Chapters 1 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Implementation
Objective 1.2 - Light-footed Clapper Rail (continued)
Comparison by Alternative
Alternative
A B C
Strategy
In partnership with NWSSB, conduct monthly monitoring of clapper rail
nests during the nesting season; spring clapper rail call counts; and fall
high tide clapper rail counts.
Work with partners to improve the design of clapper rail nesting
platforms with the goal of reducing the potential for predator perching,
increasing the stability of the platform during strong wind and/or water
events, and increasing the long term durability of the structure.
By 2015, identify funding for and implement a study to evaluate the
current conditions (e.g., site elevation, variability in tidal elevation,
salinity, plant height and density) in areas of the Refuge that support
cordgrass vegetation.
Over the next five years, coordinate with NWSSB to remove or
otherwise address potential avian predator perches located near rail
habitat.
Maintain in good repair at least 80 nesting platforms within the marsh.
Protect and study the overall nesting and fledgling success of those
areas within the marsh where rails are nesting in native vegetation,
rather than on nesting platforms.
By 2014, coordinate with NWSSB to remove the drop tower located to
the west of 7 th Street that provides perching opportunities for potential
avian predators.
By 2020, identify funding for and implement: 1) a pilot project that would
raise the elevation in a portion of the cordgrass-dominated salt marsh
habitat on the Refuge and 2) a post-construction monitoring plan to
elevate the effects of raising the marsh plain elevation on cordgrass
health and vigor.
Continue to work with the Clapper Rail Recovery Team to release
captive bred light-footed clapper rails on the Refuge as appropriate to
increase genetic diversity within the rail population on the Refuge.
Objective 1.3: Establish Salt Marsh Bird’s-Beak on the Refuge
Within five years of CCP approval, develop and initiate a plan to establish on the Refuge at
least one self-sustaining population of salt marsh bird’s-beak, consisting of approximately
200 individuals within ten years of planting.
Rationale: The occurrence of salt marsh bird’s-beak along the coast of southern California has
decreased significantly over the past 60 years as a result of the extensive alteration and filling of
wetlands. Historical records indicate that colonies of salt marsh bird’s-beak were present in 18
southern California marshes (Parsons and Zedler 1997, USFWS 1985c); however, today this
species, which was listed as endangered in 1970, is only known from six general areas within its
historic range. The high marsh habitat around Anaheim Bay is believed to be one of the 18
marshes that historically supported this species.
Although a previous attempt to reestablish salt marsh bird’s-beak on the Refuge in the 1980s was
unsuccessful, it is believed that with changes in conditions and new information about the factors
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan 6-5