Archived - California State Land Ownership & Use

Western Snowy Plover To Retain Threatened Status

Contacts:
Al Donner, Sacramento -- 916/414-6566

Lois Grunwald (Central California Coast) 805/644-1766
Jane Hendron (Southern California Coast 760/431-9440
Michael Long (Northern California Coast ) 707/822-7201
Phil Carroll (Oregon/Washington) 503/231-6179
Doug Zimmer (Washington), 360/753-4370

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes innovative strategy under ESA to encourage local conservation efforts

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today a finding that the Pacific Coast population of the western snowy plover remains at risk from habitat loss, human disturbances and other perils and should retain its status as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

After reviewing the best scientific evidence, the Service finds that delisting the species from the federal list of threatened and endangered species is not warranted. The Service concluded that the Pacific Coast western snowy plover population is markedly separate from other populations and that it meets the requirements for protection as a distinct population segment (DPS) under the ESA.

However, in completing an in-depth review of the status of the western snowy plover, the Service found significant progress has been made toward bringing the species back to health, and the Service is proposing a new rule that would support and enhance local conservation efforts.

The Service seeks public comment on the proposed rule for 60 days. Comments, information and suggestions may be sent to the Field Supervisor (Attn: WSP-4d), Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1655 Heindon Road, Arcata, California 95521 or by fax at 707-822-8411. ...

(for more info click here)

At the same time, the Service concluded that significant progress has been made toward recovery in a relatively short period, but that additional recovery actions are needed to assure the species' long-term survival. In order to encourage continued recovery efforts, the Service is proposing a rule that will have conservation benefits for the bird when finalized.

The rule - known as a "special rule" under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act - would allow some incidental loss, or "take," of western snowy plovers within counties that have met their Breeding Bird Management Goals as specified in the 2001 Draft Recovery Plan for the western snowy plover.

(for more info click here)

And Now For The Rest Of The Story

The Revenge Of The FWS

Last 25 July I attended our local Board of Supervisors' (BofS) meeting and shortly after the pledge of allegiance, I looked down at the agenda and saw one of the highlights of the meeting was going to be a Power Point presentation by Jim Watkins of the US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS). Or as he was so apt to describe it several times during the talk simply "The Service". Four supervisors attended the meeting, Martha McClure was absent.

The FWS was giving this talk per an earlier BofS request for an informational meeting on "Special Rule" 4(d) regarding the Western Snowy Plover (WSP) at Tollowa Dunes / Lake Earl State Park.

Mr. Watkins launched into his power point presentation with all the excitement of a kid at a school "show and tell". Jim was going through the slides "lickity split". I couldn't keep up on the note taking.

However, I did catch the point that we have until August 21 to request an extension and / or submit our ideas on management of Tollowa Dunes / Lake Earl sites. He mentioned it several times though out the presentation.

Somewhere in his stream of words he mentioned that if anyone had any questions, feel free to ask as he went along. I did - madam Chair said no you don't. With that Mz. Chair instituted the standard regimen pretty damn quick! She was going to have none of that, "free to ask" questions stuff. After all Mr. Watkins was here by request to inform the "Board".

I later learned that the FWS wasn't interested in spending any time (evidently too busy) informing the Del Norte public on Special Rule 4(d) other than on their web site (no pity for those un connected) and via an obscure reference to a prior meeting held in Arcata (FWS wasn't sure but thought it had be announced in our local opinion rag).

Tollowa Dunes / Lake Earl was part of unit two of a general plan to promote and support past gains and continued recovery. The slide 6 chart used in Jim's presentation shows the Tollowa / Lake Earl sites are lacking in their fair share of breeding WSPs, 0 versus 18 to be exact. Toward this end the Del Norte County and its Board of Supervisors was being asked to participate in the creation (I assume also the administration) of a sub management plan with WFS to:

· Exterminate predatory species

· Forcibly relocated others

· Eradicate non native plants

· Manage humane activity at the sites

This is just an eye opener to a series of documents and web sites that should help familiarize you all with what's involved and to form a base for action. Please remember you only have until August 21 to submit your remarks, ideas and suggestions by either e-mail or regular mail to the U.S. Fish & Wild Life Service.

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Any Questions?

Information -

Telephone: (707) 822-7201 Fax: (707) 822-8411

Comments -

Field Supervisor- Attn: WSP 4(d) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1655 Heindon Road

Arcata, California 95521

mailto:fw8snowyplover@fws.gov

Comments Accepted Through August 21, 2006

Or if you'd rather go right to the more visible boys & girls in our community:

Board of Supervisors

The LOR (Triplicate)

Del Norte News

LE Grange E-News

For our land Use Gateway Page - click here.