Desert Springs Action Committee

Ash Meadows Work Party - OCT. 8-10, 1999

From: James Lawson jelawson@ix.netcom.com

The Desert Springs Action Committee, in conjunction with the Bay Area Killifish Association, Northern Californian Killifish Club, North American Native Fishes Association, and others is happy to presents their latest conservation field trip to the Nevada desert.

During October 8-10 we will be undertaking conservation work at the Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge, Nevada, under supervision of US Fish and Wildlife Service staff.

Ash Meadows, Nevada is a very special place. It has a higher number of endemic species for its given area than any other place in the United States. This is primarily due to the presence of permanent freshwater springs that allow life to flourish in the desert. Ash Meadows was also the site of one of the longest environmental battles in North America, (1967-1984). For a considerable time the area was threatened by ranchers who diverted spring outflows and pumped excessive quantities of ground water for irrigation, threatening the continued existence of the springs. The next principal impact was a proposed desert city that would have also required large quantities of ground water. As a combined result of these impacts one fish species is extinct, and the remainder are currently listed as Endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Today the area is a National Wildlife Refuge and despite it's current protective status, problems still regularly occur (i.e., exotic fish species are still introduced into springs threatening native aquatic fauna).

Our primary objective is the removal of non-native organisms including Gambusia, mollies, largemouth bass, crayfish and bullfrogs. We will likely also conduct some cattail removal from some springs so bring gloves. There will be ample opportunity to see the native pupfishes and dace close up. Please note however, no native fish may be removed from the refuge as all are fully protected by the Endangered Species Act.

We will be camping at the refuge headquarters, however, alternative accommodation is also available at the nearby Longstreet Casino 1 800 508 9493. Ash Meadows is located a few miles north of the CA-NV border on Hwy. 373 and is clearly marked with signpost. A map is available on the web at http://www.tkphotos.com/ashmed/amapa.htm . We will gather at the refuge office at 8 am on the 8th to organize activities.

DSAC will be coordinating the meal preparation with help from various old hands. Bring personal eating utensils and special dietary needs, i.e. sweet n low, canned tuna, Doritos chips. Our stay out there will be similar to a pot luck sharing both in clean up (K/P duty) and items like chips, snacks, and fresh fruit (bring extra to share). The Desert Springs Action Committee, however, will provide the main stay of our foods. A $24 stipend towards the food is requested in advance and covers a two-day menu with a special BAR-B-QUE Friday night. Participants who wish to come for the Bar-B-Que only will be charged $12.00, in advance.

Please inform us early if you wish to form, or need car pool information. A very comprehensive web page of the work we do and past trips is located at http://www.tkphotos.com/dsac 

Contact Peter Unmack (peter.unmack@asu.edu) at (480) 965-1578, or Jim Lawson, 802 Arlington Way, Martinez CA 94553 at (jelawson@ix.netcom.com), (925) 335-9346 for further information, maps, and required registrations forms. The non-refundable stipend is due September 15, 1999. Please make checks payable to Jim Lawson at the above address.

Thank you all for you time in this matter and I look forward to another great Ash Meadows weekend.