Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Norway Rat Infestation Of Urban Landscaping And Preventative Design Criteria, Bruce A. Colvin, Ralph Degregorio, Charlotte Fleetwood

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

Fifty-four landscaped areas in downtown Boston were surveyed for Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) activity. Each location also was characterized based on size, types of plantings, density of plantings, type of mulch, and sanitary and maintenance conditions. Factors most associated with the presence of rats were dense contiguous stands of shrubbery (e.g., needled evergreens) and refuse/litter availability on the ground. Design criteria should include effective spacing of shrubbery, limiting mass plantings of dense shrubs, selection of plant varieties that grow with openness underneath, strategically-placed and rodent-proof refuse containers, and use of crushed-stone inspection strips. Rodent control should be considered …

The Future Of Wildlife Damage Management—And Why I Want To Be A Part Of It, Scott R. Craven

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

Welcome to the 17th Vertebrate Pest Conference; THE conference for those of us who work in the field of vertebrate pest management. Actually, I prefer the term wildlife damage management to either animal damage control or vertebrate pest control, but as long as one takes a broad perspective on the definition of wildlife, there is really no difference except perhaps in perception. I do not mean to suggest that the name of the Vertebrate Pest Conference should be changed. It should not be changed. However, I do suggest that no matter what umbrella term you operate under, we are all …

Introducing The National Wildlife Research Center, Richard D. Curnow

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

The paper summarizes the background and historical events leading to the creation of the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) and describes the status of its research program and facilities development in Fort Collins, Colorado. Also, the relationship of the NWRC to the Denver Wildlife Research Center is presented.

How To Control A Pest's Pest—Flea And Rodent Efficacy, Becky Doane, Dave Blodget, Bonnie Bonnivier

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

Fleas have caused health and sanitation problems for centuries. Most rodents are hosts to fleas. Baker Crop Protection Chemicals (BCPC) recently entered the rodenticide market (via SLN) with an efficacious fumigant for single burrow rodents, MAGNACIDE^® H Herbicide/Rodenticide (a.i. acrolein). Noting that most burrowing rodents are flea infested, BCPC undertook an experiment to determine if fleas also succumb to acrolein under simulated field treatment scenarios. Results of the study under laboratory conditions demonstrated that fleas do succumb to acrolein treatments as well as the specific rodents targeted for treatment. This study also established rodent death rates from exposure to …

Frontmatter- Proceedings Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference, Robert M. Timm, A. Charles Crabb

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

Contents

OPENING REMARKS - SEVENTEENTH VERTEBRATE PEST CONFERENCE
Robert M. Timm ...................1

THE FUTURE OF WILDLIFE DAMAGE MANAGEMENT-AND WHY I WANT TO BE A PART OF IT
Scott R. Craven................... 2

INTRODUCING THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE RESEARCH CENTER
Richard D. Curnow................... 6

THE STATUS OF NUISANCE WILDLIFE DAMAGE CONTROL IN THE STATES
Kristen P. LaVine, Mark J. Reeff, Jodi A. DiCamillo, and Gary S. Kania ...................8

ANALYSIS OF VERTEBRATE PEST RESEARCH
Jim Hone................... 13

TOWARDS "BEST PRACTICE" VERTEBRATE PEST MANAGEMENT IN AUSTRALIA USING VIRALLY-VECTORED IMMUNOCONTRACEPTION
Mike Braysher, Peter O'Brien, and Mary Bomford................... 18

ECOLOGICAL CHALLENGES TO CONTROLLING WILD RABBITS IN AUSTRALIA …

Animal Rights And The Need To Understand Nature; A Debate, Walter E. Howard

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

As various societies, especially in the developed countries of the world, acquired a better life-style and standard of living, a common trend developed toward treating animals more humanely, especially the domestic ones. But the movement was too slow, and the animal rights movement captured this void and established a new ethic. Unfortunately, this was done without a full appreciation of the laws of nature. Even though this movement was clearly needed, some people have carried it too far.

Tonight, hopefully, we can have some good constructive discussions from the audience on this subject after Dr. Steve Sapontzis and I first …

Impacts Of Field-Dwelling Rodents On Emerging Field Corn, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Jason D. Eksteev

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has produced nearly 600,000 ha of exceptional wildlife habitat in Nebraska. Unfortunately, several species of rodents that inhabit CRP grass fields cause damage to agricultural crops. The emergence of corn seedlings in a 4-row strip of no-till field corn, planted in a 64 ha bromegrass field in northeastern Nebraska was examined. The most common rodent species in the study area was the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), of which 18 were captured within 10 m of the planted strip during one evening (400 trap nights). Corn seedling emergence in unprotected control areas [x̅ = …

Reducing Livestock Depredation Losses In The Nepalese Himalaya, Rodney M. Jackson, Gary G. Ahlborn, Mahesh Gurung, Som Ale

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

In the Nepalese Himalaya conflict with rural communities due to livestock predation to large carnivores like snow leopard, common leopard, wolf and wild dog has risen sharply in recent years. This increase is attributed to a number of factors, including implementation and enforcement of wildlife protection laws (which have permitted a recovery in carnivore numbers), the creation of protected areas (which serve as refuges from which predators can populate the surrounding area), the depletion of natural prey due to poaching and loss of habitat, and lax livestock herding practices. However, little information is presently available upon which to design remedial …

Zoonotic Diseases Of Carnivores And Occupational Safety Issues For Predator Control Employees, Michele T. Jay

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

The paper highlights some important zoonotic infections of carnivores in North America. The etiologic agents, routes of transmission, reservoirs, and methods for prevention are emphasized. Occupational safety issues for people working in predator control are discussed.

Assessment Of The Environmental Impact Of Brodifacoum During Rodent Eradication Operations In New Zealand, D. R. Morgan, G. R. Wright, S. C. Ogilvie, R. Pierce, P. Thomson

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

Although Talon^® baits containing brodifacoum have been used successfully in eradicating rats from some of New Zealand's offshore islands, little is known about any environmental effects of this toxin. Invertebrates, blackbirds, soil, and water at intervals of two days to nine months were sampled to determine whether brodifacoum residues were present after aerial distribution of Talon^® 20P cereal pellets on Red Mercury Island and after bait-station use of Talon^® 50WB wax-coated cereal blocks on Coppermine Island. No brodifacoum residues were found in soil, water, or most (99 %) invertebrate samples. Low concentrations (0.12 /μg/g) were found in …

Education And Training Integral Part To 1080 Possum Control In New Zealand, Peter C. Nelson

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

New Zealand currently has large scale possum and rabbit operations being carried out on about 10% of its land area. Education and training are integral to possum control in New Zealand because of the heavy reliance that the control agencies in New Zealand place on toxic baiting with 1080 (sodium monofluoroacetate). Education of the general public is treated as a high priority since without their approval many of the operations would not be carried out. It is equally important that school children are advised on what toxic baits look like and why pest control operations are required. Training of pest …

Dealing With Wild Pig Depredation In California: The Strategic Plan, Douglas Updike, John Waithman

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

The Wild Pig Management Plan is required by Fish and Game Code Section 4651. It is intended to be a strategic plan for dealing with wild pigs for the five-year period 1995-2000. The plan is a dynamic document that will be reviewed and updated at least every five years.

As prescribed by law, the plan contains information related to the status and trend of wild pig populations, and describes management units established by the Department to address regional needs and opportunities. Those needs include alleviating damage to property, protecting sensitive natural resources, and providing recreational hunting where feasible. Opportunities include …

Ecological Challenges To Controlling Wild Rabbits In Australia Using Virally-Vectored Immunocontraception, C. K. Williams

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

The European wild rabbit in Australia threatens the sustainability of agriculture and conservation of native flora and fauna. Improved means of reducing these impacts are sought including effort to develop virally vectored immunocontraception (VVIC). VVIC for the wild rabbit involves complex interactions between the rabbit, myxoma virus and insect vectors of the virus. Development of the method includes not only reproductive molecular biology and genetics and manipulation of virus genetics, but also many problems in reproductive biology, ecology and population dynamics of the rabbit in diverse environments. Furthermore, epidemiology of enzootic myxomatosis, and behavior and population dynamics of several vector …

A Conceptual Framework For Evaluating Agricultural Economic And Environmental Tradeoffs In The Central Nebraska Basins Using Field-Level Area Study Data, P. G. Lakshminarayan, Bruce A. Babcock, Paul Mitchell

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

The high plains aquifer system, which underlies nearly 85 percent of the state of Nebraska, supplies about 95 percent of all groundwater used in Nebraska. Agricultural activities in the state use most of the groundwater (94 percent), while domestic and commercial users also depend heavily on this groundwater source. About 84 percent of the state's public drinking water supplies are from groundwater (Comfort, Shea, and Roeth 1994; Exner and Spalding 1990). With such high dependence on groundwater preserving groundwater quality is of crucial importance.

Intensive agriculture characterizes this region, especially in the Central Nebraska Basin (CNB), in part because of …

Results Of A Biological Survey For Leptodea Leptodoll (Rafinesque, 1820) In The Missouri River In Southeastern South Dakota, Arthur H. Clarke

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

In late September and early October, 1995, a brail survey was carried out to determine the distribution of Leptodea leptodon (Rafinesque) in the Missouri River near Yankton and Vermillion, South Dakota. We did not find L. leptodon but useful information in three areas was nevertheless brought to light, viz. :

(1) Leptodea leptodon is unusual in that adults are deeply buried and are not available by brail. Subsequent investigations which seek to determine its abundance at its only known location in the research area, close below Gavin's Point Dam, can only be carried out with the help of a diver …

Variability In Volume Metering Devices, Leonard L. Bashford, Abdeljabar Bahri, K. Von Bargen, Michael F. Kocher

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The inherent variability of seed and fertilizer application from volumetric metering devices is not readily recognized. The Canadian Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (P AMI) suggests a maximum coefficient of variation (CV) of 15% among outlets for seeding grain or applying fertilizer. P AMI does not report down-the-row variability of individual outlets. Parameters that influence variability of volumetric measuring external fluted wheels such as rotational speed of the metering wheel, product delivery rate, seed size, and cell collection lengths were examined.

In the first study, external fluted wheel meters on four grain drills were tested for seed delivery variability for wheat …

Approximation Of Biodegradation Rate Constants For Monoaromatic Hydrocarbons (Btex) In Ground Water, Todd Weidemeier, Matthew Swanson, John Wilson, Donald Kampbell, Ross Miller, Jerry Hansen

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Two methods were used to approximate site-specific biodegradation rates of monoaromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes [BTEX]) dissolved in ground water. Both use data from monitoring wells and hydrologic properties of the aquifer to estimate a biodegradation rate constant that can be sued in ground water solute fate and transport models. The first method uses a biologically recalcitrant tracer in the ground water, associated with the hydrocarbon plume to normalize changes in concentration of BTEX under anaerobic conditions; attenuation of the tracer is attributed to dilution, sorption, and/or volatilization. Attenuation of BTEX in excess of the attenuation of the …

Managing Plague In Endangered Species Habitats, Frederick J. Harrison Jr.

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

Plague is an endemic disease among field rodents in the southwestern United States. Epizootic outbreaks of this disease increase the risk of human infection where man comes into contact with infected rodents or their fleas. The risk is further increased when colonial rodents are involved, since these animals are usually found in large numbers and are often found in locations where people live, work, or enjoy recreational activities. Elimination of large numbers of susceptible rodents from a particular location following a plague epizootic usually results in a quiescent period when plague is neither a threat to those rodents moving into …

Missouri River Gavins Point Dam Degradation Trends Study

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

This report evaluates degradation trends of a study reach downstream of Gavins Point Dam. Basic pertinent data collected on various hydraulic and geomorphic elements and channel characteristics collected after the construction of the Gavins Point Dam are presented and evaluated. This volume will serve as a permanent record of most of the basic observations.

Metering Characteristics Accompanying Rate Changes Necessary For Precision Farming, A. Bahri, K. Von Bargen, Michael F. Kocher, L. L. Bashford

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Agricultural machines used in precision fanning must adjust application rates according to the needs of each cell within a field. Changing from an initial application rate to a new rate while the machine travels from one cell to another in the field is accompanied with some misapplication. The severity of this misapplication depends on the down-the-row delivery characteristics of the metering system and the magnitude of the rate change from cell to cell.

On-the-go rate change tests evaluated the down-the-row performance of an operator controlled metering system when increasing and decreasing wheat seeding rates by 10 and 20 kg/ha steps. …

Spatial Patterns Analysis Of Field Measured Soil Nitrate, Farida Shaukat Goderya, Mohamed F. Dahab, Wayne E. Woldt, Istvan Bogardi

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to assess the spatial variability of residual soil nitrate, measured in three contiguous 16 ha fields. Available data for residual soil nitrate were examined using conventional statistics. Data tended to be skewed with the mean greater than the median. Geostatistical methods were used to characterize and model the spatial structure. Three dimensional spatial variability was examined using two semivariograms: horizontal-spatial and vertical. Two dimensional horizontal-spatial semivariograms were also computed for each 0.3m (1ft) layer. Semivariogram analysis showed that there were similarities in the patterns of spatial variability for all fields. The results suggest that …

Impact Of Erosion, Mass Wasting, And Sedimentation On Human Activities In The Río Grande Basin, Jujuy Province, Argentina, Waldo Chayle, William J. Wayne

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Faculty Publications

Nearly all dry mountainous regions are affected by severe erosion, floods, and debris flows during times of intense precipitation. The lithology, geologic structure, and climate in Jujuy Province, Argentina combine to place at serious risk the people who live along the Río Grande, the major river that drains the east side of the Cordillera Oriental and the west side of the Sierras Subandinas. Nearly all precipitation falls during summer (January–March) with little during the remainder of the year; most of the basin is semiarid to arid, although the southern end has a humid subtropical climate. Relief is great, as much …

A Cultural Anthropological Overview Of The Niobara/Missouri National Scenic Riverways, Beth R. Ritter, Robert K. Hitchcock, Michelle L. Watson, Michele Voeltz, Thomas D. Thiessen, Oliver Froehling, Rebecca Hautzinger, Judith Campbell Miller, Michele Moray, Leonard R. Bruguier, Gloria Rial

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

This document is a cultural anthropological overview and assessment of the Niobrara/Missouri National Scenic Riverways (NIMI). It represents the first formal planning step taken by the National Park service (NPS) to identify the different ethnic and religious groups of people that have historical and/or contemporary ties to the NIMI region. It primarily focuses on American Indian groups that used the NIMI region for various purposes in past historical times. The discussion of American Indian peoples emphasizes the three Federally-recognized tribes that reside in the NIMI region today, the Poncas, Santee Sioux, and Yankton sioux. Other groups that used the NIMI …

Solid Waste Disposal Site Characterization Using Non-Intrusive Electromagnetic Survey Techniques And Geostatistics, Gary N. Kuhn, Wayne E. Woldt, David D. Jones, Dennis D. Schulte

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Prior to the research reported in this paper, a site-specific hydrogeologic investigation was developed for a closed solid waste facility in Eastern Nebraska using phased subsurface characterizations. Based on the findings of this prior investigation, a surface based geoelectric survey using electromagnetic induction to measure subsurface conductivity was implemented to delineate the vertical and horizontal extent of buffed waste and subsurface contamination. This technique proved to be a key non-intrusive, cost-effective element in the refinement of the second phase of the hydrogeologic investigation.

Three-dimensional ordinary kriging was used to estimate conductivity values at unsampled locations. These estimates were utilized to …

Method And Apparatus For Objective Evaluation Of Patent Ambulation, Balance And Weight Bearng Status, Eric B. Lancaster, Michael F. Kocher

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

A walker is provided which is equipped with detectors for measuring various loads and torques placed thereon by a user including right side and left side loads as well as torque loads on the handles of the walker and having time and distance detectors to allow the ambulation status of a user to be progressively monitored by medical personnel.

Archeological Overview And Assessment, Niobrara/Missouri National Scenic Riverways, Nebraska And South Dakota, Anne M. Wolley Vawser, Alan J. Osborn

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

This report provides an overview of the archeological resources (prehistoric and
historic) of the various designated units and study areas associated with the Niobrara/Missouri National Scenic Riverways (NIMI) (Figure 1). The purpose of the overview is to pull together information pertinent to archeological resources that has been disseminated in the reports of the numerous projects that have taken place in the study area over the last century. This compilation of the data is necessary to address the current and future management and research needs of the riverway.

A large number of archeological field projects have been conducted in the study …

Biological Assessment For Maintenance Of Bank Stabilization Structures Missouri National Recreation River Gavins Point Dam To Ponca State Park, Nebraska

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

The location of the proposed maintenance construction project discussed in this document is located between Gavins Point Dam, South Dakota and Ponca, Nebraska, at specific locations as listed in the accompanying plans and specifications.

The proposed construction consists only of maintaining those structures that can reasonably be repaired to alleviate erosion problems for the purpose of maintaining the structural integrity of the existing structures. Any structure that is beyond repair would not be reconstructed, since it would no longer qualify as maintenance. There are nine existing projects within the Missouri National Recreation River (MNRR) segment of the Missouri River. Each …

South Dakota Project P 0019(20)0 Pcems 238h Nebraska Project Stpd-57-4(108) Missouri River Bridge Near Vermillion Clay County, South Dakota Cedar And Dixon Counties, Nebraska, James Nelson, Arthur Yonkey, Lubin Quinones

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) and the Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) propose to build a bridge over the Missouri River in the vicinity of Vermillion, South Dakota and Newcastle, Nebraska. (See Figure 1 for a computer image of this proposed bridge.) SO Highway 19, SO Highway 50 and Interstate 29 would connect with Nebraska Highway 12. The Nebraska approach roadway would be designed to provide two 3.6 meter (11.8-foot) driving lanes with 1.8 meter (6-foot) shoulders. The South Dakota inter-connecting roadway will be designed to provide two 3.6 meter (11.8-foot) driving lanes with two 3 meter (10-foot) …

Final Environmental Assessment For Endangered Species Habitat Improvement/Creation In The Missouri River Between The Niobrara River And Ponca, Nebraska

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

An environmental assessment has been prepared for new habitat development in upper Lewis and Clark Lake and the Missouri River below Gavins Point Dam. The actions described are in response to the November 1990, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion on the operation of the Missouri River Main Stem System, and will provide safer nesting habitat for the interior least tern (endangered species) and the piping plover (threatened species).

Vegetation on the river islands will be removed and maintained in the "sparsely vegetated" state needed for nesting habitat for the terns and plovers. After vegetation removal, the islands will …

The Status Of Nebraska Fishes In The Missouri River. 6. Sauger (Percidae: Stizostedion Canadense), Larry W. Hease

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

Saugers were once common representatives of the Missouri River fish assemblage. Prior to channelization and impoundment, they comprised from 10 to 65% of the main channel big-river fish group. They utilized the slower side channels and backwaters seasonally for feeding, resting, and maturing, but the main channel was important for breeding habitat, Since the onset of channelization and impoundment, saugers have been reduced by as much as 98% in some areas, and the trend toward extirpation continues unabated today. Recovery of native sauger stocks will require a complete cessation of harvest, recovery of the natural hydrograph, recovery of sediment transport, …