Abstract

Management Recommendations for Washington's Priority Species, Volume III: Amphibians and Reptiles is the second in a series of volumes containing species management recommendations, and includes most amphibians and reptiles on the Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) List. Each species account within this volume provides information on the organism's geographic distribution, its State status, and the rationale for its inclusion on the PHS List. The habitat requirements and limiting factors for each species are discussed, and management recommendations are based on information from these sections. Each species document includes a bibliography of the literature used for its development, and each has a key points section, which summarizes the habitat requirements and management recommendations for the species.

Introduction

Fish and wildlife are public resources. Although the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is charged with protecting and perpetuating fish and wildlife species, the agency does not have authority over the habitat on which animals depend. Landowners, agencies, governments, and members of the public have a shared responsibility to protect and maintain these resources for present and future generations.

The department has developed management recommendations for Washington’s priority habitats and species to provide planners, elected officials, landowners, and citizens with comprehensive information on important fish, wildlife, and habitat resources. These management recommendations are designed to assist in making land use decisions that incorporate the needs of fish and wildlife. Considering the needs of fish and wildlife can help prevent species from becoming increasingly threatened or extinct and may contribute to the recovery of species already imperiled.

Priority habitats are those habitat types with unique or significant value to many fish or wildlife species. Priority species are those fish and wildlife species requiring special efforts to ensure their perpetuation because of their low numbers, sensitivity to habitat alteration, tendency to form vulnerable aggregations, or because they are of commercial, recreational, or tribal importance. Descriptions of those habitats and species classified as priority are published annually in the Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) List.

Agency biologists develop management recommendations for Washington’s priority habitats and species through a comprehensive review and synthesis of the best scientific information available. Sources include professional journals and publications, symposia, reference books, and personal communications with experts on specific habitats or species. Management recommendations are reviewed within the agency and by other resource experts and potential users of the information. The recommendations are revised when scientists learn more regarding a priority habitat or priority species.

Goals

Management recommendations for Washington’s priority habitats and species are guidelines based on the best available scientific information and are designed to meet the following goals:

• Maintain or enhance the structural attributes and ecological functions of habitat needed to support healthy populations of fish and wildlife;
• Maintain or enhance populations of priority species within their present and/or historical range in order to prevent future declines;
• Restore species that have experienced significant declines.

Application

Management recommendations are generalized for statewide application. In many cases, a qualified biologist may be required to provide additional detail on specific projects. In summary, management recommendations for Washington’s priority habitats and species...

Are:	Are Not:
Guidelines	Regulations
Generalized	Site specific
Updated with new information	Static
Based on fish and wildlife needs	Based on other land use objectives
To be used for all occurrences	To be used only for mapped occurrences

Format

Management recommendations for priority species are written in seven sections:

GENERAL RANGE AND WASHINGTON DISTRIBUTION	Summarizes information on the geographic extent of the species in Washington and throughout its range.
STATUS	Identifies the species’ State and Federal status.
RATIONALE	Outlines the basis for classifying the species as priority.
HABITAT REQUIREMENTS	Delineates the species’ known habitat associations.
LIMITING FACTORS	Specifies factors that may limit the species’ distribution or abundance in Washington.
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS	Provides management guidelines based on a synthesis of the best available scientific information.
KEY POINTS	Summarizes the most important elements of the species’ biology and associated management recommendations.

Management recommendations for Washington’s priority habitats and species are intended to be used in conjunction with mapped and digital data which display important fish, wildlife, and habitat occurrences statewide. Mapped data can be obtained by calling the PHS Data Request Line at (360)902-2543. For more information, visit the PHS web site at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hab/phspage.htm, or contact:

Jeff Azerrad
2108 Grand Blvd.
Vancouver, WA 98661
(360)906-6754