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<br />DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT <br />management actions should always ensure protection of individual raptors and raptor <br />populations. <br />Guideline modifications should be coordinated with appropriate Service, State wildlife resources <br />management agency, and/or land management agency biologists to ensure that the intent of these <br />guidelines is maintained. Guidance specific to certain activities continue to be developed and <br />should be used in combination with these guidelines as appropriate: for example, the Avian <br />Power Line Interaction Committee' (APLIC 1994, 1996) has developed practices for raptor <br />protection on power lines and the Access Fund (Pyke 1997) provides guidance for raptor/rock <br />climber interactions. <br />The following guidelines are not regulatory, and they do not supersede provisions of the MBTA, <br />BGEPA, Service Nest Destruction Policy, and ESA. By following these guidelines, users will <br />likely be able to meet requirements under the aforementioned laws and policies. However, <br />assessing legal compliance with laws and regulations is ultimately the authority and <br />responsibility of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement. <br />RESOURCE IDENTIFICATION <br />In assessing the degree of land use impacts to raptors, it is important first to document the spatial <br />and temporal occurrence and distribution of raptors and their habitats within and proximal to <br />areas slated for development or increased human activity. <br />Existing data -- Proponents of land use activities should assess all existing data available on <br />raptors, including their nests, winter roosts, and foraging habitats within and proximal to areas <br />slated for development or increased human activity. Some State wildlife resource agencies <br />maintain a computerized database regarding raptors, which can be accessed for consultation <br />purposes and project impact assessment. Other land management agencies (U.S. Bureau Land <br />Management, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, etc.) also possess site-specific <br />information and should be consulted as appropriate. <br />Raptors occurring in each of the eight States in the Mountain-Prairie region, are identified in <br />Appendix A, Tables 1-8. Statewide seasonal occurrences for each species are also presented as <br />well as habitats considered important for breeding, wintering, and foraging activities. In <br />addition, Tables 1-8 identify level of State and/or Federal protection provided for each species as <br />of publication of this document (the Service and/or the State wildlife resource agencies should be <br />contacted for the most current legal status of each species). <br />Surve s -- When existing raptor information is unavailable or determined to be insufficient, the <br />appropriate next step would be to conduct raptor surveys to determine species and locate nests, <br />winter roosts, and other important habitats (e.g., foraging). This will assist in a determination of <br />potential impacts from the proposed action. Terrain and habitat types, as well as available <br />resources, will determine the appropriate method for conducting raptor surveys (e.g., aerial <br />APLIC is comprised of the Bonneville Power Administration, Edison Electric Institute, 13 electric utility <br />companies, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.