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DRAFT DRAFT <br />DRAFT <br />applicable management recommendations and/or develop other protective measures based on the <br />project and its potential impacts. Biologists from the Service, State wildlife resources <br />management agencies, and land management agencies are available to assist with the <br />identification of impacts (both positive and negative) and the selection and implementation of <br />appropriate protective measures. <br />These guidelines are also intended to provide land use planners with the means to avoid the <br />direct or incidental take of raptors, their nests, or eggs (as prohibited under parts of the Migratory <br />Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA), and Endangered <br />Species Act (ESA); see Regulatory Authority section for further information). In addition, these <br />guidelines provide upfront recommendations to assist land use planners through the National <br />Environmental Policy Act process; essentially, implementation of protective methodologies <br />could reduce potential impacts to raptors and their habitat to insignificant levels and eliminate <br />the need for more extensive discussion of losses in an Environmental Impact Statement. <br />It is important to realize that these are guidelines and regulatory only as noted. Guidelines are <br />subject to modification on a site-specific and project-specific basis dependent on knowledge of <br />the birds; topography and habitat features; and level of the proposed activity. Site-specific <br />modifications should be coordinated with appropriate Service, State wildlife resources <br />management agencies, and/or land management agency biologists to ensure that the intent of <br />these guidelines is maintained. Revisions to these guidelines may also occur as our knowledge <br />of raptor ecology improves. Adherence to these guidelines may avoid "take" as defined by <br />statute. <br />INTRODUCTION <br />PURPOSE <br />Responsibility for protection of wildlife is rendered in part by the Service's mission to conserve, <br />protect, and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the <br />American people. Raptors (birds of prey - See Appendix A, Tables 1-8 for State by State lists) <br />(Please refer to Note #6 at the beginning ) are protected wildlife and are widely accepted <br />indicator species of environmental quality due in part to their position at the top of biological <br />food chains. Aesthetically, raptors are highly regarded by the public, and anthropomorphic <br />qualities such as nobility, bravery, and wisdom have been widely used to describe these birds. <br />Native Americans hold raptors in high regard for religious and cultural reasons. <br />The status of raptors can reflect either numbers or inherent biological characteristics such as <br />sensitivity to environmental conditions. In the Western United States, the status of raptors is <br />considered stable for some species, declining for others, and uncertain for still others (White <br />1994). Certain life history characteristics, including typically long life spans, relatively low <br />reproductive rates, and specific habitat requirements for nesting and foraging, make raptor <br />populations particularly vulnerable to disturbances and may retard recovery of some populations <br />(Brown and Amadon 1968, Nelson 1979, Scott 1985, McCallum 1994). An increase in <br />raptor-human interactions resulting from industrial, municipal, transportation, and recreational <br />activities have thus prompted development of the Service's Guidelines for Raptor Protection