WestWater was contracted by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Grand Junction Field Office (GJFO) to conduct biological surveys for the GJFO FY 2015 Solar Biologic Survey Project near Grand Junction, Colorado.

The survey area encompassed approximately 1,200 acres within the Grand Valley. Plant species of concern were Sclerocactus glaucus, Eriogonum contortum, Camissonia eastwoodiae, Lygodesmia doloresensis, Aliciella stenothyrsa, and Amsonia jonesiii. Midget faded rattlesnakes, pronghorn antelope, white tailed prairie dogs, Burrowing Owls, Ferrunginous Hawks, Golden Eagles, Long-eared Owls, Long-billed Curlew, Brewer’s Sparrow, Great Basin spadefoot toad, longnose leopard lizard, Birds of Conservation Concern, and kit fox were also considered.

These surveys were conducted to ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act and BLM Resource Management Plans. SSS were identified and mapped within the project boundaries and a full biological survey report was submitted in September, 2016.