Corps Seeking Comment On Plans To Again Reduce Caspian Tern Nesting Area On East Sand Island
he U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public comments on its recently released draft environmental assessment of Caspian tern habitat reduction on East Sand Island in the Columbia River estuary near Chinook, Wash.

The Corps proposes to reduce the Caspian tern nesting area on East Sand Island from 1.58 to 1.08 acres to decrease the number of nesting pairs on the island and, as a result, reduce tern predation on passing juvenile salmon and steelhead that are listed under the federal Endangered Species.

The draft EA assesses potential impact on birds, fish and other ecosystem components of a reduction in available habitat and of a no action alternative. Comments received by Feb. 21 will be assessed and a final EA produced over the course of the winter.

It is hoped the National Environmental Policy Act process can be completed before the migratory birds arrive this spring to nest, said Corps project manager Sondra Ruckwardt.

The island has in recent years been home to what is believed to be the largest colony of nesting Caspian terns in the world.

The desired reduction in nesting pairs is in response to .... http://www.cbbulletin.com/429585.aspx