Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl - DRAFT

Southwest Washington occupies a key position on the landscape. It is the onlyarea where connectivity could be reestablished with the currently isolatedpopulation of northern spotted owls on the Olympic Peninsula. Major threatsto the few currently known spotted owls in the western Washington lowlandsprovince include low numbers, local isolation, habitat loss, and poor distribution.Low Populations. There has been considerable concern for spotted owls inthis geographic region (Thomas et al. 1990, USDI 1990). Currently three pairsand one territorial single are known in the province. In terms of populationstability and structure, spotted owls essentially have been eliminated.Limited Habitat. Forestlands in the western Washington lowlands werelogged early in the settlement of the state, and a considerable area was convertedto urban, industrial, and agricultural lands. Historical observations ofspotted owls are documented from the early communities of Seattle andTacoma (WDW 1991). Habitat conversion has been extensive from Tacomanorth to the Canadian border, and likely will increase significantly during thenext 100 years as human populations increase. Extensive forestlands stillremain in the southwest portion of the state. Many of these lands already havebeen logged twice.Spotted owl habitat has been reduced greatly during the past 60 to 80 years.Late-successional forest currently remains in relatively small, scattered parcels,seldom more than a few hundred acres in size. The few existing spottedowls are located in these patches surrounded by young forest or are inhabitingyounger forest stands that have retained snags and/or dead, decaying logsfrom previous harvest or natural disturbance.Declining Habitat. The little suitable habitat remaining within the provincelikely will be reduced further unless immediate action is taken. Of equal orgreater concern is the rate of harvest of mature forest, which may serve as thepotential foundation for restoration of owl habitat in the province.Province Isolation. Spotted owls within the province are extremely isolatedfrom one another, with little opportunity for interchange among territories.The province currently does not provide for demographic interchange with anyof the neighboring provinces. Providing for that interchange will requiredeveloping subpopulation centers, essentially by growing habitat for a numberof pair clusters.Predation and Competition. Predation by great horned owls may be a threatto the few remaining owls or to development of owl clusters in the future.Recent surveys suggest that great homed owls are numerous (Table 2.5).Vulnerability to Natural Disturbances. Portions of the province along thePacific Coast may be susceptible to wind damage, similar to the westernportion of the Olympic Peninsula. Wind and fire are potential threats to thefew remaining spotted owls in the province.Western Washington CascadesThe western Washington Cascades province lies west of the Cascade Crestfrom the Columbia River north to the Canadian border. Ownership is primarilyfederal, although state, private, and municipal ownerships play importantroles for spotted owls in several areas. The province consists of three geographicareas; the northern Cascades (Interstate 90 to the Canadian border),the Interstate 90 (1-90) corridor (north of Mt. Rainier to 1-90), and the southernCascades (Mt. Rainier south to the Columbia River). Significant topographic44