Highways, bridges, factories and gold mines can’t be built without disrupting some wildlife. And when the wildlife is endangered, that can make it difficult to go forward with projects that could benefit the state’s economy. The Western Governors’ Association wants to make it easier for developers to find areas with less wildlife and in turn, fewer problems. The Crucial Habitat Assessment Tool, or CHAT, will connect 16 western states including Nevada with an online system of maps displaying wildlife habitat, wetlands and other valuable natural resources.
Carlee Brown, Policy Advisor, Water & Wildlife, Western Governors' Association