Virgin River Habitat Conservation and Recovery Program (VRHCRP)
Client: City of Mesquite, NV
Location: Nevada
Summary: Over the last decade, the City of Mesquite (Mesquite) has experienced high growth rates and associated increasing demand for residential and commercial development. Mesquite’s ability to accommodate economic growth has been limited by the scarcity of developable lands. As part of the Mesquite Lands Act of 1986, as amended in 1996, federal lands surrounding Mesquite were made available for acquisition and development. However, before development can proceed, Mesquite needs to obtain a Section 10 permit to fulfill its obligations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Some construction projects have been able to move forward through an interim agreement with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), but further development is contingent upon the completion of the Virgin River Habitat Conservation Plan (VRHCP) and issuance of the Section 10 permit. The City has been pursuing the ability to accommodate for residential growth within their boundaries for several years; and timely completion of the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) process is now essential to Mesquite’s future welfare.
The goal of the VRHCP is to provide a plan to guide the development and use of land to meet the needs of Mesquite for economic growth, while proving for the long-term conservation of the listed species that may be affected by the covered activities. Currently, four listed species have been identified for inclusion in an incidental take or Section 10 permit: Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), Yuma clapper rail (Rallus longirostris yumanensis), Virgin River chub (Gila seminuda), and woundfin (Plagopterus argentissimus). Additionally, some candidate species (e.g., Yellow billed cuckoo) may be addressed.
The approach to development of this HCP included incorporation of front loaded processes to provide early identification of issues, timely development of information needed to address direct and indirect effects associated with the covered activities, and the development of conservation (avoidance, minimization, mitigation) measures to benefit the listed species.
The first phase of the effort occurred in the first six weeks of the project. This phase provided several key elements. Information that is available to support the HCP was identified. Development of the database to support the HCP process and provide a dynamic interface to support the implementation and management of the HCP was initiated, and the comprehensive plan of the VRHCP outlined in this document was developed.
Phase 2 included the development of the draft and final VRHCRP and the supporting documents [biological opinion and environmental impact statement (BA and EIS)] that will be needed to complete the record of decision. The important milestones for developing the VRHCRP include the preliminary draft and public review draft and final. Additionally, maintenance management improvement programs (MMIPs) will be developed. These plans will serve as a basis for taking specific mitigation actions in the Lower Virgin River Basin.
Phase 2 also included the development of a geo-referenced database, initiated in Phase 1 that supported the development of the HCP and related documents. In addition, the geo-referenced database will be designed to continue to serve the HCP during implementation. It will provide guidance on which species mitigation measures are applicable to specific geographic locations, assist in tracking adaptive management tasks, and help meet the ongoing reporting requirements.