BLM seeks input on Northern Ivanpah Valley Desert Tortoise habitat plan in Nevada
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LAS VEGAS – The Bureau of Land Management Las Vegas Field Office is proposing to restore and reconnect fragmented habitat in the northern Ivanpah Valley for the threatened desert tortoise in and around the Large-Scale Translocation Site, a 40 square-mile area of tortoise habitat that was fenced in 1996 to experimentally relocate desert tortoises displaced by development or abandoned by pet owners.
BLM has prepared a draft environmental assessment and draft plan for the Northern Ivanpah Valley Desert Tortoise Habitat Connectivity and Restoration Project and is seeking public input on the draft documents through August 10, 2024.
“We look forward to the public’s feedback and review of our draft environmental assessment and draft plan,” said BLM Las Vegas Field Office Manager Bruce Sillitoe. “We hope that with this project we can more effectively restore and reconnect valuable habitat for the Desert Tortoise.”
From 1997 to 2014, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released over 9,000 tortoises into the Large-Scale Translocation Site. The proposed project would add, modify, or remove fencing to reduce tortoise mortality and improve habitat connectivity; add and modify culverts; monitor and treat weeds, especially where ground disturbing activities occur; and restore native vegetation near culverts or elsewhere to improve tortoise habitat.
Comments submitted by August 10, 2024, will help in development of the final environmental assessment and final plan. More information about the project can be found on our ePlanning website.
Information that addresses the following would be the most useful type of comments:
- Is there additional information, data, or analysis which should be considered?
- Is information, data, or analysis incorrect or not thoroughly considered?
Comments can be submitted in the following ways:
- Emailed to BLM_NV_SNDO_NEPA_Comments@blm.gov
- Online on our ePlanning website.
- Mailed to BLM Las Vegas Field Office, Attn: JJ Smith, Project Manager Specialist, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89130.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.