Common use of Prescribed Fire Clause in Contracts

Prescribed Fire. In the fall (i.e. September through November), prescribed burns may be performed to discourage woody plant growth, remove accumulated leaf litter and duff, and encourage the spread of native prairie grasses and forbs. The annual burn unit (ABU) will be determined based on the individual site conditions and population sizes. The ABU for sites supporting 100 or more adult Fender’s blue butterflies may be a maximum of 33 percent of the occupied habitat. The ABU for sites with less than 100 adult Fender’s may be a maximum of 25 percent of the occupied habitat. The center of the ABU will be within 100 m of unburned occupied habitat, which can serve as a recolonization source. Once burned, a unit will not be re-burned for at least three years, to allow butterfly populations to rebuild. The use of fire for habitat maintenance inherently increases the risk of accidentally impacting more habitat than originally intended. In order to ensure the maximum allowable ABU will not be exceeded, Cooperators will plan to burn approximately five percent less than the annual maximum. In order to reduce the potential fuel load, the removal of large woody plants will occur prior to burning, when feasible. Ignition of burn areas will be by hand, using propane, fusees, or drip torches. Fire control/suppression will be accomplished with the use of pre-burn hose lays, wet- lining, or fire retardant foam. Prescribed burns will be conducted in a manner consistent with state and local smoke management regulations. Vehicles would not be operated in the areas of listed species. Additionally, where patch size allows, butterfly refugia within burn units will be protected with a fire break and/or watering down prior to a burn. When using controlled fire as a management technique, additional consideration of subsequent annual treatments for the ABU will be necessary. The year following a burn, management of that unit will be limited to manual techniques and herbicide applications. Additionally, during a burn year, management activities will also be limited for adjacent units of the site. Mowing will not occur on a site that is scheduled to be burned, in order to limit the maximum affected area to approximately 33 percent of the site. Future research efforts may include studies on Fender’s blue butterfly individuals, in order to assess the potential for reintroducing the species to historic sites that no longer support a viable population. For instance, to determine if captive rearing is a possibility for Fender’s blue butterfly, studies will need to be conducted on Fender’s individuals. Therefore, occupied habitat that is scheduled to be burned may be used as a source for collecting Fender’s blue butterfly eggs and larvae, when an appropriate holding/rearing facility is available.

Prescribed Fire. In the fall (i.e. September i.e., mid-August through November), prescribed burns ▇▇▇▇▇ may be performed to discourage woody plant growth, remove accumulated leaf litter and duff, and encourage the spread of native prairie grasses and forbs. The An annual burn unit (ABU) will be determined based on the individual site conditions and population sizes. Prescribed fire may be used to manage grassland habitats each year, but the area that may be burned in any one year is limited on sites occupied by ▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ checkerspot as described below. The ABU for sites supporting 100 300 or more adult Fender’s blue butterflies ▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ checkerspot may be a maximum of 33 percent one-third of the occupied habitat. The ABU for sites with less than 100 300 adult Fender’s ▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ checkerspot may be up to a maximum of 25 percent one-fifth of the occupied habitat. The center of the ABU will be within 100 m of unburned occupied habitat, which can serve as a recolonization source. Once burned, a unit will not be re-burned for at least three years, to allow years so that butterfly or plant populations to may rebuild. The use of fire for habitat maintenance inherently increases the risk of accidentally impacting more habitat than originally intended. In order to ensure the maximum allowable ABU will not be exceeded, Cooperators The responsible Parties will plan to burn approximately five percent less than the annual maximummaximum so that the maximum allowable ABU will not be exceeded. In order to reduce the potential fuel load, the removal of large Large woody plants will occur prior be removed before burning to burning, when reduce fuel loads if feasible. Ignition of burn areas will be by hand, hand using propane, fuseesfuses, or drip torches. Fire control/suppression will be accomplished with the use of prePre-burn hose lays, wet- wet-lining, or fire retardant foamfoam will be used to control and suppress fires. However, fire retardant chemicals will be used sparingly near occupied habitats, and will typically not be used where they could enter a watercourse (generally no closer to water than 40 meters [120 feet]). Prescribed burns ▇▇▇▇▇ will be conducted in a manner consistent with state and local smoke management regulations. Vehicles would will not be operated in the areas of listed specieswhere ▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ checkerspot occur. Additionally, where patch size allows, butterfly refugia within burn units will be protected with a fire break and/or watering watered down prior to before burning. During a burnburn year on sites occupied by ▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ checkerspot, management activities will also be limited for adjacent units of the site. For example, if one-third of the site is burned, the remaining unburned portion of the site will not be mowed so that the maximum area affected by management activities is no more than one-third of the site, unless the Service determines that those additional management activities have a very low likelihood of directly impacting ▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ checkerspot. When using controlled prescribed fire as a management technique, additional consideration of subsequent annual treatments for the ABU will be necessary. The That is, in the year following a burn, management of that unit will be limited to manual techniques and herbicide applications. Additionally, during a burn year, management activities will also be limited for adjacent units of the site. Mowing will not occur on a site that is scheduled to be burned, in order to limit the maximum affected area to approximately 33 percent of the site. Future research efforts may include studies on Fender’s blue butterfly individuals, in order to assess the potential for reintroducing the species to historic sites that no longer support a viable population. For instance, to determine if captive rearing is a possibility for Fender’s blue butterfly, studies will need to be conducted on Fender’s individuals. Therefore, occupied Occupied habitat that is scheduled to be burned may be used as a source for collecting Fender’s blue butterfly ▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ checkerspot eggs and larvae, when larvae if an appropriate holding/rearing facility or translocation site is available. Any ▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ checkerspot eggs and larvae that are collected will be used to further research on ▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ checkerspot. Research efforts may provide information that will improve the effectiveness of captive rearing, reintroduction, or augmentation techniques for future use at historical or declining sites that currently do not support a viable population, or to increase the stability of existing populations. While it is acknowledged that this activity may occur on covered lands under this Agreement, a separate ESA section 10(a)(1)(A) permit will be required for any associated collection, rearing and reintroduction of ▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ checkerspot.

Prescribed Fire. In the fall (i.e. September i.e., mid-August through November), prescribed burns ▇▇▇▇▇ may be performed to discourage woody plant growth, remove accumulated leaf litter and duff, and encourage the spread of native prairie grasses and forbs. The An annual burn unit (ABU) will be determined based on the individual site conditions and population sizes. Prescribed fire may be used to manage prairie habitats on the enrolled property each year, but the area that may be burned in any one year is limited to no more than one- third of any occupied site. The ABU for sites supporting 100 or more adult Fender’s blue butterflies may be a maximum of 33 percent one-third of the occupied habitat. The ABU for sites with less than 100 adult Fender’s blue butterflies may be up to a maximum of 25 percent one-fourth of the occupied habitat. The center of the ABU will be within 100 m meters of unburned occupied habitat, which can serve as a recolonization source. Once burned, a unit will not be re-burned for at least three years, to allow years so that butterfly populations to may rebuild. The use of fire for habitat maintenance inherently increases the risk of accidentally impacting more habitat than originally intended. In order to ensure the maximum allowable ABU will not be exceeded, Cooperators The responsible Parties will plan to burn approximately five percent less than the annual maximummaximum so that the maximum allowable ABU will not be exceeded. In order to reduce the potential fuel load, the removal of large Large woody plants will occur prior be removed before burning to burning, when reduce fuel loads if feasible. Ignition of burn areas will be by hand, hand using propane, fuseesfuses, or drip torches. Fire control/suppression will be accomplished with the use of prePre-burn hose lays, wet- wet-lining, or fire retardant foamfoam will be used to control and suppress fires. Prescribed burns ▇▇▇▇▇ will be conducted in a manner consistent with state and local smoke management regulations. Vehicles would will not be operated in the areas of where listed speciesspecies occur. Additionally, where patch size allows, butterfly refugia within burn units will be protected with a fire break and/or watering watered down prior to before burning. During a burnburn year, management activities will also be limited for adjacent units of the site. For example, if one-third of the site is burned, the remaining unburned portion of the site will not be mowed so that the maximum area affected by management activities is no more than one-third of the site. When using controlled prescribed fire as a management technique, additional consideration of subsequent annual treatments for the ABU will be necessary. The That is, in the year following a burn, management of that unit will be limited to manual techniques and herbicide applications. Additionally, during a burn year, management activities will also be limited for adjacent units of the site. Mowing will not occur on a site that is scheduled to be burned, in order to limit the maximum affected area to approximately 33 percent of the site. Future research efforts may include studies on Fender’s blue butterfly individuals, in order to assess the potential for reintroducing the species to historic sites that no longer support a viable population. For instance, to determine if captive rearing is a possibility for Fender’s blue butterfly, studies will need to be conducted on Fender’s individuals. Therefore, occupied Occupied habitat that is scheduled to be burned may be used as a source for collecting Fender’s blue butterfly eggs and larvae, when larvae if an appropriate holding/rearing facility is available. Any eggs and larvae that are collected will be used to further research on Fender’s blue butterfly. Research efforts may provide information that will improve the effectiveness of captive rearing, reintroduction, or augmentation techniques for future use at historical or declining sites that currently do not support a viable population, or to increase the stability of existing populations. While it is acknowledged that this activity may occur on lands enrolled under this Agreement, a separate ESA 10(a)(1)(A) permit will be required for any associated collection, rearing and reintroduction of Fender’s blue butterflies.

Prescribed Fire. In the fall (i.e. September i.e., mid-August through November), prescribed burns ▇▇▇▇▇ may be performed to discourage woody plant growth, remove accumulated leaf litter and duff, and encourage the spread of native prairie grasses and forbs. The An annual burn unit (ABU) will be determined based on the individual site conditions and population sizes. Prescribed fire may be used to manage prairie habitats on the enrolled property each year, but the area that may be burned in any one year is limited on sites occupied by Fender’s blue butterfly and ▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇, as described below. A vegetative buffer (generally 15-m [50-feet] wide) and erosion control measures will be maintained along any adjacent watercourse as needed to avoid the risk of potential impacts to listed fish. The ABU for sites supporting 100 or more adult Fender’s blue butterflies may be a maximum of 33 percent one-third of the occupied habitat. The ABU for sites with less fewer than 100 adult Fender’s blue butterflies may be up to a maximum of 25 percent one-fourth of the occupied habitat. No more than half of any area occupied by ▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇- ▇▇▇▇▇▇ may be burned, because this species may not have completely senesced in the fall when prescribed ▇▇▇▇▇ are implemented. The center of the ABU will be within 100 m (328 feet) of unburned occupied habitat, which can serve as a recolonization source. Once burned, a unit will not be re-burned for at least three years, to allow 3 years so that butterfly or plant populations to may rebuild. The use of fire for habitat maintenance inherently increases the risk of accidentally impacting more habitat than originally intended. In order The responsible Parties will plan to ensure burn approximately 5 percent less than the annual maximum so that the maximum allowable ABU will not be exceeded, Cooperators will plan to burn approximately five percent less than the annual maximum. In order to reduce the potential fuel load, the removal of large Large woody plants will occur prior be removed before burning to burning, when reduce fuel loads if feasible. Ignition of burn areas will be by hand, hand using propane, fuseesfuses, or drip torches. Fire control/suppression will be accomplished with the use of prePre-burn hose lays, wet- wet-lining, or fire retardant foamfoam will be used to control and suppress fires. However, fire retardant chemicals will be used sparingly near listed plant and butterfly populations, and will typically not be used where they could enter a watercourse (generally no closer to water than 40 m [131 feet]). Prescribed burns ▇▇▇▇▇ will be conducted in a manner consistent with state and local smoke management regulations. Vehicles would will not be operated in the areas of where listed speciesspecies occur. Additionally, where patch size allows, butterfly refugia within burn units will be protected with a fire break and/or watering watered down prior to before burning. During a burnburn year on sites occupied by Fender’s blue butterfly, management activities will also be limited for adjacent units of the site. For example, if one-third of the site is burned, the remaining unburned portion of the site will not be mowed so that the maximum area affected by all management activities is no more than one- third of the site. When using controlled prescribed fire as a management technique, additional consideration of subsequent annual treatments for the ABU will be necessary. The That is, in the year following a burn, management of that unit will be limited to manual techniques and herbicide applications. Additionally, during a burn year, management activities will also be limited for adjacent units of the site. Mowing will not occur on a site that is scheduled to be burned, in order to limit the maximum affected area to approximately 33 percent of the site. Future research efforts may include studies on Fender’s blue butterfly individuals, in order to assess the potential for reintroducing the species to historic sites that no longer support a viable population. For instance, to determine if captive rearing is a possibility for Fender’s blue butterfly, studies will need to be conducted on Fender’s individuals. Therefore, occupied Occupied habitat that is scheduled to be burned may be used as a source for collecting Fender’s blue butterfly eggs and larvae, when larvae if an appropriate holding/rearing facility is available. Any eggs and larvae that are collected will be used to further research on Fender’s blue butterfly. Research efforts may provide information that will improve the effectiveness of captive rearing, reintroduction, or augmentation techniques for future use at historical or declining sites that currently do not support a viable population, or to increase the stability of existing populations. While it is acknowledged that this activity may occur on lands enrolled under this Agreement, a separate ESA 10(a)(1)(A) permit will be required for any associated collection, rearing, and reintroduction of Fender’s blue butterflies.

Prescribed Fire. In the fall (i.e. September i.e., mid-August through November), prescribed burns ▇▇▇▇▇ may be performed to discourage woody plant growth, remove accumulated leaf litter and duff, and encourage the spread of native prairie grasses and forbs. The An annual burn unit (ABU) will be determined based on the individual site conditions and population sizes. Prescribed fire may be used to manage prairie habitats on the enrolled property each year, but the area that may be burned in any one year is limited on sites occupied by Fender’s blue butterfly and ▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇, as described below. A vegetative buffer (generally 15-m [50-feet] wide) and erosion control measures will be maintained along any adjacent watercourse as needed to avoid the risk of potential impacts to listed fish. The ABU for sites supporting 100 or more adult Fender’s blue butterflies may be a maximum of 33 percent one-third of the occupied habitat. The ABU for sites with less than 100 adult Fender’s blue butterflies may be up to a maximum of 25 percent one-fourth of the occupied habitat. No more than half of any area occupied by ▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ checker-mallow may be burned, because this species may not have completely senesced in the fall when prescribed ▇▇▇▇▇ are implemented. The center of the ABU will be within 100 m (328 feet) of unburned occupied habitat, which can serve as a recolonization source. Once burned, a unit will not be re-burned for at least three years, to allow years so that butterfly or plant populations to may rebuild. The use of fire for habitat maintenance inherently increases the risk of accidentally impacting more habitat than originally intended. In order to ensure the maximum allowable ABU will not be exceeded, Cooperators The responsible Parties will plan to burn approximately five percent less than the annual maximummaximum so that the maximum allowable ABU will not be exceeded. In order to reduce the potential fuel load, the removal of large Large woody plants will occur prior be removed before burning to burning, when reduce fuel loads if feasible. Ignition of burn areas will be by hand, hand using propane, fuseesfuses, or drip torches. Fire control/suppression will be accomplished with the use of prePre-burn hose lays, wet- wet-lining, or fire retardant foamfoam will be used to control and suppress fires. However, fire retardant chemicals will be used sparingly near listed plant and butterfly populations, and will typically not be used where they could enter a watercourse (generally no closer to water than 40 m [131 feet]). Prescribed burns ▇▇▇▇▇ will be conducted in a manner consistent with state and local smoke management regulations. Vehicles would will not be operated in the areas of where listed speciesspecies occur. Additionally, where patch size allows, butterfly refugia within burn units will be protected with a fire break and/or watering watered down prior to before burning. During a burnburn year on sites occupied by Fender’s blue butterfly, management activities will also be limited for adjacent units of the site. For example, if one-third of the site is burned, the remaining unburned portion of the site will not be mowed so that the maximum area affected by management activities is no more than one-third of the site. When using controlled prescribed fire as a management technique, additional consideration of subsequent annual treatments for the ABU will be necessary. The That is, in the year following a burn, management of that unit will be limited to manual techniques and herbicide applications. Additionally, during a burn year, management activities will also be limited for adjacent units of the site. Mowing will not occur on a site that is scheduled to be burned, in order to limit the maximum affected area to approximately 33 percent of the site. Future research efforts may include studies on Fender’s blue butterfly individuals, in order to assess the potential for reintroducing the species to historic sites that no longer support a viable population. For instance, to determine if captive rearing is a possibility for Fender’s blue butterfly, studies will need to be conducted on Fender’s individuals. Therefore, occupied Occupied habitat that is scheduled to be burned may be used as a source for collecting Fender’s blue butterfly eggs and larvae, when larvae if an appropriate holding/rearing facility is available. Any eggs and larvae that are collected will be used to further research on Fender’s blue butterfly. Research efforts may provide information that will improve the effectiveness of captive rearing, reintroduction, or augmentation techniques for future use at historical or declining sites that currently do not support a viable population, or to increase the stability of existing populations. While it is acknowledged that this activity may occur on lands enrolled under this Agreement, a separate ESA 10(a)(1)(A) permit will be required for any associated collection, rearing and reintroduction of Fender’s blue butterflies.