Endangered Species Society
California Division
248 McKinley Ave., Suite 12
Gervais, CA 95172

Wetlands Preservation Society
256 Main St.
Keene, CA 95127

To Keene Airport Development Committee:

        We have recently become aware of your intentions to construct an airport on the grassland/wetland region west of Keene. We are very concerned about the development of this region due to the presence of two endangered species: the burrowing owl and red-legged frog.

        The burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia, is a red listed species in British Columbia, and is listed as threatened in California. It has been listed as a threatened species since 1991, and was listed as endangered in 1995. Unlike other owls that live in forested regions, the burrowing owl nests in grassland areas. It burrows underground and eats insects and rodents. It has been listed as the second most beneficial owl to humans, second only to the Barn Owl, as it eats so many pests. With so much human development, it is a marvel that this owl species has persisted. However, the burrowing owl is quite tolerant of non-threatening human activity. It has been found to live successfully in pastures and grazing areas, alongside highways, and even alongside airports. The burrowing owl is about 24 cm in length, with long legs and a stout body. They have a sandy-brown coloration with white bluffs. Habitat requirements are minimal (far less than an acre is needed for several owls), though these owls require vacated nests to be provided by other burrowing creatures like squirrels, groundhogs, or badgers. Decline of the species is attributed to increasing development of grassland and increase in pesticide concentration in ground water, soil, and prey.

        The endangered red-legged frog, Rana aurora draytonii, was first listed as threatened in 1996. The red-legged frog is the largest native frog of the Western United States, rivaled in size by the non-native bullfrog. It is thought to be the species that inspired the 1896 Mark Twain tale "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." The red-legged frog became threatened as a result of declining habitat due to mining, development, increases in temperature, and abundance of predators including the bullfrog. The red-legged frog has vacated over 70 percent of its original habitat. It relies upon wetland environments or steams to provide a cool, wet habitat in which to feed, rest, and raise its young. Red-legged frogs are 1.5 to 5 inches in length and are so named because of coloration on the belly and hind legs. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has enacted a recovery plan involving monitoring of current populations, establishing reserved critical habitat, and providing captive breeding programs.

        We would like to be involved in the planning and development process of Keene Airport, in the hopes of supporting these two species, along with critical habitat for dozens of other flora and fauna. We understand the importance of this development project and do not want to prevent it from occurring, based solely on our beliefs. Instead, we believe we can work constructively with you to meet your and our needs. Please contact us for further questions, and to notify us of future meetings.

        Sincerely,
                Deborah Bazar
                Elected Representative of ES & WP Societies