Conservationists Fight To Save Critical Reserve Habitat From Proposed Development Project
The Red Cliffs Desert Reserve in Southern Utah is a biodiversity hotspot, featuring large populations of protected wildlife including Gopherus agassizii. Based on the predicted massive increase in development around the St George area, Washington County is proposing the construction of a four-lane highway across the reserve in order to encourage and accommodate the anticipated rise in population. In compensation for the 150 acres which will be used for the project, they plan to expand the reserve by 7,000 acres; however, conservationists are strongly opposed to this proposition. They state that it is not worth the damaging effects to the habitat and wildlife, and that the mission of the reserve is to preserve all the natural resources within its grounds. They believe an expansion to the Red Cliffs would be highly beneficial if Gopherus Agassizii was found to inhabit the new area, but to remove their already established home range would be devastating and out of the question. The $100 million project will be discussed at a public meeting today in St. George and any legislation will be determined at a later date.
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Photo from David DeMille.
