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HomeMy WebLinkAbout821104006 Eagle Mgmt Plan (0002) WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE BALD EAGLE SITE MANAGEMENT PLAN RCW 77.12.655 WAC '232-12-292 EAGLE TERRITORY: Tala Point #689 Applicant Jay and Kristine Britton 1300 E. Ludlow Ridge Rd. Port Ludlow, WA 98365 Property Tax Parcel #821104006, Tala Point, Township 28 North, Range 1 East, Section 10, Jefferson County Pending Activity Driveway extension and addition/remodel to existing residence. FACTORS CONSIDERED 1) Landowners goals were considered through a review of the building permit application and site development plan. A site visit was conducted on the property with the landowner to review the proposed project. 2) Bald eagle habitat use was considered by analysis of territory integrity through time, current surrounding habitat conditions, a review of the existing management plans for the area, potential for blow down, current status of the bald eagle population and scientific literature concerning bald eagle habitat protection. BACKGROUND The Tala Point Bald Eagle Nesting Territory is located in Jefferson County, east of Port Ludlow along the Hood Canal (Figure 1). The recent history of the Tala Point territory has been one of conversion from a semi-remote timbered peninsula to a increasingly subdivided area where a considerable portion of the suitable bald eagle habitat has been altered by timber clearing and residential developm~nt. . The Washington Department of, Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has been monitoring this territory sinte 1983. A total of three flifferent nest trees have been documented in the territory (Figure 2). Nest tree #1 is located on the easterri side of Tala Point, 4000 feet south of the northern tip of the point. The nest tree is 600 feet west of the shoreline along the Hood Canal. This nest was first reported in 1983. The nest tree is a grand fir (Abies grandis) that has recently died. The nest produced two young in 1983 and one young in 1990. During the windstorms in December 1990, the top of the tree broke off below the multiple top. Landowners in the area reported an osprey nested in the tree in 1989 and there appeared to be competition between the osprey and eagles for the nest site during 1990. A nest structure presently exists on the broken top of Nest Tree #1. An osprey pair nested in this nest during the 1994 and 1995 nesting seasons. Nest Tree #2 is located approximately 300 feet south and slightly east of Nest Tree #1. This nest was also reported in 1983. This nest was located in the top of a Douglas fir (pseudotsuga menziesii). A total of seven young were produced in this nest from 1984 to 1992. During the annual survey for eagle activity on April 14, 1993 the nest was no longer present in the tree. In September 1995, nearby landowners reported observing new sticks in this tree. During the April 1996 aerial survey a new nest occupied by a pair of osprey was documented in this tree. Nest Tree #3 was discovered on the western side of Tala Point during the 1993 aerial survey. This nest is located on the top of a grand fir which is within 100 feet of two houses which have been recently constructed. A single young eaglet has been produced in this nest tree for the past two nesting seasons and an adult eagle was observed in incubation posture on this nest on April 13, 1996. Mr. and Mrs. Britton own Lot #5 on Tala Point, which is accessed by East Ludlow Ridge Road (Figure 3). They have owned the 5.5 acre high bank waterfront lot since 1989. A driveway, septic tank with drainfield, and a residence had been previously developed on the property. A garden area has also been previously cleared on the lot. The Britton's have used the property as a second home for the past six years. They propose to lengthen the driveway, construct an addition on to the existing home, and complete some remodeling of the existing residence (Figure 4). They will permanently move into the remodeled home in the future. The property owned by the Mr. and Mrs. Britton is within the Tala Point Bald Eagle Territory. Minimal tree removal has occurred on the property and significant bald eagle perching/foraging habitat exists on the lot. The area proposed for the addition to the residence is located approximately 625 feet southeast of Nest Tree #3 (Figure 3). Understory vegetation will be cleared for the driveway and only a few small alder trees will need to be removed within the building envelope. A dense screening of cedar and alder trees exists between the nest tree and the project location. The property slopes to the east and the nest is not visible from any location on the property. The concern of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is that any future land clearing or tree cutting will remove valuable bald eagle habitat. It is essential to protect perch trees, potential nest trees, and maintain a buffer around the nest tree. Future clearing will also increase the risk of blowdown to the remaining significant habitat. The purpose of this management plan is to allow for the proposed home addition while maintaining the long term integrity of the nesting territory. CONDITIONS The following conditions apply to protect bald eagles and their habitat: 1) The proposed driveway extension and construction of an addition/remodel of the existing residence shall be allowed. 2) All trees> 12 inches diameter at breast height (DBH) shall be retained on the property. * The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) must be contacted to review a proposal to remove any trees> 12 inches DBH. 3) Danger trees may be removed if trees are identified as hazardous by a professional forester/arborist. A written report from the forester must be submitted to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) before approval to remove the hazard trees is granted. A tree that presents imminent danger to the safety or property of individuals may be removed without a report. 4) The limbing of trees and the removal of understory vegetation shall be allowed to maintain water views and provide driveway clearance. No more than 30% of the live crown of a tree shall be removed. 5) The discharge of firearms, fireworks, or explosives is prohibited during the bald eagle breeding and nesting season from February 1 - August 15 of any given year. 6) Outside burning may occur during the bald eagle breeding and nesting season February 1 - August 15 no more than once a week. Burning shall be completed in a 55 gallon burn barrel or in burn piles no larger than 4 feet X 4 feet. JUSTIFICATION Timing restrictions during the bald eagle breeding and nesting season will not be implemented for the proposed development. A dense stand of trees exi~ts between the project site and the nest tree. The property slopes east from the nest tree and the nest is not visible from any location on the lot. The Tala Point bald eagles have exhibited a higher than normal tolerance of human disturbance. They have successfully produced one young for the last two nesting seasons while low impact outside home completion activities occurred within 100 feet of the nest tree. DURATION OF PROTECTION This plan applies to the landowner who signs the plan. If the ownership changes, the new owner may sign the plan or request a new one to reflect a change in land use. Since eagles return to the same traditional use areas each year, the conditions of this plan shall apply indefinitely unless a breeding territory has been unoccupied for 5 consecutive years. If any eagle does not occupy a breeding territory and show signs of incubating eggs by May 1 of any year, then the timing restrictions do not apply. Surveys shall be done by a qualified wildlife biologist to make these determinations. Please contact the WDFW if the eagles change the location of their nest. Do not assume that the conditions of this plan no longer apply. REVIEW AND AMENDMENT This plan will be subject to the following review and amendment procedures. The plan may be reviewed periodically by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to determine whether: 1) the plan requires amendment in response to changing eagle and landowner circumstances; or, 2) the terms of the plan comply with applicable laws and regulations; or, 3) the parties to the plan are complying with its terms. APPEAL PROCEDURE In addition to the provisions of WAC 232-12-292(7.1)-(7.3), the landowner may request a formal appeal of WDFW actions according to the Administrative Procedures Act, Chapter 34.05 RCW, and the Model Rules of Procedure, Chapter 10-08 WAC. Such a request shall be filed with the department within 20 days of receipt of the contested WDFW decision. The appeal request shall clearly state the relief sought and the grounds for the appeal. COMPLIANCE Failure to comply with this plan constitutes a misdemeanor as set forth in RCW 77.21. 010. This plan applies only to pending land use listed above. Any other proposals may be subject to a different set of conditions. It is the landowner's responsibility to notify the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) of any new proposed land use activities. Plan drafted by Shelly Ament, Wildlife Biologist, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, P.o. Box 1933, Sequim, WA. 98382. (360) 681-4276. WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OFFISH AND WILDLIFE Bald Eagle Site Management Agreement On behalf of the people of the State of Washington, to which its wildlife belongs, the following agreement is hereby enacted for the purpose of protecting bald eagles and their habitats. The Landowner and Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife agree to the conservation measures descrLbed in the attached site management plan. Site Name: Tala Point #689 Legal Description of proposed project: T28N, RlE, Section 10 agree to the te~s of the Bald Eagle Site s/r-/'1C S-/J/9f:, Date 1) J c>.r P. B r ;+t~Y\ 2) K(';s+tne. O. Br'++C>r1 Landowner (Print) 3bO -l-f3 7 - 077lj Phone Number 1360 E, LuJ low )t,JJcKJ. Address f!;., f L~jlow tv I}- 1 f' JtJ C1ty, State, Zip The State of Washington, Department of Fish and Wildlife -rJ:a? tf.-~ Ii .j Wi '11:1 B10~1st ;l Priority >AIr" Date G Region JefJeI'~ot\. County Inspected By Date R 1 W 45': 1450 1 550 R 1 E :1 ,\<j.,. 8\; , }<T'i({ ..... 'r'~\<y Mutiny Bay "'\. '.\', :'..': AUStin~ ""D.:~;i)c;'.'.. .... : . ~$~,. ~~ubl. Bluf ~ s;J~ ?'"'~X.;;S~p: ... . 37 ;:Z' "Y': .,.<.~~~" '. '\...'/'}i..'><, .,",< ,"0'..\.;.,..... .,< :oke ( t-~ I:) ~ ~ 45 ~ ~M __~ J I )f'~W 22 _ ~ I 0. '2' :J" r " ;~ I 1-+ \ ~ -n .'Q ) d';-D 11~ t~~ f)~ 1. <;>. . Beall ire ...... · 1=. 30).: ~ ~h ,~ / J' \ 'c. ~ 0." \\;;ibbs L( e.S! ~ 'J/ 3 3 29~~ .~ ~ > .9V '--/ I ~ f'{ 1 RU~~ ~~)' ~~34 ~ 35 ~~,i, ~ ~31~ ,~Lf~~~~:: ~., ',c II i ar~ I . \ iJ\\~ ffii'; " r J~fJ3 I (l,/~~{'>0' ~ 4 ~ ~~ ~J ~L~7\~ "--,,.;.. ...,...... ......,: ) 'IJ,II( ~... 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ENGINEER TOWNSHIP 28 N., RAN< s,.al~ :.F::0~c:~~ ~,~~,Y~,::A! ..*.......:, ,.:.:;//'\>.' (~~.'.." ;}:olvos Rocks .. ~ .,'.~: <~ ~"" ~<:;t\;;\":':.-l 'l'LT ; .....$nake Rock ._~_...~ . .~" ". .~~ .\...::.~' '.-.~:).": .,. 't f1- FOR SA.LE BY .1 ."" -:-- ReuBeN .lOHN!.on I f I . \ ~ o o t ..4.....:)... 6 .... Nest #3 ~::- 7 I", ~ ~~~ u 0 '\ '~l ~ ~1 .7 ~ :r -dj ~ ~,jo) ., rr{( :l3}; Nest #1 ~ Nest #2 Pope '\. '\Y-. fl: t: R Figure 2. The location of the Tala Point bald eagle nest trees. Pope. .. T"L.&OT. INC. TIMI CANAL tj '::l.UI .......'1. HOOD NEST TREE A 6.42 Ch. --- 821103007 TAX 11 ,4.56 o. 8211 03011 TAX 20 2/17TH INT TL 8.65 c. ~f....... ~ !] 821104009 TAX 15 1/171r1 INT 1l 4.80 o. 821103003 TAX 6 & TL TAX G 4.92 o. \..o\!"1 \..00 (1.0.) C -i"-(t. \.\'(1.\ I I I I 821104007 TAX 8 1 /171r1 INT Tl ,4.40 o. 821103002 TAX 1 2/17TH INT IN TL 7.40 <l. 821104005 TAX 17 4.39 o. ---- 821104002 TAX 7 & Tl TAX I 2.26 o. 3N -1 E) (NE 1/4 15-28N-1E) ~ ").1 C:h. BRITTON PROPERTY = Figure 3. 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