U.S. FWS
Environmental Conservation Online System
Conserving the Nature of America

Recovery Plan Action Status

Plan Name: South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan (68 spp.)
Plan Status: Final
Plan Date: 18-May-99
Lead Agency: USFWS
Lead Office: South Florida Ecological Services Field Office ( (772) 562-3909 )
Species Action Priority # Action # Action Description Action Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Action Comments Implementation Activities
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 2 lkra-h1.1.1 Continue Federal acquisition efforts for Lower Keys rabbit. Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 To be determined Acquisition: General Internal Administrative Cost dependent upon specific site and amount of land acquired. Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 2 lkra-h1.1.2 Support State acquisition efforts. Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Acquisition: General Labor type not yet selected Cost dependent upon specific site and amount of land acquired. Action lead(s): FWC
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 2 lkra-h1.1.3 Support and encourage land acquisition by non-governmental agencies. Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 Non-governmental organizations Acquisition: General Labor type not yet selected Cost dependent upon specific site and amount of land acquired. Action lead(s): NGO
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 1 lkra-h1.2.1 Protect marsh rabbit on private lands through acquisition, landowner agreements, conservation easements. Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 Private industry, landowners, etc., Florida Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency Acquisition: General Labor type not yet selected Cost dependent upon type of protection provided. Several land acquisition programs are underway. Action lead(s): FWS. Big Pine Key - No Name Key HCP released June 20, 2006.
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 1 lkra-h1.2.2 Protect marsh rabbit on public lands. Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 South Florida counties, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency Management: General Labor type not yet selected Cost dependent upon type of protection provided. Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 2 lkra-h1.2.3 Coordinate with Federal, State and Monroe County agencies and private entities to develop management actions to protect marsh rabbit habitat. Complete FY 1995 - FY 1999 FY 2006 Naval Air Station Key West, South Florida counties, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency Acquisition: General Labor type not yet selected Action lead(s): FWS. Big Pine Key - No Name Key HCP released June 20, 2006.
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 1 lkra-h1.2.4 Protect important corridors. Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 Naval Air Station Key West, South Florida counties, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Cost dependent upon type of protection provided. Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 2 lkra-h1.2.5 Remove invasive exotic vegetation. Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 Naval Air Station Key West Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Cost is per acre (ex. 1.5/acre); Total cost dependent upon number of acres infested with exotics. Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 1 lkra-h1.2.6 Prevent habitat areas from being mowed. Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 Naval Air Station Key West, South Florida counties Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 2 lkra-h1.2.7 Fence or barricade areas where off-road vehicle (ORV) use and/or dumping is a threat. Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 Naval Air Station Key West Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 1 lkra-h1.2.8 Continue cooperative management at NASKW, Key West. NASKW has minimized their impacts on the Lower Keys marsh rabbit through management actions. Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 Naval Air Station Key West Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Cost dependent upon type of management implemented. Action lead(s): NASKW
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 3 lkra-h2.1 Restore natural tidal flow and hydrology by placing culverts or removing fill. Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 Non-governmental organizations, Florida Department of Transportation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Too many variables to accurately determine cost. Action lead(s):
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 3 lkra-h2.2 Manage mosquito ditches so they do not impact rabbit habitat. Not Started Naval Air Station Key West, South Florida counties, Florida Department of Environmental Protection Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Task currently implemented on public lands and cost is included in responsible agency's budget. Action lead(s): FWS. The "science" regarding how to do this not yet clear.
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 2 lkra-h2.3 Improve water quality in freshwater sources and create additional freshwater sources. Obsolete Water Management Districts, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 2 lkra-h2.4 Enhance Lower Keys marsh rabbit habitat. Ongoing Current FY 2006 Naval Air Station Key West Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation Labor type not yet selected Cost is per acre (ex. 0.5/acre); Total cost dependent upon number of acres enhanced. Action lead(s): FWS. Initiated with buttonwood clearing test on n. Big Pine Key; then applied fire test on NAS Key West.
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 3 lkra-h2.5 Improve habitat by planting or encouraging native plant species. Not Started Naval Air Station Key West Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation Labor type not yet selected Cost is per acre (ex. 0.5/acre); Total cost dependent upon number of acres improved. Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 3 lkra-h2.6 Create habitat by filling and restoring areas that have been dredged or altered. Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 Naval Air Station Key West Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation Labor type not yet selected Cost is per acre (ex. 1.0/acre); Total cost dependent upon number of acres created for habitat. Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 1 lkra-h3.1.1 Conduct radio-telemetry on other subpopulations. Ongoing Current FY 2007 Public and private universities, Naval Air Station Key West Research: General Labor type not yet selected Daytime telemetry conducted by Forys (1995) and Faulhaber (2003). In 2004-2005, TAMU, NASKW, and FWS cooperated to conduct additional telemetry and habitat studies that include nighttime telemetry (Perry 2005). Action lead(s): universities
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 1 lkra-h3.1.2 Investigate the effect of habitat change. Not Started FY 2007 Public and private universities, Naval Air Station Key West Research: Habitat Requirements Labor type not yet selected Action lead(s): universities
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 2 lkra-h3.2.1 Investigate movement patterns and the spatial use of habitat to identify important core areas and corridors. Partially Complete FY 1995 - FY 1999 Public and private universities, Naval Air Station Key West Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Task largely completed by Forys (1995), then updated starting 2001 by TAMU. Action lead(s): universities
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 1 lkra-h3.2.2 Determine home range and minimum area required. Complete FY 1995 - FY 1999 FY 2006 Public and private universities, Naval Air Station Key West, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Research: General Labor type not yet selected Daytime telemetry conducted by Forys (1995) and Faulhaber (2003). In 2004-2005, TAMU, NASKW, and FWS cooperated to conduct additional telemetry and habitat studies that include nighttime telemetry (Perry 2005). Action lead(s): universities
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 1 lkra-h3.2.3 Determine if the amount and configuration of habitat is sufficient to support a stable or increasing population of Lower Keys marsh rabbits. Complete FY 1995 - FY 1999 FY 2000 - FY 2004 Public and private universities, Naval Air Station Key West Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Forys (1995). Information gained from the updated distribution survey (Faulhaber 2003) should be incorporated into the population viability analysis model developed by Forys and Humphrey (1999). Action lead(s): universities
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 2 lkra-h4.0 Monitor the status of marsh rabbit habitat and examine ecological processes. Ongoing Current FY 2007 Public and private universities Research: General Labor type not yet selected Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 3 lkra-h5.0 Increase public awareness of Lower Keys marsh rabbit habitat and instill stewardship. Not Started Non-governmental organizations Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected NKDR visitor center provides information. Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 2 lkra-s1.1 Conduct additional surveys to refine marsh rabbit distribution. Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2000 - FY 2004 Public and private universities Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Faulhaber (2003). Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 2 lkra-s1.2 Conduct presence/absence surveys in areas of unoccupied habitat. Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2000 - FY 2004 Public and private universities Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Faulhaber (2003). Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 2 lkra-s1.3 Investigate components of both occupied and unoccupied marsh rabbit habitat and determine why rabbits are present or absent. Not Started Public and private universities, Naval Air Station Key West Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Partly completed by Forys (1995) and Faulhaber (2003). TAMU and NASKW initiated a quantitative habitat study in 2004 (Perry 2005). Action lead(s): universities
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 3 lkra-s1.4 Maintain and improve the GIS database for marsh rabbit information. Ongoing Current FY 2007 Public and private universities, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 3 lkra-s2.1 Assign a biologist responsibility for implementing recovery actions for the threatened or endangered species of the Lower Keys. Partially Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2000 - FY 2004 To be determined Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected FWS biologist assigned to South Florida Ecological Services Office and stationed at Big Pine Key. Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 1 lkra-s2.2.1 Develop a standard protocol for conducting, monitoring, and evaluating all reintroduction, translocation and supplementation efforts of Lower Keys marsh rabbits using the IUCN/SSC Guidelines for Reintroductions. Partially Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 Public and private universities, Naval Air Station Key West Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Incorporating data from Faulhaber (2003), TAMU initiated a project in 2003 to accomplish this task (Perry 2005). Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 1 lkra-s2.2.2 Reintroduce marsh rabbits on Water Key. Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2007 Public and private universities Management: Reintroduction Labor type not yet selected Seven rabbits were translocated to Water Key in May-July 2004, by Neil Perry of TAMU. Additionally, 11 rabbits were translocated to Little Pine Key in January-April 2002 (Faulhaber 2003). Monitoring indicates that the projects continue to be successful as of September 2005, including evidence of reproduction on both keys. Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 1 lkra-s2.2.3 Conduct reintroduction of marsh rabbits to other areas. Partially Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 Public and private universities, Naval Air Station Key West Management: Reintroduction Labor type not yet selected Seven rabbits were translocated to Water Key in May-July 2004, by Neil Perry of TAMU. Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 3 lkra-s2.3 Utilize Federal regulatory mechanisms for protection. Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 U.S. Air Force, United States Coast Guard , Natural Resources Conservation Service , U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Bureau of Land Management Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Cost included in standard operating procedures of Federal agency's budget. Action lead(s): All Federal agencies
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 3 lkra-s2.4 Provide information about marsh rabbits to Federal, state, county and city agencies. Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 Non-governmental organizations, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 2 lkra-s2.5.1.1 Continue coordination efforts with NASKW to eliminate free roaming cats from that Federal facility. Ongoing Current FY 2006 Naval Air Station Key West Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected No systematic effort to control feral and free-range domestic cats is presently in place. Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 1 lkra-s2.5.1.2 Reduce impacts by free roaming cats. Develop deed restrictions to prohibit free roaming cats in rabbit sensitive areas. Ongoing Current FY 2007 Naval Air Station Key West, South Florida counties Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected No systematic effort to control feral and free-range domestic cats is presently in place. Action lead(s): counties
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 3 lkra-s2.5.2 Control raccoon predation. Raccoon populations are unnaturally high in some areas of the Lower Keys. Ongoing Current FY 2006 Naval Air Station Key West, South Florida counties Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected No systematic effort to control raccoons is presently in place. Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 3 lkra-s2.5.3.1 Install chatter strips at known rabbit crossing areas on NASKW and Monroe County roads, where feasible. Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 Naval Air Station Key West, South Florida counties Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 3 lkra-s2.5.3.2 Implement slower speed zones and increase enforcement of existing zones to decrease rabbit roadkills. Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 Naval Air Station Key West, South Florida counties Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected After task is implemented, cost of enforcing speed zones will be included in responsible agency's budget. Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 3 lkra-s2.5.4 Control poaching. Obsolete Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Although not a documented problem, task is currently conducted and cost is included in responsible agency's budget. Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 1 lkra-s2.6 Establish captive propagation protocols and plans. Not Started Public and private universities Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected An in situ rather than an ex situ captive breeding program has been suggested (see Faulhaber 2003). Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 2 lkra-s3.1 Determine if the total population size is large enough to prevent functional extinction and genetic extinction. Not Started Public and private universities, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action lead(s): universities
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 1 lkra-s3.2 Examine effects on the persistence of the Lower Keys marsh rabbit. Ongoing Current FY 2006 Public and private universities, Naval Air Station Key West Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 3 lkra-s3.3 Determine the effective population size. Not Started Public and private universities Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action lead(s): universities
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 2 lkra-s3.4.1 Identify subpopulations vulnerable to extinction. Complete FY 1995 - FY 1999 FY 2000 - FY 2004 Public and private universities, Naval Air Station Key West Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Forys (1995), Forys et al. (1996), and Faulhaber (2003). Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 2 lkra-s3.4.2 Determine the necessary number of subpopulations and level of exchange that will enable the rabbit to persist for 100 years. Not Started Public and private universities Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action lead(s): universities
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 1 lkra-s3.5 Conduct an experimental marsh rabbit reintroduction and evaluate its effectiveness in increasing the rabbitsı persistence. Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2000 - FY 2004 Public and private universities Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 1 lkra-s4.1 Conduct long-term monitoring. Ongoing Not Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 Public and private universities Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Faulhaber (2003) and Perry (2005). Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 1 lkra-s4.2 Develop methods to monitor demographic parameters. Not Started Public and private universities Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 3 lkra-s5.1 Prepare informational material for the general public. Not Started Non-governmental organizations Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected NKDR visitor center provides information. Action lead(s): FWS
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 1 lkra-s5.2 Develop and implement a free-roaming cat control program. Ongoing Current FY 2007 Naval Air Station Key West, South Florida counties Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected No systematic effort to control feral and free-range domestic cats is presently in place. Action lead(s): counties
Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) 3 lkra-s5.3 Continue to inform military and civilian personnel at NASKW. Inform personnel about the marsh rabbitıs presence, its protection under the ESA, and ways to minimize impacts on it. Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 Naval Air Station Key West Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected NASKW has natural resource personnel assigned to this task. Action lead(s): NASKW
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