16 U.S.C. § 410aaa–81b: Wildlife corridors

Summary

Require the Secretary to study and act to protect wildlife in the California Desert Conservation Area. The Secretary must assess how habitat breakup affects wildlife and must create rules to protect wildlife corridors and help species move. The Secretary must finish the study as soon as possible, but no later than 2 years after March 12, 2019. The study must name species that migrate or likely will, examine effects on plants, insects, animals, soil, air, water (quality and amount), and on migration and survival, identify critical corridors to preserve, and include ways to keep public lands managed by the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense biologically connected. The Secretary must use the study to judge the impacts of rights-of-way for projects under the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and other laws, and must put the study’s findings into all land management plans for the area.

Title 16, §410aaa–81b

Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general

The Secretary shall—

(1)assess the impacts of habitat fragmentation on wildlife in the California Desert Conservation Area; and

(2)establish policies and procedures to ensure the preservation of wildlife corridors and facilitate species migration.

(b)Study

(1)In general

As soon as practicable, but not later than 2 years, after March 12, 2019, the Secretary shall complete a study regarding the impact of habitat fragmentation on wildlife in the California Desert Conservation Area.

(2)Components

The study under paragraph (1) shall—

(A)identify the species migrating, or likely to migrate in the California Desert Conservation Area;

(B)examine the impacts and potential impacts of habitat fragmentation on—

(i)plants, insects, and animals;

(ii)soil;

(iii)air quality;

(iv)water quality and quantity; and

(v)species migration and survival;

(C)identify critical wildlife and species migration corridors recommended for preservation; and

(D)include recommendations for ensuring the biological connectivity of public land managed by the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense throughout the California Desert Conservation Area.

(3)Rights-of-way

The Secretary shall consider the information and recommendations of the study under paragraph (1) to determine the individual and cumulative impacts of rights-of-way for projects in the California Desert Conservation Area, in accordance with—

(A)the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.);

(B)the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); and

(C)any other applicable law.

(c)Land management plans

The Secretary shall incorporate into all land management plans applicable to the California Desert Conservation Area the findings and recommendations of the study completed under subsection (b).

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(A), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§ 4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 4321 of Title 42 and Tables. The Endangered Species Act of 1973, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(B), is Pub. L. 93–205, Dec. 28, 1973, 87 Stat. 884, which is classified generally to chapter 35 (§ 1531 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 1531 of this title and Tables.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

“Secretary” Defined section 103 of Pub. L. 103–433 provided in part that in this subchapter “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior.

§410aaa–81b Wildlife Corridors

Summary

Title 16, §410aaa–81b

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Short Title

Short Title

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Citations & Metadata