Friday, March 5, 2010
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A sweeping but voluntary plan to restore the health of more than 17,000 acres of San Pablo and Suisun Bay tidal marshes will be the focus of a public workshop by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), beginning at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9 in the PRBO San Francisco Bay Center, 3820 Cypress Drive, Petaluma.
The draft plan, released by the FWS last month, lays out a 50-year roadmap to bring the marshes back to health, and the native species depend on the marshes. A public comment period runs through June 10, providing time for interested parties to contribute their thoughts and ideas for the plan. The March 9 workshop will be informal, a short overview presentation with an opportunity to talk directly with FWS biologists who developed it.
The draft tidal marsh recovery plan covers marshes from Humboldt Bay to Morro Bay. But at the Petaluma workshop FWS biologists will be prepared to focus on nearby areas - San Pablo Bay, Suisun Bay and tidal marshes along the Marin coast.
Six federally-protected species are the direct focus of the plan -- the California clapper rail, the salt marsh harvest mouse and four rare plants. By helping those species, the plan also will improve conditions for 11 other imperiled species that do not have formal protection under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), including song sparrows, shrews and voles. Tidal marshes provide a rich biological habitat, supporting many species of native animals and plants.
"But only eight per cent of the San Francisco Bay's historic tidal marshes remain viable today," explains Susan Moore, Field Supervisor in the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office. "Along much of the Bay the natural width of the tidal marshes has been reduced drastically, sometimes to just a few yards.
"The voluntary revitalization of our tidal marshes is a huge challenge that needs the support and efforts of many people and organizations. Fortunately, there is a great awareness and affection for the San Francisco Bay that can bring many people and groups together to help recover some of our tidal marshes. We look forward to working with the community in this recovery effort," Moore emphasized.
Recovery plans are entirely voluntary, long-range strategies to help protected species increase their populations, with the ultimate goal of enabling them to be removed from protected status. The draft plan lays out a 50-year timeline to achieve its goals. A wide range of actions are envisioned, including habitat restoration and protection, surveys and research, achieved with broad public cooperation and coordination.
Habitat loss is the most obvious challenge, because so much tidal marsh has been lost or degraded. In some areas the remaining marsh is only a few yards wide and the potential for sea level rise threatens even that. Other threats include invasive plants and animals, such as non-native red foxes and smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora). Even overuse of tidelands by people who enjoy the bayshore can have an adverse impact on some tidal marsh species.
Full information about the plan can be found at http://www.fws.gov/sacramento/ . The plan can be downloaded at https://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/TMRP_Intro_1.pdf .
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
The draft plan, released by the FWS last month, lays out a 50-year roadmap to bring the marshes back to health, and the native species depend on the marshes. A public comment period runs through June 10, providing time for interested parties to contribute their thoughts and ideas for the plan. The March 9 workshop will be informal, a short overview presentation with an opportunity to talk directly with FWS biologists who developed it.
The draft tidal marsh recovery plan covers marshes from Humboldt Bay to Morro Bay. But at the Petaluma workshop FWS biologists will be prepared to focus on nearby areas - San Pablo Bay, Suisun Bay and tidal marshes along the Marin coast.
Six federally-protected species are the direct focus of the plan -- the California clapper rail, the salt marsh harvest mouse and four rare plants. By helping those species, the plan also will improve conditions for 11 other imperiled species that do not have formal protection under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), including song sparrows, shrews and voles. Tidal marshes provide a rich biological habitat, supporting many species of native animals and plants.
"But only eight per cent of the San Francisco Bay's historic tidal marshes remain viable today," explains Susan Moore, Field Supervisor in the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office. "Along much of the Bay the natural width of the tidal marshes has been reduced drastically, sometimes to just a few yards.
"The voluntary revitalization of our tidal marshes is a huge challenge that needs the support and efforts of many people and organizations. Fortunately, there is a great awareness and affection for the San Francisco Bay that can bring many people and groups together to help recover some of our tidal marshes. We look forward to working with the community in this recovery effort," Moore emphasized.
Recovery plans are entirely voluntary, long-range strategies to help protected species increase their populations, with the ultimate goal of enabling them to be removed from protected status. The draft plan lays out a 50-year timeline to achieve its goals. A wide range of actions are envisioned, including habitat restoration and protection, surveys and research, achieved with broad public cooperation and coordination.
Habitat loss is the most obvious challenge, because so much tidal marsh has been lost or degraded. In some areas the remaining marsh is only a few yards wide and the potential for sea level rise threatens even that. Other threats include invasive plants and animals, such as non-native red foxes and smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora). Even overuse of tidelands by people who enjoy the bayshore can have an adverse impact on some tidal marsh species.
Full information about the plan can be found at http://www.fws.gov/sacramento/ . The plan can be downloaded at https://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/TMRP_Intro_1.pdf .
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
Contact:
Al Donner, 916-414-6566, al_donner@fws.gov , 916-712-2004 (cell)
Al Donner, 916-414-6566, al_donner@fws.gov , 916-712-2004 (cell)
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