Endangered & Protected Species

 

Pacific Marten, Eastern Black Rail Gain ESA Protection. According to E&E News, “The Fish and Wildlife Service nestled the Eastern black rail under the wings of the Endangered Species Act, as well as announced the final listing of the coastal distinct population segment of the Pacific marten, a small mammal from coastal California and Oregon. ‘The coastal marten currently exists in four small populations, fewer than 100 individuals each ... and is absent from the northern and southern ends of its historical range,’ the FWS reported. ‘The current range is approximately 7 percent of its known historical range.’ The Eastern black rail is a vulnerable and reclusive marsh bird that usually shuns the spotlight. Pushed, in part, by litigation, the federal agency announced the formal listing of the species as threatened. The final decision takes effect Nov. 9 and comes two years after an October 2018 listing proposal kicked off a low-key public review period (Greenwire, Oct. 5, 2018). ‘The wide-ranging nature of the Eastern black rail gives us the opportunity to work with an incredible diversity of partners on behalf of its recovery,’ said FWS Southeastern Regional Director Leo Miranda. Historically found in 35 states east of the Rocky Mountains, as well as several other countries, the Eastern black rail is still relatively widespread but in diminished numbers. FWS estimates that during the past 10 to 20 years, populations have declined by 75% or more.” [E&E News, 10/7/20 (=)]

 

Public Can Speak On Nashville Crayfish Endangered Status. According to Associated Press, “Citizens have a chance to weigh in on a proposal to remove endangered species status from the Nashville crayfish, whose only known habitat is the Mill Creek watershed in Tennessee. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service first proposed the removal in November, saying populations of the crustacean are now ‘healthy, stable and robust.’ Several environmental groups oppose the move. They say the species has been able to recover because its endangered status has limited development in the fast-growing areas next to Mill Creek. If that status is removed, they fear the crayfish populations could quickly deteriorate. The wildlife service is holding a public information meeting on the proposal on Thursday at 6 p.m., followed by a public comment period. The public can participate virtually using the Zoom application or by telephone. Those who wish to participate must register in advance at www.fws.gov/cookeville.” [Associated Press, 10/8/20 (=)]

 

Wildlife

 

Elusive Eastern Black Rail Threatened By Rising Sea Levels. According to Associated Press, “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared the Eastern black rail a threatened species on Wednesday, but stopped short of the stronger protections some environmentalists were seeking for the elusive bird, now imperiled by habitat destruction, sea level rise, and the increasing frequency and intensity of storms with climate change. Nicknamed the ‘ feathered mouse,’ the eastern black rail is about six inches long, with white-flecked dark feathers, a brown nape and brilliant red eyes. Populations have declined by more than 75% over the last 10 to 20 years, according to a wildlife service news release announcing Endangered Species Act protection. ‘They are one of the front-line species dealing with the impact of sea level rise,’ said Bryan Watts, a professor of conservation biology at the College of William and Mary. ‘That’s really the cause of their catastrophic decline.’ On the Atlantic Coast, the birds inhabit the high marsh area between tidal marsh that is flooded every day and uplands, said Watts, who has been studying the eastern black rail for about 30 years. The birds used to be found as far north as Cape Cod but now are not found above North Carolina, he said. ‘They haven’t been seen in Virginia since 2017,’ Watts said. ‘They’re winking out in the northern parts of their range quickly.’” [Associated Press, 10/7/20 (=)]

 

BLM To Test Controversial Sterilization Method On Utah Mares. According to E&E News, “The Bureau of Land Management plans to test a controversial sterilization method on wild mares in Utah that is a key part of a herd-reduction strategy the agency is trying to implement in what could be the final months of the Trump administration. The sterilization technique is called ovariectomy via colpotomy, which involves removing the ovaries from mares. It has been termed ‘barbaric’ by wild horse advocates. But BLM is aggressively searching for solutions to reduce the 95,000 wild horses and burros, calling them an ‘existential threat’ to the health of federal rangelands. BLM has stepped up efforts, particularly in the past six months, to round up excess animals and to test longer-range fertility control methods, with the number of wild horses and burros approaching four times what BLM says the rangelands can sustain without causing damage to vegetation, soils and other resources. In a decision record issued this week, BLM approved a plan to round up as many as 590 wild horses from the Confusion Herd Management Area in Utah. The 235,000-acre HMA has about 661 wild horses, and BLM wants to bring that number down to within the so-called appropriate management level of about 70 animals. The first of what could be several wild horse ‘gathers’ could start next month.” [E&E News, 10/7/20 (=)]

                                           

Wildlife Corridors

 

Bear Canyon Residents Raise Concerns With Trail Proposal. According to Bozeman Daily Chronicle, “Members of a local land trust announced they are pursuing plans to build a new parking lot and trail on private land along Bear Canyon, but nearby landowners fear the project could harm wildlife. Chet Work, executive director of the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, said a landowner wants to sell 18 acres along Bear Canyon, but has specific goals in mind for the property. The landowner approached GVLT with the hopes of maintaining public access on the land and the 6,400 acres of public lands adjacent to it, according to a news release. He also wants GVLT to prevent the property from being developed. … People who live around Bear Canyon fear opening up more trails could threaten wildlife in the area. Around 50 residents met with members of GVLT on Friday to explain their concerns. They worry increased recreation, especially among paragliders, could be detrimental for elk and other wildlife. Teresa Prond, a Bear Canyon resident who has donated to GVLT in the past, said paragliders often use the private land in question to access state land, which happens to be a breeding and calving ground for elk. ‘It’s a well known migration corridor for diverse wildlife,’ she said. ‘Historically, paragliding is detrimental to elk populations.’ Prond added that the area is already close to a busy interstate. It’s critical to prevent future disturbances to wildlife, she said. ‘I don’t know if they’re aware of what’s really there. Residents who’ve been there since the 50s have seen changes to the wildlife habitat up here, but that corridor is still undisturbed.’” [Bozeman Daily Chronicle, 10/7/20 (=)]

 

Invasive Species

 

EPA Floats Fresh Ballast Plan To Curb Invasive Species. According to E&E News, “EPA proposed new national standards for cracking down on pollution from commercial ships and vessels that can spread invasive species like zebra mussels in the Great Lakes. But some environmental groups are concerned about the fate of state protections that would be preempted under EPA’s plan. The agency’s proposed rule, which was published in the Federal Register and opened to public comment for 30 days, would set performance standards for incidental discharges from about 82,000 vessels. The rule would affect discharges, including ballast water, from cruise ships and ferries, barges, tugs and tows, mobile offshore drilling units, tankers, bulk carriers, cargo ships, container ships and research vessels. Ballast water is common in the hulls of cargo ships and provides stability for the vessels in rough conditions. But the water can also carry invasive species like zebra mussels, spotted jellyfish and Japanese shore crabs, as well as bacteria and viruses. EPA in a press release yesterday said the proposed regulations would reduce the environmental effect of discharges that are incidental to the normal operation of commercial vessels. It would also streamline the current patchwork of federal, state and local requirements that apply to the commercial vessel community, EPA said.” [E&E News, 10/7/20 (=)]

 

 

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