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<br />EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE RECOVERY PLAN FOR THE LEAST TERN <br /> <br />CURRENT STATUS: The interior population of the least tern (Sterna <br />antillarum), a breeding migrato!:y bird in mid-America, was listed as <br />endangered on June 27, 1985 (50 Federal ReEister 21,784-21,792). Census <br />data currently indicate about 5,000 interior least terns. <br /> <br />Habitat Reauirements and Limitin2 Factors: Interior least terns breed in <br />the Mississippi and Rio Grande River Basins from Montana to Texas and from <br />eastern New Mexico and Colorado to Indiana and Louisiana. From late April <br />to August they occur primarily on barren to sparsely vegetated riverine <br />sandbars, dike field sandbar islands, sand and gravel pits, and lake and <br />reservoir shorelines. Threats to the survival of the species include the <br />actual and functional loss of riverine sandbar habitat. Channelization <br />and impoundment of rivers have directly eliminated nesting habitat. This <br />recovery plan outlines recovery strategies to increase the interior <br />population of the least tern to approximately 7,000 birds throughout its <br />range. <br /> <br />Recovery Objective: De1isting <br /> <br />Recoverv Criteria: Assure the protection of essential habitat by removal <br />of current threats and habitat enhancement, establish agreed upon <br />management plans, and attain a population of 7,000 birds at the levels <br />listed below. <br />1. Adult birds in the Missouri River system will increase to 2,100 and <br />remain stable for 10 years. <br />2. Current numbers of adult birds (2,200-2,500) on the Lower Mississippi <br />River will remain stable for 10 years. <br />3. Adult birds in the Arkansas River system will increase to 1,600 and <br />remain stable for 10 years. <br />4. Adult birds in the Red River system will increase to 300 and remain <br />stable for 10 years. <br />5. Current number of adult birds in the Rio Grande River system (500) will <br />remain stable for 10 years. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />Actions Needed: <br />1. Determine population trends and habitat requirements. <br />2. Protect, enhance and increase populations during breeding. <br />3. Manage reservoir and river water levels to the benefit of the species. <br />4. Develop public awareness and implement educational programs about the <br />interior least tern. <br />5. Implement law enforcement actions at nesting areas in conflict with <br />high public use. <br /> <br />. <br />, <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />Cost of Recoverv: Estimated to be $1,720,000 - $2,000,000, to reach <br />recovery criteria set out above, and complete subsequent monitoring for 10 <br />years. <br /> <br />Date of Recoverv: Delisting should be initiated in 2005, if recovery <br />criteria have been met. <br /> <br />, <br />, <br />") 11 <br />r <br />, <br />l <br />