Migratory Bird Planning Guidance and Best Management Practices for Idaho BLM Vegetation Treatments

In Reply Refer To:    April 22, 2020
6840 (930) P

EMS TRANSMISSION: 4/22/2020
Information Bulletin No. ID-2020-014

To: All Field Offices

From: John F. Ruhs
 State Director

Subject:  Migratory Bird Planning Guidance and Best Management Practices for Idaho BLM Vegetation Treatments

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This Information Bulletin transmits recommended project planning guidance and Best Management Practices (BMPs) to Idaho BLM field offices that are implementing vegetation treatments, in order to facilitate the conservation of migratory birds.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has the primary responsibility for administration of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918), its amendments, and subsequent acts.  The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) has the primary authority, jurisdiction and responsibility to manage and control fish and wildlife populations in Idaho.  Under the Idaho BLM and IDFG Master Memorandum of Understanding (BLM MOU ID-SO-2019-01), both BLM and IDFG agree “to manage and conserve habitat and populations of fish, wildlife and plants to avoid listing of species as threatened or endangered under federal or state law.”

The focus of the attached document and supporting appendices is on the conservation of Idaho “priority” bird species.  Priority bird species include Idaho BLM Special Status Species which include federally listed Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, and Candidate species and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Birds of Conservation Concern (BCC) that have a BLM nexus.  
 
This guidance applies to Idaho BLM vegetation treatments including, but not limited to, forest management, herbicide treatments, prescribed burning, brush and conifer removal, seeding, and mowing.  These BMPs do not necessarily apply to other BLM projects or permitted actions but may be helpful in some circumstances. 

For further information or questions, please contact Paul Makela, Wildlife Program Lead at (208) 373-3809, or by email at pmakela@blm.gov.

Signed by:
John F. Ruhs
State Director

Authenticated by:
Robyn Anderson
Administrative Specialist

3 Attachments
     1 - Migratory_Bird_Guidance_and_BMPs_Final 04062020 (4p)

     2 - Appendix_A__BLM_Priority_Species_Information_Final 04062020 (Excel file)

     3 - Appendix_B_Online Resources for Migratory Bird Information_Final 04062020 (17p)