|
Click on a photo
to view a larger image
 The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) proposal to list the
Louisiana black bear as a threatened subspecies under the
provisions of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) generated
quite a controversy. With 90% of forested habitat in the
region in private ownership, many feared that the listing
would result in regulations restricting private land use.
Others felt listing regulations would reduce the flexibility
and incentive necessary for bear management. Some thought
those regulations would be the bear's salvation.
In July of 1990, the Wildlife and Recreation Committee (WRC)
of the Louisiana Forestry Association hosted a meeting to
discuss black bear ecology, management, and the implications
of the FWS listing proposal. At that meeting Dr. Michael
Pelton of the University of Tennessee planted the seeds for
a bear management approach requiring a coordinated effort by
the private and public agencies that control the land in
occupied and potential habitat. In October, the WRC met
again and adopted this cooperative approach and formed the
Black Bear Conservation Committee (BBCC). The BBCC was
created as a diverse group representing forest industry,
conservationists, agency personnel, private landowners,
researchers, and interested citizens.
The BBCC recognized successful restoration would require the
species to be considered an asset rather than a liability to
the private landowner. As a major victory towards that goal,
the BBCC negotiated with the FWS to exclude normal forestry
practices from ESA regulations, with one exception.
Protection of den trees is required, with den trees defined
as baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) or tupelo (Nyssa spp.)
trees occurring along waterbodies with visible cavities and
a minimum diameter at base height of 36 in. |
