Development of the Shorebird Management Plan (SMP)
Each shorebird management plan should address project-specific requirements as well as regional impacts and requirements for shorebird protection. While this plan should address site-specific impacts to shorebirds and their habitats due to the beach nourishment, local governments, land managers, and conservation organizations can use this plan to assess and manage shorebirds regionally. Site-specific Information to be Included in the SMP As Needed 1. Historical shorebird use of the site and whether the project area encompasses critical areas for shorebirds (known nesting sites, wintering grounds, FWCdesignated Critical Wildlife Areas, and USFWS-designated critical piping plover habitat). 2. Pre-construction survey results assessing use by shorebirds. 3. Management of shorebirds during construction: establishment of buffer areas; posting signs; educational information; etc. 4. Monitoring methods for shorebirds during construction. 5. Coordination with sea turtle monitoring activities. 6. Expected impacts to shorebird populations on site during construction a. Potential impacts, causes, and reasons those impacts cannot be avoided b. Proposed activities to mitigate effects from expected impacts 7. Expected regional impacts to shorebird populations (impacts outside the construction zone; e.g., models of sediment movement in the region). 8. Post-construction management options a. Tilling may provide a management tool for limiting growth of vegetation on certain nesting sites and to provide a wide, flat area conducive to shorebird nesting. b. Planting and placement of native vegetation may be required to reduce wind disturbance. Only salt-resistant native vegetation should be planted. The plan should indicate what species, where, and at what density vegetation will be planted. 9. Post-construction Monitoring of Shorebirds – To assess shorebird use of the project area following completion of the project, postconstruction monitoring should continue for no less than 1 year and up to 5 years or until shorebird activity meets or exceeds equivalent pre-project activity levels. 10. Planned activities or projects to mitigate impacts caused by construction (see below for recommended activities)
Shorebird Management Plan Guidelines February 1, 2007 Page 2 FWC Coordination: The FWC point of contact for obtaining agency input is through the Bureau of Protected Species, administrator for marine turtle management (Dr. Robbin Trindell). Internal coordination of shorebird management plans will be as follows. A review of the need for a shorebird management plan, and, where required, the development of the plan will be coordinated through the FWC’s, Division of Wildlife, avian coordinator for water birds (Dr. James Rogers). Input on management plan content will be solicited and compiled from the appropriate Regional BWDC and OES field office staff responsible for the area where the site occurs, and from other internal or external subject-matter experts as needed. The avian water bird coordinator would then work through the Bureau of Protected Species, administrator for marine turtle management, Dr. Robbin Trindell, to provide agency comments and recommendations to outside agencies (e.g. DEP, Park Service or other entities). Utilizing the administrator for marine turtle management will maintain involvement of FWC staff familiar with DEP permit provision and beach renourishment issues as well as ensure that any shorebird management recommendations are complimentary to turtle management concerns. The avian waterbird coordinator will apprise appropriate field and regional staff of recommended and final shorebird related provisions incorporated into DEP beach renourishment permits. The Office of Environmental Services director will be copied on all emails and correspondence regarding the development of shorebird management plans. Implementation and Interagency Coordination The permittee, in conjunction with the land management entity as appropriate, is responsible for developing a Shorebird Management Plan (SMP) and for having any necessary post- nourishment management or monitoring activities conducted in the project site. The permittee is expected to coordinate management and monitoring activities with FWC staff as necessary to ensure those activities are necessary and appropriate for the site (it should be recognized that FWC staff will be more directly involved at some sites than others, based on historical use of those sites by shorebird populations). The plan should clearly specify the activities or tasks that will be conducted under the plan as well as specify which of those activities will be conducted by the local sponsor, state and federal agencies, volunteers, and other non- governmental agencies. Documents from the appropriate agencies, individuals, or groups indicating their commitment to undertake the work should be submitted with the plan. For multi-season or multi- year projects, any planned changes in procedures over time should be explained. The SMP should state whether any post- nourishment management or monitoring would be needed and why or why not. The SMP should be included with the permit application. Potential Mitigation for Impacts to Shorebirds In situations where beach nourishment or dredging operations are expected to negatively impact shorebird populations, activities shall be undertaken to mitigate those impacts.
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Options to Enhance or Restore Existing Nesting Habitat: 1. Conduct appropriate management activities ( e.g., plant appropriate native vegetation to increase cover or to reduce wind disturbance; reduce or remove excess vegetation cover to create more open habitat; undertake predator control where predators have been determined to be the limiting factor in nesting success) or provide funds for such activities at one or more shorebird nesting sites. 2. Modify the topography of the substrate at one or more shorebird nesting sites (i.e., add sand, restore dunes, smooth or create undulations in sand, etc.) or fund this work. 3. Options to Create Additional Nesting Habitat: a. Place sand or other materials to create suitable nesting substrate adjacent to one or more existing shorebird nesting sites (site expansion) if appropriate, at one or more other, protected sites (site creation), or fund this work. b. Modify the topography of the substrate (i.e., add sand, restore dunes or create smooth or create undulations in sand, etc.) or the vegetative cover to create suitable nesting substrate adjacent to one or more existing shorebird nesting sites (site expansion) or provide funds for such a project. 4. Produce Educational Materials to Increase Public Awareness: c. Develop or partner with agencies or NGOs to develop and print brochures to increase public awareness of shorebird issues by giving them to people using beach areas near important shorebird sites d. Develop or partner with agencies or NGOs to develop and produce signs or kiosks to increase public awareness of shorebird issues by posting the signs at beach areas near important shorebird sites. Additional Options for Shorebird Protection and Management Work to Increase Protection or Monitoring of Important Nesting or Feeding/Loafing Sites: 1. Partner with state, county, or local agencies to enhance management of one or more existing sites. 2. Partner with state, county, or local agencies to implement needed surveys of shorebird populations, their foraging resources, or habitats. 3. Provide disturbance free zones in primary loafing and feeding areas through posting and/or education during critical times of the year.