West Mojave Plan FEIR/S - Desert Managers Group

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populations, partly because there are probably relatively few tortoises in most open use areas.[OHVs] damage and destroy vegetation. Density, cover, and biomass are all reduced inside versusoutside of [OHV] use areas, particularly following multiple passes by vehicles. Split grass(Schismus barbatus), a weedy introduced grass, in particular appears to benefit from [OHV]activity. Very light, basically non-repeated, vehicle use probably has relatively little long-termimpact. Soil becomes compacted by vehicles. The compaction increases with moisture content ofthe soil, weight of vehicle (particularly high weight to tire surface area ratio), and soil type.Cohesionless sand, such as in sand dunes and washes, [is] largely immune to compaction whilemoist soils are much more susceptible than dry ones. Compaction, lower infiltration rates, loss ofplants and cryptogamic soils all contribute to increased wind and water erosion and fugitive dust,particularly when such areas are several meters in width. More research is needed to understandthe effect light [OHV] use has on tortoise populations and habitat.Boarman (2002) reported that tortoise densities have been reduced through (a) directeffects, including crushing of tortoises and burrows, and (b) indirect effects of (i) compaction ofsoil, (ii) destruction of cryptogamic soils, (iii) changes in vegetation, (iv) erosion and loss of soil,(v) light OHV use, and (vi) human access to tortoise habitat.The USFWS (2002) indicated that the degree of threat posed to desert tortoises byrecreation increases with the speed, weight, and numbers of recreational units involved. Theyindicated, for example, that a small group of hikers posed much less threat to the desert tortoiseand its habitat than a race that involved numerous all-terrain vehicles.Positive Benefits of Motorized Vehicle Routes: Haskell (2000) reported that roadsprovided benefits to society such as opportunities for recreation and natural resource extraction.The USFWS (2002) felt that recreational use of the desert might benefit the desert tortoise in anindirect manner. They concluded that many people viewed the California desert as a uniqueplace to enjoy nature and solitude, and that the enjoyment of the desert could promote privatecitizens to assist in volunteer projects to restore habitats, clean up trash, report problems to theBLM, and educate other users. The BLM’s existing educational programs were identified asstriving for these goals (USFWS 2002).3.3.2.6.2 Direct Impacts of OHVs on Desert Tortoise PopulationsAs of 1980, the USFWS (2002) reported that OHV activities had affected approximately25% of desert tortoise habitat in California. In 1986, Dodd (1986) concluded that nearly 70% ofthe remaining high-density tortoise populations in the California desert were subject to OHVimpacts. In 1990, Chambers Group, Inc. (1990) found that 413 square miles (2.9%) of theplanning area had been directly disturbed by OHVs, and that much of the disturbance hadoccurred in open areas or in unauthorized OHV-use areas.Sign count data collected between 1998 and 2002 indicate that vehicle-based impacts areprevalent throughout tortoise habitats, including DWMAs. Within the Fremont-Kramer andSuperior-Cronese DWMAs, cross-country travel was observed on 833 of 1,572 (53%) transectsand roads were observed on 702 (45%) transects. There were 447 mi 2 with higher tortoise signcounts, 159 mi 2 (36%) of which overlapped with above-average vehicle-based impacts (see Map3-14).Chapter 3 3-120
Distribution of Recreational and ResidentialVehicle Impact Regions (1998-2002)NAWSChina LakeNMojave B RangeNAWSNTCFort IrwinEdwardsAFBMCAGCC29 PalmsLegendCitiesBLM Open Area BoundariesCounty Lines Higher Density TCS AreasHighways Above-Average Vehicle Impact AreasPlan Boundary Residential Vehicle Impact AreasMilitary Lands Open Area Impact AreasProposed DWMAs High OHV Use Areas10/14/04West Mojave Plan FEIR/SMap 3-14Scale: 1 : 1,100,0000 10 20 30Km0 10 20 30Miles
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CHAPTER THREEAFFECTED ENVIRONMENT3.
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The CDCA Plan assigns a “multiple
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Desert Tortoise Research Natural Ar
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closure to target shooting. Hunting
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percentage of public land ownership
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As of March 2004, BLM had acquired
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Ripley Joshua Tree Woodland: The st
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through “resource use” designat
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Significant Ecological Areas: There
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Wildlife and Wildflower Sanctuaries
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Mojave River Forks Regional Park: A
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oriented commercial uses are expect
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HCP would include mitigation measur
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3.1.3.12 City of RidgecrestThe City
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It is a goal of the town’s genera
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• Inyo California Towhee (April 1
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(i) The taking will be incidental;(
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handled, and number accidentally ki
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3.1.5 California Endangered Species
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Obtaining an Incidental Take Permit
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Monitoring: Monitoring is often the
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is so restrictive that project dela
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excess moisture. A minus 4 is consi
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Air BasinsN190I n y o C o395Ridgecr
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Federal PM10 Planning AreasN190Owen
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POLLUTANTOzone (O 3 )RespirablePart
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AIRBASINAIR QUALITYDISTRICTPOLLUTAN
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subtraction of transported ozone in
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The general soil information and ma
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The Marine Corps Ground Combat Cent
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The most permeable basin-fill depos
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Surface water was and is the major
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A relatively small number of introd
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freshwater or alkali wetlands, or o
Page 69 and 70: 3.3.2 Desert Tortoise3.3.2.1 Regula
Page 71 and 72: progress toward meeting the overall
Page 73 and 74: “higher density” and “lower d
Page 75 and 76: several seasons (Esque 1994 in Aver
Page 77 and 78: Assistant District Manager Molly Br
Page 79 and 80: • Since 1975, federal land manage
Page 81 and 82: “52 mi 2 of higher density tortoi
Page 83 and 84: 1984 Tortoise Range and Density Map
Page 85 and 86: Higher Density Tortoise Sign Count
Page 87 and 88: When data for the three lowest sign
Page 89 and 90: Occurrence of Tortoises Relative to
Page 91 and 92: Regional Declines in the Four DWMAs
Page 93 and 94: Tortoise Distribution within the Re
Page 95 and 96: Boarman (pers. comm., Nov 2002) has
Page 97 and 98: tortoises are either extirpated (La
Page 99 and 100: sites surveyed by LaRue between 199
Page 101 and 102: aseline data are lacking. Grasses p
Page 103 and 104: Canine Predators: This includes coy
Page 105 and 106: The spatial distribution of 12 of 1
Page 107 and 108: Predation Versus Scavenging of Juve
Page 109 and 110: Table 3-20Prevalence of Tortoises i
Page 111 and 112: (Jacobson et al. 1991, Brown et al.
Page 113 and 114: 3.3.2.5.3 Older and Newer Die-off R
Page 115 and 116: Table 3-21Characteristics of Older
Page 117 and 118: Table 3-22Characteristics of Older
Page 119: of the Johnson Valley Open Area, an
Page 123 and 124: Tortoises and Burrows Crushed: Vehi
Page 125 and 126: TypeYearsSignCount98-99-01Distance2
Page 127 and 128: OHV Impacts to Soils: OHV use has r
Page 129 and 130: Rodman DWMA. There were no higher d
Page 131 and 132: of Dove Springs that has experience
Page 133 and 134: Both inside and adjacent to open ar
Page 135 and 136: 3.3.2.6.6 Organized Competitive OHV
Page 137 and 138: 3.3.2.7 Current Effectiveness of Ex
Page 139 and 140: Overall, one sees that 68% of the 3
Page 141 and 142: off regions discussed herein. Black
Page 143 and 144: ManixACECMojave fishhookcactusRainb
Page 145 and 146: Range of Mohave Ground SquirrelN190
Page 147 and 148: 3.3.3.2.2 Seasonal ActivityThe MGS
Page 149 and 150: 1996). As herbaceous annuals appear
Page 151 and 152: 1998 Mohave Ground Squirrel Transec
Page 153 and 154: Finally, the 84% success rate was a
Page 155 and 156: LaRue characterized substrates at t
Page 157 and 158: There were no MGS occurrences in 28
Page 159 and 160: certain shrubs (e.g. winterfat) tha
Page 161 and 162: NAWS China Lake 1993). As discussed
Page 163 and 164: Cumulatively, one finds there to be
Page 165 and 166: Citing Bury and Luckenbach (1977),
Page 167 and 168: the MGS is restricted to about 7,00
Page 169 and 170: Habitat Management Plans (HMPs) wer
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Basic to the biology of bighorn she
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3.3.6 Birds3.3.6.1 Bendire’s Thra
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3.3.6.5 Golden EagleLife History: T
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The towhee recovery plan establishe
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Regulatory Status: Federal Endanger
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3.3.6.15 Western Yellow-billed Cuck
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Other major threats are flood contr
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Population Status in the Planning A
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on the inaccessible mountain slopes
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3.3.8.8 Kern BuckwheatLife History:
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Threats Affecting the Mojave Monkey
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3.3.8.16 Red Rock PoppyLife History
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populations show intergradation wit
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3.4.1.1 Regional EnvironmentIn tota
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Table 3-37Average Annual Units Cons
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2002 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAEMPLOYMENT
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TABLE 3-382000 CENSUS DEMOGRAPHIC C
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to undergo a dramatic reversal to t
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3.4.1.5 Study Area Property Valuati
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The supply of private property in t
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ALLOTMENT NAME TYPE OF LIVESTOCK FO
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Grazing AllotmentsNOlanchaDarwinTun
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ALLOTMENT NAMEALLOTMENTACRESP. L. 1
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3.4.3 Mineral Potential and Develop
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Mineral Potential, Active and Inact
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Mineral Potential, Active and Inact
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development based on the results of
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MANAGEMENT AREATable 3-46Potential
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A third item, yttrium (on the USBM
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the California Department of Conser
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Table 3-49 shows the number of mini
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produces about 75,000 tons per year
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Table 3-50Most Important Deposits B
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3.4.3.5 Coolgardie MesaThe Coolgard
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Areas designated as regionally sign
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Recreationists engage in activities
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OPENAREADoveSpringsElMirageJawboneC
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cycle engine motorcycles in OHV rid
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One popular activity is dual sport
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Compliance With Regulations: Compli
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REGIONORCITYRidgecrestSanBernardino
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REGIONORCITYVictorville /AppleValle
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Rail: The West Mojave planning area
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Arterials: Arterials are routes wit
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Ridgecrest-Inyokern Sanitary Landfi
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approximately 3 miles south of the
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Trona-Agrus Transfer Station (SWIS
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The BLM is an agency of the U.S. De
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Route designations apply only to ro
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Utility Maintenance: Many powerline
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ACECNAME ANDNUMBERHarper Dry Lake(3
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SUBREGIONAmboyBighornCoyoteEastSier
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• All pipelines with diameters gr
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3.6.2 Energy Generation PlantsEnerg
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3.7 CULTURAL RESOURCES3.7.1 Archaeo
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seasonal movement from place to pla
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RIDGECREST FIELD OFFICEPROPERTY NAM
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ACECRose SpringFossil FallsLast Cha
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have been dated by radiocarbon and
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MYACENOZOICEPOCHTable 3-65Paleontol
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In the southern area, fossils of la
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At Twenty-Nine Palms, there is an u
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West Mojave Plan FEIR/S - Desert Managers Group

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