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Clean Water Services June 2010

ODFW’s mission is to protect and enhance Oregon’s fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations. Clean Water Services June 2010. Beaver facts Historical significance of beaver Beaver ecology Benefits of beaver Challenges

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Clean Water Services June 2010

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  1. ODFW’s mission is to protect and enhance Oregon’s fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations. Clean Water Services June 2010

  2. Beaver facts Historical significance of beaver Beaver ecology Benefits of beaver Challenges ODFW’s response & role in beaver management Preventing conflicts & solving problems American BeaverCastor canadensis

  3. Largest rodent in NA A semi-aquatic herbivore Crepuscular Territorial Monogamous 3-4 kits / litter Life span 5 -10 years Mortality – predators, disease, water fluctuations, road kill Limiting factor – habitat availability Nature’s “engineers” Ecological “keystone” species Facts

  4. Estimated 1M beaver in OR pre-settlement 1825 – beaver “scarce in Willamette Valley” 1843 – “nearly extinct” 1899 – beaver trapping prohibited statewide 1932 – beaver relocation program initiated 1945 – beaver considered nuisance 1951 – beaver trapped as furbearer Present – considered common, managed as both “furbearer” (ODFW) and as “predator” (ODA) Historical Beaver Numbers & Management

  5. Habitat Selection year-round water flow stream gradient <6% canopy cover of 25-50% bank-full width of 13-20 feet abundant food supply Food and Feeding Habits primarily deciduous most foraging within 165 feet of water most intense foraging occurs in fall abandon sites when food supply low Beaver Ecology

  6. Beaver Dams goal is maintain deep water (protection, food, access) no dams on water bodies that maintain a constant level # of beaver dams greatest in fall Lodges & Bank Dens places to rest, stay warm, raise young multiple entrances stream / pond banks, stumps, docks Beaver Ecology

  7. Beaver ponds …… Provide valuable habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife Are important salmonid rearing areas Store leaf litter Improve wetland functions (water storage, release, temperature) Increase stream habitat complexity Change plant succession – more dead trees, more edge, more primary production, more plant growth Benefits of Beavers to Fish and Wildlife

  8. Ponds created by beaver… increase water storage reduce in-stream water velocity stabilize stream flow allow for gradual release of water downstream trap sediments reduce P and N increases local water table stimulate plant growth provide wildlife viewing opportunities Other Benefits of Beaver Activity

  9. Blocked culverts, irrigation ditches Local flooding Roads Pastures Damage to vegetation young timber commercial orchards landscaping gardens Loss of riparian restoration plantings Digging into banks, levees, houseboat styrofoam Challenges: Beaver Damage

  10. The Oregon Conservation Strategy ID’s wetlands and riparian areas as priority habitats beaver contribute to riparian / wetland health & benefit OCS Strategy Species Emphasis on voluntary conservation action to help beaver plant species preferred by beaver restore riparian areas to attract beaver consider beaver in project planning and design where beavers do cause damage, work towards solutions that address the problems while allowing beavers to remain at the site. ODFW’s Response & Role in Beaver Management

  11. Protect Trees & Plantings Consider species and planting location Plant densely Install barriers Repellents Preventing Conflicts & Solving Problems

  12. Prevent Flooding Install bridges / “oversized” culverts Use flow device to maintain water level behind dam Remove beaver dam (no permit from ODFW required) Encourage beaver to build dam elsewhere Preventing Conflicts & Solving Problems • Important Considerations: • * Landowner approval must be obtained * • * Contact DSL to determine if a removal-fill permit is required when working within state jurisdictional waterway *

  13. Flexible Pond Leveler

  14. Encourage the beaver to build upstream from an existing culvert

  15. Beaver Working Group Beaver Relocation Guidelines (draft) Research Beaver literature review Beaver Relocation Study (Phase 1) Landowner Incentives Survey (on-going) Habitat Assessment (Phase 1) Proposed research (genetics) Information & Education Beaver web portal on ODFW’s web site Living with beaver document ODFW’s Response & Role in Beaver Management

  16. Initiated Aug. 2007 Fish Bio meeting ODFW Fish and Wildlife divisions Fish & wildlife bios from E & W Oregon, F& W researchers & F&W policy staff Added external stakeholders June 2008 Developed goals and list of project needs ODFWBeaver Working Group

  17. Beaver Working GroupMission Statement “Using existing rules and statutes, identify research and information gaps to help us improve our understanding of beaver ecology and beaver management so we can maximize the ecological benefits that beaver provide (especially for ESA listed coast coho), and minimize any negative economic (or other) impacts.”

  18. ODFW Fish Biologist’s Recommendations • Integrate beaver restoration/protection into riparian protection/restoration efforts. • Dedicate specific funding for restoration projects that include beaver – combine with landowner incentives • Need better information about impact of unregulated beaver take (no reporting except from APHIS and licensed trappers) • Develop better understanding of beaver habitat requirements and hydrologic conditions conducive to maintaining healthy beaver populations • Re-location of problem beavers rarely successful, need to conduct well designed re-introduction experiments in a variety of ecosystems

  19. Prime habitat occupied Beaver relocated from damage area to location where people want beaver to be Usually no evaluation of suitability Usually move downstream Commonly unsuccessful due to predation or trapped to resolve damage they caused Development of Beaver Relocation Policy Current Challenges:

  20. ODFW Beaver Relocation Study • Umpqua River drainage • Objective: To determine if beaver (and dams) can be restored to suitable areas • 37 beaver relocated to selected areas in 2009 • Determine: • Establishment • Survival rates • Dispersal • Habitat selected • Habitat changes

  21. ODFW Beaver Relocation Study:Preliminary Results • Out of 37, 9 alive, 5 unknown status, 23 dead • Mortality: • Predation: 9 (coyote and cougar) • Accidents: 5 (2 roadkill, 2 died from injuries after going over a falls, 1 caught in fence and drowned) • Natural: 1 • Unknown cause: 3 • Transmitter loss: 4 • Capture related:1 • Survivors: • Variable movements, 0 – 8 miles • No persistent dams created • Some established bank dens

  22. ODFWBeaver Habitat Assessment Project • Vegetation type and DBH • Stream order and gradient • ACW & ACH, wetted width • % open sky and # trees in 4.5 ac sample block adjacent to stream Project Goal: To examine beaver – habitat relationships, define suitable beaver habitat and predict where beaver will occur

  23. ODFW regulates “take” of wildlife (ORS 496.004) Transportation and relocation of any wildlife requires a permit from ODFW (ORS 497.308) On public land beavers are classified as Protected Furbearers (ORS 496.004 and OAR 635-050). Implemented by ODFW. On private land beaver are defined as a Predatory Animal (ORS 610.002). Implemented by ODA. ODFW’s Response & Role in Beaver Management Applicable Regulation:

  24. A permit is required from ODFW to transport/move beaver. ODFW is developing guidelines for live-trapping and relocating beaver. Until then, no relocation of beaver is authorized. Private landowners (or their agents) may lethally remove “predatory animal” beaver without a permit from ODFW. A landowner can trap the beaver themselves, hire an ODFW-permitted Wildlife Control Operator, or allow a licensed regulated trapper to remove beaver during the established trapping season. Beaver on public lands can be trapped by a licensed regulated trapper during the established trapping season. ODFW’s Response & Role in Beaver Management Interpretation:

  25. Beavers are native wildlife that have an important role in creating and maintaining healthy, dynamic ecosystems. Beavers benefit a variety of fish and wildlife, including OCS Strategy species. Fish biologists consider beaver vital to fish recovery. ODFW recognizes the historical and cultural significance of beaver in Oregon. ODFW encourages voluntary conservation, conflict prevention, and problem solving that allows beavers to remain in the system Summary

  26. ODFW manages beaver as furbearers. ODFW considers trapping to be an acceptable method of beaver harvest. ODFW recognizes that some beaver activity causes damage and creates a hardship that warrants lethal control. Private landowners or their agents may lethally remove beaver without a permit from ODFW. Removing beavers is typically a short-term solution as other beavers will move into the area if suitable habitat is present. Summarycont’d

  27. Questions ?

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