[Nmcaver] nmcaver Digest, Vol 27, Issue 5

James_Goodbar at nm.blm.gov James_Goodbar at nm.blm.gov
Fri Dec 15 02:45:32 EST 2006


This is the draft copy of the BLM New Mexico Cave/Karst Management Team
Charter that was presented at the SWR Winter Technical Regional in Socorro.
Please look it over and send any comments to Jim Goodbar at
James_Goodbar at blm.gov. by February 3, 2007  Thank you.  Jim

1

5


                         Bureau of Land Management


            New Mexico Cave and Karst Resources Management Team


                                  Charter


                               November 2006





                                Background


The New Mexico Cave/Karst Management Team was first established in March of
2005 to address management issues, concerns, and opportunities in the state
and to advise and make recommendations for management decisions.  During
the initial meeting the Team defined the purview and scope of operation and
its organizational structure.  It also assessed specific research and
management needs and priorities for the Fort Stanton/Snowy River complex
and discussed the thoughts of the State Director and Associate State
Director of New Mexico’s Cave/Karst Program.  New Mexico has world class
cave resources.  The Bureau of Land Management will oversee its cave
program and not turn over management to some other entity.

A second formal meeting of the Team was convened in November 2006 by the
Pecos District Manager with the intent of better defining the mission and
operations of the Team and tasking the write-up of its charter.  The
following charter is a compilation of the points and intent of the previous
meetings and discussions.

                                  Mission

The mission of the New Mexico Cave/Karst Resources Management Team is to:
1.    Keep the State Director and her staff informed of emerging issues and
opportunities involving cave and karst resources.
2.    Implement initiatives set out by the State Director
3.    Address management issues, concerns, and opportunities in the state
and advise and make recommendations for management decisions.
4.    Review internal and external proposals involving cave/karst matters
and advise and make recommendations for management decisions.


                                Membership

The membership of the Team shall be made up of representatives from all
field offices that have cave/karst resources and their respective district
representatives, the Pecos District Manager (Team Lead), the State
Cave/Karst Program lead (Technical Lead), and a management oversight
committee composed of Field Managers, District Managers, and the Deputy
State Director for Resources.

As needed, other subject matter experts from outside the BLM may be invited
to provide input to a specific review process.  This may include members of
other agencies, academia, the proposal proponent, or the caving community
at large.  Once a specific proposal or issue has been reviewed and a
decision made the invited member(s) will be released so they are not
considered a standing member under FACA.


                         Organizational Structure

The Pecos District Manager will serve as the over-all Team Lead and liaison
between the Team and the EMT to carry issues and recommendations forward
that are multi-district or state wide in scope.  The State Cave/Karst
Program lead will serve as Technical Lead and will act for the Team Lead
when necessary.  Team members are encouraged participate as issues and
actions involve their resources and stay abreast of statewide issues.

The Management Oversight Committee will be kept informed of issues and
events as they develop and briefed on management recommendations requiring
decisions involving the program.  The Committee is encouraged to provide
the Team with guidance and input as needed.


                          Duties and Expectations

Meetings

      The Team Lead in consultation with the members and their schedules
will convene Team meetings.  Meetings will be held quarterly with one of
those meetings being held closely following the National Speleological
Society (NSS) Southwestern Region (SWR) Winter Technical Regional.  The
Team Lead will set the agendas (with member input), facilitate the
meetings, and receive any work products. The Team Lead will compile results
of meetings and work assignments and distribute to all team members.
Additional meetings may be held as emerging issues require.  In the absence
of the Team Lead meetings will be chaired by the Technical Lead or other
wise delegated.

Attendance


      Members are expected to attend the quarterly meetings of the Team, at
least twice annually, because face-to-face discussions and the ability to
build ideas in an interactive setting are an important contribution to the
development of the Program. Conference calls and email communication can be
used to good advantage between meetings to conduct some business.

Communication


      Each Team member has the responsibility to formally communicate with
specific constituencies, both for polling of opinions and ideas, and for
communicating results, decisions, and status of proposals, initiatives, or
issues.  Carrying out this responsibility effectively is critical to
building a broad support base for the State Cave/Karst Resources Management
Program.

Work Assignments


      Membership on the Team implies some effort, although the work is not
anticipated to take an inordinate amount of time in most instances. It is
expected that some of the work will be part of the members job duties or be
part of their own vested interest in the development and success of the New
Mexico Cave/Karst Resources Management Program. Work assignments or
feedback should be completed within the time frames agreed upon among the
Team and the Team Leader.


                                Review Process

·     A proposal, initiative, or issue is received or generated by an
office.  The originating office will e-mail information to the technical
team lead.  (The program lead of the originating office will serve as the
review team lead unless other wise assigned)
·     The Technical Lead sends the proposal / initiative / issues out to
the Cave/Karst Management Team for review and comment on current planning
decisions, laws, regulations, and guidance with a time line for review.
·     Other subject matter experts may be requested to help with the review
as necessary.  These may be from outside the BLM and represent the
proponent, academia, or other interested parties.
·     The Team reviews the action or issue.  This may include meetings,
conference calls or other communications necessary to develop
recommendations.
·     The Technical Lead drafts a memo with team input to management
identifying the issues and recommending a course of action or decision.
·     Action is authorized by management via appropriate means (permit,
letter of authorization, etc.)
·     Originating office updates the Team on progress, outcomes, and
additional needs.


                         Actions Covered by the Team

This Team is chartered to cover a variety of types of actions but is not
meant to review or consider general types of routine cave management
activities such as standard recreational or commercial cave permit
issuance, volunteer activities, standard cave maintenance, and the sort.
Actions covered by the Team include but are not limited to:

·     Issue driven actions (inquiries from the public that have Statewide
or significant local effect, or are controversial)
·     Risk Assessments
·     Actions Requiring NEPA Review
·     Major Media Events
·     Research Permits Requesting the Collection or Disturbance of Cave
Resources
§     Showcase the proposal  and findings to the public
§     Use BLM Public Affairs Staff to publicize the findings



                                Appendix 1


  Contact information for New Mexico Cave & Karst Management Team members


Doug Burger                               Doug_Burger at blm.gov
Pecos District Manager,                   505-627-0290
Team Lead
2909 West Second Street
Roswell, New Mexico 88201

Jim Goodbar                               James_Goodbar at blm.gov
State Cave/Karst Program Lead             505-234-5929
Technical Lead
620 East Greene Street
Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220

Mike Bilbo                                Mike_Bilbo at blm.gov
Outdoor Recreation Planner                505-838-1278
901 South Hwy. 85
Socorro, New Mexico 87801

Paul Happle                               Paul_Happle at blm.gov
Natural Resource Specialist               505-627-0203
2909 West Second Street
Roswell, New Mexico 88201

Bill Murry                                Bill_Murry at blm.gov
Outdoor Recreation Planner                505-627-0220
2909 West Second Street
Roswell, New Mexico 88201

Jackie Neckels                            Jacqueline_Neckels at blm.gov
Outdoor Recreation Planner                505-525-4380
1800 Marquess Street
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005

To be filled:
Taos FO
Rio Puerco FO
Grants Field Station




Management Oversight Committee

Jesse Juen                                Jesse_Juen at blm.gov
Associate State Director                        505-438-7501
1474 Rodeo Road
Santa Fe, New Mexico

Ron Dunton                                Ron_Dunton at blm.gov
Deputy State Director                     505-438-6776
1474 Rodeo Road
Santa Fe, New Mexico

Ed Singleton                                    Edwin Singleton at blm.gov
Albuquerque District Manager              505-761-8951
435 Montano Road
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107

Ed Roberson                               Edwin Roberson at blm.gov
Las Cruces District Manager               505-525-4311
1800 Marquess Street
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005

Eddie Batson                                    Eddie_Bateson at bom.gov
Roswell Field Manager                     505_627-0224
2909 West Second Street
Roswell, New Mexico 88201

Tony Herrell                                    Tony_Herrell at blm.gov
Carlsbad Field Manager                    505-234-5901
620 East Greene Street
Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220

Tom Gow                                   Tom_Gow at blm.gov
Rio Puerco Field Manager                        505_761-8797
435 Montano Road
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107

John Merino                               John_Merino at blm.gov
Socorro Field Manager                     505-835-0412
901 South Hwy. 85
Socorro, New Mexico 87801

Sam Des Georges                           Sam_DesGeorges at blm.gov
Taos Field Manager                              505-751-4713
226 Cruz Alta Road
Taos, New Mexico 87571


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