NWAEP Lunch & Learn - Update on the Mazama Pocket Gopher listing (USFWS)

NWAEP Lunch & Learn

Live in Seattle

Webcast in PDX

Mazama Pocket Gophers in Thurston and Pierce Counties, WA:  Species Listing and Critical Habitat Designation, and Navigating Sections 7 & 10 of the Endangered Species Act

Four subspecies of Mazama pocket gopher were listed as threatened in April 2014, and critical habitat was designated for 3 of the 4 subspecies.  These four subspecies occur only in Thurston and Pierce Counties, WA, and occur on a mix of private, State, and Federal lands.  The presentation will cover the following:

• History of the species listing and critical habitat designation, including the 4(d) Rule
  
• Mazama pocket gopher biology 101
  
• Evaluating potential project impacts to MPGs
  
• -  Threats to the species guide effects analyses
  
• -  Mitigation for species impacts under Section 10 (HCPs)
  
• Evaluating potential project impacts to MPG Critical Habitat
  
• -  Threats to critical habitat guide effects analyses
  
• What’s coming up in the world of Mazama pocket gopher conservation and consultation?
  
• -  Thurston County HCP
  
• -  Interim/Individual HCPs in Thurston County
  
• -  Section 7 consultations
  
• -  Recovery planning
  
• -  Other strategies and efforts
  
• Q & A Session

______________________________________________________

Kim is a Wildlife Biologist in the Listing Branch of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, in Lacey.  She’s been with the USFWS since 1991, but in the Listing Branch since 2005.  In the Listing Branch, she’s species lead for Mazama pocket gopher, streaked horned lark, and northern spotted owl, and co-lead for marbled murrelet.  Kim was the main author for the proposed and final listing and critical habitat designation rules for the four Thurston/Pierce County subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher.  Her other responsibilities include administering cooperative agreements for listed species,  and providing technical assistance on MPGs, owls, larks, and murrelets for section 7 consultations and HCPs utilizing her >15 years’ experience in writing section 7 consultations and HCPs.  Other past work included writing the Washington State portions of the marbled murrelet critical habitat designation rule (1996), extensive coordination with WDNR on their Forest Resources HCP, and helping negotiate the Quinault Indian Nation’s Conservation Easement for owls and murrelets.  Prior to her work with the USFWS, Kim worked for the U.S. Forest Service, conducting spotted owl surveys.  Kim graduated with a B.S. in Wildlife Biology from Washington State University.

_______________________________________________________

Please note that the actual talk will start promptly at 12:00. However we encourage everyone to join us for some friendly discussion and networking from 11:30 to 12:00. 

_______________________________________________________

Please join NWAEP in Seattle, WA for this Lunch & Learn discussion by registering and reserving a spot! The event will be also available in PDX via webinar, hosted at Louis Berger in the Lloyd District. Free for members and $10 for non-members. Please email Lindsay Mico (lindsaymico@gmail.com) if you have questions.