Tortoise Surveys for Natural Resource Protection, Mojave National Preserve | P18AS00057

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the "Tortoise Surveys for Natural Resource Protection, Mojave National Preserve" opportunity?

This opportunity is a National Park Service (Department of the Interior) project set up as a cooperative agreement to support pre-construction biological compliance work connected to soils mapping efforts in Mojave National Preserve. The work focuses on conducting desert tortoise presence surveys at proposed soil excavation locations so protective steps can be taken before digging occurs.

Which federal agency is offering or sponsoring this project?

The project is associated with the National Park Service, which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

What is the main purpose of the project?

The core purpose is to reduce the risk of harm to the federally protected desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) during a large soils survey effort that requires digging trenches and pits. Surveys are used to determine whether tortoises or signs of tortoise use are present at proposed excavation sites so that protective measures can be put in place before excavation.

Why are tortoise surveys needed for soils mapping work?

The soils mapping effort involves digging many trenches and pits across Mojave National Preserve to identify and map soil series accurately for a third-order soils map. Those excavations can inadvertently expose desert tortoises to "take" under the Endangered Species Act, creating conservation risk and regulatory risk. The surveys are intended to help prevent that by identifying tortoise presence or use indicators in advance.

What is meant by "pre-construction biological compliance work" in this context?

In this context, it refers to biological survey work performed before ground-disturbing activities (soil trenching and pit excavation) so that environmental compliance needs are met and actions can be adjusted to avoid or minimize impacts to protected species, specifically the desert tortoise.

What species is the focus of this project?

The focus species is the federally protected desert tortoise, identified in the description as Gopherus agassizii.

How do the tortoise surveys work (what are surveyors looking for)?

The surveys follow U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidance for small projects and linear projects (USFWS 2017). A key feature is that the surveys emphasize detecting tortoises indirectly by documenting sign such as burrows, scat, tracks, and other indicators of tortoise activity, rather than requiring a direct visual encounter with an animal.

Do the surveys require seeing a tortoise?

No. The description emphasizes that surveys focus on detecting tortoise presence through sign (for example burrows, scat, and tracks) and do not require a visual encounter with a tortoise.

Can this survey work be done year-round?

Yes. Because surveyors can assess tortoise sign year-round, the work is not limited to a narrow seasonal window.

Where will fieldwork take place?

Fieldwork is tied to proposed excavation locations across Mojave National Preserve where soil trenches and pits are planned for the area-wide soils survey.

What larger project is driving the need for these surveys?

The need is driven by a large, area-wide soils survey being conducted with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The goal of that effort is to create a third-order soils map, which requires many excavations to identify and map soil series accurately.

What is the role of the "Research Associate" described in the opportunity?

The project is designed to place an early-career scientist (described as a Research Associate) into a hands-on field role. The Research Associate gains practical training while conducting tortoise presence surveys and supporting the Preserve in reducing risk to the desert tortoise during soils excavation work.

Is professional development a central part of this opportunity?

Yes. The description states that professional development is central. The Research Associate is expected to build competence in standardized survey methods, habitat observations, navigation to remote sites, GPS and mobile GIS documentation, and careful data recording and data management so results can be reviewed and used for on-the-ground decisions.

What skills or competencies is the Research Associate expected to develop?

Based on the description, expected competencies include standardized desert tortoise survey methods, making macro- and microhabitat observations, navigating to remote and rugged sites, using GPS and mobile GIS tools to document routes and findings, and maintaining careful data recording, organization, and data management for review and reporting.

What kind of field conditions should be expected?

The description indicates work will involve navigating to remote and rugged sites within a desert landscape, where the ability to notice subtle evidence of tortoise activity and interpret it correctly is important.

What types of tortoise sign might be documented?

Examples provided include burrows, scat, tracks, and other indicators of tortoise activity.

How are the survey results used?

Survey results are used to guide decisions for the soils excavation program. If tortoises or signs of their use are found, protective measures can be put in place before digging occurs. The emphasis on data recording and management is intended to support review, reporting, and practical decision-making.

Will surveyors document other wildlife observations?

Yes. The description notes that surveyors will likely encounter other wildlife and wildlife sign during fieldwork and are expected to document those observations as well.

Are there opportunities beyond tortoise surveys?

Potentially. The opportunity description mentions possible opportunities to assist on additional natural resource projects beyond tortoise-related surveys.

What Interior Department priorities does this project support?

The work is framed as supporting Department of the Interior priorities around using science to guide land and water management and improving the efficiency of environmental review while still meeting environmental standards.

What is the funding opportunity number for this announcement?

The funding opportunity number listed is P18AS00057.

What type of funding instrument is used?

The announcement states the instrument is a cooperative agreement.

Is this a discretionary funding opportunity?

Yes. The description categorizes it as a discretionary opportunity.

What is the funding activity category and CFDA number listed?

The funding activity category is Natural Resources, and it is tied to CFDA 15.931.

Who is eligible to apply based on the announcement?

Eligible applicants are limited to nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.

Is this an open call for applications?

No. The posting is explicitly a Notice of Intent to Award and states it is not a request for applications.

If it is not open for applications, how will funding be provided?

The notice states that funding will be provided under an existing cooperative agreement with GBI, and that no competitive awards were anticipated.

What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?

The award ceiling shown is $32,629.

When was this opportunity created and when was it originally set to close?

The opportunity dates indicate it was created on March 14, 2018, with an original closing date of April 1, 2018.

Does the closing date indicate a competitive selection process?

No. The description states that no competitive awards were anticipated because the intent was to fund the identified project through an existing cooperative agreement.

What is meant by "take" risk under the Endangered Species Act in this project description?

The description explains that excavation activities associated with soil trenching and pits can inadvertently expose desert tortoises to "take" as defined under the Endangered Species Act. This creates conservation risk for the species and regulatory risk for the project. The surveys are intended to reduce that risk by identifying presence or use before excavation.

Why does the project emphasize detecting subtle evidence in the desert landscape?

The description highlights that surveys rely heavily on finding and interpreting sign (rather than direct sightings). In a complex desert environment, sign can be subtle, and correctly interpreting what it means, including whether an area is used frequently or only occasionally, is an important skill emphasized by the project.

What kind of documentation tools are referenced for fieldwork?

The description specifically references the use of GPS and mobile GIS tools to document survey routes and findings, along with careful data recording and data management.