Western Washington Office... 1999 Accomplishments Report... U.S. Department of the Interior

54 Pages·1999·10.7 MB·English

by  Department of the Interior

' US. Fish & ba id, :
a3 Western Washington Office
1999
i
=
Accomplishments
|
_ Report
t0i-03LI44/NF
A Year of Significant Change
It was indeed an eventful year but throug - awakened many in western Washington to
out this period of change and uncertainty, the crises that our watersheds are facing.
the dedicated and exceptionally capable Fish species, such as bull trout, are sensitive
staff of the WWO maintained their focus indicators of watershed health and, when
and chalked up many accomplishments that they are put on the endangered species list,
significantly advanced the mission of the they signal us that serious problems exist
agency to conserve, protect and enhance that must be resolved to avoid ecosystem
fish and wildlife and their habitat for the collapse.
Gerry Jackson continuing benefit of people.
Manager, Western Washington Office There is a also a growing awareness in the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service In recognition of the ever changing land- general populace of the interrelatedness of
scape in which we operate, several structur- habitat quantity and quality, fish, wildlife
al changes in the organization were made to and plant species viability and human
better align our personnel and funding to health and economic prosperity.
T. year 1999 was one of significant
meet the challenges facing us in the coming Encouragingly, individual citizens are
change for the Western Washington Office
years. The most significant changes relate increasingly involved in species recovery
(WWO) of the Fish and Wildlife Service
to the FWS’ implementation of the and habitat restoration activities. Our chal-
(FWS), especially in regards to several Ecosystem Approach to Management, lenge in the coming years is to facilitate
management and staff positions. which, in my view, translates into working these efforts by providing scientific exper-
at a landscape or watershed level with our tise, clear statements of expectations for
In April, I arrived back in the Northwest
many partners and utilizing our various sci- species and watershed recovery, regulatory
from a three and a half year stint in
entific, policy and legal tools to carry out and financial incentives, and leadership.
Washington, D.C. to assume the manage-
the mission of our agency. If we are to be Working together with our many partners,
ment of the WWO. Nancy Gloman was
successful in carrying out the rnission of we can reach our goal of achieving healthy
my Assistant Manager upon arrival at
our agency, we must work collaboratively watersheds.
the WWO. Nancy had also served as the
with other federal agencies, state agencies,
Acting Manager of the Western Washington
tribes, city and county governments, local This report attempts to articulate highlights
Office.
grass-roots organizations, industry, develop- from the many activities and accomplish-
ers, environmental groups, small and large ments of the Western Washington Office
Several months after my arrival, she left to
landowners, and individuals in each water- of the Fish and Wildlife Service during
take her new position as the Chief of the
shed. We cannot accomplish cur mission 1999 and lays out some of the challenges
Fish and Wildlife Service's Endangered
alone. In other words, all stakeholders must that lie ahead for each of our programs. We
Species Program in Washington, D.C.
be engaged in the process and, ultimately, will build on our record of accomplishment
we must shift our focus from the species by and strive to provide the best service possible
In October 1999, Sandy Noble reported as
species and project by project reactive to our many constituents, while remaining
my new Assistant Manager. Sandy is a 25
approaches to pro-active approaches involv- strong advocates for the resources that have
year veteran of the Fish and Wildlife
ing watershed planning that will enable us been entrusted to us by the American
Service and for the past eight years, she was
to work more efficiently and effectively to Public to conserve and protect. Your sup-
the Deputy Project Leader of the Fisheries
help protect the biodiversity of the great port is greatly appreciated and we look for-
Resource Office in Leavenworth, Washing-
Northwest. ward to working together in the future to
ton. Craig Hansen was selected as the man-
protect and conserve the wonderful natural
ager of the Conservation Planning
There are many challenges facing us as we resource heritage that is fundamental to our
Division, Alisa Ralph assumed management
open the door to a new year, new century quality of life in the Pacific Northwest.
responsibilities for a consolidated Watershed
and new millennium. But we are optimistic
Protection and Restoration Division, and
that we will help turn the tide of habitat
Kate Benkert moved over from her position
loss and degradation, end the need to place
as manager of the Division of Northwest
plants and animals on the list of threatened
Forest Plan Implementation to manage the
and endangered species, and recover cur-
new Fisheries and Watershed Assessment
rently listed species. Rapid human popula-
Division. The remaining Division and
tion increases in the Puget Sound area are
Branch management positions will be filled
putting increasing pressure on our resources
early in 2000. Many new staff joined the
and the recent listing of the Puget Sound
ranks of the WWO in 1999 and we said
Distinct Population Segment of bull trout,
goodbye to several staff who left to seek
along with the listings of salmon by the
new challenges.
National Marine Fisheries Service, has
L
Table of Contents
USFWS Western Washington Office Organization Chart .........:ssscsssssssseseseesseseeseessessssesessesessesees ii
ES IE crrnesndsenneennmmmnennemmennenenmnmeneenemenmenmmnmaeet l
ee Fe eccereernsenene nee 7
Division of Northwest Forest Plan Implementation..............ccscseseesecssseesseseeceeesesseseesseseeseeeeses 15
ee ee a CIS cxceessce renee 20
UREN GE CRIES FUNREED TRITEITD ccncceessezszevescovensverzenecesseconnvncnsenenscnncesenenscnensncneeonenensensneenseneonenent 24
Division of Watershed Protection and Restoration..........cccccccccsssssessssesesssecsscseseeseeeseeeeaseaseaseaseesees 29
Division of Fisheries and Watershed Assessment ...........:cccsscsssscsesssesssssessesseeseseeeeseeeeeeeeeeeseeseneas 35
TATE, GREEIED GR GRIER cre veesecevceezesvcecesevsssseecnscnnvenovenecesoeerensnssovereoveunvevennesnennsseneeneed 40
RIRIED cosecensesssnnsssnsenenssesnvssnssnseorennessevcnsvenerevsscsenscesenseseveetnessneensuansnensneequeronssauesnnevsneeecesvencneneoenend 45
I Ce QTD cence rs rrssessennsnevscsnsnssssnnscescennseenseesesecsneenensnssqsnenesaneeunecssnssnnssusnnvesoeuesonscnsasnenl 49
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Western Washington Office
Organization Chart
: srei
Division of
@ We assessed six species (four plants,
one invertebrate and one mammal) for
Endangered Species potential addition to the threatenedo r
endangered species list. All of these
species were approved as warranted as
new candidate species in Washington.
while providing safeguards for protecting
Th. Western Washington Office
@ We prepared the draft and final
and enhancing habitat for threatened
(WWO) of the Fish and Wildlite spectes. versions of the Federal Register notices
Service (FWS), Division of Endangered listing the Coastal-Puget Sound bull
Species, is responsible for implementing We establish recovery teams to develop trout population as a threatened species.
the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in recovery planning documents which This population, threatened by habitat
western Washington. We compile and identify tasks and objectives that, when degradation, dams and diversions, and
analyze the information and documents implemented, provide directions and interactions with non-native fish, contains
required to add or remove species or goals for species recovery. To assure that the only known anadromous form of
their critical habitat to or from the we achieve our recovery goals, we work bull trout and is the only area where
national list of threatened or endangered in partnership with the Washington bull trout are found to coexist with
species. \f species are listed, we provide Department of Fish and Wildlife and Dolly Varden, its close relative, in the
for their protection by reviewing federal the Department of Natural Resources United States. Recovery planning for
actions and consulting with federal in administering a program that pro- this population will become part of the
agencies to mutually develop conserva- _ vides them funding to carry out activi- recovery planning process already under-
way for the Columbia, Jarbidge, and
tion measures to reduce impacts to fist- ties that contribute to the recovery of
ed species. \f impacts to protected listed species. Klamath bull trout populations. With
species from proposed projects are the listing of the Coastal-Puget Sound
severe, we work to develop alter- For example, in 1999: and St. Mary-Belly River populations,
natives that substantially reduce all bull trout found in the coterminous
the adverse effects. We also @ We completed the United States have been listed as threat-
review proposals for research recovery plan for the ened under the ESA.
activities and habitat restoration golden paintbrush, a
projects to ensure that they will listed threatened plant @ We also published a notice of intent
not harm listed species. We species known in the Federal Register to prepare a spe-
may also promote the to exist in cial rule to conserve bull trout under
protection and recov- only 11 section 4(d) of the ESA. Section 4(d)
ery of threatened loca- allows for the development of special
species by developing tions. regulations to authorize various land
special regulations management or other activities that
designed to allow may result in take of threatened species
agencies and the to proceed, providing the overall
public to carry out actions contribute to the conservation
various approved of threatened species. A 4(d) rule for
land development bull trout would provide state and
local governments an oppor-
activities
tunity to use their own
authorities to gain
compliance under
the ESA. This
would benefit
thousands of citi-
zens and small
landowners who
Bull Trout
otherwise might be restricted from car- timber. He also argued that the @ During 1999 we conducted several
rying out many traditional activities. “Economic Impact Report submitted... formal and informal consultations with
This process presents a rare opportunity was grossly underestimated.” After the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
to gain voluntary conservation for the reviewing recently-released demographic regarding timber harvest proposals on
bull trout throughout the species range, analyses which indicate that the species the Quinault Indian Reservation. Some
including urban areas, while minimiz- is continuing to decline range-wide, of these consultations were on Quinault
ing impacts to the public. The bull and considering that economic analysis Indian Nation lands and others were on
trout would be the only species covered is not a factor affecting the listing of a fee (Trust) lands, that is, lands owned
by this special rule. A proposed rule species, we found the petition presented by individual allotment holders. Each
will be developed and provided for pub- no new information indicating that the of these consultations involved harvest
lic review in early 2000. original listing data was in error and of trees, and affected one or more pro-
that the petitioner had not presented posed or listed species including bull
@ We completed the final rule to list substantial information to indicate that trout, bald eagles, spotted owls, or mar-
the Wenatchee Mountains checker-mal- delisting may be warranted. bled murrelets. With the listing of the
low as endangered, without identifying bull trout, and the proposed listing of
critical habitat. This plant is known Section 7 of the ESA discusses how fed- the coastal cutthroat trout, the BIA is
from only five locations in the eral agencies will conduct business in considering writing a programmatic
Wenatchee Mountains of central such a way as to conserve Listed species. consultation covering all timber har-
Washington. The ESA requires federal agencies to vest-related projects on fee lands. This
consult with the Fish and would greatly reduce the need for indi-
Wildlife Service on all vidual consultations and significantly
projects which they fund, expedite the speed of future consulta-
authorize, and carry out tions.
and which may impact listed
or proposed species. Section @ We are also working cooperatively
7 consultations can take the with timber management statf from the
form of information pro- Quinault Indian Nation, Bureau of
vided to landowners or Indian Affairs and the Department of
managers regarding the the Interior to resolve long-standing
likely occurrence of Listed concerns regarding the Quinault’s desire
species on or near their to harvest old-growth timber on a
property, reports on how a 12,000-acre portion of the Quinault
Golden Paintbrush
landowner’s proposed Reservation known as the North
@ We also completed the proposal to project(s) may affect Listed species and Boundary Area and the ability of the
list the Oregon spotted frog as endan- information on how the landowner can area to support reproductive marbled
gered, without identifying critical habi- minimize their project's impacts. murrelets following the proposed har-
tat, under the ESA. This species has vest. Currently we are working to devel-
been lost from up to 90 percent of its @ In the past year, we completed over op long-term conservation easements
former range and is currently known to 400 section 7 consultations for activities on two conservation blocks totaling
exist at only 32 sites in Washington, with federal agency involvement, and 4,000-acres within the North Boundary
Oregon and British Columbia. provided information on Listed species Area that would contribute to the con-
occurance for 1,100 actions conducted servation of the marbled murrelet and
@ We reviewed a petition to remove by federal and non-federal entities. This compensate the Quinault Indian
the northern spotted owl from the is nearly a threefold increase over the Nation for restrictions on their timber
Endangered Species \ist in which the number of consultations written the harvest.
petitioner asserted that there had been previous year. This increase is likely due
errors in the original data used in the to the listing of the bull trout as a @ Mortality of marbled murrelets in
listing of the species; that spotted owls threatened species in western salmon gillnet fisheries has been one
have increased in number, and that they Washington. cause of their decline, along with habitat
are capable of living in second-growth loss and mortality from oil spills.
Thanks largely to section 7 consulta- individual consultations. This will eflects to Listed species. \t will also create
tions, beginning when the species was reduce workload for the Makah Indian an incentive to implement conservation
listed, we have been successful in imple- Nation, the BJA, and the FWS. It will measures so that projects can be covered
menting extensive measures for reduc- also allow more timely implementation by the programmatic consultation, which
ing the by-catch of marbled murrelets of projects on the ground, and the will speed their progress.
and other seabirds in non-tribal fisheries. implementation of more meaningful
In 1999, we completed a section 7 conservation measures for Listed, candi- @ We are currently working with other
consultation tor tribal salmon fisheries date and sensitive species. WWO Divisions to initiate two
in Puget Sound covering the next five programmatic consultations with U.S.
years. As part of the consultation, tribes Programmatic consultations are one Army Corps of Engineers on Nationwide
will develop a conservation plan to method of addressing a rapidly increasing
404 permits, and on Commencement
address the reduction of the potential section 7 consultation workload. Bay Superfund cleanup sites. We are
for by-catch of marbled murrelets.
also currently completing a Biological
Implementation of these conservation During 1999: Opinion for a programmatic consulta-
measures will assist in recoveroyf the
tion with Olympic National Park for
marbled murrelet.
@ We completed a programmatic S€C- their 10-year Fire Management Plan.
tion 7 consultation with the Federal
@ We also completed a formal consul- Highways Administration for preserva- @ As members of a North Cascades
tation for the endangered plant, tion and improvement projects for Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Subcommittee,
Bradshaw's lomatium, in Clark County, highways in the Washington Department we have been instrumental in developing
Washington. We worked closely with one- and five-year action plans to guide
of ‘Transportation’s Olympic Region, This
the Bonneville Power Administration future grizzly bear recovery efforts within
programmatic consultation will covet
(BPA) and a private corporation devel- the North Cascades recovery zone.
oping a golf course to reduce the nega-
tive impacts to the species by arranging
for them to share a BPA access road
that would also serve as a golf cart path
for the development. This arrangement
will allow BPA emergency and routine
maintenance access to the site, allow for
the golf course path needed for the
development, and limit impacts to the
listed species. We also made provisions
for Berry Botanic Garden to salvage any
plants that may otherwise be destroyed
during construction of the access route.
@ In 1999, we completed the formal
section 7 consultation with the Makah
Indian Nation, under the authority of
the BIA, on a 10-year plan for timber
harvest and related activities on trust
and privately-owned lands on the limber harvest area with saved-tree area in center
30),000-acre Makah Indian Reservation
approximately 100 projects over the Although the North Cascades Chapter
for 1999-2008. Listed species attected
of the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan iden-
next (wo years in a six-county area and
by the plan include the bald eagle,
marbled murrelet, and northern spotted will likely serve as a template for other tifies initiation and completion of the
National Environmental Policy Act
owl, as well as the recently-delisted Washington Department of Transport-
(NEPA) process tor recovery within the
peregrine falcon. By batching 10 years ation regions. Benefits of the consulta-
ecosystem as a top priority, lack of
worth of work into one consultation, tion include a streamlined process to
funding has limited progress for several
the Makah Indian Nation will substan- comply with the ESA and a standardiza
years,
tially reduce their need to conduct tion of measures needed to minimize
@ Research was initiated in spring identifying appropriate and cost-eftec- ® During 1999, we also participated
1999 to conduct a grizzly bear hair- tive techniques for estimating black- with other federal agencies, state agen-
snagging survey throughout the . cosys- tailed deer and Roosevelt elk popula- cies, tribes, industry representatives and
tem. Hair snagging involves the place- tion levels on the Peninsula. We also local governments in the Forest and
ment of hair collection sites — posts or awarded a grant to the University of Fish collaborative process to develop
trees wound with wire and scented with Idaho to conduct a reintroduction feasi- new Washington State Forest Practice
a natural attractant which encourages bility study, which was released in the rules that will improve riparian habitat
animals to rub against the wire — and spring of 1999. This report indicates on non-federal lands in Washington.
the monitoring and collection of that reintroduction of gray wolves to These new rules will help gain compli-
snagged hair from the sites. The collect- the Olympic Peninsula is biologically ance with the ESA and the Clean Water
ed hair is then analyzed for species feasible, but it also identifies political, Act while providing the habitat to sup-
identification. DNA analysis on the social, cultural, and budgetary issues port a harvestable supply of fish and an
collected hair from the North Cascades that need to be addressed before further economically viable timber industry.
effort may give insight into the compo- action is possible. The study suggested The report provides recommendations
sition of the existing remnant grizzly that the Olympic National Park could for protecting riparian habitat, stream
bear population in the ecosystem. support a core population of approxi- channel migration zones and riparian
Similar research is underway in the mately 56 wolves and indicated the buffers, and addresses solutions to
British Columbia portion of the ecosys- entire Olympic Peninsula would support problems involving unstable slopes,
tem, increasing the data available for about 125-260 wolves. The study also adaptive management, road planning,
analysis. British Columbia has identified indicated that further wolf prey base construction and removal.
the North Cascades grizzly bear popula- studies and wolf/road relationships
studies and the development of a strong ® Millions of dollars from federal, state
tion as a top priority for recovery, and
is nearing completion of a recovery plan public education and involvement pro- and other sources are being directed
for their portion of the population. gram would be essential to any efforts to toward restoration of salmonids in
Pacific Northwest and many
reintroduce
@ In 1997, the Defenders of Wildlife gray wolves issues and areas must be
proposed reintroduction of gray wolves to the area. addressed if the declines of
salmon, trout, and char in
on the Olympic Peninsula. Congress
Washington are to be
appropriated funds the following year
reversed. To help decide
and directed the FWS to initiate feasi-
how to best spend these
bility studies to investigate the propos-
dollars, the Gevernor’s
al. Additional funds were appropri-
Joint Natural
ated to the U.S. Forest Service to
Resources Cabinet
conduct early public involve-
asked the Interagency
ment. We developed and
Scientific Advisory
administered grants to the
Team, a group of
Washington Department of
state, federal, and
Fish and Wildlife and the
local scientists
U.S. Geological Survey
with expertise in
to conduct prey base
salmonids and
studies with an
their ecosys-
emphasis upon
tems, to review
and refine the
Grizzly Bear
prioritization
system for
habitat
recov-
ery
activities outlined in the January 1999, Spotted owls and marbled murrelets are @ We will test genetic material from
Draft Statewide Strategy to Recover located adjacent to this property and the various golden paintbrush locations
Salmon. Our bull trout fisheries biolo- the future habitat is expected to con- to help with determining seed sources
gists participated in the development of tribute to the conservation of these for reintroduction projects. Protected
the team’s report entitled “A system for species. Ownership of the property has sites within the species historic range
prioritizing water resource inventory been transferred to the U.S. Forest will be matched to the most appropri-
areas in western Washington for protec- Service, who will manage the area as an ate seed source and assessed for poten-
tion and restoration of wild salmonids.” LSR. tial reintroduction efforts.
Challenges: FY
@ We contributed significantly to the @ We will prepare a mechanism under
resolution of an investigation into an 2000 and Beyond section 4(d) of the ESA for bull trout
throughout their range that will cover
incident involving harvest of suitable
restoration and many land and water
habitat for northern spotted owls in
management activities. This mechanism
Skagit County, Washington. The harvest The trend toward increasing numbers
will facilitate adoption of regulations
of suitable spotted owl habitat adjacent of requests for section 7 consultation we
that meet the “conservation” standards
to the Lower White Creek owl nest site handle yearly is expected to continue,
of the Act under a 4(d) rule that will
within the Hamilton Tree Farm by especially considering the recent proposal
provide ESA compliance assurance to
Golden Phoenix Trading Company to list the coastal cutthroat trout. As the
participating jurisdictions. We anticipate
initiated an investigation by FWS Law FWS takes over jurisdiction of this
working hand in hand with city, county
Enforcement and referral to the U.S. species from the National Marine Fish-
and state agencies in western Washington
Attorney's Office in Seattle, eries Service (NMFS), we expect to
to develop a rule that will provide ESA
Washington. review the information the NMFS used
compliance.
to list the anadromous portion of the
Crown Pacific Partners, L.P., sold the
species, expanding on it to consider @ We will continue recovery efforts
property to Golden Phoenix, who har-
populations not reviewed in the original
already underway for the bull trout,
vested the timber in September 1996.
listing process. These will include pop- establishing recovery zones for the
Crown Pacific sold the property while
ulations existing above fish passage bar- Coastal-Puget Sound Distinct Population
they were negotiating a Habitat
riers and other non-anadromous popu- Segment. This will involve participation
Conservation Plan (HCP) with the
lation segments. If a listing proposal from local fisheries experts, agencies and
FWS for their Hamilton Tree Farm
goes forward, we expect that we will the public.
which would have included the White
participate in its preparation, and begin
Creek property. Crown Pacific failed to @ We will work closely with agricultural
recovery planning efforts if the species is
notify the concerned agencies of the
listed. We anticipate many other activi- interests to develop conservation strate-
saie, which conveyed a state Forest gies to provide protection for bull trout
ties during FY 2000 as well:
Practices Permit to harvest the White and coastal cutthroat trout, encouraging
Creek site. The FWS learned of the sale them to develop strategies that could be
@ We will review the ESA status of
two weeks after the transaction and covered under a 4(d) rule or Habitat
several species, prompted by the recent
after Golden Phoenix had felled all of Conservation Plan.
approval of six new candidate species.
the timber under the state permit. Loss
of this component of the property @ We will be fully involved with the
@ We expect to propose for listing one
under discussion significantly altered Watershed Resource Inventory Area
invertebrate, the mardon skipper.
the course of the HCP negotiations. (WRIA) assessments being conducted
by state and county participants. Com-
@ We will develop a proposed rule to
Crown Pacific, wanting to complete the pletion of these inventories will be the
HCP for the tree farm and repair rela- list Dolly Varden trout because of their first step in establishing comprehensive
tionships with the agencies, offered as similarity of appearance to bull trout. watershed plans for salmonids in
settlement for their oversight, the trans- Washington.
fer of 400 acres of second-growth timber @ We will publish proposed rules for
@ We will continue recovery efforts for
known as the Thunder Creek property two candidate plant species (northern
the gray wolf and grizzly bear, with
to the U.S. Government. The property wormwood and Umtanum desert-buck-
major emphasis on public education
is located adjacent to the Crown HCP wheat) in the Federal Register.
and outreach.
and a U.S. Forest Service Late-
Successional Reserve (LSR).
l ree stand thinned and pruned 10 promote northern spotted owl dispersal habitat
@ We will continue to provide support The Western Washington Office Division social and economic demands of a
and resources for other HCPs being of Endangered Species is a seasoned team vibrant and complex human society;
developed in the WWO, and continue of fish and wildlife professionals well and the demands of the public that we
to participate in negotiation efforts and prepared to take on the prodigious both protect our fragile environment
provide biological expertise on Listed challenges facing us as we strive to and provide greater access to it. We are
and non-listed species alike during plan protect, preserve and recover the listed confident that, given the appropriate
development. species of Washington. We face many resources and the support of the
challenges: rapid population growth American people, we can do the job.
@ We will continue our work with par-
and the development and urbanization
ticipating tribes to further reduce marine
bird and marbled murrelet by-catch that accompanies it, converting fish and
wildlife habitat to human use; the need
resulting from tribal salmon net fisheries.
to balance the requirements of fish and
wildlife and their habitats against the