The purpose and need of this project is to acquire and protect habitat for the desert tortoise and contribute to species' recovery. In 1990, the Mojave desert tortoise was listed as a threatened species due to various threats, including loss of habitat, invasive plants, wildfire, disease, increased predation and illegal collecting. Washington County Utah has consistently been one of the fastest growing communities in the nation. Tortoise habitat in the County has been lost as a result of this rapid growth. In 1996, Washington County, Utah established a 61,000-acre Red Cliffs Desert Reserve to protect the tortoise and its most valuable habitat remaining in the state. Creation and management of the Reserve were the primary recovery contributions of the County's Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). In 2009, the Reserve was also granted federal protection with the designation of the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area (NCA). Under this designation only the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administered lands were considered part of the NCA, however any future purchases or exchanges of the private property within the Reserve could become a part of the NCA as well. The Red Cliffs Desert Reserve is the primary habitat for desert tortoise in the Upper Virgin River Recovery Unit. With an average of 19.6 tortoises per square kilometer, the Reserve boasts the highest densities of Mojave desert tortoises remaining in the wild (McLuckie et al. 2017). Occurring at the very northeastern limit of the tortoises range, the Reserve is also the smallest recovery unit, representing less than 1% of all tortoise management areas. Marked by its spectacular red rock canyons and basaltic lava flows, the Reserve is located at an intergrade zone between the Mojave Desert, Colorado Plateau, and the Great Basin Desert. As a result, it contains a unique combination of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. To date, approximately 10,000 acres of private property have been acquired through purchase or land exchange in the Reserve and over $100 million dollars have been spent in cash and land exchange value. Approximately 460 acres of the Reserve remain in private ownership. These 460 acres represent the highest priority for acquisition under this project, however, the HCP operates under a willing buyer willing seller principle and cannot force the sale of private lands. If private lands cannot be acquired, the SITLA lands in the Reserve will also be considered for acquisition with the use of any remaining project funds.

Since the Reserves' inception, Washington County, BLM, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Utah Department of Natural Resources (UDNR) and other partners, have been working diligently to purchase or trade out all private inholdings within the Reserve. The HCP agreement identified three major land acquisition strategies (3.2 HCP 1996) and carefully outlined the acquisition responsibilities: 1. State School Trust - BLM land exchange, 2. Private -BLM land exchange, and 3. Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Additionally, UDNR has been awarded federal funds through Section 6 to assist in the acquisition of Reserve inholdings. This project intends to compliment these available funds and ideally will be used as required "match" funds for collaborative grant opportunities or pooled with other funds and donations to maximize cost-effectiveness of the remaining acquisitions.

This project essentially helps implement the Washington County Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for Mojave Desert tortoise, and fits well with Washington County's plan for management of key landscapes within their jurisdiction, as outlined in their Comprehensive Resource Management Plan -- http://arcgis10.washco.utah.gov/arcgisportal/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=096cd19348c64da79275eb65d7560990 Additionally, this project would support many of the recommendations of the 2015-2025 Utah Wildlife Action Plan.

Not applicable; all affected natural resources would come under government protection, and would be added to the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve as per prior plans and public involvement processes; federal grant issuance has already been conducted, hence no further federal action is contemplated. All existing cultural or natural resources would be safeguarded and protected in compliance with existing laws.

The objective of this proposal--to protect habitat for the threatened desert tortoise will be attained by purchasing fee title to privately owned land in the Reserve. These funds will likely be pooled with other available funding sources or donations to meet the match requirements for Section 6 grants. The funds could likewise be useful for other collaborative acquisition opportunities if Section 6 monies are not made available.

Tortoise monitoring already occurs on these lands through the existing HCP and UDWR monitoring program. It is anticipated that this monitoring program will continue with the renewal of the HPC permit, although monitoring responsibilities may shift to the appropriate land management agency (UDNR in this case if they acquire fee title).

Washington County, Utah - Implements the HCP and facilitates land acquisition and Reserve management. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources - monitors tortoise populations in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and performs habitat management and restoration activities. US Fish and Wildlife Service - authorizes the HCP and provides funding sources through Section 6 land acquisition grants. The Nature Conservancy - supports land acquisition efforts in the Reserve and often provides match dollars in support of awarded grants. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - this agency is also working cooperatively with Washington County HCP to acquire private inholdings through purchase or exchange.

Title to the purchased lands would be held by UDNR and managed in accordance with the HCP desert tortoise conservation objectives, consistent with the rest of the Reserve. Long-term management of lands in the Reserve would be completed by the respective land owner or management agency (UDNR in this case) but supported by HCP funds.

02/17/2022

06/30/2022

2022

UDWR successfully acquired fee title to 12 acres of land in the Reserve for $96,000 dollars in 2022. Washington County assisted by paying $23,623 for state-approved appraisals and other facilitation expenses. Unfortunately, the landowner indicated he would not sell more than 12 acres at this time, but would prefer to wait until a federal appraisal is completed for the Section 6 award. In this scenario, the remaining $739,000 in state monies would be pooled with the federal funds for a larger acquisition. UDWR and Washington County attempted to find other willing sellers in the Reserve, but all of those contacted were unwilling to sell at this time due to lower than expected appraised values. In July of 2022, UDWR completed a purchase agreement with the landowner to purchase more of his land at the federally appraised value. The agreement supports the acquisition of up to $7,240,000 worth of his land. The majority of funds will be provided through the federal grant award and other project partners, however, carry over funds from this project ($739,000) may be necessary to help provide match money for the Section 6 acquisition. Final steps and approximate timeline to complete the Section 6 acquisition: 1. Due diligence including yellow-book appraisal, public notice, County Commission meeting report RDCC and letters of support (September -- November 2022) 2. Submit final grant documentation to USFWS (November -- December 2022) 3. Closing, title insurance, wire transfer, signatures and recorded deed (December 2022 -- February 2023)

In 1996, Washington County and partners (including UDNR) created a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) to protect the federally threatened desert tortoise and its habitat from encroaching development. As a part of the HCP, the 61,000-acre Red Cliffs Desert Reserve was created. The HCP was renewed and amended in 2021, with the Reserve expanding to approximately 68,000 acres. While most of the privately held lands in the Reserve have been acquired by state and federal partners, approximately 400 acres remain. This project will pool available state funds and donations to strategically acquire the remaining in holdings.

Title to the purchased lands would be held by UDNR/UDWR and managed in accordance with the HCP desert tortoise conservation objectives, consistent with the rest of the Reserve. Through its HCP, Washington County also provides additional management funds to support UDNR/UDWR in the form of tortoise monitoring, habitat restoration, weeds management and fire prevention.