Scientists call for phase-out of lead hunting ammunition

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

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Condor recovery efforts have been hampered in part by numerous cases of lead poisoning. Photo courtesy USFWS.

California considers ban, as studies show that switching to non-lead ammunition is viable

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Ammunition used by hunters is probably the biggest single source of toxic lead in the environment, according to a statement from leading scientists, who said that lead ammo  poses a serious danger to people and wildlife and ought to be phased out.

Lead is an extremely toxic substance that is dangerous to people and wildlife even at low levels. Lead exposure can cause a range of health effects, from acute poisoning and death to long-term problems such as reduced reproduction, inhibition of growth, and damage to neurological development. (more…)

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Environment: Draft federal plan for oil exploration off the Southeastern seaboard seen as flawed

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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A new federal study could lead to new fossil fuel development in the Atlantic off the Southeast coast.

Impacts of seismic surveying to marine mammals a major concern

By Bob Berwyn

FRISCO — Conservation groups say a draft federal plan authorizing oil exploration off the Eastern Seaboard doesn’t do enough to protect marine mammals — and they have support from a bipartisan group of Florida lawmakers concerned about impacts to the economies of coastal communities.

At this stage, the issue is seismic testing with airguns to explore the ocean floor for potential oil deposits. The legislators from the U.S. House and Senate sent President Obama a letter urging him to reject the use of airguns.

According to a recent report from Oceana, an international ocean conservation group, the use of airguns for seismic surveying has widespread impacts on marine mammals, even at great distances.

“We are understanding more and more that the noise can disrupt entire populations,” said Oceana biologist Matthew Huelsenbeck, adding that the operations appear to planned in areas used by endangered northern right whales. (more…)

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Biodiversity: More wolf turmoil in the Southwest

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Feds back away from plan to capture wolves that cross the border from Mexico

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Wolves crossing the border from Mexico into the southwestern U.S. won’t be trapped and held in captivity, at least for now.

According the Center for Biological Diversity, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has rescinded a permit it had granted itself and other federal and state agencies to trap wolves that cross into Arizona and New Mexico from Mexico.

The agency hasn’t made a formal announcement, but contacted attorneys for the environmental groups, said Michael Robinson, a wolf conservation advocated with the Center for Biological Diversity. (more…)

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USFWS to consider endangered species listing for woodpeckers that rely on post-fire habitat

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Black-backed woodpeckers rely on recently burned forests for habitat. Photo courtesy Wikimedia.

Salvage logging, fire suppression seen as key threats

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — U.S. Forest Service programs touted as forest health work may be the the primary threats to two populations of black-backed woodpeckers that rely on post-fire habitat.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this week said it will consider those threats to the rare birds in California, Oregon and the Black Hills of South Dakota as it decides whether to protect the birds under the Endangered Species Act based on a petition requesting protection.

Some of the primary threats to the populations that were included in the petition include post-disturbance salvage logging, active fire suppression that limits the acreage and severity of fires each year, and forest thinning programs.

“This is the first time in the history of the Endangered Species Act that the government has initiated steps to protect a wildlife species that depends upon stands of fire-killed trees,” said Dr. Chad Hanson, an ecologist and black-backed woodpecker expert. “We are pleased to see the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognize the naturalness and ecological importance of this post-fire habitat.” (more…)

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Biodiversity: Local governments to collaborate on Gunnison sage-grouse conservation as federal listing looms

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Critical habitat proposal spurs local concerns

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Apart from a stronghold in the Gunnison Basin, Gunnison sage-grouse have dwindled across their historic range. Map courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

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Gunnison sage-grouse. Photo courtesy BLM.

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Concern over a federal proposal to add Gunnison sage-grouse to the Endangered Species List and designate 1.7 million acres of critical habitat in Colorado and Utah has spurred local governments to sign on to a regional collaborative conservation effort aimed at protecting the birds.

The memorandum of understanding doesn’t actually commit the various counties to do anything specific other than talk to each other, but Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) said it lays the foundation for the region to continue to work together toward a solution for the appropriate protection of the Gunnison sage-grouse and its habitat.

In January, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said the best available science indicates that the Gunnison sage-grouse is in danger of extinction and needs the protection of the Endangered Species Act. (more…)

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Scientists eye protection for largest Balkan lake

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
This picture shows Spring Karuč on the bottom of Skadar Lake.

This picture shows Spring Karuč on the bottom of Skadar Lake. Photo via the Creative Commons.

Discovery of new snail species highlights lake’s biodiversity

By Summit Voice

FRISCO —Scientists in the Balkans are hoping the discovery of a new snail species will help spur greater conservation efforts at Skadar Lake, the largest on the Balkan Peninsula.

“Ancient lakes are among the most vulnerable and threatened ecosystems, and their faunas are frequently under extreme anthropogenic pressure,” said University of Montenegro researcher Vladimir Pešić. “The small range of many endemic species living in the Skadar Lake system, together with ever increasing human pressure, make its fauna highly endangered,” Pešić said, describing the lake as a regional biodiversity hotspot. (more…)

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Colorado: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acknowledges lynx mistakes in Breckenridge Ski Area’s Peak 6 expansion plan

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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A transplanted Canada lynx watches a Colorado Division of Wildlife biologist. Photo courtesy Tanya Shenk/ Colorado Division of Wildlife.

Federal approval missed a key step in addressing requirements of Endangered Species Act

Click here to read all Summit Voice Peak 6 stories

By Bob Berwyn

FRISCO — Federal biologists have acknowledged that they left out a key step in their approval of the proposed Peak 6 ski area expansion at Breckenridge, a project that would degrade a patch of lynx habitat in the Tenmile Range.

“We reviewed the … biological opinion, and we agree that our incidental take statement lacks a meaningful mechanism to reinitiate consultation if the project exceeds the anticipated incidental take,” U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Western Colorado Supervisor Patricia Gelatt wrote in a March 6 letter responding to a formal legal notice from Rocky Mountain Wild and the Blue River Group of the Sierra Club.

Gelatt said her agency plans to meet with the Forest Service and modify its biological opinion to address the deficiencies before the Notice of Intent expires on April 19, but she didn’t explain how agency biologists missed including the required regulatory mechanisms after discussing the expansion with the Forest Service for several years. (more…)

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Cold-weather lizards facing climate crunch

Posted on March 9, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Dozens of species could be doomed to extinction

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Climate change is likely to drive dozens of lizard species to extinction. Photo courtesy USFWS.

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Lizards that give birth to live young may be headed for a climatic cul-de-sac in the next 50 years, according to a new study by scientists with the University of Exeter and the University of Lincoln.

“Climate change must not be underestimated as a threat to modern patterns of biodiversity,” said University of Exeter biologist Dr. Dave Hodgson. “Our work shows that lizard species which birth live young instead of laying eggs are restricted to cold climates in South America …  high in the Andes or towards the South Pole. As the climate warms, we predict that these special lizard species will be forced to move upwards and towards the pole, with an increased risk of extinction.”

The viviparous lizards — one of the most diverse groups of vertebrates on earth — have been able to adapt to cooler ecological niches, but their evolutionary adaptation means they remain restricted to cold climates. (more…)

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Feds extend comment period on Gunnison sage-grouse

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Will political meddling outweigh conservation science?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed designating about 1.7 million acres of critical habitat for Gunnison sage-grouse in Colorado and Utah.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed designating about 1.7 million acres of critical habitat for Gunnison sage-grouse in Colorado and Utah.

Gunnison sage-grouse. Photo courtesy BLM.

Gunnison sage-grouse. Photo courtesy BLM.

By Bob Berwyn

FRISCO — With only about 4,000 to 5,000 Gunnison sage-grouse left in a few population pockets in Utah and Colorado, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided in January to list the birds as an endangered species. At the same time, the federal agency proposed designating about 1.7 million acres of critical habitat for the birds.

The announcement elicited a critical response from state wildlife officials and local stakeholders, who say they’ve developed locally based conservation plans that will help protect the birds.

Since then, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and other lawmakers have urged the USFWS to extend the public comment period on the listing and critical habitat proposals to give affected communities more time to weigh in on the federal plans. (more…)

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Biodiversity: Congress steps into wolf conservation fray

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Letter asks U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to keep protection in place

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A congressional faction is pushing back against wolf de-listing. Photo courtesy USFWS.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Two leading congressional Democrats are leading an effort to maintain protection for wolves across the United States.

Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), along with 52 House members this week sent a letter to the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service urging an about-face on the agency’s anticipated proposal to remove federal protections for wolves across most of the lower 48 United States.

Wolf populations have recovered in places like the northern Rockies, but those areas only cover about 5 percent of the species’ original range. Before they were exterminated by humans, an estimated 2 million wolves roamed across most of the U.S. (more…)

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