NET CONSERVATION BENEFIT Clause Samples
NET CONSERVATION BENEFIT. The Permittee agrees to voluntarily manage the enrolled lands in a manner designed to provide a net conservation benefit to the covered species, by implementing the conservation measures described in this Agreement aimed at increasing species populations while enhancing, restoring, and maintaining suitable habitat. It is anticipated that the net conservation benefit will be sufficient to contribute, directly or indirectly, to recovery of the covered species, after taking into account the length of the Agreement and any off-setting adverse effects of authorized take. Although the activities stipulated in this Agreement may not permanently conserve or recover covered species populations or their habitats, it does provide important benefits to the covered species including, but not limited to the following: maintenance, restoration, and enhancement of suitable habitat; maintenance and increase of population numbers or distributions; increase in habitat connectivity; reduction of habitat fragmentation; insurance against catastrophic events; establishment of buffers for other protected areas; creation of areas for testing and implementing new conservation strategies; and public education concerning threatened and endangered species and ways to preserve them. The Parties anticipate that this Agreement will result in an increased number and/or distribution of the covered species; and/or an increase in the total area of occupied suitable habitat; and/or an increase in the amount of habitat suitable for foraging, roosting, and/or breeding, within the enrolled lands. The Agreement will also provide an example of a mutually beneficial relationship between government agencies for the benefit of endangered and threatened species, and may provide evidence that such species can coexist with current land-use practices. The Tres ▇▇▇▇ habitat restoration project involved creating approximately 221 and 61 acres of wetlands and associated habitats for the covered species within the FRW and OBW facilities, respectively, and approximately 175 acres of in-channel desert river vegetation. The restoration efforts included many different types of native plant species. The following associations have been made based upon the identified species within this Agreement. The rail requires habitat along stream sides or marshlands associated with heavy riparian and wetland vegetation, especially cattail and bulrush. The flycatcher uses dense riparian environments, open water, and marshes...
NET CONSERVATION BENEFIT. Historically, LCT occurred in what were considered networked populations or metapopulations (Ray et al. 2000; USFWS 1995), which refers to a collection of discrete local breeding populations. The potential for networked populations to persist despite local catastrophes has long been recognized (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1958; Andrewartha and Birch 1954). Networked populations are those where individuals experience different environmental conditions at different locations but are capable of moving between these locations at sufficient rates to modulate population fluctuations that might otherwise lead to local extinction (Ray et al. 2000). The presence of several subpopulations increases the probability that at least one will survive through periods of disturbance and consequently protect the genetic variation available for adaptation to change. One of the recovery actions identified in the 1995 Recovery Plan and State Management Plan was securing at risk populations of LCT within the Northwest DPS. This objective was achieved by reintroducing LCT into several isolated streams within the DPS. These reintroductions accomplished several important recovery tasks: preserving unique LCT genetic material and decreasing risks to the original LCT populations from severe environmental perturbations (i.e. fire and drought). As LCT recovery continues, these isolated populations have become extremely important for providing source LCT to repopulate the networked populations. Research shows LCT population persistence is associated with the ability to maintain connectivity among populations, i.e., networked populations. A networked system is defined as an interconnected, stream and/or stream-lake system in which individuals can migrate from or disperse into areas from which fish have been extirpated (Ray et al. 2000). This ability to disperse and repopulate habitats allows populations to persist (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 2003; ▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇; ▇▇▇ et al. 2000; ▇▇▇▇▇▇ et al. 1997). Periodic repopulation by upstream or downstream sources enabled LCT to survive extreme circumstances and provided for genetic exchange (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 2003). The conservation measures associated with this Agreement will contribute, directly and/or indirectly, to recovery of LCT. Private lands comprise only a small portion of the stream habitats within the recovery stream systems. However, LCT use private land areas to access many miles of publicly owned stream habitats for recovery activities that are curren...
NET CONSERVATION BENEFIT. In accordance with the Service’s Safe Harbor Policy (64 FR 32717), “net conservation benefit” means that management activities that are part of the Agreement are expected to provide an increase in the Covered Species’ population or distribution, and/or the enhancement, restoration, or maintenance of Covered Species habitat. The net conservation benefit will be sufficient to directly or indirectly contribute to recovery of the Covered Species. Implementation of activities to enhance and restore ponds and their associated aquatic, wetland, and adjacent upland habitats would be beneficial to California red-legged frogs and California tiger salamanders, and the creation of additional breeding ponds would be highly beneficial to these populations at the Park. Controlling non-native vegetation within the coastal terrace prairie grasslands and supporting an increase in number and distribution of native grasses and shrubs (i.e., seacliff buckwheat and coast buckwheat) would be beneficial to the ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ blue butterfly. Maintaining and supporting the current population of ▇▇▇▇▇’▇ piperia and its habitat at the Park, and increasing its numbers and distribution, would be beneficial to ▇▇▇▇▇’▇ piperia. The District will carry out activities, as identified in Part 5 of this Agreement, to benefit the Covered Species and ▇▇▇▇▇’▇ piperia within the Enrolled Property. The California tiger salamander population at the Park is not known to be hybridized with non- native tiger salamanders (▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ and Associates, Inc. 2008); an increasingly rare occurrence along the Central Coast. Developing and implementing activities that would enable the increase in number of California tiger salamanders and the opportunity to increase its distribution at the Park would be highly beneficial to the California tiger salamander along the Central Coast. The District has developed a management plan for the grasslands at the Enrolled Property (McGraw 2007). Under this plan, the grasslands within the Enrolled Property will be managed in a manner to benefit the ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ blue butterfly, including the management of cattle grazing. Cattle grazing is an important component of grassland management to control non-native invasive vegetation, particularly non-native annual grasses. Reducing the threat of the reduction in suitable habitat for ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ blue butterfly as a result of non-native invasive plants out- competing its host plants and other native grassland vegetation is beneficial to the ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ ...
NET CONSERVATION BENEFIT. Reintroduction efforts will increase the range and population above the baseline or existing condition and thus result in a clear conservation benefit to the covered species. Any adverse effects on these reintroduced populations from the effects of transporting covered species to reintroduction sites, land uses on the enrolled properties, and species and habitat monitoring are expected to be minor and short term, reducing the benefits provided by the reintroduction itself only slightly. This SHA/CCAA Agreement assumes that, in most instances, there will be a baseline population or existing population of zero for the covered species on each enrolled property; as a result, reintroduction will not result in an adverse effect on a local or regional population. All successful reintroduction efforts where there is no known existing population are reasonably expected to provide a net conservation benefit to the covered species. This SHA/CCAA Agreement also allows for the reintroduction of propagated individuals, or translocation of naturally born individuals, to a property with an existing small population (the purpose of translocations and reintroductions is to help restore or supplement populations where they have been lost or depleted). In these instances, there is potential for impacts on the native population as a result of genetic differences or intraspecies competition. As discussed in
NET CONSERVATION BENEFIT. The Parties anticipate this Agreement will result in the creation of suitable habitat for the Damselfly in the Conservation Area, and result in an increase in the number, distribution, and/or total area of occupied suitable habitat of the Damselfly in their range. Without these Conservation Management activities, the Conservation Area would not otherwise be utilized by the Damselfly in the foreseeable future. The Parties expect this Agreement to result in the following conservation benefits to the Covered Species: establishment of new habitat for the Covered Species where none currently exists; establishment of a protected, fenced, ungulate-free area with aquatic breeding habitat maintained free of predatory fish for the Damselfly; establishment of a new population of the Damselfly; establishment of a fenced, ungulate-free, and predator-controlled habitat containing surface water for Hawaiian Coot and Hawaiian Stilt; establishment of forage, cover, and potential nesting resources for the Yellow-Faced Bee; increased ranges for Covered Species thereby helping to protect against catastrophic loss of the species; decreased predator populations and abatement of ecological damage precipitated by ungulates and invasive plant species; increased collaborative recovery efforts between the Service, DLNR, and Pūlama Lānaʻi; and increased opportunity for environmental education and conservation public outreach. The Parties have determined that measures listed above are expected to benefit more individuals of Covered Species than will be taken by managment actions during the term of the Agreement.
NET CONSERVATION BENEFIT. Implementation of this Agreement is expected to provide a “net conservation benefit” to the unarmored threespine stickleback and mountain yellow-legged frog. ‘‘Net conservation benefit’’ means the cumulative benefits of the management activities identified in a Safe Harbor Agreement that provide for an increase in a species’ population and/or the enhancement, restoration, or maintenance of covered species’ suitable habitat within the enrolled property, taking into account the length of the Agreement and any off-setting adverse effects attributable to the incidental taking allowed by the enhancement of survival permit. Net conservation benefits must be sufficient to contribute, either directly or indirectly, to the recovery of the covered species. Based on TWC’s Agreement to continue with management complementary to reestablishment efforts, along with its management actions to reduce any potential conflicts with those efforts, this Agreement is expected to both directly and indirectly benefit the unarmored threespine stickleback and mountain yellow-legged frog. The indirect benefits are principally the beneficial and important information to be gained about methods to facilitate the species’ recovery. Specifically, upon the initial release of unarmored threespine stickleback and mountain yellow- legged frogs, we expect that there will be a net conservation benefit from the information collected regarding the survival of reestablished individuals that will help us evaluate the feasibility of reestablishments as a recovery measure, specific release methodologies, and interactions between the two species. This information is likely to be gained within the first 5 years of reestablishment efforts. In addition, as a result of the evaluation of reestablishments of this species as a recovery measure, unarmored threespine stickleback and mountain yellow- legged frogs are likely to directly benefit by becoming established within the project area, which would help guard these species from extinction and provide benefits for the duration of the permit (i.e., 30 years), even if those new populations would be impacted to some degree by recreation, restoration, and vegetation management. In addition, for unarmored threespine stickleback, reestablishment would support measure 2.22 (i.e., establish additional populations, as appropriate) from the recovery plan (Service 1985). For mountain yellow-legged frog, reestablishment would support measure 6.5 (i.e., reestablish or a...
NET CONSERVATION BENEFIT. The Enrolled Properties contribute to the conservation and recovery of the Oregon chub by enhancing the quantity and/or quality of suitable habitat for existing natural populations or for new populations at refugia sites. Certain Enrolled Properties will increase the distribution of the Oregon chub within its historic range through the establishment of new, self-sustaining populations or through habitat improvements and flow management that promote natural movement of existing populations into previously inaccessible or unsuitable habitats. Management actions undertaken on the Enrolled Properties by the ODFW and Cooperators and described in this Agreement are beneficial to the Oregon chub and are consistent with the goals of recovery and long-term survival.
NET CONSERVATION BENEFIT. Based on the results from similar releases on Kauai and in West Maui, the duration of this Agreement is considered sufficient to establish an additional nene population on Piiholo Ranch. After an initial release of 32 birds in 1995 in the Kalalau Valley on Kauai, that population grew to a population of 70 as of 2002, and following an initial release of 22 nene in Hanaula in 1995 and supplemented with further releases, the population has also grown to just over 70 birds (DOFAW, unpublished data, 2003), therefore it expected that the population on Piiholo Ranch should reach 75 birds over the 10-year Agreement period It is expected that some percentage of the nene released under the Agreement, and their progeny, will survive upon expiration or termination of the Agreement and that a percentage of nene will remain on the property for the permit term and beyond. Adult birds may be able to seek out suitable habitat on their own outside the release area, while young birds may be available for translocation to other locations on Maui, if needed. The Parties reasonably expect this Agreement will result in an increase in the number of nene on Maui and an increase in the total area of suitable habitat on private lands utilized by nene. Without this cooperative government/private landowner effort, these lands would not otherwise be utilized by nene in the foreseeable future. It will also provide an example of a mutually beneficial relationship between government agencies and a private landowner to the benefit of an endangered species, and evidence that nene can coexist with current land use practices. Therefore, the cumulative impact of this Agreement and the activities it covers, which are facilitated by the allowable incidental take, will provide a net benefit to the species. By extending the term of the Incidental Take License and Enhancement of Survival Permit beyond the terms of the Agreement, the Ranch may defer returning the property/species to baseline conditions when the Agreement expires. Nene will therefore, continue to benefit from any ongoing or residual conservation advantages for an additional 40 years. Furthermore, it offers flexibility to the Ranch who may be pleased with the results of managing for nene on their property, have no immediate need to return to baseline, and will be, therefore, interested in having nene on the Ranch premises for a longer period of time. The Ranch will notify DLNR and the Service in advance of conducting any activities wh...
NET CONSERVATION BENEFIT. Historically, Lahontan cutthroat trout occurred in what were considered networked populations or metapopulations (Ray et al. 2000; USFWS 1995), which refers to a collection of discrete local breeding populations. The potential for networked populations to persist despite local catastrophes has long been recognized (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1958; Andrewartha and Birch 1954). Networked populations are those where individuals experience different environmental conditions at different locations but are capable of moving between these locations at sufficient rates to modulate population fluctuations that might otherwise lead to local extinction (Ray et al. 2000). The presence of several subpopulations increases the probability that at least one will survive through periods of disturbance and consequently protect the genetic variation available for adaptation to change. One of the recovery actions identified in the 1995 Recovery Plan and the Lahontan Subbasins Fish Management Plan was securing at-risk populations of Lahontan cutthroat trout within the Northwest Geographic Management Unit (▇▇▇▇▇▇ et al. 1993). This objective was achieved by reintroducing Lahontan cutthroat trout into several isolated streams within the Northwest Geographic Management Unit, working with the Trout Creek Mountain Working Group to improve habitat in the ▇▇▇▇▇ (McDermitt) and Coyote Lake basins, as well as introducing Lahontan cutthroat trout to isolated streams in the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ basin. These reintroductions and introductions accomplished several important recovery tasks: preserving unique Lahontan cutthroat trout genetic material and decreasing risks to the original Lahontan cutthroat trout populations from severe environmental perturbations (i.e., fire and drought). As Lahontan cutthroat trout recovery continues, these isolated populations have (or may) become extremely important for providing source Lahontan cutthroat trout to repopulate the networked populations. Research shows Lahontan cutthroat trout population persistence is associated with the ability to maintain connectivity among populations, i.e., networked populations. A networked system is defined as an interconnected stream and/or stream-lake system in which individuals can migrate from or disperse into areas from which fish have been extirpated (Ray et al. 2000). The ability to disperse and repopulate habitats allows populations to persist in environments in which randomly occurring disturbances may impact the Lahontan cutthroat trout habi...
NET CONSERVATION BENEFIT. The items listed below are specific “tasks” in the recovery plans intended to lead to recovery and eventual downlisting of Gila topminnow and desert pupfish (USFWS 1993, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1998). Level 1 (Tier 1) populations are natural populations occupying historic habitat “and which were not know to have been placed in those habitats by humans” (USFWS 1993). Level 2 and Level 3 populations have been reintroduced by humans into habitat within historic range. Level 2 populations occur in natural habitats and should receive a high degree of protection and only require minor management to persist. Level 3 populations occur in highly modified or man- made habitats, and may require extensive management to maintain them (USFWS 1993, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1998). Implementation of this Agreement will contribute to recovery of Gila topminnow and desert pupfish in the following ways: • Provide a refugium or Level 3 populations of Gila topminnow and desert pupfish which could act as a source of fish for reintroduction efforts; • Provide sources of Level 3 topminnow and pupfish for use in genetic exchanges between Level 2 (topminnow only) or Level 3 (for both species) populations; • Provide study sites for research related to life-history, genetics, ecology, habitat requirements, and interactions with non-native aquatic species; and, • Provide convenient sites for education and public relations related to endangered species recovery, conservation of limited resources, and ecology in general.