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Management and Research of Desert Tortoises for the Yucca Mountain Project

Conference ·
OSTI ID:138076
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. EG and G Energy Measurements, Inc., Las Vegas, NV (United States)
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A program has been developed for the Yucca Mountain Project (YMP) to manage and study the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizi), a threatened species that occurs at low densities at Yucca Mountain. The goals of this program are to better understand the biology and status of the desert tortoise population at Yucca Mountain, assess impacts on tortoises of site characterization (SC) activities, and minimize those impacts. The first steps we took to develop this program were to compile the available information on tortoise biology at Yucca Mountain, ascertain what information was lacking, and identify the potential impacts on tortoises of SC. We then developed a technical design for identifying and mitigating direct and cumulative impacts and providing information on tortoise biology. Interrelated studies were developed to achieve these objectives. The primary sampling unit for the impact monitoring studies is radiomarked tortoises. Three populations of tortoises will be sampled: individuals isolated from disturbances (control), individuals near major SC activities (direct effects treatment and worst-case cumulative effects treatment), and individuals from throughout Yucca Mountain (cumulative effects treatment). Impacts will be studied by measuring and comparing survival, reproduction, movements, habitat use, health, and diet of these tortoises. A habitat quality model also will be developed and the efficacy of mitigation techniques, such as relocating tortoises, will be evaluated.
Research Organization:
EG and G Energy Measurements, Inc., Las Vegas, NV (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC08-88NV10617
OSTI ID:
138076
Report Number(s):
EGG--10617-2075; CONF-910435--62; ON: DE91010765
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BASELINE ECOLOGY
BEHAVIOR
BIOLOGY
DIET
DISEASE INCIDENCE
ENDANGERED SPECIES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
HABITAT
HOME RANGE
MITIGATION
POPULATION DYNAMICS
REPTILES
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
YUCCA MOUNTAIN
Yucca Mountain Project