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SUMMARY CURRENT STATUS: The Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus), one of six North American species of ~glted 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 North Dakota-650 South Dakota-350 Nebraska-----465 Minnesota----25 pairs It II II " " It 11 II 2. Great Lakes piping plover population increase to 150 pairs and remain stable for 15 years distributed as follows: Michigan-----------------100 Wisconsin----------------]5 Other Great Lakes states-35 pairs " II 11 II 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.