Laserfiche WebLink
t <br />To: Clayton Derby <br />From: Jim Jenniges <br />Subject: Whooping crane Baseline <br />Date 3 -21 -2002 <br />Clayton, <br />I have few comments on the work product you have put together to date. I also did not read this thing for <br />editorial comments Mark Czaplewski is much better at that than I am. <br />Given the current situation this document is missing two major components in my opinion. One is the FWS <br />contracted out to have species recovery objectives defined for the target species. While I know that effort <br />has never been finalized I am going to assume if the objectives ever come forward they will be similar to the <br />last draft I saw. This baseline does not address the metrics those objectives will be measured by (percent of <br />population stopping, crane use days, habitat models). The second is that the proposed Program now has <br />definitions for habitat or habitat targets or target habitat guidelines or something. Whatever it is we now <br />have the responsibility to evaluate those definitions, how well we meet the targets and relate all this to use <br />by the species. This baseline is not geared towards that end. In some instances how habitat was defined is <br />not clear nor is how we will evaluate it but I think in those instances we need to clearly state there is a lack <br />of information. The purpose for doing this is to design studies to fill data gaps, peer - review interpretations <br />of existing data and outline a formal adaptive management process. We now have models of habitat that <br />move us away from the passive adaptive management once envisioned. <br />Page 5. Platte River Valley Use <br />I am not sure what you are trying to say here but, your reference must be wrong since there is no Johnsgard <br />1980 in the literature cited section. If it is Johnson and Temple 1980 you are citing what they report is <br />"There have been only three "Confirmed" sightings on the Platte since 1960. During the same period there <br />have been at least 14 sightings on wetlands within 30 miles of the Platte, both north and south." Either way <br />this data is outdated by 17 years over what the baseline is supposed to represent. <br />I am not sure where the 90% came from but a quick look at the GIS map available from the NGPC of <br />whooping crane sightings does not support that number. Wally Jobman reported to the whooping crane <br />recovery objective group that there have been 340 confirmed sightings in Nebraska since 1940 with fifty-six <br />of these being on the central Platte River. Table 3 of this baseline document indicates 76 sightings in the <br />Platte Valley. I suggest making an effort to find out what is accurate and you report three things, along with <br />the appropriate maps. Number of sightings in Nebraska, number of sightings in the Platte River, and <br />number of sightings in the Cooperative Agreement associated habitat area. <br />Any discussion of Platte River use verses other areas needs to include at least a brief discussion of <br />observation probability. What is the density of wildlife oriented professionals in the central Platte <br />compared to other areas in Nebraska? How many people are out looking for cranes in the sandhills? <br />Page 5. Whooping crane sightings <br />This historical stuff is interesting but if it is to be reported you need to include a reference to (EA <br />Engineering, 1985, Migration dynamics of the whooping crane with emphasis on use of the Platte River in <br />Nebraska.) which points out the inconstancies and discrepancies within this historical data. <br />Page 7. Aerial Surveys and Detection Trials <br />Not a big deal, but if this baseline is to document conditions before the Program (1997) then the surveys <br />done under the CA would not be appropriate. <br />• <br />