REGION 9 FISH AND WILDLIFE MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS March 2014

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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 March 2014 NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF FISH, WILDLIFE & MARINE RESOURCES Natural Resources Supervisor Paul McKeown Fisheries Manager Mike Clancy Wildlife Manager Mark Kandel 1 Compiled by Janine Greene

2 NEW YORK FISH, WILDLIFE & MARINE RESOURCE S FOR 2014 ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION PROTECT, ENHANCE AND RESTORE NEW YORK'S FISH, WILDLIFE, MARINE RESOURCES AND THE ECOSYSTEMS THAT SUPPORT THEM. STRATEGIES RESEARCH AND MONITORING Bat Hibernacula Survey Several DEC staff, accompanied by local environmental professionals, surveyed for rare bat species and the presence of White Nose Syndrome in the Akron Mines on February 3, and February 6, The bat population in this hibernaculum has experienced a drastic decline since White Nose Syndrome was first detected here in This year, the surveyors accounted for a total of 56 bats, in contrast to 2077 total bats in This year s survey included 49 Little Brown Bats (Myotis lucifugus), and 7 Tri-Colored Bats (Perimyotis subflavus). There were no Big Brown Bats (Eptesicus fuscus), Northern Long-Eared Bats (Myotis septentrionalis), or Small-Footed Bats (Myotis leibii) found. Both healthy and infected bats were recorded, with 27% of the total bats displaying visual signs of the fungus. Years of Complete Surveys: Total # Bats Surveyed Bat Population in the Akron Mine Hibernaculum Mist netting and auditory surveys will be conducted this summer to document the distribution and prevalence of additional rare species affected with WNS including Northern Long-Eared Bats and Small-Footed Bats. 2

3 Surveyors for Akron Mine Hibernacula February 3, 2014 Little Brown Bat with WNS (Akron Mine) Healthy Little Brown Bat (Akron Mine) Current distribution of WNS in North America Bureau of Wildlife K.Roblee/J. Bruckman 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

4 During this period, Region 9 Bureau of Wildlife completed two wetland determinations/delineations of state-regulated freshwater wetland boundaries. In addition, we responded to 22 inquiries about the possible occurrence of state-regulated freshwater wetlands and potential unmapped wetlands (i.e., wetlands meeting NYSDEC criteria but which are not yet mapped) on various properties in the region, sending out letters and maps in response to those inquiries. Region 9 Wildlife staff reviewed twelve Article 24 freshwater wetland permit applications for proposed development projects in Region 9 Counties, including one region-wide general permit application for right-of-way maintenance in or adjacent to 149 state-regulated wetlands. We also continued to review Article 24 applications for several projects initiated at earlier dates and attended meetings to discuss those and more recent permit applications. In addition, staff reviewed three nuisance beaver permit applications to determine whether proposed beaver dam removal would be consistent with freshwater wetlands protection. Staff assisted Environmental Conservation Officers and Legal staff with investigating two recent complaints of Article 24 violation/permit non-compliance issues in Region 9 Counties during this time period. In addition, we continued to work on resolving several previously initiated wetlands enforcement actions. Region 9 Wildlife staff inspected five sites during this period to assess compliance with conditions of Article 24 Freshwater Wetland permits and consent orders. The inspections identified no significant non-compliance concerns. At the request of the Town of Clarence Highway Department, Chuck Rosenburg presented a lecture that highlighted two NYSDEC programs on March 27, The PowerPoint presentations covered the Department s Article 24 freshwater wetlands regulations and Article 11 nuisance beaver control program relevant to town highway activities. Anne Rothrock (Wildlife Biologist), and Ryan Rockefeller (Seasonal Fish and Wildlife Technician) attended the annual Bureau of Habitat meeting at the White Eagle Conference Center. Topics of discussion included invasive species, general permitting, data management, and wetland mitigation. Ryan Rockefeller presented his work on Region 9's method for organizing and depicting in GIS all wetland delineations, amendments, and unmapped wetland information. He presented a similar overview of the GIS project to Region 9 Environmental Permits staff in the Allegany Office. Bureau of Wildlife C. Rosenburg/A. Rothrock

5 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: INFORMATION AND EXTENSION Erie County Meeting At the Erie County Federation of Sportsman's Clubs annual awards banquet Three DEC staff received recognition: Jim Markham of the Lake Erie Fisheries Field Station in Dunkirk received the Environmentalists of the Year Award. Doug Zeller of the Lake Erie Fisheries Field Station Dunkirk received the Public Servant of the Year Award. Mark Kandel, Regional Wildlife Manager received a Lifetime Achievement Award. Also attending the banquet were Natural Resources Supervisor, Paul McKeown, Lake Erie Fisheries Field Station Leader Don Einhouse and ECO Lt. Will Powell From (L to R): Doug Zeller, Mark Kandel and Jim Markham. Bureau of Wildlife Mark Kandel

6 RESOURCE USE AND ALLOCATION PROVIDE A WIDE ARRAY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO ENJOY FISH, WILDLIFE AND MARINE RESOURCES. STRATEGIES Connect New Yorkers to Nature RECREATIONAL USE Wild Turkey Trapping Study Regional wildlife staff finished turkey trapping for the season. One hundred hens were banded. The breakdown is listed below: County Number of hens banded Allegany 19 Cattaraugus 36 Chautauqua 16 Erie 4 Niagara 25 Wyoming 0 We have experienced some mortality with the birds that we had placed satellite transmitters on. To date we have had five that died of undetermined circumstances. Bureau of Wildlife Emilio Rende STRATEGIES PROTECTION OF HUMAN HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE MINIMIZE FISH, WILDLIFE AND MARINE RESOURCE-RELATED NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON NATURAL RESOURCES; AND HUMAN HEALTH, SAFETY, AND LAND USE. WILDLIFE AND HUMAN HEALTH 6

7 Nuisance wildlife permits were issued as follows: County Number of Permits Bear Deer DMAP Beaver Muskrat Turkey Allegany Cattaraugus Chautauqua Erie Niagara Wyoming Bureau of Wildlife Tim Spierto ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS FOSTER AND MAINTAIN AN ORGANIZATION THAT EFFICIENTLY ACHIEVES OUR MISSION. STRATEGIES WORKFORCE, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Lake Erie Annual Report The Lake Erie Fisheries Unit completed its annual report in March. This report summarizes a broad array of surveys completed during the 2013 field season and describes the status of prominent fish species in the New York waters of Lake Erie. Some of the notable highlights from this year s report include: Overall 2013 open water sport fishing effort in the New York waters of Lake Erie was estimated at 309,342 angler-hours, this was a slight decline (8%) from the 2012 estimate and remained near the average of the previous 5 years. Walleye fishing quality was above average in 2013 and catch rates have been above average during eight of the past ten years. In 2013, smallmouth bass and yellow perch fishing quality were also exceptional. 7

8 Netting surveys measuring juvenile walleye abundance suggest that exceptional spawning success occurred during Recent very strong walleye hatches produced in both 2010 and 2012 should contribute significantly to the walleye sport harvest during Overall smallmouth bass abundance in survey nets has remained stable in annual collections. Age-3 bass (2010 year class) were measured in especially high abundance ranking this as one of the largest year classes observed in the 33 year survey. Overall lake trout abundance in survey nets remained high in 2013 but the catch was comprised mostly of younger fish, collections of lake trout age-7-and-older remain at low levels due to high sea lamprey predation. A variety of measures to assess sea lamprey collectively describe the status of this invasive species in unacceptably high abundance. Surveys conducted over the past three years indicate the largest source of Lake Erie s production may be in the St. Clair River and not the traditionally monitored and treated Lake Erie streams. A total of 255,000 yearling steelhead and 32,630 brown trout were stocked into New York Lake Erie tributaries in An ongoing salmonid angler diary program showed recent improvement in tributary fishing quality during 2011 and Monitoring of the prey fish species found low overall abundance in Lower trophic monitoring indicated Lake Erie s nearshore waters remain favourable for production of percids (walleye and yellow perch). Long term sampling programs described in this report are vital to understanding Lake Erie s fish community to guide fisheries management, and safeguarding this resource for current and future generations. The full report can be found online at: or by contacting the DEC s Lake Erie Unit office. Lake Erie Unit D. Einhouse/ J. Markham Region 9 Natural Resources Paul McKeown Region 9 Fisheries Staff Mike Clancy Scott Cornett Mike Wilkinson Michael Todd Christopher Legard James Zanett Justin Brewer Amanda Wagner Tobias Widger Natural Resources Supervisor Regional Fisheries Manager Principal Fisheries Technician Seasonal Fisheries Technician Seasonal Fisheries Technician Seasonal Fisheries Technician 8

9 Region 9 Wildlife Staff Mark Kandel Ken Baginski Emilio Rende Tim Spierto Connie Adams Kenneth J. Roblee Anne Rothrock Chuck Rosenburg Gary Klock Robert Lichorat Greg Ecker Ryan Rockefeller Mike Koch Eric Maringer Jacqueline, Walters Sean Rockefeller Joline Bruckman Regional Wildlife Manager Wildlife Biologist, Sportsman Education Wildlife Biologist, Stewardship & Land Mgt. 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 Region 9 Niagara River Habitat Specialist Tim DePriest Niagara River Habitat Improvement Specialist Lake Erie Unit Fisheries Staff Don Einhouse Jim Markham Doug Zeller Brian Beckwith Rich Zimar Ginger Szwejbka Carrie Babcock Jon Draves Ann Wilcox-Swanson Jessica Wooten Lake Erie Unit Leader Research Vessel Captain Senior Fisheries Technician Senior Fisheries Technician Secretary Seasonal Fish Technician Seasonal Fish Technician Seasonal Fish Technician Seasonal Fish Technician Vacant Items Fisheries Habitat Biologist (2) positions State Wildlife Grants Biologist Wildlife Biologist Senior Fish & Wildlife Technicians 9