Chapter 3 - Natural Resources - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

More documents

Recommendations

Info

MCB Camp Pendleton, California 1999, the USFWS proposed to remove the bald eagle from the list of endangered and threatened species (USFWS 1999b). On 12 December 2006, the USFWS proposed another rule in the anticipation that the bald eagle would be delisted. The purpose of the proposed rule was to define the term “disturb” in a manner consistent with the existing Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) and provide a standard to guide bald eagle management following delisting (2006c). On 5 June 2007, the USFWS published a notice of availability for the final National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines, a notice of availability for the final environmental assessment on the definition of “disturb,” and a proposed rule for a new permit that would authorize limited take under BGEPA, and to grandfather existing Act authorizations. However, on 8 February 2007, the USFWS announced that it had reached a court-approved agreement allowing the agency to make a final determination on the eagle’s status no later than 29 June 2007. The population of bald eagles in the United States has increased from a low of 487 breeding pairs in 1963 to an estimated 9,789 breeding pairs today. The bald eagle was officially delisted (removed) from the ESA Threatened and Endangered Species List, effective 8 August 2007. California Status Although the bald eagle was removed from the federal Endangered species list, as of 2009, it remains Endangered on the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) list, Sensitive on the California Department of Fire list, and Fully Protected according to the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG 2007 & 2009o). Regional Status The bald eagle is a covered species in the following southern California NCCP documents: • Cal. Dept. of Corrections Statewide Electrified Fence Project. • Lake Mathews. • MSCP, City of Chula Vista Subarea Plan. • MSCP, City of La Mesa Subarea Plan. • MSCP, City of Poway Subarea Plan. • MSCP, City of San Diego Subarea Plan. • MSCP, County of San Diego Subarea Plan. • Western Riverside MSHCP (One permit w/ 22 permittees). • SDG&E. The bald eagle is also a covered species in the North American Landbird Conservation Plan (Rich et al. 2004). MCBCP Status While DoD lands are managed primarily for military readiness, they have historically made significant, positive contributions to eagle conservation. Eagles have also adapted to many of the military activities on these lands (USFWS 2007a). The bald eagle is known to transit through the Base and occasionally nest near the Base. Any nesting sites or occurrences that are observed on Base are addressed on a case-by-case basis with avoidance and minimization measures implemented as necessary and in consultation with the USFWS. Programmatic instructions and habitat enhancement measures outlined in the Estuarine and Beach Ecosystem Conservation Plan (Appendix B) and Riparian Ecosystem Conservation 3-34 Chapter 3 – Natural Resources
Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan [March 2012 - Update] Plan (Appendix C), guide the management of habitat and potential foraging areas including shallow estuaries and rivers/creeks, respectively. Additional information regarding the bald eagle on Camp Pendleton is located in Appendix F, Section F.2. DISTRIBUTION Global The range of the bald eagle is wholly within North America, including Alaska, Canada, the lower 48 states, and northwest Mexico (CDFG 2005); however, similar species of sea/fish eagles within the genus Haliaeetus can essentially be found globally where appropriate habitat exists. In California, bald eagles winter at lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and some rangelands and coastal wetlands with a majority of the State’s wintering population (~50%) found in the Klamath Basin (CDFG 2009b). The State’s breeding habitats are mainly in mountain and foothill forests and woodlands near reservoirs, lakes, and rivers. Most breeding territories are in northern California, but the eagles also nest in scattered locations in the central and southern Sierra Nevada mountains and foothills, in several locations from the central coast range to inland southern California, and on Santa Catalina Island. Regional In San Diego County, the bald eagle is a rare but annual winter visitor to lakes in the foothills, mountains, and coastal lagoons. From 1997 to 2002 the number wintering in the county varied from 8 to 15 each year (Unitt 2004). The bald eagle has been sited at Lake Henshaw, Cuyamaca, Corte Madera, Morena, Sweetwater Lagoon and San Elijo Lagoon (Unitt 2004). They have also been observed near Whelan Lake and Windmill Lake in Oceanside (Bloom pers. comm. 2005). MCBCP On Camp Pendleton, the bald eagle is a rare raptor with sightings documented in the Santa Margarita estuary and in Cocklebur Creek in 1995 and 1996, respectively. No other sightings have been documented on Base since. It is an occasional wintering species and has been observed near the Whelan Lake and Windmill Lake vicinity in Oceanside. For detailed information on the bald eagle, survey information and its management on Base see Appendix F, Section F.2. Chapter 3 – Natural Resources 3-35
Page 1 and 2: TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 3 NATURAL
Page 3 and 4: Integrated Natural Resources Manage
Page 5 and 6: CHAPTER 3 NATURAL RESOURCES 3.1. PH
Page 37: Integrated Natural Resources Manage
Page 89 and 90:
Integrated Natural Resources Manage
Page 91 and 92:
Integrated Natural Resources Manage
show all

Chapter 3 - Natural Resources - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?