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NASA Ames Research Center
Ames Environmental Procedural Requirements

Chapter 25 - Burrowing Owl Management

Effective Date: TBD Released: TBD

Table of Contents

25.1 Applicability
25.2 Purpose
25.3 Policy
25.4 Authority
25.5 Responsibilities

25.5.1 Environmental Services Office, Code QE (Environmental Office
25.5.2 Line Management, Contracting Officer's Technical Representatives (COTRs)
25.5.3 Plant Engineering Branch (Code JFP), Onizuka Air Force Base, California Air National Guard (CANG), and any other Organization that may conduct Squirrel and rodent Control
25.5.4 Plant Engineering Branch (Code JFP), Onizuka Air Force Base, California Air National Guard (CANG), and any other Organization that may conduct Grounds Maintenance Activities
25.5.5 Development and Communications Office (Code DX), Airfield Management Office (Code JO), and any other Organization that may conducting Special Events
25.5.6 Airfield Management Office (Code JO)

25.6 Project Implementation
25.7 Metrics
25.8 Sources of Additional Information or Assistance
25.9 Appendix A: Burrowing Owl Nesting Habitat Preserves and Existing

25.1 Applicability

This instruction is applicable to all civil servants, partners, resident agencies and contractors at Ames Research Center and Crows Landing (herein collectively referred to as Ames) who are involved in any project, program, or activity that could impact burrowing owls. This includes activities related to site remediation, general landscape maintenance, airfield activities, construction, demolition, infrastructure maintenance or improvement, and other aspects of Center operations and maintenance. Any activities that may disturb the land surface, fill ground squirrel burrows, or otherwise have the potential to adversely impact burrowing owls at Ames is subject to the requirements of the Chapter.

Specific activities subject to these requirements include, but are not limited to:

  1. Construction and demolition
  2. Removing, creating, or adding to soil or rubble piles
  3. Site grading
  4. Drilling wells, digging trenches, ditches, etc.
  5. Disking, tilling, covering or otherwise disturbing soil
  6. Filling squirrel burrows or other small holes
  7. Controlling squirrels
  8. Applying pesticides
  9. Conducting special events (e.g., airshows)
  10. Feeding non-native animals
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25.2 Purpose

This document establishes the minimum requirements for the Ames burrowing owl management program. It provides specifications for protecting burrowing owls and their habitat from the impacts of facilities construction and operations and maintenance activities at Ames. These activities include typical, routine, on-going work, as well as unusual or one-time activities.

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25.3 Policy

It is the policy of the Ames Research Center to:

  1. Comply with all applicable Federal, state, and local regulations that pertain to management of burrowing owls, a species of special concern in California;
  2. Conduct its operations in such a manner that impacts to its resident burrowing owl population, which is important to the survival of burrowing owls in the San Francisco Bay Area, are minimized; and
  3. Ensure the size of the owl population at Ames does not significantly decrease as a result of its activities
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25.4 Authority

All relevant Federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to the management of burrowing owls including, but not limited to:

  1. Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. Sec. 703-712)
  2. Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531-1544)
  3. California Fish and Game Codes Sec. 3503, 3503.5, 3800
  4. National Environmental Policy Act, as amended in 1970 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 4321-4347)
  5. Executive Order 13186: Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect Migratory Birds
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25.5 Responsibilities

25.5.1 The Environmental Services Office shall:

  1. Maintain an accurate inventory of burrowing owls, occupied burrows, satellite burrows, and recently occupied burrows at Ames and make this information readily accessible to the Center.
  2. Conduct site-specific surveys for burrowing owls and owl burrows, as needed to determine potential impacts associated with specific projects, programs, or activities.
  3. Coordinate with the California Department of Fish & Game and other agencies, as needed.
  4. Serve as point of contact for all regulatory agency interface and correspondence. Obtain any required permits or authorizations from these agencies.
  5. When applicable, review National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Checklists for proposed activities to determine whether additional NEPA documentation (e.g., Environmental Impact Statement) is required. Participate in construction permit reviews and pre-project planning sessions to assess potential impacts to sensitive sites.
  6. Develop adequate site-specific mitigation measures to comply with regulatory requirements.
  7. Monitor activities to ensure compliance with mitigation plans.
  8. Adapt burrowing owl management practices as needed by:
  1. Monitoring owls and collecting ecological data throughout the year and in conjunction with specific projects.
  2. Incorporating these data in project and activity planning.
  3. Using this information to modify and improve owl mitigation and protection methods.
  1. Continue implementation of the Ames Predator Management Program by:
  • Removing selected predators of endangered, threatened, and other special status species.
  • Educating personnel about the importance of not feeding wildlife.
  • Studying the effects of predators on burrowing owls.
  1. In coordination with the organizations proposing squirrel control, review and ensure implementation of a detailed, site-specific owl protection plan for each large-scale squirrel control event, as described in Section
  2. As needed, conduct ecological studies to inform management decisions.
  3. Educate Ames personnel about burrowing owl ecology and management initiatives.
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25.5.2 Line management, Contracting Officer's Technical Representatives (COTRs)

25.5.2.1 General Planning Requirements

Line management and COTRs shall:

  1. Early in the planning process, review all proposed projects, programs, and activities to determine if they may occur near (i.e., within 250 feet) areas occupied or recently occupied by burrowing owls or otherwise affect owls. For projects that may occur near owls or their habitat, submit to the Environmental Services Office as soon as possible a preliminary description of the activity, a map showing its proposed location, and a proposed timeline. When applicable, also submit a NEPA Environmental Checklist (APG 8800.3, Chapter 22).
  2. Whenever possible, avoid potential impacts to burrowing owls and their habitat (see Appendix A) by:
  1. Considering alternative project locations during the early planning stages.
  • The 81 acres of Burrowing Owl Nesting Habitat Preserves (Appendix A) shall be avoided.
  • Other Existing Owl Nesting Habitat, as identified in Appendix A, should also be avoided. If avoidance is not possible in these areas, mitigation will be required.
  1. In areas near burrowing owls, scheduling work to occur outside the nesting season (typically early February to late August or early September).
  2. Considering alternative approaches that reduce or eliminate potential impacts to burrowing owls (e.g., construction methods that produce less noise). This may be accomplished by altering the magnitude, duration, and timing of disturbances.
  3. Reducing the amount of time spent conducting activities near burrowing owls.
  1. Avoid disturbances that occur within 250 feet of an active owl nest during the nesting season or with 160 feet outside the nesting season. For unavoidable disturbances, work with the Environmental Office to determine specific owl impacts and required mitigation based on the nature of the project or activity, and its timing, location, and duration.
  2. Obtain approval from the Environmental Services Office prior to conducting activities near burrowing owls or their habitat. Code QE will obtain permits and approvals from regulatory agencies, as needed.
  3. When applicable, obtain the required Construction Permits (AMI 8829.1) and comply with their conditions, including those related to burrowing owls.
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25.5.2.2 Mitigation of Impacts

Line management and COTRs shall fund and implement mitigation activities identified in the planning stages. These may include the following:

  1. Avoidance

Avoid impacts to owls by conducting work outside the nesting season, or at a distance from active burrows that avoids disturbances (>250 in nesting season, >160 feet outside of nesting season). Prevent physical impacts to owl burrows by:

  1. Keeping the project footprint as small as possible.
  2. Limiting the movement of construction vehicles, size and location of staging areas, and other disturbances. Protect areas within 160-foot to 250-foot radius from owl burrows. Use fencing or construction tape to delineate work areas from protected areas.
  3. Placing fencing around active owl burrows for the duration of the project. Barriers must be adequate to prevent disturbance to burrows. Remove fencing when the project is completed.
  1. Compensation

If active owl burrows must be destroyed, work with the Environmental Services Office to develop a plan to evict owls from their natural burrows. Eviction shall occur outside the nesting season. Owls are evicted using temporary "one-way doors" placed on the natural burrow for at least 72 hours. After 72 hours, excavate the natural burrow, and then fill it in to prevent owls from reoccupying those burrows. Replace lost burrows with artificial burrows at a 3:1 ratio within 300 feet of the destroyed burrows, if possible.

Historically active and satellite burrows can also be very important for burrowing owl survival. These lesser-used burrows will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by a qualified Code QE wildlife biologist, who will determine if mitigation is required. Artificial burrow placement and design will be developed in coordination with Code QE. The project proponent must complete construction of any required artificial burrows prior to project initiation (e.g., beginning construction activities). For larger projects with potentially significant impacts to owls or their habitat, restoration of degraded owl habitat onsite may be required.

  1. Habitat Restoration

Restore destroyed or degraded habitat when the project is completed (i.e., replace short grass habitat and, if possible, allow squirrels to occupy the area).

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25.5.2.3. Project Implementation

Line management and COTRs shall:

  1. Not proceed with the proposed activity until the activity and any mitigation has been reviewed and approved by the Environmental Services Office. Many mitigation measures (e.g., installation of artificial burrows, habitat restoration) must be implemented prior to initiation of the project.
  2. Monitor activities to ensure they do not impact burrowing owls beyond the degree approved by the Environmental Services Office.
  3. Notify the Environmental Services Office as soon as possible of any changes to a project located in or adjacent to burrowing owl habitat.
  4. Minimize use of pesticides, rodenticides, and/or herbicides in areas inhabited by burrowing owls.
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25.5.3 Plant Engineering Branch (Code JFP), Onizuka Air Force Base, California Air National Guard (CANG), and any other organization that may conduct squirrel and rodent control. Code JFP, Onizuka Air Force Base, CANG, and any other organization that may conduct squirrel and rodent control shall:

  1. Contact the Environmental Services Office prior to filling any burrows.
  2. Provide Code QE thirty days advance notice prior to conducting large-scale squirrel control activities.
  3. With Code QE, prepare a detailed owl protection plan for such activities and ensure such plans are properly implemented. These plans shall:
  1. Provide a clear description of the squirrel control methods being used.
  2. Describe thorough owl survey methods. Owl surveys of the site must be conducted less than 30 days before the squirrel control and during the application of squirrel control methods.
  3. Describe owl relocation methods, if they are necessary. Relocations are possible only outside the breeding season. Owls should be temporarily evicted from burrows that could be affected by squirrel control methods. Measures must be taken to ensure that birds do not relocate to other high-risk burrows.
  1. Use only the least environmentally damaging squirrel control methods. This includes reducing the risk of primary and secondary poisoning of non-target species, including owls.
  2. Control squirrels and rodents only when absolutely necessary and only in localized areas.
  3. Conduct no squirrel control in Burrowing Owl Nesting Habitat Preserves and Existing Burrowing Owl Nesting Habitat, as shown in Appendix A.
  4. Conduct all large-scale squirrel control activities near burrowing owls (<250 feet) outside of the nesting season.
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25.5.4 Plant Engineering Branch (Code JFP), Onizuka Air Force Base, California Air National Guard (CANG), and any other organization that may conduct grounds maintenance activities. Code JFP, Onizuka Air Force Base, CANG, and any other organization that may conduct grounds maintenance activities shall:

  1. Choose owl-friendly methods to keep grasses short. Mowing is the most efficient and beneficial way to keep grasses short while protecting owls. Disking or tilling shall not be employed in open grasslands or in known owl habitat.
  2. Maintain vegetation height at 9" or less in Owl Nesting Habitat Preserves, Existing Owl Habitat Areas, and other areas, as needed. See Appendix A.
  3. Mow over burrows and around them using hand mowers or lightweight sitting mowers.
  4. Avoid spraying herbicides directly around active owl burrows, especially during the nesting season.
  5. Avoid using pesticides of any type in Owl Nesting Habitat Preserves and Existing Owl Habitat Areas (Appendix A).
  6. Consider planting low growing native species in new planting areas.
  7. Consider allowing squirrels to occupy certain areas to create attractive nesting habitat for owls.
  8. Avoid tree planting within 250 feet of owl habitat, whenever possible.
  9. Plant with native vegetation whenever possible.
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25.5.5 Development and Communication Office (Code DX), Airfield Management Office (Code JO), and any other organization conducting special events. Code DX, Code JO, and any other organization conducting special events (e.g., Air Show) shall:

  1. Plan events with the Environmental Services Office at the earliest possible date.
  2. Whenever possible, locate activities away from sensitive owl areas (Appendix A). Keep the event 250 feet from active owl nests during the nesting season and at least 160 feet from active owl burrows during the non-nesting season. If this is not possible, proceed with plans only after approval from the Environmental Services Office.
  3. Install obvious well-placed fencing and flagging and implement other measures as necessary to protect active burrows.
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25.5.6 Airfield Management Office (Code JO)

To prevent bird air strike hazards (BASH), while protecting burrowing owls, Code JO shall:
  1. Develop a BASH Plan in coordination with Code QE. BASH initiatives shall protect owls and other legally protected birds while achieving airfield safety objectives.
  2. Document potential aircraft safety risks associated with owls and raptors that may prey on squirrels. Collect bird carcasses or feathers from birds hit by aircraft. Provide the bird remains to the NASA Environmental Services Office for identification. Maintain a record of the species, including the location the bird was found and any damage done by the strike. Use these data to determine whether a squirrel control plan is needed or whether owls should be moved from a particular runway area.
  3. If a squirrel eradication program is necessary, limit eradication to problem areas and follow the guidelines given above.
  4. If owls need to be moved from an area of the airfield, develop a plan to evict birds and attract them to artificial burrows in a low risk area of the airfield.
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25.6 Project Implementation

No project, program, or activity that may impact burrowing owls shall be implemented without prior approval by the Environmental Office, who will obtain approval from the appropriate regulatory agencies.

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25.7 Metrics

  1. Ensure no statistically significant reduction in site-wide owl population when compared to regional trends.
Goal: 0% reduction in site-wide owl population as compared to regional trends.
  1. Ensure no "incidental take" of BUOW.
Goal: 0 incidental take.
  1. Ensure all programs & projects have been evaluated for potential impacts to BUOW.
Goal: 100% review of projects.
  1. Ensure all identified mitigation measures are implemented.
Goal: 100% implementation of mitigation measures.
  1. Ensure adequate BUOW habitat is available on Center to ensure viability of ARC subpopulation.
Goal: No loss of habitat beyond that needed to sustain ARC subpopulation (based on latest research and regulatory guidance, see HMP for guidelines).
  1. Ensure quality of owl habitat is not degraded.
Goal: Maintain grass at a height of ~9" or less, ensure sufficient burrows are available, and limit disturbances
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25.8 Sources of Additional Information or Assistance

Appendix A (Burrowing Owl Habitat Map)
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