WHITE MOUNTAIN LAND TRUST

Minutes of October 10, 2006 meeting

Board members present: Jim Anderson, Keith Justice, Lynn Krigbaum, Sue Sitko, Ginny Handorf, Barbara Bechler and Richard Remington

Board members absent: Norris Dodd, Dottie Baker

Also present: John Vuolo, Marty Underwood

Jim called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM. A quorum was present. The minutes of the September 12, 2006 meeting were reviewed. Three spelling corrections were made and they were approved as corrected. Norris was absent so there was no treasurer?s report. Sue gave a brief update on the Allen property. The Allen?s lawyer has been trying to work out the easement language. Sue will maintain contact with the Allens and it is hoped that the project will soon be completed.

Marty Underwood from the Fish and Wildlife Service began a presentation and Sue chimed in with information and a document concerning 290 acre property owned by Jan and Will Holder along Eagle Creek. The Holders have retired and sold their organically raised beef business and would like to place a conservation easement on their property in 2006 if possible. Marty said that Fish and Wildlife Service could write a private lands agreement to fund the monitoring of the easement for 10 years. He also said F & W may be able to cover the legal costs for the WMLT to obtain this easement (about $350). As a member of Partners for Wildlife, Marty described the many species which are found on or use the property. Keith moved that we continue to go forward with exploring the acquisition of this easement. Richard seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Sue will call the Holders to let them know our decision to progress with this conservation easement with them.

Jim and Keith briefly described their visit to Jim Crosswhite?s ranch.

Sue gave a presentation on Prop. 106 which will, if passed, change the way the State Land Dept. sells and leases Arizona?s Trust Lands. There are 9 to 10 million acres of trust lands which assist in funding education in Arizona when they are sold or leased. Currently, a developer can buy any land and there are some choice areas which have great conservation value which should not be developed. There is no conservation protection and the State Land Dept. must sell the trust lands for the highest price possible. Prop. 106 would protect 330,000 acres from development and also requires the land dept. to work with towns and cities in planning for growth and education funding. She urged a ?Yes? vote on Prop. 106. Barbara moved and Richard seconded a motion that we endorse voting ?Yes? on Prop. 106. The motion passed unanimously.

Sue will contact Keith Dennis to obtain CDs of the Tejido proposals for Pinetop-Lakeside for the WMLT members.

Keith has almost completed 2 articles for submission to The Independent. Barbara is working on an article, too. Keith will oversee this project. Carol Flatten has volunteered to write an article for us also.

Richard stated that Sharon has moved to another Forest Service office and he is not sure if Lorna is now our liaison person from FS to WMLT or if another person is available.

Barbara reported that she is part of a group deconstructing the Ellsworth barn opposite the Winchester theater and will store it for a while and then reconstruct it as a gallery. She also mentioned the Nature Center dinner which will be Saturday, October 14, 2006.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM.

Minutes submitted by Lynn Krigbaum, secretary