120 



mltigable. If S.854 is passed the result would further jeopardize a 

 species that has already been found to need listing. 



Environmental documents associated with S. 854 are flawed. The preparers 

 1) have failed to utilize the most recent data available, 2) have 

 misinterpreted data, and 3) have disregarded information provided by 

 nationally recognized tortoise experts. As a result, the evaluations 

 presented in these environmental documents are misleading. 



Hitlgation measures proposed by Aerojet are not adequate; in fact, some of 

 the projected Impacts cannot be mitigated. Facility construction would 

 result in immediate, permanent loss of part of the habitat. Several 

 hundred tortoises would be displaced, their survival questionable because 

 relocation has not been proven effective. Predatlon, collecting, and the 

 incidence of road kills would increase. There is no guarantee to protect 

 the undeveloped habitat beyond 20 years, at which time all the land could 

 be sold euid developed. The long-term survival of the tortoise in the area 

 would be placed at high risk. 



Aerojet should seek alternative sites in Nevada or elsewhere on which to 

 locate facilities. The evaluations of those sites should be presented In 

 carefully prepared environmental documents and made available through a 

 public commenting process. 



end: 2 



cc: Nevada Department of Nlldlife 

 Senator Chic Hecht 

 Senator Harry Reld 

 Representative Barbara Vucanovich 

 Representative James Bilbray 

 Senator J. Bennett Johnston, Chr. Senate Committee on Energy and 



Natural Resources 

 Representative Morris Udall.Chr. House Committee on Interior and 



Insular Affairs 

 Senator Dale Bumpers, Chr. Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands 

 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

 Nevada Legislature's Committee on Public Lands 

 Nevada Klldllfe Federation 

 Defenders of Wildlife 

 Other Interested Parties 



