Laserfiche WebLink
a <br />DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT <br />Guidelines for Avoiding and Minimizing Impacts <br />STEP 1 <br />Determine the appropriate species-specific spatial and seasonal buffer zones as presented in <br />Tables 9-16 for raptors that may be impacted by the proposed land-use activity. Actual dates <br />and size of buffers vary between and within States. <br />Nesting <br />Seasonal buffers represent the outermost dates known in each State for the arrival of <br />adult birds at nesting territories through post-fledging dependency of the young. <br />Actual dates for each stage of nesting can vary by region, elevation, and weather <br />conditions; as well as individual pairs. Routine, annual surveys of nesting localities <br />may provide more precise onsite information regarding individual nests. Survey <br />results should be clearly documented to augment available information on raptors. <br />Biologists from the Service, State wildlife resources management agency, and/or land <br />management agency should be consulted for site-specific nesting chronology which <br />would allow adjustment of these recommended seasonal buffers. <br />• Typically, the recommended spatial buffers (Tables 9-16) for threatened and <br />endangered species are 1.0 miles (except 0.5 miles for the Mexican spotted owl); <br />recommended spatial buffers for other diurnal raptors are 0.5 miles except 0.25 miles <br />for the prairie falcon; and no buffer is presently considered necessary for the <br />American kestrel and barn-owl. <br />(revisit after gathering all state information) <br />Winter Roosting <br />Spatial buffer zones recommended for raptor nesting protection are also encouraged <br />for activities occurring proximal to raptor winter concentration areas from November <br />through March. We recommend maintaining a spatial buffer equal to one-half of the <br />recommended buffers for nests (Tables 9-16) unless site-specific topography or <br />vegetation allow for smaller buffers. Appropriate Service, State wildlife resources <br />management agency, and/or land management agency biologists should be consulted <br />prior to adjusting buffers for winter concentration areas. <br />• Daily activities which must occur within recommended spatial buffers at winter night <br />roost sites should be scheduled after 0900 hours, after which most raptors have <br />vacated their roost. Likewise, daily activities should terminate at least one hour prior <br />to official sunset to allow birds an opportunity to return to the roost site undisturbed <br />(Call 1979). <br />18