Endangered Tortoise found on proposed Casino site

Few are surprised that the endangered Desert Tortoise has been found to be inhabiting the site of the proposed NuWu Casino and RV Resort at Adobe and Baseline, bordering Joshua Tree National Park. The discovery will require extension of the environmental assessment (pdf) for the project and push back the planned opening date 30 to 60 days, according to Rod Wilson, spokesman for the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians.

He said Tuesday, July 15 that sometime next week the tribe is expected to have a finalized version of a wildlife habitat conservation plan, not only for desert tortoises but for any other endangered animals and plants found at the site.

Protocols for tortoises, he said, will include the placement of fencing to protect the animals and establishment of a location on the 160-acre site for tortoises that have to be relocated because of construction.

The protocol, he said, is based on one created by Copper Mountain College in Joshua Tree for its construction plans.

Read the rest in the Desert Trail.


FOR MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: See the Desert Tortoise page on the MBCA Website. Previous blog posts: Casino.