ST. GEORGE, Utah 鈥� The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today issued the for the proposed 4-lane Northern Corridor highway in southern Utah.
This analysis assesses the potential impacts to the Mojave desert tortoise from a proposed highway right-of-way, in accordance with FWS incidental take permit guidelines, as well as impacts to vegetation communities, sensitive plant species, cultural resources, and community growth.
鈥淏LM鈥檚 mission is to balance responsible land use, environmental conservation, and cultural heritage preservation, and to achieve this balance engaging with the community and stakeholders is paramount,鈥� said BLM Color Country District Manager Gloria Tibbetts. 鈥淭his public comment period is an opportunity for all voices to be heard and incorporated into our decision-making process.鈥�
鈥淎ctive public engagement is essential to achieve a thorough analysis, considering both conservation goals and the developmental needs of Washington County. We value every contribution and encourage public participation,鈥� said FWS Field Office Supervisor George Weekley.
Comments may be submitted until June 24, 2024, through the 鈥減articipate now鈥� feature on the (preferred); or delivered to Bureau of Land Management, Attn: Northern Corridor SEIS, 345 East Riverside Drive, St. George, UT 84790.
The agencies will host one in-person public meeting in St. George, Utah. The date and location will be announced at least 15 days in advance through media announcements and the .
For more details about the National Environmental Policy Act, please visit the BLM page or contact the National Conservation Area Manager at 435-688-3200 or BLM_UT_NorthernCorridor@blm.gov.
Primary media contact: BLM, Jacqueline Russell | jrussell@blm.gov
USFWS, Joe Szuszwalak | joseph_szuszwalak@fws.gov
