wildlife mobility patterns in Pinal County. The primary goals were to collect information
about habitat connections, along with strategies for their conservation, and the
integration of wildlife corridors into transportation project plans, land use decisions, and
other community endeavors.
As wildlife habitat continues to be fragmented and lost because of human development
and associated activities, wildlife is forced onto the few remaining contiguous land areas,
resulting in reduced populations and in some cases less biodiversity. Regulatory
pressures subsequently increase in an effort to preserve any remaining habitat that is
suitable for populations of key species, particularly listed species. In some parts of the
country, large military installations provide the only remaining large, contiguous areas
with suitable wildlife habitats. As a result, limits can be placed on military operations in
order to conserve these habitats and with potential impacts on the missions that can be
carried out. In the most extreme situations, the inability to conduct specific missions can
negatively impact training and the state of military readiness. While this is not currently
the case for the region surrounding FMR, future development of the land or changes in
the way the lands are used could affect wildlife habitat. If future development causes
wildlife habitat to become fragmented in the JLUS Project Area, pressure could be placed
on the AZARNG to provide more protection for wildlife and their habitat at FMR.
The AZARNG would benefit from formal communication processes with state wildlife
officials and agencies that are responsible for land management in the JLUS Project Area.
By working with these agencies and organizations, there may be opportunities to help
manage protected species and habitat in a manner that does not hinder military missions
in the region. An example of this type of collaboration is the California Desert Managers
Group, established to allow military installations, federal and state land managers,
environmental agencies and other government organizations to jointly work issues
affecting the Mojave and Colorado Desert ecosystems in the State of California.
Background Report
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