TEXT OF RULE
A plan for the management of nongame wildlife species in
Vermont includes all members of the animal kingdom: mammals, birds, reptiles,
amphibians, fish, mollusks, crustaceans, insects and other invertebrates, and
is limited to species not commonly taken for sport or profit, nor classified as
domesticated.
Projects determined in accordance with the plan will be
coordinated by the Nongame and Natural Heritage Program and performed by
program staff with assistance from other Fish and Wildlife Department staff and
cooperating organizations and individuals. Projects may also be performed on a
contractual basis with qualified individuals and/or institutions.
The plan comprises five primary objectives:
(1) inventories and status determination of
species and natural communities,
(2) species, habitat, and natural community
management,
(3) planning
assistance and environmental review, and
(4) outreach and education. Determination of
project priorities will include consideration of species status and degree of
threat, population and habitat trends, level of knowledge, public interest and
support, availability of funding, arenas underserved by other institutions, and
ability to make a difference.
Financial resources for project expenditures will be derived
from donations to the Vermont Nongame Wildlife Fund, proceed from sale of
vehicle conservation license plates, federal funding sources, the business
community, grants, and other sources authorized by the Commissioner of Fish and
Wildlife.
(1) Inventories and
Status Determination of Species and Natural Communities: Inventories of
Vermont's wildlife and natural communities will be conducted to increase our
understanding about Vermont's wildlife, their rarity, threats to their
continued survival, and to help identify other conservation needs. Status will
be determined for species and natural communities as practicable and the
expertise of others will be solicited when needed.
(2) Species, Habitat, and Naural Community
Management: Monitoring and management of populations will proceed if needed
based on status determination and level of knowledge. Measures to reduce
threats or enhance numbers in populations experiencing decline will be taken.
In situations where a comon species is negatively impacting other wildlife or
humas, population control or management may be attempted. Species may be
reintroduced when appropriate. Legal protection of nongame species will be
enforced by law enforcement personnel. Collection of nongame wildlife for
scientific research, educational purposes, or for the purpose of using them as
the subjects of art or photography shall be authorized by issuance of a
Scientific Collection Permit. Other collections or take of nongame wildlife
shall be authorized by Commissioner letter in addition to a valid Vermont
Hunting License or Small Game License.
Land in state ownership will be managed using appropriate
wildlife and natural community management techniques. Sitespecific management
on state lands and on other lands when landowner permission is granted may
include placement of predator shields, artificial nesting platforms, and
informational signs; controlled burning; vegetation management; and water level
stabilization. Wildlife and natural community management will be encouraged
through publications and other outreach efforts.
(3) Planning Assistance and Environmental
Review: Certain critical land and aquatic systems will be protected statewide.
Protection will be afforded through Act 250 criteria and other legislation,
land acquisition, purchase of development rights, conservation agreements, and
the assistance of interested landowners. Aquatic system will be protected
through current laws and legislation, and acquisition of riparian lands.
Conservation and other planning will be assisted through appropriate
information sharing using the Biological Conservation Database (BCD). Caution
shall be exercised so that revealing site-specific information does not result
in threats to rare species and necessary habitat or compromise landowner
privacy interests.
(4) Outreach and
education: To foster increased respect and appreciation of our natural
heritage, education and outreach efforts will be directed toward achieving a
better understanding of Vermont's nongame wildlife, their habitats, and natural
communities. An Outreach and Education Specialist position will be integrated
into the Nongame and Nautral Heritage Program and help develop an education and
outreach strategy. Activities to enhance nongame wildlife education will
complement other Department and Agency efforts, and those of other conservation
education groups. Networking with ohter organizations and teachers will be
emphasized in order to maximize information exchange. Products and activities
may include, but are not limited to, fact sheets, booklets, slide shows,
videos, workshops, exhibits, and school programs. Opportunities for nongame
wildlife education will be created when appropriate on public land. These may
indlcude, but are not limited to observation areas and walking
trails.
(5) Small Grants Program. A
program will be established to fund nongame research in the scientific
community. Research to be funded may include, but is not limited to, habitat
requirements of nongame species and identification of population limiting
factors.
All projects will be reviewed in accordance with the above
guidelines.
