U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management California Desert District Advisory Council Reporter's Transcript of Proceedings 02/25/2017 Job #: 95718 (818)988-1900 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT CALIFORNIA DESERT DISTRICT ADVISORY COUNCIL REPORTER'S TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 JOB NO. 95718 REPORTED BY: DIANE CARVER MANN, CLR, CSR NO. 6008 Personal Court Reporters, Inc. Page: 1 (1) Page 2 Page 4 1 MEETING OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF 1 A G E N D A 2 LAND MANAGEMENT CALIFORNIA DESERT DISTRICT ADVISORY 2 3 COUNCIL AT 1511 EAST MAIN STREET, BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA, 3 AGENDA ITEM: PAGE: 4 COMMENCING AT 8:09 A.M. ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017, 4 WELCOME/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, INTRODUCTIONS, APPROVAL OF MAY 2016 MEETING TRANSCRIPT, REVIEW 5 BEFORE DIANE CARVER MANN, 5 OF AGENDA AND PROCEDURES FOR PUBLIC COMMENT 6 6 CSR NO. 6008. 6 CDD DISTRICT MANAGER REPORT, BETH RANSEL, DISTRICT MANAGER 13 7 7 ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS AND CHAIR 8 APPEARANCES 8 CLOSE-OUTS FROM PREVIOUS MEETING(S) 25 9 9 PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR DAC TO CONSIDER ITEMS FOR FUTURE 10 MEMBERS PRESENT: REPRESENTING: 10 AGENDAS 28 11 RANDY BANIS, CHAIR RECREATION 11 DAC SUBGROUPS - REPORTS 67 (RECEIVED GAVEL AFTER 12 MORNING BREAK) 12 DAC QUESTIONS/COMMENTS ON SO/DM/FO/SUBGROUP REPORTS 71 13 ROBERT BURKE, VICE CHAIR PUBLIC AT LARGE 13 PUBLIC QUESTIONS/COMMENTS ON SO/DM/FO/SUBGROUP 14 LESLIE BARRETT RENEWABLE RESOURCES 14 REPORTS 74 15 MICHELLE LONG TRANSPORTATION/RIGHTS OF WAY 15 MORNING BREAK 78 16 NATHAN FRANCIS NONRENEWABLE RESOURCES 16 PRESENTATION ON PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCE PROTECTION ACT (PRPA), PHIL GENSLER, BLM 79 17 MARIANA MAGUIRE PUBLIC AT LARGE 17 DAC DISCUSSION ON PRPA PRESENTATION 86 18 ROBERT ROBINSON TRIBAL INTERESTS 18 PUBLIC QUESTIONS/COMMENTS ON PRPA PRESENTATION 92 19 AL MUTH, VICE-CHAIR WILDLIFE 19 MOJAVE TRAILS NATIONAL MONUMENT PLANNING UPDATE, 20 JAMES KENNEY PUBLIC AT LARGE 20 KYLE SULLIVAN, BLM 107 21 WILLIAM "BILLY" MITCHELL RENEWABLE RESOURCES 21 DAC DISCUSSION ON MOJAVE TRAILS N.M. UPDATE 116 22 FRAZIER HANEY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 22 LUNCH BREAK 140 23 BETH RANSEL DESERT DISTRICT MANAGER 23 DRECP IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE, RUSSELL SCOFIELD, BLM 141 24 \\\ 24 DAC DISCUSSION ON DRECP UPDATE 152 25 25 PUBLIC QUESTIONS/COMMENTS ON DRECP UPDATE 180 Page 3 Page 5 1 APPEARANCES - CONTINUED 1 AGENDA - CONTINUED 2 2 ITEM: PAGE: 3 MEMBERS OF THE BLM PRESENT: 3 DRECP IMPLEMENTATION SUBGROUP VS. SUBCOMMITTEE DISCUSSION 196 4 STEPHEN RAZO, EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR, CDD 4 DAC DISCUSSION ON DRECP IMPLEMENTATION 152 5 JENNIFER WOHLGEMUTH, DISTRICT MANAGER STAFF ASSISTANT 5 PUBLIC QUESTIONS/COMMENTS ON DRECP IMPLEMENTATION 203 6 CARL SYMONS, RIDGECREST FIELD MANAGER 6 AFTERNOON BREAK 211 7 KATRINA SYMONS, BARSTOW FIELD MANAGER 7 OWLSHEAD GPS MAP APP DEMO 212 8 MIKE AHRENS, NEEDLES FIELD MANAGER 8 DAC DISCUSSION ON OWLSHEAD APP 219 9 BEN GRUBER, ASSOCIATE DESERT DISTRICT MANAGER 9 PUBLIC QUESTIONS/COMMENTS ON OWLSHEAD APP 221 10 10 WRAP-UP AND SUMMARY, INCLUDING DISCUSSION OF 11 11 THEMES AND AGENDA TOPICS FOR NEXT MEETING. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS, COUNCIL QUESTIONS/COMMENTS 12 12 ON DM/FO REPORTS 225 13 13 ADJOURN 231 14 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 19 20 20 21 21 22 22 23 23 24 24 25 25 Personal Court Reporters, Inc. Page: 2 (2 - 5) Page 6 Page 8 1 BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA; SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 1 words as well? 2 8:09 A.M. 2 CHAIR BARRETT: Certainly. 3 P-R-O-C-E-E-D-I-N-G-S 3 DISTRICT MANAGER RANSEL: I just want to say a 4 CHAIR BARRETT: Thank you all for coming and on 4 couple of words as well. I didn't work with 5 somewhat short notice and all, so we're really pleased 5 Supervisor Benoit for very long, but everybody that I've 6 to see quite a turnout. And thank you. 6 ever interacted with, when his name has come up, has had 7 So we're going to start this morning with the 7 nothing but positive things to say about his 8 Pledge of Allegiance. I'm going to ask Jim, actually, 8 contribution to everything that he's been involved with. 9 if he doesn't mind leading us in the Pledge of 9 And, like Randy was talking about, when his name comes 10 Allegiance, if you don't mind standing. 10 up, people talk about the way that he was able to 11 (The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.) 11 balance the different interests so artfully and with 12 CHAIR BARRETT: I'm going to digress just for a 12 skill and presence. And so for that we definitely thank 13 little bit. In fact I think a few of us want to make a 13 him. 14 couple of words about one of our ex-DAC members, 14 And so on behalf of the BLM I thank him for his 15 Supervisor Benoit, who passed away since the last DAC 15 service on this DAC but also on his service in his 16 meeting. And obviously we're very, very sad to have 16 position as supervisor and all the interactions and the 17 lost such a distinguished gentleman, somebody who helped 17 legacy that he leaves behind. So we definitely thank 18 us tremendously for the short time he was here but also 18 him for his service. 19 who made a huge impact on his district and for many 19 CHAIR BARRETT: Thank you, Beth. And although 20 other areas that he was involved in before. 20 our time here is somewhat short -- I'm sorry, Bob. 21 I'd like to, if you don't mind, just if there's 21 Would you like to say something as well, please. 22 a couple of words some of our members would like to say 22 MEMBER BURKE: Yeah. Not only was John an 23 about our ex-colleague, that would be great, and maybe 23 awesome supervisor, friend and so on, he also served the 24 we could follow with a few minutes of silence. Randy, I 24 State of California as a highway patrolman, and he 25 know you'd like to say something. 25 retired from there, and he will be greatly missed. Page 7 Page 9 1 MEMBER BANIS: I'd like that. You know, 1 CHAIR BARRETT: Thank you. And anyone else? 2 John Benoit was with us for a few meetings last year, 2 If not, so I was saying our time is somewhat short, 3 and his impact was felt at the very first meeting that 3 especially our time on this council, but we're somewhat 4 he attended. The DAC visited a field trip to a location 4 the changing of the guards to some extent today in that 5 that had a proposed action, and all of us, all of us 5 we invite a number of new council members here. And if 6 were incensed about it. Oh, my, were we up in arms 6 we can just digress for just a little second, I would 7 about it. And then we came back to the DAC meeting the 7 love if some of the newer council members would offer 8 next day, and a motion was put forward to oppose that 8 just a little brief bio who they are, where they come 9 action, boom, just like that. 9 from and their interest, of course in the desert. That 10 And John reminded us that hearing from all 10 would be wonderful. 11 sides on an issue is not only important so that we have 11 Who would like to start? Okay. Thank you, 12 the most information possible for us to be able to 12 Frazier. 13 consider in giving our advice to the BLM, but it's not 13 MEMBER HANEY: Good morning. My name is 14 just about getting the most information; it's about 14 Frazier Haney, and I live in Joshua Tree. I've lived in 15 fairness. And I think that's important for us to 15 Joshua Tree for most of my life. I grew up there, went 16 remember as we go forward in deliberating the issues and 16 away to school, worked in White Water Canyon for seven 17 hearing from the public and everyone in our 17 or eight years, if people are familiar with the preserve 18 constituencies that we can reach out to. So thank you, 18 down there by Palm Springs, have been up in 19 John, for that lesson, and I'll miss you for that. 19 Northern California for a stretch and then about three 20 CHAIR BARRETT: Thank you, Randy. And hearing 20 and a half years ago moved back into the house I grew up 21 no other comments, if we don't mind just a moment of 21 in in Joshua Tree to start work as a conservation 22 silence for passing of our ex-council member. 22 director at the Mojave Desert Land Trust. 23 (A moment of silence was held in memory of John Benoit.) 23 So for me I've been coming out to enjoy the 24 CHAIR BARRETT: Thank you. 24 desert and work in conservation for my whole career and 25 DISTRICT MANAGER RANSEL: Can I say a couple of 25 my whole life, and I'm really happy to be here in the Personal Court Reporters, Inc.