Comply with Section 7 (a) of the Endangered Species Act by carrying out positive actions promoting the recovery of listed and proposed populations, and by assuring that BLM actions do not jeopardize the continued existence of threatened and endangered species.

Cooperate with other agencies to actively manage, protect, and/or improve special status species habitat to maintain and/or increase populations to achieve common goals and objectives. Wildlife habitat, both aquatic and terrestrial, will be managed in cooperation with the state and federal wildlife agencies and other interested parties to conserve or improve the habitat of all sensitive and native species.

Participate with other agencies in recovery, conservation, research, management, monitoring, and educational activities relating to special status species.

Acquisition of non-federal lands will be prioritized based on the potential to enhance the conservation and management of threatened or endangered species habitat, riparian habitat, desert tortoise habitat, key big game habitat, or the overall manageability of wildlife habitat.

Coordinate with the Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee to support implementation of the guidelines set forth in the Arizona Conservation Assessment and Strategy Plan for the bald eagle in Arizona.

Continue to support federal and state agencies efforts to protect and enhance bald eagle breeding areas.

Desert tortoise habitat will be compensated in accordance with the Management Plan for the Sonoran Desert Population of the Desert Tortoise in Arizona 1996 and subsequent updates.

When possible employ a precautionary principle in desert tortoise habitat management using the best available information until site-specific research can be conducted.

Avoid impacts on individual tortoise and their burrows.

Maintain and develop a proactive public education program on the desert tortoise and its habitat requirements, including participation in public events with tortoise habitat information. Update the existing tortoise brochure every five years or as needed.

Assure that all personnel working within desert tortoise habitat on public lands are knowledgeable about tortoises and their habitat and are trained in appropriate procedures when they encounter tortoises.

Continue to work with and support other agencies and public entities in desert tortoise conservation.

In coordination with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, monitor all Gila topminnow, Gila chub, and desert pupfish populations annually.

Monitor for mortality of Gila topminnow, Gila chub, and desert pupfish populations following significant runoff events within a year of treating the watershed with prescribed burns.

All monitoring results will be shared with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service annually.

BLM will coordinate all fire suppression actions in watersheds occupied by Gila topminnow, Gila chub, and desert pupfish with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). If incidental take of these species is likely to occur due to suppression actions, BLM will cooperate with appropriate agencies to collect and salvage fish, if collection and salvage operations can be accomplished safely. BLM will renovate/restore the population site(s) and aid in the re-establishment of the species into the original site(s). If repatriation is not possible due to extreme effects at the site, BLM will coordinate with the FWS to locate or restore a substitute site. Once conditions are suitable for the fish or a substitute site has been selected, the salvaged fish shall be reintroduced. BLM shall coordinate the salvage and release with the FWS and USFWS.

The BLM will monitor the effects of fire suppression actions on Gila topminnow, Gila chub, and desert pupfish using approved protocols. Where fire suppression actions may have resulted in fish mortality, the BLM will investigate fire suppression related fish mortality and determine if there have been measurable reductions in abundance from that previously determined by status reviews. The BLM will monitor post-fire levels of sediment, debris, and fire-fighting chemicals and water quality at Gila topminnow, Gila chub, and desert pupfish sites to ensure the habitat remains capable of supporting these fish. Water quality data will include temperature, pH (acidity), dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, and turbidity. This monitoring will occur as soon as practicable after the fire and will be coordinated with FWS.

BLM will provide a brief report of monitoring results to the FWS by February of each year following monitoring efforts along with the Wildfire Suppression Documentation forms which will contain the data agreed upon (see FWS File # 02-21-03-F-0210).

Initiate, collaborate, and/or support projects related to conservation measures set forth in the following plans: the Migratory Bird Executive Order 13186, Arizona Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan, Partners in Flight Desert and Riparian Bird Conservation Plans, and USFWS North American Waterfowl Management Plan.

Through cooperative partnerships with USFWS and other State and private entities, BLM will conserve, enhance, and restore wildlife habitats, including natural springs, wetlands, and streams. Wildlife habitat improvement projects will be implemented where necessary to stabilize or improve unsatisfactory or declining wildlife habitat condition.

Continue to implement wildlife habitat management through Habitat Management Plans, developed in cooperation with AGFD to meet the requirements of the Sikes Act and address site-specific habitat management objectives. Existing HMPs will be used until new plans are developed.

Identify and reduce adverse impacts to natural plant and animal communities associated with invasive species. Efforts to control or eradicate invasive wildlife species will be carried out in cooperation and collaboration with AGFD .

Following guidance in BLM’s Handbook H-1741, construction and modification of fences to meet fence standards will include coordination with livestock operators, interested conservation organizations, and other Federal, State, or local governments as appropriate.

Establish collaborative research partnerships with academic institutions, professional and non-profit organizations, and other governmental entities.

Provide opportunities for training and utilization of volunteers.

The BLM will cooperate on a landscape basis with other authorities to educate the community to the risks to the environment from invasive and noxious species. In cooperation with other authorities, the BLM will research the means of control, monitor the resources affected, and implement control actions when needed.

A monitoring, management, and educational program will be established to reduce the spread of plants classified as invasive by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

To help stop the spread of invasive or noxious weeds, the BLM will provide educational material to equestrian users on the use of certified weed-free hay, straw, pellets, hay cubes, and processed grains.