GeomorphIS Team to Conduct Mexican Spotted Owl Surveys for BLM-UT

GeomorphIS and partner BIOME will conduct USFWS Section 7-level protocol surveys for Mexican Spotted Owls (MSO; Strix occidentalis lucida) at established Protected Activity Center (PAC) sites on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Richfield Field Office (RFO) – Henry Mtns. Field Station (HMFS), Utah’s School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA), and National Park Service (NPS), Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Sites were selected according to USFWS habitat models in addition to desktop GIS and on the ground surveys for habitat suitability and observed MSO nests.  The GeomorphIS/BIOME team will conduct 4 surveys spread out over the breeding season (March 1^st – August 31^st) and which occur within 7 PAC sites: Burro Seep, French Spring, Larry Canyon, Marinus Canyon, Sams Mesa Box Canyon, Stair Canyon, Twin Corral Box Canyon. These surveys will allow the BLM to be compliant with the latest MSO protocol and therefore carry out planned special recreation permits (SRP) and non-commercial recreation, primarily increased canyoneering efforts in and around these areas. These surveys will also be beneficial for grazing permit renewals for the allotments that contain the PAC sites, aiding the BLM in planning efforts that support the protections afforded the MSO under the Endangered Species Act.