Composite Training Unit Exercises and Joint Task ... - Govsupport.us
Composite Training Unit Exercises and Joint Task ... - Govsupport.us Composite Training Unit Exercises and Joint Task ... - Govsupport.us
Appendix A Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEAGuadalupe Fur SealThe Guadalupe fur seal (Arctocephalus townsendi) is listed as threatened under the ESA and is, therefore,considered a depleted and strategic stock under the MMPA. The Guadalupe fur seal population hasincreased at an average annual rate of 13.7% from 1954 to 1993 (Fig. A-25) (Gallo-Reynoso, 1994;Carretta et al., 2004), and it may be expanding its range (Gallo-Reynoso, 1994; Le Boeuf and Bonnell,1980; Maravilla-Chavez and Lowry, 1999). The most recent minimum population estimate of 3,028 isfrom 1993 data (Carretta et al., 2005).Guadalupe fur seals mainly breed at Isla Guadalupe, Mexico, ~10 km south of the SOCAL RangeComplex. In 1997, a second rookery was discovered at Isla Benito del Este, Baja California (Maravilla-Chavez and Lowry, 1999), and a pup was born at San Miguel Island, California (Melin and DeLong,1999). A few Guadalupe fur seals are known to inhabit California sea lion rookeries in the ChannelIslands, primarily San Nicolas and San Miguel islands (Stewart et al., 1987). Sightings have also beenmade at Santa Barbara and San Clemente islands (Stewart et al., 1987). Distribution at sea is unknown(Reeves et al., 1992), but Guadalupe fur seals may migrate at least 600 km from the rookery sites, basedon pelagic observations of individuals in the SCB (Seagars, 1984).Unlike many other fur seals, the Guadalupe fur seal rarely lands on open sandy beaches, preferring shoreswith solid rock, often backed by towering cliffs. Also unlike many other pinniped species, the Guadalupefur seal can be found on shore year-round. Mating and the birth of young take place from May to Julyeach year (Peterson et al., 1968; Thornback and Jenkins, 1982).The Guadalupe fur seal is expected to be very rare in the SOCAL Range Complex, except perhaps for asmall area around Guadalupe Island.Figure A-25. Counts of Guadalupe Fur Seals at Guadalupe Island, Mexico, and the estimated PopulationGrowth Curve derived from Counts made during the breeding Season. From Forney et al., (2000)Steller Sea LionIn response to population declines, the Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) was classified as threatenedunder the ESA in the eastern portion of its range (including California) and endangered in the westernportion in 1997 (U.S. Federal Register 62: 24345-24355). The stocks are divided at an east-westboundary near Cape Suckling, Alaska (144ºW). Both stocks are considered depleted and strategic underthe MMPA. The minimum population estimate for the Eastern Stock of the Steller sea lion is 31,028, andthe minimum estimate of the number of Steller sea lions in California, Oregon, and Washington is 6,555(Angliss and Lodge, 2004).February 2007 A-56
COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendix AThe size of the eastern stock has increased in recent years (Hill and DeMaster 1998), but counts insouthern California have declined by over 50%. The size of the closest breeding colony to the SOCALRange Complex, which is on Año Nuevo Island, declined by 85% between 1970 and 1987 (LeBoeuf etal., 1991), and pup counts at Año Nuevo Island have been steadily declining at about 5% annually since1990 (Angliss and Lodge, 2004). Steller sea lions are rarely sighted in the SOCAL Range Complex.California Sea LionThe California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) is not listed under the ESA, and the U.S. stock, some ofwhich occurs in the SOCAL Range Complex, is not considered a strategic stock under the MMPA. TheU.S. stock has increased from the early 1900s to the present; the counts of pups increased at an annualrate of 5.4% between 1975 and 2001 (Carretta et al., 2005). The minimum population estimate of theU.S. Stock, based on a 2001 census, is 138,881 (Carretta et al., 2005).Nearly all of the U.S. stock (more than 95%) breeds and gives birth to pups on San Miguel, San Nicolas,and Santa Barbara islands, only one of which–Santa Barbara, the smallest–is in the SOCAL RangeComplex. Smaller numbers of pups are born on San Clemente Island, the Farallon Islands, and AñoNuevo Island (Lowry et al., 1992).The California sea lion is by far the most commonly-sighted pinniped species at sea or on land in thevicinity of the SOCAL Range Complex. In California waters, sea lions made up 87.7% (2,976 of 3,393)of identified pinniped sightings at sea during all of the studies summarized in the SCIRC EIS/OEIS.Similarly, they represented 97% (381 of 393) of identified pinniped sightings at sea during the 1998–1999NMFS surveys (Carretta et al., 2000). They were sighted during all seasons and were sighted in all areaswith survey coverage from near shore to offshore areas (Carretta et al., 2000). Their distribution in theSOCAL Range Complex is shown in Figure A-26.Survey data from 1975 to 1978 were analyzed to describe the seasonal shifts in the offshore distributionof California sea lions (Bonnell and Ford, 1987). During summer, the highest densities were foundimmediately west of San Miguel Island. During autumn, peak densities of sea lions were centered onSanta Cruz Island. During winter and spring, peak densities occurred just north of San Clemente Island.The seasonal changes in the center of distribution were attributed to changes in the distribution of the preyspecies. If California sea lion distribution is determined primarily by prey abundance, these same areasmight not be the center of sea lion distribution every year.The distribution and habitat use of California sea lions vary with the sex of the animals and theirreproductive phase. Adult males haul out on land to defend territories and breed from mid-to-late Mayuntil late July. Individual males remain on territories for 27–45 days without going to sea to feed. DuringAugust and September, after the mating season, the adult males migrate northward to feeding areas as faraway as Washington (Puget Sound) and British Columbia (Lowry et al., 1992). They remain there untilspring (March–May), when they migrate back to the breeding colonies. Thus, adult males are present inoffshore areas of the SOCAL Range Complex only briefly as they move to and from rookeries.The distribution of immature California sea lions is less well known, but some make northwardmigrations that are shorter in length than the migrations of adult males (Huber, 1991). However, mostimmature seals are presumed to remain near the rookeries, and thus remain in or near the SOCAL RangeComplex for most of the year (Lowry et al., 1992). Adult females remain near the rookeries throughoutthe year. Most births occur from mid-June to mid-July (peak in late June).A-57 February 2007
- Page 301 and 302: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 303 and 304: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 305 and 306: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 307 and 308: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 309 and 310: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 311 and 312: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 313 and 314: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 315 and 316: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 317 and 318: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 319 and 320: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 321 and 322: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 323 and 324: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 325 and 326: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 327 and 328: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 329 and 330: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 331 and 332: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 333 and 334: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 335 and 336: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 337 and 338: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 339 and 340: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 341 and 342: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 343 and 344: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 345 and 346: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 347 and 348: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 349 and 350: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 351: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 355 and 356: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 357: COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendi
- Page 360 and 361: Appendix B Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/
- Page 362 and 363: Appendix C Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/
- Page 364 and 365: Appendix C Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/
- Page 366 and 367: Appendix C Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/
- Page 368 and 369: Appendix C Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/
- Page 370 and 371: Appendix D Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/
- Page 372 and 373: Appendix E Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/
- Page 374 and 375: Appendix E Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/
- Page 376 and 377: Appendix E Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/
- Page 378 and 379: Appendix F Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/
- Page 380 and 381: Appendix F Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/
- Page 382 and 383: Appendix F Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/
- Page 384 and 385: Appendix F Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/
- Page 386 and 387: Appendix G Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/
- Page 388 and 389: Appendix G Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/
- Page 390 and 391: Appendix G Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/
- Page 392 and 393: Appendix G Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/
- Page 394 and 395: Appendix H Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/
- Page 396 and 397: Appendix H Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/
- Page 398 and 399: Appendix H Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/
- Page 400 and 401: Appendix H Final COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/
COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Appendix AThe size of the eastern stock has increased in recent years (Hill <strong>and</strong> DeMaster 1998), but counts insouthern California have declined by over 50%. The size of the closest breeding colony to the SOCALRange Complex, which is on Año Nuevo Isl<strong>and</strong>, declined by 85% between 1970 <strong>and</strong> 1987 (LeBoeuf etal., 1991), <strong>and</strong> pup counts at Año Nuevo Isl<strong>and</strong> have been steadily declining at about 5% annually since1990 (Angliss <strong>and</strong> Lodge, 2004). Steller sea lions are rarely sighted in the SOCAL Range Complex.California Sea LionThe California sea lion (Zaloph<strong>us</strong> californian<strong>us</strong>) is not listed under the ESA, <strong>and</strong> the U.S. stock, some ofwhich occurs in the SOCAL Range Complex, is not considered a strategic stock under the MMPA. TheU.S. stock has increased from the early 1900s to the present; the counts of pups increased at an annualrate of 5.4% between 1975 <strong>and</strong> 2001 (Carretta et al., 2005). The minimum population estimate of theU.S. Stock, based on a 2001 cens<strong>us</strong>, is 138,881 (Carretta et al., 2005).Nearly all of the U.S. stock (more than 95%) breeds <strong>and</strong> gives birth to pups on San Miguel, San Nicolas,<strong>and</strong> Santa Barbara isl<strong>and</strong>s, only one of which–Santa Barbara, the smallest–is in the SOCAL RangeComplex. Smaller numbers of pups are born on San Clemente Isl<strong>and</strong>, the Farallon Isl<strong>and</strong>s, <strong>and</strong> AñoNuevo Isl<strong>and</strong> (Lowry et al., 1992).The California sea lion is by far the most commonly-sighted pinniped species at sea or on l<strong>and</strong> in thevicinity of the SOCAL Range Complex. In California waters, sea lions made up 87.7% (2,976 of 3,393)of identified pinniped sightings at sea during all of the studies summarized in the SCIRC EIS/OEIS.Similarly, they represented 97% (381 of 393) of identified pinniped sightings at sea during the 1998–1999NMFS surveys (Carretta et al., 2000). They were sighted during all seasons <strong>and</strong> were sighted in all areaswith survey coverage from near shore to offshore areas (Carretta et al., 2000). Their distribution in theSOCAL Range Complex is shown in Figure A-26.Survey data from 1975 to 1978 were analyzed to describe the seasonal shifts in the offshore distributionof California sea lions (Bonnell <strong>and</strong> Ford, 1987). During summer, the highest densities were foundimmediately west of San Miguel Isl<strong>and</strong>. During autumn, peak densities of sea lions were centered onSanta Cruz Isl<strong>and</strong>. During winter <strong>and</strong> spring, peak densities occurred j<strong>us</strong>t north of San Clemente Isl<strong>and</strong>.The seasonal changes in the center of distribution were attributed to changes in the distribution of the preyspecies. If California sea lion distribution is determined primarily by prey abundance, these same areasmight not be the center of sea lion distribution every year.The distribution <strong>and</strong> habitat <strong>us</strong>e of California sea lions vary with the sex of the animals <strong>and</strong> theirreproductive phase. Adult males haul out on l<strong>and</strong> to defend territories <strong>and</strong> breed from mid-to-late Mayuntil late July. Individual males remain on territories for 27–45 days without going to sea to feed. DuringAug<strong>us</strong>t <strong>and</strong> September, after the mating season, the adult males migrate northward to feeding areas as faraway as Washington (Puget Sound) <strong>and</strong> British Columbia (Lowry et al., 1992). They remain there untilspring (March–May), when they migrate back to the breeding colonies. Th<strong>us</strong>, adult males are present inoffshore areas of the SOCAL Range Complex only briefly as they move to <strong>and</strong> from rookeries.The distribution of immature California sea lions is less well known, but some make northwardmigrations that are shorter in length than the migrations of adult males (Huber, 1991). However, mostimmature seals are presumed to remain near the rookeries, <strong>and</strong> th<strong>us</strong> remain in or near the SOCAL RangeComplex for most of the year (Lowry et al., 1992). Adult females remain near the rookeries throughoutthe year. Most births occur from mid-June to mid-July (peak in late June).A-57 February 2007