KESTERSON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Los Bancs, California

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 1986

U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM KESTERSON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Los Banos, California

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 1986

U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM REVIEW AND APPROVALS

KESTERSON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Los Banos, California

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 1986

Date ^^i^gefuge Supervisor Review

Regional Office Approval INTRODUCTION

Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in July, 1969. It consists of 5,846 acres in Merced County, California and is located 4 miles east of Gustine and approximately 18 miles north of Los Banos, California. The Refuge is an overlay on a U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) project. The lands are held in fee title by BOR. The conservation and management of wildlife, including any associated recreation activities, were transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The BOR project is a series of holding ponds (approximately 1,283 acres) for drain water which has been transported via the San Luis Drain.

Kesterson NWR is within the historic flood plain of the San Joaquin River. The flat grasslands are disrupted b^ narrow meandering channels of former streams. Much of the upland area, (east side of Mud Slough) is dotted with vernal pools, which contain many unique plant species. In addition to the uplands, native marshes also occur. In the lowest part of the flood plain, good stands of iodine bush occur. The elevation of the Refuge ranges from 60 to 75 feet mean sea level. Uplands comprise 2,965 acres while wetlands make up 1,505 acres plus 8 acres of riparian habitat.

The Objectives of the Refuge are to: 1) Preserve and improve habitats that support the endangered San Joaquin kit fox and other listed species; 2) Provide habitat for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds; and 3) Maintain adequate populations of native plants and animals. TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. HIGHLIGHTS 4

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS 4

C. LAND ACQUISITION

1. Fee Title (Nothing to Report) 2. Easements (Nothing to Report) 3. Other (Nothing to Report) ...

D. PLANNING

1. Master Plan (Nothing to Report) 2. Management Plan (Nothing to Report) 3. Public Participation (Nothing to Report).. 4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates (Nothing to Report) 5. Research and Investigations 5 6. Other 8

E. ADMINISTRATION 11

1. Personnel ' 11 2. Youth Programs 11 3. Other Manpower Programs 11 4. Volunteer Program (Nothing to Report) 5. Funding 12 6. Safety 12 7. Technical Assistance (Nothing to Report) i i

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT 12

1. General (Nothing to Report) 2. Wetlands 12 3. Forest (Nothing to Report) 4. Croplands (Nothing to Report) 5. Grasslands (Nothing to Report) 6. Other Habitat (Nothing to Report) 7. Grazing 13 8. Haying (Nothing to Report) 9. Fire Management (Nothing to Report) 13 10. Pest Control 14 11. Water Rights • 14 12. Wilderness and Special Areas (Nothing to Report) 13. WPA Easement Monitoring (Nothing to Report).... «

G. WILDLIFE 16

1. Wildlife Diversity (Nothing to Report) 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species 16 3. Waterfowl 17 4. Marsh and Water Birds 17 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Allied Species .. 6. Raptors 18 7. Other Migratory Birds (Nothing to Report) 8. Game Mammals (Nothing to Report) 9. Marine Mammals (Nothing to Report) 10. Other Resident Wildlife (Nothing to Report).... 11. Fisheries Resources (Nothing to Report)... 12. Wildlife Propagation and Stocking (No Report).. 13. Surplus Animal Disposal (Nothing to Report).... 14. Scientific Collection (Nothing to Report) 15. Animal Control (Nothing to Report) 16. Marking and Banding (Nothing to Report) 17. Disease Prevention & Control(Nothing to Report).

H. PUBLIC USE 18

1. General (Nothing to Report) 2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students (Nothing to Report) - 3. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers (Nothing to Report) - 4. Interpretive Foot Trails (Nothing to Report)... 5. Interpretive Tour Routes (Nothing to Report)... 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations (No Report) 7. Other Interpretive Programs 18 8. Hunting 19 9. Fishing (Nothing to Report) i i i

H. PUBLIC USE 18

10. Trapping (Nothing to Report) 11. Wildlife Observation (Nothing to Report) 12. Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation (No Report). 13. Camping (Nothing to Report) 14. Picnicking (Nothing to Report) 15. Off-road Vehicling (Nothing to Report) 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation (No Report) 17. Law Enforcement 19 18. Cooperating Associations (Nothing to Report)... 19. Concessions (Nothing to Report)

I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES 20

1. New Construction (Nothing to Report) 2. Rehabilitation (Nothing to Report) 3. Major Maintenance (Nothing to Report) 4. Eguipment Utilization and Replacement (No Report) - 5. Communications Systems (Nothing to Report) 6. Computer Systems (Nothing to Report) 7. Energy Conservation (Nothing to Report) 8. Other (Nothing to Report)

J. OTHER ITEMS 26

1. Cooperative Programs 26 2. Other Economic Uses (Nothing to Report) 3. Items of Interest 26 4. Credits 26

K. FEEDBACK 27

L. INFORMATION PACKET (Inside Back Cover) A. HIGHLIGHTS

Major water control system installed on east side of refuge (Section 1.2).

Bureau of Reclamation looks into cleanup possibilities for Kesterson cells (Section D.5).

San Joaquin kit fox study initiated (Section G.2).

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

The on-site Kesterson weather data is summarized in Table 1 below. It was gathered between cells 5 and 7 by the Bureau of Reclamation.

Table 1 On-Site Kesterson Weather Data

Month High Low Precipitation

January 70 32 1.09

February 74 27 3.75

March 79 40 2.87

April 87 39 0.45

May 97 42 0.08

June 102 48 • 0.00

July 103 52 0.05

August 104 50 0.00

September 97 40 0.45

October 89 39 0.02

November 78 29 0.00

December 65 25 0.49

Total Precipitation: 9.25

1 Precipitation was almost an inch above the amount received in Los Banos in 1986...8.34"* February and March were wet months accounting for over 70% of the annual precipitation. Late winter storms during these same months caused a 200% above-normal snowpack which allowed large volumes of Sierra Nevada reservoir water to be released into the San Joaquin River-Grassland Water District System and ultimately through the refuge. These fresh water flows, plus flood flows from Garzas and Los Banos Creeks, were used to dilute and flush accumulated salts from all wetlands west of Mud Slough.

D. PLANNING

5. Research and Investigations

Wet Flex

Scientists from the Lawrence Berkeley Lab at UC Berkeley (BOR contractors) designed a 1-acre impoundment just north of Gun Club road in Pond 5 to determine if selenium could be immobilized in the mud on the bottom of the pond by keeping a deep layer of water (3-4 feet) on top of it. This process called the Flexible Response Plan or "Wet Flex" is favored by the BOR. "Wet Flex" is estimated to cost 2.3 million to initiate costs for the following 4 years would be another 4.6 million. In contrast, the plan favored by environmentalists and the USFWS calls for digging up all contaminated soil and vegetation (1/2 million cu.yds.) and sealing it in an on- site, state-of-the-art landfill at a cost of $25-$50 million.

Constructing 1 aci "Wet Flex" experimental impoundment in Pond 5. 5/86 WH 2 San Luis NWR '86 - Survey of Selenium Contamination in the Grasslands of the Northern San Joaquin Valley - (Phase I and Phase II).

During 1983 and 1984, Dr. Harry Ohlendorf, USFWS, Pacific Coast Field Station, discovered that aquatic birds nesting at Kesterson Reservoir were experiencing poor reproductive success. It was determined that the problem was a result of high concentrations of selenium in drain water entering the Kesterson Reservoir. In addition during 1984, Ohlendorf and Hothem collected nesting waterbirds from the South Grasslands. The results of their study, reported in January 1985, indicated that these birds also contained elevated levels of selenium. Since drain water has traditionally been used for irrigation of waterfowl food plants and fall flooding of duck clubs within the entire 51,000 acres of the west Grasslands in addit ion to the San Luis and Kesterson NWR's and Los Banos Wildlife Management Area (WMA), it was suspected that contamination of these areas could eVcist.

As a result, Fred Paveglio, Wildlife Biologist, San Luis NWR and Jon Kauffeld, Easement Biologist, San Luis NWR, prepared a proposal in February 1985 to determine the extent and severity of selenium contamination as well as other heavy metals in the West Grasslands.

Assistance during preparation of the proposal was provided by California Department of Fish and Game and the Grasslands Water District. The proposal was approved and funded in March 1985.

The objective of the study are to:

1. Determine the levels of selenium and other heavy metals in major biotic and abiotic components of the wetlands system in the West Grasslands including state and federal wildlife areas. Samples will include birds, mammals, fish, invertebrates, plants, soils, and water.

2. Describe the geographic extent of selenium and heavy metals in the West Grasslands including state and federal wildlife areas.

3. Provide baseline information for future management decisions.

3 Fred Paveglio was given the responsibility as the principle investigator for the study and seven biological technicians were hired to assist in the collection and preparation of samples to be analyzed for contaminants (see Section E.l Cor a list of personnel). A temporary laboratory to house eguipment and personnel was established in a vacant building provided by the California Department of Fish and Game at Los Banos Wildlife Management Area.

Samples were sent to Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (WRC) in Maryland for contaminant analysis. Statistical analysis of data is being compiled by Chris Bunck, Biometrician, Patuxent (WRC).

Collections for the study began in June of 1985 and were completed in April, 1986. During 1985 , the following, samples were collected: 1,080 waterfowl, 115 water, 135 invertebrate, 20 mosguito fish, 74 small mammal, 650 waterfowl food plant, and 188 soil. Over 3,500 samples will be collected upon the completion of the study.

The Bureau of Reclamation funded the project for approximately $1,068,703. The final report is scheduled for completion by FY 1987.

Phase II of the study was initiated in the fall of 1986. The Phase II objectives are to:

1. Monitor selenium levels in sediment, water, algae, and invertebrates on select sites representative of the Grasslands, under a new fresh water management system.

2. Monitor selenium levels of wintering and resident waterfowl and waterbirds using the Grasslands.

3. Provide field level information on bioaccumulation of selenium from the sediment up through the waterfowl food chain.

Phase II was designed to investigate the interrelationships of selenium in water, algae, soils, and invertebrates which are a primary food source for wintering waterfowl.

Preliminary results from Phase I of the Grasslands selenium monitoring project indicate that selenium may be bioaccumulating in invertebrates even though fresh water (>2ppm se) has been used since fall 1985.

Phase II is schedules to continue for five years through 1991, with a total budget of $1,259,291 provided by the Bureau of Reclamation.

4 "Selenium Levels and Habitat Use of the San Joaquin Kit Fox in the Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge Area"

The primary objective of this study of the federally endangered San Joaquin kit fox (SJKF) is to determine the levels of selenium and heavy metals in SJKF using Kesterson NWR and the surrounding area.

Data from SJKF found on Merced NWR will be used for comparisons to kit foxes found on Kesterson NWR. Nocturnal spot-light surveys, ground searches for den sites, scat analysis, and scent stations were all used to confirm SJKF use of Kesterson NWR.

Live-trapping of SJKF was attempted from September lhronqh December, 1986. No foxes were trapped during tha-i. time. When SJKF are successfully trapped, blood and hair samples will be collected for contaminant analysis and animals will be fitted with radio-transmitters and eartags.

Location data for home range and habitat use will also be collected. This study is being conducted by Steve Clifton, a Masters of Science Candidate, as a cooperative eftort by the USFWS, BOR and California State University, Stanislaus.

6. Other

The final draft EIS for the cleanup of Kesterson Reservoir was completed in October, 1986. The draft EIS completed in April, 1986, proposed and evaluated four alternative plans: Flexible Response, Immobilization, On- Site Disposal, and Off-Site Disposal. The final EIS proposes a phased approach incorporating parts of the Flexible Response, Immobilization and On-Site Disposal plans.

The Flexible Response plans would eliminate on-site vegetation and preserve future use. -A "Wet Flex" option to this plan would reflood the contaminanted ponds with good quality water year round. Monitoring of vegetation, invertebrates, soil and groundwater as well as waterfowl hazing would continue.

The Immobilization plan would create an anaerobic soil condition which theoretically prevents selenium from entering the groundwater. This could be done by either a water or soil cap over the entire reservoir. By immobilizing the selenium in the soil, some food chain exposure could be eliminated.

5 The On-Site Disposal plan would remove all contaminated material from the reservoir and store it in a 64 acre double- lined and soil-capped landfill.

The Flexible Response plan would cost less than the other options and would buy time to continue research. It would also allow the reservoir to remain toxic -- as it is being used as a research site.

The immobilization plan would be more expensive. It is based on an unproven theory that may not work in a larger and therefore more difficult to control environment. There are a lot more variables in 1200 acres of wetland than there are in a 5 gallon bucket. Again, years would be required to be able to measure the results. Hazing of waterfowl would continue with both the wet-flex and water-capped immobilization plans.

The On-Site Disposal plan would be expensive requiring imported topsoil to replace and cap the con taininan ted materials from the reservoir. New wetland habitat woVild also be developed offsite to offset the loss of historic wetlands in the reservoir. This would also take place using the dry options of the Fexible Response and Immobilization plans.

The BOR plans to initiate the wet-flex option and experiment with the immobilization plan in one-acre ponds. If these fail, the On-Site Disposal option will be implemented. The Offsite Disposal plan has been eliminated.

Bureau of Reclamation uses portable pump to divert San Luis Drain water into cell 7 after stoppage of Westlands Water District water. 1/86 GRZ

6 Bureau of Reclamation contractors sink test wells to monitor ground water movement at Kesterson. 1/86 GRZ

7 E. ADMINISTRATION

Personnel

For a complete listing of the San Luis NWR Complex personnel, refer to the 1986 San Luis NWR Annual Narrative Report, There are no personnel directly assigned to the Kesterson MWR.

Youth Program

The San Luis NWR Complex hosted a Youth Conservation Corps program, with a variety of projects being completed during the summer. The following Kesterson related projects were completed; 12 miles of unsightly and non-functional barbed wire fencing was removed; 4 miles of boundary (east side) were posted; and 30 water control structures were cleared of weeds.

Other Manpower Programs

The waterfowl hazing crew, first assigned in August 1984, continued to minimize waterfowl and waterbird use on the contaminated ponds of Kesterson reservoir by using zon guns, cracker shells, scarecrows, etc. Walt Hammond supervised the crew until July when Gilbert Galindo took over as supervisor. Besides their hazing responsibilities, the crew also provided demonstrations and tours to many groups, plus occasionally assisted with refuge-related work projects.

Walt Hammond, Kesterson hazing supervisor, fires shellcracker over Cell 7 at dawn ... zon gun in foreground. 2/85 GRZ.

8 5. Fu riding

The San Luis NWR Complex does not receive any direct funding for Kesterson NWR, therefore, please refer to the 1986 San Luis NWR Annual Narrative Report for a breakdown of complete funding levels.

6. Sa fe ty

As part of a region wide program, all refuge buildings were inspected for structural defects. The 2-person team determined that the antiquated hunter check station should be dismantled and replaced with a portable trailer and protective chain link fence. A project description wor-ksheet v/as subsequently produced for funds justification.

Fire extinguishers and first aid kits were checked and replaced as necessary.

The hazing crews successfully completed the Standard Red Cross First Aid course.

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

Z. Wet lands

Water levels were dropped on the Sprig Lake, West and South Gallo and 3-Partners on January 24. The remainder of the units were gradually drawn down through the end of February. The 3.75" of rain during February kept duck-club runoff flowing through the units all month. During March, these units were periodically filled and flushed of accumulated salts.

Spring irrigation started May 9 in the Teal, Gallo, and Sprig Units. Water delivery ceased on May 28.

In order to irrigate refuge wetlands, water had to be delivered through the Lone Tree Duck Club. Although all of their club was irrigated, no water made it to the Teal Lake Units. An on-site inspection of the Lone Tree revealed that all of the club did not have to be flooded before FWS water was allowed to flow into the refuge. However, until this situation was truly understood, the Lone Tree got a free irrigation by impounding FWS water and filling their units before spilling into refuge units.

9 This action delayed irriqation to the Sprig Units by two weeks. Grasslands Water District delivered water from Garzas Creek via Los Banos Creek, Eagle Ditch, and the Lone Tree Club to Kesterson on May 9. Unfortunately, 50% of this refuge irrigation water was lost before it crossed Gun Club road. In order to reach the refuge, this water had to flood the Los Banos Creek channel and part of the East Gustine Duck Club...another free irrigation! Because of this inefficient system, the Teal Lake units were not irrigated and Sprig Lake did not receive an irrigation until May 24. The frustrations encountered during the spring irrigation further underscored the need for a more efficient and direct water delivery system for the refuge wetlands.

On May 30, Manager Zahm, Biologist Kauffeld, and Assistant Manager Blacker met with Don Marciochi of the Grasslands Water District, Richard Ferreira (caretaker, Lone Tre-e), and four members of the Lone Tree Duck Club to discuss water delivery through the Lone Tree Duck Club to Kesterson. Biologist Kauffeld presented four options: *

1 ) Extend Eagle Ditch to the Kesterson boundary - 2) Extend the Westside Ditch to the Kesterson boundary - 3) Install a lift canal from Los Banos Creek to Kesterson - 4) Extend the Westside Ditch to Eagle Ditch to Kesterson -

After much discussion and on-site inspection, option #1 appeared to be the most economical and agreeable to all parties involved.

7. Graz ing

Although grazing has not been allowed on Kesterson NWR since April, 1981, cattle trespass still occurs at times on the northeast portion of the refuge.

In October after moving 20 cows off the refuge, Frank Freitas was contacted and the fence across Mud.Slough was ultimately repaired. Although secure now, this area will have to be periodically checked whenever Mud Slough water levels drop. Because Merced County has a fence-in law, the Freitas family has received previous written correspondence which outlines their responsibility to maintain the refuge boundary fence and keep their cattle off the refuge.

Fire Management

A faulty racket bomb which landed in dry salt grass ignited a 3/4 acre fire in cell 11 on May 9. The hazing crew used a 3- wheel ATV sucessfully to create a fire line, thus allowing the fire to burn itself out.

10 Fences scheduled for removal by the YCC crew were mowed to provide vehicular access and reduce the danger of fires from hot exhaust systems.

10. Pest Control

The main access road (Highway 140 entrance to Hunter Parking Lot 3) was sprayed with Duiron sterilant in February to control weeds and facilitate road grading and parking lot ma intenance.

11. Water Rights

Currently, Central Valley Project water is conveyed to the refuge by Grasslands Water District on an intermittent* basis, as a direct delivery system to the refuge boundary is non­ existent. On the west side, water is delivered to "S" Lake on the Lone Tree Duck Club. It then flows through the private land to get to the refuge units. On the east side, the San Luis Canal brings water directly to the refuge; however, this system needs major rehabilitation, both before it reaches the refuge and within the refuge.

Two temporary contracts with the Bureau of Reclamation provided up to 7,100 acre-feet of non-reimbursable water for use on the refuge to manage and maintain waterfowl habitat. On paper, the Grasslands Water District delivered 4805 acre- feet of water to Kesterson refuge in 1986. Temporary contract #6-07-20-W0452 provided 1537 ac.ft. during May for spring irrigations and another 3068 ac. ft. during fall flood-up. An additional 200 ac. ft. delivered under temporary contract #6-07-20-W057 brought the fall flood up total to 3268 ac.ft. Actually not all this water reached the refuge. See section F.2.

11 Flooding of Freitas road and pasture from 20 CFS Kesterson water flow in San Luis Canal. 12/86 GRZ.

12 G. WILDLIFE

2. Endangered Species

To confirm San Joaquin kit fox usage of the Kesterson Reservoir for the draft EIS, biweekly spotlight surveys were initiated in mid-January. Confirmed sightings were made in or near the reservoir on January 24, 28; February 7; March 27; April 4, 17, 21; May 1, 8, 15; August 7; October 14; and November 25.

The Tricolored blackbird population peaked at 47,000 in April. (Kesterson Reservoir Ponds 2, 4, and 5). Bird numbers fell to about 200 in the summer months and returned to 45,000 in December.

In April, Ted Beady (Jones and Stokes-BOR contractor) conducted a Tricolored blackbird nesting survey after .Service employees noticed an almost complete nesting failure in the 47,000 Tricolored colonies (1/3 of the world's population of Tricoloreds).

Over 250 dead chicks were collected from levee road and dikes around the colony in cells 2, 4, and 5. These dead chicks contained high levels of selenium which is thought to be the probable cause of death.

Cattail marshes on the east side of the Kesterson refuge and the Gallo pond on the west side are possible alternative nesting sites for these birds. In 1986, over 3,653,000 tricolored use-days were recorded on Kesterson.

A candidate species Cordylanthus mollis spp. hispidis (Hispid Birds Beak) was found by R. Edminister along nearly the entire length of Mud Slough. Eryngium racemosum (Delta Coyote Thistle) was not found on Kesterson this year.

A total of 1255 snowy plover use-days were recorded at Kesterson in 1986 Snowy Plover nests were found in Ponds 10 and 11 in mid-June with chicks ultimately being observed in Ponds 1, 6, and 11, A total of 43 birds (adults and juveniles) were counted in the ponds on August 9.

13 Western Snowy Plover nest in Pond 10. 6/86 GRZ

Waterfowl

Cinnamon teal arrived at the refuge this year around January 23. Cinnamon teal and gadwall were the most common nesting species on Kesterson this year. Flushing of units with fresh water during winter drawdowns helped produce more food which was utilized by waterfowl in the fall and winter.

The mallard population peaked at 700 in January. N. pintail and green-winged teal peaked in February at 1800 and 1225 respectively. Cinnamon teal and N. shoveler peaked at 1250 and 765 respectively in April. Refuge biologists recorded 424,956 duck and 1599 goose use-days at Kesterson in 1986.

Marsh and Waterbirds

The Sprig Lake heron rookery contained approximately 10 great egrets, 30 snowy egrets, and 350-400 black-crowned night herons in 1986. The first night herons were seen on Sprig Lake on March 19, 1986. A colony of 50-60 black-crowned night herons appeared to desert nesting attempts at the Sprig Lake rookery and began nesting attempts in the cattails of the Gallo Unit in early June. By 23 July, this unit began drying up so they moved to Mud slough near the old crossing. The disruption of this traditional group of colonial nesting birds is directly attributable to the refuge's water delivery problem, (see Section F.2).

14 6 Raptors

Burrowing owls set up residence on the north dike of Sprig Lake and around the Windmill Pond. Both bald and golden eagles hunted the east side of the refuge. A few rough legged hawks were also sighted during the winter.

Rough-legged hawk next to San Luis Drain near Freitas Ranch 4/86 RAB.

H. PUBLIC USE

7. Other Interpretive Programs

In January, Zahm gave Tim Shea, Congressman Silvio Conte's aide, a major tour of the Complex and the Grassland Water District. Water guality and guantity, easements, and public use programs were some topics of discussion.

15 Under Secretary of the Interior, William Horn, Deputy Regional Director Joe Blum, Refuge Supervisor Bob Fields, and others met with Manager Zahm to discuss the Kesterson water problem during March.

Biologist Paveglio gave a presentation in July to students from Antioch College in Ohio on the Kesterson agricultural drainage problem.

A TV news crew from Channel 24 (Fresno) filmed a 10 minute spot at San Luis and Kesterson for the December 7 evening news. Manager Zahm was interviewed on this program.

Hunt ing

The following table portrays refuge waterfowl hunter success. The major species harvested at Kesterson in 1986-87 were 610 G-W teal (30%), 500 mallards (25%), 274 N. pintail (14%), and 217 N. Shoveler (11%).

TOTAL OPENING NO. OF # DUCKS # GEESE #COOTS BIRDS/ DAY SEASON HUNTERS TAKEN TAKEN TAKEN HUNTER SUCCESS

84-85 1,285 2,294 21 261 2.0 2.9

85-86 995 2,023 104 2.1 1.4

86-87 1,011 2,052 15 2.04 3.2

17. Law Enforcement

After several years of minimal law enforcement efforts, early morning shell checks and random field checks for hunters were begun in November. Several unplugged shotguns were discovered, one citation written for vehicle trespass, and many extra shells were found dumped along trails leading up to the temporary check points. Because of the isolated locations of many of the refuge wetlands, hunters were usually surprised to see a refuge enforcement officer.

16 I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

On the May 8, Manager Zahm and Assistant Manager Blacker met with BOR personnel to discuss on-site mitigation projects on the refuge's east side. Site-specific water control projects were delineated, plus a list of necessary materials and estimated costs for each project was subseguently sent to the BOR.

Four new water control structures and two road crossings were installed on the east side via a joint effort with the BOR, Materials plus some equipment and manpower were provided by the BOR to provide interim mitigation for the loss of habitat in the selenium-laden cells.

These new structures will allow management on about 200 additional acres of wetlands. This area will be managed for waterfowl, tricolored blackbirds, and other wildlife displaced by the hazing program. San Luis personnel worked approximately 400 hours on this project and were instrumental in the success of these important projects

17 New pipe from Windmill Pond to Mud Slough. Note erosion-proof filter blanket. 11/86 GRZ.

New Windmill Pond outlet to Mud Slough. 11/86 GRZ

18 New Windmill Pond to Mud Slough pipe. Note new road gravel. 12/86 GRZ

New water control structure creates marsh between Windmill Pond and Big Lake. 12/86 GRZ Salt Slough to Big Lake inlet -- prior to dike rehabilitation and CMP installation. 11/86 GRZ

FWS/BOR interim mitigation project Big Lake inlet structures. 11/86 GRZ

20 Looking west towards rehabilitated Big Lake levee and inlet structures. ±2/86 GRZ

New road crossing on road from the end of the San Luis Drain to the Windmill Pond. 12/86 GRZ

21 A non-functional irrigation well on the refuge's east side (north­ east of Pond 5) is being rehabilitated by BOR. Water from this well will be distributed south and west via a ditch constructed with a combination of contract and force account labor.

This new delivery ditch will transport well water to refuge wetlands. 10/86 GRZ

22 J. OTHER ITEMS

1. Cooperative Programs

The waterfowl hunting program is administered jointly with the California Department of Fish and Game as per the 1965 Cooperative Agreement.

3. Items of Interest

Manager Zahm met a herd of cows on state highway 165 (where it crosses the San Luis Drain) in dense tule fog on the morning of Februray 24. The GSA pickup was totalled and Zahm received a slight back injury. God bless seat beltsl Other multiple accidents occurred at the same time involving* other cars and an 18 wheeler which single-handedly took out 27 cows. All together, over 40 cows (out of 300) were killed in the fog.

Results of truck, cows and tule fog. 3/86 RAB

4. Cred its

Assistant Manager Blacker prepared this report with assistance from Biologist Fred Paveglio, Manager Gary Zahm, and Assistant Manager Jim Houk. Clerk typist Susan Cortese did the final typing and eolation.

23 K. FEEDBACK

The lack of a firm water supply for Kesterson has hampered the management of moist soil plants in 1986. When we were able to get water deliveries via temporary contracts with BOR, the conveyance system needed to get it to the refuge was inadeguate. We experienced 50% water losses from Garzas Creek to Gun Club Road and found duck clubs stealing part of the remaining 50% between Gun Club and the refuge. Furthermore, we essentially flooded up most of the Lone Tree Duck Club before water reached the marsh units on Kesterson. All in all, a very inefficient system. The impounding of refuge water by duck clubs along the way lengthens the delivery time to get the water to the refuge and provides free water for private entities. Until a more efficient and direct water delivery system is in place, we will have to continue this slow and inefficient method of irrigating and flooding of the Kesterson wetlands.

Due to the many major problems with water management and the controversy with selenium in the reservoir, a full-time assistant manager position should be established for Kesterson refuge. By having one assistant's time divided between Kesterson and San Luis, both refuges suffer since hdeguate time, thought and energy cannot be given to either place. A lot of field time is spent driving back and forth rather than on the refuges.

There is tremendous potential for Kesterson, not only as a waterfowl refuge, but for I & R development as well. The vernal pool floral displays and native grasslands with kit fox, various raptors, and open spaces enable the visitor to go back in time and experience a microcosm' of the Great Valley and early California. This potential will not be realized until the selenium level in the reservoir is cleaned up, a high quality water supply for the refuge is affirmed, an efficient water delivery system is in place, and a full- time assistant manager position is established for the refuge. These basic needs must be met before I & R programs: hunting, wildlife Observation, etc., can be developed fully. Then the visitor will be able to enjoy this unique area.

24 KESTERSON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE MERCED COUNTY When More Is Less By Larry Morandi The incidence of water pollution caused by heavy water use in California's Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge is an indication of a much larger trend.

he Kesterson National Wildlife When it collects in water that has run Refuge is a 6,000-acre expanse off or seeped through the soil, selen­ Tof marsh and grassland in cen­ ium can destroy the very crops that tral California. It achieved notoriety two irrigation was intended to nourish. years ago with the discovery that To solve the salinity problem, per­ waterfowl deaths and deformities were forated underground pipes were built 20 times the normal rate. The source to transport highly salty drainage water of the problem was contaminated into canals for delivery elsewhere. agricultural drainage water containing Although the water was-originally des­ selenium. The water came from irriga­ tined for San Francisco Bay through tion farther up the valley—water that the proposed San Luis Drain, environ­ had created the wetlands on which so mental opposition and«a lack of funds much wildlife had become dependent. resulted in a pipeline terminus at Unlike most toxic wastes, selenium Kesterson. This nature reserve at is not man-made. It is a naturally once became the solution, a more occurring salt that, in small propor­ serious problem and a mere indication tions, is essential to many life forms. of a much larger trend in water pollu­ Selenium has become a hazard, how­ tion caused by water use. ever, in those arid regions of the West Kesterson illustrates the inherent where intensive irrigation has dis­ connections between water allocation solved and leached it from the land. and water quality. The implications for land use are enormous. Employing on- Larry Morandi is associate director of NCSL's site ponds to evaporate waste wa(pr~ Energy, Science and Natural Resources such as water containing selenium- Program.

"To the casual traveler, the west side of the San Joaquin Valley looks like a flourishing, man-made Eden. Rich farmlands with diversified crops dot the landscape. What was once dry, inhospitable terrain has been transformed into lush agricultural acre­ age. The magic wand for this metamor­ phosis was water—huge amounts of it provided at relatively low cost by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation through the ever-expanding network of dams and canals of the Central Valley Project. It was a sure-fire formula that beat nature at Us own game, spawned a new breed of pioneers and brought riches to the West. A miracle of can-do ingenuity. Or so it seemed. Before Kesterson. ..." Leo Rennert, "Trouble in Paradise," California Journal, May 1985 Photo: Gary R. Zahm

State Legislatures February 1 986 Page 1 7 "These are not normal times. Not when the Environmental Defense Fund teams up with the Westlands Water District to jointly explore ways of purifying contaminated irrigation runoff water and possibly reselling it to cities. Not when Westlands, often held up as the archetype of federal irrigation subsidy rip-offs, hires longtime reclamation foe David Weiman as a Washington lobbyist."

— Editorial, Los Angeles Times, Nov. 10,1985

could retire one acre of land for every ples averaged nearly three times that district to construct a series of desalt­ five acres of crops. Without an effec­ level in sediments—1,634 ppb—more ing plants—estimated at $40 million tive long-term means to dispose of than enough to build up lethal levels each—with the costs to be defrayed drainage water, one-half million acres through the aquatic food chain." through the sale of salvaged water to could go out of production in the The Department of the Interior, municipal and industrial users. (EDF's San Joaquin Valley over the next 30 which operates many of the Western senior economist, Zach Willey, esti­ years. Secretary of the Interior Donald projects providing water to farmers, mates that six facilities could redress Model has threatened to shut off irri­ responded to the newspaper's con­ the pollution problem on the valley's gation deliveries from the Central tentions in a statement issued last west side.) Westlands has received Valley Project to 42,000 acres of Dec. 11. It reported that preliminary congressional authorization for a $3.7 farmland in the Westlands Water Dis­ investigations found "no evidence of million loan, $250,000 of which will be trict unless remedial action is taken by widespread harm to wildlife and human shared with EDF, for a feasibility study July of this year. Such a move would health from selenium." While recogniz­ of selenium-removal technologies. effectively withdraw the land from ing the potential for irrigation to lead Through the sale of sail/aged water, agricultural use. to high levels of selenium, Assistant the EDF hopes to accomplish another Initially thought to be confined to Secretary for Water and Science California's San Joaquin Valley, selen­ Robert Broadbent emphasized that Aerial view of San Luis Dam and ium pollution is endemic to other "the Kesterson National Wildlife nmResamihfwtof CaUfornlaX^^ Western states where intensive irriga­ Refuge is still the only site where we tion is practiced under comparable soil have been able to confirm toxic ef­ and climate conditions. In a story pub­ fects." The department plans exten­ lished last fall, the Sacramento Bee sive field studies at high-selenium sites reported that dangerous levels of this spring. selenium were being leached from agricultural drains into waterfowl "In the good old days of good old ^ refuges in Arizona, California, Idaho, boys with big friends in Washington, o Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota the Westlands Water District might well and Utah. The newspaper collected have tried to muddle through its pollu­ water, soil and plant samples in those tion crisis until the big friends bailed stales and had them tested by an out the good old boys once again." independent laboratory certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection his editorial comment in the Agency. Sept. 3, 1985 edition of the Los In its Sept. 8, 1985 edition, the Bee TAngeles Times is symptomatic of noted that "although scientists still are the changes taking place in devising trying to establish a threshold level at water policy. Two traditional foes—the which selenium damage begins to Westlands Water District and the En­ occur, a new study by the U.S. Fish vironmental Defense Fund (EDF)— and Wildlife Service at the Oahe have negotiated an agreement that Reservoir in South Dakota found that may provide a long-term solution to the 564 parts of selenium per billion parts agricultural discharge problem in the of sediment can trigger damage in fish San Joaquin Valley. and birds. By comparison, Bee sam­ The agreement calls for the irrigation

Page 18 February 1986 State Legislatures "Attila the Hun forced his enemies into submission by threatening to throw salt on their fields and ruin the land. We are throwing enough salt and other poisons on our own fields to make Attila look like a model farmer. If Kesterson makes us realize what we are doing and leads to appropriate action, the disaster there may ironically result in the salvation of California agriculture."

— Harold Gilliam, "The Good News out of Kesterson," San Francisco Chronicle, Nov. 10, 1985 of its long-term goals: avoid the con­ right holder to "use it or lose it." more efficiently and withdrawing mar­ struction of costly and environmentally The market allocation concept has ginal land from production. "Where suspect water diversion facilities to implications for Western agriculture entire rural communities have evolved meet growing municipal and industrial beyond addressing the salinity prob­ around water use," he'notes, "the sur­ needs. An alternative to the sales lem. The manager of another San Joa­ render of water rights to economic approach is water trading, whereby quin Valley water entity, the Wheeler constraints will have severe social reclaimed water would be used on Ridge-Maricopa Water Storage Dis­ ramifications." He acids that Interior farms, with the irrigation water formerly trict, has suggested the sale of mar­ Secretary Model's threat to suddenly provided by the Central Valley Project ginal farmland—and the accompanying shut off irrigation flows would have the shipped directly to other users. Califor­ water rights—to Southern California same effect on his or other farming nia's statutes have removed obstacles cities at a cost lower than what they constituencies as "plant closures" to to water sales and trades over the past pay for current deliveries. During wet his more urban colleagues. few years, although the measures are years, the unused land could be To smooth the transition to a less often at odds with traditional Western leased back to farmers for crop pro­ water-dependent economy, Costa's legal thinking that requires a water- duction. Proponents contend that committee will consider legislation that farmers would benefit from the sale of would provide financial assistance for water they increasingly are unable to water conservation measures. The pay for that is used to grow surplus concept "less water, less drainage" crops on land that shouldn't be summarizes the lies between use and cultivated. quality succinctly. That farmers would consider the sale of water rights is indicative of the he arid reaches of California and economic plight facing them in the other Western states are rapidly nation's most diversified agricultural Tbecoming crucibles where inno­ region. As markets shrink, the costs vative water policy by necessity will be of crop production must be reas­ ' devised. Water conservation and re­ sessed. In the arid West, water is the use, trades and transfers may be the most significant production cost. But most cost-effective means of manag­ as Bob Reeb, staff to the California ing and protecting a scarce resource. Assembly Committee on Water, Parks The Westlands Water District/En­ and Wildlife, cautions, "Farmers are vironmental Defense Fund proposal is tough ....Their willingness to sell but one option facing policymakers; water rights may be conditioned by alone, it undoubtedly will not resolve whether they view the problems facing a complex issue. Although that agree­ agriculture as short- or long-term." ment contains no guarantee that the Perhaps no one is better aware of price of reclaimed water will be low litis dilemma than California Assembly­ enough to compete with charges for man Jim Costa, the son of a San Joa­ current deliveries, it portends coop­ quin farming family and chairman of the eration in decision-making between water committee. Costa foresees contending parties, which, in the "dramatic changes in the way agricul­ historical context of Western water- ture is practiced as farmers attempt to law, may be worth much more than cut their losses" by using less water any technological advance. State Legislatures February 1 986 Facte 1 9 I^EFUGE MANAGER Gary Zahm JLVdidn't know what was going on. the SELENIUM His treks kept getting quieter and quieter. There were fewer and fewer frogs to croak the morning mists away and fewer kerplunks of startled tur­ QUESTION tles. The rippling wakes of foraging ,muskrats were missing. Crayfish no longer scurried along the bottom. Gone was the squishy sound of big Scientists fear many of the nation carp rooting in the shallows. Instead wetlands are being poisoned by of (he customary pea-green organic soup of algae and detritus, there was the Jekyil-and-Hydetraceelement an eerie clarity to the water. - Another federal biologist said of a that closed Kesterson Refuge visit: "The silence was deafening when we went down there in Mauch of "83. by Tom Harris There was the occasional cry of a coot, but that was about it. There were hardly any mammal tracks across the dusty roads. When you drive down those kinds of roads in most marshes, snake and mammal tracks normally would obliterate tire tracks by the next day. Our tracks not only were not obliterated, they still were un­ touched several days later." Though a veteran of nauseating fish kills and botulism die-offs, the biologist clearly was shaken. The scene of this silence was Kes­ terson National Wildlife Refuge in the center of California's San Joaquin Valley. Kesterson has been the sub­ ject of nationwide publicity because of massive wildlife poisoning by selenium, a naturally occurring trace element fatal to many of the refuge's once-thriving marsh inhabit­ ants |"Kesterson Refuge: No Safe Harbor," DEFENDERS, Nov/Dec 841. Many birds were being born with horrid deformities —some with twisted beaks and legs, some without eyes or wings, some with uncovered brains protruding from misshapen skulls. Reporters for a California newspa­ per, the Sacramento Bee. recently found evidence that the selenium prob­ lem may not be confined to Kesterson.

Selenium levels in ruddy ducks like these have tested higher than in several other species of ducks.

10 DEFENDERS-Mar/Apr 86 Marshes and oilier wetlands have been robbed of historically pure and abundant water supplies and compensated tainted streamswith of farm drainage.

According (o findings in a Bee inves­ with rain dissolving the minerals con­ lalion or bioconcenlration. I laced tigation selenium poisoning is a po­ tained in the marine sediment and through the food chain frnm water tential threat to wildlife on large ex­ carrying them down to form alluvial to sediment, deliilus, micioscopic panses in IS western and midwestern deposits in the valleys below. plankton, insects, small fish, larger states as vvell as elsewhere in California. Once broken away from its host fish and fish-eating birds —selenium In a report requested by congressional rock, selenium begins a lethal trans­ levels at each step become expon­ committees and released last Decem­ formation from inorganic to organic entially higher. Biologists who have ber. (he Department of the Interior form, helped along by bacteria, soil followed selenium through (lie food confirmed (he widespread presence microbes, plants and other living or­ chain have found (hat its levels can of selenium and the high levels found ganisms. When organic, selenium be­ be magnified 3,()0() to 4.000 times, on by (he Bee. There hasn't yet been comes very toxic. It appears to be (he average, from one end ol (he enough investigation to determine most dangerous in arid areas where chain to the other. Peak increases of whether wildlife dic-offs and birth there is insufficient rainfall to flush up to 40,000 times initial coneentra deformities of the kind found at out and dilute it. lions have been found by government Kesterson have occurred in (he other But problems with selenium were researchers. Scientists woirv more western and midweslern marshes and relatively minor until the inlrodnc- about (his gradual but constant addi­ refuges where the high levels have (ion of intensive irrigated agriculture tion of (he poif'Mt poison, which thev been found. But the results of tests to much of the West. Poorly drained also call "base loading." than about done for (he Bee indicate that in six soils, underlain with nearly imperme­ discharges into (he water itself. western states the selenium levels able clay, limit natural flushing or An FWS study at Kesterson and already are high enough —or soon leaching. Now, along with excess wa­ nearby Volla Wildlife Management could be —to repeat what happened ter, selenium and heavy metals such Area, which unlike Kesterson doesn't at Kesterson at a number of other as arsenic, boron, cadmium, chro­ receive selenium-laced drain wastes, national wildlife refuges and state mium and molybdenum are siphoned tells the most frightening aquatic food waterfowl management areas. off artificially by subsurface drains. chain story. The results of this study, Water from scores of the huge This keeps toxics-laden wastewater reported by contaminant research irrigation projects of the Interior De­ from drowning or poisoning the root specialist Michael Saiki ol 'hi" I WS partment's Bureau of Reclamation is zone of valuable crops. Dixon. California, field research sta­ involved in the contamination. It has The subsurface drains empty their tion, are still consideicd preliminary become so bad in Kesterson's case toxic cargo into rivers, lakes, canals, because they have not been dupli­ (hat the refuge in effect has been shut sinks or evaporation ponds like those cated through all months of (he year. down since last summer and patrolled at Kesterson. Such assaults seriously But they show that the accumulation by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service downgrade the viability of wildlife or magnification of selenium at (FWS) crews firing shotguns and noisy habitat, especially wetlands which in Kesterson went from eight parts per explosive devices to scare away the American West and elsewhere billion in water to 331.600 ppb in waterfowl. continue to be plundered for agricul­ mosquito fish. A magnification 41.430 The selenium contamination prob­ ture. Free-flowing rivers have been •times higher than (he initial water lem is part of a natural geological dewatered to quench the insatiable reading, this is (he highest concentra­ legacy. A non-metallic trace soil ele­ thirst of the drylands, resulting in loss tion ever found in a lb ing fish. ment no more widely distributed in of rich and diverse riparian habitat. The Environmental Protection the earth's crust than gold, selenium Other wetlands are lost as farmers Agency's safety standard for (he pro­ was laid down by volcanic activity plow them up to put marginal lands tection of freshwater aquatic systems and magmalic rock formation eons under cultivation, a desperate mea­ is 33 ppb. EPA is considering lower­ ago. Gradually, seleuium-bearing rock sure to offset persistent economic ing this level on the basis of research strata were weathered and eroded losses. done by a private utility companv and the selenium was deposited in Marshes and other wetlands have and confirmed by FWS —showing se­ ancient seas and lakes. Through evap­ been robbed of historically pure and lenium levels as low as two to live oration of these ancient water bod­ abundant water supplies and com­ ppb in surrounding water causing re­ ies, the selenium became concentrated pensated with meager, tainted streams productive damage in several species as a salt in the remaining muds. As of farm drainage. As the poisoned of fish. mountains were built by contractions drainage is concentrated by constant Underscoring the danger (hat bio- of (he earth's crust, extreme pres­ evaporation, then brought to (he sur­ accumulation of selenium poses to sures caused these dried seabeds to face and oxidized into selenale—the wildlife is the experience of Bowdoin be thrust up, and the muds were highly toxic, water-soluble form of National Wildlife Refuge near Malta. compressed into tight layers of sedi­ selenium—the biological toll escalates. Montana. Bowdoin has had its fresh­ mentary marine shale. The weather­ Perhaps the most important aspect water supply gradually depleted until ing and eroding process continued, of the selenium threat is bioaccumu- now it depends mostly upon the sa­

Mar/Apr 86—DEFENDERS 13 line drainage from farms irrigated by diversions from (he federal Milk River Project. The Milk River flows for most of its course through Montana and the Canadian province of Al- 'berta. where soil and rock formations known to be high in selenium and other natural contaminants are prev­ alent. A Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology study has identified more than 2 million acres in the crescent of northern tier stales where there are high levels of toxic soil elements, including selenium. Situated not far from the so-called Great Falls Seeps, where saline drain­ age is known to have poisoned crop­ land and fouled watering ponds, killing fish and livestock, Bowdoin has expe­ rienced the same kind of vegetation die-off as Kesterson. Its prime hard- stem bullrush and cattail growth is being replaced by less desirable til- kali bullrushes. Worse yet, a carp population once huge enough to sup­ port a commercial wintei fishery has been wiped out. "It's loo salty for (hern now," said manager Gene Sipe during a (our of (he refuge last June. by selenium poisoning, or selenosis, For four months last year Her re­ Sipe once worked at Kesterson and known popularly as alkali disease or porters collected samples of sediment like a lot of his cohorts has kept up the blind staggers. T hese deaths oc­ and algae which then were tested for on its recent nightmares. "I read about curred in most of (he prairie states, selenium and other heavy metals In what happened (here and I suspected including Iowa, Nebraska, the Dakolas, an independent private laboratory cer­ we might have the same thing here, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. tified by both ERA and the slate ol so I commissioned some tests, and According to ranchers and federal California. Of the 38 samples ana (hey did show selenium, though at and state geologists in New Mexico, lyzed, 14 showed high readings of much lower levels," said Sipe. The South Dakota, Montana and the Ca­ from 600 parts per billion (ppb) to 12 selenium concenlralion was 60 ppb, nadian province of Alberta, such losses parts per million. Five were moder­ beyond the safe FPA range but far still are occurring, (hough usually in ately high, between 300 and 599 ppb. below (he average water concentra­ smaller numbers than cited in the old and 19 others either were between 60 tions at Kesterson of about 300 ppb. research reports. and 299 ppb or merely showed up as But (he analysis, by an Eastern Mon­ In places where selenium levels are "less than" 100 ppb. Among the Bee's tana Slate College professor, was done known to be high, such as parts of other findings: with less sensitive methods than re­ South Dakota, Wyoming and Mon­ • In northern Montana, Bowdoin quired and is being redone. The prop­ tana, physicians have found that ranch and Benton Lake National Wildlife erly measured level is expected to be and farm families subsisting mainly Refuges, both significant waterfowl much higher. At Bowdoin, sediment on home-grown food also are suffer­ nesting areas, are in danger. So F concentrations measured in the Hccs ing from poisoning. Selenium com­ Frcezeout Lake State Waterfowl Man­ study ranged up to 3,136 ppb. This is monly is acknowledged to be beneficial agement Area. Some of the Benton more than 50 limes higher than levels at very low levels. At what point it Lake refuge water is drawn from found in the water itself. becomes a danger to human health is Muddy Creek, into which flows The newspaper repot lets uneailhed a subject of debate. Its effects also selenium-laced drainage from laims reports, some nearly a century old are still under study. Some research­ served by the federal Sun Rivei but most written during the 1930s ers have linked it to human birth Project. and PMOs by university and Depart­ defects, heart disease, arthritis, meta­ • In South Dakota, similarly folded ment of Agiiculture researchers, of bolic imbalance and certain types of farm drainage spills into (he Cheyenne numerous major livestock kills caused cancer. and Belle Fourche Rivers upstream

14 DFFFNDFRS Mar/Apr Hh Until recently, FWS relied drainage water to keep its remaining wetlands and wildlife on them alive. But it isn't doing that any longer.

the southernmost point on the Cen­ tral Fly way. • In Nevada, possibly dangerous selenium levels, along with unsafe levels of arsenic, were found in Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge and are suspected of harming refuge waterfowl. Stillwater has lost virtu­ ally all its water to cropland irriga­ tion and now receives drainage from (he Bureau of Reclamation's Newlands Project. Once one of the most pro­ ductive redhead duck breeding areas on the Pacific Flyway, the refuge now is turning into a bitter saline sink. Most of Stillwater's waterfowl deaths are believed to have been caused by botulism, one of a variety of avian diseases some scientists sus­ pect may attack birds that have been weakened by exposure to toxic com­ pounds such as selenium. However, C vncly Chapman, a James F. Gillett, chief of the FWS Weslaco, Texas Division of Refuge Management, says, bird rescue "The linkage of what a contaminant volunteer, might do at sublethal levels is not exhihils dead well-researched or documented. Sub­ birds from Lower lethal effects are very difficult to Rio Grande Valley of Lake Oahe Stale Waterfowl Man­ prove. It's premature to link contami­ National Wildlife agement Area. nants and waterfowl declines. There Refuge, where • In Idaho, samples from Deer Flat is a direct linkage between the de­ elevated levels of National Wildlife Refuge showed high clines and loss of habitat." selenium have been selenium levels, (hough dilution there • High selenium concentrations also found. Left, a is much greater. Deer Flat includes were found in samples from Imperial staff member at Lake Lowell, part of the Bureau of National Wildlife Refuge in Califor­ Kesterson National Reelamalion's Boise Broject. The ref­ nia and Arizona and Stewart Lake Wildlife Refuge in uge supports hundreds of thousands Stale Waterfowl Management Area California fires of wintering ducks and several thou­ in Utah. shotgun blanks to sand geese. In California, the Bee reported, scare birds a way • In New Mexico, appreciable lev­ selenium danger now has been de­ from poisoned els of selenium were detected just lected from almost one end of the waters. Discovery upstream of Sevilleta National Wild­ slate to the other. Selenium has been of selenium-killed life Refuge and in sites in Bosque del found in the northern Sacramento and deformed birds Apache National Wildlife Refuge and Valley and at Eagle Lake to the east. at Kesterson IS miles upstream of the refuge. This High levels have been found in the sparked the refuge, winter home of endangered 375-square-mile inland sea contain­ Sacramento Bee whooping cranes and tens of thou­ ing Salton Sea National Wildlife Ref­ investigation sands of ducks and geese, gets about uge near the Mexican border, where described in this 80 percent of its water from agricul­ most of the water is agricultural run­ article. tural drainage of areas known to con­ off. The Salton Sea is a wintering tain selenium in both (he soil and place for large concentrations of geese source rock. and ducks. Dangerous levels were • lu Texas, slightly lower selenium discovered last summer in the south­ levels were found iu Lower Rio Grande ern San Joaquin Valley about 100 Valley and Laguna Atascosa National miles south of Kesterson and just Wildlife Refuges. Almost a million north of Kern National Wildlife Ref­ waterfowl winter at Laguna Atascosa, uge. An estimated 17,000 acres of

Mar/Apr 86 DITTNDFRS IS Legislators also were concerned about reports that lop Interior offi­ cials had scuttled their own scientists' proposals for more intensive investi­ gations. Interior's Inspector General James R. Richard looked into these allegations and others claiming (hat the department was engaging in a coverup and that dishonest informa­ tion on Kesterson was presented at congressional field hearings, in inter­ agency task force meetings and in reports by high-ranking officials of the Bureau of Reclamation and FWS. In a report last September, Rich­ ard said there was im criminal con­ duct. Dan Beard, staff director of Congressman Miller's subcommittee, declared, "Our conclusion is basi­ cally the same as the Inspector Gen­ This nesting privately owned tile drainage ponds eral's. There was no conspiracy by female mallard ami lie here. Tests of ponds on 11,000 of several individuals to cover up infor­ pair of blue- these acres found selenium levels in mation. However, the department was winged leal some cases close to those at Kesterson guilty of an unwillingness to face the (opposite) are in 1983. High levels of arsenic and reality that it had a problem on its among waterfowl boron also were discovered. hands and to face it promptly. Its species that can In an attempt to attract wintering response has been lethargic at best." he affected migratory birds, the acreage of safe, Interior staff involved with the de- by selenium uncontaminaled wetlands normally partmenl's work on Kesterson and poisoning. The available at Kern has been tripled. other refuge contamination said such U.S. Fish and More than 2,000 of Kern's 10,618 a study was killed by Assistant Inte­ Wildlife Service acres was flooded late last year with rior Secretary Robert Broadbent. a /)lans a study clean water from the Central Valley former commissioner of the Bureau in California !v Project. The portion closed to all of Reclamation. Broadbent, however, San Joaquin Valley public access, including hunting, and vigorously has denied allegations that of pintail ducks designated as a sanctuary for the either he or the solicitor's office — to determine their birds was increased from an annual • Interior's in-house lawyers—quashed exposure to average of between 350 and 500 acres the proposed study. At a hearing selenium and other to 1,000. before Congressman Miller's subcom­ chemicals and its In the wake of the Bee's revela­ mittee, he said the department sim­ effect on their tions concerning selenium contami­ ply lacked funds for such research reproduction. nation, Congress held hearings last and was "hesitant to start on a pro­ September. The House Interior Com­ gram that wouldn't lead us to (he mittee's Subcommittee on Water and answer." Power Resources, chaired by Repre­ The Dee claimed (hat Interior feared sentative George Miller (D-California), lawsuits and possible liability under asked for detailed answers from the (he Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which Department of the Interior on the declares it unlawful to kill migratory scientific and biological questions that birds except as permitted by federal had been raised. So did the House regulations, including hunting seasons. Appropriations Committee's Subcom­ Also feared by the department, ac­ mittee on Interior and Related Agen­ cording to the newspaper, were po­ cies chaired by Representative Sidney tentially massive cleanup costs for Yates (D-Illinois). They wanted to refuges found contaminated. At Kes­ learn how widespread selenium is terson alone, it is estimated that 530 and how the department proposes to million to 5100 million may have to deal with it. be spent to remove the selenium threat.

16 DRFRNDFRS —Mar/A pr 86 The reporters ohlained affidavits of (he Inspeetor Cjenerars findings by retpiesting (hem muler (he Free­ dom of Informalioii Act. The docu- menls reveal a clear pallern of opposition, challenge and crilieism of FVVS field staff by higher-nps in the reelamalion bnrean. They also tell of high-ranking officials in FVVS regional offices threatening some field operatives wi(h suspension or trans­ fer for answering reporters' cineslions. If selenium and oilier chemical eon- laminanls are poisoning (he nation's shrinking wedands habilal, it conldn'l come at a worse (hue. North America last year had (he fewest ducks in 31 years. Five years of drought in (he Canadian prairie region, inelnding parts of Alberta, Manitoba and Saskat­ chewan. and in northern I Inited Stales breeding areas, primarily Montana and (he Dakolas, is one principal cause of the steep dnek decline, ac­ cording to FWS. Both Canada and (he I Inited Stales also are losing hun­ dreds of thousands of acres of wet­ land habitat annually, primarily to eonversiou for agriculture. As watei levels drop because of either drought or drainage, so does the dilution. In (he diminished wet­ land areas (hat remain, selenium then acts alone or in synergistic consort with arsenic, boron, molybdenum or other potent members of (he heavy metal family. lu thousands of prairie pothole lakes, stock-watering ponds and other valu­ able private wetlands as well as some government refuges, selenium and million —20 percent —from 1984. The The toll is too high on animals and other toxic contaminants could be few wetlands (hat remain in Califor­ plants exposed to the toxic chemicals ihreatcuing waterfowl and other wild­ nia's Central Valley, which embraces in (he runoff from one of the world's life. Whether or not exposure to cer­ the Sacramento and the San Joaquin mosl productive farming regions. Nov tain levels of toxics contributes to Valleys, are the winter home of the either fresh water must be obtained avian disease, some of (he places majority of (he Pacific Flyway's mi­ at relatively high prices oi vet lands where waterfowl winter or stop over gratory birds. These surviving wet­ must be left dry. during migralion still are being ren­ lands total only some 2,SO,000 acres, a Contaminated agiicnllnral drainage dered uninhabitable. Vegetation nec­ mere four percent of what they were water may someday be cleansed. essary for nesting cover is dying off. before agricultural conversion. Though (he ('n-Imology is not well- Toxic contaminant levels in the wa­ Many of those left are periodically developed. Congress directed the In­ ter are approaching or have reached starved for good, clean water or some­ terior Department to loan Calilornia s levels dangerous to animals and plants times for any water at all. Until re­ Wesllands Water District and the living in or on the water or along its cently, FWS relied on agricultural Environmental Defense Fund S3.7 mil­ edges. drainage water to keep its remaining lion to study experimental methods Along the Pacific Flyway. duck wetlands wet and wildlife on them of desalinizalion of Wesllands drainage populations last year were down 3 alive. But it isn't doing that any longer. water, removing toxic chemical salts

Mar/AprHh- IM-FFNDFRS 17 Both I he fish-eat infi great blue heron, left, and the common gallinule, below, which feeds on water plants, snails and insects, are vulnerable to selenium.

question of whether the secretary, jurisdiction. This could mean, for who supervises both FWS and the instance, plugging irrigation drains to bureau, has any legal obligation to prevent agricultural drainage water provide clean water for fish and wild­ from invading wetlands, or digging / — life in national wildlife refuges and up and carting away millions of cubic f state waterfowl management areas. yards of contaminated soil and There is substantial surplus clean vegetation. V, . / ,*•"%. • water from the Central Valley Proj­ The jury still is out on the precise VSi.- ect that has not been sold. The Bu­ nature and extent of selenium con­ fjrlCV ' * reau of Reclamation soon may lift a tamination in the Midwest and West. /if., moratorium on sale of this water, but But evidence is mounting. It indi­ f '"s- there will be competition for it among cates that the problem is a major one '••V •••* all users in the area. Conservationists and that corrective action is needed. X • - ••. i- are worried, because the national wild­ Representative Sidney Yates staled l; '•'! TfY. ' '0 • • * • X 1 life refuges in the project service area recently, "In the West and Midwest Robert C. Simpson cannot bid competitively. there are a number of sites known including selenium and cleaning and Richard Spotts, Defenders of Wild­ and perhaps unknown which eventu­ recycling the water. life's representative in Sacramento, ally could be new Kestersons. We Not boding well for provision of asserts: "Despite the many laws and must prevent other national wildlife enough safe fresh water for refuge treaties requiring the protection of refuges from becoming fish and fowl wetlands is a legal opinion issued last migratory waterfowl and of refuge death valleys." • October by the Interior Department's values, the Interior Department con­ principal deputy solicitor, Marian tinues its prolonged failure to ac­ Tom Harris, a reporter for the Blank Horn. It asserts that the sev­ knowledge any general obligation to Sacramento Dee, was co-author of eral laws governing the secretary's provide reliable, permanent water sup­ the newspaper's September, 1985. se­ responsibilities toward migratory birds plies for refuges. Similarly, Interior ries revealing (he widespread sele­ — most notably the Migratory Bird has failed to provide comprehensive nium threat in the Midwest and West. Treaty Act —do not obligate him, at mitigation of the substantial direct least in the short term, to maintain and indirect habitat losses caused by wetlands habitat. Bill Meyer of FWS's the Central Valley Project. The mor­ How You Can Help Portland, Oregon, regional office of­ atorium on additional C.V.P. water Fight Selenium fered another explanation for appar­ contracting must not be lifted until ent Interior Department reluctance Interior adequately resolves these is­ HELP TO persuade Congress to to acknowledge an obligation to use sues and guarantees sufficient water provide needed funds for research clean water to maintain wetland areas. supplies—in both quality and quan­ ! and follow-up action on selenium Discussing areas like Kesterson Res­ tity—to maintain wetland and ripar­ contamination of national wildlife ervoir that formerly held agricultural ian habitats." refuges. Write: drainage water and where the sedi­ Addressing these issues may begin Sidney R. Yates, Chairman ments from that water have collected, to solve problems facing national wild­ Interior Subcommittee Meyer said, "It's not good policy to life refuges in California but not nec­ Committee on Appropriations flood areas that will return contami­ essarily those in other areas and stales. House of Representatives nated water. We feel there would be Clearly, national wildlife refuges Washington, DC 20515 less destruction to migratory birds to and other wetland havens contami­ James A. McClure, Chairman have far less habitat available in the nated by selenium should be cleaned Interior Subcommittee short term than to put them in an up with minimum delay. The Interior Committee on Appropriations area we know is contaminated." Department has promised to do so. United States Senate Interagency conflict within the In­ In a December letter to Congress­ Washington, DC 20510 terior Department plays a role in the man Miller transmitting the depart­ trouble coming to the surface in Cali­ ment report, Assistant Secretary for Also write your own senators and fornia. For years FWS has been push­ Fish, Wildlife and Parks William P. representative, same addresses. ing hard to have preservation of fish Horn and Assistant Secretary for Wa­ Send responses to: and wildlife and their habitat recog­ ter and Science Broadbent said the Neil Gordon nized as one of the several purposes department would take immediate Activist Coordinator of the Bureau of Reclamation's Cen­ action if any evidence of harmful Defenders of Wildlife tral Valley Project. A legal review effects on human health or fish 1244 19th Street, N.W. has been under way in the Interior and wildlife from irrigation drain Washington, DC 20036. Department for some time on the water is found on any lands under its

Mar/Apr 86-OFFENDERS 19 INTERIOR CONFIRMS A PROBLEM

/\ DEPARTMENT of the Interior town of Vernal in northeastern Utah, JL JL investigation ordered by Con­ Bosque del Apache National Wildlife gress has confirmed most of the Sac­ Refuge and the Rio Grande River in ramento Bee's findings last fall that New Mexico, the Angostura federal potentially dangerous levels of sele­ irrigation project draining into the nium, a naturally occurring but some- Cheyenne River in southwestern South limes toxic trace element, exist in a Dakota, a nearby ranwhing grasslands number of wildlife-important areas in area in Edgemonl. South Dakota; the West. Interior released the re­ Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife sults of its study, including hundreds Refuge on the southern coast of Texas of new tests not available to the Bee, and the refuge lake's feeder stream. in December. Cayo Atascosa. Laguna Atascosa Ref­ Using much tougher standards than uge, Cayo Atascosa and Vernal were the Bee, the department agreed that listed by the Bee as moderately selenium was high at six of the 23 contaminated. sites studied by (he Bee. It found (he Neither of the studies did the kind level at Stillwater National Wildlife of egg or food chain sampling that Refuge in central Nevada also high, related selenium to bird deaths and although the Bee classed it as moder­ birth deformities at Keslerson Na­ ate. Interior said ten other sites sam­ tional Wildlife Refuge in California, pled by the Bee gave indications of so there is no indication that such high concentrations of selenium but effects have occurred elsewhere. For said there were too few samples to each of the 23 sites it tested for Contamination by confirm this. These ten sites were selenium, Interior said: "There have selenium may be given high priority for further study. been no reports of fish and wildlife threatening Secretary of the Interior Donald P. die-offs, avian reproductive failures or the long-biiled Model in December told the commit­ avian embryonic deformities (hat can curlew, top, a tee more intensive studies will be be attributed to selenium toxicity." migrant in launched this spring. The department was careful to men­ California, and Both Interior and the Bee found tion, however, that such conditions the endangered high selenium levels in Imperial Val­ only could have been detected in the California clapper ley and Sallon Sea National Wildlife study if (hey were "large-scale" and rail, a resident Refuges in southern California, the lethal. on San Francisco Yuma Valley just across the stale line Interior disputed the Bees "danger Bay. Nesting in Arizona, Bowdoin National Wild­ range" designation of Deer Flat Na­ western grebes, life Refuge in Montana, Poison Can­ tional Wildlife Refuge southwest of opposite, could yon upstream of Bosque del Apache Boise, Idaho. The department did also be in danger. National Wildlife Refuge in New Mex­ not challenge the Bee's finding of a ico and the Belle Fourche River in high selenium concentration seeping southwestern South Dakota. into the south side of the refuges Potentially high selenium sites iden­ huge Lake Lowell, but said constant tified by Interior were Benton Lake replacement of lake water dilutes it National Wildlife Refuge and Freeze- to a safe level. Lake Lowell is a out Lake Stale Waterfowl Manage­ regulating reservoir for irrigation re­ ment Area in Montana, Stewart Lake leases by the Bureau of Reclama­ Wildlife Management Area and an tion's Boise Project. alfalfa field and a slough near the — l oin Harris

Mar/Apr 86 REFUGE TOXICS UPDATED

EN OF AMERICA'S national wild­ 7 life refuges have toxic contam­ ination problems serious enough to require immediate corrective action, according to a report by (he U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Another 74 refuges need thorough study of suspected or potential contaminant threats, FWS says. The February report, on a recently completed survey, summarized the government's most serious effort to dale to learn the extent of toxic- contaminant threats to the 76-million- acre national wildlife refuge system. David C. Frilts/Animals Animals FWS called the findings preliminary. largest wintering duck population — tion Agency Superfund study is un­ Agricultural, industrial and munic­ about 40,000 birds—is found there. der way to determine what needs to ipal activities were blamed for the High levels of DDT were discovered be done to clean up wastes accumu­ lion's share of the contamination. in bottom sediments of one of the lated from past and present manu­ Most of the contaminants originate creeks flowing through the refuge, facturing on this one-time military outside refuge boundaries and are and associated contaminants in fish site. The refuge is wintering habitat carried into refuge lakes, streams, are at levels hazardous to human for bald eagles, 120,000 Canada geese ponds or marshes by natural or man- health. Olin Corporation manufac­ and 14 duck species. made water systems. FWS identified tured DDT nearby from the early Other refuges listed as needing cor­ 77 major contaminants ranging from 1950s until 1970 and under EPA guide­ rective action, besides Kesterson, are; pesticides to PCBs. lines has begun remedial actions. Seal Beach in California, with a mili­ Almost 40 percent—33 out of 84— Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) tary dump site containing toxic chem­ of (he refuges listed in the report have have been found in another refuge icals and ordnance; Johnston Atoll in contamination problems associated slated for corrective action, Kenai in Hawaii, storage site for what the re­ with agricultural drainwater. At eight Alaska. The chemical was spilled out port terms some of the most deadly the problem is selenium, but Kester- of electrical transformers discarded chemicals known to man —mustard son in California is the only one of by Chevron Oil Company, which is and nerve gas, dioxin and plutonium; the eight cited as requiring corrective drilling for oil and gas in part of the Great Swamp in New Jersey, partly a action. refuge. The PCBs became mixed with former asbestos dump; Ninigret in In a 1981 survey, managers of 121 gravel used for dust control on some Rhode Island, with a military dump: of the 431 national wildlife refuges of the refuge's roads and also have Eastern Shore of Virginia with asbestos reported water pollution by toxic been found in the soil and at a stor­ insulation in refuge buildings; and chemicals as a serious or potentially age and disposal site. Sampling is Fisherman Island in Virginia with DDT serious problem. FWS officials dis­ under way, and Chevron has agreed contamination from an undetermined missed the earlier survey as relying to conduct a cleanup and removal source. too heavily on refuge managers'judg­ project this year. Wolves, caribou, Coordinated efforts by local, re­ ment, however. The new report is brown and black bears, lynxes and gional, slate and federal governments based on much more systematic sam­ bald eagles are found at Kenai. will be needed to remedy the con­ pling, according to the agency. High levels of PCBs, lead and ace­ taminant problems in most cases, FWS Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge tate have been foynd in parts of Crab said. The agency plans to try to make in Alabama is one of the ten listed as Orchard National Wildlife Refuge in those responsible pay the costs. needing corrective action. The state's Illinois. An Environmental Protec­ — Beth Gyorgy

Mar/Apr 86-DEFENDERS 21 aniMi MM JOdQUlM VML€V MMIOMMWILDLIPG R€fUG6

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Refuge bird lists, hunting and fishing regulations, and maps may be obtained at refuge headquarters. Refuge headquarters are located at 535 J Street, Los Banos, California. Phone (209) 826-3508.

Mailing address; Refuge Manager Central San Joaquin Valley National Wildlife Refuges P.O. Box 2176 Los Banos, California 93635

CdLIPORMIfc

• U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1987-

RF 11650-1 MERCED NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Merced Refuge, established in 1951, contains 2,561 acres. This relatively small refuge was acquired under the Lea Act which authorized the Secretary of Interior to purchase land at suitable locations in California for the management and control of migratory waterfowl to prevent depredation of agricultural crops. The problem of waterfowl feeding on farm crops is most acute from the latter part of August until mid-November when huge flights of pintail and other ducks migrate from the north.

The water supply for this refuge is pumped from deep wells. Since the operation and maintenance of these pumps is very expensive, water is only pumped during the summer in sufficient amounts to irrigate waterfowl food crops. Cropland and marsh areas are flooded from September through March to attract and hold wintering waterfowl.

Ringnecked pheasants are abundant on the area. These birds feed in the refuge grain fields and nest in the adjacent cover. The fall population of pheasants usually numbers around 1,200 birds. Cottontail rabbits are abundant. Since they are not hunted or molested, they are quite tame and can usually be observed at very close range.

Merced Refuge can be reached by driving eight miles south of Merced, California, on State Highway 59 and then west on Athlone Sandymush Road.

A RICH WILDLIFE HISTORY WITH SOME PROBLEMS CONSERVATION OF DECLINING WETLANDS SAN LUIS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE The San Joaquin Valley in Central California has a long history of AIDS MIGRATING BIRDS San Luis Refuge was acquired in 1966. This 7,340-acre refuge was wintering concentrations of ducks, geese and other migratory birds. Although most of the wetlands in the valley have been drained and established under the migratory Bird Conservation Act and purchased From the time of earliest history, this section of California has been one converted to agricultural use, the migration patterns of migratory with duck stamp funds. of the principal wintering grounds for migratory waterfowl of the Pacific waterfowl have not changed. The birds continue to fly their ancient Flyway. Early accounts by the first Spanish explorers abound in routes and crowd into the remaining wintering habitat in the San Tree-lined Salt Slough and the meandering San Joaquin River nearly descriptions of the vast marsh areas of the San Joaquin Valley and its Joaquin Valley. The San Joaquin Valley is so important to migratory enclose the lush grasslands of this refuge. Swales and depressions great flocks of ducks and geese in numbers "Darkening the sky." The waterfowl as a migration stopover and wintering area, that three national collect water and form a refuge-wide maze of ponds and marshes. extensive marsh areas were formed by the overflow of water along wildlife refuges have been established here to provide food and Canals and water-control structures take advantage of the natural principal rivers caused by fall and winter storms and continued into the protection and to preserve the wetland habitat. Waterfowl concentrations topography to produce year-round wetlands. A small tract is farmed to summer by runoff from melting snow in the high Sierra Nevada in excess of 500,000 birds are common during the winter months. produce additional food for wildlife. Mountains. Vast "tulare" marshes encountered in the San Joaquin These concentrations usually include approximately 200,000 pintail, Valley by Juan da Anza, Pedro Font, and other explorers prevented their 100,000 green-winged teal, 100,000 shovelers, 65,000 mallards, Few areas in California's San Joaquin Valley retain the flavor of early crossing the valley and forced them to turn back to Monterey, 50,000 gadwall and 10,000 geese. settlement days, when wildlife was abundant, the air fresh, and the landscape pleasant and pastoral. San Luis National Wildlife Refuge is The San Joaquin Valley contained very few people prior to 1850. Much Large concentrations of sandhill cranes winter on the refuges and on such a place, a remnant of past times contrasting with today's great of the land was taken up by Spanish land grants. The land in these adjacent farmland. The peak number on the refuges usually occurs cities, crowded highways, and mechanized farmlands. Located within a grants was open grazing range where cattle were raised for their hides. during October and November when approximately 4,000 birds are few hours' drive of over six million people, this refuge promises to The discovery of gold in California attracted great hordes of people, and present. Most of these birds are lesser sandhill cranes, but as many as become one of the most important wildlife viewing and conservation the meat from cattle became important as a source of food. During the 50 of the central valley population of greater sandhill cranes have been education sites in the country. 1850's and 60's, cattle ranching was the major industry. It was also observed. during this period that the great herds of tule elk, antelope and deer San Luis Refuge is approximately ten miles north of Los Banos, were slaughtered to feed the hungry miners. Ducks and geese were Spring and fall migrations witness many species of shore birds passing California. From Los Banos, take County Road J-14 (North Mercy killed by the wagonload. through. Among those visiting the refuge are phalaropes, yellowlegs, Springs Road) north eight miles, then northeast two miles on Wolfsen Road to the refuge. dowitchers, sandpipers and long-billed curlews. Overgrazing of the land, drought, and lower prices reduced the wealth found in cattle grazing. In 1870, the San Joaquin Valley entered into its Summer residents on the refuges include nesting mallards, gadwall and present era of intensive agriculture. The encroachment of agriculture cinnamon teal. Avocets, black-necked stilts, American bittern and KESTERSON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE and other industry gradually reduced waterfowl habitat, and the vast several species of herons and egrets find family-rearing conditions The 5,900-acre Kesterson Refuge, established in 1969, is the newest of marshes and great cattle herds of the past gave way to intensive favorable. Many hawks and songbirds use water-edge woodlands. the San Joaquin Valley refuges. Future development plans include farming. , restoration and enlargement of the seasonal marsh and the Among the mammals regularly seen are striped skunks, badgers, establishment of some permanent marsh. ntuskrats, long-tailed weasels, opossums, racoons, coyotes, California ground squirrels, cottontails, and black-tailed jackrabbits. Located approximately 18 miles north of Los Banos, California, the area can be reached by driving 4 miles east of Gustine on Highway 140. Wildlife Observation and Photography. Waterfowl concentrations are and Sunday throughout the regular waterfowl hunting season. Daily present from mid-October to February. December is the best month to hunter quotas are filled partially by a permit-drawing system and view duck concentrations, while geese are most numerous in January. partially on a first-come-first-served basis. San Luis Refuge is recommended to those seeking duck concentrations. Mallards, pintails, green-winged teal, gadwall, shovelers, and cinnamon teal are abundant and easily seen. Snow and Canada geese Both Federal and State regulations apply to the refuges. Boats are not concentrations are readily observed on all three areas, but Merced is the allowed. Hip boots or chest waders are essential. A good dog is a best for seeing the small Ross' goose. Merced Refuge is also the best definite asset, and decoys are desirable. However, pass shooting is choice for those interested in seeing sandhill cranes. sometimes good—especially on windy days.

The wonders of spring are at a peak during March, which is the best Details of the hunting program and applicable regulations are available month for general sightseeing on the refuges. Wildflowers are most from license agents, California Department of Fish and Game offices, abundant during April, and most birds nest during April, May and June. and the Refuges' Los Banos office. San Luis, with its wooded sloughs, offers a variety of perching birds and raptors. Spring wildflowers are most spectacular at Kesterson, while San Luis is popular for its scenic landscape. Opportunities for Fishing. Public fishing—during daylight hours—is permitted in photography are available all year and choice of season and area designated areas on San Luis Refuge. The main species caught are depends upon the photographer's subject interests. Q channel catfish, bullheads, black crappie, largemouth bass, and carp. The best fishing is during February, March and April. Although each of the three areas has a variety of mammals, most are quite secretive in their habits and not as easily observed as birds. Night fishing, use of boats, and fishing during waterfowl hunting season Exceptions are the blacktail jackrabbit and California ground squirrel are prohibited. All applicable State and Federal regulations are in effect. which are usually not too difficult to observe. Early morning is best for seeing mammals and the reward for a little lost sleep might be a fleeting glimpse of a coyote or longtail weasel. Racoons, opossums, striped skunks and badgers are also present, and the visitors who walk to the other Nearby Wildlife Recreation Opportunities. The San Luis Reservoir, more secluded portions of the refuge increase their chances of seeing O'Neill Forebay and Los Banos Creek Reservoir offer a variety of wildlife these species. Brecreational opportunities. Some of the activities these areas provide are fishing, boating, picnicking and camping. There are also numerous Hunting. Public waterfowl hunting is permitted on portions of all three streams and canals in the area accessible to those seeking wildlife areas. Pheasant hunting is also permitted on a portion of Merced oriented recreation. Refuge. The hunting program is administered by the California Department of Fish and Game, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish & Anyone desiring further information should contact the Merced County Wildlife Service. Each area is open to hunting on Wednesday, Saturday Chamber of Commerce for details.

KES1ERSON

Gustin

SCALE IN MILES Birds of San Luis Merced & Kesterson National Wildlife Refuges California The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex is well known for its diverse population of bird life. The Welcome To The October through May period represents the optimum viewing period. During the winter, the refuges will San Luis National support several hundred thousand waterfowl, high­ Wildlife Refuge Complex lighted by large concentrations of mallards and green- winged teal. Birds of prey are common, drawn to an The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex con­ abundance of refuge ground squirrels, meadow voles sists of three separate refuges totaling 15,834 acres in and rabbits. The wooded slough channels provide a Merced County, California. The refuges exemplify haven for both migratory and resident songbirds. wildlife habitat zones which were once common throughout California's San Joaquin River Valley. The following bird list contains 202 species that have Man's rapid expansion, via urbanization and extensive been observed on or near the refuges. In addition, conversion of natural habitat for agricultural produc­ 23 species are listed as accidental (seen only once or tion, has elevated the importance of refuge habitat to twice). The list's common names and taxonomic order migratory and non-migratory bird species. are categorized into family and sub-family groups and are in accordance with the 6th edition (1983) of the San Luis Refuge consists of 7,430 acres of ponds, A.O.U. checklist of North American Birds. wooded sloughs and grasslands. The ponds are of a shallow marsh-type, while the meandering sloughs rep­ resent examples of ancient San Joaquin River chan­ Bird List Key nels. The uplands support remnants of native grass­ The following symbols are used in the bird list- land as well as introduced Mediterranean species. Seasons: * Merced Refuge was created under the "Lea Act" and SP - Spring - March through May has a legal responsibility to help prevent crop depreda­ S - Summer - June through August tion by waterfowl. Consequently, the production of F - Fall - September through November natural marsh plants plus 600 acres of grain and per­ W - Winter - December through February manent pasture for ducks and geese are major objec­ tives for this 2,504 acre refuge. Seasonal Abundance Codes: a - Abundant - A common species which is very Kesterson is a National Wildlife Refuge superimposed numerous upon Bureau of Reclamation lands. Although Recla­ mation has constructed 1300 acres of ponds to store c - Common - Certain to be seen in suitable agricultural waste water on the refuge, the remaining habitat 4,600 acres consist of pristine native grasslands plus u - Uncommon - Present, but not certain to be shallow marshlands and unique vernal pools. seen o - Occasional - Seen only a few times during a season Enjoying The Refuge's r - Rare - Known to be present, but not every year Birdlife Nesting: The study of wild bird species in their natural habitats is becoming an increasingly popular pastime for many • - Birds known to nest locally people. Viewing refuge birdlife is best accomplished Threatened/Endangered Species i i on the self-guided auto tour route system available at the San Luis and Merced NWRs. Your viewing pleas­ ure can be greatly enhanced if you have binoculars or a Refuge Codes: spotting scope. This equipment enables the birds to be observed from a distance, thus minimizing disturb­ The following location key is used in the event that a ance. Because birds are most active during the early species is more apt to be observed on a particular refuge morning and late afternoon periods, refuge visitors or refuges: should schedule their trips accordingly. SL - San Luis NWR M - Merced NWR K - Kesterson NWR Refuge Code SP S F W Refuge Code SP S

LOONS FALCONS Common Loon SL r r • American Kestrel GREBES Merlin • Pied-billed Grebe c c c c Peregrine Falcon SL,M Horned Grebe r r r Prairie Falcon • Eared Grebe u u o u GALLINACEOUS BIRDS • Western Grebe SUM 0 r 0 0 • Ring-necked Pheasant PELICANS • California Quail SL American White Pelican SL.K c u c c RAILS CORMORANTS Virgina Rail Double-crested Cormorant 0 0 0 Sora BITTERNS, EGRETS AND HERONS • Common Moorhen SUM • American Bittern c u c c • American Coot Least Bittern r CRANES • Great Blue Heron c c c c Sandhill Crane • Great Egret c c c c PLOVERS • Snowy Egret c c c c Black-bellied Plover Cattle Egret u u u • Snowy Plover K Green-backed Heron r r r r Semipalmated Plover • Black-crowned Night Heron u u u u • Killdeer IBISES Mountain Plover M White-faced Ibis u 0 u u STILTS AND AVOCETS WATERFOWL • Black-necked Stilt Tundra Swan 0 0 • American Avocet Greater White-fronted Goose u c c SHOREBIRDS Snow Goose u c a Greater Yellowlegs Ross' Goose SUM U u a Lesser Yellowlegs Canada Goose c u a Solitary Sandpiper • Wood Duck SL u u u u Willet • Green-winged Teal c 0 c a Spotted Sandpiper • Mallard a c a a Whimbrel • Northern Pintail e c a a Long-billed Curlew • Blue-winged Teal u r Marbled Godwit • Cinnamon Teal a c c u Western Sandpiper • Northern Shoveler c u c a Least Sandpiper • Gadwall c c c c Pectoral Sandpiper • American Wigeon c a c a Dunlin • Canvasback 0 r 0 u • Redhead 0 r 0 Ruff 0 Short-billed Dowitcher Ring-necked Duck u r *• u 0 Long-billed Dowitcher Greater Scaup SUK r r Common Snipe Lesser Scaup 0 0 0 • Wilson's Phalarope Common Goldeneye r r r Red-necked Phalarope Bufflehead 0 0 0 Hooded Merganser r r GULLS AND TERNS Common Merganser u 0 u Bonaparte's Gull • Ruddy Duck c u c c Ring-billed Gull VULTURES California Gull Turkey Vulture u u u u Herring Gull Caspian Tern OSPREY, KITES, EAGLES & HAWKS • Forster's Tern Osprey r r r • Black Tern • Black-shouldered Kite u u c c DOVES Bald Eagle| 0 • Rock Dove • Northern Harrier a a c c • Mourning Dove Sharp-shinned Hawk SUM r r OWLS Cooper's Hawk SUM o 0 0 • Common Barn-Owl Red-shouldered Hawk SUM 0 0 0 r Western Screech-Owl SUM • Swainson's Hawk SUM u u 0 • Great Horned Owl • Red-tailed Hawk C c a a • Burrowing Owl Ferruginous Hawk 0 0 0 Long-eared Owl SL Rough-legged Hawk u u u • Short-eared Owl Golden Eagle 0 r 0 0 Refuge Code SP S F W Refuge Code SP S F W GOATSUCKERS PIPITS • Lesser N ighthawk SL.K 0 0 Water Pipit c c a HUMMINGBIRDS WAXWINGS Black-chinned Hummingbird SL.M 0 Cedar Waxwing 0 0 Anna's Hummingbird SL,M 0 0 0 Rufous Hummingbird SHRIKES • Loggerhead Shrike c c c c KINGFISHERS Belted Kingfisher SL u u u STARLINGS • European Starling c c c WOODPECKERS Lewis' Woodpecker r r VIREOS Acorn Woodpecker SL r Solitary Vireo Warbling Vireo u Nuttall's Woodpecker SL 0 0 0 Downy Woodpecker SL 0 0 WARBLERS • Northern Flicker u u u Orange-crowned Warbler u 0 0 Yellow Warbler u FLYCATCHERS 0 Yellow-rumped Warbler c c Western Wood-Pewee 0 c Black-throated Gray Warbler Willow Flycatcher u 0 0 r Townsend's Warbler u Hammond's Flycatcher u Hermit Warbler Dusky Flycatcher 0 0 MacGillivray's Warbler Western Flycatcher U 0 r Common Yellowthroat • Black Phoebe c c u u U 0 0 Wilson's Warbler c 0 Say's Phoebe 0 u u - • Ash-throated Flycatcher SL,M u c 0 TANAGERS Cassin's Kingbird SL 0 Western Tanager u 0 • Western Kingbird c c u GROSBEAKS AND BUNTINGS LARKS Black-headed Grosbeak 0 * 0 • Horned Lark u u u Blue Grosbeak u u Lazuli Bunting 0 SWALLOWS • Tree Swallow e u c u TOWHEES AND SPARROWS Violet-green Swallow 0 0 Rufous-sided Towhee u u u u • Northern Rough-winged Swallow 0 0 0 Brown Towhee u 0 u Bank Swallow r r r Chipping Sparrow 0 0 • Cliff Swallow a a u Vesper Sparrow r r • Barn Swallow c c a Lark Sparrow 0 0 0 JAYS, MAGPIES, AND CROWS Sage Sparrow r r r • Scrub Jay SL c c c c Savannah Sparrow c a a • Yellow-billed Magpie c c c u Grasshopper Sparrow r r American Crow 0 0 0 0 Fox Sparrow 0 0 0 Common Raven SL r r r r Song Sparrow c u u u Lincoln's Sparrow u u u CHICKADEES AND TITMICE Golden-crowned Sparrow c c c Plain Titmouse SL u u White-crowned Sparrow a a a BUSHTITS Dark-eyed Junco u 0 u Bushtit SL u u u BLACKBIRDS, MEADOWLARKS CREEPERS AND ORIOLES Brown Creeper r • Red-winged Blackbird c c a a WRENS • Tricolored Blackbird c u a a • Bewick's Wren SL U u u u • Western Meadowlark c c c c House Wren u u u • Yellow-headed Blackbird c u 0 c • Marsh Wren C u u c • Brewer's Blackbird c c e a • Brown-headed Cowbird • C c c u Hooded Oriole r Golden-crowned Kinglet r • Northern Oriole u u Ruby-crowned Kinglet u u Blue-gray Gnatcatcher FINCHES Western Bluebird SL u u Purple Finch r Mountain Bluebird r r • House Finch c c c c Swainson's Thrush Pine Siskin r Hermit Thrush u Lesser Goldfinch 0 0 0 • American Robin c 0 u Lawrence's Goldfinch r r r Varied Thrush r • American Goldfinch c c u u Evening Grosbeak r MOCKINGBIRDS AND THRASHERS • Northern Mockingbird c c c WEAVER FINCHES Sage Thrasher r r • House Sparrow c c c c California Thrasher r ACCIDENTALS

Fulvous Whistling Duck Olive-sided Flycatcher Surf Scoter Wrentit Hudsonian Godwit Bohemian Waxwing Ruddy Turnstone Northern Shrike Red Knot Bell's Vireo Sanderling Hutton's Vireo Baird's Sandpiper Black-and-White Warbler Mew Gull Worm-eating Warbler Glaucous-winged Gull Lark Bunting Band-tailed Pigeon Swamp Sparrow Yellow-billed Cuckoo White-throated Sparrow Calliope Hummingbird FIELD NOTES Date:

Observers:

PLEASE REPORT ANY UNUSUAL SIGHTINGS TO THE ADDRESS BELOW.

More Information; For more information contact: Refuge Manager San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex RO. Box 2176 Los Banos, California 93635 Phone: (209) 826-3508

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR RF 11660-3 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service August 1984 KESTERSON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

FACT SHEET

DATE ESTABLISHED: July 23, 1970 (Cooperative Agreement Signed)

ACREAGE: Controlled: 5,900

USFVIS REGION: 1 Portland, Oregon

LOCATION: San Joaquin Valley California, in Merced County, 5 miles east of Gustine.

ADDRESS: San Luis NWR Complex P.O.Box 2176 Los Banos, CA 93635

PHOflE: 209-826-3508

ACQUISITION HISTORY: Kesterson NWR is an overlay on USDI Bureau of Reclamation land. Fee title by the Bureau of Reclamation is under authority of June 3, I960 P.L. 86-488 (74 Stat. 156). The Cooperative Agreement which established U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service authority to manage wildlife at Kesterson is allowed under Section 3 of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661 et. seq .).

LAND STATUS: The 5,900 acres of Kesterson NWR are held in fee title by the USDI, Bureau of Reclamation. The conservation and management of wildlife, including any associated recreation activities, were transferred to the USFWS subject to limitations contained within the Cooperative Agreement. Approximately 1300 acres of the refuge are being utilized by the Bureau as storage units for the drain water which has been transported via the San Luis Drain. POLICY. DIRECTIOfJS: Preserve and improve habitats that support the endangered San Joaquin kit fox and other listed species.

Maintain adequate populations of native plants and animals.

Provide habitat for migratory waterfowl and shoreblrds.

LAfDSCAPE CHARACTERISTICS! Kesterson NWR is within the historic flood plain of the San Joaquin River. Thd flat grasslands are often disrupted by narrow meandering channels of former streams. Much of the upland area on the east side of Mud Slough is in vernal pools; these undisturbed pools harbor many unique plant species. In addition to the uplands, native marshes also occur at Kesterson. These managed marshes are typical of the fresh water marshes occurring in the area. In the lowest part of the flood plain an exceptionally good stand of iodine bush occurs. This area' is flooded almost annually. The elevation on the Refuge ranges from 60 to 75 feet msl.

WILDLIFE; Over 200 species of birds visit Kesterson NWR including eagles, falcons, red- tailed hawks and other raptors. Geese, ducks, cranes and other waterbirds as well as many upland species can be found on Kesterson. Herons nest within several dense cattail stands and as many as 50 species 'have been noted nesting on the refuge. Several species of mammals occur on the refuge Including the endangered San Joaquin Kit Fox.

PUBLIC USE; Waterfowl hunting is a permitted activity on Kesterson NWR. The Refuge is open to hunting three days a week, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, during the State of California season.

Wildlife/wildlands observation is also permitted on Kesterson NWR. This activity is permitted every day except on the waterfowl shoot days. Access is from the check station's parking lot off Highway 140, and is limited to foot traffic.

ECOIOIIC USE; No economic use presently exists on the refuge. The USFWS reserves authority to issue special use permits for compatible programs, however all revenues collected by the USFWS must be annually credited to the Bureau. KESTERSON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

UNITED STATES MERCED COUNTY. CALIEORMA UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTEROR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE R 9 E R 10 E 1200 53'

T 7 S T 7 S

T 8 S T 8 S

37° 15'

37° 13' 37° 13*

120° 57* R 9 E R 10 E COMPILED IN THE DIVISION OF REALTY 16015' FROM SURVEYS BY B L.M., U.S.O S. MOUNT DIABLO MERIDIAN I MEAN 8000 FEET •i DECLINATION 'I 1976 2 MILES PORTLAND. OREGON REV.: 1R CALIF. 823 403 KESTERSON NAT DLIFE REEUG UASTER PLAN U£RCED COUNTY. CALIFORNIA LEGEND U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE REFUGE BOUNDARY 1:24000 A PRIMARY ROAD 2000 4000 6000 SECONDARY ROAD

CANAL FEET MAJOR DIKE

UAP x i ^vwxuj » _v _ vU O Li LL lL o Liiyi KESTERSON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE MERCED COUNTY STATE OF CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES THE RESOURCES AGENCY DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

INFORMATION FOR WATERFOWL HUNTERS ON THE KESTERSON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

THE KESTERSON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE IS CLOSED TO THE TAKING OF ALL CANADA GEESE OR ITS SUBSPECIES AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE FIRST HALF OF THE SPLIT DUCK SEASON

REFUGE REGULATIONS

1 . Hunters must park in assigned parking lots.

2. Once a hunter has left the parking lot, he/she may possess no more than 25 shotgun shells. STEEL SHOT IS REQUIRED FOR HUNTING WATERFOWL.

3. Hunters must possess valid hunting licenses, stamps and area permits while in the field. Return kill record before leaving Area.

4. The Refuge is open to waterfowl hunting only in the designated areas as shown on the map. Areas closed to hunting are posted.

5. The Evaporation Ponds (formerly Parking Lot 4) are closed to all hunting and public entry.

6. Hunters may use boats to cross Mud Slough. Special launching restrictions are in effect. Hunters should be alert to deep, unwadable water in Mud Slough.

7. The check station will open two hours before each day's shooting time.

8. Shooting days and hours for the Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge are posted at the check station.

9. Coots and moorhens may not be taken at Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge.