Survey Protocol. For the purposes of 7.1, the Parties will develop and agree on a protocol for the priority and timing of Adequate Surveys for the Lands, including proposed Closing Dates, having regard for:
Survey Protocol. All “suitable” habitats within an action area (area to be affected by a project) should be surveyed. Suitable Habitat is defined as follows: The frog is a habitat generalist that is found in cienegas, pools, beaver ponds, livestock tanks, lakes, reservoirs, streams, and rivers at elevations of 1,000 to 2,710 meters (m). They are occasionally found in livestock drinkers, irrigation sloughs and acequias, xxxxx, abandoned swimming pools, back yard ponds, and mine adits. On the Coronado National Forest, the species occurs from 1,000 to 2,013 m. On the other Forests in Arizona, Chiricahua leopard frogs occur between 1,080 and 2,525 m. The frog uses permanent or nearly permanent pools and ponds for breeding. Most sites that support populations of this frog will hold water year long in most years. Time from hatching to metamorphosis is shorter in warm waters than cold water, thus water permanency is probably more important at higher elevation and in the northern portion of the species’ range. The species is rarely found in aquatic sites inhabited by nonnative fish, bullfrogs, or crayfish. However, in complex systems or large aquatic sites, Chiricahua leopard frog may occur with low densities of nonnative predators. Surveys in suitable lentic and lotic systems should be conducted as follows: Lentic systems: Upon approaching a survey site, stop approximately 20 m from the bank and search the site with binoculars. Search for frogs floating in water away from the bank as well as scanning the bank as best as possible. Walk around the entire perimeter of the site. If the entire perimeter is not surveyed, record the start and stop points as UTM coordinates. While walking along banks, use a dip net to sweep vegetation to flush frogs that do not respond to the observer’s approach. After the initial perimeter survey, search mud cracks, divots, under rocks and downed branches, and any other places where frogs might find cover. If the lentic system allows, walk though the site in a zigzag fashion to further flush frogs that may be sitting on the bottom of the water. Dip net to determine the presence of amphibian larvae, fish, and aquatic insects. Record all visual observations and audible “plops” of frogs escaping into water. Be careful not to count frogs more than once. Lotic systems: Upon arriving at the starting point of a lotic system, record the starting point (or the most downstream point of the site) as UTM coordinates. Proceed upstream searching the banks, surroundin...
Survey Protocol. ODOT agrees to conduct a full ecological investigation, and to prepare an ESR (or equivalent appropriate documentation) in accordance with the ODOT Ecological Manual, to document that these conditions have been met. This documentation will be included in the ODOT project file and discussed in the NEPA document prepared for the project.
Survey Protocol. The current Service endorsed protocol for northern spotted owls. As of this writing, this refers to the USFWS Protocol for Surveying Proposed Management Activities That May Impact Northern Spotted Owls February 2, 2011, revised January 9, 2012.
