Results of preconstruction surveys used as a management technique for conserving endangered species and their habitats on Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 1 (Elk Hills), Kern County, California
In 1976 an intensive program of petroleum production at maximum efficient rate was initiated on the US Department of Energy's (DOE) Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 1 (Elk Hills) in western Kern County, California. In a Biological Opinion required by the Endangered Species Act, the US Fish and Wildlife Service concluded that proposed construction and production activities may jeopardize the continued existence of the endangered San Joaquin kit fox, Vulpes macrotis mutica, and the blunt-nosed leopard lizard, Gambelia silus, inhabiting the Reserve. DOE committed itself to carrying out a compensation/mitigation plan to offset impacts of program activities on endangered species and their habitats. One compensation/mitigation strategy was to develop and implement preconstruction surveys to assess potential conflicts between proposed construction activities, and endangered species and their critical habitats, and to propose reasonable and prudent alternatives to avoid conflicts. Between 1980 and 1984, preconstruction surveys were completed for 296 of a total of 387 major construction projects encompassing 3590 acres. Fewer than 22% of the projects potentially conflicted with conservation of endangered species, and most conflicts were easily resolved by identifying sensitive areas that required protection. Only 8% of the projects received minor modification in their design or locations to satisfy conservation needs, and only three projects had to be completely relocated. No projects were cancelled or delayed because of conflicts with endangered species, and costs to conduct preconstruction surveys were minimal. 27 refs., 9 figs., 2 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- EG and G, Inc., Goleta, CA (USA). Santa Barbara Operations
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC08-83NV10282
- OSTI ID:
- 5059615
- Report Number(s):
- EGG-10282-2080; ON: DE86002064
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Endangered species program, Naval Petroleum Reserves in California
Endangered Species Program, Naval Petroleum Reserves in California
Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ENDANGERED SPECIES
MANAGEMENT
NAVAL PETROLEUM RESERVE
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
CALIFORNIA
CONSTRUCTION
FOXES
LIZARDS
ANIMALS
FEDERAL REGION IX
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MAMMALS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
REPTILES
RESERVES
RESOURCES
USA
VERTEBRATES
020900* - Petroleum- Environmental Aspects
510500 - Environment
Terrestrial- Site Resource & Use Studies- (-1989)