1

Habitat Conservation Planning

in the Big Woodsof Arkansas

Habitat Conservation Habitat Conservation PlanningPlanning

in the Big Woodsin the Big Woodsof Arkansasof Arkansas

Habitat conservation planning in the Big Woods is of value to everyone to resolve issues before they become problems. Local citizens and landowners are critical to success.

2

The Big WoodsThe Big Woods

Message – Big Woods is special

3

the Big Woodsthe Big WoodsGeneral location of

Big Woods includes lower White River, lower Cache River, and Bayou DeView.

4

` The Delta bottomland forest once covered 24 million acres, the largest forested wetland in North America.

` Now 5 million acres scattered with less than 1 million in Arkansas.

Message – Big losses, but much remaining

5

Message – Big trees were in Big Woods

6

Message – Big trees were in the Big Woods.

7

Message – We could not leave Big Woods alone, cut, etc.

8

` Flood control and navigation projects: straightening of rivers, levees.

` Agriculture: large forest clearing.` Major changes in hydrology.` Reduction of wetland processes.` Increased sedimentation.

Causes of losses

9

Agriculture caused losses, but is very important to economy and culture. Agriculture will remain the primary land use and economic force in the Big Woods area.

10

Many streams have been straightened

11

Sedimentation from agriculture

12

Not all sediment is from agriculture

13

` Forest clearing has slowed or stopped` Reforestation through Farm Bill programs` New farm practices – no till, more efficient irrigation

Losses Now Reversing

Things are now getting better for natural resources

14

• Forest clearing has slowed or stopped• Reforestation through Farm Bill programs• New farm practices – no till, more efficient

irrigation

Losses Now Reversing

Tree planting is restoring forest.

15

Big Woods Remains Valuable

` Provides major aquatic habitats for mussels and fish.

` Forests support a great diversity of mammals, birds, and other wildlife.

Many high value natural resources remain in the Big Woods.

16

` 1930’s – 1950’s: Formation of White River NWR and several Wildlife Management Areas.

` 1970’s: Fight to stop ditching of Cache River.

` 1986 - Today: Formation of Cache River National Wildlife Refuge and additions.

` 1980’s and 1990’s: Wetland Reserve Program Easements.

History of Big Woods Conservation

History of conservation in the Big Woods.

17

National Wildlife RefugesCache River, White River

Wildlife Management AreasDagmar, Rex Hancock/Black Swamp, Henry Gray/Hurricane Lake, Wattensaw, Steve Wilson/Raft Creek

Natural AreasBenson Creek, Pine City

Hunt Clubs

National Wildlife RefugesNational Wildlife RefugesCache River, White River

Wildlife Management AreasWildlife Management AreasDagmar, Rex Hancock/Black Swamp, Henry Gray/Hurricane Lake, Wattensaw, Steve Wilson/Raft Creek

Natural AreasNatural AreasBenson Creek, Pine City

Hunt ClubsHunt Clubs

Conservation Lands

Examples of successful conservation actions.

18

Message - The Big Woods, which have been called the “Amazon of North America,” provide an amazing place for wildlife to thrive. Animals like…

* River Otter* White-tailed Deer* more than 200 species of reptiles …* … and amphibians* More than 132 species of fish, including the migratory paddlefish.* Over 265 species of birds…* The Red-headed Woodpecker* Waterfowl, including the largest population of wintering mallard

ducks in the world.

19

132 species of fish

At least 132 species of fish occupy the main channel, oxbow lakes, sloughs, and inundated floodplain of the lower White River. The lower White River was once nationally famous for its sport fishing opportunities, with alligator gar being one of the principal attractions. The main channel also provides habitat for many obligate riverine species including shovelnose sturgeon, paddlefish, goldeye, and western sand darter. The White River supports a viable commercial fish industry and provides numerous sport fishing opportunities.

20

37 species of freshwater

mussels

At least 37 species of mussels occupy the White River. In the early 1900s, the White River was considered the fourth most productive commercial shelling river in North America. Mussels harvested were used for the button industry. The White River and its tributaries still support a commercial mussel industry, with the primary use of mussels harvested being for the cultured pearl industry. An estimated 38,315 pounds of mussels were harvested from the White River in 2000. Mussel beds can be found over the entire reach of the White River in the Big Woods.

21

Larry Chandler

The Ivory-billed Woodpecker is the newest, most special wildlife in the Big Woods.

22

The rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpeckeris the result of all our conservation efforts.

The rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpeckeris the result of all our conservation efforts.

Hunters and other conservationists’ past work has resulted in what we have today. Hunters and anglers paid for most of this through hunting and fishing license fees and taxes on hunting and fishing gear.

23

Woodpecker-Mania!

The rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker has added excitement to conservation in the Big Woods. It has also focused national attention on the resources we have here and provided an opportunity for economic growth.

24

Ecosystem ServicesFlood Control, Aquifer Recharge, Water Quality, Wildlife Habitat

Other valuable services, besides wildlife, are also provided by the Big Woods.

25

So, what’s next?

Introduction to Habitat Conservation Plan.

26

Habitat Conservation Plan

The Arkansas Gameand Fish Commission

received grants from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to develop a

The Nature Conservancy is a subcontractor to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to manage the Habitat Conservation Plan process.

27

Habitat Conservation Plan“Working together for a common cause”

Partnership

CooperationLandowners

Cooperation and community involvement are critical to the success of the Habitat Conservation Plan process.

28

Habitat Conservation Plans

help landowners manage landtheir way while

protecting endangered species.

The Habitat Conservation Plan process can benefit us all by addressing any potential endangered species issues before they become problems. We can shape the HCP to be what we want it to be.

29

Endangered Species in the Big Woods of Arkansas’Habitat Conservation Plan

Ivory-billed WoodpeckerRed-cockaded Woodpecker

Interior Least TernFat Pocketbook

Pink MucketScaleshell

Message – Briefly talk about each species.

30

Endangered Species are only part of Big Woods valuable wildlife

Black BearWaterfowlBald Eagle

Swallow-tailed KiteDeer & Turkey

The Ivory-billed Woodpecker is only the latest in a series of conservation successes in the Big Woods. The Big Woods has the only continuously present native black bears in Arkansas. Wintering waterfowl, ducks and geese, are a national asset. After it long decline, the first Bald Eagle nest in Arkansas was on White River NWR. Also the Swallow-tailed Kite is now coming back on the White River NWR. Deer and turkey flourish in the area. ALL SPECIES WILL BENEFIT FROM AN HCP. THE HCP IN AN EXTENSION OF CURRENT WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PRACTIVES.

31

Habitat Conservation Plan

Predictability to landowners

Provides agreed on practices to landowners

Things an HCP can do

32

Steering Committee

Approximately 20 members -local mayors, county officials, landowners, agency

representatives, and others.

Structure of the Big Woods of Arkansas HCP.

33

Technical Committee

Day-to-day “grunt” work

Results presented to Steering Committee

Structure of the Big Woods of Arkansas HCP.

34

Potlatch Forest Holdings Inc.

An Arkansas Habitat Conservation Plan

We do have a successful Habitat Conservation Plan in Arkansas. The Potlatch Corporation received an Incidental Take permit with an HCP to harvest timber where Red-cockaded Woodpeckers were living. Without the Incidental Take permit, Potlatch could have been in violation of the Endangered Species Act when they cut the timber.

35

Red-cockaded Woodpecker habitat is open, mature pine woods with little or no mid story. This is not what Potlatch wanted for their land.

36

Red-cockaded Woodpecker

Living Pines

Red-cockaded excavate cavities in living pines, which may take an entire year for a single cavity. They require mature, at least 60 years old, pine for this.

37

Family Groups = Clans

Red-cockaded Woodpecker

Red-cockaded Woodpeckers live in family groups called clans. A clan typically includes a paired male and female and one or more male offspring from previous years.

38

Red-cockaded Woodpecker

Inserts

Red-cockaded Woodpeckers readily use cavity inserts for nesting and roosting. This makes it possible to rapidly create suitable habitat if the mature pines are present. Therefore, relocation of clans is practical.

39

General area of Potlatch lands

General area of Potlatch lands

ConservationArea

ConservationArea

The BigWoodsThe BigWoods

Potlatch wanted to cut timber from their lands, which included about 30 clans of RCW. Potlatch received an Incidental Take permit from the Fish and Wildlife Service that allowed them to cut the occupied RCW habitat. A Habitat Conservation Plan was part of the Incidental Take permit. This worked because the RCW clans were “demographically isolated groups” that are not connected to other RCW’s. This means that they will over time disappear with or without cutting. Potlatch established RCW habitat on a Conservation Area and the RCW’s were relocated before cutting. This Habitat Conservation Plan allowed Potlatch to go on with their business and achieved a net conservation benefit to the RCW.

40

Next Steps1. Identify potential Endangered Species issues in

the Big Woods2. Work with Steering and Technical Committees

to advance planning3. Keep all stakeholders informed

Next steps.

41

This is what we want the Big Woods to remain as, with the addition of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker.

42

That’s All Folks!”

End.