Michigan Amphibian & Reptile Best Management Practices

173 Pages·2014·8.78 MB·English

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Michigan Amphibian & Reptile
Best Management Practices
Herpetological Resource & Management, LLC
Michigan Amphibian & Reptile Best Management Practices
Michigan Amphibian and Reptile Best Management Practices
Copyright 2014 © Herpetological Resource and Management, LLC.
Drawings & photographs by Herpetological Resource and Management, LLC. unless otherwise noted

ISBN: 978-0-9915169-0-2
Suggested Citation: Mifsud, David A., 2014. Michigan Amphibian and Reptile Best Management
Practices. Herpetological Resource and Management Technical Publication 2014.
i
Acknowledgements
This project was funded by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental
Protection Agency through a Region 05 Wetland Program Development Grant. This work was performed
under the sponsorship of THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY and the
Michigan Natural Features Inventory Michigan State University Extension. This work does not necessarily
represent the views of the University or the sponsoring agency.
Numerous organizations and individuals have contributed information, photographs, and resources
instrumental in the creation of this publication including, MDEQ Wetlands, Lakes, and Streams Unit, The
Nature Conservancy, Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Wildlife Division, MDNR
Fisheries Division, MDEQ Office of the Great Lakes, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT),
Michigan State University Museum, and The Stewardship Network. In addition to the organizations we would
like to recognize the individuals who provided review and comment for their help and assistance: James
Bettaso, Brittany Bird, Amy Derosier, David Dortman, Carly Eakin, Eric Ellis, Melanie Foose, James Francis,
Chris Freiburger, Thomas Goniea, Anne Hokanson, Christopher Hoving, Spencer Kellum, Yu Man Lee,
Amy Lounds, Mark Mackay, Christopher May, Mick Micacchion, Paul Muelle, Tim Payne, Mike Pennington,
Lori Sargent, Matthew Smar, Pete Wilson, Richard Wolinski, and Sean Zera. Every attempt has been made to
integrate feedback from the professionals and organizations listed above. Their participation however does
not suggest the endorsement of every recommendation or professional opinion in this manual. Additionally,
we would like to thank all of our photo contributors who helped improve the content and engagement of this
document.
On behalf of HRM, we would also like to specifically recognize and
thank Maegan Stapleton for her time, dedication, organization, and
patience in the development and completion of this manual. Special
thanks also go to Hailey Brown for her technical skill and invaluable
assistance in layout and organizing. On a personal level, I would like to
thank my mother Mary Mifsud and wife Rachel Mifsud for whom their
great support and love has helped me succeed in life and profession. I
would also like to thank my mentor, colleague, and friend, Jim Harding
for his support and inspiration throughout my career.
ii Michigan Amphibian & Reptile Best Management Practices
Table of Contents
1. Introduction .............................................................................................1
Purpose and Intended Use of This Manual ...........................................................1
2. Project Planning .......................................................................................3
3. Amphibians and Reptiles of Michigan ...................................................5
Natural History of Herpetofauna in Michigan ......................................................6
Michigan Herpetofauna: Ecological and Habitat Requirements .........................7
Amphibians..............................................................................................................8
Reptiles .....................................................................................................................9
Michigan Herpetofauna Community Associations and Habitats ......................10
4. Threats to Amphibians and Reptiles ..................................................... 11
Habitat Loss, Degradation, Fragmentation, and Urbanization .........................11
Chemical Pollution ....................................................................................................15
Salts and Heavy Metals ........................................................................................15
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Other Hydrocarbons ......16
Pharmaceuticals and Hormones .......................................................................17
Excess Nutrients ...................................................................................................17
Pesticides ...............................................................................................................17
Piscicides ................................................................................................................20
Alterations to Hydrologic Processes ......................................................................20
Illegal Collection ......................................................................................................23
Persecution .................................................................................................................24
Invasive Species .........................................................................................................25
Disease ........................................................................................................................28
Climate Change .........................................................................................................29
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Insufficient Assessment ..........................................................................................31
5. Conservation Efforts ..............................................................................32
Existing Conservation Guidelines .........................................................................33
State, Federal, and International Regulations ......................................................34
The Michigan Herp Atlas .......................................................................................36
6. Management and Development Planning .............................................37
Evaluating the Site ....................................................................................................37
Plan to Maintain Ecologically Functional Landscapes ........................................40
Implement Herp-friendly Work ..............................................................................43
7. Ecological Restoration and Mitigation and Habitat Design ................45
Planning Restoration and Mitigation ....................................................................45
Wetland Mitigation and Restoration .....................................................................47
Stream and River Restoration and Mitigation ......................................................52
Habitat Design ..........................................................................................................56
Turtle Nesting ......................................................................................................58
Turtle Hibernacula ................................................................................................60
Turtle Basking .......................................................................................................60
Snake Hibernacula ................................................................................................61
Snake and Lizard Basking and Cover ................................................................62
Snake and Lizard Nesting Sites ..........................................................................62
Amphibian Egg Laying Sites ...............................................................................63
Frog and Toad Cover and Basking Sites ...........................................................63
Salamander Cover and Foraging Sites ...............................................................64
Upland Conditions for Amphibians .................................................................65
Upland Conditions for Reptiles ........................................................................65
Captive Breeding and Rare Species Headstarting ................................................66
iv Michigan Amphibian & Reptile Best Management Practices
Relocation, Translocation, and Rescue ..................................................................67
8. Management Techniques ......................................................................71
Chemical Applications and Management ..............................................................71
Pesticides, Nutrients, and Fertilizers ................................................................71
Oil and Chemical Spill Response ............................................................................76
Metal and Toxic Contamination .............................................................................77
Stormwater Management and Soil Erosion Control ..........................................77
Forest Management ..................................................................................................82
Vehicle Use .....................................................................................................83
Harvest Techniques ..............................................................................................86
Vernal Pool Protection and Conservation ........................................................87
Streamside/Riparian Zone Harvest ...................................................................90
Prescribed Burns .................................................................................................90
Fisheries Sampling and Management ...................................................................94
Hook and line fishing ...........................................................................................95
Electroshocking/Electrofishing .........................................................................95
Chemical Fish Control and Sampling ................................................................95
Lamprey Control ..................................................................................................96
Fish Hatchery Rearing Ponds .............................................................................97
Net Sampling .........................................................................................................98
Invasive Species Management ................................................................................99
Plant Invaders ......................................................................................................100
Animal Invaders ..................................................................................................104
Subsidized Predator Management .......................................................................106
9. Development Techniques .................................................................... 108
Site Grading and Topography ...............................................................................108
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Roads .......................................................................................................................110
Road Crossing Structures ..................................................................................111
Curbs, Gutters, and Drains ...............................................................................115
Maintain Amphibian and Reptile Friendly Roadways ..................................116
Maintained Landscapes and Park Open Space ...................................................117
Mowing .................................................................................................................117
Light Pollution ....................................................................................................118
Controlling Access..............................................................................................119
Lakes, Ponds, and Rivers ........................................................................................119
Altered Hydrologic Processes and Aquatic Construction ............................121
Aquatic Weed Control ......................................................................................125
Lake and River Level Alteration ......................................................................127
Motorized Vessels ...............................................................................................129
10. Conclusions and Next Steps .............................................................. 130
Appendix A: Management and Development Action Timeline ..........................133
Appendix B: Community Matrix ..............................................................................134
Reference ......................................................................................................................138
1 Michigan Amphibian & Reptile Best Management Practices
1. Introduction
Purpose and Intended Use of This Manual
This manual was created for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to
provide a comprehensive guide to Best Management Practices (BMPs) to improve and maintain
the viability of Michigan amphibian and reptile populations. This manual addresses threats to
Michigan’s amphibian and reptile (i.e., herpetofauna) communities posed by development and
conservation management practices. The manual contains alternatives that are based on the best
available science to facilitate conservation actions to protect specific species and the communities
that support them. These BMPs are designed to inform land management and, development, and
conservation activities, including restoration. This BMP manual is a Michigan-focused guide that
provides specific recommendations to regulators, agency land managers, consultants, commercial
and residential developers, and private citizens to protect, preserve, and restore the herpetofauna
of Michigan.

1. The State
To be of value, BMPs must be supported by scientifically sound information, and as such, must be
Threatened
both monitored to assess their effectiveness and revised to reflect new information. As the BMPs
Spotted Turtle is
a habitat specialist are implemented and evaluated, the new information will be used to refine protection efforts.
and Species The process should reduce costs while maximizing wildlife protection value. This manual, while
of Greatest
primarily targeted at amphibian and reptile communities, complements the ecosystem management
Conservation
approach described in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Wildlife Action
Need in Michigan.
Plan (WAP) (Eagle, Hay-Chmielewski et al. 2005) and incorporates
current climate change adaptation recommendations (Hall 2012).

This work was initially started in 1999 in an effort to provide an
introduction to the habitat needs, management, and conservation
of turtles and amphibians in Southeast Michigan for the MDNR
and MDEQ. This document is still in use by resource managers
and was a catalyst for developing a more comprehensive and
detailed document focused on all of Michigan’s amphibians and
reptiles. The need for this manual is driven by the significant
decline in amphibian and reptile populations in Michigan and
the need for increased conservation actions. At the time of
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publishing, over 60% of Michigan herpetofauna is considered rare
or Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), as identified
by the MDNR WAP (Eagle, Hay-Chmielewski et al. 2005). Most
of these species are wetland dependent at some phase in their
lives. Habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation are
the main factors for decline of many amphibian and reptile
species in Michigan and the United States (Dodd, Smith et al.
2003; Marchand and Litvaitis 2004; Weyrauch and Grubb 2004;
Cushman 2006; Gardner, Barlow et al. 2007). Decreases in water
quality, habitat patch size, and connectivity coupled with invasive
g
n
di species, environmental contaminants, pathogens, illegal collection,
r
Ha and high densities of subsidized mesopredators pose a significant
m 1 threat to many species in Michigan (Harding 1997; Roe, Kingsbury
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et al. 2003; Bell 2005; Moore and Gillingham 2006; Ryan, Conner
1.Copper-bellied
et al. 2008; Michigan Natural Feature Inventory 2012). The unique
Watersnake is State
Endangered with a very natural histories and biological characteristics of amphibians and reptiles make these
limited range in Michigan. animals vulnerable to both aquatic and terrestrial disturbances. The guidelines proposed in
This species is one of
this manual have the potential to reduce negative pressures on herpetofauna populations in
many likely to benefit
Michigan and contribute to their protection and preservation.
from conservation efforts
through the implementation
of Best Management This manual is to be used as a quick-reference guide throughout all phases of site
Practices. Observations of
development and construction, mitigation, restoration, and management. Specific
this and all other reptiles
laws and applicable BMPs for the mitigation of potential impacts to amphibians and
and amphibians should be
reported to the Michigan reptiles are provided. These are listed and described within the appropriate BMP section
Herp Atlas. to best address specific concerns as they are encountered while a project moves into
implementation. It is our hope that this resource will be a living document and work in
progress. As new threats, technologies, and management techniques arise revisions will be
made to help best manage and protect Michigan’s herpetofauna.

2. Wood Turtles,
generally uncommon
to very rare across
the Great Lakes
range, benefit from
environments with low
disturbance.
3. Wood Frog adults
are mainly terrestrial
except during the
breeding season when
they rely on seasonal
wetlands absent of
fish for reproduction.
2 3
3 Michigan Amphibian & Reptile Best Management Practices
2. Project Planning
The strategies and practices discussed in this manual reflect general principles of ecological
sustainability. Specific application of these principles can be enhanced through site-specific
knowledge of herpetofauna. In planning for a ‘herp-friendly’ project, keep in mind these general
principles:
Obtain the appropriate permits- Before any construction or other activities can begin on a site,
1. Knowing existing
community types is permits from government agencies may be required. Permits are issued by a number of different
an important tool agencies and may be needed regardless of whether the land is owned by an individual, business,
in understanding or government agency. Information to determine what permits may be necessary to continue a
community
project can be found by reviewing USFWS, MDEQ and MDNR websites.
composition and
management needs.
The below map Know which natural communities are present - This is the first step needed to develop a piece
illustrates natural of land or implement a management, restoration, or stewardship plan. Also, it is important to keep
features mapping in mind that just because a site may be degraded or not as natural as desired, it may still provide
and adjacent land
important ecological function and value as well as support a rich diversity of herpetofauna.
uses.
Know the species and habitat targeted for protection - Inventory
and monitoring by qualified professionals is critical to determine which
species are present or likely to occur and the functions the habitat
provides. This inventory will provide a more complete picture of the
ecological interactions needed for planning and help direct which BMPs
to use and how these practices can be tailored to a site. Be aware of the
seasonal life histories of all species present so the timing of maintenance
and development actions can be planned to avoid or minimize impact to
herpetofauna. Also, conduct site inventories at a large enough scale to
capture all relevant habitat components for species present.
Preserve habitat to maintain connectivity and a mosaic of
communities – This will help to provide suitable conditions for a variety
of herpetofauna at various life stages and maintain subpopulations
in several locations. Most species require an exchange of individuals
between locations to ensure genetically diverse populations. These
populations are more resilient to catastrophic events and can recolonize
areas if a catastrophic event eliminates one subpopulation (Reh and Seitz
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1990).