HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 5.C Late Doc 06 01/26/2009JAN 2 6 200,9
Crump, Katie
From: Bob Dyer [nrdyer@comcast.net]
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2009 12:40 PM
To: david rabbitt; citymgr; mike harris; pam torliatt; teresa barrett; david glass; tiffany renee
Subject: Dutra Project
Attachments: Heron egret colony talking points.DOC
I imagine you are hearing a lot about this from local citizens. I am attaching a one -pager just on the heron/egret colony
since I am one of two assigned site observers by the Cypress Grove Research Center. I am also the Senior Docent at
Shollenberger Park, and plan to be at the Council meeting tomorrow night.
I focus here on the facts, and not emotions or other subjectives. I must admit, however, that I do enjoy watching the birds
at the colony, and would be saddened if they abandoned it because of the Dutra project.
1
DUTRA PROJECT'S THREAT TO THE SHOLLENBERGER ERON/EGRET COLONY
• In 2003, Dr. John Kelly, Cypress Grove Research Center, Audubon Canyon Ranch appointed
Len Nelson and myself as Site Coordinators and Field Observers for Colony #121,
"Shollenberger", on property now owned by Dutra Materials. Kelly heads a project that
monitors 150 colonies from Bay area to the Central Valley, and publishes related research.
• Colonies are protected against disturbance under federal law during the breeding season —
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act- with the species that occupy this colony specifically named as
protected in Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 10.13.
• As Coordinators and Field Observers, we have been monitoring activity at Colony #121
since 2003. Field visits are made every two weeks from early March to sometime in July.
• Herons and egrets can breed as young as two years. Since this colony was formed in 2003,
many of the chicks that have survived are undoubtedly returning to nest here.
• Ten visits were made in 2008 using field protocols and report forms developed by Dr. Kelly. It
was the most productive breeding season for this colony, fledging 71 Great Egret, 2 Snowy
Egret and 6 Great Blue Heron chicks (total 79).
Every spring, many adults, and hundreds of schoolchildren, observe the colony from
Shollenberger using viewing scopes provided by park docents.
• Ina lecture to colony observers on November 21, 2008 at CGRC in Bolinas, Dr. Kelly
pointed out that a 200 meter (650 feet) buffer zone is required around a colony during the
critical pair -bonding and nest formation period for a 95% no -disturbing confidence level. For a
50% confidence level, a buffer zone of 50-60 meters is required (165-200').
9 In the proposed Dutra plant, the conveyer belt carrying materials from barges will be only 125'
away, and the proposed volunteer fire house will only be 75' away - too close to the colony.
• The closest regular source of background noise is the Petaluma Blvd. off -ramp from Highway
101, about 200' from the colony.
• Dr. John Kelly (24 Feb. 2008 to Steve Dee, County of Sonoma), Page 4: "...tolerance reflects
choices made when nesting birds establish new colonies and ... these sites may be
subsequently abandoned in response to changes in the frequency or intensity of human
activity. Therefore... noise, artificial lights, conveyer activity... are likely to increase the risk of
colony site abandonment."
• Dutra proposes an "artificial colony" in case #121 is abandoned but Dr. Kelly is also on record
that the chances of success of such a colony would be very small.
Norris (Bob) Dyer, January 26, 2009. 1708 Granada Court, Petaluma 94954 nrdverno.comcast.net