DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE ashington July 1993
STATUS OF THE MARBLED MURRELET (Brachyramphus marmoratus) IN WASHINGTON
Washington Department of Wildlife Wildlife Management Division The Washington Department of Wildlife maintains a list of endangered, threatened and sensitive species (Washington Administrative Codes 232-12-014 and 232-12-011, Appendix B). Species are evaluated for listing using a set of procedures developed by a group of citizens, interest groups, and state and federal agencies (Washington Administrative Code 232-12-297, Appendix B). The procedures were adopted by the Washington Wildlife Commission in 1990. They specify how species listing will be initiated, criteria for listing and delisting, public review, and recovery and management of listed species.
The first step in the process is to develop a preliminary species status report. The report includes a review of information relevant to the species' status in Washington including, but not limited to: historic, current, and future species population trends, natural history including ecological relationships, historic and current habitat trends, population demographics and their relationship to long term sustainability, and historic and current species management activities.
The procedures then provide for a 90-day public review opportunity for interested parties to submit new scientific data relevant to the status report and classification recommendation. During the 90-day review period, the Department holds one public meeting in each of its administrative regions. At the close of the review of the draft report, the Department completes a final status report and listing recommendation for presentation to the Washington Wildlife Commission. The final report, listing recommendation, and any State Environmental Policy Act findings are then released for public review 30 days prior to the Commission presentation.
This report is the Department of Wildlife's final Status Report and listing recommendation for the marbled murrelet. The listing proposal will be presented to the Washington Wildlife Commission on August 14, 1993 at the Colville Community Center, Colville, Washington. Comments on the report and recommendation may be sent to: Endangered Species Program Manager, Washington Department of Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N, Olympia, WA 98501-1091; or presented to the Wildlife Commission at its August 14 meeting.
This report should be cited as:
Washington Department of Wildlife. 1993. Status of the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in Washington. Unpuh!. Rep. Wash. Dept. Wild!., Olympia. Status of the
Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus)
in Washington
July 1993
Washington Department of Wildlife 600 Capitol Way N Olympia, WA 98S01-]()91
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES ...... •... • ... • ..•... IV
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . V
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .. Vll
INTRODUCTION .... 1
REFERENCES CITED...... 5
Appendix A. Determination of Threatened Status for the Washington, Oregon, and California Population of the Marbled Murrelet 7
Appendix B. Washington Administrative Codes ...... 19
July 1993 III Washington Department of Wildlife LIST OF TABLES
Table I . Washington marbled murrelet inland sites summary ...... 1 Table 2. Chronology of Washington marbled murrelet research and management activities 3
July 1993 IV Washington Department of Wildlife ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The summary and introduction to this document were prepared by Kelly McAllister, Endangered Species Recovery Biologist, Washington Department of Wildlife. Eric Cummins and William Ritchie, Washington Department of Wildlife, assisted in the preparation of the introduction. The cover illustration was done by Siobhan Sullivan. The Department appreciates the interest shown and information provided by individuals who attended the public meetings or wrote letters concerning the status report and listing proposal.
July 1993 v Washington Department of Wildlife
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Washington, Oregon, and California population of the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmorarus mam1Orarus) was federally listed as a threatened species by the U .S . Fish and Wildlife Service on 28 September 1992. The main cause of the population decline and the primary threat to the marbled murrelet in the three-state area is the loss and alteration of nesting habitat, older forests, as a result of commercial timber harvesting. Additional lesser threats are mortality associated with gill-net fishing operations off the Washington coast, predation, urbanization, and the effects of oil spills.
The North American subspecies of the marbled murrelet is a small seabird of the Alcidae family which ranges from Alaska to central California. In Washington it is found in all nearshore marine areas (within 2 km, 1.2 mi of shoreline), with the greatest concentrations in northern Puget Sound.
Marbled murrelets are usually found within or adjacent to the marine environment where they feed primarily on fish and invertebrates. They spend the majority of their lives on salt water, but fly inland to nest. Most marine concentrations are in areas where older forests are present nearby. While marbled murrelets have been recorded up to 83 km (52 mil inland in Washington, the majority of observations are within 63 km (39 mil of the coast in the northern Washington Cascades. Marbled murrelets in Washington , Oregon, and California nest in older forests and are solitary to semi-colonial in nesting habit. Of 16 tree nests characterized (5 in Washington , 7 in Oregon, 4 in California), all were located in old-growth trees. The broad, horizontal limbs of older trees are generally needed to support the single murrelet egg which is laid on the limb, without benefit of a constructed nest. However, limb deformities sometimes serve as platforms.
Currently, marbled murrelet populations are estimated at no more than 5,000 birds in Washington, fewer than 1,000 pairs in Oregon, and about 2,000 birds in California. Anecdotal accounts suggest greater numbers historically, particularly in areas where timber harvest has been most extensive.
The quantity of old-growth forest in western Oregon and Washington has been reduced by more than 80 % from pre-logging levels. In northwestern California, estimates put the reduction at 45-80%. Forest fragments are less suitable for successful nesting due to losses from excessive wind at stand edges, as well as increased predation, primarily by corvids (jays, ravens, and crows).
In Wash ington, the factors that contribute to the marbled murrelet's li sting under the Endangered Species Act are expected to affect the species through the foreseeable future.
It is recommended that the marbled murrelet be designated as a threatened species in Washington.
July 1993 Vll Washington Department of Wildlife
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service "Final Rule for listing the Washington, Oregon, and California popUlation of the marbled murrelet as a threatened species" provides information on the species description, life history, population status and trend, habitat status and trend, and factors influencing the population. The Final Rule is presented in Appendix A.
Marbled murrelets (Brachyramphus marmora/us) are distributed widely in marine waters of Washington, though they are often local in occurrence. Nesting colonies of most other Washington seabird species have been inventoried during the past 2 decades, but there has not been a comprehensive survey of the marine and inland distribution of marbled murrelets.
Early naturalists described murrelets in Puget Sound as "abundant" and "widespread," which is not the current assessment based on limited marine surveys. The current population estimate for Washington is approximately 5,000 birds during the breeding season (Speich et al. 1992). Through the end of 1992, only five nests and 18 nest sites had been located in Washington; there are 474 inland sites where murrelet activity has been documented (Table 1). A sixth nest was found in 1993.
Table 1. Ownership of inland sites where marbled murrelets have been found in Washington through December 1992.
Sile Slalus' Federal and Tribal Slale and Local Private TOlal
Nesl 5 a a 5b NeSl Sile 14 2 2 18 Occupied Sil e 11 8 13 8 139 Olher 257 27 28 312
TOlals 394 42 38 474
·Sile SICllUS Definitions: Nest. Nest Site: Downy chicks or eggs found on ground . Occupied Site: MUITc1cls detected in ~I Little is known about murrelet breeding ecology in Washington. Research and management activities in Washington have been undertaken primarily within the last 15 years (Table 2). Nests have been difficult to find, in part because marbled murrelets generally nest solitarily or in loose colonies high in old-growth coniferous trees. In addition, nests are visited by adults mainly at dusk, dawn, and during the night. July 1993 Washington Department of Wildlife The harvest of remaining low elevation old-growth forest nesting habitat is the greatest threat to the marbled murrelet in Washington. Although there is little known about the inland distribution and nesting habitat requirements of the marbled murrelet in the state, sufficient nesting habitat is not provided by current old-growth habitat conservation areas and areas protected under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service "take" guidelines for the spotted owl (Strix occidentalis). It is well documented that old-growth nesting habitat has been removed by logging and that this source of habitat loss continues. Timber harvest has occurred in or around most sites where nests, chicks, or eggs have been found. Oil pollution is a significant threat to marbled murrelets. Murrelets were oiled in Washington during the Seagate oil spill in 1956, the Arco Anchorage oil spill in 1985, the Nestucca spill in 1988, and especially the Tenyu Maru spill in 1991. Offshore oil development has been proposed along the Washington coast, which could lead to greater numbers of oiled murrelets in the fu ture. Other marine contaminants also may impact marbled murrelets as they have affected other seabirds in Puget Sound and on the Pacific coast. Marbled murrelet entanglement in gill nets has been identified as a problem in some areas of British Columbia, Alaska, and California. Gill net fishing is widespread in Puget Sound, but bird mortalities have not been quantified. Hook-and-line mortalities have been observed, but also have not been quantified. Other factors affecting the continued existence of marbled murrelets in Washington include the species' low reproductive rate, which limits its ability to recover quickly from catastrophic events. Also, the marbled murrelet is one of few seabird species in Washington whose known and suspected nesting habitat is not protected by National Wildlife Refuges. The factors that contribute to the marbled murrelet decline and resultant listing under the federal Endangered Species Act are expected to affect the species in Washington through the foreseeable future. However, at this time there is insufficient information available to indicate the species warrants classification as a state-endangered species. It is therefore recommended that the marbled murrelet be designated as a threatened species in Washington. July 1993 2 Washington Oepartmer]t of Wildlife Table 2. Chronology of Washington marbled murrelet research and management activities. Year(s) Activity 1978 Washington Department of Wildlife (WOW) Nongame Program gathers data on historic murrclct occurrences. WOW investigates new rcports of chicks, eggs, and other inland detections. 1978-1979 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Ecosystems Analysis Program (MESA) estimates 550 breeding pairs of marbled murrclets in northern Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca (Manuwal et al. 1979:54). 1985-1986 WDW conducts intensive marine surveys in the San Juan Islands. 1986 WDW chairs the first marbled murrelet workshop/symposium at the annual meeting of the Pacific Seabird Group (PSG), an international ornithological professional society. PSG's Marbled Murrelet Technical Committee is established (still active in 1993). 1987 WOW presents Statlls, threats, and dislribllfioll of the marbled I?lurrelet j" vVas/ZjngtoJl at a PSG murrelet symposium. Also at PSG symposium, Speich et al. (1992) present estimate of 5,000 murrelcts in W(Jshington during the breeding season based on various survcys. Through 1987, thcre arc 16 inland records for murrclets in Washington. The Portland Audubon Society (PAS) and the u .S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) prepare status reports on the species. 1988-1992 WOW coordinates volunteer/cooperator inland forest stand surveys. Inland occurrence data begin to increase. 1988 The paper industry's National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI) and WDW cxperimcnt with marine capture techniques. NCASI and Seattle Aquarium conduct Glptive maintenance experiments with two murre lets. 1988 PSG Marbled Murrclct Workshop is chaired by WDW. PAS petitions the USFWS to list the marbled murrclct as a threatened specics under the Endangered Spccies Act. 1989 NCASI experiments with radio telemetry techniques for potential usc with murrdets. Catalog of Washillgtoll Seabird Colollies estimates as many as 5,000 nesting birds, based on 2,417 breeding birds counted during incomplete coverage of marine waters (Speich and Wahl 1989:70). 1990 WDW, with cooperation and supplemental funding from the u.S. Forest Service (USFS), conducts landscape-scale rescarch project in the South Fork Stilliguamish River drainage. First murrelet nest found in Washington by WDW rcsearchers. 1991 After 3 years of review, the USFWS publishes a proposed rule for listing of the murrelct in the Federal Register. A final I-year review process ensues. WDW, with supplemental funding from the USFWS, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Oregon State University, initiates development of the Washington Marbled Murrclct Database (operational late in 1992). July 1993 3 Washington Department of Wildlife 1991-1992 WDW, with supplemental funding from USFS, USFWS, and the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR), conducts forest stand analysis of murrelet habitat. USFS initiates murrcIet surveys of timber sales and other projects in three western Washington National Forests. 1992 USFWS lists the marbled murrelct as a threatened species. WDW sponsors murrelet biology and survey training workshops for cooperators, volunteers, agencies, consultants, and timber industry staff. WDW coordinates a widened survey effort and provides technical assistance to other surveyors. DNR, with cooperative assistance from WOW, initiates a pilot survey on selected state lands. 1993 Marbled murrelet symposium held in conjunction with the annual PSG meeting. July 1993 4 Washington Department of Wildlife REFERENCES CITED Manuwal, D. A., T. R. Wahl, and S. M. Speich. 1979. The seasonal distribution and abundance of marine bird populations in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and northern Puget Sound in 1978. NOAA Tech. Mem. ERL MESA-44, Boulder, Colo. 391pp. Speich, S. M., and T. R. Wahl. 1989. Catalog of Washington seabird colonies. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Servo BioI. Rep. 88(6). 510pp. ------, and D. A. Manuwal. 1992. The numbers of marbled murrelets in Washington marine waters. Proc. West. Found. Vert. Zool. 5:48-60. July 1993 5 Washington Department of Wildlife Appendix A Determination of Threatened Status for the Washington, Oregon, and California Population of the Marbled Murrelet July 1993 7 Washington Department of Wildlife FedemlRegifter I ·Vol. 57" .No . .19'L./. ,Thur8day"Octaber:1.. 1992 I Rules and Regulations :quipmenL Under the NPRM. and an opportunity for comment are not ''Ftm FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: -edesignation of many of the remaining required for this change. and that an Mr. Russell D. Peter9{)Il. Field )aragraphs of 55.1.1 was also proposed . . effective date of October 1. 1992 for Supervisor. at the above address [503/ i-iowever. the proposal was made with adding the amendments to 49 crn 231-6179). ~eference to Standard No. 108 as it 57LlOB Motor Vehicle Safety Standard SUPPl..EM£HTARV IHroRMATIOH: ~emains in effect until September 1. No. lOB. published on April 19, 1991. to 1993. and did not take inlo account the the crn IS in the public interest. The Background jmendments which become effective effective date for adding the Bioiogiea! ConsideratIons :b. at day. Ford Motor Company. in amendments of April 19. 1991. to the commenting on the NPRM. related it to CFR is changed from September 1. 1993. The marbled murrelet the standard 8S amended by the April to October 1. 1992. (Brachyramphus mannoratusj is a small 1991 notice. instead of the standard as it Authority: 15 U,S,c. 1392. 1407: delegation seabird of the Alcidae family. It was currently appears in the CFR and found of authonty at 49 CFR 1.50. first described in 1789 by Gmelin as certain apparent errors and Issued on: September 28. 1992, Co!ymbus mannorotus. but in 1837 Inconsistencies. Brandt placed it under the genus Marioo C. Blakey. Brachyromphus (American In fonnulating the final rule on the Administrator. ~PRM. NHTSA is faced with two Ornithologists' Union 1983). The North (FR Doc. 9Z- ZJ872 Filed 9-29-G2: 9:11 am] choices. The first is based on the American subspecies (8. m. standard as it currently appears in the 81LUNG COOE .'1o-59-t1! mar"'1orotusJ ranges from the Aleutian CFR. U the agency took thi, approach. it Archipelago in Alaska. eastward to would issue the final rule with the Cook InleL Kodiak Island, Kenai DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR redesignations 85 proposed in July 1992. Peninsula. and Prince William Sound. southward coastally throughout the [whicb would only be in effect until Fish and Wildlife Service September 1. 1993). relatmg Ford', Alexander Archipelago of Alaska. and comments to the extent possible. At the 50 CFR Part 17 through Britisb Columbia. Wasbi"l!ton. same time. the agency would amend the Oregon. to central California. Some redesignations that are scheduled to RIN 1018-A856 wintering birds are found in southern become effective on September 1. 1993. California. A separate subspecies (B. m. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife perdix) is present in Asia . .The second choice is based on the and Plants; Delennlnatlon of standard as amended by the April 1991 Threatened Status fo< the Washington. Marbled murrelets feed primariiy on in final rule. Under this approach. the Oregon, and California Population of fLSh and invertebrates neaf-shore agency would accelerate the 1993 marine walen. The majority of marbled the Marbled Murrelel effective date for addi"l! the 1991 murrelets are found within or adjacent amendments to the CFR '0 that the finaL AGSICY: Fish and WilCuue Se",ice. to the marine environment although rule on headlamp markings can adopt a Interior. there have been detections of marbled definitive redesignation of paragrapbs AcnON: Final rule. murrelets on rivers and inland lakes without further amendments. The (Carter and Sealy 1986). Marbled agency has chosen this alternative _MAllY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife murrelets spend the majority of their course. Service (Service) determines the lives on the ocean. and come inland to Accelerating the effective date for Washington. Oregon. and California nesL although they viii! some inland adding the April 1991 amendments to population of the marbled murrelet stands during aU months of the year. tne CFR results in no substantive (8rochyromphus marmorotus Marbled murrelets have been recorded burden. No compliance date or text is marmorolus) to be a threatened species up to 80 kilometers (SO miles) inland in changed. The mandatory CHMSL punuant to the Endangered Species Act Washington (Hamer and Cummins provisions of paragrapb 85.1.1.27. by of 1973. as amended (Act) (16 U .s.C. 1991).56 kilometen (35 miles) inland in their own terms. will still not come into ' 1531 et seq.). The marbled murrelet is Oregon (Nelson 1990). 37 kilometers (22 effect for vehicles other than passenger threatened by.the 10.. and modification miles) inland in northern California cars until September 1, 1993. The of nesting habitat (older forests) (Carter and Ericbon 1988. Paton and optional CHM:SL compliance provisions primarily due to commercial timber Ralph 1990). and 18 kilometers (11 miles) in Paragraph 85.1.1.28. by their own harvesting. 11 is also threatened from inland in central California (paton and terms. are stiU effective only between mortality associated with current gill-net Ralph 1990). However. marbled September 1, 1992, and September 1. fishing operations off the Washington murrelets are not evenly distributed 1993. There is no substantive resson coast and the effects of oU spills. This from the coast to the maximum inland why the redesignation of paragraphs of rule extends the Act' a protection to the distances. with higher detections being S5.U, and the change, to Tables ill and marbled murrelet in Washington. recorded closer to the coast. Hamer and IV cannot be made effective Oregon. and California. Pursuant to an Cummins (1001) found that over 90 immediately. NHTSA also notes that order of-the United States District Court. percent of all obaervatioIlB were within such an amendment with an effective Western District of Wa,hington at 80 kilometers (37 miles) of the coa,t in date of October 1. 1992 for addi"l! the Seattle. dated September 15. 1992- this the northern Washington Cucade •. in amendments to the text of the standard listing takes effect immediately. Oregon. marbled murrelets are ob,erved in the CFR. will allow publication of the ER'ECTTVE DAre September 28. 1992- most often within 20 kilometers (12 most current version of Standard No. ADl'RESSE8' The complete file for this miles) of the ocean (Nelson 1990). 108 in the next volume of 49 CFR parU rule is available for public inspection. by Marbled murrelets are iemi-<:olonial 400-999 revised as of October 1, 1992- appointment. during normal business in their nesting habit&. and simultaneous The clarity that this will afford is in the hoW'8 at the U.s. Fish and Wildlife detections of more than one bird are public ioterest. Servlce. Portland Field Office. 2800 SE. frequently made at inland sites. Nesting Accordingly. for the reasons stated 98th Avenue. suite 100. Portland. Oregon marbled murrelets are often aggregated: above. NHTSA finds that prior notice 97266. for example. two nests discovereo. in Federal Register / Vol. 57, No. 191 / Thursday, October 1, 1992 / Rules and Regulations 45329 Washington 1n 1990 were located only were located in old-growth trees that not occur in isolated stands of coastal ,6 meters (150 feet) apart (Hamer and ranged in diameter at breast height old·growth forest in California (CDFG. Cummins 1990). (dbh) from B8 centimeters (35 inches) to i,1Iill.. 1992). In Washington, marbled Marbled murreiels do not reach 533 centimeters (210 inches) with B murrelets are found more often when the sexual matun!v until their second year. mean of Z03 centimeters {SO inches). percent of available old-growth/mature Like other a!cI(Js. adult r.1arbled ~~Ests were located high above ground forests makes up over:>O percent of the r:1urreiets procuce 1 es;g per nest. Alcids and usually had good overhead landscape. Similarly. fewer mUrT"elets :ypically have a vi·mabie (not al( adults protection: such locations would allow are found when clearcut/meadow areas :T'.ay nest every ye3r) reproduct:ve rate. easy access to the exterior of the forest. make up more than 25 percent of the dnri ::',aroied r.1U:-rc]ets exhibit th~s same :-.Ies", sites were located in stands landscape (Hamer and Cummins 1990). :":2:1C. Adult/juvenile ra:it)S from CCIJ:1ts dOml:lated by Douglas-fir {Pseudotsuga Nelson (1990) found that a stati ..ically .lIang the central Oregon cads! indicult:'d j7J enzlesul in Oregon and \Vashington, sigmficant lower number of detections J rec;-..:: t.r:1 ent rate of less than 2 percent and in old-growth redwood {Sequoia were noted in the highly fragmented per year o\'er the past 4 years (1988- sempen'lrens} stands i.:t California. Oregon Coast Range. compared to !991 ) (:\'elso:1 . In iitt .. 1992j. Nests were mostly placed in older detection rates documented by Paton :\dull marbled murreiets lay one egg Douglas·fir trees within t.J:!ese slands. and Ralph (1988) in a less fragmented '1n It is difficult to locate indi .... idual nests the lir.-:b of an old-growth conifer area in northern California. :rce. \=esting occurs over an extended for a species that may only show penod from m!d-Apnl to lal(. September activity near its nest one tIme per day. Concentrations of marbled murrelets offshore are almost always adjace.nt to (Carter and Sealy 1987). IncubatIon lasts and may do 50 under low light ;bout 30 days and nedsting takes conditions. Therefore. occupied sites or older forests on-shore. Nelson (1990) and ·! nother 28 days (Hirsch el aJ. 1981. suitable habitat become the most. Ralph el al. (1990) found marbled S:m ons 1980).'Both sexes incubate the linportant parameters to consider when murre lets were absent offshore where "88 in alternating 24·hour shifts lSimons evaluating its status. Active nests. egg on-shore older forests were absent. ~ 980. Singer ef cl. 1991). Flights by shell fragments or young found on the Large geographic gaps in offshore adults are made from ocean feeding forest floor, birds seen flying through the marbled murrelet numbers occur in .:3ieaS 10 inland nest sites most often at forest beneath the canopy. birds ,een areas such as that between central and dusk and da\o'.l1 [Hamer and Cummins landing. or birds heard calling from a northern California (8 distance of 460 1991). The adults feed the chick at least stationary perch are all strong indicators kilometers (300 miles)), and between ~n ce per day. carrymg one fish at a time of occupied habitat. Biologists have Tillamook County, Oregon. and the I Carter and Sealv 1987; Hamer and documented 154 occupied sites in the Olympic Peninsula fa distance of about Cummins 1991: Singer et al. 1992: Oregon Coa .. Ranges. aU in old-growth 100 kilometers (120 miles)), where nearly :-.Jelson. OR Coop, Wildt Res. Unit, pers. forests or mature fores.t stands with an aU older forest has been removed near comm .. 1992). The youn.g are altricial. old-growth component. the coast Small raft. of marbled dnd remain in the nest longer than Marbled murrelets more commonly murreiets may be found associated with :,'oung of most other alcids.. Before occupy old·growth forests compared to remaining insolated stand. of older Il?avmg the nest. the young molt into a rrtixed·age and young forests in fares," (e.g., the Nemah aHe). distinctive juvenile plumage. Fledglings California. On!gon, and W ••hington. In Historically. records for California appear to fly directly from the nest to California. the species is restricted to indicate that marbled murreJet8 were :he sea. rather than exploring the forest old·growth redwood fore.t. in Del found "n>gularly" and were "plentiful" ~n vironment first (Hamer and Cummins Norte, Humboldt San Mateo. and Santa along the coast from Monterey-County ,991). Cruz Counties (Paton and Ralph 1988), north to the Oregon border (Grinnell and In Ca Iifornia. Oregon. and In rurveys of mature and second-growtb . Miller 1944; Paton and Ralph 1988): . \Vashington marbled murrelets use older . forests of California, marbled murrelet. Hi.torical recon:ls of marbled 'murrelets forest stands near the coast..iine for were only found in these forests where also showed significant numben during nesting. These forests are generally there was nearby old-growth. or wbere the nesting season near the mouth of the characterized by large trees (> 80 residual older trees remained; murreleta Columbia River in C1alaop County, ;: entimeters (32 inches) dbhJ. multi· were absent from 60 percent of the Oregon. Marbled murrelela are rarely ~ :oried stand and a moderate to high second·growth foreats examiMd (Ralph found in thiB area~ where extenSive :anopy closure. In certain parts of the ef al. 1990). In northwest Washington, harvesting of older £oresJB has also ;ange. marbled murreiets are also marbled murreleta are mostly found at occurred (Nelson et ai. In press) . .,nown to use mature forest! with an old·growth/ma~sHes (Hamer and Population stze for marbled murrelets lId-growth component. Trees muat have Cummins 1990~ In On!gon. marbled :arQe branches or defoTmlties for nest murre lets occupy stands dominated by i. moot accurately estimated by ol alforrns (Binford el aJ. 1975: Carter and large! trees (averaging grester than or counting the Bumbera of bird. observed 3ealy 1987: Hamer and Cummins 1990. equal to 62 centime ten (32 inches) dbbJ in the marine envt'r"OnmenL :991: Singer et 01.1991.1992; Nelson. in more often (statistically significant) than Walhington'. breedlng.·population is ·itL. 1991). Marbled murrelets tend to those dOD'linated by smaUer'trees estimaled to be a maximum of 5,000 -:est in the oldest trees in the stand. (Nelson 1990). birda (Speich et oj.. In preuj, The Twenty·three tree nests have been Stand size is also an important {8'c1or '. current population €1ItImBt€1l forOregon ·::l eated in North America: five in for marbJed mWTelets. These birds more' and California.are fewer than 1.000 pairs. .Vashington. seven in Oregon. four in commonly occupy larger stands (greater (Nelaon et ai., in pre•• ~ and Bbout 2.000 ~J.lifomla. two in British Columbia. and than 202 hectarea (500 acres)) than birda {Carter et 01. 1996).-respoctivekj!. eve in Alaska (Binford ef al. . 1975: smaller stands (less than 40 hectares By extrapolatingirom known population ~ui nJan and Hughes 1990; Hamer and (100 acres)) in California: marbled numbers in ·relation to the remaining :;JIilmtns 1990. 1991: Kuletz 1991: Singer murre1ets are usually absent from available ne.ting habitat it haa been ! oL 1991.1992: Nelson et of. unpubl. stands ie!8 than Z4 hectares {50 acres} in estimated that 60.000 marbled murre lets :..ita). All 16 of the nests found in size (Paton and Ralph 1988. Ralph ef aJ, may have been found hiatoricaliy along .';ashmglon. Oregon. and California 1990). Marbled murrelets generally do the coast of California (J...Ar5pn 1Q91l Federal Register / Vol 57. NO. 191 f TIm,..day. October 1. 1992 f Rule. and R~lation. The principal factor affectiIuJ the imposed by l!-Je court is to list the California (56 FR 28362). This propo,ed marbled murre let in the three-state area. population 8S proposed. Nevertheless. rule constituted the lZ·month finding and the main cause of population the Service intends to reexamine the that the petitioned action was decline has been the 1088 of older forests basis of recognizing this population of warranted. in accordance w ith section and associated nest sites. Older forests murrelets as a "species" tmder the Act. 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act. have declined throu8hout the range of vVithin 90 days. the Service will 'On January 30.1992. the Service the marbled murrelet as a result of announce the results of this examination published a notice in the Federal commercial timber harvest. wIth and at that time may propose Q Register (57 FR 3804) that reopened the addition81108ses (rom natural causes regulatory change that would alter the comment period on the proposed listing such as nre and windthrow. Most listing of the murre let as a threatened for 30 days. This action was taken to suitable nesting habitat (old-growth and species. gath~r the most updated information on mature forests) on private lands within Previous Federal Act.ions the marbled murrelel Having the range of the subspecies in considered all the informat;on presented Washington. Oregon. and California has The National Audubon Society during the comment periods. the Service been eliminated by timber harvest submitted a petition to the Service on now determines the marbled murre let in (Green 1985: No",e 1988; Thomas e/ 0/. January 15. 1968. the Ust the Washington. Oregon. and California to 1990). Remaining traclB of potentially Washington, Oregon. California be a threatened species. suitable habitat on private lands . populaUon of the marbled murrelet as a throughout the range "'" subject to threatened species. Section 4(b)(3)(A) of Summary of Comments and continuing timber harve3t operations the Act requires ilia l to the maximum Recommendations extent practicable. Wlthln !lO daYI of (see Factor A). MortaUty associated In the June ZOo 1991. proposed rule (56 receipt of a petition to liBt deliBt or with oil spills and gill-net fi.herie. (in FR 28362) and associated notifications. reclassify a species. a finding be made Washington) are lesser threats aJllnterested parties were requested to as to whether substantial information adveroely affecting the marbled submit factual reportJ or information has beeo presented indicating that the murrelet that might contnbute to the development requested action may be warranted. The of a final decision. 11l.e comment period Distinct Papulatjon Segment !lO-day finding sta ling that the petition originally closed September 18. 1991. The Act defin.. "Iped.. " to include bad presented subltantiaJ information to Appropriate state ageociea. county any sub.pecies of fish or wildlife or mdicate that the requested action may plants. and any distinct population oe warranted was publiahed in the governmenu. Federal agencies. scientific organizations. and other segment of any spedel or vertebrate Federalll.egioter on October 17. 1968 (53 interested parties were contacted and fisb or wildlife which interbreeda when FR 4(479). Beca""" of the increued requested to comment. No requests for matun! (16 U.S.c. 1532 (6)). No diacuued researcll e!fortl ~the "",aunt of new under Factor D in the Summary of data evailable. the l!atu.o review period public hearings were received.. On Factors Affectiing the Species section of wes reopened. with the concummce of January 30. 1992. the Service published in the h ,I vailability probably influence. !be area (Hamer, Wash. Dept. WildL pers. Comment· One commenter sta.teci that offshore distribution of marbled comm .. 1992). The Nemah site is an sun'eys that have occurred were murreiets; however. murrelets are unmanaged stand that naturally concentrated in older forestB. thereby dbsent from some areas where prey regenerated after fire and windthrow. biasing the data in f.vor of the species are abundanl Therefore. the The majority of trees in the stand are dependence of marbled mum!lets on dbsence of marbled murrelets offshore approximately 70 yean old and grew older forests. The commenter stated that ::- om most areas where older forests back naturally after severe windstorms population trends cannot be establi!!hed have been extensively depleted strongly tha t occurred during 1921, Remnant old USing such data. The Service BS3umed suggests that offshore abundance of growth trees are scattered throughout that population. have declined but lacks marbled murrelets is correlated with the stand. Although no nes'" have been demographic studies upon which to adjacent mainland mature and old· discovered to date. high numbeM of verify this trend. The Service lacks growth forests. particularly given detections indicate occupancy. The historical population data to compare to historical accounts of birds located in Brandy Bar site in coastal Oregon is also current popu1ation levels. these areas prior to extensive logging. a naturally regenera ted stand.. The Service Response: Many studIes have As discussed in the Background section majority of trees in the stand.. which are surveyed. 8 variety of forest age classes of th is rule. current research has shown apprmumately BO years old. grew back to avoid any sU!"Vey bias towards aider :ha t marbled murreletB are strongly naturally after fIre. Similar to the Nemah forests: The anecdotal historical associated with older forest habitat stand. large remnant old-growth trees information suggests a precipitous Comment: Al though the density of are Bcattered throughout the site. These decline in tow numbers {from an nesting pairs may be low in managed observations are coruistent with the estimated 00.000 birds in Califorrua to forests. the vast acreage involved information on habitat p.re.ference 9,000 for the three-ltate area~ Although possible could include a considerable presented in the Background section of demographic infunnation could number of marbled murrelets. this rule. contribute ID our uodel"8tanding of the Service Response: AB discussed in the decline, it is not needed to validate the Life History InformaUon Background section of this rule. current trend. research has shown that marbled Comment: Some comineotera Issue 1. Decision Political Not ml.l.trelets are strongly associated with questioned life history parameters Is older forest habitat. Second-growtb presented and indicated that a sample Biological forests lack marbled murrelets except in size of so few nests waa insufficient to Comment: One comntenter stated that those rare instances where re~idual old~ draw BUch conclusions. Such iasuel the decision procesa was being driven growth .trees remain. included !be number of eggs Laid per by poiitics and threatened legal pressure Comment· One commenter stated that nest and the semi-colonial behavior of from the Sierra Club. National Wildlife although the conclusion that marbled the bird. Federation. etc. and wu not based on , murrelets are linked to old-growth and The Service baa facti. mature forests for nesting is supported Servia Response: ID Sel'>:co Ra{J 5peci.fyin~ any parUClllar area aB cri1ic.al Policy Act (NEPA). on this rule. A of about 45 to BO percent since the mid· h.b"al (16 U.S,c. 1533(b)(21]. The decjsia.n to list the marbled tnurrelet is a 11l0(rs (Loudenslayer 1985. California Service will continue to analyze major Federal action significantly Department of forestry and FIre information and wU1 propose criw-...l affecling the quality of Ihe human Proleclion 1988]. Estilllates of the habila1 to the roaxiEllUID extent prudent en .... ironment that must be IlcooTlTpan:ied amount of reductioJil of coastal old and d eterminable. within the timefraJT.es by an EIS under NEPA. growth redwood forests in California spec:fied :n the Act. The Service's Service Response: The Service has (all fonnerly marbled murrelet habitat) process i!1 determim :1 g criticai habitat detennined that preparation of an EIS is range trom approximately 8S to 96 for :!--.f marbled murrelet is discussed i:1 r.ot required In connection with percent (Green 198'5. Fox 1988. Larsen more detail in the Critical Habitat regulations adopted punrueRt to section 1991). The marbled murrelet OCCUr5 .;eCllon of this Mlle. 4(a) of the Enda""ered Speci .. Act of along the coastline, occupying only a Issue 5. AJterna;., Listing Statu. 1973.. as amended (""e Nalional small fraction of area that was formerJy Recommended. EnviTon.mental Pohcv Act section of this dominated by older forests. and a small ru~). lbe Senrice's ;easonl for this fraction of the area that ilill contains C .::; mment: ODfW rec.omJn.eoded th.st determination .... e1"e published in the older forests. i I me y be m are app.l'01Jri8 t.e I a t:i.st the FederallW!gister (aee 48 F1l 4gz«). In add..iLion. reduction of the remaining r:1 arb led mUI'l"'e:!et as eoda usaered ill older forest bas not been everuy Ca li forn ia o.n.d Oregoc and ·tltrea.t=ed in Issue 7: Distinct PopuJatioo Segment distributed over western Oregon. \Vasnirunon. Cammen<: The Service lalled I. \Vashin.gton. and northwestern S"rviCe Re r0rests generally require B. Overoti/izalion for Commercial. does not require that a recovery plan be approximately ZOO years to develop old Recreational. ScientIfic, or Educational developed. in contrast to a federally growth characteristics. The older trees Purposes listed threatened or endangered species. within these stands have large No. known be applicable. The CDF, respon.ible for regulating the horizontal limbs used by nesting '0 harvest of commercial timber from murre leIs. However, forests in C. Disease or Predation private and State timberlands in Washington. Oregon, and northern Predation is an additional threat to California. adopted emergency rules to California have been 5ublecled to, and the co ntinued existence of the marbled protect the marbled murieiet that are proposed for. intensive management murrelet. Of the 2.J tree nests located. 8 became effective on June 2..8 . 1991. These with average cutting rotations of 70 to were successful. 13 failed (10 from emergency rules required surveys for 120 years 10 produce wood at a non predation. 2 from human interference. marbled murrelets in potential habitat declining ra.e (USDI 1984. USDA 1988). and 1 from edge effects (wind blew the and required feasible mitigation to Cutting rotations of 40 to 50 years are chick out of the nest)), and the status of reduce or avoid a significant adverse used for some private lands. Current the remaining Z was indeterminable impact on the species in known activity preferred timber harvest strategies on (Nelson. in litt .. 1992). Great horned areas. These emergency rules expired on Federal lands and some private lands owls (Bubo virginianus). Stellar's jays March Z. 1992. Proposed permanent emphasize dispersed clearcut patches (CyanociUa steflenl. common ravens rules promote cODsistency and for even-aged management as the (Corvus corax). peregrine falcon. (Falco conformity with the State Act which pattern of harvest. Although recently peregrinus), and sharp-shinned hawks prohibits .. take" of an endangered both the Forest Service and the Bureau (Accipiter strialus) 8Te known species. The specific protections under announced that their respective predators. Additionaisuspected the Stste Act extended to habitat agencies intend to- de-emphasize predators include gray jays (Perisoreus protection for the marbled murre let are clearcutting in their future timber sale canadensis) Bnd common crows (Corvus unclear at this time. planning efforts, alternate methods of brochyrhynchos). Predation at 10 of 23 In Oregon, the marbled murrelet is timber harvest vary greatly in terms of (43 percent) nes.s is high and could have classified as Sensitive by the ODFW, how they will modify marbled murrelet a substantial effect on the viability of which provides no mandated protection. habitat. For example, timber harvest this species. There is 8 substantial The Oregon Board of Forestry is methods such as the shelterwood and amount of information on the effects of currently reviewing a proposal. seed tree methods. in addition to "new forest fragmentation on depredation of forestry" tec.hn.iques. remove a varying submitted by the Portland Audubon bird nests by corvids (jays, ravens. Society in late November 1991, to list the amount of trees from a particular area. crows). Corvid predation on nests (eggs marbled murreiet 8S 8 species that uses Although the remaining trees and and chicks) increases with the habitat components left by these sensitive oeaWtg sitea. Until final rules fragmentation of older-aged forests are adopted. timber harvests within alternate harve.t methods may help (Yabner and Scott 1988), and avian decrease the amount of time it would knOWD. =ubled murreJet sites on State nesting success is lower in small forest owned forest land are being examined take an area to again become suitable fragments than larger intact forests habitat for marbled murre let .. the on a ca..".by-caae basis. Although becallSe of predation and decreased . affording lome protection to known harvest methods would not provide fecundity (Ambuel and Temple 1983. suitable habitat over the short-term. occupied sitel, the proposed rules would Andren er al. 1965, Wilcove 1985, not require lIllr>Ieys in potential marbled Thus, public fore.t land. that are Temple and Cary 1988). intensively managed for timber murrelet habitat prior to conducting production (cutting rotations of 70 to 120 D. Inadequacy of Existing Regulatory activities thai could impact the habitat. years) are. in general. oat allowed to Mechani8I1l3 In Washington. the marbled murrelet develaT> old-growth characteristics. AIl a Marbled murrelets are protected from Is al"" listed as SensItive by the WDW. result of this short rotation age and the "take" by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act Under its State Forest Practices Act. the continued harvest of old-growth and (16 U.S.c. 703 et seq.). The marbled Washington Department of Natural mature forests. loss and fragmentation murreJet i. Identified al Sensitive by the Resourcel'(WDNR) is responalble for of remaining suitable nesting habitat for Forest Service and the Bureau. The regulating harvesting of commercial marbled murrelets will continue States of California, Oregon. and timber from private and State DNR throughout the forested range of the Washingtori have !egislative mandates managed timberlancla in Walhington. subspecies under current management and acto .pecific to listing and The WDW doe, provide management practices. except in reserved areas. protecting species determined to be recommendations to·WDNR on Most remaining ne.ting habitat within endangered or threatened. proposed harvest. within knawn the petitioned states is on Federal and The marbled murrelet was listed as marbled mUl1"'elet area&; however. State owned lands. as most nesting endangered within the State of WDNR hUllO ruJel that provide legally habita t on priv8 te lands has been California by the CDFG. Under mandated' protection for the marbled eliminated. Under current forest provisiorui of the California Endangered mtll'MlleL management practices. logging of the Species Act. the California Department . The National'Forest Management Act remaining older forests is likely to of Forestry (CDF] must consult with , of 1976 and'tto Implementing regulations continue. except in areas with mandated CDFG if a propoled timber harvest plan require the Forest Service to manage protection. In Oregon. a of 154 forest for private or State lands has the National Forelts to provide sufficient stands in which marbled murrelets are potential to adversely affect the marbled habitat to maintain viable populations found. have been eliminated or greatly murrelet or its habitat However. most of of.native vertebrate sp~ciea. such as the modified by logging practices. the marbled murrelet habitat in marbled II1ll1'releL These regulations Additionally, 10 or more stands with California Is Federally controlled . defuie a viable population as one which occupied sites are likely to be modified (National Parlts and Forest Service) and " ••• has'the e.timated numbers and OT eliminated due to timber harvest in does not fall under the protection of the distribution of reproductive individuals 1992 (Nelson. in litl., 1992). State Act. In addition, the State Act to insure its continued existence is well FedeaLl l1'@"ter I Vol. 57. No. 191 I Tlltlf1.da¥. October 1. 199% I Rut"" aad ~ cisuiliuled in the p!aruUng area" (38 Mount &l :r.19 interagency cooperation provision course of commercial acti\-;ty. cr sell or References ated of the Act are codified at SO ern part offer for sale in interstate or foreign A complete list of all references cited .. 02. Section 7(a)(21 of the Act requires commerce. any threatened species not herein is available upon request from Federal agencies to insure that activities covered by a special rule. It also is the Field Supervisor, U.s. Fish and they authorize. fund. or carry out are not illegal to possess, sell. deliver, carry, Wildlife Service, Portland field Office, likely !a ieopardize the continued transport. or ship any such wildlife that 2600 S.E. 98th Avenue. suite 100. has been taken illegally. Certain e Xistence of a listed species or to Portland. Oregon 97266. cestro~' or adversely modify its critical exceptions apply to agents of the ::Jbitat. If a Fedcrai action mav affect a Service and State conservation Authors !Isted speCles or its critical habitat. the agenCies. The primary authors of this rule are Permits may be issued to carry out r':'sponslble federal agency must enter lanet L Stein and Gary S. Miller, U.S. ::1[0 formal consultatIon wIth the otherwise pro'hibited activities involving Fish and Wildlife Service. Portland Field threatened wildlife species under Service. Regulations governing these Office (see ADDRESSES section); certain circumstances. Regulations ccnsultations are found at SO ern te!ephone 503/231.-6179. ";0': .14. governing threatened species permits are provided in 50 CFR 17.32. Unless The Forest Service and B;.:~eau have List of Subjects in 50 eFR Part 17 detlve timber sa le programs in otherwise provided by special rule, such Washt:tgton. Oregon. and California, pennits are available for sClentific Endangered and threatened Species. whereby private timber companies bid purposes, to enhance the propagation or Exports. Imports. Reporting and for timber on Federal land. A substantial survival of the species: for economic recordkeeping requirements, and portion of these timber sales occur in hardship, zoological exhibition. Transportation. cider forests. The Forest Service and educational PUIl'oses. special purposes Oureau would review and assess the conststent with the Act. and/or for Regulation Promulgation po tential impacts of these timber sales incidental take in connection with on th e mWTelel and would be required othet'W'ise lawful activities. Information PART 17-{Amended) ; 0 consult ..... ith the Service on these on pennits to take federatly listed saies to ensure compliance pursuant to species may be obtained by writing to secllon 7 of the Act. Other Federal the Office of Management Authority. Accordingly, part 17, subchapter B of J.gencies that are likely to have projects U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 44()1 N. chapter I, title 50 of the Code of Federal that may affect the marbled murrelet Fairfax Drive. room 432. Arlington. Regulations is amended as set forth tnclude the Bureau of Indian Affairs Vi rgirja 22203-3507 (703/358-2104, FAX below: ;timber har\.'est\and the Army Corps of 703/351>-2261) 1. The authority citation for part 17 Engir.eers (wasie disposal and dredging/ continues to read as follows: fiJI operations). National En vironmenta1 Palicy Act Authority: 16 U.s.c. 1381-1407; 16 U.S.c. The Act and implementing regulations 1531-1544; 16 U.s.c. 42D1-<245; Pub. L 99- 1721 17.31 fou nd at 50 CFR and set forth The Fish and Wildlife Service has 625, 100 Stat 3SOO: unle .. otherwise Doted. a series of general prohibitions and detennined that an Environmental l! xceptiona that apply to all threatened Aase8smenl 8S defined wtder the 2. Amend I 17.11(h) by adding !be ·.."ild1ife not covered by a special rule. authonty of the National Environmental following, in alphabetical order under These prohibitions. in part. make it Policy Act of1.969, need not be prepared Birds, to the Ust of Endangered and :: legal for any person subject to the in connection with regulation'S adopted Threatened Wildlife: ;uri sdiction of the United Stat~. to take pursuant to section 4(a) of the :...:iefined 8S harass. hann. pursue, hunl Endangered Specie. Act of 1973, as §17.tl ~ ___ 3000l wound. kill. trap, capture, or amended. A notice outlining the . :ollect or to a hempt any of these Service'. reasons for this determination . .. .:ictlvities}. import or export. transport in WIH published in the Federal Register On - . nterstate or foreign commerce in the October 25. 1983 (48 FR 49244). (h) • Sta... -- I,.melet mastJ6ed ...... Bl'8ChyramtJI)Us tnatmOrdM U.S.A. (CA. OR. ' WA. AK); WA. DR. CA ...... T 479 NA NA marmorarus. Canada ~ Co4umbia). U ated: September 17.1992. ly L Cent. '; :;M Director, U.s. Fish and Wifdlrfe " ('Vfce. ·R Doc. 92-Z3804 Filed 9-ZB-9Z: 1~ :OO pm! l.UHG COOE 431C)-S.5.....f11 Appendix B Washington Administrative Codes WAC 232-12-297,232-12-011,232-12-014 July 1993 19 Washington Department of Wildlife Permanent Regulations 232-12-297 2. 4 "Endangered" means any wildlife species native to the state of Washington that is seriously threat ened with extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range within the state. 2.5 "Threatened" means any wildlife species native to the state of Washington that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout a significant portion of its range within the state without cooperative management or re moval of threats. 2.6 "Sensitive" means any wildlife species native to the state of Washington that is vulnerable or declining and is likely to become endangered or threatened in a significant portion of its range within the state without cooperative management or removal of threats. 2.7 "Species " means any group of animals classified as a species or subspecies as commonly accepted by the scientific community. 2.8 "Native" means any wildlife species naturally oc curring in Washington for purposes of breeding. resting. or foraging, excluding introduced species not found historically in this state. 2.9 "Significant portion of its range' means that por· tion of a species' range likely to be essential to the long term survival of the popUlation in Washington. USTING CRITERIA WAC 232-12-297 Endangered, threatened, and se". 3.1 The commission shall list a wildlife species as en· sitiy. wildlife spe<:ies classification. dangered. threatened. or sensitive solely on the ba sis of the biological status of the species being PURPOSE considered. based on the preponderance of scien 1.1 The purpose of this rule is to identify and classify tific data available, except as noted in section 3.4. native wildlife species that have need of protection 3.2 If a species is listed as endangered or threatened and/ or management to ensure their survival as under the federal Endangered Species Act. the free-ranging populations in Washington and to de agency will recommend to the commission that it fine the process by which listing, management. re be listed as endangered or threatened as specified covery. and delisting of a species can be achieved. in section 9.1. If listed. the agency will proceed These rules are established to ensure that consis with development of a recovery plan pursuant to tent procedures and criteria are followed when section 11.1 . classifying wildlife as endangered. or the protected wildlife subcategories threatened or sensitive. 3.3 Species may be listed as endangered. threatened. or sensitive only when populations are in danger of DEflNITIONS failing, declining. or are vulnerable. due to factors including but not restricted to limited numbers. For purposes of this rule. the following definitions apply: disease. predation. exploitation. or habitat loss or 2.1 "Classify" and all derivatives means to list or delist change. pursuant to section 7.1. wildlife species to or from endangered. or to or 3.4 Where a species of the class Insecta. based on sub from the protected wildlife subcategories threat· stantial evidence, is determined to present an un ened or sensitive. reasonable risk to public health. the commission 2.2 "List" and all derivatives means to change the may make the determination that the species need classification status of a wildlife species to endan not be listed as endangered. threatened. or gered. threatened. or sensitive. sensitive. 2.3 "Delist" and its derivatives means to change the DELISTING CRITERIA classification of endangered. threatened. or sensi· 4. 1 The commission shall delist a wildlife species from tive species to a classification other than endan endangered. threatened. or sensitive solely on the gered. threatened. or sensitive. basis of the biological status of the species being (1990 Ed .l mile 231 WAC-p 311 ' 232-1 2- 297 Title 232 WAC: Wildlife. Department of co ns idered, based on the preponderance of scien 6.1.3 The commission requests the agency re tific data available. view a species of concern. ~ .2 A species may be delisted from endangered. 6.2 Upon initiation of the delisting process the agencv threate ned. or sensitive only when populations are shall publish a public notice in the Washin gton no longer in danger of failing, declining, are no Register, and notify those parties who have ex longer vulnerable. pursuant to section 3.3, or meet pressed their interest to the department, announc recovery plan goals, and when It no longer meets ing the initiation of the delisting process and the definitions in sections 2.4, 2.5, or 2.6. calling for scientific information relevant to the {~ ITIA TION OF LISTING PROCESS species status report under consideration pursuant to section 7.1. 5.1 Anyone of the following events may initiate the lis ti ng process. SPECIES STATUS REVIEW AND AGENCY RECOMMENDA TIONS 5.1.1 The agency determines that a species pop ulation may be in danger of failing. declin 7.1 Except in an emergency under 5.1.3 above, prior to ing. or vulnerable, pursuant to section 3.3. making a classification recomme.ndation to the 5.1.2 A petition is received at the agency from commission. the Agency shall prepare a prel imi an interested person. The petition should nary species status report. The report will include a be addressed to the director. It should set review of information relevant to the species' status forth specific evidence ·and scientific data in Washington and address factors affecting its which shows that the species may be fail status. including those given under section 3.3. The ing. declining. or vulnerable. pursuant to status report shall be reviewed by the public and section 3.3. Within 60 days, the agency scientific community. The status report will in shall either deny the petition, stating the clude, but not be limited to an analysis of: reasons. or initiate the classification 7.1.1 Historic, cLirrent. and future species pop process. ulation trends 5.1.3 An emergency, as defined by the Adminis 7.1.2 Natural history. including ecological rel a trative Procedure Act. chapter 34.05 tionships (e.g. food habits, home range. RCW. The listing of any species previously habitat selection patterns). classified under emergency rule shall be governed by the provisions of this section. 7.1.3 Historic and current habitat trends. 5.1.4 The commission requests the agency review 7.1.4 Population demographics (e.g. survival a s~cies of concern. and mortality rates. reproductive success) 5.2 Upon initiation of the listing process the agency and their relationship to long term shall publish a public notice in the Washington sustainability. Register, and notify those parties. who have ex pressed their interest to the department, announc 7.1.5 Historic and current species management ing the initiation of the classification process and activities. calling for scientific information relevant to the 7.2 Except in an emergency under 5.1.3 above. the species status report undcr consideration pursuant agency shall prepare recommendations fo r species to section 7.1. classification. based upon scientific data contained J!'lITI ATIO N OF DELISTING PROCESS in the status report. Documents shall be prepared to determine the environmental consequences of 6.1 Anyone of the following events may initiate the adopting the recommendations pursuant to re · delisting process: quirements of the State Environmental Policy Act 6.1.1 The agency determines that a species (SEPA). population may no longer be in danger of 7.3 For the purpose of delisting. the status report will failing, declining. or vulnerable. pursuant to section 3.3. include a review of recovery plan goals. 6.1.2 The agency receives a petition from an PUBLIC REVIEW interested person. The petition should be 8.1 Except in an emergency under 5. 1.3 above. prior to addressed to the director. It should set making a recommendation to the commission. the forth specific evidence and scientific data agency shall provide an opportunity for interested which shows that the species may no parties to submit new scientific data relevant to the longer be failing, declining, or vulnerable, status report, classification recommendation. and pursuant to section 3.3 . Within 60 days, any SEPA findings, the agency shall either deny the petition, stating the reasons, or initiate the 8.1.1 The agency shall allow at least 90 days delistine nrocess. r...... kl;,. _ ... ____ • Permanent Regulations 232-12-297 8.1.2 The agency will hold at least one public 10.4 Nothing in these rules shall be construed to auto meeting in each of its administrative re matically delist a species without formal commis· gions during the public review period. sion action. FINAL RECOMMENDA nONS AND COMMISSION ACTION RECOVERY AND MANAGEMENT OF LISTED SPECIES 11.1 9.1 After the close of the public comment period. the The agency shall write a recovery plan for species listed as endangered or threatened. The agency agency shall complete a final status report and will write a management plan for species listed as classification recommendation. SEPA documents sensitive. Recovery and management plans shall will be prepared. as necessary. for the final agency address the listing criteria described in sections recommendation for classification. The classifica· 3.1 and 3.3. and shall include. but are not limited tion recommendation will be presented to the com to: mission for action. The final species status report. agency classification recommendation. and SEPA I 1.1.1 Target popUlation objectives documents will be made available to the public at 11.1.2 Criteria for reclassification least 30 days prior to the commission meeting. 11.1.3 An implementation plan for reaching 9.2 Notice of the proposed commission action will be population objectives which will promote published at least 30 days prior to the commission cooperative management and be sensitive meeting. to landowner needs and property rights. The plan will specify resources needed PERIODIC SPECIES STATUS REVIEW from and impacts to the Department. 10.1 The agency shall conduct a review of each endan· other agencies (including federal. state. gered. threatened. or sensitive wildlife species at and local). ·tribes. landowners. and other least every five years after the date of its listing. interest groups. The plan shall consider This review shall include an update of the species various approaches to meeting recovery status report to determine whether the status of objectives including, but not limited to the species warrants its current listing status or regulation. mitigation. acquisition. incen* deserves reclassification. tive. and compensation mechanisms. I 1.1.4 Public education needs 10.1.1 The agency shall notify any parties who have expressed their interest to the de· 11.1.5 A species monitoring plan. which requires partment of the periodic status review. periodic review to allow the incorporation This notice shall occur at least one year of new information into the status report. prior to end of the five year period reo 11.2 Preparation of recovery and management plans quired by section 10.1. will be initiated by the agency within one year after the date of listing. 10.2 The status of all delisted species shall be reviewed at least once. five years following the date of 11.2.1 Recovery and management plans for spe delisting. cies listed prior to 1990 or during the five years following the adoption of these rules 10.3 The department shall evaluate the necessity of shall be completed within 5 years after changing the classification of the species being the date of listing or adoption of these reviewed. The agency shall report its findings to rules. whichever comes later. Develop the commission at a commission meeting. The ment of recovery plans for endangered agency shall notify the public of its findings at species will receive higher priority than least 30 days prior to presenting the findings to threatened or sensitive species. the commission. 11.2.2 Recovery and management plans for spe 10.3.1 If the agency determines that new infor· cies listed after five years following the mation suggests that classification of a adoption of these rules shall be completed species should be changed from its present within three years after the date of listing. state. the agency shall initiate classifica· 11.2.3 The agency will publish a notice in the tion procedures provided for in these rules Washington Register and notify any par starting with section 5.1. ties who have expressed interest to the 10.3.2 If the agency determines that conditions department interested parties of the initi have not changed significantly and that ation of recovery plan development. the classification of the species should re 11.2.4 If the deadlines defined in sections 11.2.1 main unchanged. the .agency shall recom· and 11.2.2 are not met the department mend to the commission that the species shall notify the public and report the rea being reviewed shaH retain its present sons for missing the deadline and the classification status. strategy for completing the plan at a ( 1990 Ed .) rnfl.i ,''7 W.6.r--.ft 111 232-12-297 Title 232 WAC: Wildlife, Depanment of commission meeting. The intent of this section is to recognize current department personnel resources are limiting and that development of recovery plans for some of the species may require significant in volvement by interests outside of the de partment. and therefore take longer to complete. 11 .3 The agency shall provide an opportunity for in terested public to comment on the recovery plan and any SEPA documents. CLASSIFICATION PROCEDURES REVIEW 12.1 The agency and an ad hoc public group with members representing a broad spectrum of inter ests. shall meet as needed to accomplish the following: 12.1.1 Monitor the progress of the development 9f recovery and management plans and status reviews. highlight problems. and' make recommendations to the department and other interested parties to improve the effectiveness of these processes. 12.1.2 Review these classification procedures six years after the adoption of these rules and report its findings to the commission. AUTHORITY 13 .1 The commission has the authority to classify wildlife as endangered under RCW 77.12.020. Species classified as endangered are listed under WAC 232-12-D14. as amended. 13 .2 Threatened and sensitive species shall be classi fied as SUbcategories of protected wildlife. The commission has the authority to classify wildlife as protected under RCW 77 .12.020. Species clas sified as protected are listed under WAC 232-12- 011. as amended. [Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.020. 90-11-066 (Order 442). § 232-12-297. filed 5/15/90. effective 6/15/90·1 232-12-007 Title 232 WAC: Wildlife, Department of . mammals of the suborder Pinnipedia not otherwise clas sified as endangered species. or designated as threatened species or sensitive species. This section shall not apply to hair seals and se~ hons which are threatening to damage or are damagtng commercial fishing gear being uuhzed In a lawful manner or when said mammals arc damaging or threatening to damage commercial fish be ing lawfully taken with commercial gear. {Statutory Authority: RCW 77.1~.020. 90-11--065 (Order 441), § 232-12-011. filed 5/15/90. effectIVe 6/15/90. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. 89-11-061 (Order 392). § 232-12-011. filed 5/18/89: 82-19-026 (Order 192). § 232-12-011. filed 9/9/82: 81- 22-002 (Order 174). § 232-12-011. filed 10/22/81; 81-12-029 (Or. der 165). § 232-1 2-011. filed 6/1/81.J Rntser's note: RCW 34.05.395 requires the use of underlining and deletion marks to indicate amendments to existing rules. and deems ineffectual changes nor filed by the agency in this manner. The brack eted material in the above section does not appear to conform to the statutory requirement. WAC 232-12-014 Wildlife classified as endangered species. Endangered species include: Columbian white tailed deer:. OdocoiJeus virginianus Jeucurus; Mountain caribou. Rangifer tarandus; Blue whale. Ba/aenop/era musculus; Bowhead whale. Ba/aena myslicetus: Finback whale. Balaenoptera physaJus: Gray whale. Eschrichtius . WAC 232-12-011 Wildlife classified as protected gibbosus: Humpback whale. Megaptera novaeangliae; sbaU not be bunted or fisbed. Protected wildlife are des Right whale. Ba/aena glacialis; Sei whale. Ba/a.noptera ignated into three subcategories: Threatened. sensitive. borealis: Sperm whale. Physe/er catodon: Wolf. Canis and other. lupus; Peregrine falcon. Falco peregrinus; Aleutian Can (I) Threatened species are any wildlife species native ada goose. Branta canadensis luecopareia; Brown peli can. Pelecanus occidentalis; Leatherback sea turtle. to the state of Washington that are likely to become en dangered within the foreseeable future throughout a sig DermocheJys coriacea; Grizzly bear. Ursus arctos horri nificant portion of their range within the state without bilis; Sea Otter. Enhydra lutris; White pelican. Pe/e cooperative management or removal of threats. canus erythrorhynchos; Sandhill crane. Grus canadensis; Snowy plover. Charadrius a/exandrinus: Upland sand Protected wildlife designated as threatened include piper. Bartramia longicauda; Northern spotted owl. ferruginous hawk. Buteoregalis; bald eagle. Haliaeerus Strix occidentalis. leucocephalus; western pond turtle. Clemmys marmor ala; green sea tunle. Che/oniia mydas; loggerhead sea [Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.020(6). 88--OS--032 (Order 305). § 232-12--014. filed 2/12/88. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. 82- turtle. Carella caretta; Oregon silverspot butterfly. 19-026 (Order 192). § 232-12-014. filed 9/9(82: 81-22-002 (Order Speyeria zerene hippo/yla; pygmy rabbit. BrachyJagus 174). § 232-12-014. filed 10/22/81; 81-12-029 (Order 165). § 232- idahoensis. 12-014. filed 6/1/81.J (2) Sensitive species are any wildlife species native to the state of Washington that are vulnerable or declining and are likely to become endangered or threatened in a significant portion of their range within the state without cooperative management or removal of threats. (3) Other protected wildlife. Other protected wildlife include all birds not classified as game birds. predatory birds. or endangered species[.] or designated as threatened species or sensitive species: and fur seal. CaJ/orhinus ursinus; fisher. Martes pennantf, wolverine. Gulo luscus; western gray squirrel. Sciurus griseus; Douglas squirrel. Tamiasciurus douglasii; red squirrel. TamiasciuTUs hudsonicus; flying squirrel. Glaucomys sabrinus; golden-mantled ground squirrel. CaJ/ospermophilus salUralUS; chipmunks. Eutamias; cony or pika. Dchotona princeps; hoary mar mot. Marmo/a caliga/a and olympus; all wild turtles not otherwise classified as endangered species. or designated as threatened species or sensitive species; mammals of the order Cetacea. including whales. porpoises. and mile 232 WAC-p 101 (1990 E4.) Washington Department of Wildlife The WuhinJtOn Departm::nt DC Wildlife will prOYide equli opportuniticl to Ill! potentiAl and "ming cmpIO)'OCll withollt reprd to race, aeed, color. MOll, ac:xuaI oticntation, religion, 'ge,llW"iwlJllltus, natioo.al. «igin, Serving Washington's dis.bility, orVic:1nam En Veteran', mtus.1be deputmcIltreccivc. Fcdcrlll Aid fill' fWlI.nd wildlife rc.Horatioo.. I'll wildJife and people The ~ it wbjt:ct to Title VI oCthc Civil RiJhla Act of 1964 and Section S04 oCthe Rehabilitation Act ofl913, whlc:h p-ohibit. dUiaimination 011 the basil o{rm:e, color, natimal origin or handicap. Uyou believe),011 ~ now and in the Mle boen di.aiminatcd _gaM in any de~t program, activity. or facility, ot iCyou want further informAtion • future abwtTitic VI or Section 504, wrie. to: Offu:e ofBqual Oppatunity, U.S. Department oflntl::rior, Wuhingtoo, D.C. 20240, or Washington DepartmCllt of Wildlife. 600 Capitol Way N, Olympia W A 98501-1091.