U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Hopper Mountain, Bitter Creek and Blue Ridge National Wildlife Refuges Planning Update #1 - February 2010 Comprehensive Conservation Planning Begins in Spring 2010 Greetings from the Project Leader Hopper Mountain National Wildlife how comprehensive conservation plan- Refuge Complex is embarking on an ning fits into refuge management. important multi-year process to develop a Comprehensive Conservation Plan You should receive our second “Planning (CCP) for three of the four refuges in the Update” in the spring of 2010, describing Complex: Hopper Mountain, Bitter Creek, the beginning of the planning process and and Blue Ridge National Wildlife Refuges information about attending our public (NWRs). These three refuges were scoping meetings. established to restore the endangered We will frequently refer to background California condor population to its native materials provided in this planning range. The fourth refuge in the Complex, update (Planning Update #1) throughout Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes NWR, will the CCP process. Please try to read it All condors have numbered wing tags and have a separate CCP prepared in the before our first meeting; this will help to transmitters to help biologists identify future. facilitate discussions at the public meet- and locate each bird. Photo: Gary Kramer/ USFWS The CCP will help guide the overall man- ings. We welcome your comments, sug- agement of the three refuges for the next gestions, and questions. 15 years. Your ideas and comments will I hope you’ll feel free to contact me or Content be an important part of the process, so I our Refuge Planner, Sandy Osborn, if you encourage you to participate. have any questions. See page 6 to learn About the Fish & Wildlife Service...... 1 As we begin this process, I’d like to about the CCP and page 8 for our phone numbers and e-mail addresses. About the Refuge System...... 2 provide background about the refuges’ history and current management. In this Hopper Mountain NWR Background...... 3 update, you’ll also find information about the National Wildlife Refuge System and Marc M. Weitzel,Marc ProjectWeitzel, Leader Project Leader Bitter Creek NWR Background...... 4 Blue Ridge NWR Background...... 5 What is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? Hopper Mountain NWR Complex The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Management...... 6 The agency enforces federal wildlife (FWS) is the principal federal agency re- laws, administers the Endangered Refuge Purposes...... 6 sponsible for conserving, protecting, and Species Act, manages migratory enhancing fish, wildlife, plants and their bird populations, restores nationally What is a CCP?...... 6 habitats for the continuing benefit of the significant fisheries, conserves American people. The California Condor...... 7 and restores wildlife habitat such The FWS manages the more than as wetlands, and helps foreign Hopper Mountain NWR Complex...... 7 150-million acre National Wildlife Refuge governments with their wildlife and System, which encompasses more than 550 habitat conservation efforts. Compatibility of Refuge Uses...... 7 refuges, 37 wetland management districts, The FWS also oversees the Federal and other special management areas. Help Us Plan...... 8 Assistance program that distributes CCP Schedule...... 8 It also operates 66 national fish hatcher- hundreds of millions of dollars in excise ies, 64 fishery resource offices, and 78 taxes on fishing and hunting equipment Contact Information...... 8 ecological services field stations. to state fish and wildlife agencies. 2

What is the National What’s in a name? Wildlife Refuge System? Many people confuse state and fed- In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt Islands. About 20.6 million acres in the eral fish and wildlife agencies because protected an island with nesting pelicans, Refuge System are managed as wilder- their names are similar. The U.S. Fish herons, ibis, and roseate spoonbills in ness under the Wilderness Act of 1964. and Wildlife Service (FWS) is a fed- Florida’s Indian River Lagoon from feath- eral agency within the U.S. Depart- er collectors who were decimating their In 1997, Congress passed the National ment of the Interior. The California colonies. He established Pelican Island as Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Department of Fish and Game (DFG) the nation’s first bird sanctuary and went Act (Act), legislation that provides clear is a state agency. on to establish many other sanctuaries guidance for the management of the Refuge System. The Act includes a new Our names are similar and so are our for wildlife during his tenure. This small missions: both agencies are dedicated network of sanctuaries continued to ex- statutory mission statement and directs the FWS to manage the Refuge System as to wildlife conservation for the benefit pand, later becoming the National Wildlife of present and future generations. Our Refuge System (Refuge System). a national system of lands and waters de- voted to conserving wildlife and maintain- jurisdictions are different. The FWS Today, over 100 years later, Hopper ing the biological integrity of ecosystems. is the lead agency responsible for Mountain, Bitter Creek, and Blue Ridge federally-listed species and migratory Refuges are three of over 550 national This law requires the FWS to develop a birds, whether they are located on fed- wildlife refuges encompassing more than comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) eral, state, or private lands. The DFG 150 million acres nationwide. The Refuge for each refuge. It also states that certain has primary responsibility for resident System is the largest system of public wildlife-dependent recreational uses fish and wildlife on state and private lands in the world primarily dedicated to are priority public uses on refuges and lands and oversees state-listed species. the conservation of wildlife. It is spread strengthens the compatibility determina- Hopper Mountain NWR Complex is across 50 states, American Samoa, Puerto tion process for assuring that these and managed by the FWS, which coordi- Rico, the Virgin Islands, Johnston Atoll, other activities do not conflict with refuge nates with DFG on a variety of natural Midway Atoll, and several other Pacific management purposes and goals. resource management issues.

What is the mission of “Wild beasts and birds are by right the Refuge System? not the property merely of people who National wildlife refuges are places are alive today, but the property of where “wildlife comes first.” unknown generations whose belongings “The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a nation- we have no right to squander.” al network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where President Theodore Roosevelt appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.”

Lands within the Refuge System are managed first and foremost for the benefit of fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats. Our mission differs from other federal agencies, such as the U.S. Forest Service, which focuses on forest stew- ardship and sustainable forest uses; the Bureau of Land Management, which deals with the productivity and mul- tiple use of the land; and the National Park Service, which conserves scenery, wildlife, and historic objects for people’s recreational enjoyment. Pronghorn antelope. Photo: USFWS 3

Hopper Mountain NWR - Background

Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is located in Ventura County, in southern California. It is bordered by the Los Padres National Forest and the Sespe Condor Sanctuary to the north. The 2,471- acre Refuge was established in 1974 to protect the endangered California condor, its habitat, and other wildlife resources. All lands within the approved refuge land ac- quisition boundary for Hopper Mountain NWR are owned in fee title by the FWS.

The Refuge is in rugged, mountainous terrain. Primary habitats include annual grasslands, interspersed with oak and California black walnut (considered to be a unique habitat in California), chaparral on the steeper slopes, natural water springs and riparian habitat, and a freshwater marsh. The California black walnut is recorded in the State Natural Heritage Database.

The Refuge provides habitat for more than 130 species of birds, mammals, and reptiles, including the southwestern pond turtle–a California species of special The California condor uses rocky pinnacles for roosting, while numerous caves provide concern–black bear, bobcat, mule deer, potential nesting habitat. Photo: Laudine Borges/USFWS golden eagle, and California tree frog. More than 200 plant species have also been documented on the Refuge. Hopper Mountain NWR

Hopper Mountain NWR plays an integral FWS Lands Owned in Fee Title Sespe Condor Sanctuary BLM Lands part in the California Condor Recovery Program, providing nesting, foraging and Approved Refuge Boundary Los Padres National Forest roosting habitat for the bird. The Refuge shares information about the Condor Recovery Program through an outreach program that extends to local, national and international publics.

126 Piru

The color of the mature condor’s head 23 r ta Clara Riv e 0 Miles 2 and neck intensifies when the bird is Fillmore San 0 6 excited, agitated, or engaging in courtship Kilometers or mating activities. Photo: David Clendenen/USFWS 4

Bitter Creek NWR - Background

Bitter Creek NWR was established Smaller areas of habitat consist of juni- legged hawks and Swainson’s hawks (win- in 1985 to provide safe roosting and per brush land, oak savannah, and pinyon ter), tri-colored blackbirds, loggerhead foraging habitat for California condors. pine/juniper/oak communities. Several shrikes and many other species. The approved boundary of the Refuge springs are found within the Refuge’s encompasses 16,144 acres, of which boundaries and creeks flow intermittent- Preparation of the Bitter Creek NWR 14,096 acres is owned in fee title by the ly, depending upon rainfall. Bitter Creek Grassland Habitat Management and Res- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Canyon provides a riparian corridor. toration Plan Environmental Assessment The Refuge is located in parts of Kern, (EA) and Compatibility Determination Ventura, and San Luis Obispo Counties, The Refuge protects the habitat of a va- are ongoing. To assist the EA process, an approximately 80 miles north of Los riety of plants and animals, including the Independent Range Review (IRR) is cur- Angeles, just west of the community golden eagle, prairie falcon, pronghorn rently underway. More information about of Maricopa, California. The approved antelope, tule elk, and the endangered the IRR may be found at http://www.fws. refuge land acquisition boundary San Joaquin kit fox and blunt-nosed gov/hoppermountain/ . identifies the area where the FWS can leopard lizard. acquire interests in properties from willing sellers. Because the FWS’s No hunting is allowed on the Refuge. land acquisition program is based on The public can view the Refuge along willing sellers, not all lands approved Highway 166 and Cerro Noroeste Road, for potential acquisition within the with the possibility of seeing a California approved boundary may become a part condor. California condors are known to of the Refuge. feed on and fly over the Refuge. A good pair of binoculars and/or a spotting scope Bitter Creek NWR is primarily open are a must. The condors are currently grassland, providing valuable forag- using the Refuge on a regular basis. ing habitat for California condors. The Refuge was used historically by the wild Birders may also have the opportunity to condor population. spot golden eagles, prairie falcons, rough-

Bitter Creek NWR California condor Photo: D.Clendenen/USFWS FWS Lands Owned in Fee Title Approved Refuge Boundary BLM Lands Private Lands Los Padres National Forest

To Maricopa and I-5

166 San Joaquin kit fox. Photo: USFWS Bit ter Creek

Ce rro No roe ste Rd

0 Miles 2 0 6

Kilometers

Note: Because the FWS’s land acquisition program is based on willing sellers, not all lands approved for poten- tial acquisition within the approved refuge boundary may become a part of the Refuge. Blunt-nosed leopard lizard. Photo: USFWS 5

Blue Ridge NWR - Background

Blue Ridge NWR was established in 1982. Blue Ridge NWR encompasses 897 acres, all within Tulare County, California. All lands within the approved refuge land acquisi- tion boundary for Blue Ridge NWR are owned in fee title by the FWS. The Refuge is approximately 11 miles north of Spring- ville and 17.5 miles northeast of Porter- Blue Ridge National Wildlife Refuge. Photo: USFWS ville.

The Refuge was established to protect critical habitat for the Blue Ridge NWR endangered California Approved Refuge Boundary Sequoia National Park condor. The property was declared critical Golden eagle. FWS Lands Owned in Fee Title State Lands habitat on the basis of Photo: USFWS CA Dept. of Fish & Game BLM Lands its importance as a tra- ditional roosting area Sequoia National Forest for condors. It also serves to complement the condor’s historical foraging area known generally as the “foothill foraging zone,” which begins around Glenville and the Greenhorn Mountains and spreads north into central Tulare County.

Blue Ridge NWR supports three vegeta- tion types: coniferous forest, chaparral, and woodland-savannah. The Foothill Woodland plant community consists of dense or open woodland with scattered brush and grassland between the trees. ek C re ker Chaparral is the most common plant Stoc community on Blue Ridge NWR, with riparian corridors distributed throughout the topography.

The Blue Ridge area supports a variety of wildlife. Birds include mountain quail, Fresno Yo blue grouse, band-tailed pigeon, great kohl Valle y D Visalia horned owl, white-headed woodpecker, r To Steller’s jay, mountain chickadee, white Springville breasted nuthatches, and Townsend’s Blue Ridge solitaire. Mammals include mule deer, NWR mountain lion, bobcat, coyote, red and 99 gray foxes, striped skunk, porcupine, Bakersfield 5 mountain cottontail, Douglas squirrel 0 Miles 2 (chickeree), western gray squirrel, and 0 6 yellow pine chipmunk. Kilometers 6

Hopper Mountain NWR Refuge Purposes Complex Management Each national wildlife refuge is established for purposes defined by language within California Condor Recovery Program a number of acts of Congress that grant the FWS general authority to acquire land for national wildlife refuges. Hopper Mountain, Bitter Creek and Blue Ridge The Hopper Mountain NWR Complex is NWRs were established: the lead office for the multi-partner Cali- fornia Condor Recovery Program. The Recovery Program is currently focused ■ “... to conserve (A) fish or wildlife which are listed as endangered species or on the goal of establishing two separate, threatened species .... or (B) plants ...” 16 U.S.C. ¤ 1534 (Endangered Species self sustaining populations of 150 birds, Act of 1973) each with 15 breeding pairs. In addition to the above purpose, Hopper Mountain NWR was also established: Hopper Mountain NWR and Bitter ■ “... for the development, advancement, management, conservation, and protec- Creek NWR are the base of field tion of fish and wildlife resources ...” 16 U.S.C. ¤ 742f(a)(4) “... for the benefit of operations for the Recovery Program. the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in performing its activities and The Complex protects foraging, nesting, services. ...” 16 U.S.C. ¤ 742f(b)(1) (Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956) and roosting habitat for California condor. What is a CCP? When Congress passed the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, it incorporated an underlying philosophy that “wildlife comes first” on refuges.

The Act provides the FWS with guidance for managing refuges to ensure the long-term conservation of fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats. Two important principles of the Act are to maintain biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health of the refuge and facilitate compatible wildlife-dependent recreation.

Every refuge is required to have a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) completed by 2012. The CCP will outline refuge goals, objectives, and management strategies. It is a flexible, “living” docu- ment that will be updated every 15 years.

The CCP: ■ Ensures the compatibility of current tal document, required by the National ■ Ensures that management of the and future uses of the refuge with its Environmental Policy Act, will describe refuge reflects the purposes of the purposes; the alternatives considered and their refuge and the mission, policies, and ■ Provides long-term continuity in ref- environmental effects. You will have an goals of the National Wildlife Refuge uge management; and opportunity to review and comment on the System; draft CCP and environmental document. ■ Provides budget justification for ■ Provides the public with an under- operation and maintenance and facility In the spring of 2010, we are scheduled to standing of the reasons for manage- development requests. hold our first public scoping meetings to ment actions on the refuge; help identify issues and gather informa- The CCP will provide broad management ■ Provides a vision statement for tion. The key planning steps are listed direction and guidance for the refuge, the refuge; above and will be listed in future updates contingent upon future funding and re- so you can track our progress through sources. The accompanying environmen- the planning process. 7

The California condor Compatibility of California condors are the largest flying for tens of thousands of years. The refuge uses birds in North America, with wing Chumash, a native American tribe that spans up to 9.5 feet. These giant birds traditionally lived along the southern Prior to allowing various public uses on have been soaring over California skies California coast and valleys, revered the a refuge, federal law requires that the condor as a powerful presence. Huyawit FWS first determine that these specific (condor in the Chumash language) uses are compatible. A compatible use is removes the foulness of the world. a proposed or existing use of a national Condor feathers play an important role wildlife refuge that, based on sound in Chumash ceremonies and stones professional judgement of the refuge taken from the nest of the condor can manager, will not materially interfere bestow special powers. Evidence of the with or detract from the fulfillment “When significance of the condor can be found of the Refuge System mission or the in prehistoric cave art depicting the purposes of the refuge. Compatibility animals large bird. determinations are used to help evaluate such uses and will be integrated as part are extinct of the CCP planning process. The FWS it throws off may only authorize economic use of the refuge’s natural re- the balance of sources where we determine that the the world.” use contributes to Julie Tumamait-Stenslie, the achievement of Chumash Storyteller refuge purposes or the Refuge System mission. The Hopper Mountain NWR Complex Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex, in south- Blue Ridge ern California, was created primarily to restore the endangered Visalia California condor population to its native range. Three of the four refuges - Hopper Mountain, Bitter Creek, and Blue Ridge 5 NWRs - exist expressly for this purpose. The Refuges are closed 101 99 to the public to protect critical habitat for California condors and to limit disturbance to condors in the area. Bakersfield The Refuge Complex is one of many partners in the California San Luis Condor Recovery Program. Coopera- Obispo tors are involved in releasing California condors to other parts of their historic range and in captive breeding. 166 The Refuge Complex also provides ongoing assistance to various related Bitter Hopper California condor projects in Latin California Guadalupe/ Creek Mt. America. Nipomo 33 The fourth refuge in the Complex, Dunes Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes NWR, Santa Barbara Refuge which is not included in this CCP pro- Ventura Complex cess, protects some of the last remain- Office ing natural dunes habitat in California. It is currently the only refuge in the Complex open to public use. A sepa- The Refuge Complex lies in the heart rate CCP process will be conducted of the condors’ historical native for Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes NWR. range in southern California. 8

Help us plan CCP Schedule Please feel free the future Fall 2009 Begin preplanning to contact us! During early 2010, Tribes, interested We are available to provide additional individuals, agencies, organizations, and Winter 2009/2010 Mail out background information information about the refuge history, other stakeholders will be invited to goals, and accomplishments to date, and share their visions for the refuges and Spring 2010 Hold public scoping to answer any questions about the plan- express their concerns. This will be your meetings and begin ning process. Feel free to call, write, or opportunity to help us identify issues the CCP process e-mail us at the location listed below. and concerns and receive answers to any questions you may have. Your comments If you did not receive this newsletter and/or participation will be critical to the Meeting Dates/Locations through the mail and would like to be on success of this planning effort. As information about the public meetings our mailing list, please contact us. You becomes available, it will be posted on can also get information at our website: We will send you our second planning www.fws.gov/cno/refuges/planning/ update in spring 2010, announcing our website. For more information about the refuges, visit our website at: the beginning of the CCP effort and If you would like to be removed from providing more information on how you http://fws.gov/hoppermountain the list or are receiving multiple copies can get involved. of these notices, please let us know.

Marc Weitzel, Project Leader Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex PO Box 5839 Ventura, CA 93005 805/644-5185 phone 805/644-1732 fax [email protected]

Sandy Osborn, Refuge Planner U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Southwest Region Refuge Planning 2800 Cottage Way, W-1832 Sacramento, CA 95825 916/414-6503 phone 916/414-6497 fax [email protected]

Tule elk. Photo: USFWS ______Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex US Fish and Wildlife Service P.O. Box 5839 Ventura, CA 93005