Columbian White-Tailed Deer Land Acquisitions and Translocations Project
The following comments were submitted in response to the open comment period described below.
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BPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Army Corps of Engineers are proposing to implement an ongoing program of land acquisitions, habitat improvements and translocations of Columbian white-tailed deer (CWTD) on multiple properties along the Columbia River in Oregon and Washington below Bonneville Dam. BPA is proposing to fund the Service’s efforts to supplement or replace the existing secure and viable subpopulation of CWTD at Tenasillahe Island, which is at risk of habitat loss by potential dike failures and sea-level rise. This would require translocating CWTD from Tenasillahe Island to locations in the Columbia River estuary suitable for the establishment of additional secure and viable subpopulations. To accomplish this, land acquisitions (through purchase or conservation easement), land management (to ensure long-term potential for CWTD recovery), and habitat improvements on acquired lands for the long-term recovery of CWTD are proposed. Your comments will help BPA determine the issues that should be addressed in the environmental review.
For More Information:
https://www.bpa.gov/learn-and-participate/public-involvement-decisions/project-reviews/cwtd-programmatic
Close of comment: 8/15/2022
- CWTD22220002 -
JonesI principle I support acquiring new land for this species of deer whose habitat is at risk. Currently Tenasillahe Island is open to the public. The hiking trail allows people to view the white tailed deer. I would really like it if whatever land is acquired is also open to the public. I don't care if it's state or federally owned, I just want the same opportunity to view deer.
- CWTD22220003 -
PaceThe environmental analysis should consider translocation/reintroduction of CWTD in the Pierce National Wildlife Refuge in Skamania County, WA. This refuge is protected from human impacts and provides ideal habitat in the form of grassland upland deciduous forest. Pierce National Wildlife Unit is managed as part of the Ridgefield complex. It is adjacent to Beacon Rock State Park, and, but for the tiny hamlet of Skamania Landing, borders lands under managment by the USFS, including the Sams-Walker area and St. Cloud areas, as well as Franz Lake. One very attractive aspect of including this measure in the analysis of alternatives is that it DOES NOT require any additional land acquisitions, which are controversial and, via BPA credits, worsen the revenue picture for Treasury. Thank you for giving this comment your consideration.
- CWTD22220004 -
paceCWTD are listed as threatened under federal law and as endangered under state law. Under Washington State Wildlife Action Plan, CWTD are designated as “SGCN,” i.e., Species with Greatest Conservation Need. Washington Dept. Fish & Wildlife also identifies this as a “Priority Species” within its Priority Habitat and Species Program. One of the program’s express purposes is to identify species/habitats that “require protective measures,” e.g., not to be harassed or disturbed by recreationalists targeting just such an experience. I spent almost four decades as an economic/policy analyst in the disputes over listed salmonids and critical habitat impacted by the Columbia River System, and, as a result, could offer endless comments focused on “take” rules for CWTD. Placing these vulnerable, dispersed species in and near people, particularly recreationalists, makes ZERO sense, as well as invites protracted disputes leading to litigation. This is why I suggest BPA translocate/reintroduce CWTD at the Pierce National Wildlife Refuge just downstream of Bonneville Dam. The refuge is closed to entry, which will allow CWTD population to survive and recover without the adverse impacts of targeted recreation activities. I note that the national refuges downriver, primarily Steigerwald, cannot offer the same level of protection. That said, translocation/relocation of CWTD to Steigerwald might make sense, while contributing to BPA’s other activities undertaken for the benefit of salmon and steelhead. I remain very skeptical of the wisdom of BPA’s financing acquisitions of lands that do not offer similar levels of protection from dispersed recreationalists.
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