Wildlife Reconnaissance Group Supervisor. During the initial phase of a response, the Wildlife Reconnaissance Group is responsible for conducting the initial wildlife impact assessment to establish the necessary scope and scale of the wildlife response. Subsequent to wildlife impact assessment, this group is responsible for determining the location and movement of animals that may be, or already have been, impacted. Daily and seasonal movements of birds and mammals necessitate rapid, real-time characterization and reconnaissance of wildlife concentrations. The Wildlife Reconnaissance Group consists of the Aerial, Boat, and Shoreline Survey Units. Each unit may be composed of multiple teams. The Reconnaissance Group is responsible for coordinating surveys that occur in habitat for threatened or endangered species in the National Marine Sanctuary, Congressionally Designated Wilderness Areas, or State Parks. Depending on the spill size, Wildlife Reconnaissance Group teams may be integrated with Recovery and Transportation Unit teams, although this is
Wildlife Reconnaissance Group Supervisor. During the initial phase of a response, the Wildlife Reconnaissance Group is responsible for conducting the initial wildlife impact assessment to establish the necessary scope and scale of the wildlife response. Subsequent to wildlife impact assessment, this group is responsible for determining the location and movement of animals that may be, or already have been, impacted. Daily and seasonal movements of birds and mammals necessitate rapid, real-time characterization and reconnaissance of wildlife concentrations. The Wildlife Reconnaissance Group consists of the Aerial, Boat, and Shoreline Survey Units. Each unit may be composed of multiple teams. The Reconnaissance Group is responsible for coordinating surveys that occur in habitat for threatened or endangered species in the National Marine Sanctuary, Congressionally Designated Wilderness Areas, or State Parks. Depending on the spill size, Wildlife Reconnaissance Group teams may be integrated with Recovery and Transportation Unit teams, although this is usually not desirable because it may over-task the teams. Experienced personnel are essential for effective wildlife reconnaissance and surveillance. Observers should be able to identify wildlife species and behavioral characteristics associated with oil impacts, and be knowledgeable about local ecological factors. Reconnaissance Group personnel may include professional wildlife biologists, trustee agency representatives, contractors, and other trained people. If specialized surveys for threatened and endangered species are needed, additional wildlife specialists may be called in by the Reconnaissance Group Supervisor or Wildlife Branch Director. These specialists will advise the Branch Director and the Unified Command about threats to listed species, locations and numbers of oiled animals, and the need for capture, deterrence, or other protection strategies. These experts will typically use species-specific observation protocols. Duties of the Reconnaissance Group Supervisor include: Determining the need for reconnaissance activities; Developing land, water, and air reconnaissance plans; Establishing reconnaissance schedules for land, water, and air effort; Identifying and coordinating staff to participate in reconnaissance activities; and Ensuring that information gathered by the reconnaissance teams is routed to the appropriate Wildlife Branch and Environmental Unit staff.
