Chapters 1 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Environmental Consequences
public use would be less than significant. The observation platform would be constructed on
disturbed habitat that only supports limited numbers of landbirds; therefore, no impacts to and
birds are anticipated as a result of this proposal.
5.4.3.3 Effects to Fish and Other Marine Organisms
Wildlife and Habitat Management
The impacts to fish and other marine organisms as a result of implementing Alternative C would
be similar to those described under Alternative B. All of the measures discussed in Section 5.4.2.3
to avoid significant adverse impacts to fish and other marine organisms would also be implemented
under Alternative C. Benefits to fish and other marine organisms would be slightly lower than
those provided under Alternative B, as approximately 11 acres of the proposed restoration area
would be restored to upland rather than tidally influenced habitat under Alternative C.
Removal of the drop tower would have no effect on fish or other marine organisms, while the
proposal to improve habitat quality within portions of the Refuge’s cordgrass habitat could
adversely affect marine organisms. To minimize the potential for impacts to fish and other marine
organisms as a result of depositing a layer of clean material over portions of the Refuge’s
cordgrass habitat, silt fencing or other techniques for controlling sediment movement outside of
the proposed enhancement area would be installed to reduce the potential for increased turbidity
throughout the marsh. In addition, treatment areas would be limited in size to further reduce the
effects of this activity on overall water quality within the Refuge.
Pest Management
The analysis of potential effects to fish and other marine organisms from the implementation of the
IPM and Mosquito Management Plans would be essentially the same under this alternative as
described previously for Alternative B. The exception is that the use of Natular is not proposed
under this alternative, therefore, potential adverse effects to marine and estuarine organisms
related to use of Natular would not occur.
Public Use
Expansion of the public use program and construction of an observation tower would have no effect
on fish or other marine organisms.
5.4.3.4 Effects to Terrestrial Invertebrates, Amphibians, and Reptiles
Wildlife and Habitat Management
The impacts to terrestrial invertebrates, amphibians, and reptiles, particularly sea turtles, as a
result of implementing Alternative C would be similar to those described under Alternative B. All
of the measures discussed in Section 5.4.2.4 to avoid significant adverse impacts to sea turtles
would also be implemented under Alternative C. As noted earlier, amphibians and reptiles are
generally not well represented on the Refuge, and impacts to these organisms as a result of
restoration would be minimal. Restoring approximately 36 acres of low quality upland habitat
would reduce the area available to support terrestrial invertebrates, amphibians, and reptiles;
however, the proposal to restore approximately 11 acres of high quality coastal sage scrub habitat
would actually improve overall conditions on the Refuge for these species.
Under Alternative C, in addition to conducting directed surveys for tiger beetles, if possible, a tiger
beetle management plan would be implemented that identifies measures for protecting,
maintaining, and where necessary, enhancing habitat to protect current tiger beetle species
abundance and diversity on the Refuge. Thus, Alternative C would be the most beneficial of the
three alternatives for tiger beetles.
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan 5-53