Ecosystems Advisory Committee

The Ecosystems Advisory Committee (EAC) supports the mission of the Desert Tortoise Council by bringing the best available science to the federal, state, and local agency decision-making process. The EAC committee members do this by submitting comment letters on proposed projects and other issues (e.g., policymaking, regulatory applications, funding, etc.) associated with the conservation and management of desert tortoises and their habitats. The EAC committee members also work with other conservation organizations to provide a larger and more effective voice to support the implementation of conservation actions for desert tortoises and desert ecosystems, and to oppose actions that contribute to declines of their populations and degrade or destroy their fragile desert ecosystems.

EAC Correspondence

Click on the links below to view correspondence from the Desert Tortoise Council’s Ecosystems Advisory Committee.

2020 / 2019 / 2018 / 2017 / 2016 / 2015 / 2014 / 2013

07/26/21
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Whitewater River Groundwater Replenishment Facility Project

07/26/21
Proposed Amendments to California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Governing the Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program, and Changes to Information Requirements [view supplemental information]

07/18/21
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews of 76 Species in California and Nevada [view references]

07/09/21
Draft Management Plan for the Piute-Eldorado Valley Area of Critical Environmental Concern

07/06/21
Comments on Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Training and Public Land Withdrawal Extension, Fort Irwin, California

06/22/21
Makayla 2 Pumice Mine Environmental Assessment (DOI-BLM-CA-D050-2021-0019-EA)

05/31/21
Amargosa Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive River Management Plan

05/31/21
Draft Environmental Assessment for City of St. George Gap Wash Right-of-Way Amendment (DOI-BLM-UT-C030-2019-0042-EA, Applicant: City of St. George, Case Number: UTU-7857)

05/11/21
Big Sandy Inc., Sandy Valley Exploration Project (Phase 3) (DOI-BLM-AZ-C010-2021-0029-EA). Type of Project: Lithium and poly-metal minerals exploration

05/11/21
BEST ATV Tours Las Vegas-Nelson Hills (DOI-BLM-NV-S010-2021-0044-CX)

05/04/21
Preliminary applications for 2021 OHMVR Division grant funding submitted by the Bureau of Land Management

04/15/21
Oberon Renewable Energy Project – Draft Environmental Impact Report

04/15/21
Environmental Assessment (DOI-BLM-CA-LLCAD05000-2021-EA) Centennial, Panamint and Slate Range Herd Areas Wild Burro Gather Plan FY2021-FY2031

03/10/21
John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (Dingell Act)

02/15/21
Initial Study and Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Bellefield Solar Project, Kern County, California

02/04/21
Bureau of Land Management’s Proposed Lake Havasu Shoreline Trail System

01/24/21
Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Alta Mesa Wind Energy Project which includes Commercial WECS Permit No. 71R10 / Variance Case No. 200001 (WCS00071R10 / VAR200001)

01/16/21
Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Gamebird Substation Expansion, Nye County, Nevada and Screening Form for Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Determinations and Environmental Action Statement, GridLiance West, LLC, Proposed Gamebird Substation Expansion Project HCP, Nye County, Nevada (Docket No. FWS–R8–ES–2020–0142)

09/08/20
Lake Powell Pipeline Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment; Coconino and Mohave Counties, Arizona and Washington and Kane Counties, Utah

09/06/20
Yellow Pine Solar Project Final Environmental Impact Statement DOI-BLM- NV-S010-2017-0110-EIS

09/03/20
Comments on Initial Study and Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Aratina Solar Farm project
Desert Linkage Network map | Mohave ground squirrel important areas map 

09/02/20
Golden Valley 230 kV Transmission Line Project Environmental Assessment (DOI-BLM- AZ-C030-2018-0012-EA)

08/14/20
RB Inyokern Solar Project Draft Environmental Impact Report (SCH# 2017071020)

08/11/20
Vekol Valley Sonoran Pronghorn Release (DOI-BLM-AZ-P040-2020-0004-EA)

08/07/20
OPPOSE “Eagle Crest Bailout” – Economic Harm Legislation Should Not Be Considered

07/21/20
Amendment of the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area Resource Management Plan; Issuance of Incidental Take Permit; Issuance of a Highway Right-of-Way, and Issuance of an Environmental Impact Statement to Facilitate Development and Construction of the Northern Corridor Highway

07/14/20
Reward Mining Project Draft Environmental Assessment N-82840 (DOI-BLM-NV-S030- 2020-0006-EA), Nye County, Nevada

07/14/20
Crown Exploration Project Plan of Operations (#DOI-BLM-NV-B020-2020-0016-EA)

07/03/20
AB 235 – Strong Oppose

06/29/20
Big Ranch Unit A, Big Ranch Unit B, Gold Basin Allotments Grazing Permit Renewals Environmental Assessment (DOI-BLM-AZ-C010-2020-0025-EA)

06/08/20
Comments from conservation organizations on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Title 14. Natural Resources. Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program Regulations

06/03/20
DOI-BLM-AZ-P040-2020-0001-EA (Sonoran Desert National Monument Resource Management Plan Amendment/Environmental Assessment)

06/03/20
Environmental Assessment for the AngloGold Ashanti North America Silicon Exploration Project, Nye County, Nevada (DOI-BLM-NV-B020-2020-0017-EA)

06/03/20
Draft Environmental Assessment for Horseshoe Allotment Grazing Authorization Renewal, Yavapai County, AZ (DOI-BLM-AZ-P030-2020-0001-EA)

05/29/20
Environmental Assessment for Right-of-Way for Access to State of California Habitat Parcel in Inyokern, Kern County, CA (DOI-BLM-CA-D050-2020-0024-EA)

05/01/20
Yellow Pine Solar Project EIS Comments.5-1-2020

04/27/20
OPPOSE March 3, 2020 Eagle Crest amends to AB 2255

04/25/20
Letter of Support for the Grant Program: GCA-19, Agency: NPS – Joshua Tree National Park, Project: Restoration Plan for Joshua Tree (Federal ID 53-0197094)

04/25/20
Letter of Support for the Preliminary Grant Application by the Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee for Monitoring and Restoration of Areas Adjacent to Desert Tortoise Research Natural Area

04/22/20
DOI-BLM-AZ-P040-2020-0001-EA (Sonoran Desert National Monument Resource Management Plan Amendment/Environmental Assessment)

04/15/20
Comment on Bureau of Land Management’s Environmental Assessment: Spangler Hills OHV Area Expansion Fences (DOI-BLM-CA-D050-2020-0017-EA)

04/02/20
Path 46 Transmission Line Clearance Project Environmental Assessment (DOI-BLM-CA- D080-2019-0032-EA)

03/31/20
Environmental Assessment for the Lugo-Victorville 500 kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Special Protection Scheme (SPS) Project, San Bernardino County, CA and Clark County, NV

03/27/20
Black Mountain Herd Management Area Wild Burro Gather and Population Control Plan Environmental Assessment, Mohave County, Arizona (DOI-BLM-AZ-C010-2019-0030- EA)

03/20/20
A Petition to the State of California Fish and Game Commission
Petition | ATCH 1 | ATCH 2 | ATCH 3 | ATCH 4
Cover Letter | Press Release

03/19/20
Cottonwood Trailhead Improvements Draft Environmental Assessment (EA)

03/03/20
Scoping comments for preparation of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) related to proposed changes in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) grazing regulations

02/28/20
Evaluation of Standards for Rangeland Health (BLM-AZIM-99-012) for the White Hills Evaluation Area, Mohave County, AZ

02/28/20
Arrow Canyon Solar Project on the Mojave River Indian Reservation, Clark County, Nevada

02/14/20
Vulture Complex Grazing Authorization Renewal (DOI -BLM-AZ-P010-2020-0005-EA)

02/12/20
Cosign Utah Wilderness Coalition’s letter to Congress on Red Rock Wilderness Act

02/06/20
Comment Letter on the U.S. Forest Service and San Bernardino County Final Environmental Impact Statement/Final Environmental Impact Report for the Proposed Butterfield Sentinel Quarry Expansion Project, San Bernardino County, California (SCH# 2013021015)

02/03/20
Opposition to Eagle Crest Legislation

01/09/20
Notice of Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Public Scoping Period for the Lake Powell Pipeline Project

01/09/20
Mine Plan of Operations for the Phase III Moss Mine Expansion and Exploration Project Environmental Assessment (DOI-BLM-AZ-C010-2019-0033-EA)

01/06/20
Scoping Comments on the Proposed Environmental Impact Statement for the Northern Corridor Highway In Washington County (UT)

01/06/20
Environmental Impact Statement to Consider a Highway Right-of-Way with Associated Issuance of an Incidental Take Permit, and Resource Management Plan Amendments, Washington County, UT

12/13/19
Request for Extension by 45 Days of Scoping Comment Period on Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement To Consider a Highway Right-of-Way With Associated Issuance of an Incidental Take Permit, and Resource Management Plan Amendments, Washington County, UT Docket No. 20X LLUTC03000 L14400000 ER0000 LXSSJ0740000; UTU–93620; 13–08807

12/10/19
Red Rock Canyon State Park General Plan Revision

11/15/19
Crimson Solar Project

11/12/19
Reiteration of the Desert Tortoise Council’s Previous Requests as An Affected Interest for Notification of Bureau of Land Management Proposed Actions Affecting the Desert Tortoises or Habitats — Arizona District Managers

11/07/19
Reiteration of the Desert Tortoise Council’s Previous Requests as An Affected Interest for Notification of Bureau of Land Management Proposed Actions Affecting the Desert Tortoises or Habitats
CDCA | Southern Nevada | Utah

10/30/19
Environmental Assessment for the proposed Eland Solar Gen-Tie Line

10/25/19
Rand Communities Water District Water Supply Project

10/21/19
Comment Letter on the Joint CEQA/NEPA Document – Cache Creek Pipeline Replacement/Relocation Project Initial Study (CEQA) and Environmental Assessment (NEPA), Kern County, California (DPI-BLM-CA-050-2019-0018-EA)

10/16/19
Support House funding levels for ESA — NGO letter to Senate

10/03/19
Chaparrals Dual Sport Motorcycle Ride Special Recreation Permit-SR18-20 (DOI-BLM- CA-D050-2018-0011-CX)

08/29/19
Comments on Preliminary Environmental Assessment December 2019 Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sale DOI-BLM-NV-L000-2019-0005-EA August 2019

08/16/19
Comment Letter on the Proposed Gemini Solar Project, Clark County, Nevada: Resource Management Plan Amendment and Draft Environmental Impact Statement

08/16/19
Environmental Assessment (DOI-BLM-UT-C030-2017-0063-EA) for Rocky Mountain Power Powerline Upgrade Project and City of St. George Waterline Development Project Red Cliffs National Conservation Area

08/02/19
Environmental Assessment (DOI-BLM-CA-D090-2019-0013-EA) 40-95 Junction Communication Site

07/06/19
Interstate 11 Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), Nogales to Wickenburg, Arizona.

07/04/19
Northern Corridor – Lee Bill Opposition Statement

05/28/19
Protest of West Mojave (WEMO) Route Network Project Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (BLM/CA/DOI-BLM-CA-D080-2018-0008-EIS)

04/26/19
Daggett Solar Power Facility (State Clearinghouse No. 2018041007)

04/24/19
Red Rock Canyon State Park General Plan Concepts

04/15/19
Response to April 1, 2019 email requesting comments on the Draft Environmental Assessment for Test and Evaluation and Training Activities at the Cuddeback Range at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake – November 2018

03/20/19
Status and Trend of Agassiz’s Desert Tortoise Populations

03/19/19
Comments on Grant Funding Applications

03/07/19
Clark County Board of Commissioners Resolution to Support the Designation of the Three Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Areas on Bureau of Land Management Land through Federal Legislation

02/27/19
Comments on the Kern River Gas Transmission Company Pesticide Use Proposal for Operations and Maintenance Activities (DOI-BLM-CA-D080-2019-0008-EA)

02/26/19
Formal Letter Endorsing Enhanced FESA Funding

02/12/19
Defenders of Wildlife / Desert Tortoise Council 2018/2019 proposals for California Off-highway Division grants

01/27/19
Comments on Rule to Revise the Department of the Interior’s Regulations for Processing Records under the Freedom of Information Act (83 Federal Register 248, Friday, December 28, 2018) (Reference Docket No. DOI–2018–0017)

11/07/18
Comment Letter on Desert Quartzite Solar Project Draft Plan Amendment/ Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report (DOI-BLM-CA-D060-2017-0002 / CA State Clearinghouse No. 2015031066)

10/08/18
Comments on Environmental Assessment for a Modification to Keystone Mine Plan of Operations CACA-33965

08/26/18
Comment Letter on the Bureau of Land Management’s Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Land Use Plan Amendment, and a Notice of Segregation, both for the Proposed Gemini Solar Project in Clark County, Nevada

08/25/18
Comment Letter on the Bureau of Land Management’s Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and a Notice of Segregation for the Proposed Yellow Pine Solar Project, Clark County, NV

07/27/18
Arizona Department of Transportation’s Draft Application for Assumption of Federal Highway Administration’s National Environmental Policy Act Responsibilities

07/27/18
Environmental Impact Report for the San Bernardino County Master Storm Water System Maintenance Programs

05/15/18
Mojave National Preserve Management Plan for Developed Water Resources Environmental Assessment

05/14/18
Dry Lake East Designated Leasing Area DOI-BLM-NV-S010-2017-0131-EA

05/08/18
Draft Buckeye Hills Travel Management Plan, Pinal and Maricopa Counties, Arizona

04/29/18
Halloran Springs Communication Site Lease (DOI-BLM-CA-D090-2018-0011-EA, CACA-053336) Environmental Assessment

04/25/18
Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Proposed Daggett Solar Power Facility, San Bernardino County, CA

04/20/18
Scoping Comments on Joint Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIS/EIR) for the RE Crimson Solar Project and Input on Potential Plan Amendments to the California Desert Conservation Area Plan

04/02/18
Comments on 2017/2018 Grant Applications (Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation)

04/02/18
Letter of Support for the Preliminary Grant Application by the Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee for Western Expansion Area Restoration

03/29/18
Interconnect Towers Ash Hill Communications Site (DOI-BLM-CA-D090-2016-0007-EA)

03/20/18
Do not sign Letter of Intent for the Cadiz Pipeline

03/18/18
Scoping comments to consider changes to the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan

03/16/18
Paradise Valley Specific Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report No. 506

03/08/18
Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) Military Land Withdrawal Legislative Environmental Impact Statement (LEIS)

03/07/18
Scoping Comments for the Lower Colorado River Travel Management Plan

02/13/18
Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Lower Centennial Complex

02/12/18
DOI-BLM-CA-D080-2018-003, CalNev Pipeline Dig JT-34440 and JT-38470

02/23/17
Letter to the National Governors’ Association on Protecting the Endangered Species Act

03/15/17
Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)Translocation Throughout the Species Range within the Southern Nevada District and Caliente Field Office, Nevada, DOI-BLM-NV-S000-2017-0002-EA, Population Augmentation (BLM 2017)

06/20/17
Spectrum Article on Desert Tortoises in the Northern Corridor in Red Cliffs National Reserve, Utah

06/12/17
Coalition Letter on Infrastructure Legislation

06/28/17
Green Planet EA for St. Philip Placer Mine – El Paso Mountains, Kern Co., California

06/20/17
San Bernardino County General Plan Renewable Energy and Conservation Element

Related Documents

November 2016 Report: Mohave Ground Squirrel 2016 Trapping Results for 11 Grids in the “Bowling Alley,” San Bernardino County, California

1 November 2016: Renewable Energy and Conservation Element of the San Bernardino County General Plan

12/04/17
Scoping comments for an Environmental Assessment for testing, evaluation, and training activities at the Cuddeback Range at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake

12/24/17
Notice of Intent to Prepare and Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report for the Edwards Air Force Base Solar Enhanced Lease Use Project

01/22/16
Scoping comments of the Final Stump Springs Translocation Plan

02/12/16
Pakoon Springs Public Use Environmental Assessment (DOI-BLM-AZ-A030-2016-0004-EA)

02/18/16
Environmental Assessment DOI-BLM-CA-D050-2016-0006 for Sampling the Purple Sage Placer Claim Plan of Operations CACA-56420

03/30/16
Comments regarding a well permit for the Soda Mountains Solar Project for Supervisor Lovingood, San Bernardino, CA

03/30/16
Comments regarding a well permit for the Soda Mountains Solar Project for Supervisor Ramos, San Bernardino, CA

04/18/16
Sign-on letter to Nissin Foods regarding its Cup Noodles “wildlife” flavors

07/05/16
Interstate 11 Corridor – Nogales to Wickenburg

07/06/16
Camino Solar Project

07/29/16
Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests and Mining hearing about shortened public comment periods in BLM’s Planning 2.0 rule

09/22/16
Pakoon Springs Public Use Environmental Assessment (DOI-BLM-AZ-A030-2016-0004-EA)

Related Document: Abella and Berry, 2016: Enhancing and Restoring Habitat for the Desert Tortoise Gopherus agassizii

10/12/16
Department of Defense’s intent to withdraw 300,000± acres of Desert National Wildlife Refuge for use by the Air Force

10/24/16
Scoping comments for proposal to renew Ord Mountain Allotment grazing lease

11/20/16
Report: Mohave Ground Squirrel 2016 Trapping Results for 11 Grids in the “Bowling Alley,” San Bernardino County, California

11/01/16
Renewable Energy and Conservation Element of the San Bernardino County General Plan

12/10/16
Department of Defense’s intent to withdraw 300,000± acres of Desert National Wildlife Refuge for use by the Air Force

01/07/15
Dry Lake Solar Energy Center (Dry Lake SEZ Parcels 5 & 6) Environmental Assessment (NEPA#: DOI-BLM-NV-S010-2014-0126-EA; Case file #: N-93337)

01/07/15
Harry Allen Solar Energy Center Project Environmental Assessment (NEPA#: DOI-BLM-NV-S010-2014-0125-EA; Case file #: N-93321)

01/07/15
Playa Solar Project (Dry Lake SEZ Parcels 2, 3, & 4) Environmental Assessment (NEPA#: DOI-BLM-NV-S010-2014-0127-EA; Case file #: N-93306)

02/06/15
Las Vegas and Pahrump Field Offices Draft Resource Management Plan/Draft Environmental Impact Statement

03/05/15
Comments on San Bernardino County’s Renewable Energy and Conservation Element Framework: Purpose, Values and Standards (Framework)

03/16/15
Comment on Indian Wells Valley Land Use Management Plan Draft EIR/EIS (IWVLMP)

04/15/15
Nomination for a Soda Mountains Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC)

05/31/15
Defenders of Wildlife letter entitled “Mohave ground squirrel recommendations for DRECP Land Use Plan Amendment”

06/03/15
West Mojave Route Designation Final Comment Letter and Table

06/16/15
Scoping comments on the Lucerne Valley Solar One Project

06/28/15
Formal comments concerning the Aiya Solar Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement

09/18/15
Comments on Revisions to Endangered Species Act Petition Regulations

09/20/015
Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Small Mining Operations in Ridgecrest Resource Area

09/24/15
Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative 2.0

10/15/15
Comments on the Beaver Dam Wash and Red Cliffs National Conservation Area Draft Resource Management Plans

11/07/15
Notice of Preparation for Specific Plan No. 339, General Plan Amendment No. 686, Change of Zone No. 6915 (Paradise Valley), EIR No. 506

12/11/15
Comments on Rands Area Arsenic Cleanup

12/28/15
Scoping comments for Eagle Crest Pumped Storage Project in Riverside County

01/06/14
Draft EIR for the Fremont Valley Preservation Project by AquaHelio Resources, LLC

01/06/14
Nominations of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management for National Conservation Land status

01/08/14
Review of focused desert tortoise surveys for Searchlight Wind Energy Project

01/20/14
Addendum to the Environmental Impact Report for the Beacon Photovoltaic Solar Project, Springbok Solar Farm 1 and Oryx Solar Farm

01/21/14
Fremont Valley Preservation Project by AquaHelio Resources, LLC: Public Workshop of 1/20/2014

02/02/14
Fremont Valley Preservation Project by AquaHelio Resources, LLC. Formal Comments

03/01/14
Formal comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Soda Mountain Solar project (CACA 49584)

03/07/14
Desert Tortoise Council Support for Keeping the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center Operational

03/12/14
Proposed release of captive desert tortoises into the Piute-Eldorado Critical Habitat Unit, Clark County, Nevada

03/13/14
Desert Tortoise Council Support for Keeping the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center Operational

03/20/14
Moapa Solar Energy Center, Final Environmental Impact Statement

04/01/14
Decision Record and Rationale for (DOI-BLM-NV-S010-2014-0032-DNA) – Hidden Valley Tortoise Translocation

04/04/14
Support for Western Watersheds Project’s “Appeal and Request for Stay of the Decision Record and Rationale for The Eldorado Valley Tortoise Translocation (DOI-BLM-NV-S0l0-2014-0038-DNA)”

05/25/14
Formal comments on the proposed Silurian Valley Solar Project

06/16/14
Exploratory Drilling of the Dragonfly Placer Claims by Glacial Minerals, Inc. in El Paso Mountains, Kern County, California

07/27/14
Proposed translocation of desert tortoises from the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center into Stump Springs Translocation Area in southern Nevada

09/02/14
Scoping comments on the proposed Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for the Coolwater-Lugo Transmission Project, Application No. A.13-08-023

10/07/14
Soda Mountain Solar and Silurian Valley Solar Project

10/31/14
Comments on the Draft “Best Management Practices for Ranching in Sonoran Desert Tortoise (Gopherus morafkai) Habitat in Arizona”

11/07/14
Soda Mountain Solar and Silurian Valley Solar Project

02/05/13
Public meeting on proposed project: Marisol Energy

03/20/13
Joint notice of preparation and notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report for Omya Sentinel and Butterfield Quarries Expansion Project

04/11/13
Rehabilitate Katherine Landing Access Road EA

04/16/13
Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP)

06/01/13
Shared use of Johnson Valley by Marine Corps and off-highway vehicle recreationists

09/11/13
Vehicle route designation on the Arizona Strip

09/23/13
Comments from the Desert Tortoise Council to San Bernardino County Supervisors James Ramos and Robert Lovingood

09/27/13
Public Input on the TransWest Express Transmission Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement

10/11/13
Moapa Solar Energy Center, Environmental Impact Statement

10/16/13
Maricopa Solar Park Scoping

10/19/13
Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) for the Silver State Solar South Project

10/20/13
Protest of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendment for the Silver State South Solar Energy Project