Oklahoma Ecological Services Field Office U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Tulsa, Oklahoma Jonna Polk, Field Supervisor October 4, 2017
USFWS Mission Statement Working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
Oklahoma USFWS Offices Ecological Services Field Office Fish Hatchery Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office Law Enforcement Office Nine National Wildlife Refuges
Oklahoma Ecological Diversity
Ecological Services Field Office Primary Conservation Focuses Threatened & Endangered Species Conservation Conservation Planning Assistance Environmental Contaminants Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
Federally Listed Species in OK Birds Black-capped vireo (E) Interior least tern (E) Piping Plover (T) Red-cockaded woopecker (E) Whooping crane (E) Fishes Arkansas River shiner (T) Leopard darter (T) Neosho madtom (T) Ozark cavefish (T) Insects American burying beetle (E) Plants Harperella (E) Red- cockaded woodpecker Mammals Gray bat (E) Indiana bat (E) Ozark big-eared bat (E) Northern Long-eared bat (T) Mussels Arkansas River shiner Ouachita rock-pocketbook mussel (E) Scaleshell mussel (E) Winged mapleleaf mussel (E) Neosho mucket mussel (E) Rabbitsfoot mussel (T)
Federally Listed Species by Quadrant in Oklahoma
Threatened & Endangered Species Section 4 Conservation Under the ESA Candidate Conservation/pre-listing Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances, status surveys, etc. Listing -- Species, Populations, Critical Habitat, etc. Recovery -- Planning, Implementation Neosho madtom
Section 7(a)(1) Is where agencies are guided to conserve All Federal agencies shall use their authorities in the furtherance of the purposes of this Act by carrying out programs for the conservation of endangered and threatened species.
Benefits of Implementing 7(a)(1) Ensuring that all Federal agencies are assisting in furthering the conservation of listed species, we will be more likely to fulfill the purposes of the Act; Ensuring that Federal agencies are addressing the conservation of listed species should streamline and improve consultation under section 7(a)(2). Providing a more comprehensive landscape-level approach to listed species conservation rather than a project-by-project approach.
Purpose of Section 10(a)(1)(B) Reduce conflicts between endangered species and economic activities; Develop partnerships between the public and private sectors.
What Are The Benefits To Early Involvement? Proactive vs. reactive approach to ecosystem protection Obtain agency and industry concerns early during the planning process Improve interagency coordination Ensure environmental mandates are met in a comprehensive manner
Threatened and Endangered Species Program American Burying Beetle Recovery Species Status Assessment Draft completed Spring 2017 Industry Conservation Plan Extended plan for additional three years Added Self-certification option Project proponents assume 1)entire project area is ABB habitat and occupied and 2) mitigation at highest level Limited Service review is needed Will evaluate annual reports for verification
PARTNERS FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE Landowners COOPERATORS Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Districts Native American Tribes And Many Others
Primary Cost-share Practices Invasive species removal (target eastern red cedar and salt cedar) Brush control (mechanical/chemical) Native grass/forbs/legume/shrub plantings Wetland habitat (development/enhancement) Riparian Habitat (enhancement/protection) Outdoor Classrooms
Private Lands Restoration 1990-2015 395,998 Upland Habitat Acres 28,026 Wetland acres 173 miles of Riparian habitat 424,024 Total Acres 1,232 Sites 148 Outdoor Classrooms
Prairie Restoration 2015 2016 Monarch Projects $165,000 PFW funding in Oklahoma 4 Projects ($65K) for landowner/outreach efforts 1 Project ($100K)with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission for Prairie Restoration
Wind Energy 29 projects in FY 2017 Within the next 3-5 years in Oklahoma: 1,600-2,100 turbines 20 Counties
Questions? Questions? Jonna Polk, Field Supervisor 918-408-0850 Ken Collins, Assistant Field Supervisor 918-382-4510 John Hendrix, Assistant Field Supervisor 918-382-4506