jack arnold - usfws
TRANSCRIPT
Fish and Wildlife Service and The Endangered Species Act
Arkansas Forestry Association Annual MeetingHot Springs, Arkansas
October 7, 2015
A LEGACY OF BIODIVERSITY
Listing Program Overview
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 20160
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
Listing Workload 1996-2016
listing determinations CH designations (pCH or fCH) petition findings (90-day & 12-mo.)
Number of listed threatened and endangered species as of October 5, 2015:
U.S. = 1583 Southeast = 372 Arkansas = 38
Arkansas species: mammals = 4 (all bats); birds = 6fish = 5; mussels = 14; amphibians = 1crayfish = 2; insects = 1plants = 5
Endangered Species Scoreboard
…and workload is expected to
increase in the future
species require 90-day or 12-month petition findings
AT RISK SPECIES -THE CHALLENGE
25%
of national listing workload under MDL is in R4
343
A tremendous listing workload…
They are leading the path forward
Data sharing Develop and maintain website Compile regional spatial data Develop surveys schedule Develop data management
system for assessments Improve coordination
WILDLIFE DIVERSITY COMMITTEESoutheastern Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA)
CATEGORIZING SPECIES
37%
U
L
G N+
35%
13%
Not categorized: 15%
Status
Review
GImmedi
ateAction Ready
NInfo
Lacking
UUnknown
LDetermin
ed Threaten
edFinding Ready
Maintain lead for all southeastern species Work closely with the States and stakeholders Incorporate species status assessment well before
finding Increase capacity Identify efficiencies
(e.g., batching species)
SE VISION FOR POST-MDL WORK
FWS crayfish workshop 2014
We need data on petitioned species(e.g., status, distribution, biology, threats)
We will encourage participation in species status assessments
We need help identifying and implementing conservation actions benefitting petitioned species
COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES
EARLY SUCCESSES
Seven Species Withdrawn
from Petition
Not Substantial
petition findings for 19
species
Not-Warranted
Findings for 16 species
The Service is working on a number of actions to improve and clarify implementation of the Endangered Species Act.
These actions are intended to: Improve the science and increase transparency Incentivize voluntary conservation efforts Focus limited resources to achieve more
successes Engage the States more fully
ESA Regulatory Improvements
Clarifying procedures for designating and revising Critical Habitat
Clarifying the definition of Adverse Modification of Critical Habitat
Codifying/clarifying the use of surrogates for individuals in quantifying the limit of exempted take within biological opinions
Clarifies how we interpret and apply “significant portion of the range”
Pre-listing conservation actions policy Petition regulation revisions
Regulation/Policy Revisions
Would require Coordination with the States Would limit petitions to one species per petition Would expand content requirements and
guidelines
The draft rule published in the Federal Register on May 21, 2015 and the comment period was extended to September 18, 2015.
Additional details on all these regulatory reforms are available at:
www.fws.gov/endangered/improving_esa/index.html
Petition Regulation Revisions
For species listed as threatened under the ESA: The Secretary shall issue such regulations as
she deems necessary and advisable for the conservation of the species.
The Secretary has the discretion to exempt any act that may result in take otherwise prohibited under the ESA
Unless specifically exempted, all take is prohibited
Section 4(d) of the ESA
Exemptions are: intended to minimize the regulatory burdens for
landowners exempt certain activities from the ESA take
prohibitions, that are beneficial for the conservation of the species, while still providing protections important for the species.
customized based on the biology and management needs of each species.
Activities not exempted are not prohibited – just need to coordinate/consult with FWS prior to action
4(d) exemptions
Final rule listing black pine snake as Threatened published in the Federal Register on October 6, 2015
Includes 4(d) exemptions intended to encourage habitat management that would benefit the snake
Exempts take associcated with activities such as thinning, herbicide treatment, prescribed burning, and most normal forest management practices
activities that do not protect the snake’s underground habitat, such as stump removal, are not exempted
For forest management activities outside known areas occupied by the snake, no consultation required
For the black pine snake
Final rule listing the northern long-eared bat as threatened was published in the Federal Register on April 2, 2015.
includes interim 4(d) exemptions for normal forest management activities,
except for the conversion of mature mixed hardwood forest to intensively managed monoculture pine plantations, which could represent a long-term loss of habitat for the bat.
includes the conservation measures intended to protect the bat during its most vulnerable life stages—when the bats are hibernating, and when females are raising young that are not yet able fly.
For the northern long-eared bat
Working forests and their stewards are vital to ensuring there is forestland to sustain wildlife
We realize how important active management is maintaining forest health
We are working to increase management flexibility while still meeting our statutory requirements
Please let us know how we can more actively engage you.
In Closing…..
Arkansas Ecological Services Field Office110 South Amity Road, Suite 300Conway, Arkansas 72032501-513-4770
Melvin Tobin – Field Supervisor Chris Davidson – Endangered Species Lead
Biologist
Local Contacts:
Jack ArnoldDeputy Assistant Regional Director – Ecological ServicesU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Questions?