Corps of Engineers Survey and Monitoring Efforts (Richard Fischer, USACE)

ERDC TN-DOER-E17

September 2004

Elements common to these efforts include description of the pertinent issues, identification of

study areas, identification of statistical populations to be sampled, sampling plan and field meth-

odology, plan for data management, analysis and reports, specific roles and responsibilities of

participants, and a clear schedule of activities during the monitoring effort.

Using the ideas of the CBM plans, and information from the recent 2003 supplemental biological

opinion on ILT issues for the Missouri River, it may be possible to develop the initial basis for

ILT monitoring efforts. Pertinent issues discussed throughout the workshop included:

Estimating annual "take" during management operations.

Evaluating effects of flooding events on nesting birds.

Restoring quality habitat.

Reducing human disturbance impacts.

Collecting information such as population size and sub-regional productivity that may be

useful for any potential future delisting decisions. Specific study areas may include all known

areas used by nesting ILT; therefore, the monitoring effort should be conducted throughout the

entire ILT breeding range. The period of monitoring needs to occur from onset of the breeding

season through departure from breeding sites, with focus primarily on ILT; however, the

potential exists to simultaneously monitor other species, including Piping Plover (Charadrius

melodus), Snowy Plover (C. alexandrius), American Avocets (Recurvirostra americana), and

other species. The biological population includes breeding individuals (but may also include

non-territorial birds or "floaters"). Important parameters to monitor will be the number of

breeding adults and sub-regional productivity. Methods of sampling need to be finalized, but

will include surveys for adults to define the breeding population and more focused nest

monitoring to quantify productivity by sub-regions, such as river reaches. Sample size

requirements can be determined by analysis of past data. Considerable work remains in

developing a comprehensive ILT monitoring program. Coordination among participating

individuals and agencies needs to improve; all need to agree on issues of field protocols, data

management, analysis and reports, specific roles and responsibilities of all involved, and

establishing a detailed schedule of long-term monitoring efforts.

Corps of Engineers Survey and Monitoring Efforts (Richard Fischer, USACE): Cur-

rently, each Corps District with ILTs utilizes different monitoring protocols, with little or no

coordination among Districts or with USFWS personnel from the three regions with ILT popula-

tions. The range-wide population status of the ILT is poorly understood and there is a perceived

need to develop a statistically rigorous, coordinated monitoring program to assess current status

and population trends. ILT monitoring efforts by several Corps Districts are outlined below:

Memphis/Vicksburg Districts: The Memphis District has been instrumental in undertaking

long-term ILT surveys along the middle and lower Mississippi River (Cape Girardeau, MO, to

Vicksburg, MS) during the past 19 years. Survey efforts, which are conducted under contract

with Mr. Ken Jones, Dyersburg State Community College, include small boat surveys since

1985, towboat surveys until 1995, and aerial surveys between 1985 until 1997. Vicksburg per-

sonnel from the Monroe, LA, Navigation Field Office and local Audubon members also partici-

pated. Results suggest a significant population increase during the monitoring period (< 1000

adults in 1985 to 8,082 adults in 2003), but the percentage of the increase due to habitat

improvement versus improvement in observer efficiency, survey timing, and other factors was

unknown. Future survey plans include extending efforts below Vicksburg to, or near Baton