Desert Tortoise Monitoring Report

Sabay, Eumelia; Sanchez, Bennie; CEEC, Inc.

This report describes the desert tortosie training, pre-survey results, and monitoring results for the Hoover Dam Bypass II Project -- Phase II. The Federal Highway Administration (FHW A) prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) (FHWA-AZNV-EIS-98-03-01; Final dated January 2001) for construction of a new segment of U.S. Highway 93. The purpose of the new highway is to improve congestion and minimize hazardous vehicle/pedestrian conflicts where the highway crosses the Colorado River 1,500 feet downstream ofHoover Dam. FHWA prepared a Record of Decision (ROD) in March 2002 identifying the Sugarloaf Mountain Alternative as the preferred route. Western Area Power Administration (Western), a cooperating agency for the EIS, proposed modifications to the transmission system and facilities to accommodate the construction of the new highway and bridge spanning the Colorado River. These modifications occurred in two phases. Phase I included the reconstruction of eleven (11) structures and rebuilding approximately 2.6 (total) miles of the Hoover-Mead #6 (single-circuit) and the Hoover-Mead #7 (double-circuit) Transmission Lines. Phase I was completed on May 2003. Phase II involved double-circuiting a portion of the existing Hoover-Mead #5 and #7 Transmission Lines with the renamed Henderson-Mead #1 Transmission Line from a point near the Hoover Dam to the Mead Substation. Furthermore, the Arizona and Nevada (A/N) Switchyard was removed.