Department of Interior Grant: Sonoran Pronghorn Telemetry Flights and Water Catchments

The objectives of the cooperative agreement with AZGFD are; 1) to participate with the AZGFD in the expansion of aerial telemetry flights for Sonoran pronghorn from bimonthly to weekly in support of a study funded by the Department of homeland Security to evaluate the effects of human activity on Sonoran pronghorn and; 2) to enlarge three existing water catchments for Sonoran pronghorn within the refuge to provide dependable, year around water sources for the pronghorn and to reduce if not eliminate the need for supplemental water hauling to these catchments. Additional pronghorn survey flights in support of the human effects study and funding for three water catchments are among the offsetting measures for Sonoran pronghorn developed by the Service in the Ajo-1 Biological Opinion [AESO]/SE 22410-F-2009-0089. These actions will assist the Service in meeting goals and objectives identified in the 1998 Sonoran Pronghorn Recovery Plan.

The cooperative agreement with AZGFD has been entered into to facilitate the timely implementation of these monitoring and construction related activities. AZGFD is uniquely qualified to complete the activities necessary to assure that commitment and support is maintained to achieve the goals and objectives throughout the term of the agreement. AZGFD is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based on their technical expertise in conducting telemetry flights for Sonoran pronghorn and, the design and construction of water catchments for Sonoran pronghorn. The telemetry flights will be performed over lands administered by the U.S. Fish and wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Air Force and, U.S. Marine Corps. The waters will be constructed on lands administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service). Both the AZGFD and the Service are mandated to ensure the recovery of Sonoran pronghorn.