Wildlife Surveys
Reagan Smith provides Endangered Species Surveys and holds a number of USFWS Section 10 survey permits. We also provide habitat assessments and consultation regarding compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We have a complete wildlife staff with a variety of specialties to meet your project’s needs.
Raptor Surveys
Raptors are birds of prey, which include but are not limited to, eagles, hawks, vultures, owls and falcons. Many projects require raptor nest surveys to determine if there are raptors nesting/breeding in the project area. Raptor nest surveys can be performed by ground survey techniques or aerial surveys utilizing helicopters.
Migratory Bird Surveys
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) (16 USC §§ 703-712) establishes provisions for the protection of migratory birds. The MBTA forbid s anyone “at any time, by any means, or in any manner, to pursue, hunt take, capture, kill [or] any part, nest, or eggs of any such bird” (16 USC § 703(a)). The MBTA differs from the Endangered Species Act in that it protects 800 migratory bird species which are not necessarily threatened or endangered. The USFWS implements and enforces the MBTA. Consultation with the USFWS regarding MBTA compliance and permitting can occur concurrently with the USFWS review of impacts on protected species under the ESA. Knowledge or intent is not required to be liable under the MBTA. (16 USC § 707(a)). Courts have held that even the accidental killing of a migratory bird can be a criminal act under this law. Proactive measures, such as involving the USFWS early in project development, would minimize the risk of mortality and avoid costly enforcement.
Wildlife and Stock Inventory Surveys
Ranchers and game managers can utilize our wildlife and stock inventory surveys. Our biologists survey your property utilizing helicopters to obtain deer populations and other wildlife including exotics and predators. The biologist also estimates density, sex ratios, fawn survival, age, and wildlife distribution. This information can be useful in developing wildlife management plans and harvest recommendations.
Habitat Management Plans
Habitat Management Plans are developed by Reagan Smith to assist operators in complying with Conditions of Approval in federal permits. Nesting surveys can also be performed for construction taking place during the nesting and breeding seasons.
Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle Surveys
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (Eagle Protection Act) was passed in 1940 to prevent the extinction of the bald eagle and was amended in 1962 to include protection of the golden eagles (16 USC §§ 668-668d). The Eagle Protection Act authorizes substantial fines for misdemeanor and felony violations of the Act by individuals and organizations as well as possible imprisonment (16 USC §§ 668, 668b). Consultation and permitting can occur concurrently with the USFWS review of the impact of proposed actions on protected species under the Endangered Species Act. The Eagle Protection Act protects bald and golden eagles regardless of whether or not they are threatened or endangered. In July 2007, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior published a final rule removing the bald eagle from the federal list of endangered and threatened wildlife (72 Fed. Reg. 37346). Although the Bald Eagle no longer receives protection under the ESA, both the Eagle Protection Act and the MBTA continue to provide protection for the species.
Mitigation Credits and Banks
Reagan Smith can assist with Mitigation Bank set up by preparing Mitigation Bank Draft Prospectus, Prospectus, Banking Enabling Instrument, required maps, project descriptions and biological and cultural resources surveys. We can set up all meetings with the USFWS and follow the project through to approval. Reagan Smith holds the required USFWS permits to evaluate your project, set up banks and determine offset credits. For a complete determination on whether your project requires credits please contact us.