Migratory Bird Treaty Act

 

VA Moves To Replace Site For Nesting Seabirds, But Will It Fly? According to Bay Journal, “When black skimmers, royal terns and other migrating seabirds return to South Island this spring, they will be greeted by a fresh layer of pavement. The Virginia Department of Transportation recently paved over the island to discourage the flock — more than 25,000 birds, most representing species in decline — from making their nests there. The state is claiming the space for a five-year, nearly $4 billion widening of the Interstate 64 Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, where the James River meets the Chesapeake Bay. The project is expected to begin later this year. Under a new Trump administration interpretation of a century-old law, that could have been the end of the road for Virginia’s largest colony of nesting seabirds. In a reversal involving one of the oldest environmental laws in the country, the federal government is no longer penalizing those who take actions that lead to the unintentional killing of birds or destruction of their nests. But facing mounting pressure from environmental groups, Gov. Ralph Northam’s administration recently stepped in and promised to find an alternative to help the birds, though details remain unclear. Acting at the governor’s direction, officials from VDOT and other state agencies vowed in February to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to ‘assess the feasibility’ of building an artificial island for the displaced birds. In the meantime, they said they will develop temporary nesting grounds, including anchoring sand-covered barges near the birds’ former summer home.” [Bay Journal, 3/5/20 (=)]

 

Endangered & Protected Species

 

Minnesota's Path Isn't So Clear After Wolves Become Delisted. According to Minneapolis Star Tribune, “Within a couple of weeks, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to once again remove the gray wolf from federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. In most similar cases, this action would be considered definitive and conclusive. Not so with wolves. That’s because, notwithstanding the science and, many would argue, common sense upon which the service’s delisting is founded, lawsuits from those opposing delisting — among them the Center for Biological Diversity headquartered in Arizona — are likely, if not guaranteed. At issue, fundamentally, is wolf hunting and trapping. When Minnesota wolves were delisted by the service in 2011 and returned to state management, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) oversaw three consecutive regulated hunting and trapping seasons. Now, following a judge’s order in 2014 to return wolves to federal management, the service is delisting gray wolves again, and its final rule to that effect will take place this month. But don’t expect a Minnesota wolf hunting or trapping season this fall, in part because the DNR will spend the next year updating its wolf management plan, and in part, possibly, because Gov. Tim Walz, for whom the DNR works, has said he opposes sport hunting of wolves. What roles, ultimately, Walz’s opinions will play in the renewal or not of Minnesota wolf hunting and trapping seasons is unclear. What is clearer is that if Walz stands in the way of those seasons next year, barring a court injunction that stalls the delisting, he will do so at considerable political risk, while also possibly inviting a lawsuit against the state.” [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 3/5/20 (=)]

 

Wildlife

 

W.Va. Launches 5-Year Plan To Restore Bobwhite Quail. According to E&E News, “West Virginia officials say a restoration project is underway to bring back the bobwhite quail, which disappeared from the state in the late 1970s due to a combination of habitat destruction and harsh winters. The five-year plan launched last week when 48 of the birds were captured in Texas and released at the Tomblin Wildlife Management Area, news outlets reported. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources was working with the Texas Parks and Wildlife agency on the plan, according to a news release from the governor’s office. Transmitters have been placed on some of the quail for monitoring. The goal is to create ‘a self-sustaining population’ of quail, said Michael Peters, DNR Game Bird and Small Game Project Leader, in the release. The restoration effort has been underway for the past several years. The state DNR acquired the Tomblin WMA, a 32,000-acre tract of former surface-mined land in Logan and Mingo counties, in 2015. ‘There’s no question we’ve lost favorable habitat to quail over the last several decades, however, there is still a significant amount of habitat for quail to flourish by starting this reintroduction program,’ Gov. Jim Justice (R) said in the release. ‘Over the next few years, we’re going to work so that our folks can once again hear that familiar bobwhite whistle.’ — Associated Press” [E&E News, 3/5/20 (=)]

 

AP | Livestream Stars Peregrine Nest; Officials Hope For Chicks. According to E&E News, “For the fourth year in a row, nature lovers will be able to watch a livestream of a peregrine falcon nest in downtown Richmond. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has set up a live video feed of the nest on the 21st floor of the Riverfront Plaza building. The feed is available for viewing online. The department said in a news release that wildlife officials have confirmed that last year’s new male — identifiable by his bands — is back again with an unbanded female. In the past two years, there has been a lot of turnover in falcons at the site and no nesting, although the birds have appeared on camera. Officials said the return of the male falcon is a sign of some stability, and they are optimistic that the pair will breed successfully. The department, which manages the threatened birds, has collaborated for the last four years with Comcast Business to provide connectivity for the live broadcast. March is typically a busy month as falcons tend to nest during this time following a period of courtship, with the first egg laid around mid- to late-March. The falcon cam will remain live until July.” [E&E News, 3/5/20 (=)]

 

AP | Wildlife Officials Sign Deal To Expand Hunting Access. According to E&E News, “New Mexico wildlife officials and Public Lands Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard have signed an easement agreement that will allow hunters with valid licenses to access state trust lands. Under this year’s agreement, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will pay the State Land Office $800,000 for the easement. Wildlife officials also agreed to partner with the land agency on $200,000 worth of projects aimed at enhancing access and improving wildlife habitats. The agreement also creates pilot programs for dispersed and roadside camping as well as backpacking. And the number of days hunters are allowed to scout on trust land is being extended from seven days to 14 days. Garcia Richard said her agency has heard over the past year from sportspeople around the state about how to improve the hunting experience in New Mexico. She said the easement represents a starting point for addressing access concerns and conflicts that arise from mixed uses.” [E&E News, 3/5/20 (=)]

 

 

Please do not respond to this email.

If you have questions or comments please contact mitch@beehivedc.com