Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
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DON EDWARDS SAN FRANCISCO BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Fremont, California ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT Calendar Year 2000 U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM REVIEWS AND APPROVALS DON EDWARDS SAN FRANCISCO BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Fremont, California ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT Calendar Year 2000 i - Refuge Manager Date (z. //*./« Refuge^Gomplex Manager Date 2 INTRODUCTION San Francisco Bay has long been regarded as a Pacific gateway to America. So it is fitting that the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex plays that same role as a "gateway" to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service programs and the 530+ units of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Included in the San Francisco Bay NWR Complex are seven refuges, stretching from Monterey Bay to the San Francisco Bay Delta. This complex is a unique combination of habitats and wildlife species. The Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR in the South Bay has tidal marshes, vernal pools, and salt ponds. At the north end of the Bay is the San Pablo Bay NWR with estuaries and marsh habitat. The Farallon NWR, which lies thirty miles off the coast from the Golden Gate Bridge, is comprised of high rocky islands frequented by a host of seabirds, seals, and sea lions. A quiet upland habitat for the endangered Santa Cruz long-toed salamander can be found at the Ellicott Slough NWR just south of Santa Cruz. The Salinas River NWR just north of Monterey encompasses an area of pristine beach, dunes, and lagoon habitat. Found in the small pockets of native habitat at Antioch Dunes NWR are the endangered Antioch Dunes Evening Primrose, Contra Costa Wallflower and the Lange's Metalmark butterfly. The Marin Islands NWR and State Ecological Reserve in San Rafael Bay just south of San Pablo Bay NWR is the one of the largest wading bird rookeries in North San Francisco Bay. In 1972, Public Law 92-330 provided for the establishment of San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge for the preservation and protection of critical habitat and associated wildlife, migratory waterfowl and to provide an opportunity for wildlife-oriented recreation and nature study. In 1988, Public Law 100-556 was passed which increased our acquisition authority an additional 20,000 acres. Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge encompasses approximately 25,901 acres in San Mateo, Alameda and Santa Clara counties, California at the southern end of San Francisco Bay. San Francisco Bay is one of the largest estuaries in the nation, approximately 55 miles long and 3 to 12 miles wide. Under an agreement between the Cargill Salt Division and the Service when the Refuge was established, approximately 12,500 acres remain as active salt evaporation ponds. The remaining habitat consists of salt marshes, upland, tidal mudflats and open water. This variety of habitat supports a large number of wildlife, including 5 endangered species. The Refuge provides major habitat for the endangered California clapper rail and salt marsh harvest mouse. San Francisco Bay is a key wintering area for diving ducks along the Pacific Flyway. The south bay wetlands support hundreds of thousands of shorebirds along with the largest wading bird rookery located in the bay. Marine mammals also utilize the open water and sloughs. A major harbor seal haul out site is located in Mowry Slough. 3 Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is surrounded by an urban population of 7 million people. In spite of the potential impacts of encroaching development, plans are to complete acquisition of the approved 43,000 acres. The Refuge is also a place to learn about the Bay environment through exhibits and naturalist programs; to observe and photograph wildlife; to hike, hunt and fish; and to enjoy some precious natural habitats in the heart of a great metropolitan area. Page TABLE OF CONTENTS 5 A. HIGHLIGHTS 9 B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS 10 C. LAND ACQUISITION 10 1. Fee Title.......................................................................................................................... 10 2. Easements....................................................................................................................... 10 3. Other................................................................................................................................ 11 D. PLANNING 1. Master Plan...................................................................................................................... NTR 2. Management Plan............................................................................................................ NTR 3. Public Participation........................................................................................................ 11 4. Compliance with Environmental Mandates.................................................................. 14 5. Research and Investigations........................................................................................... 14 E. ADMINISTRATION 1. Personnel......................................................................................................................... 23 2. Youth Programs.............................................................................................................. 26 3. Other Manpower Programs........................................................................................... NTR 4. Volunteer Programs....................................................................................................... 26 5. Funding............................................................................................................................ NTR 6. Safety................................................................................................................................ 29 7. Technical Assistance........................................................................................................ NTR 8. Other Items...................................................................................................................... 30 F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT 1. General............................................................................................................................ NTR 2. Wetlands.......................................................................................................................... 30 5 3. Forests............................................................................................................................. NTR 4. Croplands......................................................................................................................... NTR 5. Grasslands........................................................................................................................ NTR 6. Other Habitats................................................................................................................. NTR 7. Grazing............................................................................................................................ NTR 8. Haying............................................................................................................................. NTR 9. Fire Management............................................................................................................. NTR 10. Pest Control.................................................................................................................. 31 11. Water Rights................................................................................................................. NTR 12. Wilderness and Special Areas...................................................................................... NTR 13. WPA Easement Monitoring......................................................................................... NTR G. WILDLIFE 1. Wildlife Diversity............................................................................................................ NTR 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species........................................................................ 35 3. Waterfowl........................................................................................................................ 42 4. Marsh and Water Birds................................................................................................... NTR 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Allied Species................................................................ 42 6. Raptors............................................................................................................................ NTR 7. Other Migratory Birds.................................................................................................... NTR 8. Game Mammals.............................................................................................................. NTR 9. Marine Mammals............................................................................................................. 45 10. Other Resident Wildlife................................................................................................ NTR 11. Fisheries Resources...................................................................................................... NTR 12. Wildlife Propagation and Stocking.............................................................................. NTR 13. Surplus Animal Disposal............................................................................................... NTR 14. Scientific Collections...................................................................................................