Baseline Considerations. Baseline Conditions The baseline conditions that will be maintained on the Enrolled property are described in the Evaluation Form (Attachment A). The baseline will also include a description of the required foraging habitat (total basal area and acres) for each group or active cluster. Appropriate maps depicting foraging partitions for each baseline cluster will also be included. Using the proper surveys, described below, the Property Owner may differentiate the number of active clusters into potential breeding groups and solitary bird (typically male) groups. Determining Baseline Conditions The first step in determining the baseline conditions is to determine if suitable RCW habitat exists or if a known RCW group exists within one-half-mile of the property (at the discretion of the Commission, Property Owner knowledge may be the basis for determining the distance to known sites on neighboring properties). Suitable habitat consists of pine or pine-hardwood (50 percent or more pine) stands 30 years of age or older (USFWS 2003). If this type of habitat is not present, and there are no RCW groups within one-half-mile of the property, further assessment is not necessary, and the Property Owner’s baseline will be zero. If a RCW group exists within one-half-mile of the Property Owner’s property and the Property Owner has the responsibility of maintaining a portion of the habitat for the RCW cluster, as required by the ESA, that portion of habitat will be incorporated into the Property Owner’s baseline. If suitable habitat is present, the Property Owner will determine if RCW groups exist. To determine if RCW groups exist, the Property Owner will conduct surveys for cavity trees in stands that contain suitable nesting habitat. Red-cockaded woodpeckers select and require old- growth pines for cavity excavation. Age of cavity trees depends on the ages of pines available, but there is a minimum age, generally 60 to 80 years, depending on tree and site factors (USFWS 2003). Old-growth pines are relatively rare throughout the south and remnants (both single trees and stands) within today’s forests are critically important habitat (USFWS 2003). Property Owner properties that must be surveyed for RCW cavity trees include:
Baseline Considerations. The baseline conditions that will be maintained on the enrolled property are described below in Section V.
Baseline Considerations
