August 1979, Vol
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August 1979, Vol. IV, No. 8 ENDANGERED SPECIES W TECHNICAL BULLETIN Department of the Interior • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Endangered Species Program, Washington, D.C. 20240 Critical Habitat for Three Fishes Reproposed; Withdrawn A reproposal of Critical Habitat for three fishes in Alabama and Ten- nessee will be withdrawn by the Ser- vice because of procedural errors in the nature of the public meeting and the inadequate availability of informa- tion concerning economic considera- tions. The reproposal was published in the July 27, 1979, Federal Register, and the subsequent meetings were held August 28-30. The proposed listing for the spring pygmy sunfish (Elassoma sp.) and the pygmy sculpin (Cottus pygmaeus) will be automatically with- drawn on November 29,1979, two years after its initial publication. The pro- posed listing for the Barrens topmin- now (Fundulus sp.) will be withdrawn on December 30, 1979, also two years U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Photo after publication. A new proposal will Current knowledge suggests that the agent that extirpated the brown pelican from be made only if new information be- Louisiana would have been equally effective regardless of the population size. comes available. Recovery Planned for LIght-Footed Clapper Rail, Woundfin, Eastern Brown Pelican The Service approved three recovery new habitat. These activities will aid in consists of a marsh environment with plans in July; one for the light-footed achieving the plan's objective of in- cordgrass or pickleweed for nesting clapper rail {Rallus longirostris creasing the rail's breeding population and escape cover, a supply of crabs, levipes), a California bird Endangered to at least 400 pairs. clams, and related invertebrates for by habitat destruction; one for the The light-footed clapper rail occurs food, and a feeding area of tidal flats woundfin (Piagopterus argentissimus), in about 16 California marshes. The interspersed with saltmarsh vegeta- a minnow with a limited range; and one major reason for the decline in the tion. As long as suitable habitat is pro- for the eastern brown pelican (Pe/e- species has been loss of habitat tected, the birds seem to thrive canus occidentalus carolinensis), a because of dredging and filling. As of because they face little threat from coastal breeding bird which suffered a Jannuary 1977, only about 8,500 acres predators and they can tolerate a high severe population decline in the of saltmarsh remained between Santa level of human presence. 1960's. Barbara and the Mexican border, Specifically, the plan proposes addi- Light-Footed Clapper Rail where there was formerly about 26,000 tional research to aid in determining The clapper rail plan calls for the acres of saltmarsh. There are probably population numbers, distribution, and protection of all existing habitat, in- no more than 250 light-footed clapper current limiting factors. creasing the carrying capacity and rails remaining in California, with According to the recovery team, stability of existing habitat, thereby about half the population found in the habitat degradation due to restriction enabling the size of each population to Tijuana Estuary, San Diego County. of tidal flow has prevented most increase, and creating and stocking Suitable habitat for the clapper rail" Continued on page 5 Society. A status report on Stephanomeria malhenrensis, a proposed Endangered plant in Oregon, was sent to the Washington Office with a recommen- dation that final listing be initiated. Region 2. Endangered Species per- sonnel monitored the movement of a huge oil spill that resulted from the blowout of a Mexican well on June 3. Cooperation with the Mexican Govern- Hawaii ment and other agencies was arranged for the recovery of newly hatched Kemp's Ridley sea turtles {Lepidochelys kempii) from Padre Island, Texas, which was affected by the spill. REGIONAL Region 3. A biological opinion was issued to the Nicolet National Forest BRIEFS in Wisconsin regarding campground development policies. According to the opinion, if certain guidelines are Endangered Species Program Diego Zoological Society regarding the followed, there will be no jeopardy to regional staffers have reported the site, specifications, and funding of a bald eagles {Haliaeetus leucocepha- following activities for the month of Ju- California condor {Gymnogyps cali- lus) in the area. ly. fornianus) captive breeding facility. A A report has been written to map all Region 1. An informal agreement formal proposal preparatory to a con- actions involving Endangered species was reached with officials of the San tract will be forthcoming from the reported to the Regional Office. The report enumerates and organizes each report by location, cooperating agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 2, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, and type of action. Regional staffers Washington, D.C. 20240 NM 87103 (505-766-2321): W. 0. Nel- will be able to use this report to deter- son, Regional Director Robert F. Ste- mine areas with inadequate reporting. Lynn A. Greenwalt, Director phens, Assistant Regional Director-, Region 4. The Red Wolf Recovery (202-343-4717) Jack B. Woody, Endangered Species Team, cooperating with Region 2, met Harold J. O'Connor Specialist. Acting Associate Director and Region 3, Federal BIdg., Fort Snelling, with Tennessee Valley Authority per- Endangered Species Program Manager Tvi(in Cities, MN 55111 (612-725-3500); sonnel at Land Between the Lakes (202-343-4646) Harvey Nelson, Regional Director: (LBL) to evaluate the area as a reintro- C. Phillip Agee Delbert H. Rasmussen, Assistant Re- duction site for the species. According Acting Deputy Associate Director gional Director James M. Engel, En- to the team, LBL personnel who (202-343-4646) dangered Species Specialist. manage the 170,000 acre peninsula are John Spinks, Chief, Region 4, Richard B. Russell Federal BIdg., enthusiastic and appear capable of Office of Endangered Species 75 Spring St., S.W., Atlanta, GA 30303 handling the program. However, the (703/235-2771) (404-221-3583): Kenneth E. Black, Re- area has some disadvantages, so no Richard Parsons, Ciiief, gional Director Harold W. Benson, final decision has been made. Federai Wiidlife Permit Office Assistant Regional Director Alex B. (703/235-1937) Montgomery, Endangered Species Spe- The Endangered Species staff spon- Clark R. Bavin, Chief, cialist. sored a 5-hour training seminar in Division of Law Enforcement Region 5, Suite 700, One Gateway Cen- Atlanta on Section 7 consultation. (202-343-9242) ter, Newton Corner, MA 02158 (617- Representatives from approximately 50 965-5100); Howard Larsen, Regional agency offices in 11 States attended. TECHNICAL BULLETIN STAFF Director Gordon T. Nightingale, /As- Region 5. A recovery plan for the Dona Finnley, Editor sistant Regional Director Paul Nick- eastern population of the American Clare Senecal, Asst. Editor erson. Endangered Species Specialist. peregrine falcon {Faico peregrinus Region 6, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Fed- Morey Norkin, Editorial Asst. anatum) was submitted for final eral Center, Denver, CO 80225 (303- (703/235-2407) review. A Technical Review draft of the Regional Offices 234-2209): James Gritman, Acting Re- gional Director Charles E. Lane, As- Chesapeake Bay Bald Eagle Recovery Region 1, Suite 1692, Lloyd 500 BIdg., sistant Regional Director Don Rodgers, Plan was also submitted. 500 N.E. Multnomah St., Portland, OR Endangered Species Specialist. Region 6. Endangered Species per- 97232 (503-231-6118): R. Kahler Mar- Alaska Area, 1101 E Tudor Rd., Anchor- sonnel attended an intra-Service tinson, Regional Director, Edward B. age, AK 99057 (907-276-3800, ext. 495): regional meeting at Park City, Utah to Chamberlain, Assistant Regional Di- Keith M. Schreiner, Area Director] discuss Endangered species policy, rector, David B. Marshall, Endangered Dan Benfield, Endangered Species Spe- procedures, and activities, with an em- Species Specialist. cialist. phasis on Section 7. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regions Alaska Area. The preliminary results Region 1: California, Hawaii. Idaho. Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Pacific Trust Territories. Region 2: Arizona, New of this summer's peregrine falcon ban- Mexico. Oklahoma, and Texas. Region 3: Illinois, Indiana. Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, Region 4: ding activities have been encouraging. Alabama. Arkansas. Florida, Georgia. Kentucky. Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina. South Carolina. Tennessee. A total of 105 fledglings have been Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Region 5: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts. New Hampshire. New Jersey. New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. Region 6: Colorado, Iowa, Kan- banded on the major nesting areas of sas, Missouri, Montana. Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Alaske Area: Alaska. the Porcupine, Colville, and Yukon The ENDANGERED SPECiES TECHNICAL BULLETIN is published monthly by the Rivers. Funding for the operation was U.S. Fish and Wiidlife Service, Department of the interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. received through a cooperative Agree- ment with the Alaska Office of the Bureau of Land Management. both findings must be positive before proposed conditions under 2(a). Export The Arctic Slope Regional Corpora- permits can be issued by the Wildlife of bobcat was proposed for approval tion, in a land trade agreement with the Permit Office for the export of bobcat, from 14 States and from the Navajo Na- Interior Department, has agreed to lynx,