Goshawk Information Related to Annual Grazing Plan 1993

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
Coconino National Forest
2323 E. Greenlaw Lane
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
602-556-7400
FAX 602-527-9419

Reply to: 2200

Date: March 9, 1993

Dear

I want to share with you some information that may affect the management of your permitted allotment this grazing season. We are undertaking a strategy to conserve the Goshawk and its habitats. The need for this action and the steps necessary to accomplish it are outlined in this letter.

Concern about the habitat needs and population viability of the Northern Goshawk resulted in the species being identified as "sensitive" by the Regional Forester in 1982. In 1990 the Southwestern Region established a committee to "develop a scientifically-credible management strategy to conserve the goshawk". This group put its findings in a document entitled "Management Recommendations for the Northern Goshawk in the Southwestern United States". This August 1992 report (General Technical Report RM-217) is the basis for the current interim policy for the management of goshawk habitat while the Southwestern Region prepares an Environmental Impact Statement to amend Forest Plans.

The new interim policy applies only to historical and active goshawk breeding home ranges (territories) in the Southwestern Region. The purpose of the interim management policy is, through time, to attain the desired future conditions for the goshawk habitat in the Southwestern Region. The intent, therefo~e, is to create a sustainable intermixture of all forest ages (dominated by mid-aged, mature, and old forests) with a well developed herbaceous and shrubby layer understory that will sustain viable populations of prey species for goshawks in the Southwestern Region.

The guideline for forage utilization is as follows: Wildlife and livestock utilization of grasses and forbs should average 20g (by weight) and not exceed 40% in any area and shrub utilization should average 40% (by weight) and not exceed 60", in any area. This guideline applies under the forest canopy and in openings less that 4 acres within a goshawk territory.

This goshawk forage utilization guideline is being evaluated and addressed in current allotment management plan revisions. We are working on four AMP revisions this year so it will take 10 plus years to complete them all. For all other allotments with goshawks we have two possible methods of making a "good faith" effort to meet the guideline, 1) amend section 3 of your grazing permit to include the guideline or 2) include the guideline in your annual permittee operating plan. Because this guideline is INTERIM and may change some by the time it is incorporated into Forest Plans we will be including it in your 93 annual operating plan.

Your District Ranger has asked their Range Con. and Wildlife Biologist to evaluate every known goshawk territory on your allotment. Those allotments with historically light to moderate utilization rates and multiple pastures will have greater flexibility in meeting the INTENT of the guideline than those allotments with historically heavy utilization rates.

You will be invited by the District Ranger to get involved with this process. Monitoring of forage utilization on these goshawk territories will be a big part of determining if we are meeting the INTENT of the guideline. Your assistance with this monitoring effort will be welcomed and encouraged. Your District Range Con. will be in contact with you to talk more about this new guideline.

Sincerely,

FRED TREVEY
Forest Supervisor

DG: District Rangers
A.Wasser:R03F07A
M.Rising:R03FO1A
G.Henke:R03A

Last Revised: 19 February 2001