REGION 9 FISH AND WILDLIFE MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS December 15 to January 15, 2012

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1 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, Region E. Union, Suite 3, Allegany, New York Phone: (716) Fax: (716) Website: Joe Martens Commissioner REGION 9 FISH AND WILDLIFE MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS December 15 to January 15, 2012 NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF FISH, WILDLIFE & MARINE RESOURCES Natural Resources Supervisor Paul McKeown Fisheries Manager Mike Clancy Wildlife Manager Mark Kandel NEW YORK FISH, WILDLIFE & MARINE RESOURCE 1

2 GOALS FOR 2012 ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION GOAL STRATEGIES PROTECT, ENHANCE AND RESTORE NEW YORK'S FISH, WILDLIFE, MARINE RESOURCES AND THE ECOSYSTEMS THAT SUPPORT THEM. Safeguard New York=s Unique Natural Assets RESEARCH AND MONITORING ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION Volunteer Hours Help Region 9 Fisheries to Keep Programs Going During 2011, angler volunteers contributed over 800 hours of time to various fisheries and other cooperative projects in Region 9. Many of these projects could not have been accomplished without their time, enthusiasm and expertise. Loss of permanent and seasonal staffing in the Region 9 Fisheries Unit has necessitated the need for volunteer help to complete projects. The financial value of the volunteer time donated to DEC and the anglers of New York in 2011 ranged from $12,000 and $17,000, depending on the method of valuing volunteer time. Volunteers building lunker boxes for N. Branch Wiscoy Creek project. Bureau of Fisheries Scott Cornett Niagara River Muskellunge Management Paper Biologist Wilkinson spent considerable effort collecting information and preparing documentation for a paper describing the history of muskellunge management on the Niagara River. The paper will incorporate historical records of stocking activities, changes in angling regulations, trends in angling catch rates, and factors influencing the muskellunge population, including discussion of habitat changes that may have altered muskellunge production. The paper is being prepared in collaboration with researchers at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse, and it is 2

3 hoped the paper will be accepted for publication in a technical journal. Bureau of Fisheries Michael Wilkinson Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Pen-rearing Summary Report Biologist Wilkinson worked on preparing a summary report of spring 2011 pen-rearing activities along the New York shoreline of Lake Ontario. The summary will be included in the NYSDEC Lake Ontario Unit Annual Report to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission Lake Ontario Committee. Bureau of Fisheries Michael Wilkinson PROTECTION Buffalo River Remedial Dredging Habitat Committee Biologists DePriest and Wilkinson participated in several teleconferences to discuss plans for mitigation of aquatic habitat losses that will occur during remedial dredging in the lower Buffalo River. The dredging is scheduled to start in 2012 and will involve excavating some submerged areas of aquatic vegetation in order to remove contaminated sediments. These habitats are typically very important as fish spawning and nursery areas. DEC Biologists, in conjunction with other aquatic habitat specialists, are assisting to prepare a detailed plan to replace those vegetated habitats lost during dredging. Mitigation of lost aquatic habitat will be required to obtain a DEC Protection of Water permit to accomplish the project. Bureau of Fisheries M. Wilkinson/T. DePriest Protection of Waters Permitting Region 9 Bureau of Fisheries staff performed Article 15 activities as follows: Preapplications County Biologist Reviews Inspections Violations Erie Wilkinson Niagara Todd Bureau of Fisheries Bureau of Fisheries Niagara River Corridor Property Acquisition Update Niagara River Habitat Restoration Biologist DePriest and Biologist Wilkinson prepared paperwork to enable purchase of a property along Tonawanda Creek, a major tributary to the upper Niagara River. If the parcel is eventually acquired, it will help to preserve aquatic biodiversity in a portion of a waterway important to several rare fishes, numerous species of freshwater mussels and other unusual riverine biota. Additionally, both DePriest and Wilkinson accompanied Natural Resources Supervisor McKeown during a site inspection of a large parcel 3

4 of shoreline property along the Niagara River for possible acquisition. Acquisition of this property would help to preserve the River s riparian corridor from further development and provide public access. Funding for purchase of the two properties is anticipated through the Settlement Agreement for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission re-licensing of the New York Power Authority Niagara Power Project in 2007, as well as possible funding from other source(s). Niagara River shoreline with submerged and emergent vegetation. Bureau of Fisheries T. DePriest/M. Wilkinson P. McKeown Freshwater Wetlands Region 9 Bureau of Wildlife staff performed Article 24 activities as follows: County Activity Allegany Cattaraugus Chautauqua Erie Niagara Wyoming Delineations Violations Permit Reviews Region 9 Bureau of Wildlife staff performed no wetland delineations during this time period due to limitations associated with winter weather conditions. However, we responded to several phone calls inquiring about the occurrence of freshwater wetlands and potential unmapped wetlands (i.e., wetlands meeting NYSDEC criteria but which are not yet mapped) on various properties in the region. We also reviewed survey maps submitted for previous state wetland delineations to determine if Region 9 Freshwater Wetland survey criteria were met. Staff initiated a review of the Buffalo Southeast Quadrangle (Erie County) to assess the need for freshwater wetland map amendments. Our review consisted primarily of comparing recent wetland boundary delineation and mapping results against currently mapped wetland boundaries, using GIS to refine wetland boundaries, preparing lists of affected landowners to determine the total number of certified letters required. Staff reviewed six Article 24 Freshwater Wetland permit applications for proposed development projects in the Region 9 counties. In addition, we continued to review Article 24 applications for numerous projects initiated at earlier dates and attended meetings to discuss those and more recent permit applications. 4

5 Region 9 Wildlife staff assisted Environmental Conservation Officers and Legal staff with investigating two alleged Article 24 violation/permit non-compliance issues in the region during this time period. In addition, we continued to work on resolving previously initiated wetlands enforcement actions. Finally, Region 9 Wetlands, Legal, and Permitting staff continued to review and discuss the proposed Part 664 regulation updates. Bureau of Wildlife Chuck Rosenburg RESTORATION Presentation to Buffalo Ornithological Society On January 11, 2012, the Niagara River Habitat Specialist gave an evening presentation on the Habitat Improvement Projects (HIPs) that have been implemented to improve nesting for common tern and osprey populations in the Niagara River Corridor. The HIPs were constructed by the New York Power Authority with guidance from DEC Region 9 as part of the 2007 relicensing settlement agreement for the Niagara Power Project. Two thousand square feet of common tern nesting habitat was created on the Buffalo Harbor breakwalls, which now supports the largest breeding colony of common terns in the Great Lakes. A total of five nesting platforms for Osprey have been installed at various locations, from which three chicks were fledged this past nesting season. The presentation highlighted the construction details of each HIP and results from monitoring of each project. Bureau of Fisheries Tim DePriest Red-headed Woodpecker Restoration Initiative Biologist Wilkinson, during his fisheries management work on the Lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario, has observed that red-headed woodpeckers and also fox squirrels, which used to be quite common at Fort Niagara State Park approximately ten years ago, are very rare now. Other biologists and birders have also made similar observations. In an effort to generate interest in the iconic woodpecker and hopefully initiate a project to reverse the unfortunate decline of these very intriguing birds, Biologist Wilkinson collected and reviewed some technical literature on biology and management of this species. Wilkinson presented this information to colleagues in the DEC Great Lakes Program and NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in anticipation that funding might be found to restore abundance of this woodpecker which has been designated a New York Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Interestingly, many of the recent historical sightings of these birds in western New York have come from locations in very close proximity to Lake Erie, Niagara River and Lake Ontario, suggesting a possible habitat link with these Great Lakes waters. 5

6 Bureau of Fisheries Michael Wilkinson GOAL FISH, WILDLIFE & MARINE RESOURCE EXTENSION HELP PROVIDE NEW YORK RESIDENTS AND VISITORS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE TO APPRECIATE FISH, WILDLIFE, MARINE RESOURCES AND THEIR HABITATS. STRATEGIES Connect New Yorkers to Nature INFORMATION AND EXTENSION Fishing Hotlines Two regional fishing hotlines are updated every Friday to provide area anglers with current fishing information. Together, the hotlines cover the major fishing waters of region 9 and the western half of Region 8. Each fishing hotline is available on the DEC website at Recordings of the fishing reports can also be heard at (716) 855- FISH and (716) 679-ERIE. The Lake Erie Fishing Hotline page had 4,006 visits during December and 71,803 total visits in 2011, an increase of 11% over 2010 total. The Western New York Fishing Hotline page had 2,962 visits during December and 50,839 total visits in 2011, an increase of 19% over 2010 total. The automated phone hotlines received a combined total of 24,013 calls in As a whole, the fishing hotlines that cover western New York were accessed for angling information 146,655 times in Bureau of Fisheries Michael Todd GOAL STRATEGIES RESOURCE USE AND ALLOCATION PROVIDE A WIDE ARRAY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO ENJOY FISH, WILDLIFE AND MARINE RESOURCES. 6

7 RECREATIONAL USE Wild Turkey Winter Flock Survey The 2012 winter flock survey began January 1 st and will conclude March 31 st. Anyone interested can view and print out a survey form from the DEC website at: Last year (2011) Region 9 observed the most turkey flocks (366) along with the most turkeys observed (4,939). Bureau of Wildlife Emilio Rende Pheasants The Department recently announced the application period for the cooperative Day-Old Pheasant Chick Program. This program enhances pheasant hunting opportunities through a partnership with DEC, sportsmen and sportswomen, 4 H youth, and landowners who are interested in rearing and releasing pheasants. Applications must be filed with a DEC regional wildlife manager by March 15, Bureau of Wildlife Emilio Rende Fur Auction Attended and Muskrat Data Collected in Hinsdale, Cattaraugus County Wildlife Biologists Rothrock and Baginski attended a local fur auction in Hinsdale, Cattaraugus County on January 14. Local fur auctions are sponsored by the county trappers associations and provide trappers the opportunity to sell furs they have harvested. DEC staff attends these auctions to interact with the trappers, collect data on harvested muskrats, and provide CITES tags, if needed. Due to a widespread decline of muskrats noted throughout the northeast in recent years, DEC staff collects age and sex data on muskrats brought to the auctions. Muskrat pelts are also examined for kidney spots, discolored areas occasionally found on the dorsal side of the pelt as a 7

8 pair of dark, egg-shaped ovals about where the kidneys would be located. When tanned, the fur in this area falls out. The cause is unknown. At this year s auction, 331 muskrat pelts were examined (34 adult female, 46 adult male, 102 juvenile female, and 149 juvenile male) of which a total of 20 showed evidence of kidney spots. These data are combined with other DEC Regions and will be used to help determine the status and cause of decline in muskrats. Furs about to be auctioned Muskrats from which data were collected Bureau of Wildlife A. Rothrock/K. Baginski Region 9 Natural Resources Paul McKeown Region 9 Fisheries Staff Mike Clancy Mike Wilkinson Scott Cornett Michael Todd Tim DePriest James Zanett Justin Brewer Amanda Wagner Natural Resources Supervisor Regional Fisheries Manager Fisheries Biologist Fisheries Biologist Fish Promotion Biologist Niagara River Habitat Improvement Specialist Principal Fisheries Technician Seasonal Fish Technician Seasonal Fish Technician (Lake Ontario creel survey) Region 9 Wildlife Staff Mark Kandel Ken Baginski Emilio Rende Regional Wildlife Manager Wildlife Biologist, Sportsman Education Wildlife Biologist, Stewardship & Land Mgt. 8

9 Tim Spierto Connie Adams Kenneth J. Roblee Anne Rothrock Chuck Rosenburg Gary Klock Robert Lichorat Greg Ecker Ryan Rockfeller Mike Koch Matt King Erik Stratton Jan Baldwin Wildlife Biologist Wildlife Biologist Wildlife Biologist Wildlife Biologist-Wetlands Program Wildlife Biologist-Ecology, Wetlands Program Fish & Wildlife Technician II Fish & Wildlife Technician II Fish & Wildlife Technician II Seasonal Fish & Wildlife Technician Seasonal Fish & Wildlife Technician Seasonal Fish & Wildlife Technician Seasonal Fish & Wildlife Technician Seasonal Clerk, Sportsman Education Vacant Items Fisheries Habitat Biologist Fisheries Biologist (2) positions State Wildlife Grants (Rare Species) Ecologist Wildlife Biologist Senior Fish & Wildlife Technicians Principal Wildlife Technician 9