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

Recovery Plan Action Status

Plan Name: Ozark/Virginia Big-eared Bats (2 spp.)
Plan Status: Final
Plan Date: 08-May-84
Lead Agency: USFWS
Lead Office: West Virginia Ecological Services Field Office ( (304) 636-6586 )
Species Action Priority # Action # Action Description Action Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Action Comments Implementation Activities
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 2 1.1 Study June behavior of other bat species in big-eared bat maternity colonies Not Started Region 5, Endangered Species Program Research: Competition Graduate Student, Species Expert, Contract By contract.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 1 1.2 Monitor status of populations in maternity colonies Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 4, Endangered Species Program, R3, Endangered Species Program, Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation , Arkansas Game and Fish Commission , Missouri Department of Conservation Research: Population Surveys Internal Field Assistance Conduct four consecutive annual surveys. Funding may have to be increased if new colonies are found. R2 & ODWC - costs are $900 per FY; R3 & MDC - costs are $300 per FY; R4, AGFC & KDFWR - costs are $900 per FY; R5 & WVDNR - costs are $3000 per FY; R5 & VCGIF - costs are $300 per FY.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 2 1.3 Survey all hibernacula once every two years Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 4, Endangered Species Program, R3, Endangered Species Program, Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation , Arkansas Game and Fish Commission , Missouri Department of Conservation Research: Population Surveys Internal Field Assistance Funding may have to be increased if new colonies are found. R2 & ODWC - costs are $600 per FY; R3 & MDC - costs are $300 per FY; R4 & AGFC - costs are $900 per FY; R4 & KDFWR - costs are $300 per FY; R5 & WVDNR - costs are $1800 per FY.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 1 2.1a Search for maternity colonies Obsolete Prior to FY 1995 Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Research Species Expert, Internal Field Assistance it is suspected that there may be additional unknown maternity colonies in KY and NC
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
2.1a-1 telemetry was conducted during spring emergence at Stillhouse in KY but no new maternity areas were located Complete Prior to FY 1995 FY 2012 Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected KYFO was lead office but can't add them to this form
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 1 2.1b Search for maternity colonies Obsolete R3, Endangered Species Program, Missouri Department of Conservation Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 2 2.1c Search for maternity colonies Obsolete Region 4, Endangered Species Program, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Funding for AR search (2000)
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 1 2.1d Search for maternity colonies Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 4, Endangered Species Program, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Funding for KY search (2000)
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 3 2.1e Search for maternity colonies Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 5, Endangered Species Program, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources Research: Other Information Contract
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 1 2.1f Search for maternity colonies Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 5, Endangered Species Program, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Research: Other Information Contract
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 1 2.2a Search for hibernacula Obsolete Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 1 2.2b Search for hibernacula Obsolete R3, Endangered Species Program, Missouri Department of Conservation Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 2 2.2c Search for hibernacula Obsolete Region 4, Endangered Species Program, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Funding for AR search (2000)
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 2 2.2d Search for hibernacula Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 4, Endangered Species Program, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Funding for KY search (2000)
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 1 2.2e Search for hibernacula Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 5, Endangered Species Program, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources Research: Other Information Internal Field Assistance
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 1 2.2f Search for hibernacula Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 5, Endangered Species Program, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Research: Other Information Internal Field Assistance
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 3 2.3 Caves providing habitat for solitary big-eared bats Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 4, Endangered Species Program, R3, Endangered Species Program, Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation , Arkansas Game and Fish Commission , Missouri Department of Conservation Research: Population Surveys Internal Field Assistance This information should be generated as a result of funding Action 2.1 and 2.2. This action will require compilation of data on such caves found during the conduct of Action 2.1 and 2.2.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 1 3.1 Obtain long-term authority to manage and protect colony sites Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 4, Endangered Species Program, R3, Endangered Species Program, Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation , Arkansas Game and Fish Commission , Missouri Department of Conservation Acquisition Internal Technical Assistance Utilize existing program funding.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 1 3.1.1 Reassess all existing habitat protection measures Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 5, Endangered Species Program, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources Management: Planning Internal Technical Assistance
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 1 3.2 Determine impact of human disturbance on colony population trends Unknown Region 4, Endangered Species Program, R3, Endangered Species Program, Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation , Arkansas Game and Fish Commission , Missouri Department of Conservation Research: Management Techniques Internal Technical Assistance R2 & ODWC - action duration is 6 days and costs are $2000 per FY; R3 & MDC - action duration is 3 days and costs are $500 per FY; R4 & KDFWR - action duration is 6 days and costs are $2600 per FY; R4 & AGFC - action duration is 6 days and costs are $2000 per FY; R5 & WVDNR/VCGIF - action duration is 15 days and costs are $4900 per FY.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 1 3.3.1 Determine long-term impact of existing gates on maternity colony populations Complete Prior to FY 1995 FY 2007 Region 5, Endangered Species Program Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation Internal Technical Assistance most populations have increased since properly designed gates were install. No adverse effects of current gates have been noted
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 1 3.3.2 Gather information on behavior, predation, and environmental problems resulting from gates on maternity colonies Complete Prior to FY 1995 FY 2007 Region 4, Endangered Species Program, R3, Endangered Species Program, Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation , Arkansas Game and Fish Commission , Missouri Department of Conservation Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation Internal Technical Assistance
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 1 3.3.3 Modify or remove any problem causing gates Complete Prior to FY 1995 FY 2005 Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Cost undetermined.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 1 3.3.4 Design and test gates to alleviate problems revealed in Actions 3.3.1 and 3.3.2 Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 4, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Research: Management Techniques Contract This action should be incorporated into the ongoing PWRC cave gating study. All actions under this action should be coordinated with the Action 8 coordinator.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 1 3.3.5 Revise recovery plan position on gating maternity colony. Partially Complete FY 2008 R3, Endangered Species Program Management Internal Administrative Utilize existing program funding. Gating of maternity colonies does not have adverse impacts and ahould be implemented to the extent practicable. Formal change to RP has not been made.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 2 3.3.6.1 Gather information on any existing gates on hibernacula of non-endangered big-eared bats Complete Prior to FY 1995 FY 2007 R3, Endangered Species Program, U.S. Bureau of Land Management Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Utilize existing program funding.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 2 3.3.6.2 Gate one hibernaculum Complete Prior to FY 1995 FY 1995 - FY 1999 R3, Endangered Species Program Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation Contract Cost undetermined.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 1 3.3.7 Maintain fences and gates Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 5, Endangered Species Program Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation Internal Field Assistance
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
3.3.7-1 repaired cave gate at Trout Cave which is a summer bachelor colony Complete FY 2012 FY 2012 Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected cave gate had been breached by vandals digging under gate in areas where additional steel crossbeams had not been added
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 3 3.4 Place warning/interpretive signs at cave entrances Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 4, Endangered Species Program, R3, Endangered Species Program, Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation , Arkansas Game and Fish Commission , Missouri Department of Conservation Management: Land Use Internal Field Assistance Cost undetermined.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 2 3.5 Utilize law enforcement agencies to protect colony sites Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 4, Endangered Species Program, R3, Endangered Species Program, Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation , Arkansas Game and Fish Commission , Missouri Department of Conservation Other: Law Enforcement Internal Technical Assistance Utilize existing program funding. In some cases additional funding may be necessary.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 3 4 Protection of caves providing habitat for solitary big-eared bats Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 4, Endangered Species Program, R3, Endangered Species Program, Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation , Arkansas Game and Fish Commission , Missouri Department of Conservation Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation Internal Technical Assistance
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 3 5.1 Prevent adverse modifications to the subsurface, including entrances Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 4, Endangered Species Program, R3, Endangered Species Program, Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation , Arkansas Game and Fish Commission , Missouri Department of Conservation Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation Internal Technical Assistance
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 2 5.2.1 Conduct pilot study to select and test the most appropriate means of obtaining information required in Action 5.2 (information on habitat use) Complete Prior to FY 1995 FY 1995 - FY 1999 Denver Wildlife Research Center, Region 4, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program Research: Habitat Requirements Graduate Student, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance The investigation into use of back scatter tags and portable tagged material detectors could be jointly funded by the animal damage control program, migratory bird program, and endangered species program.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 2 5.2.2 Conduct a study to obtain information required in Action 5.2 Partially Complete Prior to FY 1995 FY 1995 - FY 1999 Region 4, Endangered Species Program, R3, Endangered Species Program, Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program Research: Habitat Requirements Graduate Student, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance Other agencies, by contract. Cost undetermined.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 2 5.3 Identify essential surface habitat for each colony site Partially Complete Prior to FY 1995 Region 4, Endangered Species Program, R3, Endangered Species Program, Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program Research: Habitat Requirements Graduate Student, Contract, Internal Technical Assistance Other agencies, by contract. Cost undetermined.
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
5.3-1 In FY 11 KYFO obtained funding to initiate radio telemetry work to find additional maternity areas and track habitat use. Work will begin in FY12. Ongoing Current N/A N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected In FY 11 KYFO obtained funding to initiate radio telemetry work to find additional maternity areas and track habitat use. Work will begin in FY12.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 2 5.4 Protect essential surface habitat Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 4, Endangered Species Program, R3, Endangered Species Program, Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation , Arkansas Game and Fish Commission , Missouri Department of Conservation Acquisition, Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation Internal Technical Assistance Utilize existing program funding.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 2 5.5 Include surface and subsurface habitat in Section 7 consultation process Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 4, Endangered Species Program, R3, Endangered Species Program, Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation Internal Technical Assistance Utilize existing program funding.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 2 5.6 Make locations of important roost sites and surface habitat available to agencies able to assist in protection Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 4, Endangered Species Program, R3, Endangered Species Program, Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program Management: Planning Internal Technical Assistance Utilize existing program funding.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 3 5.7.1 Gather data on toxic substances used in big-eared bat habitat Not Started Region 4, Endangered Species Program, R3, Endangered Species Program, Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Utilize existing program funding.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 3 5.7.2 Gather baseline data on current toxic substance exposure of big-eared bats Ongoing Current FY 2012 West Virginia Department of Natural Resources Research: Environmental Contaminants Graduate Student, Contract Collection of samples will require a few days. The chemical analysis will require a longer time period. Modified this action to include research on response to WNS
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
5.7.2-1 collected a number of samples including microflora swabs, wing punches, and infloresence photos to determine if and why VBEB were not suceptible to WNS Ongoing Current N/A N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 3 5.8 Study prey species Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 Region 4, Endangered Species Program, R3, Endangered Species Program, Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program Research: Dietary Studies Graduate Student Other agencies, by contract. Basic information on prey species inclding differences throughout the range have been done.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 1 6.1 Develop and maintain landowner support Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 4, Endangered Species Program, R3, Endangered Species Program, Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation , Arkansas Game and Fish Commission , Missouri Department of Conservation Management: Land Use Internal Technical Assistance Cost includes chemical analysis for organochlorines and heavy metals, and does not include travel costs for sample collection. R2 & ODWC - costs are $500 per FY; R3 & MDC - costs are $300 per FY; R4, AGFC & KDFWR - costs are $300 per FY, each; R5 & VCGIF/WVDNR- costs are $1000 per FY.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 3 6.2 Develop and maintain public support Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, Missouri Division of Parks and Historic Preservation, Region 4, Endangered Species Program, R3, Endangered Species Program, Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism , U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service Management: Land Use Internal Technical Assistance Utilize existing program funding to interpret value of endangered bats. USFS may incorporate endangered bats into nature talks at Seneca Rocks Visitor Center, West Virginia and at Blanchard Spring Caverns in Arkansas with guidance as appropriate SE personnel. Talks must not include cave locations. NPS (at Shenandoah NP and Blue Ridge Parkway) should incorporate discussion of endangered bats into nature talks on wildlife on the Appalachians with guidance of SE personnel.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 2 6.3 Develop and maintain caver support Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Region 4, Endangered Species Program, R3, Endangered Species Program, Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program Management: Land Use Internal Technical Assistance Utilize existing program funding.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 3 7 Prepare and maintain a management profile for each colony site Not Started Region 4, Endangered Species Program, R3, Endangered Species Program, Region 2, Endangered Species Program, Region 5, Endangered Species Program Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Utilize existing program funding.
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=Plecotus) townsendii virginianus) 2 8 Appoint a coordinator for all recovery efforts Not Started Office of Endangered Species (Washington Office) Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Utilize existing program funding. NOTE: The hibernaculum at Black Rock Cliff Cave, North Carolina, was reported after the final draft of this plan was completed. The recovery actions do not therefore mention this colony specificallyor the need for surveys and protection of P. townsendii in NC. Appropriate funding for each task should be provided to insure protection of P. townsendii in NC.
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