This project proposes to assess current mojave desert tortoise gopherus agassizii hereafter, desert tortoise or tortoise and BLM sensitive species distribution, abundance, and habitat use within the…

This project proposes to assess current mojave desert tortoise gopherus agassizii hereafter, desert tortoise or tortoise and BLM sensitive species distribution, abundance, and habitat use within the beaver DAM wash national conservation area NCA in washington county, utah the research includes A200 acre critical habitat study area and the 21 mile proposed HDT OHV route corridor in the beaver DAM wash NCA the project includes six scientific objectives determine the spatial distribution of live tortoises and their sign and the relative abundance of tortoises in a 200 acre critical habitat study area in partnership with NCA biologist, john kellam determine the spatial distribution of live tortoises, their sign e g , burrows, scat , and injured or dead tortoises along and within 200 meters of the 21 mile section of the proposed HDT in the NCA, in partnership with NCA biologist, john kellam identify the location of key habitat features, including tortoise burrows and shelters compare current tortoise habitat use, and habitat use with previous studies to assess changes over time determine presence and abundance, spatial distribution, and habitat use of other BLM sensitive species determine the current condition of designated critical tortoise habitat, including the location of noxious weeds and nonnative invasive plant species