FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROPOSED REINTRODUCTION OF A MIGRATORY FLOCK OF WHOOPING CRANES IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES June 2001 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 3 in cooperation with Regions 2, 4, 5, and 6 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROPOSED REINTRODUCTION OF A MIGRATORY FLOCK OF WHOOPING CRANES IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES June 2001 Authority: Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended Prepared by: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Region 3), in cooperation with: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Region 2) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Region 4) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Region 5) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Region 6) Abstract: This environmental assessment considers the biological, environmental, and socioeconomic effects of a proposal to establish a self-sustaining population of whooping cranes (Grus americana) separate from the two existing populations. This action has been recommended by the Whooping Crane Recovery Team to contribute to the long-term recovery of the endangered whooping crane. Alternatives considered in this environmental assessment include: (1) No Action; (2) establish a nonessential experimental migratory population of whooping cranes in the eastern United States with introduction of cranes to Wisconsin and migration to a wintering site at Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge in Florida (Preferred Alternative); (3) establish a migratory population of whooping cranes, classified as endangered, in the same locations; (4) establish a nonessential experimental migratory population of whooping cranes with initial reintroduction to Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan and migration to a wintering site at Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service are cooperating in this endeavor. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION .......................................1 1.1 Introduction .......................................................1 1.2 Purpose ..........................................................1 1.3 Need ...........................................................2 1.4 Decision that Must be Made ...........................................2 1.5 Issues and Concerns ................................................2 1.6 Scoping ..........................................................3 2.0 ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION ....................4 2.1 Alternatives Considered But Not Studied In Detail ..........................6 2.1.1 Continue Reintroduction Experiments In the Rocky Mountains ........6 2.1.2 Reintroduce Whooping Cranes to Marsh Island Wildlife Preserve, Louisiana ..................................................7 2.1.3 Reintroduce whooping cranes in Manitoba and/or Saskatchewan ......8 2.1.4 Establish an additional nonmigratory flock of whooping cranes in Florida ..........................................................9 2.2 Alternatives Studied in Detail ..........................................9 2.2.1 Implementation Techniques Common to All Action Alternatives ...........9 2.2.2 Alternative 1 - No Action ......................................11 2.2.3 Alternative 2 (Preferred Alternative) - Establish a nonessential experimental migratory population of whooping cranes in the eastern United States with initial reintroduction of captive-reared cranes to Wisconsin and migration to a wintering site at Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge in Florida .................................................12 2.2.4 Alternative 3 - Establish a migratory population of whooping cranes, classified as endangered in the eastern United States with initial reintroduction of captive-reared cranes to Wisconsin and migration to a wintering site at Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge in Florida .........................................................13 2.2.5 Alternative 4 - Establish a nonessential experimental migratory population of whooping cranes in the eastern United States with initial reintroduction of captive-reared cranes to Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan and migration to a wintering site at Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge in Florida ...........................................14 3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT .............................................14 3.1 Potential Wisconsin Release Areas .....................................15 3.1.1 Physical Characteristics .......................................16 i 3.1.2 Biological Environment ........................................17 Vegetation ................................................17 Threatened, Endangered, and Candidate Species ....................19 Other Wildlife Species ........................................20 Disease ...................................................20 3.1.3 Land Use ..................................................20 Agriculture and Industrial Use ...................................21 Residential Use .............................................22 Recreational Use ............................................23 Water Usage ...............................................24 3.1.4 Cultural/Paleontological Resources ...............................25 3.1.5 Local Socio-economic Conditions ...............................25 3.2 Primary Florida Wintering Area .......................................26 3.2.1 Physical Characteristics .......................................26 3.2.2 Biological Environment ........................................27 Vegetation .................................................27 Threatened, Endangered and Candidate Species .....................27 Other Wildlife Species ........................................28 Disease ...................................................29 3.2.3 Land Use ..................................................29 Agriculture and Industrial Use ...................................29 Residential Use .............................................30 Recreational Use ............................................30 Water Usage ...............................................30 3.2.4 Cultural/Paleontological Resources ...............................30 3.2.5 Local Socio-economic Conditions ...............................31 3.3 Seney National Wildlife Refuge Release Area .............................31 3.3.1 Physical Characteristics .......................................32 3.3.2 Biological Environment ........................................32 Vegetation ................................................32 Threatened, Endangered, and Candidate Species ..................33 Other Wildlife Species ........................................33 Disease ...................................................33 3.3.3 Land Use ..................................................33 Agriculture and Industrial Use ...................................34 Residential Use .............................................34 Recreational Use ............................................34 Water Usage ...............................................34 3.3.4 Cultural/Paleontological Resources ...............................34 3.3.5 Local Socio-economic Conditions ...............................34 ii 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ..................................35 4.1 Physical Characteristics .............................................35 4.2 Biological Environment ..............................................35 4.2.1 Vegetation .................................................35 4.2.2 Threatened, Endangered, and Candidate Species ....................35 Alternative 1 ...............................................35 Alternative 2 (Preferred Alternative) ..............................37 Alternatives 3 and 4 ........................................ 40 4.2.3 Other Wildlife Species ........................................41 Alternatives 2, 3 and 4 ........................................41 4.2.4 Disease ...................................................41 Alternatives 2, 3 and 4 ........................................41 4.3 Land Use ........................................................42 4.3.1 Agriculture and Industrial Use ...................................42 Alternative 2 (Preferred Alternative) ..............................42 Alternative 3 ...............................................42 Alternative 4 ...............................................43 4.3.2 Residential Use .............................................43 Alternative 2 (Preferred Alternative) ..............................43 Alternative 3 ...............................................43 Alternative 4 ...............................................44 4.3.3 Recreational use .............................................44 Alternative 2 (Preferred Alternative) ..............................44 Alternative 3 ...............................................46 Alternative 4 ...............................................47 4.3.4 Water Usage ...............................................47 Alternative 2 (Preferred Alternative) ..............................47 Alternative 3 ...............................................48 Alternative 4 ...............................................48 4.4 Cultural/Paleontological Resources .....................................48 Alternatives 2, 3 and 4 ........................................48 4.5 Local Socio-economic Conditions .....................................48 Alternative 2 (Preferred Alternative) .............................48 Alternative 3 ...............................................50 Alternative 4 ...............................................52 4.6 Logistical