Friday, May 1, 2009

May 2009

{FMWC} E-Newsletter – May 2009

FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS COALITION
http://www.franklinmountains.org/


Next Meeting:
Wednesday, May 20, 2009

New Meeting Place and Time

Our meeting this month will be held at the El Paso Public Library’s Main Branch located downtown at 501 N. Oregon St. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Maud Sullivan Gallery. The main branch’s location map and parking information are available online at:
http://www.elpasotexas.gov/library/ourlibraries/main_library/main_library.asp

This meeting’s agenda concerns important issues, such as the status of the preservation of Castner Range, conservation conveyance and funding, about which critical decisions must be made. We strongly encourage individual members to attend and for each member organization to send at least one representative. We hope and need to see you there!


Recent Events

Land Transfer: A Land Transfer Ceremony was held in April in Northeast El Paso to mark the transfer of 1,659 acres of PSB land to Texas Parks and Wildlife to expand Franklin Mountains State Park. Great news!

Earth Day: On April 22nd, FMWC participated in the first Earth Day event sponsored by the Eco-Club at El Paso Community College Rio Grande Campus. The event was well organized and many students and staff attended. We sold T-shirts, postcards and signed up many potential members. Our e-mail distribution list now has over 400 members! Please let us know if you hear of future events where we can set up our display.

Loop 375 Underpass: Our thanks to Rick Bonart, et.al. for their work on drainage erosion control leading to cooperation between TxDOT and TPWD on an agreement for a future park trail following completion of construction of the TxDOT project. Construction is anticipated late this calendar year or possibly spring next year. As Charlie Wakeem puts it, “Rick accomplished this project ... through persistence and dedication to quality open space and recreation for our community. He was able to bring TexDOT and TPWD together to make it happen. We all should learn from him. “


Cactus Rustling: Rick LoBello recently traveled to Austin at Senator Shapleigh’s request to testify in support of the Senator’s Plant Protection Bill, SB212, which was approved by committee and is now progressing through the Legislature. Show your support to Senator Shapleigh on this matter by contacting him at http://shapleigh.org/ . More information about this issue can be found at www.chihuahuandesert.org. Another good article, John Pickrell’s “Cactus Smugglers Threatening Desert Ecosystems” can be found at http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/04/0421_030421_cactus.html

There was initially some confusion as to whether Rich would be able to testify before the committee. He was eventually able to and has been kind enough to supply us with the gist of it. His words about desert plants and wildlife touch us all and provide good talking points should you wish to contact your elected representatives:

“I would like to offer my full support for SB 212 relating to the sale or transport of certain desert plants in Texas. I came today with the support of many people who care about our desert including members of the Native Plant Society of El Paso, the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition, the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition, Frontera Land Alliance and the El Paso Zoo Conservation Committee.

I believe that it is critical to the future of Texas in protecting our natural environment that SB 212 be passed into law. To illustrate the urgency of this legislation I am attaching pictures of a truck recently seen near Sierra Blanca, Texas that was loaded with ocotillo plants headed for Arizona. The people who are involved with this industry are clear cutting our desert and removing large areas of ocotillo and yucca forests as well as the microbial crust layer of soil so important to plant regeneration. In some areas the damage to our desert is so severe that it may never be able to recover back to its natural state and when the soil is removed with the plants, many other species of animals and plants are severely impacted.

Over the past 35 years I have been actively working as an educator, park ranger, researcher and park administrator in the Chihuahuan Desert region of West Texas. Most of my time has been spent living in our national parks where I spent 17 years living in Big Bend National Park and 8 years working at Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad Caverns National Parks. During this time I have come to know this important eco-region which has been recognized internationally as a hotspot for conservation.

One of the greatest threats to the natural history of Texas and to our environment in West Texas is the growing impact on the land from those who are destroying the desert for commercial interests centered on the sale of desert plants like yucca and ocotillo. On numerous occasions over the past 20 years I have seen a growing number of trucks on Texas highways hauling these plants to out of state retail establishments where the plants are used for landscaping. While I support the use of native plants for landscaping, I believe that the plants needed for this industry should come largely from nurseries.
Having spent most of my career working in national parks I can assure this committee that no park is an island and without the presence of intact ecosystems on private and public lands outside the parks, the parks themselves are threatened.

Here in West Texas we are experiencing a big problem in protecting the Chihuahuan Desert and our parks when people who gather these plants for the retail industry take plants illegally from public and private lands. SB 212 will give us a regulatory mechanism to help prevent the illegal taking of these plants and is an important step in protecting our natural heritage for future generations.

I urge you to support the passage of this important piece of legislation. As I am sure you are well aware if our world becomes unsafe for native plants and animals it certainly will not be a safe place for people. We are all connected to the natural world and what happens to it ultimately affects our own well being. “


Mark Your Calendars!

The El Paso Zoo will observe national Endangered Species Day on Tuesday May 19th and will offer workshops and presentations about endangered species and how individuals can help. For more information on this event call the Zoo at 915-521-1850 or go to www.elpasozoo.org .

Ardovino’s Desert Crossing opens its 8th Annual Farmers’ Market on May 23rd, 2009. We will have a booth (set up is 6 AM) for Opening Day. Please call Judy at 915-755-7371 if you can help for even 30 minutes. This event is really fun. The Market is open every Saturday through mid October from 7:30 AM – 12:00PM. Go to http://www.ardovinos.com/farmersmarket.html for more information, including directions.


Summer Birds at the Park

Franklin Mountains State Park volunteer, Richard Love, writes: “Well, summer is just around the corner and the birds of summer are arriving daily. This week an Ash-Throated Flycatcher, a pair of Say's Phoebes and a Black-headed Grosbeak female came into the bird blind. Haven't seen the male yet but he will be around. The Scaled Quail have paired off and are no longer running in coveys. We aren't seeing large numbers at one time but a steady stream of pairs are coming in. Other birds are still coming in large numbers.

I mentioned the bird blind earlier and I just supposed that everyone knows about it. We (The Volunteers and Rangers) have built a brand new bird blind that will be officially put into service next week or so. The finishing touches are going on daily. When it is officially opened it will be a great place for research on the birds of the Franklins and to sit in out of the sun enjoying the birds and the antics of the local Texas Antelope Squirrels. Local photographers can use the blind to get really good shots of some hard-to-find birds.

I will try to keep abreast of what birds are coming in and the best way to see them, and keep people notified by news letters and on the bulletin boards at the entrance and booth in the Park. For instructions to find the bird blind ask any Ranger. If you have a small group that wants to bird watch or study the birds call the park office and reserve it for your time frame. Small groups of 4 to 6 people are best - larger groups tend to keep the birds just out of range. Small groups who book the blind can call Erica or Kelly at 566-6441 to arrange to use our binoculars.

Of course, if you are in the park and just want to drop in with your binos or camera, that's fine, too. Here’s some info for photographers: birds and squirrels come in to about 25 feet and closer. Longer lenses (300 to 400 MM) work best if you have them but the 200 MM will work with a little patience.

A word of caution in closing: there are birds and small game around most of the time with a water source nearby so there will be rattlesnakes come to visit. Do not molest the snakes - if you see one report it to a Ranger. The park and the mountains are home to many kinds of wildlife. The snakes are as much a vital part of the system as any of the other wildlife.”

Thanks to Richard for the lovely article and the wonderful photo. The new bird blind sounds like a fantastic addition to the Park.


Stunning Victory for Otero Mesa

Kevin Bixby, Executive Director of our member organization, Southwest Environmental Center, has shared wonderful news: “the United States 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver issued a decision April 28th invalidating the Bureau of Land Management’s oil and gas drilling plan for New Mexico’s Otero Mesa. The court ruled that the BLM’s original Resource Management Plan Amendment, which opened the vast majority of Otero Mesa to oil and gas leasing and limited protection for the desert grasslands, was fatally flawed due to its failure to consider protection for Otero Mesa and the Salt Basin Aquifer. Essentially the BLM has to return to the drawing board, and fix the original Amendment before it can do anything further. The decision was a stunning vindication for the Southwest Environmental Center and other conservation groups that have been fighting to protect the grasslands, wildlife and water of Otero Mesa for the past 7 years.”

SWEC’s article appears below. You can also check out their website at http://www.wildmesquite.org/index.htm for more information. As Kevin points out, “The decision reaffirms the significance of Otero Mesa and reaffirms the case for its permanent protection from oil and gas drilling. The momentum has shifted in our favor, but we need to make sure the victory is permanent. Contact your Congressman (NM and TX). Tell them the Court got it right. Tell them it’s time to introduce and support legislation for permanent protection.”

Anyone who may doubt the importance of banning oil and gas drilling close to important water sources such as the Salt Basin Aquifer should check out this link for a report on contamination of public and private water sources by high pressure natural gas mining in Ohio, Pa. and Colorado:
http://www.propublica.org/feature/officials-in-three-states-pin-water-woes-on-gas-drilling-426


Huge Victory in Battle for Otero Mesa
reprinted by SWEC permission

Court invalidates BLM drilling plan; momentum shifts towards protection
In a stunning victory for the Southwest Environmental Center and other conservation groups that have been fighting to protect the grasslands, wildlife and water of Otero Mesa for the past 7 years, the United States 10th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision on April 28 invalidating the Bureau of Land Management’s oil and gas drilling plan for New Mexico’s Otero Mesa.

The court ruled that the BLM’s original Resource Management Plan Amendment, which opened the vast majority of Otero Mesa to oil and gas leasing and limited protection for the desert grasslands, was fatally flawed due to its failure to consider protection for Otero Mesa and the Salt Basin Aquifer.

The ruling came in connection with a lawsuit filed by a coalition of conservation organizations including SWEC, the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, The Wilderness Society, the New Mexico and National Wildlife Federations, and WildEarth Guardians, and a lawsuit filed by the State of New Mexico.

“This is a major boost in our fight to protect one of New Mexico’s most ecologically valuable and unique places,” Governor Bill Richardson said. “I am pleased that the courts share our steadfast position that the public must have a voice in decisions affecting oil and gas leasing on Otero Mesa.”

The court ruled that the BLM had to consider an alternative that closed Otero Mesa to oil and gas leasing, admonishing the agency that “[d]evelopment is a possible use, which BLM must weigh against other possible uses—including conservation to protect environmental values, which are best assessed through the NEPA process.”

The court went on to write that, “applying the rule of reason, we [the court] agree...that analysis of an alternative closing the Mesa to development is compelled.”

The court also rejected the BLM’s position that there were no significant risks to the Salt Basin Aquifer, which contains millions of acre-feet of potable water, from oil and gas, noting that the agency had not reviewed “relevant data” and characterized the information included in the agency’s own documentation as “point[ing] uniformly in the opposite direction from the agency’s determination, we cannot defer to that determination.”

Perhaps most sigificant was the court’s rejection of BLM’s argument that prohibiting development of Otero Mesa would violate its mandate under federal law to manage for “multiple use.” The court ruled that the multiple use concept “does not mandate that every use be accommoCdated on every piece of land; rather, delicate balancing is required.”

In an Associated Press story, New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Secretary Joanna Prukop was quoted as saying she was pleased with the ruling’s strong language regarding compliance with the National Environmental Protection Act.

“In additional to protecting the fragile ecosystem of the Chihuahan Desert, this decision will apply to development of all kinds on federal lands throughout the 10th Circuit and help assure that environmental impacts are appropriately considered,” she said.


FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK NEWS

For the latest news and information about the Park, visit their great website:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/franklin/

MEMBER WEBSITES:
Up to date information on some of our member organizations can be found at:
http://bmba.wordpress.com/ for Borderland Mountain Bike Association

www.trans-pecos-audubon.org for El Paso/Trans-Pecos Audubon Society's newsletter, The Roadrunner.

www.lwvep.org for League of Women Voters in El Paso

Members, we’d love to get the word out about all your websites – please email Kathy at kmcconaghie@gmail.com .


FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK NEWS

For the latest news and information about the Park, visit their great website:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/franklin/


Lone Star Legacy

You can make a lasting contribution to the future of Franklin Mountains State Park with your tax-deductible donation to the Lone Star Legacy Endowment Fund. Checks, payable to "Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation" can be sent to: Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, Attention: Lone Star Legacy, P.O. Box 191207, Dallas, TX, 75219. Mark your donation to the endowment fund for Franklin Mountains State Park.


FMWC In Cyberspace

This is the electronic version of the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition newsletter. To be added to or removed from the distribution list, contact: j.p.ackerman@sbcglobal.net.

The Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition

Borderland Mountain Bike Association * Border Toasters, Toastmasters International * BorderSenses * Celebration of Our Mountains * Centro San Vicente * Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition * Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife Rescue * El Paso Archaeological Society * El Paso Cactus and Rock Club * El Paso Native Plant Society * El Paso Regional Group of the Sierra Club * El Paso/Trans-Pecos Audubon Society *El Paso Youth Symphony * Friends of the Rio Bosque *Jolly Elders * League of Women Voters of El Paso * Mesilla Valley Audubon Society * Mountain Park Community Association * Photography Enthusiasts of El Paso * Southern New Mexico Group of the Sierra Club * Southwestern Environmental Center * Skyline Optimist Club of El Paso * Trans Pecos Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists * Vista Hills Rotary Club * Voter Education Project, Inc