Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />Exhibit D SMP Update | Comment Matrix Page 6 of 15 <br />Protection Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act. To <br />determine if a permit is needed from USFWS for a <br />land use action that has the potential to disturb bald <br />eagles, USFWS has created a self-certification tool <br />which may be employed. WDFW considers the <br />National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines to be <br />the preferred way to protect bald eagle habitat and <br />recommends that anyone involved with actions that <br />may affect bald eagles, their nests, or communal <br />roosts consult and abide by these guidelines. <br />recommends approval of this <br />proposed change. <br />17B.05.020K Elizabeth Torrey, <br />WDFW <br />1/5/2021 In December 2020, WDFW finalized a new Priority <br />Habitats and Species (PHS) publication consisting of <br />two volumes: Riparian Ecosystems, Vol. 1: Science <br />Synthesis and Management Implications and <br />Riparian Ecosystems, Vol. 2: Management <br />Recommendations. These publications meet the <br />criteria of being independently peer reviewed <br />sources of Best Available Science for the protection <br />and maintenance of fully functioning of riparian <br />ecosystems. <br />The Riparian Ecosystems publications confirm that <br />rather than simply being "buffers" for their adjacent <br />waterbody, riparian zones are important as <br />ecosystems in-and-of themselves, warranting <br />protection and management regardless of the <br />waterbody's typing. Shoreline riparian areas function <br />both as aquatic buffers by protecting and improving <br />water quality, and as terrestrial habitat used by <br />wildlife for movement, nesting, reproduction, <br />foraging, and refugia. In particular, WDFW asserts <br />that riparian areas of less than 100 feet will not <br />adequately preserve nutrient removal functions and <br />Staff acknowledges WDFW’s <br />latest publications as a source of <br />Best Available Science. The <br />periodic update is a minor <br />update, and staff recognizes that <br />reviewing the publications and <br />amending the SMP to reflect the <br />Best Available Science, would be <br />beyond the scope of work of this <br />periodic review. Staff does not <br />recommend approval of this <br />proposed change. In the future, <br />during a more comprehensive <br />update of the SMP, staff would <br />work with WDFW to update the <br />SMP in accordance with these <br />publications.