Issue:
BIO‐1
Endangered / threatened species and
species of concern exist in the region around
Florence Military Reservation.
AZARNG Site:
Florence
Military
Reservation
There are federally‐listed endangered or
threatened species, such as the Acuna Cactus,
that are found in the area surrounding Florence
Military Reservation. There are also multiple
species that are classified as Species of Greatest
Conservation Need by the Arizona Game and Fish
Department located on or near the Reservation
and in and around Pinal County, including the
Sonoran Desert Tortoise, the Tucson
Shovel‐nosed Snake, and the Common Black
Hawk. Future development around Florence
Military Reservation may fragment vulnerable
species’ habitats, increasing the burden of
AZARNG mitigation and conservation obligations.
Compatibility Assessment
The existence of federally threatened or endangered species on any military installation
can impact the military’s ability to fully perform its mission activities. The ESA requires
federal agencies to ensure any actions they undertake will not jeopardize the existence of
any listed species or impact the designated critical habitats of any listed species. As of
2015, there were 64 federally listed endangered or threatened plant and animal species
that were known or believed to occur in the State of Arizona, but the 2012 Florence
Military Reservation Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan (INRMP) states that
none have been found on the installation. However, the INRMP does identify three
Species of Greatest Conservation Need species in Arizona that have been observed on
the Reservation—the Common Black Hawk, the Sonoran Desert Tortoise and the Tucson
Shovel‐nosed Snake. The latter two were previously on the USFWS candidate list, but
have since been removed. There are threatened and endangered and other managed
species that are known or may potentially be present in Pinal County and surrounding
areas and that may have suitable habitat on Florence Military Reservation. However,
these species (listed below) have not been observed on the installation.
Acuña Cactus – federal endangered;
Pima Indian Mallow – federal species of concern;
Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy‐owl – previously delisted from ESA and currently a
Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Arizona;
Background Report
5-9