Interior Secretary Gale Norton
today announced more than $70 million in grants to 28 states and one territory
to support conservation planning and acquisition of vital habitat for
threatened and endangered fish, wildlife and plant species. The grants
will benefit species ranging from the Delmarva fox squirrel in the East
to peninsular bighorn sheep in the West.
"The strength of our partnership
with the states is clearly one of the keys to the Bush Administration's
success in conserving and recovering threatened and endangered species
throughout this country," Norton said. "Today's grant awards
support state efforts to build and strengthen important cost-effective
conservation partnerships with local groups and private landowners to
benefit wildlife."
Funded through the Cooperative
Endangered Species Conservation Fund and authorized by Section 6 of the
Endangered Species Act, the grants will enable states to work with private
landowners, conservation groups and other agencies to initiate conservation
planning efforts and acquire and protect habitat to support the conservation
of threatened and endangered species.
The Cooperative Endangered
Species Fund this year provides $49 million through the Habitat Conservation
Plan Land Acquisition Grants Program, $8.6 million through the Habitat
Conservation Planning Assistance Grants Program and $13.5 million through
the Recovery Land Acquisition Grants Program. The three programs were
established to help reduce potential conflicts between the conservation
of threatened and endangered species and land development and use.
"These grant programs are some of the many tools we have to help
landowners conserve valuable wildlife habitats in the day-to-day management
of their lands," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Steve Williams
said. "They help landowners finance the creative solutions to land
use and conservation issues that ultimately lead to the recovery of endangered
and threatened species."
Under the Habitat Conservation
Plan Land Acquisition Program, the Service provides grants to states or
territories for land acquisitions associated with approved Habitat Conservation
Plans. Grants do not fund any mitigation required of an HCP permittee,
but are instead intended to support acquisitions by the state or local
governments that complement actions associated with the HCP.
A Habitat Conservation Plan
is an agreement between a landowner and the Service that allows the landowner
to incidentally take a threatened or endangered species in the course
of otherwise lawful activities when the landowner agrees to conservation
measures to minimize and mitigate the impact of the taking. A Habitat
Conservation Plan may also be developed by a county or state to cover
certain activities of all landowners within their jurisdiction and may
address multiple species. There are more than 357 Habitat Conservation
Plans currently in effect, covering 458 separate species on approximately
39 million acres, with some 407 additional plans under development, covering
approximately 100 million acres.
Among recipients of today's
Habitat Conservation Land Acquisition grants is Scotland County, North
Carolina with a $1.9 million grant to acquire and manage land that will
aid in the recovery of the North Carolina Sandhills West population of
the federally-endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. In addition to the woodpecker,
the acquisition will enable North Carolina to increase the intensity of
restoration and management of the longleaf pine habitat in the area.
The Habitat Conservation Planning
Assistance Program provides grants to states and territories to support
the development of Habitat Conservation Plans, through funding of baseline
surveys and inventories, document preparation, outreach and similar planning
activities.
Of today's grants, more than
$380,000 will fund Colorado's efforts in developing a Habitat Conservation
Plan to conserve the southwestern willow flycatcher in the San Luis Valley
in Alamosa, Conejos, Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache counties. The Plan
will cover about two million acres and 150 stream miles. Not only will
it benefit the flycatcher, but also the bald eagle and the yellow-billed
cuckoo.
The Recovery Land Acquisition Grants Program provides funds to states
and territories to acquire habitat for endangered and threatened species
in approved recovery plans. Acquisition of habitat to secure long-term
protection is often an essential element of a comprehensive recovery effort
for a listed species.
One of these grants will provide
$500,000 for acquisition of lands near the Machias River in Hancock and
Washington Counties in Maine. The acquisition of the 47 miles of lakeshore
and 13 miles of stream frontage will benefit Atlantic salmon rearing and
spawning habitat as well as a bald eagle nesting site.
For more information on Cooperative
Endangered Species Conservation Fund grants, see the Fish and Wildlife
Service's Endangered Species grants page at <http://endangered.fws.gov/grants/section6/index.html>.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible
for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and
their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The
Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which
encompasses 544 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands
and other special management areas. It also operates 70 national fish
hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 81 ecological services field
stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered
Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant
fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and
helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees
the Federal Assistance program that distributes hundreds of millions of
dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish
and wildlife agencies.
NOTE: A complete
list of grants follows. Secretary Norton will hold a press teleconference
on Thursday, September 23 at 2p.m. to discuss the grants. During this
call she will be joined by Lynn Scarlett, Assistant Secretary for Policy,
Management and Budget, and Steve Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service. Media representatives may join the call by calling 866-261-3331.
Habitat Conservation
Plan Land Acquisition Grants by State:
California
- Assessment District 161
HCP (Riverside County, CA) $4,545,000. The grant will support the purchase
of habitat within the Wilson/Cactus Valley area. The acquisition of
properties in Wilson/Cactus Valley will benefit wildlife populations
by conserving occupied habitat in large, interconnected blocks, ensuring
that the ecosystem processes are maintained. In addition to providing
core habitat areas for the Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat
Conservation Program (MSHCP), both of these areas support a suite of
Federal and State listed species covered under the MSHCP. These species
include the threatened coastal California gnatcatcher, endangered least
Bell's vireo, Quino checkerspot butterfly, and Stephen's kangaroo rat.
The plant communities found in the area, such as Riversidean sage scrub
and riparian habitat, are representative of the original, native habitats
of the region. The public benefits of maintaining these areas as open
space include the use for various recreational purposes such as hiking,
mountain biking and other appropriate activities.
- City of San Diego and County
of San Diego Multiple Species Conservation Program NCCP/HCP (San Diego
County, CA) $4,402,238. The grant will be used to acquire parcels of
land on Otay Mesa that make up a large part of the southern portion
of lands within the Multi-Habitat Planning Area (MHPA), the City of
San Diego's targeted preserve area under the Multiple Species Conservation
Program (MSCP). Because of their size and location, the parcels are
crucial for protecting the integrity of the MHPA along the U.S./Mexico
border and for connecting the southern portion to other MHPA areas to
the north. The parcels support a number of listed and rare habitats
and species, including the threatened coastal California gnatcatcher,
burrowing owl, cactus wren, and species endemic to the San Diego region
such as San Diego barrel cactus and snake chollas. There are several
vernal pools on the parcels, some of which support the federally listed
endangered San Diego fairy shrimp, California orcutt grass and San Diego
button celery. Acquisition of the Crest Tract is a high priority for
San Diego County's MSCP. The Crest Tract supports threatened California
gnatcatcher and San Diego thornmint, and provides upland habitat for
the federally listed arroyo toad. In addition, numerous other MSCP covered
species are known in the area. The Crest tract provides a key linkage
between the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge to the south and the
State-owned Crestridge Preserve. This approximately 1,400 acre tract
includes numerous parcels, which if allowed to develop, would result
in a fragmented landscape that will preclude connectivity between two
large conserved areas.
- Colton Transmission Line
HCP (San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, CA) $1,500,000. This grant
will support the purchase of habitat within the Colton Dune ecosystem.
The proposed acquisitions are intended to protect portions of the Colton
Dune ecosystem, unique to this region of Riverside and San Bernardino
counties. Approximately two percent of the Colton Dune ecosystem still
exists. The proposed acquisitions will permanently conserve habitat
occupied by a suite of federally and State listed species native to
this area including the endangered Delhi Sands flower-loving fly, the
threatened coastal California gnatcatcher, the Los Angeles pocket mouse
and the western burrowing owl. These lands are critical to the survival
and recovery of the Delhi Sands flower-loving fly and many other species
that occur within this ecosystem. The Delhi Sands flower-loving fly
and its habitat are addressed in the Western Riverside MSHCP and possibly
in the regional multiple species habitat conservation plan in San Bernardino
County. Conservation of these areas will be protected in perpetuity
allowing for appropriate recreation.
- El Sobrante Landfill HCP
(Riverside County, CA) $5,180,000. This grant will support the purchase
of habitat within the Alberhill area. The acquisition of properties
in Alberhill area is anticipated to benefit wildlife populations by
conserving occupied habitat in large, interconnected blocks. In addition
to providing core habitat areas for the Western Riverside MSHCP, both
of these areas support a suite of Federal and State listed species covered
under the MSHCP. These species include the threatened coastal California
gnatcatcher, the endangered least Bell's vireo and Stephen's kangaroo
rat. The plant communities found in the area such as Riversidean sage
scrub and riparian habitat are representative of the region's original,
native habitats. The Alberhill area has one of the densest populations
of the coastal California gnatcatcher in the western Riverside County.
The public benefits of maintaining these areas as open space include
the use for various recreational purposes such as hiking, mountain biking
and other appropriate activities.
- Fieldstone NCCP/HCP (San
Diego County, CA) $1,512,900. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is
awarding a grant to acquire the Batiquitos Bluffs parcel. The tract
is central to a large expanse of wildlife habitat that includes the
Batiquitos Lagoon and habitat to be preserved in the Multiple Habitat
Conservation Program (MHCP) to the north, and the only contiguous corridor
between the lagoon and habitat conserved through the Fieldstone Habitat
Conservation Plan to the south and east. The property is within the
proposed MHCP preserve. It supports the federally threatened gnatcatcher
and is within its designated critical habitat. A variety of native vegetation
communities occur on the parcel including coastal sage scrub, wetlands,
and one of the largest remaining expanses of southern maritime chaparral,
which is a rare and declining vegetation type, that likely supports
the federally listed Del Mar manzanita and Encinitas baccharis and possibly
the federally listed Orcutt's spineflower.
- Orange County Central/Coastal
NCCP/HCP (Orange County, CA) $3,000,000. This grant will support the
acquisition of Saddle Creek. The acquisition of Saddle Creek will reduce
habitat fragmentation and provide critical habitat and a movement corridor
for the threatened coastal California gnatcatcher, large mammals and
other wildlife within this region of Orange County. Saddle Creek straddles
the Central/Coastal and Southern Subregion NCCP/HCP and is significant
as the only existing low-elevation wildlife connection between the Subregions
of Orange County. The property is designated as critical habitat for
the coastal California gnatcatcher. In addition to the coastal California
gnatcatcher, about 17 other listed or sensitive species occur or potentially
occur within this area. Conservation of these parcels will ensure that
the rural character of the area is maintained which will benefit adjacent
residents.
Montana
- Plum Creek HCP Land Acquisition
( Lincoln County, MT) $3,610,800. This grant will help protect 1,003
acres of habitat that could otherwise be subject to logging and development.
The project is part of a larger, community-based conservation effort
to eventually conserve 88,712 acres of former Plum Creek Timber Company
lands. The grant will be matched by donation of a conservation easement
on 435 acres of nearby important habitat. The projects would protect
bull trout, grizzly bear, and one of the last remaining populations
of genetically pure westslope cutthroat trout.
North Carolina
- North Carolina Sandhills,
Red Cockaded Woodpecker (Scotland County, NC) $1,901,250. The objective
of this project is to acquire and manage land that will contribute to
the recovery of the North Carolina Sandhills West population of the
federally-endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Acquisition of the Rich
Tract will provide protection of a critical corridor between two disjunct
blocks of the North Carolina Gamelands, and acquisition of the Carrington
Tract will add 725 contiguous acres to Block F of the Gamelands, protecting
foraging habitat currently used by red-cockaded woodpeckers on Block
F. Purchase of these two tracts will help ensure that encroachment of
incompatible development around these blocks does not adversely affect
the State's ability to manage its lands for the benefit of both listed
and unlisted species. Further, this action will enable the State to
increase the intensity of restoration and management of the longleaf
pine habitat in this area, particularly with the use of prescribed fire.
The project will contribute substantially to fulfilling the recovery
strategies developed for the Sandhills population of the red-cockaded
woodpecker. Recovery of this population is a high priority for the North
Carolina Sandhills Conservation Partnership, which is composed of six
parties including the United States Army.
Texas
- Balcones Canyonlands Preserve
(Travis County, TX) $3,375,000. Grant funds will be used for the acquisition
of new preserve tracts vital for the ecological viability of the Balcones
Canyonlands Preserve. This preserve was designed to encompass high quality
habitat for the golden-cheeked warbler, black-capped vireo, and the
entire known range of three endangered karst invertebrates.
- Bone Cave Harvestman Preserve
(Williamson County, TX) $1,353,750. Acquisition and conservation of
this 40-acre tract by the Williamson County Conservation Foundation
will add to the long-term success of the Brushy Creek MUD Preserve as
well as augment the conservation measures pursuant to the Sultan &
Kahn HCP, and will contribute to the eventual recovery of the Bone Cave
harvestman. The tract contains nine caves; the endangered Bone Cave
harvestman species has been confirmed in six of the caves.
- Storm Ranch, Texas Conservation
Easement (Hays County, TX) $1,766,004. This project partners the Hill
Country Conservancy with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Texas
Parks & Wildlife Department to conserve the 5,685-acre Storm Ranch,
which is located within the contributing zone of the Edwards Aquifer
in Hays County, Texas. A conservation easement will be purchased to
protect the quality of water recharging the aquifer and the springflow
discharging into habitat for the endangered Barton Springs salamander
at Barton Springs. This project was initiated in 2003 through the Cooperative
Endangered Species Conservation Fund program.
Utah
- Utah Division of Wildlife
Resources, Mojave desert tortoise (Washington County, UT) $4,422,459.
This grant will be used to acquire parcels of Mojave desert tortoise
habitat key to the viability of a reserve created under the Washington
County HCP. The reserve is vital to the long term survival and recovery
of the desert tortoise and will benefit a suite of other species, including
six federally listed species (the bald eagle, southwestern willow flycatcher,
Virgin River chub, woundfin, dwarf bear poppy, and Silar pincushion
cactus), one proposed endangered plant (Shivwits milkvetch), and at
least two dozen BLM species of concern and State of Utah sensitive species.
Purchase of the parcels proposed for acquisition will significantly
reduce habitat fragmentation in the reserve.
Washington
- Cedar River Watershed HCP
(King County, WA) $1,000,000. The land acquisition will result in securing
the best of the remaining habitats in the lower third of the Cedar River
Watershed, as the upper two-thirds of the watershed is already protected
under the City of Seattle's HCP. Acquisition will extend habitats for
both listed and unlisted species, improve connectivity particularly
along the riparian corridor, and protect habitats under immediate threat
of development.
- Tieton River Project, Cugini
High Cascade Timberlands, Hoh River Conservation Corridor (Yakima, King,
and Jefferson Counties, WA) $10,050,710 (total for three projects).
The grant will be used to acquire lands on approximately 3,000 acres
of fish and wildlife habitat in both eastern and western Washington
State. Conservation benefits will be secured by the purchase of old-growth
timber occupied by northern spotted owls and marbled murrelets in the
west, and the protection of rare pine forests and diverse canyon habitats
in the east. The Tieton River Project is awarded $631,350 to protect
640 acres of mature ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and riparian habitats
in the Tieton River Canyon (Yakima County). The Cugini High Cascade
Timberlands project is awarded $5,716,143 to acquire approximately 560
acres of old growth forest in the northern Washington Cascade Mountains
(King County). The Hoh River Conservation Corridor project is awarded
$3,703,217 to conserve approximately 1,755 acres of Hoh River lands
between the interior and coastal portions of Olympic National Park (Jefferson
County).
- Yakima River Wildlife Corridor
Phase III, Washington State (Kittitas County, WA) $1,763,795. The funding
will allow The Cascades Conservation Partnership to complete the third
and final phase of acquisition of the Yakima River Wildlife Corridor.
The corridor connects essential wildlife habitat across Interstate 90
through a low elevation passage in one of the narrowest sections of
the Central Cascades. This conservation project provides habitat and
a travel route for five federally listed land species, and protects
bull trout and steelhead habitat in and along the Yakima River.
Habitat Conservation
Planning Assistance Grants by State:
California
- East Contra Costa County
HCP (Contra Costa County, CA) $358,000. The endangered San Joaquin fox,
the threatened California red-legged frog and many other declining species,
are found in this area and their ability to persist in this rapidly
developing area depends upon the protection of large blocks of contiguous
habitat. This is an opportunity to plan urban development in such a
manner that will provide habitat for sensitive species and open space
for residents. In addition, the HCP/Natural Community Conservation Plan
(NCCP) will allow Contra Costa Water District to utilize its full contractual
allotment of federal water (Bureau of Reclamation) from the Sacramento-San
Joaquin Delta by addressing the indirect effects resulting from water
deliveries.
- Mendocino Redwood Company
HCP/NCCP (Mendocino and Sonoma Counties) $258,000. Funds are being awarded
to finalize the development of a combined federal Habitat Conservation
Plan (HCP) and a California state Natural Community Conservation Plan
(NCCP) covering approximately 232,000 acres of the Mendocino Redwood
Company's forest lands in Mendocino and Sonoma Counties, California.
This HCP/NCCP will benefit more than 11 species, including 19 federal
listed species including the marbled murrelet and northern spotted owl,
several California state listed species, and numerous species of conservation
concern.
- Placer County Phase 2 Area
HCP/NCCP (Placer County, CA) $349,000. In partnership with other local
agencies and state government, Placer County's open space and agricultural
conservation effort known as Placer Legacy is currently developing a
comprehensive, multi-species HCP and NCCP that will address listed and
non-listed species, including Lahontan cutthroat trout and the mountain
yellow-legged frog. The plan is to be developed in three phases. This
2004 grant will allow Placer County to begin developing an Adaptive
Management/Monitoring program through the purchase of the HabiTrak system,
development of the Phase 2 Land Cover and Habitat Inventory, allow for
the funding of the Phase 2 Science Advisors for two years, and allow
for half-time participation of a Department of Fish and Game environmental
scientist. These project tasks are fundamental to further implementing
a successful Phase 1 and initiating Phase 2 of the HCP/NCCP. The Phase
2 area, particularly the Martis Valley, is currently experiencing intense
development pressure, which makes the timing of this project crucial
to the preparation of the HCP/NCCP.
- San Bruno Mountain HCP Reassessment
Project (San Mateo County, CA) $118,560. The project is for an amendment
to the existing HCP. At a minimum, the proposed HCP amendment will consider:
(1) the extent that non-native species invasion on San Bruno Mountain
is affecting the callippe silverspot, mission blue, and San Bruno elfin
butterflies on San Bruno Mountain in a manner not previously considered;
(2) whether management and restoration of conserved habitat on San Bruno
Mountain is not occurring consistent with the San Bruno Mountain HCP;
(3) the extent callippe silverspot and designated bay checkerspot critical
habitat will be affected by full implementation of the HCP's incidental
take permit; (4) the adequacy of the HCP's funding; and (5) the adequacy
of the HCP's avoidance and minimization measures.
- Santa Clara County HCP/NCCP
(Santa Clara County, CA) $300,000. Santa Clara County has initiated
a county-wide HCP/NCCP program which proposes to cover most of the 841,000-acre
county. The project is being undertaken in partnership with the City
of San Jose, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Agency, and the Santa
Clara Valley Water District, with potential involvement from other cities
in the southern portion of the county. Santa Clara County has experienced
enormous amounts of population growth over the past 50 years and is
continuing to experience growth pressures which pose a threat to more
than 100 endangered, threatened, and other rare species. This HCP/NCCP
will provide a comprehensive approach to conservation and management
of multiple species countywide, including preservation of much of the
remaining habitat for several federally listed species, establishment
of habitat preserves, habitat restoration, and streamlined regulatory
permitting processes.
- South Sacramento HCP (Sacramento
County, CA) $308,000. The grant will help local officials in South Sacramento
continue the planning phase of a regional HCP. This HCP is expected
to cover 45 species, including seven federally threatened and endangered
species, within a planning area of approximately 490 square miles. This
HCP proposes to cover two species of Orcutt grass that are restricted
to Sacramento County or for which this is the southernmost extent of
its range. The development community is actively involved in this HCP
because of their desire to streamline the regulatory process in an area
that has intense development pressure. Environmental groups are also
actively involved due to the wide variety of biological resources in
the planning area and because this is an opportunity to preserve large,
contiguous areas of habitat on a landscape level.
- Western Stanislaus County
HCP/NCCP (Stanislaus County, CA) $285,000. The grant, combined with
local funding, will enable local officials to initiate an HCP/NCCP process
to develop a regional plan for 388,000 acres in western Stanislaus County.
Currently, the Interstate 5 corridor and the cities of Patterson and
Newman are experiencing significant growth. Adequate and appropriate
resolutions to endangered species issues are key to successful implementation
of economic development and public works projects in these areas. Central
to the plan will be a conservation strategy developed by the County,
California Department of Fish and Game, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service for the San Joaquin kit fox. The conservation strategy, currently
in draft form but yet to be implemented, will identify and protect a
regional movement corridor for the kit fox. Ecologically valuable grassland,
riparian woodland, and foothill habitats will also be conserved within
the corridor, providing for other covered species and maintaining connectivity
and ecosystem function in several watersheds. Stanislaus County will
partner with other local agencies, as well as federal and state agencies,
to develop this HCP/NCCP.
- Yuba and Sutter Counties
HCP/NCCP (Yuba and Sutter Counties, CA) $178,000. The grant will help
local officials in portions of Yuba and Sutter Counties initiate the
planning phase of a regional HCP/NCCP. Since many land use plans within
the HCP/NCCP planning area are still being developed by the local jurisdictions,
there are significant opportunities to provide for natural resource
conservation at this time. There is an opportunity, through this HCP/NCCP
effort to promote the development of a comprehensive, multi-species
conservation plan that will address both listed and non-listed species
including: California tiger salamander, Swainson's hawk, giant garter
snake, steelhead, and tricolored blackbird. The Counties will partner
with other local agencies, as well as federal and state agencies, to
develop this HCP/NCCP.
Colorado
- San Luis Valley Regional
Habitat Conservation Plan (Alamosa, Conejos, Mineral, Rio Grande, and
Saguache Counties, CO) $384,000. The grant will fund the development
of a regional approach to southwestern willow flycatcher conservation
planning in the San Luis Valley. The HCP will cover approximately two
million acres and 150 stream miles. The project has widespread support
from numerous State, local, and Federal agencies as well as non-governmental
organizations. The project lies within the Rio Grande Recovery Unit,
one of six recovery units for the southwestern willow flycatcher. The
San Luis Valley is one of four management units within the recovery
unit, and provides the best potential in Colorado for supporting recovery
of the flycatcher. In addition to the flycatcher, the HCP will cover
the bald eagle and the yellow billed cuckoo.
Commonwealth of Northern
Mariana Islands
- Rota Island-wide Habitat
Conservation Plan (Rota, CNMI) $339,522. To develop an island-wide habitat
conservation plan (HCP) that addresses economic development and endangered
species conflicts on the island of Rota. The HCP will protect and conserve
existing secondary limestone forests for the benefit of the endangered
Mariana crow, and other suitable habitats required by other species
that may be impacted by development on similar habitats elsewhere on
Rota. Finalization of this HCP will complete the early planning efforts
for the Rota island-wide HCP begun in the mid-1990s.
Georgia
- Development of an HCP for
Imperiled Aquatic Species of the Etowah River Basin Bartow, Cherokee,
Cobb, Dawson, Forsyth, Fulton, Lumpkin, Paulding, and Pickens Counties,
Georgia) $392,608. The proposed project will complete the planning process
for the comprehensive Habitat Conservation Plan for the Etowah River
Basin in Georgia, ultimately resulting in an incidental take permit.
The overall goal of the HCP effort is for each local government to implement
growth management and local preservation efforts that ensure the future
conservation of aquatic imperiled species in this basin. The incidental
take permit will provide county and municipal governments (regulatory
agencies) the authority to authorize projects that provide for the conservation
of numerous aquatic species in the Etowah Basin while allowing environmentally-acceptable
development to proceed. This is the fourth and final stage of planning
for this HCP. Specific objectives for this year include: Working with
the 20 local governments to implement ordinances and policies that minimize
the impact of development on aquatic biota; Working with local governments
to revise comprehensive plans to reduce development pressures in sensitive
areas; Assisting local governments in putting policies in place for
acquisition and protection of sensitive watersheds; Establishing a coordinating
body for monitoring, enforcing and funding the implementation of the
Etowah HCP; Conducting scientific and economic analyses for supporting
the adaptive management aspect of the HCP; Crafting the Environmental
Assessment for the Etowah HCP; Completing a draft of the HCP, the incidental
take permit and the adaptive management plan; and holding meetings with
stakeholder groups and the public and working with the media to facilitate
better understanding of HCP implementation.
Maryland
- HCP Development for the
Delmarva fox squirrel and Timber Harvesting on Maryland's Eastern Shore
(Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Talbot, Somerset, Wicomico,
and Worcester Counties, Maryland) $128,625. The grant will help support
the conservation of the Delmarva fox squirrel in 90 percent of the species'
range. In partnership with the timber industry, the objectives include
assessing the impacts of timber harvesting on the Eastern Shore of Maryland
to the Delmarva fox squirrel, development of conservation strategies
for minimizing and mitigating such impacts at a landscape level, and
drafting an HCP for timber harvesting on both private and State lands
on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. In addition, using light detection
and ranging technology, establish a baseline estimate of the acreage
of suitable Delmarva fox squirrel habitat on the Eastern Shore.
Montana
- Montana DNRC Forested Trust
Lands HCP (Montana) $589,500. The grant will allow the State of Montana
to complete the development of the HCP and associated Environmental
Impact Statement for 1,206,102 acres of lands owned by the Department
of Natural Resources and Conservation. These lands provide important
habitat and fulfill key life requirements for many listed and sensitive
species, including gray wolf, grizzly bear, Canada lynx, bald eagle,
and bull trout.
Nevada
- Southern Nye County Multiple
Species Habitat Conservation Plan (Nye County, NV) $175,000. Nye County,
Nevada, will initiate the development of a MSHCP within the Mojave Desert
portion of southern Nye County. This portion of the county lies within
the range of the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), a species listed
as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. To provide conservation
for the tortoise and five additional species of concern while allowing
economic growth and urban development plans to move forward, Nye County
will develop a draft MSHCP and related Environmental Impact Statement
and Implementing Agreement within one year of the grant award. The MSHCP
will include conservation actions for six federally-listed and sensitive
species that occur within the planning area. These species occur in
Mojave Desert scrub, mesquite woodland, and desert riparian habitats.
Development of the MSHCP will complement the existing Clark County MSHCP
and the draft Southeastern Lincoln County MSHCP currently under development.
Once the Lincoln and Nye County MSHCPs are complete, almost all of the
desert tortoise habitat that occurs in Nevada will be included under
habitat conservation plans, with the exception of tribal and military
lands.
South Dakota
- South Dakota Statewide
HCP (South Dakota) $188,249. The grant will assist the State of South
Dakota in gathering biological data that is essential in their development
of a statewide Habitat Conservation Plan. The funds will also allow
the State to begin developing the operating conservation strategy for
the HCP. Because of the large geographic scope of the covered lands,
the project has the potential to result in substantial conservation
benefits for the pallid sturgeon, least tern, piping plover, and bald
eagle.
Texas
- Williamson County Regional
Habitat Conservation Plan (Williamson County, TX) $1,005,000. Grant
funds will be used to finalize Williamson County's Habitat Conservation
Planning effort, which was initiated in 2003. Establishment of the Williamson
County Regional HCP (RHCP) will aid in the conservation and recovery
of three endangered karst species, the golden-cheeked warbler, black-capped
vireo, and the Georgetown salamander, a candidate for listing. The RHCP
is anticipated to include at least nine species as covered species.
Washington
- Dungeness
Comprehensive Irrigation District Management Plan/HCP (Clallam County,
WA) $79,500. The HCP covers the lower 11 miles of the Dungeness River,
addresses long-term irrigation needs, and improves instream habitat.
The HCP will provide for the implementation of 24 specific conservation
measures with direct, measurable benefits for listed and unlisted species
as a result of addressing water quantity, fish passage, and water quality
issues.
- Family Forest HCP (Lewis
County, WA) $469,150. The HCP will cover over 100,000 acres of small
family forestlands managed by private landowners. The HCP will provide
an alternative to riparian harvest restrictions required under state
forest practices rules. Family forest landowners seek this HCP as an
incentive to keep family forests on the landscape.
- Foster Creek HCP (Douglas
County, WA) $518,605. The HCP will cover over one million acres of agricultural
land in Douglas County. The HCP will provide a tool for agricultural
landowners, operators, and managers to meet their land management objectives
while protecting and enhancing shrub-steppe, riparian, and aquatic habitats
for up to 63 proposed covered species.
- Teanaway Conservation Plan
(Kittitas County, WA) $312,700. The HCP will cover 55,800 acres of forest
lands owned and managed by American Forest Resources. The HCP would
result from an innovative pilot effort between the landowner and the
state to develop a Landowner Option Plan for northern spotted owls,
as a precursor to receiving a federal incidental take permit.
- Washington DNR Aquatic
Lands HCP (Statewide, WA) $1,057,100. This HCP will cover over 2.4 million
acres of submerged land managed by Washington State's Department of
Natural Resources in marine, estuarine, and freshwater habitats. The
HCP will ensure that covered activities promote sustainable ecosystems,
minimize cumulative impacts, and increase protection, conservation,
and recovery efforts for up to 75 proposed covered species.
Multi-State
- Development of a Habitat
Conservation Plan for the Northern Cumberlands Region (Tennessee and
Kentucky) $272,500. The project will result in the initiation of planning
for a comprehensive Habitat Conservation Plan for the Northern Cumberlands
Area, including the Tennessee and Cumberland River watersheds, that
will lead ultimately to an incidental take permit. The permit will allow
the States of Tennessee and Kentucky, working with partners, to implement
conservation measures to minimize and mitigate impacts to rare and imperiled
species while allowing authorized activities such as timber harvest
and coal mining to occur. The HCP will focus on both terrestrial and
aquatic species. This area is renowned for its biodiversity and supports
many rare plant communities and some of the best remaining habitats
for a number of endangered freshwater mussels. The HCP will build upon
The Nature Conservancy's eco-regional planning effort for the Northern
Cumberlands. The information from this effort will provide a strong
foundation from which to initiate the planning for the HCP. Fifty-nine
rare and imperiled species are documented for the project area, and
of these, 22 are listed as federally-endangered or threatened. The Plan
will focus on a minimum of 15 species including 8 federally endangered
freshwater mussels (Cumberland elktoe, Cumberlandian combshell, Oyster
mussel, Tan riffleshell, Catspaw, Fine-rayed pigtoe, Alabama lamp mussel,
and Little-wing pearlymussel), endangered plants including Purple bean
and Cumberland sandwort as well as two bird species, the Cerulean warbler
and Golden-winged warbler. Initial planning efforts include establishment
of a Steering Committee and an HCP Development Team; completion of a
literature review of land use impacts on the imperiled species for those
species where knowledge gaps exist; research on impacts of land management
activities on imperiled species; GIS analyses to define the priority
habitats for the HCP; and, development of an outreach program to engage
additional partners, landowners and stakeholders in the HCP process.
Recovery Land Acquisition Grants by State:
Alaska
- Nelson Lagoon Steller's
Eider Habitat Project (Nelson Lagoon, Alaska) $191,304. Project partners
will purchase strategic private inholdings from willing sellers in the
Nelson Lagoon area to protect Steller's eider habitat. Nelson Lagoon
is the most important fall molting area for the world's population of
Steller's eiders. Nelson Lagoon is located within the state-designated
Port Moller Critical Habitat Area. There are several private inholdings
in the Port Moller Critical Habitat Area that, if developed, could threaten
important Steller's eider staging, molting, and wintering habitat, as
well as hamper recovery of the listed Alaska-breeding population of
this species. Other species benefiting from this project will include
the emperor goose, Pacific brant, cackling Canada goose, marbled godwit,
bristle-thighed curlew, Hudsonian godwit, and other more common species
of ducks and shorebirds. This project is part of a larger-scale project
to integrate waterfowl and wetland protection initiatives such as the
North American Wetlands Conservation Act, National Coastal Wetlands
Conservation Grant Program, and the Pacific Coast Joint Venture.
Arizona
- Coal Mine Springs Acquisition
Phase II (Santa Cruz County, Arizona) $750,000. The funding will purchase
a 1900-acre tract of land in Coal Mine Canyon, Santa Cruz County, Arizona.
This is the second phase of a two-phase acquisition benefiting the recovery
of the Gila topminnow; the Phase I acquisition was fully funded through
this program in fiscal year 2003. Acquisition of the property will further
protect water quality for the Coal Mine Canyon population of the Gila
topminnow, one of the two largest naturally existing populations. Protection
of this population is of paramount importance to the continued existence
and recovery of the topminnow. In addition, the property will provide
foraging habitat for the lesser long-nosed bat, riparian corridor for
the Mexican spotted owl, and augmentation to primary nesting habitat
along Sonoita Creek for the western yellow-billed cuckoo.
California
- Dirty Socks Spring (Inyo
County, California) $92,500. This acquisition will protect property
that contains a natural spring, one-acre pond, outflow streams, alkali
wetlands, and salt grass marsh. Aquatic habitats on the property will
be used to establish new populations of Owens tui chub and Owens pupfish,
completing an activity identified in the Owens Basin Wetland and Aquatic
species Recovery Plan for Inyo and Mono Counties, California.
- Gabbro soil plant habitat
2004 (El Dorado County, California) $450,000. This acquisition will
purchase essential habitat of an extremely rare natural community comprising
approximately 10 percent of California's native plant species, including
the six Gabbro plants. This grant will add 227 acres to the existing
Pine Hill Ecological Preserve.
- Morro Bay shoreline (San
Luis Obispo County, California) $500,000. This acquisition will conserve
approximately 21 shoreline acres, connecting other State and privately
owned conservation areas. The wetland and dune habitats provide habitat
for several State and federally listed species and other species of
concern, including California sea-blite, salt-marsh bird's-beak, western
snowy plover, marsh sandwort, and Morro shoulderband snail.
- Peninsular bighorn sheep
(Highway 74) (Riverside County, California) $75,000. Acquisition
of these parcels will contribute to the conservation goals outlined
in the recovery plan for bighorn sheep in the Peninsular Ranges by ensuring
that this area remains intact, preventing further fragmentation.
- Ramona Grasslands (San Diego
County, California) $500,000. This acquisition will protect intact and
undisturbed grassland in Santa Maria Valley, benefiting Stephen's kangaroo
rat, arroyo toad, San Diego fairy shrimp, and coastal California gnatcatcher.
The grasslands contain numerous vernal pools and will link adjacent
parcels into a contiguous preserve of nearly 2,000 acres.
- Soledad Canyon riparian
properties (Los Angeles County, California) $185,000. This acquisition
will help achieve recovery goals for Arroyo southwestern toad, unarmored
threespine stickleback, least Bell's vireo, southwestern willow flycatcher,
and slenderhorned spineflower by securing habitat and habitat connectivity
within the upper Santa Clara River watershed. The Santa Clara River
is one of the last undammed wild rivers in southern California and subject
to natural hydrologic flow events which are crucial for target species.
- Vernal pool species recovery,
Millville Plains (Shasta County, California) $317,716. This grant will
be used to purchase a conservation easement on approximately 250 acres
of land containing vernal pool complexes within Millville Plains, benefiting
vernal pool fairy shrimp and slender Orcutt grass. This conservation
easement is adjacent to approximately 600 acres of vernal pool habitat
already protected.
Georgia
- Acquisition of the Patterson
Tract on Holly Creek (Murray County, GA) $950,563. Holly Creek is a
tributary to the Conasauga River which is considered globally significant
to the conservation of freshwater diversity. Approximately 80 native
fish (including three federally listed fish) and 40 native mussel species
(nine federally listed mussels) occur in the watershed. Although no
federally listed species have yet been documented in the project area,
the federally listed endangered blue shiner, southern pigtoe, coosa
moccasinshell, and the federally listed threatened fine-lined pocketbook
and Alabama moccasinshell are known to occur in the creeks adjacent
to the property. The purchase of this tract will contribute to a larger
effort to enhance water quality and protection of the Conasauga River
watershed by securing land which includes important riparian buffers
in the headwaters and by enhancing water quality by guarding against
increased siltation.
Hawaii
- Manana Valley watershed
protection & habitat restoration project (Honolulu County, Hawaii)
$900,000. This acquisition and restoration is a multi-species conservation
effort that includes critical habitat for 15 listed plants and Oahu
elepaio as well as essential habitat for the Oahu tree snail. This parcel
contains five distinct forest types including wet and mesic forest types
and four miles of stream. This parcel is also adjacent to a State forest
reserve.
Idaho
- Moen Ranch property - Pahsimeroi
River. (Lemhi and Custer Counties, Idaho) $640,000. The grant award
to Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) will help purchase approximately
208 acres of riparian lands along the Pahsimeroi River that runs through
the Moen Ranch. This acquisition would protect habitat critical to listed
bull trout, salmon, and steelhead. This purchase will be accomplished
through a collaborative partnership with the State of Idaho Office of
Species Conservation, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Soil and Water
Conservation District and IDFG. The collaborative effort coincides with
the property owner's desire to avoid subdivision, and to continue agricultural
production along with habitat conservation. Therefore TNC will purchase
the entire property and sell the riparian section to IDFG for perpetual
conservation management, along with undertaking other transactions to
protect habitat while keeping cultivated areas in production. The Pahsimeroi
River is one of three key tributaries to the Upper Salmon River sub
basin which provides more anadromous fish spawning areas (redds) than
any other sub basin in the Columbia River Basin. The sub basin produces
39% of the spring chinook salmon, 45% of the summer chinook salmon and
25% of the summer steelhead returning to the mouth of the Columbia River.
In 2002 the Moen Ranch accounted for 63 of the total 125 chinook redds
on the Pahsimeroi River.
Iowa
- Land acquisition for eastern
prairie fringed orchid protection (Jones and Jackson Counties, Iowa)
$254,625. This grant will be used to acquire approximately 180 acres
of wet to tallgrass prairie through fee-simple acquisition, which will
facilitate management for the benefit of over 2,500 eastern prairie
fringed orchid plants. This project will advance the objectives of the
recovery plan by protecting sites in private ownership, enhancing the
protection of known populations, and acquiring a potential reintroduction
and expansion area. Acquisition of the site will protect and enhance
the viability of these populations, ensure that the minimum recovery
goals are met, and help move the species toward possible de-listing.
Maine
- Machias River Project,
Phase II (Hancock and Washington Counties, Maine) $500,000. The Service's
contribution toward the Phase II project will help protect over 47 miles
of lakeshore and over 13 miles of stream frontage. Some of the special
features of the Phase II project that will benefit include: Atlantic
salmon rearing and spawning habitat along Fifth Machias Stream, the
primary water source for downstream Atlantic salmon habitat along the
main stem of the Machias River; and multiple bald eagle nesting sites
on Third Machias Lake. The Machias River is one of the eight river systems
in Maine that are included in the Atlantic salmon Gulf of Maine distinct
population segment. Preserving the Machias River system may help improve
the status of the Atlantic salmon.
Maryland
- Delmarva fox squirrel habitat
protection in the Nanticoke River Watershed (Maryland - statewide) $267,183.
Project partners will acquire a permanent conservation easement in the
Nanticoke Watershed, Maryland. The property, referred to as the Mowbray
Tract, totals 708 acres, and the entire property will be under the easement.
Protection of this parcel of Delmarva fox squirrel habitat requires
little or no management and will expand upon an adjacent permanently
protected area of land totaling over 3,000 acres. The easement will
eliminate all but one development right and require a Department of
Natural Resources approved Forest Stewardship Plan that addresses habitat
requirements of the squirrel along with migratory songbirds and other
sensitive species that utilize the forested block. The owner is also
willing to explore reforestation of certain areas of the property as
squirrel habitat.
Michigan
- Mitchell's satyr recovery
land acquisition (southwest Michigan) $416,189. The grant will support
acquisition of two parcels (53 acres) within the Blue Creek Fen area,
a 35 acre parcel in the Cook Lake/Rudy Road Complex, and additional
properties within the Mitchell's satyr priority area. In addition to
the Mitchell's satyr, the Blue Creek Fen hosts several state-listed
or special concern species including eastern box turtle, spotted turtle,
and white lady-slipper. The site has also been identified as likely
habitat for the Eastern massasauga rattlesnake, a candidate for Federal
protection. Blue Creek Fen exhibits high species diversity, has strong
natural community integrity, and is supported by relatively intact hydrological
processes. The largest landowner, the Michigan Department of Transportation,
has been working with The Nature Conservancy and the Service to develop
and implement a management plan to achieve long-term protection and
management for the Mitchell's satyr butterfly on the publicly owned
portions of the fen since the mid 1990s. The acquisition of this tract
will increase managed habitat to nearly one mile along Blue Creek. The
Michigan Department of Natural Resources will partner with the Southwest
Michigan Land Trust to acquire approximately 35 acres in the Cook Lake/Rudy
Road Complex, adding to the amount of permanently protected land in
the complex. In 2001, the Land Trust leveraged private funds from donors
and members to acquire the 12-acre Cook Lake Fen Preserve which protects
high quality prairie fen occupied by the Mitchell's satyr.
Nebraska
- Eastern Nebraska saline
wetland land acquisition (Lancaster County, Nebraska) $160,000. These
funds will help acquire and restore 31 acres of eastern saline wetland
habitat, a habitat type that has experienced major losses (approximately
80 percent) in Nebraska and is considered critically imperiled. Without
the project, the property would likely be bought for development, resulting
in a loss of the habitat benefits of the property to least terns, piping
plovers, and the Salt Creek tiger beetle, and compromising the habitat
benefits of nearby protected saline wetlands by the indirect and direct
effects of urban development. The property is the highest priority acquisition
for the Salt Creek tiger beetle, a declining, narrowly distributed species
awaiting listing. The property will be managed in perpetuity for endangered
species and other wildlife benefits.
Nevada
- Dave's Island tract (Elko
County, Nevada) $1,000,000. This acquisition will benefit the Jarbidge
River Distinct Population Segment of bull trout. The draft recovery
plan identified acquisition as the most important recovery action for
the Dave Creek population. This acquisition will also benefit sage grouse
and redband trout and eliminate grazing impacts.
New Mexico
- Blue Hole Cienega, Santa
Rosa, New Mexico: core conservation habitat for Pecos sunflower (Guadalupe,
New Mexico) $107,000. This acquisition will protect 130 acres of high
quality habitat within the Town of Santa Rosa for the threatened Pecos
sunflower. Pecos sunflower is a wetland plant confined to spring and
cienega (desert wetland) areas in New Mexico and west Texas. The acquisition
will protect one of the known Pecos sunflower core conservation areas,
and will fulfill a criterion of the draft recovery plan.
North Carolina
- Pettiford Creek, Ahearn
Tract Land Acquisition (Carteret County, North Carolina) $270,000. The
Ahearn Tract (adjacent to recently purchased conservation areas and
near Croatan National Forest) is under immediate threat of development.
The purchase of this property will complete protection of a 900 acre
area bounded on three sides by Croatan National Forest and 2.4 miles
of frontage along Pettiford Creek. The purchase will benefit red-cockaded
woodpeckers directly by protecting foraging habitat and active clusters
on the tract and indirectly through its use as a buffer to existing
populations on Croatan National Forest. Biologists believe the site
has a high probability of supporting rough-leaved loosestrife, which
could benefit from protection and management (such as prescribed burning)
on-site. The property also supports a number of rare and candidate species
including Bachman's sparrow, Carolina goldenrod, Venus flytrap, and
southern hognose snake.
Ohio
- Conservation easement acquisition
along Pymatuning Creek for clubshell mussel recovery (northeast Ohio)
$72,575. The objective of this initiative is to continue to secure permanent
conservation easements from willing landowners along the main stem of
Pymatuning Creek to aid in recovery efforts for the clubshell mussel.
The easements will help complement the land acquisition efforts by the
state and local agencies and other organizations. Conditions of the
conservation easements will assure the permanent protection of the riparian
corridor and create significant buffers from potentially adverse land
uses on adjoining properties. There are three landowners identified
to protect approximately 120 acres to benefit 5,000 feet of riparian
habitat.
Oklahoma
- Recovery of the Ozark big-eared
bat and three other federally listed karst-dependent species (Adair
County, Oklahoma) $469,083. Purchase of up to 1,274 acres in Adair County,
Oklahoma, by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, will
benefit the Ozark big-eared bat and the gray bat. The tract of land
contains a portion of the largest known cave in Oklahoma, which provides
important maternity roost and hibernacula habitat for the bats. The
property is adjacent to the Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge.
The Arkansas Natural Resources Department is cooperating in the effort
to conserve listed species within the Ozark Karst Ecosystem of the Ozark
Highlands Ecoregion, which occurs in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
Oregon
- Elk River Spit conservation
easement for snowy plover (Curry County, Oregon) $307,000. This grant
will acquire a conservation easement for up to 80 acres of beach foredune
behind the mean high tide line at the Elk River Spit in Oregon. The
purpose of the project is to manage the land for the federally threatened
western snowy plover and the State listed pink sand-verbena and migrating
shorebirds. The recovery plan for the plover identified the Elk River
Spit as one of 19 areas in Oregon important to the western snowy plover's
future recovery. The spit's landowners are cooperating in the project
by donating 25% of the value of the conservation easement.
- Jacksonville Woods Fritillaria
gentneri (Jackson County, Oregon) $358,000. The acquisition will benefit
a very narrowly distributed plant found in oak - madrone habitat. This
species only occurs in two counties in Oregon. Upwards of 1,000 individuals
occur on the two parcels addressed in the proposal.
South Carolina
- Bonneau Ferry Tract (Berkeley
County, South Carolina) $1,646,671. The property is part of a larger
three-phase project located along the Cooper River. The Cooper River
is the primary freshwater migration route for manatees in South Carolina.
The Cooper River also supports habitat for the endangered shortnose
sturgeon. These species will benefit directly by protection of water
quality in the river. Habitat for the shortnose sturgeon may be included
in the purchase. Additionally, the larger property and adjacent properties
already under protection support bald eagle, foraging and roosting sites
for wood stork, and a number of other rare species (including swallow-tailed
kite). The purchase of this tract will contribute to the overall acquisition
of 10.5 miles of river frontage along Cooper River.
Tennessee
- Bellamy Cave Purchase (Montgomery
County, Tennessee) $65,500. Bellamy Cave is identified in the Gray Bat
Recovery Plan as a priority one site for this species. This cave provides
both winter and summer habitat for gray bats with a colony of approximately
91,000 bats in winter and a maternity colony of 35,000 bats in summer.
Gray bats are sensitive to human disturbance and the size of this colony
makes this cave a high priority. The State will purchase this property
to ensure protection and long-term management for this species and others
such as the small-footed bat, southern cavefish, and, potentially, Indiana
bat.
- Land Acquisition of the
Lane Farm in Middle Tennessee (Wilson County, Tennessee) $285,750. Acquisition
of this property will provide protection for one of the five existing
populations of Tennessee coneflower and permit active management and
enhancement of a population of leafy prairie-clover. Additionally, the
property supports limestone cedar glades, an extremely rare community
which provides habitat for many narrowly distributed plant species,
including seven state listed plants. The property also contains a small
mixed grass barren. In the state of Tennessee, nearly all such barrens
have been lost to conversion for agricultural and commercial or residential
development.
Texas
- Land acquisition of endangered
and threatened wildlife habitat, specifically for golden-cheeked warbler,
near Cedar Hill State Park (Dogwood Canyon) (Dallas County, Texas) $286,500.
The acquisition of a 24-acre tract of land will provide high quality
breeding habitat for the golden-cheeked warbler in Dogwood Canyon. Dogwood
Canyon may be the only location in Dallas County currently inhabited
by the warbler, although this species was present in the county historically.
The acquisition is part of a larger project to protect 250 acres of
Dogwood Canyon for the benefit of the warbler and the black-capped vireo,
and other wildlife species.
Utah
- State of Utah Virgin River
Confluence acquisition (Washington County, Utah) $615,000. The funds
will be used to purchase 56 acres of riparian habitat at the Virgin
River Confluence essential for the protection of threatened and endangered
species, including woundfin, Virgin River chub, southwestern willow
flycatcher, desert tortoise, and bald eagle. The proposed parcel represents
pristine habitat where the Mojave Desert meets the Great Basin and Colorado
Plateau, and provides habitat for dozens of species unique to the State
of Utah. This project represents Phase III of a project that will eventually
protect a 530-acre ecosystem complex of riparian habitats along 3.5
miles of the Virgin River. To date, the State and its partners have
permanently protected 275 acres of this total.
Virginia
- Purchase of Mitchell's satyr
habitat in Virginia (Floyd County, Virginia) $183,974. This project
will provide permanent protection for one of the largest concentrations
of the federally endangered Mitchell's satyr butterfly in Virginia.
The wetlands on the subject property also support the state endangered
bog turtle. A key parcel at Camp Branch Wetlands will be protected through
purchase of a conservation easement and the property will be dedicated
by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) as a state natural
area preserve. Natural area stewardship of the DCR Natural Heritage
Program will manage the property to ensure the continued viability of
the two rare species and their habitats. When Mitchell's satyr was federally
listed, it was not known from the State of Virginia. The species was
discovered in Virginia in 1998, one year after the recovery plan was
finalized. All known sites of Mitchell's satyr in Virginia occur within
a 50 square mile area of the New River watershed.
Washington
- Golden paintbrush recovery
at Ebey's Reserve (Island County, Washington) $187,300. This acquisition
proposal is a single species project that benefits a narrowly distributed
plant species. It is vital for species recovery because it is one of
only 11 remaining sites and one of the three largest sites on which
this plant is found. Acquisition will make a major contribution toward
recovery.
Multi-State
- An ecoregion approach to
recovery of the Ozark big-eared bat and three other federally listed
karst dependent species: Phase I (Benton, Marion, Newton and Washington
Counties, Arkansas, also includes lands in Oklahoma) $584,237. The funds
will purchase tracts in both Oklahoma and Arkansas adjacent to several
protected areas that provide foraging habitat or habitat adjacent to
foraging habitat for Ozark big-eared bat, gray bat, Indiana bat, and
Ozark cavefish. The project will result in the protection of entire
cave systems and their watersheds in the Ozark Karst Ecosystem. Acquisition
of land adjacent to the Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
will support recovery task 1 in the Ozark big-eared bat Recovery Plan.
Acquisition of land near to Slippery Hollow and Garrett Hollow Natural
Areas will provide protection of essential surface foraging habitat
and movement corridors for the same species. Acquisition of land near
to Cave Springs Natural Area will help better protect the recharge zone
of a cave which supports over half the world's population of Ozark cavefish.
This property also provides habitat for gray bats. Lands purchased near
Edgeman Cave will protect Indiana bat hibernacula.
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