NS748: Benefits of Voluntary Conservation Agreements for ROW Management to Improve Habitat for Threatened or Protected Species
Problem and objectives
Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) is a voluntary conservation agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service and other parties to address the needs of at-risk species. In these agreements, landowners commit to conservation actions in agreement with the Fish and Wildlife service and in return are exempt from some regulations.
In Minnesota, these types of agreements have been used to support many at-risk species, including the monarch butterfly. As part of this program, some right of way (ROW) surrounding roadways have had their maintenance plans altered to reduce mowing, allowing native plant life to grow around roadways as a habitat for the butterflies. This can have benefits for the at-risk species and has held popular public support. This has also raised questions about whether this is the most effective way to support the at-risk species. For example, proximity to roadways might increase risk of the butterfly being killed by passing vehicles. Counties in Minnesota (Cass County) have utilized this program and have requested to shift this other land parcels and have received written permission to shift this to “enrolled land under the applicants’ management control.”
Local agencies have raised several questions:
- What are the benefits and costs of this program?
- When are landowner agreements needed?
- Is the use of other public land (county-owned gravel pits) allowable under this program?
- What are the impacts if agencies do not voluntarily use this program?
- Are there better solutions for at-risk species than transportation right of way such as other government-controlled land?
- Are there other similar conservation programs that agencies should be aware of, and what are the differences between those programs and the CCAA?
This research will assess the CCAA program and identify the benefits and costs of the program. To do this, the following will be conducted by the research team:
- Review and synthesize regulations, requirements, and best practices of the CCAA program.
- Identify the benefits and costs associated with the program for transportation agencies.
- Assess the impact of agencies not becoming involved in this program.
- Survey local agencies to understand who has and has not participated in this program and to identify success stories and best practices.
- Develop educational materials for policy makers and the public showcasing research results.
Suggested deliverables
- Identify cost and benefit for CCAA Programs.
- Assess the environmental impact if agencies do not invest into Improve Habitat for Threatened or Protected Species.
- Survey of who has done/who hasn't. Why? Lessons learned.
- List of alternative lands that can be used.
- Educational materials for policymakers and public (professional documentation to process).
Possible members for technical advisory panel
- Chris Smith, MnDOT Environmental Stewardship
- Carol Andrews, St. Louis County
- Darrick Anderson, Cass Co
- Carol Andrews, St. Louis County
- Rich Sanders, Polk County
- Inquire and add agencies who are currently going through the CCAA process
Expected benefits
The following benefit measurements would result from implementation of the research, anticipating positive results.
- Construction Saving: Early identification of habitats and funding
- Decrease Engineering/Administrative Cost: Early identification of habitats and funding
- Decrease Lifecycle Costs: Early identification of habitats and funding
- Environmental Aspect: Increasing habitats from knowledge gained and shared
- Increase Lifecycle: Early identification of habitats and funding
- Operation and Maintenance Saving: Early identification of habitats and funding
- Risk Management: Identify best practices for habitat locations