BLM LIBRARY 88 71381 CONSERVATION AGREEMENT AND STRATEGY COLUMBIA SPOTTED FROG (RANA LUTEIVENTRIS) GREAT BASIN POPULATION NEVADA NORTHEASTERN SUBPOPULATIONS' JARBIDGE - INDEPENDENCE AND RUBY MOUNTAIN BLM Library Denver Federal Center , Bldg. 50 OC-521 P.O. Box 25047 SEPTEMBER 2003 Denver, CO 80225 QL 668 .E27 C66 2003 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Table of Contents Glossary of Terms CONSERVATION AGREEMENT FOR THE NORTHEASTERN NEVADA SUBPOPULATIONS OF THE COLUMBIA SPOTTED FROG {RANA LUTEIVENTR1S) A-l Purpose .. A-! Conservation Goals of the Agreement .. A-2 Conservation Objectives ..... A-4 Other Species Involved ... A-4 Involved Parties .. A-5 Authorities. Required Conservation Tasks and Responsibilities by Cooperator A-6 A-6 Conservation Schedule and Assessment ... A-6 Coordinating Conservation Activities .. Implementing Conservation Activities .. A-7 A-7 Funding Conservation Activities .. A-8 Duration of Agreement ... A-8 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Compliance ...... A-8 Federal Agency Compliance ... A-10 Signatures ...... CONSERVATION STRATEGY FOR THE NORTHEASTERN NEVADA SUBPOPULATIONS OF THE COLUMBIA SPOTTED FROG {RANA L UTEIVENTR1S) . S-l Introduction.... ... . S-l Purpose...... . S-2 Description and Ecology. . S-3 Species Distribution and Subpopulations .. . S-7 Ruby Mountain Subpopulation .... S-10 Jarbidge - Independence Subpopulation . S-l 7 Potential Threats to the Continued Existence of the Columbia Spotted Frog S-l 7 Habitat Degradation... S-18 Overutilization... S-19 Disease and Predation .. S-l 9 Inadequate Regulatory Mechanisms . S-20 Other Factors. QL GC> S-21 Adaptive Management.... • .. S-23 Conservation Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Actions.. S-23 Conservation Goals ....... S-23 Conservation Objectives, Strategies and Actions to be Implemented S-30 Conservation Strategy Implementation Schedule .................. S-38 Bibliography ...... List of Tables A-9 Table A-l. Tasks and Responsibilities by Cooperator. S-13 Table S-1. Columbia Spotted Frog Conservation and Population Units S-30 Table S-2. Conservation Strategy Implementation Schedule .. List of Figures Distribution of the Columbia spotted frog {Rana luteiventris) and the Oregon Figure 1. spotted frog (Rana pretiosci) in North America ....S-4 Distribution of the Great Basin and West Desert populations of the Columbia Figure 2. spotted frog (Rana luteiventris) in Nevada.S-f Figure 3. Survey sites for Columbia spotted frogs in Nevada ... Location of the Ruby Mountain subpopulation of the Columbia spotted Frog Figure 4. c < in Nevada.... • .. Survey sites for Columbia potted frogs in the Ruby Mountain subpopulation area, Figure 5. showing occupied and unoccupied sites .....S~° Location of the Jarbidge - Independence subpopulation of the Columbia spotted Figure 6. frog in Nevada....... Survey sites for Columbia spotted frogs in the Jarbidge - Independence Figure 7. subpopulation area showing, occupied and unoccupied sites.. Figure 8. Adaptive management flow chart ..... APP-A-1 Appendix A. USF WS List of Threatened, Candidate and Species of Concern ii r i |i GLOSSARY OF TERMS Adaptive management: Adaptive management is designed to bring new information immediately into management decisions. The effectiveness of all conservation measures and monitoring methods will be periodically reviewed and evaluated by the implementing cooperators and by CSFTT. Based on such evaluation, appropriate modifications to methods, actions, and strategies will be made to ensure scientific rigor and the efficacy of conservation measures. Candidate species: Those species for which the USFWS has, on file, sufficient information on biological vulnerability and threats to support issuance of a proposed rule to list, but issuance of the proposed rule is precluded by higher listing priorities. Co-lead responsibility: Participant and signatory to the CAS with shared responsibility with one or more other participants to insure an identified conservation action or activity will be implemented. Connectivity: Pathways across and through aquatic or terrestrial blocks of habitat which facilitate and maintain the interchange of individual animals among sub-populations. Conservation action: An action taken to conserve or preserve natural resources. Conservation unit: A group of population units that either exhibit connectivity or are not separated by known barriers. Connectivity can be perennial or intermittent flowing water or by landscape features that permit dispersal. Disease: Pathogenic infection of an organism from an external source which may have a chronic or acute negative effect on that organism at an individual or population level. Distinct population segment: A population unit that can be defined as geographically and/or genetically discrete and distinct for the purpose of listing consideration under the Endangered Species Act. Fragmentation: The disruption of extensive habitats into isolated and/or small patches. Historic range: An area inhabited by Columbia spotted frogs at the time of modem exploration and settlement, as verified by museum voucher. Inventory: The process of conducting surveys to determine the total distribution and abundance. Isolated population unit: A population that is geographically separated from other populations, and in which interbreeding occurs. 111 Lead responsibility: Participant and signatory to the CAS with primary responsibility to insure an identified conservation action or activity will be implemented. Lentic: Standing water habitats, including natural and beaver ponds, wetlands and impoundments. Lotic: Flowing water habitats such as streams and rivers. Metapopulation: A conservation unit in which metapopulation characteristics, such as a source/sink relationship, have been demonstrated to occur or population units that are interconnected within the same drainage systems and are interdependent. Monitoring: Study of the abundance of individuals in one or more populations of a species at a site through time. Native: A species that historically occurred in a specific area or habitat. Non-native: A species that historically did not occur in a specific area or habitat and that now inhabits as a result of human actions. Also known as an “exotic” species. Occupied habitat: Areas of habitat where the presence of Columbia spotted frogs has been documented within 1 to 10 years, recognizing that year-to-year occurrence can be highly variable dependent upon metapopulation dynamics and other factors. Participant/co operator: Any entity which assists in the development and implementation of conservation actions, whether or not a signatory to the CAS. Population: A particular species in a particular group or in a definable place (i.e., the Great Basin population of Columbia spotted frogs). Population unit: A local population of randomly breeding individuals. A population unit typically occupies a single breeding site, such as a single or a small group of ponds. Potential habitat: Areas which contain one or more key elements of Columbia spotted frog habitat or to which those elements could be restored, but which are not now occupied habitat, including areas which have not been surveyed to determine frog presence. Predation: The capture and consumption of one animal by another, which applies to all life stages of the organism. Protocol: A procedure for monitoring or other activity which conforms to standard biological practices and has been identified by the CSFTT as an accepted standardized methodology for conducting that activity. Relict: A persistent remnant of an otherwise extinct (locally or globally) organism. IV Restoration: Specific actions taken to improve or restore habitat or associated ecosystems to potential natural conditions. Sentinel Site: Specific location for defined, periodic monitoring of animals or habitat which provides benchmark data for assessing changes in status or condition. Sink: A habitat in which local mortality exceeds local reproductive success. Source: A habitat in which local reproductive success exceeds local mortality. Source population: An actively breeding population that has an average birth rate that exceeds its average death rate, and thus produces an excess of animals that may disperse to other areas. Subpopulation: A geographically distinct population segment (e.g., Jarbidge - Independence, Ruby, Toiyabe). Survey: Field assessment to determine an organism’s distribution in potential habitat. Threats: Ongoing or potential actions having negative or potential negative impacts to an organism or its habitat. Viable population: A population that maintains its reproductive vigor and its potential for evolutionary adaptation. v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The final Conservation Agreement for the Northeastern Nevada subpopulations of the Columbia spotted frog was prepared by the Columbia Spotted Frog Technical Team (CSFTT). Each member of the CSFTT provided valuable information and assistance in development of the document. Bureau of Land Management: Ray Lister, Randy McNatt, Sarah Newman Nevada Department of Wildlife: Anita Cook, Rich Haskins, Bob Layton, Jon Sjoberg Nevada Natural Heritage Program: Glenn Clemmer, Jennifer Newmark University of Nevada Reno, BRRC: Dr. C. Richard Tracy US Fish and Wildlife Service: Mark Maley, Laurie Sada US Forest Service: Jim Harvey, Genny Wilson, Will Amy, Steve Anderson, Doug Clarke University of Nevada Cooperative Extension: Kent McAdoo Brigham Young University: Kent Hatch Numerous other individuals contributed invaluable assistance, personal and technical knowledge and expertise in development of the conservation strategy and documents. The CSFTT is particularly indebted to Chris Mullen and other staff of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office, who developed the initial versions of these documents and provided the foundation for further efforts. Public input received from the following individuals was also important during the development of this document: Lynn Connors (Queenstake), Preston Wright (Nevada Cattlemen’s Association), John Carpenter (Assemblyman), Agee Smith (rancher), Harvey Barnes (rancher), and Paul Scheidig (Nevada Mining Association). vi CONSERVATION AGREEMENT FOR THE NORTHEASTERN NEVADA SUBPOPULATIONS OF THE COLUMBIA SPOTTED FROG (RANA LUTEIVENTRIS) PURPOSE This Conservation Agreement (Agreement) has been developed to expedite implementation of conservation measures for the Columbia spotted frog (Rana luteiventris) in the Jarbidge - Independence and the Ruby Mountain subpopulation areas, northeastern Nevada, as a collaborative and cooperative effort among resource agencies, governments, and land owners. The desired outcome is to ensure the long-term conservation of the northeastern Nevada (NENV) Columbia spotted frog within its historic range, and to contribute to development of statewide conservation efforts for the Great Basin population of the species. The parties to this Agreement believe implementing the conservation measures herein defined will benefit NENV subpopulations of the Columbia spotted frog and could reduce the likelihood for its listing under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). Threats that could lead to spotted frog listing as threatened or endangered under ESA should be significantly reduced or eliminated through full implementation of this Conservation Agreement and Strategy (CAS). This Agreement may provide additional measures to enhance NENV Columbia spotted frog subpopulations that would not be required under ESA. CONSERVATION GOALS OF THE AGREEMENT Conservation measures needed to ensure the long-term viability and conservation of NENV Columbia spotted frog focus on two goals: Goal 1. To reduce threats to Columbia spotted frogs and their habitat to the extent necessary to prevent population units from becoming extirpated throughout all or a portion of their historic range. Goal 2. To maintain, enhance, and restore a sufficient number of population units of Columbia spotted frogs and their habitat to ensure their continued existence throughout their historic range. These goals will be achieved through implementation of specific measures set forth below and in the Conservation. Strategy (Strategy). The status of the Columbia spotted frog will be evaluated annually by the Columbia Spotted Frog Technical Team (CSFTT), composed of signatories to this agreement and other interested parties, through an adaptive management framework to assess program progress. A-l CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES The following conservation objectives will be implemented to reach the goals of the CAS stated above. The related goals that will be achieved follow the objectives in parenthesis. Included with the objective is a statement on how the objective will benefit NENV Columbia spotted frogs and a standard to determine whether the objective was successful in achieving the goal. The conservation actions and commitments by the Cooperators as described in CAS will be implemented as proposed in the Strategy. Objective 1. Determine the overall distribution of Columbia spotted frogs. (Goal 2) Benefit: Understand range and habitat conditions in which Columbia spotted frogs exist (baseline for Objective 2). Success Standard: Complete inventories for all known and historical sites using standard protocol, and data entered into a centralized database. Inventories will be documented in annual reports. This objective will be completed within the first 5 years of CAS implementation. Objective 2. Assess the abundance of Columbia spotted frogs, habitat conditions, and existing and potential threats at occupied sites. (Goal 1) Benefit: Enable biologists and managers to identify changes in Columbia spotted frog populations, implement appropriate management to reverse declines in Columbia spotted frog numbers, and correlate habitat degradation with declining Columbia spotted frog populations. Success Standard: Develop and implement a long-term Columbia spotted frog population and monitoring program for the purpose of establishing population and habitat baselines and initial population and habitat trends within the known range of this subspecies. Surveys are conducted annually and on a long-term basis. The range of habitat conditions which are optimum to allow Columbia spotted frog persistence are identified. Monitoring and assessment activities are documented in annual reports. This objective will be ongoing throughout the 10 year life of CAS. Objective 3. Ensure that viable populations and their habitats are managed and enhanced to ensure the continued existence of Columbia spotted frogs throughout their historic range. (Goal 2) Benefit: Long term persistence and viability of Columbia spotted frog metapopulations and suitable habitat across the range of the Columbia spotted frog. Success Standard: Maintain appropriate level of legal protection. Enforce public land management regulations and policies. Implement identified strategies and modify them as needed based on new information using adaptive management. Validate potential threats and implement strategies to reduce or eliminate their effects. Maintain source populations and key occupied habitats. Restore habitat conditions conducive to establishment of new Columbia spotted frog population units and that encourage connectivity. This objective will be ongoing throughout the 10 year life of the CAS. A-2 Objective 4. Conduct research that directly supports conservation and management of Columbia spotted frogs and their habitat. (Goal 2) Benefit: Provide information on basic ecology, threats, and evaluation of management practices needed for adaptive management. Success Standard: Maintain active research program focused on needs identified by the CSFTT. Findings are evaluated and applied to management strategies. Document research findings and their applications in annual reports. This objective will be ongoing throughout the 10 year life of the CAS. Objective 5. Implement through administrative procedures the CAS and incorporate provisions of the conservation strategy into agency planning documents and budgets to ensure the conservation goals and objectives are met in a consistent manner. (Goal 2) Benefit: Ensure consistent implementation and funding of CAS actions and activities according to time line. Prioritize Columbia spotted frog conservation actions into land use planning and land use decisions. Success Standard: Ensure that land use plans are consistent with CAS actions. Funding is consistently allocated towards Columbia spotted frog conservation actions. Cooperators are actively participating in administrative requirements of the CAS. This objective will be ongoing throughout the 10 year life of the CAS. Objective 6. Develop and implement an adaptive management framework partnership. (Goal 2) Benefit: Provide focused management and the basis for adaptive management by periodically assessing the effectiveness of conservation actions. Modify strategies and actions as necessary to achieve the conservation goals and objectives of the CAS. Success Standard: Cooperators are involved in conservation efforts pursuant to the CAS. The CSFTT is meeting semiannually as defined in the Agreement to provide management and conservation recommendations through the adaptive management process. Adaptive management implementation will be documented annually. This objective will be ongoing throughout the 10 year life of the CAS. Objective 7. Support the CAS by increasing public awareness and appreciation for Columbia spotted frogs and their habitat, and by making data and information available to interested parties and decision makers. (Goal 2) Benefit: Enhanced public awareness and appreciation may increase conservation of Columbia spotted frogs and habitats on public and private lands. A central repository will enable cooperators to have access to the same information and will benefit the coordination of research and conservation efforts. A-3