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

Recovery Plan Action Status

Plan Name: Approved Recovery Plan for the Copperbelly Water Snake Northern Distinct Population Segment
Plan Status: Final
Plan Date: 23-Dec-08
Lead Agency: USFWS
Lead Office: East Lansing Ecological Services Field Office ( (517) 351-2555 )
Species Action Priority # Action # Action Description Action Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Action Comments Implementation Activities
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 1 1.1 Develop landscape-level habitat characterization of copperbelly water snake habitat Partially Complete FY 2007 Universities and Research Institutions, USFWS Ecological Services Program Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 2 1.2 Predict other areas that may contain copperbellies Partially Complete FY 2008 USFWS Ecological Services Program, Universities and Research Institutions Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Completion of this action is contingent upon completion of Recovery Action 3.1. Costs for FY 2012-2039 are TBD.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 1 1.3 Identify focal management areas for application of restoration and conservation actions Ongoing Current FY 2008 Other individuals or groups willing to participate (e.g., landowners), USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, USFWS Ecological Services Program, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Local Governments, Universities and Research Institutions Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action Duration: Ongoing; three more years needed. Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039. Areas should be identified in which to efficiently focus efforts and expend limited resources efficiently.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 1 1.4.1 Develop guidelines for habitat restoration and enhancement Ongoing Current FY 2009 Universities and Research Institutions, USFWS Ecological Services Program, USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action Duration: Ongoing; three more years needed.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 1 1.4.2 Work with community leaders, landowners, and state and Federal agency private land programs, conservation organizations, and other cooperators to restore suitable wetlands and associated uplands for the copperbelly Ongoing Current FY 2005 Other individuals or groups willing to participate (e.g., landowners), USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, USFWS Ecological Services Program, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Local Conservation Organizations and other non-profits, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Local Governments, Universities and Research Institutions Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action Duration: Ongoing; twenty more years needed. Estimated Costs: Costs for FY 2012-2039 are TBD. Total cost estimate is 300+ in the Plan
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 1 1.5.1 Identify critical road, agricultural, residential, other man-made features and activities, or natural features that may adversely affect copperbelly water snake Not Started Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, USFWS Ecological Services Program, Local Conservation Organizations and other non-profits, Local Governments, Universities and Research Institutions, USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, Other individuals or groups willing to participate (e.g., landowners), Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039. Initial efforts will involve identification of threats at known sites. Once threats are fully identified, efforts will be implemented to remove or reduce threats. Estimated costs do not include cost for other actions explicitly identified in the plan (e.g., habitat restoration and enhancement).
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 1 1.5.2 Clarify influence of roads on migration of individual snakes and the connectivity of populations Ongoing Current FY 2011 USFWS Ecological Services Program, Universities and Research Institutions Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 1 1.5.3 For identified threats, assess the relevant importance to a population Not Started USFWS Ecological Services Program, Universities and Research Institutions Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 1 1.5.4 Research and implement techniques to create road crossings for snakes to reduce road mortality and remove barriers to movement Ongoing Current FY 2011 USFWS Ecological Services Program, Universities and Research Institutions Research: Management Techniques Labor type not yet selected Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 1 1.5.5 Develop and implement techniques to avoid or reduce other significant identified threats Not Started USFWS Ecological Services Program, Universities and Research Institutions Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 1 1.6 Develop and implement habitat conservation programs (e.g., landowner contact, voluntary registration and conservation agreements with landowners) Not Started Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, USFWS Ecological Services Program, Local Governments, Universities and Research Institutions, USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, Other individuals or groups willing to participate (e.g., landowners), Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039. Success highly dependent on overall education and outreach.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 2 1.7.1 Develop and maintain boundaries of focal management areas Not Started USFWS Ecological Services Program, Universities and Research Institutions Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 1 1.7.2 Prioritize properties for conservation easements and acquisition and purchase, protect, and/or manage these properties based on priority and availability Ongoing Current FY 2006 Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, USFWS Ecological Services Program, Local Conservation Organizations and other non-profits, Local Governments, Universities and Research Institutions, Other individuals or groups willing to participate (e.g., landowners), Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Cost for acquisition will depend on availability of willing landowners. Costs for FY2012-2039 are TBD. Total cost estimate is actually 20+ in the Plan.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 2 2.1.1 Develop standard techniques for ascertaining presence/absence of copperbelly water snake Partially Complete FY 2006 FY 2007 USFWS Ecological Services Program, Universities and Research Institutions Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 2 2.1.2 Develop standard techniques for estimating population size for copperbelly water snake populations Partially Complete FY 2011 Universities and Research Institutions, USFWS Ecological Services Program Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 2 2.1.3 Develop a standard approach using GIS to monitor availability and extent of suitable habitat landscape Ongoing Current FY 2011 USFWS Ecological Services Program, Universities and Research Institutions Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 2 2.2.1 Monitor known populations and landscapes potentially having copperbelly water snake: West Branch (OH, MI) Ongoing Current FY 2011 USFWS Ecological Services Program, Universities and Research Institutions, Local Conservation Organizations and other non-profits, Other individuals or groups willing to participate (e.g., landowners) Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action Duration: Continues throughout 30 years. Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 2 2.2.2 Monitor known populations and landscapes potentially having copperbelly water snake: Clear Fork (MI) Ongoing Current FY 2011 USFWS Ecological Services Program, Universities and Research Institutions, Local Conservation Organizations and other non-profits, Other individuals or groups willing to participate (e.g., landowners) Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action Duration: Continues throughout 30 years. Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 2 2.2.3 Monitor known populations and landscapes potentially having copperbelly water snake: Fish Creek (IN, OH) Ongoing Current FY 2011 USFWS Ecological Services Program, Other individuals or groups willing to participate (e.g., landowners), Universities and Research Institutions, Local Conservation Organizations and other non-profits Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action Duration: Continues throughout 30 years. Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 2 2.3.1 Survey historic and potential sites for copperbelly water snake: Clear Lake (IN, MI) Not Started USFWS Ecological Services Program, Local Conservation Organizations and other non-profits, Universities and Research Institutions, Other individuals or groups willing to participate (e.g., landowners) Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action Duration: Continues throughout 30 years.Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 2 2.3.2 Survey historic and potential sites for copperbelly water snake: Jones (MI) Not Started USFWS Ecological Services Program, Local Conservation Organizations and other non-profits, Universities and Research Institutions, Other individuals or groups willing to participate (e.g., landowners) Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action Duration: Continues throughout 30 years. Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 2 3.1 Clarify characteristics of high quality hibernacula Not Started USFWS Ecological Services Program, Universities and Research Institutions Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 2 3.2 Clarify gestation site requirements Not Started USFWS Ecological Services Program, Universities and Research Institutions Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 2 3.3 Establish genetic relationships among populations and determine level of inbreeding Ongoing Not Current FY 2008 USFWS Ecological Services Program, Universities and Research Institutions Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 2 3.4 Examine other factors potentially limiting the species' numbers and range Not Started USFWS Ecological Services Program, Universities and Research Institutions Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 2 4.1 Develop and implement techniques for enhancing remaining populations by increasing recruitment and reducing mortality Ongoing Current FY 2007 USFWS Ecological Services Program, Universities and Research Institutions Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action Duration: To Be Determined
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 2 4.2 Evaluate translocation as a method of population augmentation, and discuss potential for reintroductions into historic/suitable habitats Not Started Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, USFWS Ecological Services Program, Local Conservation Organizations and other non-profits, Local Governments, Universities and Research Institutions, Other individuals or groups willing to participate (e.g., landowners), Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Action Duration: To Be Determined. Estimated Costs: Costs for years 2012-2039 will depend on the success of Action 4.1 and availability of willing landowners for potential reintroductions. Costs for FY 2012-2039 are TBD. Total cost estimate is actually 90+ in the Plan.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 3 5.1 Maintain lists of stakeholders Not Started USFWS Ecological Services Program, Local Governments Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 3 5.2.1.1 Publish and distribute a semiannual newsletter to local residents, visitors, and government agency personnel Not Started Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, USFWS Ecological Services Program, Local Conservation Organizations and other non-profits, Local Governments, Universities and Research Institutions, Other individuals or groups willing to participate (e.g., landowners), Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 3 5.2.1.2 Develop and deliver educational presentations about the copperbelly water snake Not Started Ohio Department of Natural Resources, USFWS Ecological Services Program, Local Conservation Organizations and other non-profits, Local Governments, Universities and Research Institutions, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 3 5.2.1.3 Promote positive media coverage regarding copperbelly water snake issues Not Started Ohio Department of Natural Resources, USFWS Ecological Services Program, Local Conservation Organizations and other non-profits, Local Governments, Universities and Research Institutions, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 3 5.2.2 Establish mechanisms for dissemination of information Not Started Ohio Department of Natural Resources, USFWS Ecological Services Program, Universities and Research Institutions, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 2 6.1 Convene meetings of researchers, state and Federal agency personnel, and other stakeholders to evaluate progress and identify additional recovery needs Ongoing Current FY 2008 Other individuals or groups willing to participate (e.g., landowners), USFWS Ecological Services Program, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Local Conservation Organizations and other non-profits, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Local Governments, Universities and Research Institutions Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 3 6.2 Review Recovery Plan and update or revise as needed and as resources allow Not Started USFWS Ecological Services Program Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) 3 7 Develop a plan to monitor copperbelly water snake after it is delisted Not Started USFWS Ecological Services Program Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Estimated Costs: Cost for FY2012 represents estimated costs for FY2012-2039.
Export options: EXCEL | PDF