Endangered Species Technical Bulletin

378 Pages·30.7 MB·English

by  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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January/February 1994 CLPEUMBSLOICN DurO:iCUMENTIVS LHlFb^WPALKY Vol. XIX No. 1
Technical Bulletin U.S. Department of the Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service
Improved Status Leads to Reclassification Proposal&, wtS
3?/t
Two af»
for Plant Species
ptPos,v'>K"<
FEDERAL
PUBLICATION
The status of two plant species cur- tions continues to be vital to the recovery Loch Lomond CoyoteThisde
rently listed as Endangered has improved of the small whorled pogonia. Manage- (Etyngium constancrijr%/i$ON
enough that the Fish and Wildlife Service ment will benefit from the increased Despite its common.nagi|Aj^| plant
(FWS) recently proposed to reclassify knowledgeofthespecies' habitat needs. is not a thistle but a perennial herb in the
them to the less critical category of On November 29, 1993, in accor- parsley family (Apiaceae). It occurs only
Threatened: dance with criteria in the 1992 revised on the floor of Loch Lomond, a vernal
recovery plan, the FWS proposed to re- lake in California. Vernal lakes and pools
SmallWhorled Pogonia (Isotria are an unusual habitat type forming in
areas with Mediterranean climates where
medeoloides)
Asmall green orchid, this species is dis- slight depressions underlain with an im-
pervious soil layer fill with water after fall
tinguished by the five or six leaves dis-
and winter rains. These seasonal wet-
played in a whorl with a yellowish-green
lands then dry slowly during the spring
flower in the center. It grows in fairly and summer. The cyclic wetting and
young forests and in maturing stands of
drying create an unusual ecological situa-
mixed-deciduous or mixed-deciduous/co-
tion supporting a unique biota. Many
niferous forests. Populations ofthe small
plants and animals are adapted specifi-
whorled pogonia occur at sites from
cally to this environment and cannot sur-
southern Maine through the Atlantic sea-
viveoutsidethetemporarypools.
board States to northern Georgia and
In 1985, after the lake bed was par-
southeastern Tennessee. Outlying colo-
tially dredged and filled, and plans were
nies have been found in the western half made to fill the rest, the FWS listed the
of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illi- Loch Lomond coyote-thistle as Endan-
nois, andOntario, Canada.
gered. At the time, the plants habitat
Concerns about habitat loss led to the
was also threatened by off-road vehicles,
listing of this species as Endangered in
hikers, highway maintenance, and trash
1982. Among the recommendations
dumping. Subsequently, theStateofCali-
contained in the 1985 Small Whorled fornia purchased the lake and, with FWS
Pogonia Recovery Plan were searches for
assistance, installed a split-rail fence.
additional populations, protection for a Habitatprotectionandlandowner Both ofthese actions greatly reduced the
sufficient number of sites, and research cooperationhavehelpedimprovethe
statusofthis woodlandorchid, thesmall potential fordisturbance ofthelake floor.
into the plants life history. Since 1985, whorledpogonia. Because the species is now believed to
botanists have located additional popula- be more secure, the FWS proposed No-
tions and sought to protect a number of classify the small whorled pogonia as vember29 to reclassify the Loch Lomond
sites. About 60 percent ofthe viable sites Threatened. Although the species is no coyote-thistle as Threatened. Complete
are now secure. Many of the protected longer believed to be in imminent dan- delisting is not believed appropriate at
populations are on public lands, though ger ofextinction, complete delisting is this timeduetooccasionalvandalism, the
the voluntary cooperation of private not appropriate until additional sites
landowners and conservation organiza- are protected. (continuedonpage20)
ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 1 (1994)
Vol. XVII, No. 9-11.) Two whooping
cranes from the International Crane
Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin, and
3 from the Fish and Wildlife Service's
(FWS) Patuxent Wildlife Research Cen-
ter in Laurel, Maryland, will join the 5
survivors in this effort to establish a
nonmigratory flock in central Florida.
Later thiswinter, biologists plan to release
14 "isolation-reared" young whooping
cranes from Patuxent. The new arrivals
are expected to join the experienced birds
Regional News and learn survival techniques from them.
* * *
Regional endangered species staffs antine in preparation for shipment and By December 20, 143 cranes, in-
have providedthe followingnews: release in the Kissimmee Prairie of cluding 16 chicks, had reached their
Region 2 - Five parent-reared whoop- Florida, the site of 5 surviving cranes re- wintering grounds at Aransas National
ing cranes (Grus americana) are in quar- leased in February 1993. (See Bulletin Wildlife Refuge on the Texas coast.
This number is about the total antici-
U.S. Fish andWildlifeService Region 2, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM pated to arrive. Biologists were unable
Washington, D.C. 20240 87103(505-766-2321);JohnG. Rogers, Re- to find six pairs that had a single chick
gional Director, James A. Young, Assist-
Mollie Beattie ant Regional Director; Susan MacMullin, each during surveys conducted in June
Director
(202-208-4717) EndangeredSpeciesSpecialist. at the species' breeding grounds in
Region 3, Federal Bldg., Fort Snelling, Twin Wood Buffalo National Park, North-
MichaelJ. Spear, Cities, MN 55111 (612-725-3500); Sam westTerritories, Canada.
AssistantDirectorfor Marler,RegionalDirector;John Blankenship, * * *
EcologicalServices Assistant Regional Director; Bob Adair,
(202-208-4646) EndangeredSpeciesSpecialist. The Captive BreedingSpecialistGroup
of the International Union for the Con-
Jamie RappaportClark, Chief, Region 4, 1875 Century Blvd., Suite 200, At-
DivisionofEndangeredSpecies lanta,GA30345(404-679-4000); James W. servation of Nature has published A
(703-358-2171) Pulliam,RegionalDirector;!omOlds, Assis- Whooping Crane Conservation Viability
tant Regional Director; David Flemming,
Marshall P. Jones, Chief, EndangeredSpeciesSpecialist. Assessment, edited by Claire Mirande,
OfficeofManagementAuthority Robert Lacy, and Ulysses Seal. Accom-
(703-358-2093) ReMgAion50,1300305Wes(t4g1a3-t2e5C3e-n8t6e5r9)D;rivReo,nHaalddleyE,. plished undercontractwith the FWS, the
Lambertson,RegionalDirector;RalphPisapia, report includes priorities for research and
JohnJ. Doggett, Chief, AssistantRegionalDirector;Paul Nickerson,
DivisionofLawEnforcement EndangeredSpeciesSpecialist. management ofwild and captive popula-
(703-358-1949) tions to maximize retention of genetic
TECHNICALBULLETIN ReCgeinotenr;6,DePn.vOe.r,BoCxO285048262,5 (D3e0n3v-e2r36-F7e9d2e0r)a;l heterozygosity and minimize the risk of
Editor, Michael Bender Ralph O. Morgenweck, Regional Director; extinction. Estimates are that about 87
AssistantEditor, Ann Haas Robert E. Jacobsen, Assistant Regional percent of the genetic diversity has sur-
(703-358-2166) Director;LarryShanks, EndangeredSpecies
Specialist. vived since the population bottleneck of
Regional Offices the 1940s.
ReNg.iS.o1n1t1h,AEvaesntusei,dePorFteldaenrda,lORCom9p7l2e3x2,-4198111 Re9g9i5o0n37,(910071-7186E.-3T5u4d2)o;r RdW.a,ltAenrchOo.raStgieeg,liAtzK, Ifthe annual 4.6 percent population
(503-231-6118); Marvin Plenert, Regional RegionalDirector;JanetHohn,AssistantRe- growth of the last 50 years continues,
Director; Dale Hall, Assistant Regional gionalD/rector.DaveMcGillivary,Endangered the wild population at Aransas Na-
gDierreectdorS;pCeicnideysSBpaercriyalainstds.Jim Bartel, Endan- SpeciesSpecialist. tional Wildlife Refuge will reach 500
birds by about the year 2020. Biolo-
U.S. Fishand WildlifeService Regions gists predict a very low probability of
RIselgaindosn.G1:uaCaml,ifaornndiat,heHaPwacaiifii,cTIrduashto.TeNrerivtaodriae.s.ORreeggiono.nW2:asArhiiznogntao,nN.eAwmeMreixiccaon,SOakmloaah,omCao,mamnodnTweexaalsthReogfitohne3N:orIltlhineorisn,MIandriiaannaa, extinction (less than 1 percent) during
Iowa,Michigan,Minnesota.Missouri,Ohio,andWisconsin Region4:Alabama,Arkansas,Florida.Georgia.Kentucky.Louisiana, the next 100 years. The whooping
Mississippi,NorthCarolina.SouthCarolina.Tennessee,PuertoRicoandtheU.S.VirginIslands Region5:Connecticut.Delaware.
DistrictofColumbia.Maine,Maryland,Massachusetts,NewHampshire,NewJersey,NewYork, Pennsylvania,RhodeIsland, crane has th—e highest long-ter—m recruit-
VWVeyrommoinnt,gViRregigniioa,na7n:dAWlaessktaVirginia Region6:Colorado,Kansas.Montana,Nebraska,NorthDakota,SouthDakota.Utah,and ment rate 13.9 percent ol any
Printed with vegetable-based ink on recycled and recyclable paper. Ifyou do North American crane population.
notkeepbackissues,pleaserecyclethepaper,passthemalongtoaninterested
person, or donatethem to a local school or library. (continuedonpage21)
ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 1 (1994)
Secretary Babbitt Addresses the Impact of Endangered Species
Protection on Private Landowners
\i
by Ken Burton
There is little evidence to support For the 20 years the Endangered
claims that the Endangered Species Act Species Act has been in place, and "de-
has worked widespread hardship on land- spite the fact that more than 800 spe-
owners, Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt cies throughout the U.S. are now
told the conference ofthe Society of En- protected by it," Babbitt said, not a
vironmental Journalists at Duke Univer- single instance has occurred in which a
sity in October. landowner was so affected by the Act
"Instead of attacking the law directly that he was awarded compensation for
the opponents have assembled under the a governmental "taking" ofhis property
banner of the Wise Use movement and through the claims court.
concocted a new and radical concept," "Ofcourse, the fact that, in 20 years,
Babbitt said, "that anygovernment action the Fish and Wildlife Service has never
affecting the vaJue ofa property right au- come close to a constitutional takingdoes
tomatically creates a right to compensa- not end the matter," Babbitt said. "I be-
tion from the United StatesTreasury." lieve the government has a higher obliga-
Babbitt said environmental regulations tion to its citizens than simplystayingout
are no different in concept than planning ofcourt and away from a constitutionally
and zoning regulations imposed across protected taking. Government has an to some small landowners caught in the
the United States virtually every day to obligation to treat all citizens reasonably, regulatory freeze. "It is these cases that
servevarious public purposes. to minimize the inconvenience, to apply one hears about in the press, and I am
"And in fact, upon close examination, regulations in the least instrusive and frankly very sympathetic to such com-
many planning and zoning r—egulations most thoughtful way." plaints. At my direction, the Fish and
are environmental regulations provid- The Secretary listed several approaches: Wildlife Service is beginning a review of
ing open space, preserving stream • The Department should use, when- this issue and is seeking improved meth-
courses, limiting congestion and air pol- ever possible, public lands for the habitat ods... to provide more flexibility in re-
lution, and generally providing a more necessarytoprotectanendangeredspecies. sponding to the needs ofindividual small
iiveableenvironment," Babbittsaid. • Mitigation fees: a habitat conserva- landowners in the use and improvement
Babbitt noted that his hometown of tion plan worked out with the City of oftheir property, Babbitt said.
Flagstaff, Arizona, has a city ordinance Las Vegas provides that residential de- "The Endangered Species Act is working.
~.~u;u:,:. >.,- A- velopers pay a mitigation fee which in The well publicized 'train wrecks that we
turn goes into a fund to pay for conser- read so much about illustrate, in most every
vation measures on lands used as tor- case, notdeficiencies in the Ad, but thewill-
DmO toise reserves. "In concept," Babbitt ful failure of public officials to explore and
> said, "this mitigation fee is no different use die flexible provisions of the Act that are
D from a lot assessment to finance water, available to protect the incomparable
m
sewage or playgrounds." bkxliversity ol the American landscape and
DO
• Sometimes, "a few thoughtful, con- to accommodate the reasonable use and de
CC/5 structive changes in our approach to land velopment expectations ol landowners,"
"0
D<O O management will suffice," such as the Babbitt said.
m Georgia Pacific Company's plan designed
<
O to protect the red cockaded woodpecker. Ken Burton, apublk affair* specialist withmtht
> 2 • In cases where a reasonable habitat ,uifl WildlifeService, attendedtht Octobct
u The organization Secretary Babbitt add
D conservation plan cannot be worked out, Society <>/ Environmental Journalists,
m it may be appropriate to consider land several yean ago to promote professionalism m the
zo exchangesoreven outright purchase 1mm reporting<>/environmentalaffain It ha
willingsellers, Babbitt said. shipofabout 900print, radio, andteL
r~
o Babbitt said he recognized that in nalists, ./> well,/
ernmentandthepriva
(mJ) some cases, delays have caused hardship
D
LETIN Vol. XIX No. 1 (1994)
Taiwan and Peoples Republic of China are Warned
Against Continued Trade in Rhino Horn and Tiger Parts
by Denise Henne
Pursuant to the Pelly Amendment to countries to prohibit trade in endangered mals worldwide, and the tiger population
the Fisherman's Protective Act of 1967, wildlifespecies. has fallen 95 percent during this century
Secretary Babbitt certified to President On November 8, in response to the to about 5,000. It is believed that wild
Clinton on September 7, 1993, thatTai- Pelly certification, the President notified populations ofthese animals maybecome
wan and the Peoples Republic ofChina Congress that unless China and Taiwan extinct within 2 to 5 years ifthe trade in
are engaging in trade of rhinoceros and demonstrate measurable, verifiable, and their parts and products, which includes
tiger parts and products, thereby threat- substantial progress in eliminating the rhinoceros horn and tiger bones, is not
eningthese animalswith extinction. This trade by March 1994, the United States immediately eliminated. Although re-
certification states that the trade also di- may impose import prohibitions against cent actions by Taiwan and the People's
minishes the effectiveness ofthe Conven- them as recommended byCITES. Republic of China indicate that some
tion on International Trade in Rhinoceros numbers have declined 90 progress has been made in addressing
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and percent within the last 23 years to the their rhinoceros and tiger trade, neither
Flora (CITES), an agreement among 120 current level of fewer than 10,000 ani- government has fully implemented the
international standards established by
CITES for controlling the trade in these
critically endangered species. Rhinoceros
horn and tiger bone are used extensively
in traditionalAsian medicines.
The Secretary made his announcement
ofthe Pelly certification in Brussels, Bel-
gium, where he attended the meeting of
the CITES Standing Committee with
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) staff.
The Standing Committee acts on behalf
of the CITES Parties between the bien-
nial Conference of Parties. After the
Secretary's announcement, the Standing
Committee unanimously recommended
that CITES parties consider implement-
Accordingtothe WorldWildlifeFund, thenumberofblackrhinos(Diceros bicornis) in
Africahasplummetedfrom65,000in 1970tofewerthan2,000today, which wouldmean ing "stricter domestic measures up to and
thisspeciesisdecliningfasterthananyotherlargelandmammalinrecenttimes. including prohibition in trade in wildlife
species" against China and Taiwan for
their trade in tiger and rhinoceros parts
and products.
In his November 8 message to Con-
gress, the President noted the good faith
efforts made recently by China and Tai-
wan, but he added that these efforts have
yet to effectively reduce the rhinoceros
and tiger trade. Actions that would dem-
onstrate China's and Taiwan's commit-
ment to eliminating the trade in parts
and products of these animals could in-
clude, at a minimum, (1) consolidation
and control of stockpiles; (2) formation
ofa permanent wildlife conservation law
enforcement unit with specialized train-
ThisrhinoceroshornofferedforsaleinHongKongwasphotographedbyhiddencamera. (continuedonpage20)
ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 1 (1994)