West Mojave Plan FEIR/S - Desert Managers Group

likely to retain desert tortoise populations than elliptical or rectangular ones. Long, linear stripsare least desirable” (page 49).The Recovery Plan suggested that at least three of four potential DWMAs be establishedwithin the Western Mojave Recovery Unit. These particular DWMAs were recommended forthe following reasons (USFWS 1994b, page F28):The Western Mojave recovery unit is the largest and most heterogeneous of the recovery units interms of climate, vegetation and topography. It includes three major vegetation types - theWestern Mojave, Central Mojave, and Southern Mojave - each of which has significant anddistinctive elements...Four DWMAs within the Western Mojave recovery unit represent thediversity. The Fremont-Kramer DWMA represents the Western Mojave region; the Superior-Cronese DWMA represents the Central Mojave region; and the Ord-Rodman DWMA representsthe Southern Mojave region. The Joshua Tree DWMA [Pinto Mountain], the fourth within thisrecovery unit, contains Southern Mojave and Eastern Colorado elements. The tortoises haveresponded to this habitat heterogeneity with different food habits and behavior in each of theseareas. Thus, three DWMAs are essential in this recovery unit to preserve the heterogeneity[emphasis added]. Secure, large reserves are especially critical because of the severe populationdeclines and heavy human use in these areas.It is important to note that the Recovery Plan is advisory; federal agencies are notrequired to adopt its suggestions. The Recovery Plan recommends the general areas whereDWMAs should be located, but leaves the task of delineating the DWMA boundaries to the landmanagement agencies, in coordination with USFWS, CDFG, local stakeholders, and otherinterested parties. The principle agency mechanism for implementing recovery plan tasks isthrough amendments to existing resource management plans (BLM) or through the developmentof broader bioregional plans in collaboration with local government.Relationships Among Tortoise Habitat Designations: Public lands designated ascritical habitat were generally the same as those earlier delineated by the CDCA Plan as crucialhabitat, with the following exceptions. The northern half of Brisbane Valley, most of theStoddard Valley Open Area, and two 50-square mile areas in Johnson Valley Open Area wereconsidered crucial habitat but were not designated as critical habitat. Areas south of Fort Irwinand Edwards Air Force Base, and most of the area east of Highway 247, which are now criticalhabitat, were not identified as crucial habitat. Similarly, BLM lands designated as critical habitatgenerally corresponded to Category I and II tortoise habitats.The Recovery Plan (USFWS 1994b, page 56) distinguished DWMAs and critical habitat,noting that critical habitat does not accomplish the same goals or have as dramatic an effect upontortoise conservation as does a recovery plan because critical habitat does not apply managementprescriptions to designated areas. However, designation of critical habitat does provideprotection of desert tortoise habitat until such time as the Desert Tortoise Recovery Plan isimplemented and DWMA management is employed.Existing Areas of Relatively Higher Tortoise Densities: The preceeding discussionpertains to official designations by one or more of the federal or State agencies. Based onsurveys between 1998 and 2002, regions were identified as having “above average” or “higherdensity” tortoise occurrence. Although not an official designation, the differentiation betweenChapter 3 3-72