Table of Contents Executive Summary 2
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- Current Actions
- Monitoring
- Public Support
RecommendationsThe main goal of this report is to provide management recommendation for the Vermont Agency of Transportation to address the problem of amphibian mortality on Vermont roadways. This report has thus far presented background information on the problem and has provided a list of possible management alternatives. Our recommendation to the agency is not to select a single alternative, but to work within the framework of actions utilizing adaptive management. Due to funding and public support limitations many of the alternatives are not currently feasible. If the project is successful public support and funding will gradually increase making further actions possible. This section of the report will first outline our short-term management recommendations, and then discuss the importance of public support and the information that is still needed to finalize the metric for statewide usage. Our long-term recommendations are based on the compilation of currently lacking datasets as well as increased funding, which will hopefully be available in the future. Current ActionsIn order to maximize the benefits to amphibians while working within the constraints of funding limitations, we strongly recommend that VTRANS work to implement several of the low-cost alternatives at high-priority sites. The initial actions should be directed at both reducing mortality while raising public awareness. We recommend a combination of amphibian crossing signs and installation of silt-fence funnel walls into existing culverts. We also recommend the continued usage of silt-fence barrier walls at sites where the amphibians do not need to cross the road, similar to the current program on Rt. 2 at Sandbar. The site assessment metric was used to identify 3 high priority sites based on proximity to wetlands and high traffic volume. These sites would be a good starting point to test the effectiveness and feasibility of implementing the alternatives presented in this report. If these sites are successful in both raising awareness of the issue and in reducing amphibian mortality, then more sites should be selected for action. By proving the effectiveness of these actions it will be possible to gain further public support and funding to allow the implementation of more expensive and more permanent management alternatives. MonitoringOne crucial aspect of implementing amphibian-crossing measures is monitoring their effectiveness. In order for the statewide effort to gain momentum and public support, results must be evident. Installation of amphibian crossing structures must be proven to be both used by amphibians and to reduce roadway mortality. Currently, VTRANS documents amphibian mortality by spray painting carcasses on the roadway so that they are not counted again in the future. This method is fairly effective, but it does not capture all of the mortality due to some amphibians being obliterated upon impact, or taken off of the road by scavengers before they are counted. This method is very inexpensive and will be an integral part of any effectiveness monitoring. One-time counts at previously un-assessed sites can also be used to estimate the degree of mortality rates. Monitoring will also be crucial in determining the usage of crossing structures. Jim Andrews recommended using bucket traps set in the ground at the mouth of culvert on the far side of the road. Amphibians simply fall into these buckets after crossing the road and are trapped by the steep smooth walls. The buckets must be checked several times a night to identify, count, and release all of the organisms. This method is very effective but there are two major concerns. Any predator lucky enough to stumble upon a bucket full of tasty frogs is a serious threat, but the use of a raised grate can easily keep predators out. Another concern is the amount of labor needed to maintain these traps. Volunteers are the best option to work through the night checking the traps. Monitoring to prove the effectiveness of crossing structures will be a integral part of gaining public support to continue the evolution of this project in Vermont. Public SupportAn effective amphibian road-crossing program could end up being quite costly, and if implemented by a state agency, the funds could primarily come from tax dollars. Therefore, public support will be essential to any amphibian road-crossing plan. However, as amphibians are not at the forefront of most wildlife activism crusades, public support may be more difficult to gain than it would be for more majestic wildlife species. A comprehensive plan for gathering public support must be developed prior to enacting any amphibian-crossing project. Although the intent of this paper is not to develop a plan for developing public support, several brief suggestions will be noted. A concern is that public support will be difficult to procure, because many people do not value amphibians the way they may value more visible and well-understood wildlife species. One way to educate the public about these critters is to hold a series of informational public meetings across the state when the decision is made to fund a crossing program, at least partially, with tax dollars. Another medium that may be used to reach the public is the media, such as descriptive articles in local newspapers or segments on local news programs. An additional suggestion is to appeal to fishermen, birdwatchers, and other outdoors people by including information about amphibians’ importance at the base of the food chain, and the implications of this for other wildlife, in fishing regulation books and at wildlife refuges and other access areas. One way to reach a large segment of the public in a positive manner is through enlightened children. Guest speakers on amphibians, along with live specimens, incorporated into elementary school curriculums would raise the interest and awareness of the students. The students would then, hopefully, go home and inform their families of what they learned; that is, they would relay to the adults the importance of amphibians and how a road crossing program can help reduce mortality. A child’s enthusiasm for a given subject is often a more effective method for swaying an adult’s opinion than is any public service announcement. One of the most important aspects of public support involved with this project is the need for volunteer efforts and ownership. Unfortunately, most of our short-term management recommendations require a large degree of labor. The labor needs include installing, maintaining, and removing the silt fencing every year, to checking bucket traps used in monitoring, to carrying amphibians across to safety in a bucket brigade. We suggest that community groups such as Boy Scout troops or Science classes be approached to take ownership of the labor needs at the sites. As discussed earlier, public involvement can be used to benefit both the public through education and the amphibians. Download 181.31 Kb. Share with your friends:
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