Great Lakes & Northern great Plains Piping Plover

• Description: Great Lakes & Northern Great Plains Piping Plover Recovery Plan related to the Platte River Endangered Species Partnership ‎(aka Platte River Recovery Implementation Program or PRRIP)‎
• State: CO
• State: NE
• State: WY
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 5/12/1988
• Author: Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
• Title: Great Lakes & Northern Great Plains Piping Plover Recovery Plan
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

SUMMARY
CURRENT STATUS: The Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus), one
of six North American species of belted plovers, was added
to the Federal Endangered Species list in January 1986 (50
Federal Register 50726 -34). Piping plovers breed in three
regions of North America; the Atlantic coast from
Newfoundland to South Carolina, the beaches throughout the
Great Lakes, and river systems and lakes of the Northern
Great Plains. Inland piping plovers occupy breeding habitat
on the Great Lakes and Northern Great plains from March
until August; they spend the remainder of the year along the
Gulf Coast from Florida to northern Mexico. Threats to the
survival of the species include the loss of beach habitat,
vehicular and human traffic on beach nesting areas, and
channelization and modification of river flows that have
led to the elimination of sandbar nesting habitat. Breeding
pair estimates for 1986 -87 reveal 17 pairs on the Great
lakes (all in Michigan), and 680 pairs in the Northern.
Great Plains of the U.S.. This plan outlines recovery
strategies for the inland birds that winter along the Gulf
coast. Another plan presents recovery actions for the
Atlantic coast piping plovers.
RECOVERY GOAL: Assure that piping plovers attain the
following stable population levels which will insure long
term stability and survival leading to their removal from
the endangered species list:
1. Birds in the Northern Great plains (U.S.) increase
to 1300 pairs and remain stable for 15 years,
distributed as follows:
Montana - - - - -60 pairs
North Dakota -650
South Dakota -350 "
Nebraska---- -465
Minnesota - - - -25
2. Great Lakes piping plover population increase to
150 pairs and remain stable for 15 years distributed as
follows:
Michigan---------- - - - - -- -100 pairs
Wisconsin------------ - - - -15 " "
Other Great Lakes states -35 " It
RECOMMENDED RECOVERY ACTIONS: Determine population
trends and habitat requirements; protect, enhance, and
increase populations during breeding, migration, and
wintering periods; develop management plans for use and
protection of various habitat types; and develop public
awareness and implementement educational programs about the
piping plover.