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Home My WebLink About937500101 Eagle Mgmt Plan ! RP~ t>~-()" .., WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE BALD EAGLE SITE MANAGEMENT PLAN RCW 77.12.655 WAC 232-12-292 EAGLE TERRITORY: Big Quilcene Roost # 1137 ADDIieaDt Att: Warren Steurer Jefferson County P.O. Box 2070 Port Townsend, W A 98368 Prooertv Township 27 North, Range 2 West, Section 24, NE1I4 ofNW1I4, Jefferson County. ~CA~t.t..' Q'!>l-SDc.>"'OIJ ~ol, ~ol " 5'"'0' PeDdiD2 Timber harvest - 300At volume removal of 5.04 acres. (Thinning and removal of danger trees at Quilcene County Park). The proposed timber harvest will remove an emirnated 24,700 board feet of timber, and require 100 feet ofnew road construction FACTORS CONSIDERED 1) Landowners goals were considered through a review of the forest practice permit application and the Conversion Option Harvest Plan submitted to the Jefferson County Department of ColDlllllllitY Development. Various phone conversations were conducted with Park and Recreation Manager Warren Steurer and COm:Il~ Forester Mike Cronin to discuss the proposed timber harvest. 2) Bald eagle habitat use was considered by aualysis of roost integrity through time, current surrounding habitat conditio~ potential for blow down, cmrent status of the bald eagle population and scientific literature concerning bald eagle habitat protection BACKGROUND The Big Quilcene River Bald Eagle RooSt Complex is located in Jefferson County, south and west of the town ofQuilcene (Figure 1). The specific area wbichhas been identified as ~.ant habitat for bald eagles is located at the mouth of the Big Quilcene River, along the Big Quilcene River drainage, and along the Pemy Creek drainage (Figaue 2). Bald eagle surveys have been conducted in Washington as part of the annual midwinter waterfoWl smvey since 1962, and since 1979 as part of the nationwide survey sponsored by the National WiJdli1e Federation A review of the bald eagle mid-winter surveys reveals that the Quilcene Bay vicinity bas been documented to be a significant foraging and perching area for bald eagles. The Washington Department ofFish and Wildlife (WDFW) has recogJ'i7,ed the importance of the productive estuarine system of Quilcene Bay for bald eagle wintering habitat and bas suspected that a bald eagle communal roost site may be located in the area. A conmunal roost site is defined as " aD of the physical features surrounding treeS used for night roosting that are important to the suitability of the roost for eagle 1 J '. use. These features include flight corridors, sources of disturbance, trees in which eagles speJl(l the night, trees used for perching during arrival or departure and other trees or physical features, such as hills, ridges, or clift's that provide wind protection." The core roosting stand can be described as the area of regular concentrated roosting. Staging trees are trees near roosts where eagles gather during early evening in preparation for roosting. These ~'\8ing trees are considered to be part of the roosting stand. During the years 1994 - 1996 the WDFW conducted ground-monitoring efforts in the northern end of Quilcene Bay in an effort to locate the communal roost site. A more intensive search was conducted during the 199611997 winter season as a result of a timber harvest proposal for an area south of the mouth of the river. Bald eagles concentrate in the Quilcene Bay area to forage on spawning chum salmon. Smvey efforts were focused along both the Big Quilcene River and Penny Creek. A definitive communal roost stand was not located but ~ificant perching, staging, and roosting trees were documented during surveys. As many as 11 bald eagles were' observed in two staging trees located near the mouth of the Big Quilcene River. The WDFW has concluded that a communal roost complex ems in the Quilcene Bayarea. Annual surveys have not been conducted to determine if an actual roosting stand may be located fiu1her up the Big Quilcene River or Penny Creek drainages. The Quilcene Bay area continues to be a ~ifir.ant habitat use area for bald eagles. It should also be noted that a documented bald eagle nesting territory is located approximately 1 mile south of the mouth of the Big Quilcene River. This territory contains two documented nest trees and has been monitored by WDFW since 1990. Another bald eagle nesting territory is located up the Big Quilcene River near the USFWS Fish Hatchery. ThiS nest tree was documented in 2001. It is likely that these pair of eagles, along with non-br-iIing transient bald eagles, perch and forage in the Quilcene Bay Area throughout the entire year. An osprey nest was recently doc\mJented on a tree located north of the Big Quilcene River, just south oftbe town of Quilcene. This nest is actually vmbIe ftom Highway 101. The area surrounding Quilcene Bay has become an iDcreasing1y subdivided area where a comiderable portion of the suitable bald.eagle habitat has been altered by timber clearing and residential development. Jefferson County owns a 5.04-acre parcel of property within the Big Quilcene Roost Complex (Figure 3). The property is actually located, within the toWn of QuiIce.Pe and is classified as Rural Village Center. The property is ~ted as Quilcene County Park aDd is ~ed by the Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Depaa~ The site contaiDs a Community Center, picnic sheker, weB house, vault toilet, sport co~ and playground area. The property pIhnalily contains a mix of Douglas fir and western red cedar trees throughout the camping area and open forest. The understory on the property 'is rhodode:odron, Oregon ~ ~ and'various fan species. The soil on the part site is excessively drained and very gravelly. The Parks and Recreation Department has submitted a Conversion Option Harvest Plan to the Jeffetson County Department of Commnl\tty Development and will be submiltWg a Forest Practice Application to the Department of Natural Resources. They propose to conduct a timber harvest thinning operation within the park. Their proposal is to remove approximately 30% of the existing volume of timber located within the park (Figure 4). The project intent is to "thin ftom below" in order to harvest the ~1lP.st trees :first in order to provide growing space for the larger trees. Opening the 2 : canopy will allow for the understory to survive and improve vigor of the remaining trees. Providing adequate crown space will improve the vigor in the dominant fir trees in order to improve long-term wind firmness of the timber stand. A second objective of the timber harvest is to remove any trees that are encroaching near or pose a safety threat to the Community Center building, the play ground, and sport courts. These identified danger trees and their stumps will be removed. The 300,4 thinning will be conducted uniformly throughout the park. The property will be accessed of timber harvest operations from an existing road on the north boundary of the property. Approximately 100 feet of new road will be constructed south from the existing county road (Figme 4). The harvest will be completed using ground logging methods and the applicant intends to complete the harvest in late 2005. The Jefferson County Department of Community Development is the lead agency for the review required for the Conversion Option Harvest Plan proposed for the property. The Forest Practice permit. will not be issued until the applicant submits an approved Bald Eagle Management Plan to the Jefferson County Critical Areas Staff The WDFW is not aware of ~ifir.ant eagle use of the Quilcene County Park. However, adjacent landowners have previously reported observing bald eagles perching in the timber stands along the ridges, which overlook QuilceneBay. SigJ11tir.Ant bald eagle perching and staging trees were indeed documented within the vicinity of QuiIcene Bay during previous survey efforts. No core roosting site bas been documented within the park. Although perching and roosting may occur in the QuiIcene area throughout the year. the highest concentration of eagle foraging and roosting activity occurs in the area during the .late &II and early winter months. The intent of this management plan is to allow for the proposed timber . harvest wbile maitltainirlg the long term integrity of the roosting complex. It is essential to protect staging and roosting trees in the QuiIcene Bay vicinity. The proposed thirmirlg and ~ tree removal will not have significant adverse impacts to the Big Quilcene Roost Complex. The proposed selective harvest will Jikely improve the vigor of the timber stand and enhance the growth of preferred bald eagle habitat. Timing restrictions will not be I'eCOIDIDeDded during the critical bald eagle roosting season due to the distance of the harvest unit &om the roost trees. CONDmONS The following conditions apply to protect bald eagles and their habitat: , 1) The proposal to construct 100 feet of new road to access Quilcene County Park &om the. north property line shall be allowed (Figure 4). 2) The proposal to remove 300.4 of the existing timber volume within the Qnilcene County Park shaD be allowed (Figure 4). The timber stand remaining after the harvest shaD have an abnndAnt representation of both Douglas fir and western red cedar trees. The WDFW bas advi!ed the applicant that a component of mature Douglas fir trees (rather than only cedar) have more value as bald eagle habitat. 3) The propOsal to remove identified trees that pose a safety threat to the Community Center, play ground, and sport courts sbaII be allowed. 3 .. 4) A new Bald Eagle Management Plan sball be required iffuture timber harvests are proposed within the Quilcene County Park. 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 conditiom of this plan sbaIl apply indefinitely, unless the roosting complex has not been unoccupied for 5 consecutive years. Please contact the WDFW if the eagles change the location of their roosting area. Do not assmne 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 Depaatment ofFish and Wi1dIife (WDFW) to dete1mine whether: 1) the plan requires amendment in respome to changjng 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 provisiom of WAC 232-12-292(7.1)-(7.3), the landowner may request a 10rmal appeal ofWDFW actions' according to the Adl~ill~ Procedures Act, Chapter 34.05 RCW, and the Model Rules of Procedure, Chapter 10-08 WAC. Such a request sbaU be filed with the department within 20 days of receipt of the comested WDFW decmion. The appeal request sbaU clearly state the relief sought and the grounds 10r the appeal. COMPLIANCE FaiIme to comply with this plan constitutes a ~r as set 10rth in RCW 77.15.130. However, compliance with this plan doeS not ensure compJiance with the F.~ered Species Act or other federal, state or local laws.. This plan applies only to pendirw .land use listed above. Any other.proposaIs may be suiject to a different set of conditions. It mthe landowner's responsibility to notifY the Washington Department ofFish and Wildlife (WDFW) of any new proposed land use activities. Plan drafted by: Shelly Ament, Wi1dIife Biolo~ Washington Depeatakul ofFish and WildJite, P.O. Box 1933, Sequim, WA 98382. (360) 681-4276. 4 ~ WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE Bald Eal!le Site Ma.a2ement Acreemaat On behalf of the people of tile State of W..hacton, to wllich its wildlife belongs, the followbal .ne.ent is hereby e.acted for the purpose of ProtectiJal bald eagles and tlleir habitats. The Landowner aad W..hmlto. State Depa.....e.t of Fish a.d Wildlife .ree to tile co.servatie. measures deseribed i. the attached site ma.age.e.t plaa. Site Name: BiI QaileeDe Roost #1137 Legal Descriptioa of proposed projeet: T27N, R2W, Seede. 24 The u.deniped hereby agree to tile terms of the Bald EaKle Site M...eme.t PIaD. 1) W' .~. <('L... . 1'-11-"'''; 1) _ n<'"",",-- ~ \1.1 p..R. (.lg,v S 1/# 0 R..~ "- La.downer (Sipau.re) . Date La.dow.er (Priat) ~ IE~ ~ /:{lSOtV C ();"IW'T'1 r,4b( s - ({Gc. . f- O. ~of 20'0 Address 3(.,0 ... 19"~ - ct. <, d Pho.e N..ber 1!.d- To w^ ~ ~ W A- lj f'"~ {, g City, State, Zip , The State. of W...i...., Depan..aat of Fish aDd Wildlife , aut:-< ~ ~.:/f6' ~.io.aI Propa. Muapr ~ ~ '&-20-C~ WildB Ie'" Date /{}/;{O/05 Dat' I ~ R..n ~ Co..ty ~ Priority IDspected By Date 5 -, "? r~ co :' \ ~~. CO i.,,,, ,"-:"'; _5_!~>.y 4 ;rettn f.!!1__ ___ j\;J ." " ./ _..--"" .----- - --- - - ---- " / . / / / I I / I / cf~ ~I ~!I ~ I / / I I / I / I I I \ ~..,.. '. \ ~..:: , \ ~,. . ..~ ::S:' . :;<''''~ )~=~ ~., (~,' '.'7 ' '-'~- 1 / P ~j \2 I- I )~~.... f~' f~:'" .,....', . .~.~,"~ I//' / . . . 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