SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 3 ⎯ Affected Environmentgame populations. In addition, USARAK manages vegetation to ensure that the age class is diversified.The natural resources program encourages Watchable Wildlife by constructing viewing platformsand nest boxes, and it strives to integrate ecosystem management into planning (USARAK2007).Mammals. Large mammals on Fort Richardson include black bear (Ursus americanus), grizzly bear(Ursus arctos), moose (Alces alces), and Dall sheep (Ovis dalli dalli). Small game and furbearersfound on FRA include coyote (Canis latrans), lynx (Lynx canadensis), red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris),snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), hoary marmot (Marmota caligata), pine marten (Martes martes),beaver (Castor canadensis), river otter (Lutra canadensis), wolverine (Gulo gulo), red fox (Vulpesvulpes), porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), mink (Mustela vison), muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), wolf(Canis lupus), and ermine or short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea).Two wolf packs inhabit the east side of the Glenn Highway, and another pack probably occupies thewest side near ERF (USARAK 2004). The Ship Creek pack occupies the eastern portion of FRA, andthe ERF pack occupies the western portion. In recent years, beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas)have been sighted within ERF, as far as 1.25 miles up the Eagle River and in Cook Inlet adjacent toElmendorf AFB. Beluga whales have also been observed pursuing salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) alongrivers (Quirk 1994). Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) are sighted occasionally.Avian Species. Surveys have identified 75 species of birds in the tidal salt marsh, including 24 speciesof waterfowl (USARAK 2004). Additionally, approximately 40 species of passerines and neotropicalmigratory birds and six species of raptors are found at FRA (Gossweiler 1984; CH2M Hill 1994;Andres et al. 2001; USARAK 2007; Schempf 1995). Three species on the list of Priority Species forConservation are confirmed to be on FRA (Boreal Partners in Flight Working Group 1999). These includethe Northern shrike (Lanius excubitor), varied thrush (Ixoreus naevius), and blackpoll warbler(Dendroica striata). The golden-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla), also a priority species, isfound on FRA.Migratory Birds. Under the MBTA, unless permitted by regulation (i.e., waterfowl hunting, incidentaltaking during DoD training and testing), it is illegal to “take” migratory birds, their eggs, feathers ornests. “Take” includes by any means or in any manner, any attempt at hunting, pursuing, wounding,killing, possessing or transporting any migratory bird, nest, egg, or part thereof. Under the MBTA,only the direct “take” of migratory birds requires authorization by USFWS. Actions that may adverselyimpact or indirectly “take” birds such as habitat destruction or manipulation are not a violationof the MBTA unless migratory birds are killed or wounded during the activity. However, theMOU between DoD and USFWS to promote the conservation of migratory birds that was developedpursuant to EO 13186 addresses both direct and indirect take of migratory birds. The MOU identifiesspecific activities where cooperation between USFWS and DoD will contribute substantially to theconservation of migratory birds and their habitats. This MOU does not authorize the take of migratorybirds.On February 28, 2007, the USFWS published the final rule on the take of migratory birds by theArmed Forces (USFWS 2007c). This rule authorizes and explains the conditions for which the ArmedForces, and contractors performing a military readiness activity in association with the Armed Forces,can unintentionally take migratory birds during military readiness activities. If the Armed Forces determinethat a proposed or an ongoing military readiness activity may result in a significant adverseeffect on a population of a migratory bird species, then they must confer and cooperate with theUSFWS to develop appropriate and reasonable conservation measures to minimize or mitigate identifiedsignificant adverse effects. Under certain circumstances, such unintentional take authorization issubject to withdrawal to ensure consistency with the provisions of the migratory bird treaties.February 2008 3–124 2/25th SBCT Final EIS