Conservation Assessments and Strategies

1. Conservation Assessments and Strategies USDA Forest Service Eastern Region Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Species Program Objectives of talk: Provide overview of progress, stimulate discussion and encourage others to lead CA�s Format: Overview/round robin Objectives of talk: Provide overview of progress, stimulate discussion and encourage others to lead CA�s Format: Overview/round robin

2. R9 TES Program Priorities Preclude ESA listing Habitats and biodiversity for longterm recovery Partnerships Conservation Strategies and Recovery Plans Recovery plans for TE, CA for RFSS Recovery plans for TE, CA for RFSS

3. Regional Forester Sensitive Species Criteria TNC/ABI GTN Rank of 1-3 Federal Candidate or delisted in last 5 years State T&E and other NHP tracked species � screened by Risk Evaluation Documented within proclamation boundary and be recognized by taxonomic experts�

4. Regional Forester Sensitive Species ListUpdated February 29, 2000 Animals: 21 TES 262 RFSS Plants: 15 TES 403 RFSS So�how will we get CA/Cs for so many species???So�how will we get CA/Cs for so many species???

5. Conservation Assessment Species, group or ecosystem status and distribution Documents what is known and unknown Information for Conservation Strategy No management direction or commitments FSMFSM

6. Conservation Assessment Executive Summary Nomenclature and Taxonomy Description of Species Life History Habitat Distribution and Abundance (rangewide/regionwide) Population Biology and Viability Potential Threats and Monitoring References Appendix FSM Handout on templates, request comments, templates to be put on webFSM Handout on templates, request comments, templates to be put on web

7. Conservation Strategy Establish conservation objectives Management actions to accomplish objectives Must go through NEPA process Forest Plan addendum, amendment or revision FSMFSM

8. Conservation Strategy Executive Summary Introduction/Objectives Distribution and Status Life History Habitat * Relationship to Land Management and Human Activity * Population Viability Goals * Management Recommendations/Standards and Guides * Collaborative Potential * Research and Monitoring Needs * Action Plan References Appendix FSM * Items unique to StrategyFSM * Items unique to Strategy

9. Conservation Agreement Implementation with cooperating agencies How actions will preclude ESA listing Commitment of management actions NEPA/NFMA requirements satisfied

10. FY2000 Conservation Assessments Northern goshawk Barrens/glades Yellow-bellied flycatcher Goblin Fern Botrychium spp. Cerulean Warbler White Mountain Silverling Nodding Pagonia Henslows sparrow Boreal owl Bicknell�s thrush Red-shouldered hawk Ramshead Lady-slipper Eastern Massasauga Allegheny dragonflies Fairy bells Round RobinRound Robin

11. FY2001 Conservation Assessments Timber Rattlesnake Calypso bulbosa Cynoglosum virginianum Malaxis brachypoda Listera suite Vaccinium cespitosum and No. Blue butterfly Niagra Escarpment Great Lakes Shoreline Green Mountain Alpine Community Mesic Central Hardwoods Warm-water streams Over 90 species initiated FY2000-2001; great progress in 9 months! About 15% of RFSS�Over 90 species initiated FY2000-2001; great progress in 9 months! About 15% of RFSS�

12. CA Progress by Forest Opps need to update�where is Ottawa?!Opps need to update�where is Ottawa?!

13. CA Priorities Species impacted by management Community groups Species group Southern tier aquatic species A few ideas to move ahead strategically and effeciently�.A few ideas to move ahead strategically and effeciently�.

14. Methods to accomplish CA�s: In house Forest Service Research Contract Challenge Cost Share Agreements Interagency Agreements Round Robin CA Contract and CCS to be on CA webpage by end of year (also FSM and templates)Round Robin CA Contract and CCS to be on CA webpage by end of year (also FSM and templates)

15. Potential Partners Other FS Regions FS Research FWS Status Assessments Natural Heritage Programs New England Wildflower Society Bat Conservation International Species experts Others�

16. Potential Management Impacts Half of R9 forests identified 156 of 665 RFSS as potentially impacted by management�. CA�s underway for about one-quarter of species identified Still need to hear from �other half�, though I suspect that �-1/2 of RFSS are potenitally impacted by management which would mean we are have CA�s underway for about 1/3 of the priority species, requiring at minimum of $600,000 to complete CA�s????Still need to hear from �other half�, though I suspect that �-1/2 of RFSS are potenitally impacted by management which would mean we are have CA�s underway for about 1/3 of the priority species, requiring at minimum of $600,000 to complete CA�s????

17. FWS Status Assessments Black tern Cerulean warbler Common tern Henslow's sparrow Loggerhead Shrike Northern goshawk Hellbender Crystal darter Longhead darter Northern cavefish Spotted darter Glacial relic snails Indiana crayfish Hill's thistle Pale false foxglove FWS expressed interest in partnering. Status of status assessments (Friday?)FWS expressed interest in partnering. Status of status assessments (Friday?)

18. New England Wildflower Society Round-leaved Orchis Purple Milkweed Moonwort Grape-fern Side-oats Grama Crawe Sedge Flase Hop Sedge Wiegland�s Sedge Blazing-star Northern Wild Comfrey Three-angled Spikerush White Thoroughwort Golden-seal Vasey Rush Large Twayblade Auricled Twayblade Large-leaved Sandwort Dwarf Water-Lily Swamp Lousewort Yellow-fringe Orchid A Jacob�s Ladder Giant Pinedrops Lapland Buttercup Fewflower Nutrush Whip Nutrush Northern Dropseed Per Burbank/Schultz Other similar groups? BCI status?Per Burbank/Schultz Other similar groups? BCI status?

19. Southern Tier Aquatic Species Daniel Boone, GW Jefferson, Ouchita and Ozark National Forests? Multispecies Mussel CA? By basins? Cavefish CA? Darter CA? Large majority of RFSS are southern tier aquatic species. Fish group discuss 12/6�results? Suggestions per Becky Ewing.Large majority of RFSS are southern tier aquatic species. Fish group discuss 12/6�results? Suggestions per Becky Ewing.

20. Peer Review�. Adds strength not weakness Agreement may not be possible; thoughtfully consider and document input Include a cross section of subject experts - pro and con - don�t shy from controversy Broaden reviews if controversy is high Be personal - make contacts, give thanks Part of every CA�options include FS Research, Professional Societies, inhouse�.Part of every CA�options include FS Research, Professional Societies, inhouse�.

21. Peer Review Methods Choose method based on complexity, controversy, potential of presedence Potential methods: Internal review Review by peers on same or neighboring unit Self-facilitated review Third-party facilitated review Blind peer review

22. Peer Review Format Informal or formal: Personal contact Email Letter Web page Facilitated conference call Meeting

23. Peer Review Timeframes Long-term requests can get lost to other priorities Short timeframes with flexibility may be effective If possible involve reviewers in setting timeframes

24. Forest Service Eastern Region Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Species Program For more information contact: Stephen R. Mighton, Regional Office Nancy Lizette Berlin, Chippewa National Forest Handouts (CA Matrix, CA webpage info, CA species and community template outlines)Handouts (CA Matrix, CA webpage info, CA species and community template outlines)