Bat protection

[galthatfishes]

Pennsylvania forest products industry argues against protections for bats

Published: Monday, September 24, 2012, 4:26 PM Updated: Monday, September 24, 2012, 4:36 PM

By MARCUS SCHNECK, The Patriot-News

Foresters and loggers tried to dissuade the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners from adding three bat species to the state's list of endangered species at the first day of the board's two day meeting in Franklin on Monday.

Representatives of the state's forest products industry painted a picture of devastation that could come to the industry if the northern long-eared bat, tri-colored bat and the little brown bat are given endangered species status in the state.

Robert Long of the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association predicted "tens of thousands of jobs potentially impacted" by the action.

While no action has been formally proposed for commissioner consideration, the agency has sought public input on the issue through an announcement in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, as "just the start of the process," explained Commissioner Jay Delaney.

Commissioners and staff at a meeting in June launched the discussion of possible added protections for bat populations destroyed by white nose syndrome in 21 states, including Pennsylvania, and four Canadian provinces since it was first detected in New York in 2006.

However, the state's forest industry has been impacted in some areas by restrictions on logging operations as additional protection for the federally listed Indiana bat.

The foresters and loggers envisioned similar impacts, but on a much wider scale, from protections for the additional bat species.

Paul Neal, a forester with Brownlee Lumber Company near Brookville, noted, "There is no research that indicates these forestry restrictions will impact WNS," which seems to attack bats in the tight quarters of their winter hibernation chambers.

"This is a disease issue and not a forest management issue," agreed Ned Carter, land manager for Collins Pine Company, Kane. "This effort is misdirected."

David Babiac, a consulting forester in Indiana, said potential restrictions could shut down logging operations such as shelterwood cuts and clearcuts for seven months of the year, but "there cannot be a part-time forest industry."

blog.pennlive.com/pa-sportsman/2012/09/pennsylvania_forest_products_industry_argues_against_protections_for_bats.html

[galthatfishes]

I also PERSONALLY commented on the bat proposal, but didn't go to the meeting.
The views I expressed are my own; although I did share them with QDMA and others so they would be aware of the stringent proposals.

Mr. Carl Roe, Executive Director

Mr. Calvin DuBrock, Director of Wildlife Management

Commissioners Martone, Delaney, Putnam, Weaner, Schreffler, Schlemmer, and Hoover



Pa Game Commission

2001 Elmerton Ave.

Harrisburg, PA 17110



RE: Comments on PGC Notice of Action for Protection of the Remaining Populations of Northern Long-Eared Bat, Tri-Colored Bat, and the Little Brown Bat



Dear Mr. Roe, Mr. DuBrock, and Commissioners:

I am writing to express concern regarding the Commission’s recent announcement of impending actions; and the exceptional lack of detail provided in the public comment announcement; to protect three species of bat that have suffered significant mortality due to white nose syndrome and adding them to the Pennsylvania T&E listing.

The rumors I have been hearing (a ten to 20 square mile no-timber zone around every documented hibernacula to name one) are concerning.

While it would be reasonable for the Commission to consider restricting human access to hibernaculum to help prevent the human spread of the WNS, and add some additional requirements around roosting trees or maternal colonies, I am troubled that the PGC is taking this occasion to also consider prohibitive restrictions on forestry and timber harvesting and more stringent regulations on wind energy.

There is no data to suggest that the timbering restrictions that are rumored as being discussed; or more stringent restrictions on wind energy will prevent the spread or infliction of WNS within hibernaculum. I have yet to hear of a summer die-off from roost trees or maternal colonies due to WNS. All documented mortality of bats due to WNS has occurred during the hibernacula stage.

Oddly, I have not heard any rumors expressing oppressive regulation on the gas industry, but I suppose that will happen with the timber restrictions. With thousands upon thousands of linear mile of pipeline and disturbances created from well pad drilling, these proposed (and unnamed) restrictions could halt pipeline installation and harm the bottom line of private citizens, corporations and their employees, and the agency itself.

Why have you elected to forgo regulating many other human activities and interactions that have the potential of impacting the spring and summer roosting of the bat species in question?

The additional timber harvesting restrictions being considered would likely destroy the state’s forest products economy; a great source of revenue for the PGC; in addition to reversing the tremendous strides the agency has made with regard to early successional habitat that many other species of concern rely.

According to your own research; golden winged warbler habitat is beneficial to grouse, woodcock, deer, turkey, bears, snowshoe hare and fisher.

www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/domestic/pdf/GWWA_bmp_FinalSmall.pdf

I hope you will not boldly ignore your own best management practice recommendations of early successional habitat to the detriment of all of those species that use warbler habitat that are absolutely necessary for breeding, food, and cover ecology of the warbler and all known habitat specialists on your species of special concern list to provide absolute protection for bats who aren’t having massive die-offs beyond the hibernacula?

Seasonal restrictions, a 60% mandatory canopy retention, a ten to 20 square mile no timber radius from any hibernacula, and mandatory buffer restrictions are not a best management strategy. They lack in common sense, and will devastate the forest industry, halt all progress the agency has made in the creation of early successional habitat for a multitude of species, and eventually, could eliminate the need for hunting.

Once forests get beyond the pole timber stage, hunters will no longer be necessary to control wildlife populations. Predation of fawn by black bear and coyote will keep the deer numbers under control. Lack of nesting and breeding cover will put many other species in jeopardy of being added to the T&E list. The proposals I have heard about are short-sighted and lack rational.

How do we address declining forest health? If I understand correctly, the proposal (yet unseen, but highly rumored) calls for all ash trees (to name one) to remain standing. With the spread and monitoring of the Emerald Ash Borer beetle, and similar pests attacking our forest products, do you think that may have additional unintended consequences for the proposed actions which appear to be a reactionary response without any solid evidence that the measure would restrict the spread of WNS?

I request all information and studies that show the impacts that these timber restrictions will have on forest biodiversity and the future of other species of concern that rely upon early successional forests as well as an additional 30 day period in which the public may comment on the actual proposal.

I’m shocked that an agency who came to so many groups when the drastic measure of herd reduction was about to occur to develop best management practices for white tailed deer, yet; did not consult with any of us regarding this proposal. Had it not been for some friends asking me if I heard about the bat restrictions, I would have never had the opportunity to comment.

As a member of several conservation groups in Pennsylvania including but not limited to the Quality Deer Management Association, Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, the Pennsylvania Forest Coalition, and the Pennsylvania Habitat Alliance, I am distressed that our groups were left out of the discussion and were not solicited for comment.

Most times we align with the agency, however, I doubt that would be the case this time. Perhaps that is why this went into the bulletin over the summer months when we are less likely to be paying attention because the legislature is on break?

I do support leaving snags remain where practical, and some additional requirements can be created to protect maternal colonies, but hopefully not to the extremes that I have heard are being suggested. The PNDI reviews, plans for timber harvests especially where roost trees and maternal colonies are found can all be tweaked to a new BMP without causing the progress in early successional forestry practices that so many other species rely.

In conclusion, I believe that a 30-day comment period is insufficient time period to review and comment on a proposal with such serious repercussions. The Commission should sit with its partners and come up with some reasonable regulations rather than halt the progress we have made over the last decade with regard to new and better forestry practices. They are the best management practices this state has ever seen, and I would hate to see the progress reverse in short order, with the eventual prospect of even more species being listed as T&E in the future, as well as a diminished need for hunting as a result of a rushed proposal without comment from the conservation partners, the timber, wind and gas industry and the general public.


Kindest regards,

Katherine L Davis

[timberpro]

I would take exception with the title of this article. The timber industry did NOT argue against protection of bats. The industry DID voiced thier opinion, concerning potential over-regulation that might come out of providing endangered species status to 3 more distinct species bats.Some of the proposed restrictions included: No timber harvesting from April till November.(you cannot have a part time industry).. Post harvest canopy cover of not less than 60%.( you will not regenerate shade intolerent species such as Oak). The mandatory leaving of the 16 largest trees in the stand(define stand)...The landowner may not sell his finest trees? (who will re-imburse him for this loss?). The new regs went on and on. And there is no science showing any correlation for the loss of these species, due to logging practices. I personally did provide testimony to the Commissioners, representing the PA Chapter of the Association of Consulting Foresters. The testimony from the Industry was well recieved.The commissioners stated that there were no regs even stated yet, and the industry should not over-react. Executive Directer Roe stated this was just the beginning of a long and arduous process, and there was the possibility that no new regs will be issued. We will see.....

[melody]

HR 199 By McCarter. Resolution declaring the week of April 14 through 20, 2013 as "Bat Protection and Awareness Week" in PA.


HB 1099 By McCarter. Act providing for the protection of certain bat species.

[galthatfishes]

Wow. Is that Rep going to be put under IRRC too because he wrote a bill regarding bats? <sarcasm inserted>

Sen Alloway scheduled IRRC to run on April 17th- that's Sen White's bill

Once they get back in session.... its email time

[bushmaster]

Bats should be protected! Thier beneficial to everyone. This winter out at my hunt club I came across a half dozen or so dead ones laying on the ice by the back door. I chalked it up to white nose. We have prolly 200 in our attic. On a few drunken nights I've counted them while leaving the roost. worst thing we could do is lose the bats and the bees. There the same just different.

[Dutch]

I hope the remaining bats build up a resistance to WNS. Even if they do, they will take many, many years to make a comeback.

I'm all for protection, but common sense protection.

[galthatfishes]

Bushy, I agree we need to do what we can; but we also have to use a common sense approach.

I got an invitation from the PGC to attend an event- and I left it at home- sometime over the summer regarding bats. That was one excellent thing the agency did was to invite those on all sides to a meeting co we can work together. They're already working with the gas industry.

I'm in the middle of this one. The bats are dying in and leaving their winter shelters. We've got to do something, but to what extent.

[TusseyMtman]

The bats are very important. Most people don't understand it.

[dougell]

A few weeks ago I took my son to Lincoln caverns.They had a pretty good bat presentation and said that they were starting to make a comeback.