Implementing Conservation Measures to Reduce Impacts to
Migratory Birds
Managing Exposure
• We cannot change how a species and resources respond to stressors
• But…we may be able to change how they are exposed
Consider how each stressor may affect the species and/or resources:
• Is the stressor direct, indirect, or both?• Where will each stressor occur?• When will each stressor occur?• How long will each stressor occur?• What is the frequency of each stressor?• How intense will each stressor be?
Understanding Exposure
Conservation Measures• Also called BMPs or Mitigation Measures • Should be targeted at specific stressors• Designed to avoid or minimize:• the production of the stressor• the exposure of resources & individuals
Project Type
Activities
Stressors
Resources
Conservation Needs
Species
THREAT
IMPACTS
EFFECTS
Avoid or Minimize the PRODUCTION
CONSERVATIONMEASURES
Avoid or Minimize the EXPOSURE
Common Avian Stressors• Artificial Light• Artificial Perches• Chemical Contamination• Human Disturbance• Invasive Species Introduction• Noise• Structural Additions to Landscape• Vegetation Manipulation• Vegetation Removal
Avoidance – Project Siting• Use disturbed lands• Minimize area of disturbance• Minimize fragmentation of intact habitat blocks• Avoid important migratory corridors or wintering areas• Avoid features that attract
birds (e.g., wetlands)
Seasonal AvoidanceAvoid disturbing activities during the nesting season– Nesting season varies by species and area– Contact local FWS Office– Clear woody vegetation a year prior to construction
If activities cannot avoid nesting season:– Provide justification– Pre-construction surveys– Establish work avoidance buffers
Minimization - Project Design
• Minimize lighting • Minimize noise• Minimize perches• Minimize nesting structures• Avoid guy wires• clearly mark lines
MinimizationWork Buffers
• Distances will vary• Species tolerance• Habitat type• Work type (e.g., prolonged loud noise,
short duration)• Work with FWS on appropriate distances
Avian Powerline Interaction Committee (APLIC)
Electric Utility Standards
Additional Measures• Prevent release of non-native plants• Minimize wildfire potential• Erosion Control• Minimize operational road traffic• Nest Management plan• Prepare HAZMAT plan
Compensation• In rare cases, NO avoidance or minimization
measures exist• Compensation IS a conservation measure–most intensive option–potentially compensate for impacts in the long
term–especially effective when stressors cannot be
avoided
Series10
250
500
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
POPU
LA
TIO
N H
EA
LT
H
MITIGATIVE MEASURES
IMPACT 3AVOIDANCE MEASURES
IMPACT 2
IMPACT 1
EFFECTS
EFFECTS
Significance Threshold (NEPA)
Post-Construction Monitoring• Essential to validate stressor management
assumptions• Generally, monitoring takes two forms• Fatality monitoring• Conservation measures effectiveness
Post-ConstructionFatality Monitoring
• Conducted when risk of mortality is possible or uncertain
• Evaluate all components of a project
• Evaluate temporal and spatial patterns of mortality
Post-ConstructionEffectiveness Monitoring
• Did Conservation Measures reduce the effects of project-related stressors?
• Did the measures avoid or minimize the consequences of stressors?
Series10
250
500
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
POPU
LA
TIO
N H
EA
LT
H
MITIGATIVE MEASURES
IMPACT 3AVOIDANCE MEASURES
IMPACT 2
IMPACT 1
EFFECTS
EFFECTS
Significance Threshold (NEPA)
MONITORING
Reporting
It is essential that project proponents report findings– Share data –Documented mortality–Conservation Measure
effectiveness
Essential To Success
Adaptive Management• Managing uncertainty• Flexible decision process• Allows adjustments • Ideal for stressor management• Key to conservation measure implementation
Without monitoring – no means to evaluate or adjust the measures to meet conservation needs