U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2004
Condor Chicks Hatch 2 Blasting a Virginia Dam 4 Land Exchange in Alaska 9 Wolf Management May Broaden 3 A NWR Becomes Underground Railroad Site 6 Scaling Up on Capitol Hill 11 Town Hall Meeting on Science 3 Turkeys Return to Santa Ana Pueblo 7 Stories of Long-Time Service Veterans 17 2 Wild Condor Chicks Hatch in Southern California Back Country
Three California condor chicks hatched in the chick fledges (makes its first flight) at the back country of southern California in about six months of age. The parents will Ventura County. The first of the chicks to stay with the chick for up 18 months. emerge from its shell was reported by Last year only one chick was produced in observers on Friday, April 9; the second southern California and the chick died after chick on April 11; and the third chick on four months. This year those same parents April 22, Earth Day. These wild-born chicks again produced a chick, on Friday June 25, represent a great milestone in recovery a team that consisted of a veterinarian, a efforts for the California condor. condor zookeeper, a researcher and a Service biologist went into the nest to examine it. “To have an original wild condor reproducing The team was relieved to find the chick in again in the wild after 17 years is very excellent health and at the expected level of gratifying, we have come full circle,” said development for a chick two months of age. Steve Thompson, Manager of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s California-Nevada The first wild chick to survive past fledgling Operations Office. “When this same bird was was hatched last year in Arizona. That chick captured in 1987, and no California condors is over a year old and beginning to integrate soared free, we faced an uncertain future.” with the main flock. Two condor chicks hatched in late May. The parents of the chicks have varied backgrounds. Two of the females were There are 99 condors now living in the wild released in Big Sur, and while most of the in California, Arizona and Baja, Mexico and Big Sur birds travel back and forth between 145 in captivity at the Los Angeles Zoo, San southern and central California, these two Diego Wild Animal Park, the Oregon Zoo have stayed south more than three years. and the Peregrine Fund’s World Center for The other female and 3 males were released Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho. The goal of in southern California through the Service’s the California Condor Recovery Plan is to Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge With more wild chicks born, North establish two geographically separate Complex. One of the males, AC9, is 24-years America’s largest bird faces better chances populations, one in California, and the other old, and was the last condor taken from the for recovery. in Arizona, each with 150 birds and at least wild for recovery efforts in 1987. After fifteen 15 breeding pairs. years in the captive breeding program he Ventana Wilderness Society Executive was released back into the wild in May 2002. Director, “All of our hard work and donor The largest birds in North America, condors support is now finally paying off.” are scavengers that have soared over Ventana Wilderness Society has been mountainous areas of California since releasing condors in Monterey County’s Big Both parents will care for the chicks. Only prehistoric times, but their numbers Sur region since 1997. This is the first year one parent will be in the nest at a time. One plummeted in the 20th Century. Condor that Big Sur birds have reproduced. “We parent looks for food while the other broods numbers declined in part due to loss of couldn’t be more thrilled to have reached this and feeds the chick. This will continue until habitat and food, and from shooting, lead significant milestone,” said Kelly Sorenson, poisoning and toxic substances used to poison predators. Condors were listed as an endangered species in 1967, under a law that pre-dated the existing Endangered Species Coordinated Conservation for the Condor Act. In 1982, the condor population reached The Service is the principal Federal agency Los Angeles Zoo, The Peregrine Fund’s its lowest level of 22 birds, prompting responsible for coordinating conservation World Center for Birds of Prey and most biologists to start collecting chicks and eggs of the California condor, working with recently the Oregon Zoo. Release programs for a captive breeding program. By late 1984, the Los Padres National Forest, California in California are managed by Ventana only 15 condors remained in the wild. After Department of Fish and game, and several Wilderness Society, the National Park seven condors died in rapid succession, it was private partners. Private organizations Service at Pinnacles National Monument decided to bring the remaining birds in from and institutions are active and essential and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the wild for the captive breeding program. In participants in the implementation of the Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge; 1992, the Recovery Program began releasing recovery program, contributing personnel, the Arizona release is managed by The California condors back into the wild. expertise, institutional support, and funding. Peregrine Fund: and the Baja release site California condor captive breeding programs by the Zoological Society of San Diego. Denise Stockton, Mike Stockton, & Marc are operated at San Diego Wild Animal Park, Weitzel, Hopper Mountain NWR 3 Interior Proposes Broader Gray Science Advisory: Wolf Management Authority Town Hall for Idaho, Montana Meeting on Science
The Service has been “What was billed as a conversation with working with Idaho, employees about the role of science in the Montana, and Service achieved what its sponsors wanted,” Wyoming as they said Director Steve Williams, after a two- develop the state and-a-half hour telecast to discuss about the management agency's scientific capabilities and the needs plans that are of its field biologists. required under the Endangered Species “I am trying to cultivate a culture where Act before a species, people feel they are truly participating in like the grey wolf, the management of the agency, and are can be delisted. comfortable asking the tough questions,” FWS photo: J&K Williams said. “It was worthwhile from Hollingsworth. my perspective, but I’d like an honest assessment from the people who watched.”
Williams and a panel of senior agency managers fielded 31 questions from field Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton steps to protect their livestock and pets callers during what was billed as the announced a proposal to give Idaho and from attacks by problem wolves, and “Director’s Town Hall Meeting on Science” Montana more authority to manage wolf the state would be able to issue permits May 5 from NCTC. He was joined by science populations in their states, consistent with to allow landowners to control wolves advisor Dan Ashe; Mamie Parker, assistant the requirements of the Endangered that consistently pose a threat to director, fisheries and habitat conservation; Species Act. domestic animals. and Rick Lemon, NCTC director, serving as moderator. “Wolf populations now far exceed their The population of wolves in the Northern recovery goals under the Act in the Rockies now stands at 761. “We accomplished what we wanted to do, northern Rocky Mountains, and Idaho and which was to start a dialogue. These weren’t Montana have both crafted responsible wolf Under the proposal, Idaho and Montana fluffy or softball questions,” said Ashe, management plans for their states,” Norton could take wolves determined to be causing who serves as the agency’s point person said. “Although we are unable at this time to unacceptable impacts to elk and deer on scientific matters. continue with the process to delist the wolf populations. In addition, the states could population in the region because we do not petition the Service to take over the lead role The transfer of much of the Service’s have approved plans for all three states, we in managing and conserving wolves within scientific capability to the USGS a decade believe that it is appropriate for us to pursue their states. ago continues to weigh heavily on the minds as much local management for this recovered of some Service employees, and the loss of wolf population as we can.” The proposed changes would only have research functions sparked the first question effect in the experimental population areas of the broadcast. The Service has been working with Idaho, established in Montana and Idaho when Montana, and Wyoming as they develop wolves were reintroduced. It would have no One caller asked why the Service conceded the state management plans that are effect in Wyoming because that state does to the transfer of much of its scientific required under the Act before a species not have an approved wolf management plan. capacity. “I don’t know that we stood by and can be delisted. The proposal also would not apply to wolf watched it happen,” said Williams. “We just populations in the Great Lakes region or in now need to find a better way, and get over The Service’s proposal recognizes that both the southwestern United States. it. The U.S. Geological Survey is now the Montana and Idaho have developed wolf owner of our research component, and we management plans that have been approved Hugh Vickery, DOI Public Affairs, need to match up what we need with what it by the Service. Under the proposal, Washington, DC can provide.” landowners would be able to take additional A revitalized relationship between the Service and USGS is a major component of this organization’s recently unveiled On the cover: science initiative, and Williams credited the Condor chick. In 1978, Topatopa was a favorite feature at the Los Angeles Zoo as the only broadcast with successfully conveying the captive condor at the time. This prehistoric scavenger is the largest bird in North America importance science leaders are placing on a with a wingspan that can range to nearly 10 feet. Hopefully, with more condor chicks born strengthened relationship between the two into the wild through collaborate recovery efforts, the sight of a California condor will Interior Department agencies. become less rare. Photo: Spenser Weiner. Continued on page 4 4 Science Advisory: Town Hall Blasting a Dam! Meeting on Science (continued)
A panel discusses The 22-foot high concrete Embrey Dam, the importance which stretched across more than 1,000 of scientific feet of the Rappahannock River in integrity at NCTC’s Fredericksburg, Virginia, became rubble broadcasting studio. when Senator John Warner pushed a Pictured (from button that detonated explosive charges left to right) are that had been set in place by an Army Dan Ashe, Steve demolition team. Williams, Mamie Parker, and Rick The dam has long blocked fish such as Lemon. FWS photo: American shad and striped bass from Ryan Hagerty. reaching their historic spawning and rearing grounds. With the dam removed, the Rappahannock River is now completely free of obstacles from its source at Chester Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains, to its mouth on the Chesapeake Bay, a distance of 184 miles, for the first time in 95 years.
Service Director Steve Williams applauded the Army Corps of Engineers’ recent Callers from Wisconsin and California, on the economy. Science leaves open the demolition, calling the removal “one of the however, probed the existing relationship opportunity for disagreement. Stay in the most significant fish passage efforts in recent between the agencies, citing inability on the debate,” Williams counseled his employees. memory. Fish passage is a tremendously part of USGS to meet the Service’s current popular program that has attracted partners research needs and perceived high overhead “The lynx issue in the Pacific Northwest from every corner of the private and public charges that divert budgets away from happened, Williams said, because research sectors—and everybody wins. The Corps research and into administrative functions. protocols were not followed. “I’m not sure has done a tremendous job here, and I thank why that happened, whether intentional or them for their work.” “Are they (USGS) meeting all of our needs?” unintentional, but the appropriate action Ashe asked. “No, but they are meeting more is to make it clear, through our video, and The Service provided the Corps with an of our needs. We need to build our own in directions we’ve put out to the field, that assessment of environmental benefits related capacity to support and acquire our own questions (about scientific procedures) to the removal of Embrey Dam, which information. And while we’ve certainly had should be directed to the principal helped justify the structure’s demolition. our own challenges in the Service in funding investigator or supervisor. None of us our administrative overhead, we need to should go outside the research protocol.” challenge USGS on containing their administrative costs.” Among other topics raised during the free- On the Decline ranging televised discussion were questions American shad was once the most The integrity of the process by which about membership in professional societies plentiful fish in Virginia and other eastern scientific data is used in policy decisions and attendance at technical and scientific rivers; George Washington was counted concerned one Colorado caller, who meetings, peer review guidelines for among the shad’s early anglers. But asserted that science is discarded when research, resumption of a scientific harvests gradually declined, from more it is not compatible with political ideology. publications series, classification standards than 11 million pounds in Washington’s Recent decisions involving subjects as for research biologists, and the role of the time, to a point where Virginia placed a diverse as the northern lynx, Klamath basin public and interest groups in the review or moratorium on shad fishing in 1993. The water allocation, and Missouri River flows, supplementation of scientific studies. Service and the Virginia Department of were the basis for related questions from Game and Inland Fisheries both point to other employees. The May 5 broadcast was preceded by the blockages by dams as a critical problem premiere in April of a 30-minute Service for fish migration. “This debate has gone on for many years: video, Science and the Service: A Tradition what’s the role of science in decision- of Excellence, that employees were making?” Williams asked. “Science must encouraged to view in advance as a lead-in always provide the firm foundation, the to the Q&A session. framework on which decisions are made. Other things come into play, under the David Klinger, senior writer-editor, NCTC, label of politics, societal demands, impacts Shepherdstown, West Virginia 5 Ospreys and Farmers Battle Over Fish in Colombia
A river runs through it...finally. Fish and As the sun sets behind Colombia’s Andes Wildlife Service Director Steve Williams Mountains, thousands of North American chats with U.S. Senator John Warner ospreys make their way to roost in trees of Virginia at the demolition of Embrey growing along the Magdalena River. The Dam on the Rappahannock River, near migrating birds are drawn to this place Fredericksburg, Virginia, in February. because of what lies below—a fish farm, Warner said he grabbed “an old fishing hat” one of about 600 throughout the country. out of his closet to commemorate the day. He was invited to push the plunger by the Of course, these fish farms are not intended Army Corps of Engineers to breach the to serve as feeding grounds for hungry 95-year-old abandoned dam, making the ospreys. The farms are part of a burgeoning Rappahannock the longest free-flowing river industry. The fish are a cash crop, sold to in the Eastern United States. DOI photo: both domestic and foreign markets. As a Tami Heilemann. result, the fish-eating ospreys are at odds with farmers trying to protect their source Torpedo the dam! of income. A joint U.S. Army- U.S. Air Force Research funded by the Service’s Winged Reserve demolition Ambassadors Program indicates as many team packed 640 as 14,000 ospreys are killed by fish farmers pounds of C4 into each year within the seven Latin American Embrey Dam; the countries surveyed. When these findings resulting explosion are applied to the 21 Latin American and brought a cheer from Caribbean countries that have fish farms 6,000 spectators. along the birds’ migratory route, the actual The Army Corps of mortality rate for ospreys is most certainly Engineers will clear much higher. away the rest of the dam later this year. One farmer surveyed, admitted to shooting Photo: Tami about 200 ospreys each year. And, ospreys Heilemann/DOI. aren’t the only birds being shot. Large numbers of green kingfishers, common “Along with the Corps, The Nature Embrey Dam, originally constructed in 1909 egrets, snowy egrets, great kiskadees, Conservancy and Virginia Commonwealth to supply hydroelectric power to the City striated herons, cattle egrets and black- University, our agency has been involved of Fredericksburg, was abandoned as a crowned night herons are killed as they with Embrey Dam for years,” Williams said. power source in the late 1960s. The dam attempt to feed on this abundant supply “We have backed the Corps in their efforts has subsequently developed cracks in its of fish. to remove this dam for a long time. We’re concrete and significant leaks and has long going to continue to help with riparian been viewed as a maintenance and safety Osprey kills are highest in southern restoration and with other work to reduce liability by Fredericksburg officials. The Colombia where farms specialize in erosion and maintain stable channel banks as dam’s demolition and the restoration of the the production of surface-feeding red the water is drawn down. This is an exciting shad run were featured extensively in tilapia, which are raised in large, open project. We’re very glad to be a part of it.” Washington, DC area news media, helping impoundments. Fish farms typically are raise public awareness of fish passage. small, family-owned operations consisting of five to 10 freshwater ponds. Farmers Ken Burton, Public Affairs, surveyed said that fish predation by birds Washington, DC like the osprey cost each small farm as much as $350,000 Colombian pesos annually, and large operations can lose several million pesos in profit each year. Colombia’s Ministry of the Environment reported a significant economic loss due to fish consumption by birds. Additionally, results show that farm owners spend millions of pesos each year trying a variety of bird deterrents such as noise-making devices, scarecrows, dogs and hired-man patrols.
Continued on page 6 6 Ospreys and Great Dismal Swamp Refuge Farmers (continued) Dedicated as Underground Railroad Site
None of these methods has proven to be The swamp, which straddles the border effective. All of the farm owners surveyed between Virginia and North Carolina, showed concern over their losses to bird offered runaway slaves an opportunity to predation and wanted to learn more purchase their freedom by either working cost-effective methods of discouraging on the Great Dismal Swamp canal or by birds from taking fish. producing shingles and timber from cypress trees. Others found refuge deep in the During the research period, Colombia’s swamp, living off the land as best they could. National Institute for Fisheries and The swamp also served as a stopping point Aquaculture and The Alexander von on the road to nearby ports where passage Humboldt Institute organized a meeting of could be secured on ships traveling north. fish farm operators to discuss the issue of fish losses to bird predation. Researchers Family descendants of Moses Grandy During the Civil War, Union Army who attended the meeting were encouraged attended the ceremony dedicating Great regiments of the United States Colored by the farmers’ interest. Farmers openly Dismal Swamp Refuge as an Underground Troops under Brigadier General Augustus shared ideas and designs for deterrents Railroad Site. Wild marched down the Great Swamp they had tried and found effective. Canal bank from Deep Creek, Virginia to The Great Dismal Swamp NWR has been northeastern North Carolina to liberate A few farmers reported successful results officially dedicated as a site on the historic and recruit enslaved African Americans. after installing overhead lines of nylon twine. Underground Railroad, the hidden network These farmers said the overhead lines were of people and places that provided refuge Descendants of Moses Grandy, a slave who inexpensive and seemed to be effective in for African-American slaves on their long helped construct the Great Swamp Canal, reducing fish losses without killing birds. journey to freedom. Located in southeastern were in attendance at the ceremony in Other farmers surveyed, especially those Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, Chesapeake, Virginia. His autobiography running large scale farms in Ecuador, have it is the first refuge to be included in the can be found at
Christine Bruske, International Affairs, Washington, DC 7 One Nest, Two Nests,... Turkeys Return 440,000 Nests! to Pueblo Lands
Since the male and female albatrosses take turns incubating their eggs, all active nests are counted and the census is stated in terms of the number of breeding pairs. Nonbreeding individual birds are much more difficult to count and are not included, so actual albatross numbers on Midway are far higher than reported.
Census numbers are definitely up for both black-footed and Laysan albatross this year, though biologists caution that breeding can vary from year to year for a variety of reasons. “We just don’t know enough yet about albatross population dynamics to conclude that their total numbers are On the count of three...Santa Ana Pueblo increasing,” explained wildlife biologist staff from the Department of Natural Beth Flint. “It could be that numbers Resources release wild turkeys to their have been down in recent years because land. FWS photos. of climate conditions, lack of available food, The Laysan albatross makes Midway Atoll human impacts, or any of a number of It has been more than four decades since any a favorite breeding ground. FWS photo. other reasons.” member of Santa Ana Pueblo has heard the soft sounds of turkey wings beating the air as A group of volunteers recently completed Whatever the reason, the counters can’t the birds settle into the bosque for the night. the huge undertaking of counting every help but smile when reporting they counted albatross nest on Midway Atoll, near the a total of 441,178 Laysan albatross pairs, The first ever tribal wildlife grant was northwestern end of the Hawaiian Islands the highest number recorded since the awarded to Santa Ana Pueblo in New Mexico archipelago. It was the fourth such endeavor censuses began in 1992 and an increase of to establish a self-sustaining population of in the past eight years. And with hundreds almost 54 percent since 2001. The number Merriam’s wild turkey within the Pueblo’s of thousands of nests, that’s quite an of black-footed albatross pairs, which have restored bosque (riverine forest) along the accomplishment for a team of 21 individuals. been counted every year since 1992, has Rio Grande just north of Albuquerque. A Beginning on December 14, teams of two increased to 20,393, only a 7 percent grant of $210,301 was awarded on March 11. people each worked their way through increase over 2001. Less than a week later six turkeys were assigned plots on all three islands armed released on Pueblo lands with the promise with a mechanical counter and a can of Midway Atoll hosts the largest population of several more to come. spray paint to mark already counted nests. of breeding Laysan albatross in the world, Dodging the underground burrows of and the second largest population of A small group gathered at dusk near the other seabirds and struggling through alien breeding black-footed albatross, behind Rio Grande to watch Pueblo staff from the vegetation, the volunteers worked at least Laysan Island. Department of Natural Resources release 10-hour days and completed their task a the first turkeys previously captured in full week earlier than expected. Barbara Maxfield, External Affairs, southern New Mexico from the Mescalero Honolulu, Hawaii Apache reservation. Before the containers were opened, the Governor of Santa Ana said a blessing over the turkeys. Then the container doors swung open and the birds flew up to the great cottonwood trees that line the river.
It is spring in New Mexico and the mating season has begun. “Timing was critical,” said John Antonio, Native American Liaison for the Service’s Southwest Region. “The Pueblo was very organized. With assistance from the Division of Federal Assistance, we were able to turn the paperwork around quickly and get the birds on the ground to take advantage of the breeding season.”
Continued on page 8 8 Turkeys Return to Pueblo Lands Kern NWR (continued) Conducts First Successful Flood in 40 Years
For the first time in its 40-year history, the Kern National Wildlife Refuge—the most important wintering area for waterfowl in the southern San Joaquin Valley—was able to flood all 6,500 acres of its wetland habitat this past winter. In prior years, the refuge in northern Kern County, California, has flooded between 2,200 acres and 5,600 acres.
The increased water supply has provided more abundant food and improved nesting conditions for many bird species. That has meant a marked increase in bird populations and species diversity.
“The population of wintering and nesting birds has increased dramatically,” Refuge Manager David Hardt said. More than 5,000 white-faced ibis, a species of special concern rarely seen at Kern just a decade ago, are successfully nesting in the wetlands. Fly, be free. The Santa Ana Pueblo welcomes the return of turkeys to their land. FWS photos. Along with the ibis are large populations Congress authorized the Service to use Turkeys are important to the Pueblo both of ducks, geese, shorebirds and wading $5 million of its FY2002 appropriation to spiritually and culturally. “This grant is birds, including avocets, egrets and establish a competitive wildlife conservation very beneficial,” said Governor Armijo. great blue herons. Also present are grant program for federally-recognized “We use turkey feathers for ceremonial tri-colored blackbirds, a rare species in Indian tribes. Grant funds can be used for and for traditional uses. The feathers are the Central Valley. the development and implementation of used in our prayers in much the same way programs for the benefit of wildlife and their that others would use lighted candles “The last few months offered a wonderful habitat, including species that are not (for their prayers).” opportunity for the public to see the hunted or fished. Another tribal grant spectacular migratory bird populations that program (Tribal Landowner Incentive “This grant is a true partnership between migrate through the southern San Joaquin Program) was also established the same the Service and Santa Ana Pueblo,” said Valley,” Hardt said. Visitors were able year with $4 million allocated from the Regional Director Dale Hall. “By signing to see much of the wildlife on a 6.5-mile Land and Water Conservation Fund. this grant, we enter into an exciting new self-guided automobile tour that begins program with which we can continue to at the refuge headquarters. Santa Ana Pueblo has been getting ready fulfill our federal trust responsibilities.” for turkeys long before their grant application was approved in the initial The National Wild Turkey Federation and offering of the Tribal Wildlife Grant the New Mexico Game and Fish Department Program. The Pueblo has been busy have been assisting in various aspects of this replacing non-native vegetation along turkey restoration effort. Altogether about the Rio Grande with native willows and 60 turkeys will be released under the grant. cottonwoods as well as encouraging natural The Pueblo’s Department of Natural regeneration of cottonwoods through Resources has established a long-term flooding. More than 700 acres of salt cedar monitoring plan to track the birds. The goal was cleared along six miles of river corridor. is to manage for a self-sustaining population. “We’ve restored our bosque and now it is an ideal place for turkeys,” said Elizabeth Slown, Public Affairs Governor Armijo. Albequerque, New Mexico 9 Service, Navy and The Aleut Corporation Complete Land Exchange
Steve Thompson, manager of the Service’s The Interior Department recently California/Nevada Operations Office, transferred 47,291 acres of land on Adak encouraged people to take advantage of Island, Alaska, including the former Adak this opportunity to enjoy the thriving bird Naval Air Facility, to The Aleut Corporation population during the spring months. in exchange for equal acreage of their Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act entitlement The landmark achievement of having enough lands, mostly in the Shumagin Islands. water to flood all 6,500 acres of wetland The transfer was the culmination of a habitat in Kern NWR is the result of a complex land exchange agreement among decade of increased cooperation between the U.S. Navy, The Aleut Corporation, and agricultural water districts in the Valley and the Service that began almost 10 years ago. Federal program managers, Thompson said. Kern NWR was established without enough The first problem was that the Adak Beautiful Mount Moffett stands behind the water and conveyance facilities to fully Complex was listed as a Superfund site city of Adak. FWS photo: Karen Boylan. flood its wetland habitat. However, the 1992 in May of l994. Cleanup operations were Central Valley Project Improvement Act managed under an agreement with directed the Bureau of Reclamation and the the Navy, the State of Alaska, and the Service to secure a full and reliable water Environmental Protection Agency. A Brief History of supply for eight federal refuges (including Cleanup operations were quickly extended Adak Island Kern), five state wildlife areas and the when archival evidence of unexploded Adak Island was first declared a wildlife private ducks clubs within Merced County. ordnance was discovered. Five years later, preserve in 1913, and then designated as a The Act also required the construction of in December of 2003, the Navy determined National Wildlife Refuge in 1940. A military conveyance facilities to transport full water Adak suitable for transfer from the base and airstrip were developed on supplies to these refuges. United States. the Island during World War II. Primary jurisdiction of the base, airstrip, and “Valley farmers and water districts, along The land transfer was unique for both the northern portion of the island was given with the Bureau of Reclamation and the Navy and the Service, because the former to the Navy in 1959 for use as a cold war Fish and Wildlife Service, have built an Adak Naval Air Facility was a military facility. In its heyday, the Naval Air Facility increasingly supportive partnership to withdrawal on top of the Alaska Maritime supported a population of 6,000 people improve Kern NWR and other wetlands in National Wildlife Refuge. Once the base and was the 6th largest city in Alaska. the San Joaquin Valley,” Thompson said. was cleaned, closed and the Navy gone, the Facilities included a high school with Refuge would have inherited a small, vacant an Olympic size swimming pool and a Al Donner, Public Affairs, city. Instead, The Aleut Corporation, an McDonalds. The base was ordered Sacramento, California Alaskan Regional Native Corporation, closed in l995 under the Defense Base offered their claims to undeveloped islands Realignment and Closure Act and (and better wildlife habitat) within refuge operationally closed on March 3l, l997. boundaries to the Service.
At a ceremony, The Aleut Corporation first accepted transfer of the northern portion of the military withdrawal from “This is truly a win-win situation for all of the the United States and then promptly involved parties,” said Rowan Gould, the reconveyed the airport to the State of Service's Alaska Regional Director. “The Alaska and other public roads and facilities Aleut Corporation receives valuable land and to the City of Adak. They intend to create a infrastructure that they have been seeking viable community on a previously isolated for some time now; the Service’s Alaska military base. Maritime National Wildlife Refuge gains the benefits of some valuable wildlife habitat, the Navy successfully closes one of its bases, and Alaskans will see a revitalized city of Adak in the western Aleutians.”
Danielle Jerry, Chief of Division of Natural Resources, Alaska 10 Athabascan Tribes to Work with Yukon Flats NWR
Yukon Flats NWR is internationally noted for its abundance of migratory birds (at left). Meandering waterways and seasonal flooding make the refuge a robust haven for moose, bears, wolves, and more than a million annual ducks, shorebirds and other waterfowl. Service staff band waterfowl at the refuge (above). FWS photos.
The Service and the Council of Athabascan This agreement is the product of almost two Anna Huntington-Kriska, the Council’s Tribal Governments (CATG) have reached years of negotiations. It was modified after Executive Director said, “We are honored to agreement on a proposal that will enable the a 60 day public comment period which begin this unique step in our government-to- Council to perform some of the Service’s included public meetings in Anchorage and government relationship with the U. S. Fish work on the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Fairbanks. Under provisions of the Indian and Wildlife Service. This historic agreement Refuge in Alaska during 2004–2005. Self-determination and Education Assistance is one of the first of its kind, and we look Act, qualifying Indian Tribes and consortia forward to an on- going relationship that Under the agreement, the Council will of tribes may request to perform activities will continue for years and will ultimately perform activities including: 1) locating administered by the Department of the improve the management and operation of and marking public easements across Interior which are of geographic, historic the Yukon Flats for future generations.” private lands within the Refuge boundary; or cultural significance to the participating 2) assisting with environmental education tribe making the request. Five of the Randy Mayo, Chairman of the Council of and outreach in local villages; 3) monitoring tribal villages of the CATG are within the Athabascan Tribal Governments; and wildlife harvest; 4) surveying moose refuge boundary. Ted Heuer, Manager, Yukon Flats NWR populations (in cooperation with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game); Secretary Norton said, “This landmark and 5) maintaining Federal property in and agreement provides the Service with another around Fort Yukon. Public use (including tool to better engage local Alaska residents sport and subsistence hunting, fishing in refuge management activities and to Consortium Member Tribes and trapping) will not be affected by this build enduring relationships between The CATG is a qualified tribal consortium agreement, and management authority refuge staff and local residents, including composed of Arctic Village, Beaver, will remain with the Service as required tribal members. Birch Creek, Canyon Village, Chalkyitsik, by the National Wildlife Refuge System Circle, Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich’in Tribal Administration Act. Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge has Government of Fort Yukon, Rampart, a long history of working cooperatively Stevens Village, and Venetie. Members of with the Native people of the region. Refuge these tribes live near or within the Yukon staff have great respect for tribal members’ Flats National Wildlife Refuge, the third knowledge of the area and for their desire largest unit in the National Wildlife Refuge to protect its wild resources for future System. The Refuge was established in generations of all Americans, a goal which 1980, and includes more than 8.5 million reflects the mission of the National Wildlife acres of wetland and boreal forest habitat Refuge System.” along 300 miles of the Yukon River, north of Fairbanks, Alaska. 11 Scaling Up on Capitol Hill
One of the basic tenets of fishing is keeping during the final week of March, when quiet. A successful angler generally does Service staff from all levels and all Regions not reveal his or her favorite fishing location, congregated in Washington, DC to travel favorite lure or fly, or even the most to Capitol Hill as a unified group to meet favorable weather conditions that mean with Congressional offices. Among the fish will be biting. group were all of the Assistant Regional Directors for Fisheries, and Dr. Mamie This year, the Service’s Fisheries program Parker, Assistant Director for Fisheries is taking a different tack. We are celebrating and Habitat Conservation. the “Scaling Up...Conserving America’s Fisheries” initiative, a product of our The week began with a Leadership and strategic planning process, thanking Partnership Forum featuring comments by partners for their help in promoting past Deputy Director Matt Hogan, Dr. Mamie fisheries accomplishments, and most Parker, and Assistant Regional Directors importantly showcasing what fisheries is Gerry Jackson and Jaime Geiger. Michael going to do in the future. Hickey, the Budget Examiner with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) The primary goal of the initiative is to build who handles the Service’s accounts, provided internal and external support to achieve a rousing presentation on the Fisheries In March, Service staff met with 103 the full potential of the Service’s Fisheries program’s accomplishments, and where Congressional offices to provide an overview program, as articulated in the program’s the program needs to head in the future. of the Fisheries program. Vision and Strategic Planning documents. A large part of building this support is By the end of the week, Service staff had met initiative, national fish passage program, letting people know about our programs with 103 Congressional offices to talk about native species restoration and recovery, and and the important work our staff does the draft National Fisheries Strategic Plan national fish hatchery operations—and the day in, day out. and provide an overview of the Fisheries important role partners continue to play in program. During the meetings, staff focused the program’s success. Highlights of the Early planning between Fisheries and on the economic impact and recreational meetings included a panel discussion with External Affairs ADRS’ last December opportunities afforded by healthy fisheries, Appropriations Committee majority and helped prepare the efforts on Capitol Hill. current challenges facing fish and their minority staff from both the Senate and The first lures of the outreach portion of habitat, the Service’s national priorities— the Scaling Up initiative were thrown out invasive species, national fish habitat Continued on page 12
MBNA supports NWRS. Interior Secretary Gale Norton praised a recent announcement that MBNA Financial Services is contributing $200,000 to be used for the National Wildlife Refuge System and to support beneficial conservation projects. This initial gift was made with a pledge of an additional $300,000 before the end of September.
The donation is being made possible through a partnership between the financial company and the National Wildlife Refuge System’s Centennial Commission, which was established in 2002 to assist in planning and celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Refuge System.
“This generous donation,” said Norton, “will help support a strong partnership effort with State agencies, refuge friends groups and volunteers to help shape the refuge system in coming years.” The contribution will also help fund refuge habitat conservation project grants that benefit refuge lands and adjacent lands over the next five years.
“I am grateful, encouraged, and excited to see the refuge system being ushered into its next century with so much promise and support,” said Steve Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Tami Heilemann/DOI 12 Scaling Up on Capitol Hill 55 Years on the (continued) Job and Still Loving It
House of Representatives, and meetings the summer to get our partners and other involving the Director and Dr. Parker with stakeholders more involved in the Service’s Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Fisheries program. Service’s authorizing Committees. As with many great days of fishing, it is The week of Congressional meetings much more enjoyable and productive if you was a success, made so by the Fisheries don’t go it alone. Sometimes talking about program’s strong message and the the good things that have been done and enthusiastic participation of Service staff. the great things that can be accomplished Even so, this is just the first part of the is the best way to go. This is the direction “Scaling Up...Conserving America’s the Service’s Fisheries program is Fisheries” initiative. There are a number headed as it works toward Healthy Fish, of media and Congressional events in Healthy Habitats, Healthy Economy, Washington, DC, including the “Hook and and Healthy People. Cook” Fish Festival reception which took place on Capitol Hill on May 6th, and Matthew C. Huggler, Legislative Affairs Maintenance Foreman Edwin “Drum” Regions will be hosting events throughout Specialist, Washington, DC Drummond has called Wichita Mountains NWR, OK, home for 74 years. He is celebrating 55 years working on the refuge. FWS photos. Thank yous all around Senator Mike Enzi of Wyoming, Senator Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and On March 29, Edwin “Drum” Drummond The Fisheries Program had some special Representative Robin Hayes of North celebrated his 55th year of working at thanks for almost two dozen members of Carolina and Representative Mike Wichita Mountains NWR in Oklahoma, Congress and members and officers of Thompson of California, the leadership of the land he has called home for all but two several non-government organizations as the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, of his 76 years. well as volunteers who have served on all were thanked for their organization’s the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership support of the Fisheries Program. “He knows every rock here,” said Forestry Council at the program’s “Hook and Cook” Technician Mike McKenzie. “He is as much reception at the Library of Congress Awards also went to Bill Taylor, Robin Knox, a part of this refuge as Sunset Peak.” on May 6. Gary Myers and Jim Martin for their work on the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership The son of a ranger who worked on Wichita Mamie Parker, Assistant Director for Council for “their invaluable guidance, Mountains Refuge for 31 years, Drum, Fisheries and Habitat Conservation, cited devotion and commitment to helping write maintenance foreman, is part of the refuge’s Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, Senator and implement” Fisheries’ new Strategic Plan. history. He worked for four summers during Conrad Burns of Montana, Senator Mike high school and was credited with a year of Crapo of Idaho, Senator Ernest Hollings of Ken Burton, Public Affairs, service. Since he joined the refuge staff North Carolina for their support and work on Washington, DC fulltime in 1949, he has seen visitation grow behalf of conservation and fisheries. Also from 150,000 to 1.7 million last year. cited were Representative John Dingell of Michigan, Representative Wayne Gilchrest He played a role in the creation of the of Maryland, Representative Jim Saxton of “excess program,” in which extra buffalo and New Jersey and Representative Clay Shaw Texas Longhorn calves annually are sold to of Florida. private owners. Indeed, his father helped re-establish the pure strain Longhorn herd that is the only cattle herd on any refuge. Each year, Drum is stationed at the same gate at the end of the sales arena, a place informally known as Drummond’s Gate. Wichita Mountains Refuge was also the first federally owned land to re-establish the nation’s buffalo herd.
Drum worked on the refuge as its management passed from the Forest Service to the Bureau of Biological Survey, to the Bureau of Sport Fisheries & Wildlife and finally to the Service. Indeed, both of his 13 The Greatest Time in the World
Edwin Drummond (left) grew up on Wichita Mountains Refuge with Lynn Greenwalt (right), whose father was refuge manager. Greenwalt ultimately became a Service director. FWS photo archives. children grew up on the refuge, as he did along with his childhood friend, Lynn Greenwalt, who became director of the Service.
Today, he is responsible for a maintenance From birds to beds. Former Chincoteague refuge manager Denny Holland has managing in staff of eight who keep 100 miles of road, his blood. He now runs a B&B with his wife, Kathy, not far from the Service veteran’s last parking lots, bridges and other facilities duty station on Chincoteague Island. safe for visitors. He and his staff are also responsible for keeping the large visitor Refuges are Denny Holland’s life. Holland, Part of young Holland’s “job” was to help and environmental education center in top now retired and running a bed and breakfast operate the 1936 WPA International truck shape, maintaining 90 miles of fencing, and with his wife Kathy, still lives near the refuge with a 500 gallon water tank and pumper. operating heavy equipment. he last managed, Chincoteague NWR. “It was made of steel. You could hit a “I’ve been over most of the refuge, one Holland grew up on a refuge. His late father, tree and not put a dent in it. We would fill time at least, and most of it several times,” Ernest Holland, started as a laborer in 1939 the tank from the many fresh streams in recalled Drum of the 59,000-acre refuge. with the Bureau of Biological Survey at the area.” “There’s no one season that I like the most. Carolina Sandhills NWR, and then at I like to see the changes that go with Santee, Kentucky Woodlands—now “the “When the fires started, they were really each season, to see how the animals change Land Between the Lakes” operated by the bad in the spring before the forest greened their ways.” The refuge staff recognizes that U.S. Forest Service, and Wheeler NWR. up. The men from the Army camp, a few his insights and experience are priceless. Young Denny spent most of his youth with from the State of South Carolina and the “Drum’s commitment to the refuge is his family at Carolina Sandhills, few of us from the refuge would gather up unstinting,” said Refuge Manager Sam friends and children to fight the fires.” Waldstein. “His passion for this place is “In those days, managing a refuge was a boundless. His understanding of the family affair,” said Holland. “Everyone in After literally growing up on refuges, landscape is total. He once told me, “There’s the family was involved.” Holland spent 18 months in Korea and no such thing as an expert. You can always continued to think about land management. keep learning.” Holland began “working” Carolina Sandhills When he returned to the states, he earned when he was 10 years old. The refuge was a degree in wildlife biology and started as Drum agrees. The nicest thing about adjacent to a bombing range. a temporary maintenance man at Santee working on the refuge, he says, is that NWR and then as a GS-5 trainee. “I accrued everyday is a new experience. “Those were the war years,” said Holland. annual leave but was not allowed to use it,” “There was no labor force. The refuge was said Holland. “But I didn’t mind. I was Martha Nudel, Division of Visitor Services staffed with three 70-year-old men and my having a great time at work.” and Communications, National Wildlife father, the refuge manager. Every time Refuge System there was a new class of bombardiers, fires were set everywhere.” Continued on page 14 14 The Greatest Time Paddlefish: Long Distance Run Around in the World (continued)
Holland’s career took him through many refuges in the Southeast. He became the assistant manager at Cape Romaine NWR and then refuge manager at Hollabend and Eufaula NWR.
“I hated to leave each of these stations,” said Holland. “They were in small towns where the public really supported refuges, especially at Eufaula where I followed my friend and former co-worker, John Eadie. He was a super manager and the public support he developed made it easy for me.”
Later, as manager of Back Bay NWR, he worked with many challenging issues such as beach access and development.
“That is where I was tested. Instead of living in a nice community where people like When coal beds were still forests and ferns, Part of that help comes in the form of you, I stepped into a hornets’ nest near a paddlefish swam about the inland waters of database management. Biologists at the metropolitan area. We shut off beach access North America. This ancient fish, big and Service’s Columbia and Carterville Fisheries through the refuge. I realized that only time odd looking, has survived 350 million years Resources Offices located in Missouri and would resolve this issue; we had to outlive it.” since the Devonian period. Today, when you Illinois, keep up the National Paddlefish Holland ended his career at what he terms look at a map of the fish’s range it might Database that’s stored all of the data from a “great success.” remind you of veins on a leaf. The paddlefish tagging studies from across the Mississippi lives in the big rivers from Montana to basin since 1995. “Chincoteague NWR is an excellent example Louisiana, all across the Mississippi basin. of wildlife and humans co-existing,” he said. When you overlay the artificial political It’s the biggest fish mark-recapture project “Intensive management of wildlife and boundaries over the dendritic pattern, of its kind in an inland water system. And providing opportunities for visitors to view you can readily see why there’s a need for the results from recapturing fish are big, wildlife is what refuges are all about. A coordinated management of a big river leading to a new understanding about million and half visitors come through the behemoth that wanders far and wide. habitat, behavior and movement. The refuge each year, but they only see about database yields trends in growth rates 10 percent of it. Management of wildlife and And wander they do. Paddlefish tagged at and condition of fish, as well as population people is a matter of zoning the uses. We Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery in sizes over time. Moreover, the database successfully managed visitors in cars in the Yankton, South Dakota took a trip down helps state fish and game agency partners same area inhabited by the endangered the Missouri River, down the Mississippi, development informed paddlefish Delmarva fox squirrel and piping plover.” then up the Kaskaskia in Illinois where management plans. commercial fishermen caught it Fish tagged As Holland reflects on his career he offers in Texas, have been caught by shrimp Those plans often call for augmenting rivers the following comment to Service employees; trawlers in the Gulf of Mexico off the with hatchery-reared paddlefish to offset the “Be patient. Working for the refuge system Louisiana shoreline. damage dams have in blocking spawning is the greatest time in the world.” migrations. Poaching from the illegal caviar That’s where the Mississippi Interstate trade has an impact, too. A number of federal Although none of the Holland’s children have Cooperative Resource Association (MICRA) and state hatcheries fill the need. gone on to work for refuges, Holland speaks comes in. MICRA is an association of 28 of former director Lynn Greenwalt, he refers states, tribes and federal agencies in the Paddlefish populations in the upper Missouri to him as “my grandson’s other granddad.” Mississippi basin that exists solely to River have benefitted from Gavins Point Maybe there is still a chance their promote effective management of natural National Fish Hatchery, working with state grandchildren will work for the Service. resources, including the paddlefish. Service fish biologists from South Dakota and biologist, Jerry Rasmussen is MICRA’s Nebraska. They raise about 25,000, 15-inch Nicholas Throckmorton, Public Affairs, coordinator. Rasmussen says a coordinated Washington, DC effort is absolutely essential to manage a fish like the paddlefish, and the states look Denny Holland now volunteers with to the Service for leadership with inter- the Service’s Heritage Committee and jurisdictional fisheries. can be reached by e-mail at
Eric Leis of the La Crosse Fish Health Center is pictured with one of 26 paddlefish sampled on the Black River, near Piedmount, Missouri. FWS photo. long paddlefish each year. In the southern states, Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery in Arkansas, and Private Fallen Firefighters Monument. Service Director Steve Williams pauses in front of a statute of John Allen NFH in Mississippi rear large a sawyer in wildland firefighting gear at the fallen firefighters monument at the National numbers of paddlefish that go into the Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. Among dozens of firefighters honored there are White River system in Arkansas, and the only three to ever die in the line of duty on national wildlife refuges—Richard S. Bolt, the Tombigbee and Mississippi rivers in Okefenokee NWR, 1979; and Scott Maness and Beau Sauselein, Merritt Island NWR, 1981. Tennessee. Tishomingo National Fish The monument is characterized by a naturally landscaped memorial park with a waterfall, Hatchery in Oklahoma has returned numerous engraved granite markers, and bronze sculptures of firefighters with various paddlefish to waters above dams on the tools. Chainsaws are used in fire suppression operations, as well as for fuels reduction to Arkansas, Red, and Verdigris rivers, in reduce fire hazard. Williams visited the Service’s national Branch of Fire Management, some cases where they were absent for headquartered at the Center, to address current issues and activities in the diverse program. half a century. Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery spawns paddlefish from Louisiana’s Mermentau River and Bayou Nezpique. Working in concert with the Booker Fowler State Fish Hatchery, young fish are divvied up, grown out, and planted in formerly occupied waters in Louisiana.
Finding the right habitat for paddlefish to spawn can be difficult. Swimming 200 miles in a month is not unheard of, and over the course of the fish’s 30-year life span, they can cross a number of times those artificial boundaries that lay over their large native range. To do an effective job, biologists need the coordinated management facilitated by MICRA and the National Paddlefish Database.
Craig Springer, Division of Fisheries, Albuquerque, New Mexico 16 Restoring Tropical Environments, or Is That Coffee Shade-Grown?
One of the restored shade coffee plantations in Ciales, Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Forest Service, Agricultural Extension Service, and Organization Envirosurvey, Inc., has led to great success. Even local schools got involved – working with the Sun or shade grown? The coffee beans on the left were grown in full sun, the right, Puerto Rico Department of Natural on a restored shade plantation. FWS photos: L. Miranda-Castro. Resources, they provided more than 10,000 native legume trees. The primary benefit of Is your coffee habit destroying tropical for many plant and wildlife species. As the restoration was habitat enhancement for habitat? If you’re not drinking shade- an added bonus, recent studies have many Neotropical migratory birds, endemic grown coffee, then the answer is YES! demonstrated that net yields and profits birds, such as the Puerto Rican vireo, Traditionally, coffee was cultivated under from shade coffee plantations are higher endangered Puerto Rican Sharp-shinned a shading canopy of native trees in tropical than modern cultivation methods. hawks (Accipiter striatus venator) and the areas of the world. Modern coffee plantations Puerto Rican boa (Epicrates inornatus). are often monocultures grown in direct Of the approximately 90,000 acres of coffee sunlight, creating conditions that cause grown in Puerto Rico, less than 40 percent So next time you go in search of a Cup-A- increased stress on coffee plants. Their is shaded by a canopy of native trees. Joe, consider where those coffee beans came response to these conditions is to “reproduce The Service’s Partners for Fish & Wildlife from and all the benefits of shade grown before dying,” producing more coffee Program in the Caribbean is the only shade coffee—better yet, remember that the beans per plant, but only for five to seven coffee restoration effort currently occurring Service is making a difference by restoring years. The plants then rapidly drop their within the U.S. Through this voluntary, tropical habitats. And make that next cup of production of coffee beans, are increasingly private landowner-Service partnership, coffee shade-grown! vulnerable to insect and disease damage, and simple habitat restoration techniques were soon must be replaced. The remaining soils developed that allowed farmers to improve Congratulations to Leopoldo Miranda- are nutrient poor and easily eroded. production, reduce the application of Castro who has been selected as a finalist in fertilizers and pesticides, and reduce labor the 2004 Service to America Medals “Call to Within the U.S., coffee is commercially costs. In addition, secondary crops, such as Service” award competition for developing cultivated only in Hawaii and Puerto Rico. citrus fruit, bananas, plantains, coconuts, this innovative restoration program. Shade coffee plantations are a simple but pineapples, cut flowers, and other products He is a Biologist in the Fish and Habitat stable agro-ecosystem that can be an diversify the farmers’ products, making Conservation Washington Office, Branch important wildlife management tool. farming more sustainable way of life. of Habitat Restoration. A shaded canopy provides most of the ecological functions of the natural In its first four years, Partners for Fish and Leopoldo Miranda-Castro, environment, including soil conservation, Wildlife has restored more than 1,000 acres Fish and Habitat Conservation Office, nutrient recycling, habitat for native, through this innovative tropical habitat Arlington, Virginia endemic and migratory birds, and shelter restoration partnership. Working with the 17 Fish & Wildlife Honors
Frank Pfeifer and Herb Bollig have been Julie Thompson, Chesapeake Bay Field selected as the co-Project Leaders of the Office, Coastal Program, received the EPA Year for Calendar year 2003 by Region 6. Bronze Metal for work on the Asian oyster Pfeifer has been the complex manager of the Issue. It was presented on April 15, 2004, at Vernal Fisheries Office, which combines the the EPA Regional Office in Philadelphia. Colorado River Fisheries Project and the The Bronze Metal is the highest award given Ouray National Fish Hatchery, for the past at the EPA Regional level and is generally two years. He has guided improvements given to EPA employees. Thompson is one on all of the infrastructure and fish rearing of nine scientists who received the award for methods to ensure that the razorback work on the oyster issue. Seven awards went sucker propagation program is contributing to EPA personnel. The other award went to the overall Colorado River Recovery to a NOAA representative. Program. His leadership on the river studies, habitat restoration, and nonnative The dramatic decline of the native oyster fish removal programs has helped the due to disease and over-harvesting has Service and the multi-agency Recovery caused economic and ecological harm. In Program keep the razorback sucker in a response, the Virginia Seafood Council “serious but stable” condition. proposed introducing a non-native oyster Sam Hamilton (right) with Interior into the waters of the Chesapeake Bay for Secretary Gale Norton. Bollig is the hatchery manager at the aquaculture production. No clear process for Gavins Point Dam National Fish Hatchery. regulating and evaluating the introduction of Sam D. Hamilton, Southeast Regional Director, While continuing his complex sport fish a non-native species exists. The team used Receives Presidential Rank Award mitigation program involving perch, walleye, ingenuity and creativity to accomplish the During a special White House ceremony on paddlefish, crappie, bluegill, and bass, he has following: requested a National Academy March 25, 2004, Sam Hamilton was honored established his station and staff as nationally of Sciences Study on non-native oysters in for his long-term commitment to leading and world renowned experts on pallid the Chesapeake Bay and worked with NAS change and people, his results-driven sturgeon propagation. Bollig and his staff to outline ecological, economic, social, and business acumen, and his dedication to maintain the broodstocks from eight year- regulatory issues; achieved agreement on building long-term coalitions through classes of pallids that have been spawned permit conditions which reflected the effective communication with stakeholders, during recent years and they produce, findings of the NAS study; established a as well as federal, state and local agencies. A tag, and release large numbers of yearling group of experts from across the watershed native of Starkville, Mississippi, and a career pallids into the Missouri River for population to evaluate the proposed introduction Service employee, Hamilton is responsible enhancement. Aging wild pallids will soon die and provide recommendations; achieved for overseeing the management of 120 and the recovery of the pallid sturgeon will consensus on a joint statement by the federal national wildlife refuges comprising more depend on flow modifications and habitat agencies cautioning against introduction than 3.2 million acres, 14 national fish restoration and the young fish that Bollig before a thorough analysis; and succeeded hatcheries, five fishery assistance offices, and others in the Missouri River basin have in reaching agreement by the states and and 16 ecological services field offices in established in the wild and maintained in federal agencies to develop, voluntarily, 10 Southeastern states, as well as Puerto captivity for refugia and future spawning. an environmental impact statement. Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. One of Hamilton’s most notable accomplishments includes championing the innovative concept of sequestering carbon dioxide gas on national wildlife refuges by planting native, hardwood trees. The Service has partnered with major power companies throughout the Southeast to replant wildlife refuges in native hardwoods that provide carbon credits to the companies and increases habitat for wildlife. 18 Transitions...Who’s Coming and Going
Carey S. Smith has decided to retire from Nancy Gloman was named the new Assistant Federal Service after 30 years on January 2, Regional Director for Migratory Birds 2004. Smith started his Federal career as a and State Programs for the Southwest pilot in the U.S. Air Force and became a Region. Gloman began her career in 1976 Fish and Wildlife Service employee upon at the Ecological Service Field Office in completing his Master’s degree at the Bloomington, Indiana. She transfers to University of Montana. Albuquerque from Arlington, Virginia where she most recently served as Chief As a pilot/biologist for the Office of of the Division of Conservation Planning Migratory Bird Management, he flew and Policy for the Refuge System. waterfowl surveys from the Yucatan to the Yukon, trapped and banded over 10,000 Region 3 Federal Assistance Division Chief ducks, and coordinated inter-agency Brad Johnson retired April 2 after serving waterfowl surveys throughout major admirably in this position for eight years. portions of the West. John Hartig has been selected as the first full- In 1982, Smith transferred to Region 1 to Carey Smith releases a pintail duck in time refuge manager at the Detroit River become the Regional Refuge Biologist and August 1970. FWS photo: Ron Reynolds International Wildlife Refuge. He will begin later the Chief of the Division of Biological his duties on July 10. Hartig brings more Support in Refuges. During his tenure, he Smith and his colleague Ron Reynolds than 25 years of experience in environmental implemented a system of biological worked here, on the Horn River near its science and natural resource management to standards and inter-agency biological confluence of the McKenzie River west of his new position. For the past five years, he reviews of refuges, both programs now have Fort Providence, at an is isolated two-man has served as River Navigator for the been adopted nationally. In 1990, Smith banding station to help determine waterfowl Greater Detroit American Heritage River became the Pacific Coast Joint Venture migratory routes. “We had a slow start that Initiative. As River Navigator he worked Coordinator. During the first five years year catching no birds the first two weeks with Detroit River communities and of the Joint Venture Smith built a strong and fighting with recedeing water levels,” businesses to identify and implement high coalition of partners despite the fact that remembers Smith. “However, the fishing priority projects that foster environmental he had no operational funding. Since was great so we didn’t want to tell anyone stewardship, promote environmentally the beginning the Joint Venture, this how poorly we were doing for fear we sustainable economic development, and partnership has grown to include Alaska would have to move to another location. celebrate history and culture. Prior to and Hawaii. The joint venture partners have Fortunately, the birds finally arrived becoming River Navigator, he spent acquired over 300,00 acres of habitat for and we banded more than 5,000 in the last 14 years working for the International migratory birds and anadromous fish and two weeks.” Joint Commission on the Canada-U.S. restored another 130,000 acres of wetlands Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. at a total cost of about $500 million. Smith Smith’s Federal career may be ending has received numerous awards for his but he will remain active in many of the accomplishments as Joint Venture same activities. In recognition of his Coordinator including the Department of accomplishments, the Pacific Coast Joint the Interior’s Superior Service Award in Venture Management Board has retained 2000. More recently, he was a recipient Carey to continue as Pacific Coast Joint of the 2004 Ducks Unlimited Conservation Venture Coordinator. His office will remain Achievement Award. at the Columbia River Fisheries Program Office in Vancouver, Washington and his email address and telephone number will be unchanged. He can be reached at 360/696 7630 or
New Hunting and Fishing Coordinator “Richard Christian will be working with the Refuge Employee of the Year: John Taylor for the National Wildlife Refuge System whole range of private groups, organizations is a wildlife biologist for the Bosque del and public agencies at every level, as well Apache National Wildlife Refuge, NM. Tom Reed has been appointed the first as related industry representatives, who He is the first Land Management Research Hunting and Fishing Coordinator for the have an interest in recreational fishing and and Demonstration site biologist in the National Wildlife Refuge System. In this boating,” Williams said. country. He is being recognized for his position, Reed will develop and analyze pioneering and innovative techniques for hunting and fishing policies on refuges. Christian will be involved in the Fisheries conserving river water during severe He will identify needs for visitor services Program Evaluation being carried out by drought while managing the conversion facilities including boat docks and launches, the Sport Fish Boating and Partnership of salt cedar monocultures back to native educational kiosks, and interpretive Council, the Mitchell Act, coastal fisheries vegetation; as well as his efforts to fine-tune signs. Reed is also involved in launching coordination with NOAA Fisheries and the the management of sandhill crane and a new training course for visitor service Marine Fisheries Commissions, and will other migratory bird populations and professionals, entitled, “The Role of Hunting contribute as well to National Fishing and feeding resources to minimize damage in Wildlife Conservation and Management.” Boating Week. to neighboring private croplands.
“My goal is to promote ethical hunting and 2004 Refuge Manager and Employee of the Year The Guy Bradley Award, named after the fishing opportunities on refuges that and Guy Bradley Law Enforcement Awards first wildlife law enforcement officer killed in compliment the mission on the National the line of duty, is a national honor presented Wildlife Refuge System and gain an The National Wildlife Refuge Association each year by the National Fish and Wildlife understanding and appreciation for the and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to recognize individuals for differences in methodology and culture of Foundation named Mike Bryant the outstanding lifetime contributions to wildlife hunting and fishing across the system,” recipient of the Paul Kroegel Refuge law enforcement. Reed said. Manager of the Year and John Taylor is the Refuge Employee of the Year. Special Agent Scott Pearson was Reed’s career is already rooted in the Special Agent Scott Pearson received the recognized for his accomplishments as an National Wildlife Refuge System. He Guy Bradley Law Enforcement Award. investigator, supervisor, and mentor over served as the Refuge Manager/Refuge the course of a 30-year career with the Officer of three San Diego coastal refuges Refuge Manager of the Year: Mike Bryant Service. As the Service’s Resident Agent (Tijuana Slough, South San Diego Bay stood out for his leadership in the Herbert C. in Charge in Sacramento from 1980 and Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Bonner Bridge Replacement Project. The through September 2003, he directed a Refuges). Prior to that, he served as the Bonner Bridge travels through Pea Island field enforcement operation that was one of Assistant Manager/Officer at Red Rocks NWR and is the only transportation corridor the agency’s largest in terms of number of Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in Montana that links the mainland to Hatteras Island officers; geographic area covered; variety for four years, and worked in the Division of for over 4 million visitors annually. The 2.5 of protected species; acreage of wildlife Ecological Services including as a private mile bridge spans one of the most dynamic habitat; and scope, complexity, and quantity lands coordinator. marine environments in the world. Working of investigations. Notable successes included with North Carolina’s Department of securing $9.4 million in fines from the New Fishing Coordinator for Fisheries Transportation, Bryant encouraged them to company responsible for a 1997 oil spill alter the location of the replacement bridge near San Francisco that killed endangered Service Director Steve Williams announced to conserve wintering waterfowl, migrating pelicans and a $10 million settlement the appointment of biologist Richard Christian shorebirds, and loggerhead sea turtles. agreement signed in 2002 with the to the new position of Partnership State’s largest utility company that will Coordinator and said he wants his agency to help protect eagles from being electrocuted “reconnect” with anglers across the country. on power lines.
Christian, who is assigned to the Division of the National Fish Hatchery System in the Washington, DC, Fisheries Program, brings 20 years of experience working with non- government organizations, State and Federal agencies and the fishing industry to his new post. 18 A Blueprint for Migratory Birds
I am pleased to announce that the Service I encourage you to familiarize yourselves Each of us has unique contributions to has released the Migratory Bird Program’s with this document whether you are in the make to the broad goals of migratory bird ten-year strategic plan entitled, A Blueprint Migratory Bird Program or not, Appendix 6 conservation and we must work together for the Future of Migratory Birds. covers the migratory bird conservation to achieve them. Ultimately, the plan may responsibilities of other Service programs. affect the habitats that a migratory bird The Service is responsible for the To see the plan and additional supporting depends upon for an entire season, or merely conservation and management of more than resources, please visit the following web site: a matter of days. In either case, together we 800 species of migratory birds. During their
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