U.S. FWS
Environmental Conservation Online System
Conserving the Nature of America

Recovery Plan Action Status

Plan Name: Revised Recovery Plan for the Mojave Population of the Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)
Plan Status: Final Revision 1
Plan Date: 06-May-11
Lead Agency: USFWS
Lead Office: Nevada Fish And Wildlife Office ( (775) 861-6300 )
Species Action Priority # Action # Action Description Action Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Action Comments Implementation Activities
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 2 1.1 Develop, support, and build partnerships to facilitate recovery: Establish regional, inter-organizational RITs to coordinate implementation activities of recovery. actions. Ongoing Current FY 2012 All parties, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Management: Planning Species Expert, Internal Technical Assistance
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
1.1-1 RITs appointed by FWS Regional Director Complete FY 2012 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 2 2.1 Protect and manage existing populations and habitat: Conserve intact desert tortoise habitat. Ongoing Current FY 2011 Land Managers Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation, Management: Land Use Labor type not yet selected Negligible additional costs above normal activities.
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 3 2.10 Protect and manage existing populations and habitat: Restrict off-highway vehicle events within desert tortoise habitat. Ongoing Current FY 2011 Bureau Land Management Management: Land Use Internal Administrative
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 3 2.11 Protect and manage existing populations and habitat: Connect functional habitat. Ongoing Current FY 2011 Land Managers Acquisition, Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation, Management: Land Use Species Expert, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Administrative To be determined.
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
2.11-1 Identify population/habitat linkages between tortoise conservation areas (Averill-Murray et al. 2013) Complete N/A FY 2013 Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 3 2.12 Protect and manage existing populations and habitat: Limit mining and minimize its effects. Partially Complete FY 2010 Bureau Land Management Acquisition: Withdrawal, Management: Land Use Internal Administrative
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
2.12-2 Consulting with BLM to minimize impacts from current legal mining claims in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve - only a handful of site in the reserve Ongoing Current N/A N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
2.12-1 Withdrawal of approximately 944,343 acres of public lands from location and entry under the United States mining laws for a period of 20 years to protect desert tortoise habitat, archaeological and cultural resources, and special wildlife and riparian values on 24 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern located in Clark and Nye Counties, Nevada. Effective Date: October 30, 2009. Complete FY 2010 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected This activity was completed in the interval between the draft and final revised plans.
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 3 2.13 Protect and manage existing populations and habitat: Limit landfills and their effects. Ongoing Current FY 2011 Counties Management: Land Use Internal Field Assistance
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 3 2.14 Protect and manage existing populations and habitat: Minimize excessive predation on tortoises. Ongoing Current FY 2011 Land Managers Management: Depredation Control Contract
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
2.14-1 Implement Raven Management Plan in accordance with Raven EA in California Ongoing Current FY 2013 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 3 2.15 Protect and manage existing populations and habitat: Minimize impacts to tortoises from horses and burros. Unknown National Park Service, Bureau Land Management Management: Predator and Competitor Control Contract, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 3 2.16 Protect and manage existing populations and habitat: Minimize impacts to tortoises from livestock grazing. Ongoing Current FY 2011 National Park Service, Bureau Land Management Management: Predator and Competitor Control Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 2 2.2 Protect and manage existing populations and habitat: Minimize factors contributing to disease. Ongoing Current FY 2011 All parties Management: Disease Control Labor type not yet selected
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
2.2-1 2011 health assessments conducted for ISEGS, Desert Sunlight, and Silver State solar energy development projects. Partially Complete FY 2011 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
2.2-3 2012 health assessment training at DTCC Complete FY 2012 FY 2012 Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
2.2-2 2012 health assessments conducted for Desert Sunlight solar energy development project. Partially Complete FY 2012 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
2.2-4 2011 health assessment training at DTCC Complete FY 2011 FY 2011 Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
2.2-5 2013 health assessment training at DTCC Complete FY 2013 FY 2013 Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
2.2-6 Conduct blood tests for all tortoises translocate/returned to Red Cliffs Desert Reserve Ongoing Current N/A N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
2.2-7 2013 health assessments conducted for KRoad Moapa solar energy development project Partially Complete FY 2013 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 2 2.3 Protect and manage existing populations and habitat: Establish/continue environmental education programs. Ongoing Current FY 2011 All parties Other: Information and Education Volunteer, Species Expert, Contract, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Administrative
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
2.3-4 Red Cliffs Desert Reserve - ongoing outreach program/coordinator/visitor center-mojave max Ongoing Current N/A N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
2.3-3 Clark County Mojave Max Program Ongoing Current FY 2011 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
2.3-2 DMG education/outreach program Ongoing Current FY 2011 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 2 2.4 Protect and manage existing populations and habitat: Increase law enforcement. Ongoing Not Current FY 2011 Land Managers Other: Law Enforcement Internal Technical Assistance
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
2.4-1 Nevada State regulation limiting possession of pet desert tortoises Partially Complete FY 2013 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 2 2.5 Protect and manage existing populations and habitat: Restrict, designate, close, and fence roads. Ongoing Current FY 2011 National Park Service, Bureau Land Management Management: Planning, Management: Land Use, Other: Regulations Internal Administrative
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
2.5-3 Sign Trout Canyon Road to reduce traffic encounters with desert tortoises in tortoise habitat (translocation area) Ongoing Current FY 2013 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
2.5-2 ongoing in 2012, in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve Ongoing Current FY 2012 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
2.5-1 Fix and maintain fences throught the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve to discourage atv use in reserve Ongoing Current N/A N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 2 2.6 Protect and manage existing populations and habitat: Restore desert tortoise habitat. Ongoing Current FY 2011 Land Managers Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation Contract, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance To be determined.
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
2.6-2 Several small scale restoration projects in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve Complete N/A FY 2012 Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
2.6-1 Restoration of Burned Desert Tortoise Habitat in Southern Nevada Planned N/A N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 2 2.7 Protect and manage existing populations and habitat: Install and maintain urban or other barriers; Upper Virgin River Recovery Unit. Unknown Bureau Land Management , Washington County, Utah, HCP Management: Other Contract, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
2.7-1 Maintain fences around Red Cliffs Desert Reserve/urban interface Ongoing Current N/A N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 2 2.7 Protect and manage existing populations and habitat: Install and maintain urban or other barriers; Western Mojave Recovery Unit. Unknown Land Managers Management: Other Contract, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 2 2.7 Protect and manage existing populations and habitat: Install and maintain urban or other barriers; Eastern/Northeastern Mojave recovery units. Unknown Coyote Springs, Nevada, MSHCP, Clark County, Nevada, MSHCP Management: Other Contract, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 3 2.7 Protect and manage existing populations and habitat: Install and maintain urban or other barriers; Remainder of desert tortoise range. Unknown Land Managers Management: Other Contract, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 2 2.8 Protect and manage existing populations and habitat: Sign and fence boundaries of sensitive or impacted areas; Upper Virgin River Recovery Unit. Unknown Bureau Land Management , Washington County, Utah, HCP Management: Other Contract, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
2.8-1 BLM worked to fence/sign boundary and areas within Red Cliffs Desert Reserve Ongoing Current N/A N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 3 2.8 Protect and manage existing populations and habitat: Sign and fence boundaries of sensitive or impacted areas; Remainder of desert tortoise range. Unknown Land Managers Management: Other Contract, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 2 2.9 Protect and manage existing populations and habitat: Secure lands/habitat for conservation; Upper Virgin River, Colorado Desert, and Western Mojave recovery units. Ongoing Current FY 2011 Land Managers Acquisition Internal Administrative To be determined.
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 3 2.9 Protect and manage existing populations and habitat: Secure lands/habitat for conservation; Remainder of desert tortoise range. Ongoing Current Land Managers Acquisition Internal Administrative To be determined.
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 2 3.1 Augment depleted populations through a strategic program: Develop protocols and guidelines for the augmentation program. Ongoing Current FY 2011 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Management: Reintroduction Species Expert
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
3.1-1 Conduct disease risk assessment Partially Complete FY 2012 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 2 3.2 Augment depleted populations through a strategic program: Identify sites at which to implement population augmentation efforts Ongoing Current FY 2012 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Management: Reintroduction Species Expert, Internal Technical Assistance
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
3.2-3 Identified Hidden Valley, Nevada, as an appropriate site for population augmentation (in association with Activity Number 5.1-2) Partially Complete N/A N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
3.2-2 Identified Nevada National Security Site as a suitable site for population augmentation research Complete FY 2012 FY 2012 Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
3.2-1 Identified greater Trout Canyon area as desirable site for population augmentation Complete FY 2012 FY 2013 Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 2 3.3 Augment depleted populations through a strategic program: Secure facilities and obtain tortoises for use in augmentation efforts. Ongoing Current FY 2011 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mohave National Preserve, Department of Defense Management: Reintroduction Species Expert, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Administrative
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 2 3.4 Augment depleted populations through a strategic program: Implement translocations in target areas to augment populations using a scientifically rigorous, research-based approach. Ongoing Current Land Managers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Management: Reintroduction Graduate Student, Species Expert, Contract, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative To be determined.
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
3.4-2 Nevada National Security Site translocation Ongoing Current FY 2012 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
3.4-1 Trout Canyon population augmentation Ongoing Current FY 2013 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 3 4.1 Monitor progress toward recovery: Monitor desert tortoise population growth. Ongoing Current FY 2011 All parties, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Management: Population Monitoring Species Expert, Contract, Internal Technical Assistance
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
4.1-3 2013 range-wide monitoring season Complete FY 2013 FY 2013 Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
4.1-1 2011 range-wide monitoring season. Complete FY 2011 FY 2011 Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Also UDWR
4.1-2 2012 range-wide monitoring season Complete FY 2012 FY 2012 Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 3 4.2 Monitor progress toward recovery: Monitor the extent of tortoise distribution in each recovery unit. Not Started All parties, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Management: Population Monitoring Species Expert, Contract, Internal Technical Assistance
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 3 4.3 Monitor progress toward recovery: Track changes in the quantity and quality of desert tortoise habitat. Ongoing Current FY 2011 All parties, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Research: Habitat Status, Management: Population Monitoring Species Expert, Contract, Internal Technical Assistance To be determined.
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 3 4.4 Monitor progress toward recovery: Quantify the presence and intensity of threats to the desert tortoise across the landscape. Ongoing Current FY 2011 All parties, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Management: Other Species Expert, Contract, Internal Technical Assistance To be determined.
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 3 5.1 Conduct applied research and modeling in support of recovery efforts within a strategic framework: Determine factors that influence the distribution of desert tortoises. Ongoing Current FY 2011 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Research Institutions, U.S. Geological Survey Research: Climate Change, Research: Population Assessment, Research: Habitat Requirements Species Expert, Internal Technical Assistance To be determined.
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
5.1-2 Conduct research on effects of habitat quality (burned vs. unburned habitat) on physiology and health of desert tortoises Planned N/A N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
5.1-1 Model potential effects of climate change on desert tortoise habitat Ongoing Current FY 2011 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 3 5.2 Conduct applied research and modeling in support of recovery efforts within a strategic framework: Conduct research on the restoration of desert tortoise habitat. Ongoing Current FY 2011 All parties, Research Institutions Research: Management Techniques, Research: Demographic Studies Species Expert, Contract, Internal Technical Assistance To be determined.
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 3 5.3 Conduct applied research and modeling in support of recovery efforts within a strategic framework: Improve models of threats, threat mitigation, and desert tortoise demographics. Ongoing Current FY 2011 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Research Institutions Research: Climate Change, Research: Population Assessment, Research: Dietary Studies, Research: Habitat Status, Research: Habitat Requirements, Research: Management Techniques, Research: Demographic Studies, Research: Predation, Research: Competition, Research: Disease, Research: Environmental Contaminants Graduate Student, Species Expert, Contract, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance To be determined.
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
5.3-1 Develop models of threats (Univ. Arizona) Ongoing Current FY 2012 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 3 5.4 Conduct applied research and modeling in support of recovery efforts within a strategic framework: Conduct research on desert tortoise diseases and their effects on tortoise populations. Ongoing Current FY 2011 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Research Institutions Research: Disease Graduate Student, Species Expert, Contract, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance To be determined.
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
5.4-1 Pharmacokinetic study (SDZ/DTCC) Ongoing Current FY 2012 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
5.4-3 Evaluate other diseases (SDZ) Ongoing Current FY 2012 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
5.4-4 Differentiating between Epizootic and Enzootic Disease Dynamics of Mycoplasmosis in the Mojave Desert Tortoise (UNR) Ongoing Current N/A N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
5.4-2 Invasion & Infection: Translocation & Transmission. An experimental study with Mycoplasma in Desert Tortoises (SAC disease workgroup) Ongoing Current FY 2012 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 3 5.5 Conduct applied research and modeling in support of recovery efforts within a strategic framework: Determine the importance of corridors and physical barriers to desert tortoise distribution and gene flow. Ongoing Current FY 2011 Research Institutions Research: Population Assessment, Research: Demographic Studies, Research: Genetics Graduate Student, Species Expert, Contract, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance To be determined.
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
5.5-1 Landscape genomic evaluation of habitat corridors for the Desert Tortoise (UCLA) Ongoing Current FY 2012 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 2 6.1 Implement an adaptive management program: Revise and continue development of a recovery decision support system. Ongoing Current FY 2011 All parties, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Management: Planning Species Expert, Contract, Internal Technical Assistance
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
6.1-1 Develop initial conceptual models to quantify the relative importance of threats and to prioritize recovery actions based on their potential to affect risk to Mojave desert tortoises (Darst et al. 2013) Complete N/A FY 2013 Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 2 6.2 Implement an adaptive management program: Develop/revise recovery action plans. Ongoing Current FY 2012 All parties Management: Planning Species Expert, Contract, Internal Technical Assistance Costs included under action 1.1.
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
6.2-2 Draft recovery action plans, version 1 Partially Complete FY 2013 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
6.2-1 Conducted recovery action plan webinars with each RIT workgroup. Complete FY 2012 FY 2012 Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 3 6.3 Implement an adaptive management program: Amend land use plans, habitat management plans, and other plans as needed to implement recovery actions. Ongoing Current FY 2011 Land Managers Management: Planning Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Administrative
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
6.3-2 Amend Las Vegas RMP. Ongoing Current FY 2011 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
6.3-1 Development of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (NCCP/HCP) and concurrent BLM land use plan amendments for the CDCA through a stakeholder process. Ongoing Current FY 2011 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) 3 6.4 Implement an adaptive management program: Incorporate scientific advice for recovery through the Science Advisory Committee. Ongoing Current FY 2011 All parties, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Management, Research Graduate Student, Species Expert, Contract, Internal Technical Assistance
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
6.4-1 Disease and translocation risk assessment Planned FY 2012 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
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