F. ASSISTING SPECIES AT RISK

SCOPE OF THE ISSUE

Species at risk are species which have been recognized by either federal and/or state level agencies as requiring special assistance for their continued survival. Currently, there are over 920 species of plants and animals in the U.S. that are listed as threatened or endangered with extinction, and another 3,900 that are categorized as candidate species at the federal level. Nearly half of those species occur within coastal states! Additionally, many others are included on individual state listings.

These plants and animals are conferred this special protection because the loss of a species is forever. A species loss deprives us of the knowledge of that species' role within the ecosystem and any associated attributes it may have exhibited. Some of these include its contribution to species diversity, the role(s) it plays within its habitat and its interaction with other species, and any commercial or medical benefit it may have had to human society. An additional reason for this great concern is that all life, regardless of its size or present "value" to human society, is part of a web of complex interactions. Science is just beginning to understand the complexity and variability of these interactions. Therefore, with each species loss, we lose a portion of our ability to understand the complexity of a system upon which our own survival depends. Finally, these species are indicators or early warning sentinels of the decline in ecosystem productivity and we should view them with great concern and caution for the message they are sending.

Historically, species losses have resulted from a number of causes. Some of the human causes include dredging and filling in of wetlands; unwise silviculture and agriculture practices; unwise development, particularly in areas that are ecologically sensitive; replacement of native species by the introduction of non-native species; over harvesting and exploitation of certain species; and the construction of features which reduce a species ability to reside in a given habitat or to migrate. Natural sources include the process of extinction due to dramatic changes in climate and/or habitat requirements, i.e., natural selection.

Coastal America's projects have addressed a number of different aspects of habitat loss, restoration, and management activities related to endangered species. Projects have begun to address habitat loss by reconstructing and protecting dunes for snowy plovers. Other projects are addressing decreases in salmon populations by constructing fish hatcheries. Still other projects are attempting to mitigate the interactions between human activities and endangered species by monitoring the movements of right whales and their calves and educating shippers as to the whales' locations in the waters off of Jacksonville, Florida. Finally, a number of projects are providing for long term ecosystem planning through the implementation of coastal system management plans, including measures to benefit endangered species.

SELECTED PROJECT SUMMARIES

For the purposes of this discussion, and for ease of analysis, our Assisting Species at Risk Projects have been divided into three categories: Reconstruction of Habitats; Species Monitoring/ Intervention; and Construction of Fish Hatcheries.

Atlantic White Cedar Ecosystem Restoration, NC

Atlantic white cedar, Chamaecyparis thyoides, forests in Dare County, North Carolina, and on the Dare County Air Force Range, have not been able to fully reestablish themselves since the extensive logging operations of the 1800's. This $505,000 project will attempt to evaluate ecological factors in known cedar forests that are considered critical to successful, natural reforestation. Using this knowledge, the project will develop test plots where these critical ecological factors will be either introduced or existing conditions will be modified as necessary to achieve the desired factor(s). A variety of methods of naturally introducing white cedar will be evaluated, including the cultivation of cones, seeds, and seedlings. Ultimately, it is anticipated that the project will produce guidelines for preparing, restocking, and restoring traditional white cedar ecosystems. To date, preliminary surveys have been completed, and test plots are being developed.

Partners with the Air Force are: the FWS; the EPA, via a Section 319 grant; the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources (NCDFR); and North Carolina State University (NCSU). The FWS provided endangered species and habitat management guidance on the project, under the authority of the Endangered Species Act, and is working with the NCDFR and the NCSU to provide joint guidance on potential restoration methodologies as the planting is partially being conducted on National Wildlife Refuge lands. Additionally, the NCSU will develop, guide and document the project's research efforts in collaboration with the FWS and the NCDFR.

Manatee Protection, FL

Protection of the manatee, Trichechus manatus, a federally listed endangered species, has been identified as a management priority by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). One way to protect the manatees from death or injury is through structural modifications of navigation locks and water control structures. Over the years, operational improvements and structural modifications have been made to reduce the risk to manatees, including: screen barriers; air bubbler systems; reducing lock gate closure speeds; and the development of standard operating procedures for lock operators when manatees are present. Nevertheless, between 1974 and 1993, 73 manatees died in the Okeechobee Waterway and in the Central and South Florida Flood Control Project locks and water control structures. Automatic gate reversal sensor devises are currently being designed, tested, constructed, and installed on lock sector gates and spillway taintor gates under the COE authority provided by Section 1135 of WRDA 1986. The objective of this project would be that, whenever a closing gate structure comes into contact with a manatee the gate closure would automatically stop and reverse to free the animal before it is injured or killed.

An Interagency Manatee Task Force has been established with members of the COE, the Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management, Florida DNR, the SFWMD, the FWS and other interested parties. This project also contributes to the long range recovery goal of the Florida Manatee Recovery Plan required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to "maintain the health and stability of the marine ecosystem" and to maintain the manatee population at "optimum sustainable population levels." The costs of this $2,500,000 effort are being cost shared between the COE and the SFWMD, 75 percent federal and 25 percent non-federal.

Neotropical Migratory Songbird Populations, FL

This three year, $120,000 project is designed to prevent the degradation and loss of habitat for migrant neotropical songbirds. During the first year, the project established study areas and collected survey data to identify resident songbird populations. During the second year, spring, fall, and early winter migration surveys were conducted to assess populations of transitory and overwintering migrants on the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The third year will also include survey data collection identical to the first two year's work, and in addition, current land management practices will be assessed to determine the effectiveness of existing or new conservation measures on migrant neotropical songbirds. Management guidelines consistent with the base mission, including a monitoring program, will be developed and implemented to enhance and maintain suitable stop over and wintering habitats for the migrant neotropical song birds. Additionally, the project has identified all federal and state listed species, species of special concern, additional species and locations of exceptional biological natural areas.

Project partners with the Air Force include: the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS); the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission; the Florida Natural Areas Inventory; the Nature Conservancy; and the Argonne National Laboratory. The FWS is providing endangered species and habitat information, project monitoring and information on migratory flight patterns. The Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission is providing consultation regarding state species of concern and the Florida Natural Areas Inventory is helping to implement the project, and along with the Nature Conservancy, is providing technical assistance.

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Shoreline Protection, TX

The Gulf Intercoastal Waterway (GIWW) passes through and along the southern limit of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Erosion of the channel banks caused by boat wakes from commercial and recreational vessels, wind driven waves, and storms is threatening the sole wintering grounds for the federally listed endangered whooping crane, Grus americana. The crane's feeding, resting and territorial habitats are located immediately adjacent to the GIWW. These limited areas are designated as "critical habitat" and negative or adverse impacts are violations of the Endangered Species Act. The refuge has reportedly lost over 1,000 acres of critical habitat for the whooping crane since 1950.

In order to stem this erosion a temporary solution was derived using cement bags to harden the eroding shoreline. Approximately three months each year from 1989 (initial activities were begun before Coastal America participation) to 1992 were spent planning, designing, coordinating and implementing the project. In all, the project has protected 75-100 acres of salt marsh utilized by the endangered whooping crane through the placement of anchored cement bags along 3,850 feet of channel bank. The FWS was the initial project lead and after the establishment of Coastal America, worked together with the COE, providing coordination and technical support, while the Navy provided funding to increase the amount of shoreline protected and develop an interpretive video on the whooping crane's plight. Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, 38 private sector businesses, 3 conservation and special interest groups, 4 organized scouting groups, 5 Texas State agencies, and 7 federal agencies contributed in kind services worth over $500,000. Five hundred non-federal volunteers have contributed over 7,000 hours of labor to this effort over the last four years!

A more permanent solution to the problem of continued erosion of the whooping crane's habitat adjacent to the GIWW is being examined by the COE in a feasibility report completed in June of 1995. The study was authorized by Section 216 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1970 which directs the COE to reexamine existing projects if environmental, engineering and/or economic conditions warrant a change in the original project purposes. If authorization for construction is approved and an agreement is reached on cost sharing, this proposed project could provide a more permanent solution to the erosion being experienced on the refuge.

Umpqua North Spit Snowy Plover Habitat, OR

The snowy plover, Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus, has been listed as threatened by the State of Oregon since 1975. On July 13, 1990, the FWS determined that its listing as a federally threatened species was also warranted. The species decline has been attributed primarily to habitat loss, caused by the establishment of European beachgrass, Ammophilia arenaria, along the coast, which, although stabilizing the dunes and lessening wind erosion, has eliminated much of the flat, open sandy beaches required by the plover for nesting.

This project is located on land along the Umpqua River North Spit within the Oregon Dune National Recreation Area near Reedport, Oregon. The project, completed in the Fall of 1994, created approximately 10 acres of suitable nesting habitat for the snowy plover as well as a two acre wetland. This habitat expansion occurred through the placement of clean dredged sediments removed from the Winchester Bay Federal Navigation Project

The project was conducted under the general navigation authority, operation and maintenance, of the COE for the Winchester Bay Federal Navigation Project. All agencies participated in the design of the placement areas to provide the desired habitats. The U. S. Forest Service (USFS), EPA, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) funded the preliminary site preparation, with the COE administering the contracts. The COE also administered the dredging and placement operations and the Port of Umpqua provided the required lands, easements and rights-of-way. These same agencies also contributed funding via a number of authorities: the USFS through its Challenge Cost sharing Program; the EPA through its Dredged Material Management Program; the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife through its Non-game Program; the FWS through its Endangered Species Program; the COE through its Operation and Maintenance Program and the Port of Umpqua as the non-federal local sponsor for the federal navigation project.

Technical Lessons Learned:

1. Multi-year baseline studies are a required first step in helping to form a basis for understanding the species we hope to manage. Often such data or studies exist, having been conducted as part of either state and/or federal natural resource agency programs as was the case with the Umpqua North Spit Project.
2. Habitat fragmentation can have a significant effect on species survival, particularly when a diversity of habitats are required to support the different phases of a species life history. Preventing habitat fragmentation through simple vegetative techniques that tie or link natural areas together is an efficient way of preserving species habitat.
3. Habitat loss or alteration due to the establishment of exotic species can displace native species and communities. The selective placement of dredged sediments can remove the exotic and/or invading species and provide an opportunity for native species to become re-established.
4. Minimizing conflicts between human activities and habitat accessibility can be as easy as conducting modifications of existing structures to enhance migration or habitat use. What is needed is a more complete understanding of the nature of the problem and a willingness to attempt innovative and new solutions to old problems, e.g., installing reversing gates on locks to prevent injury to manatees.
5. It must be recognized that changes in species populations will take a long time to exhibit recovery following habitat restoration efforts, thus, monitoring and continued "adjustments" using adaptive management techniques are essential to ensure the success of a restoration effort.

Procedural Lessons Learned:

1. The Migratory Bird Treaty has been a significant impetus for action, as it has provided a means whereby federal agencies can justify their participation in collaborative activities dealing with neotropical songbirds and migratory waterfowl and shorebirds.
2. The private-public partnerships between NGO's, e.g., the Nature Conservancy, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, etc., and federal agencies has led to a balanced blending of private funding and public concern.
3. Do not underestimate the significance of volunteer efforts and the benefits of harnessing this potential source of labor and expertise as a means of accomplishing environmental restoration objectives. By contacting environmental organizations and other NGOs involved or interested in this type of activity, volunteers can be recruited to accomplish large restoration efforts, as was done for the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge bank stabilization project.
4. Active public participation in habitat restoration projects can accomplish not only the restoration but, it can also provide an increased public awareness of environmental problems and the restoration process, it can highlight the unique habitat requirements of endangered and other species of concern, and it can develop an increased agency awareness and appreciation of the public's concerns.
5. Given that engineering features typically have a finite economic life, their rehabilitation should provide opportunities to improve their compatibility with the ecology of the aquatic or terrestrial system in which they are found, and suggest modifications that would benefit endangered and other species of concern.

Right Whale Protection, FL and GA

The waters off southern Georgia and northern Florida are the calving grounds for the endangered right whale, Eubalaena glacialis, from December through March. The total population of these animals currently numbers about 300, with about 11 calves born into the population each year. Although there has been no whaling on this species for nearly 50 years, human impacts remain a major factor in the animal's ability to increase its numbers. Since the early 1990's there have been a number of net entanglements and ship strikes leading to the average death and injury of one to two right whales each year. These impacts are believed to be retarding the recovery and growth of the population. Due to this continuing threat to the whales the National Marine Fisheries Service designated this area as critical habitat in June 1994.

These same waters are also heavily used by commercial, recreational, and military vessels traveling to and from highly valuable ports in this region. Jacksonville, the largest, services nearly 1,400 vessels, carrying 5 million tons of cargo each year worth nearly $1.8 billion. The cost to run one of these cargo vessels under normal conditions is about $35,000 per day. When these vessels are impeded during transit, by either collisions or regulations which reduces their speed, the results are increased transportation costs, reduced fuel efficiency and ultimately, a decrease in our nation's competitiveness. The interaction between right whales and vessels in this area could potentially lead to such cost increases, thus a solution was needed.

Central to the solution are overflights of the waters off Georgia and northern Florida, now being conducted to locate the whales and relay this information to the transiting vessel captains. An "early warning system" on the marine radio has been established to immediately inform all mariners of the presence and locations of whales. Through this communication, vessel captains avoid collisions and can maintain an efficient speed into and out of the ports. The effort, thus far, has had some good results. A number of potential collisions were avoided during the 1993-1994 calving season. In addition, the information gathered on right whales and vessel movement patterns and speeds during 1993 will be used to develop further avoidance measures for shippers, COE dredges, Navy and Coast Guard vessels, and to facilitate the recovery of the whales in these waters. Thus far, this project has benefited the commercial shipping industry and the military while ensuring the protection of an endangered marine mammal. It has also facilitated the gathering of important behavioral data on calf production, movements, and other habitat related data. For example, the data gathered thus far show that single juveniles spend less time at the surface and are therefore less likely to be sighted than adults. Because juveniles appear to be most vulnerable to ship strikes, these data are very important. Further, it has been suggested that monitoring the population on the wintering/calving grounds may be the best way to assess the population size and trends, thus the surveillance data is vitally important.

Over $240,000 in funding and overflights of these waters have been provided by the COE, the Coast Guard, the Navy, and Sea World which has provided its blimp "Shamu" at no cost. In 1995, airship time is being contributed by Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation, and perhaps others. The NMFS, the lead federal agency, and the Florida and Georgia Departments of Natural Resources have provided the necessary permits and, together with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, the University of Rhode Island and the Marine Mammal Commission, are gathering and evaluating research data from the project.

Coastal Mule Deer Management, CA

Mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus, while not endangered, are an important component of the fauna at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, and have been hunted there for quite some time. Yet, information on the deer's basic population characteristics, habitat use patterns, and human-related impacts are largely unknown. This $110,000 project, funded under DOD's Legacy Resource Management Program, will assist in developing a more effective management plan and better management tools for mule deer by providing data such as population characteristics, distribution and habitat use, deer impacts to vegetation, and human related impacts.

Project partners with the Air Force include the FWS, the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) and the Nature Conservancy. The FWS was consulted on endangered species in the project area and advised on project methodologies and monitored project progress. The CDFG was consulted on state endangered species. The FWS and the Nature Conservancy are involved in Air Force wide surveys of threatened and endangered species and wetlands, some of which are also involved with this project.

Technical Lessons Learned:

1. Data gathered show that single juvenile right whales spend less time at the surface and are therefore less likely to be sighted than adults. Because juveniles appear to be most vulnerable to ship strikes this data is very important. Further, it has been suggested that monitoring the population on the wintering/calving grounds may be the best way to assess the population size and trends, thus the surveillance data is vitally important.

Procedural Lessons Learned:

1. Species conservation works best when it can be structured to be part of a proposed action(s), or with minimal alterations to the proposed action, for example the right whale project utilized existing transportation infrastructure to document whale locations and transmit that information, in real time, to shippers, thus avoiding costly delays while providing valuable scientific information on the behavior and demographics of these animals.
2. Often information on a relatively common species, e.g., mule deer, is not readily available, requiring additional study(ies) in order to develop and initiate management activities to benefit the species in question.

Jim Creek Fish Hatchery, WA

Salmon and trout are essential parts of the ecological and economic fabric of the Pacific Northwest. In this project, the Navy, which is responsible for managing the forest resources located on the Jim Creek Naval Radio Station, approached the Stillaguamish Tribe located in Arlington, Washington, to determine if there was interest in a cooperative agreement for the joint operation of a salmon and trout hatchery. The proposal was that the Navy would supply the land, gravity flow water from Jim Creek, and the hatchery building, as it anticipated converting an old water treatment plant. The Stillaguamish Tribe would supply the salmon fry and the biological expertise to develop the hatchery. However, because of unreliable piping in the former treatment plant, it was determined that a new hatchery building would be constructed on site. A cooperative agreement with nine signatories was developed, building a partnership among three Navy commands, the Stillaguamish Tribe, the FWS, the Washington Department of Fisheries, the Stillaguamish-Snohomish Fisheries Enhancement Task Force, Trout Unlimited, and the Student Conservation Association.

The project was partially funded using DOD Legacy Resource Management funds. Workers at the Jim Creek Naval Radio Station constructed a small scale, three tank fish hatchery with a gravity flow water supply system. The Stillaguamish Tribe's contribution was to provide ten thousand coho salmon fry, hatched from eggs collected in the Navy's portion of Jim Creek, reared at the Stillaguamish Hatchery near Arlington, Washington, and then trucked to the new hatchery. After growing in the rearing ponds for several months, the salmon fry were released to swim down Jim Creek to the Stillaguamish River and then on to the ocean.

Concurrent with the establishment of the hatchery, spawning and rearing habitat enhancement projects were also implemented. Using volunteers from high school work groups of the Student Conservation Association, the Navy initiated habitat improvement projects within the project region to increase and enhance salmon habitat so that returning adults will find adequate areas for spawning and fry will find sufficient, high quality rearing habitat to prepare them for their migration to the ocean. Together, these two efforts to produce healthy, indigenous salmon stocks and to enhance habitat, are key elements in restoring depleted salmon runs in a ecologically balanced fashion. By pursuing both efforts, the size of the hatchery can be commensurate with available habitat within the watershed.

Technical Lessons Learned:

1. If retired facilities are to be examined for conversion to differing uses, the entire facility and all its systems should be closely examined before committing that facility. In the case of the former water treatment plant to be converted into a hatchery in the Jim Creek project, the existing water delivery system was beyond repair from nearly 20 years of rust, deterioration and disuse. Much time would have been saved by contacting those people who worked in and understood the water treatment plant's condition prior to evaluating its use as a hatchery.
2. Along with the provisions of engineered structures to accommodate migrating fish, consideration should also be given to providing adequate habitat, i.e., good water quality, vegetated and/or sandy shallows, hiding and resting areas, riffle and pool complexes, etc., for the species of concern. This concept was applied at the Jim Creek Fish Hatchery by balancing the production of salmon fry against the available rearing habitat within the Jim Creek watershed.

Procedural Lessons Learned:

1. Forging partnerships is the best way to assure success of a complex project. The early involvement of appropriate professionals should always be undertaken. This not only builds a strong partnership, but can also provide early and expeditious access to regulatory agencies with permit responsibilities and others with a vested interest in the project.
2. Often, collaborative efforts can lead to formal agreements wherein the parties agree to undertake certain aspects of a restoration effort on a larger scale than anticipated by the original project as is the case with the Jim Creek Fish Hatchery Project.
3. Collaborative efforts produce the best on the ground results as well as noteworthy and positive public relations. This strengthens the bonds between partners; improves present and future communications; and opens avenues for future cooperative assistance, advice and partnerships. A significant benefit is the elimination of mistrust and communication obstacles, and the forging of trust, cooperation and respect.
4. The mix of funding, expertise, materials, talents, and services that partners bring to a collaborative project can provide essential elements often beyond the reach or purview of any single partner.

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