## F9 TO UPDATE TOC! {#f9-to-update-toc .Appendix-H2 .unnumbered}

Appendix D5 Restore Seabirds to Baja California Pacific Islands

D5.1 General Background [5-1](#general-background)

D5.1.1 Jurisdictional and Legal Framework in Mexico
[5-4](#jurisdictional-and-legal-framework-in-mexico)

D5.1.2 Natural Protected Areas [5-5](#natural-protected-areas)

D5.1.3 Status of Baja California Pacific Islands
[5-5](#status-of-baja-california-pacific-islands)

D5.1.4 Recent Conservation Efforts [5-5](#recent-conservation-efforts)

D5.1.5 Risks and/or Uncertainties [5-6](#risks-andor-uncertainties)

D5.2 Restore Seabirds on Guadalupe Island
[5-6](#restore-seabirds-on-guadalupe-island)

D5.2.1 Goals and Nexus to Injury [5-6](#goals-and-nexus-to-injury)

D5.2.2 Background [5-6](#background)

D5.2.3 Project Description and Methods
[5-7](#project-description-and-methods)

D5.2.4 Environmental Benefits and Impacts
[5-8](#environmental-benefits-and-impacts)

D5.2.5 Likelihood of Success/Feasibility
[5-10](#likelihood-of-successfeasibility)

D5.2.6 Performance Criteria and Monitoring
[5-10](#performance-criteria-and-monitoring)

D5.2.7 Evaluation [5-10](#evaluation)

D5.2.8 Budget [5-10](#budget)

D5.3 Restore Seabirds on Coronado and Todos Santos Islands
[5-11](#restore-seabirds-on-coronado-and-todos-santos-islands)

D5.3.1 Goals and Nexus to Injury [5-11](#goals-and-nexus-to-injury-1)

D5.3.2 Background [5-11](#background-1)

D5.3.3 Project Descriptions and Methods
[5-13](#project-descriptions-and-methods)

D5.3.4 Environmental Benefits and Impacts
[5-14](#environmental-benefits-and-impacts-1)

D5.3.5 Likelihood of Success/Feasibility
[5-15](#likelihood-of-successfeasibility-1)

D5.3.6 Performance Criteria and Monitoring
[5-16](#performance-criteria-and-monitoring-1)

D5.3.7 Evaluation [5-16](#evaluation-1)

D5.3.8 Additional Considerations [5-16](#additional-considerations)

D5.3.9 Budget [5-16](#budget-1)

D5.4 Restore Seabirds on San Martín and San Jeronimo Islands
[5-17](#restore-seabirds-on-san-martín-and-san-jeronimo-islands)

D5.4.1 Goals and Nexus to Injury [5-17](#goals-and-nexus-to-injury-2)

D5.4.2 Background [5-17](#background-2)

D5.4.3 Project Descriptions and Methods
[5-18](#project-descriptions-and-methods-1)

D5.4.4 Environmental Benefits and Impacts
[5-19](#environmental-benefits-and-impacts-2)

D5.4.5 Likelihood of Success/Feasibility
[5-20](#likelihood-of-successfeasibility-2)

D5.4.6 Performance Criteria and Monitoring
[5-20](#performance-criteria-and-monitoring-2)

D5.4.7 Evaluation [5-21](#evaluation-2)

D5.4.8 Budget [5-21](#budget-2)

D5.5 Restore Seabirds on San Benito, Natividad, Asunción, and San Roque
Islands
[5-21](#restore-seabirds-on-san-benito-natividad-asunción-and-san-roque-islands)

D5.5.1 Goals and Nexus to Injury [5-21](#goals-and-nexus-to-injury-3)

D5.5.2 Background [5-21](#background-3)

D5.5.3 Project Descriptions and Methods
[5-23](#project-descriptions-and-methods-2)

D5.5.4 Environmental Benefits and Impacts
[5-24](#environmental-benefits-and-impacts-3)

D5.5.5 Likelihood of Success/Feasibility
[5-25](#likelihood-of-successfeasibility-3)

D5.5.6 Performance Criteria and Monitoring
[5-26](#performance-criteria-and-monitoring-3)

D5.5.7 Evaluation [5-26](#evaluation-3)

D5.5.8 Estimated Budget [5-26](#estimated-budget)

Tables

D5-1 Characteristics of Birds That Breed on the Baja California Pacific
Islands

D5-2 Historical and Current Status of Seabird Species on Guadalupe
Island

D5-3 Estimated Budget for 4-Year Guadalupe Island Restoration Project

D5-4 Estimated Budget for 5-Year Coronado and Todos Santos Islands
Restoration Project

D5-5 Estimated Budget for 5-Year San Jeronimo and San Martín Islands
Restoration Project

D5-6 Estimated Budget for 5-Year Restoration Project on San Benito,
Natividad, Asunción, and San Roque Islands

Figures

D5-1 Baja California Pacific islands.

Appendix D5

Restore Seabirds to Baja California Pacific Islands

# Restore Seabirds on the Baja California Pacific Islands

The Natural Resource Trustees for the Montrose case (Trustees) have
evaluated a variety of seabird restoration actions for the Baja
California Pacific islands in Mexico. These islands support a wide range
of seabirds that nest in or use the Southern California Bight (SCB).
Restoration efforts would target a suite of seabird species, including
the Cassin's auklet, Brandt's cormorant, double-crested cormorant,
California brown pelican, ashy storm-petrel, and Xantus's murrelet. To
streamline the evaluation of these actions, the general background and
regulatory framework is provided below. Detailed project descriptions
are then provided for the following islands: (1) Guadalupe Island, (2)
Coronado and Todos Santos Islands, (3) San Jeronimo and San Martín
Islands, and (4) San Benito, Natividad, Asunción, and San Roque Islands.
The actions discussed in this appendix do not cover all of the potential
seabird restoration actions for the Baja California Pacific islands;
therefore, the Trustees will consider additional actions in the future
for implementation under this Restoration Plan, as appropriate.

## General Background

The Baja California Pacific islands are located in the northwestern
portion of Mexico, off of the Pacific coast of Baja California (Figure
D5-1). Of the 12 islands or island groups (18 total islands) in this
region, nine present unique opportunities for seabird restoration. Three
of these islands or island groups (Coronado, Todos Santos, and San
Martín) are oceanographically considered part of the SCB. The remaining
six islands (San Jeronimo, San Benito, Guadalupe, Natividad, Asunción,
and San Roque) are located south of the SCB but are still part of the
California Current System. This system, which extends from southern
British Columbia to Baja California, is one of the most highly
productive eastern boundary currents in the world.

The Baja California Pacific islands support a diverse group of breeding
seabirds and are known for their overall high levels of biological
diversity and endemism. As shown in Table D5-1, 17 species and 8
subspecies of seabirds breed on the Baja California Pacific islands. Ten
of these species also breed on the California Channel Islands (Wolf
2002). Of these 10 shared species, 5 have special-status listings in the
United States as endangered, threatened, or species of special concern.

Most of the seabird colonies in Mexico and California form part of a
larger metapopulation of seabirds that breed, forage, and disperse into
and through the SCB and surrounding marine environment. Breeding
seabirds in this region have been documented moving between islands, and
crossing the U.S./Mexico border to use islands in the Mexican portion of
the SCB and other islands further south and into the Gulf of California.
This is best illustrated by the California brown pelican metapopulation,
which is divided into four populations: the Southern California Bight,
the Baja California Coastal, the Gulf of California, and the Mexican
Mainland populations (Gress and Anderson 1983). The SCB population
includes colonies both on the Channel Islands and the northwestern Baja
California Pacific islands of Coronado, Todos Santos, and San Martín.
California brown pelicans within the SCB population have demonstrated
interchange of birds, use of same prey resources, and population shifts
in response to prey availability (Anderson and Gress 1983). California
brown pelicans also demonstrate regular multidirectional movement across
the border, with birds from the Gulf of California and Baja California
moving into the SCB and Salton Sea regions (Anderson and Gress 1983).

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  ![](media/image1.jpeg){width="5.2868055555555555in"
  height="5.513194444444444in"}

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Figure D5-1. Baja California Pacific islands.

Identification of islands: (1) Coronado (2) Todos Santos (3) San Martín
(4) San Jeronimo (5) Guadalupe (6) San Benito (7) Cedros (8) Natividad
(9) San Roque (10) Asunción. The solid line indicates islands located
within the Southern California Bight.

+----------------------+--------+--------+-------+------+------------+
| Table D5-1\          |        |        |       |      |            |
| Characteristics of   |        |        |       |      |            |
| Birds That Breed on  |        |        |       |      |            |
| the Baja California  |        |        |       |      |            |
| Pacific Islands      |        |        |       |      |            |
+----------------------+--------+--------+-------+------+------------+
| Breeding Seabirds    | Br     | Dis    | S     | St   | Int        |
| on\                  | eeding | perse/ | tatus | atus | ernational |
| Baja California      | on     | Forage | in    | in   | Union for  |
| Pacific Islands      | C      | in     | M     | Un   | Co         |
|                      | hannel | SCB?   | exico | ited | nservation |
|                      | Is     |        |       | St   | of Nature  |
|                      | lands? |        |       | ates | and        |
|                      |        |        |       |      | Natural    |
|                      |        |        |       |      | Resources  |
|                      |        |        |       |      | (IUCN)     |
|                      |        |        |       |      | Status     |
+----------------------+--------+--------+-------+------+------------+
| Leach's storm-petrel | Yes    | Yes    | FE,   |      |            |
|                      |        |        | FT    |      |            |
|                      |        |        | ^1^   |      |            |
+----------------------+--------+--------+-------+------+------------+
| Ashy storm-petrel    | Yes    | Yes    | FT    | SSC  | LR/nt      |
+----------------------+--------+--------+-------+------+------------+
| Black storm-petrel   | Yes    | Yes    | FT    | SSC  |            |
+----------------------+--------+--------+-------+------+------------+
| California brown     | Yes    | Yes    |       | FE,  |            |
| pelican              |        |        |       | SE   |            |
+----------------------+--------+--------+-------+------+------------+
| Double-crested       | Yes    | Yes    |       | SSC  |            |
| cormorant            |        |        |       |      |            |
+----------------------+--------+--------+-------+------+------------+
| Brandt's cormorant   | Yes    | Yes    |       |      |            |
+----------------------+--------+--------+-------+------+------------+
| Pelagic cormorant    | Yes    | Yes    |       |      |            |
+----------------------+--------+--------+-------+------+------------+
| Western gull         | Yes    | Yes    |       |      |            |
+----------------------+--------+--------+-------+------+------------+
| Xantus's murrelet    | Yes    | Yes    | FE    | ST   | VU         |
+----------------------+--------+--------+-------+------+------------+
| Cassin's auklet      | Yes    | Yes    | FT    | SSC  |            |
+----------------------+--------+--------+-------+------+------------+
| Laysan albatross     | No     | Yes    | FT    |      |            |
+----------------------+--------+--------+-------+------+------------+
| Black-vented         | No     | Yes    | FE    |      |            |
| shearwater           |        |        |       |      |            |
+----------------------+--------+--------+-------+------+------------+
| Least storm-petrel   | No     | Yes    | FT    |      |            |
+----------------------+--------+--------+-------+------+------------+
| Magnificent          | No     | Yes    |       |      |            |
| frigatebird          |        |        |       |      |            |
+----------------------+--------+--------+-------+------+------------+
| Heermann's gull      | No     | Yes    | SP    |      | LR/nt      |
+----------------------+--------+--------+-------+------+------------+
| Least tern           | No     | Yes    | FE    | FE,  |            |
|                      |        |        |       | SE   |            |
+----------------------+--------+--------+-------+------+------------+
| Craveri's murrelet   | No     | Yes    | FT    |      |            |
+----------------------+--------+--------+-------+------+------------+
| ^1^ Three subspecies |        |        |       |      |            |
| are listed: *O.l.    |        |        |       |      |            |
| chapmani* (FT),      |        |        |       |      |            |
| *O.l. socrroensis*   |        |        |       |      |            |
| (FE), O.l.           |        |        |       |      |            |
| *cheimomnestes* (FT) |        |        |       |      |            |
|                      |        |        |       |      |            |
| FE = Federal         |        |        |       |      |            |
| Endangered, FT =     |        |        |       |      |            |
| Federal Threatened,  |        |        |       |      |            |
| LR/nt = Lower        |        |        |       |      |            |
| Risk/near            |        |        |       |      |            |
| threatened, SE = CA  |        |        |       |      |            |
| State Endangered, SP |        |        |       |      |            |
| = Special            |        |        |       |      |            |
| Protection, SSC =    |        |        |       |      |            |
| Species of Special   |        |        |       |      |            |
| Concern, ST = CA     |        |        |       |      |            |
| State Threatened, VU |        |        |       |      |            |
| = Vulnerable         |        |        |       |      |            |
+----------------------+--------+--------+-------+------+------------+

Metapopulations serve to create more stable and viable populations
because each individual colony buffers the others against extinction
(Petersen and Frederiksen 2000). This is especially important when
populations undergo large perturbations such the DDT-induced
reproductive failures of pelicans and cormorants in this region. As the
SCB population of brown pelicans recovered from DDT-induced population
declines, the Baja California Coastal population and most likely the
Gulf of California population supplied pelicans that helped to restore
the SCB population. San Martín Island in Mexico is likely one such
source for pelicans in the U.S. portion of the SCB (Anderson and Gress
1983).

In addition to movement of breeding birds and natal dispersal between
colonies on either side of the U.S./Mexico border, a large number of
birds breeding in Mexico annually disperse during the non-breeding
season into the U.S. portion of the SCB. Dispersal also occurs in the
reverse direction, with birds from the U.S. going south to roost on
islands in Mexico. During the fall and winter, populations of Brandt's
cormorants, double-crested cormorants, and California brown pelicans
increase dramatically, surpassing the total number of breeders in the
U.S. alone (Thelander 1994). Other species that breed along the Pacific
coast of Baja California or in the Gulf of California but not in the
U.S. portion of the SCB are also observed in large numbers during the
non-breeding season, indicating that they disperse into U.S. waters for
foraging. These species include the Craveri's murrelet (Deweese and
Anderson 1976), black-vented shearwater (Keitt et al. 2000), Heermann's
gull (Islam 2002), elegant tern (Burness et al. 1999), the southern
subspecies of Xantus's murrelet (Drost and Lewis 1995), least
storm-petrel, and black storm-petrel (Ainley and Everett 2001). Thus,
large portions of these species' populations are exposed to threats
within the U.S. and along the northwest coast of Baja California during
the non-breeding season.

Because seabird populations overlap international boundaries, protection
and restoration of seabird colonies in Mexico directly benefits seabirds
nesting on the Channel Islands and foraging in the SCB. Robust seabird
colonies in Mexico are also important to ensure the survival of shared
species should catastrophic events (e.g., oil spills) lead to a severe
decline in seabird numbers on the Channel Islands.

### Jurisdictional and Legal Framework in Mexico

The Baja California Pacific islands are owned by the Mexican government,
and access to them is controlled by the Secretariat of Gobernación
(Gobernación). Because these islands support globally important
populations of marine birds, Mexico's federal government recognizes the
Baja California Pacific islands as critical habitat (Ezcurra, pers.
comm., 2004). Several seabirds that breed on the Baja California Pacific
islands are listed as endangered or threatened under the Norma Oficial
Mexicana 059 (the Mexican equivalent of the U.S. Endangered Species
Act). The federal designation of seabirds such as Xantus's murrelet,
Cassin's auklet, and the ashy storm-petrel further facilitates
protection of nesting habitat on these islands (Ezcurra, pers. comm.,
2004).

Several Mexican laws are applicable to the conservation of natural
resources on the islands, including the General Wildlife Law of 2000 and
the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection
(LGEEPA) of 1988. The General Wildlife Law is implemented primarily by
the Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT)
Wildlife Directorate General and provides general authority for
conservation of migratory species and species restoration, as well as
more detailed regulation of wildlife management and use. The LGEEPA
focuses on the preservation and restoration of ecological balance and
addresses the issues of Natural Protected Areas, jurisdiction,
ecological zoning, and enforcement.

Within the Mexican government, several entities are responsible for
management and enforcement on the islands. Gobernación is responsible
for access to the Baja California islands. Visitors to the islands must
obtain permits from the Gobernación prior to landing on the islands.
Regulatory enforcement on the islands is the responsibility of the
Federal Environment Protection Agency (PROFEPA). Created in 1992 and
operating under the SEMARNAT umbrella, PROFEPA is responsible for
enforcing Mexican environmental law such as the LGEEPA. The Mexican Navy
has responsibility for the waters surrounding the islands and has
agreements with the Secretariats (including SEMARNAT, Gobernación, and
the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Commission) to enforce their
regulations.

### Natural Protected Areas

The National System of Natural Protected Areas was created in 1983 and
is one of Mexico\'s fundamental biodiversity conservation policy tools.
This status is meant to protect the most diverse and ecologically
important areas of Mexico. The Natural Protected Areas are "areas within
the national territory, where the original environmental conditions
haven't been significantly altered by human activity or areas that
require protection and restoration..." (LGEEPA, Article 3). There are
six different categories of Natural Protected Areas in Mexico: (1)
Biosphere Reserves, (2) National Parks, (3) Natural Monuments, (4) Areas
for the Protection of Natural Resources, (5) Areas for the Protection of
Wildlife, and (6) Natural Sanctuaries. The [National Commission of
Natural Protected Areas](http://www.conanp.gob.mx/index.php) (CONANP) is
a decentralized organization of SEMARNAT and is charged with management
of Natural Protected Areas. PROFEPA is responsible for enforcing rules
on Natural Protected Areas through inspection and surveillance.

### Status of Baja California Pacific Islands

The current status of the Baja California Pacific islands varies among
the different islands. Because of their unique ecology and biodiversity,
the islands are designated a Marine Priority Area for Conservation by
the Mexican National Commission for Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity.

The islands under consideration in this proposal fall under three
categories: (1) Biosphere Reserve, (2) Natural Protected Area, and (3)
proposed Biosphere Reserve. Natividad Island, San Roque Island, and
Asunción Island were incorporated into the Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve in
1988. Guadalupe Island first received special status in 1928 (Munoz et
al. 2003) and was designated a Biosphere Reserve on April 25, 2005, as
recorded in the Diario Oficial (Mexican Federal Register).

Efforts between local groups and the Mexican government are currently
under way to establish the remaining Baja California Pacific islands
(including Cedros, San Jeronimo, San Martín, Todos Santos, San Benito
and Coronado) as a protected area. A technical study was completed by
Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas in support of the designation.
In July 2003, the Mexican Congress called upon Gobernación and SEMARNAT
to determine the legal and environmental status of the islands (Congress
of the Union 2004). On June 3, 2005, SEMARNAT published in the Mexican
Federal Register a public notification of their intent to decree a new
Biosphere Reserve for 19 islands off the Pacific Coast of Baja
California and Baja California Sur and the marine waters around them, as
recorded in the Diario Oficial. The designation of these islands as a
protected area would create a legal infrastructure for enforcing
regulations and developing management plans.

### Recent Conservation Efforts

For the past 10 years, significant efforts have been made to conserve
island ecosystems in northwest Mexico. A successful collaboration
between local universities, Mexican and U.S. non-profit conservation
organizations, local fishing cooperatives, and Mexican governmental
agencies has resulted in the removal of introduced species from 24
islands in the region, 12 of which are in the Baja California Pacific
islands (Keitt, pers. comm., 2004). Of 19 recorded animal extinctions on
islands in northwest Mexico, 18 can be attributed in whole or part to
introduced mammals (Donlan et al. 2000). With the recent efforts, 35
exotic mammal species have been removed from islands in the region (IC
2004b). With the removal of these introduced species, suitable habitat
is once again available to seabirds for nesting and roosting. The
success of this regional conservation effort has provided unique
opportunities to enhance recovery of seabird populations on the Baja
California Pacific islands.

### Risks and/or Uncertainties

The Trustees recognize that there is a certain level of uncertainty in
funding actions outside of the U.S. Factors such as government support,
enforcement, and accountability are of greater concern when implementing
actions outside of U.S. jurisdiction. Given the limited staffing and
funding in the Mexican resource agencies, there is less certainty of the
long-term benefit of an action in Mexico than one in the U.S. As such,
the Trustees may consider additional mechanisms or tools to enhance the
viability and success of restoration actions in Mexico. Such tools may
include: (1) funding a U.S. organization that can be held accountable in
U.S. jurisdiction, (2) withholding full payment until project
completion, (3) partnering with other conservation programs that
successfully implement restoration actions in Mexico (e.g., U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service \[USFWS\] Sonoran Joint Venture), and (4) seeking
matching payments or in-kind contributions.

## Restore Seabirds on Guadalupe Island

### Goals and Nexus to Injury

The goal of this action is to eradicate feral cats and restore seabird
populations on Guadalupe Island, Mexico. This action would target a
suite of seabirds including Cassin's auklet, Brandt's cormorant,
Xantus's murrelet (subspecies *S. h*. *hypoleucus*), and the western
gull.

Eggshell thinning and/or elevated levels of DDT have been documented in
the eggs of Cassin's auklets, Brandt's cormorants, Xantus's murrelets,
and western gulls in the SCB (Kiff 1994, Fry 1994). Section 5.1.1
provides a detailed description of the seabird nexus to the injuries of
the Montrose case.

### Background

Guadalupe Island measures 255 square kilometers (km^2^) (98 square miles
\[mi^2^\]) with three satellite islands of \<1 km^2^ in size. This
island group is located 386 kilometers (km) (240 miles) south of San
Diego and 370 km (230 miles) off the coast of Baja California. Although
outside of the SCB, Guadalupe Island is biogeographically affiliated
with coastal Southern California, and is part of the critically
endangered California coastal sage and chaparral ecoregion. Human
presence on the island includes a small fishing community and a Mexican
Navy station.

Guadalupe Island is a Biosphere Reserve managed by the Mexican
government. World-renowned for its high level of biodiversity, Guadalupe
Island supports 34 endemic plants (including two endemic genera), 2
endemic subspecies of seabirds, 10 endemic land birds, 11 endemic land
snails, and at least 18 endemic insects. Birdlife International
recognizes Guadalupe Island as one of two regionally important Endemic
Bird Areas in the California Floristic Province Hotspot (Stattersfield
et al.1998).

The overwhelming threat to the degradation of the ecosystem of Guadalupe
Island is the presence of introduced goats and cats. Goats introduced in
the 1850s have completely transformed the island through habitat
degradation and loss from erosion and trampling. The top of the island,
once covered with an endemic Guadalupe Island pine forest, is now
sparsely vegetated with only about 200 adult trees. In 2002, a team of
international experts from Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, United
States, and Ecuador visited Guadalupe Island to develop a plan for goat
and cat eradication. This plan has the full support of the Mexican
National Institute of Ecology, the Mexican National Commission of
Natural Protected Areas, the Mexican Navy, and the local fishing
community. Efforts to eradicate the goats began in 2004 with funding
from the Mexican government and private donors.

Feral cats are a significant threat to seabird populations on Guadalupe
Island. Introduced prior to 1880, cats are responsible for the likely
extinction of the endemic Guadalupe storm-petrel and the likely
extirpation of many other seabird populations from the main island of
Guadalupe, including Xantus's murrelet, the black-vented shearwater,
Cassin's auklet, and Leach's storm-petrel (Keitt et al. in press). These
species now occur only on small offshore islets of Guadalupe Island
(Jehl and Everett 1985). In addition, cats have caused the extinction of
five endemic species or subspecies of landbirds on Guadalupe Island, and
currently threaten the survival of one of the three Laysan albatross
colonies found outside of Hawaii. Cats are known to kill large numbers
of seabirds and are particularly effective at taking smaller species
such as shearwaters, alcids, and storm-petrels (Keitt et al. 2002, Van
Aarde 1978).

As a result of habitat degradation by goats and predation by cats, the
main island of Guadalupe has likely experienced one extinction
(Guadalupe storm-petrel) and possibly five extirpations of seabirds
(Table D5-2). Currently the offshore islets support eight taxa of
seabirds, including Brandt's cormorant, Laysan albatross, western gull,
Xantus's murrelet, black-vented shearwater, Cassin's auklet, and two
endemic subspecies of Leach's storm-petrel (Table D5-2). Of these eight
taxa (or seven species), recent surveys have only confirmed Brandt's
cormorant and Laysan albatross nesting on the main island of Guadalupe;
however, it is possible small breeding populations of murrelets,
shearwaters, auklets, and petrels are present in areas restricted or
inaccessible to cats (Keitt et al. in press).

### Project Description and Methods

The goal of this action is to eradicate feral cats to restore seabird
colonies on Guadalupe Island. A 4-year restoration action is proposed to
achieve this goal. Proven techniques used worldwide in recent cat
removal programs would be employed on this action. In general, the most
successful methods used in feral cat eradication efforts have been
trapping and hunting (Wood et al. 2002, Nogales et al. 2004). An
important component of this action would be to ensure that cats are not
reintroduced to the island after the removal. A prevention program would
be developed as part of the overall management plan for Guadalupe
Island.

Important seabird colonies and plant populations that still occur on
small offshore islets of Guadalupe would likely serve as source
populations that may naturally recolonize the main island of Guadalupe
once cats and goats are removed. Additional restoration activities could
be undertaken to facilitate the recovery of seabird populations back
onto the main island, such as social attraction, artificial nests and
burrows, habitat enhancement, and light shielding. Although the Trustees
may contribute to these additional restoration efforts in the future,
the focus of the proposed action is the eradication of feral cats.

+--------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Table D5-2\        |           |           |           |           |
| Historical and     |           |           |           |           |
| Current Status of  |           |           |           |           |
| Seabird Species on |           |           |           |           |
| Guadalupe Island   |           |           |           |           |
+--------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|                    | His       |           | Currently |           |
|                    | torically |           | Present   |           |
|                    | Present   |           |           |           |
+--------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|                    | Main      | Offshore  | Main      | Offshore  |
|                    | Island    | Islets    | Island    | Islets    |
+--------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Guadalupe          | Yes       | No        | No^1^     | No        |
| storm-petrel       |           |           |           |           |
+--------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Xantus's murrelet  | Yes       | Yes       | U         | Yes       |
|                    |           |           | nknown^2^ |           |
+--------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Black-vented       | Yes       | Yes       | U         | Yes       |
| shearwater         |           |           | nknown^2^ |           |
+--------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Cassin's auklet    | U         | Yes       | U         | Yes       |
|                    | nknown^5^ |           | nknown^2^ |           |
+--------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Leach's            | Yes       | Yes       | U         | Yes       |
| storm-petrel ssp.  |           |           | nknown^2^ |           |
+--------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Leach's            | Yes       | Yes       | U         | Yes       |
| storm-petrel ssp.  |           |           | nknown^2^ |           |
+--------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Laysan albatross   | Yes^6^    | Yes       | Yes^3^    | Unknown   |
+--------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Brandt's cormorant | Yes       | Yes       | Yes^4^    | Yes       |
+--------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Western gull       | Yes       | Yes       | Yes       | Yes       |
+--------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| ^1^Cats likely     |           |           |           |           |
| caused extinction. |           |           |           |           |
|                    |           |           |           |           |
| ^2^Unknown, but    |           |           |           |           |
| reduced from       |           |           |           |           |
| historical numbers |           |           |           |           |
| and likely at risk |           |           |           |           |
| of local           |           |           |           |           |
| extirpation from   |           |           |           |           |
| main island due to |           |           |           |           |
| cats.              |           |           |           |           |
|                    |           |           |           |           |
| ^3^Cats are        |           |           |           |           |
| currently          |           |           |           |           |
| threatening the    |           |           |           |           |
| survival of        |           |           |           |           |
| colony.            |           |           |           |           |
|                    |           |           |           |           |
| ^4^Confirmed       |           |           |           |           |
| nesting on main    |           |           |           |           |
| island.            |           |           |           |           |
|                    |           |           |           |           |
| ^5^Cassin's        |           |           |           |           |
| auklets never      |           |           |           |           |
| recorded on main   |           |           |           |           |
| island, but        |           |           |           |           |
| suitable habitat   |           |           |           |           |
| is available.      |           |           |           |           |
|                    |           |           |           |           |
| ^6^Laysan          |           |           |           |           |
| albatross          |           |           |           |           |
| colonized          |           |           |           |           |
| naturally in 1980. |           |           |           |           |
+--------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+

### Environmental Benefits and Impacts

#### Biological 

##### Benefits

Eradication of cats from Guadalupe Island would have both immediate and
permanent conservation benefits for seabirds. In 2003, cats were removed
locally around the Laysan albatross colony on Guadalupe Island to
protect it from heavy predation pressure. Mortality from cats decreased
from more than 30 birds found dead in the previous 60 days to zero birds
over the next 60 days (Keitt et al. in press). Although no specific
monitoring was done on these species, this local removal is also
believed to have spared prospecting storm-petrels, Xantus's murrelets,
and black-vented shearwaters from predation in the area. The immediate
benefit of cat removal was also documented on Natividad Island where
more than 1,000 black-vented shearwaters were found dead each month at
the colony when cats were present (Keitt et al. 2002). Once cats were
eradicated, fewer than 100 shearwaters were found dead each month as a
result of sustainable, natural mortality (Keitt and Tershy 2003).

It is anticipated that seabirds would naturally recolonize historical
habitat on the main island of Guadalupe from the nearby islets within
several years of cat eradication. On Marion Island, the common diving
petrel (*Pelecanoides urinatrix*) recolonized the island after cats were
successfully eradicated (Hanel and Chown 1998). Because of its size and
the amount of suitable nesting habitat, Guadalupe Island has significant
potential for seabird recovery. Seabirds such as the Cassin's auklet,
Brandt's cormorant, Xantus's murrelet, western gull, black-vented
shearwater, and Leach's storm-petrel would significantly benefit from
the action in terms of increased available nesting habitat and improved
reproductive success as a result of reduced predation from cats.

In addition to seabirds, this action would also have collateral benefits
to the island ecosystem. Endemic landbirds, such as the critically
endangered Guadalupe junco (*Junco insularis*), would benefit from cat
removal (Mendoza et al. in press).

##### Impacts

There is the potential for limited short-term soil disturbance and
compaction from the proposed human activity associated with hunting and
trapping. Guadalupe Island does not support other large native mammals
that could be impacted by the action.

#### Physical

##### Benefits

This action would not result in benefits to the physical environment.

##### Impacts

This action would not result in impacts to the physical environment.

#### Human Use

##### Benefits

The eradication of feral cats and goats from Guadalupe Island is the
first step in the restoration of this unique island ecosystem.
Ecological restoration of the island would provide aesthetic and
recreational benefits to inhabitants and visitors.

The proposed cat removal action would not result in benefits to cultural
resources, transportation, or health and safety issues.

##### Impacts

Island users, including the Mexican military and the local fishing
cooperative, have strict policies against the importation of any live
animal or potential weedy plant to the island. Since Guadalupe Island is
a Biosphere Reserve, these policies would be enforced in perpetuity.
Therefore, the eradication program and subsequent prevention program
would not impact human uses on the island.

This action would not result in impacts to cultural or socioeconomic
resources, recreation, aesthetics, transportation, or health and safety.

### Likelihood of Success/Feasibility

Although difficult, feral cat eradication has been successfully carried
out on at least 48 islands worldwide (Nogales et al. 2004). In northwest
Mexico, cats have been successfully eradicated from 15 islands (Wood et
al. 2002). The experience, knowledge, and lessons learned from these
previous efforts would be applied to this action. Guadalupe Island is
within the size range of other islands that had successful cat
eradications; therefore, the feasibility and likelihood of success is
high.

The proposed cat removal action is a critical step in the ecological
restoration of Guadalupe Island. Several Mexican agencies would oversee
management and enforcement on Guadalupe Island (see Section D5.1.1), and
would be responsible for ensuring that the long-term success of this
action is not compromised by the introduction of exotic species. In
light of Guadalupe Island's protected status, and the local, national,
and international effort being directed to the restoration of the
island, the cat removal action would result in long-term benefits to
seabird populations and the overall island ecosystem.

### Performance Criteria and Monitoring 

The benefits of cat eradication may be evaluated by recolonization and
recovery of seabird colonies onto the main island of Guadalupe,
increased breeding success, and reduced predation. Protocols for seabird
monitoring are well established and standardized. Efforts to document
baseline seabird populations would be undertaken before project
implementation to evaluate the benefits from the action.

### Evaluation

The Trustees have evaluated this action against all screening and
evaluation criteria developed to select restoration actions and have
concluded that this action is consistent with these selection factors.
The Trustees determined that this type and scale of action would
effectively provide long-term benefits to priority seabirds, including
the Cassin's auklet, western gull, Xantus's murrelet, and Brandt's
cormorant. All of these species also breed in the Channel Islands and
are part of a larger metapopulation of seabirds that breed, forage, and
disperse into and throughout the SCB and surrounding marine environment.
In addition, this action would provide long-term benefits to the unique
ecosystem on Guadalupe Island.

### Budget

Table D5-3 shows the estimated budget for a 4-year restoration action on
Guadalupe Island.

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Table D5-3\                        
  Estimated Budget for 4-Year        
  Guadalupe Island Restoration       
  Project                            
  ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------
  Personnel                          \$767,000

  Travel                             \$18,000

  Equipment                          \$67,000

  Communications                     \$10,000

  Operating Supplies                 \$35,000

  Research/Monitoring                \$194,000

  Overhead                           \$45,000

  **Total**                          **\$1,136,000**
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

## Restore Seabirds on Coronado and Todos Santos Islands

### Goals and Nexus to Injury

The goal of this action is to restore seabird populations on the
Coronado and Todos Santos Islands. These islands are oceanographically
considered part of the SCB. Restoration efforts would target a suite of
seabirds including the Cassin's auklet, Brandt's cormorant,
double-crested cormorant, California brown pelican, ashy storm-petrel,
and Xantus's murrelet.

Eggshell thinning and/or elevated levels of DDT have been documented in
the eggs of the Cassin's auklet, Brandt's cormorant, double-crested
cormorant, California brown pelican, ashy storm-petrel, and Xantus's
murrelet in the SCB (Kiff 1994, Fry 1994). Section 5.1.1 provides a
detailed description of the seabird nexus to the injuries of the
Montrose case.

### Background

#### Coronado Islands

The Coronado Islands consist of four islands that lie 11 km (7 miles)
offshore of the Mexican mainland near Tijuana, Baja California Norte.
These islands total 2.5 km^2^ (1 mi^2^) in area. The largest two islands
are the North and South Island; the Middle Island is smaller, and Middle
Rock is smaller still. The topography of the islands is steep and rugged
and supports several vegetation communities including maritime succulent
scrub and coastal sage scrub.

Human presence is limited on the Coronado Islands. With the exception of
a Mexican Navy garrison and the lighthouse on South Island, these
islands do not support human habitation. The Coronado Islands are owned
and managed by the Mexican government (see Section D5.1.1).

Historically, the Coronado Islands supported significant colonies of
Cassin's auklets, Xantus's murrelets, and brown pelicans (Grinnell and
Daggett 1903, Howell 1910). During the 1930s, the California brown
pelican colony reached its maximum size, with approximately 5,000 birds
nesting on the North Island, 100 on the Middle Island, and several nests
on the South Island (Jehl 1973). As with other brown pelican colonies in
the SCB, the Coronado colony experienced DDT-related reproductive
failure in the late 1960s and early 1970s (Jehl 1973, Risebrough 1972).
Of the 375 California brown pelican nests on the Coronado Islands in
1969, no young fledged (Jehl 1973).

In addition to negative effects from DDT contamination, seabird
populations on the Coronado Islands also declined due to the presence of
introduced animals (cats, goats, burros) and human disturbance. The mean
productivity of California brown pelicans dropped precipitously in the
1980s when increased fishing around the islands caused a high level of
nest abandonment (Anderson 1988). Brown pelicans are particularly
sensitive to human disturbance and have been documented crushing or
knocking eggs and small nestlings from the nest when they flush in panic
(Schreiber and Risebrough 1972, Kushlan and Frohring 1985). Eggs and
small nestlings left unattended are then susceptible to predators and
hyperthermia (Anderson and Keith 1980).

It is currently estimated that approximately 4,000 breeding seabirds of
10 species nest on the Coronado Islands, including Brandt's cormorants,
double-crested cormorants, California brown pelicans, western gulls,
Cassin's auklets, black storm-petrels, and Xantus's murrelets (Wolf
2002). Although recent surveys have shown signs of seabird recovery,
seabird colonies remain significantly lower than historical levels. For
example, a survey in 2002 documented 643 pairs of brown pelicans on
North Coronado Island, and no pairs nesting on the other islands
(Palacios et al. 2003). These islands also currently support one of the
world's largest threatened Xantus's murrelet colonies, and support the
southernmost breeding colony of the rare ashy storm-petrel. Cassin's
auklets and Leach's storm-petrels have yet to recolonize North Coronado
Island after their extirpation due to cat predation (Donlan et al.
2000).

In recent years, efforts have been taken to protect and conserve the
flora and fauna of the Coronado Islands. In addition to important
seabird colonies, the Coronado Islands support one endemic species of
small mammal, four endemic species of reptiles, and two subspecies of
endemic land birds. Efforts to remove introduced species from the
Coronado Islands included the eradication of feral cats from North
Island in 1995 and 1996, the removal of one cat from South Island in
2004, and the removal of goats and burros from South Island in 2004. The
American Trader Trustee Council contributed funding to these removal
efforts. With the eradication of these introduced species, suitable
habitat is once again available to seabirds for nesting and roosting.

#### Todos Santos Islands

The Todos Santos Islands consist of two islands located approximately 90
km (60 mi) south of the U.S./Mexico border. These islands total 1.2
km^2^ (0.5 mi^2^) in size. Vegetation on the Todos Santos Islands
consists of coastal sage scrub. The Todos Santos Islands are owned and
managed by the Mexican government. Human presence on Todos Santos North
is maintained by the Mexican Navy (two radio personnel) and the
Secretary of Transportation (one lighthouse keeper). Todos Santos South,
the larger of the two islands, has a small facility formerly used by an
abalone aquaculture company and recently purchased by a tuna aquaculture
company. An illegal fishing camp was recently removed from the island,
and the area was cleaned up by a coalition, including the Grupo de
Ecologia y Conservacion de Islas, Mexican Navy, and the National
University in Ensenada.

Historically, the Todos Santos Islands supported important colonies of
seabirds, including the California brown pelican and double-crested
cormorant (Howell 1912). However, seabird colonies and island vegetation
have been heavily impacted by introduced cats and rabbits, regular human
use and development, and occasional human-caused wildfires. By 1920, the
brown pelican colony had disappeared, largely due to human disturbance
(Jehl 1973, Jehl 1984).

An estimated 3,500 breeding seabirds of six species currently nest on
the Todos Santos Islands, including double-crested cormorants, Brandt's
cormorants, pelagic cormorants, western gulls, Cassin's auklets, and
Xantus's murrelets (Wolf 2002). Todos Santos North is the southernmost
known breeding colony of pelagic cormorants (Palacios and Mellink 2000).
Xantus's murrelets and Cassin's auklets were extirpated from Todos
Santos South likely due to cat predation and have not yet recolonized
this island (Donlan et al. 2000). To date, California brown pelicans
have not recolonized either island for breeding, likely because of
ongoing human disturbance. However, surveys in 2002 documented 108
nesting attempts by double-crested cormorants and 336 active Brandt's
cormorant nests on Todos Santos South (Palacios et al. 2003). Because
brown pelicans and cormorants often nest in mixed colonies, the presence
of these nesting cormorants demonstrates the potential for Todos Santos
to be recolonized by brown pelicans (Palacios et al. 2003).

Recent eradication efforts have been undertaken to restore the Todos
Santos island ecosystem. Cats and rabbits were eradicated in 1998, and
burros were removed in 2004. During the burro removal, illegal camps
were cleaned up and more than two tons of garbage was removed from Todos
Santos North. With the removal of these introduced animals, suitable
habitat is once again available to seabirds for nesting and roosting.

### Project Descriptions and Methods

With the recent removal of introduced species from these islands,
opportunities exist to enhance the recovery of these seabird colonies
within the SCB. Due to their proximity, and to maximize restoration
efforts on these islands, a combined 5-year restoration action is
proposed for the Coronado and Todos Santos Islands. On the Coronado
Islands, restoration actions will include using social attraction
techniques (including decoys and vocalizations), improving nesting
opportunities with artificial nests, and reducing human disturbance.
Standard social attraction techniques that have been used successfully
elsewhere would be employed on these islands. Target species for
restoration on the Coronado Islands include the Brandt's cormorant,
double-crested cormorant, California brown pelican, western gull,
Cassin's auklet, ashy storm-petrel, black storm-petrel, and Xantus's
murrelet. An example restoration activity would be to facilitate the
recolonization of Cassin's auklets to North Coronado Island through the
use of playback systems and artificial nests.

On the Todos Santos Islands, restoration actions would include social
attraction techniques (e.g., decoys and vocalizations), improving
nesting opportunities with artificial nests, shielding lights, and
reducing human disturbance. For example, efforts to restore California
brown pelican breeding would focus on reducing human disturbance around
historical colonies. Target species on Todos Santos Islands include
Brandt's cormorant, double-crested cormorant, pelagic cormorant,
California brown pelican, western gull, Cassin's auklet, and Xantus's
murrelet.

Although the Trustees are focusing on the above-mentioned restoration
activities, consideration would be given to additional restoration
opportunities that may arise in the future on these islands.

### Environmental Benefits and Impacts

#### Biological

##### Benefits

This action involves multiple restoration activities that will likely
provide long-term benefits to target seabird populations. Social
attraction efforts will facilitate the recolonization of seabirds on
these islands after the removal of introduced species, and will
encourage seabirds to use suitable and historically occupied habitats.
Once seabirds are attracted to the island, the presence of nest boxes
will further encourage the seabirds to nest in suitable habitat. The use
of nest boxes will also allow biologists to effectively monitor the
success of the restoration efforts and minimize disturbance to nesting
seabirds. Although social attraction may only be used for a limited
time, the recolonization and recovery of historically occupied colonies
will provide long-term benefits to seabird populations in the SCB, as
the re-established presence of a colony of birds will likely serve as an
ongoing natural attractant in perpetuity.

A reduction in human disturbance around the colonies will significantly
benefit roosting and breeding seabirds, particularly those that are
sensitive to disturbance, such as California brown pelicans and
cormorants. On islands in the Gulf of California, brown pelican
subcolonies disturbed by humans produced 0.0 to 0.6 fledglings per nest
compared with 1.2 to 1.5 fledglings per nest in undisturbed colonies
(Anderson and Keith 1980). A reduction in human disturbance can have
dramatic impacts on seabird populations, as illustrated on the Farallon
Islands, off the coast of Northern California. At least six species of
marine birds had experienced severe population declines on these islands
due to human disturbance. Subsequent protection from disturbance
resulted in almost complete recovery of all populations (Anderson and
Keith 1980).

The increase in seabird populations on the Coronado and Todos Santos
Islands will also likely benefit resident peregrine falcon pairs that
prey on seabirds such as petrels and auklets. Because peregrine falcon
pairs prey on a variety of seabird species (Huey in Kiff 1980, Nelson
and Myres in Kiff 1980), increases in seabird populations may help
buffer the impacts of predation.

##### Impacts

The proposed activities have the potential for limited short-term
impacts. These impacts could include soil disturbance in the areas where
nest boxes are used or short-term disturbance to seabirds during
monitoring efforts. However, the proposed activities would not result in
significant impacts to biological resources.

#### Physical

##### Benefits

This action will not result in benefits to the physical environment.

##### Impacts

This action will not result in impacts to the physical environment.

#### Human Use

##### Benefits

The waters around the Baja California Pacific islands offer many
recreational and economic opportunities. Healthy and complete ecosystems
support fishing communities around these islands (Anderson and Keith
1980). Seabird colonies are a valuable part of island ecosystems and
provide economic benefits in the form of tourism.

##### Impacts

This action proposes to limit human disturbance in the vicinity of
seabird colonies. This action would likely impact people that either
inhabit or illegally camp on the islands. However, this impact is not
anticipated to be significant due to the minimal number of people that
inhabit the islands.

The action will not result in impacts to cultural resources,
transportation, or health and safety.

### Likelihood of Success/Feasibility

Social attraction efforts, including the use of playback systems and
decoys, have been successfully used for a variety of seabirds, including
terns (Kress 1983), Atlantic puffins (Kress and Nettleship 1988), Laysan
albatross (Podolsky 1990), dark-rumped petrels (Podolsky and Kress 1992)
and Leach's storm-petrels (Podolsky and Kress 1989). The use of
artificial nests has also proven to be successful for seabirds such as
the ashy storm-petrel, Leach's storm-petrel, Cassin's auklet, and the
pigeon guillemot. Experts in the field of social attraction will be
consulted during project planning and implementation to ensure that
playback systems, decoys, and artificial nests are designed in a manner
that maximizes the success of the action.

As discussed earlier, a concerted effort is under way to conserve and
protect the Baja California Pacific islands. Part of that effort is the
designation of the Baja California Pacific islands, including the
Coronado and Todos Santos Islands, as a Biosphere Reserve. The
restoration activities are both feasible and compatible with these
ongoing efforts. In light of the successful efforts to remove introduced
species from these islands in the last decade, the support from the
Mexican government, the designation of these islands as a Marine
Priority Area for Conservation, and the current momentum to designate
these islands as a Biosphere Reserve, it is likely that restoration
activities undertaken on these islands will be successful and will
result in long-term benefits to seabird populations in the SCB.

### Performance Criteria and Monitoring

The benefits of these restoration activities to seabirds can be
evaluated by increases in colony size, recolonization of seabirds into
historically occupied habitats, and reduced disturbance to seabird
colonies. Protocols for seabird monitoring are well established and
standardized. Efforts to document baseline seabird populations and
levels of human disturbance will be undertaken before project
implementation to evaluate the benefits from the action.

### Evaluation

The Trustees have evaluated this action against all screening and
evaluation criteria developed to select restoration actions and have
concluded that this action is consistent with these selection factors.
This action has a strong nexus to the Montrose case and is located in
the SCB. Recent eradication efforts on these islands provide a unique
opportunity to facilitate seabird recolonization and recovery. The
Trustees determined that this type and scale of action will likely
provide long-term benefits to ashy storm-petrels, Cassin's auklets,
Xantus's murrelets, Brandt's cormorants, double-crested cormorants, and
California brown pelicans.

### Additional Considerations

The Trustees are aware of plans by ChevronTexaco to build a liquefied
natural gas receiving facility just east of South Coronado Island. The
proposed terminal would receive tankers loaded with liquefied natural
gas several times a week and process up to 1.4 million cubic feet of the
fuel daily. ChevronTexaco has recently received a permit from Mexico's
environmental ministry and is in the process of securing the remaining
permits. It is unknown at this time if this project will be permitted
and constructed. Because of the potential impacts to seabirds from the
proposed terminal (from the effects of lighting, disturbance, and
spills), the Trustees would carefully evaluate the potential
ramifications of this liquefied natural gas project on the feasibility
and long-term success of this proposed restoration action. Should the
Trustees decide that the proposed liquefied natural gas terminal would
compromise the success of this restoration action, the Trustees would
reconsider this action and may allocate funds to other seabird
restoration efforts.

### Budget

Table D5-4 shows the estimated budget for a 5-year restoration action on
the Coronado and Todos Santos Islands.

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Table D5-4\                                            
  Estimated Budget for 5-Year                            
  Coronado and Todos Santos                              
  Islands Restoration Action                             
  --------------------------- -------------------------- -----------------
  Personnel                   \$587,000                  

  Travel                      \$64,000                   

  Equipment                   \$92,000                   

  Communications              \$7,000                    

  Operating Supplies          \$84,000                   

  Overhead                    \$208,000                  

  **Total**                   **\$1,042,000**            
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

## Restore Seabirds on San Martín and San Jeronimo Islands

### Goals and Nexus to Injury

The goal of this action is to restore seabirds on San Martín and San
Jeronimo Islands, Mexico. San Martín Island is oceanographically
considered part of the SCB, whereas San Jeronimo Island is just south of
this boundary. Restoration efforts would target a suite of seabirds,
including the Cassin's auklet, Brandt's cormorant, double-crested
cormorant, California brown pelican, western gull, and Xantus's
murrelet.

Eggshell thinning and/or elevated levels of DDT have been documented in
the eggs of Cassin's auklets, Brandt's cormorants, double-crested
cormorants, California brown pelicans, western gulls, and Xantus's
murrelets in the SCB (Kiff 1994, Fry 1994). Section 5.1.1 provides a
detailed description of the seabird nexus to the injuries of the
Montrose case.

### Background

#### San Martín Island

San Martín Island is 3.2 km^2^ (1.2 mi^2^) in size and is located 5 km
(3.1 miles) offshore from San Quintin, Mexico (see Figure D5-1). This
rugged volcanic island is dominated by cliffs except on the northeast
side, which has a small sandy beach and tidal lagoon. Vegetation on the
island consists of dense Californian coastal scrub vegetation. In
addition to six species of breeding seabirds, San Martín Island also
supports three endemic reptiles and one endemic mammal. A permanent
fishing camp exists on the island as well as two automated navigational
lights that receive at least biannual maintenance by personnel of the
Secretary of Communications and Transportation.

San Martín Island historically supported a large mixed colony of
California brown pelicans, double-crested cormorants, and Brandt's
cormorants from at least 1913 until the late 1960s (Palacios and Mellink
2000). This colony was the largest historic double-crested cormorant
colony in North America, estimated at close to 350,000 nests (Gress et
al. 1973, Wright 1913). Although this number is thought to be an
overestimate (Carter et al. 1995), San Martín Island clearly supported
an important breeding colony for the double-crested cormorant. In 1969
and 1971, approximately 5,000 double-crested cormorants were documented
in the colony. During the 1970s, human disturbance was thought to be the
principal factor in the decline of these colonies (Anderson and Keith
1980, Jehl 1973), which were also heavily impacted by introduced cats,
fisherman, and egg harvesters (Everett and Anderson 1991). Consequently,
it was believed that this colony was essentially abandoned in 1987 and
1988 (Everett and Anderson 1991).

In recent years, efforts have been taken to protect and conserve San
Martín Island, including the removal of feral cats in 1999 and 2000. A
survey in 1999 documented the reoccupation of this regionally important
colony, including 600 occupied double-crested cormorant and 30+ brown
pelican nests (Palacios and Mellink 2000). Additional nesting seabirds
on San Martín Island include Brandt's cormorants, western gulls,
Cassin's auklets, and Xantus's murrelets (Wolf 2002). With the removal
of feral cats and the recent reoccupation of the cormorant/pelican
colony, opportunity exists to facilitate the recovery of this important
colony as well as other seabird colonies on the island.

#### San Jeronimo Island

San Jeronimo Island is 0.7 km^2^ (0.3 mi^2^) in size and is located
south of San Martín Island (Figure D5-1). A permanent fishing camp
exists on the island with up to 40 residents on the island during peak
fishing seasons. A lighthouse keeper is permanently stationed on the
island to maintain the lighthouse.

San Jeronimo Island historically supported large colonies of Brandt's
cormorants and Cassin's auklets (Everett and Anderson 1991). The
Brandt's cormorant colony was displaced and large sections of the
Cassin's auklet colony were destroyed during an unauthorized guano
mining operation in 1999 (Wolf 2002). Since that time, all guano mining
operations have been stopped on the island (Keitt, pers. comm., 2004).

Efforts to remove introduced animals have also been undertaken on this
island. Feral cats were eradicated in 2000. Seabirds currently nesting
on San Jeronimo Island include the double-crested cormorant, western
gull, Xantus's murrelet, and Cassin's auklet (Wolf 2002). The Cassin's
auklet colony is currently the largest colony on the island. After the
unauthorized guano mining operation, Brandt's cormorants did not re-nest
in 2002, and it is unknown if they have reoccupied this colony since
then.

### Project Descriptions and Methods

To maximize restoration efforts on these islands, a combined five-year
action is proposed on San Martín and San Jeronimo Islands. The goal of
this action is to enhance the recovery of seabird colonies following the
removal of introduced species. Activities on San Martín Island would
focus on restoring the California brown pelican, double-crested
cormorant, and Brandt's cormorant colonies by reducing human disturbance
through signage, public education, and redesign of the trail system on
the island to avoid the colonies.

Efforts on San Jeronimo Island would focus on restoring the extirpated
Brandt's cormorant colony through social attraction efforts (e.g.,
decoys) and reducing human disturbance. Additional restoration actions
for Cassin's auklets and Xantus's murrelets would include shielding
light sources, constructing a boardwalk to stop the destruction of
burrows by fisherman walking through the colony, and controlling waste
on the island.

Although the Trustees are focusing on the above-mentioned restoration
activities, additional restoration opportunities would be considered for
implementation under this restoration plan, as appropriate.

### Environmental Benefits and Impacts

#### Biological

##### Benefits

The action combines restoration activities that would provide long-term
benefits to priority seabird populations, in particular Brandt's
cormorants, double-crested cormorants, California brown pelicans, and
Cassin's auklets. Social attraction efforts would facilitate the
recolonization of seabirds on these islands after the removal of
introduced species. These types of efforts would encourage seabirds to
use suitable and historically occupied habitats. Although social
attraction may only be used for a limited time, the recolonization and
recovery of historically occupied colonies would provide long-term
benefits to seabird populations in the SCB since the re-established
presence of a colony of birds would likely serve as an ongoing natural
attractant in perpetuity.

A reduction in human disturbance around colonies would benefit roosting
and breeding seabirds. Nesting seabirds that are sensitive to
disturbance, such as California brown pelicans and cormorants, would in
particular benefit from a reduction in human disturbance. Protection of
the seabird colonies from human disturbance would likely result in
increased reproductive success. Construction of a boardwalk on San
Jeronimo Island would greatly reduce the number of Cassin's auklet
burrows that are crushed by fisherman walking through the colony.

##### Impacts

The proposed activities have the potential for limited short-term
impacts. These impacts could include soil disturbance in the areas where
social attractants are used or short-term disturbance during monitoring
efforts.

#### Physical

##### Benefits

This action would not result in benefits to the physical environment.

##### Impacts

This action would not result in impacts to the physical environment.

#### Human Use

##### Benefits

The waters around the Baja California Pacific islands offer many
recreational and economic opportunities. Healthy and complete ecosystems
support fishing communities around these islands (Anderson and Keith
1980). Seabird colonies are a valuable part of island ecosystems and
provide economic benefits in the form of tourism.

This action would not result in benefits to cultural resources,
transportation, or health and safety.

##### Impacts

This action proposes to limit human disturbance in the vicinity of
seabird colonies. This action would likely impact fisherman on the
islands; however, alternative trails would be provided. This impact is
not anticipated to be significant due to the minimal number of people
that inhabit the islands.

This action would not result in impacts to cultural resources,
transportation, or health and safety.

### Likelihood of Success/Feasibility 

Social attraction efforts, including the use of playback systems and
decoys, have been successfully used for a variety of seabirds (see
Section D5.3.5). Experts in the field of social attraction would be
consulted during project planning and implementation to ensure that
decoys are designed to maximizes the success of the action. Activities
to reduce human disturbance (e.g., redesign of trails, posting signs,
and shielding lights) are feasible and would provide long-term benefits
as long as measures are complied with and enforced.

As discussed earlier, a concerted effort is under way to conserve and
protect the Baja California Pacific islands. Part of that effort is the
designation of the Baja California Pacific islands as a Biosphere
Reserve, including San Jeronimo and San Martín Islands. The proposed
restoration activities are both feasible and compatible with these
ongoing efforts. In light of the successful efforts to remove introduced
species from these islands, the designation of these islands as a Marine
Priority Area for Conservation, and the current momentum to designate
these islands as a Biosphere Reserve, it is likely that restoration
activities undertaken on these islands would be successful and would
result in long-term benefits to seabird populations in the SCB.

### Performance Criteria and Monitoring

The benefits of these restoration activities to seabirds may be
evaluated by increases in colony size, recolonization of seabirds into
previously occupied habitats, and reduced disturbance to seabird
colonies. Protocols for seabird monitoring are well established and
standardized. Efforts to document baseline seabird populations and
levels of human disturbance would be undertaken before project
implementation to evaluate the benefits from the action.

### Evaluation

The Trustees have evaluated this action against all screening and
evaluation criteria developed to select restoration actions and have
concluded that this action is consistent with these selection factors.
The Trustees determined that this type and scale of action would provide
benefits to priority seabirds, including the Brandt's cormorant,
double-crested cormorant, Cassin's auklet, Xantus's murrelet, and
California brown pelican.

### Budget

Table D5-5 shows the estimated budget for a 5-year restoration action on
San Jeronimo and San Martín Island.

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Table D5-5\                           
  Estimated Budget for 5-Year San       
  Jeronimo and San Martín Islands       
  Restoration Project                   
  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
  Personnel                             \$411,000

  Travel                                \$70,000

  Equipment                             \$76,000

  Communications                        \$4,500

  Operating Supplies                    \$40,000

  Overhead                              \$150,000

  **Total**                             **\$751,500**
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

## Restore Seabirds on San Benito, Natividad, Asunción, and San Roque Islands

### Goals and Nexus to Injury

The goal of these actions is to restore seabird colonies on the central
Baja California Peninsula Islands. The San Benito, Natividad, Asunción,
and San Roque Islands are clustered around central Baja California (see
Figure D5-1). Restoration efforts would target a suite of seabirds
including the Cassin's auklet, Brandt's cormorant, double-crested
cormorant, California brown pelican, and Xantus's murrelet.

Eggshell thinning and/or elevated levels of DDT were documented in eggs
of the Cassin's auklet, Brandt's cormorant, double-crested cormorant,
California brown pelican, and Xantus's murrelet in the SCB (Kiff 1994,
Fry 1994). Section 5.1.1 provides a detailed description of seabird
nexus.

### Background

#### San Benito Islands

The San Benito Islands consist of three islands (East, Middle, and West)
with a combined area of approximately 2.5 km^2^ (1 mi^2^). The islands
are located 65 km (40 miles) west of the mainland (Figure D5-1).
Permanent fishing camps exist on West Benito Island. The San Benito
Islands are owned by the Mexican government.

The San Benito Islands support the largest and most diverse seabird
colony in the California Islands (which includes the Channel Islands and
Baja California Pacific islands). The islands host approximately 2
million breeding seabirds of 12 species, including three species of
storm-petrel, brown pelican, western gull, double-crested cormorant,
Brandt's cormorant, Xantus's murrelet (*S.h. hypoleucus*), and Cassin's
auklet (*P.a. australe*) (Wolf 2002). In addition, these islands harbor
at least three endemic plants (one of which is restricted only to West
San Benito), three endemic landbirds, and one endemic lizard.

Recent eradication efforts have been undertaken to restore the island
ecosystem. In 1998, feral goats and rabbits were removed from the three
islands. Donkeys were removed in 2004. The presence of these introduced
animals had degraded seabird nesting habitat on the islands,
particularly on West Benito Island.

#### Natividad Island

Natividad Island is 7.2 km^2^ (3 mi^2^) in size and is located 7 km (2.7
miles) off of Punta Eugenia (see Figure D5-1). There is a town of 400
permanent residents on the south end of the island, and most inhabitants
are members of a fishing cooperative. Natividad Island is owned and
managed by the Mexican government and was incorporated into the Vizcaíno
Biosphere Reserve in 1988.

Limited information is available on historical seabird population
numbers on Natividad Island. It is estimated that Natividad Island
supports approximately 160,000 breeding seabirds of five species,
including the California brown pelican, double-crested cormorant,
Brandt's cormorant, western gull, and black-vented shearwater (Wolf
2002). This island supports the second-largest seabird breeding
population on the California Islands (after the San Benito Islands), in
large part because it supports over 95 percent of the world's
black-vented shearwaters (Keitt et al. 2000). It is presumed that
Xantus's murrelets historically bred on Natividad Island but were
extirpated by cat predation (Drost and Lewis 1995, Keitt 2000). Cassin's
auklets were also extirpated by cat predation.

Recent eradication efforts have removed feral cats, goats, domestic
pigs, rabbits, and sheep from the island. Cat eradication was initiated
in 1998 in response to the large number (more than 1,000) of dead
shearwaters found in the colony each month (Keitt et al. 2002). Despite
the removal of cats, Cassin's auklets have not yet recolonized Natividad
Island (Keitt 2000).

#### Asunción Island and San Roque Island

Asunción Island (0.9 km^2^ \[0.4 mi^2^\]) and San Roque Island(4 km^2^
\[0.2 mi^2^\]) are located inside Asunción Bay (see Figure D5-1). There
are no permanent settlements on these islands, though people regularly
visit from the nearby town on the mainland. Asunción and San Roque
Islands are owned and managed by the Mexican government and were
incorporated into the Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve in 1988.

These islands once supported large nesting colonies of seabirds
including the Xantus's murrelet, Cassin's auklet (subspecies *P. a.
australe*), and Brandt's cormorant (Everett and Anderson 1991, Drost and
Lewis 1995, Wilbur 1987). Asunción and San Roque Islands were once the
southernmost breeding colonies of Cassin's auklet (Kaeding 1905).
However, predation by cats extirpated the large populations of Cassin's
auklets on these islands by 1992 (McChesney and Tershy 1998). Xantus's
murrelets were likely extirpated by cats much earlier. Human disturbance
has caused abandonment of the double-crested cormorant and Brandt's
cormorant colonies on San Roque Island and the brown pelican colony on
Asunción Island on repeated occasions. Ongoing human disturbance has
kept the populations of these species well below their historical
numbers.

Within the last 10 years, efforts have been made to restore the
ecosystem on these islands. In 1994, feral cats and rats were removed
and human visitation was ended through education and signage. These
actions resulted in secure roosting habitat for thousands of brown
pelicans and cormorants. In 1996, playback devices were used to
encourage the return of the Cassin's auklet and Leach's storm-petrel
(*O. leucorhoa*). In 2001, Brandt's cormorants (more than 2,000 nests)
and California brown pelicans (approximately 10 nests) had begun
breeding again on San Roque Island (Keitt, pers. comm., 2004). However,
in 2002, after a long lapse in education efforts, local fishermen began
visiting the island again on a regular basis and virtually all of the
cormorants and brown pelicans abandoned their breeding efforts.
Currently on San Roque Island, double-crested cormorants, elegant terns,
royal terns, Xantus's murrelets, and Cassin's auklets have yet to
recolonize the island. On Asunción Island, brown pelicans, elegant
terns, and Xantus's murrelets have yet to recolonize. In 2004, Cassin's
auklets were documented using artificial burrows on the island; however,
it is unknown whether breeding occurred (Keitt, pers. comm., 2004).

### Project Descriptions and Methods

#### San Benito Islands

A 5-year restoration action is proposed on the San Benito Islands that
would focus on rehabilitation of degraded habitat to increase the number
of breeding seabirds. Efforts would concentrate on West San Benito
Island, which supports considerably lower densities of seabirds than the
Middle or East Islands. Target species for restoration include Cassin's
auklets, Xantus's murrelets, and Leach's storm-petrels. Restoration
efforts would include removal of exotic plant species and restoration of
native plant communities disturbed by human activities and burros.
Efforts would also focus on reducing human disturbance through signage,
shielding lights around the fishing village, and managing waste on the
island.

#### Natividad Island

A 5-year restoration action is proposed on Natividad Island that would
focus on establishing Xantus's murrelets and restoring a historic
Cassin's auklet colony by using playback systems and artificial nests.
The goal of the action would be to attract birds from nearby colonies on
the San Benito Islands. In addition, habitat protection and enhancement
would be targeted for double-crested cormorants, Brandt's cormorants,
California brown pelicans, and black-vented shearwaters. A reduction in
human disturbance would be accomplished through signage, light
shielding, public education, and road closures.

#### San Roque and Asunción Islands

To maximize restoration efforts on these islands, a 5-year joint project
is proposed on San Roque Island and Asunción Islands, due to their
proximity. The goal of this restoration action would be to facilitate
the recolonization and recovery of seabird populations on these islands.
Activities would include social attraction (both decoys and playback
systems), use of artificial burrows, and actions taken to reduce human
disturbance. Seabirds would be attracted from large source colonies on
the nearby San Benito Islands and the Gulf of California. Target species
for these efforts include Brandt's cormorants, California brown
pelicans, Heermann's gulls, elegant terns, Cassin's auklets,
storm-petrels, and Xantus's murrelets.

### Environmental Benefits and Impacts

#### Biological 

##### Benefits

The action combines restoration activities that would provide long-term
benefits to target seabirds. Social attraction efforts would facilitate
the recolonization of islands after the removal of introduced species.
These types of efforts would encourage seabirds into suitable and
historically occupied habitats. Once attracted to the island, the
presence of nest boxes would further encourage nesting in suitable
habitat. The use of nest boxes would also allow biologists to
effectively monitor the success of the restoration efforts. Although
social attraction may only be used for a short time, the recolonization
of a historically occupied colony would provide long-term benefits to
seabird populations since the re-established presence of a colony of
birds would likely serve as an ongoing natural attractant in perpetuity.

A reduction in human disturbance around colonies would benefit roosting
and breeding seabirds. Nesting seabirds that are sensitive to
disturbance, such as brown pelicans and cormorants, would in particular
benefit from a reduction in human disturbance. Protection of the seabird
colonies from human disturbance would likely result in recolonization of
the islands and increased reproductive success. A reduction in human
disturbance would also protect existing colonies, such as the world's
largest black-vented shearwater colony on Natividad Island.

Peregrine falcons would also likely benefit from this action. Because
peregrine falcons prey on smaller seabirds, increased seabird
populations on these islands would benefit this species.

##### Impacts

There is the potential for limited short-term impact from the proposed
activities. Such impacts could include soil disturbance in the areas
where nest boxes are used or short-term disturbance during monitoring
efforts.

#### Physical

##### Benefits

The proposed actions would not result in benefits to the physical
environment.

##### Impacts

The proposed actions would not result in impacts to the physical
environment.

#### Human Use

##### Benefits

The waters around the Baja California Pacific islands offer many
recreational and economic opportunities. Healthy and complete ecosystems
support fishing communities around these islands (Anderson and Keith
1980). Seabird colonies are a valuable part of island ecosystems and
provide economic benefits in the form of tourism.

The proposed actions would not result in benefits to cultural resources,
transportation, or health and safety.

##### Impacts

This action proposes to limit human disturbance in the vicinity of
seabird colonies. This action would likely impact people that either
inhabit or illegally camp on the islands. However, this impact is not
anticipated to be significant due to the minimal number of people that
inhabit the islands.

The proposed actions would not result in impacts to cultural resources,
transportation, or health and safety.

### Likelihood of Success/Feasibility

Social attraction efforts, including the use of playback systems and
decoys, have been successfully used for a variety of seabirds, including
terns, puffins, albatross, and petrels. The use of artificial nests has
also proven to be successful for seabirds such as the ashy storm-petrel,
Leach's storm-petrel, Cassin's auklet, and pigeon guillemot. Experts in
the field of social attraction would be consulted during project
planning and implementation to ensure that playback systems, decoys, and
artificial nests are designed in a manner that maximizes success of the
action.

Long-term success of these actions would also be dependent on whether
these islands remain free from introduced species. The education of
island users about the impact of introduced species is critical to the
success of these restoration actions.

### Performance Criteria and Monitoring

The benefits of these restoration activities to seabirds may be
evaluated by increases in colony size, recolonization of seabirds into
previously occupied habitats, and reduced disturbance to seabird
colonies. Protocols for seabird monitoring are well established and
standardized. Efforts to document baseline seabird populations and
levels of human disturbance would be undertaken prior to project
implementation to evaluate the benefits from the action.

### Evaluation

The Trustees have evaluated this action against all screening and
evaluation criteria developed to select restoration actions and have
concluded that this action is consistent with these selection factors.

### Estimated Budget

Table D5-6 shows the estimated budget for a 5-year restoration action on
San Benito, Natividad, Asunción, and San Roque Islands.

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Table D5-6\                                           
  Estimated Budget                                      
  for 5-Year                                            
  Restoration                                           
  Project on San                                        
  Benito,                                               
  Natividad,                                            
  Asunción, and San                                     
  Roque Islands                                         
  ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
                    **San Benitos**   **Natividad**     **Asunción/San
                                                        Roque**

  Personnel         \$382,000         \$382,000         \$636,000

  Travel            \$76,000          \$70,000          \$129,000

  Equipment         \$49,000          \$63,000          \$134,000

  Communications    \$8,000           \$2,000           \$6,000

  Operating         \$42,000          \$53,000          \$68,000
  Supplies                                              

  Overhead          \$139,000         \$142,000         \$244,000

  **Total**         **\$696,000**     **\$712,000**     **\$1,217,000**
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------