Natural resources management program: An addendum to the natural resources management plan for Joshua Tree National Monument, California

Joshua Tree National Monument

This is an update to the 1974 plan, re-evaluating important natural resource issues, and noting changes since the earlier plan was written. One example of new approaches to complex management issues is a program for visitors found guilty of environmental crimes, offering education rather than punishment. This Management Program is a reference document for use in programming funds to carry out key identified natural resources projects in Joshua Tree National Monument. While the Natural Resources Management Plan (NRMP) for the Monument proposes a long-term action program, this revised Management Program deals with the next five years only. The Program proposes projects for Fiscal Years 1981 through 1985. As often as needed, generally annually, the Management Program will be revised and updated for a new five-year period as work is completed and new projects are proposed. The Management Program presented on the subsequent pages of this document consists of: 1. Introduction describing past results and future direction of the Monument's natural resources management activities. 2. Natural Resources Projects Programming Summary listing each project's priority, requested funds, and work schedule for a five-year period. 3. Natural Resources Project Statements . These serve as "blueprints" for proposed actions and serve as an outline from which to develop a detailed research or management project. 4. Status List of Natural Resources Projects . This list summarizes completed and currently active management and research projects in the Monument. 5. Appendix . This section contains a bibliography, research prescriptions for resource management, and guidelines for daily operations. A Service-team completed an NRMP and Environmental Assessment for the Monument in October 1974. The Superintendent and staff worked under the direction of Dr. Milton C. Kolipinski, Western Regional Office and with primary consultation from Dr. Charles Douglas, Cooperative Resources Study Unit Leader, University of Nevada (Las Vegas) . That Plan included an addendum, the Management Program. This May 1980 edition represents the first revision of the original Management Program. Holders of the Resources Management Plan should replace the original Management Program with this 1980 revision. This revision proposes that two additional projects be carried out at Joshua Tree National Monument. These proposals are presented in the following Project Statements 1. Air Quality Monitoring and Evaluation (AQ-1) 2. Monument Water Resources Management Plan (W-2) Both of these studies are legislatively mandated.