West Mojave Plan FEIR/S - Desert Managers Group

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National Park.In Kern County gray vireos have bred on the west side of Walker Pass. There is a singlesight record of uncertain authenticity at Castle Butte, east of California City in 1977.Regulatory Status: BLM Sensitive, California Species of Special Concern.Threats Affecting the Gray Vireo: The reasons for the apparent decline of this speciesin southern California are unclear. Cowbird parasitism is a likely threat.3.3.6.7 Inyo California TowheeLife History: The Inyo California towhee is a narrow endemic whose range is almostentirely within the planning area. The USFWS has prepared a Recovery Plan and critical habitathas been designated. In 1998, an extensive survey of the entire range of this bird was conducted.The bird nests near riparian vegetation, including very small springs and seeps, andforages in mixed Mojave desert scrub. It ranges from 2680 feet to 5630 feet in elevation. Alltowhee sightings have been within 700 yards of a water source.Population Status in the Planning Area: This bird is restricted to the southern half ofthe Argus Range in Inyo County. The extent of occupied habitat has been estimated at 24,176acres. This figure does not include mountainous areas between nesting territories that may beused for dispersal or in the non-nesting season.Two thirds of the range of the Inyo California towhee falls within the boundaries of theChina Lake NAWS. Current management is compatible with conservation of this bird, and theResources Management Plan for the base will address conservation of this species. Theremaining one third of the range is managed by BLM and the CDFG. These agencies haveestablished the Great Falls Basin ACEC, the Argus Mountains Wilderness, and the Indian JoeCanyon Ecological Reserve.The 1998 survey and census of the Inyo California towhee detected a total of 640 adulttowhees, representing 317 breeding pairs and 23 single adults.LaBerteaux and Garlinger (1998) conducted an Inyo California towhee survey during the1998 breeding season. A total of 640 adult towhees representing an estimated 317 pairs and 23single adults were detected at 210 sites within the Argus Range. Prior to the 1998 survey, thetowhee population was estimated to be no more than 200 individuals. Along with an increase inthe numbers of birds detected, the 1998 census documented a range expansion 15 km to thenorth. Seventy-three percent of the population occurred on U. S. Navy lands, 25% on BLMlands on the east slopes of the Argus Range, and 2% on State-owned and private lands.Chapter 3 3-176
The towhee recovery plan established, as a criterion for delisting, the maintenance of apopulation of at least 400 birds for a period of five years. The 1998 survey was performed in anexceptionally wet year, and subsequent censuses have not been performed to determine if thehigh numbers observed then have been maintained.Regulatory Status: Federal Threatened, California Endangered.Threats Affecting the Inyo California Towhee: Destruction and degradation of habitatby feral burros and horses is a primary threat. Other potential threats include cattle grazing, offhighwayvehicle activities, mining, and encroachment by rural residents. Water exportation fromoccupied springs (Bainter Spring, Alpha Spring, Benko Spring, North Ruth Spring #3) is acurrent threat or potential threat. Trespass camping and hunting near the springs may impact thebirds and their habitat. Invasive exotic plants are present at some of the water sources that canreduce the quality of the nesting habitat.3.3.6.8 LeConte’s ThrasherLife History: The habitat for this species is creosote bush scrub with stands of chollacactus, Joshua trees, and thorny shrubs.Population Status in the Planning Area: LeConte’s thrasher is widespread throughoutthe planning area, favoring areas of cacti, Joshua trees, and desert washes. It is absent fromplayas and mountainous areas.Regulatory Status: California Species of Special Concern.Threats Affecting the LeConte’s Thrasher: The primary threat is loss of habitat andfragmentation of habitat into segments too small to support a viable population in the long term.LeConte’s thrashers are sensitive to vehicle traffic during the nesting season, especially off roadtravel in washes.3.3.6.9 Long-Eared OwlLife History: Riparian groves of willows and cottonwoods, stands of oaks in desertmountains, and dense stands of junipers are the preferred nesting habitat in the California desert.The long-eared owl disperses widely and can migrate long distances, and appears to exhibit lownest site fidelity. Therefore, protection of the woodland habitat is more important than protectionof individual nest sites. This species often nests communally in the winter, preferring densestands of trees, even plantings near human habitation.Population Status in the Planning Area: Long-eared owl has been found in severallocations in the Argus Mountains, and is known to nest at the largest riparian sites in the westernMojave Desert, including Big Morongo Reserve and Mojave Narrows Regional Park. Otherrecorded sites, presumably for nesting birds, are Leona Valley near Elizabeth Lake, and severalsites near Lancaster. It is not clear whether the majority of birds are winter visitiors. Mostrecords appear to be breeding. Communal winter roosts have been detected at Harper Dry Lake.Chapter 3 3-177
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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
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3.3.2 Desert Tortoise3.3.2.1 Regula
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progress toward meeting the overall
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“higher density” and “lower d
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several seasons (Esque 1994 in Aver
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Assistant District Manager Molly Br
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• Since 1975, federal land manage
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“52 mi 2 of higher density tortoi
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1984 Tortoise Range and Density Map
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Higher Density Tortoise Sign Count
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When data for the three lowest sign
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Occurrence of Tortoises Relative to
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Regional Declines in the Four DWMAs
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Tortoise Distribution within the Re
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Boarman (pers. comm., Nov 2002) has
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tortoises are either extirpated (La
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sites surveyed by LaRue between 199
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aseline data are lacking. Grasses p
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Canine Predators: This includes coy
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The spatial distribution of 12 of 1
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Predation Versus Scavenging of Juve
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Table 3-20Prevalence of Tortoises i
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(Jacobson et al. 1991, Brown et al.
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3.3.2.5.3 Older and Newer Die-off R
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Table 3-21Characteristics of Older
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Table 3-22Characteristics of Older
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of the Johnson Valley Open Area, an
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Distribution of Recreational and Re
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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),
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Page 169 and 170: Habitat Management Plans (HMPs) wer
Page 171 and 172: Basic to the biology of bighorn she
Page 173 and 174: 3.3.6 Birds3.3.6.1 Bendire’s Thra
Page 175: 3.3.6.5 Golden EagleLife History: T
Page 179 and 180: Regulatory Status: Federal Endanger
Page 181 and 182: 3.3.6.15 Western Yellow-billed Cuck
Page 183 and 184: Other major threats are flood contr
Page 185 and 186: Population Status in the Planning A
Page 187 and 188: on the inaccessible mountain slopes
Page 189 and 190: 3.3.8.8 Kern BuckwheatLife History:
Page 191 and 192: Threats Affecting the Mojave Monkey
Page 193 and 194: 3.3.8.16 Red Rock PoppyLife History
Page 195 and 196: populations show intergradation wit
Page 197 and 198: 3.4.1.1 Regional EnvironmentIn tota
Page 199 and 200: Table 3-37Average Annual Units Cons
Page 201 and 202: 2002 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAEMPLOYMENT
Page 203 and 204: TABLE 3-382000 CENSUS DEMOGRAPHIC C
Page 205 and 206: to undergo a dramatic reversal to t
Page 207 and 208: 3.4.1.5 Study Area Property Valuati
Page 209 and 210: The supply of private property in t
Page 211 and 212: ALLOTMENT NAME TYPE OF LIVESTOCK FO
Page 213 and 214: Grazing AllotmentsNOlanchaDarwinTun
Page 215 and 216: ALLOTMENT NAMEALLOTMENTACRESP. L. 1
Page 217 and 218: 3.4.3 Mineral Potential and Develop
Page 219 and 220: Mineral Potential, Active and Inact
Page 221 and 222: Mineral Potential, Active and Inact
Page 223 and 224: development based on the results of
Page 225 and 226: 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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