9Th Annual Gopher Tortoise Candidate

Candidate Conservation Agreement DEP for the Gopher Tortoise October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017

9th Annual

Submitted to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1 April 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF ACRONYMS……………………………………………………………………………...... 2

INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………………...4

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY…………………………………………………………………………….6

RELEVANT ACTIVITIES TO LISTING FACTOR A (THE PRESENT OR THREATENED DESTRUCTION, MODIFICATION, OR CURTAILMENT OF THE SPECIES HABITAT OR RANGE)…………………………………………………………….....18

LAND CONSERVATION…………………………………………………………………………...44

GOPHER TORTOISE POPULATION MONITORING……………………………………..57

RELEVANT ACTIVITIES TO LISTING FACTOR B (OVERUTILIZATION FOR COMMERCIAL, RECREATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES)…………………………………………………………………………………………...80

RELEVANT ACTIVITIES TO LISTING FACTOR C (DISEASE OR PREDATION)…………………………………………………………………...... 87

RELEVANT ACTIVITIES TO LISTING FACTOR D (INADEQUACY OF EXISTING REGULATORY MECHANISMS)………………………………………………………………....92

RELEVANT ACTIVITIES TO LISTING FACTOR E (OTHER NATURAL OF MANMADE FACTORS AFFECTING THE SPECIES’ CONTINUED EXISTENCE)…………………………………………………………………………………………..97

ALL OTHER EDUCATION AND OUTREACH NOT MENTIONED IN ABOVE SECTIONS……………………………………………………………………………………………107

RESEARCH STUDIES CONDUCTED BY OR SUPPORTED BY AGENCY/ORGANIZATION………………………………………………………………………115

CCA AGENCY/ORGANIZATION CONSERVATION STRATEGY……………………...119

APPENDIX I: GOPHER TORTOISE CCA REPORT FORMAT………………………...122

APPENDIX II: DEFINITIONS…………………………………………………………………..130

GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

LIST OF ACRONYMS

ADCNR Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources AFB Air Force Base AFC Alabama Forestry Commission AFF American Forest Foundation AFR Air Force Range AGTHP Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve APAFR Avon Park Air Force Range BMP Best Management Practices CCA Candidate Conservation Agreement CCAA Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances CCAFS Cape Canaveral Air Force Station DWFF Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries ESA Endangered Species Act FFS Florida Forest Service FNAI Florida Natural Areas Inventory FWC Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission FWRI Fish and Wildlife Research Institute FY Fiscal year GDNR Georgia Department of Natural Resources GDOT Georgia Department of Transportation GIS Geographic Information System GSF Geneva State Forest GT Gopher Tortoise GTHAP Gopher Tortoise Habitat Assistance Program GTMP Gopher Tortoise Management Plan GTT Gopher Tortoise Team HMU Habitat Management Unit INRMP Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan ITP Incidental Take Permit JDMTA Jonathan Dickinson Missile Tracking Annex LAP Landowner Assistance Program LEEF League of Environmental Educators in Florida LIP Landowner Incentive Program LLP Longleaf Pine LRSF Little River State Forest LTDS Line Transect Distance Sampling MGGTAI Management Guidelines for Gopher Tortoises on Army Installations MOA Memorandum of Agreement MOU Memorandum of Understanding MTA Malabar Transmitter Annex MVP Minimum Viable Population NAS Naval Air Station NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NF National Forest NPS National Park Service NS Naval Station

April 2018 2 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

NSA Naval Support Activity NSB Naval Submarine Base NWR National Wildlife Refuge PSA Public Service Announcement OBVM Objective-based Vegetation Management OLF Outlying Landing Field PAFB Patrick Air Force Base PFW Partners for Fish and Wildlife POC Point of Contact REPI Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration ROW Right of Way SCDNR South Carolina Department of Natural Resources SLD State Lands Division SMR State Management Recommendations SP State Park SREL Savannah River Ecology Laboratory STEM Science, Technology, Engineering and Math SW Space Wing SWG State Wildlife Grant TES Threatened and Endangered Species TPA Trees Per Acre TSRHP Tillman Sand Ridge Heritage Preserve URTD Upper Respiratory Tract Disease U.S. United States USAF United States Air Force USDA United States Department of Agriculture USFS United States Forest Service USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service WEA Wildlife and Environmental Area WMA Wildlife Management Area WRD Wildlife Resources Division

April 2018 3 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

INTRODUCTION This is the 9th annual report for the Gopher Tortoise Candidate Conservation Agreement (GTCCA) that includes data and information from the signatory agencies and organizations to the agreement.

The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is endemic to the southeastern United States and has been in population decline in recent years. While the tortoise is federally-listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the western portion of its range, it is currently a candidate species for listing in the eastern portion which includes Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and eastern Alabama. The “candidate” species status is a result of a petition to list the species (2006), and the subsequent 12-month finding published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in July 2011. As a response to the listing petition, stakeholders representing the fish and wildlife agencies of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina, branches of the Department of Defense, and related non-profit organizations drafted and executed a Candidate Conservation Agreement (CCA).

The goal of the CCA is to organize a cooperative range-wide approach to gopher tortoise management and conservation in its eastern range. The CCA allows the signing parties to leverage knowledge and funding within a common conservation approach and framework. The CCA is voluntary and flexible in nature so that various conservation and management actions can be agreed to and implemented at different levels by the signing parties.

Established under the CCA, the Gopher Tortoise Team (GTT) is charged with implementation of the Agreement. During the first 4 years of implementation of the GT CCA, the Chair position rotated among the states alphabetically, giving everyone an opportunity to learn about the implementation and administration of the agreement. The states recognize while in concept the rotation idea is good, the four states don’t all have the same level of resources to put into leading the efforts of the CCA. Therefore, after a full rotation, the State representatives & leadership agreed in October 2012 that Florida will fill the responsibility as Chair of the GT CCA for the next 2 years (through October 2016), and Georgia will fill the role of Co-Chair. The leadership structure will be evaluated and the GTT will decide on future leadership structure. The Chair’s responsibilities include organizing the annual meeting of the parties (or assisting another representative with organizing) and compiling the annual report required under the CCA. For the 2017 report, South Carolina agreed to compile the report and Georgia will organize the meeting.

The signatories continue to work together to organize the annual meetings. The States agree that it is important to rotate the location of the annual meeting to ensure the team leadership doesn’t become Florida-centric. In 2016, the meeting was organized and hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The 2016 meeting was the last time the CCA has met.

On July 6-8, 2016, the 8th annual meeting of the GTT was hosted by the FWC in Cocoa Beach, Florida. During the meeting, parties presented conservation programs and actions currently being implemented by each agency. Discussion was held on changes and/or additions regarding the CCA signatory goals, and the need to update/revise the CCA in the future. Participants went on a tour of Kennedy Space Center and learned about efforts to mitigate impacts to tortoise habitat resulting from sea level rise.

April 2018 4 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

A standardized report format helps support an organized conservation approach and encourages uniform actions and reporting, integration of monitoring and research efforts with management, and support partnership formation. In 2014, the GTT did a minor clean-up to improve consistency in data reported by the signatories. The format is organized to specifically address the 5-factor analysis used by the USFWS when evaluating a species for federal listing under the Endangered Species Act. The addition of tables was included to help streamline the data reported and ensure consistency among parties. It is also intended to help compile and build upon data each year, preventing the USFWS from losing or having to shuffle through older reports to assess the species status. The goal of the reorganized reporting structure is to ensure the information compiled by the CCA parties will be useful to the USFWS when re-evaluating the species as a candidate each year.

The parties contributing to this report collectively own and/or manage more than 1.29 million acres of gopher tortoise habitat in the eastern portion of the species’ range. An additional 11,955 acres of habitat was protected through easements and acquisition of public lands. Of those acres, more than 273,476 acres of gopher tortoise habitat was managed using a variety of tools, most commonly with prescribed fire with a large percentage occurring during the growing season. Some habitat was lost due to conversion to non-compatible uses such as solar arrays and other development activities. Gopher tortoises are commonly relocated when at risk or as a result of impending habitat alteration. In Florida, where the FWC manages a comprehensive regulatory program for tortoises, 7,099 tortoises were relocated to protected lands and released into temporary enclosures for a minimum of 6 months. Many of the other parties also relocated tortoises (total of 1766) onto protected lands, however, soft release using temporary enclosures is not yet a standardized practice among all parties. Improvements to avoid/minimize the use of hard release is an important conservation practice to implement that, based on scientific studies, results in a greater conservation benefit for the tortoises.

Implementation of the standard population survey methodology, Line Transect Distance Sampling (LTDS), is occurring across the species’ range. Significant population data is included in this report and shows many viable populations in both Georgia and Florida occurring mainly on public conservation lands. Some data provided still represents presence/absence as a means to avoid impacts from projects rather than for monitoring populations, however, most if not all parties have implemented LTDS on some level or have plans to do so in the near future.

Comprehensive reports were submitted by each CCA party in February 2018 with the last report received in March for the period covering October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017. Reports were not received from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the American Forest Foundation, and the United States Army. A draft of this report was emailed for review to the points of contacts for each party, and all corrections have been incorporated into this final draft.

It is important to note that not every section of the report is applicable to every party. Parties with no information appropriate to a particular section have indicated this with “not provided,” “not applicable,” “none,” or “none provided this reporting period.” Reports were submitted by each party’s point of contact and compiled by the Chair with minimal edits.

April 2018 5 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Thank you to all the parties for compiling this information on behalf of their agency and on behalf of gopher tortoise conservation. This annual report continues to be vital for range- wide conservation of this keystone species.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

UNITED STATES ARMY

No report received.

UNITED STATES NAVY

The US Navy has six installations within the eastern range of the Gopher Tortoise (GT) that completed management activities: Naval Submarine Base (NSB) Kings Bay in southeastern Georgia, Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville and Naval Station (NS) Mayport in northeastern Florida, Naval Support Activity (NSA) Orlando (Bugg Springs) in central Florida, and NAS Whiting Field and NAS Pensacola in the western Florida panhandle. NAS Whiting Field also has lands in southern Alabama. Naval Support Activity (NSA) Panama City occurs in the range of the GT but does not support a GT population. All installations have an active and current Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP). During this reporting period, the Navy managed 12,522 acres of tortoise habitat, prescribed burned 877 acres, treated 158 acres of invasive plant species by both chemical and mechanical methods, and removed from GT habitat 24 feral hogs, 4 raccoons, 2 opossums, 1 bobcat, 1 grey fox, 1 red fox, 10 coyotes, 26 armadillos, and 1 feral cat. Surveying for the GT continues to be an ongoing action. In 2017, it was estimated that 721 tortoises were resident on Navy lands, an increase over the past annual estimate of 500 tortoises due to increased survey activity. Issues with disease were determined to be absent, minimal, or managed. Predation of GT’s throughout the region on Navy installations continues to be a concern, but at this time it is believed that the impacts are minimal and the Navy is actively managing predator populations. There were 3 permanent translocations conducted. Habitat was gained due to additional areas surveyed at NAS Whiting Field. Community outreach consisted of continued distribution of brochures, posters, informational signage, news articles, and indoctrination training to newly assigned military personnel. No new regulations, laws, or policies were changed or implemented. Relocation and protection requirements were emphasized and enforced at all installations. There were no deviations or additions regarding the CCA Agency Conservation Strategy. Individual installation activities are reported in the following sections where appropriate. Navy GT management addresses the five listing factors identified in section 4 (a) (1) of the Endangered Species Act - - Listing Factor One (present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of the species’ habitat or range), Listing Factor Two (overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or education purposes), Listing Factor Three (predation or disease), Listing Factor Four (existing regulatory mechanisms), and Listing Factor Five (other manmade or natural factors affecting the species’ continued existence). Navy GT management provided a net benefit to the species and its habitat with regard to all five Listing Factors. No adverse actions were identified in reference to the five Listing Factors for GT populations or habitat on Navy lands.

April 2018 6 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

US NAVY INSTALLATION OVERVIEW

NSB Kings Bay, GA, POC: Kurt Moseley, [email protected]; (912)-573-4678 Approximately 250 acres of prescribed burning was conducted in 2017. Additionally, a 48- acre slash pine stand adjacent to quality gopher tortoise habitat was thinned and is scheduled for burning in winter 2018. Protection of GT’s and GT habitat was provided by removing 13 feral hogs, 4 raccoons, 2 opossums, 1 bobcat, 1 grey fox, 1 red fox, 2 coyotes, 26 armadillos, and 1 feral cat. A juvenile tortoise was found dead on the security perimeter road and is believed to have been hit by a car.

NS Mayport, FL, POC: Heather Hahn, [email protected]; (904)-270-6781 Surveying for Gopher Tortoises was accomplished on 127 acres resulting in discovery of 12 burrows (6 active, 4 active and 2 juveniles). The burrows were mapped using ArcGIS. Informative signs continue to be posted on dune crossovers for the public. In addition, education is routinely provided during base indoctrination briefings to new personnel that included endangered species topics.

NAS Jacksonville, FL, POC: Angela Glass, [email protected]; (904) 542-2798 Gopher tortoises are located in mission sensitive areas on NAS Jacksonville, Outlying Landing Field (OLF) Whitehouse and Rodman Range. In addition to Navy-owned lands, gopher tortoise populations occur at the Navy’s Pinecastle Range, land leased from the U.S. Forest Service. NAS Jacksonville protects habitat for gopher tortoises through active management of factors such as landscaping and grounds maintenance, invasive species control, and silvicultural activities including forest thinnings, prescribed burning, reforestation, and forest protection. The completion of a 2016 drainage project at OLF Whitehouse that decreased areas of standing water and repaired sink holes resulted in a noticeable increase in the number of burrows in the aviation clear zone. Eleven feral hogs and 3 coyotes were removed from gopher tortoise habitat at OLF Whitehouse. Beavers were removed from the area as their dams increased flooding in areas that were previously dry. Three coyotes were removed from NAS Jacksonville main station. Indoctrination training for over 150 newly assigned military personnel included gopher tortoise information and identification. Local schools that visit the Interpretive Center are given an opportunity to see a burrow scope with a “mock” burrow and learn about this keystone species and its habitat; this year 125 students visited the center. Two groups of volunteers cleaned up the area around the Interpretive Center, an area that is home to 5 resident gopher tortoises. Invasive plant species were removed and native species planted in the butterfly garden. Additional game cameras were placed near burrows with documentation of textbook courting and mating behaviors between one female and two male tortoises. New signage was purchased to further protect not just the tortoise but their burrows even when they appeared to be abandoned.

NSA Orlando, Bugg Springs Facility, FL, POC: Robby Smith, [email protected]; (904)542-6313 The Bugg Springs facility/property consists of ~80 total acres in Okahumpka, FL. The Gopher Tortoises (GT) found on the property are primarily located in the abandoned agriculture field/cleared meadow, residential grounds, and on the edges of the upland hardwood forest. Currently, the Bugg Springs property has 30-40 acres of suitable GT habitat. NSA Orlando protects habitat for GT ‘s and their associated habitat at the Bugg Springs property through active management of factors such as invasive plant species

April 2018 7 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT control and habitat enhancement projects (e.g. mechanical reduction of forest understory). During 2017 activities to improve GT habitat included continuance of a 25-acre habitat enhancement project to reduce the forest understory in an area that was severely overgrown and in need of mechanical thinning. Currently the estimated GT population on the Bugg Springs property is less than ten adults and appears to be stable.

NAS Whiting Field, FL, POC: Christina Maltiz, [email protected]; (850) 623-7602 NAS Whiting Field has a wide-ranging and significant gopher tortoise population with a total of 4,384 acres of GT habitat maintained. Gopher tortoises occur at 10 of 15 installation properties in five counties in Florida and Alabama. Activities during 2017 involved a thorough and complete search of all Navy lands that have suitable habitat or historic data present. To supplement Navy staff, interns from the Student Conservation Association were employed with an emphasis on surveying for new burrows at NAS Whiting Field and NOLFs Barin, Summerdale, Silverhill, Santa Rosa, Harold, Pace and Wolf. Prescribed burning was completed on 277 acres and 30 acres of invasive species were treated at NAS Whiting Field and NOLF’s to improve gopher tortoise habitat. Habitat could be improved by thinning of forest stands and use of more prescribed fire.

NAS Pensacola, FL, POC: Michael Hardy, [email protected]; (850) 452-3131 x 3016 NAS Pensacola has gopher tortoise populations at the main installation, Bronson Field, and Saufley Field. In 2017, AmeriCorps interns from the Student Conservation Association were employed with an emphasis on GT management, inventory, and protection. A contract was awarded to The University of Georgia’s Savannah River lab to conduct a comprehensive GT survey in 2017. The report is in the draft phase with a final report due in the summer of 2018. Prescribed burning was accomplished on 350 acres of gopher tortoise habitat, 20 acres of Cogon grass was treated, and two coyotes were removed from areas that were accessible to gopher tortoise habitat. Translocation plans were implemented to survey and document gopher tortoise in the primary surface clear zones at the NAS Pensacola airfield. Three tortoises were translocated from high automobile traffic areas onboard NAS Pensacola to a fenced gopher tortoise population area on the installation’s north side. The installation also continued to provide Navy Region Southeast support by assigning the Environmental Director as the Navy GTCCA point of contact and coordinator.

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

The US Air Force continued its commitment to excellent gopher tortoise management in fiscal year 2017 (FY17) on more than 464,000 acres. Acres actively managed/treated were reduced in FY17 compared to three peak years in FY13-FY15. Aggressive feral hog removal programs resulted in 636 feral hogs removed from AF properties in FY17 (a 25% increase from FY16 numbers); also 67 raccoons and 54 coyotes were removed. Prescribed fire was applied to more than 96,000 acres. Funding remains relatively stable from previous years. Installation programs continue to mature. Areas where extensive efforts were applied in previous years are being monitored and, if appropriate, management activities are being scaled back to maintenance mode so areas harder to manage receive increased efforts.

April 2018 8 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Installations continue to successfully partner with and rely on the USAF Wildland Fire Center to achieve prescribed fire goals.

45th Space Wing, FL (Patrick Air Force Base, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station) completed surveys for presence/absence in support of various construction, utility, and other miscellaneous projects; completed excavation/bucket trapping and relocation of gopher tortoises in support of projects where gopher tortoise burrows could not be avoided. The 45th SW manages gopher tortoise habitat through mechanical cutting of overgrown scrub, prescribed fire, and treatment of invasive species through mechanical cutting and/or herbicide application. Additionally, monitoring of previously treated invasive vegetation continued to identify re-growth and apply additional treatments. Nonnative and/or nuisance wildlife (raccoons, feral hogs and coyotes) were removed to support protection of threatened and endangered species. Educational outreach was accomplished through display of gopher tortoise information at 45 SW Family Day and Earth Day outreach. Natural resources training was provided to security forces and other AF personnel that conduct off road activities – gopher tortoises were included in the training.

Avon Park Air Force Range, FL: Management at APAFR consisted of prescribed fire, invasive species treatments, intensive feral hog removal and planting of LLP. GT population monitoring is conducted every 5 years. A survey of scrub habitats within APAFR was completed in FY16, in addition to an intensive survey of four key habitat sites (two in scrub and two in native flatwoods) to determine demographic parameters of the gopher tortoise population, sex ratio, juvenile and adult survival.

Eglin Air Force Base, FL: Eglin AFB continued to manage almost 400,000 acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat. Management tools include prescribed fire, chemical treatment of hardwood mid-story, chemical treatment of invasive plants, control measures for invasive exotic animal species and sand pine removal. 45 Eglin grown tortoises were relocated within Eglin property, and 581 Incidental Take Permit tortoises were translocated from privately owned properties in Florida to Eglin property. All tortoises were relocated to sites with enclosures and have been, or will be held, at least 6 months. Population monitoring documented mostly decreasing populations for most extant, non-viable populations (less than 250 adults). All burrows located were mapped and data collected for each included status, and size.

MacDill Air Force Base, FL: MacDill AFB management of gopher tortoises included treating a total of 550 acres of invasive vegetation within suitable gopher tortoise habitat using both chemical and mechanical means. There were no gopher tortoise surveys, relocations, or translocations in FY17.

Moody Air Force Base, GA: Moody AFB is approximately 11,000 acres of which there are approximately 946 acres of gopher tortoise habitat. Gopher tortoise management is accomplished through projects identified in the Moody AFB Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan with concurrence by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. FY17 projects and management included: seasonal monitoring and surveys of known gopher tortoise populations; disease surveillance for Upper Respiratory Tract Disease; gopher tortoise movement studies in relation to military

April 2018 9 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT activities; gopher tortoise mark‐recapture population demography study; and habitat improvement/restoration through burning, chemical release, and mechanical means.

Tyndall Air Force Base, FL: Tyndall continues to manage over 15,000 acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat. In FY17 spring and fall surveys were designed and conducted using the Line Transect Distance Sampling (LTDS) method. A three-observer method was used and all burrows encountered near transect lines were mapped and then scoped with a camera to determine occupancy. Data analysis of this full survey was done using Distance software and revealed that the number of tortoises observed was too low to expect reasonable results. We are currently working to utilize more specialized LTDS survey methods specifically designed for areas with lower density populations. Tyndall will continue to work on this survey method for next year. Until a more standardized LTDS survey can achieve accurate population estimate results, we will continue to report results as it has been done in previous years from a total count survey of all actively maintained burrows. This year more than 3,648 acres were surveyed and 202 active burrows were observed. Surveys also continue to be conducted in all areas prior to forestry operations or development projects.

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

MCLB Albany has a small population of gopher tortoises. A single active burrow belonging to a juvenile gopher tortoise was identified in the reporting period. MCLB Albany’s gopher tortoise management strategy continues to be based upon improving pine savannah habitat by removing midstory hardwoods and invasive plant species through prescribed burning and mechanical/chemical removal, monitoring populations, and education of Base personnel. In January of 2017, MCLB Albany was impacted by an EF3 tornado that caused damage to 600 acres of forestland and pecan orchard. The tornado impacted the western and central portion of the installation and did not impact the area of the active burrow. A forest recovery plan was developed that includes replanting approximately 400 acres of pine forest and initial restoration of 75 acres of native groundcover. It is expected that these efforts will provide good habitat conditions for any possible future expansion of MCLB Albany’s gopher tortoise population.

Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, SC has no GT management concerns. The MCAS Beaufort staff also have ownership/management responsibilities at Townsend Bombing Range (TBR) in Georgia. As you may know, TBR was recently expanded by 25,000+ acres, and appropriate GT management strategies are included in the INRMP.

As a reminder, the Marine Corps Support Facility (MCSF) Blount Island, FL had some active GT in the 2010-2013 timeframe; however, they were permanently translocated in concert with the Florida GT coordinator.

UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE

Management activities conducted in Alabama and Florida during FY17 for the restoration and maintenance of native fire ecosystems that support gopher tortoise include: timber

April 2018 10 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT thinning in mature longleaf stands, timber harvest to restore native over-story species (longleaf), prescribed burning and associated activities (e.g., fire line maintenance), wildlife opening maintenance, mid-story and understory restoration using mechanical and herbicide treatments, road and fire line restoration activities, gopher tortoise surveys, nonnative invasive species treatment, and educational efforts through outreach and interpretation.

UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

For the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), data is being submitted for the National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) and summarized for the Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program for FY17. PFW projects help private landowners meet habitat objectives on their properties by providing financial and technical assistance, so FWS is not the landowner. In total, PFW projects restoring and maintaining upland pine forests in the Candidate range totaled 7,306 acres, although acreage was not broken down by specific management action for this report. National Wildlife Refuges (where FWS is the landowner) contributing to the 2017 annual report include:

Florida: Archie Carr NWR (AC); Chassahowitzka NWR (CH); Egmont Key NWR (EK); Everglades Headwaters NWR (EH); Hobe Sound NWR (HS); J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR (DD); Lake Wales Ridge NWR (LWR); Lake Woodruff NWR (LW); Lower Suwannee NWR (LS); Merritt Island NWR (MI); Pelican Island NWR (PI); St. Marks NWR (SM); and St. Vincent NWR (SV).

Georgia: Okefenokee NWR (OK)

Archie Carr NWR: No management conducted in 2017 on ACNWR. No burns or GT surveys conducted in 2017. There is, however, a known/previously surveyed population of GT. This year’s report reflects updated information for the refuge. Report only reflects federally owned or managed lands and does not include county owned protected properties within the Archie Carr NWR acquisition boundary.

The Crystal River NWR Complex (CRNWRC) is comprised of five refuges: Crystal River, Chassahowitzka, Egmont Key, Pinellas, and Passage Keys NWRs. Only Chassahowitzka and Egmont Key NWRs have gopher tortoises. No gopher tortoise surveys were conducted this year. Exotic plants continue to be treated on Egmont Key and Chassahowitzka refuges and fire ants are controlled on both refuges also.

Everglades Headwaters NWR: The Refuge currently consists of about 6,295 acres (fee: 1,855 acres; easements: 4,440 acres). Management for GT has been limited to treatment of invasive exotic plants. No prescribed burns or GT surveys were conducted in 2017.

Hobe Sound NWR encompasses 1,091 acres of coastal dune, mangrove forest, coastal hammock, and sand pine scrub habitat. Gopher tortoises occur on about 290 acres of sand

April 2018 11 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT pine scrub and 25 acres of coastal dune habitat. During the period of performance invasive plants were removed from approximately 3 acres of occupied gopher tortoise habitat. We also provided educational opportunities to school groups and the general public.

J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR: Gopher tortoise surveys were conducted and completed on all suitable habitats within the refuge. Habitat management actions included: mowing and maintaining fire breaks and the treatment of all non-native invasive plant species.

Lake Wales Ridge NWR: Approximately 350 acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat were treated for all Category I and II invasive plant species on the Flamingo Villas unit. No burns or GT surveys were conducted in 2017.

Lake Woodruff NWR: Refuge continued to manage habitat for gopher tortoises by controlling exotics and prescribed burning.

Lower Suwannee NWR: In 2017, Refuge staff surveyed for gopher tortoises only as a protective measure in areas slated for manipulation – i.e., areas to be logged or cleared for trails, shooting range, etc. The LTDS pilot study that was completed in 2013 still provides the best data for population on the Refuge as resources are currently lacking to complete the full LTDS survey here. Refuge staff were able to apply prescribed fire to 1,747 acres (127 acres burned in dormant season, 1,620 acres in growing season); approximately 1,100 acres of which is good potential gopher tortoise habitat. Refuge staff also treated 112 acres of upland with herbicide for gopher habitat restoration, and gave three presentations on tortoises and other pinewoods/fire habitat obligate species. Other outreach efforts on Refuge include kiosks, signage, along with information on Gopher tortoises in the Refuge brochure and on the website.

Merritt Island NWR: Refuge continued to manage habitat for gopher tortoises by controlling exotics and prescribed burning.

Pelican Island NWR: Approximately 250 acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat were treated for all Category I and II invasive plant species on Pelican Island NWR. No burns were conducted and 4 GT surveys were completed in 2017. Twenty-two acres were mowed for habitat maintenance.

St. Marks NWR: No specific population monitoring efforts were undertaken at St. Marks NWR during the reporting time frame. Portions of potential gopher tortoise habitat were burned during the dormant seasons.

St. Vincent NWR: This fiscal year gopher tortoise stewardship consisted of dormant and growing season prescribed burns and nonnative predator control, e.g., coyote, armadillo, and feral swine removal. Annual public raccoon and feral hog hunting also benefited gopher tortoise conservation. A dormant season fuel reduction burn of approximately 847 acres of unoccupied gopher tortoise habitat was conducted in February. Growing season prescribed fire operations conducted in July burned approximately 10 acres of occupied

April 2018 12 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT gopher tortoise habitat. No specific population monitoring efforts were undertaken during this time period.

Okefenokee NWR: Habitat for gopher tortoises on Okefenokee NWR is limited to the area around the refuge’s east entrance that is on Trail Ridge and slopes to the Okefenokee Swamp’s edge. North of the refuge entrance, the higher sand ridge feature known as Trail Ridge is owned by the USFWS but managed for timber by Forest Investment Associates until 2081. Gopher tortoise’s burrows continue to be protected on these lands through the timber production activities. There is a project being planned to widen the refuge entrance road by 3ft on each side. In preparation for this construction activity, refuge staff monitored the 10 burrows that were identified from the pavement’s edge to the bottom of the ditch. Pit fall traps were used to capture 4 gopher tortoises. These were relocated away from the road. A cam was used to ensure that the burrow was empty before loosely filling in the burrow and anchoring a piece of wire fencing over the entrance. One tortoise remained in a burrow and will be trapped again in 2018.

ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

In Alabama, the gopher tortoise is federally-listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the western portion of its range (Mobile, Washington and Choctaw counties) and currently a candidate species for listing in the eastern portion which includes twenty-three southern Alabama counties. Roughly 95% of the gopher tortoise habitat, in Alabama, is in private ownership. The State of Alabama permanently protects and manages approximately 24,000 acres of tortoise habitat on public lands to include Barbour, Geneva, and Perdido Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), Fred T. Stimpson and Upper Place Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Elhew Research Station. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (DWFF) and the State Lands Division (SLD) continue to work together to restore and maintain gopher tortoise habitat on DWFF, Forever Wild Land Trust, and SLD lands. Land management conducted by DWFF staff included 4037 acres of prescribed burning, removal of 58 acres of invasive plant species, planting 310 acres of longleaf pine, and feral hog and coyote removals. Land management conducted by the SLD, Elhew Research Station personnel included 424 acres of growing season burns and approximately 20 acres of invasive plant species removal.

The land under DWFF ownership, within the Geneva WMA, currently protects approximately 9325 acres of gopher tortoise habitat. A DWFF secured Competitive State Wildlife Grant that funded survey work on public lands was completed this fiscal year and the final outcomes are reported below. Education and outreach efforts continue to be a priority. Projects that are currently underway or that have been completed set the stage for future outreach opportunities in the next fiscal year.

April 2018 13 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Progress on the implementation and completion of conservation actions outlined in the Gopher Tortoise Management Plan (GTMP, September 2012) continue to be achieved. The GTMP guides the continued recovery of the gopher tortoise in Florida through 2022. For this 10-year plan, the overarching objective of no net loss of gopher tortoises will be accomplished by meeting four objectives: minimize loss, increase and improve habitat, enhance and restore populations, and maintain the gopher tortoise’s function as a keystone species. The plan presents a suite of conservation strategies and actions that serve to achieve these objectives. The actions are captured under the following broad categories: regulation, permitting, local government coordination, law enforcement, habitat protection, habitat management, population management, disease management, incentives, monitoring, education and outreach and research. Significant progress has been made on completing gopher tortoise surveys using Line Transect Distance Sampling under a contract with the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI). In 2017, 10 surveys on state- owned public conservation lands were completed, resulting in 6 viable populations and 4 secondary support populations. Surveys completed under this contract, in addition to FWC staff-led surveys will continue into the next few years. Development in Florida has significantly increased and the number of gopher tortoises relocated has also increased. In the past year, more than 7,000 gopher tortoises were relocated from development sites, with most of those tortoises relocated to lands under permanent conservation easements. With the demand for recipient sites high, more than 2,200 new acres were brought in as new recipient sites. A few minor changes to the Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines were approved by the FWC January 2017 and have been fully implemented. In May 2017, the first ever Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) was fully executed with Florida Army National Guard’s Camp Blanding installation. This CCAA included conservation practices that benefit gopher tortoises in addition to a suite of other at-risk species. The Florida Department of Agriculture adopted new Wildlife Best Management Practices for Forestry and Agriculture and are in the process of being implemented. The FWC continues to work with stakeholders to discuss any new challenges and work together toward possible solutions throughout the implementation of the Gopher Tortoise Management Plan. The continued participation of stakeholders is important to the long- term conservation of the species. The implementation and completion of many management plan actions to protect the gopher tortoise and its habitat has made an impact on the status of the keystone species and continues to show progress toward achieving conservation.

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

The State of Georgia permanently protects 51,451 acres of gopher tortoise habitat on Wildlife Management Areas, Public Fishing Areas, State Parks, and Historic Sites. Land management conducted by GA DNR-WRD personnel beneficial to the gopher tortoise on these properties included prescribed burning of 19,451 acres, thinning or clear-cutting

April 2018 14 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

1,137 acres of off-site planted pines, removal of invasive plant species from 44 acres, planting longleaf pine on 2,799 acres, and chemically controlled hardwoods on 702 acres. Through the acquisition of several properties now managed as Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), GA DNR-WRD protected 5,931 acres of tortoise habitat during the reporting period. GA DNR-WRD conducted gopher tortoise surveys and population estimates, using line transect distance sampling (LTDS), on eleven sites, including seven state-owned properties. Five of the sites sampled were resurveys, all of which showed a population increase from their initial survey. 157 gopher tortoises displaced by development were translocated to two protected DNR-WRD lands. Numerous electronic newsletter articles, workshops, social media posts, and events aimed at increasing awareness for gopher tortoise conservation among both professionals and the general public were conducted during the past year.

SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

During the 2016-2017 reporting period SCDNR has been at full staff for positions dealing with gopher tortoises and gopher tortoise management. Both Tillman Sand Ridge Heritage Preserve and Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve have continued management activities for the benefit of the gopher tortoise, including prescribed fire.

SCDNR has concluded the South Carolina Gopher Tortoise Survey Initiative in December 2017, where we attempted to identify all extant major populations of tortoises in South Carolina and provide population estimates utilizing LTDS where appropriate. We have conducted 5 full surveys encompassing both public and private lands. We have verified that at least 2 MVPS occur in SC, one on the Tillman Sand Ridge associated with the Savannah River and a second associated with the Coosawhatchie River Sand Hills (populations occur on both sides. Additionally, SCDNR and Savannah River Ecology Lab (SREL) continue efforts to establish a third MVP at AGTHP.

SCDNR and Savanah River Ecology Lab (SREL) staff continued efforts to restock the AGTHP utilizing waif tortoises, and have released more than 300 tortoises to the site (~160 adults). SCDNR initiated a study to examine survivorship and movements of hatchling, head-started yearling, and head-started 2-year-old gopher tortoises at the preserve. In 2016, we released 25 tortoises (20 yearling and 5 hatchlings) and released 30 tortoises (15 hatchling, 7 yearling, 8 two-year olds) in 2017. SREL and SCDNR have concluded the first year of sampling for a collaborative project to examine long-term site fidelity, social integration, and disease status of the AGTHP tortoises. Rebecca McKee (UGA) conducted burrow surveys and trapping on a significant portion of the site and submitted the initial round of disease swabs for testing.

Tillman Sand Ridge Heritage Preserve has been the focus of restoration activities on approximately 180 acres. During the report period, initial logging operations were concluded and some site preparation began for the planting of longleaf pine and restoration

April 2018 15 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT of native groundcover. This effort will provide significant additional acreage for tortoises on the preserve and increase the carrying capacity of the site

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Georgia Department of Transportation assesses habitat and conducts presence/absence surveys for gopher tortoise within proposed project corridors across the species range in numerous counties.

POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS

No report received.

AMERICAN FOREST FOUNDATION (AFF)

No report received.

LONGLEAF ALLIANCE

The Longleaf Alliance (LLA) has worked with partners across the historic range of the gopher tortoise to help maintain and restore habitat. In the Florida Panhandle and South Alabama, The LLA’s Ecosystem Support Team in the GCPEP area work hard to support burns and control invasive species on nearly 40,000 acres.

The LLA received grants in early 2017 from American Forests and the USFWS Coastal Program as part of their gopher tortoise initiative which includes identifying and working with landowners with gopher tortoises on their property to improve their habitat and partnering with the Savannah River Ecology Lab to head-start up to 100 gopher tortoises for release on public lands. The LLA also received an additional 2-year grant beginning in September 2017 from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to increase head started tortoises for release at appropriate sites to 300 and work with landowners to improve their longleaf sites in preparation for receiving tortoises in future years.

JOSEPH W. JONES ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH CENTER

Gopher tortoise population monitoring at Ichauway is conducted every 5 years on 16,976 acres of suitable habitat. Our most recent monitoring effort took place in fall 2016 and our next survey is scheduled for November 2021. The current population estimate is 5319±722 tortoises and the population appears to be stable or increasing since our first monitoring effort in 2006. Management activities in 2017 included prescribed burning on 12,962.6 acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat.

April 2018 16 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

ALABAMA FORESTRY COMMISSION

The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) manages eight state forests within the gopher tortoise’s (GTs) range. Geneva State Forest (GSF) and Little River State Forest (LRSF) are the largest two and provide permanent protection for GTs. These two state forests total 9,363 acres, GSF is 7,200 acres and LRSF is 2,163 acres. GSF has AFC personnel permanently stationed there, while LRSF utilizes surrounding county personnel to conduct operations. It is one of AFC’s objectives to continue improving GT habitat on GSF and LRSF lands through prescribed burning, timely timber stand thinning and removal of hardwood mid-story where applicable, creating and maintaining useful forest openings, planting longleaf pine on applicable sites and conducting final harvests as needed. Geneva State Forest is managed for natural regeneration of longleaf pine by using shelterwood harvest. The forest is managed on a 72-year rotation. Additional information is listed in the following sections.

The majority of work AFC personnel conduct is for private landowners. There are 9,021,520 acres of timberland within the GT’s native range in Alabama. Of these timberland acres 96.5%, or 8,711,638 acres, are privately owned. AFC has foresters and rangers available to assist landowners in all 22 counties within the GT range. AFC provides GT habitat management recommendations to landowners during site visits, stand management recommendations, and in Stewardship Forest Management Plans. Other forms of landowner assistance provided that benefit GTs include invasive species control recommendations and prescribed burning.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Gopher tortoises have been documented at multiple units of the national park system in Georgia and Florida, including: Andersonville National Historical Site, Cumberland Island National Seashore, Canaveral National Seashore, Everglades National Park, Fort Matanzas National Monument, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Ocmulgee National Monument, and Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. Gopher tortoises and their habitat are protected by NPS Policy at each of the parks where they occur. Activities to provide benefits to the species in 2016 included research and monitoring, installation and maintenance of fencing to minimize road mortality, providing education and outreach to the public, and improving habitat through prescribed fire and controlling exotic and invasive woody species. The National Park Service has also initiated an effort to use geospatial data to identify and quantify potential gopher tortoise habitat within park units.

April 2018 17 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

RELEVANT ACTIVITIES TO LISTING FACTOR A (THE PRESENT OR THREATENED DESTRUCTION, MODIFICATION, OR CURTAILMENT OF THE SPECIES’ HABITAT OR RANGE)

ARMY

No report received.

NAVY

a) How much potential gopher tortoise habitat does the signatory agency directly own or manage?

i. Total estimated acreage of protected gopher tortoise habitat (either by public ownership, by easement, or covered under a management plan that provides for the conservation of the gopher tortoise)

12,522

Table 1. Acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat owned or managed by the signatory agency (put n/a if not applicable)

Report Protected lands Protected lands Other lands owned or year (Public) (Private) managed by the agency 12,140 2009 N/A N/A

12,140 2010 N/A N/A

12,140 2011 N/A N/A

12,140 2012 N/A N/A

12,140 2013 N/A N/A

12,140 2014 N/A N/A

12,357 2015 N/A N/A

12,182 N/A N/A 2016

April 2018 18 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

2017 12,522 N/A N/A

b) Provide a short narrative regarding the type of management activities that were completed on the signatory’s lands or other lands during the year, including any challenges or successes.

Total estimated gopher tortoise habitat acres managed on Navy lands remains relatively stable. Some acreage was added for 2017 due to surveying discoveries and reclamation of land area formerly not suitable. Prescribed burning was accomplished, but on a far less scale than desired due to military mission and weather factors. Surveying and identification of areas continued as well as protection of gopher tortoises and habitat by removing predators, invasive species, and identification of burrows for safety in mowing and construction areas. Community outreach and education efforts continued. See the Navy Executive Summary for the full narrative.

Table 2. Land Management (numbers reflect acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat) *Total acres Acres restored or Acres Acres Acres of managed (e.g., maintained burned - burned - invasive mechanical, Report as GT growing dormant species longleaf year habitat season season treated planting) 2009 Owned or 1819 194 1,295 68 262 managed lands **Other lands N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

2010 Owned or 1501 180 1,108 63 150 managed lands **Other lands N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

2011 Owned or 517 64 191 155 107 managed lands **Other lands N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

2012 Owned or 463 7 65 262 129 managed lands **Other lands N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

2013 Owned or 956 187 663 57 49 managed lands **Other lands N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

2014 Owned or 2837 42 2,621 117 57 managed lands **Other lands N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

2015 Owned or 1439 60 110 409 860 managed lands

April 2018 19 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

**Other lands N/A 50+ 200+ N/A N/A

2016 Owned or 2809 175 268 75 135 managed lands **Other lands N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

2017 Owned or 1035 0 877 50 108 managed lands **Other lands N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

* The Total acres restored or maintained as GT habitat should be the sum of the succeeding 4 columns. **Other gopher tortoise habitat/lands can include ANY lands regardless of ownership, protection level, or agreement.

AIR FORCE

a) How much potential gopher tortoise habitat does the signatory agency directly own or manage?

i. Total estimated acreage of protected gopher tortoise habitat (either by public ownership, by easement, or covered under a management plan that provides for the conservation of the gopher tortoise)

Table 1. Acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat owned or managed by the signatory agency (put n/a if not applicable) Report Protected lands Protected lands Other lands owned or year (Public)* (Private) managed by the agency

2009 101 470,840

2010 101 457,965

2011 151 457,292

2012 190 456,733

2013 190 21,100 456,674

2014 190 22,806 456,630

April 2018 20 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

2015 190 22,806 464,368

2016 190 22,806 464,368

2017 190 23,306 464,261

* These lands were incorrectly reported in 2009-2016 as Protected Lands (Private). They are Protected Lands (Public).

The 45th SW achieved mechanical cutting of overgrown scrub habitat using a variety of methods including roller chopping, hydro ax, v-saw and tree cutter; treatment of invasive vegetative species using mechanical cutting and herbicide; and monitoring and herbicide treatment in previously treated areas to prevent re-growth. The 45th SW uses prescribed fire, and some trench burns to reduce fuel load/invasive vegetation material onsite. The 45th SW actively removes nonnative and/or nuisance wildlife to support threatened and endangered species.

Avon Park AFR utilized prescribed fire on 13,168 acres, obtained a final report for survey data for FY16, accomplished Cogon grass treatments over 210 acres, and planted 292 acres with Longleaf Pine.

Eglin AFB GT habitat management utilizes prescribed fire, chemical treatment of hardwood midstory, and sandpine removal. 45 tortoises were relocated during this time period: 9 tortoises were permanently relocated from within ammo storage facilities where burrows were impacting safety and normal operation of storage igloos. 32 tortoises were permanently relocated from active airfields (all tortoises were within 100ft of runways or ALZs). 4 tortoises were permanently relocated from construction sites. Additionally, 581 Incidental Take permit tortoises were relocated to Eglin during the reporting period. Population monitoring documented new burrows in areas of existing tortoise populations and surveys were conducted in new areas where the status was previously unknown.

In FY17, MacDill AFB was not able to accomplish prescribed burning due to mission and operational constraints. Focusing on mechanical clearing may be necessary if prescribed fire options are limited. Invasive species control programs continue to maintain and improve gopher tortoise habitat. 2,300 acres were treated on base, including all of the 550 acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat by using both chemical and mechanical control methods.

At Moody AFB, projects included: seasonal monitoring and surveys of known gopher tortoise populations; disease surveillance for Upper Respiratory Tract Disease; gopher tortoise movement studies in relation to military activities; gopher tortoise mark‐recapture population demography study; habitat improvement/restoration through burning, chemical release, and mechanical means.

April 2018 21 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

At Tyndall AFB, 4,781 acres were managed by prescribed burning and invasive species treatment. Management activities included: frequent prescribed fire, predator control, invasive species management, and longleaf pine restoration efforts.

i. Total estimated gopher tortoise habitat acres managed on “owned or managed lands” or “other lands” for reporting agency/organization.

Table 2. Land Management (numbers reflect acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat) *Total Acres acres managed restored or Acres of (e.g., maintained Acres burned Acres burned - invasive mechanical, Report as GT - growing dormant species longleaf year habitat season (%) season (%) treated planting) Owned or managed lands 21,945 4,000 (45%) 4,946 (55%) 7,430 Unk. 2009 **Other lands Owned or managed lands 147,466 34,946 (26%) 100,346 (74%) 2,506 9,668 2010 **Other lands Owned or managed lands 113,654 31,151 (31%) 68,124 (69%) 2,056 14,423 2011 **Other lands 10 10 Owned or managed lands 124,219 35,669 (32%) 76,703 (67%) 3,470 11,551 2012 **Other lands Owned or managed lands 128,738 53,234 (46%) 63,368 (54%) 3,578 11,179 2013 **Other lands Owned or managed lands 129,294 39,186 (34%) 75,564 (66%) 3,076 11,468 2014 **Other lands Owned or managed lands 128,529 59,664 (50%) 58,583 (50%) 5,378 8,269 2015 **Other lands Owned or

managed lands 106,746 46,406 (45%) 56,176 (55%) 2,542 3,256 2016 **Other lands Owned or managed lands 96,297 53,498 (62%) 33,276 (38%) 3,029 6,491 2017 **Other lands *The Total acres restored or maintained as GT habitat should be the sum of the succeeding 4 columns. **Other gopher tortoise habitat/lands can include ANY lands regardless of ownership, protection level, or agreement.

April 2018 22 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

MARINES

a) How much potential gopher tortoise habitat does the signatory agency directly own or manage?

i. Total estimated acreage of protected gopher tortoise habitat (either by public ownership, by easement, or covered under a management plan that provides for the conservation of the gopher tortoise)

2017 1,200 NA NA

b) Provide a short narrative regarding the type of management activities that were completed on the signatory’s lands or other lands during the year, including any challenges or successes.

MCLB Albany’s forest management strategy during the reporting period included removal of tornado debris (salvage thinning, piling and burning), prescribed burning (138 acres), and mechanical and chemical midstory and invasive species control (100 acres). Timber thinning operations, invasive species control, and growing season burns on the eastern portion of the installation were delayed as a result of the tornado recovery process. The tornado recovery encompassed the majority of Natural Resources effort from January-July of the reporting period. Staff efforts included direct oversight of salvage loggers (350 acres) and debris removal (600 acres) contractors and assistance with these activities. Additionally, MCLB Albany’s Natural Resources staff was reduced to two individuals as a result of a retirement.

MCAS Beaufort’s management actions at the expanded Townsend Bombing Range in Georgia (25,000+ additional acres) will be captured in future reports as more information is gathered and the land becomes more fully managed within the strategies of the INRMP.

i. Total estimated gopher tortoise habitat acres managed on “owned or managed lands” or “other lands” for reporting agency/organization.

Table 2. Land Management (numbers reflect acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat)

April 2018 23 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Acres managed *Total acres Acres Acres Acres of (e.g., restored or burned - burned - invasive mechanical, Report maintained as growing dormant species longleaf year GT habitat season (%) season (%) treated planting) Owned or managed lands 1,200 264 267 200 0 2016 **Other lands Owned or managed lands 1,200 0 138 50 0 2017 **Other lands *The Total acres restored or maintained as GT habitat should be the sum of the preceding 4 columns. **Other gopher tortoise habitat/lands can include ANY lands regardless of ownership, protection level, or agreement

USFS

a) How much potential gopher tortoise habitat does the signatory agency directly own or manage?

i. Total estimated acreage of protected gopher tortoise habitat (either by public ownership, by easement, or covered under a management plan that provides for the conservation of the gopher tortoise)

2009 60,000

2010 60,000

2011 60,000

2012 221,448

2013 221,448

2014 221,448

April 2018 24 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

2015 221,448

2016 221,531

2017 221,625

b) Provide a short narrative regarding the type of management activities that were completed on the signatory’s lands or other lands during the year, including any challenges or successes.

Management activities conducted in Alabama and Florida during FY17 for the restoration and maintenance of native fire ecosystems that support gopher tortoise include: timber thinning in mature longleaf stands, timber harvest to restore native over-story species (longleaf), prescribed burning and associated activities (e.g., fire line maintenance), wildlife opening maintenance, mid-story and understory restoration using mechanical and herbicide treatments, road and fire line restoration activities, gopher tortoise surveys, non-native invasive species treatment, and educational efforts through outreach and interpretation.

i. Total estimated gopher tortoise habitat acres managed on “owned or managed lands” or “other lands” for reporting agency/organization.

April 2018 25 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Owned or

managed lands 88,010 33,778 45,939 397 7,896 2016 **Other lands Owned or managed lands 85,430 17,176 14,785 1120 52,349 2017 **Other lands *The Total acres restored or maintained as GT habitat should be the sum of the succeeding 4 columns. **Other gopher tortoise habitat/lands can include ANY lands regardless of ownership, protection level, or agreement.

USFWS

a) How much potential gopher tortoise habitat does the signatory agency directly own or manage?

i. Total estimated acreage of protected gopher tortoise habitat (either by public ownership, by easement, or covered under a management plan that provides for the conservation of the gopher tortoise)

EK: Egmont Key NWR totals 328 acres (fee title), but due to erosion, the islands is estimated to be about 250 acres currently. The entire island is gopher tortoise habitat. An inholding within Egmont Key NWR of 6.54 acres is owned by Hillsborough County and leased to the Tampa Bay Pilots Association. This area is marked as private property with no public access. It is not under a gopher tortoise management plan, but the gopher tortoises are protected. CH: On Chassahowitzka NWR, a total of 30 acres of uplands (long leaf pine) is gopher tortoise habitat surrounding the Chassahowitzka maintenance shop and is owned fee title and managed. DD: Thirty-seven acres of tropical hardwood upland habitat with known current or a history of gopher tortoise activity. All 37 acres are not optimal gopher tortoise habitat, but may still be utilized by a few surviving tortoises. OK: Okefenokee NWR has approximately 470 ac that are suitable protected gopher tortoise habitat – owned and managed by the USFWS. There is approximately 982 additional acres that are owned by the USFWS but managed by Forest Investment Associates for timber production. Protection of gopher tortoises and their burrows are emphasized each year during an annual meeting. Burrows are flagged in locations where there is active logging.

April 2018 26 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

SV: 6,117 EK: 6.5 PI: 363 EH: 3,500 MI: 88,751 LS: 4,855 LW: 2,400 EK: 260 CH: 35 2016 EH: 1,500 n/a HS: 315 AC: 2,000 LWR: 1,900 DD: 37

Total: 108,533 acres Total: 3,506.5 acres

AC – 200 CH – 30 EK – 250 EH – 1,855 HS – 315 DD – 37 LWR – 1,900 EK – 6.5 LW – 2,400 EH – 4,440 2017 LS – 4,855 OK – 982

MI – 88,751 TOTAL = 4,446.5 PI – 250 SM – 10,928 SV – 6,117 OK – 470

TOTAL = 118,358

b) Provide a short narrative regarding the type of management activities that were completed on the signatory’s lands or other lands during the year, including any challenges or successes.

EK: 15 acres of Australian pine and Brazilian pepper were treated with herbicides by Florida Park Service staff, who cooperatively manages the island with USFWS. Australian pine and Brazilian pepper were mechanically removed (seedlings) from an additional 1.2 acres. HS: Exotic plants were treated on 5 acres of scrub habitat. Control efforts took place on refuge lands. Species controlled included Brazilian pepper, beach naupaka, rosary pea, arrow bamboo and all Type I and II Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council Exotic pant species. Controlled sea turtle nest predators including coyote across 735-acre Jupiter island tract – assumed ancillary benefits to coastal dune gopher tortoise population.

April 2018 27 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

PI: Management activities on PINWR includes mowing 22 acres for habitat maintenance. 370 acres of invasive plant species were also completed which covered the 250 acres of possible GT habitat. SV: Three annual managed public hunts, predator control by staff, and continued partnership with USDA Wildlife Services resulted in significant reductions of gopher tortoise predators. Dormant and growing season prescribed fires were utilized to enhance approximately 857 acres of occupied and unoccupied gopher tortoise habitat. Occupied gopher tortoise habitat (approximately 373 acres) includes beach dunes and scrub. Potential gopher tortoise habitat (approximately 5,744 acres) includes beach dunes, coastal grasslands, scrub, and pine flatwoods.

i. Total estimated gopher tortoise habitat acres managed on “owned or managed lands” or “other lands” for reporting agency/organization.

Table 2. Land Management (numbers reflect acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat) Acres Acres managed *Total acres burned - Acres Acres of (e.g., restored or growing burned - invasive mechanica Report maintained as season dormant species l, longleaf year GT habitat (%) season (%) treated planting) LWR: 350 LW: 100 AC: 350 LS: 4,030 AC: 114 LS: 825 EK: 6 MI: 60% EK: 6 MI: 40% CH: 35 (no EH: 1,200 (no acreage) EH: 1,200 acreage) HS: 154 SV: 4,466 Owned HS: 315 SV: 1000 LWR: 491

or LWR: 841 LW: 2

manag LW: 1,391 MI: 26 CH: 35

ed LS: 4,855 PI: 363

2016 lands MI: 10,645 SV: 10

SV: 5,476 DD: 37 Total: DD: 37 Total: 5,391 Total: 5,380 Total: (not incl. 25,151 (not incl. 2,403 MI) MI) EH 3,500 **Othe EK 6.5 EK 6.5

r lands Total: 3,506.5 Owned AC – 200 LS – 1,620 LW – 100 EK – 15 AC – 200 or CH – 30 MI – 11 LS – 127 EH – 62 CH – 30 manag EK – 16.2 SV – 10 MI – 89 HS – 5 EK – 1.2 2017 ed EH – 62 SM – 582 DD – 37 LW – 6 lands HS – 5 TOTAL = SV – 847 LWR – 350 LS – 112 DD – 37 1,641 OK – 378 LW – 2 MI – 5,285 LWR – 350 (43.6%) LS – 30 PI – 20

April 2018 28 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

LW – 108 TOTAL = MI – 39 SM – 270 LS – 1,889 2,123 PI – 230 MI – 5,424 (56.4%) TOTAL = PI – 250 TOTAL = 5,924.2 SM – 852 770 SV – 857 OK – 378

TOTAL = 10,458.2 **Othe EK – 6.5 EK – 6.5

r lands *The Total acres restored or maintained as GT habitat should be the sum of the succeeding 4 columns. **Other gopher tortoise habitat/lands can include ANY lands regardless of ownership, protection level, or agreement.

ALABAMA DCNR

a) How much potential gopher tortoise habitat does the signatory agency directly own or manage?

i. Total estimated acreage of protected gopher tortoise habitat (either by public ownership, by easement, or covered under a management plan that provides for the conservation of the gopher tortoise)

2016 19103 0

2017 20354 0 0

b) Provide a short narrative regarding the type of management activities that were completed on the signatory’s lands or other lands during the year, including any challenges or successes.

Management activities conducted during FY16 include: -Barbour WMA – conducted 324 acres growing season burns, 2229 acres dormant season burns, and treated 15 acres of invasive plant species. -Geneva WMA - conducted 200 acres dormant season burns, treated 6 acre of invasive plant species and site prepped and planted longleaf pine on 310 acres.

April 2018 29 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

-Fred T. Stimpson Sanctuary – conducted 652 acres growing season burns, 175 acres dormant season burns, and treated 20 acres of invasive plant species. -Upper State Sanctuary – treated 12 acres of invasive plant species. -Perdido River WMA – conducted 20 acres growing season burns, 457 acres dormant season burns, and treated 5 acres of invasive plant species. -Land management conducted by the SLD, Elhew Research Station personnel included 424 acres of growing season burns and approximately 20 acres of invasive plant species removal.

i. Total estimated gopher tortoise habitat acres managed on “owned or managed lands” or “other lands” for reporting agency/organization.

Owned or

managed lands 4667 2168 1200 84 1215 2016 **Other lands 4465 0 220 60 4185 Owned or managed lands 4892 1420 3041 78 353 2017 **Other lands *The Total acres restored or maintained as GT habitat should be the sum of the succeeding 4 columns. **Other gopher tortoise habitat/lands can include ANY lands regardless of ownership, protection level, or agreement.

FLORIDA FWCC

a) How much potential gopher tortoise habitat does the signatory agency directly own or manage?

A potential gopher tortoise habitat model, created by FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI), was used to gather data on where potential gopher tortoise habitat occurs on FWC-managed lands. The model was updated in 2016 by the Gopher Tortoise Conservation Program to include improved pasturelands as potential habitat. For the current reporting year (FY17), acres reported in the following table represent the current cumulative total acreage of potential gopher tortoise habitat in each category.

April 2018 30 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

i. Total estimated acreage of protected gopher tortoise habitat (either by public ownership, by easement, or covered under a management plan that provides for the conservation of the gopher tortoise)

2009 n/a n/a n/a

2010 n/a n/a n/a

2011 104,485 n/a n/a

2012 150,872 n/a n/a

2013 143,784 8,740 257

2014 145,931 n/a n/a

2015 177,533 9,944 219

2016 180,960 14,021 n/a

2017 180,958 14,021 n/a

b) Provide a short narrative regarding the type of management activities that were completed on the signatory’s lands or other lands during the year, including any challenges or successes.

The FWC and other state agencies have completed prescribed burns and exotic The FWC and other state agencies have completed prescribed burns and exotic species removal across the state. The FWC’s Objective-based Vegetation Management (OBVM) system was queried to gather data on lands by management activity, i.e., prescribed burns, mechanical treatments, planting, and invasive species removal/treatments. The FY17 acreages for “other lands” in Table 2 reflect information reported by Wildland Restoration International’s Northeast and Central

April 2018 31 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Florida Ecosystem Restoration Teams in collaboration with the Alachua Conservation Trust, Alachua County, the City of Gainesville, the Florida Army National Guard, the Florida Forest Service, Florida Parks Service, The Nature Conservancy, St. John’s River Water Management District, and the FWC’s Landowner Assistance Program (LAP). For FY17, the acres of gopher tortoise habitat reported include LAP acres managed for the purposes of Conservation, Wildlife, and Forestry (19,845 acres) and acres managed via the FWC’s Gopher Tortoise Habitat Assistance Program (GTHAP; 331 acres). Data in Table 2 report estimates of acres burned during the dormant season (October-March) and growing season (April- September).

i. Total estimated gopher tortoise habitat acres managed on “owned or managed lands” or “other lands” for reporting agency/organization.

Table 2. Land Management (numbers reflect acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat) *Total Acres acres Acres managed restored or Acres burned - Acres of (e.g., maintained burned - dormant invasive mechanical, Report as GT growing season species longleaf year habitat season (%) (%) treated planting) Owned or 1,461 managed lands 6,104 4,643 2009 **Other lands 52 n/a n/a n/a n/a Owned or 15,162 managed lands 25,389 12,426 1,847 2010 **Other lands 72,318 n/a 41,221 31,097 Owned or managed lands 62,327 11,479 10,042 382 2011 **Other lands 60,031 41,421 18,610 n/a n/a Owned or managed lands 60,322 27,264 15,682 6,880 2012 **Other lands 63,580 36,241 27,339 n/a n/a Owned or managed lands 304,423 138,345 166,078 2013 **Other lands 83,918 35,377 47,793 513 Owned or managed lands 67,485 15,356 16,809 23,452 11,868 2014 **Other lands 32,929 169 136 722 Owned or 48,985 59,862 managed lands 210,877 (45%) (55%) 64,137 37,893 29,149 21,123 2015 **Other lands 53,251 (58%) (42%) 495 2,484

April 2018 32 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Owned or 55,708 55,394 managed lands 229,680 (50%) (50%) 57,072 61,506 10,317 10,005 2016 **Other lands 22,386 (51%) (49%) 481 1,583 Owned or 32,594 57,065 managed lands 217,696 (36%) (64%) 86,341 42,696 1,470 4,090 2017 **Other lands 6,130 (26%) (74%) 281 289 *The Total acres restored or maintained as GT habitat should be the sum of the succeeding 4 columns.

**Other gopher tortoise habitat/lands can include ANY lands regardless of ownership, protection level, or agreement.

GEORGIA DNR

a) How much potential gopher tortoise habitat does the signatory agency directly own or manage?

i. Total estimated acreage of protected gopher tortoise habitat (either by public ownership, by easement, or covered under a management plan that provides for the conservation of the gopher tortoise)

2009 30,889 n/a n/a

2010 31,692 n/a n/a

2011 31,716 n/a n/a

2012 31,716 n/a n/a

2013 32,840 n/a n/a

2014 39,641 n/a n/a

April 2018 33 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

2015 40,525 n/a n/a

2016 46,192 n/a n/a

2017 51,451 n/a n/a

b) Provide a short narrative regarding the type of management activities that were completed on the signatory’s lands or other lands during the year, including any challenges or successes.

i. Total estimated gopher tortoise habitat acres managed on “owned or managed lands” or “other lands” for reporting agency/organization.

Table 2. Land Management (numbers reflect acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat) *Total Acres acres Acres managed restored or Acres burned - Acres of (e.g., maintained burned - dormant invasive mechanical, Report as GT growing season species longleaf year habitat season (%) (%) treated planting) Owned or 17,865 managed lands 22,899 305 (2%) (98%) 758 3,971 2009 **Other lands 0 0 0 0 0 Owned or 14,326 managed lands 19,622 1,360 (9%) (91%) 10 3,926 10,210 (seasons not 2010 **Other lands 10,690 ? reported) 0 480 Owned or 15,487 managed lands 19,644 1,830 (11%) (89%) 417 1,910 3,333 (seasons not 2011 **Other lands 3,862 ? reported) 379 150 Owned or 11,315 managed lands 18,005 3,543 (24%) (76%) 300 2,847 5,776 (seasons not 2012 **Other lands 6,291 ? reported) 30 485 Owned or 15,601 2013 managed lands 21,781 3,189 (17%) (83%) 2,211 780

April 2018 34 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

3,314 **Other lands 7,427 4,026 (55%) (45%) 0 87 Owned or 16,048 managed lands 32,714 8,343 (34%) (66%) 1,003 7,320 1,298 2014 **Other lands 2,127 829 (39%) (61%) 0 0 Owned or 13,459 managed lands 26,162 5,725 (30%) (70%) 815 6,163 1,250 2015 **Other lands 3,752 2,502 (67%) (33%) 0 0 Owned or 14,158

managed lands 26,285 7,882 (36%) (64%) 91 4,154 2,513 2016 **Other lands 4,380 1,487 (37%) (63%) 0 380 Owned or 10,359 managed lands 24,145 9,062 (47%) (53%) 44 4,680 2017 **Other lands 640 335 (52%) 305 (48%) 0 0 *The Total acres restored or maintained as GT habitat should be the sum of the succeeding 4 columns. **Other gopher tortoise habitat/lands can include ANY lands regardless of ownership, protection level, or agreement.

NOTE: Our burn data do not break down acreages by habitat. As a result, the burn acreages given here unfortunately over-estimate tortoise habitat burned by including all habitats within burn units. However, all burn units used in these calculations contain tortoise habitat.

SOUTH CAROLINA DNR

a) How much potential gopher tortoise habitat does the signatory agency directly own or manage?

i. Total estimated acreage of protected gopher tortoise habitat (either by public ownership, by easement, or covered under a management plan that provides for the conservation of the gopher tortoise)

2012 3059

2013 3124

April 2018 35 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

2014 3124

2015 3124

2016 3124 ~450 (deed restriction)

2017 3124 ~450 (deed restriction)

b) Provide a short narrative regarding the type of management activities that were completed on the signatory’s lands or other lands during the year, including any challenges or successes.

Management activities at TSRHP included hardwood and pine reduction through logging, herbicide application (43.5 acres treated), and controlled burning (319 acres total). Also, boundary posting and gate/barricade installation occurred. Several different logging approaches were used including thinning of a longleaf plantation, fuel chipping hardwoods and potential invasive plants, and intensive cuts with leave trees marked to reduce basal area and promote herbaceous understory (184 acres total logged/thinned). Logging decks were cleaned-up via tub grinding. Custom blend of sandhills ecotype seed (6 native grasses and 23 native forbs) for ground cover restoration was purchased and will be planted this spring. We are currently logging/thinning an additional 65 acres of overgrown hardwood/pine potential tortoise habitat. Our goal is to improve and/or create around 249 additional acres of suitable gopher tortoise at TSRHP. Total acres restored to date: (Partially Restored**) 184 acres logged, 43.5 of these being treated with herbicide, Maintained with fire 319 acres total.

Management activities at AGTHP consisted of prescribed burning of approximately 400 acres (175 dormant season, 225 growing season.

i. Total estimated gopher tortoise habitat acres managed on “owned or managed lands” or “other lands” for reporting agency/organization.

TSRHP -1437 acres AGTHP -1687 acres Total= 3124 acres

Table 2. Land Management (numbers reflect acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat) Acres *Total Acres burned - Acres of Acres acres burned - dormant invasive managed Report restored or growing season species (e.g., year maintained season (%) (%) treated mechanical,

April 2018 36 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

as GT longleaf habitat planting)

Owned or managed lands 3059 337 476 245 2012 **Other lands Owned or managed lands 3124 93 487 2013 **Other lands Owned or managed lands 3124 0 395 2014 **Other lands Owned or managed lands 3124 350 613 300 2015 **Other lands Owned or

managed lands 3124 0 550 2016 **Other lands Owned or managed lands 3124 544 175 43.5 2017 **Other lands *The Total acres restored or maintained as GT habitat should be the sum of the succeeding 4 columns. **Other gopher tortoise habitat/lands can include ANY lands regardless of ownership, protection level, or agreement.

GEORGIA DOT

a) How much potential gopher tortoise habitat does the signatory agency directly own or manage?

i. Total estimated acreage of protected gopher tortoise habitat (either by public ownership, by easement, or covered under a management plan that provides for the conservation of the gopher tortoise)

2013 1492 acres 0 acres 55* acres

April 2018 37 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

2014 1492 acres 0 acres 55 acres

2015 1492 acres 0 acres 55 acres

2016 1492 acres 0 acres 55 acres

2017 1492 acres 0 acres 55 acres

a) Provide a short narrative regarding the type of management activities that were completed on the signatory’s lands or other lands during the year, including any challenges or successes.

GDOT’s goal is to avoid gopher tortoises and their burrows whenever possible during proposed transportation projects. If no reasonable alternative exists, our team of ecologists works with project designers to minimize potential impacts and mitigate appropriately by including special provisions in construction contracts.

Additionally, GDOT coordinates with GA Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) for management of property containing gopher tortoise habitat. Land management efforts include prescribed burns, treatment of invasive species and longleaf planting on sandhill sites.

i. Total estimated gopher tortoise habitat acres managed on “owned or managed lands” or “other lands” for reporting agency/organization.

April 2018 38 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Table 2. Land Management (numbers reflect acres of potential gopher tortoisehabitat) *Total Acres Acres acres Acres Acres of managed burned - Report restored or burned - invasive (e.g., dormant year maintained growing species mechanical, season as GT season (%) treated longleaf (%) habitat planting) Owned or Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown None 2013 managed lands **Other lands Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown None Owned or 200 acres 550 acres 750 acres 700 acres None 2014 managed lands (27%) (73%) **Other lands None None None None None Owned or 500 acres 200 acres 700 acres Unknown 180 acres^ 2015 managed lands (71%) (29%) **Other lands None None None None None 1050 Owned or 1050 acres None acres Unknown 280 acres^ managed lands 2016 (100%) **Other lands None None None None None Owned or 280 acres 280 acres None Unknown None 2017 managed lands (27%) **Other lands None None None None None * The Total acres restored or maintained as GT habitat should be the sum of the preceding 4 columns. **Other gopher tortoise habitat/lands can include ANY lands regardless of ownership, protection level, or agreement. ^ Acres managed were also burned, so figures from this column are not included in the sum of the left-most column: “Total acres restored or maintained as GT habitat.”

NOTE: All burns on GDOT properties were carried out by GADNR. These acreages are included within the GADNR data as well. The Department’s burn data do not break down acreages by habitat. As a result, the burn acreages given here may over-estimate tortoise habitat burned by including all habitats within burn units. However, all burn units used in these calculations contain tortoise habitat.

POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS

No report received.

AMERICAN FOREST FOUNDATION

No report received.

April 2018 39 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

LONGLEAF ALLIANCE

a) How much potential gopher tortoise habitat does the signatory agency directly own or manage?

i. Total estimated acreage of protected gopher tortoise habitat (either by public ownership, by easement, or covered under a management plan that provides for the conservation of the gopher tortoise)

None reported.

b) Provide a short narrative regarding the type of management activities that were completed on the signatory’s lands or other lands during the year, including any challenges or successes.

i. Total estimated gopher tortoise habitat acres managed on “owned or managed lands” or “other lands” for reporting agency/organization.

Table 2. Land Management (numbers reflect acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat) Acres Acres managed *Total acres Acres burned - Acres of (e.g., restored or burned - dormant invasive mechanical, Report maintained as growing season species longleaf year GT habitat season (%) (%) treated planting) Owned or managed lands 2017 **Other lands 40,485 12,187 27,379 363 556

JONES CENTER

a) How much potential gopher tortoise habitat does the signatory agency directly own or manage?

i. Total estimated acreage of protected gopher tortoise habitat (either by public ownership, by easement, or covered under a management plan that provides for the conservation of the gopher tortoise) 16,976 ac (6870ha)

2009 N/A 16,976 ac (6870 ha) N/A

April 2018 40 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

N/A N/A 2010 16,976 ac (6870 ha)

N/A N/A 2011 16,976 ac (6870 ha)

N/A N/A 2012 16,976 ac (6870 ha)

N/A N/A 2013 16,976 ac (6870 ha)

N/A N/A 2014 16,976 ac (6870 ha)

N/A N/A 2015 16,976 ac (6870 ha)

N/A N/A 2016 16,976 ac (6870 ha)

N/A N/A 2017 16,976 ac (6870 ha)

b) Provide a short narrative regarding the type of management activities that were completed on the signatory’s lands or other lands during the year, including any challenges or successes.

12962.6 acres of habitat were managed with prescribed fire in 2017.

i. Total estimated gopher tortoise habitat acres managed on “owned or managed lands” or “other lands” for reporting agency/organization.

April 2018 41 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Owned or 786 ac 11,579 ac N/A managed lands 12,425 ac (6%) (94%) 60 ac 2014 **Other lands N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2528.7 ac 10382.0 N/A Owned or 12,974.4 ac (19.6%) ac managed lands (80.4%) 63.6 2015 **Other lands N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 10170.8 Owned or †2920.4 ac ac N/A managed lands 13,091.2 ac (22.3%) (77.7%) N/A 2016 **Other lands N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 10127.3 Owned or 2797.3 ac ac N/A N/A managed lands 12,962.6 ac (22%) (78%) 2017 **Other lands N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A *The Total acres restored or maintained as GT habitat should be the sum of the succeeding 4 columns. **Other gopher tortoise habitat/lands can include ANY lands regardless of ownership, protection level, or agreement. †Note: Growing season burns occurred from May-September; dormant season burns occurred from January-April.

ALABAMA FORESTRY COMMISSION

a) How much potential gopher tortoise habitat does the signatory agency directly own or manage?

i. Total estimated acreage of protected gopher tortoise habitat (either by public ownership, by easement, or covered under a management plan that provides for the conservation of the gopher tortoise)

AFC actively manages a total of 9,363 acres of state land. Geneva State Forest and Little River State Forest are 7,200 and 2,163 acres, respectively. There are 741 acres of state forest land that are managed less intensively.

2014 9,363 N/A 741

2015 9,363 N/A 741

April 2018 42 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

2016 9,363 N/A 741

2017 9,363 N/A 741

b) Provide a short narrative regarding the type of management activities that were completed on the signatory’s lands or other lands during the year, including any challenges or successes.

Geneva State Forest: AFC personnel prescribe burned approximately 1,350 acres on Geneva State Forest during the reporting period. Growing season burns accounted for about 600 acres and the remaining 750 were dormant season. Twenty-two miles of fire lanes were installed or refreshed. Four and one-half acres of cogongrass were treated and eradicated. One landowner tour focusing on gopher tortoise habitat was conducted. The Geneva County schools participated in Classroom in the Forest, one of the presentations was on GTs and their burrows. Two hundred forty-two 5th grade children attended the two-day event.

Little River State Forest: AFC personnel installed and/or refreshed 2.25 miles of fire lanes. Forty acres was prescribed burned during the dormant season.

Private Landowner Report: It is important to capture and convey the accomplishments that are being achieved on private lands. Not all the accomplishments completed on private lands were aimed directly at GT habitat management, however indirectly they could improve the habitat for the tortoise. During the reporting period, AFC personnel conducted 193 prescribed burns for a total of 13,741 acres. This acreage includes dormant and growing season understory and site preparation burns. AFC personnel wrote 85 Stewardship Management Plans for 11,192 acres. AFC personnel wrote a variety of stand management recommendations (SMRs) for landowners; these included recommendations on thinning, harvesting, planting pines, prescribed burning, and timber stand improvement. AFC also performs compliance/practice checks for cost share and financial assistance programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program and Environmental Quality Incentives Program. The combined total acreage of land that AFC either performed compliance/practice checks on or wrote SMRs for was 60,418 acres. Invasive species detection, control recommendations, and control verification are also provided to landowners. AFC detected, made control recommendations, and verified eradication of invasive species on 13,396 acres.

i. Total estimated gopher tortoise habitat acres managed on “owned or managed lands” or “other lands” for reporting agency/organization

Table 2. Land Management (numbers reflect acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat)

April 2018 43 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

*Total Acres acres Acres managed restored or Acres burned - Acres of (e.g., maintained burned - dormant invasive mechanical, Report as GT growing season species longleaf year habitat season (%) (%) treated planting) Owned or managed lands 2014 **Other lands 600 Owned or 110 – site Cogongrass managed lands 781.5 prep 60 11.5 ac. 110 2015 **Other lands 15,651.51 N/A 14,353.61 372.2 925.7 1580 Owned or 240 – site Cogongrass 200 – LLP managed lands 2,362.1 prep 540 12.1 ac. 30 - Slash 2016 **Other lands 14,972.94 14,350.17*** 395.46 227.31 Owned or managed lands 1,395 600 790 5 0 2017 **Other lands 15,545 13,741 1,072*** 732 *The Total acres restored or maintained as GT habitat should be the sum of the preceding 4 columns. **Other gopher tortoise habitat/lands can include ANY lands regardless of ownership, protection level, or agreement. *** 275 acres of cogongrass, 23 acres of kudzu, 774 acres of invasive control verified through CRP

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Not reported.

LAND CONSERVATION

ARMY

No report received.

AIR FORCE

i) Describe the type of acquisitions, easements and other conservation protection of gopher tortoise habitat.

A new 500-acre private ranch conservation easement was established adjacent to Avon Park AFR. Partners included DoD Readiness and Environmental

April 2018 44 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Protection Integration Program (REPI), The Nature Conservancy, and Polk County Florida.

Table 3. New acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat protected

Other lands Private lands Public Military protected by Report under permanent conservation installation lands short-term year conservation lands (buffer areas) easement, MOU, easement or similar

2009 101

2010

2011 50

2012 39

100 (Miller 2013 21,000 Easement)

1,706 (Shoal 2014 River Buffer REPI)

2015

2016

500 (Private 2017 Ranch REPI)

ii) Total acres of land/habitat loss due to development activities or habitat degradation (identify cause of loss and if permanent/temporary). If data is not available, enter “unknown”.

45th SW: Construction of a new Blue Origin Launch and Test Complex resulted in the permanent removal of 70 acres of habitat. Construction of SpaceX new landing pad at Landing Zone 1 resulted in the permanent removal of 15 acres of habitat. Construction of Munitions Storage Area egress road resulted in the permanent removal of approximately 5 acres.

April 2018 45 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Table 4. Acres of land/ gopher tortoise habitat lost that is under the direct ownership of the signatory agency.

Report Permanent or Acres lost Cause year Temporary

2009 610 Construction Permanent

334 Permanent, 114 Construction 2010 448 Temporary

2011 673 Construction Permanent

559 Permanent, 75 2012 Construction 634 Temporary

59 Permanent, 51 2013 Construction 110 Temporary

54 Permanent, 5 2014 Construction, Mowing 59 Temporary

22 Permanent, 15 2015 Construction 37 Temporary

2016 336 Construction, Site Restoration Temporary

2017 90 Construction Permanent

MARINES

i) Describe the type of acquisitions, easements and other conservation protection of gopher tortoise habitat.

Table 3. New acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat protected

Other lands Private lands Public Military protected by Report under permanent conservation installation lands short-term year conservation lands (buffer areas) easement, MOU, easement or similar

2016 NA NA NA NA

April 2018 46 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

2017 NA NA NA NA

i) Total acres of land/habitat loss due to development activities or habitat degradation (identify cause of loss and if permanent/temporary). If data is not available, enter “unknown”.

Table 4. Acres of land/ gopher tortoise habitat lost that is under the direct ownership of the signatory agency.

Report Permanent or Acres lost Cause year Temporary

2016

NA NA NA

USFS

i) Describe the type of acquisitions, easements and other conservation protection of gopher tortoise habitat.

Table 3. New acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat protected

2014 0 0 0 0

2015 0 0 0 0

2016 83 0 0 0

April 2018 47 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

2017 94*

*Conecuh National Forest purchased 2 tracts totaling 94 acres during FY17.

ii) Total acres of land/habitat loss due to development activities or habitat degradation (identify cause of loss and if permanent/temporary). If data is not available, enter “unknown”.

Table 4. Acres of land/ gopher tortoise habitat lost that is under the direct ownership of the signatory agency.

Report Permanent or Acres lost Cause year Temporary

2016 0

2017 0 N/A N/A

USFWS

i) Describe the type of acquisitions, easements and other conservation protection of gopher tortoise habitat.

Table 3. New acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat protected

Other lands Private lands Public Military protected by Report under permanent conservation installation lands short-term year conservation lands (buffer areas) easement, MOU, easement or similar

2016 HS – 40 ac

2017 EH – 351 EH – 223

ii) Total acres of land/habitat loss due to development activities or habitat degradation (identify cause of loss and if permanent/temporary). If data is not available, enter “unknown”.

April 2018 48 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

EK: Egmont Key has suffered severe erosion along the north, west, and southeast beaches due to hurricanes, high winds, shipping traffic, and sea level rise in 2017. The island was 328 acres (fee title), but now may be 250 acres (island was 550 acres in 1899). While a beach renourishment project deposited approximately 450,000 cubic years of sand from November 2014-March 2015, much of that sand has been lost due to Tropical Storm Colin in June 2016, Hurricane Hermine in September 2016, and Hurricane Irma in September 2017.

Table 4. Acres of land/ gopher tortoise habitat lost that is under the direct ownership of the signatory agency.

Report Permanent or Acres lost Cause year Temporary

EK – Dozens; EK – Erosion due to storm tides and Unknown 2016 actual sea level rise unknown EK: Dozens; EK: erosion due to storm tides, high waves EK: Hopefully actual unknown from wind, and sea level rise. temporary, but historic loss permanent. PI: Acres not “lost”; habitat was re- Hurricane Irma hit the 2017 PI: 113 assessed and fewer acres determined to be west coast of Florida suitable September 11, 2017.

PI: Permanent

ALABAMA DCNR

i) Describe the type of acquisitions, easements and other conservation protection of gopher tortoise habitat.

Table 3. New acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat protected

2016 5725 Geneva SF 653.3

April 2018 49 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

2017 ------2892.8

ii) Total acres of land/habitat loss due to development activities or habitat degradation (identify cause of loss and if permanent/temporary). If data is not available, enter “unknown”.

Unknown.

Table 4. Acres of land/ gopher tortoise habitat lost that is under the direct ownership of the signatory agency.

Report Permanent or Acres lost Cause year Temporary

No acres lost 2014 during this reporting period. No acres lost 2015 during this reporting period. No acres lost 2016 during this reporting period.

2017 unknown

FLORIDA FWCC

i) Describe the type of acquisitions, easements and other conservation protection of gopher tortoise habitat.

Three newly permitted privately-owned recipient sites were placed under perpetual conservation easements that cumulatively contain 2,015.71 acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat. A previously permitted and protected privately- owned recipient site has added a second phase and placed an additional 221.24 acres of gopher tortoise habitat under conservation easement during FY17. An MOA was entered with a county government that designated a new gopher tortoise recipient site totaling 59 acres of gopher tortoise habitat.

Table 3. New acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat protected

April 2018 50 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Private lands under Military Other lands protected Public Report permanent installation by short-term conservation year conservation lands (buffer easement, MOU, or lands easement areas) similar

2009 n/a 719 n/a n/a

2010 n/a 1,214 n/a n/a

2011 n/a 1,115 n/a n/a

2012 n/a 1,789 n/a n/a

2013 n/a 5,595 20,800 1,631

2014 n/a 3,370 n/a n/a

2015 52 2,745 n/a n/a

2016 n/a 417.43 n/a 2,443

2017 2,619 2,237 n/a 59

ii) Total acres of land/habitat loss due to development activities or habitat degradation (identify cause of loss and if permanent/temporary). If data is not available, enter “unknown”.

Table 4. Acres of land/ gopher tortoise habitat lost that is under the direct ownership of the signatory agency.

Report Permanent or Acres lost Cause year Temporary

2009 Unknown n/a n/a

2010 Unknown n/a n/a

April 2018 51 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

2011 Unknown n/a n/a

2012 Unknown n/a n/a

2013 Unknown n/a n/a

2014 Unknown n/a n/a

FWC is developing a public shooting park and hunter education center at 2015 82.7 Triple N Ranch Wildlife Management Permanent Area, resulting in a loss of gopher tortoise habitat

2016 n/a n/a n/a

Tenoroc Wildlife Management Area 2017 11.53 Permanent Shooting Range Clubhouse facilities

GEORGIA DNR

i) Describe the type of acquisitions, easements and other conservation protection of gopher tortoise habitat.

5,931 acres of gopher tortoise habitat was protected through the acquisition of what is now known as Alligator Creek WMA, and additions to Sansavilla WMA, Altamaha WMA, Flat Tub WMA, Ohoopee Dunes WMA, and Sandhills WMA.

Table 3. New acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat protected

Other lands Private lands Public Military protected by Report under permanent conservation installation lands short-term year conservation lands (buffer areas) easement, MOU, easement or similar

2009 600 3,172 n/a 0

2010 803 4,756 n/a 0

2011 24 1,662 n/a 0

April 2018 52 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

2012 0 2,507 n/a 0

2013 865 5,944 n/a 0

2014 4,152 1,480 n/a 0

2015 884 841 n/a 0

2016 5,563 0 n/a 0

2017 5,931 0 0 0

ii) Total acres of land/habitat loss due to development activities or habitat degradation (identify cause of loss and if permanent/temporary). If data is not available, enter “unknown”.

Table 4. Acres of land/ gopher tortoise habitat lost that is under the direct ownership of the signatory agency.

None

SOUTH CAROLINA DNR

i) Describe the type of acquisitions, easements and other conservation protection of gopher tortoise habitat.

Table 3. New acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat protected

Other lands Private lands Public Military protected by Report under permanent conservation installation lands short-term year conservation lands (buffer areas) easement, MOU, easement or similar Unknown – one easement on old MWV property 450 acres – 2016 “Whitener Tract” “Slater” 140 acres may still be under easement

April 2018 53 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

2017 0 0 0 Unknown

ii) Total acres of land/habitat loss due to development activities or habitat degradation (identify cause of loss and if permanent/temporary). If data is not available, enter “unknown”.

Solar development site in Hampton County (~1100 acres) developed as a solar facility. 10 tortoises were relocated to “Slater” prior to construction.

Table 4. Acres of land/ gopher tortoise habitat lost that is under the direct ownership of the signatory agency. None

GA DOT

i) Describe the type of acquisitions, easements and other conservation protection of gopher tortoise habitat.

Table 3. New acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat protected

2014 None None None None

2015 None None None None

2016 None None None None

2017 None None None None

ii) Total acres of land/habitat loss due to development activities or habitat degradation (identify cause of loss and if permanent/temporary). If data is not available, enter “unknown”.

April 2018 54 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Table 4. Acres of land/ gopher tortoise habitat lost that is under the direct ownership of the signatory agency.

Report Permanent or Acres lost Cause year Temporary

2013 None None None

2014 None None None

2015 None None None

2016 None None None

2017 None None None

POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS

No report received.

AMERICAN FOREST FOUNDATION

No report received.

LONLEAF ALLIANCE

i) Describe the type of acquisitions, easements and other conservation protection of gopher tortoise habitat.

None reported.

ii) Total acres of land/habitat loss due to development activities or habitat degradation (identify cause of loss and if permanent/temporary). If data is not available, enter “unknown”.

None reported.

JONES CENTER

April 2018 55 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

i) Describe the type of acquisitions, easements and other conservation protection of gopher tortoise habitat. N/A

Table 3. New acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat protected

N/A

ii) Total acres of land/habitat loss due to development activities or habitat degradation (identify cause of loss and if permanent/temporary). If data is not available, enter “unknown”.

N/A

Table 4. Acres of land/ gopher tortoise habitat lost that is under the direct ownership of the signatory agency.

Report Permanent or Acres lost Cause year Temporary

2009 0 N/A N/A

2010 0 N/A N/A

2011 0 N/A N/A

2012 0 N/A N/A

2013 0 N/A N/A

2014 0 N/A N/A

2015 0 N/A N/A

2016 0 N/A N/A

2017 0 N/A N/A

ALABAMA FORESTRY COMMISSION

April 2018 56 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

i) Describe the type of acquisitions, easements and other conservation protection of gopher tortoise habitat.

Table 3. New acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat protected

N/A

ii) Total acres of land/habitat loss due to development activities or habitat degradation (identify cause of loss and if permanent/temporary). If data is not available, enter “unknown”.

Table 4. Acres of land/ gopher tortoise habitat lost that is under the direct ownership of the signatory agency.

None

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Not reported.

GOPHER TORTOISE POPULATION MONITORING

ARMY

No report received

NAVY

Table 5. Population survey data (if survey methodology was not Line Transect Distance Sampling, indicate what methodology was used)

Trend Methodolog Property Repor Acres Population (increase, y Survey date surveyed t year surveyed estimate decrease, (if not (name) juveniles, etc.) LTDS) All Year All Navy 5500 428 Found 31 new 100% (ongoing at Installations burrows survey any or all of , either in (estimated method. 2009 the five whole or from installations part. subsample ) )

April 2018 57 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

All Year All Navy 8400 512 Found 77 new 100% (ongoing at Installations burrows, survey any or all of , either in (based on Unable to scope method; survey 2010 the five whole or sub adult and subsample installations part. results) juvenile burrow ) burrows scoping.

All Year All Navy 8400 512 Burrow Based on (ongoing at Installations cameras 2010 survey any or all of , either in (no new purchased 2011 the five whole or info this installations part. year) )

All Year All Navy 8400 480 Monitoring and 100% (ongoing at Installations, marking of GT survey any or all of either in (burrow burrows method; 2012 the five whole or part. cameras subsample installations used) burrow ) scoping.

All Year All Navy 17,963 500 Slight increase; 100% (ongoing at Installations, (included camera scoping survey of all any or all of either in non-habitat (estimated is beginning to GT habitats 2013 the five whole or part. areas; slight validate prior discovered. installations urban increase year estimates ) areas.) from 2012)

All Year All Navy 5,532 500 Steady 100% (ongoing at Installations monitoring any or all of , either in of all GT 2014 the five whole or habitats installations part. discovered. )

All Year All Navy 2398 590 Steady; Survey 100% (ongoing at Installations at NOLF monitoring any or all of , either in Holley was in of all GT 2015 the six whole or preparation for habitats installations part. a solar farm discovered. ) project.

All Year All Navy 3500 500 Steady; slight 100% (ongoing at Installations increase at monitoring 2016 any or all of , either in Mayport; of all GT the six whole or decrease at habitats part. NAS Pensacola discovered; likely due to

April 2018 58 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

installations survey camera ) intensity logs. reduction in 2016.

All Year All Navy 6654 721 Juvenile 100% (ongoing at Installations burrows on the monitoring any or all of , either in increase. of all GT the six whole or Increase of habitats installations part. burrows at discovered; ) NAS Whiting 100% of Field. burrows Decrease in scoped at 2017 adult burrows NAS due to Whiting hurricanes at Field. NAS Jacksonville and NS Mayport. Steady at other sites.

AIRFORCE

April 2018 59 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Table 5. Population survey data (if survey methodology was not Line Transect Distance Sampling, indicate what methodology was used) Viable, Trend Property Methodology primary or Report Acres Population (increase, Survey date surveyed (if not secondary year surveyed estimate decrease, (name) LTDS) support juveniles, etc.) population? 2016 Survey APAFR – 6,368 ac 1,525 N/A. LTDS The conducted scrub habitat adult Monitoring has population 2/11/2015 tortoises not been going at APAFR is – 5/6/2015. (CV on long enough likely a Final data 15.92%); to detect viable analyses 1,847 trends. population, completed subadult Juvenile especially in May and adult tortoises (≤ 14 when 2016. tortoises cm CL) considering (CV comprised only the large 13.22%) 2% of tortoises numbers of found in the tortoises survey. inhabiting However, this adjacent is likely an non-scrub underestimate habitats because small (e.g., juvenile-sized flatwoods, burrows have plantations). much lower detection probability.

April 2018 60 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Monitoring APAFR – 6 Total Mean of Two of the six Burrow The conducted subpopulations 670 ac 0.96 non- sites were surveys population 6/24/2015 inhabiting a (range collapsed surveyed (width, at APAFR is – 9/1/2016 representative 62-143 burrows previously in activity likely a mix of scrub, ac across per ac 2011. At the status) viable flatwoods, and the 6 (range Kissimmee 7 along 5-m- population, sandhill sites) 0.67-1.34 South scrub spaced especially habitats burrows site, the transects. when per ac); abundance of Most non- considering Mean non-collapsed collapsed the large proportion burrows did burrows numbers of of non- not change were also tortoises collapsed between 2011 scoped, but inhabiting burrows and 2015, but in many adjacent that were there were cases non-scrub juvenile- relatively more occupancy habitats 2016 sized subadult-sized could not be (e.g., (mean and relatively determined flatwoods, 0.08, range fewer juvenile- due to plantations). 0.01-0.20), sized burrows flooding subadult- in 2015. At the (high water sized Smith 4 table). (mean flatwoods site, 0.15, range the density of 0.06-0.38), non-collapsed and adult- burrows sized declined by (mean 33% and the 0.77, range burrow size 0.48-0.90) distribution was even more skewed toward adult sizes.

October Eglin AFB 41 5.60 Decrease Area- secondary 2015 (Duck Pond constrained 2016 Lt) Total Transect

October Eglin AFB 41 0.00 Decrease Area- secondary 2015 (Duck Pond constrained 2016 Paired #2) Total Transect

May/June Eglin AFB 35 6.72 Decrease Area- secondary (Rogue Creek constrained 2016 LT) Total Transect

April 2018 61 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

May/June Eglin AFB 15 6.16 Decrease Area- secondary (McQuage constrained 2016 Branch LT) Total Transect

November Eglin AFB 26 23.52 n/a Area- secondary (East Bay LT) constrained 2016 Total Transect

May/June Eglin AFB 12 3.92 n/a Area- secondary B70C1 – constrained 2016 Legacy Study Total Transect

May/June Eglin AFB 12.1 5.60 n/a Area- secondary B70C2 – constrained 2016 Legacy Study Total Transect

May/June Eglin AFB 13.9 8.40 n/a Area- secondary B70E – Legacy constrained 2016 Study Total Transect

May/June Eglin AFB 16.5 3.36 n/a Area- secondary C64 – Legacy constrained 2016 Study Total Transect

May/June Eglin AFB 10.4 25.2 n/a Area- Primary C61A – Legacy constrained 2016 Study Total Transect

May/June Eglin AFB 10.6 8.40 n/a Area- secondary C72 – Legacy constrained 2016 Study Total Transect

May/June Eglin AFB 10.0 5.60 n/a Area- secondary C62N – Legacy constrained 2016 Study Total Transect

May/June Eglin AFB 10.4 9.52 n/a Area- secondary C62S – Legacy constrained 2016 Study Total Transect

April 2018 62 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

May/June Eglin AFB 10.5 7.28 n/a Area- Primary Pine Log – constrained 2016 Legacy Study Total Transect

May/June Eglin AFB 9.9 9.52 n/a Area- Primary 201E – Legacy constrained 2016 Study Total Transect

Mar – Oct Moody AFB- 50 30 Stable Pedestrian Primary Main Base survey. No 2016 Gopher scoping of Tortoise burrows Colonies Summer Tyndall AFB, 530 229 Active Increasing, 100% of 2016 Florida burrows juveniles known 2016 burrows were inspected

Area- Eglin AFB constrained 2017 October 2016 40.8 5.60 Decrease secondary (Duck Pond Lt) Total Transect

Area- secondary Eglin AFB constrained 2017 40.8 0.00 Decrease October 2016 (Duck Pond Total Paired #2) Transect

Eglin AFB Area- secondary constrained 2017 September (Turtle Creek 48.7 8.40 Decrease Total 2017 Reintroduction Site) Transect Area- Eglin AFB secondary constrained 2017 September (Turtle Creek 48.7 0.00 n/a Total 2017 Reintroduction Site Paired #1) Transect Area- secondary constrained 2017 September Eglin AFB B75 25.7 12.9 n/a 2017 – Legacy Study Total Transect

Area- secondary Eglin AFB Bull September constrained 2017 Creek – Legacy 24.7 12.9 n/a 2017 Total Study Transect

April 2018 63 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Area- secondary Eglin AFB constrained September 2017 Middle Creek – 34.6 5.6 n/a 2017 Total Legacy Study Transect

Pedestrian Moody AFB Stable to slight Survey. No 2017 Mar – Sep Main Base 50 30 tortoises Primary 2017 Gopher Tortoise decrease scoping of Colonies burrows. Slightly Total Count 2017 3,648 202 Increasing, Spring 2017 Tyndall AFB and LTDS juveniles

NOTE: Eglin surveys calculate a number of GT per area surveyed based on the total number of burrows and a 0.6% occupancy rate.

MARINES

Table 5. Population survey data (if survey methodology was not Line Transect Distance Sampling, indicate what methodology was used)

Viable, Trend Property Methodology primary or Report Survey Acres Population (increase, surveyed (if not secondary year date surveyed estimate decrease, (name) LTDS) support juveniles, etc.) population? Year- MCLB Direct 2016 1,200 3 Decrease No round Albany Encounter Direct 2017 Year- MCLB 1,200 1 Decrease No round Albany Encounter

USFS

Table 5. Population survey data (if survey methodology was not Line Transect Distance Sampling, indicate what methodology was used)

April 2018 64 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

1,457ha/ Munson 1.81 per ha 3,600acres 9/2014 East or2,638 First Year

2014 6,688ha/ .24 per ha First Year 16,527 9/2014 Munson or1,613 acres West

2015

2016

2017

USFWS

Table 5. Population survey data (if survey methodology was not Line Transect Distance Sampling, indicate what methodology was used)

nd 2016 Several CH 30 ~55 Stable 100% 2 support

nd 2016 Apr-Jun DD 37 38 Increase 100% 2 support

EK – NWR 80 84 burrows Stable LTDS pilot Support Oct 2016 2017

ALABAMA DCNR

Table 5. Population survey data (if survey methodology was not Line Transect Distance Sampling, indicate what methodology was used)

April 2018 65 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Property Trend (increase, Report Survey Acres Population Methodology surveyed decrease, year date surveyed estimate (if not LTDS) (name) juveniles, etc.)

2009

2010

2011

2013 Geneva State 10/14 2172.8 .271 Initial survey LTDS Forest (AFC) Evidence of Wehle Center Field 2014 724 .02 juveniles and Aug-Oct (State Lands Reconnaissance Division) eggs at burrow. Wehle Center juvenile Field 2014 725 .02 Aug-Oct (State Lands confirmed Reconnaissance Division) 2015 Conecuh NF 4/15 1213.8 .15 Initial survey LTDS (Jim’s Site)

2015 Conecuh NF 9/13 826.7 .408 Initial survey LTDS (Nellie Pond) Conecuh NF 2014 7/14 (Snake Release 985.9 .208 Initial survey LTDS Pens) Full transects not 2014 Lakepoint 9/14 74.7 -- Initial survey implemented. State Park Only Pilot Survey

Solon Dixon 2014 Forestry 10/14 1479.0 .136 Initial survey LTDS Education Center (AU) Perdido WMA 2015 6/15 (Forever Wild 3299.9 .132 Initial survey LTDS Land Trust) Full transects 2015 Gulf State 8/15 173 -- Initial survey not Park implemented.

April 2018 66 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Only Pilot Survey

Full transects not 2016 3/16 Barbour WMA 369 -- Initial survey implemented. Only Pilot Survey

2016 7/16 Geneva WMA 2441.6 .057 Initial survey LTDS

Full transects not 2016 Upper State 11/17 268.5 -- Initial survey implemented. Sanctuary Only Pilot Survey

Fred T 2017 11/17 Stimpson 1213.8 .176* Initial survey LTDS Sanctuary *The number of GT observations were extremely low and were insufficient to fit a detection function. The results from the distance analysis are presented for informational purposes.

FLORIDA FWCC

Beginning in 2014, Florida adopted and has implemented the range-wide population survey protocol as outlined in the GT CCA, Line Transect Distance Sampling (LTDS). Ten gopher tortoise surveys were completed between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017 and included 33,860 acres (13,703 hectares) of habitat. Seven of the surveys were conducted by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory, two by FWC staff, and one by St. John’s Water Management District staff. Density estimates are provided for sites surveyed prior to LTDS implementation.

Table 5. Population survey data (if survey methodology was not Line Transect Distance Sampling, indicate what methodology was used). Viable, Trend Property primary or Report Survey Acres Population (increase, surveyed Methodology secondary year date surveyed estimate decrease, (name) support juveniles, etc.) population?

2009 n/a n/a n/a n/a

April 2018 67 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Apalachee Belt transect FY 2009 - Wildlife 400 1.16 n/a (burrow 2010 Management survey) Area Big Bend WMA Belt transect FY 2009 - (Spring Creek 350 0.31 n/a (burrow 2010 Unit) survey) Belt transect FY 2009 - Jennings State Increase from 400 (Total) (burrow 2010 Forest WMA 2005 survey) Belt transect Northwest January-10 150 0.07 n/a (burrow Hackletrap (RS) survey) Belt transect January-10 The Woods (RS) 75.25 0.03 n/a (burrow survey) Belt transect Lake Louisa June-10 6.4 0.54 n/a (burrow 2010 State Park (RS) survey) Allen Brossard Belt transect August-10 Conservancy 40 0.2 n/a (burrow (RS) survey) Withlacoochee Belt transect Bay Trail July-10 53 0.2 n/a (burrow (Felburn survey) Trailhead) PSC Gopher Belt transect December- Ranch Eight 55.7 0.2 n/a (burrow 09 Mile Still Road survey) (RS) Belt transect Chinquapin January-10 31.9 1.88 n/a (burrow Farm (RS) survey) Hatchineha Belt transect February- Ranch Cons 17.6 0.9 n/a (burrow 10 Bank (RS) survey) Belt transect Chassahowitzka May-11 1,636 0.24 n/a (burrow WMA survey) Belt transect 2011 Guana River April-11 402 0.18 n/a (burrow WMA survey) Belt transect Caravelle July-11 47 0.88 n/a (burrow Ranch WMA survey) Belt transect June-11 Aucilla WMA 280 0.023 n/a (burrow survey)

April 2018 68 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Belt transect December- Hickey Creek 80 1 n/a (burrow 10 survey) Belt transect North Buck June-11 49.06 1.72 n/a (burrow Lake Sanctuary survey) Allen Broussard Belt transect January-11 Conservancy 316.4 0.22 n/a (burrow (RS) survey) Nokuse Belt transect February- Plantation 494 0.12 n/a (burrow 11 (Black Creek survey) Unit) (RS) Belt transect February- Heritage Ranch 8.95 1.34 n/a (burrow 11 (Unit 1) (RS) survey) Belt transect February- Heritage Ranch 42.28 0.85 n/a (burrow 11 (Unit 2) (RS) survey) Belt transect February- Heritage Ranch 29.26 0.34 n/a (burrow 11 (Unit 3) (RS) survey) Charlotte Belt transect County May-11 28.4 1.28 n/a (burrow (Tippecanoe survey) Unit 4) (RS) Belt transect September- Adams Ranch 273.1 0.57 n/a (burrow 11 (RS) survey) Belt transect Russakis Ranch May-11 221.56 0.15 n/a (burrow (Phase 1) (RS) survey) Tiger Lake Belt transect June-11 Wildlife Ranch 270.1 0.16 n/a (burrow (RS) survey) Nokuse Plantation Belt transect August-11 (Magnolia 250 0 n/a (burrow Creek Sandhill) survey) (RS) Allapattah Belt transect Flats Wildlife October-10 16.36 0.24 n/a (burrow Management survey) Area (RS) Belt transect 2012 June-12 Aucilla WMA 346.56 0.01 n/a (burrow survey)

April 2018 69 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Belt transect Blackwater May-12 3,000 0.04 n/a (burrow WMA survey) Belt transect Econfina Creek May-12 203 0.08 n/a (burrow WMA survey) Belt transect Jennings Stat April-12 5,820.3 0.36 n/a (burrow Forest survey) Point Belt transect July-12 Washington 387.9 0.01 n/a (burrow WMA survey) Belt transect June-12 Pine Log WMA 410.97 0.03 n/a (burrow survey) Belt transect Beville Ranch August-12 125.3 0.18 n/a (burrow Phase 2 (RS) survey) Belt transect Gator Hole January-12 20.85 0 n/a (burrow preserve (RS) survey) Belt transect November- Isle of Pine 7.05 1.49 n/a (burrow 11 Preserve (RS) survey) Viera Belt transect Wilderness April-12 41.18 0.08 n/a (burrow Park Stage 1 survey) (RS) Camp La-No- Belt transect June-12 Che Wildlife 92 0.01 n/a (burrow Cons Area (RS) survey) Belt transect November- Bowman's 62.89 0.52 n/a (burrow 11 Beach (RS) survey) Belt transect Venus Ranch January-12 200 0.08 n/a (burrow (RS) survey) Ongoing Blackwater, Belt transect FY 2012 - Econfina, Pine (burrow 2013 Log and Point survey) 2013 Washington WMAs Allen Broussard Belt transect November- Conservancy 294.83 0.083 n/a (burrow 12 Long-Term survey) Protected Site

April 2018 70 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Allen Broussard Belt transect November- Conservancy 344.28 0.101 n/a (burrow 12 Phase II survey) Belt transect November- Russakis Ranch 221.33 0.164 n/a (burrow 12 Phase II survey) West Belt transect November- Grasshopper 212.9 0.436 n/a (burrow 12 Tract Unit 1 survey) Russakis Belt transect January-13 Investments 181.64 0.102 n/a (burrow Phase I survey) Dunns Creek Belt transect September- State Park 52 0.545 n/a (burrow 13 Recipient Site survey) Triple S Land Belt transect September- Company Phase 135.6 0.876 n/a (burrow 13 I survey) Triple S Land Belt transect September- Company Phase 413.15 0.066 n/a (burrow 13 II survey) August – October Bell Ridge WEA 721.94 1,197 Baseline LTDS Viable 2014 August – October Ft. White WEA 808.04 974 Baseline LTDS Viable 2014 2014 August – Goldhead October 1,880.96 843 Baseline LTDS Viable Branch SP 2014 August – Ichetucknee October 790.18 1,269 Baseline LTDS Viable Springs SP 2014 Cayo Costa April-15 404.02 343 Baseline LTDS Viable State Park Edward Ball Wakulla Primary January-15 1,111.73 73 Baseline LTDS Springs State Support 2015 Park Goethe SF Levy December- County- Main 4,724.65 2,039 Baseline LTDS Viable 14 tract Guana River Primary March-15 941.96 219 Baseline LTDS WMA Support

April 2018 71 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Hilochee WMA February- Primary (non-Osprey 1,291.12 176 Baseline LTDS 15 Support unit) Primary October-14 Joe Budd WMA 638.03 66 Baseline LTDS Support Jonathan March-15 Dickinson State 2,794.02 870 Baseline LTDS Viable Park Lake Louisa August-15 1,853.53 1,626 Baseline LTDS Viable State Park Lake Wales Primary May-15 Ridge WEA 1766.80 243 Baseline LTDS Support Carter Creek Lake Wales March-15 Ridge WEA 454.67 296 Baseline LTDS Viable Silver Lake Little Talbot October-14 Island State 402.29 754 Baseline LTDS Viable Park Moody Branch March-15 448.50 478 Baseline LTDS Viable WEA

November- O'Leno/River 1,147.06 1,011 Baseline LTDS Viable 14 Rise State Park Perry February- Primary Oldenburg 333.10 213 Baseline LTDS 15 Support WEA St. Sebastian June-15 2,817.00 977 Baseline LTDS Viable River SP NE

Watermelon Primary October-14 329.64 184 Baseline LTDS Pond WEA Support

Wingate Creek July-15 376.09 303 Baseline LTDS Viable State Park

February- Withlacoochee 44,229.32 7,179 Baseline LTDS Viable 15 SF Citrus Apalachicola Sept 2014- NF-Munson 3,600.32 2,638 Baseline LTDS Viable Feb 2015 East Apalachicola Sept 2014- Primary NF-Munson 14,030.62 1,207 Baseline LTDS Feb 2015 Support West

April 2018 72 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Ocala NF- Primary April-15 8,974.85 1,126 Baseline LTDS Riverside Island Support Tall Timbers Secondary April Research 558.46 42 Baseline LTDS Support Station Woodfield Primary April Springs 2,132.52 231 Baseline LTDS Support Plantation Dixie Primary May 1,989.2 166 Baseline LTDS Plantation Support Merrily Plantation Secondary June 574.00 34 Baseline LTDS Conservation Support Easement Cherokee Secondary July 647.00 19 Baseline LTDS Plantation Support

El Destino Primary July 1,524.64 373 Baseline LTDS Plantation Support Foshalee Plantation Secondary August 1,907.65 45 Baseline LTDS Conservation Support Easement Horseshoe Primary October 3,422.41 469 Baseline LTDS Plantation Support

January- Bullfrog Creek 457.49 378 Baseline LTDS Viable 12 WEA Blackwater February- Primary River SF West 6,989.91 284 Baseline LTDS 12 Support Boundary Unit Withlacoochee April-7 12,761.51 8,221 Baseline LTDS Viable SF Croom

Half Moon 2016 May 2,396.60 820 Baseline LTDS Viable WMA

Big Bend WMA Primary May 721.55 208 Baseline LTDS Spring Creek Support

Big Bend WMA Primary May 341.50 238 Baseline LTDS Tide Swamp Support

Secondary June Eglin AFB 6,543.00 36 Baseline LTDS Support

April 2018 73 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Lafayette September 760.59 388 Baseline LTDS Viable Forest WEA

Suwannee September 1,135.94 831 Baseline LTDS Viable Ridge WEA

Platt Branch March- 14 762 967 Baseline LTDS Viable WEA

Julington-Durbin March-20 542 273 Baseline LTDS Viable Preserve

Twin Rivers SF- April 2,570 1189 Baseline LTDS Viable Ellaville Tract

Branan Field Secondary April 92 132 Baseline LTDS WEA Support

Honeymoon Secondary April 154 217 Baseline LTDS Island SP Support 2017 Kissimmee April Prairie Preserve 18,506 4778 Baseline LTDS Viable SP Highlands April 2,988 1,658 Baseline LTDS Viable Hammock SP

Unable to Secondary May Tate’s Hell SF 223 Baseline LTDS determine Support Econfina Creek Primary May WMA- Carter 948 96 Baseline LTDS Support Tract

May Jennings SF 7,075 3,828 Baseline LTDS Viable

GEORGIA DNR

Table 5. Population survey data (if survey methodology was not Line Transect Distance Sampling, indicate what methodology was used)

Viable, Trend Methodology primary or Report Survey Property surveyed Acres Population (increase, (if not secondary year date (name) surveyed estimate decrease, LTDS) support juveniles, etc.) population?*

2009 Various (12 sites) 7,925 1,933 n/a 3/7/2

April 2018 74 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

2010 No surveys No 2011 completed surveys

2012 Various (19 sites) 20,930 7,405 n/a 5/13/1

2013 Various (16 sites) 15,424 3,468 n/a 1/14/1

Increase at 2014 Various (14 sites) 11,335 3,808 FLWSMA; n/a 7/7/0 others

Increase at 2015 Various (12 sites) 16,157 4,275 Barrington; n/a 7/13/4 others

2016 1/2016 Lower Satilla WMA 692 471 n/a Viable

Primary 2016 1/2016- Fort 2,377 137 n/a 3/2016 Perry/Flournoy/McLaurin support

3/2016- Primary 2016 Altama WMA 764 182 n/a 5/2016 support Primary 2016 5/2016- Altamaha WMA (Cox 161 68 n/a 6/2016 Tract) support

6/2016- 2016 Alapaha River Ranch 1,068 513 n/a Viable 7/2016

7/2016- Primary 2016 Flint River WMA 210 63 n/a 8/2016 support

2016 8/2016- Bullard Creek WMA TCF 692 315 n/a Viable 9/2016 additions Primary 2017 1,890 195 Increase 9-10/2016 Ohoopee Dunes support

10- Primary 2017 Alligator Creek WMA 2,016 201 n/a 11/2016 support

General Coffee State Primary 2017 11/2016 136 97 Increase Park support

April 2018 75 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Primary 2017 141 74 Increase 12/2016 TNC R.G. Daniels support

George L. Smith State Primary 2017 12/2016 509 157 Increase Park support

Ohoopee Dune WMA 2017 1-2/2017 2209 395 n/a Viable addition

2017 2-3/2017 TCF Bulloch/Bryan 736 389 n/a Viable

2017 3-4/2017 Southern Power Wayne 529 320 n/a Viable

2017 5-7/2017 Alapaha River WMA 2946 2385 Increase Viable

Primary 2017 1473 183 n/a 7-8/2017 Hilliard Tract support

2017 8-9/2017 Sandhills WMA addition 1764 270 n/a Viable

*For years with multiple survey sites presented in one row, #/#/# refers to the number of populations defined as viable/primary support/secondary support

SOUTH CAROLINA DNR

Table 5. Population survey data (if survey methodology was not Line Transect Distance Sampling, indicate what methodology was used)

Viable, Trend Property Methodology primary or Report Acres Population (increase, Survey date surveyed (if not secondary year surveyed estimate decrease, (name) LTDS) support juveniles, etc.) population? Baseline 232 (169- 2015 ~400 survey all age LTDS Viable 11/2015 TSRHP 320) classes present

381 (263- Buckfield ~1700 553 Baseline LTDS Viable 2016 Winter/spring surveys all age ~474 141 (92- LTDS PSP Slater classes present 218)

April 2018 76 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Baseline – all 104 (79- Green ~470 sizes present LTDS PSP 2017 Winter/spring Swamp 138) 2017 ~739 Baseline – only LTDS PSP 88(64-120) SCPSA adults

GA DOT

Table 5. Population survey data (if survey methodology was not Line Transect Distance Sampling, indicate what methodology was used)

Property Trend (increase, Survey Acres Population Methodology Report year surveyed decrease, date surveyed estimate (if not LTDS) (name) juveniles, etc.) GDOT 2013 * Proposed * * * Presence/Absence Rights-of-Way GDOT 2014 * Proposed * * * Presence/Absence Rights-of-Way GDOT 2015 * Proposed * * * Presence/Absence Rights-of-Way GDOT 2016 * Proposed * * * Presence/Absence Rights-of-Way GDOT 2017 * Proposed * * * Presence/Absence Rights-of-Way * GDOT conducts numerous habitat and presence/absence surveys for gopher tortoise within proposed transportation project rights-of-way annually.

POARCH BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS

No report received.

AMERICAN FOREST FOUNDATION (AFF)

No report received.

LONGLEAF ALLIANCE

No population surveys reported.

April 2018 77 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

JONES CENTER

Table 5. Population survey data (if survey methodology was not Line Transect Distance Sampling, indicate what methodology was used)

Viable, Trend Property Methodology primary or Report Survey Acres Population (increase, surveyed (if not secondary year date surveyed estimate decrease, (name) LTDS) support juveniles, etc.) population? 4880 16,976 ac 2011 (±708; Fall Ichauway (6870 ha) Viable 14.5% CV)

N/A N/A N/A 2012 N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A 2013 N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A 2014 N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2015 N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2016 N/A N/A

2015 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

2016 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

16,976 ac 5319±722; Stable or 2017 Fall Ichauway (6870 ha) 13.6% CV increasing LTDS Viable

Table 5. Population survey data (if survey methodology was not Line Transect Distance Sampling, indicate what methodology was used)

April 2018 78 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Viable, Trend Property Methodology primary or Report Survey Acres Population (increase, surveyed (if not secondary year date surveyed estimate decrease, (name) LTDS) support juveniles, etc.) population? April, June, Geneva 2014 July 5430 ac. .271 N/A LTDS State Forest Sept.- Oct.

2015 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

2016 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

16,976 5319±722; Stable or 2017 ac (6870 LTDS Viable Fall Ichauway 13.6% CV increasing ha)

ALABAMA FORESTRY COMMISSION

Table 5. Population survey data (if survey methodology was not Line Transect Distance Sampling, indicate what methodology was used)

Viable, Property Trend (increase, primary or Report Survey Acres Population Methodology surveyed decrease, secondary year date surveyed estimate (if not LTDS) (name) juveniles, etc.) support population? Geneva April- 589 2014 State 5,430 LTDS October (0.27/ha) Forest 2015 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

2016 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

2017 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Not reported.

April 2018 79 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

RELEVANT ACTIVITIES TO LISTING FACTOR B (OVERUTILIZATION FOR COMMERCIAL, RECREATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES)

ARMY

No report received.

NAVY

a) Education and outreach specifically targeting any collection activities that may incidentally or intentionally have negative impacts on either tortoises or their burrows.

i) Publications [signage, brochures];

NAS Jacksonville installed signs at burrows in the watchable wildlife area with information on the burrows, species status, and protection; signs were large enough that mowers will no longer run over burrow aprons; NS Mayport utilized brochures, signage, and newspaper articles for GT awareness

ii) Workshops and events [date, location, audience, organizer];

NAS Jacksonville Environmental continued monthly INDOC briefings to over 150 military personnel for GT identification vs aquatic turtle and GT burrow identification vs armadillo. Informative signs continue to be posted on dune crossovers for the public. Education was provided during base indoctrination briefings to new personnel that included endangered species topics at NS Mayport and NAS Pensacola.

iii) Public service broadcasts/announcements; N/A

iv) Electronic media [website, Listserv, other internet-based outreach] N/A

AIR FORCE

a) Education and outreach specifically targeting any collection activities that may incidentally or intentionally have negative impacts on either tortoises or their burrows.

i) Publications [signage, brochures];

Tyndall AFB: Brochures are made available at the Natural Resources Office and have been handed out to base housing areas, and distributed during base events. Gopher tortoise signs have been posted on roadways near burrow cluster areas.

April 2018 80 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Avon Park AFR: APAFR outdoor recreation department provides information on state and federally-listed species occurring at APAFR for recreationist awareness.

ii) Workshops and events [date, location, audience, organizer];

Tyndall AFB: Base Cops Night Out – Base housing September 2017 Spouse club social – April 2017 Elementary school outreach events- March 2017.

iii) Public service broadcasts/announcements; or

iv) Electronic media [website, Listserv, other internet-based outreach]

Moody AFB established Environmental Element Facebook Page for dissemination of environmental information, to include information on gopher tortoises, eastern indigo snakes, and other Rare, Threatened, and Endangered species.

MARINES

a) Education and outreach specifically targeting any collection activities that may incidentally or intentionally have negative impacts on either tortoises or their burrows.

i) publications [signage, brochures];

ii) Workshops and events [date, location, audience, organizer];

iii) Public service broadcasts/announcements; or

iv) Electronic media [website, Listserv, other internet-based outreach]

MCLB Albany’s Natural Resources conducts monthly Welcome Aboard briefs with incoming active duty members. Additionally, during the reporting year Natural Resources conducted three educational seminars for tenant organizations on handling wildlife encounters aboard the installation. During these training programs, gopher tortoises are a topic of discussion.

USFS

a) Education and outreach specifically targeting any collection activities that may incidentally or intentionally have negative impacts on either tortoises or their burrows.

April 2018 81 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

None

USFWS

a) Education and outreach specifically targeting any collection activities that may incidentally or intentionally have negative impacts on either tortoises or their burrows.

i) Publications [signage, brochures];

CH: The refuge visitor contact station in Crystal River has interpretive material including a brochure on the gopher tortoise council. (The visitor contact station in Crystal River has been closed since September 2, 2016 due to flooding from Hurricane Hermine.) Temporary office space is currently provided at our maintenance facility in Homosassa. We will move into a temporary office in Crystal River until the flooded office is torn down and rebuilt.

EK: The Tampa Bay tearsheet provides information that gopher tortoises may be found on Egmont Key and are protected. There is a gopher tortoise informational sign at the north end of the island and the Florida Park Service provides a gopher tortoise brochure.

ii) Workshops and events [date, location, audience, organizer];

LS: 1) Rx Fire Talk, Jan 2017, Cedar Key Library, open to Public, Refuge FMO; 2) Refuge Open House – Gopher talk and equipment demo, March 2017, On Refuge, Open to Public, USFWS Refuge Manager; 3) Rx Fire Talks (2), March 2017, July 2017 UF Campus, open to Students, Refuge FMO.

iii) Public service broadcasts/announcements; or

iv) Electronic media [website, Listserv, other internet-based outreach]

CH, EK: During the Chassahowitzka and Egmont Key gopher tortoise surveys, posts were made to the Crystal River NWR Facebook page.

ALABAMA DCNR

a) Education and outreach specifically targeting any collection activities that may incidentally or intentionally have negative impacts on either tortoises or their burrows.

i) publications [signage, brochures];

ii) Workshops and events [date, location, audience, organizer];

April 2018 82 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

iii) Public service broadcasts/announcements; or

iv) Electronic media [website, Listserv, other internet-based outreach]

The Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries gopher tortoise webpage was maintained and located at www.outdooralabama.gov and is updated as needed.

FLORIDA FWCC

a) Education and outreach specifically targeting any collection activities that may incidentally or intentionally have negative impacts on either tortoises or their burrows.

i) Publications [signage, brochures];

Over 14,400 outreach materials were distributed during this reporting period. Approximately 3,864 copies of the pamphlet A Guide to Living with Gopher Tortoises were distributed to local governments, schools, nature centers, and Florida residents. The informational poster, Got Gophers, Get Permits! has been distributed 72 times to planning departments, county and city building departments, local permitting offices, and various other local government entities. 1,142 Safe Roads for People and Gopher Tortoises placards have been distributed and are available at Florida Visitor Centers, as well as state and local parks. All FWC gopher tortoise publications are available at each of FWC’s Regional Offices or for free download at http://MyFWC.com/GopherTortoise.

Gopher tortoise conservation interns conducted multiple projects that included creating and distributing publications in FY17. In the fall of 2016, an intern created a Florida Realtor Association Information Packet to educate realtors and potential property buyers on the laws and regulations that involve gopher tortoise presence on real estate. The Realtor’s Packet included a cover letter, answers to frequently asked questions posited by Florida realtors concerning gopher tortoises, a questionnaire, and gopher tortoise educational materials. The educational materials distributed included: Before you Build, Living with Gopher Tortoises, and a Landowner’s Guide to habitat management placards, and; the Best Management Practices, Laws and Regulations, Permitting and Mitigation, and Urban Areas fact sheets. The Realtor Association Information packet was distributed to 68 separate realtor associations throughout the state of Florida.

In the summer of 2017, a gopher tortoise intern provided public land managers and wildlife rehabbers with informational packets to reduce the unauthorized release of gopher tortoises on public lands and the potential spread of Upper Respiratory Tract Disease (URTD). Seventy-two federal, state, and local public land management entities were provided this packet, which included a cover letter

April 2018 83 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

detailing the adverse impacts to gopher tortoise populations associated with unauthorized releases, and tips to prevent the spread of URTD. Other materials included were the Best Management Practices fact sheet, Safe Roads placard, landowner’s guide to habitat management, Waif fact sheet, and URTD fact sheet. Sixty-three wildlife rehabbers also received a packet, which also included the Rehabber Release guidelines and Captive Gopher Tortoise Care guidelines.

ii) Workshops and events [date, location, audience, organizer];

Utilizing staff and student interns, the Gopher Tortoise Conservation Program hosted and/or participated in 54 outreach events in FY17, including: 5 local government workshops; 3 Law Enforcement training events, and; 46 other outreach events, including the 18th annual Florida Scrub Jay Festival, the 19th annual Red Hills Horse Trials, the Outdoor Experience at the Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center, a BioBlitz at Watermelon Pond Wildlife and Environmental Area, an FWC Pet Amnesty Day, two Gopher Tortoise Day events, four 4-H events, and multiple diverse presentations.

FWC gopher tortoise presentations and/or education booths were present at a variety of events, including:

• Project Learning Tree at Crawfordville Elementary • Red Hills Fire Festival at Tall Timbers Research Station • St. Marks Stone Crab Festival • Florida Native Plant Society Sumter Chapter Outreach Presentation • FSU Environmental Service Program Presentation • Gulf/Franklin County Realtor’s Association Presentation • Earth Day Event at the Orlando Science Center • Taylor County 4-H Ag Literacy Day • Longleaf Challenge at Wallwood Scout Reservation • Girls Can Do Anything! at the Oasis Center for Women & Girls • FSU Coastal & Marine Lab Open House • San Antonio Rattlesnake Festival • St. Lucie West K-8 Science Expo

Additionally, Gopher Tortoise Conservation Program staff attended six Gopher Tortoise Day proclamation signings in various cities and counties throughout the state. Through an ongoing effort to encourage awareness and appreciation for gopher tortoises, the FWC promoted the adoption of resolutions proclaiming April 10 as Gopher Tortoise Day by local governments, non-profits, nature centers, and other entities. In FY17, seven counties and seven cities officially declared April 10 as Gopher Tortoise Day in their jurisdiction. Gopher Tortoise Conservation Program staff attended proclamation signings in the cities of Flagler Beach and North Port, as well as Alachua, Charlotte, Indian River, and Sarasota counties. Staff also participated in two Gopher Tortoise Day outreach events at the Trout Lake Nature Center in Eustis, and Hundred Acre Hollows in Brevard Co.

iii) Public service broadcasts/announcements;

April 2018 84 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

N/A

iv) Electronic media [website, Listserv, other internet-based outreach]

The FWC created several social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat) posts relating to gopher tortoise conservation, including topics such as: the importance of gopher tortoises to burrow commensals; declaring April 10th as Gopher Tortoise Day in Florida; restocking efforts at Eglin Air Force Base; painting turtles and tortoises (with 365 shares on Facebook); a law enforcement case in which a homeowner collapsed a gopher tortoise burrow, entombing a tortoise that was later excavated, and; a gopher tortoise that was shot in Venice, FL.

The FWC published press releases and a weekly agency report to announce regional workshops for local governments to help conserve gopher tortoises in Florida, to encourage Floridians to celebrate Gopher Tortoise Day on April 10, and to announce a workshop for managing forests and farms for gopher tortoises.

The FWC uses the GovDelivery Listserv to send digital communications to subscribers who wish to receive gopher tortoise information relating to local governments, volunteer programs, stakeholders, and news/general information.

GEORGIA DNR

a) Education and outreach specifically targeting any collection activities that may incidentally or intentionally have negative impacts on either tortoises or their burrows.

None

SOUTH CAROLINA DNR

a) Education and outreach specifically targeting any collection activities that may incidentally or intentionally have negative impacts on either tortoises or their burrows.

i) Publications [signage, brochures]; None to report.

ii) Workshops and events [date, location, audience, organizer];

October 2017, Gopher Tortoise Council, Edgefield, SC

iii) Public service broadcasts/announcements; None to report.

iv) Electronic media [website, Listserv, other internet-based outreach]

April 2018 85 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

-Several Facebook posts and video on SCDNR page about restocking efforts and telemetry at AGTHP. -http://www.dnr.sc.gov/news/2017/sept/sept29_tortoise.html “gopher tortoises released for study” -http://scnaturalresourcesblog.com/home/2017/6/5/home-for-wayward-tortoises-

GEORGIA DOT

None reported

POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS

No report received.

AMERICAN FOREST FOUNDATION

No report received.

LONGLEAF ALLIANCE

a) Education and outreach specifically targeting any collection activities that may incidentally or intentionally have negative impacts on either tortoises or their burrows.

i) publications [signage, brochures];

ii) Workshops and events [date, location, audience, organizer];

Longleaf Academy: Gopher Tortoise 301 - April, 2017, Andalusia, AL, Professionals and landowners.

Longleaf Academy: Longleaf 101 – May 2017, Stockton, AL - Professionals and landowners.

Longleaf Academy: Herbicides & Longleaf 201 – June 2017, Tuskegee, AL - Professionals and landowners.

Longleaf Academy: Longleaf 101 –July 2017, Guyton, GA - Professionals and landowners.

Longleaf Academy: Herbicides & Longleaf 201 – August 2017, Tallahassee, FL - Professionals and landowners.

Longleaf Academy: Understory 201 – October 2017, Andalusia, AL - Professionals and landowners.

April 2018 86 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

iii) Public service broadcasts/announcements; or

iv) Electronic media [website, Listserv, other internet-based outreach]

JONES CENTER

a) Education and outreach specifically targeting any collection activities that may incidentally or intentionally have negative impacts on either tortoises or their burrows.

N/A

ALABAMA FORESTRY COMMISSION

a) Education and outreach specifically targeting any collection activities that may incidentally or intentionally have negative impacts on either tortoises or their burrows.

N/A

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Not reported.

RELEVANT ACTIVITIES TO LISTING FACTOR C (DISEASE OR PREDATION)

ARMY

No report received.

NAVY

a) Disease and die-offs (date, property/location, cause if known, number of deaths)

A juvenile tortoise was found dead on the security perimeter road at NSB King’s Bay and is believed to have been hit by a car.

b) Disease screening efforts; N/A

c) Predator control:

Protection of GT’s and GT habitat was provided by removing 13 feral hogs, 4 raccoons, 2 opossums, 1 bobcat, 1 grey fox, 1 red fox, 2 coyotes, 26 armadillos, and

April 2018 87 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

1 feral cat at NSB King’s Bay. Coyote & hog direct lethal control, and other predator removals / relocations continued in GT habitats resulting in 11 hogs and 3 coyotes from OLF Whitehouse and 3 coyotes from NAS Jacksonville. NAS Pensacola removed two coyotes.

AIR FORCE

a) Disease and die-offs (date, property/location, cause if known, number of deaths)

At Eglin AFB in July 2017, one (1) carapace was found within enclosure of internal relocation site (F-34). Likely canine predation. On June 2017, two (2) carapaces were found in Incidental Take Permit tortoise translocation site (H-26). Unknown cause of death.

b) Disease screening efforts

Moody AFB continued URTD screening in gopher tortoise colonies in cooperation with Valdosta State University. Avon Park AFR accomplished cursory health screening for URTD for all tortoises encountered. At Eglin AFB, all relocated tortoises were given cursory health screening for URTD.

c) Predator control

Avon Park AFR removed 287 feral hogs and 5 coyotes. 45th SW removed 67 raccoons, 42 feral hogs, and 19 coyotes. Eglin AFB removed 307 feral hogs and 16 coyotes. Tyndall AFB removed 14 coyotes, 2 bobcats, 5 armadillos, and 18 possums.

MARINES

a) Disease and die-offs (date, property/location, cause if known, number of deaths)

b) Disease screening efforts

c) Predator control

MCLB Albany’s Natural Resources staff did not note any diseased, injured, or dead gopher tortoises during the reporting period. There are no disease screening efforts being implemented at this time. Predator control on MCLB Albany includes removal of free- ranging domestic and feral animals as encountered. Due to staffing shortages and time constraints, the installation did not implement wide-scale predator removal in the reporting period.

USFS

April 2018 88 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

None.

USFWS

a) Disease and die-offs (date, property/location, cause if known, number of deaths)

b) Disease screening efforts

c) Predator control

EK: 13 acres of Egmont Key were treated for fire ants (10 acres in the Pilot compound and 3 acres at the north end). Two raccoons were removed from the island this year. Any raccoons which make it to Egmont Key are removed.

HS: Predator control conducted on 25 acres of coastal dune habitat

SV: Nonnative predator and overabundant mesopredator control provided by public hunting, an approved animal control plan, and a conservation partnership with USDA Wildlife Services. One coyote, 12 armadillos, 74 raccoons, and 78 feral hogs were removed by hunters and trapping.

ALABAMA DCNR

a) Disease and die-offs (date, property/location, cause if known, number of deaths) –

Not known

b) Disease screening efforts

None this reporting period

c) Predator control

Perdido River WMA - Trapping of Coyotes occurred during Alabama’s trapping season through public participation during this reporting period. Barbour WMA – DWFF staff continued predator removal program removing 61 feral hogs.

Fred T. Stimpson Sanctuary – 30 feral hogs were removed from this property during the reporting period.

Upper State Sanctuary – 60 feral hogs were removed from this property during the reporting period.

Geneva WMA – Trapped and removed 10 coyotes.

April 2018 89 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

FLORIDA FWCC

a) Disease and die-offs (date, property/location, cause if known, number of deaths)

Since December 2014, the Gopher Tortoise Conservation Program has been collecting gopher tortoise mortality data submitted to the FWC via an online web form (https://public.myfwc.com/HSC/GopherTortoise/GTMortality.aspx). From the web form’s inception to the end of the reporting period (September 30, 2017), 332 gopher tortoises were reported as sick, injured, or dead. Vehicles were the most commonly reported cause of injury and/or mortality with 135 tortoises reported hit on roads. For the reporting period of this fiscal year (October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017), 122 gopher tortoises were reported as sick, injured, or dead. Vehicles were the most commonly documented cause of injury or mortality with 60 gopher tortoises reported hit on roads.

b) Disease screening efforts

In a follow-up to determine the causal agent for the mortality event at Lake Louisa State Park documented in 2015 and mentioned in last year’s CCA report, FWC requested to have staff at Lake Louisa State Park notify the FWC of any gopher tortoise mortalities within the park. On two occasions, the Lake Louisa State Park manager notified the Gopher Tortoise Conservation Program of two documented gopher mortalities on 3/23/2017 and 4/30/2017. The cause of mortality for either tortoise is unknown.

c) Predator control

N/A

GEORGIA DNR

a) Disease and die-offs (date, property/location, cause if known, number of deaths)

None known

d) Disease screening efforts

None

e) Predator control

None

SOUTH CAROLINA DNR

a) Disease and die-offs (date, property/location, cause if known, number of deaths)

April 2018 90 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

We are aware of multiple deaths of hatchling, yearling, and 2 year old tortoises at AGTHP as part of our survivorship study. None to date have been attributed to disease. At least one was due to a domestic dog attack.

b) Disease screening efforts

All waif tortoises received for release at AGTHP are given a physical assessment before release. Blood samples are banked

Rebecca McKee, UGA Masters Student is taking oral and cloacal swabs of all tortoises captured at AGTHP as part of the long-term site fidelity study with SREL.

c) Predator control

None.

GEORGIA DOT

None reported.

POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS

No report received.

AMERICAN FOREST FOUNDATION

No report received.

LONGLEAF ALLIANCE

None Reported

JONES CENTER

a) Disease and die-offs (date, property/location, cause if known, number of deaths)

N/A

b) Disease screening efforts

N/A

c) Predator control:

April 2018 91 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Mesomammalian predators (raccoon, opossum, skunk, fox, bobcat, and coyote) are excluded from 4 large-scale (90 ac) study plots to monitor effects on recruitment of gopher tortoises.

ALABAMA FORESTRY COMMISSION

a) Disease and die-offs (date, property/location, cause if known, number of deaths)

N/A

b) Disease screening efforts

N/A

c) Predator control

N/A

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Not reported.

RELEVANT ACTIVITIES TO LISTING FACTOR D (INADEQUACY OF EXISTING REGULATORY MECHANISMS)

ARMY

No report received.

NAVY

a) Legal protection measures (new, revised or expired legal protections that impact tortoises and/or their habitat)

None

AIR FORCE

i) State laws, rules and regulations

ii) Agency policies/directives/compliance documents

April 2018 92 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Eglin AFB partnered with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to become a recipient site for tortoises permitted for take on private lands under the incidental take permit system (ITP). To date, 581 ITP tortoises have been translocated to Eglin AFB. Per US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) conference assessment and 2017 Eglin Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan, the USFWS has established an installation specific prelisting recovery goal of 18 Minimum Viable Populations (MVPs) of gopher tortoises (around 6,000 total adult tortoises), with populations occurring on Eglin owned properties (excluding test areas, airfields, and cantonment areas). Eglin will utilize tortoises from various source populations to meet the recovery goal of 18 MVPs, including FWC ITP tortoises, displaced tortoises from mission and construction activity on Eglin AFB and other DoD lands. All MVPs will be located in suitable habitat within portions of Eglin with little chance for interference with military activities, and within areas already being maintained with fire. Relocation enclosures will be sited with guidance from Eglin leadership and co-located within existing endangered species habitat so as to minimize potential for constraints on military missions.

iii) Permitted takes (property/location, number of takes permitted)

MARINES

i) State laws, rules and regulations

ii) Agency policies/directives/compliance documents

iii) Permitted takes (property/location, number of takes permitted)

MCLB Albany’s gopher tortoise population or management was not impacted by regulatory mechanisms during the reporting period. No permitted takes occurred.

USFS

a) Legal protection measures (new, revised or expired legal protections that impact tortoises and/or their habitat)

None

USFWS

a) Legal protection measures (new, revised or expired legal protections that impact tortoises and/or their habitat)

None

April 2018 93 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

ALABAMA DCNR

a) Legal protection measures (new, revised or expired legal protections that impact tortoises and/or their habitat)

i) State laws, rules and regulations

No changes during this reporting period.

ii) Agency policies/directives/compliance documents

No changes during this reporting period.

iii) Permitted takes (property/location, number of takes permitted)

None during this reporting period.

FLORIDA FWCC

a) Legal protection measures (new, revised or expired legal protections that impact tortoises and/or their habitat)

i) State laws, rules and regulations

Revisions to FWC Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines in January 2017- requires resurvey of proposed development sites from which gopher tortoises had previously relocated if site development does not commence within 90 days of the most recent tortoise capture activities.

ii) Agency policies/directives/compliance documents

None

iii) Permitted takes (property/location, number of takes permitted)

None

GEORGIA DNR

a) Legal protection measures (new, revised or expired legal protections that impact tortoises and/or their habitat)

i) State laws, rules and regulation

April 2018 94 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

None

ii) Agency policies/directives/compliance documents

None

iii) Permitted takes (property/location, number of takes permitted)

None other than translocations listed in Table 6

SOUTH CAROLINA DNR

a) Legal protection measures (new, revised or expired legal protections that impact tortoises and/or their habitat)

i) State laws, rules and regulations

Listed under SCDNR state endangered list (not new)

ii) Agency policies/directives/compliance documents

SCDNR has taken the position that site development resulting in the destruction of a burrow would constitute a take, and consequently a violation of the states endangered species protection regulation.

iii) Permitted takes (property/location, number of takes permitted)

SCDNR issued a permit to relocate tortoise from a solar development site to a deed restricted conservation area that is adjacent. During this report period, 10 tortoises have been moved.

GEORGIA DOT

None reported.

POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS

No report received.

AMERICAN FOREST FOUNDATION

No report received.

April 2018 95 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

LONGLEAF ALLIANCE

a) Legal protection measures (new, revised or expired legal protections that impact tortoises and/or their habitat)

None reported.

JONES CENTER

a) Legal protection measures (new, revised or expired legal protections that impact tortoises and/or their habitat)

N/A

ALABAMA FORESTRY COMMISSION

a) Legal protection measures (new, revised or expired legal protections that impact tortoises and/or their habitat)

i) State laws, rules and regulations

ii) Agency policies/directives/compliance documents –

Existing Policy – The AFC will take appropriate measures to protect the interest of TES whenever they are known to occur within a project area. AFC personnel will be aware of the TES known to occur within their work unit and will consult the AFC Threatened and Endangered Species Manual regarding the potential effect of cultural treatments on TES. If a TES is encountered during the course of an AFC activity, personnel should contact their Regional Coordinator and the AFC Forest Health Coordinator for consultation concerning appropriate action. Management recommendations made in areas where TES are known to occur will be made in a manner that provides either benefits or no negative effects on the TES in question.

AFC began inserting a clause in logging contracts that requires heavy logging equipment to stay at least 15 feet away from all known burrow entrances at Geneva State Forest. We began “flagging” burrows prior to the onset of any new logging activity so crews would be aware of the known burrows. Burrow locations are marked and entered into a database for future reference.

iii) Permitted takes (property/location, number of takes permitted)

N/A

April 2018 96 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Not reported.

RELEVANT ACTIVITIES TO LISTING FACTOR E (OTHER NATURAL OR MANMADE FACTORS AFFECTING THE SPECIES CONTINUED EXISTENCE)

ARMY

No report received.

NAVY

a) Describe type(s) of projects or actions that prompted the permanent translocation or temporary relocation of gopher tortoises (in narrative form). There were 72 translocations conducted on Navy lands including 14 translocations to protect GT’s from harm in mission / traffic areas, and 58 translocations during solar panel installation projects.

Table 6. Translocation

Total number Number of Number of Were GTs released Number of GTs Report of tortoises GTs to tortoises into soft enclosures to unprotected year permanently protected temporarily and held for at lands translocated lands relocated least 6 months? 0 0 0 0 0 2009

1 1 0 0 No 2010

3 3 0 0 No 2011

0 0 0 0 0 2012

0 0 0 0 0 2013

April 2018 97 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

2 2 0 0 No 2014

47 47 0 0 Yes (ongoing at 2015 NOLF Holley)

72 72 0 0 No, except for NAS 2016 Whiting Field (NOLF Holley).

3 3 0 0 No 2017

AIR FORCE

a) Describe type(s) of projects or actions that prompted the permanent translocation or temporary relocation of gopher tortoises (in narrative form)

45th SW: Construction of a new Blue Origin Launch and Test Complex resulted in the permanent removal of 70 acres of habitat. Permanent translocation of tortoises required. Construction of SpaceX new landing pad at Landing Zone 1 resulted in the permanent removal of 15 acres of habitat. Permanent translocation of tortoises required. Construction of Munitions Storage Area egress road resulted in the permanent removal of approximately 5 acres. Permanent translocation of tortoises required. Gopher tortoise burrowed underneath slab for liquid nitrogen pressurized lines at Launch Complex 40. Safety would not activate line until tortoise was captured and burrow filled in. Permanent translocation of tortoise was required. All tortoises translocated remained on CCAFS property.

Eglin AFB: Within Eglin relocation: 9 tortoises were permanently relocated from within ammo storage facilities where burrows were impacting safety and normal operation of storage igloos. 32 tortoises were permanently relocated from active airfields (all tortoises were within 100ft of runways or Assault Landing Zones). 4 tortoises were permanently relocated from construction sites. All tortoises were relocated to sites with enclosures and have been or will be held at least 6 months. Off- site tortoises relocated to Eglin: 581 ITP tortoises have been translocated to 2 sites on Eglin. ITP tortoises are permitted for take by FWC under an older permitting system, but still honored by the state. One site containing a 107-acre enclosure began receiving tortoises in October 2016 and reached full occupancy in September 2017. A second 80 acre enclosure began receiving tortoises in September 2017.

Table 6. Translocation

April 2018 98 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

2010 52 0 52 0 NO

2011 0 53 0 NO 53

2012 0 16 0 NO 16

2013 0 97 0 NO 97

2014 0 18 0 NO 18

2015 0 60 0 24 NO, 36 YES 60

2016 36 0 105 69 36 YES, 69 NO

2017 0 666 0 40 NO, 626 YES 666

MARINES

a) Describe type(s) of projects or actions that prompted the permanent translocation or temporary relocation of gopher tortoises (in narrative form)

There were no projects or actions that occurred aboard MCLB Albany prompting the permanent translocation or temporary relocation of gopher tortoises.

USFS

b) Describe type(s) of projects or actions that prompted the permanent translocation or temporary relocation of gopher tortoises (in narrative form)

The study mentioned in section VIII below resulted in 905 gopher tortoises being translocated to the Apalachicola National Forest (ANF) in 2017.

April 2018 99 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Table 6. Translocation

2016 20* 20* YES

905* Yes 2017 905*

*ANF was the recipient site.

USFWS

a) Describe type(s) of projects or actions that prompted the permanent translocation or temporary relocation of gopher tortoises (in narrative form)

OK: Due to the widening of Suwannee Canal Road (Refuge entrance road), 10 active burrows were monitored on the shoulder of the road. Four tortoises were trapped and released approximately half a mile away. One other tortoise remained in a burrow and did not come out before October 23rd, 2017. A burrow cam was used to make sure burrows were clear of wildlife before they were screened off. One relocated tortoise returned to the site and was again placed back in the alternative site. No enclosures were used. One gopher frog was seen in one of the burrows.

Table 6. Translocation

April 2018 100 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

ALABAMA DCNR

a) Describe type(s) of projects or actions that prompted the permanent translocation or temporary relocation of gopher tortoises (in narrative form)

DWFF conducted 1 relocation effort permanently relocating 12 tortoises. In April 2017, DWFF took possession of 12 tortoises confiscated from a wildlife rehabilitator, 8 tortoises were taken in from the public as nuisance tortoises and 4 were rehabilitated from either dog or car injuries; origin of all tortoises was unknown. Gopher tortoises were relocated to an enclosure at Perdido Wildlife Management Area. All tortoises appeared in good condition and were permanently marked. Tortoises will reside in the enclosure for 12 months. After that time the enclosure will be dismantled. A second project that DWFF authorized and participated in was where nine gopher tortoises were relocated by a Wildlife Consultant company from a private landowner’s property to the Splinter Hill property owned by TNC. The reason for relocation was due to unsuitable habitat (a small development site containing mostly cogon grass). Three tortoises were adults (one male and two females), six sub adults and one juvenile. All tortoises appeared to be in good condition and all have constructed burrows at the new site. Data was collected and a DCNR data sheet was completed for each tortoise. Monitoring of the enclosure will continue throughout the rest of the project until it is removed next Summer.

Table 6. Translocation

2016 16 16 0 0 Soft release

2017 21 21 0 0 yes

FLORIDA FWCC

All development projects that will impact gopher tortoises are required to obtain a relocation permit from the FWC and relocate tortoises prior to any land clearing or vegetation disturbance. Tortoises must be moved to a permitted recipient site or relocated on-site if sufficient habitat will remain post-development.

April 2018 101 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Under the FWC’s gopher tortoise permit system, a total of 6,460 gopher tortoises were relocated from development sites during FY17. This includes adult, juvenile, and hatchling tortoises. All off-site relocation requires tortoises to be released into temporary enclosures for 6-12 months at the recipient site. Of the total number of tortoises relocated, 5,695 were relocated to long or short-term protected recipient sites, 248 were relocated on-site, and 517 were temporarily relocated for utility right-of-way projects. As a result of ongoing efforts by the FWC and its partners to encourage humane relocation of gopher tortoises from sites with previously-permitted Incidental Take Permits (ITP), 633 adult, juvenile and hatchling gopher tortoises were relocated to three protected sites in the Florida Panhandle. These three sites are Avalon Plantation in Jefferson County, Nokuse Plantation in Walton County and Eglin Air Force Base in Okaloosa County. Although these ITP recipient sites are not permitted under the current standard, they do follow the current practices and guidelines and are considered protected sites because of a perpetual conservation easement that prevents future development on Avalon Plantation and Nokuse Plantation and an Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan that Eglin Air Force Base follows. Lastly, 6 tortoises were relocated from development sites after the site was prematurely cleared under the “disturbed site” conservation permit option. These tortoises were relocated to long-term protected recipient sites.

In addition to the permitted relocations, the FWC has continued efforts to identify solutions for waif tortoises. Waif tortoises are gopher tortoises that have been removed from the wild (either unauthorized or due to injury) and are not associated with a permitted relocation. One solution includes establishing “waif tortoise recipient sites” on lands owned by local governments and conservation organizations. For this reporting period, one publicly-managed waif recipient site was established at the Winding Waters Natural Area in Palm Beach County, which has since received 12 gopher tortoises. One privately-owned waif recipient site was also established during the reporting period in Clewiston, FL (Hendry County). Additionally, the existing Circle B Bar Reserve waif recipient site in Lakeland, FL (Polk County) increased its waif capacity by 220 tortoises. A total of 3 adult tortoises were received at the Circle B Bar Reserve (1 male, 2 unknown), and no tortoises have been released at the privately- managed waif site in Clewiston.

Several existing waif recipient sites received gopher tortoises during the reporting period: Panama City Beach waif site received 4 adult gopher tortoises, Perico Preserve received 12 adult tortoises and 1 juvenile (3 males, 7 females, 2 unknown, 1 juvenile), Sabal Bluff Preserve received 1 adult female, and Kingman Preserve received 1 adult male. No tortoises were released at the Nixon Smiley or Holt waif sites.

April 2018 102 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Six non-releasable waif gopher tortoises were transferred from wildlife rehabilitators to FWC-approved educational facilities. Gopher tortoises are deemed non-releasable when they have an ailment that otherwise would prevent them from surviving in the wild. All non-releasable tortoises transferred were either missing a forelimb, incurred a spinal injury, or had some other ailment that prevented them from digging a burrow or foraging naturally. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, the Polk County Nature Discovery Center at Circle B Bar Reserve, the Shy Wolf Sanctuary in Naples, and the Kowiachobee Animal Preserve in Naples each received one non-releasable gopher tortoise for their education programs. Nokuse Plantation in Bruce, FL (Walton County) received 2 non-releasable gopher tortoises.

Under a current Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), there is an ongoing effort to restock gopher tortoises on public lands where they are currently depleted in South Carolina through the waif program. During FY17, no tortoises were transferred from Florida to SCDNR, however 1 previously transferred male tortoise was released at the Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve in October of 2016. The FWC will be working with SCDNR to further amend the MOA to extend beyond August of 2018, the current end of term agreement, August 13, 2018.

Table 6. Translocation Total number of Number of Number of Were GTs released Number of GTs Report tortoises GTs to tortoises into soft enclosures to unprotected year permanently protected temporarily and held for at least lands translocated lands relocated 6 months?

2009 3,091 199 2,892* 6 Yes

2010 2,724 2,393 331 1,165 Yes

2011 2,623 2,267 356 291 Yes

2012 2,023 1,921 102 169 Yes

2013 2,128 1,979 149 165 Yes

2014 2,822 2,561 122 139 Yes

2015 5,692 5,248 195 249 Yes

April 2018 103 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

2016 7,889 7,515 262 112 Yes

2017 7,099 6,334 248 517 Yes

GEORGIA DNR

a) Describe type(s) of projects or actions that prompted the permanent translocation or temporary relocation of gopher tortoises (in narrative form)

154 tortoises were translocated from a mine site in Brantley County and to Penholloway WMA. Three tortoises were translocated from a railroad expansion site in Ben Hill County and to Moody Forest WMA.

Table 6. Translocation

2009 2 2 0 0 Yes

2010 3 3 0 0 Yes

2011 18 18 0 0 Yes

2012 19 19 0 0 Yes

2013 0 0 0 0 n/a

8 GTs = yes

2014 20 12 8 0 12 head-started GTs = no

2015 350 350 0 0 207 GTs = yes

April 2018 104 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

143 headstarted GTs = no

170 GTs = yes

2016 198 198 0 53 28 headstarted GTs = no

2017 157 157 0 0 yes

SOUTH CAROLINA DNR

a) Describe type(s) of projects or actions that prompted the permanent translocation or temporary relocation of gopher tortoises (in narrative form)

SCDNR and SREL have collaborated since 2006 to utilize waif tortoise from the entire species range as a conservation tool to establish a viable population at AGTHP.

Table 6. Translocation

2013 18 all 0 0 yes

2014 11 all 0 0 yes

2015 8 all 0 0 yes

2016 44 all 0 0 yes

10 – Slater 2017 3 waif – All 0 0 yes AGTHP*

April 2018 105 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

*285 – tortoises translocated to AGTHP. And additional 55 hatchling, yearling, 2-year-old tortoises were released as part of a survivorship and movement study from eggs collected at AGTHP during the report period.

GEORGIA DOT

Table 6. Translocation

Total number of Number of Were GTs released Number of GTs Number of GTs to Report tortoises tortoises into soft enclosures to protected unprotected year permanently temporarily and held for at least 6 lands lands translocated relocated months? 2013 0 0 0 0 N/A

2014 0 0 0 0 N/A

2015 32 32 0 0 Unknown

2016 32 32 0 0 Unknown

2017 0 0 0 0 N/A

POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS

No report received.

AMERICAN FOREST FOUNDATION

No report received.

LONGLEAF ALLIANCE

None reported.

April 2018 106 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

JONES CENTER

a) Describe type(s) of projects or actions that prompted the permanent translocation or temporary relocation of gopher tortoises (in narrative form)

N/A – No translocations reported.

ALABAMA FORESTRY COMMISSION

a) Describe type(s) of projects or actions that prompted the permanent translocation or temporary relocation of gopher tortoises (in narrative form)

None reported.

Table 6. Translocation

2016 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

2017 NA NA NA NA NA

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Not reported.

ALL OTHER EDUCATION AND OUTREACH NOT MENTIONED IN ABOVE SECTIONS

ARMY

No report received.

NAVY

April 2018 107 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

a) Publications [signage, brochures];

NS Mayport prepared a natural resources binder containing information on gopher tortoises that was made available at various public areas throughout the base. An article “Gopher Tortoise vs. Sea Turtle” was published in NS Mayport’s newspaper “The Mirror”.

b) Workshops and events [date, location, audience, organizer];

Presentation was made by NAS Jacksonville to 65 middle school students on several amphibian species found in FL with an emphasis on gopher tortoise identification and conservation.

c) Public service broadcasts/announcements;

NAS Jacksonville submitted gopher tortoise awareness articles in JAX Air News.

d) Electronic media [website, Listserv, other internet-based outreach]

N/A

AIR FORCE

a) Publications [signage, brochures];

b) Workshops and events [date, location, audience, organizer];

45th SW: Set up a display at PAFB as part of Earth Day outreach in April 2017; the audience was 45 SW personnel and family members. The display was also set up at CCAFS for Family Day in April 2017; the audience was 45 SW personnel and family members. The display includes education material on gopher tortoises. Provided natural resources training to contractor, security, Navy and explosive ordnance disposal personnel that have a need to occasionally travel off road. The training presentation included a discussion on gopher tortoise use of roads and road shoulders and using caution when driving in areas where tortoises may burrow or forage.

c) Public service broadcasts/announcements;

Eglin AFB: Local media covered translocation of ITP tortoises to Eglin AFB. Multiple stories were reported on local television and radio October/November 2016. Media releases from USFWS (Nov 2016) and articles and interviews with The Wildlife Society (Aug 2017) were also published commenting on Eglin AFB tortoise conservation effort.

d) Electronic media [website, Listserv, other internet-based outreach]

MARINES

N/A

April 2018 108 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

USFS

None reported.

USFWS

a) Publications [signage, brochures];

HS: Installed new gopher tortoise interpretive sign along trail.

b) Workshops and events [date, location, audience, organizer];

c) Public service broadcasts/announcements; or

d) Electronic media [website, Listserv, other internet-based outreach]

ALABAMA DCNR

a) Publications [signage, brochures];

b) Workshops and events [date, location, audience, organizer];

Date Location Audience Organizer 12/5/17 Birmingham Zoo Zoo employees Nongame Program 4/1/17 Enterprise, AL Private landowners Big Bend Rehabilitation Center partnership with Nongame Program 4/8/17 Birmingham, AL Private landowners Birmingham Zoo in partnership with Nongame Program 4/8/17 Dothan, AL Private landowners Landmark Park in partnership with Nongame Program 4/8/17 Millbrook, AL Private landowners Alabama Wildlife Federation, partnership with Nongame Program 4/19/17 Andalusia, AL Private landowners LLA 6/17/17 Dadeville, AL Park guests Wind Creek State Park 8/19/17 Dothan, AL Private landowners Henry Co NRC

c) Public service broadcasts/announcements; or

April 2018 109 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

d) Electronic media [website, Listserv, other internet-based outreach]

DWFF Facebook Page, ADCNR Facebook Page

FLORIDA FWCC

a) Publications [signage, brochures];

In the summer of 2017, a gopher tortoise conservation intern was assigned a project to contact private landowners owning 400 or more acres of suitable gopher tortoise habitat, primarily to inform them of opportunities to become an FWC authorized gopher tortoise recipient site. The goal for this project was to increase the capacity for gopher tortoises at recipient sites on privately-owned lands. A landowner outreach packet was created that included: a cover letter; the Living with Gopher Tortoises, Landowner’s Guide to habitat management, and Before You Build; the Best Management Practices, Gopher Tortoise Recipient Sites, and the Waif Gopher Tortoises fact sheets; a Working Lands for Wildlife reference page, and; specific pages from the Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines pertaining to recipient sites. A link to an online survey, gauging packet recipients’ interest in establishing a gopher tortoise recipient site, was also included in the packet. A total of 441 packets were mailed to private landowners throughout the state, and the FWC received 5 responses from landowners interested in establishing a gopher tortoise recipient site.

b) Workshops and events [date, location, audience, organizer];

N/A

c) Public service broadcasts/announcements; or

N/A

d) Electronic media [website, Listserv, other internet-based outreach]

N/A

GEORGIA DNR

a) Publications [signage, brochures];

None

b) Workshops and events [date, location, audience, organizer];

April 2018 110 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Tortoise and tortoise habitat conservation was a major component at the following workshops:

•Master Timber Harvester Workshop; Oct. 19, 2016; Swainsboro •Southeastern Wood Producers Continuing Education Workshop; Nov. 16, 2016; McRae •Southeastern Wood Producers Continuing Education Workshop; Dec. 6, 2016; Waycross •Southeastern Wood Producers Continuing Education Workshop; Dec. 21, 2016; Macon •Master Timber Harvester Workshop; Feb. 22, 2017; Forsyth •Master Timber Harvester Workshop; April 19, 2017; Waycross •Southeastern Wood Producers Expo; May 2-3, 2017; Jekyll Island •Master Timber Harvester Workshop; June 14, Forsyth

Tortoise and tortoise habitat conservation was a major component at the following events:

• October 22, 2016: “Georgia Reptile Experience” DNR booth at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta, featuring native herps including the gopher tortoise (approximately 200 kids + 300 adults). • December 13, 2016: Watched and provided feedback on River Eves Elementary 3rd- grade students’ group Endangered Species projects. Topics included gopher tortoises and burrow commensals as well as other rare species. (approximately 200 students + 40 adults). • March 10, 2017: Conducted 10 Coastal Plain Wildlife programs for K, 3rd, & 5th graders at Taylors Creek Elementary in Hinesville (about 300 students and 40 adults). • Kim Kilgore and Pete Griffin conducted similar programs at 2 other schools that same day, as advertising/good will prior to the 50th annual Claxton Rattlesnake & Wildlife Festival. Estimated audience #s from their outreach = 500 students + 60 adults. • March 11 & 12, 2017: Set up and manned DNR booth + coordinated staff for 50th annual Claxton Rattlesnake & Wildlife Festival (approximately 8000 people to our booth over two days, including about 3500 kids). • April 22, 2017: Set up/manned DNR Nongame booth for Earth Day at Blue Heron Nature Preserve in Atlanta, including live gopher tortoise (about 25 kids + 75 adults). • April 23, 2017: Set up /manned DNR Nongame booth for Camp Gwinnett (Girl Scouts) at Tribble Mill Park in Lawrenceville, including live gopher tortoise (about 350 kids + 50 adults). • May 9-10, 2017: Set up /manned DNR Nongame booth at Georgia Association of Tax Officials Conference in Athens. Live gopher tortoise was one of the animals for show- and-tell, providing an avenue to educate people about the importance of gopher tortoises and efforts to conserve them and other nongame wildlife (300-400 tax office employees) • May 26, 2017: Presented awards to winners of Terrell Co. tag office wildlife coloring page contest using the Coastal Plain/gopher tortoise page of DNR’s “Exploring Georgia’s Wildlife” coloring book + live gopher tortoise for presentation (about 20 kids + 10 adults).

April 2018 111 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

• June 3, 2017: Set up/manned DNR Nongame booth + coordinated staff for “Endangered Species Day” at Atlanta Botanical Garden, including live gopher tortoise with related signage & literature (350 people reached, probably ½ kids). • June 6 & 8, 2017: Conducted “Wildlife of Georgia” presentations for Shire Pharmaceutical staff in Social Circle (potential provider of volunteers and potential financial sponsors) including the use of a live gopher tortoise (74 adults total). • June 17, 2017: Set up/manned DNR Nongame booth for “Reptile Day” at Panola Mountain State Park in Stockbridge, including a live gopher tortoise and other native reptiles (snakes, alligator, etc.). Reached about 75 kids + 75 adults. • July 10, 2017: “Conserving Georgia’s Wildlife” presentation in Lawrenceville, GA with live animals for Southern Wings Bird Club (35 adults). • August 24, 2017: “Conserving Georgia’s Wildlife” presentation in Roswell, GA with live animals for Brookdale Chambrel Senior Residents (31 adults).

c) Public service broadcasts/announcements; or

Press releases:

• Nov. 10, 2016: “Georgia’s Revised Wildlife Action Plan Approved, at Work”. Mentions gopher tortoises as one of the priority species for conservation via Wildlife Action Plan. http://georgiawildlife.com/georgias-revised-wildlife-action-plan-approved-work • May 10, 2017: “Georgia DNR and The Nature Conservancy Protect 3,086 Acres in Wheeler County”. Mentions gopher tortoises as one of the key species at new Alligator Creek WMA. http://georgiawildlife.com/georgia-dnr-and-nature-conservancy-protect- 3086-acres-wheeler-county

d) Electronic media [website, Listserv, other internet-based outreach]

GA DNR Facebook posts (114,841 subscribers): • August 16, 2017 – https://www.facebook.com/WildlifeResourcesDivisionGADNR/posts/1015484263704838 8:0. Rare plants and animals can almost call the Canoochee Bogs home forever! An Oconee River Land Trust and DNR project to protect this prime pitcherplant bog habitat in SE GA recently received a $27,000 USFWS grant. The Land Trust is pushing to raise remaining funds. Canoochee Bogs provide key habitat for 3 carnivorous pitcherplant species, 7 orchid species, gopher tortoises and migratory birds. Learn more @ https://goo.gl/7weVDH • August 29, 2017 – https://www.facebook.com/WildlifeResourcesDivisionGADNR/posts/1015487556566338 8:0 Tis the season for gopher tortoise hatchlings. DNR's gopher tortoise survey crew spotted this one today at Sandhills West WMA. More on conserving gophers: www.georgiawildlife.com/conservation/AnnualReport • September 22, 2017 – https://www.facebook.com/WildlifeResourcesDivisionGADNR/videos/101549352377833 88/ Wildlife tech Matthew Stoddard spotted this gopher tortoise hatchling at a burrow on Altama Plantation WMA this week. Learn more about conserving our state reptile @ www.georgiawildlife.com/conservation/AnnualReport

April 2018 112 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

• July 25, 2017 – https://www.facebook.com/WildlifeResourcesDivisionGADNR/posts/1015478554957338 8 Take a walk on the wild side with a gopher tortoise technician! #GeorgiaStateReptile #GoWild • March 27, 2017 – https://www.facebook.com/WildlifeResourcesDivisionGADNR/posts/1015442923102838 8:0A recently signed agreement with the Department of Defense and others will help us conserve gopher tortoises and their habitats – hopefully keeping Ga.’s state reptile off the Endangered Species list in the eastern part of its range. Case in point: the acquisition and management of Alapaha River WMA, home to some 2,000 gophers, the most on any state-owned tract in GA! Help keep it going: Give through the income tax checkoff for the GA Wildlife Conservation Fund. #GiveWildlifeAChance #CheckTheCheckoff Defense Department details: https://goo.gl/CWz4IE. • March 7, 2017 – https://www.facebook.com/WildlifeResourcesDivisionGADNR/posts/1015435939999338 8:0 Gopher tortoises are our state reptile and a keystone species. Help them crawl: Contribute to the GA Wildlife Conservation Fund tax checkoff. Every $ helps. PS: What do you know about the checkoff? Take our survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/WildlifeCheckoff. #GiveWildlifeAChance #CheckTheCheckoff • November 19, 2016 – https://www.facebook.com/WildlifeResourcesDivisionGADNR/posts/1015406193769838 8 More than 80% of gopher tortoise habitat is privately owned. Find out how our biologists are helping landowners restore and enhance longleaf pine forests to help protect gopher tortoises in Georgia! • November 10, 2016 – https://www.facebook.com/WildlifeResourcesDivisionGADNR/posts/1015403827121338 8:0 Heard the news? Georgia’s revised State Wildlife Action Plan has been approved! That federal OK clears the way for continued conservation and new projects focused on 639 species, from gopher tortoises to Georgia aster. More @ www.georgiawildlife.com/SWAPFAQ

WRD Instagram (6,638 subscribers): • August 29, 2017 -- https://www.instagram.com/p/BYYmjt0gwBH/ -- Tis the season for gopher tortoise hatchlings. DNR's gopher tortoise survey crew spotted this one today at Sandhills West WMA. More on conserving gophers: www.georgiawildlife.com/conservation/AnnualReport

WRD Twitter (8,583 subscribers): • March 7, 2017 -- https://twitter.com/i/web/status/839264405728575489 -- Keep gopher tortoises crawling: Give thru GA wildlife tax checkoff. Every $ helps! http://georgiawildlife.com/conservation/support#Tax_Checkoff … #GiveWildlifeAChance Georgia Wild (electronic newsletter; circ: ~92,600): • Sept. 7, 2017: “Team Tortoise”. Uses part of USFWS blog on the Gopher Tortoise Conservation Initiative to link to full post. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/GADNR/bulletins/1b52793 • April 5, 2017: “In Defense of Gophers”. Quick look at positive impact on tortoises of Defense Department’s Conservation/Crediting Strategy.

April 2018 113 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/GADNR/bulletins/1911e54

WRD Blog: • April 25, 2017: “Alapaha River WMA: Storied Site for Sandhills, Wildlife,” by Matt Elliott. https://georgiawildlife.wordpress.com/2017/04/25/profile-alapaha-river-wma/ • July 25, 2017: “A Day in the Life of a Gopher Tortoise Technician,” by Kathleen Allen. https://georgiawildlife.wordpress.com/2017/07/25/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-gopher-tortoise- technician/

SOUTH CAROLINA DNR

None to report.

GEORGIA DOT

None reported.

POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS

No report received.

AMERICAN FOREST FOUNDATION

No report received.

LONGLEAF ALLIANCE

None reported.

JONES CENTER

a) Publications [signage, brochures];

b) Workshops and events [date, location, audience, organizer]; November 14-17, 2017. Workshop for identifying gopher tortoise range- wide population targets, Agency: USFWS, hosted by: Lora L. Smith, Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, Newton, GA. December 12-14, 2017.

Gopher tortoise monitoring workshop, Lora Smith and Jen Howze

(Instructors), Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, Newton, GA.

c) Public service broadcasts/announcements; or

d) Electronic media [website, Listserv, other internet-based outreach]

April 2018 114 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

ALABAMA FORESTRY COMMISSION

a) Publications [signage, brochures];

AFC “Treasured Forests” magazine. Article entitled “Gopher Tortoises: Digging in at Geneva State Forest”

b) Workshops and events [date, location, audience, organizer];

Landowner tour conducted at GSF on 4/21/2017 focusing on gopher tortoise habitat management, 20 attendees, conducted by AFC

Geneva County Classroom in the Forest, April-May, 2017, Geneva State Forest, 4 events, 242 participants

c) Public service broadcasts/announcements; or

d) Electronic media [website, Listserv, other internet-based outreach]

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Not reported.

RESEARCH STUDIES – CONDUCTED BY OR SUPPORTED BY AGENCY/ORGANIZATION (IF PUBLISHED, INCLUDE CITATION)

ARMY

No report received.

NAVY

N/A

AIR FORCE

Demographic Monitoring of Gopher Tortoise Populations on Moody AFB, GA. Valdosta State University, Dr. Mitch Lockhart, Principal Investigator.

Interactions of Armadillos and Gopher Tortoises, to include analysis of armadillo use of gopher tortoise burrows, Dr. Colleen McDonough and Dr. Corey Anderson, Principal Investigators, Valdosta State University.

April 2018 115 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Final report submitted for the Population Monitoring and Management of GT and Eastern Indigo snakes at APAFR. Dr. Betsie Rothermel, Principal Investigator, Archbold Biological Station.

MARINES

N/A

USFS

The National Forest in Florida is currently participating in a project under an MOU with the Florid Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Inc. and Wiregrass Ecological Associates. The Research Study Plan is titled THE SITE FIDELITY RESPONSE OF TRANSLOCATED GOPHER TORTOISES (GOPHERUS POLYPHEMUS) TO ENCLOSURE TIME, MECHANICAL THINNING, PRESCRIBED BURNING, AND HERBICIDE APPLICATION ON THE APALACHICOLA NATIONAL FOREST IN FLORIDA.

USFWS

Nothing to report.

ALABAMA DCNR

Ongoing research supported by DWFF includes:

Hermann, S.M., M. Barbour, and J. Godwin. 2018. The Status of Gopher Tortoise Populations in Alabama. Final Report for AL Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Goessling, J. 2016. Context-dependent immunity in Gopher Tortoises, Gopherus polyphemus. Dissertation. Auburn University.

Goessling, J., C. Guyer, and M. Mendonca. 2017. More than fever: Thermoregulatory responses to immunological stimulation and consequences of thermoregulatory strategy on innate immunity in gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 90(4):484–493.

Goessling, J., S., Koler, B. Overman, E. Hiltbold, C. Guyer, and M. Mendonça. 2017. Lag of immunity across seasonal acclimation states in gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). Journal of Experimental Zoology 327A:235–242.

April 2018 116 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Goessling, J., C. Guyer, and M. Mendonca. 2016. Seasonal acclimation of constitutive immunity in gopher tortoises Gopherus polyphemus. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 89(6):487–497.

Tripp, H.E. 2016. Habitat and population modeling as tools for the conservation of the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus). Master’s Thesis. Auburn University.

Tripp, H.E., R.B. Gitzen, and A.L. Silvano. 2018. Individual-based modeling to project viability of gopher tortoise populations under alternative management scenarios: A case study with two Alabama Wildlife Management Areas. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Accepted with revisions.

In 2017, Wehle personnel continued monitoring the movements of 6 transmittered tortoises as reported in 2015 and 2016. Our findings will enable us to better understand site retention and movements following translocation. Those outfitted with transmitters include 3 individuals translocated in 2006, 1 individual translocated in 2008, and 2 individuals translocated in 2009. See details below:

Date captured/outfitted with transmitter:

1) Tortoise #31 (Male): 6/22/2015 2) Tortoise #40 (Male): 6/23/2015 3) Tortoise #43 (Female): 6/25/2015 4) Tortoise #3 (Female): 7/9/2015 5) Tortoise #4 (Male): 7/9/2015 6) Tortoise #15 (Male): 7/11/2015

**SLD staff have analyzed movement data and estimated annual home range sizes of the aforementioned 6 tortoises and will begin preparing a manuscript during Spring 2018**

FLORIDA FFWCC

Dziadzio, M., E. Sievers, and D. Burr. Investigation of a large-scale gopher tortoise mortality event on a public conservation land in Florida. Journal of Wildlife Diseases (In Review)

Napier, J. and A. Savage. In progress. Impacts of gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) temporary exclusion and relocation on spatial habitat use, survival, immunity, and disease.

Parkinson, C. Is managed retreat a feasible option for Gopher Tortoise and burrow commensal animal populations impacted by projected sea level rise in Florida? (State Wildlife Grant Final Report)

April 2018 117 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

GEORGIA DNR

Nuse, B.L., R.L. Bormann, and J. Hepinstall-Cymerman. 2017. Habitat Models and Predictions for Gopher Tortoises in Georgia. Final Report to Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division. Project title: A Spatially-Explicit Population Modeling Framework to Support Conservation Decision Making for Gopher Tortoises in Georgia

SOUTH CAROLINA DNR

LTDS population estimates – SCDNR has finished conducting year 2 of LTDS at known gopher tortoise sites in SC. We have visited 12 properties and conducted 5 LTDS surveys and have extant populations identified.

Survivorship and movements – Conducting a telemetry study funded by State Wildlife Grants at AGTHP to look at differences between hatchling, yearling, and 2-year old headstarts collected as eggs at AGTHP.

Restocking with Waifs – evaluating using waif tortoises as a conservation tool – efforts in collaboration with Drs. Tuberville and Buhlmann (SREL) to continually asses using waifs to create an MVP at AGTHP.

AGTHP – Long-term Site Fidelity, Social Integration, and Disease Status – SCDNR collaboration with SREL. Graduate student Rebecca McKee has finished the first year of this project. She has identified burrows and trapped tortoise at AGTHP. Each tortoise has been swabbed (oral and cloacal) for disease screening. Nests have been collected for genotyping to examine social integration.

GEORGIA DOT

None reported.

POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS

No report received.

AMERICAN FOREST FOUNDATION

No report received.

LONGLEAF ALLIANCE

April 2018 118 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

None reported.

JONES CENTER

Stober, J.M., R.P. Gonzalez, L.L. Smith, T. A. Marquez, and L. Thomas. 2017. Techniques for Estimating Low Density Gopher Tortoise Populations at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management. 8(2):377-386.

ALABAMA FORESTRY COMMISSION

N/A.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Not reported.

CCA AGENCY/ORGANIZATION CONSERVATION STRATEGY

(see CCA Section 10.2)

ARMY

No report received

NAVY

a) Deviations from CCA Agency Conservation Strategy b) New goals and strategies not included under the CCA Agency Conservation Strategy

AIR FORCE

a) Deviations from CCA Agency Conservation Strategy b) New goals and strategies not included under the CCA Agency Conservation Strategy

MARINES

a) Deviations from CCA Agency Conservation Strategy b) New goals and strategies not included under the CCA Agency Conservation Strategy

USFS

a) Deviations from CCA Agency Conservation Strategy

April 2018 119 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

b) New goals and strategies not included under the CCA Agency Conservation Strategy

USFWS

a) Deviations from CCA Agency Conservation Strategy b) New goals and strategies not included under the CCA Agency Conservation Strategy

ALABAMA DCNR

a) Deviations from CCA Agency Conservation Strategy

None

b) New goals and strategies not included under the CCA Agency Conservation Strategy

None

FLORIDA FWCC

a) Deviations from CCA Agency Conservation Strategy

b) New goals and strategies not included under the CCA Agency Conservation Strategy

GEORGIA DNR

a) Deviations from CCA Agency Conservation Strategy

None

b) New goals and strategies not included under the CCA Agency Conservation Strategy

None

SOUTH CAROLINA DNR

a) Deviations from CCA Agency Conservation Strategy None to report.

None

c) New goals and strategies not included under the CCA Agency Conservation Strategy

None

GEORGIA DOT

None reported.

POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS

No report received.

AMERICAN FOREST FOUNDATION

April 2018 120 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

No report received.

LONGLEAF ALLIANCE

a) Deviations from CCA Agency Conservation Strategy b) New goals and strategies not included under the CCA Agency Conservation Strategy

JONES CENTER

a) Deviations from CCA Agency Conservation Strategy

N/A

b) New goals and strategies not included under the CCA Agency Conservation Strategy

N/A

ALABAMA FORESTRY COMMISSION

a) Deviations from CCA Agency Conservation Strategy

b) New goals and strategies not included under the CCA Agency Conservation Strategy

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Not reported.

April 2018 121 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

APPENDIX I

Gopher Tortoise Candidate Conservation Agreement (GTCCA) Reporting Period: October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017 Report due to the CCA Gopher Tortoise Team (GTT) Chair: February 16, 2017 Annual Assessment Report for:

Organization/Agency name

Submitted by: Email: Phone:

Organization/Agency contact name

The Candidate Conservation Agreement for the Gopher Tortoise (GTCCA) was signed and implemented in December 2008. The Agreement requires an annual assessment report from each party to the agreement to document conservation activities occurring within the gopher tortoise’ non- federally listed range. To facilitate the compilation of information, this report format should be followed by all CCA partners. The assessment report should include activities completed on an annual basis for the period covering October 1 – September 30. Not all sections included below will be applicable to each organization. If sections of this report are not applicable to your organization’s gopher tortoise conservation activities or are not applicable for the current reporting period, please indicate so. Please do not report the same data/information more than 1 time in the submitted report. Tables are provided below to help data on acres, management of gopher tortoise habitat, habitat protected, population monitoring, and translocations be consistent and easy to track and compile. Please add a new row for each reporting year.

The annual assessment report will be submitted to the Gopher Tortoise Team Chair by February 16, 2018. The final CCA Annual report will be compiled and submitted by the Gopher Tortoise Team Chair to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability (SERPPAS) Principals by March 20, 2018. The final report will also be posted to the GTCCA website.

II. Executive Summary

Provide a brief summary of activities completed during the current reporting year.

III. Relevant Activities to Listing Factor A (The present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of the species habitat or range).

Complete the table below to provide information on acres and management of gopher tortoise habitat under your agency’s authority or management. Please combine totals if reporting on multiple properties.

b) How much potential gopher tortoise habitat does the signatory agency directly own or manage?

April 2018 122 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

i. Total estimated acreage of protected gopher tortoise habitat (either by public ownership, by easement, or covered under a management plan that provides for the conservation of the gopher tortoise)

Table 1. Acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat owned or managed by the signatory agency (put n/a if not applicable) Protected lands Other lands owned or Protected lands (Private) Report year (Public) managed by the agency

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

c) Provide a short narrative regarding the type of management activities that were completed on the signatory’s lands or other lands during the year, including any challenges or successes.

i. Total estimated gopher tortoise habitat acres managed on “owned or managed lands” or “other lands” for reporting agency/organization.

Table 2. Land Management (numbers reflect acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat)

April 2018 123 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

Acres managed *Total acres Acres Acres Acres of (e.g., restored or burned - burned - invasive mechanical, Report maintained as growing dormant species longleaf year GT habitat season (%) season (%) treated planting) Owned or managed lands 2009 **Other lands Owned or managed lands 2010 **Other lands Owned or managed lands 2011 **Other lands Owned or managed lands 2012 **Other lands Owned or managed lands 2013 **Other lands Owned or managed lands 2014 **Other lands Owned or managed lands 2015 **Other lands Owned or

managed lands 2016 **Other lands Owned or managed lands 2017 **Other lands *The Total acres restored or maintained as GT habitat should be the sum of the preceding 4 columns. **Other gopher tortoise habitat/lands can include ANY lands regardless of ownership, protection level, or agreement.

d) Land Conservation

i) Describe the type of acquisitions, easements and other conservation protection of gopher tortoise habitat.

Table 3. New acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat protected

Private lands under Other lands Military Report Public permanent protected by short- installation lands year conservation lands conservation term easement, (buffer areas) easement MOU, or similar

April 2018 124 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

ii) Total acres of land/habitat loss due to development activities or habitat degradation (identify cause of loss and if permanent/temporary). If data is not available, enter “unknown”.

Table 4. Acres of land/ gopher tortoise habitat lost that is under the direct ownership of the signatory agency.

Report Permanent or Acres lost Cause year Temporary

2009

2010

2011

2012

April 2018 125 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

d) Gopher tortoise population monitoring

Table 5. Population survey data (if survey methodology was not Line Transect Distance Sampling, indicate what methodology was used)

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

April 2018 126 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

2017

IV. Relevant Activities to Listing Factor B (Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes)

c) Education and outreach specifically targeting any collection activities that may incidentally or intentionally have negative impacts on either tortoises or their burrows.

i) publications [signage, brochures];

ii) Workshops and events [date, location, audience, organizer];

iii) Public service broadcasts/announcements; or

iv) Electronic media [website, Listserv, other internet-based outreach]

V. Relevant Activities to Listing Factor C (Disease or predation)

c) Disease and die-offs (date, property/location, cause if known, number of deaths)

d) Disease screening efforts

e) Predator control

VI. Relevant Activities to Listing Factor D (Inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms)

c) Legal protection measures (new, revised or expired legal protections that impact tortoises and/or their habitat)

i) State laws, rules and regulations

ii) Agency policies/directives/compliance documents

iii) Permitted takes (property/location, number of takes permitted)

VII. Relevant Activities to Listing Factor E (Other natural or manmade factors affecting the species continued existence)

April 2018 127 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

c) Describe type(s) of projects or actions that prompted the permanent translocation or temporary relocation of gopher tortoises (in narrative form)

Table 6. Translocation

Total number of Number of Number of Were GTs released Number of GTs Report tortoises GTs to tortoises into soft enclosures to unprotected year permanently protected temporarily and held for at least lands translocated lands relocated 6 months?

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

VIII. All other education and outreach not mentioned in Section III., above.

c) Publications [signage, brochures];

d) Workshops and events [date, location, audience, organizer];

e) Public service broadcasts/announcements; or

f) Electronic media [website, Listserv, other internet-based outreach]

April 2018 128 GOPHER TORTOISE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

IX. Research studies – Conducted by or supported by agency (if published, include citation)

X. CCA Agency Conservation Strategy (see CCA Section 10.2)

c) Deviations from CCA Agency Conservation Strategy

d) New goals and strategies not included under the CCA Agency Conservation Strategy

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APPENDIX II

DEFINITIONS (please see the GTCCA for a full list of definitions):

Habitat without a designated special protection status – applies to lands that are included in a management plan: this could consist of state public lands under a state management plan; Department of Defense installations (with a signed/approved Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan - INRMP).

Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) - a document that supports the military mission by combining a series of component plans into an ecosystem management approach and is the primary tool for managing species and their habitat on military installations.

Long-term protection (habitat) – applies to either privately owned lands placed under a perpetual (i.e., endless duration) conservation easement, or publicly owned lands purchased for conservation purposes where either restrictions on the acquisition funding source or government commitment (through ordinances or other regulations) would prevent or prohibit the eventual sale or development of the property.

Protected (habitat) – applies to any land that is protected from any future development (i.e. take of habitat).

Short-term protection (habitat) – applies to either privately or publicly owned lands that have some enforceable protection commitment, but those commitments do not meet the definition of "long-term protection."

Unprotected Site (habitat) – applies to lands that do not have any enforceable protection commitments or use restrictions that would prevent them from being modified and made unsuitable for tortoises.

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