Recommendation of Criteria for Habitat Conservation

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8/9/99 RECOMMENDATION OF CRITERIA FOR PROGRAM HABITAT CONSERVATION CATEGORY I (Existing desireable habitat) 1. DEFINITION OF LAND TO BE INCLUDED Existin g wet meadow habitat Wet meadow habitat is defined as meeting certain criteria. Those criteria include but are not necessarily limited to the following: 1. Uneven lowlands or grasslands 2. Flooded or saturated soils in spring of the year 3. Support mostly native plant species 4. Provide food sources for the whooping cranes 5. Not necessarily adjacent to the river but be within one mile of the river or suitable roosting site 6. Located a minimum of one half mile or appropriately screened or buffered from multi-unit housing developments, industries, commercial activity, or other significant human disturbances Roosting/Nesting habitat Roosting/nesting habitat can be either river channel or land near the river and has the following criteria: 1. Free from disturbance 2. Adequate horizontal visibility 3. Proper water depth II. ENCOURAGED/ACCEPTABLE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES Management practices necessary to maintain habit, Existing wet meadow habitat A. Grazing, burning, and/or haying are encouraged on a portion of parcels included in the program. B. Row crops are acceptable near or contiguous to parcel C. Timber harvest/tree clearing is encouraged D. Hunting is acceptable it on Program lands: Roosting/Nesting habitat A. Vegetation clearing is encouraged B. Hunting is acceptable C. Trapping is acceptable D. Harvesting (mushrooms, timber) is acceptable E. Fishing is acceptable I F. Sand/Gravel pits may be acceptable III. UNACCEPTABLE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BOTH HABITATS) A. Degradation of existing habitat. B. Multi-unit residential and mobile home development C. Commercial development D. Industrial development E. Animal confinement activities (Livestock feedlots/Animal Confinement Buildings) F. Construction of permanent structures on specified nesting areas. 2