Atlantic coast joint venture waterfowl implementation plan
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F  ocus Area: Savannah River, Georgia
Sub-Focus Areas: None
Area Description: The Savannah River Focus Area encompasses 392,607 hectares (970,150 acres) in a lengthy watershed that reaches from the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains at the confluence of the Seneca and Tugaloo Rivers 476 kilometers (296 miles) to the Atlantic Ocean. The Savannah River flows through three distinct ecoregions, the Southern Blue Ridge, the Piedmont, and the Southeastern Coastal Plain. Portions of thirteen counties in Georgia are in this focus area, as are portions of three major reservoirs, Hartwell, Russell, and Clark’s Hill Reservoirs. Habitats along this river corridor are primarily riparian (upper reaches), bottomland hardwoods, and estuarine. Deepwater inland habitats are available on the major reservoirs, and much of the lower watershed is characterized by industrial and private forestry practices, with a large potential for longleaf pine restoration. Much of the relatively undeveloped coastal region is low-lying and poorly drained, characterized by bottomland hardwoods, pine forests, and cypress-tupelo swamp communities. Salt marsh delta predominates the lower reach of the Savannah River. Land use in the upper mountainous basin is largely recreational and timber production, with agriculture being moderate in the middle reach of the Savannah River. The Savannah River is home to more than 75 species of rare plants and animals, providing habitat for a wide diversity of vertebrates from the mountains to the coast. Major threats to the habitats of the Savannah River system are point source pollution, non-source point pollution (forestry, agriculture, urban land use), dam release impacts, Savannah River Site discharges and releases, and habitat alteration/destruction (dredging, salinity impacts, sedimentation, hydropower releases, development). Ownership/Protection: The ownership pattern in this river corridor is largely privately owned. There are several significant federal ownerships along the three major reservoirs, including the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge and the Chattahoochee National Forest, and there are numerous State Wildlife Management Areas, State Parks, and other state protected areas along the Savannah River. Other conservation organizations hold conservation easements on some properties along the Savannah River. Much of the landscape in this focus area is privately-owned and dominated by timber and agriculture production, although the upper reach has considerable recreational activity, and the lower reach is relatively undeveloped, dominated by bottomland hardwood forests, pine forests, cypress-tupelo swamp, and estuarine intertidal salt marsh. Special Recognition: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognizes a number of wetlands as priority under the federal Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986: Mulberry Grove, Bear Island I and II, Ebenezer Swamp, Merry Brothers Pond, and Savannah River Swamp. There are numerous Important Bird Area’s in the focus area, designated by both the American Bird Conservancy and National Audubon Society, including Phinizy Swamp, Chattahoochee National Forest, and Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. The lower reach of the Savannah River is part of the Savannah River Basin Initiative, an effort by the Georgia Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency is coordinating a stakeholder’s community-based environmental protection effort called the Savannah River Basin Watershed Project. Waterfowl: This corridor is characterized by three major reservoirs along the northern half and extensive bottomland hardwood forest south of Augusta. These large reservoirs inundated large areas of important wintering waterfowl habitat. Significant wetland habitat exists in the riverine swamps, beaver pond complexes, and secondary watersheds of the Savannah River. Table 1. Waterfowl species using the Savannah River Focus Area.
Other Migratory Birds: This Savannah River is highly important to many other migratory birds, primarily waterbirds and landbirds. Important species here are Wood Stork, Glossy and White Ibis, Swallow-tailed Kite, Swainson’s Warbler, Painted Bunting, Prairie Warbler, and Prothonotary Warbler. Other high priority species associated with the pine grassland savannas in this focus area are Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Northern Bobwhite, Bachman’s Sparrow, and American Kestrel. Georgia Department of Natural Resources has initiated a Bobwhite Quail Initiative in two counties along the Savannah River, Burke and Screvin Counties. Threats: Because of the length of this focus area, there are many different threats to habitat, including, but not restricted to: non-point source pollution (forestry, agriculture, urban land use), Savannah River Site discharges and releases, dam release impacts (low dissolved oxygen, fish kills, cold water releases), habitat alteration/destruction (dredging, salinity changes, sedimentation, development, hydropower releases), modification and physical changes is estuary, and urban stormwater runoff. Conservation Recommendations: One of the major conservation actions in this focus area is the protection of remaining bottomland hardwood forests. From Augusta to the Atlantic Ocean, significant tracts of undeveloped forested wetlands remain. These lands should be acquired or protected through conservation easements by federal, state, or private conservation organizations. The pine uplands have great potential for restoration to longleaf pine. Significant issues are associated with the three major reservoirs and the Savannah River Site, and actions should be taken to reduce and minimize all activities that impact water quality. In the upper portion of the Savannah River Focus Area, measures should be taken to reduce impacts to water quality from timber production and excessive recreational use. Riparian areas and associated watersheds should be protected. References: American Bird Conservancy, Important Bird Areas. Environmental Protection Agency, Community-Based Environmental Protection. Environmental Protection Agency, Ecoplaces. Proposal for Expansion of the Boundary of the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan to Include Focus Areas Within the State of Georgia, December 1, 1992, Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources. Personal Communication. National Audubon Society, Important Bird Areas. Schmitt, Dennis N., and J. H. Hornsby. 1985. A Fisheries Survey of the Savannah River. Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources, Game and Fish Division, Atlanta, GA. 91pp. The Nature Conservancy, Georgia Chapter. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 1992. Emergency Wetlands resources Act, Southeast Region, Regional Wetlands Concept Plan. 7.2.5 Maine Figure 7.6. Maine waterfowl focus areas.
Focus Area: Cobscook Bay, Maine Sub-Focus Areas: None
Area Description: The Cobscook Bay Focus Area boundaries extend from northeast of Machias Bay along the coast of Maine to the Canadian border and encompasses 109,432 hectares (270,411 acres). The boundaries continue along the United States/Canada border across the mouth of Cobscook Bay and into the St. Croix River as far as the town of Calais, Maine. It extends inland approximately 20-30 kilometers (12-18 miles) encompassing all of Cobscook Bay and several large freshwater lakes including Pennamaquan and Boyden Lakes. The interior of the focus area is characterized by rolling hills with large rock outcrops and scattered boulders (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1990). Numerous beaver-created flowages or wetlands are located throughout the landscape as well as many natural freshwater lakes, streams, bogs, wet meadows, and other forested and scrub-shrub wetlands. Wetlands are characterized by sedges, rushes, cattails with alder and willow dominating shrub wetlands and sweet gale, leatherleaf, and sphagnum moss in bogs. Forested wetlands are dominated by spruce, white cedar, red maple, and some tamarack. The coast is unique to the eastern United States and is characterized by deep embayments, high, rocky cliffs, extensive mudflats, and numerous coastal islands (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1992). The extensive second-growth forests are comprised of quaking and bigtooth aspen, paper and gray birch, red maple, beech, spruce, and balsam fir with scattered white pine and hemlock. The understory of the forested uplands includes winterberry, bracken fern, bunchberry, and sarsasparilla. Fields and meadows, including blueberry barrens, are scattered throughout the focus area. Alder also is abundant in reverting farmlands and along margins of streams and beaver flowages. Cobscook Bay is a complex of inlets, bays, tidal creeks, and rivers with approximately 156 kilometers (97 miles) of shoreline and is recognized as one of the most outstanding habitats in Maine and the northeastern United States (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1990). It experiences the highest tides in the United States outside of Alaska with fluctuations up to 7 meters (24 feet). Approximately half the water in the bay is exchanged with each tidal cycle (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1992). These large tides create huge expanses of mudflats that benefit thousands of migrating birds as well as large expanses of ice-free habitat for wintering waterfowl and other migratory birds. Ownership/Protection: The majority of the Cobscook Bay focus area is under private ownership. Public ownership includes the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge located in two divisions within the focus area. The 8,000 hectares (19,768 acres) Baring Unit is located near Calais and the 3,500 hectares (8,648 acres) Edmunds Unit is located adjacent to Cobscook Bay. Sections of each unit of the Moosehorn Refuge are designated as Wilderness Areas. In addition, the State of Maine owns several state parks including Cobscook Bay and Quoddy Head State Parks. Special Recognition: The wetlands of the Cobscook Bay area have been identified for protection under the Regional Wetlands Concept Plan of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Priority Wetlands of New England. Waterfowl: Cobscook Bay, during certain winters, supports as much as a quarter of Maine’s wintering American Black Duck and Canada Goose. The ice-free bays provide Black Duck and other waterfowl wintering habitat when inland marshes are frozen. Black Duck, Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, and Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal also use the focus area for nesting habitat. Resident and migrant Canada Goose also are prevalent throughout the focus area. Common Goldeneye and Bufflehead use the area in the winter extent. Table 1. Waterfowl species using the Cobscook Bay focus area, Maine.
Other Migratory Birds: Over 216 species of birds have been identified on the Moosehorn NWR alone. The Cobscook Bay Focus Area provides habitat for a great diversity of nesting, migrating, and wintering birds in addition to waterfowl. Cobscook Bay supports the highest nesting density of Bald Eagle in the northeastern U.S as well as wintering as many as 400 Bald Eagle annually. Even when Bald Eagle populations were at their lowest, the Bay maintained high numbers because of the quality of the habitat. The extensive tidal flats of Cobscook Bay provide essential habitat for migrating shorebirds. Thousands of shorebirds representing over 20 species depend on the bay for stopover sites during migration including Semipalmated and Black-bellied Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Whimbrel, Red Knot, Sanderling, and Least, White-rumped and Semipalmated Sandpiper. The habitats of eastern Maine, especially those within the focus area, represent some of the most important American Woodcock nesting habitat in the northeastern United States. The primary management objective of the Moosehorn NWR is research and development of forest management techniques to improve woodcock nesting habitat. In addition to migratory birds, the Dennys and St. Croix Rivers support runs of Atlantic salmon as well as American shad, alewives, and American eels. Threats: The most serious and immediate threat to the integrity of the high-quality habitats of the Cobscook Bay Focus Area is second-home development, especially along the shoreline of the bay itself and along lakes and streams. Pressure for second home development is increasing as southern Maine becomes more crowded. Disturbance to migratory birds during the winter from increased shoreline development and potential decrease in water quality are threats to the survival of many of these species using this critical habitat. Numerous aquaculture facilities are sited within Cobscook Bay. Conservation Recommendations: The most pressing need within the focus area is to protect available habitat through fee simple or easement acquisition. The Moosehorn NWR has an active acquisition program that has resulted in a number of acres secured adjacent to both the Baring and Edmunds Units. The highest priority areas should be shoreline properties around Cobscook Bay and interior lakes and streams. References: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1990. Proposal to protect wildlife habitat adjacent to Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, Washington County, Maine – Final Environmental Assessment. Hadley, MA 32pp. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1992. Land protection plan: Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. Hadley, MA 18pp. F ocus Area: Downeast Maine
Sub-Focus Areas: None
Area Description: The Downeast Focus Area is located in central and eastern coastal Maine and includes hundreds of miles of relatively undeveloped coastline that encompass 676,569 hectares (1,671,832 acres). Marine and estuarine habitats within this focus area are particularly significant habitats for migrating shorebirds and wintering waterfowl, particularly Black Duck, Common Eider and Harlequin Duck. This focus areas many coastal islands that vary in size from 1 acre to the largest island, Mount Desert Island. Large tidal amplitude combined with gentle topography and many freshwater tributaries and rivers in this region provide extensive intertidal mud flats in protected bays. Salt marsh systems occur at the mouths of the tributaries in estuarine areas. Historically, many of these salt marshes were ditched for mosquito control and/or salt hay farming. Wintering waterfowl, Bald Eagle, and shorebirds rely heavily on these habitats for survival. The focus area is roughly divided between the freshwater tidal habitats of western Penobscot Bay through Machias Bay to the bold coastal area east of Culter. Extensive emergent wetlands, including wild rice, pickerel weed, water parsnip, and several species of bulrush, as well as broad mud flats, riparian habitats, and a relatively undeveloped shoreline are ideal for breeding, migrating, and wintering birds. Numerous rivers, including the Penobscot River, and many smaller rivers and streams, drain into the Atlantic Ocean in this focus area. The uplands are composed of a mix of spruce-fir and hardwood forests interspersed with agricultural fields and meadows. The forests and fields extend down to the high tide mark. Ownership/Protection: Most of the land within the focus area is privately owned. However, agencies such as the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and private organizations such as the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, The Nature Conservancy and local land trusts have been active within the focus area protecting critical habitat, particularly nationally significant islands and high value coastal property. The State of Maine maintains several state parks and wildlife management areas and federal land managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge) and National Park Service (Acadia National Park) are also located in this focus area. Special Recognition: A number of sites within the focus area have been recognized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Regional Wetlands Concept Plan as important wetlands. Waterfowl: More than 30 species of waterfowl have been documented using this focus area. The area hosts thousands of ducks and geese during fall and spring migration as well as providing critical habitat for nesting and wintering waterfowl. Common Eider nest on many islands in this focus area. The high tidal amplitude keeps much of the critical habitat ice-free and open during the winter. The prevalent species of waterfowl include Black Duck, Mallard, teal, Ring-necked Duck, Wood Duck, all species of mergansers, Canada Goose, Common Eider, scoters, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Long-tailed Duck, and Harlequin Duck. Further, the offshore islands of Jericho and outer Penobscot Bays provide winter habitat for two-thirds of the eastern Harlequin Duck population. Table 1. Waterfowl species using the Downeast Focus Area.
Other Migratory Birds: The tremendous diversity of habitats within the focus area is reflected in the diversity of migratory birds that use the focus area. Over 200 species of migratory birds have been documented in the focus area. Over 30 species of shorebirds have been documented using the broad tidal mudflats. Some of the more common species include Semipalmated, Solitary, and Pectoral Sandpiper, Black-bellied Plover, Greater and Lesser Yellowleg, Ruddy Turnstone, and Dunlin. Wading birds include Great Blue and Green Heron as well as American Bittern, Snowy, Cattle, and occasionally Great Egret, and Glossy Ibis. Three threatened or endangered species are found in the focus area and include Piping Plover and Least and Roseate Tern. Bald Eagle also breed, migrate, and winter in the focus area. Riply Neck, in Harrington, is a fall migration stopover for approximately 25,000 shorebirds, with almost 95% of these being Semipalmated Sandpiper and Semipalmated Plover. The Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow, an obligate salt marsh bird in the northeast that occurs in this area, is the highest overall conservation priority in Partners in Flight Area 28 due to its restricted range and small total population. The North Atlantic Regional Shorebird Plan has identified as a high priority the need to protect Purple Sandpiper winter habitats along the east coast. This area likely plays a significant role in providing wintering habitat to a significant portion (as much as 33%) of the eastern North American population. Threats: Several issues threaten the integrity of the focus area. Currently, the shoreline is relatively undeveloped and, thus, disturbance from the shoreline is considered relatively minor. The focus area is comprised of numerous coastal communities from Rockland to Machias. The coastal communities within or adjacent to the focus area are experiencing moderate to rapid growth, especially for second homes. The increased shoreline development can lead to habitat fragmentation and increased disturbance both from the shoreline and from increased watercraft use. In addition, the Penobscot River drains about one-quarter of Maine with numerous major industries upriver. Penobscot Bay is a major terminus for oil tanker traffic. Thus, the threat for water quality degradation is high. Conservation Recommendations: The relative undisturbed nature of the shoreline and islands should be protected through fee or easement acquisition to prevent any additional disturbance. Water quality is critical to the integrity and diversity of habitats within the focus area. This should be closely monitored especially with the potential for industrial pollution in the western portion of this focus area.
Focus Area: Inland Wetlands, Maine Sub-Focus Areas: None
Area Description: Maine wetlands provide breeding and migration habitats of importance to Black Duck and other wildlife. Certain wetland complexes, because of their geographic location and orientation, are of particular importance as migration corridors and staging areas. Merrymeeting Bay is a perfect example of these circumstances and its significance has been acknowledged by classification as a separate focus area. Other Maine drainages provide similar benefits and are identified in this focus area. Breeding habitats identified in this focus area are inland freshwater systems with either historic or current importance as Black Duck breeding habitats. Waterfowl use of some of the historically important breeding areas has declined as some of the wetlands have been degraded as dams have fallen into disrepair. In addition to acquisition and enhancement of breeding habitat in this focus area, management of statewide beaver populations to encourage maximum wetland development acceptable to landowners will continue to provide quality Black Duck breeding habitat. This focus area is vast and encompasses most of the State of Maine. The area includes over 3,000 lakes and ponds, 32,000 streams and rivers with an untold numbers of beaver impacted wetlands. Ownership/Protection: Most of the land within the focus area is privately owned. However, agencies such as the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (National Wildlife Refuges) and private organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and local land trusts have been active within the focus area protecting critical habitat. The State of Maine maintains several state parks (including Baxter State Park) within this focus area. Special Recognition: A number of sites within the focus area have been recognized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Regional Wetlands Concept Plan as important wetlands. Waterfowl: More than 30 species of waterfowl have been documented using this focus area. The area hosts thousands of ducks and geese during fall and spring migration as well as providing critical habitat for nesting waterfowl. The prevalent species of waterfowl include Black Duck, Mallard, teal, Ring-necked Duck, Wood Duck, all species of mergansers, Canada Goose, and Common Goldeneye. Table 1. Waterfowl species using the Merrymeeting Bay/Lower Kennebec River Focus Area.
Other Migratory Birds: The tremendous diversity of habitats within the focus area is reflected in the diversity of migratory birds that use them. Over 200 species of migratory birds have been documented in the focus area. A diverse array of wading birds uses the area including Great Blue and Green Heron as well as American and Least Bittern, Snowy, Cattle, and Great Egret, and Glossy Ibis. Many threatened or endangered species are found in the focus area and include breeding and nesting Black Tern, Sedge Wren and Bald Eagle. Threats: Several issues threaten the integrity of the focus area. Currently, in many cases, the lake and riverfront shoreline is relatively undeveloped and, thus, disturbance from the shoreline is minimal. However, the focus area includes several of Maine’s largest urban centers. Also, the small towns within or adjacent to the focus area are experiencing moderate to rapid growth, especially for second homes. The increased shoreline development can lead to habitat fragmentation and increased disturbance both from the shoreline and from increased watercraft use. In addition, many of the major rivers contain significant industries, primarily paper mills. The threat for water quality degradation is high. Invasive species such as purple loosestrife are present in the focus area, but to date has not proven to be a major problem. Conservation Recommendations: The relative undisturbed nature of the freshwater wetlands and associated shoreline should be protected through fee or easement acquisition to prevent any additional disturbance. Water quality is critical to the integrity and diversity of habitats within the focus area. This should be closely monitored especially with the potential for industrial pollution upriver. Also, invasive species should either be eradicated or closely monitored for spread.
Focus Area: Merrymeeting Bay/Lower Kennebec River, Maine Sub-Focus Areas: None
Area Description: The Merrymeeting Bay/Lower Kennebec River Focus Area is located in southern Maine about 50 kilometers north of Portland and is one of the most important wetland complexes along the northeast coast. The focus area encompasses 55,182 hectares (136,357 acres) and is roughly divided between the freshwater tidal habitats of Merrymeeting Bay and the brackish to saltwater habitats of the Lower Kennebec River. The juxtaposition of these two areas provide for a diverse mix of habitats, which are important to many species of migratory birds. Merrymeeting Bay is the largest freshwater tidal marsh north of the Chesapeake Bay formed from the confluence of two large rivers, the Kennebec and Androscoggin, and four smaller tributaries, the Eastern River, Cathance River, Muddy River, and the Abagadasset River. Extensive emergent wetlands, including wild rice, pickerel weed, water parsnip, and several species of bulrush, as well as broad mud flats, riparian habitats, and a relatively undeveloped shoreline are ideal for breeding, migrating, and wintering birds. In conjunction with the freshwater tidal marshes is the Lower Kennebec River. The river enters Merrymeeting Bay on the north and drains the bay to the south into the Atlantic Ocean. The Kennebec River is characterized by brackish to saltwater marshes and embayments as well as mudflats along a 25 kilometer (15 miles) stretch from the bay to the mouth of the river. The uplands are composed of a mix of spruce-fir and hardwood forests interspersed with agricultural fields and meadows. The forest extends down to the high tide line. Ownership/Protection: Much of the land within the focus area is privately owned. However, agencies such as the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and private organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and local land trusts have been active within the focus area protecting critical habitat. The state of Maine maintains several state parks and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service maintain Pond Island National Wildlife Refuge located at the mouth of the Lower Kennebec River. Special Recognition: The Merrymeeting Bay/Lower Kennebec River is recognized as one of the premier migratory bird habitats on the northeast coast of the United States. A number of sites within the focus area have been recognized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Regional Wetlands Concept Plan as important wetlands. Waterfowl: More than 30 species of waterfowl have been documented using the Merrymeeting Bay/Lower Kennebec River Focus Area. The area hosts thousands of ducks and geese during fall and spring migration as well as providing critical habitat for nesting and wintering waterfowl. Merrymeeting Bay has been noted to hold up to 40,000 waterfowl at one time during migration. It provides habitat for the largest concentration of Canada and Snow Goose in the state. The high tidal amplitude keeps much of the critical habitat ice-free and open during the winter, especially in the Lower Kennebec river area. The prevalent species of waterfowl include Black Duck, Mallard, teal, Ring-necked Duck, Wood Duck, all species of mergansers, Canada Goose, Common Eider, scoters, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, and Long-tailed Duck. Table 1. Waterfowl species using the Merrymeeting Bay/Lower Kennebec River Focus Area.
Other Migratory Birds: The tremendous diversity of habitats within the focus area is reflected in the diversity of migratory birds that use them. Over 200 species of migratory birds have been documented in the focus area. Over 30 species of shorebirds have been documented using the broad tidal mudflats. Some of the more common species include Semipalmated, Solitary, and Pectoral Sandpiper, Black-bellied Plover, Greater and Lesser Yellowleg, Ruddy Turnstone, and Dunlin. Wading birds include Great Blue and Green Heron as well as American Bittern, Snowy, Cattle, and Great Egret, and Glossy Ibis. Three threatened or endangered species are found in the focus area and include Piping Plover and Least and Roseate Tern. Bald Eagle also breed, migrate, and winter here. Threats: Several issues threaten the integrity of the focus area. Currently, the shoreline is relatively undeveloped and, thus, disturbance from the shoreline is at a minimum. However, the focus area is relatively close to several of Maine’s largest urban centers including Portland, Lewiston-Auburn, and Augusta. Also, the small towns within or adjacent to the focus area are experiencing moderate to rapid growth, especially for second homes. The increased shoreline development can lead to habitat fragmentation and increased disturbance both from the shoreline and from increased watercraft use. In addition, the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers drain about one-third of Maine with both rivers containing major industries upriver. The threat for water quality degradation is high. Invasive species such as purple loosestrife are present but have not proven to be a problem. This may be due to ice scouring every year. Conservation Recommendations: The relative undisturbed nature of the shoreline should be protected through fee or easement acquisition to prevent any additional disturbance. Water quality is critical to the integrity and diversity of habitats within the focus area. This should be closely monitored especially with the potential for industrial pollution upriver. Also, invasive species should either be eradicated or closely monitored for spread.
Focus Area: South West Coast, Maine Sub-Focus Areas: None
Area Description: The South West Coast Focus Area is located in southern Maine from the New Hampshire border to midcoast Maine, near Rockland but excludes the freshwater tidal habitats of Merrymeeting Bay and the brackish to saltwater habitats of the Lower Kennebec River, as these wetlands comprise a separate focus area. This focus area encompasses 356,340 hectares (880,532 acres). The wetlands in this area provide wintering and migration habitats for Black Duck and other waterfowl where intertidal mudflat and extensive saltmarsh habitats occur. The physiography and topography of this region provide conditions suitable for Maine’s largest saltmarshes. Ownership/Protection: Much of the significant salt marsh habitats in this focus area are already secured in either state or federal ownership. The remaining salt marsh habitat in this region occurs in small acreages associated with the riparian zone of estuarine systems. Special Recognition: The wetlands and deepwater habitats of the Southwest Coast Focus Area have been identified for protection under the Regional Wetlands Concept Plan of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Priority Wetlands of New England. The Southwest Coast Focus Area provides significant wintering habitat to several species of waterfowl, waterbirds, Bald Eagle, and Purple Sandpiper. Approximately half of the waterfowl counted during Maine's Midwinter Waterfowl Survey in 2005 occurred in this focus area, including American Black Duck (40% of Maine's total), Common Eider (50%), scoter spp. (>50%), Long-tailed Duck (>50%), goldeneye spp. (40%), merganser spp. (>40%), Bufflehead (37%), Canada Goose (60%), and Mallard (>70%). The Southwest Coast also harbored significant numbers of Maine's wintering populations of Bald Eagle (22% the MWS count), Common Loon (26%), and Purple Sandpiper (52%). The North Atlantic Regional Shorebird Plan has identified as a high priority the need to protect Purple Sandpiper winter habitats along the east coast. This focus area likely plays a significant role in providing wintering habitat to a substantial portion of the eastern North American population of Purple Sandpiper. The Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow, an obligate saltmarsh bird of the Northeast, is the highest overall conservation priority in Partners in Flight Area 30 due to its restricted range and small total population. The Southwest Coast Focus Area constitutes the breeding distribution of Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow within Maine. Waterfowl: More than 30 species of waterfowl have been documented using the West Coast Focus Area. The area hosts thousands of ducks and geese during fall and spring migration as well as providing critical habitat for wintering waterfowl. The prevalent species of waterfowl include Black Duck, Mallard, teals, Ring-necked Duck, Wood Duck, all species of mergansers, Canada Goose, Common Eider, scoters, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Long-tailed Duck, and Harlequin Duck. Table 1. Waterfowl species using the West Coast Focus Area.
Other Migratory Birds: The tremendous diversity of habitats within the focus area is reflected in the diversity of migratory birds that use the planning area. Over 200 species of migratory birds have been documented in the focus area. Over 30 species of shorebirds have been documented using the salt marshes of southern Maine. Some of the more common species include Semipalmated, Solitary, and Pectoral Sandpiper, Black-bellied Plover, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Ruddy Turnstone, and Dunlin. Wading birds include Great Blue and Green Heron as well as American Bittern, Snowy, Cattle, and Great Egret, and Glossy Ibis. Three threatened or endangered species are found in the focus area and include Piping Plover and Least and Roseate Tern. This area includes the edge of the range and a zone of overlap between the Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow and the Salmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow. Bald Eagle also breed, migrate, and winter in the focus area. Bald Eagle, shorebird, and waterfowl use of these habitats occur during migration and wintering periods. Nesting Least Tern and Piping Plover can be found in discreet locations along developed beaches within the focus area. Threats: Several issues threaten the integrity of the focus area. Currently, the shoreline is extensively developed, thus, disturbance from the shoreline is at a maximum. This focus area contains Maine’s largest urban centers including Portland. Also, the small towns within or adjacent to the focus area are experiencing moderate to rapid growth. The increased shoreline development can lead to habitat fragmentation and increased disturbance. The threat for water quality degradation is high. Invasive species such as Phragmites is present in the focus area. Conservation Recommendations: The most pressing need within the focus area is to protect available habitat through fee simple or easement acquisition. The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge has an active acquisition program that has resulted in a number of acres secured. The highest priority areas should be shoreline properties around Casco Bay and interior lakes and streams to protect water quality. 7.2.6 Maryland 
Figure 7.7. Maryland waterfowl focus areas. F ocus Area: Atlantic Coastal Bays
Sub-Focus Areas: None
Area Description: The Atlantic Coastal Bays Focus Area is approximately 62,145 hectares (153,563 acres) in size and extends from Bishopville at its northern end, south to the Virginia state line. It is bounded on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and encompasses the following bays and their associated tributaries: Assawoman Bay, Isle of Wight Bay, Sinepuxent Bay, Newport Bay, and Chincoteague Bay. The human population in the Coastal Bays focus area has increased steadily since 1940 (10,000 – 30,000+) and is expected to double again by 2020 (Wasniak et. al, 2004). This growing human population places great pressure on the estuarine bays and tributaries that make up the Atlantic Coastal Bays Focus Area. The bays are uniform and shallow in depth, (< 10 feet in depth), with limited tidal exchange and river input. Groundwater is an important source of freshwater input. This combination of characteristics increases the susceptibility of the bays to inputs from septic systems, agriculture, wastewater treatment facilities and other non-point sources of pollution in the form of nutrients and chemicals. Wetlands in the coastal bays, especially in the northern bays, have decreased significantly, an estimated 103,105 hectares (254,778 acres) lost since settlement of the region. This loss and/or alteration is the result of numerous activities, including conversion to agriculture, development, and other human-related land uses. Large networks of ditches have drained tidal and nontidal wetlands and the construction of canals and bulkheads have further impacted wetlands through loss of spatial extent and deteriorated wetland quality or availability to waterfowl. |
