ML070800420

Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy for New York: Susquehanna Basin

ML070800420
Person / Time
Site:	Susquehanna
Issue date:	03/20/2007
From:	Susquehanna
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
TAC MD3021, TAC MD3022
Download: ML070800420 (14)

Text

SUSQUEHANNA BASIN Tables and Figures Tables Table 1: Multi-Resolution Land Classification (MRLC) land cover classifications and corresponding percent cover in the Susquehanna Basin.

Table 2: State Parks within the Susquehanna Basin.

Table 3: Draft Audubon Important Bird Areas within the Susquehanna Basin.

Table 4: Critical Environmental Areas within the Susquehanna Basin.

Table 5: NYSDEC land units within the Susquehanna Basin.

Table 6: Critical aquatic habitats found in Susquehanna basin.

Table 7: Critical terrestrial habitats found in Susquehanna basin.

Table 8: Susquehanna species diversity relative to the total number of SGCN statewide.

Table 9: Species of Greatest Conservation Need currently occurring in the Susquehanna Basin.

Table lo: SGCN that historically occurred in Susquehanna Basin, but are now believed to be extirpated from the basin.

Table ii: Summary of threats, number of (and percent of all) species groups affected, and percentage of all threats to SGCN in the Susquehanna Basin.

Table 12: Existing management plans and agreements within the Susquehanna Basin.

Figures Figure 1. Multi-Resolution Land Cover map of the Susquehanna Basin.

Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategyfor New York 501

Susquehanna Table 1. Multi-Resolution Land Classification (MRLC) land cover classifications and corresponding percent cover in the Susquehanna Basin.

Classification  % Cover Deciduous Forest 37.97 Mixed Forest 27.07 Row Crops 14.24 Pasture/Hay 12.69 Evergreen Forest 4.16 Low Intensity Residential 1.19 Water 0.82 Parks, Lawns, Golf Courses 0.58 Woody Wetlands 0.5 High Intensity Commercial/Industrial 0.44 High Intensity Residential 0.26 Barren; Quarries, Strip Mines, Gravel Pits 0.05 Emergent Wetlands 0.04

Susquehanna Table 2. State Parks within the Susquehanna Basin.

Unit Name (DEC Region) Acres Primary Natural Habitats BETTY & WILBUR DAVIS (7) 200 x BOWMAN LAKE (7) 702 UPLAND BUTTERMILK FALLS (8) 733 UPLAND/WETLAND CHENANGO VALLEY (7) 1,098 UPLAND GILBERT LAKE (7) 1,572 UPLAND GLIMMERGLASS (7) 587 UPLAND HUNTS POND (7) 239 x NEWTOWN BATTLEFIELD (8) 339 x PINNACLE (8) 704 UPLAND

Susquehanna Table 3. Draft Audubon Important Bird Areas within the Susquehanna Basin.

Unit Name (DEC Region) Acres Approved Criteria LONG POND STATE FOREST (7) 3,100 SPECIES AT RISK PHARSALIA WOODS (7) 23,000 FOREST TIOUGHNIOGA RIVER/WHITNEY POINT (7) 17,600 SHRUB/SCRUB CANNONSVILLE/STREAM MILL AREA (7) 65,000 FOREST/SPECIES AT RISK

Susquehanna Table 4. Critical Environmental Areas within the Susquehanna Basin.

Unit Name (DEC Region) Location Approved Criteria FRENCH TRACT (7) VESTAL NONE GIVEN WELL FIELD (7) VESTAL PRIMARY RECHARGE FOR WELL FIELDS WATER BOARD (7) CORTLAND SOLE SOURCE AQUIFER PROTECTION GROUNDWATER PROTECTION MCGRAW GROUNDWATER PROTECTION VALLEY-FILL AQUIFER (8) WAYLAN D PRIMARY SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER

Susquehanna Table 5. NYSDEC land units within the Susquehanna Basin.

Unit Name (DEC Region) Acres Primary Natural Habitats STATE FORESTS (approximately 136) 260,395 MULTIPLE LABRADOR HOLLOW UNIQUE AREA 1,487 X CONNECTICUT HILL WMA (7) 11,645 UPLAND CRUMHORN MOUNTAIN WMA (4) 69 X ERWIN WMA (8) 2490 UPLAND HELMER CREEK WMA (8) 113 UPLAND HOOKER MOUNTAIN WMA (4) 83 x PHARSALIA WMA (7) 4699 UPLAND/WETLAND TIOUGHNIOGAWMA (7) 3705 .UPLAND WANETA LAMOKA WMA (8) 165 WETLAND WEST CAMERON WMA (8) 170 UPLAND.

WHITNEY POINT MUA (7) 4,645 UPLAND/WETLAND

Susquehanna Table 6. Critical aquatic habitats found in Susquehanna basin, classified at the system and sub-system level, adapted from Edinger et al. (2002). The number of SGCN that indicate each system/sub-system association as a critical habitat is indicated.

System Sub-System # of Species Lacustrine cold water deep 3 Lacustrine cold water shallow 3 Lacustrine unknown 1 Lacustrine warm water deep 2 Lacustrine warm water shallow 6 Palustrine mineral soil wetland 16 Palustrine peatlands 6 Riverine coldwater stream 17 Riverine deepwater river 4 Riverine warm water stream 11 Susquehanna Table7. Critical terrestrial habitats found in Susquehanna basin, classified at the system and sub-system level, adapted from Edinger et al. (2002). The number of SGCN that indicate each system/sub-system association as a critical habitat is indicated.

System Sub-System # of Species Terrestrial barrens/woodlands 15 Terrestrial forested 38 Terrestrial open upland 36 Unknown unknown 1

Susquehanna Table 8. Susquehanna species diversity relative to the total number of SGCN statewide.

1. Species  % of Total Taxa Group Groups in the # Species in SGCN SGCN for this Basin the Basin Group BIRDS 8 39 118 33.1 Bald Eagle 1 Common Nighthawk 1 Deciduous/Mixed Forest Breeding Birds 7 9 77.8 Early Successional Forest Birds 11 12 91.7 Forest Breeding Raptors 6 6 100.0 Freshwater Marsh Nesting Birds 2 6 33.3 Grassland Birds 10 11 90.9 Peregrine Falcon 1 FRESHWATER FISH 4 4 40 10.0 Blackchin Shiner 1 Heritage-Strain Brook Trout 1.

Comely Shiner 1 Swallowtail Shiner 1 HERPETOFAUNA 9 17 , 44 -38.61

`

Freshwater Wetland Amphibians 1 5 -,20.0 Hellbender .1 Lake/River Reptiles 2, 5 40.0 Lizards 1 3 33.3 Snapping Turtle. 1

..... Stream Salamanders 2 2 '100.0 Uncommon Turtles of Wetlands 1 5 20.0 Vernal Pool Salamanders 2 4 50.0 Woodland/Grassland Snakes 6 8 75.0 INSECT 7 21 197 10.7 Odonates of Bogs/Fens/Ponds 1 10 10.0 Odonates of Lakes/Ponds 2 5 40.0 Odonates of Rivers/Streams 5 19 26.3 Odonates of Seeps/Rivulets 1 4 25.0 Other Butterflies 8 18 44.4 Other Moths 1 92 1.1 Stoneflies/Mayflies of Lotic Waters 3 20 15.0 MAMMAL 2 4 21 19.0 Furbearers 1 2 50.0 Tree Bats 3 3 100.0 MARINE FISH 2 2 51 3.9 American Eel 1 American Shad 1

Susquehanna Table 8. (continued)

1. Species  % of Total Taxa Group Groups in the # Species in SGCN SGCN for this Basin the Basin Group MOLLUSK 1 3 59 5.1 Freshwater Bivalves 9 39 7.7 TOTAL 33 90 530 17.0

% of All Species Groups Statewide 25.80%

Susquehanna Table 9. Species of GreatestConservation Need currently occurring in the Susquehanna Basin. Species are sorted alphabetically by taxonomic group and species common name. The Species Group designation is included, indicating which Species Group Report in the appendix will contain the full information about the species. The Stability of this basin's population is also indicated for each species.

TaxaGroup Species SpeciesGroup Stability Bird American bittern Freshwater marsh nesting birds Decreasing Bird American woodcock Early successional forest/shrubland birds Decreasing Bird Bald eagle Bald Eagle Increasing Bird Black-billed cuckoo Early successional forest/shrubland birds Decreasing Bird Black-throated blue warbler Deciduous/mixed forest breeding birds Stable Bird Blue-winged warbler Eariy successional forest/shrubland birds Decreasing Bird Bobolink Grassland birds Decreasing Bird Brown thrasher Early successional forest/shrubland birds Decreasing Bird Canada warbler Early successional forest/shrubland birds Decreasing Bird Cerulean warbler Deciduous/mixed forest breeding birds Increasing Bird Common nighthawk Common nighthawk Decreasing Bird Coopers hawk Forest breeding raptors Stable Bird Eastern meadowlark Grassland birds Decreasing Bird Golden eagle Forest breeding raptors Unknown Bird Golden-winged warbler Early successional forest/shrubland birds Decreasing Bird Grasshopper sparrow Grassland birds Decreasing Bird Henslow's sparrow Grassland birds Decreasing Bird Horned lark Grassland birds Decreasing Bird Kentucky warbler Deciduous/mixed forest breeding birds Unknown Bird Long-eared owl Forest breeding raptors Unknown Bird Northern goshawk Forest breeding raptors Increasing Bird Northern harrier Grassland birds Unknown Bird Peregrine falcon Peregrine falcon Stable Bird Pied-billed grebe Freshwater marsh nesting birds Decreasing Bird Prairie warbler Early successional forest/shrubland birds Increasing Bird Prothonotary warbler Deciduous/mixed forest breeding birds Unknown Bird Red-headed woodpecker Deciduous/mixed forest breeding birds Decreasing Bird Red-shouldered hawk Forest breeding raptors Increasing Bird Ruffed grouse Eariy successional forest/shrubland birds Decreasing Bird Sedge wren Grassland birds Unknown Bird Sharp-shinned hawk Forest breeding raptors Increasing Bird - Short-eared owl Grassland birds Unknown Bird Upland sandpiper Grassland birds Decreasing Bird Vesper sparrow Grassland birds Decreasing Bird Whip-poor-will Early successional forest/shrubland birds Decreasing Bird Willow flycatcher Eariy successional forest/shrubland birds Decreasing Bird Wood thrush Deciduous/mixed forest breeding birds Decreasing Bird Worm-eating warbler Deciduous/mixed forest breeding birds Unknown Bird Yellow-breasted chat Early successional forest/shrubland birds Stable Freshwater fish ' Blackchin shiner Blackchin shiner Unknown Freshwater fish Brook trout, Heritage strains Brook trout, Heritage strains Stable Freshwater fish Comely shiner Comely shiner Unknown Freshwater fish Swallowtail shiner Swallowtail shiner Unknown Herpetofauna Black ratsnake Woodland/grassland snakes Decreasing Herpetofauna Blue-spotted salamander Vernal pool salamanders Unknown Herpetofauna Coal skink Lizards Unknown Herpetofauna Eastern hognose snake Woodland/grassland snakes Unknown Herpetofauna Eastern ribbonsnake Lake/river reptiles Unknown Herpetofauna Four-toed salamander Freshwater wetland amphibians Unknown Herpetofauna Hellbender Hellbender Decreasing Herpetofauna Jefferson salamander Vernal pool salamanders Unknown Herpetofauna Longtail salamander Stream salamanders Decreasing Herpetofauna Northern black racer Woodland/grassland snakes Unknown Herpetofauna Northern red salamander Stream salamanders Unknown Herpetofauna Short-headed gartersnake Woodland/grassland snakes Decreasing Herpetofauna Smooth greensnake Woodland/grassland snakes Unknown Herpetofauna Snapping turtle Snapping Turtle Unknown Herpetofauna Spotted turtle Uncommon turtles of wetlands Unknown Herpetofauna Timber rattlesnake Woodland/grassland snakes Decreasing Herpetofauna Wood turtle Lake/river reptiles Unknown Insect A mayfly Stoneflies/Mayflies of lotic waters Unknown Insect A mayfly Stoneflies/Mayflies of lotic waters Unknown Insect A mayfly Stoneflies/Mayflies of lotic waters Unknown Insect American rubyspot Odonates of rivers/streams Unknown Insect Arrow clubtail Odonates of rivers/streams Unknown Insect Arrowhead spiketail Odonates of seeps/rivulets Unknown Insect Cobra clubtail Odonates of rivers/streams Unknown Insect Comet darner Odonates of lakes/ponds Unknown Insect Frosted elfin Other butterflies Decreasing Insect Henry's elfin Other butterflies Unknown Insect Mottled duskywing Other butterflies Decreasing Insect Ostrich fern borer moth Other moths Unknown Insect Persius duskywing Other butterflies Unknown Insect Rapids clubtail Odonates of rivers/streams Unknown Insect Regal fritillary Other butterflies Unknown Insect Silvery blue Other butterflies Decreasing Insect Southern grizzled skipper Other butterflies Unknown

Susquehanna Table 9. (continued)

TaxaGroup Species SpeciesGroup Stability Insect Spatterdock darner Odonates of lakes/ponds Unknown Insect Spine-crowned clubtail Odonates of rivers/streams Unknown Insect Subarctic darner Odonates of bogs/fens/ponds Unknown Insect Tawny crescent Other butterflies Decreasing Mammal Eastern red bat Tree bats Unknown Mammal Hoary bat Tree bats Unknown Mammal River otter Furbearers Stable Mammal Silver-haired bat Tree bats Unknown Marine fish American eel American eel Unknown Marine fish American shad American shad Unknown Mollusk Brook floater Freshwater bivalves Unknown Mollusk Green floater Freshwater bivalves Unknown Mollusk Yellow lamp mussel Freshwater bivalves Stable

Susquehanna Table 10. SGCN that historically occurred in Susquehanna Basin, but are now believed to be extirpated from the basin.

Taxa Group Species Species Group Bird American black duck Breeding waterfowl Bird Barn owl Barn owl Bird Blue-winged teal Breeding waterfowl Bird Loggerhead shrike Loggerhead Shrike Bird Louisiana waterthrush Deciduous/mixed forest breeding birds Bird Scarlet Tanager Deciduous/mixed forest breeding birds Crustacea/Meristomata Piedmont groundwater amphipod Freshwater crustacea Herpetofauna Bog turtle Uncommon turtles of wetlands Insect A looper moth (Lambdina canitiaria) Other moths Insect A Mayfly (Leucrocuta thetis) Stoneflies/Mayflies of uncertain/questionable habitat Insect Ebony boghaunter Odonates of bogs/fens/ponds Insect Pygmy snaketail Odonates of rivers/streams Mammal Eastern cougar Extirpated large mammals Mammal Gray wolf Extirpated large mammals Mammal Least shrew Small mammals of uncertain/questionable residency Mollusk Elktoe Freshwater bivalves Mollusk Lance aplexa Freshwater gastropods Mollusk Spindle lymnaea Freshwater gastropods Mollusk Tidewater mucket Freshwater bivalves

Susquehanna Table 11. Summary of threats, number of (and percent of all) species groups affected, and percentage of all threats to SGCN in the Susquehanna Basin. For details on threats, see Appendix: Threats Characterizationfor Wildlife and Their Habitats.

1. of Species Groups  % of All Spp Groups in Threats Affected Basin  % of All Threats in Basin Multiple a 33 100 13.8 Habitat loss - conversion to cultural 20 60.6 8.3 Contaminants 16 48.5 6.7 Degradation of water quality 15 45.5 6.3 Human disturbance - illegal/unreg. Harvest 13 39.4 5.4 Altered hydrology (loss of aquatic habitat quantity) 12 36.4 5 Habitat fragmentation 10 30.3 4.2 Human disturbance - collisions 10 30.3 4.2 Disturbed predator/prey cycles 10 30.3 4.2 Habitat loss - natural 8 24.2 3.3 Disease 7 21.2 2.9 Competition for life support 7 21.2 2.9 Competition from exotics 6 18.2 2.5 Unsustainable Ag/Silvicultural Practices 6 18.2 2.5 Sedimentation/Erosion 6 18.2 2.5 Human disturbance - general 5 15.2 2.1 Active alteration of natural processes 5 15.2 2.1 Loss of streamside buffers 4 12.1 .1.7 Altered hydrology (loss of aquatic habitat quality) 4 12.1 1.7- i .

Reduction of patch size, shape, area 4 12.1 .1,7 Loss of habitat connectivity 4 12.1 1:7

,Habitat composition altered by invasives 3 9.1 1.3 Human disturbance - entanglement/entrainment 3 9.1 1.3 Detrimental hybridization 3 9.1 1.3 ' '

Susceptibility to stochastic events (isolated populations) 3 9.1 1.3 Susceptibility to stochastic events (rare species) 3 9.1 1.3 Unknown threats 3 9.1 1.3, Barriers (roads; development; curbs) 2 6.1 0.8 Pollution (acid rain; soil contamination) 2 6.1 0.8 "

Habitat composition altered by invasives 2 6.1 0.8 Habitat composition altered by overuse (deer browse) 2 6.1 0.8 Loss of host species 2 6.1 0.8 Susceptibility to stochastic events (weather; storm events) 2 6.1 0.8 Habitat composition altered by overuse (beaver, geese, etc) 1 3 0.4 Human created abrupt edges 1 3 0.4 Parasites 1 3 0.4 Climate change (sea level rise; temp changes) 1 3 0.4 Climate change (range restriction; changes in distribution) 1 3 0.4 a Multiple = recommended action addresses multiple threats rather than one specific threat

Susquehanna Table 12, Existing management plans and agreements within the Susquehanna Basin Plan/Agreement Name Involved Parties Information River Basins - March 2002 NYSDEC Basin overview; recommendations for restoring water quality Forest Fragmentation in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed - Ecological, Economic, Policy and Law Impacts - 1998 Society of AmericanForesters Ecological, economic, policy and law impacts from fragmentation Susquehanna River Basin Commission 2001 Annual Report Susquehanna River Basin Commission Basin highlights; hydrologic conditions; flood events, achievements Upper Susquehanna Coalition Strategic Planning Session - January 2003 Upper Susquehanna Coalition Academic Institutions GIS l capabilities, sediment fingerprinting: stream flows; wetlands