These contracts may proceed to conclusion. The ten sold awarded contracts included on Exhibit A are the number one top priority for the completion of required surveys. These surveys may include red tree voles, mollusks, fungi, or bryophytes. Projects should first be screened to identify the species which do not have surveys completed to the applicable protocols. If the habitat for these species, as defined in the protocol, occurs in the project area and the project is in the known or suspected range of the species, surveys must be conducted for these species.
Protocols are available for all species requiring surveys.
A new protocol for red tree voles, which will replace version 1.0, is expected to be issued within 30 days. For the species listed on Exhibit B, use the officially transmitted protocols. A format for the SIR is currently being developed and will be provided to the Districts. The SIR will be forwarded, following the review, by the Department of Justice to the Plaintiffs in the lawsuit, along with a notice of BLM's intent to move forward with the sales 60 days after Plaintiffs' receipt of the notice. If no challenge is received from the Plaintiffs within 30 days, the process described in the Settlement Agreement is complete and the sale can move forward.