MOJAVE DESERT TORTOISE PUBLIC COMMENT DUE TODAY: Status Review to Designate as an Endangered Species, Permit Area Map

June 1, 2022 (Deadline June 25th)

Indian Wells Valley, Mojave Desert California

PUBLIC COMMENT Submitted to Anne.Hilborn@wildlife.ca.gov

I’ve watched the Mojave Desert Tortoise population dwindle over the last 60 plus years. It’s very easy.

Control the Ravens. Great place to find them is the County Dump and commercial dumpsters in town.
Control the Illegal OHV activity.
Control dust and mitigate damage to ecosystems and air quality.
Control urban growth, sprawl and development outside of core boundaries.

I will be very happy to finally see the Mojave Desert Tortoise designated as an endangered species under both Federal and State laws.

Sincerely,

Mike Sinnott, resident

Indian Wells Valley, Mojave Desert California

Publisher, Roadrunner395.com

SUBJECT: NOTIFICATION OF STATUS REVIEW FOR MOJAVE DESERT TORTOISE UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

Indian Wells Valley, Desert Tortoise General Conservation Plan – Permit Areas

“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) has initiated a status review for the Mojave Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 2074.6, and is providing this notice pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 2074.4 to solicit data and comments on the petitioned action from interested and affected parties.”

“The Department respectfully requests your responses and information before June 25th, 2022, to allow sufficient time to evaluate the information for possible incorporation in the Department’s final status review report to the Commission”.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management to host Information Gathering Forums regarding the Desert Tortoise General Conservation Plan

The Service’s initial proposal is that covered activities would include commercial, agricultural, residential, industrial, and infrastructure development, and recreational activities permitted by non-federal agencies. The Service is proposing to standardize the issuance of incidental take permits that cover take of the desert tortoise. The Bureau is considering identifying areas that could be used for translocation of desert tortoises that may be displaced by covered activities.
https://www.virtualpublicmeeting.com/usfws-desert-tortoise-gcp-eis

Dear Congressional Colleague,

On June 1, the Service is opening a pre-scoping comment period for a Desert Tortoise General Conservation Plan and associated Environmental Impact Statement. As part of the process, the Service, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, will hold multiple virtual and in-person information gathering forums in June.

Information on and registration for the meetings may found at https://www.virtualpublicmeeting.com/usfws-desert-tortoise-gcp-eis.

Please see the full news release and planning area map (also attached) for more information, and feel free to contact me with any questions.

Kind regards,

Jessica D’Ambrosio, Public Affairs Specialist

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

2177 Salk Avenue, Suite 250

Carlsbad, CA 92008

760.431.9440 ext. 251 (o)

702.609.2440 (c)

https://fws.gov/office/carlsbad-fish-and-wildlife