Chapters 1 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Environmental Consequences
therefore, the potential for disturbance from the public is minimal and there is no potential for
direct impacts related to public use on the Refuge. Therefore, no adverse effects to sea turtles
would result from the public use program carried out under Alternative A.
5.5.1.6 Effects to Belding’s Savannah Sparrow
Wildlife and Habitat Management
Belding’s savannah sparrows occur year-round on the Refuge. Under Alternative A, continuing
management actions to support the State endangered Belding’s savannah sparrow would include
limiting human disturbance within Belding’s savannah sparrow habitat, particularly during the
nesting season, and accommodating the State-wide Belding’s savannah sparrow survey that is
conducted approximately every five years. The potential effects to this species of implementing
Alternative A would be similar to those described for waterbirds in Section 5.4.1.1.
Pest Management
Human activity associated with mosquito management could result in disturbance to Belding’s
savannah sparrow, which occur along the upper edges of the marsh and within the wetland/upland
transition areas. To minimize disturbance to this species, mosquito monitoring and control is
limited to specific locations on the Refuge (see Chapter 3) and within those locations, all activity
must be conducted on foot. Specifics regarding where and how access can occur in and around the
marsh is provided in detail in the SUP that is prepared annually for this use. No significant
adverse effects to this species are anticipated as a result of continuing the current mosquito control
practices on the Refuge.
Public Use
Activities associated with the existing limited public use program which includes Refuge tours and
bird watching opportunities is generally confined to the existing streets and pathways within the
Refuge. Further, in most cases, these streets and pathways extend around large areas of salt
marsh rather than through the marsh. Considering the limited human presence on the Refuge
(i.e., approximately two to three events per month) and the separation of that limited human
activity from high quality Belding’s savannah sparrow habitat, the levels of disturbance that could
affect this species are low and do not represent a significant adverse effect.
5.5.2 Alternative B – Maximize Salt Marsh Restoration, Continue Current Public Uses
5.5.2.1 Effects to California Least Tern
Wildlife and Habitat Management
In addition to those steps and measures undertaken on behalf of the California least tern under
Alternative A, under Alternative B the Refuge Manager would work with the Navy to reduce
perching opportunities for raptors around the marsh. Potential actions could range from installing
anti-perching materials on existing power poles and rooftops to relocating the existing poles well
away from the marsh. Because several of the raptor species observed on NWSSB are known to
prey on least tern adults and chicks, eliminating potential perching sites could reduce the incidence
of avian predation and disturbance in the least tern colony, representing a benefit to least terns.
Other activities proposed under Alternative B such as removal of concrete and debris from the
marsh and installing a new water control structure to improve water circulation in the Bolsa Cell
would be implemented during the non-breeding season, therefore, these activities would have no
effect on least terns. In addition, the implementation of a water quality monitoring program would
have no effect on least terns, as monitoring stations would be established away from sensitive
nesting and foraging areas.
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan 5-59