2021.0237.PR0007 Pocket Gopher Report AddendumLAND SERVICES NORTHWEST
120 STATE AVE NE PMB 190 OLYMPIA, WA 98501
11/30/2020
to: Dennis Daly
from: Alex Callender MS, PWS, Land Services Northwest
subject: Mazama Pocket Gopher Survey for Parcel No. 11612330501
Dear Mr. Daly and Interested Agencies,
I am writing to let you know that the report that I delivered to you, Mr Daly, on September 27, 2018, was conducted in
accordance with the Mazama Pocket Gopher Survey protocol developed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service for use in Section 7
ESA determinations for the presence or absence of the Mazama pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama) sites using indicators
(mound presence/absence) for this determination. The purpose of the survey is to avoid “take” of the species. Take is defined
under the ESA as harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect any threatened or endangered species.
The Thurston County Protocol which has been adopted by Thurston County is accepted as the best available science in order to
avoid the risk of take and requires two visit 30 days apart among other things. The information in the report for the survey
should meet the needs of the City of Yelm to prevent take of the species.
The property survey was conducted August 24, 2018 and September 25, 2018 in accordance with the protocol during the period
between June 1 and October 31, 2018.
Although you received the report in September of 2018, the City of Yelm had no way of recognizing the results of this survey as
they had no permit application submitted that needed this determination performed to satisfy the requirements of their Critical
Areas Codes found in YMC 18.21.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service considers the report valid for three years in Thurston County before they require an updated
survey. I believe that this would still be valid for permitting purposes as the survey is only a little over two years old.
Please let me know if you need anything else to meet the report requirements for the City of Yelm’s review.
Sincerely,
Alex Callender MS, PWS
Land Services Northwest