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From the April 1980 Conservationist

Protecting Special Wildlife Habitats

By Larry Brown

Butterfly, butterfly, who's got the butterfly? Originally , DEC's Division of Lands and Forests had it, a developer almost bought it, but finally the Division of Fish and Wildlife got it. The object was 51 acres of endangered Karner Blue butterfly habitat in Saratoga County. On March 25th, 1980, jurisdiction over this detached parcel of Forest Preserve land was transferred from the Division of Lands and Forests to The Division of Fish and Wildlife. This simple transfer of a parcel of sand plains may seem routine, but sand plains are very special property to the butterfly. The are an example of a significant habitat. The lupine plant on which the caterpillars feed grows only in a sand plains habitat.

Significant habitats are areas of special interest or concern for a number of reasons: the existence of endangered or threatened species, such as the bald eagle or Karner blue butterfly; unusual concentrations of wildlife or fish such as a wintering area for deer, waterfowl or eagles, a colonial bird nesting area, a fish spawning area; or unusual or unique ecological associations or uncommon land forms such as pine barrens, barrier beaches or caves. Such habitats often contain intensely concentrated resources meeting fish and wildlife needs within a limited geographic area. For humans and for the wildlife involved, the impact of protecting these limited areas extends beyond their immediate borders. In many cases, significant habitats are a critical fraction of total species habitats. Their loss could affect species distributions or existence.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife's program for identifying and protecting these habitats began on a modest scale in 1975. Original efforts evolved into formation of the Significant Habitat Unit whose primary aims are to protect the many areas in New York State which contain habitats of special value or concern, and to develop measures to enhance them. Habitat loss or degradation is occurring in many areas of New York. The time is right for the significant habitat program as evidenced by the growing volume of requests for information, due in part of land managers of the value of preserving natural assets. Other factors are the various federal and state laws requiring that fish and wildlife and their habitat receive consideration through environmental impact statements, prior to new project authorization.

While they may be extremely important to fish and wildlife and their uses, broad habitat categories and extensive tracts of land are not generally intended for Significant Habitat designation. Forested lands , for example, are generally not included unless they have some special feature, such as a rare species.

How does the unit approach the rather large problem of identifying the numbers and locations of significant habitats in New York State? In 1975, about 300 potential cooperators with naturalist backgrounds were asked to suggest candidate areas. Over 100 replies were received. Additionally, data were incorporated from existing DEC files and other resource agency or conservation group files into a single geographic framework and paper file. This information has provided DEC with an interim set of locations that may require some degree of protection. For the identification of many types of significant habitats, we will continue to depend upon the personal knowledge of many people, including DEC, museum, and university staff, conservation groups, planning organizations, and local naturalists. Examples of existing files which have been incorporated include winter aerial waterfowl census data, deer wintering areas, habitats of threatened and endangered species, areas identified under the Coastal Zone Management Program, and areas identified by the Adirondack Park Agency.

All existing and potential significant habitats, whether from existing DEC files or other sources, are currently mapped on 1:250,000 scale USGS overlay maps. They are usually shown as point locations, except for many of the deer winter concentration areas for which boundaries are shown. The report locations represent information as it is initially reported. Most locations have not been verified by professionals as to exact boundaries and confirmation of data reported. The significant habitat system is not, in itself, a regulatory program. It should ease compliance with existing regulations, however, by providing information on important habitats at an early stage in planning. The overlay index map is used primarily as an early warning for the purpose of identifying potential conflicts during the environmental review or planning process. If a possible conflict with a development project is determined from the map, more information can then be obtained from DEC. A field check may also be warranted to resolve any questions. The index maps are furnished to all regional wildlife offices, and, upon request, to federal, state and local government agencies, environmental consulting firms, utilities and others involved in development, management, or review activities with potential impact on the environment.

The second phase of the program will consist of a more systematic approach to the statewide identification of selected categories of habitats, including the development of appropriate specialized inventory techniques. The file of habitat locations will be useful as a data base for developing the systematic effort. For example, in order to develop a systematic method for identifying heronries, we would analyze the characteristics of some known heronries as a starting point, identify those characteristics that might be visible in areal photographs or other data sources, and develop appropriate inventory methods.

Even though the program is relatively new, it has already generated increasing interest. In 1979, there were approximately 65 to 70 requests for significant habitat information from environmental consultants, and federal, state, and local government and private organizations, including planning boards, environmental management councils, utilities such as power companies, and others involved in development , management or review activities with potential impact on the environment. Through October 1980, use had almost doubled to about 120 requests. A survey of users indicated that the majority found the information to be of value.

Occasionally, payoffs are more substantial and more tangible than requests for information. This is evidenced by the aforementioned acquisitions of the 51 acres important to the endangered Karner blue butterfly. This small area of detached Forest Preserve had been declared surplus by the Division of Lands and Forests, reviewed through channels, and finally offered for sale. Through the efforts of the Endangered Species and Significant Habitat Units it was identified as Karner blue habitat. Earlier identification and inclusion in significant habitat file would have flagged the parcel early in the review process and it would not have been offered for sale. Fortunately, potential buyers lost interest and jurisdiction was transferred to the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Similar transfers of jurisdiction have occurred for at least on deer winter concentration area and a heronry.

What is the future? The Significant Habitat Unit will continue to emphasize use of the files for review and planning processes and to collect additional data. Existing reports will be verified, including field checks where necessary. The recent completion of a Significant Habitat computer database should greatly facilitate analysis of selected types of areas and increase the ability to rapidly retrieve file information in a variety of ways. Future direction will also include the development of management plans and criteria for use of specific areas. The ultimate goal of the program is to protect and manage such habitats through such means as land use planning, environmental impact reviews, land acquisition, statutory regulations and extension.

For further information on the program, or to obtain forms for reporting potential new areas, write to the Significant Habitat Unit, Wildlife Resources Center, Delmar, NY 12054, or contact your Regional DEC Wildlife Office.

Lawrence Brown worked for the DEC in various capacities and graduated from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Photo: DEC