Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Influencing Endangered Species Workshop November 23 Conference Call Summary Notes November 23, 2015

Prepared by William E. Van Pelt, WAFWA Grassland Coordinator

Participants on the call See attached table. Additional participants included: Kim Tripp with the Bureau of Land Management Washington D.C.; Omar Bocanegra, Brian ?with USFWS Arlington TX; Leland Peirce, Jacob Petersen with NMDGF; and Collin McDonald TX Comptroller of Public Accounts.

General information As a result of technical difficulties with the August 25 conference call line, final action items were reviewed with the group. The majority of the action items were modification to the tracking table which included identification of a lead state wildlife agency for each species, a legend for the letter ranking definition, and defining necessary management actions to influence an ESA listing decision by species. Also, it was decided to schedule conference calls on a quarterly basis on the last Tuesday of the month. The next call will be at 10 am mountain/11 am central on February 23, 2016. Finally, the WAFWA ESA Influence Workshop meeting minutes and tracking table will be placed on the WAFWA website. A planning meeting is scheduled for the first week of December with the WAFWA website administrator.

The USFWS shared with the group they are planning to batch multiple species for 90-day findings on a quarterly basis for efficiency. At a national level, the USFWS is moving forward with their planning efforts for listing decisions with hopes of having a draft national plan identified in spring 2016. Regions have been asked to submit their planning documents to roll up to the national plan. Once all the regions submit their plans, dates will be tweaked to accommodate all the species identified on the draft list. Region 6 used the information from the WAFWA workshop process for their list submittal. Region 2 is refining their list and currently focusing on species for FY2017. The USFWS also reviewed listing decisions they have made since the August 25 conference call. They were highlighted in the tracking table (see attached). In addition to listing decisions related to the table, the USFWS received petitions for yellow banded and Western Bumblebees and made decisions on 2 chubs (round-tail and headwater) and page spring snails. They are also continuing work on Sprauge’s Pipit. The Service also discussed working on downlisting of 3 species, of which 2 were in UT and one in WY.

After the general information was shared with the group, participants on the call were asked to review any of their activities related to the tracking table by state.

Arizona WAFWA 2015 ESA Influence workshop-November 23 conference call draft Summary Notes 2

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has reorganized their wildlife division and now has only an aquatic and terrestrial branch. Duties and responsibilities discussions are underway. However, the AZGFD is still committed to those activities identified in the tracking table and will continue to implement actions to influence decisions.

Colorado The Colorado Parks and Wildlife had additional information to include on the notes section of the tracking table and submitted the information for inclusion. Dave Klute was identified as the replacement for Francie Pusateri as the species conservation coordinator.

Montana The Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks commented for the decision regarding the bog lemming, participated in the Species Status Assessment (SSA) for the Canadian Lynx, and meet regularly on the Greater Yellowstone Grizzly Bear. The USFWS did voice their appreciation for MTFWP as interveners in the artic grayling litigation.

Wyoming Wyoming Game and Fish department continues to pursue funding for the Plains spotted skunk management actions. This includes requesting funds through the governor’s office as part of their budgeting process, which has a decision point in February. With their proposal, WYGFD would be looking at sub-specific validation, determining distribution in WY, and integration with other purported subspecies. They are hoping to pursue a multiple state effort to fully evaluate this subspecies. Cost for evaluating genetics is approximately $3500 for 50 samples. WYGFD also has initiated remote camera monitoring for wolverines. There are 25 stations active in the southern portion of the western mountains.

New Mexico The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is funding surveys for the Penasco least chipmunk in 2016. They have also been working with the Black River Working Group to prepare a CCAA for the Texas hornbill, cooter, and yellow billed cuckoo.

Kansas There was recognition of Jason Luginbill as the new USFWS State Supervisor. KS Park Wildlife and Tourism has been sampling Arkansas darters and taking fin clips. They have submitted a Section 6 grant to conduct genetic analysis for late spring. They are looking to repeat the 1985 survey effort for the Scott’s riffle beetle as a result of verifying the species presence in some of the historical locations. They are also working on a recovery proposal for Topeka shiner.

Oklahoma Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation conducted Arkansas darter surveys and found several but were not successful in finding any Texas kangaroo rats. They announced availability of funds for surveys on Regal Fritillary and three toothed caddis fly. Comments were provided WAFWA 2015 ESA Influence workshop-November 23 conference call draft Summary Notes 3 on the Alligator snapping turtle and ODWC is interested in participating in any Plains spotted skunk work and provided contact information for the working group (see attached). Texas A series of workshops were held by the USFWS to provide information on the SSA process. These meetings were very well attended by interested participants and have set the groundwork on how information collection and analysis will occur for species. A request for proposal for Rio Grande cooter surveys has been announced for Texas. Genetic work on the Golden orb is underway and results are pending. The Texas A&M Texas horn shell surveys have been completed and the Texas comptroller will share the report when finalized by the contractor.

Nebraska Not much information to report except the confirmation of white nose syndrome within the state

North and South Dakota A decision on the black backed woodpecker is expected in FY2017. Comment of the Regal Fritillary is still open and continued monitoring is encouraged for interested parties.

Utah Utah uses state funds to address ESA listing issues. Work on the Arboreal toad continues. Evaluation of captive populations is occurring and work on addressing habitat issue are priority actions.

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