Officers President, Rob Criswell President Elect, Roger Latham Immediate Past President, Tim Maret Treasurer, Greg Czarnecki Secretary, Betsy Leppo Members-at-Large Academy of Natural Sciences, Jon Gelhaus Audubon Pennsylvania, Sarah Sargent Box Scores, Roger Latham Carnegie Museum of Natural History, John Rawlins Past President, Jerry Hassinger State Wildlife Grants, Diana Day or Cathy Haffner The Nature Conservancy, Scott Bearer U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Jennifer Siani Western PA Conservancy, Charles Bier Wild Resource Conservation Program, Greg Czarnecki Agency Representatives PA Dept. of Agriculture, Sven-Erik Spichiger PA Dept. of Environ. Protection, Mark Brickner PA Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources, Ellen Shultzabarger PA Fish & Boat Commission, Chris Urban PA Game Commission, Dan Brauning PA Natural Heritage Program, Greg Podniesinski or Jeff Wagner Technical Committee Chairs Aquatic Arthropods, Jane Earle Arachnids, Charles Bier Bryophytes & Lichens, Scott Schuette Collections & Systematics, vacant Fishes, David Argent Mammals, Scott Bearer & Charlie Eichelberger Mollusks, Elizabeth Meyer Ornithology, Margaret Brittingham Protists and Fungi, Barrie Overton Reptiles & Amphibians, Howard Reinert Terrestrial Arthropods, Betsy Leppo Vascular Plants, Chris Hardy

TTAAXXOONN TTIIMMEESS July 2014

Newsletter of the PA Biological Survey

http://www.pabiologicalsurvey.org/

NEXT STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING February 17, 2015, 9:30–3:30

Location:

DCNR Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey 3240 Schoolhouse Road, Middletown, PA 17057

Phone: 717-702-2017 http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/topogeo/about/mdt_off.aspx

This newsletter contains the reports and discussions of the July 17, 2014 PABS steering committee meeting at the PA Fish and Boat Commission’s H.R. Stackhouse Training Center in Bellefonte. Reports are provided in their entirety unless otherwise

noted in the report introduction. Copies of original reports available from the PABS Secretary, email bleppo(at)paconserve.org

Standing Committees Community Classification, Ephraim Zimmerman Climate Change, Greg Czarnecki Environmental Education, vacant

Ocellated Darner (Boyeria grafiana) - photo by Betsy Leppo

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS...................................................................................................................................................... 2 MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE .......................................................................................................................................... 3 OFFICERS’ REPORTS ....................................................................................................................................................... 3

President’s Report ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Secretary’s Report ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Treasurer’s Report .............................................................................................................................................. 3

TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPORTS .......................................................................................................................... 4 Amphibian and Reptile Technical Committee .................................................................................................... 4 Aquatic Arthropods Technical Committee ......................................................................................................... 4 Arachnids Technical Committee......................................................................................................................... 4 Bryophytes and Lichens Technical Committee .................................................................................................. 4 Collections and Systematics Technical Committee ............................................................................................ 4 Fishes Technical Committee ............................................................................................................................... 4 Mammals Technical Committee Submitted by Scott Bearer and Charlie Eichelberger, MTC Co-chairs ........ 5 Mollusk Technical Committee ............................................................................................................................ 6 Ornithological Technical Committee .................................................................................................................. 7 Protists and Fungi Technical Committee ............................................................................................................ 8 Terrestrial Arthropod Technical Committee ....................................................................................................... 8 Vascular Plant Technical Committee .................................................................................................................. 8

AGENCY REPORTS ........................................................................................................................................................... 9 Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture............................................................................................................ 9 Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ................................................................. 12 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection ................................................................................... 13 Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission ......................................................................................................... 13 Pennsylvania Game Commission – Bureau of Wildlife Management, Wildlife Diversity Division ............... 15 Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program ........................................................................................................... 17

MEMBERS-AT-LARGE.................................................................................................................................................... 18 Academy of Natural Sciences ........................................................................................................................... 18 Audubon Pennsylvania ..................................................................................................................................... 18 Box Scores ........................................................................................................................................................ 18 Carnegie Museum of Natural History ............................................................................................................... 18 State Wildlife Action Plan & Federal Wildlife Funding .................................................................................. 18 The Nature Conservancy................................................................................................................................... 18 United States Fish & Wildlife Service - PA Field Office ................................................................................. 19 Western Pennsylvania Conservancy ................................................................................................................. 21 Wild Resource Conservation Fund ................................................................................................................... 21

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS ........................................................................................................................... 21 Climate Change Adaptation Standing Committee ............................................................................................ 21 Plant Community Classification Standing Committee ..................................................................................... 21 Environmental Education.................................................................................................................................. 21

OLD BUSINESS .................................................................................................................................................................. 22 NEW BUSINESS ................................................................................................................................................................. 22 NEXT MEETING ............................................................................................................................................................... 22

3

MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE Scott Bearer (The Nature Conservancy), Dan Brauning (PA Game Commission, Wildlife Diversity Section), Mark Brickner (Department of Environmental Protection), Margaret Brittingham (Ornithological), Rob Criswell (PABS President), Greg Czarnecki (PABS Treasurer and Wild Resource Conservation Program), Diana Day (Member at Large – State Wildlife Grants), Cathy Haffner (Member at Large – State Wildlife Grants), Chris Hardy (Vascular Plants), Jerry Hassinger (Past President and Member at Large), Roger Latham (President Elect and Member at Large – Box Scores), Tim Maret (Immediate Past PABS President), Beth Meyer (Mollusks), Greg Podniesinski (PA Natural Heritage Program/DCNR), Ellen Shultzabarger (PA Dept. of Conservation and Resources), Jennifer Siani (Member at Large – US Fish and Wildlife Service), Sven-Erik Spichiger (PA Department of Agriculture), Chris Urban (PA Fish and Boat Commission) OFFICERS’ REPORTS President’s Report Presented by Rob Criswell, President − Regarding the response letter from DCNR Secretary to PABS input on shale gas extraction impact monitoring, should we invite

someone from DCNR who is involved in the study to attend a PABS Steering Committee meeting and have a discussion about monitoring protocols? Consensus: Yes. Criswell: I will extend an invitation.

− Committee chairs are urged to populate their pages on the PABS website. − Thanks to all who advocated as individuals to defeat House Bill 1576, the proposed Endangered Species Coordination Act. Voter

polls are now favorable for the bill to be abandoned indefinitely. − Welcome to our new member, Mark Brickner, representing the PA Department of Environmental Protection. Brickner is a staff

member from the DEP Monitoring Section. Secretary’s Report Presented by Roger Latham, standing in for Betsy Leppo, Secretary Latham presented the minutes (formatted as the Taxon Times) from the January 23, 2014 Steering Committee Meeting. The minutes were approved with a few edits. Links the current Taxon Times and older newsletters and minutes are posted on the PABS website at http://www.pabiologicalsurvey.org/. Hardy: The latest VPTC contribution is missing a table of recommended species status changes. In general, should Taxon Times include technical committees’ recommended status changes? Criswell: They should be included if the committee agrees that they should. Will ask Leppo to add the missing table. Treasurer’s Report Presented by Greg Czarnecki, Treasurer Czarnecki presented the treasurer’s report dated July 17, 2014. The treasurer’s report was approved. First National Bank checking account

Deposits: PA Society for OrnithologY…………………………………………………………………………………..$420.00 Checks Written: Carolyn Mahan (MTC parking fees).……………………………………………………………………$42.00 Balance as of 7/17/14 ……………………………….……………………………………………………………….$17,744.66

Status of sub-accounts within the PABS Treasury

Ornithology Technical Committee……………………………….……………………………………………………$ 4,852.31 PABS general sub-……………………………….…………………………………………….…………………….$ 12,892.35

4

TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPORTS Amphibian and Reptile Technical Committee No report. Represented by Chris Urban for Howard Reinert Discussion: − The ARTC recently completed running all species through the NatureServe ranking system. The SGCN (species of greatest

conservation need) status evaluation is now underway, to be finished this fall. − Urban: At one of the best bog turtle sites in PA (and the entire range), many dead wood turtles were found first, then bog turtles

totaling 60 so far. Alive but sick turtles were sent to the Bronx Zoo for analysis; they tested negative for ranavirus but we still don’t know what it is.

Aquatic Arthropods Technical Committee Statement provided by Jane Earle, AATC Chair Betsy Leppo, Mary Walsh, Dave Lieb, Pete Woods, Nevin Welte, Tim Pearce, and myself have been working on conservation ranking of invertebrates using the NatureServe protocol with advice from the PA Fish & Boat Commission and the PA Game Commission. Mary and I met in March, and Betsy, Mary & I met in April to work on the stonefly rankings. Aquatic groups that have been worked on so far include odonates, stoneflies, and mussels. The conservation and threat ranking spreadsheets are difficult to interpret/use. Arachnids Technical Committee No report Bryophytes and Lichens Technical Committee No report Collections and Systematics Technical Committee Not active Fishes Technical Committee Report presented by Rob Criswell for David Argent, FTC Chair The Fishes Tech Committee met February 21, 2014 at the PFBC Pleasant Gap Facility. The entire committee was in attendance. The primary topic of discussion at this meeting was a review of the S-ranks of Pennsylvania’s fishes. Rob Criswell, utilizing NatureServe’s Rank Calculator, presented an extensive spreadsheet to the committee for review. On March 17, 2014, Rob provided the committee with a final list of fishes for conservation consideration which incorporated the committee’s recommendations for adoption by the PFBC. Key recommendations including the delisting of several state threatened species: gilt, bluebreast, sotted, and Tippecanoe darters. Other committee happenings − Two PA range extensions have been documented in Conneaut Creek, Erie Co. for Ammocrypta pellucida (E. Sand Darter) and

Minytrema melanops (Spotted Sucker). − Surveys this year have indicated that the Nocomis biguttatus (Hornyhead Chub) population in Conneaut Creek is restricted to a

5.5km section in northern Crawford Co. − During permit negotiations with the USFWS, it was agreed to attempt Sea Lamprey removal from upper Conneaut Creek using

electrofishing gear instead of TFM to greatly reduce the potential impacts on the highly restricted and vulnerable Hornyhead Chub population there. The electrofishing removal operation is scheduled to occur in mid-August 2014. TFM application in the middle and lower course will likely continue in the future.

− Lepomis humilis (Orange Spotted Sunfish) specimens from the Wheeling Creek drainage, Greene Co. were found in both PFBC and PSU museum lots from the late 1970s. The status of this species is currently unknown.

− The process of designating fish Species of Greatest Conservation Need for the State Wildlife Action Plan is nearly complete. − New populations of Hornyhead Chub were found in the Beaver River drainage. − New locations were documented for the Southern Redbelly Dace in Beaver and and Westmoreland counties.

5

− A new location was documented for the endangered Northern Brook Lamprey in the Lake Erie drainage. − 21 Paddlefish were collected below Kinzua dam by gill netting and boat electrofishing. This plus a well documented angler

report indicated that fish stocked by NY DEC are successfully making their way through the sluice gates of the dam and traveling downstream (as far south as Tionesta – a distance of approximately 45 river miles).

− One Asian Carp (grass carp) collected around Meade Island on the Allegheny in early June was determined to be triploid. This is the second incidence of grass carp in this area in six months.

− The aquatic invasive spiny water flea continues to maintain populations in the free-flowing reach of the upper Allegheny River − Recent collections of Eastern Brook Trout along Chestnut Ridge and Laurel Hill indicate a strong year class, with the presence of

significant YOY fishes in many streams. This is good news considering harsh winter Pennsylvania experienced. − Fin clips are being kept for all Brook Trout collected by CalU in hopes that samples can be processed to determine genetic

diversity within and among isolated populations along Laurel Hill. Discussion Siani: How do they normally control the sea lampreys (besides the proposed electrofishing)? Criswell: They use the lampricide TFM (3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol) to which other unscaled fishes are susceptible to varying degrees. Endangered hornyhead chubs and other species sometimes are by-kill. Mammals Technical Committee Submitted by Scott Bearer and Charlie Eichelberger, MTC Co-chairs − The Mammal Technical Committee held its spring meeting on March 28, 2014 at PSU’s Land and Water Building. A quorum

was reached with 11 members present and via conference call. Two guests were also present at the meeting. Current membership stands at 23 voting members and 9 cooperators/associate members.

− Since last meeting, MTC membership worked to submit a comment letter to the USFWS for its proposed status change of the Northern Long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis). Cal Butchkoski noted their conclusion should be out in November.

− MTC coordinated with PABS leadership and submit a response letter to HB1576. − MTC continues to work on drafting a letter in response to the changes in the PGC Wind Energy Cooperative Agreement. While

MTC generally likes the new guidelines for cut-in speeds and “consultation points,” we are struggling to interpret how/when the curtailment would occur. For example, measured fatalities are based on statewide averages and don’t necessarily relate to what a population can sustain, especially given new, post-WNS population numbers. The same numbers of bat fatalities/year would have different effects depending on the status of the population itself. Another issue being discussed in regards to this letter: Since the allowable bat fatalities are calculated per turbine, and since the number of turbines will increase when the projects currently labeled as 'developing projects' come on line, the numbers of bats killed/turbine/year may stay the same or even decrease, but the total numbers of bats killed across the state will increase. In addition, presumably even more turbines will be built in the future, further increasing the number of bats killed in the future as well. So this agreement seems to lock in at least stable if not increasing numbers of bat fatalities across the state each year.

− Charlie Eichelberger reviewed the results of the Rank Calculator assessment that reviewed the status listing of Pennsylvania mammals. PABS boxscores were added for feral cat and wild boar. After discussion, MTC voted unanimously to accept the results of the assessment.

− Similarly, MTC was later approached by PA State Wildlife Action Plan leadership (after our spring meeting) to review their Species of Greatest Conservation Need rankings and make any changes as needed. MTC opened an electronic discussion for membership to again review the SWAP rankings and identify any species they thought should have status change. Three species were proposed for SGCN changes: 1. Allegheny woodrat (proposed to maintain as SGCN as new data was showing significant threats to populations)—voted YES

to maintain as SGCN 2. Least weasel (proposed to delete as SGCN because of low threats)—voted NO to remove from SGCN 3. Maryland shrew (proposed to add as SGCN because >25% of NA range in PA)—voted YES to add it but some debate on its

species status. − PGC furbearer biologists added that they have noticed significant declines in the Common Muskrat and they suggest adding it as

SGCN. MTC membership is currently discussing/debating this proposed addition. − Cal Butchkoski retired from PGC in March, but he provided an update on WNS and winter hibernacula surveys. 23 hibernacula

were surveyed between January and March. WNS is not affecting big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus), but little browns (Myotis lucifugus) are still declining, which continue to indicate significant decline in mouse-eared bats hibernating across the state.

6

Some hibernacula are showing stabilizing numbers post-WNS. There was some discussion on whether more widespread banding should be proposed, but no resolution was reached.

− Lindsey Heffernan provided an update on the PA Mammal Atlas project to MTC, and has since submitted a Mammal Atlas grant to the USFWS. This grant will help purchase equipment and fund the development of the website, employee positions and outside contracts. The PGC technology department has decided they will develop the website in-house and can integrate their GIS work with this project.

− Several MTC members assisted PGC/PFBC on the State Wildlife Grant Congressional Fly-In held in DC. − The captive Allegheny Woodrat colony housed at Delaware Valley College has a few new individuals, and one new female gave

birth. Researchers are working with diet and pairing to see if more captive breeding is successful. − At the conclusion of the meeting, Reg Hoyt concluded his term as co-chair of MTC. Votes were held and Scott Bearer was

nominated as new co-chair with Charlie Eichelberger. − Our next meeting will be held on November 8, 2014 at the Elk Visitors Center near Benezette. Mollusk Technical Committee Report presented by Beth Meyer (Mollusk Chair and Bivalve Subcommittee Chair) Bivalve Subcommittee − Subcommittee meeting held in March − New proposed state ranks, calculated by Nevin Welte, were presented to the subcommittee. Many of these ranks were higher than

current ranks, when other taxa groups saw the opposite trend. Committee members agreed that perhaps the method chosen for evaluation (area of occupancy) or the data used (CPP polygons) inflated the results. Committee suggested comparing methods to other taxa groups and/or using smaller polygons.

− USFWS prepared biological opinions for take of endangered mussels at two bridge replacements, mussels will be relocated, some to other states for reintroductions.

− DEP conducted surveys in the West Branch Susquehanna, Susquehanna River mainstem, Juniata River, Delaware River, Youghiogheny and Beaver River

− DRBC conducted surveys of lower Delaware. − USGS studying stress thresholds of dwarf wedgemussel, nutrient (nitrogen) cycling in ecosysterms, relationship between eels and

eastern elliptio. − Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is working with the Academy of Natural Sciences and Philly Water Dept. to survey fw

mussels Philly to DE State line on main Delaware, building on 2012 quantitative surveys, to explore the seaward edge of their range. They are working with an EPA deep dive team to extend survey transects down to 40 feet. Also doing 3 PIT tag reintroductions in southeast PA streams this year.

− WPC continuing surveys for eastern pearlshell (Margaritifera magaritifera) and dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon) in Delaware tributaries. Some surveys in Ohio River basin later this year.

− Subcommittee identified Ohio River mainstem, as a survey priority. − Subcommittee agreed to submit comments on the proposed crayfish regulations Land Snail Subcommittee (Presented by Tim Pearce, Chair)

− As part of the Pennsylvania Land Snail Atlas Project, Pearce received an extension until 30 June 2015 on a WRCF grant to study susceptibility of PA's land snails to climate change. I reported previously on a publication (Pearce & Paustian 2013) reporting that 5 to 9 of PA's species could be susceptible to population reductions with climate warming since they already occur at higher elevations. Remaining on the grant are updated distribution maps (completed) and revised and justifiable imperilment ranks for PA's land snails (in progress). As of November 2014, every PA county has at least one leaf litter sample examined, meaning that now every county has at least a minimum level of survey effort, so distribution patterns can start to be trusted.

− Survey work by Pearce, aided by donations of samples from many others, has now, as of 3 March 2014, found Punctum minutissimum, the smallest land snail in North America, in every one of PA's 67 counties, a huge increase from the 13 counties reporting it in 1985. Evidence indicates the snail has been overlooked (not that it is spreading) and it turns out to be PA's most common (and tiniest) land snail.

− Pearce's participation at Emerald View Park BioBlitz documented Pupilla muscorum, only the 3rd time this species is reported from PA, and a first record for Allegheny Co. However, interpret this apparent scarcity with caution. Pearce's survey efforts focus on forest habitats, so meadow species such as P. muscorum, might artifically appear to be rare due to undersampling. This new record is probably more evidence that the snails of PA remain undersampled.

7

− Pearce presented a talk at American Malacological Society meeting in Mexico City in June, reporting that the tiger snail, Anguispira alternata, is declining in PA. It was known from 52 counties before 1960, but since 1960 it is known from fewer than half of those (25 counties). Pearce examined whether modern search effort is sufficient (yes it is), to conclude that the snail actually is declining. Reasons for the decline remain unknown.

Freshwater Snail Subcommittee Records of freshwater gastropods in the Ohio River basin held at the Ohio State Museum in Columbus. Recovered 1,935 records for a six-state area. Non-unionoid Clam Subcommittee No activity to report. Ornithological Technical Committee Presented by Margaret Brittingham (OTC Chair) The OTC Spring meeting was held 30 April 2014 at Penn State University, Margaret Brittingham hosting. Wildlife Action Plan SGCN A majority of the spring meeting was devoted to a discussion of the listing process. Jason Hill and Cathy Haffner both attended the meeting and gave a very helpful overview of the process. After the meeting, a subcommittee of OTC members reviewed the initial list of species and made recommendations to add two species and remove six species. OTC members continue to be interested in helping to develop the best list possible. Symposiums on Shale Gas Development at AOU and TWS Steve Latta and M. Brittingham will host a symposium on effects of shale gas development on birds at the AOU in September. There will also be a symposium on shale gas at the TWS meeting in Pittsburgh with Steve, Margaret and Scott Bearer as speakers. Marcellus Shale Updates Marcellus shale development continues across the NC and SW regions of the state. Steve Lata is conducting research on LOWA using feather samples as indicators of contamination. Preliminary results suggest higher levels of contaminants typically associated with drilling in LOWA associated with Marcellus development M. Britingham and students continue work on fragmentation effects. Urban birds Bob Mulvihill continues to lead the “Neighborhood Nest Watch” program in Pittsburgh. This is a citizen science project is designed to study the nesting behavior and dispersal of 8 common species found in urban areas. In 2013, they caught and banded more than 550 birds of 25 species; including 300 birds of the eight target species. Broad-winged Hawk Migration Laurie Goodrich is leading a study using satellite telemetry to track broad-winged hawks during migration. They will be comparing routes among nestlings within the same nest and among nests from different locations. Forest birds study Margaret Brittingham, Dan Brauning, Andy Wilson and David Miller have proposed a study to determine habitat characteristics associated with core forest habitat that supports high densities of area sensitive species and to determine forest management practices that can be used to enhance the habitat for a suite of area sensitive species. Northern bobwhite study A project currently in progress (PGC and PSU) to determine the status of NOBO in PA has reached the preliminary conclusion that the majority of bobwhite observations are associated with captive-reared birds and there is no evidence of native breeders or a sustainable breeding population within the state.

8

Pennsylvania Breeding Birds of Special Concern - PABS / OTC List – 2013 (No changes July 2014) Please note that status applies only to breeding populations. Date = when the species was recommended by OTC to be added to the

list or status changed during the last review (2009-2012) Extinct Near Threatened (Candidate – At Risk) Passenger Pigeon Northern Bobwhite (Not reviewed 2009-2012) Common Moorhen Extirpated (from the state) Barn Owl (reviewed FA2010) Greater Prairie-Chicken (Heath Hen) Common Nighthawk (FA2010) Piping Plover Marsh Wren (SP2011) Olive-sided Flycatcher Golden-winged Warbler (SP2010) (Appalachian) Bewick’s Wren Summer Tanager (FA2011) Bachman’s Sparrow Northern Goshawk (May 2012) Endangered Vulnerable (C – Rare) American Bittern Green-winged Teal Least Bittern Pied-billed Grebe Great Egret Sora Black-crowned Night-Heron American Coot Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Wilson’s (Common) Snipe (Reviewed Sp2011) Peregrine Falcon Whip-poor-will (FA2010) King Rail Red-headed Woodpecker (SP2010) Upland Sandpiper (FA2010) Purple Martin (FA2010) Common Tern Bank Swallow (FA2011) Black Tern Swainson’s Thrush Short-eared Owl Prothonotary Warbler Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Northern Waterthrush (FA2010) Sedge Wren Henslow’s Sparrow (SP2011) Loggerhead Shrike Blackpoll Warbler Dickcissel Threatened Data Deficient (C – Undetermined) Osprey Red Crossbill Bald Eagle Pine Siskin Northern Harrier (FA2010) Long-eared Owl (FA2011) Protists and Fungi Technical Committee No report Discussion: Hassinger authored an article on wildlife and fungi in the July 2014 issue of Game News. May be the first on the subject of fungi conservation for any magazine in PA. Terrestrial Arthropod Technical Committee No report Vascular Plant Technical Committee Presented by Christopher Hardy (VPTC Chair) Website www.pabotany.org: Visit this hub for all things botanical in Pennsylvania. This is a relatively new website that has matured this past year to host information on periodic botanical workshops, the biennial PA Botany Symposium and the annual Rare Plant Forum among other items of interest to botanists in Pennsylvania.

9

The annual Rare Plant Forum and the spring VPTC meeting: The Vascular Plants Technical Committee hosted the annual, public Rare Plant Forum (RPF) at Penn State on April 5, 2014. There were nearly 80 attendees and 13 proposals at the meeting. Details of the proposals submitted and the minutes can be found at www.pabotany.org/pa-rare-plant-forum/. Proposals and their supporting evidences were discussed at length in the VPTC meeting that followed and consensus reached. Following a comment period this summer, these proposals will be accepted as is or, as appropriate, modified and voted upon at the Fall VPTC meeting. The VPTC continues to enjoy a high turnout among its members: 23 of its 26 members were in attendance. The 2nd Biennial PA Botany Symposium (2014): The second biennial PA Botany Symposium will be held November 7-8 at the Penn State Conference Center, State College. Information can be found at www.pabotany.org. VPTC Fall meeting: The location and date of the fall VPTC meeting has yet to be determined. Poorly known species: At the Rare Plant Forum, a call was put out to persons with information on occurrences and trends for 19 plant species (Appendix 1; see http://pabotany.org/pa-rare-plant-forum/ for more information).

Vascular Plants Report Appendix 1. Species for which more information on occurrences and numbers is desired. Please contact Jess McPherson (Western PA Conservancy; jmcpherson(at)paconserve.org or 412-586-2362) with any information.

Discussion: Hardy: There will be a two-stage bioblitz at Clymers Run Nature Preserve, Lancaster County, from noon to noon 20-21 Sept and another one in the spring, date to be announced. AGENCY REPORTS Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Report provided by Sven-Erik Spichiger, Entomology Program Manager Note: The 2013 annual report is available online at: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_24476_10297_0_43/AgWebsite/Files/Publications/2013EntomologyProgramHighlights.pdf

10

PDA 2014 UNOFFICIAL SURVEY AND DATA SUMMARY FROM 1/1/2014 THROUGH 7/14/2014 Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) In 2014, PDA screened all wood destroying insect traps for ALB (a combined total of 1177 samples to date). Though not specifically designed for ALB, these various traps deployed for other programs collect large numbers of Cerambycidae (long horn beetles) and thus are screened for presence of ALB. PDA in cooperation with the PSU is also currently deploying 25 ALB specific traps at high-risk sites in PA. One eighth mile visual surveys will also be performed at the selected high-risk sites. To date in 2014 PDA has investigated All screened samples were negative for ALB. PDA continues to spend resources investigating public reports generated by a myriad of well meaning, but poorly targeted outreach efforts with inaccurate messaging or instructions. Recently, a funded outreach effort initiated well before ALB emergence generated 22 ALB reports. In general, those reporting were certain it was ALB adults, often had only a blurry photo or no sample at all. In the one instance where specimens were collected, the individual was dealing exclusively with oak and white pine. All 22 reports were linked to white spotted sawyer or oak feeding Cerambycidae. Outreach efforts for invasive pests should be coordinated through cooperative extension no matter how well-meaning the intent. Uncoordinated outreach efforts continue to sap the limited resources of the agency responsible for this pest. Warehouse Light Trap Survey In April of 2014, the USDA-APHIS PPQ office out of Carlisle PA, established 10 light trap sites at warehouses in five PA counties that receive shipments of products originating outside of the United States. Facilities targeted were either known to have received shipments that contained pests from abroad in the past, or are at high risk due to the volume of foreign material handled. The traps are serviced every two weeks until the end of August. Samples are submitted to the PDA Entomology Laboratory for analysis. This survey has targeted a combination of 22 different beetles and moths not known to occur in the United States. None of the USDA target pests were detected. Grape Commodity Pest Survey In 2014, PDA once again received Farm Bill money to survey for pests of grape. The survey runs from April until the end September in 2014. Target pests include Autographa gamma (silver-Y moth), Lobesia botrana (European grape vine moth), Epiphyas postivittana (Light Brown Apple Moth), Platynota stultana (Omnivorous leaf roller) and Adoxophyes orana (Summer Fruit Tortrix Moth). The moths are surveyed using pheromone baited traps. Surveyors established 145 traps at 36 survey sites in eight counties and generated 198 samples to date. None of the target pests have been detected in 2014. Tomato Comodity Pest Survey Three seasonal surveyors were hired to deploy traps to monitor for Tuta absoluta (Tomato Leaf miner), Chrysodeixis chalcites (Golden Twin Spot Moth), Bactericera cockerelli (Potato/tomato Psyllid) and conduct visual surveys for Diabrotica speciosa (Cucurbit Beetle). Surveyors deployed 169 traps at 56 high risk sites in six counties at tomato processing and retail food distribution centers as well as at some select tomato producers. Sites were established starting in May and will be monitored through the end of September. Surveyors submitted 129 samples so far this year all of which were negative for the target species. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) EAB has been detected in 51 of Pennsylvania's 67 Counties since its initial discovery in 2007. New detections in New Jersey have also occurred for the first time in 2014. PDA continues to assist the National EAB program by rearing tropical ash trees for the parasitoid rearing program. Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) - Exotic Wood Boring Beetle Survey (EWBB) In 2014, visual surveys and trap surveys are being carried out for 15 specific pests. Protocols for the surveillance of many of these pests require visual surveillance, while others call for pheromone or plant volatile baited traps. Target Pest Groups: Cerambycidae, Curculionidae, Buprestidae, Siricidae, Cleridae, Pentatomoidea Species: Annoplophora glabripennis, Annoplophora chinensis, Agrilus biguttatus, Platypus quercivorus, Megaplatypus mutatus, Scolytus intricatus, Chlorophorus annularis, Chlorophorus strobilicola, Orthotomicus erosus, Monochamus sutor, Monochamus urussovii, Pityogenes chalcographus, Xyleborus glabratus, Trichoferus campestris, Trypodendron domesticum.

11

In addition, the species Psacothea hilaris, a longhorn beetle intercepted near Allentown PA in 2012 is being surveyed for at the site where it was intercepted. Sites were established at locations deemed high-risk for exotic pest introduction. Risk is determined by pathway analysis and cooperation with USDA-APHIS and CBP. Host composition of the trap sites are dominant for Oak, but ideally include Scotch pine, red pine, spruce, sassafras, and/or maple. Sites with recently cleared timber where slash remains are ideal, especially if near a high-risk exotic pest introduction site. Eight traps will be run from April through the end of September at each site. Each trap is serviced every two weeks, which has generated 570 samples to date. Results are negative for target pests, but additional county records for non-listed pests of concern have been added. All results are reported into the NAPIS database. All visual surveys were negative for target pests. Walnut Twig Beetle In 2013 PDA ran over 100 WTB trap sites in 26 PA counties with all results negative. In December of 2013, PA was informed that a site in Cecil County MD, less than 1/2 mile from PA had trapped a number of WTB on at least four occasions starting in August of 2013. Due to this news and continued negative findings in all but Bucks County, PA (where WTB is known to be established), PDA deployed about 150 traps in for WTB in 2014, focusing on Montgomery, Chester, Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton Counties. Select sites also saw the deployment of "Bolt Traps" (Traps made of fresh cut walnut wood) in an effort to bolster detection capabilities. To date this survey has produced 355 samples which have been given priority for processing, as the results affect active interior and exterior quarantines on the pest. In early June, PDA trapped several suspect specimens at eight separate sites in the survey area. On July 18th, 2014, the State Plant Regulatory Official will make an announcement regarding the results of this survey. Invasive Species Hotline and E-Mail Report System: In 2014, the invasive species hotline and badbug e-mail account generated 148 contacts to report possible invasive insects. The majority of calls have dealt with EAB. General Sample Survey and Other Detections of Note In addition to mandated and funded surveys, the PDA Entomology program also receives samples from cooperative extension, private industry, and the general public. We record these samples as GENERAL SURVEY samples. The majority of these types of samples result from Commercial Pest Control submissions and Cooperative Extension. Samples recorded for 2014 total 76 samples. Highlights include: several new county records for Larinus turbinatus, a thistle feeding weevil native to Europe. Plant Diagnostic Sample Reports (PDSR) In support of the PDA Plant Merchant Program, the Entomology Lab processes plant inspector collected samples from routine plant merchant inspections where a pest of regulatory concern is suspected. A total of 127 samples containing 127 specimens have been submitted in 2014. Notable detections resulting from this effort include continued samples of Platynota stultana from the area it was first detected. Khapra Beetle Survey Khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium is one of the most destructive invasive pests of grain and is often intercepted in imported grain products. In the past two years multiple interceptions of the pest in products like rice have been made all over the United States. PDA is conducting a survey through June 30, 2014 at targeted facilities. Target sites include wholesale and retail distributors of grains, seeds and spices, grain cooperatives, and feed mills and lots. This survey generated 259 samples and has concluded with no positive detections. Cut Flower Survey A cut flower survey targeting international shipments of flowers was conducted the first week of February, 2013. Detections of note included Thrips palmi and Franklinia panamensis. These were contained regulatory incidents, but have highlighted a pathway for future monitoring. As a result, PDA implemented a sustained survey for 2014, which includes monthly visits to retail sites and quarterly visits to wholesale facilities. This survey has generated 271 samples with no detections of note in 2014. National Honeybee Survey PDA Apiary Inspectors conducted a survey for seven exotic honey bee pests and 16 diseases affecting honey bees at 24 sites in 21 Counties in PA in 2014. No exotic pests were detected as part of this survey.

12

Fire Ant PA runs periodic surveys for exotic fire ants. Typically this survey targets farm markets and is run by the USDA with PDA laboratory support. In 2014, PA shifted focus to target migratory Apiaries that spent time in known infested fire ant areas. The survey is being conducted by PDA Apiary inspectors and has generated 10 negative samples to date. New Pest Detections Larinus turbinatus: Chester, Carbon, Union, Lycoming, Schuylkill Agrilus planipennis: Susquehanna, Berks, Lebanon, Greene Orchestes alni: Cumberland Dinoderus japonicus: Bucks, Chester Scolytus schevyrewi: Cumberland, Montgomery, Northampton PLEASE BE ON THE WATCH FOR: Bean Plataspid1, Asian Giant Hornet2, Asian Longhorned Beetle3, Yellowspotted Longhorn Beetle4, and Citrus Longhorn Beetle5. Get a specimen and submit it to Agriculture!

Discussion There will be a press release tomorrow on walnut twig beetle and thousand-cankers fungus. Hardy: Did our exceptionally severe winter exacerbate any pest species’ impacts? Spichiger: So far no unusual effects have been noted. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Report presented by Ellen Shultzabarger, PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources, Chief, Conservation Science & Ecological Resources Division Private Wild Plant Sanctuaries Much conservation work has been done on the ground in Private Wild Plant Sanctuaries. With three new sanctuaries designated in the past year, we now have a total of fifteen Private Wild Plant Sanctuaries. Bilger’s Rocks; Clearfield County; April 2013: The Sanctuary provides habitat for a Pennsylvania Threatened species. In addition, the surrounding forest supports showy wildflowers, such as the pink lady’s slipper.

1 2 3

4 5

13

Robert B. Gordon Natural Area (West Chester University); Chester County; November 2013: Gordon Natural Area is an important reservoir of biodiversity. There are several endangered and rare plants on the forested site with a stream going through it. Quakertown Swamp Preserve; Bucks County; August 2013: A mixture of old field, mesic forest, and creek/swamp habitat. This site supports several rare and endangered plants as well as turtles. Plant Regulations DCNR is preparing a regulation package for changes to the Wild Plant regulations (Chapter 45). DCNR is proposing classification changes to approximately 50 plants to the Extirpated, Endangered, Threatened, Rare and Tentatively Undetermined classifications. Proposed changes will be posted on the Wild Plant website of the Bureau of Forestry; and webinars are being planned to provide an overview of the changes. It is anticipated the proposed changes will be posted in the PA Bulletin summer 2015. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Mark Brickner, DEP, Division of Water Quality Standards, Bureau of Point and Non-Point Source Management Discussion − Brickner is replacing Dan Bogar on the Steering Committee as the representative for the Pennsylvania Department of

Environmental Protection. Our thanks to Dan for his many years of reliable participation on the PABS Steering Committee. − The DEP Monitoring Section is in the middle of the 2014 Susquehanna River water quality survey, which is taking most of the

section staff’s time. The 2013 report was recently completed and posted on DEP’s website (http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/1418963/susquehanna_report_2013_finaldraft_pdf).

− If any Steering Committee members have questions for other DEP bureaus, Brickner will help find the answers for us. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Presented by Chris Urban, PFBC Natural Diversity Section Chief Threatened and Endangered Species listings/de-listings PFBC staff have been working with Pennsylvania Biological Survey (PABS) Technical Committees towards adopting the IUCN listing methodology with taxon specific modifications and a nomination/documentation process of the species in question. The PFBC reviewed and adopted the taxonomic specific criteria for fishes, amphibians and reptiles, and bivalves. Since 2009, when these criteria were adopted, 11 fish species have been de-listed (Ohio Basin) and 13 listed as threatened or endangered. Our most recent status change was the Eastern Spadefoot, which changed from Endangered to Threatened status. A number of species statuses are currently under study or review for potential change: Timber Rattlesnake, Redbelly Turtle, Blanding’s Turtle, Bluebreast Darter, Tippecanoe Darter, and Gilt Darter, Ohio Lamprey, Bowfin, Banded Sunfish, Central Mudminnow, Least Brook Lamprey, Mountain Brook Lamprey. Grants State Wildlife Program national allocation was similar to the last three years (around $700K for PFBC). We did have a call for projects for 2014, focused on the development of a monitoring plan for the Timber Rattlesnake. We are looking to add additional priorities for funding and the call for projects will occur soon. Additional projects that are funded and in the process of initiation or are underway: Fish data compilation and quality control project, an Eastern Massasauga habitat management and monitoring project, Pennsylvania Amphibian and Reptile Survey – “PARS” project (new herp atlas), a bog turtle habitat restoration project through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, a USFWS aquatic invasive species grant, bog turtle population monitoring in close proximity to development project (a traditional Section 6 grant-year 6), a multi-state Great Lakes Restoration project that deals with identifying freshwater mussel refugia in the Lake Erie drainage basin (multi-state grant), and Blanding’s Turtle Conservation and Recovery (multi-state grant). A new USFWS Traditional Section 6 project was approved are underway - Bog Turtle inventory in SE PA, and Dwarf Wedgemussel assessment in the Delaware River and associated Tributaries. A Recovery and Land Acquisition Grant (RLAG) under Section 6 was awarded to the Commission to acquire a property to protect bog turtles and other species in Monroe County. We continue to work with the USFWS and our land acquisition folks to secure the property. We continue to work with our neighboring states on a number of regionally specific projects focused on the conservation and recovery of the Blanding's Turtle ,Wood Turtle, and Northern Riffleshell. We are working with 5 northeastern states to study the prevalence of the deadly ranavirus on wood frogs (study was initiated this past year). During this past year, our staff worked on identifying study

14

sites, that is, identifying vernal pools that harbor breeding of wood frogs. In spring 2014, we sampled these locations for ranavirus – samples have been submitted for analysis. Staff now are revisiting sampled sites to assess them for die-offs. We continue to work closely with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation to assist with re-introduction efforts of the Gilt Darter into their former range of the upper Allegheny River in NY. Staff also continued to facilitate and assist northern riffleshell and clubshell national recovery efforts (3rd year). The state/federally endangered northern riffleshell were collected from the Allegheny River at Hunter Station. Mussels were then transported to Ohio, Illinois and West Virginia. A new regional project was approved under the Regional Conservation Needs program studying the distribution of the newly discovered leopard frog species. Fieldwork initiated in the spring of 2014. Timber Rattlesnake Population Study The second phase of the Commission’s SWG funded Statewide Timber Rattlesnake (TR) Site Assessment and Inventory Project was initiated in the spring of 2007, with a focus on finding new den sites (filling data gaps), but also with confirmation and habitat assessment of den/maternity sites, PIT tagging at mark-recapture study sites and organized hunts. This second phase of the study is winding down and was concluded in December of 2011. More than 1,500 sites have been assessed since 2003 (first phase and second phase of study combined), as well as 1,500+ rattlesnakes have been marked with PIT-tags for population monitoring purposes, and monitored at organized reptile hunts. This has been a remarkable effort mainly driven by experienced volunteers (>30,000 hours logged to date). On another aspect of the study aimed at identifying difficult to locate den sites in “data gap” areas, the PFBC has been working cooperatively with the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) staff by conducting telemetry studies of timber rattlesnakes on the ANF. Likewise, we have been working with DCNR biologists to track snakes (10) in the South Mountain. Phase 3 of the project began in spring 2012 with the focus shifting away from site assessments and towards prioritization of habitat management and population monitoring. In the spring of 2013, we convened a TR Conservation Workgroup made up of a variety of conservation professionals and TR experts (academia, NGO’s, consultants, educators, state and federal biologists) to discuss strategies for the long-term conservation and protection of the TR. To date, the workgroup has met three times. Natural Diversity Section Staff Activities To date in 2014, approximately 1,500 rare, threatened and endangered species impact reviews were conducted for proposed developments occurring across the Commonwealth. The Encroachments database, and Species Impact Review project tracking system were overhauled in 2013. The Scientific Collector Permit (SCP) interactive website application and reporting tool was updated in June 2014. Thus far in 2014, we reviewed, processed, and issued approximately 330 Type 1 (research), Type 2 (government), and Type 3 (consulting) Scientific Collectors’ permits; 60 Threatened and Endangered Species permits were reviewed and issued; 919 Venomous Snake Permits, 30 Commercial Snapping Turtle Permits, and six Organized Reptile and Amphibian Hunts (5 venomous snake, 1 turtle derby). Fieldwork thus far in 2014 includes: regional projects (Ranavirus sampling, Wood turtle surveys), Bog Turtle monitoring and inventory projects, Timber Rattlesnake site assessments and monitoring surveys, and numerous species assessments of listed species – a number of rare fish and mussel species. Staff continue to be engaged in the Dunkard Creek pollution litigation with Consol. In 2009, a significant number of fish, freshwater mussel species, and mudpuppies were killed from a pollution event that spanned 30+ miles of Dunkard Creek in PA and WV. PFBC completed the biological damage assessment for the aquatic kill in the PA portion of Dunkard Creek. We continue to work with our legal and law enforcement staff in the ongoing investigation. Three ago, staff developed and began to implement Aquatic Invasive Species Action Plans for the Asian carp complex (silver, bighead, and black carp), Didymo, Golden Algae, Water chestnut, and VHS. Staff have also developed and have been implementing Action Plans for a number of listed species: Eastern Pearlshell Mussel, Bog Turtle, Eastern Spadefoot, Eastern Massasauga, and Timber Rattlesnake. Implementation of these plans is part of the focus of the agency’s strategic plan (http://www.fish.state.pa.us/stplan.pdf also, see “quarterly reports” for related activities). The Species Action Plans can also be viewed on our website (search “Species Action Plans”). Our agency recently revised the strategic plan – which is a 3-year instead of a 5-year plan. Two additional Species Action Plans will be developed and implemented (Chesapeake Logperch, Salamander Mussel). These plans are being drafted now. Other Section highlights include: regulation approved regarding banning the sale, transportation, and possession of live invasive crayfish in Pennsylvania; reviewing qualified T&E species surveyor applications; assisted with development and reviewed species assessments and SGCN analysis for fish, herps, bivalves, and other invertebrate species; working with PGC, USFWS, DCNR, and WPC regarding development of PGC PA Game Lands Management Tool (PGLMT); continuing to conduct research and feasibility of mussel propagation facility for population augmentation and re-introduction of threatened and endangered mussels, developing a

15

Significant Mussel Resource (SMR) definition that will protect high concentrations of protected nonlisted riverine mussel species; staff are active with meetings with the Invasive Species Council’s Aquatic Nuisance Species Workgroup, staff also actively participated, had significant involvement with, or gave presentations at meetings with professional societies and organizations. For the latest update for PFBC happenings, read Straight Talk articles by PFBC Executive Director, John Arway, posted on the lower right side of our website (http://www.fish.state.pa.us/). Pennsylvania Game Commission – Bureau of Wildlife Management, Wildlife Diversity Division Presented by Dan Brauning, PGC Wildlife Diversity Division Chief Copies of our “Illustrated Annual Wildlife Diversity Reports” from 2011-2013 are available on the PGC web site at http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=741916&mode=2 PA Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) Revision In-state efforts in concert with PFBC included quarterly meetings of the Steering Committee and Advisory Committee, completion of the breeding birds threats assessment, review of the mammal assessment prepared by a MTC Mammal Chair (contracted to re-evaluate state rankings), SGCN determination for the 2015 PA-WAP, and completing a public opinion survey. A Habitat Technical Committee was convened. We also participate in regional efforts, led by USFWS Region 5 Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration staff, for synthesis of WAP revisions for northeastern states to enhance communication and coordination of states’ plans in preparation for submission of 2015-2025 revisions this September. State Wildlife Grant (SWG) Funding The federal FY2014 appropriation for SWG of $58.6 million nationally (slight increase over FY2013) is divided into grants to states and tribes, competitive grants and administrative costs. Pennsylvania’s portion for FYs2012–2014 has been ~ $1.5 million, divided between PGC and PFBC. Regarding the FY2015 appropriation, THANKS to 3 NGO representatives, 3 SWG project PIs, Greg Czarnecki of WRCP, 2 PFBC staff and 4 PGC staff participated in Capitol Hill meetings in late February for the AFWA/TWW’s annual Washington DC Fly-In. State-specific material from PGC/PFBC and national information from TWW were delivered to each of PA’s 20 congressional offices. White Nose Syndrome Three projects funded by grants from PA’s White Nose Syndrome Fund are researching possible WNS control methods and analyzing the state’s bat population trends in response to WNS: “Biology of Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) and evaluation of a biological control agent” by Lock Haven University, “Mycoviruses in White Nose Syndrome” by Pennsylvania State University, and “Statewide statistical analysis to understand WNS impacts and inform management of hibernating bat species” by Temple University. USFWS National WNS Coordinator Jeremy Coleman and (recently promoted) PGC-BWM-WDD Mammal Section Supervisor Greg Turner will moderate a symposium on WNS during the 21st annual meeting of The Wildlife Society (TWS) in Pittsburgh. The symposium will bring the most current research to the professional wildlife community and demonstrate the scope of the WNS response effort by presenting some of the key advances in our understanding of bat disease ecology and conservation. WNS now has been confirmed in 25 U.S. states and 5 Canadian provinces; 2 additional states have suspect counties. As a result of proposed federal listing of the northern long-eared bat due to WNS losses, Elemental Occurrence (EO) data was submitted to PNDI for all live-trapping captures at hibernacula, summer mist-netting captures after 2003, and all roost tree locations for the species that resulted from DCNR-BOF permit requirements in effect during 2010 and 2011. The Comment Period for federal listing has been extended by 6 months. PGC Bat Surveys 23 hibernacula were surveyed January to March. Early-season surveys were sites with historic counts of the eastern small-footed bat (state threatened). This species was found in 6 sites; significant numbers include 23 in a railroad tunnel, 12 in a limestone cave and 11 in a limestone mine. Four late-season surveys were sites with large big brown bat components in historic counts. Big browns appear to be less affected by WNS than smaller species; 2014 counts in those 4 sites support that observation. With the exception of sites with large components of big brown bats, for most previously surveyed sites, all-species counts declined by more than 90% when 2014 is compared to the most recent pre-WNS survey. No Indiana bats (federally endangered) were found in 3 sites with historic records for that species. Spring emergence live-trapping was conducted at 2 regularly monitored Indiana bat sites. At Canoe Creek State Park limestone mine (WNS confirmed 2010) in Blair County, the cumulative capture total of 85 bats over 11 non-consecutive nights included 79 little brown bats, 3 tricolored bats, 2 eastern small-footed bats and one Indiana bat (male). The 2014 spring-emergence all-species nightly capture at Canoe Creek declined by 98% compared to the average nightly capture prior to WNS. At a privately owned, gated coalmine in Luzerne County (WNS confirmed 2009), the cumulative capture total of 80 bats over 7 non-consecutive nights included 67 little brown bats, 11 big brown bats and 2 eastern small-footed bats. The 2014 spring-emergence all-species nightly

16

capture at this site declined by 99% compared to the average prior to WNS. On a brighter note, emergence counts and mist-netting are currently underway at summer maternity sites; 5 female Indiana bats (4 adults, 1 volant juvenile) were captured at a known maternity site in Berks County. Allegheny Woodrat (state threatened) Fresh woodrat sign was found in Fayette and Westmoreland county limestone caves during bat hibernacula surveys. IUP’s SWG-funded genetic catalog project completed microsatellite genotyping for 140 woodrat tissue samples and conducted preliminary woodrat metapopulation delineation. We provided EO data for 68 Allegheny woodrat occurrences resulting from captures by IUP during the genetic catalog project’s first field season or from surveys conducted by PGC biologist aides during 2013. Six new woodrats captured in late summer 2013 were held in quarantine until late December at the SWG-funded breeding colony at Delaware Valley College. Unfortunately, no offspring have been produced since a single pup was born in September 2013. A new pairing strategy and dietary alterations are being implemented to increase breeding efficiency. Mammal Atlas Long in development, a revised and focused (pilot) project has been submitted to USFWS for consideration. This pilot, employing intensive mammal surveys near IMA #20, and public reports of incidental mammal sightings, will enable us to effectively design and implement statewide atlas efforts. The pilot will focus on IMA #20 Central Mountains. Bald Eagle (PA-WAP high-level concern) Following the Board of Commissioners voting to accept the recommendation to change the status of the bald eagle in Pennsylvania from threatened to protected, we provided regional staff with a revised monitoring protocol and guidelines reflecting the change in status. A sample sub-set of nest sites was selected for continued monitoring of nesting success. Peregrine Falcon (state endangered) PGC staff, cooperators and volunteers are monitoring 48 active peregrine falcon locations. A new nest site was confirmed in Montgomery County. Staff works with partners to protect nests, especially those on human structures. Health evaluations and banding of nestlings began in May. A weekly summary of peregrine falcon nesting activity is provided to PGC regional personnel and PennDOT districts. Broad-winged Hawk (PA-WAP maintenance concern) A cooperative agreement with Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association was executed to conduct a SWG-funded the project titled “Conserving PA's common raptors year-round; Broad-winged Hawk habitat use, range, and movement ecology during nesting, migration and wintering periods.” Owls We worked with Project Owlnet, the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art, and Scott Weidensaul on Project SNOWstorm to study the snowy owl incursion in the Northeast and Great Lakes region. We assisted banding and/or transfer of snowy owls and short-eared owls (state endangered) at airports, primarily Pittsburgh International. Nesting site visits and banding are underway for the Barn Owl (PA-WAP maintenance concern) Conservation Initiative. RWDBs will lead a barn owl symposium during TWS national meeting. Waterbirds Results of the 2014 colonial waterbird nest count on Wade Island included (2013 results for comparison) 131 great egret nests (181), 55 black-crowned night-herons nests (48) and 103 double-crested cormorant nests (162). An adult yellow-crowned night-heron was observed on the island. Great egrets and both night-herons are state endangered species. Golden-winged Warbler (PA-WAP high-level concern) We completed surveys for the conservation monitoring program and surveyed additional sites not in the CLO matrix; results are being compiled. Acreage continues to be prepared as part of IUP’s SWG-funded golden-winged warbler forestland best management practices project. To date, 3,632 acres across 15 state game lands and one TNC property have been prepared. Grant and cooperative agreements are being amended so work can continue until the end of 2014. Cerulean Warbler (PA-WAP high-level concern) A grant application package was approved by USFWS and a cooperative agreement executed for Pittman-Robertson (P-R) funds to support a project titled “Cerulean Warbler Response to Species-Specific Forest Management Guidelines and Post-Fledgling Habitat Use and Survival in Managed Forests” by IUP and Arkansas State University.

17

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Blackpoll Warbler (both state endangered) At the time of preparation of this report, 5 yellow-bellied flycatcher and 2 blackpoll warbler territories had been confirmed on SGL 57, Wyoming County. Two new yellow-bellied flycatcher and 3 new blackpoll warbler territories were found in Sullivan (1) and Wyoming (4) counties; all but one of these were found by cooperating volunteers. Wetland (Marsh) Bird Surveys By the end of June, we had coordinated the investigation of 201 wetlands (3-9 ha NWI sites) for marsh birds, using the national protocol, and 159 were surveyed with results to be summarized in our annual report. Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program Presented by Greg Podniesinski, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, PNHP Program Director Administrative − DCNR and PHMC will be receiving a Governor’s Innovation Award on July 22nd for developing a MOU that allows WPC-PNHP

staff to use State Museum lab space for botany and zoology specimen preparation, while these same staff assists the Museum in the curation of the small mammal and botany collections (these collections had no dedicated curators and were inactive). The “DCNR Team” receiving the award will include Greg Podniesinski, John Kunsman, Rocky Gleason, Charlie Eichelberger and Joe Wisgo.

− DCNR has re-organized the Conservation Science and Ecological Resources Division, creating a Natural Heritage Section with Greg Podniesinski as section Chief. Environmental review staff and GIS specialist Nathan Dewar were moved into the new section along with landscape ecologist Mark Faulkenberry and one vacant ecological program specialist position. The management of the Natural Heritage Program and the PNDI screening tool will be the responsibility of this section. Rebecca Bowen will remain the Chief of the Ecological Services Section and Greg Czarnecki will continue as the WRCP director and manager of the BOF research program.

− DCNR has begun the development of a new PNDI screening tool, in coordination with PNHP partner agencies. NatureServe is the contractor responsible for development of the new tool and the target date for completion and initial public roll-out is May 1st 2015. The new tool will incorporate updated software and technology. The tool will also provide visible ER polygons to facilitate conservation and project planning.

− The first quarter 2014 newsletter, Wild Heritage News, was distributed and included feature articles on bryophytes and lichens of dry oak heath forest communities, edge of range species, and preserving plant specimens. The newsletter can be found at http://www.naturalheritage.state.pa.us/news.aspx#issue14

Ecological Monitoring and Assessment − DCNR has been awarded a $400,000 EPA grant to map and classify peatland plant communities in Pennsylvania. This project

also includes funds to revisit 30 long-term peatland climate change monitoring sites, focusing on peatland plant communities and climate change vulnerable plant species.

− EPA-Funded Aquatic Headwater Resource Assessment project continued. Selected streams within the watershed groups for 2014 (Youghiogheny River, West Branch Tionesta Creek and Tionesta Creek, and French Creek and Schuykill River) were visited in May to identify and groundtruth streams for assessment during the 2014 field season. Riparian assessments for streams in the Youghiogheny River watershed began the week of June 30, 2014

− Ecological Assessment Manager Ephraim Zimmerman and Greg Podniesinski, DCNR Natural Heritage Section Chief, worked with Shawn Lehman, Todd Crandal, and Deric Case from DCNR Bureau of Forestry to update and re-organize the terrestrial forest community types of the DCNR Stand Typing Manual. This information will be used to update the new plant community classification for Pennsylvania. Jessica McPherson also continued to work on fact sheets for non-forested grasslands and shrubland communities occurring on limestone geology.

− PNHP staff mapped and described plant communities and conducted inventories for spring plants, bryophytes, and fish within targeted areas at Raccoon Creek State Park. Inventories were focused on the higher quality areas. Rare plant species locations were revisited and remapped in conjunction with the current Beaver County Natural Heritage Inventory and PNHP ecologists also mapped and described plant communities throughout the park including higher quality natural areas as well as developed areas. Staff from WPC’s Watershed Conservation Program inventoried several areas within the Traverse Creek watershed for Southern Red Bellied Dace (Chrosomus erythrogaster), a rare species in Pennsylvania. The species was found in the tributaries of Traverse Creek in June 2014. Through a subcontract to Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, work began to inventory and map aquatic vegetation of the lakes at Promised Land State Park.

18

Inventory − Natural Heritage Inventory updates for Berks, Beaver, and Chester Counties are nearing completion, and will be rolled out

between July and October 2014. Natural Heritage Inventory updates for Bedford and Lycoming Counties are in the planning stage.

− PNHP Planning staff continued work on two WRCP grants – one looking at Edge of Range species and the potential habitats that they may be able to occupy in response to temperature and precipitation changes; the other focusing on the modeling of SGCN species. Both projects are considering habitat and distribution in the face of climate change, helping to provide insight into management options for high ranked and high risk species.

MEMBERS-AT-LARGE Academy of Natural Sciences No report. Audubon Pennsylvania No report. Box Scores Box scores are posted on the PABS website at http://www.altoona.psu.edu/pabs/pdfs/biodiversitystatus.pdf. Carnegie Museum of Natural History No report. State Wildlife Action Plan & Federal Wildlife Funding See ‘New Business’ for an update presented by Diana Day (PFBC) and Cathy Haffner (PGC). The Nature Conservancy Presented by Scott Bearer, Senior Scientist The Nature Conservancy continues to work actively on a variety of fronts, including projects in freshwater, energy development, forest conservation and forest science. Freshwater Projects Freshwater projects are occurring in all three major river basins. In the Delaware Basin, ecological flows work is ongoing, as well as a new grant from the William Penn Foundation (Floodplains for People and Nature) that supports landowner outreach based on previous work, and conserving and restoring floodplain/headwater wetland function. In the Susquehanna & Potomac in PA (Chesapeake Bay) basins, TNC is involved in a multi-state wetlands restoration initiative with NFWF funding, as well as another NFWF-funded project for protection and enhancement of brook trout habitat through riparian buffer targeting. Also, ecological flows work is ongoing in the Susquehanna Basin, and several location-specific projects have been completed or are in the works, including a dam removal and riparian restoration along Little Cove Creek, Franklin County, several in-stream habitat projects in the Lower Susquehanna and Potomac, and a partnership of agencies, organizations and landowners in a small watershed in Juniata County, dedicated to maintaining and improving water quality in a stream with High Quality headwaters that flows into a heavily agricultural valley. Finally, in the Ohio River Basin, work is ongoing on the Monongahela and Youghiogheny Ecological Flows study in partnership with the USACE. Energy Development Initiatives Our energy development initiatives continue since the publication of our Conservation BMPs manuscript and guest-editing of the Environmental Practice hydraulic fracturing issue (Dec. 2013). We continue to serve on the DCNR Natural Gas Advisory Committee, and continue to work towards trying to reduce shale gas development impacts on Pennsylvania biodiversity. We are finalizing drafts of our Leading Practices factsheets that we hope will better inform the public (esp. those signing leases) on ecological considerations and leading conservation practices in shale gas development. We continue our collaboration with University of TN at Knoxville on the development of the optimization decision support tool that will help identify infrastructure layouts for gas leases across a

19

landscape and will help developers optimize locations of well pads across a land unit based on some priority, such as minimal ecological impact or lowest cost. We will be presenting much of our latest results at a shale-gas symposium which will be part of the national Wildlife Society meeting in Pittsburgh this fall. Forest Conservation TNC’s Working Woodlands conservation easements were profiled and highlighted in the Society of American Forester’s newsletter, the Forestry Source. This program uses a combination of an easement agreement, the development of an FSC forest management plan, and the enrollment of calculated forest stocking into the regulated and voluntary carbon markets. Working Woodlands projects have been completed with Bethlehem (over 22,000 acres) and Lock Haven (over 5,200 acres) Water Authorities, and new projects that involve a large hunt club and other private ownerships are close to completion. We were approached recently to determine if/how we might be able to use the donated value of these easements as match for federal grants. This is something we’ve never done before, but might significantly help demonstrate particular needs for conservation dollars.

We inoculated our American chestnut orchard (in cooperation with TACF) with blight 2 years ago, and have recently removed about 250 of the 300 trees. That means that 50 trees demonstrated some resistance to the blight. We’re hoping to go back either this year or next to see if these trees can show enough resistance to be carried into the next generation. Latham: Are the chestnut trees genetically modified or just resistant selections? Bearer: They are 15/16 American chestnut genetically, i.e., third-generation backcrosses with Asian species. Forest Science Forest science efforts include the establishment of a larger prescribed fire monitoring program with PGC to better understand whether prescribed fire objectives. This fire season we trained three folks who are working towards their Fire Effects Monitoring task books. We were also successful with a WRCP grant to investigate fire history details with the hope that it will help inform future burning. TNC’s Hemlock Woolly Adelgid study (with USFS-ANF), which prioritized the most valuable and important hemlock forests in northwestern PA, received Phase II funding to establish a Forest Pest Cooperative Management Area in northwestern PA. Latham: What is being done at the critical hemlock sites identified in TNC’s study? Bearer: A few critical trees are being identified for annual or biennial treatment to protect them from the woolly adelgid. We are continuing our efforts to promote TNC’s resiliency work in the Central Appalachians and Southwest China. We’ve finalized a draft report on recommended forest management practices and are now working with state land partners to see if we can establish a series of demonstration network areas in places important for connectivity and interior habitats. Bat Research TNC’s Ohio chapter was just awarded significant funding to study their bat populations, protect habitat through conservation easements, and potentially replicate the development of artificial bat hibernacula (similar to what TNC did in TN). Some in the PA Chapter will be assisting with that effort. United States Fish & Wildlife Service - PA Field Office Presented by Jennifer Siani, Fish and Wildlife Biologist Personnel Changes Due to sequestration, the Department of the Interior is still under a hiring freeze unless a waiver is provided by headquarters in Washington, D.C. In Pennsylvania, the Endangered Species program and the Conservation Planning Assistance program have merged with Bob Anderson supervising the program (vice Carole Copeyon and vice Lora Zimmerman duties). Carole retired in March 2013 and Lora was promoted to field office supervisor in January 2014. Kim Faulds will be moving from the Endangered Species program to the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program in September. Jennifer Siani will be leaving the office in late August for a position in the Oregon Field Office. We have not been given permission to backfill Bob, Kim, or Jennifer’s positions. This leaves two full time permanent staff, one term staff member, and two part-time contractors to perform all responsibilities under multiple Federal laws (e.g., ESA, MBTA, BGEPA, CWA, FWCA, and NEPA). Bald Eagles Bald eagles were removed from the Federal list of threatened and endangered species in 2007; however, they remain protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, which prohibits anyone from taking or disturbing bald eagles or their nests. PAFO has created a screening form to assist project proponents determine the impacts of their activities on bald eagles. Along with the screening

20

form, we also provide a mapping tool that shows known active bald eagle nests sites as of 2013. These tools can be found online at: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/pafo/bald_eagle.html Note that the USFWS bald eagle nest mapping tool is updated once a year while the PNDI database is updated continuously. The USFWS map differs from PNDI because USFWS stops mapping inactive nests 5 years after they’re vacated but they are retained on the PNDI map. Bat Listing Update On June 24, 2014, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe announced a 6-month extension for making a final determination on listing the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) as endangered. With the extension, the Service will make a final decision on listing the northern long-eared bat no later than April 2, 2015. As part of the extension, the Service is also reopening a 60-day public comment period and seeks input from states, tribes, Federal agencies, and other stakeholders about the status of the northern long-eared bat. In addition, the Service encourages interested parties to work with the Service on issues such as forest management and bat conservation. The 60-day comment period begins when the notice is published in the Federal Register, which we anticipate happening soon. More information about the proposal to list the northern long-eared bat can be found on our website at www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered The Federal register notice can be found at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-06-30/pdf/2014-15213.pdf The Service initiated an internal status review of the tri-colored bat (Perimyotis subflavus). Coordination, data collection, and information gathering began in 2013. We will continue to accept information until the review is complete. We will be requesting updated information on this species from field offices and states in May 2014. Any new information or questions can be sent to Jonathan Reichard and Christina Kocer in the Regional Office at jonathan_reichard(at)fws.gov and christina_kocer(at)fws.gov. Neosho mucket and rabbitsfoot proposed listing and critical habitat rule On September 17, 2013, the Service finalized the listing of the Neosho mucket as endangered and the rabbitsfoot mussel as threatened. Of the two, only the rabbitsfoot currently occurs in Pennsylvania; it is considered extirpated from West Virginia, but the final rule lists the mussels throughout their historic range. The listing final rule can be found at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-09-17/pdf/2013-22245.pdf. On May 14, 2014, the Service reopened the comment period on the proposed critical habitat designation for the Neosho mucket and rabbitsfoot mussel. The public comment period closed on July 14, 2014. The proposed rule designates approximately 133 river miles (rmi) of critical habitat for the rabbitsfoot in Crawford, Erie, Mercer, and Venango Counties in Pennsylvania. The proposed designation includes: 74.8 rmi in French Creek, 35.6 rmi in the Allegheny River, 12.5 rmi in Muddy Creek, and 10.1 rmi in the Shenango River. Documents pertaining to the critical habitat designation rulemaking can be found at the following links: Proposed rule: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-10-16/pdf/2012-24151.pdf First comment period reopening notice: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-05-09/pdf/2013-10990.pdf Economic analysis: http://www.fws.gov/arkansas-es/docs/20130206_dEconomic%20Analysis_NM_RF.pdf Second comment period reopening notice: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-08-27/pdf/2013-20671.pdf Third comment period reopening notice: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-05-14/pdf/2014-10944.pdf American Eel Listing Update On April 24, 2013, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia approved a Settlement Agreement between the Service and the Council on Environmental Science Accuracy and Reliability (CESAR) (formerly the Council on Endangered Species Act Reliability) regarding the Service’s failure to complete a 12-month petition finding as to whether listing the American eel as endangered or threatened is warranted. The Settlement Agreement requires the Service to submit a 12-month finding to the Federal Register by September 30, 2015. The Service has initiated the status review and has begun coordinating work on the review with Service and non-Service personnel. We will continue to accept information until the status review is completed. Any new information since the February 2007 not warranted petition finding can be sent to Steve Shepard in the Maine Field Office at steven_shephard(at)fws.gov.

21

Eastern cougar proposed delisting rule The Service is preparing a proposed rule to delist the eastern cougar. The proposal is based on the 5-year review issued on March 2, 2011, that concluded the eastern cougar is extinct and recommended the subspecies be delisted. A publication date for the proposed rule has not been set. Significant Portion of the Range Final Policy (All States) On July 1, 2014, the Service published in the Federal Register a notice of its final policy defining the phrase “significant portion of its range” within the definitions of endangered and threatened. The policy becomes effective July 31, 2014. The final policy can be found at the following link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-07-01/pdf/2014-15216.pdf Critical Habitat Proposed Regulations (All States) On May 12, 2014, the Service published in the Federal Register three proposed critical habitat rules/policy that include updates to our critical habitat regulations, a policy on critical habitat exclusions under section 4(b)(2) of the ESA, and a revised definition of destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. On June 26, 2014, the Service extended the public comment period on the proposed rules/policy until October 9, 2014. The proposed rules are posted on the Service’s Improving ESA Implementation Web site: http://www.fws.gov/endangered/improving_ESA/index.html Proposed Policy for Voluntary Prelisting Conservation Efforts On July 22, 2014, the Service published a proposed policy that would give landowners credit for voluntary conservation actions for at-risk species. This policy is available for comment until September 22, 2014. For more information about this policy, see the Service's Website on improving Endangered Species Act implementation ( http://www.fws.gov/endangered/improving_ESA/prelisting-conservation.html) and the Federal Register notice ( http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-07-22/pdf/2014-17022.pdf). Western Pennsylvania Conservancy No report. Wild Resource Conservation Fund Verbal report presented by Greg Czarnecki, Executive Director STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS Climate Change Adaptation Standing Committee Presented by Greg Czarnecki, Committee Chair This committee hasn’t met since the last Steering Committee meeting. The Climate Change Committee page on the PABS website was updated this week; will add more by next meeting. Plant Community Classification Standing Committee Presented by Greg Podniesinski on behalf of Ephraim Zimmerman, CCSC Chair − Ephraim Zimmerman of WPC worked with Shawn Lehman, Todd Crandal, Deric Case, and Greg Podniesinski from DCNR

Bureau of Forestry to update and re-organize the terrestrial forest community types of the DCNR Stand Typing Manual. This information will be used to update the new plant community classification for Pennsylvania.

− WPC-Heritage continued to work on fact sheets for non-forested grasslands and shrubland communities occurring on limestone geology.

− There will be a committee meeting this fall. Conversations are underway with the Bureau of Forestry Inventory and Monitoring Section about coordinating forest classification updates.

Environmental Education Not active

22

OLD BUSINESS PABS Procedural Manual: Hassinger: We need a procedural manual, in particular because of our administrative fragmentation – PGC, PFBC, DCNR, WPC/PNHP, PABS/technical committees. We also need a PABS policy manual. Criswell: They both should be online, not on paper, so they are accessible to all who need to see them and so they can be updated as needed. Get start by developing an outline of all the items needed from each committee. PABS Website: Latham provided an update on the website and the status of committee web pages. Committee chairs are urged to populate their pages on the PABS website. NEW BUSINESS Election of Officers: Maret: Election of the new slate will take place at the end of the January meeting. Positions up for reelection are the President-Elect (the current President and President-Elect are ineligible), and the Secretary and Treasurer (the current Secretary and Treasurer are eligible). Nominees can come from the technical committees, standing committees, or Steering Committee. Anyone who wishes may send nominations not later than two months before the January meeting. PABS website domain name: Criswell: Motion to pay for annual renewal of the domain name out of PABS treasury. Moved and approved. Latham: The current rate is $16.99 per year, which I locked in for November 2015–October 2016 by paying early. Maret: What about hosting costs? Latham: I don’t pay any extra for the PABS website above what I already pay for hosting services for my own website. Proposed name changes for two technical committees: Latham: To reflect a broader concern for many invertebrates in addition to arthropods, should we change Aquatic Arthropods Technical Committee to Aquatic Invertebrates Technical Committee, and Terrestrial Arthropods Technical Committee to Terrestrial Invertebrates Technical Committee? Where appropriate on the website we can note in parentheses, “excluding mollusks” or “excluding arachnids”, but to keep it simple we wouldn’t put those exclusions into the committee name. Criswell: Will touch base with Betsy and Jane. If the committees agree, we’ll have an email vote by the Steering Committee. Per Earle email response: I am OK with this since ‘Arthropods’ is a bit limiting. State Wildlife Action Plan Progress on the 2015 Wildlife Action Plan Update provided by Diana Day (PFBC) and Cathy Haffner (PGC). As revised material is available for public comment, it will be posted on the PFBC and PGC Wildlife Action Plan Update websites: − PA Fish and Boat Commission: http://fishandboat.com/swap.htm − PA Game Commission: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=622722&mode=2 Discussion − Hassinger: In addition to imperilment, a population-trend ranking category should be added: increasing or decreasing or stable.

Haffner: That information has already been compiled. − Latham: We need a gradation of population-trend ranks reflecting at least a rough characterization of the rate of increase or

decrease. Haffner: The compiled information already has estimates of annual percent change. − Criswell: Another ranking category should be added reflecting to what degree conservation actions can be implemented cost-

effectively for a species (i.e., feasibility of recovery based on funding and personnel availability). − Brittingham: PA responsibility is another basic ranking category. NEXT MEETING The winter meeting will be held Tuesday February 17, 2015 at the DCNR Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey office in Middletown. Snow date is Thursday February 19, 2015, same location.