Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species
Federally listed threatened and endangered vegetation and wildlife species are protected by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and are also protected by several state statutes. Section 7(c) of the ESA requires preparation of a Biological Assessment for major construction activities on federal land. Our biologists have conducted numerous vegetation and wildlife surveys in Nevada and California and are familiar with habitat features for most species of concern. RCI has frequently coordinated with state and federal agencies and obtained approved site clearances for land disturbing activities. RCI has also participated in Section 7 consultations and has prepared multi-species habitat conservation plans.
Examples of our services are described by the following paragraphs.
Habitat Conservation Plans
Resource Concepts, Inc., in association with Entrix, prepared two separate Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plans (MSHCPs): one for Southeastern Lincoln County and one for Coyote Springs Investments. The purpose of each plan is to provide means for private landowners and public land agencies to cooperate in land-use activities that benefit native wildlife and habitats, as well as supporting agricultural, ranching, recreational, and business development activities. The documents provide information related to the Mojave population of the desert tortoise, federally listed as threatened, and the southwestern willow flycatcher, federally listed as endangered. A portion of each plan area lies within United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) designated critical habitat and Bureau of Land Management designated Areas of Critical Environmental Concern for the desert tortoise. USFWS plan approval allows for the issuance of a Section 10(a)(1)(B) incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Extensive involvement from the USFWS, BLM, Nevada State Lands, NDOT, and private landowners was used in the development of each MSHCP. RCI also assisted in the preparation of Environmental Impact Statements to analyze the impacts of each MSHCP.
Biological Assessments / Biological Evaluations
RCI has conducted numerous rare plant and animal surveys for a variety of projects involving federally managed lands as required by U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service. Surveys for State and Federally recognized threatened and endangered plant and animal species and their potential habitat are completed during the appropriate time of year and may require more than one survey depending on the species. Recent projects have included surveys near Mesquite, Yerington, Walker River, and Carson City in Nevada, as well as Bridgeport, Mammoth Lakes, Heavenly Valley, and Sonora Pass in California.