The state legislature allocated $2 million of its 2024 supplemental capital budget under SB 5950, passed on March 6 last week, for Tumwater’s gopher habitat acquisition project.
The budget was passed a day before the session was adjourned.
The funding will initiate a mitigation bank by acquiring habitat land for Mazama pocket gophers (Thomomys mazama pugetensis).
The acquisition of mitigation land demonstrates the city’s commitment to developing mitigation ahead of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWF) approval of the city’s habitat conservation plan (HCP).
The HCP, which Tumwater is jointly developing with the Port of Olympia, will permit developments in areas where species listed under the Endangered Species Act occur. As mitigation to developments in habitat lands, mitigation credits will be sold to developers, with the sales proceeds directed towards improving habitats and buying more land for conservation.
Other than the Mazama pocket gopher, the HCP also accounts for the Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa), the streaked horned lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata), and the Oregon Vesper sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus affinis).
According to the project description in the city’s 2024 legislative priorities document, Tumwater will need 1,015 acres of mitigation land, which city staff estimates will cost $55 million over 30 years.
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2theroots
Except for the prairie land they want to develop is the what is left...so there is no (tiny bit) prairie land to buy for mitigation. Gopher's don't survive transfer....so there is a lot that is fantasy about this plan.
Thursday, March 14 Report this
GinnyAnn
The road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Having said that, I say, every effort to save what we have left is worth trying. Let's do all we can to protect every bit of nature left to us after we've paved over most of the world with concrete. I had a talented friend make me a stuffed pocket gopher a few years ago when I learned of their scarcity. Once the gophers, frogs sparrows, larks and other critters are gone, they're gone forever. We can put their stuffed remains in museums to look at and mourn, but their habitat loss can't be rebuilt without them. Our world is a lesser and sadder place without the beauty of the natural landscape that we all write poetry and songs about. Let's protect whatever we can while we still have time.
Thursday, March 14 Report this
Boatyarddog
Both of the comments below are Spot on!
Thank you!
Friday, March 15 Report this
Ludwig
Well as a private land owner with riparian zones perfect for Oregon spotted frogs, I wish they'd introduce them on my land, save the City money on specifically purchasing land for our frog friends, just give me some!
Friday, March 15 Report this
jceazan
To learn more about endangered species and HCPs attend the presentation by Michele Tihre of the Department of Fish and Wildlife at the Port of Olympia at their office on Columbia on Monday 3/18 at 3:30. You can also see this on zoom by going to the Port's website.
Saturday, March 16 Report this