Chapters 1 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Management Alternatives
larvicides. Larvicides approved for use on the Refuge include Bacillus thuringienensis var.
israelensis (Bti), Bacillus sphaericus (Bs), and Altosid®. Bti and Bs, both naturally occurring
soil bacteria, are used to control mosquitoes in wetlands prior to their emergence as adults.
Altosid® is a trade name for methoprene, an insect development regulator used in the control
of mosquitoes. Methoprene is considered a biochemical pesticide because rather than
controlling target pests through direct toxicity, it interferes with an insect’s life cycle by
mimicking a growth hormone found in mosquitoes that prevents the mosquito from reaching
maturity or reproducing (USEPA 2001).
The special conditions of the SUP include: coordinate all activities with the Refuge Manager at
least two business days prior to entry onto the Refuge or provide the Refuge Manager with a
schedule of seasonal activities prior to the beginning of the mosquito season; limit activities to
approved locations on the Refuge; enter approved locations by foot only; report any pesticide
application within one week of application; and adhere to U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (USEPA) application regulations.
3.4.3.2 Alternative B - Maximize Salt Marsh Restoration, Continue Current Public Uses
Under Alternative B (Figure 3-4), the wildlife and habitat management activities described in
Alternative A would be expanded to include new activities intended to: protect and aid in the
recovery of the light-footed clapper rail and California least tern; increase our understanding
of the array of species present within the Refuge and their relationship with other species and
existing habitats; broaden our understanding of how the Refuge’s trust resources are being
affected by climate change and sea level rise; and restore the remaining disturbed habitat
areas on the Refuge to functional salt marsh and wetland/upland transition habitat. No
changes to the public use program described in Alternative A are proposed.
Wildlife and Habitat Management
In addition to the wildlife and habitat management activities described under Alternative A,
including predator management, the following new or expanded actions would also be
implemented under this alternative:
Endangered Species Management. Management of the light-footed clapper rail under this
alternative would be expanded to include developing a greater understanding of the habitat
qualities and species dynamics present in the natural rail nesting areas located between Hog
Island and Perimeter Pond. Efforts would be made to encourage research projects that: 1)
identify the factors that appear to favor natural nesting in this area; 2) compare the fledgling
success rates in these natural areas to fledgling success on nesting platforms; and 3) explore
various options for improving habitat quality in other parts of the marsh in part to increase
opportunities for natural nest sites on the Refuge.
In an effort to reduce avian predation of rails and least terns, the Refuge Manager would work
with the NWSSB to reduce perching opportunities 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.
Integrated Pest Management. Under Alternative B, an Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Plan (Appendix C) would be implemented for the Refuge. In accordance with 517 DM 1 and
569 FW 1, an IPM approach would be utilized, where practicable, to eradicate, control, or
contain pest and invasive species (herein collectively referred to as pests) on the Refuge.
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Environmental Assessment 3-23