Ohlone Audubon Society

Burrowing Owl Consortium

Ohlone Audubon cohosted the 38th Symposium of the California Burrowing Owl Consortium on February 6th in Livermore, at the Martinelli Event Center, 3585 Greenville Road. This Symposium series focused on the study of existing populations of the Western Burrowing Owl with the emphasis on conservation.

Speakers presented their updated findings on the challenges and opportunities in maintaining or increasing existing population. These sessions include presentation by individuals, agencies and community-based organizations. Click here for the agenda.

Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area Conservation Plan

An alarming number of birds are killed by wind turbines in the Altamont Pass each year.  Golden eagles, American kestrels, red-tailed hawks, and burrowing owls are among the species that are affected the most.  As a result of a lawsuit between Golden Gate Audubon Society, Californian's for Resposible Energy (CARE), Alameda County, and the wind power companies, a Settlement Agreement was adopted in 2007 to obtain 50% reduction in avian mortality rates. 

The Altamont Pass Wind Resources Area (APWRA) Conservation Plan (Plan) is being developed to minimize impacts to birds caused by wind turbine operations, and conserve birds and other terrestrial species while allowing wind energy development and operations in the APWRA. The Plan is a joint Natural Community Conservation Plan (NCCP) and Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) under state and federal laws, respectively.

The Plan is the first of its kind in California, and focuses on conserving the natural communities and sensitive species affected by the impacts of operation, maintenance and construction of wind turbines. It is a comprehensive, long-term, and ecosystem-based plan.

Ohlone Audubon Society is a member of the Stakeholder Committee and continues to be involved in the process of the Plan development including document review. 

More information on the current Conservation Planning process and the effects on the birds can be found on the following websites:

Golden Gate Audubon Society Avian Mortality Information

Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area Conservation Plan

Scientific Review Committe for the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area

The East Bay Regional Park District recently held a second public scoping meeting for the Pleasanton Ridge land use plan.  The early proposals include opening new acreage for hiking and birding and building a new trail head north of the existing one on Foothill Ave. in Pleasanton.

More information can be found on the Park's website at http://www.ebparks.org/news/06162009a

Springtown Preserve

Springtown Preserve in Livermore continues to be trashed by several illegal activities. They disrupt the critical alkali soil base, which is needed to maintain the ecological integrity of the Preserve for its rare plant communities. Vehicle use and diggingin the rare and endangered plant communities is not being monitored or controlled by Livermore. The city has recently been
forced to use precious SR-84 mitigation funds for soil repair, instead of conservation. I urge you to visit www.springtownpreserve.org. This website is full of useful educational materials and photos of the damage being done to the preserve.

Apperson Quarry Plan

In May, the Alameda Creek Alliance and the Center for Biological Diversity announced a historic conservation agreement signed for the Apperson Ridge and Sunol Valley quarries.  The agreement signed in December 2008 with Oliver de Silva, Inc. will dramatically change the Apperson Quarry project, provide substantial mitigations for wildlife, protect and enhance endangered species habitat, provide millions of dollars for fish-passage projects and restoration of Alameda Creek, secure habitat enhancements for tule elk, and address greenhouse gas emissions.

More information can be found on the Center for Biological Diversity's website at http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/apperson_quarry_conservation_agreement/index.html