Chapters 1 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Chapter 5
Pest Management
Herbicide treatment does not occur in proximity to potential western snowy plover foraging
habitat and mosquito control does not occur during the time that plovers would be likely to occur
on the Refuge, therefore, no adverse effects to plovers would result from the implementation of
pest management on the Refuge under this alternative.
Public Use
The potential effects to the western snowy plover of continuing to implement the existing public
use program on the Refuge would be the same as those described for waterbirds in Section 5.4.1.1.
5.5.1.4 Effects to Salt Marsh Bird’s-Beak
Wildlife and Habitat Management
Salt marsh bird’s-beak is not currently known to occur on the Refuge; however, there are historic
accounts of its presence around Anaheim Bay. Several unsuccessful attempts have been made in
the past to establish a population of this species on the Refuge. Alternative A would not renew
these attempts; therefore, this alternative would neither benefit nor impact this listed species.
Pest Management
Salt marsh bird’s-beak is not currently known to occur on the Refuge and Alternative A would not
renew attempts to establish this species on the Refuge; therefore, no effects to this species would
result from ongoing pest management.
Public Use
Salt marsh bird’s-beak is not currently known to occur on the Refuge; therefore, no adverse or
beneficial effects to salt marsh bird’s-beak would result from the public use program carried out
under Alternative A.
5.5.1.5 Effects to Eastern Pacific Green Turtle
Wildlife and Habitat Management
Eastern Pacific green turtles have been observed in the 7 th Street Pond as well as the channel
leading to the 7 th Street Pond, therefore, any enhancement work or culvert replacement projects
proposed in this area, as well as throughout the Refuge, could adversely affect this species if
appropriate measures are not implemented to ensure their safety. Measures that would protect
turtles present on the Refuge would include: conducting a presence/absence survey for turtles
prior to and during any proposed construction, using impingement barrier structures, rock filters,
or other types of exclusion structures around temporary water intake structures to prevent turtle
entrainment, prohibiting the placement of any materials into subtidal habitat that have the
potential for entangling sea turtles, and considering potential turtle movement in the design and
sizing of culverts and water control structures. The incorporation of these measures into future
construction project specifications would avoid any adverse effects to sea turtles.
Pest Management
Activities associated with invasive plant control and mosquito management would not be expected
to adversely affect the sea turtles that are occasionally present on the Refuge, provided all
pesticides are applied in accordance with label requirements.
Public Use
The public uses permitted on the Refuge under Alternative A are restricted to the roads and
pathway that traverse the upland areas surrounding the Refuge’s sensitive wetland areas. The
open water areas of the Refuge where sea turtles have been observed are closed to any public use,
5-58 Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge