Regional Board Report

Transcription

1 Agenda No: 1.1 Mtg Date: May 6, 2010 Regional Board Report TO: FROM: Regional Board Governance and Services Committee DATE: April 27, 2010 SUBJECT: Western Screech Owl Stewardship Agreement Full report from the May 6, 2010 Governance & Services Committee Meeting RECOMMENDATION THAT the Regional Board approve the RDCO entering into the Western Screech Owl Stewardship Agreement with the Ministry of Environment, Environmental Stewardship Division; AND FURTHER THAT the Regional Board authorize staff to seek out future funding opportunities and Non Government Organization partnership opportunities in conjunction with this RDCO Ministry of Environment Western Screech Owl Stewardship Agreement.

2 Agenda No: 3.2 Mtg Date: May 6, 2010 Governance & Services Committee Report TO: FROM: Governance & Services Committee Sandy Mah, Park Planner Cathy MacKenzie, Parks Operator DATE: April 15, 2010 SUBJECT: Western Screech Owl Stewardship Agreement RECOMMENDATION THAT the Governance and Services Committee recommend that the Regional Board approve the RDCO entering into the Western Screech Owl Stewardship Agreement with the Ministry of Environment, Environmental Stewardship Division; AND FURTHER THAT the Governance and Services Committee recommend that the Regional Board authorize staff to seek out future funding opportunities and Non Government Organization partnership opportunities in conjunction with this RDCO Ministry of Environment Western Screech Owl Stewardship Agreement. This is for your information and consideration. ORIGIN: In 2008, RDCO Parks staff sought additional information on the known locations of WSOW in Regional Parks as part of the Woodhaven Regional Park restoration. During this information sharing process, MOE broached the idea of a stewardship agreement to help protect the WSOW. Stewardship agreements assist in the recovery of species at risk (SAR) by securing managed habitat to maintain specific SAR over a long time period. BACKGROUND In 2007, the RDCO Parks department engaged Blackwell and Associates Ltd. to complete an Urban Forest Health Strategy (UFHS) as a master plan document to provide the necessary tools and flexibility to manage parks for healthy trees and forests while maintaining the high social and environmental values of the parks system. As part of this UFHS, a restoration plan was commissioned for Woodhaven Nature Conservancy Regional Park. The restoration plan called for limited intervention in the park but also identified the senescent (dying) cottonwoods as major hazards to park users. Following a presentation to the Regional Board, Woodhaven was closed to the public until restoration treatments could be completed. Page 1 of 3 C:\Documents and Settings\maryjane\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\TCHYQCHH\WSOW Stewardship Agreement May GS Rpt_MK_Edit.doc

3 Western Screech Owl Stewardship Agreement Governance & Services Committee Meeting May 6 th, 2010 Over concern that the closure meant the cottonwoods were going to be removed, numerous birders made parks staff aware that the Western Screech Owl resided in the park. As is common with species at risk (SAR), the presence of this endangered owl was a closely guarded secret and, as a means of limiting the human impact on the owls, location data was not freely available. This presence of the Owl species complicated the restoration of the park and the park remained closed for two years while data was collected and a minimal impact plan was implemented to permit its reopening. While gathering information for the restoration Parks staff contacted the Ministry of Environment (MOE) Environmental Stewardship Division and learned that there is a recovery strategy in place for WSOW. MOE provided additional guidance and information on the Western Screech Owl which included information as to other locations of WSOW within the RDCO. It was learned that many of the known sightings and confirmed nesting locations of WSOW in the Central Okanagan were in Regional Parks. These included Woodhaven, Mission Creek Greenway, Glen Canyon and Hardy Falls Regional Parks. In 2008, as part of the information sharing, MOE broached the idea of a stewardship agreement to help protect the WSOW. Stewardship agreements assist in the recovery of species at risk by securing managed habitat to maintain specific SAR over a long time period. Subsequent discussions ensued and in December 2008, MoE and RDCO Parks Services met and agreed that a WSOW stewardship agreement would assist in meeting each organization s mandate. Benefits to both agencies include: 1. ensuring measures are in place to protect WSOW; 2. developing a working relationship with each other; 3. developing a working relationship with other agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs); 4. developing, promoting and delivering educational and interpretive information on WSOW and riparian habitat protection to the public and park users; and 5. developing and refining of the Operational Best Management Practices specifically for regional parks to balance the needs for WSOW and habitat protection, public safety and recreational use along trails. 6. reduce the referral and permitting workload for staff in each agency through implementation of effective Operational Best Management Practices. The WSOW Stewardship Agreement is a living document between MoE and RDCO to address threats to, and provide protection for, the endangered WSOW within RDCO regional parks. This agreement is voluntary, and does not supersede any existing legislative requirements. The actions in this agreement are consistent with, or based upon, the Draft Recovery Strategy for the Western Screech Owl (Megascops kennicottii macfarlanei) in British Columbia (February 2008). The objective of this agreement, which is consistent with the draft Recovery Strategy produced by the Recovery Team for the WSOW, is to promote the long term maintenance (100 years) of WSOW in RDCO regional parks through protecting important habitat, managing identified threats, providing effective stewardship, and planning. Page 2 of 3 C:\Documents and Settings\maryjane\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\TCHYQCHH\WSOW Stewardship Agreement May GS Rpt_MK_Edit.doc

4 Western Screech Owl Stewardship Agreement Governance & Services Committee Meeting May 6 th, 2010 ANALYSIS In 2009/2010 the RDCO Board of Directors identified and focused on several new priorities in which the Directors feel the Regional District should be involved in order to help achieve the vision for the broader Regional Community. The RDCO Mission Statement has since been modified as follows The Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) will provide effective and efficient services that meet the needs of our citizens, in a manner that nurtures growth, opportunities, and prosperity, while maintaining and enhancing the unique Central Okanagan lifestyle and environment. Priority interest areas considered by the Regional Board of Directors included Growth Management, Climate Change, Intergovernmental Affairs and Hazard Management. Growth management takes into account sustainability goals and resource management; climate change raises concerns over understanding of its effects on our bio-region including biodiversity; intergovernmental affairs focuses on interaction with provincial ministries and agencies; and hazard management takes into account the need for coordinating roles aimed at mitigating the effects of identified hazards. Each of these priority areas has a role in and provides reasoning for the creation of a Stewardship Agreement for Western Screech Owl. The aims of the stewardship agreement include the management of sustainable resources to protect an endangered species supporting the bio-diversity of our region. The agreement is with the provincial government and could provide opportunities for future funding and NGO partnerships. Additionally, it could be argued that, losing an endangered species in our region is a unique type of environmental hazard that requires a regional coordinating role to mitigate. CONCLUSION In conclusion, Western Screech Owl Stewardship Agreement will assist in the recovery of a species at risk that resides in and near many of our Regional Parks. This fits within the mandate of RDCO Parks and the Ministry of Environment as well as the RDCO Mission and priority interest areas identified by the RDCO Board of Directors. Respectfully submitted, Cathy MacKenzie, RPF Park Operator Approved for inclusion Murray Kopp Director Parks Services Attachments: 1. Western Screech Owl Stewardship Agreement 2. WiTS Fact Sheet for Western Screech Owl Page 3 of 3 C:\Documents and Settings\maryjane\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\TCHYQCHH\WSOW Stewardship Agreement May GS Rpt_MK_Edit.doc

5 Western Screech Owl, macfarlanei subspecies Stewardship Agreement 2010 to 2014 The following parties commit to undertake all stewardship actions outlined in this document Approval Date: Regional District of Central Okanagan by its authorized signatories Authorized Signature Title Authorized Signature Title Regional Manager, Environmental Stewardship Division Okanagan Region, Ministry of Environment

6 Version: January 15, 2010 WESTERN SCREECH-OWL macfarlanei subspecies STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENT 1.0 Introduction The Ministry of Environment, Environmental Stewardship Division (MoE) has the mission to maintain and restore the natural biodiversity of provincial ecosystems, and fish and wildlife species and their habitat. The Regional District of Central Okanagan - Parks Services (RDCO) Regional Parks mandate is to provide a network of regional parks and trails which represent a complete range of ecosystems and regionally significant natural and human heritage features for the residents and visitors to the Central Okanagan. The regional parks program provides opportunities for experiences and activities that encourage public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of natural and cultural landscapes while ensuring the long term ecological and commemorative integrity of each park and trail. RDCO Parks Services is the lead agency for planning, operating and maintaining the system of regional parks in the Regional District of Central Okanagan. The Megascops kennicottii macfarlanei (Western Screech-owl, macfarlanei subspecies), was designated as an endangered species by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in May of 2002 (Ministry of Environment 2008). Currently, the Western Screech-owl (WSOW) is known to breed in and/or near four RDCO regional parks (Woodhaven, Mission Creek Greenway, Hardy Falls and Glen Canyon). Given the status and particular habitat requirements of the WSOW (see Appendix I for background information), careful management of this species and its habitat is required to ensure long term viable populations within all RDCO regional parks. In December 2008, MoE and RDCO Parks Services met and agreed that a WSOW stewardship agreement would assist in meeting each organization s mandate. Benefits to both agencies include: 7. ensuring measures are in place to protect WSOW; 8. developing a working relationship with each other; 9. developing a working relationship with other agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs); 10. developing, promoting and delivering educational and interpretive information on WSOW and riparian habitat protection to the public and park users; and 11. developing and refining of the Operational Best Management Practices specifically for regional parks to balance the needs for WSOW and habitat protection, public safety and recreational use along trails. 12. reduce the referral and permitting workload for staff in each agency through implementation of effective Operational Best Management Practices. The WSOW Stewardship Agreement is a living document between MoE and RDCO to address threats to, and provide protection for, the endangered WSOW within RDCO regional parks. This agreement is voluntary, and does not supersede any existing legislative requirements. The actions in this agreement are consistent with, or based upon, the Draft Recovery Strategy for the Western Screech Owl (Megascops kennicottii macfarlanei) in British Columbia (February 2008).

7 1.1 Objective The objective of this agreement, which is consistent with the draft Recovery Strategy, is to promote the long term maintenance (100 years) of WSOW in RDCO regional parks through protecting important habitat, managing identified threats, providing effective stewardship, and planning. 2.0 The Stewardship Agreement 2.1 Commitment The following section outlines ways to mitigate or remove the potential threats listed above in the RDCO regional parks while still considering public safety and recreational use. The commitments for each party are set out below. The signing of this agreement commits the MoE Ecosystems Staff and RDCO Parks Services Staff to follow these best management practices (BMP) between 2010 and MOE agrees to: Share data with RDCO Parks staff on WSOW inventory, habitat mapping, and anecdotal observations as new information comes available, subject to applicable data-sharing agreements (See Appendix I and II). Update RDCO Parks staff on WSOW status, and conservation and restoration priorities as information comes available. Provide WSOW educational materials if requested, including: Photos of screech owl Maps and/or UTMs of known nest and/or detection sites (for RDCO staff only) Power point presentation on WSOW biology and status Fact Sheet funding conditional o Assist RDCO with a project to identify nesting sites or sensitive habitat areas. Advise RDCO Parks Services Staff if MoE cannot follow requirements of stewardship agreement. RDCO agrees to: When dealing with hazardous trees adhere to the Operational Best Management Practices (Appendix II). Incorporate protection measures in WSOW riparian nesting and adjacent foraging habitat (once identified) into RDCO Regional Parks management and operational plans. o Plan to construct new roads/trails/facilities outside of known and potential cottonwood/water birch/paper birch/aspen WSOW nesting habitat. Incorporate new information into planning and operations as it comes available. Allow for natural regeneration of riparian cottonwoods/water birch/aspen vegetation communities where possible (i.e. wetlands and in areas that may naturally flood). Where possible, relocate existing trails that are in conflict with known WSOW nesting habitat. Inform and train new/seasonal staff and contractors on WSOW identification, habitat stewardship and the contents of this agreement. Support initiatives that promote the protection of WSOW nesting habitat and wildlife trees (including but not limited to monitoring, outreach, inventory, research, restoration). Submit any records of sightings/callings to MOE (see Key Contacts below) with UTM coordinates, date, time, description of vegetation, and any other pertinent information.!""# $%&""'() **

8 Advise MOE if RDCO Parks Services cannot follow requirements of stewardship agreement and/or Operational Best Management Practices (see Appendix II). 2.3 Agreement Term The term of the stewardship agreement between MoE and RDCO will be for a 5 year term (2010 to 2014) and effective from the date of approval. 2.4 Evaluation The commitment and operational best management practices evaluation of this agreement will be ongoing by both parties. However, at a minimum, there will be a review once a year by both parties. Monitoring the effectiveness of the stewardship agreement will be the responsibility of both parties. 3.0 Key Contacts 3.1 Ministry of Environment 1. Kirk Safford, Ecosystem Biologist (Primary Contact) 102 Industrial Place Penticton, BC V2A 7C8 Phone: Kirk.Safford@gov.bc.ca 2. Orville Dyer, Wildlife Biologist (Species at Risk specialist) 102 Industrial Place Penticton, BC V2A 7C8 Phone: Orville.Dyer@gov.bc.ca 3.2 RDCO Parks Services 1. Cathy MacKenzie, Forest Health Operator 1450 K.L.O. Road Kelowna, BC V1W 3Z4 Phone: Cathy.MacKenzie@cord.bc.ca 4.0 References COSEWIC COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the Western Screech-owl otus kennicottii in Canada. Committee on the status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vi+31pp. Western Screech-owl, macfarlanei subspecies Recovery Team Recovery Strategy for the Western Screech-Owl, macfarlanei subspecies (Megascops kennicotti macfarlanei) in British Columbia. Prepared for the B.C. Ministry of Environment, Victoria, B.C. 14pp. Davis, Helen and Richard Weir unpub tech. report. Western Screech-owl Conservation along the Shuswap River-Final Report. Artemis Wildlife Consultants. 97pp.

9 Demarchi Mike W. and Michael D. Bentley Best Management Practices for Raptor Conservation during Urban and Rural Land Development in British Columbia. Ministry of Environment. 137 pp. Wildlife Tree Committee of British Columbia (August revision). Wildlife/Danger Tree Assessor s Course Workbook: Parks and Recreation Sites Course Module. Ministry of Environment, BC Parks. Blackwell, B.A. & Associates Ltd Regional District of Central Okanagan Urban Forest Health Strategy Regional Parks. http;//

10 Appendix I Background on WSOW 1.0 Status Federally listed as Endangered + Provincially listed as Red, 2.0 Description of species (see photo on cover) and Habitat Requirements Small (19 26 cm) greyish brown owl with feather ear tufts on head; Breast and belly are pale with dark streaks, back brownish-grey with fine dark streaks; Call is a hooting noise that sounds like a number of low whistles that speed up towards the end (like a ball as it bounces to a stop); Pairs are resident throughout the year in their territory; Breeding timing - : o Begin calling in February and March; o Breed mid-march to early April; o Young fledge the nest in early June; o Fledged young leave the adults territory in late summer Average territory of 65 ha including 12 ha of riparian habitat, Usually found below 600 metres, but occur up to 1000 metres in elevation, in deciduous valley bottoms and low elevation riparian areas Nesting habitat is typically patches of black cottonwood, water birch and trembling aspen, with moderate to dense understory of shrubs Preferred nest trees are mature cottonwood and birch >30cm dbh with cavities of approximately 3 inches or greater, created by woodpeckers and/or decay Riparian and upland coniferous forest provide foraging habitat Preferred roosting habitat consists of a high density of large trees (conifer preferred), with considerable high-shrub cover and limited low-shrub cover. 3.0 Threats The draft Recovery Strategy for the WSOW ( identifies the following threats to WSOW: Habitat loss or degradation through urban, agricultural and hydroelectric development; livestock grazing and water use (reduced water tables). Accidental mortality through collisions with vehicles Changes in predator/prey dynamics. There may be increased predation on WSOW by Barred Owl as a result of Barred owl range expansion Pollution from pesticides MoE and RDCO staff have further refined the threats within the RDCO regional parks to be: removal of large veteran deciduous trees (for public safety) that WSOW use for nesting; historical alteration/degradation of vegetation and vegetation successional pathways in riparian areas (e.g. lack of birch and cottonwood riparian recruitment); +!. /, 01& ' - '2 " *

11 Appendix II Operational Best Management Practices Wildlife/danger trees are to be risk assessed consistent with the guidelines in the Wildlife/Danger Tree Assessor s Course Workbook: Park and Recreation Sites Avoid removing large diameter >30 cm dbh black cottonwood, birch and/or aspen trees in riparian areas, where possible. If removal of large diameter >30 cm dbh black cottonwood, birch and/or aspen trees in the riparian areas is unavoidable, and WSOW nesting or sensitive habitat areas are known to occur: Engage a Qualified Professional (QP) to confirm use or suitability of tree(s) for nesting, roosting, and any other habitat value of tree(s) if tree is to be removed; Where there are no alternatives, temporarily close trails during the breeding season (March 1 to August 25 3 ), or temporarily relocate existing trail(s) at least 50 m away from known or potential nest sites to avoid accidental mortality of eggs or young (see Wildlife Act below); RDCO will explore other operational and management options available (such as accepting the risk and monitoring) if trail cannot be closed during the breeding season or relocated temporarily; Outside of the breeding season, top or limb the tree, if it can be completed safely, without destroying the nest cavity or future nest trees Where removal can not be avoided, follow the Best Management Practices for Tree Topping, Limbing and Removal in Riparian Areas outside of breeding season. Leave downed tree(s) where possible to provided coarse woody debris (see RDCO Urban Forest Health Strategy for coarse woody debris accumulation targets). NOTE: All bird nest sites are protected while occupied under section 34 of the Wildlife Act. For details on legislation search here: Where hazard trees are a concern, and NO WSOW nesting or sensitive habitat areas are known to occur: Follow the Best Management Practices for Tree Topping, Limbing and Removal ( For coniferous tree species, follow the Best Management Practices for Tree Topping, Limbing and Removal in Riparian Areas. ( Do not remove or burn understory native vegetation unless a Qualified Professional has provided an ecosystem restoration/treatment prescription or fuel hazard reduction prescription. Maintain suitable future nesting habitat. o In sites where nesting habitat has been lost or degraded, nest boxes can be considered as an interim measures to maintain nesting options while habitat regenerates, or is restored (Nest box design can be provided). Do not use pesticide and herbicide treatments in riparian areas. 3!) 45 ) ""&'$ 6%$7 '&)