1. Survey Protocol and an Interim Species Conservation Strategy for Plecotus Townsendii in the Blue Mountains of Oregon and Washington
- Author
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J. Mark Perkins, Tim Schommer and J. Mark Perkins, Tim Schommer
- Abstract
Survey Protocol and Interim Species Conservation Strategy for Pacific western big-eared bat (Plecotus Townsendii) was developed for Forest Service biologists who are involved in field surveys and bat conservation in the Blue Mountains. Though designed for the Wallowa Whitman, Malheur, and Umatilla National Forests, it may be useful throughout eastern Washington and Oregon, and western Idaho. The goals of this document are to (1) summarize current knowledge of Townsends big-eared bat biology, (2) review survey methods and recommend the best methods, and (J) provide management recommendations aimed to conserve the species and its habitat. In the future, as more field data is gathered, this interim document will be updated. This document is not a final conservation strategy or a recovery plan for the species. A biological evaluation must be prepared for all projects occurring on lands administered by the USDA Forest Service to assess the potential impacts to all PETS species and their habitats. If Townsends big-eared bat or suitable habitat exists within a proposed project, a field reconnaissance will be conducted under a sampling design sufficient to state that likely areas were searched at the proper time. The purpose of this document is to assist the district biologists in accomplishing this task.