Ecological Monitoring and Compliance Program 2017 Report

Abstract

NSTec), during calendar year 2009. Program activities included (a) biological surveys at proposed construction sites, (b) desert tortoise compliance, (c) ecosystem mapping and data management, (d) sensitive plant species monitoring, (e) sensitive and protected/regulated animal monitoring, (f) habitat monitoring, (g) habitat restoration monitoring, and (h) monitoring of the Nonproliferation Test and Evaluation Complex. During 2009, all applicable laws, regulations, and permit requirements were met, enabling EMAC to achieve its intended goals and objectives.Sensitive and protected/regulated species of the NTS include 43 plants, 1 mollusk, 2 reptiles, 238 birds, and 27 mammals. These species are protected, regulated, or considered sensitive according to state or federal regulations and natural resource agencies and organizations. The threatened desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) is the only species on the NTS protected under the Endangered Species Act. Biological surveys for the presence of sensitive and protected/regulated species and important biological resources on which they depend were conducted for 31 projects. A total of 437.58 hectares (ha) (1081.29 acres [ac]) was surveyed for these projects. Sensitive and protected/regulated species and important biological resources found during these surveys included active tortoise burrows, active kit fox (Vulpes velox macrotis) burrows, a predator burrow, mature Joshua (Yucca brevifolia) trees, Mojave yuccas (Yucca schidigera), possibly Tonopah milkvetch (Astragalus pseudiodanthus), Beatley milkvetch (Astragalus beatleyae), Cane Spring suncup (Camissonia megalantha), and cacti. NSTec provided a written summary report of all survey findings and mitigation recommendations, where applicable. All flagged tortoise burrows were avoided during project activities.Of the 31 projects on the NTS, 24 projects occurred within the range of the threatened desert tortoise. NNSA/NSO must comply with the terms and conditions of the Biological Opinion rendered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) when conducting work in desert tortoise habitat. No tortoises were found in project areas, nor were any accidentally injured, killed, captured, or displaced during project activities. One desert tortoise was killed by a vehicle along the 5-05 Road in Area 5. Five desert tortoises were removed from roads by NTS personnel to avoid injury or death. In 2009, approximately 3.27 ha (8.08 ac) of tortoise habitat were disturbed. Two projects paid mitigation fees for areas that were disturbed in 2009. On July 2, 2008, NNSA/NSO sent a Biological Assessment to the FWS and entered into formal consultation for a new programmatic opinion for the NTS. That consultation ended on February 12, 2009, when FWS sent the final Biological Opinion to NNSA/NSO. This Opinion covers anticipated activities at the NTS for the next 10 years.There has been an average of 11.8 wildland fires per year on the NTS since 1978 with an average of about 81.6 ha (201.6 ac) burned per fire. In 2009, there were 17 wildland fire...