STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FROM:
“CANADA LYNX CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT AND
STRATEGY”
Compiled by:
David Gaillard
Predator Conservation Alliance
P.O. Box 6733
Bozeman, MT 59771
406-587-3389 (ph)
406-587-3178 (fax)
gaillard@predatorconservation.org (email)
Citation
Ruediger, Bill, Jim Claar, Steve Gniadek,
Bryon Holt, Lyle Lewis, Steve Mighton, Bob Naney, Gary Patton, Tony Rinaldi,
Joel Trick, Anne Vandehey, Fred Wahl, Nancy Warren, Dick Wenger, and Al Williamson.
2000. Canada lynx conservation assessment and strategy. USDA Forest Service,
USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, USDI Bureau of Land Management, and USDI
National Park Service. Missoula, MT, 2nd edition, August 2000.
[Revised by the
Interagency Lynx/Wolverine Steering Committee in a memorandum dated October
23-24, 2001 entitled: Lynx
Conservation Assessment and Strategy – Clarifications and Revised
Terminology.]
Part I of the document provides an assessment of lynx status and risk. Part II contains recommended conservation measures that address the threats to lynx identified in Part I. Recommendations are divided into Objectives, Standards, and Guidelines, at the Programmatic and Project levels. They are organized into three sections, which address lynx habitat protection, mortality risk, and connectivity issues, respectively.
I have excerpted only standards and guidelines here, since they appear to be the most binding and enforceable language in the document. The document defines Standards and Guidelines as follows:
Standards - Required management actions specifying how to achieve objectives. Standards can include requirements to refrain from taking action in certain situations.
Guidelines (management) - Techniques, priorities, processes, or prescriptions that should be used to meet objectives; rationale for deviations must be documented.
Aside from my headings that follow, the remainder of this memo is comprised of language taken directly from the document itself, with page references for each section.
GENERAL METHODOLOGY
Programmatic planning – standards. [p. 78]
1. Conservation
measures will generally apply only to lynx habitat on federal lands within LAUs
[Lynx Analysis Units].
2. Lynx habitat will be mapped using criteria specific to each geographic area to identify appropropriate vegetation and environmental conditions. Primary vegetation includes those types necessary to support lynx reproduction and survival. It is recognized that other vegetation types that are intermixed with the primary vegetation will be used by lynx, but are considered to contribute to lynx habitat only where associated with the primary vegetation. Refer to glossary and description for each geographic area.
3. To facilitate project planning, delineate LAUs. To allow for assessment of the potential effects of the project on an individual lynx, LAUs should be at least the size of area used by a resident lynx and contain sufficient year-round habitat.
4. To be effective for the intended purposes of planning and monitoring, LAU boundaries will not be adjusted for individual projects, but must remain constant.
5. Prepare a broad-scale assessment of landscape patterns that compares historical and current ecological processes and vegetation patterns, such as age-class distributions and patch size characteristics. In the absence of guidance developed from such an assessment, limit disturbance within each LAU as follows: if more than 30 percent of lynx habitat within a LAU is currently in unsuitable condition, no further reduction of suitable conditions shall occur as a result of vegetation management activities by federal agencies.
Programmatic planning - guidelines. [pp. 78-79]
1. The size of LAUs should generally be 6,500- 10,000 ha (16,000 – 25,000 acres or 25-50 square miles) in contiguous habitat, and likely should be larger in less contiguous, poorer quality, or naturally fragmented habitat. Larger units should be identified in the southern portions of the Northern Rocky Mountains Geographic Area (in Idaho from the Salmon River south, Oregon, Wyoming, and Utah) and in the Southern Rocky Mountains Geographic Area.
In the west, we recommend using watersheds (e.g., 6th code hydrologic unit codes (HUCs) in more northerly portions of geographic areas, and 5th code HUCs in more southerly portions). In the east, terrestrial ecological units that have been delineated at the landtype association or subsection level (e.g., LTAs or whatever scale most closely approximates the size of a lynx home range) may be an appropriate context for analysis. Coordinate delineation of LAUs with adjacent administrative units and state wildlife management agencies, where appropriate.
2.
LAUs with only insignificant amounts of lynx habitat
may be discarded, or lynx habitat within the unit incorporated into neighboring
LAUs. Based on studies at the
southern part of lynx range in the western
U.S., it appears that at least 10 mi 2 of primary vegetation should be present
within each LAU to support survival and reproduction. The distribution of habitat across the LAU should consider
daily movement distances of resident females (typically up to 3-6 miles).
3.
After LAUs are
identified, their spatial arrangement should be evaluated. Determine the number and arrangement of
contiguous LAUs needed to maintain lynx habitat well distributed across the
planning area.
Project planning - standards. [p. 79]
1. Within each LAU, map lynx
habitat. Identify potential
denning habitat and foraging habitat (primarily snowshoe hare habitat, but also
habitat for important alternate prey such as red squirrels), and topographic
features that may be important for lynx movement (primary ridge systems,
prominent saddles, and riparian corridors). Also identify non-forest vegetation (meadows, shrub-grassland
communities, etc.) adjacent to and intermixed with forested lynx habitat that
may provide habitat for alternate lynx prey species.
2. Within a LAU, maintain denning habitat in patches generally larger than 5 acres, comprising at least 10 percent of lynx habitat. Where less than 10 percent denning lynx habitat is currently present within a LAU, defer any management actions that would delay development of denning habitat structure.
3. Maintain habitat connectivity within and between LAUs.
Project planning - standards. [p. 80]
1. Management actions (e.g., timber sales, salvage sales) shall not change more than 15 percent of lynx habitat within a LAU to an unsuitable condition within a 10-year period.
2. Following a disturbance, such as
blowdown, fire, insects/pathogens mortality that could contribute to lynx
denning habitat, do not salvage harvest when the affected area is smaller than
5 acres. Exceptions to this include: 1) Areas such as developed campgrounds,
2) LAUs where denning habitat has been mapped and field validated (not simply
modeled or estimated), and denning habitat comprises more than 10% of lynx
habitat within a LAU; in these cases, salvage harvest may occur, provided that
at least the minimum amount is maintained in a well-distributed pattern (see
glossary).
3. In lynx habitat, pre-commercial thinning will be allowed only when stands no longer provide snowshoe hare habitat (e.g., self-pruning processes have eliminated snowshoe hare cover and forage availability during winter conditions with average snowpack).
4. In aspen stands within lynx habitat in the Cascade Mountains, Northern Rocky Mountains and Southern Rocky Mountains Geographic Areas, apply harvest prescriptions that favor regeneration of aspen.
Project planning - standards. [p. 82]
1. In the event of a large wildfire, conduct a post-disturbance assessment prior to salvage harvest, particularly in stands that were formerly in late successional stages, to evaluate potential for lynx denning and foraging habitat.
2. Design burn prescriptions to regenerate or create snowshoe hare habitat (e.g., regeneration of aspen and lodgepole pine).
Project planning - guidelines. [p. 82]
1. Design burn prescriptions to promote response by shrub and tree species that are favored by snowshoe hare.
2. Design burn prescriptions to retain or encourage tree species composition and structure that will provide habitat for red squirrels or other alternate prey species.
3. Consider the need for pre-treatment of fuels before conducting management ignitions.
4. Avoid constructing permanent firebreaks on ridges or saddles in lynx habitat.
5. Minimize construction of temporary roads and machine fire lines to the extent possible during fire suppression activities.
6. Design burn prescriptions and, where feasible, conduct fire suppression actions in a manner that maintains adequate lynx denning habitat (10% of lynx habitat per LAU).
Programmatic planning - standards. [p. 83]
1. On federal lands in lynx habitat, allow no net increase in groomed or designated over-the-snow routes and snowmobile play areas by LAU unless the designation serves to consolidate unregulated use and improves lynx habitat through a net reduction of compacted snow areas. Note: This standard does not apply to existing ski areas: see LCAS pages 7-9,16 “Developed Recreation.”
2. Map and monitor the location and intensity of snow compacting activities (for example, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, etc.) that coincide with lynx habitat, to facilitate future evaluation of effects on lynx as information becomes available.
Programmatic planning - guidelines. [p. 83]
1. Provide a landscape with interconnected blocks of foraging habitat where snowmobile, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or other snow compacting activities are minimized or discouraged.
2. As information becomes available on the impact of snow-compacting activities and disturbance on lynx, limit or discourage this use in areas where it is shown to compromise lynx habitat. Such actions should be undertaken on a priority basis considering habitat function and importance.
Project planning - standards. [pp. 83-84]
Developed Recreation:
1. In lynx habitat, ensure that federal actions do not degrade or compromise landscape connectivity when planning and operating new or expanded recreation developments.
2. Design trails, roads, and lift termini to direct winter use away from diurnal security habitat.
Dispersed Recreation:
1. To protect the integrity of lynx habitat, evaluate (as new information becomes available) and amend as needed, winter recreational special use permits (outside of permitted ski areas) that promote snow compacting activities in lynx habitat.
Project planning - guidelines. [p. 84]
Developed Recreation:
1. Identify and protect potential security habitats in and around proposed developments or expansions.
2. When designing ski area expansions, provide adequately sized coniferous inter-trail islands, including the retention of coarse woody material, to maintain snowshoe hare habitat.
3. Evaluate, and adjust as necessary, ski operations in expanded or newly developed areas to provide nocturnal foraging opportunities for lynx in a manner consistent with operational needs, especially in landscapes where lynx habitat occurs as narrow bands of coniferous forest across the mountain slopes.
“Plowed roads and groomed over-the-snow routes may allow competing carnivores such as coyotes and mountain lions to access lynx habitat in the winter, increasing competition for prey (Buskirk et al. 2000). However, plowed or created snow roads may be necessary to accomplish winter logging, which may be desirable to meet a variety of resource management objectives.
“Preliminary information suggests that lynx may not avoid roads, except at high traffic volumes. Therefore, at this time, there is no compelling evidence to recommend management of road density to conserve lynx. However, new road construction continues to occur in many watersheds within lynx habitat, many of which are already highly roaded, and the effects on lynx are largely unknown. Further research directed at elucidating the effects of road density on lynx is needed.
Programmatic planning - standards. [p. 84]
1. On federal lands in lynx habitat, allow no net increase in groomed or designated over-the-snow routes and snowmobile play areas by LAU. Winter logging activity is not subject to this restriction.
Programmatic planning - guidelines. [pp. 84-5]
1. Determine where high total road densities (>2 miles per square mile) coincide with lynx habitat, and prioritize roads for seasonal restrictions or reclamation in those areas.
2. Minimize roadside brushing in order to provide snowshoe hare habitat.
3. Locate trails and roads away from forested stringers.
4. Limit public use on temporary roads constructed for timber sales. Design new roads, especially the entrance, for effective closure upon completion of sale activities.
5. Minimize building of roads directly on ridgetops or areas identified as important for lynx habitat connectivity.
Project planning - standards. [p. 85]
1. Do not allow livestock use in openings created by fire or timber harvest that would delay successful regeneration of the shrub and tree components.
2. Manage grazing in aspen stands to ensure sprouting and sprout survival sufficient to perpetuate the long-term viability of the clones.
3. Within the elevational ranges that encompass forested lynx habitat, shrub-steppe habitats are integral to the lynx habitat and must be managed to maintain or achieve mid seral or higher condition.
4. Within lynx habitat, manage livestock grazing in riparian areas and willow carrs to maintain or achieve mid seral or higher condition to provide cover and forage for prey species.
Other Developments (Oil and Gas Drilling, Mining,
Reservoirs, Agriculture)
Project planning - standards. [p. 86]
1. On projects where over-snow access is required, restrict use to designated routes.
Project planning - guidelines. [p. 86]
1. If activities are proposed in lynx habitat, develop stipulations for limitations on the timing of activities and surface use and occupancy at the leasing stage.
2. Minimize snow compaction when authorizing and monitoring developments. Encourage remote monitoring of sites that are located in lynx habitat, so that they do not have to be visited daily.
3. Develop a reclamation plan (e.g., road reclamation and vegetation rehabilitation) for abandoned well sites and closed mines to restore suitable habitat for lynx.
4. Close newly constructed roads (built to access mines or leases) in lynx habitat to public access during project activities. Upon project completion, reclaim or obliterate these roads.
Programmatic planning - standards. [p. 87]
1. Predator control activities, including trapping or poisoning on domestic livestock allotments on federal lands within lynx habitat, will be conducted by Wildlife Services personnel in accordance with FWS recommendations established through a formal Section 7 consultation process.
Programmatic planning - standards. [pp. 87-88]
1. On federal lands in lynx habitat, allow no net increase in groomed or designated over-the-snow routes and snowmobile play areas by LAU. This is intended to apply to dispersed recreation, rather than existing ski areas.
Programmatic planning - standards. [p. 88]
1. Within lynx habitat, identify key linkage areas and potential highway crossing areas.
Programmatic planning - guidelines. [p. 88]
1.
Where needed, develop
measures such as wildlife fencing and associated underpasses or overpasses to
reduce mortality risk.
Programmatic planning - standards. [p. 89]
1. Identify key linkage areas that may be important in providing landscape connectivity within and between geographic areas, across all ownerships.
2. Develop and implement a plan to protect key linkage areas on federal lands from activities that would create barriers to movement. Barriers could result from an accumulation of incremental projects, as opposed to any one project.
3. Evaluate the potential importance of shrub-steppe habitats in providing landscape connectivity between blocks of primary lynx habitat. Livestock grazing within shrub-steppe habitats in such areas should be managed to maintain or achieve mid seral or higher condition, to maximize cover and prey availability. Such areas that are currently in late seral condition should not be degraded.
Programmatic planning - guidelines. [p. 89]
1. Where feasible, maintain or enhance native plant communities and patterns, and habitat for potential lynx prey, within identified key linkage areas. Pursue opportunities for cooperative management with other landowners.
Highways
Programmatic planning - standards. [p. 89]
1. Federal land management agencies will work cooperatively with the Federal Highway Administration and State Departments of Transportation to address the following within lynx geographic areas:
a) Identify land corridors necessary to maintain connectivity of lynx habitat.
b) Map the location of "key linkage areas" where highway crossings may be needed to provide habitat connectivity and reduce mortality of lynx (and other wildlife).
Programmatic planning - guidelines. [p. 89]
1. Evaluate whether land ownership and management practices are compatible with maintaining lynx highway crossings in key linkage areas. On public lands, management practices will be compatible with providing habitat connectivity. On private lands, agencies will strive to work with landowners to develop conservation easements, exchanges, or other solutions.
Project planning - standards. [p. 90]
1. Identify, map, and prioritize site-specific locations, using topographic and vegetation features, to determine where highway crossings are needed to reduce highway impacts on lynx.
2. Within the range of lynx, complete a biological assessment for all proposed highway projects on federal lands. A land management agency biologist will review and coordinate with highway departments on development of the biological assessment.
Project planning - guidelines. [p. 90]
1. Dirt and gravel roads traversing lynx habitat (particularly those that could become highways) should not be paved or otherwise upgraded (e.g., straightening of curves, widening of roadway, etc.) in a manner that is likely to lead to significant increases in traffic volumes, traffic speeds, increased width of the cleared ROW, or would foreseeably contribute to development or increases in human activity in lynx habitat. Such projects may increase habitat fragmentation, create a barrier to movements, increase mortality risks due to vehicle collisions, and generate secondary adverse effects by inducing, facilitating, or exacerbating development and human activity in lynx habitat. Whenever rural dirt and gravel roads traversing lynx habitat are proposed for such upgrades, a thorough analysis should be conducted on the potential direct and indirect effects to lynx and lynx habitat.
Programmatic planning - standards: [p. 90]
1. Identify key linkage areas by management jurisdiction(s) in management plans and prescriptions.
Programmatic planning - guidelines: [p. 90]
1. In land adjustment programs, identify key linkage areas. Work towards unified management direction via habitat conservation plans, conservation easements or agreements, and land acquisition.
Project planning - standards: [p. 90]
1. Develop and implement specific management prescriptions to protect/ enhance key linkage areas.
2. Evaluate proposed land exchanges, land sales, and special use permits for effects on key linkage areas.
Programmatic planning - standards: [p. 91]
1. Within identified key linkage areas, provide for landscape connectivity.
Project planning - standards: [p. 91]
1. When planning new or expanding recreational developments, ensure that connectivity within linkage areas are maintained.
Project planning - guidelines: [p. 91]
1. Plan recreational development, and manage recreational and operational uses to provide for lynx movement and to maintain effectiveness of lynx habitat.
Designated
over-the-snow routes and designated snowmobile play areas - This term applies
to over-the-snow
routes (such as trails) and snowmobile play areas (usually large, open areas) that are “designated”,
that is, specifically marked on a map, described in the resource or forest
plan, described in the travel plan, or signed. This definition does not apply
to ski areas.
Linkage Areas – Habitat that provides landscape connectivity between blocks of lynx habitat. Linkage areas occur both within and between geographic areas where blocks of lynx habitat are separated by intervening areas of non-lynx habitat such as basins, valleys, agricultural lands, or where lynx habitat naturally narrows between blocks. Connectivity provided by linkage areas can be degraded or severed by human infrastructure such as high-use highways, subdivisions or other developments.