Research into Effectiveness of Biological Mitigation Measures

The purpose of this process memorandum is to address several measures related to wildlife that are included as required mitigation in appendix J of the final environmental impact statement. Many of these measures were developed in collaboration with the Arizona Game and Fish Department or informed by the Section 7 consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These measures were implemented because they are considered effective at reducing impacts to wildlife. The purpose of this process memorandum is to summarize additional research supporting the conclusion that these measures are effective. This process memorandum covers three basic topics of mitigation effectiveness:

• Avian species
• Desert tortoise
• General wildlife