U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has the responsibility for directing the recovery of the tortoise and other threatened and endangered species through the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (as amended). Soon after the Federal listing of the tortoise as a threatened species in 1990, the FWS established a Recovery Team of experts in conservation biology, behavior, genetics, biogeography, disease, ecology, and physiology. In 1994, the Recovery Team and the FWS developed and published a Recovery Plan for populations occurring north and west of the Colorado River. The Service supports research on threatened and endangered species, often through transfer of funds to the state wildlife agencies, and can also acquire habitat. In December 2004, the FWS established a Desert Tortoise Recovery Office that focuses exclusively on recovery plan revision and implementation, research, monitoring, and associated recovery permitting, and provides a centralized point of contact through which these activities are coordinated. Detailed information on the Desert Tortoise Recovery Office activities and desert tortoise recovery efforts can be found at http://www.fws.gov/Nevada/desert_tortoise/index.html. This office does not focus on regulation.

The Ecological Services Branch of the FWS administers the Endangered Species Act, and the Office of Law Enforcement investigates wildlife crimes and regulates wildlife trade. The Ecological Services Branch works with individuals and businesses that propose actions with potential to affect tortoises and their habitats. A company, individual, group, or county can prepare a Habitat Conservation Plan that minimizes impacts to tortoises and their habitats. The FWS requires that Habitat Conservation Plans provide an overall benefit to the recovery of the tortoise. Such plans can involve habitat acquisition, protective fencing, research, and education programs. The FWS oversees a similar evaluation process for government-proposed activities that may affect tortoises and their habitats. For additional information, call the numbers listed in Table 3 for information from the FWS office in your state.