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 CONSERVATION MEASURES 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 Avoidance Avoid 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

Minimization Work 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

LIGHTING & PERCHES Artificial Lighting Avoid use of steady burning lights Artificial Structures Perch guards Designed to exclude nests

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

Post-Construction Monitoring Essential to validate stressor management assumptions Generally, monitoring takes two forms Fatality monitoring Conservation measures effectiveness

Post-Construction Fatality Monitoring Conducted when risk of mortality is possible or uncertain Evaluate all components of a project Evaluate temporal and spatial patterns of mortality

Post-Construction Effectiveness Monitoring Did Conservation Measures reduce the effects of project- related stressors? Did the measures avoid or minimize the consequences of stressors?

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