mojave Max the famous southern Nevadadesert tortoise who resides at the Red RockCanyon National Conservation Area officiallyemerged from his burrow at 1132 am April 32006

      The tortoises debut is hailed by hundreds ofstudents in Nevada and California who havebeen studying Mojave Desert weathertemperatures and conditions to scientificallyestimate when Mojave Max would emerge fromhis burrow in 2006 They entered their guesseson line at wwwmojavemaxcom

      The entries are being tabulated and the officialwinner will be announced soon Eligibility forprizes offered in southern California includedstudents in grades 1 to 12 enrolled in schools inImperial Inyo Kern Los Angeles OrangeRiverside San Bernardino and San DiegoCounties

      The Mojave Max Emergence Contest is one ofseveral components of a desert wide tortoiseeducation program being developed by theDesert Managers Group (DMG) to helpstudents learn more about the desert tortoisesaid Anne Staley DMG desert tortoise outreachcoordinator

      The DMG is a consortium of county statefederal and military agencies that work togetherto manage federal and state lands withinsouthern California and frequently deal withissues directly and indirectly related to deserttortoises their habitat and the management ofboth

      Our goal is to get all students in southernCalifornia involved in the contest and oureducational program to learn more about thetortoise which was federally listed as athreatened species in 1990 added Staley

      The Mojave Max Emergence Contest is anexceptional teaching tool that provides a cleartie between the health of the environment andthe species that depend on it said Juan Palmafield manager for the Bureau of LandManagement Las Vegas Field Office

      Like other desert tortoises Mojave Max entersa burrow to brumate (the reptilian form ofhibernation) every winter and emerges everyspring Warmer temperatures longer daylighthours and an internal clock are factors known tocontribute to his emergence every year

      Bureau of Land ManagementGrazing Regulations

      This issue has been covered in previousnewsletters First is the BLMrsquos news releaseand following that is a release from the Centerfor Biological Diversity Ed

      BLM Issues Addendum to Final EISOn Proposed Grazing Regulation Changes

      The Bureau of Land Management recentlyreleased an addendum to its finalEnvironmental Impact Statement (EIS) onproposed regulations that will change theBLMs management of public lands grazingThe addendum and final EIS posted on theBLMrsquos Website conclude that the proposedregulations will produce long-term healthbenefits for public rangelands The proposednew grazing regulations collectively known asa ldquorulerdquo will be finalized in the near future andpublished in the Federal Register

      In producing this addendum the BLMconsidered all comments made on the proposedchanges to our grazing regulations said BLMDirector Kathleen Clarke ldquoThe proposed newregulations when finalized and implementedwill enable the BLM to manage publicrangelands more effectively and efficiently

      wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

      through among other things a better workingrelationship with public lands ranchers Wehave proposed these regulatory changes topromote the long-term health of publicrangelands which are vital to the economy andsocial fabric of Western rural communitiesrdquo

      The BLM published its proposed grazing rulei n D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 3(httpwwwblmgovnhpnewsreleasespages2003pr031205_grazinghtm) The agencyfollowed up with a draft EIS and received morethan 18000 comments on those two documentsduring its public comment period The BLMpublished its final EIS in June 2005(httpwwwblmgovgrazing) after which theagency announced that it would prepare anadditional document to respond to commentsthat came in after the March 2 2004 commentdeadline

      Interior Department Moves to CutConservation and Citizen Participation on

      Western Public Lands

      WASHINGTON DC ndash In another giveaway toindustry the Bureau of Land Management(BLM) is finalizing new rules that would limitpublic oversight of public lands grazing leasesacross millions of acres of the West Theserules are another administration attack on theinfluential National Environmental Policy Act(NEPA) an important law which has protectedthe public interest and environment for morethan 36 years

      Livestock grazing on arid western public landscan be a significant environmental threat towildlife habitat water quality and recreationBLM has proposed to categorically excludelivestock grazing permits from the NEPAanalysis in cases where allotments have beenevaluated and the allotments are determined tobe meeting land health standards Howeverthere is no requirement that thesedeterminations involve standard science-basedmonitoring data or any quantifiable rationaleand there will be no formal opportunity for thepublic to participate in helping to make those

      determinations There will be no analysis ofcumulative effects harm to plants and wildlifeor impacts to imperiled species There is alsono limit to the number of these permits that canbe excluded in any given year which could leadto widespread use of the exclusion

      ldquoBLMrsquos rules are a big threat to westernlandscapes and we will fight themrdquo said GretaAnderson Range Restoration Director with theCenter for Biological Diversity in TucsonArizona ldquoNEPA has provided a way toparticipate in public lands ranching decisionsBLM wants to cut out essential public interestinput and concernsrdquo

      The new rules also propose to excludeldquotemporary non-renewable grazing use permitsrdquofrom NEPA Unfortunately even short-termgrazing can have long-term impacts toecosystems and BLM should be taking a hardlook and analyzing all of the impacts of eventemporary use There are indications that long-lived species such as the desert tortoise arehighly dependent on a few good years in 100 tomaintain their populations Temporary usepermits are often geared to use additionalforage produced in good years Improperlivestock grazing on arid lands accelerateserosion pollutes waterways degrades wildlifehabitat and alters vegetation communities

      Kolkata tortoise Clives petdies at 250 years

      KOLKATA (Reuters) - A giant Aldabra tortoisethought to be around 250 years old has died inthe Kolkata zoo of liver failure authorities saidon Thursday

      The tortoise had been the pet of Robert Clivethe famous British military officer in colonialIndia around the middle of the 18th century alocal minister in West Bengal state said

      Local authorities say the tortoise namedAddwaitya meaning the The One and Onlyin Bengali was the oldest tortoise in the world

      wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

      but they have not presented scientific proof toback up their claim

      Historical records show he was a pet of Britishgeneral Robert Clive of the East IndiaCompany and had spent several years in hissprawling estate before he was brought to thezoo about 130 years ago West Bengal ForestMinister Jogesh Barman said

      We have documents to prove that he was morethan 150 years old but we have pieced togetherother evidence like statements from authenticsources and it seems that he is more than 250years old he said

      The minister said details about Addwaityasearly life showed that British sailors hadbrought him from the Seychelles Islands andpresented him to Clive who was rising fast inthe East India Companys military hierarchy

      On Thursday the tortoises enclosure wore adeserted look This is a sad day for us Wewill miss him very much a zoo keeper said

      Wild Aldabra tortoises are found on AldabraIsland in the Indian Ocean Seychelles IslandsThey average about 120 kg It is believed thattortoises are the longest lived of all animalswith life spans often surpassing 100 years

      Mojave Desert TortoiseMonitoring Report

      The long-awaited monitoring report is nowavailable for review and comment It can bedownloaded as a PDF at

      httpwwwfwsgovnevadadesert_tortoisedt_reportshtml

      The report does not yet include results from the2005 season but these will be incorporated intothe final If you have comments on the reportplease send them to Roy Averill-Murray of theUSFWS Desert Tortoise Recovery Office byApril 29 2006

      Fort Irwin Record of Decision (ROD) forthe Supplemental Final Environmental

      Impact Statement (SFEIS) available

      The Department of the Army announces theavailability of its ROD for the ProposedAddition of Maneuver Training Land at FortIrwin California On 20 January 2006 theArmy published a notice of availability of itsSFEIS The SFEIS reviewed theenvironmental cultural and socioeconomicimpacts of five action alternatives associatedwith the addition of maneuver training land atFort Irwin as well as a No Action (status quo)alternative

      Based on the SFEIS the Army has chosen toimplement Alternative I the EastWestAlternative Under this alternative additionallands totaling about 150510 acres would beadded to the available training lands Thedecision includes training in new areas to theeast and west of the existing Fort Irwin and ina portion of southern Fort Irwin previously off-limits to training Expansion of the maneuverarea of the National Training Center (NTC)provides an extended battle space (land and air)for training Army brigade-sized units accordingto the Armyrsquos training and combat operations

      Alternative I was chosen because it best meetsthe Armyrsquos need for additional training landThere are impacts to many natural resourcesexpected as part of the proposed actionespecially desert tortoise Mitigation has beenproposed to offset the impacts identified in theSFEIS Even taking into account thismitigation however there will still besignificant impacts to threatened andendangered species loss of vegetation coverloss and disruption of soil surfaces and loss ofwilderness characteristics to adjacentwilderness areas

      The decision also restates the Armyrsquos statedcommitment to environmental stewardship byimplementing mitigation and monitoringmeasurers to offset potential adverseenvironmental impacts associated with the

      wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

      preferred alternative as identified in the SFEISand the ROD

      Sign-on A Letter from BiologistsConcerning Science

      in the Endangered Species Act

      Though the letter from the Union of ConcernedScientists has been delivered additional actionmay be needed The letter with 5738signatures was hand-delivered to each senatorrsquosoffice on Wednesday March 8 2006 Severalscientists were in Washington DC topersonally deliver the letter to key senators andtheir staff and to discuss the importance ofscience to species protection In more than adozen additional states scientistsrsquo personalizedcover letters accompanied the biologistsrsquo letterand signatures

      The efforts to protect science in the EndangeredSpecies Act continue and will likely extend intothe next session of Congress Although they donot currently have specific plans anopportunity may arise in the future to re-deliverthe letter with additional signatures If youwould like to add your name for considerationas a letter signer go this page

      httpwwwucsusaorgscientific_integrityrestoringscience-in-the-endangeredhtml

      The letter is open to biologists with or workingtowards an advanced degree In addition on acase-by-case basis we will consider those whohave extensive life experience working in thefield that gives them particular knowledge ofspecies and their habitats Read the letter at

      httpwwwucsusaorgscientific_integrityrestoringbiologists-letter-onhtml

      Recovery Plan RevisionThe First Step - Situation Assessment

      The US Fish and Wildlife Service has securedthe independent assistance and impartialexpertise of the US Institute for EnvironmentalConflict Resolution (Institute) in engagingaffected and interested stakeholders in thecollaborative process to revise the RecoveryPlan for the Mojave Population of the DesertTortoise The Institute will assess thefeasibility of a collaborative approach torecovery planning using the structure ofRegional Working Groups and then ifappropriate designing convening andfacilitating a process aimed at reachingagreement on regional recovery action plansand achieving broad stakeholder support for ascientifically credible recovery plan Allworking group activities will be guided by theBasic Principles for Agency Engagement inEnvironmental Conflict Resolution andCollaborative Problem Solving

      The Institute shall procure and manage theprovision of independent neutral services toinclude assessment process design conveningfacilitation meeting summaries mediation andpossibly other related neutral servicesassociated with conducting and documentingthe Regional Working Group process whichwill be focused on developing consensus-basedregional action plans The Institute willconduct the selection process with participationby interested stakeholders for choosing a teamof third-party neutral contractors to partner withand assist the Institute In addition the Institutewill provide ongoing advice on collaborativeproblem solving to FWS and Regional WorkingGroup participants along with projectmanagement and contractor oversight services

      wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

      PATAGONIAS ENVIRONMENTALGRANTS PROGRAM

      Patagonia (httpwwwpatagoniacom) theoutdoor clothing and gear company providessupport for environ mental work through grantsto nonprofit organizations

      Patagonia funds only environmental work andis most interested in making grants toorganizations that identify and work on the rootcauses of problems and that approach issueswith a commitment to long-term change Thecompany funds work that is action-orientedbuilds public involvement and support isstrategic in its targeting and goals focuses onroot causes accomplishes specific goals andobjectives that can be effectively measured andtakes place in countries where Patagonia hasretail stores or an international office

      The company does not fund organizationswithout 501(c)(3) status or a comparable fiscalsponsor general environ mental educationefforts land acquisition land trusts orconservation easements research (unless it is indirect support of a developed plan for specificaction to alleviate an environmental problem)environmental conferences endowment fundsor political campaigns

      Most grants are in the range of $3000 to$8000 Patagonia accepts proposals forprograms that fit its grant guidelines during themonths of April or August Only one proposalfrom an organization will be considered peryear

      Please note that organizations based in acommunity in which Patagonia has a retail storeor an international office should submit theirrequest to the store Retail store applicationsare accepted year-round

      Visit the Patagonia Web site for completeprogram information and grant applicationprocedures

      Deadline April 30 2006 and August 31 2006

      Request for Proposal link

      httpfconlinefdncenterorgpnd10001676patagonia

      For additional RFPs in Environment visit

      httpfdncenterorgpndrfpcat_environmentjhtml

      wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

      wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

      Desert Tortoise Councilco Doug DuncanPO Box 331Tucson AZ 85702

      Check one MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONRENEWAL CHANGE OF ADDRESSDATE EMAIL ADDRESS NAME PHONE

      (Please Print) (Include Area Code)ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE

      Regular ($1500 per year) Organization ($5500 per year) Contributing ($5000 per year) Lifetime ($300 or more) Student ($1000 per year- Requires endorsement of studentrsquos advisor or Major Professor)

      NEWSLETTER FORMAT Mailed paper copy Pdf file via e-mail E-mail notice for web page viewing

      Make check or money order payable to the Desert Tortoise Counciland send with this application

      to Desert Tortoise Council PO Box 3273Beaumont CA 92223

      The Desert Tortoise Council does not release its membership list

      • Page 1
      • Page 2
      • Page 3
      • Page 4
      • Page 5
      • Page 6
      • Page 7
      • Page 8
      • Page 9
      • Page 10
      • Page 11
      • Page 12

        wwwdeserttortoiseorg

        A native of Pennsylvania Behler resided inAmawalk New York with his wife Heauthored more than 40 popular and scientificarticles and four guidebooks highlightingreptiles and amphibians

        The following announcement was prepared bythe Wildlife Conservation Society

        The Board of Trustees and Staff of theWildlife Conservation Society are profoundlysaddened by the death of our esteemedcolleague John L Behler As Curator ofHerpetology Behler began his WCS career in1970 in the Reptile Department as an internJohns knowledge and love of wildlife includedworking with WCS field staff on relatedprojects in Madagascar and Asia and is knownand appreciated world-wide His workexemplified the long history of WCS settingstandards for others to follow He assumed aleadership role among his peers ingroundbreaking captive breeding programs forendangered crocodilians tortoises andfreshwater turtles and also focused on theecology and behavior of reptilians

        Johns quick wit charm and dedication allowedhim to share his lifes work with many Amonghis numerous affiliations John was a foundingmember of the American Zoo and AquariumsCrocodilian Advisory Group and workedclosely with the NYS Department ofEnvironmental Conservations EndangeredSpecies Unit Likewise Behler served hiscommunity on the Sommers ConservationBoard and Muscoot Farm Nature Center inWestchester County Park

        Behler authored more than 40 popular scientificarticles five guidebooks highlighting reptiliansand amphibians and co-authored a book Frogs -A Chorus of Colors with his wife DeborahBehler

        We are all saddened by the loss of our friend agreat scientist and conservationist Ourheartfelt sympathies go to Johns wife Debbiemother Mildred sister Judy Howells Johnschildren Cindy Sibilia and David Behler andhis five grandchildrenrdquo

        David T SchiffChairman

        Ed Note - John Behler was a featured speakerat several DTC Annual Symposia

        The Current Board of Directors ofthe Desert Tortoise Council

        Senior Co-Chair Pete WoodmanJunior Co-Chair Dan PearsonCo-Chair Elect Kristen MurphyRecording Secretary Lori RoseCorresponding Secretary Pat von HelfTreasurer Mike CoffeenProducts Manager Tom EganImmediate Past Co-Chair Doug DuncanBoard Member Tracy BaileyBoard Member Kristin BerryBoard Member Becky JonesBoard Member Cari RonningBoard Member Glenn StewartBoard Member Bob Turner

        Newsletter EditorMembership Doug DuncanWebmaster Michael Connor

        FUTURE ANNUAL SYMPOSIA

        The symposia location for 2007 and beyond hasnot been set Suggestions or bids for futuresymposia locations and venues will begratefully accepted The Board of Directors isresearching several locations Las Vegas StGeorge and Laughlin

        wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

        15th ANNUAL SURVEYINGMONITORING AND HANDLING

        TECHNIQUES WORKSHOP

        The 15th Annual Surveying Monitoring andHandling Techniques Workshop is scheduledfor November 4 and 5 2006 at the Carriage Innin Ridgecrest CA The workshop is full If you would like to be placed on the waitinglist please contact Tracy or Mike Bailey att racybaileymchsicom Regis t rat ioninformation will be sent out via e-mail in mid-August to those registered The cost of theworkshop is $25000

        The DTC Tortoise Handling Workshops arerecognized by the USFWS and CDFG but acertificate of attendance and participation doesnot guarantee a USFWS or CDFG permitHowever completion of the Workshop shouldhelp with the permitting process

        NEWSLETTERMEMBERSHIP

        For those receiving hard copy newsletters yourmembership expiration date will be in the upperright-hand corner of the label For thosereceiving their newsletter via e-mail we willresearch ways to include membershipexpiration dates if it is not to time-consumingIf we have your e-mail address we will notifyyou via e-mail when your membership hasexpired or is about to expire So when you joinor renew your membership please include acurrent e-mail address Member contactinformation is used solely for Council businessWe also use e-mail for the newsletters andrarely other special announcements Pleasesend change of mailing address or e-mailaddress to either the DTC address or themembership chair (fldhckycoxnet)

        CONSERVATION NEWS

        Federal Indictments filed for IllegalTrafficking of Protected Reptiles

        A cooperative investigation led by US Fishand Wildlife Service Special Agents OregonState Police Arizona Game and FishDepartment wildlife investigators has resultedin federal indictments of nine people in theDistrict of Arizona The indictments stem fromviolations of the Lacey Act that involved theunlawful interstate sale and transport of reptilestaken in violation of state wildlife laws

        Protected live reptiles including Gila monsterswere illegally collected then sold andtransported from Arizona to Oregon and otherstates Service agents and wildlife investigatorsserved several search warrants and conductednumerous interviews as part of theinvestigation To date indictments haveinvolved people from California OregonArizona Texas Nevada and New York

        The Lacey Act prohibits the transportation andsale of wildlife in interstate commerce inviolation of state laws The Lacey Actprovides for felony violations maximumpenalties up to five years imprisonmentandor $250000 in fines

        Gila monsters are protected by Arizona wildlifelaws One of only two venomous lizards in theworld the Gila monster can be found inportions of Arizona California Nevada UtahNew Mexico and Mexico Gila monsters arehighly sought after in the international blackmarket trade of live reptiles and can be valuedup to $3500 for each animal

        wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

        Mojave Max Makes Spring Debut

        Mojave Max the famous southern Nevadadesert tortoise who resides at the Red RockCanyon National Conservation Area officiallyemerged from his burrow at 1132 am April 32006

        The tortoises debut is hailed by hundreds ofstudents in Nevada and California who havebeen studying Mojave Desert weathertemperatures and conditions to scientificallyestimate when Mojave Max would emerge fromhis burrow in 2006 They entered their guesseson line at wwwmojavemaxcom

        The entries are being tabulated and the officialwinner will be announced soon Eligibility forprizes offered in southern California includedstudents in grades 1 to 12 enrolled in schools inImperial Inyo Kern Los Angeles OrangeRiverside San Bernardino and San DiegoCounties

        The Mojave Max Emergence Contest is one ofseveral components of a desert wide tortoiseeducation program being developed by theDesert Managers Group (DMG) to helpstudents learn more about the desert tortoisesaid Anne Staley DMG desert tortoise outreachcoordinator

        The DMG is a consortium of county statefederal and military agencies that work togetherto manage federal and state lands withinsouthern California and frequently deal withissues directly and indirectly related to deserttortoises their habitat and the management ofboth

        Our goal is to get all students in southernCalifornia involved in the contest and oureducational program to learn more about thetortoise which was federally listed as athreatened species in 1990 added Staley

        The Mojave Max Emergence Contest is anexceptional teaching tool that provides a cleartie between the health of the environment andthe species that depend on it said Juan Palmafield manager for the Bureau of LandManagement Las Vegas Field Office

        Like other desert tortoises Mojave Max entersa burrow to brumate (the reptilian form ofhibernation) every winter and emerges everyspring Warmer temperatures longer daylighthours and an internal clock are factors known tocontribute to his emergence every year

        Bureau of Land ManagementGrazing Regulations

        This issue has been covered in previousnewsletters First is the BLMrsquos news releaseand following that is a release from the Centerfor Biological Diversity Ed

        BLM Issues Addendum to Final EISOn Proposed Grazing Regulation Changes

        The Bureau of Land Management recentlyreleased an addendum to its finalEnvironmental Impact Statement (EIS) onproposed regulations that will change theBLMs management of public lands grazingThe addendum and final EIS posted on theBLMrsquos Website conclude that the proposedregulations will produce long-term healthbenefits for public rangelands The proposednew grazing regulations collectively known asa ldquorulerdquo will be finalized in the near future andpublished in the Federal Register

        In producing this addendum the BLMconsidered all comments made on the proposedchanges to our grazing regulations said BLMDirector Kathleen Clarke ldquoThe proposed newregulations when finalized and implementedwill enable the BLM to manage publicrangelands more effectively and efficiently

        wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

        through among other things a better workingrelationship with public lands ranchers Wehave proposed these regulatory changes topromote the long-term health of publicrangelands which are vital to the economy andsocial fabric of Western rural communitiesrdquo

        The BLM published its proposed grazing rulei n D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 3(httpwwwblmgovnhpnewsreleasespages2003pr031205_grazinghtm) The agencyfollowed up with a draft EIS and received morethan 18000 comments on those two documentsduring its public comment period The BLMpublished its final EIS in June 2005(httpwwwblmgovgrazing) after which theagency announced that it would prepare anadditional document to respond to commentsthat came in after the March 2 2004 commentdeadline

        Interior Department Moves to CutConservation and Citizen Participation on

        Western Public Lands

        WASHINGTON DC ndash In another giveaway toindustry the Bureau of Land Management(BLM) is finalizing new rules that would limitpublic oversight of public lands grazing leasesacross millions of acres of the West Theserules are another administration attack on theinfluential National Environmental Policy Act(NEPA) an important law which has protectedthe public interest and environment for morethan 36 years

        Livestock grazing on arid western public landscan be a significant environmental threat towildlife habitat water quality and recreationBLM has proposed to categorically excludelivestock grazing permits from the NEPAanalysis in cases where allotments have beenevaluated and the allotments are determined tobe meeting land health standards Howeverthere is no requirement that thesedeterminations involve standard science-basedmonitoring data or any quantifiable rationaleand there will be no formal opportunity for thepublic to participate in helping to make those

        determinations There will be no analysis ofcumulative effects harm to plants and wildlifeor impacts to imperiled species There is alsono limit to the number of these permits that canbe excluded in any given year which could leadto widespread use of the exclusion

        ldquoBLMrsquos rules are a big threat to westernlandscapes and we will fight themrdquo said GretaAnderson Range Restoration Director with theCenter for Biological Diversity in TucsonArizona ldquoNEPA has provided a way toparticipate in public lands ranching decisionsBLM wants to cut out essential public interestinput and concernsrdquo

        The new rules also propose to excludeldquotemporary non-renewable grazing use permitsrdquofrom NEPA Unfortunately even short-termgrazing can have long-term impacts toecosystems and BLM should be taking a hardlook and analyzing all of the impacts of eventemporary use There are indications that long-lived species such as the desert tortoise arehighly dependent on a few good years in 100 tomaintain their populations Temporary usepermits are often geared to use additionalforage produced in good years Improperlivestock grazing on arid lands accelerateserosion pollutes waterways degrades wildlifehabitat and alters vegetation communities

        Kolkata tortoise Clives petdies at 250 years

        KOLKATA (Reuters) - A giant Aldabra tortoisethought to be around 250 years old has died inthe Kolkata zoo of liver failure authorities saidon Thursday

        The tortoise had been the pet of Robert Clivethe famous British military officer in colonialIndia around the middle of the 18th century alocal minister in West Bengal state said

        Local authorities say the tortoise namedAddwaitya meaning the The One and Onlyin Bengali was the oldest tortoise in the world

        wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

        but they have not presented scientific proof toback up their claim

        Historical records show he was a pet of Britishgeneral Robert Clive of the East IndiaCompany and had spent several years in hissprawling estate before he was brought to thezoo about 130 years ago West Bengal ForestMinister Jogesh Barman said

        We have documents to prove that he was morethan 150 years old but we have pieced togetherother evidence like statements from authenticsources and it seems that he is more than 250years old he said

        The minister said details about Addwaityasearly life showed that British sailors hadbrought him from the Seychelles Islands andpresented him to Clive who was rising fast inthe East India Companys military hierarchy

        On Thursday the tortoises enclosure wore adeserted look This is a sad day for us Wewill miss him very much a zoo keeper said

        Wild Aldabra tortoises are found on AldabraIsland in the Indian Ocean Seychelles IslandsThey average about 120 kg It is believed thattortoises are the longest lived of all animalswith life spans often surpassing 100 years

        Mojave Desert TortoiseMonitoring Report

        The long-awaited monitoring report is nowavailable for review and comment It can bedownloaded as a PDF at

        httpwwwfwsgovnevadadesert_tortoisedt_reportshtml

        The report does not yet include results from the2005 season but these will be incorporated intothe final If you have comments on the reportplease send them to Roy Averill-Murray of theUSFWS Desert Tortoise Recovery Office byApril 29 2006

        Fort Irwin Record of Decision (ROD) forthe Supplemental Final Environmental

        Impact Statement (SFEIS) available

        The Department of the Army announces theavailability of its ROD for the ProposedAddition of Maneuver Training Land at FortIrwin California On 20 January 2006 theArmy published a notice of availability of itsSFEIS The SFEIS reviewed theenvironmental cultural and socioeconomicimpacts of five action alternatives associatedwith the addition of maneuver training land atFort Irwin as well as a No Action (status quo)alternative

        Based on the SFEIS the Army has chosen toimplement Alternative I the EastWestAlternative Under this alternative additionallands totaling about 150510 acres would beadded to the available training lands Thedecision includes training in new areas to theeast and west of the existing Fort Irwin and ina portion of southern Fort Irwin previously off-limits to training Expansion of the maneuverarea of the National Training Center (NTC)provides an extended battle space (land and air)for training Army brigade-sized units accordingto the Armyrsquos training and combat operations

        Alternative I was chosen because it best meetsthe Armyrsquos need for additional training landThere are impacts to many natural resourcesexpected as part of the proposed actionespecially desert tortoise Mitigation has beenproposed to offset the impacts identified in theSFEIS Even taking into account thismitigation however there will still besignificant impacts to threatened andendangered species loss of vegetation coverloss and disruption of soil surfaces and loss ofwilderness characteristics to adjacentwilderness areas

        The decision also restates the Armyrsquos statedcommitment to environmental stewardship byimplementing mitigation and monitoringmeasurers to offset potential adverseenvironmental impacts associated with the

        wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

        preferred alternative as identified in the SFEISand the ROD

        Sign-on A Letter from BiologistsConcerning Science

        in the Endangered Species Act

        Though the letter from the Union of ConcernedScientists has been delivered additional actionmay be needed The letter with 5738signatures was hand-delivered to each senatorrsquosoffice on Wednesday March 8 2006 Severalscientists were in Washington DC topersonally deliver the letter to key senators andtheir staff and to discuss the importance ofscience to species protection In more than adozen additional states scientistsrsquo personalizedcover letters accompanied the biologistsrsquo letterand signatures

        The efforts to protect science in the EndangeredSpecies Act continue and will likely extend intothe next session of Congress Although they donot currently have specific plans anopportunity may arise in the future to re-deliverthe letter with additional signatures If youwould like to add your name for considerationas a letter signer go this page

        httpwwwucsusaorgscientific_integrityrestoringscience-in-the-endangeredhtml

        The letter is open to biologists with or workingtowards an advanced degree In addition on acase-by-case basis we will consider those whohave extensive life experience working in thefield that gives them particular knowledge ofspecies and their habitats Read the letter at

        httpwwwucsusaorgscientific_integrityrestoringbiologists-letter-onhtml

        Recovery Plan RevisionThe First Step - Situation Assessment

        The US Fish and Wildlife Service has securedthe independent assistance and impartialexpertise of the US Institute for EnvironmentalConflict Resolution (Institute) in engagingaffected and interested stakeholders in thecollaborative process to revise the RecoveryPlan for the Mojave Population of the DesertTortoise The Institute will assess thefeasibility of a collaborative approach torecovery planning using the structure ofRegional Working Groups and then ifappropriate designing convening andfacilitating a process aimed at reachingagreement on regional recovery action plansand achieving broad stakeholder support for ascientifically credible recovery plan Allworking group activities will be guided by theBasic Principles for Agency Engagement inEnvironmental Conflict Resolution andCollaborative Problem Solving

        The Institute shall procure and manage theprovision of independent neutral services toinclude assessment process design conveningfacilitation meeting summaries mediation andpossibly other related neutral servicesassociated with conducting and documentingthe Regional Working Group process whichwill be focused on developing consensus-basedregional action plans The Institute willconduct the selection process with participationby interested stakeholders for choosing a teamof third-party neutral contractors to partner withand assist the Institute In addition the Institutewill provide ongoing advice on collaborativeproblem solving to FWS and Regional WorkingGroup participants along with projectmanagement and contractor oversight services

        wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

        PATAGONIAS ENVIRONMENTALGRANTS PROGRAM

        Patagonia (httpwwwpatagoniacom) theoutdoor clothing and gear company providessupport for environ mental work through grantsto nonprofit organizations

        Patagonia funds only environmental work andis most interested in making grants toorganizations that identify and work on the rootcauses of problems and that approach issueswith a commitment to long-term change Thecompany funds work that is action-orientedbuilds public involvement and support isstrategic in its targeting and goals focuses onroot causes accomplishes specific goals andobjectives that can be effectively measured andtakes place in countries where Patagonia hasretail stores or an international office

        The company does not fund organizationswithout 501(c)(3) status or a comparable fiscalsponsor general environ mental educationefforts land acquisition land trusts orconservation easements research (unless it is indirect support of a developed plan for specificaction to alleviate an environmental problem)environmental conferences endowment fundsor political campaigns

        Most grants are in the range of $3000 to$8000 Patagonia accepts proposals forprograms that fit its grant guidelines during themonths of April or August Only one proposalfrom an organization will be considered peryear

        Please note that organizations based in acommunity in which Patagonia has a retail storeor an international office should submit theirrequest to the store Retail store applicationsare accepted year-round

        Visit the Patagonia Web site for completeprogram information and grant applicationprocedures

        Deadline April 30 2006 and August 31 2006

        Request for Proposal link

        httpfconlinefdncenterorgpnd10001676patagonia

        For additional RFPs in Environment visit

        httpfdncenterorgpndrfpcat_environmentjhtml

        wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

        wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

        Desert Tortoise Councilco Doug DuncanPO Box 331Tucson AZ 85702

        Check one MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONRENEWAL CHANGE OF ADDRESSDATE EMAIL ADDRESS NAME PHONE

        (Please Print) (Include Area Code)ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE

        Regular ($1500 per year) Organization ($5500 per year) Contributing ($5000 per year) Lifetime ($300 or more) Student ($1000 per year- Requires endorsement of studentrsquos advisor or Major Professor)

        NEWSLETTER FORMAT Mailed paper copy Pdf file via e-mail E-mail notice for web page viewing

        Make check or money order payable to the Desert Tortoise Counciland send with this application

        to Desert Tortoise Council PO Box 3273Beaumont CA 92223

        The Desert Tortoise Council does not release its membership list

        • Page 1
        • Page 2
        • Page 3
        • Page 4
        • Page 5
        • Page 6
        • Page 7
        • Page 8
        • Page 9
        • Page 10
        • Page 11
        • Page 12

          wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

          15th ANNUAL SURVEYINGMONITORING AND HANDLING

          TECHNIQUES WORKSHOP

          The 15th Annual Surveying Monitoring andHandling Techniques Workshop is scheduledfor November 4 and 5 2006 at the Carriage Innin Ridgecrest CA The workshop is full If you would like to be placed on the waitinglist please contact Tracy or Mike Bailey att racybaileymchsicom Regis t rat ioninformation will be sent out via e-mail in mid-August to those registered The cost of theworkshop is $25000

          The DTC Tortoise Handling Workshops arerecognized by the USFWS and CDFG but acertificate of attendance and participation doesnot guarantee a USFWS or CDFG permitHowever completion of the Workshop shouldhelp with the permitting process

          NEWSLETTERMEMBERSHIP

          For those receiving hard copy newsletters yourmembership expiration date will be in the upperright-hand corner of the label For thosereceiving their newsletter via e-mail we willresearch ways to include membershipexpiration dates if it is not to time-consumingIf we have your e-mail address we will notifyyou via e-mail when your membership hasexpired or is about to expire So when you joinor renew your membership please include acurrent e-mail address Member contactinformation is used solely for Council businessWe also use e-mail for the newsletters andrarely other special announcements Pleasesend change of mailing address or e-mailaddress to either the DTC address or themembership chair (fldhckycoxnet)

          CONSERVATION NEWS

          Federal Indictments filed for IllegalTrafficking of Protected Reptiles

          A cooperative investigation led by US Fishand Wildlife Service Special Agents OregonState Police Arizona Game and FishDepartment wildlife investigators has resultedin federal indictments of nine people in theDistrict of Arizona The indictments stem fromviolations of the Lacey Act that involved theunlawful interstate sale and transport of reptilestaken in violation of state wildlife laws

          Protected live reptiles including Gila monsterswere illegally collected then sold andtransported from Arizona to Oregon and otherstates Service agents and wildlife investigatorsserved several search warrants and conductednumerous interviews as part of theinvestigation To date indictments haveinvolved people from California OregonArizona Texas Nevada and New York

          The Lacey Act prohibits the transportation andsale of wildlife in interstate commerce inviolation of state laws The Lacey Actprovides for felony violations maximumpenalties up to five years imprisonmentandor $250000 in fines

          Gila monsters are protected by Arizona wildlifelaws One of only two venomous lizards in theworld the Gila monster can be found inportions of Arizona California Nevada UtahNew Mexico and Mexico Gila monsters arehighly sought after in the international blackmarket trade of live reptiles and can be valuedup to $3500 for each animal

          wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

          Mojave Max Makes Spring Debut

          Mojave Max the famous southern Nevadadesert tortoise who resides at the Red RockCanyon National Conservation Area officiallyemerged from his burrow at 1132 am April 32006

          The tortoises debut is hailed by hundreds ofstudents in Nevada and California who havebeen studying Mojave Desert weathertemperatures and conditions to scientificallyestimate when Mojave Max would emerge fromhis burrow in 2006 They entered their guesseson line at wwwmojavemaxcom

          The entries are being tabulated and the officialwinner will be announced soon Eligibility forprizes offered in southern California includedstudents in grades 1 to 12 enrolled in schools inImperial Inyo Kern Los Angeles OrangeRiverside San Bernardino and San DiegoCounties

          The Mojave Max Emergence Contest is one ofseveral components of a desert wide tortoiseeducation program being developed by theDesert Managers Group (DMG) to helpstudents learn more about the desert tortoisesaid Anne Staley DMG desert tortoise outreachcoordinator

          The DMG is a consortium of county statefederal and military agencies that work togetherto manage federal and state lands withinsouthern California and frequently deal withissues directly and indirectly related to deserttortoises their habitat and the management ofboth

          Our goal is to get all students in southernCalifornia involved in the contest and oureducational program to learn more about thetortoise which was federally listed as athreatened species in 1990 added Staley

          The Mojave Max Emergence Contest is anexceptional teaching tool that provides a cleartie between the health of the environment andthe species that depend on it said Juan Palmafield manager for the Bureau of LandManagement Las Vegas Field Office

          Like other desert tortoises Mojave Max entersa burrow to brumate (the reptilian form ofhibernation) every winter and emerges everyspring Warmer temperatures longer daylighthours and an internal clock are factors known tocontribute to his emergence every year

          Bureau of Land ManagementGrazing Regulations

          This issue has been covered in previousnewsletters First is the BLMrsquos news releaseand following that is a release from the Centerfor Biological Diversity Ed

          BLM Issues Addendum to Final EISOn Proposed Grazing Regulation Changes

          The Bureau of Land Management recentlyreleased an addendum to its finalEnvironmental Impact Statement (EIS) onproposed regulations that will change theBLMs management of public lands grazingThe addendum and final EIS posted on theBLMrsquos Website conclude that the proposedregulations will produce long-term healthbenefits for public rangelands The proposednew grazing regulations collectively known asa ldquorulerdquo will be finalized in the near future andpublished in the Federal Register

          In producing this addendum the BLMconsidered all comments made on the proposedchanges to our grazing regulations said BLMDirector Kathleen Clarke ldquoThe proposed newregulations when finalized and implementedwill enable the BLM to manage publicrangelands more effectively and efficiently

          wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

          through among other things a better workingrelationship with public lands ranchers Wehave proposed these regulatory changes topromote the long-term health of publicrangelands which are vital to the economy andsocial fabric of Western rural communitiesrdquo

          The BLM published its proposed grazing rulei n D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 3(httpwwwblmgovnhpnewsreleasespages2003pr031205_grazinghtm) The agencyfollowed up with a draft EIS and received morethan 18000 comments on those two documentsduring its public comment period The BLMpublished its final EIS in June 2005(httpwwwblmgovgrazing) after which theagency announced that it would prepare anadditional document to respond to commentsthat came in after the March 2 2004 commentdeadline

          Interior Department Moves to CutConservation and Citizen Participation on

          Western Public Lands

          WASHINGTON DC ndash In another giveaway toindustry the Bureau of Land Management(BLM) is finalizing new rules that would limitpublic oversight of public lands grazing leasesacross millions of acres of the West Theserules are another administration attack on theinfluential National Environmental Policy Act(NEPA) an important law which has protectedthe public interest and environment for morethan 36 years

          Livestock grazing on arid western public landscan be a significant environmental threat towildlife habitat water quality and recreationBLM has proposed to categorically excludelivestock grazing permits from the NEPAanalysis in cases where allotments have beenevaluated and the allotments are determined tobe meeting land health standards Howeverthere is no requirement that thesedeterminations involve standard science-basedmonitoring data or any quantifiable rationaleand there will be no formal opportunity for thepublic to participate in helping to make those

          determinations There will be no analysis ofcumulative effects harm to plants and wildlifeor impacts to imperiled species There is alsono limit to the number of these permits that canbe excluded in any given year which could leadto widespread use of the exclusion

          ldquoBLMrsquos rules are a big threat to westernlandscapes and we will fight themrdquo said GretaAnderson Range Restoration Director with theCenter for Biological Diversity in TucsonArizona ldquoNEPA has provided a way toparticipate in public lands ranching decisionsBLM wants to cut out essential public interestinput and concernsrdquo

          The new rules also propose to excludeldquotemporary non-renewable grazing use permitsrdquofrom NEPA Unfortunately even short-termgrazing can have long-term impacts toecosystems and BLM should be taking a hardlook and analyzing all of the impacts of eventemporary use There are indications that long-lived species such as the desert tortoise arehighly dependent on a few good years in 100 tomaintain their populations Temporary usepermits are often geared to use additionalforage produced in good years Improperlivestock grazing on arid lands accelerateserosion pollutes waterways degrades wildlifehabitat and alters vegetation communities

          Kolkata tortoise Clives petdies at 250 years

          KOLKATA (Reuters) - A giant Aldabra tortoisethought to be around 250 years old has died inthe Kolkata zoo of liver failure authorities saidon Thursday

          The tortoise had been the pet of Robert Clivethe famous British military officer in colonialIndia around the middle of the 18th century alocal minister in West Bengal state said

          Local authorities say the tortoise namedAddwaitya meaning the The One and Onlyin Bengali was the oldest tortoise in the world

          wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

          but they have not presented scientific proof toback up their claim

          Historical records show he was a pet of Britishgeneral Robert Clive of the East IndiaCompany and had spent several years in hissprawling estate before he was brought to thezoo about 130 years ago West Bengal ForestMinister Jogesh Barman said

          We have documents to prove that he was morethan 150 years old but we have pieced togetherother evidence like statements from authenticsources and it seems that he is more than 250years old he said

          The minister said details about Addwaityasearly life showed that British sailors hadbrought him from the Seychelles Islands andpresented him to Clive who was rising fast inthe East India Companys military hierarchy

          On Thursday the tortoises enclosure wore adeserted look This is a sad day for us Wewill miss him very much a zoo keeper said

          Wild Aldabra tortoises are found on AldabraIsland in the Indian Ocean Seychelles IslandsThey average about 120 kg It is believed thattortoises are the longest lived of all animalswith life spans often surpassing 100 years

          Mojave Desert TortoiseMonitoring Report

          The long-awaited monitoring report is nowavailable for review and comment It can bedownloaded as a PDF at

          httpwwwfwsgovnevadadesert_tortoisedt_reportshtml

          The report does not yet include results from the2005 season but these will be incorporated intothe final If you have comments on the reportplease send them to Roy Averill-Murray of theUSFWS Desert Tortoise Recovery Office byApril 29 2006

          Fort Irwin Record of Decision (ROD) forthe Supplemental Final Environmental

          Impact Statement (SFEIS) available

          The Department of the Army announces theavailability of its ROD for the ProposedAddition of Maneuver Training Land at FortIrwin California On 20 January 2006 theArmy published a notice of availability of itsSFEIS The SFEIS reviewed theenvironmental cultural and socioeconomicimpacts of five action alternatives associatedwith the addition of maneuver training land atFort Irwin as well as a No Action (status quo)alternative

          Based on the SFEIS the Army has chosen toimplement Alternative I the EastWestAlternative Under this alternative additionallands totaling about 150510 acres would beadded to the available training lands Thedecision includes training in new areas to theeast and west of the existing Fort Irwin and ina portion of southern Fort Irwin previously off-limits to training Expansion of the maneuverarea of the National Training Center (NTC)provides an extended battle space (land and air)for training Army brigade-sized units accordingto the Armyrsquos training and combat operations

          Alternative I was chosen because it best meetsthe Armyrsquos need for additional training landThere are impacts to many natural resourcesexpected as part of the proposed actionespecially desert tortoise Mitigation has beenproposed to offset the impacts identified in theSFEIS Even taking into account thismitigation however there will still besignificant impacts to threatened andendangered species loss of vegetation coverloss and disruption of soil surfaces and loss ofwilderness characteristics to adjacentwilderness areas

          The decision also restates the Armyrsquos statedcommitment to environmental stewardship byimplementing mitigation and monitoringmeasurers to offset potential adverseenvironmental impacts associated with the

          wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

          preferred alternative as identified in the SFEISand the ROD

          Sign-on A Letter from BiologistsConcerning Science

          in the Endangered Species Act

          Though the letter from the Union of ConcernedScientists has been delivered additional actionmay be needed The letter with 5738signatures was hand-delivered to each senatorrsquosoffice on Wednesday March 8 2006 Severalscientists were in Washington DC topersonally deliver the letter to key senators andtheir staff and to discuss the importance ofscience to species protection In more than adozen additional states scientistsrsquo personalizedcover letters accompanied the biologistsrsquo letterand signatures

          The efforts to protect science in the EndangeredSpecies Act continue and will likely extend intothe next session of Congress Although they donot currently have specific plans anopportunity may arise in the future to re-deliverthe letter with additional signatures If youwould like to add your name for considerationas a letter signer go this page

          httpwwwucsusaorgscientific_integrityrestoringscience-in-the-endangeredhtml

          The letter is open to biologists with or workingtowards an advanced degree In addition on acase-by-case basis we will consider those whohave extensive life experience working in thefield that gives them particular knowledge ofspecies and their habitats Read the letter at

          httpwwwucsusaorgscientific_integrityrestoringbiologists-letter-onhtml

          Recovery Plan RevisionThe First Step - Situation Assessment

          The US Fish and Wildlife Service has securedthe independent assistance and impartialexpertise of the US Institute for EnvironmentalConflict Resolution (Institute) in engagingaffected and interested stakeholders in thecollaborative process to revise the RecoveryPlan for the Mojave Population of the DesertTortoise The Institute will assess thefeasibility of a collaborative approach torecovery planning using the structure ofRegional Working Groups and then ifappropriate designing convening andfacilitating a process aimed at reachingagreement on regional recovery action plansand achieving broad stakeholder support for ascientifically credible recovery plan Allworking group activities will be guided by theBasic Principles for Agency Engagement inEnvironmental Conflict Resolution andCollaborative Problem Solving

          The Institute shall procure and manage theprovision of independent neutral services toinclude assessment process design conveningfacilitation meeting summaries mediation andpossibly other related neutral servicesassociated with conducting and documentingthe Regional Working Group process whichwill be focused on developing consensus-basedregional action plans The Institute willconduct the selection process with participationby interested stakeholders for choosing a teamof third-party neutral contractors to partner withand assist the Institute In addition the Institutewill provide ongoing advice on collaborativeproblem solving to FWS and Regional WorkingGroup participants along with projectmanagement and contractor oversight services

          wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

          PATAGONIAS ENVIRONMENTALGRANTS PROGRAM

          Patagonia (httpwwwpatagoniacom) theoutdoor clothing and gear company providessupport for environ mental work through grantsto nonprofit organizations

          Patagonia funds only environmental work andis most interested in making grants toorganizations that identify and work on the rootcauses of problems and that approach issueswith a commitment to long-term change Thecompany funds work that is action-orientedbuilds public involvement and support isstrategic in its targeting and goals focuses onroot causes accomplishes specific goals andobjectives that can be effectively measured andtakes place in countries where Patagonia hasretail stores or an international office

          The company does not fund organizationswithout 501(c)(3) status or a comparable fiscalsponsor general environ mental educationefforts land acquisition land trusts orconservation easements research (unless it is indirect support of a developed plan for specificaction to alleviate an environmental problem)environmental conferences endowment fundsor political campaigns

          Most grants are in the range of $3000 to$8000 Patagonia accepts proposals forprograms that fit its grant guidelines during themonths of April or August Only one proposalfrom an organization will be considered peryear

          Please note that organizations based in acommunity in which Patagonia has a retail storeor an international office should submit theirrequest to the store Retail store applicationsare accepted year-round

          Visit the Patagonia Web site for completeprogram information and grant applicationprocedures

          Deadline April 30 2006 and August 31 2006

          Request for Proposal link

          httpfconlinefdncenterorgpnd10001676patagonia

          For additional RFPs in Environment visit

          httpfdncenterorgpndrfpcat_environmentjhtml

          wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

          wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

          Desert Tortoise Councilco Doug DuncanPO Box 331Tucson AZ 85702

          Check one MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONRENEWAL CHANGE OF ADDRESSDATE EMAIL ADDRESS NAME PHONE

          (Please Print) (Include Area Code)ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE

          Regular ($1500 per year) Organization ($5500 per year) Contributing ($5000 per year) Lifetime ($300 or more) Student ($1000 per year- Requires endorsement of studentrsquos advisor or Major Professor)

          NEWSLETTER FORMAT Mailed paper copy Pdf file via e-mail E-mail notice for web page viewing

          Make check or money order payable to the Desert Tortoise Counciland send with this application

          to Desert Tortoise Council PO Box 3273Beaumont CA 92223

          The Desert Tortoise Council does not release its membership list

          • Page 1
          • Page 2
          • Page 3
          • Page 4
          • Page 5
          • Page 6
          • Page 7
          • Page 8
          • Page 9
          • Page 10
          • Page 11
          • Page 12

            wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

            Mojave Max Makes Spring Debut

            Mojave Max the famous southern Nevadadesert tortoise who resides at the Red RockCanyon National Conservation Area officiallyemerged from his burrow at 1132 am April 32006

            The tortoises debut is hailed by hundreds ofstudents in Nevada and California who havebeen studying Mojave Desert weathertemperatures and conditions to scientificallyestimate when Mojave Max would emerge fromhis burrow in 2006 They entered their guesseson line at wwwmojavemaxcom

            The entries are being tabulated and the officialwinner will be announced soon Eligibility forprizes offered in southern California includedstudents in grades 1 to 12 enrolled in schools inImperial Inyo Kern Los Angeles OrangeRiverside San Bernardino and San DiegoCounties

            The Mojave Max Emergence Contest is one ofseveral components of a desert wide tortoiseeducation program being developed by theDesert Managers Group (DMG) to helpstudents learn more about the desert tortoisesaid Anne Staley DMG desert tortoise outreachcoordinator

            The DMG is a consortium of county statefederal and military agencies that work togetherto manage federal and state lands withinsouthern California and frequently deal withissues directly and indirectly related to deserttortoises their habitat and the management ofboth

            Our goal is to get all students in southernCalifornia involved in the contest and oureducational program to learn more about thetortoise which was federally listed as athreatened species in 1990 added Staley

            The Mojave Max Emergence Contest is anexceptional teaching tool that provides a cleartie between the health of the environment andthe species that depend on it said Juan Palmafield manager for the Bureau of LandManagement Las Vegas Field Office

            Like other desert tortoises Mojave Max entersa burrow to brumate (the reptilian form ofhibernation) every winter and emerges everyspring Warmer temperatures longer daylighthours and an internal clock are factors known tocontribute to his emergence every year

            Bureau of Land ManagementGrazing Regulations

            This issue has been covered in previousnewsletters First is the BLMrsquos news releaseand following that is a release from the Centerfor Biological Diversity Ed

            BLM Issues Addendum to Final EISOn Proposed Grazing Regulation Changes

            The Bureau of Land Management recentlyreleased an addendum to its finalEnvironmental Impact Statement (EIS) onproposed regulations that will change theBLMs management of public lands grazingThe addendum and final EIS posted on theBLMrsquos Website conclude that the proposedregulations will produce long-term healthbenefits for public rangelands The proposednew grazing regulations collectively known asa ldquorulerdquo will be finalized in the near future andpublished in the Federal Register

            In producing this addendum the BLMconsidered all comments made on the proposedchanges to our grazing regulations said BLMDirector Kathleen Clarke ldquoThe proposed newregulations when finalized and implementedwill enable the BLM to manage publicrangelands more effectively and efficiently

            wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

            through among other things a better workingrelationship with public lands ranchers Wehave proposed these regulatory changes topromote the long-term health of publicrangelands which are vital to the economy andsocial fabric of Western rural communitiesrdquo

            The BLM published its proposed grazing rulei n D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 3(httpwwwblmgovnhpnewsreleasespages2003pr031205_grazinghtm) The agencyfollowed up with a draft EIS and received morethan 18000 comments on those two documentsduring its public comment period The BLMpublished its final EIS in June 2005(httpwwwblmgovgrazing) after which theagency announced that it would prepare anadditional document to respond to commentsthat came in after the March 2 2004 commentdeadline

            Interior Department Moves to CutConservation and Citizen Participation on

            Western Public Lands

            WASHINGTON DC ndash In another giveaway toindustry the Bureau of Land Management(BLM) is finalizing new rules that would limitpublic oversight of public lands grazing leasesacross millions of acres of the West Theserules are another administration attack on theinfluential National Environmental Policy Act(NEPA) an important law which has protectedthe public interest and environment for morethan 36 years

            Livestock grazing on arid western public landscan be a significant environmental threat towildlife habitat water quality and recreationBLM has proposed to categorically excludelivestock grazing permits from the NEPAanalysis in cases where allotments have beenevaluated and the allotments are determined tobe meeting land health standards Howeverthere is no requirement that thesedeterminations involve standard science-basedmonitoring data or any quantifiable rationaleand there will be no formal opportunity for thepublic to participate in helping to make those

            determinations There will be no analysis ofcumulative effects harm to plants and wildlifeor impacts to imperiled species There is alsono limit to the number of these permits that canbe excluded in any given year which could leadto widespread use of the exclusion

            ldquoBLMrsquos rules are a big threat to westernlandscapes and we will fight themrdquo said GretaAnderson Range Restoration Director with theCenter for Biological Diversity in TucsonArizona ldquoNEPA has provided a way toparticipate in public lands ranching decisionsBLM wants to cut out essential public interestinput and concernsrdquo

            The new rules also propose to excludeldquotemporary non-renewable grazing use permitsrdquofrom NEPA Unfortunately even short-termgrazing can have long-term impacts toecosystems and BLM should be taking a hardlook and analyzing all of the impacts of eventemporary use There are indications that long-lived species such as the desert tortoise arehighly dependent on a few good years in 100 tomaintain their populations Temporary usepermits are often geared to use additionalforage produced in good years Improperlivestock grazing on arid lands accelerateserosion pollutes waterways degrades wildlifehabitat and alters vegetation communities

            Kolkata tortoise Clives petdies at 250 years

            KOLKATA (Reuters) - A giant Aldabra tortoisethought to be around 250 years old has died inthe Kolkata zoo of liver failure authorities saidon Thursday

            The tortoise had been the pet of Robert Clivethe famous British military officer in colonialIndia around the middle of the 18th century alocal minister in West Bengal state said

            Local authorities say the tortoise namedAddwaitya meaning the The One and Onlyin Bengali was the oldest tortoise in the world

            wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

            but they have not presented scientific proof toback up their claim

            Historical records show he was a pet of Britishgeneral Robert Clive of the East IndiaCompany and had spent several years in hissprawling estate before he was brought to thezoo about 130 years ago West Bengal ForestMinister Jogesh Barman said

            We have documents to prove that he was morethan 150 years old but we have pieced togetherother evidence like statements from authenticsources and it seems that he is more than 250years old he said

            The minister said details about Addwaityasearly life showed that British sailors hadbrought him from the Seychelles Islands andpresented him to Clive who was rising fast inthe East India Companys military hierarchy

            On Thursday the tortoises enclosure wore adeserted look This is a sad day for us Wewill miss him very much a zoo keeper said

            Wild Aldabra tortoises are found on AldabraIsland in the Indian Ocean Seychelles IslandsThey average about 120 kg It is believed thattortoises are the longest lived of all animalswith life spans often surpassing 100 years

            Mojave Desert TortoiseMonitoring Report

            The long-awaited monitoring report is nowavailable for review and comment It can bedownloaded as a PDF at

            httpwwwfwsgovnevadadesert_tortoisedt_reportshtml

            The report does not yet include results from the2005 season but these will be incorporated intothe final If you have comments on the reportplease send them to Roy Averill-Murray of theUSFWS Desert Tortoise Recovery Office byApril 29 2006

            Fort Irwin Record of Decision (ROD) forthe Supplemental Final Environmental

            Impact Statement (SFEIS) available

            The Department of the Army announces theavailability of its ROD for the ProposedAddition of Maneuver Training Land at FortIrwin California On 20 January 2006 theArmy published a notice of availability of itsSFEIS The SFEIS reviewed theenvironmental cultural and socioeconomicimpacts of five action alternatives associatedwith the addition of maneuver training land atFort Irwin as well as a No Action (status quo)alternative

            Based on the SFEIS the Army has chosen toimplement Alternative I the EastWestAlternative Under this alternative additionallands totaling about 150510 acres would beadded to the available training lands Thedecision includes training in new areas to theeast and west of the existing Fort Irwin and ina portion of southern Fort Irwin previously off-limits to training Expansion of the maneuverarea of the National Training Center (NTC)provides an extended battle space (land and air)for training Army brigade-sized units accordingto the Armyrsquos training and combat operations

            Alternative I was chosen because it best meetsthe Armyrsquos need for additional training landThere are impacts to many natural resourcesexpected as part of the proposed actionespecially desert tortoise Mitigation has beenproposed to offset the impacts identified in theSFEIS Even taking into account thismitigation however there will still besignificant impacts to threatened andendangered species loss of vegetation coverloss and disruption of soil surfaces and loss ofwilderness characteristics to adjacentwilderness areas

            The decision also restates the Armyrsquos statedcommitment to environmental stewardship byimplementing mitigation and monitoringmeasurers to offset potential adverseenvironmental impacts associated with the

            wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

            preferred alternative as identified in the SFEISand the ROD

            Sign-on A Letter from BiologistsConcerning Science

            in the Endangered Species Act

            Though the letter from the Union of ConcernedScientists has been delivered additional actionmay be needed The letter with 5738signatures was hand-delivered to each senatorrsquosoffice on Wednesday March 8 2006 Severalscientists were in Washington DC topersonally deliver the letter to key senators andtheir staff and to discuss the importance ofscience to species protection In more than adozen additional states scientistsrsquo personalizedcover letters accompanied the biologistsrsquo letterand signatures

            The efforts to protect science in the EndangeredSpecies Act continue and will likely extend intothe next session of Congress Although they donot currently have specific plans anopportunity may arise in the future to re-deliverthe letter with additional signatures If youwould like to add your name for considerationas a letter signer go this page

            httpwwwucsusaorgscientific_integrityrestoringscience-in-the-endangeredhtml

            The letter is open to biologists with or workingtowards an advanced degree In addition on acase-by-case basis we will consider those whohave extensive life experience working in thefield that gives them particular knowledge ofspecies and their habitats Read the letter at

            httpwwwucsusaorgscientific_integrityrestoringbiologists-letter-onhtml

            Recovery Plan RevisionThe First Step - Situation Assessment

            The US Fish and Wildlife Service has securedthe independent assistance and impartialexpertise of the US Institute for EnvironmentalConflict Resolution (Institute) in engagingaffected and interested stakeholders in thecollaborative process to revise the RecoveryPlan for the Mojave Population of the DesertTortoise The Institute will assess thefeasibility of a collaborative approach torecovery planning using the structure ofRegional Working Groups and then ifappropriate designing convening andfacilitating a process aimed at reachingagreement on regional recovery action plansand achieving broad stakeholder support for ascientifically credible recovery plan Allworking group activities will be guided by theBasic Principles for Agency Engagement inEnvironmental Conflict Resolution andCollaborative Problem Solving

            The Institute shall procure and manage theprovision of independent neutral services toinclude assessment process design conveningfacilitation meeting summaries mediation andpossibly other related neutral servicesassociated with conducting and documentingthe Regional Working Group process whichwill be focused on developing consensus-basedregional action plans The Institute willconduct the selection process with participationby interested stakeholders for choosing a teamof third-party neutral contractors to partner withand assist the Institute In addition the Institutewill provide ongoing advice on collaborativeproblem solving to FWS and Regional WorkingGroup participants along with projectmanagement and contractor oversight services

            wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

            PATAGONIAS ENVIRONMENTALGRANTS PROGRAM

            Patagonia (httpwwwpatagoniacom) theoutdoor clothing and gear company providessupport for environ mental work through grantsto nonprofit organizations

            Patagonia funds only environmental work andis most interested in making grants toorganizations that identify and work on the rootcauses of problems and that approach issueswith a commitment to long-term change Thecompany funds work that is action-orientedbuilds public involvement and support isstrategic in its targeting and goals focuses onroot causes accomplishes specific goals andobjectives that can be effectively measured andtakes place in countries where Patagonia hasretail stores or an international office

            The company does not fund organizationswithout 501(c)(3) status or a comparable fiscalsponsor general environ mental educationefforts land acquisition land trusts orconservation easements research (unless it is indirect support of a developed plan for specificaction to alleviate an environmental problem)environmental conferences endowment fundsor political campaigns

            Most grants are in the range of $3000 to$8000 Patagonia accepts proposals forprograms that fit its grant guidelines during themonths of April or August Only one proposalfrom an organization will be considered peryear

            Please note that organizations based in acommunity in which Patagonia has a retail storeor an international office should submit theirrequest to the store Retail store applicationsare accepted year-round

            Visit the Patagonia Web site for completeprogram information and grant applicationprocedures

            Deadline April 30 2006 and August 31 2006

            Request for Proposal link

            httpfconlinefdncenterorgpnd10001676patagonia

            For additional RFPs in Environment visit

            httpfdncenterorgpndrfpcat_environmentjhtml

            wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

            wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

            Desert Tortoise Councilco Doug DuncanPO Box 331Tucson AZ 85702

            Check one MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONRENEWAL CHANGE OF ADDRESSDATE EMAIL ADDRESS NAME PHONE

            (Please Print) (Include Area Code)ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE

            Regular ($1500 per year) Organization ($5500 per year) Contributing ($5000 per year) Lifetime ($300 or more) Student ($1000 per year- Requires endorsement of studentrsquos advisor or Major Professor)

            NEWSLETTER FORMAT Mailed paper copy Pdf file via e-mail E-mail notice for web page viewing

            Make check or money order payable to the Desert Tortoise Counciland send with this application

            to Desert Tortoise Council PO Box 3273Beaumont CA 92223

            The Desert Tortoise Council does not release its membership list

            • Page 1
            • Page 2
            • Page 3
            • Page 4
            • Page 5
            • Page 6
            • Page 7
            • Page 8
            • Page 9
            • Page 10
            • Page 11
            • Page 12

              wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

              through among other things a better workingrelationship with public lands ranchers Wehave proposed these regulatory changes topromote the long-term health of publicrangelands which are vital to the economy andsocial fabric of Western rural communitiesrdquo

              The BLM published its proposed grazing rulei n D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 3(httpwwwblmgovnhpnewsreleasespages2003pr031205_grazinghtm) The agencyfollowed up with a draft EIS and received morethan 18000 comments on those two documentsduring its public comment period The BLMpublished its final EIS in June 2005(httpwwwblmgovgrazing) after which theagency announced that it would prepare anadditional document to respond to commentsthat came in after the March 2 2004 commentdeadline

              Interior Department Moves to CutConservation and Citizen Participation on

              Western Public Lands

              WASHINGTON DC ndash In another giveaway toindustry the Bureau of Land Management(BLM) is finalizing new rules that would limitpublic oversight of public lands grazing leasesacross millions of acres of the West Theserules are another administration attack on theinfluential National Environmental Policy Act(NEPA) an important law which has protectedthe public interest and environment for morethan 36 years

              Livestock grazing on arid western public landscan be a significant environmental threat towildlife habitat water quality and recreationBLM has proposed to categorically excludelivestock grazing permits from the NEPAanalysis in cases where allotments have beenevaluated and the allotments are determined tobe meeting land health standards Howeverthere is no requirement that thesedeterminations involve standard science-basedmonitoring data or any quantifiable rationaleand there will be no formal opportunity for thepublic to participate in helping to make those

              determinations There will be no analysis ofcumulative effects harm to plants and wildlifeor impacts to imperiled species There is alsono limit to the number of these permits that canbe excluded in any given year which could leadto widespread use of the exclusion

              ldquoBLMrsquos rules are a big threat to westernlandscapes and we will fight themrdquo said GretaAnderson Range Restoration Director with theCenter for Biological Diversity in TucsonArizona ldquoNEPA has provided a way toparticipate in public lands ranching decisionsBLM wants to cut out essential public interestinput and concernsrdquo

              The new rules also propose to excludeldquotemporary non-renewable grazing use permitsrdquofrom NEPA Unfortunately even short-termgrazing can have long-term impacts toecosystems and BLM should be taking a hardlook and analyzing all of the impacts of eventemporary use There are indications that long-lived species such as the desert tortoise arehighly dependent on a few good years in 100 tomaintain their populations Temporary usepermits are often geared to use additionalforage produced in good years Improperlivestock grazing on arid lands accelerateserosion pollutes waterways degrades wildlifehabitat and alters vegetation communities

              Kolkata tortoise Clives petdies at 250 years

              KOLKATA (Reuters) - A giant Aldabra tortoisethought to be around 250 years old has died inthe Kolkata zoo of liver failure authorities saidon Thursday

              The tortoise had been the pet of Robert Clivethe famous British military officer in colonialIndia around the middle of the 18th century alocal minister in West Bengal state said

              Local authorities say the tortoise namedAddwaitya meaning the The One and Onlyin Bengali was the oldest tortoise in the world

              wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

              but they have not presented scientific proof toback up their claim

              Historical records show he was a pet of Britishgeneral Robert Clive of the East IndiaCompany and had spent several years in hissprawling estate before he was brought to thezoo about 130 years ago West Bengal ForestMinister Jogesh Barman said

              We have documents to prove that he was morethan 150 years old but we have pieced togetherother evidence like statements from authenticsources and it seems that he is more than 250years old he said

              The minister said details about Addwaityasearly life showed that British sailors hadbrought him from the Seychelles Islands andpresented him to Clive who was rising fast inthe East India Companys military hierarchy

              On Thursday the tortoises enclosure wore adeserted look This is a sad day for us Wewill miss him very much a zoo keeper said

              Wild Aldabra tortoises are found on AldabraIsland in the Indian Ocean Seychelles IslandsThey average about 120 kg It is believed thattortoises are the longest lived of all animalswith life spans often surpassing 100 years

              Mojave Desert TortoiseMonitoring Report

              The long-awaited monitoring report is nowavailable for review and comment It can bedownloaded as a PDF at

              httpwwwfwsgovnevadadesert_tortoisedt_reportshtml

              The report does not yet include results from the2005 season but these will be incorporated intothe final If you have comments on the reportplease send them to Roy Averill-Murray of theUSFWS Desert Tortoise Recovery Office byApril 29 2006

              Fort Irwin Record of Decision (ROD) forthe Supplemental Final Environmental

              Impact Statement (SFEIS) available

              The Department of the Army announces theavailability of its ROD for the ProposedAddition of Maneuver Training Land at FortIrwin California On 20 January 2006 theArmy published a notice of availability of itsSFEIS The SFEIS reviewed theenvironmental cultural and socioeconomicimpacts of five action alternatives associatedwith the addition of maneuver training land atFort Irwin as well as a No Action (status quo)alternative

              Based on the SFEIS the Army has chosen toimplement Alternative I the EastWestAlternative Under this alternative additionallands totaling about 150510 acres would beadded to the available training lands Thedecision includes training in new areas to theeast and west of the existing Fort Irwin and ina portion of southern Fort Irwin previously off-limits to training Expansion of the maneuverarea of the National Training Center (NTC)provides an extended battle space (land and air)for training Army brigade-sized units accordingto the Armyrsquos training and combat operations

              Alternative I was chosen because it best meetsthe Armyrsquos need for additional training landThere are impacts to many natural resourcesexpected as part of the proposed actionespecially desert tortoise Mitigation has beenproposed to offset the impacts identified in theSFEIS Even taking into account thismitigation however there will still besignificant impacts to threatened andendangered species loss of vegetation coverloss and disruption of soil surfaces and loss ofwilderness characteristics to adjacentwilderness areas

              The decision also restates the Armyrsquos statedcommitment to environmental stewardship byimplementing mitigation and monitoringmeasurers to offset potential adverseenvironmental impacts associated with the

              wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

              preferred alternative as identified in the SFEISand the ROD

              Sign-on A Letter from BiologistsConcerning Science

              in the Endangered Species Act

              Though the letter from the Union of ConcernedScientists has been delivered additional actionmay be needed The letter with 5738signatures was hand-delivered to each senatorrsquosoffice on Wednesday March 8 2006 Severalscientists were in Washington DC topersonally deliver the letter to key senators andtheir staff and to discuss the importance ofscience to species protection In more than adozen additional states scientistsrsquo personalizedcover letters accompanied the biologistsrsquo letterand signatures

              The efforts to protect science in the EndangeredSpecies Act continue and will likely extend intothe next session of Congress Although they donot currently have specific plans anopportunity may arise in the future to re-deliverthe letter with additional signatures If youwould like to add your name for considerationas a letter signer go this page

              httpwwwucsusaorgscientific_integrityrestoringscience-in-the-endangeredhtml

              The letter is open to biologists with or workingtowards an advanced degree In addition on acase-by-case basis we will consider those whohave extensive life experience working in thefield that gives them particular knowledge ofspecies and their habitats Read the letter at

              httpwwwucsusaorgscientific_integrityrestoringbiologists-letter-onhtml

              Recovery Plan RevisionThe First Step - Situation Assessment

              The US Fish and Wildlife Service has securedthe independent assistance and impartialexpertise of the US Institute for EnvironmentalConflict Resolution (Institute) in engagingaffected and interested stakeholders in thecollaborative process to revise the RecoveryPlan for the Mojave Population of the DesertTortoise The Institute will assess thefeasibility of a collaborative approach torecovery planning using the structure ofRegional Working Groups and then ifappropriate designing convening andfacilitating a process aimed at reachingagreement on regional recovery action plansand achieving broad stakeholder support for ascientifically credible recovery plan Allworking group activities will be guided by theBasic Principles for Agency Engagement inEnvironmental Conflict Resolution andCollaborative Problem Solving

              The Institute shall procure and manage theprovision of independent neutral services toinclude assessment process design conveningfacilitation meeting summaries mediation andpossibly other related neutral servicesassociated with conducting and documentingthe Regional Working Group process whichwill be focused on developing consensus-basedregional action plans The Institute willconduct the selection process with participationby interested stakeholders for choosing a teamof third-party neutral contractors to partner withand assist the Institute In addition the Institutewill provide ongoing advice on collaborativeproblem solving to FWS and Regional WorkingGroup participants along with projectmanagement and contractor oversight services

              wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

              PATAGONIAS ENVIRONMENTALGRANTS PROGRAM

              Patagonia (httpwwwpatagoniacom) theoutdoor clothing and gear company providessupport for environ mental work through grantsto nonprofit organizations

              Patagonia funds only environmental work andis most interested in making grants toorganizations that identify and work on the rootcauses of problems and that approach issueswith a commitment to long-term change Thecompany funds work that is action-orientedbuilds public involvement and support isstrategic in its targeting and goals focuses onroot causes accomplishes specific goals andobjectives that can be effectively measured andtakes place in countries where Patagonia hasretail stores or an international office

              The company does not fund organizationswithout 501(c)(3) status or a comparable fiscalsponsor general environ mental educationefforts land acquisition land trusts orconservation easements research (unless it is indirect support of a developed plan for specificaction to alleviate an environmental problem)environmental conferences endowment fundsor political campaigns

              Most grants are in the range of $3000 to$8000 Patagonia accepts proposals forprograms that fit its grant guidelines during themonths of April or August Only one proposalfrom an organization will be considered peryear

              Please note that organizations based in acommunity in which Patagonia has a retail storeor an international office should submit theirrequest to the store Retail store applicationsare accepted year-round

              Visit the Patagonia Web site for completeprogram information and grant applicationprocedures

              Deadline April 30 2006 and August 31 2006

              Request for Proposal link

              httpfconlinefdncenterorgpnd10001676patagonia

              For additional RFPs in Environment visit

              httpfdncenterorgpndrfpcat_environmentjhtml

              wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

              wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

              Desert Tortoise Councilco Doug DuncanPO Box 331Tucson AZ 85702

              Check one MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONRENEWAL CHANGE OF ADDRESSDATE EMAIL ADDRESS NAME PHONE

              (Please Print) (Include Area Code)ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE

              Regular ($1500 per year) Organization ($5500 per year) Contributing ($5000 per year) Lifetime ($300 or more) Student ($1000 per year- Requires endorsement of studentrsquos advisor or Major Professor)

              NEWSLETTER FORMAT Mailed paper copy Pdf file via e-mail E-mail notice for web page viewing

              Make check or money order payable to the Desert Tortoise Counciland send with this application

              to Desert Tortoise Council PO Box 3273Beaumont CA 92223

              The Desert Tortoise Council does not release its membership list

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                wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

                but they have not presented scientific proof toback up their claim

                Historical records show he was a pet of Britishgeneral Robert Clive of the East IndiaCompany and had spent several years in hissprawling estate before he was brought to thezoo about 130 years ago West Bengal ForestMinister Jogesh Barman said

                We have documents to prove that he was morethan 150 years old but we have pieced togetherother evidence like statements from authenticsources and it seems that he is more than 250years old he said

                The minister said details about Addwaityasearly life showed that British sailors hadbrought him from the Seychelles Islands andpresented him to Clive who was rising fast inthe East India Companys military hierarchy

                On Thursday the tortoises enclosure wore adeserted look This is a sad day for us Wewill miss him very much a zoo keeper said

                Wild Aldabra tortoises are found on AldabraIsland in the Indian Ocean Seychelles IslandsThey average about 120 kg It is believed thattortoises are the longest lived of all animalswith life spans often surpassing 100 years

                Mojave Desert TortoiseMonitoring Report

                The long-awaited monitoring report is nowavailable for review and comment It can bedownloaded as a PDF at

                httpwwwfwsgovnevadadesert_tortoisedt_reportshtml

                The report does not yet include results from the2005 season but these will be incorporated intothe final If you have comments on the reportplease send them to Roy Averill-Murray of theUSFWS Desert Tortoise Recovery Office byApril 29 2006

                Fort Irwin Record of Decision (ROD) forthe Supplemental Final Environmental

                Impact Statement (SFEIS) available

                The Department of the Army announces theavailability of its ROD for the ProposedAddition of Maneuver Training Land at FortIrwin California On 20 January 2006 theArmy published a notice of availability of itsSFEIS The SFEIS reviewed theenvironmental cultural and socioeconomicimpacts of five action alternatives associatedwith the addition of maneuver training land atFort Irwin as well as a No Action (status quo)alternative

                Based on the SFEIS the Army has chosen toimplement Alternative I the EastWestAlternative Under this alternative additionallands totaling about 150510 acres would beadded to the available training lands Thedecision includes training in new areas to theeast and west of the existing Fort Irwin and ina portion of southern Fort Irwin previously off-limits to training Expansion of the maneuverarea of the National Training Center (NTC)provides an extended battle space (land and air)for training Army brigade-sized units accordingto the Armyrsquos training and combat operations

                Alternative I was chosen because it best meetsthe Armyrsquos need for additional training landThere are impacts to many natural resourcesexpected as part of the proposed actionespecially desert tortoise Mitigation has beenproposed to offset the impacts identified in theSFEIS Even taking into account thismitigation however there will still besignificant impacts to threatened andendangered species loss of vegetation coverloss and disruption of soil surfaces and loss ofwilderness characteristics to adjacentwilderness areas

                The decision also restates the Armyrsquos statedcommitment to environmental stewardship byimplementing mitigation and monitoringmeasurers to offset potential adverseenvironmental impacts associated with the

                wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

                preferred alternative as identified in the SFEISand the ROD

                Sign-on A Letter from BiologistsConcerning Science

                in the Endangered Species Act

                Though the letter from the Union of ConcernedScientists has been delivered additional actionmay be needed The letter with 5738signatures was hand-delivered to each senatorrsquosoffice on Wednesday March 8 2006 Severalscientists were in Washington DC topersonally deliver the letter to key senators andtheir staff and to discuss the importance ofscience to species protection In more than adozen additional states scientistsrsquo personalizedcover letters accompanied the biologistsrsquo letterand signatures

                The efforts to protect science in the EndangeredSpecies Act continue and will likely extend intothe next session of Congress Although they donot currently have specific plans anopportunity may arise in the future to re-deliverthe letter with additional signatures If youwould like to add your name for considerationas a letter signer go this page

                httpwwwucsusaorgscientific_integrityrestoringscience-in-the-endangeredhtml

                The letter is open to biologists with or workingtowards an advanced degree In addition on acase-by-case basis we will consider those whohave extensive life experience working in thefield that gives them particular knowledge ofspecies and their habitats Read the letter at

                httpwwwucsusaorgscientific_integrityrestoringbiologists-letter-onhtml

                Recovery Plan RevisionThe First Step - Situation Assessment

                The US Fish and Wildlife Service has securedthe independent assistance and impartialexpertise of the US Institute for EnvironmentalConflict Resolution (Institute) in engagingaffected and interested stakeholders in thecollaborative process to revise the RecoveryPlan for the Mojave Population of the DesertTortoise The Institute will assess thefeasibility of a collaborative approach torecovery planning using the structure ofRegional Working Groups and then ifappropriate designing convening andfacilitating a process aimed at reachingagreement on regional recovery action plansand achieving broad stakeholder support for ascientifically credible recovery plan Allworking group activities will be guided by theBasic Principles for Agency Engagement inEnvironmental Conflict Resolution andCollaborative Problem Solving

                The Institute shall procure and manage theprovision of independent neutral services toinclude assessment process design conveningfacilitation meeting summaries mediation andpossibly other related neutral servicesassociated with conducting and documentingthe Regional Working Group process whichwill be focused on developing consensus-basedregional action plans The Institute willconduct the selection process with participationby interested stakeholders for choosing a teamof third-party neutral contractors to partner withand assist the Institute In addition the Institutewill provide ongoing advice on collaborativeproblem solving to FWS and Regional WorkingGroup participants along with projectmanagement and contractor oversight services

                wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

                PATAGONIAS ENVIRONMENTALGRANTS PROGRAM

                Patagonia (httpwwwpatagoniacom) theoutdoor clothing and gear company providessupport for environ mental work through grantsto nonprofit organizations

                Patagonia funds only environmental work andis most interested in making grants toorganizations that identify and work on the rootcauses of problems and that approach issueswith a commitment to long-term change Thecompany funds work that is action-orientedbuilds public involvement and support isstrategic in its targeting and goals focuses onroot causes accomplishes specific goals andobjectives that can be effectively measured andtakes place in countries where Patagonia hasretail stores or an international office

                The company does not fund organizationswithout 501(c)(3) status or a comparable fiscalsponsor general environ mental educationefforts land acquisition land trusts orconservation easements research (unless it is indirect support of a developed plan for specificaction to alleviate an environmental problem)environmental conferences endowment fundsor political campaigns

                Most grants are in the range of $3000 to$8000 Patagonia accepts proposals forprograms that fit its grant guidelines during themonths of April or August Only one proposalfrom an organization will be considered peryear

                Please note that organizations based in acommunity in which Patagonia has a retail storeor an international office should submit theirrequest to the store Retail store applicationsare accepted year-round

                Visit the Patagonia Web site for completeprogram information and grant applicationprocedures

                Deadline April 30 2006 and August 31 2006

                Request for Proposal link

                httpfconlinefdncenterorgpnd10001676patagonia

                For additional RFPs in Environment visit

                httpfdncenterorgpndrfpcat_environmentjhtml

                wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

                wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

                Desert Tortoise Councilco Doug DuncanPO Box 331Tucson AZ 85702

                Check one MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONRENEWAL CHANGE OF ADDRESSDATE EMAIL ADDRESS NAME PHONE

                (Please Print) (Include Area Code)ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE

                Regular ($1500 per year) Organization ($5500 per year) Contributing ($5000 per year) Lifetime ($300 or more) Student ($1000 per year- Requires endorsement of studentrsquos advisor or Major Professor)

                NEWSLETTER FORMAT Mailed paper copy Pdf file via e-mail E-mail notice for web page viewing

                Make check or money order payable to the Desert Tortoise Counciland send with this application

                to Desert Tortoise Council PO Box 3273Beaumont CA 92223

                The Desert Tortoise Council does not release its membership list

                • Page 1
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                  wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

                  preferred alternative as identified in the SFEISand the ROD

                  Sign-on A Letter from BiologistsConcerning Science

                  in the Endangered Species Act

                  Though the letter from the Union of ConcernedScientists has been delivered additional actionmay be needed The letter with 5738signatures was hand-delivered to each senatorrsquosoffice on Wednesday March 8 2006 Severalscientists were in Washington DC topersonally deliver the letter to key senators andtheir staff and to discuss the importance ofscience to species protection In more than adozen additional states scientistsrsquo personalizedcover letters accompanied the biologistsrsquo letterand signatures

                  The efforts to protect science in the EndangeredSpecies Act continue and will likely extend intothe next session of Congress Although they donot currently have specific plans anopportunity may arise in the future to re-deliverthe letter with additional signatures If youwould like to add your name for considerationas a letter signer go this page

                  httpwwwucsusaorgscientific_integrityrestoringscience-in-the-endangeredhtml

                  The letter is open to biologists with or workingtowards an advanced degree In addition on acase-by-case basis we will consider those whohave extensive life experience working in thefield that gives them particular knowledge ofspecies and their habitats Read the letter at

                  httpwwwucsusaorgscientific_integrityrestoringbiologists-letter-onhtml

                  Recovery Plan RevisionThe First Step - Situation Assessment

                  The US Fish and Wildlife Service has securedthe independent assistance and impartialexpertise of the US Institute for EnvironmentalConflict Resolution (Institute) in engagingaffected and interested stakeholders in thecollaborative process to revise the RecoveryPlan for the Mojave Population of the DesertTortoise The Institute will assess thefeasibility of a collaborative approach torecovery planning using the structure ofRegional Working Groups and then ifappropriate designing convening andfacilitating a process aimed at reachingagreement on regional recovery action plansand achieving broad stakeholder support for ascientifically credible recovery plan Allworking group activities will be guided by theBasic Principles for Agency Engagement inEnvironmental Conflict Resolution andCollaborative Problem Solving

                  The Institute shall procure and manage theprovision of independent neutral services toinclude assessment process design conveningfacilitation meeting summaries mediation andpossibly other related neutral servicesassociated with conducting and documentingthe Regional Working Group process whichwill be focused on developing consensus-basedregional action plans The Institute willconduct the selection process with participationby interested stakeholders for choosing a teamof third-party neutral contractors to partner withand assist the Institute In addition the Institutewill provide ongoing advice on collaborativeproblem solving to FWS and Regional WorkingGroup participants along with projectmanagement and contractor oversight services

                  wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

                  PATAGONIAS ENVIRONMENTALGRANTS PROGRAM

                  Patagonia (httpwwwpatagoniacom) theoutdoor clothing and gear company providessupport for environ mental work through grantsto nonprofit organizations

                  Patagonia funds only environmental work andis most interested in making grants toorganizations that identify and work on the rootcauses of problems and that approach issueswith a commitment to long-term change Thecompany funds work that is action-orientedbuilds public involvement and support isstrategic in its targeting and goals focuses onroot causes accomplishes specific goals andobjectives that can be effectively measured andtakes place in countries where Patagonia hasretail stores or an international office

                  The company does not fund organizationswithout 501(c)(3) status or a comparable fiscalsponsor general environ mental educationefforts land acquisition land trusts orconservation easements research (unless it is indirect support of a developed plan for specificaction to alleviate an environmental problem)environmental conferences endowment fundsor political campaigns

                  Most grants are in the range of $3000 to$8000 Patagonia accepts proposals forprograms that fit its grant guidelines during themonths of April or August Only one proposalfrom an organization will be considered peryear

                  Please note that organizations based in acommunity in which Patagonia has a retail storeor an international office should submit theirrequest to the store Retail store applicationsare accepted year-round

                  Visit the Patagonia Web site for completeprogram information and grant applicationprocedures

                  Deadline April 30 2006 and August 31 2006

                  Request for Proposal link

                  httpfconlinefdncenterorgpnd10001676patagonia

                  For additional RFPs in Environment visit

                  httpfdncenterorgpndrfpcat_environmentjhtml

                  wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

                  wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

                  Desert Tortoise Councilco Doug DuncanPO Box 331Tucson AZ 85702

                  Check one MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONRENEWAL CHANGE OF ADDRESSDATE EMAIL ADDRESS NAME PHONE

                  (Please Print) (Include Area Code)ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE

                  Regular ($1500 per year) Organization ($5500 per year) Contributing ($5000 per year) Lifetime ($300 or more) Student ($1000 per year- Requires endorsement of studentrsquos advisor or Major Professor)

                  NEWSLETTER FORMAT Mailed paper copy Pdf file via e-mail E-mail notice for web page viewing

                  Make check or money order payable to the Desert Tortoise Counciland send with this application

                  to Desert Tortoise Council PO Box 3273Beaumont CA 92223

                  The Desert Tortoise Council does not release its membership list

                  • Page 1
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                    wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

                    PATAGONIAS ENVIRONMENTALGRANTS PROGRAM

                    Patagonia (httpwwwpatagoniacom) theoutdoor clothing and gear company providessupport for environ mental work through grantsto nonprofit organizations

                    Patagonia funds only environmental work andis most interested in making grants toorganizations that identify and work on the rootcauses of problems and that approach issueswith a commitment to long-term change Thecompany funds work that is action-orientedbuilds public involvement and support isstrategic in its targeting and goals focuses onroot causes accomplishes specific goals andobjectives that can be effectively measured andtakes place in countries where Patagonia hasretail stores or an international office

                    The company does not fund organizationswithout 501(c)(3) status or a comparable fiscalsponsor general environ mental educationefforts land acquisition land trusts orconservation easements research (unless it is indirect support of a developed plan for specificaction to alleviate an environmental problem)environmental conferences endowment fundsor political campaigns

                    Most grants are in the range of $3000 to$8000 Patagonia accepts proposals forprograms that fit its grant guidelines during themonths of April or August Only one proposalfrom an organization will be considered peryear

                    Please note that organizations based in acommunity in which Patagonia has a retail storeor an international office should submit theirrequest to the store Retail store applicationsare accepted year-round

                    Visit the Patagonia Web site for completeprogram information and grant applicationprocedures

                    Deadline April 30 2006 and August 31 2006

                    Request for Proposal link

                    httpfconlinefdncenterorgpnd10001676patagonia

                    For additional RFPs in Environment visit

                    httpfdncenterorgpndrfpcat_environmentjhtml

                    wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

                    wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

                    Desert Tortoise Councilco Doug DuncanPO Box 331Tucson AZ 85702

                    Check one MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONRENEWAL CHANGE OF ADDRESSDATE EMAIL ADDRESS NAME PHONE

                    (Please Print) (Include Area Code)ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE

                    Regular ($1500 per year) Organization ($5500 per year) Contributing ($5000 per year) Lifetime ($300 or more) Student ($1000 per year- Requires endorsement of studentrsquos advisor or Major Professor)

                    NEWSLETTER FORMAT Mailed paper copy Pdf file via e-mail E-mail notice for web page viewing

                    Make check or money order payable to the Desert Tortoise Counciland send with this application

                    to Desert Tortoise Council PO Box 3273Beaumont CA 92223

                    The Desert Tortoise Council does not release its membership list

                    • Page 1
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                      wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

                      wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

                      Desert Tortoise Councilco Doug DuncanPO Box 331Tucson AZ 85702

                      Check one MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONRENEWAL CHANGE OF ADDRESSDATE EMAIL ADDRESS NAME PHONE

                      (Please Print) (Include Area Code)ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE

                      Regular ($1500 per year) Organization ($5500 per year) Contributing ($5000 per year) Lifetime ($300 or more) Student ($1000 per year- Requires endorsement of studentrsquos advisor or Major Professor)

                      NEWSLETTER FORMAT Mailed paper copy Pdf file via e-mail E-mail notice for web page viewing

                      Make check or money order payable to the Desert Tortoise Counciland send with this application

                      to Desert Tortoise Council PO Box 3273Beaumont CA 92223

                      The Desert Tortoise Council does not release its membership list

                      • Page 1
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                        wwwdeserttortoiseorgwwwdeserttortoiseorg

                        Desert Tortoise Councilco Doug DuncanPO Box 331Tucson AZ 85702

                        Check one MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONRENEWAL CHANGE OF ADDRESSDATE EMAIL ADDRESS NAME PHONE

                        (Please Print) (Include Area Code)ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE

                        Regular ($1500 per year) Organization ($5500 per year) Contributing ($5000 per year) Lifetime ($300 or more) Student ($1000 per year- Requires endorsement of studentrsquos advisor or Major Professor)

                        NEWSLETTER FORMAT Mailed paper copy Pdf file via e-mail E-mail notice for web page viewing

                        Make check or money order payable to the Desert Tortoise Counciland send with this application

                        to Desert Tortoise Council PO Box 3273Beaumont CA 92223

                        The Desert Tortoise Council does not release its membership list

                        • Page 1
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