Post by: Elkaholic daWg on August 12, 2012, 09:20:22 AM
WDFW NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/ (http://wdfw.wa.gov/)
July 26, 2012
Contact: Greg Schirato, (360) 902-2506
Wildlife managers seek to update
information on pocket gophers
OLYMPIA - Survey teams from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) have been searching the Capitol Forest in Thurston County in recent weeks for signs of Mazama pocket gophers, a protected species with an uncertain future.
Over the next five months, that investigation will expand to include areas of seven other counties as about 30 WDFW biologists and volunteers work to find out more about the range and distribution of the small, burrowing rodent in Western Washington.
Greg Schirato, WDFW’s deputy wildlife program director, said the survey teams will examine both historic pocket gopher sites as well as sightings reported in other areas since the state classified the species as threatened in 2006.
"We’ve received reports in recent years of pocket gophers living in places that don’t show up in any of the scientific research," Schirato said. "Given property owners’ concerns about land-use regulations associated with protected species, we need to make sure we have a complete picture of the species’ range and distribution."
Schirato said any new findings will be reflected in a recovery plan for the species that WDFW has scheduled for completion by the end of the year. The department also plans to share its findings with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is expected to announce in September whether it will propose listing pocket gophers under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).
"In both cases, the findings of this updated survey could affect the future management of Mazama pocket gophers in our state," Schirato said. "We want to make sure we have a thorough understanding of the species’ status to ensure that future management is consistent with both the species’ biology and landowners’ interests."
Carrying clipboards and GPS units, the survey teams will look for mounds and other evidence of gophers at hundreds of sites in Thurston, Mason, Pierce, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Clark, Clallam and Wahkiakum counties. New range expansions will be verified by live-trapping the animals.
As part of the investigation, WDFW will seek permission from private landowners in some areas to look for gophers on their property, said Schirato, noting that about half of all known gopher populations are on private lands.
"We need to survey some of those lands to truly understand the species distribution," he said. "We’re especially interested in private timberlands, where we’ve had some unexpected gopher sightings in recent years."
Scientists have never considered timberlands prime pocket gopher habitat. WDFW’s initial status review of the species conducted in 2005 describes the Mazama pocket gopher as "a creature of the south Puget Sound prairie landscape." Two of the state’s largest known gopher populations are at the Olympia Airport and the Shelton Airport.
According to that review, "habitat loss to succession, agriculture and development has eliminated most of the prairie vegetation, and habitat continues to be lost to residential development." With the state’s remaining pocket gopher population estimated "in the low thousands," the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to list the species for state protection in 2006.
Since then, however, gopher mounds have been reported in areas and terrain quite different from the South Sound prairies, Schirato said. Two such areas are the Capitol Forest in Thurston County and forestlands in Mason County - primarily in clear-cut areas, near roadways, and along power line easements.
"We conducted an exploratory survey in forested areas of Mason County last August and confirmed the presence of pocket gophers at several sites through live-trapping," Schirato said. "Now we’re taking a closer look at those sites and others in Western Washington to update our status report for this species."
Finding new gopher populations is just one step in determining whether pocket gophers require special protection, Schirato said. Distribution, survival rates and the availability of suitable habitat are also important factors in assessing the future viability of the species, he said.
"This survey isn’t just about finding gopher mounds," Schirato said. "If we find a significant gopher presence in disturbed forested areas, we have to consider what happens when the trees grow up and the conditions change. We know how these animals use the prairies, but can they survive long-term in other habitats?"
Historically, pocket gophers have played an important role in the ecology of the open meadows, prairies and grasslands at the southern end of Puget Sound, according to the 2005 status report and a number of independent studies. Through their burrowing, they turn the soil, increase plant diversity and provide refuge for smaller animals, according to a range of scientific studies. They are also an important prey species for hawks, owls and other predators.
Post by: JimmyHoffa on August 12, 2012, 12:17:22 PM
"We’re especially interested in private timberlands, where we’ve had some unexpected gopher sightings in recent years."
I bet they are...
Post by: KyleMB123 on August 12, 2012, 07:43:42 PM
Post by: huntrights on August 13, 2012, 07:07:32 AM
It may seem like old news, but it is still happening in our back yard. Don't forget what the Thurston County Commissioners and their staff have done and can continue to do using the Emergency Prairie Ordinance. Private property rights are at risk unless we get legislation to protect them. Write your representatives about these abuses.
“A profile of ..., an army veteran who has had his property right infringed upon by Thurston County”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iCHh5TRMw0
“Thurston County's prairie ordinance, oak tree habitat, and land use policies are harming the most vulnerable of society ....”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcwNOb9sYfE&feature=related
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on August 13, 2012, 07:45:21 AM
Post by: lokidog on August 13, 2012, 08:17:04 AM
Hey, wait a minute... won't wolves eat gophers when the deer are all gone from SW WA? :stirthepot:
Post by: CedarPants on August 13, 2012, 08:22:50 AM
Over the next five months, that investigation will expand to include areas of seven other counties as about 30 WDFW biologists and volunteers work to find out more about the range and distribution ....
Wonder why they can't/won't organize this type of investigation for wolves in the Okanogan and NE WA :dunno:
Post by: Curly on August 13, 2012, 08:27:25 AM
Quote
As part of the investigation, WDFW will seek permission from private landowners in some areas to look for gophers on their property, said Schirato, noting that about half of all known gopher populations are on private lands.
"We need to survey some of those lands to truly understand the species distribution," he said. "We’re especially interested in private timberlands, where we’ve had some unexpected gopher sightings in recent years."
If the private landowners are smart, they will deny access to WDFW to look on their lands. That would be a big mistake. They might even find an endangered butterfly or oak trees or..............
Funny that WDFW has budget problems, but yet they don't seem to have any problem spending a bunch of money on looking for these damned rodents. :bash:
Post by: PBinWA on August 13, 2012, 08:49:27 AM
Post by: huntrights on August 13, 2012, 11:04:48 AM
Take note of what is happening to our private property rights, access to public lands and waters, and use of public lands and waters. Don't put up with the abuses; write your representatives.
Post by: stuckalot on August 16, 2012, 08:23:24 PM
Post by: Mudman on August 16, 2012, 08:34:26 PM
Post by: Hermit on September 15, 2012, 04:42:28 PM
Post by: NW-GSP on September 15, 2012, 04:46:40 PM
Post by: Wyoming08 on September 19, 2012, 10:32:28 AM
Take note of what is happening to our private property rights, access to public lands and waters, and use of public lands and waters. Don't put up with the abuses; write your representatives.
AGENDA 21 :dunno: LOOK IT UP
PRETTY SOON WE WON'T BE ABLE TO USE THE FOREST AT ALL!!! MARK MY WORDS, IT ISN'T A CONSPIRACY EITHER IT IS HAPPENING ALL OVER THEY JUST DON'T CALL IT AGENDA 21 THEY USE SOME OTHER FORM OF "ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY", OR WHATEVER, BUT IT'S COMING...JUST WAIT AND DO NOTHING MY FRIENDS.... :yike:
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on September 19, 2012, 11:06:03 AM
QuoteAs part of the investigation, WDFW will seek permission from private landowners in some areas to look for gophers on their property, said Schirato, noting that about half of all known gopher populations are on private lands.
"We need to survey some of those lands to truly understand the species distribution," he said. "We’re especially interested in private timberlands, where we’ve had some unexpected gopher sightings in recent years."
If the private landowners are smart, they will deny access to WDFW to look on their lands. That would be a big mistake. They might even find an endangered butterfly or oak trees or..............
Funny that WDFW has budget problems, but yet they don't seem to have any problem spending a bunch of money on looking for these damned rodents. :bash:
:yeah: In Oregon where I hunt Ground Squirrels, the landowners say that the Wildlife Agents don't even bother to ask permission to enter private property--They know the landowners won't give them permission, so they stay away.