Final BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION/BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT for THREATENED, ENDANGERED, SENSITIVE PLANT AND FUNGI SPECIES

Gordon Hill Vegetation and Fuels Management Project Smith River National Recreation Area

SIX RIVERS NATIONAL FOREST

July 18, 2014

Name ______Date______

3

Gordon Vegetation and Fuels Management Project

I. INTRODUCTION

The objectives of this biological assessment and evaluation are (a) to determine the effects of a fuels management project on any Threatened, Endangered, Sensitive plant or fungi species and (b) to insure these species receive full consideration in the decision- making process to maintain species viability (FSM 2672.4).

McDonald’s rock-cress (Arabis macdonaldiana) is the only Federally listed species on the Forest with the potential to occur in the project area (USFWS species list dated May 2014, Document Number: 789445427-10356). On Six Rivers, McDonald’s rock-cress is known only to the North Fork and upper Middle Fork Smith River drainages (Sanger Peak) in Del Norte County where it occupies barrens, rock outcrops occasionally outcrop micro-sites in Idaho fescue grasslands. Serpentinite and peridotite are the primary substrates for this species. The project area is geographically south of the known range; furthermore Jeffrey-pine grasslands were surveyed as a part of this project for Sensitive species and there were no incidental detections of McDonald’s rock-cress. This species will not be further analyzed.

II. CURRENT MANAGEMENT DIRECTION

Current policy for Sensitive plants as stated in the Forest Service Manual includes the following:

Maintain viable populations of all native and desired nonnative wildlife, fish, and plant species in habitats distributed throughout their geographic range on National Forest System lands (FSM 2670.22).

Avoid or minimize impacts to species whose viability has been identified as a concern (FSM 2670.32).

If impacts cannot be avoided, analyze the significance of potential adverse effects on the population or its habitat within the area of concern and on the species as a whole. (The line officer, with project approval authority, makes the decision to allow or disallow

4 impact, but the decision must not result in loss of species viability or create significant trends toward Federal listing. FSM 2670.32)

Current policy for Sensitive plants as stated in the Land Management and Resource Plan for Six Rivers National Forest includes the following: After completion of the evaluation, proposed actions will be prohibited if they are found likely to jeopardize the continued existence of species or the maintenance of viable populations throughout their existing range (LRMP S&G 6-2).

III. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION

The Gordon Hill Vegetation and Fuels Management Project would treat vegetation to reduce hazardous fuel and restore habitat conditions on approximately 2,749 acres of conifer/hardwood stands, through commercial thinning, timber stand improvement (precommercial thinning), and fuels reduction treatments utilizing mechanical, manual, and prescribed burning methods. Specifically, this project consists of approximately 1,150 acres of fuel treatments; 665 acres of commercial thinning; 795 acres of timber stand improvement; 95 acres of Jeffrey pine/grassland restoration and 26 acres of sugar pine stand restoration.

Commercial Harvest

Commercial thinning would occur across 41 units. The treatments would occur in even- aged stands that are either plantations and natural stands in early seral stages of development or mid-mature. Units receiving this treatment occur both within and outside of designated shaded fuel breaks.

Treatments would consist of variable density thinning. The general prescription would be commercial thinning from below down to between 40% and 60% or greater canopy cover, although this would be highly variable. Variable basal area retention would be used to create gaps to promote horizontal diversity through the development of understory trees, while in other areas clumps of trees would be maintained to promote the development of snags. Individual trees with high potential for rapid growth would be widely spaced to accelerate diameter and height growth with the expectation of achieving vertical diversity. These trees are also expected to develop wide crowns and large limbs.

The focus of this treatment is to retain the largest trees with the best crowns. These trees are generally at or above the average canopy and have the best opportunity to take

5 advantage of additional light, water, and nutrients to maintain or increase growth. The treatments are designed to maintain the existing native species diversity (including hardwoods) in the unit being treated. No predominant trees would be cut, and the largest trees would be favored for retention. No trees over 20” dbh would be cut in proposed units within the LSR area to meet LRMP standards and guidelines for LSR. Existing snags (20” dbh or greater) and downed logs (20” diameter or greater and 10 feet long) would be maintained unless they pose a safety hazard or reduce the effectiveness of the shaded fuel breaks.

Prescribed logging methods based on existing road infrastructure and past logging entries (old logging roads and skid trails) include ground based tractor skidding and mechanized harvesters on gentle slopes (<35% slope) and cable yarding and tractor with 100-foot end lining capability on steeper ground ( >35% slope).

Post-harvest activity fuel treatments would include one or more actions depending on fuel loading post-harvest. Wherever possible, larger slash material will be made available for public firewood gathering. Activity-generated ground and surface fuels may be machine piled on landings by ground-based equipment and burned.

Timber Stand Improvement (TSI)

This treatment would involve non-commercial thinning and removal of small diameter trees in dense young plantations and conifer-hardwood stands across 41 units. All stands are either in the pole-harvest or early-mature seral stages. Thinning would favor conifers and remove mostly 3-9 inch diameter breast height (dbh) tanoak and chinquapin to improve stand structure, species composition, resiliency to disturbance, and growth. Promotion of conifers would be the primary consideration in many of these stands, which are currently dominated by tanoak and chinquapin. In areas of smaller diameter trees, spacing would be 15 to 24 feet or generally to 40% canopy closure. Hardwoods would comprise a portion of the residual stand, with consideration given to clump thinning and selection of the best stems to leave. Culturing of sugar pine would occur wherever healthy trees are found. Units receiving this treatment occur both within and outside of designated shaded fuel breaks.

The focus of the TSI thinning treatment is to retain the largest trees with the best crowns and existing species diversity. These trees are generally at or above the average canopy and have the best opportunity to take advantage of additional light, water, and nutrients to maintain or increase growth. The treatments are designed to maintain the existing native

6 species diversity, including retaining a percentage of tanoak, chinquapin, and madrone in the unit being treated.

Stands will be treated by hand or by mastication. Mastication would involve use of low ground-pressure mechanical equipment (similar to a mowing machine) used to cut live vegetation. Material would be masticated up to approximately 6-8 inches above the ground surface.

Activity fuel treatments would include one or several of the following actions: hand pile and burn, mastication, and lop and scatter of slash (activity generated fuels are lopped into smaller pieces and scattered throughout the unit to a depth no greater than 18 inches). Lop and scatter of slash would be used in units that are away from the road where the risk of ignition is low.

Roads

Approximately 2.8 miles of existing non-system roads would be utilized with minor reconstruction in some of the proposed units. Approximately 0.26 miles of new temporary road construction will be needed in order to implement activity treatments. Both the existing non-system and new temporary roads would be subsequently decommissioned after activity fuel treatment operations are completed. Any fuels generated through road construction or maintenance will be chipped on site.

Decommissioning would generally involve one or more of the following activities: 1) sub-soiling or out-sloping the road surface; 2) removing drainage structures; 3) installing water bars; 4) mulching with native materials (logging slash) or certified weed free straw; and 5) placing earth or log mound barriers to prevent vehicle traffic.

NFS roads that are currently open to vehicular traffic would require routine maintenance to meet project requirements. Their status would remain unchanged after the project is completed. All aggregate rock and water hole requirements for this project can be met from existing sources on National Forest lands (See Best Management Practices in the Appendix of the Invasive Plant Risk Assessment relative to rock sources and invasives).

Landings

The project will require 2 to 3 landings/disposal sites per unit. Existing landings (estimated 38) will be used as much as possible. Twelve new landings will be constructed. Tractor and skyline landings are mostly within the roadbed; however some limited expansion may be needed. Landings are approximately 0.25 acres in size.

7 Disposal sites for such material as yarded tops would be no larger than 1/3 acre in size. Existing and new skyline cable or tractor landings would be located either within, or adjacent to, treatment units or within the roadbed. Construction of new landings will follow all project design features and LRMP standards and guidelines. Anchor points above landings/unit would be needed for safety support of cable logging systems. Anchor points include 18 to 20” trees, sound snags, or heavy equipment parked above the landing. No 20” tress will be cut in LSR.

Hazardous Fuels Reduction

The proposed action would create strategically located shaded fuel breaks along high use roads and ridge tops. These shaded fuel breaks would reduce fuel loadings in order to create a defensible space for fire suppression resources, decrease the potential for detrimental wildfire effects to the overall project area between the communities of Big Flat and Gasquet, and enhance the treated stands’ fire resiliency.

Shaded fuel breaks would be built on ridge tops to approximately 150 feet in width on each side of the road or other various combinations resulting in approximately 300 feet along (or to the nearest ridgetop) the following road systems: County Road 405, Forest Road 16N03, County Road 411, and Forest Road 17N41 (corridor A); Forest Road 17N07 and 16N19 (corridor B); Forest Road 17N07 (corridor C); and Forest Road 16N19E (corridor D). These fuel break corridors will be created by reducing shrubs, small trees less than 8” dbh, and ground fuels. Methods of treatment include biomass utilization, hand piling and burning, understory burning, or chipping of materials. Biomass utilization (e.g. fuel wood) of small diameter material and fuels generated by all treatments would be considered as the first option for activity-generated fuels treatment within the project area. Utilization of this material provides products for several industries. Some small diameter trees may also be suitable for use as posts and poles and/or public firewood.

The following describes and summarizes the categories of proposed vegetation and fuels management activities and connected actions associated with the project.

Fuel Reduction Treatments (Shaded Fuel breaks)

In addition to the treatment of activity-generated fuels in the commercial harvest and TSI units, fuel reduction treatments would be prescribed in stands within the strategically placed fuels corridors (fuel breaks).

8 These stand-alone treatments would occur in 82 high-risk roadside and ridge top units that encompass approximately 1,154 acres in 4 different corridors. Unlike the other proposed treatment categories, these treatments would occur in a wider variety of vegetation types and seral stages (shrub through late-successional). Manual, mechanical, and prescribed burning methods would be employed.

Construction of these fuel breaks would remove ladder fuels and heavy concentrations of brush to break up the continuity of the fuel loading, through the development of a “shaded fuel break” by raising the canopy base height of existing trees. The project includes cutting moderate to heavy brush, seedlings, saplings, and small diameter trees up to 8” diameter at breast height (DBH), and limbing lower tree branches of over story trees to remove fuel “ladders” (continuous fuels from the ground up to the over story canopy). Snags within the proposed burn area will not be felled unless they propose a safety hazard or pose a risk to control efforts. Any snag felled in the burn area would be retained as downed logs. No treatments will occur within 50 ft. of stream channels within Riparian Reserves (RR) or within specified sensitive plant areas within the fuel break boundary. All over story trees will be retained. This project will create a shaded fuel break that would average 300 feet wide (or to the nearest ridge top) along existing FS roads. Actual widths may vary based on environmental features such as topography and vegetation distribution.

Fuel break construction will not occur in Wild and Scenic River corridors or within the no-treatment buffer in Riparian Reserves. In fuel break areas where treatments need to occur in high quality NSO nesting habitat in order to maintain the effectiveness of the fuel break, fuel concentrations will be only reduced within 50 ft. of main roads. In mid mature stands that contain high quality NSO foraging habitat treat the first 50 feet (roadside) and, if it occurs, the 50 feet nearest the ridge top following the standard fuel break prescription described above. In areas remaining, maintain 40-50% of existing brush for wildlife cover. Overstocked trees <8” DBH will still be reduced and pruning of residual trees will still be allowed in these areas.

Prescribed fuel reduction treatments include two or more activities. The treatment prescribed is based on the vegetation type, hazardous fuel loading and distribution, and the topography of the proposed treatment unit. Multiple treatment types are prescribed for each unit and are set in order of preference of treatment options.

Fuels reduction and activity-generated fuels treatments are described as follows:

Treatment will be accomplished by one of the following methods:

9 • Cutting understory vegetation (CUV): Cutting moderate to heavy brush, seedlings, saplings, and small diameter trees up to generally 8 inches diameter at breast height (dbh), and limbing lower tree branches of over story trees (generally up to 6-10 feet above the ground) to remove fuel “ladders” (continuous fuels from the ground up to the over story canopy) that can accelerate fire spread and increase resistance to control. Work would be accomplished with chainsaws or low ground-pressure mechanical equipment. • Hand pile and burn (HPB): Existing ground fuels, thinning and pruning residue, and cut brush would be piled by hand and burned. • Mastication (MAS): Low ground-pressure mechanical equipment (similar to a mowing machine) used to cut live vegetation. Material would be masticated up to approximately 6-8 inches above the ground surface. • Chipping: Existing ground fuels, thinning and pruning residue, and cut brush would be pulled to roads or landings and chipped into small pieces using a chipper. Chipping residue would be distributed back into the treatment unit or used to cover landings. • Understory burning in restoration units: Low-intensity understories burning is proposed to occur in Jeffrey-pine grassland areas to reduce encroachment. Control lines may be constructed consisting of approximately 12-18 inch hand line scraped to mineral soil in the brush areas only (outside meadow areas) prior to prescribed burning. • Understory burn with hand line construction (UB/HLC): Understory burning is the use of low-intensity fire to further reduce ground and surface fuels. Hand-constructed control lines (up to 18” wide, cleared down to mineral soil) are used to limit the spread of the prescribed fire. • Understory burn with hand line construction (UB/HLC): Understory burning is the use of low-intensity fire to further reduce ground and surface fuels. Hand-constructed control lines (up to 18” wide, cleared down to mineral soil) are used to limit the spread of the prescribed fire. • Understory burn with wet line construction (UB/WL): Understory burning is the use of low-intensity fire to further reduce ground and surface fuels. In lieu of hand- constructed control lines, wet line will be used to limit the spread of the prescribed. • Fuel wood and biomass utilization (FWB): Providing opportunities for the public to collect cut vegetation to use for fuel wood or for biomass utilization. • Lop and Scatter (L&S): Cutting activity fuel into length and scattering evenly throughout unit. • Yarding Tops (YT): Yarding tops refers to pulling the tops of the trees (when the top is attached to the last log) and piling it at landings, the tops of yarding corridors, or at disposal areas for future treatments of biomass utilization, firewood gathering or burning. These treatments would reduce potential surface fuels.

10 • Whole Tree Yard (WTY): refers to yarding trees with boles, limbs, and tops attached, similar to YT.

Fuels maintenance will be performed on treatment areas as needed every 3-10 years or as funding allows. The areas may be retreated by also utilizing a combination of treatments described above. Understory burning in many cases will be prescribed to help maintain and sustain the desired fuel loading in these units.

Where fuel break corridors overlap other project units (commercial or TSI), additional fuel treatments may be necessary after initial activities to assist in reducing high fire danger and enhance the integrity of the fuel break.

Camp Six Communications Site

Fuels treatment would be conducted 150 ft. around the Camp Six Communication Site (F-47A) and access road 17N71 for approximately 7 acres of treatment. This site is a high value communications link for the Del Norte County area and the treatment will reduce the high fire risk around the site. Communications equipment on this site is used for emergency responses services (California Highway Patrol, Del Norte Sheriff’s Dept., Del Norte Ambulance, and Gasquet Fire Dept.) for the Gasquet, Hiouchi, Rock Creek, and Big Flat areas, as well as along the Highway 199 corridor. This site is the location of two weather stations (US Forest Service and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration) and also collects and analyzes all seismic activity for the Del Norte County area. In addition, US Cellular also maintains a cell tower at this location. Treatment will consist of reducing brush and thinning lodgepole pine to a spacing of 10 to 20 feet by mastication or by hand methods in sensitive botanical areas.

Jeffrey Pine-Grassland Restoration

The areas proposed for this treatment are predominantly Jeffery pine-grassland habitat. Fire exclusion has allowed vegetation such as shrubs and Douglas-fir to encroach upon the meadows. Forage value of the meadows for wildlife species has been reduced due to the dense brush but also because of the dead and matted grass preventing new growth. The project would restore the meadow areas through the use of prescribed fire to rejuvenate and reinvigorate the grass and other meadow species and to remove encroaching vegetation. In some cases, large diameter (predominant) trees would have debris raked back from the base of the tree, to protect the trees during burning Likewise, some pretreatment (hand piling and burning) of shrubs and small diameter trees will be done away from the trunk and canopy of large predominant trees to protect the trees and Forest Service Sensitive lichen species during the understory burn and in areas of

11 extensive brush in order break up the continuity of fuels and maintain a low intensity burn.

Low intensity fire would be allowed to creep into brushy areas, killing the brush and small diameter trees, maintaining approximately 10-20% of the small trees in these areas. Not all areas of brush would be burned; some would be retained as cover areas for wildlife. Some post treatment piling and burning may also occur in areas where brush was killed but not completely burned. The project area may initially be burned more than once in order to achieve the desired results. Initially burning the area more than once would allow the use of low intensity fire, which would maintain 80-90% of the over story trees while reducing the amount of brush and small trees.

Hand lines would be constructed at strategic control points, especially in vegetation transition areas such as between Jeffrey pine-grassland and Douglas fir areas. The lines would be 18”-20” wide and scraped down to mineral soil, outside of the meadow areas.

Once the initial treatment has been completed, maintenance burns would be implemented at intervals greater than 10 years in keeping with natural fire return intervals.

Sugar Pine Restoration

Four units are designed to restore sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana) stands. Two stands are comprised of large diameter, predominant sugar pine surrounded by dense thickets of small diameter conifers and hardwoods and two stands are sugar pine-dominated plantations. Sugar pine-dominated stands are rare on the forest, and such stands are usually sparsely vegetated. Competition for resources is currently stressing the predominant sugar pine, and will eventually kill the larger trees. The proposed action will remove all small diameter trees under the drip line of (up to 30 feet from base of tree) of the large pines, as well as thin the understory. In the units with pole-sized sugar pine, treatments will be similar to the TSI units described above, except that sugar pine will favored over other species.

Culturing of healthy sugar pine would also occur throughout all commercial thinning and TSI treatments in the project. In these cases sugar pine would be favored over other species as leave trees and thinning would generally be heavier around them to promote their growth and maintain genetic diversity in light of the blister rust fungus.

12 Table X. Summary of Treatments Fuel Treatments

# Units 82

Acres 1168

Commercial harvest

# Units 41

Acres 665

# Existing Landings/natural openings 38

Miles of existing non-system roads 2.8

Miles of new temporary road constructed 0.26

# New landings 12

Timber Stand Improvement

# Units 41

Acres 795

Restoration (Jeffrey Pine-Grassland and Sugar Pine)

# Units 11

Acres 121

Total

# Units 175

Acres 2749

Project Design Features

This project incorporates various project design features that aim to reduce or eliminate impacts to resources. Those features germane to the management of Sensitive plant and fungi species are identified in the Environmental Effects section below.

13 IV. EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

Habitat Characteristics

Average elevation in the planning area is approximately 2100’ (range 1000-4000’). The vegetation associations in the project area where commercial thin, timber stand improvement, Jeffrey pine restoration and sugar pine restoration are proposed include: Tanoak-Huckleberry/Pacific rhododendron, Tanoak-Douglas-fir, Douglas-fir- Chinquapin-Tanoak, Tanoak-Chinquapin/Huckleberry-Salal, Tanoak-Canyon live oak, Tanoak-Canyon live oak- Oregon grape, Douglas-fir-Bay laurel/Poison oak, Tanoak- Port-orford cedar/Huckleberry, Jeffrey pine-Douglas-fir/Huckleberry oak/California fescue, Jeffrey pine/Idaho fescue. The latter two associations are associated with ultramafic parent materials. Linear fuel breaks are associated with an array of plant association including Lodgepole/Western white pine, Douglas-fir/Western white pine, Knobcone pine and shrub vegetation types with a mix of Arctostaphylos sp., huckleberry oak, Pacific rhododendron, and salal.

Seral stages range from pole to late-mature, with a majority of the project area composed of previously managed stands (including clear cuts) in early seral conditions (Table 1).

Table: 1 Seral Stage Composition in Gordon Planning Area (Jones 2014) Seral Stage Proportion Estimate in Planning Area Shrub-forb 4% Pole 14.6% Early mature 27.3% Mid-mature 28.8% Late-mature 7.2% Old-growth 16.6%

A species list for the units is included in the administrative file.

Sensitive Species

Prefield Analysis The pre-field analysis included review of the Forest Sensitive Species database and associated spatial layers of known occurrences relative to the project area, assessment of the vegetative sub-series and stand age in which the activities would occur, elevation gradient of the project area, land-use history, and professional knowledge of Sensitive species habitat and distribution on the Forest. Table 1 displays the results of the pre-field

14 analysis which is based on presence of potential habitat in the project area to support a given species and documented occurrences.

Table 2. Sensitive Species1 considered in the project as a result of pre-field analysis

Common Name Scientific Name Known (K) or Taxonomic General Habitat/Substrate Potential (P) Group N/A Buxbaumia viridis P Bryophyte Mature forest-moist environment/substrate: advanced decay class longs N/A Calicium adspersum P Lichen Mature forest/substrate: bark of late-mature-old growth conifer trees Fascicled lady’s Cypripedium P Vascular Mature forest slipper fasciculatum plant Mountain lady’s Cypripedium P Vascular Mature forest slipper montanum plant Opposite-leaved Lewisia oppositifolia K Vascular Jeffrey pine/Idaho fescue, lewisia plant openings therein on ultramafic substrate (peridotite in particular) Western ragwort Packera hesperia P Vascular Jeffrey pine/Idaho fescue on plant ultramafic substrate Siskiyou bells Prosartes parvifolia K Vascular Plan Habitat generalist, early successional with Pacific rhododendron, salal, beargrass to mature forest at 4,000’ with open understory

N/A Ramalina thrausta P Lichen Mature forest, moist environment/substrate: understory trees and shrubs Serpentine Silene serpentinicola K Vascular Jeffrey pine/Idaho fescue, catchfly plant barrens, other open habitats on ultramafic substrate

Fungi N/A Boletus pulcherrimus P Fungus Mature forest/ectomycorrhizal N/A Dendrocollybia P Fungus Mature forest/parastitic racemosa N/A Otidea smithii P Fungus Mature forest/saprobe N/A Phaeocollybia olivacea P Fungus Mature forest/ectomycorrhizal

1 List reflects Regional Forester’s Sensitive Species List updated 2013

15

Surveys for the Gordon Project spanned multiple years starting in 2009 with final surveys conducted in 2012 and incorporated the succession of species over the field season, from those emerging as early as mid-May to those most easily detectable in mid-late summer. Multiple survey years were due to changes in the units (deletions, sections added or dropped….) and even Sensitive species changes, specifically the addition of the species Prosartes parvifolia.

Prior to the 2012, approximately 55% of the units (CT, TSI, Restoration) and 50% of the fuels units/areas were considered unsuitable habitat for Sensitive species and therefore were not surveyed. Unsuitability related to seral stage and resultant stand conditions, specifically those units/areas in the shrub-harvest, pole-harvest, early mature with harvest and early mature stands seral stages. Table 3 displays the stratification of units by seral stage. All of the units proposed for commercial treatment are in the early-mature, early with previous harvest or pole-harvest seral stages; all timber stand improvement units are in the early mature or pole harvest seral stages. Only fuels treatments would occur in stands mid-mature to late-mature.

Table 3. Proportion of Gordon Units (Fuels, CT and TSI) by Seral Stage

Seral Stage Acres (% of all acres in project) Pole Harvest, Early Mature, Early Harvest 84% Early Mature/Mid-Mature combined 12% Mid-Mature or Late-Mature 4%

A majority of the species in Table 2 are associated with mid-mature or older seral stages. Exceptions to this association are the the serpentine endemic species, Lewisia oppositifolia, Packera hesperia, and Silene serpentinicola, whose habitat is the Jeffrey pine/Idaho fescue grasslands in the project area. Given the suitability of this habitat type to support Sensitive species, all Jeffrey pine/Idaho fescue grasslands were surveyed.

With the publication of the new taxonomy of Prosartes parvifolia (Mesler et al. 2010), surveyors reviewed units with this species in mind and two new detections were made in 2010. In 2013, Prosartes parvifolia was proposed as Sensitive which led to a re-analysis of the project area for additional surveys based upon what we knew or suspected of the habitat for this species at the time. Species associates, seral stage, elevation, slope, and parent material associations were collated from the eight documented locations as well as species associations contained in the paper that described the species (Mesler et al. 2010). Known site visits were also conducted to gain better familiarity with the array of habitats that this species can occupy. Rock material collected in the vicinity of two sites visited

16 and a map showing locations tend to ally Prosartes parvifolia with sedimentary rock (yellow-colored shale and siltstone) of the Wimer Formation (Levitan, F. 2012, pers. comm). Another guiding factor for stratifying the survey area was a majority of the known occurrences were associated with habitat openings and edges –bare areas between shrubs, skid roads, and roads. Plants of an occurrence on French Hill Road were associated with a previous fuel break that involved pile burning.

As a result of the synthesis of information on the species, the focus of the additional surveys were associated with fuel break areas that had in common one or more of the following germane to Prosartes parvifolia known sites: species associates, vegetative structure, and previous disturbance.

Surveys were not conducted for any Sensitive fungi species. The reasons for not undertaking surveys range from the biology of fungal organisms, specifically the body being underground in the form of bundles of threads, called mycelium and the lack of reliable fruiting year to year to make surveys feasible, to the nature of the project which is designed to retain habitat components for fungi. The rationale for this decision is further explained under “Environmental Effects” below.

Survey Results

Table 4 displays a summary of the survey results relative to units within the proposed action.

Table 4. Sensitive species detected or known to the project area Species Taxonomic Units (F=fuels, JP restoration, Group TSI-timber sale improvement) Lewisia oppostifolia Vascular plant JP Rest 59 (near edge of unit), F 19A (2 sites) Silene serpentinicola Vascular plant JP Rest 80 (2 sites), 81 (multiple sites) Packera hesperia Vascular plant F-19B Prosartes parvifolia Vascular plant F-12A, TSI- 47 (a)

The following provides information on what is known or suspected about the biology and ecology of the species with relevance to the proposed activities and effects analysis that follows. With regards to Sensitive fungi, little if any information is known about management effects to a particular species, therefore, species will at times be addressed in the context of their particular habit or taxonomic group.

17 Vascular Plants/Lewisia oppostifolia, Silene serpentinicola, Packera hesperia, Prosartes parvifolia:

Lewisia oppositifolia (LEOP) Lewisia oppositifolia grows in relatively open, flat areas on peridotite soils that hold moisture during the spring and fall seasons. Habitat is described as barrens with cobbly soils in shallow depressions and benches that tend to remain saturated or puddled into spring. Patches of bare ground where it occurs is typically within the Jeffrey pine-Idaho fescue plant association or the lodgepole pine series. LEOP is a tap rooted perennial that reproduces entirely by seed. Canopy cover where it grows is often minimal to zero, and competition from other vegetation is low and, thus, fuel loads are low. Plant blooming coincides with seasonal moisture in the spring, and usually occurs from May to early June. In times of drought, plants remain dormant and quickly senesce following a decrease in water availability (Carothers 2007). By summer, areas with L. oppositifolia that were moist or were saturated are dried, and the plant is no longer detectable (Carothers 2007).

Little is known about the fire ecology of LEOP except that the species does occur in a vegetation type that has historically burned at moderate to low intensity and at relatively short fire-return intervals. The fire regime characteristics for the Jeffrey pine vegetation type of the Klamath Range are typically low to moderate intensity, occurring in the summer to fall season, with a relatively short median fire-return interval (i.e. 8- 30 years at a relatively high elevation site and 8-15 years at a lower elevation site) (Skinner et al. 2006, Taylor and Skinner 2003). Nutrient-poor ultramafic soils underlying the Jeffrey pine stands are not productive; therefore, growth of woody material is slow. The limiting environment of ultramafic soils can increase variability in fuel production and structure, which are factors that could lead to longer fire-return intervals in some places than is characteristic of other pine vegetation types (Taylor and Skinner 2003). While variability exists across a landscape, in general, the current fire-free interval within the Jeffrey pine vegetation types on ultramafic substrates of the inland Klamath Mountains ranges from 68 to 125 years, which notably exceeds the pre-fire suppression intervals (Skinner et al. 2006).

Because LEOP is dormant and subterranean in summer and early fall following its spring reproductive period, it probably historically escaped most natural fires, which tended to occur during these drier months—a time when the LEOP’s reproductive/above-ground phase had ended. In the Gordon Project, LEOP is found in small barren pockets in openings of lodgepole pine with low fuel build-up. These barren pockets also tend to be seasonally moister than the surrounding area. LEOP is a tap-rooted perennial with the

18 root crown including the caudex (which is a thick, sometimes woody, stem of a perennial that is at or beneath the ground level) located about 2 inches deep below the soil surface (Carothers 2007), a depth which may afford some protection. These niche characteristics (e.g. bare surfaces, low fuels) along with the biology of the species (e.g. summer dormancy, buried root crown and caudex) may contribute to its survival during wildfires.

Beyond these attributes of the species and its habitat, there has been one investigation of the effect of prescribed fire on LEOP (Moore 2005, Schreiber 2011a). In fall (October) of 2008, a low-intensity prescribed fire (flame ht. 4-10 inches; rate of spread ~1 chain/hr.) was conducted on Coon Mountain during implementation of the Coon Mountain Meadow Restoration Project. In this study, an area with two 10-m transects and with five, 1x1-meter frames placed randomly along each transect, were burned. Data on numbers of plants, phenology, cover class, and plant associates were taken for two years prior to the burn. The prescribed burn was allowed to mimic nature as it burned, and of the 10 frames, only 2 frames were subjected to the fire. It is possible that fuel loading in the unburned frames was either not high enough to carry fire, or soil moisture at the time of burning was relatively high so as to prevent fire from carrying through the transects. LEOP occurs in a habitat that retains seasonal moisture longer than other areas and this may have contributed to the fact that fire did not carry into the transects.

At separate occurrences, not associated with the aforementioned study, post-burn monitoring of occurrences in non-transect areas also revealed that fire did not carry into the areas where LEOP occurs (Schreiber 2011a). Plant counts were greater than in all four areas surveyed from their baseline data taken in 2005. The 2005 baseline data were taken late in the season; therefore, plant estimates that year were likely low for 2005. Plant counts increased several-fold in all areas: from 9 to 121, 54 to 93, 45 to 347, and 56 to 72. The plants were growing in areas characterized by little vegetative cover, flat or gentle sloping topography, and remnant moisture. Burning may have reduced competitive vegetation, thus providing more growing space/bare areas for LEOP to inhabit.

In summary, issues to consider when evaluating environmental effects to LEOP relative to this project include: a. physical impacts to plants or habitat and b. season (relates to intensity) and frequency of burning.

Silene serpentinicola (SISE) Silene serpentinicola is endemic to the Smith River basin in northwest Del Norte County, California and Curry Co. in Oregon. It occurs in dry, gravelly to cobbly soils of ultramafic origin with little to no overstory. In the project area the species was found in bare to gravelly patches in association with Jeffrey pine/Idaho fescue grasslands. The species is also documented in the western white pine-lodgepole pine vegetation

19 association. Plants grow in open patches including those associated with road cut banks and in post-fire settings.

SISE is a tap rooted, herbaceous perennial with an underground caudex which branches beneath the soil surface; from these branches shoots develop. Reproductive plants typically flower between June and mid-July and may flower later into August depending on the season. Flowering at a given population varies from year to year based upon monitoring observations. Dormancy has been observed in other species of Silene (Lesica 1999).

The combination of habitat (open settings, often disturbed, rocky/little herbaceous), development of underground branches that further develop above-ground shoots, the reproductive period during the summer, and possibly periods of dormancy indicate that SISE’s ecology, distribution and persistence in the landscape is likely associated with fire. Fire effect investigations on another Silene species, S. spaldingii indicated increased recruitment after prescribed fire, in particular spring burns, compared to the control (Lesica 1999). This study did occur in grassland settings considered more productive than those settings associated with SISE, so results may not be readily comparable but are corroborated by findings of seedling establishment of Silene douglassii after a wildfire in the dry, eastern Cascades, whereby seeds subject to wildfire as well as smoke exposed seeds germinated at a higher rate compared to controls (Lofflin and Kephart 2005).

Given the open setting in which SISE is found and its early successional habitat, occurrences are vulnerable to encroachment or expansion of invasive plant species if invasive plants are adjacent to the habitat. The invasive shrub scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) were present proximal to the occurrences of SISE in Units 80 and 81. The habit of most invasive is to spread as a result of ground disturbance and in its wake, displace native plant species and native habitats.

Germane to the Gordon project, issues to consider when evaluating effects to SISE relate primarily to a) physical impacts to plants and habitat, b) season and frequency of burning and c) spread of scotch broom into occupied habitat.

Packera hesperia (PAHE) Packera hesperia is a serpentine endemic known to the Illinois Valley area on the Siskiyou National Forest in Oregon in Josephine County, to the Grants Pass Resource Area of the BLM- Medford, and a few locations on private land in Oregon. Prior to surveys for Gordon, PAHE was only known to one location in California, at Lower Coon Mountain, on the Smith River National Recreation Area on the Six Rivers National

20 Forest in Del Norte County. The detection in Gordon is the southernmost occurrence of the species to date.

In California, the few documented locations of PAHE are associated primarily with the ultramafic Jeffrey Pine-Idaho Fescue plant association where it occurs in the grassland. In the project area, PAHE was found in similar open and grassy habitats but in the knobcone pine series with characteristic shrubs association with ultramafics such as huckleberry oak, pinemat manzanita and California coffeeberry. PAHE is a short-lived perennial within the sunflower family. Stems arise from a caudex. Flowering occurs in June and continues into July. Little is known about the life history of this species.

Kagen (1988) developed a species management guide for PAHE in which he identified vegetative succession and competition by an increasing cover of bunchgrasses (e.g. Idaho fescue) as a potential threat to the species. To expand upon the conservation concerns of vegetative succession overcoming PAHE, fire effects study was conducted on the Siskiyou National Forest in Oregon (Borgias 2001). The study site species assemblage was similar to that of Coon Mountain. The burn was conducted in September. Three years of post-burn monitoring indicated a decrease in reproductive plants of PAHE and acknowledges that as a perennial, it may take a few years for plants to become reproductive, so the decline in reproductive individuals may or may not have been an issue for the population.

In California, on Coon Mountain, a small-scale fire effects study was conducted in relation to an occurrence of PAHA and a proposed burning of Idaho fescue grasslands (Moore 2007). Burn and no-burn circular plots were established and baseline monitoring occurred in 2007 and 2008. Burning occurred in fall of 2008. Post-fire monitoring occurred in 2009 and 2011. Observations indicate fall burning did not result in declines in occurrence size in fact there was little to no difference between total number of plants in the burn and no-burn plots. The number of reproductive plants between the 2011 burn and no-burn sampling indicated a 65% increase; fall burning may have resulted in an increased reproductive capacity for PAHE at this occurrence (Schreiber 2011b).

Similar to SISE, the habitat for PAHE is vulnerable to the introduction and spread of invasive plant species. St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum) occurs on the road edges and adjacent grassy openings at the intersection of 16N30 and the G-spur. St John’s wort can form dense stands after disturbance such as logging or fires and consequently displace native plant species.

21 Related to proposed activities in the Gordon Project, issues to consider when evaluating effects pertain to: a) physical impacts to plants and habitat, b) season and frequency of burning and c) potential spread of St. Johnswort into occupied habitat.

Prosartes parvifolia

Prosartes parvifolia (PRPA) was located in association with a fuelbreak and a in an opening associated with a TSI unit. The species is known to the Smith River watershed of the Siskiyou Mountains of northwestern California and southwestern Oregon, specifically Del Norte County in California and Curry and Josephine Counties in Oregon. There are six occurrences on the Six Rivers National Forest. The species is a habitat generalist, occupying forest understories, forest edges, roadside slopes, and logged or burned sites (Mesler et al. 2010). Eight of the known occurrences on the Forest were visited by staff botanists and three of those corresponded with fuel treatment areas < 5 years old, two were roadside occurrences, and two were on temporary roads in timber harvest areas that had been slectively cut. The remaining occurrence was in a relatively high elevation site at 4,950 feet, open understory and canopy cover of approximately 40% in the Bear Basin Butte Botanical Area.

Related to the proposed activities in the Gordon Project, issues to consider when evaluating effects pertain to: a) physical impacts directly to the plants and b) season of burning.

Fungi: Boletus pulcherrimus, Dendrocollybia racemosa, Otidea smithii, and Phaeocollybia olivaceae

These species, and others, have been the target of a landscape level survey effort that began in 2005 across northern California. Across this range on National Forest land there have been no detections of Otidea smithii, four detections of Boletus pulcherrimus with most being historic but one occurrence as recent as 2006, 15 detections of Dendrocollybia racemosa as recently as 2011, and 73 detections of Phaeocollybia olivaceae as recently as 2012, with approximately three of these detections occuring on the Six Rivers National Forest.

These fungi species can be divided into three groups: saprobic, mycorrhizal and parasitic. Otidea smithii is saprobic meaning that it is a decomposer, thriving on the litter and duff of the forest floor. Litter saprobes, such as this species, can extend over a large area via mycelial networks. Relatively shady and moist to mesic mature stands with various sized litter (including some coarse woody debris) describe the habitat for saprobes. Boletus pulcherrimus and Phaeocollybia olivacea are mycorrhizal.

22 Mycorrhizal fungi form interdependent relationships with their host tree or shrub, exchanging nutrients, mineral and water. Dendrocollybia racemosa is parasitic on decaying fungi.

Common to all of these fungal groups are habitat conditions characterized by shady, mature stands with conifer or hardwood hosts and ample organic substrate (e.g. leaf, needle, woody debris). The above-ground portion of the fungus is the sporocarp or fruiting body, upon which spores are produced. Spores are essentially the seeds of the fungus which can disperse in the wind. Underground are networks of fungal hyphae (strand-like structures) when grouped together form mycelium. The mycelium is the body of the fungal individual. These networks scavenge nutrients from the surrounding soils, acting as an extension to the root system. Hyphae can grow to infect nearby plant roots and can eventually connect neighboring plants. This network facilitates carbon transfer from the host to the fungus. Networks also facilitate water transfer (Bruns 1995).

Management that avoids high intensity burning, over story/understory clearing of refuge species and removal of forest floor components will best serve the retention of mycorrhizal community diversity (Wiensczyk, et al. 2002). Soil compaction resulting from use of heavy machinery has also been shown to reduce ectomycorrhizal abundance (Amarathus et al. 1996). Germane to prescribe fire is the burn interval planned. Although not studied in the forest types associated with this project, prescribed burning intervals can affect fine root biomass and thus mycorrhizal biomass (Hart et. al 2005); for example, a burn interval of less than two years heated host plants roots, resulting in a significant reduction in nutrient availability associated with mycorrhizal fungi (Bastias et al. 2006).

Retention of living refuge trees and shrubs (the host) retain the important underground linkages for mycorrhizal fungi--the myceliel network—which in turn will maintain habitat parameters for mycorrhizal species (Amaranthus and Perry 1994, Luoma et al. 2006). Likewise, management that retains over story canopy and the litter and coarse woody debris of the forest floor will maintain habitat parameters for saprobes (Norden et. al. 2004).

Issues to consider when evaluating effects to Sensitive fungi for the Gordon Project pertain to activities occurring in mid-mature and older stands, which only includes fuels projects and the : a) extent of understory vegetation removal, b) burn intensity and d) burn interval.

23

V. ENVIROMENTAL EFFECTS

With the exception of one occurrence of Prosartes parvifolia, all Sensitive species locations are within either fuel break units or Jeffrey pine restoration units. Activities within the fuel break units include: a) cutting of understory vegetation (small diameter trees and shrubs) using primarily manual methods (chainsaw) or mechanical methods, the latter involving low ground-pressure mechanical equipment (similar to a mowing machine) b) hand piling and burning cut vegetation c) understory burning with hand line construction d) chipping existing ground fuels or cut brush residue that are pulled to the road or landing; chipping residue would be placed back into the treatment unit or utilized for biomass e) prescribed burning to maintain the fuel break every 3-10 years.

Activities within the Jeffrey pine restoration units include items a), b), and c) above for fuel break units. Differences between treatments in fuel break units and Jeffrey pine restoration units is that no mastication machinery would be used for cutting vegetation, chipping for biomass production would not occur in the latter, and the prescribed burn interval to maintain the conditions in the Jeffrey pine units would be greater than 10 year.

The species below will be discussed in light of the effects of the aforementioned activities on the species or its habitat.

Direct and Indirect Effects to Lewisia oppositifolia (LEOP)

LEOP was detected in association with fuel break F-19A where there are two sites, to the north and south of the road respectively. Both are in openings within the lodgepole pine stand. The other occurrence is located just outside the northeast edge of the Jeffrey pine restoration Unit 59.

Cutting vegetation: LEOP habitat is characterized by bare ground, very low to non-existent canopy cover and limited woody species associates. In light of its habitat, manual removal of woody vegetation would likely benefit LEOP by removing shade and providing potential areas for LEOP recruitment.

24 Pile burning: LEOP grows in open, barren, rocky habitats where fuels are limited. Locating piles for subsequent burning could result in negative direct effects to LEOP if piles are placed directly on top of occupied sites. This damage could also occur when the plant is dormant if piles generate enough heat so as to damage the caudex of the plant which is located about 2-3 inches below the soils surface. Indirect effects could also result from radiant heat that could damage plants in the vicinity of the piles.

Understory burning/hand line construction and maintenance prescribed burning: As was presented under the affected environment, the fire effects investigation and post- fire monitoring of other populations indicated that prescribed fire occurring in the fall tended to avoid areas or “flash” through occupied by LEOP. Forest floor vegetation surrounding the occupied sites was charred but only slight charring was noticed within the occupied site. Indirect effects of understory burning may have a positive effect by reducing vegetative cover, thus allowing space into which LEOP may regenerate.

Based upon the literature for Jeffrey pine vegetation in the Klamath Range, median fire- return interval is estimated at 8- 30 years (Skinner et al. 2006, Taylor and Skinner 2003), with longer fire-return intervals expected when Jeffrey pine occurs on low productivity ultramafic soils—soils that would not develop woody fuels as quickly as Jeffrey pine on more productive soils (Skinner et al. 2006). Prescribed burning at an interval greater than 10 years for maintenance of desired conditions in the Jeffrey pine restoration Unit 59 is in keeping with the natural fire return intervals. Prescribed burning to maintain the fuel break conditions in F-19A at 3 to 10 year intervals is not within the natural fire return interval. The effect of repeated burning at intervals narrower than estimated historic fire- return intervals is unknown.

Chipping: Distributing chips overtop occupied plant habitat and adjacent potential habitat would likely reduce the potential for seed germination and in the short-term, reduce recruitment potential into adjacent habitat.

To reduce the potential for negative direct and indirect effects, buffered areas were delineated in the field (perimeters encircled with white/orange striped flagging) and the following project design features applied:

a) No machine removal of vegetation in buffer areas, apply only hand treatments b) No piling and burning of cut vegetation or hand line construction will occur within the buffered areas demarcated in F-19A (Figure A); LEOP occurrence in vegetation cut in Unit 59 can be piled and burned where cut.

25 c) No hand line construction in buffer areas. d) While understory burning can include the buffered area, the period for prescribed burning should attempt to occur in the fall when the plants are dormant and proximal to the timing of when wildfires might naturally occur. Burn period shall not occur from mid-March to mid-July. e) Do not distribute any chipped material in the vicinity of the buffered areas. f) Intervals for prescribed burning to maintain the fuel break F-19A are narrower than the natural fire return interval for habitats that support LEOP; therefore, maintenance burning at an interval less than 10 years shall attempt to avoid burning through the buffered area in this unit. Intervals for prescribed burning in Unit 59 are planned for no less than 10 years and thus consistent with this project design feature.

Figure A. Buffer Areas for Lewisia oppositifolia in F-19A

Direct and Indirect Effects to Silene serpentincola (SISE)

SISE was detected in the Jeffrey pine restoration Units 80 and 81. In the former unit, there are two sites located on the northeastern edge of the unit approximately 100 feet apart. This portion of the unit has been previously disturbed by all-terrain vehicles, dispersed camping, and other ground disturbing activities. A perimeter was flagged (orange/white striped) around both sites. The occupied sites were very rocky and

26 included shrubs and small trees. Three adult scotch broom plants were located (and treated) on the edge of the grassland.

Unit 81 was accessible by walking along a former skid trail or mining-related road that had overgrown. The unit was dominated by Idaho fescue grassland with scattered mature Jeffrey pine and surrounded by a Douglas-fir stand. An isolated patch of scotch broom was located (and treated) at the northernmost end of the grassland. SISE occupied a few sites throughout the grassland. In this unit, SISE was not buffered.

Cutting vegetation: Cutting of vegetation particularly in Unit 80 where shrub cover is higher compared to unit 81, would likely benefit SISE as its habitat is open settings, often previously disturbed. This benefit may be only short-term as woody shrubs would likely resprout. Maintenance burns described below would serve to extend the benefits of original removal.

Pile burning: For reasons comparable to those for LEOP, it is assumed that since SISE tends to occur in bare, rocky sites with a low cover of woody vegetation that piling and burning wood in occupied areas would negatively affect SISE. As evidenced by SISE’s occurrence along cut banks, on road edges and in previously mined sites, this species appears to be more tolerant to disturbance compared to LEOP; however, the threshold for fire and heat is not known. Pile burning in particular can result in high localized and sustained heat.

Understory burning/ hand line construction and maintenance prescribed burning: As previously discussed, SISE’s ecology, distribution and persistence in the landscape is likely associated with fire. Fire effect investigations on other Silene species, indicate increased seedling recruitment after prescribed compared to the control (Lesica 1999, Lofflin and Kephart 2005). Direct and indirect effects from prescribed fire are likely to be beneficial, yet similar to LEOP, season of burn and burn intervals narrower than those associated with Jeffrey pine stands on ultramafic parent materials could alter the beneficial effects of prescribed fire.

An indirect effect of understory burning in both Units 80 and 81 is the potential for buried seed of invasive scotch broom to germinate after fire. The occurrence in Unit 80 consisted of about three adult plants that were pulled. In Unit 81, there were less than ten stems on the edge of the grassland. Scotch broom produces a hard-coated seed that can remain viable in the soil for decades. Fire can stimulate germination of the seed and result in spread of broom further into the grassland. Fire can also be used to manage scotch broom. Repeated burns can deplete the seed bank over time (Di Tomaso and Johnson 2006).

27

To reduce the potential for negative direct or indirect effects on SISE and to learn more about prescribed fire in Jeffrey pine-Idaho fescue grasslands, apply the following design features:

a) No machine removal of vegetation in buffer areas, apply only hand treatments. b) Within the buffered areas pile cut vegetation where removed for subsequent burning; do not develop piles on bare ground within the buffered area. If necessary, removed cut vegetation from buffered areas for burning. No hand line construction will occur within the buffered areas. c) While understory burning can include the buffered areas in Unit 80 and Unit 81, the period for burning should attempt to occur in the fall when the plants are dormant and proximal to the timing of when wildfires might naturally occur. Burn period shall not occur from mid-April to mid-July. d) Manually pull small occurrences of scotch broom at sites within both units. Intentionally pile and burn cut vegetation on top of these sites. Germinated seed bank can be easily treated. (See the Noxious Weed Risk Assessment for this project for more detail). e) Maintenance prescribed burning in the buffer area of Unit 80 and the entire Unit 81 shall attempt to occur at an interval of no less than 10 years. f) In order to gain information about understory burning effects on SISE within Idaho fescue dominated grasslands on ultramafic soils, a monitoring plan developed in 2012 shall be funded and implemented. One 80 x 60 m monitoring grid was established in the middle of Unit 81. To date, two years of pre-burn baseline data have been collected (Appendix A). At minimum 2 years of post-fire monitoring shall be completed and the results will be interpreted and used for future prescribed burn projects in occupied SISE habitat.

Direct and Indirect Effects to Packera hesperia (PAHE)

PAHE was detected at the very southern end of fuel break F-19B, at the intersection of 16N30, 16N30F and 16N30G. Plants were distributed in the grassland patches with surrounding shrubs. An occurrence of the invasive species, St John’s wort/klamathweed, was located in the portion of the same grassland aligning 16N30.

Cutting vegetation: As has been presented for other species associated with open, grassy settings on ultramafic substrates, manual cutting of understory, woody vegetation would likely benefit PAHE in the short-term by reducing competition and providing microsites into which PAHE could regenerate. This benefit may be only short-term as woody

28 shrubs would likely resprout. Maintenance burns described below would serve to extend the benefits of original removal. The option of using machinery in F-19B during the growing season would have a negative direct effect on PAHE by potentially damaging plants and consequent reduction in reproductive potential.

Pile burning: PAHE grows in open, grassy habitats where fuels are limited. Locating piles for subsequent burning could result in negative direct effects to PAHE if piles are placed directly on top of occupied sites. Indirect effects could also result from radiant heat that could damage plants in the vicinity of the piles.

Understory burning/hand line construction and maintenance prescribe burning: Direct and indirect effects from prescribed fire are likely to be inconsequential to beneficial, as evidenced by the fire effects study from 2008-2011. While post-fire monitoring in 2009 and then again in 2011 indicated there was no difference between total number of plants in the burn and no-burn plots, the proportion of plants in the reproductive age class in 2011 was higher in the burn than the no-burn plot (Schreiber 2011b). Fall burning may have increased the reproductive capacity of PAHE. As is the case with the other ultramafic plants discussed above, season of burn and burn intervals narrower than those associated with Jeffrey pine stands on ultramafic parent materials could alter the beneficial effects of prescribed fire.

While understory burning would likely benefit the species, the occurrence of PAHE at this site is vulnerable to the spread of the invasive St. Johnswort which occurs along the edge of the road. Fire has been indicated as favoring the spread of St. Johnswort (Zouhar 2004).

To reduce the potential for negative direct or indirect effects on PAHE in Unit F-19B, apply the following design features:

a) Vegetation removal with chainsaw only within the buffered area. b) Within the buffered area, pile cut vegetation where removed for subsequent burning; do not develop piles on bare ground within the buffered area. If necessary, removed cut vegetation from buffered areas for burning. c) No hand line construction will occur within the buffered area. d) To reduce the potential for spread of St. Johnswort from the road into the buffered area, do not understory burn in the buffer area and retain any existing vegetative buffer/feather vegetation immediately adjacent to the road. e) Do not distribute any chipped material in the vicinity of the buffered area.

29

Figure B. Packera hesperia occupied area in FB Unit 19B

Direct and Indirect Effects to Prosartes parvifolia (PRPA)

PRPA was detected in fuel break unit F-12A and TSI unit, 47. In unit F-12A, plants were distributed throughout the shrub land that characterizes the western most end of the unit. Individuals were growing in the bare patches between shrubs. The area was previously subject to a fuels treatment. TSI 47 habitat was an early mature Douglas-fir stand with a high shrub cover primarily consisting of salal and evergreen huckleberry. The occurrence was adjacent to an old skid road.

Activities associated with fuel break units are described above. Activities within TSI 47 include thinning primarily hardwoods in the 3-9 inch diameter class. Thinning would be accomplished by hand or mastication. Fuels generated by thinning would be pile burned and understory burned.

Cutting/Thinning vegetation: Manual removal of vegetation in F-12A and TSI 47 is not expected to negatively affect PRPA in light of the open sites in which the plant occurs. The option of using machinery in these units during the growing season would have a negative direct effect on PRPA by potentially damaging plants and consequent reduction in reproductive potential.

Pile burning: Individuals of PRPA have been observed at sites where burning has occurred; however tolerances to pile burning are unknown. The addition of woody

30 material to a micro-habitat that otherwise is open and the consequent heat are would likely have negative effects on PRPA.

Understory burning: In F-12A, PRPA was growing where fuels treatment burning had occurred. The species is considered early seral; therefore, understory burning would likely benefit the species by reducing completion and leaving the habitat open. As is the case with all the other species discussed, burning during the period when the plant is actively growing would have negative effects to the species.

To reduce the potential for negative direct or indirect effects to PRPA Unit F-12A and TSI 47, apply the following design features:

a) Vegetation removal with chainsaw only within the buffered area of TSI 47 and occupied area of F-12A (Figure B). b) Within the buffered area, pile cut vegetation where removed for subsequent burning; do not develop piles on bare ground within the respective areas. If necessary, remove cut vegetation from buffered/occupied areas for burning. c) In TSI 47, directional fell trees away from buffered area. d) While understory burning can include the buffered area, the period for burning should attempt to occur in the fall when the plants are dormant and proximal to the timing of when wildfires might naturally occur. Burn period shall not occur from May-July. e) Do not distribute any chipped material in the occupied portion of F-12A or in the buffered area in TSI 47.

Figure B. Prosartes parvifolia occupied area in FB Unit 12A

31

Direct and Indirect Effects to Fungi- Boletus pulcherrimus, Dendrocollybia racemosa, Otidea smithii, Phaeocollybia olivaceae

Surveys were not conducted for Sensitive fungi due to their ephemeral habit and the expected retention of habitat components important to fungi associated with mature forest. The only activity proposed for mature forest habitat is the development of shaded fuel breaks. Of the fuel break areas 93 acres are in the mid-mature seral stages and 24 acres are in the late-mature seral stage. Together these acres constitute 8% of all the treatment units (Table 3).

Cutting vegetation: The host for mycorrhizal species of fungi is typically conifer or hardwood trees but can include shrubs in the ericaceous family of which huckleberry, salal and rhododendron are all members. Understory vegetation also provides shading to the forest floor. Clearing of all understory vegetation in mature stands could remove host species in the short term and alter moisture conditions resulting in negative indirect effects to fungi. In contrast, if vegetative conditions are retained in places within the unit, spores stored in the soil provide a propagule for development of fungi after the disturbance. These cleared areas will recover in time and along with it the development of fungal communities (Dahlberg and Stenlid 1995).

Pile burning: Localized sites of burning down to mineral soil could damage segments of the fungal mycelium which occurs in the humus and topsoil. Depending on the density of the piles in a given stand, mycelial networks could withstand localized burning due to the extension of mycelia several meters in the organic and topsoil layer.

Understory burning: Low intensity burning which does not fully consume the organic forest floor layer and results in an irregular burn pattern (some areas not burning at all, some burning to mineral soil) would not be expected to negatively affect Sensitive fungi habitat components across a given unit. Furthermore, burning prescriptions incorporate Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) soil standards that also benefit habitat components for fungi including retention of: a. litter and duff over 50% of the activity area (LRMP, Appendix L-1) and b. existing course wood debris as a source of organic matter (LRMP, Appendix L-1).

Fuels maintenance will be performed on treatment areas as needed every 3-10 years or as funding allows. In many cases understory burning for fuels maintenances will be prescribed to help maintain and sustain the desired fuel loading in these units. While anecdotal, research on burn intervals two years and less indicated a reduction in fine root biomass and mycorrhizal biomass (Bastias et al.2006 and Harte et al. 2005); the proposed

32 maintenance burning is within a wider range than the two years and in keeping with a low intensity prescription. This in combination with the design feature below, would not be expected to notably disrupt the fine root biomass and thus the mycorrhizae associated with these roots.

To reduce the potential for negative direct or indirect effects to Sensitive fungi apply the following design features in fuels units: a) Treatments in fuelbreak areas that coincide with potential Survey and Manage/Sensitive fungi habitat (late-mature or late-mature/mid-mature stands also associated with NSO nesting and foraging habitat) will reduce fuel concentrations within the first 50 feet (roadside and ridge) only. b) In the area of the fuel break units beyond the 50 feet from the ridge top or road, maintain 40-50% cover of shrubs to provide potential host species and forest floor shading. This shrub retention will also decrease the density of burn piles and the potential for short term damage resulting from heat.

Project design features for all species are summarized in Appendix B.

Cumulative Effects

A population is the fundamental biological unit for a species; therefore, the spatial context for analyzing cumulative effects on species of relatively small range or species of restricted dispersal capabilities is at the local or regional scale where the effects on a population are most readily detected. Beyond this scale, assessment of effects on species can become speculative or vague. At the local and regional scale we have specific information about species locations and about past, present and foreseeable future actions that occurred at this scale.

The regional scale is particularly applicable to such species as Lewisia oppositifolia, Silene serpentinicola, and Packera hesperia since these species are globally restricted to a discrete ultramafic body called the Josephine Ophiolite of the Klamath Mountains. Review of Prosartes parvifolia at the regional scale is also applicable given the species range is currently known only to the Smith River NRA. Range for Sensitive fungi considered in this project, other than Otidea smithii is relatively widespread from the Six Rivers to the Sierras with some species extending into the Pacific Northwest. With the exception of fungi detection data collected in association with the Northwest Forest Plan’s Strategic Surveys in the Klamath Province, data quality for location of species is considered low. Furthermore, beyond the geographic scope of the Smith River NRA, assessing cumulative effects of forest activities on fungi species across the species range

33 is speculative at best. Table 5 displays the number of occurrences2 by species, estimated population size and other attributes that can affect the assessment of cumulative effects.

Table 5. Sensitive species occurrences and associated attributes

Species Occurrence Estimated Range of Dates Ranking 3: Regional Number (for Population Occurrences Global Distribution for fungi occ # by Size Last Visited State Analyses province then on CNPS the SRNRA) Lewisia 15 10,251 2005-2012 G4, S2, 2B Josephine oppositifolia Ophiolite—NW CA (SRNRA) Packera hesperia 2 6,264 2010-2011 G3, S1, 2B Josephine Ophiolite-NW CA (SRNRA) Prosartes 8 336 2010-2012 G2, S2, 1B SRNRA parvifolia Silene 11 11,820 2001-2011 G2, S2, 1B Josephine serpentinicola Ophiolite-NW CA (SRNRA) Boletus 4/0 N/A historic G3, S24 Klamath pulcherrimus Province/SRNRA Dendrocollybia 14/1 N/A historic-2013 G2G3, S1S2 Klamath racemosa Province/SRNRA Otidea smithii 0/0 N/A historic G2, S1 Klamath Province/SRNRA Phaeocollybia 53/0 N/A historic-2013 G2, S2 Klamath olivaceae Province/SRNRA

The temporal scale for analyzing past cumulative effects coincides with the timing of those activities relative to the availability of information on plant and fungi occurrences on the Six Rivers National Forest. For example P. hesperia was first documented on the Forest in 2005 in association with surveys for the Coon Mountain Project; the species P. parvifolia was only recently described (Mesler et al. 2010) and S. serpentinicola was described six years prior (Nelson and Nelson 2004). For Lewisia oppositifolia, records

2 An occurrence of a species is geographically separated by ¼ mile from the next occurrence of the species. 3 Global & State – Occurrence #- 1= often 5 or fewer, 2= often 20 or fewer, 3= often 80 or fewer, 4=Uncommon but not rare; CNPS- 1B= Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California and Elsewhere, 2B= Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere 4 Rankings for fungi are dated, based upon 2004 compilation and do not incorporate 2005-2013 detections

34 date back to 1993. For Sensitive fungi, there is only one record in the Forest Service’s National Resources Information Systems (NRIS) database of a Sensitive fungus that corresponds to the project area (not within any treatment units)—Dendrocollybia racemosa. This detection in 2004 was a result of the Northwest Forest Plan Strategic Surveys. Efforts to detect fungi sites have primarily been within the context of the strategic surveys that began in 2001 but most earnestly between 2005 and 2013. Since 2004, there have been no other Sensitive fungi detections. Under the circumstances pertaining to limited history on Sensitive fungi locations activities will be discussed generally.

The events and activities that may contribute cumulative effects to the Sensitive species analyzed in this project include, historic mining, off-road vehicle use, wildfire and fire suppression, fuels reduction projects, and logging.

Past Activities or Events potentially affecting L. oppositifolia, S. serpentinicola, P. hesperia, P. parvifolia, and Sensitive fungi

The project area incorporates private land in the French Hill, Coon Mountain, Paradise Flat, and Tyson Mine areas. Private land activities have included agriculture, domestic use, and timber harvest. Clearing of mature forests, ground disturbance and alteration of vegetation communities (e.g. presence of invasive species like English ivy and broom) are the result of some of these activities. It is assumed that these private land settings are compromised to the point that they not support suitable habitat for Sensitive plant and fungi species.

Ultramafic parent materials that support L. oppositifolia, S. serpentinicola or P. hesperia, also contain valuable metals such as nickel and chromium. Past mining on public land and adjacent private and state lands (the latter lands, Oregon only) has removed or degraded habitat for these species throughout their ranges (Kagen 1988, Carothers 2007). Degradation can take the form of complete removal of habitat, soil compaction, habitat fragmentation (and the resultant effects to pollinators) and dewatering. Mining operations can also result in off-site effects in the form of erosion, water diversion, and sites of toxic mine tailings. In the project area, specifically JP Restoration Unit 81, which supports sites of S. serpentinicola, there is evidence of past mining in the form of pits and excavated material.

In California, off-road recreational vehicle use has been recorded as an impact at several occurrences of L. oppositifolia (e.g. Shelly Creek, Lower Coon Mountain). S. serpentinicola appears to have a tolerance to disturbance as evidenced by plants growing on the road edge, banks and in the road surface. Its occurrence in such settings indicates a

35 limit to competition and perhaps the need for seed scarification for germination. There have been no observations of recreational vehicle impacts to P. hesperia or P. parvifolia.

Past wildfires influence Sensitive species varies based upon the habitats in which they occur and the extent to which a habitat or setting is currently outside its natural fire return interval. Historic fires in the Klamath Region were of low- and moderate intensity (Skinner et al. 2006). The fungi in Table 5 are considered species associated with late- successional forests; habitats historically subjected to wildfires of low to moderate intensity.

For the other Sensitive species considered for this project, their habitat is not associated with mature forests but open/low canopy habitats or early successional settings. These species are associated with open or early successional habitats due to their limited competitive ability in more productive habitats, an affinity for nutrient-limiting soils in the case of ultramafic species, or perhaps some heat or light germination requirement. Historic fires likely kept succession and growth of woody species in check, thus maintaining habitat for these species.

While periodic wildfire of varying intensities is in keeping with the natural course of things, fire suppression over the past 80 years has shifted succession towards growth of shrubs and conifers into open habitats like those that support L. oppositifolia, S. serpentinicola, P. hesperia and to some degree P. parvifolia. Vegetative succession and the resultant increased cover have been identified as possible concerns (Carothers 2007) for L. oppositifolia and S. serpentinicola in that increasing cover would change habitat suitability for the species; habitat characterized by low canopy and low shrub cover. The significance of concern over vegetation succession in ultramafic settings due to fire suppression is not straightforward. Suppression may not be as influential in ultramafic settings as it has been in forests or shrub lands. In the summer and fall of 2002, the Biscuit Wildfire burned areas of the North Fork Smith River watershed on Six Rivers and in the Illinois Valley on the Siskiyou National Forest. There are no quantitative data for populations corresponding to areas of high intensity fire prior to the fire. Monitoring in 2005 indicated that known sites of L. oppositifolia and S. serpentinicola within the fire perimeter were extant after the wildfire. The slow growing conditions and thus limited fuels associated with the habitats of these species may reduce the negative effects (i.e. increased intensity, increased acres burned) associated with suppression in mature forest habitats. Suppression practices have changed intensity and size of wildfires resulting in stand-replacing events. In contrast to effects on species in ultramafic habitats, this altered situation increases the risk of losing habitat and occurrences of forest associated species like P. parvifolia and Sensitive fungi.

36 With its paucity of trees and of those present, their small diameter, past logging and associated road construction did not target the settings of those Sensitive species associated with ultramafic parent materials. Logging may have impacted occurrences of P. parvifolia where it occurs in association with Douglas-fir stands but since this species has only recently been resurrected, the significance of past logging on the population cannot be determined. Mesler et al. (2010) suggest that the species may be historically rare, regardless of logging, given that there are very few early collections.

Past logging and roading likely altered habitat conditions to the detriment of fungi associated with late- and old-growth forests. On the SRNRA, logging since the 1950s focused upon the Douglas-fir/tanoak vegetation series. Within the roughly 42,700 acre project area, 17% of what were once late mature and old-growth stands are now in younger seral stages.

Past Activity Summary

Relative to private land, developments and activities in the form of clearing for structures, houses, agriculture or logging have all compromised the land’s ability to support suitable Sensitive plant and fungi species.

Of the past activities or actions discussed above corresponding to public land, mining and associated activities have likely had the most significant impact on those species associated with ultramafic parent materials (L. oppositifolia, S. serpentinicola, and P. hesperia). Past logging may have impacted P. parvifolia where it occurs with Douglas- fir but to what degree is unknown. Past clear-cutting across the Smith River NRA, including roughly 7,400 acres in the project area of mature forest, has reduced the acres of this habitat type; thereby, negatively affected Sensitive fungi species by notably changing various habitat components associated late-successional forests (e.g. moderate to high canopy cover, forest stand structure, species composition). All the species considered in this project have evolved under the historic fire regimes of the Klamath Region. Where the fire intervals have been altered by past suppression practices, resulting in relatively high intensity wildfire, the risk of cumulative effects is greatest on those species associated with forested habitats compared to ultramafic associated species.

The project area incorporates private land in the French Hill, Coon Mountain, Paradise Flat, and Tyson Mine areas. Private land activities include agriculture, domestic use, and timber harvest. Timber harvest has occurred and is expected to continue on the privately owned timber ground; however, there are no known proposed Timber Harvest Plans being considered on non-Federal land parcels at this time. Private lands for the most part

37 have been previously disturbed—cleared, logged—therefore their suitability as Sensitive plant and fungi species has been compromised.

Present and Reasonably Foreseeable Actions; affecting L. oppositifolia, S. serpentinicola, P. hesperia, P. parvifolia, and Sensitive fungi

Relative to private land, timber harvest has occurred and is expected to continue; however, there are no known proposed Timber Harvest Plans being considered on non- Federal land parcels at this time. As stated above, private lands for the most part have been previously disturbed; therefore their suitability to support Sensitive plant and fungi species has been compromised and this condition will likely continue.

Relative to public land, present and reasonable foreseeable actions considered were those that may have the potential to affect an occurrence or the habitat of one or more of the Sensitive species considered in this document. Furthermore, of the present and future projects on public land, given the geographic scope of analysis for some species, implementation of activities beyond the immediate project area are included.

Lewisia oppositifolia: Due to the documented occurrences of Sensitive plant species and potential habitat for Sensitive fungi species, of the present, ongoing and foreseeable actions only the following may cumulatively affect Sensitive species: Coon Mountain Meadow Restoration Project, Station 3, Smith River National Recreation Area Restoration and Motorized Travel Management Project (RMTM), and, Gordon Hill Vegetation and Fuels Project.

As described under Survey Results above, in a study by Six Rivers National Forest associated with the Coon Mountain Meadow Restoration Project, Lewisia oppositifolia habitat did not burn during prescribed burning efforts. Transects with Lewisia were monitored pre- and for 3 years post-burn, and the results showed that fire did not carry well into the transects. Other post-fire monitoring also revealed that fire avoided Lewisia habitat. Fuel loading may be too low to carry fire into Lewisia habitat, and the occupied habitat also retains seasonal moisture longer than surrounding vegetation. As such, fire may not constitute an effect on Lewisia plants or habitat. With this information, applying low intensity prescribed fire through Lewisia habitat was allowed in the Station 3 project. A project design feature that was used in both Coon Mountain Meadow Restoration Project and the portion of the Station 3 project corresponding with occupied Lewisia habitat was to pile and burn woody vegetation where cut to preclude the risk of piling fuels in occupied habitat. In summary, with the practice of low intensity prescribed

38 burning during plant dormancy and pile burning woody vegetation where cut incorporated into present and foreseeable projects, cumulative effects to Lewisia oppositifolia are not expected.

The proposed RMTM decision identified NFTS (National Forest Transportation System) roads to maintain and those to decommission, and also those non-system routes to add as system trails or to decommission. The current planning did not add any routes to the system that dissect occupied L. oppositifolia habitat. On one road, a barricade will be installed to keep recreational vehicle users from driving on a non-designated section of the route that is proximal to occupied habitat; therefore, reducing risk to that occurrence. Of concern is L. oppositifolia’s association with gentle slopes and the risk of illegal cross-country travel off of designated routes. Occurrences that are potentially vulnerable to cross-country travel from designated routes in RMTM are on Pine Flat Mountain. The L. oppositifolia population in this area consists of 1008 plants across four occurrences, which constitutes roughly 9% of the population on Six Rivers National Forest; therefore, most of the population is not affected by potential negative effects as a result of the RMTM project.

Known sites of L. oppositifolia in the Gordon Hill Project will be managed similar to the Coon Mountain Meadow Restoration project, in that understory burning would occur during the dormant season and be of low intensity and shrubs will be piled on existing shrub areas (see project design features in Appendix B) as such, the cumulative effects contributed by this project are considered minimal to non-existent. Removal of woody vegetation that is considered to be encroaching onto the grassland will have beneficial effects to L. oppositifolia.

Packera hesperia: Present, ongoing and foreseeable actions include Coon Mountain Meadow Restoration Project, Smith River National Recreation Area Restoration and Motorized Travel Management Project and Gordon Hill Vegetation and Fuels Project.

Similar to the pre- and post- prescribed fire studies for Lewisia oppositifolia related to the Coon Mountain Meadow Restoration Project, like studies were established for Packera hesperia which also occurred in that project area. Burning after the plant had flowered and seeded resulted in an increase in reproductive plants. The practice of piling and burning woody material where cut was also applied to the area surrounding the grassy opening where Packera occurred.

Like L. oppositifolia, habitat for P. hesperia, is primarily Jeffrey pine-Idaho fescue woodland on ultramafic substrate, a habitat vulnerable to encroachment by invasive plant species, broom and in the case of Gordon Hill, St. John’s wort. The ongoing Forest-wide

39 Invasive Plant Removal project benefits P. hesperia by targeting removal of broom species proximal to occupied habitat.

The known site of P. hesperia in the Gordon Hill Project will be managed similar to the Coon Mountain Meadow Restoration project. Additionally, a shrub barrier will be maintained between the road and the occupied habitat to reduce the risk of St. John’s wort moving into the habitat (Appendix B). With the project design features in place for the two present and foreseeable projects where P. hesperia occurs, the cumulative effects contributed by these projects are considered minimal to non-existent.

Silene serpentinicola: Present, ongoing and foreseeable actions include Smith River National Recreation Area Restoration and Motorized Travel Management Project and Gordon Hill Vegetation and Fuels Project.

The area covered by the proposed RMTM includes occupied habitat of S. serpentinicola. A tolerance for disturbance was noted for S. serpentinicola as evidenced by the presence of plants that were located on the median and edge of non-system/unauthorized routes. Preference for this setting may be due to reduced competition in a nutrient poor environment or morphological traits, such as vegetative reproduction in the form of rhizomes that afford some protection from current levels of all-terrain-vehicle use. Of the 29 occurrences of S. serpentinicola in California, 14 or 50% have the potential to be affected by the proposal to designate unauthorized routes as motorized trails.

It is conceivable that designating routes with S. serpentinicola occurring on travel surfaces could have both negative (crushing of reproductive plants, reducing recruitment) and beneficial (reducing competition from other herbaceous plants) effects to this species (McRae, J. 2014). Variables that could tilt the effects one way or the other is level of use beyond current levels and season of use.

Relative to Gordon Hill, the known occurrences (2) of S. serpentinicola in the project area will be managed similarly to the Coon Mountain Meadow Restoration whereby pre- and post-monitoring will occur at one occurrence to study the effects of low-intensity pile burning through occupied habitat. If there is a notable decline in the number of individuals as a result of post-fire monitoring, the treatment will be revisited and revised as necessary. Also like Coon Mountain, shrubs in occupied Silene habitat will be hand removed from the occupied area or burned where removed so as not to cause localized sites of high intensity burning.

Prosartes parvifolia: Present, ongoing and foreseeable action is the Gordon Hill Vegetation and Fuels Project

40 Prosartes is a habitat generalist yet characteristics in common for where it occurs include presence of Douglas-fir, rhododendron and salal, bare ground and gaps in the understory vegetation, relatively open canopy and in most cases, early successional conditions associated with fire and human-cause clearings.

Relative to Gordon Hill, the known occurrences (2) of P. parvifolia in the project area will be managed to avoid direct impacts to the plants, yet allow, in the case of the occurrence in the fuelbreak, for fuels management to occur in the form of cutting vegetation with chainsaws, hand-piling and burning material where cut, and prescribed burns to maintain the vegetation after the species’ reproductive season.

Sensitive fungi: Boletus pulcherrimus, Dendrocollybia racemosa, Otidea smithii, Phaeocollybia olivaceae. Present, ongoing and foreseeable actions occurring in potential fungi habitat primarily pertain to shaded fuel breaks in mature forest stands associated with the following projects: the Station 3 Fuel break, Big Flat Vegetation and Fuels Management Project, the Hiouchi Community Protection Project, the French Hill Trail Fuel break Project, Gasquet Community Protection Project and the Gordon Hill Vegetation and Fuels Project.

Shaded fuel breaks maintain the canopy and sub-canopy cover and remove small diameter trees and vegetation. Vegetation is manually cut and pile burned. Burns are prescribed for low intensity fires. Habitat components for fungi were maintained in the retention of canopy and sub-canopy shading, and host trees in all the projects. The Gordon Hill design feature to maintain a mosaic of vegetation in the understory (Appendix B- project design features) which would better ensure forest floor shading and connectivity of the fungal mycelia, while not applicable to the initial treatment of the roadside and community fuel breaks or shaded fuel breaks associated with the Big Flat Vegetation and Fuels Project, would be applied to future fuel break treatments whenever these areas coincide with mature forest.

With the aforementioned project design features in place, the Gordon Hill Vegetation and Fuels Management Project may affect individuals of Boletus pulcherrimus, Dendrocollybia racemosa, Lewisia oppositifolia, Otidea smithii, Packera hesperia, Phaeocollybia olivaceae, Prosartes parvifolia, or Silene serpentincola, but would not lead toward a trend in Federal listing.

Signature: ______

41 Lisa D. Hoover Forest Botanist Date

42 Literature Cited:

Amaranthus, M.P., and D.A. Perry. 1994. The functioning of ectomycorrhizal fungi in the field: linkages in space and time. Plant and soil 159: 133-140.

Amaranthus, M.P. and D. Page-Dumroese, A. Harvey, D. Cazares, and L.F. Bednar. 1996. Soil compaction and organic matter removal affect conifer seedling nonmycorrhizal and ECM root tip abundance and diversity. USDA Forest Service PNW-RP-494, 12pp.

Bastias, B.A., Zhihong Xu and J.W.G. Cairney. 2006. Influence of long-term repeated prescribed burnin on mycelial communities of ectomycorrhizal fungi. New Phytologist 172, no. 1: 149-158.

Borgias, D., R. Huddleston, and N. Rudd. 2001. Cedar Log Flat Research Natural Area Prescribed fire Effects Monitoring: Third year post-fire vegetation response in serpentine savanna and fen communities, Cedar Log Flat Research Natural Area, Siskiyou National Forest. The Nature Conservancy of Oregon.

Bradley, T. and J. Gibson, W. Bunn. 2006. Fire severity and intensity during spring burning gin natural and masticated mixed shrub woodlands. USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P-41, pp. 419-428.

Bruns, T.D. 1995. Thoughts on the processes that maintain local species diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi. Plant and Soil, Volume 170, Number 1: 63-73.

Carothers, S.K. 2007. Draft Serpentine Endemic Conservation Assessment. On file Six Rivers National Forest. Eureka, CA.

Dahlberg, A. and J. Stenlid. 1995. Spatiotemporal patterns in ectomycorrhizal populations. Canadian Journal of Botany 73 (Supplement): S1222-S1230.

Di Tomaso J.M. and D.W. Johnson (eds). 2006. The Use of Fire as a Tool for Controlling Invasive Plants. Cal-IPC Publication 2006-01. California Invasive Plant Council: Berkeley, CA 56pp.

Hart, S. C., A. T. Classen, R. J. Wright. 2005. Long-term interval burning alters fine root and mycorrhizal dynamics in a ponderosa pine forest. Journal of Applied Ecology 42 (4): 752-761.

Jones, J.K. 2014. Gordon Hill Silvicultural Report Addendum. On file Six Rivers National Forest, Eureka, CA.

Kagen, J. 1988. Species Management Guide for Senecio hesperius. Oregon Natural Heritage Data Base, Portland OR.

Lesica, P. 1999. Effects of fire on the demography of the endangered, geophytic herb Silene spaldingii (Caryophyllaceae). American Journal of Botany 86(7): 996–1002.

Levitan, Frederick. 2012. Personal communication.

Lofflin, D. L. and S.R. Kephart. 2005. Outbreeeding, seedling establishment, and maladapatation in natural and reintroduced populations of rare and common Silene douglasii (Caryophyllaceae). American Journal of Botany 92(10): 1691–1700. 2005.

Luoma, D.L., C.A. Stockdale, R. Molina, and J.L. Eberhart. 2006. The spatial influence of Pseudotsuga menziesii retention trees on ectomycorrhizal diversity. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 36: 2561-2573.

McRae, J.D. 2013. Draft Biological Evaluation for Sensitive Plants, Smith River Road Management and Route Designation Project. On file Six Rivers National Forest, Eureka, CA.

Mesler, M., R. Bencie, B. Hayashi. 2010. A Resurrection for Siskiyou bells, Prosartes parvifolia (Liliaceae), a Rare Siskiyou Mountains Endemic. Madroño 57(2):129-135.

Moore, J.M. 2005. Fire effects monitoring for Lewisia oppostifolia on Lower Coon Mountain. Update 2007. On file Six Rivers National Forest, Eureka, CA

Moore, J.M. 2007. Fire effects monitoring for Packera hesperia on Lower Coon Mountain. On file. Six Rivers National Forest, Eureka, CA

Nelson, T. W. and J. P. Nelson. 2004. A new species of Silene (Caryophyllaceae) from the serpentines of Del Norte County, California. Madroño 51:384–386.

Norden, B., M. Fyberg, F. Gotmark, and B. Olausson. 2004. Relative importance of coarse and fine woody debris for the diversity of wood-inhabiting fungi in temperate broadleaf forests. Biological Conservation 117, pp. 1-10.

Schreiber, C. 2011a. Update of fire effects monitoring of Lewisia oppostifolia on Lower Coon Mountain. On file, Six Rivers National Forest, Eureka, CA.

Schreiber, C. 2011b. Update of Coon Mountain Fire Effects Monitoring 2007-2011—Packera hesperia. On file, Six Rivers National Forest, Eureka, Ca.

Skinner, C. N., A. H. Taylor and J.K. Agee. 2006. Klamath Mountain Bioregion, pp. 170-194 In: Sugihara, N.G., J. Van Wagtendonk, K.E. Shaffer, J. Fites-Kaufman, and A. Thode (eds). Fire in California’s Ecosystems. 596 pp.

Taylor, A. H. and C. N. Skinner. 2003. Spatial patterns and controls on historical fire regimes and forest structure in the Klamath Mountains. Ecological Applications 13: 704-719.

Wiensczyk, A. M., S. Gamlet, D. M. Durall, M. D. Jones, and S. W. Simard. 2002. Ectomycorrhizae and forestry in British Columbia: A summary of current research and conservation strategies. B.C. Journal of Ecosystems and Management 2(1): 1-20.

Zouhar, Kris. 2004. Hypericum perforatum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2013, August 23].

Appendix A. Silene serpentinicola Monitoring Plan

Pre-field information for monitoring the Silene burn in the Gordon-Hill Project

Unit 81 in the Gordon-Hill project is slated for the restoration of Jeffrey pine habitat, with shrub cover & small trees to be cut, piled & burned on-site. Silene serpentinicola, a Forest Sensitive plant, is present in the unit. Because this plant occurs in many areas & habitats within the Smith River NRA district, it was decided to use this opportunity to attempt to learn what response Silene will have to controlled fire. A study plot of approximately 0.10 acres was marked on the ground in the northern portion of the unit. The intent is to allow the restoration crews to perform their work without restriction, both inside and outside this plot; the plot will be monitored for Silene after the restoration work is done. A pre-restoration count of the Silene within the plot was made on June 21, 2012, July 10, 2013 and June 12, 2014. Post- monitoring would be required after implementation for at minimum one year. Two years may be required.

Materials needed for monitoring: two botanists

two tape measures >80’ long, marked in feet for laying out the east-west lines of the parallelogram

one or two tape measures >60’ (>46m) for dividing the plot into four sections. Two tapes allows you to have boundaries on both sides of the section being surveyed

flagging, in case the rebar needs a fresh flag

field notebooks for recording counts (flower, bud, veg)

this information sheet

The best method for counting Silene is to use the standard tape measures to lay out the two east-west lines of the plot. Use the other tape(s) to divide the plot into sections that are 20’ wide. Work in pairs, two people to a section, moving uphill in the same direction (north-to-south) next to one another to best assure plants are not double-counted.

corner_num corner_position UTM_E UTM_N 1 northeast 417807 4630569 2 northwest 417782 4630569 3 southwest 417775 4630552 4 southeast 417800 4630552

20’ 20’ 20’ 20’ 2 1 N 1 2 3 4 60’

3 4

80’

10 July 2013: section #1 is high point of entire plot, has higher % gravel and bare soil. Section 2 has higher gravel % than sections 3 & 4, which are grassier than 1 and 2. Some associated species are Achillea millifolium, Festuca idahoensis, Carex sp., Hastingia serpentinicola, Ranunculus sp., Poa sp., Ceanothus pumulis, Viola cuneata., Cordylanthus sp., Pinus jeffreyi, Erigeron foliosus ., Elymus glauca, Rhododendron californicum, Festuca californica, Zigadena sp., Arctostaphylos patula, A. nevadensis, Phlox diffusa, Rhamnus californica, Sidalcea sp.

date section flower bud veg sums 21 JUN 2012 1 60 37 205 302 21 JUN 2012 2 60 50 223 333 21 JUN 2012 3 37 16 84 137 21 JUN 2012 4 15 31 81 127 TOTALS 172 134 593 899

date section FRUIT bud veg sums 10 July 2013 1 36 170 206 10 July 2013 2 27 111 138 10 July 2013 3 29 42 71 10 July 2013 4 19 86 105 TOTALS 111 409 520

date section flower bud veg sums 12 June 2014 1 83 1 153 237 12 June 2014 2 92 5 152 249 12 June 2014 3 46 3 54 103 12 June 2014 4 30 8 74 112 TOTALS 251 17 433 701

47

Appendix B. Summary of project design features for Sensitive plant and fungi species

Species Units /NAD 83 PDFs Field Demarcation UTMs Center Lewisia F-19A -No use of machinery for cutting vegetation in buffer areas Perimeter of buffered areas flagged oppositifolia 427,470E -No pile burning within buffer area of F-19A; vegetation removed n Unit 59 can with orange/white striped flagging 4,631,109N be piled and burned where cut -No hand line construction within buffer areas JP Rest Unit 59 -Attempt to understory burn in the fall; do not burn from mid-March to mid- 428,286E July 4,630,009N -Do not distribute chipped material in the vicinity of the buffer areas -Maintenance prescribed burning in the buffer areas of F-19A and the entire Unit 59 shall attempt to occur at an interval of no less than 10 years Packera hesperia F-19B -No use of machinery for cutting vegetation in buffer area Perimeter of buffered area flagged 423,113E -Pile and burn vegetation where removed in buffer area or pile/burn outside of with orange/white striped flagging 4,623,436N buffer area -No hand line construction within buffer area -Maintain any existing vegetative buffer/feather vegetation immediately adjacent to the road to reduce the potential spread of St. John’s wort into the occupied habitat To reduce the potential for spread of St. Johnswort from the road into the buffered area, retain vegetative buffer/feather vegetation immediately adjacent to the road. To reduce the potential for spread of St. Johnswort from the road into the, -Do not distribute chipped material in the vicinity of the buffer area Silene JP Rest Unit 80 -No use of machinery for cutting vegetation in buffered areas of respective JP Unit 80- Perimeter of buffered serpentinicola 417,660E units. areas (2 in unit 80), flagged with 4,631,013N -Pileand burn cut vegetation where removed in buffer areas of respective units orange/white striped flagging .-No hand line construction within buffer area of Unit 80 or within grassland of JP Rest Unit 81 Unit 81 JP Unit 81- No buffer, SISE occurs -Attempt to understory burn in the fall; do not burn from mid-April to mid-July throughout unit -To reduce the potential spread of scotch broom in both units, manually pull plants at the two sites, pile and burn cut vegetation on top of sites. -Maintenance prescribed burning in the buffer areas of Unit 80 and the entire Unit 81 shall attempt to occur at an interval of no less than 10 years. -Implement monitoring plan (Appendix A) for a minimum of two years prior to and after burning. Adapt burning prescription as necessary.

Prosartes F-12A -No use of machinery for cutting vegetation in buffer area of TSI Unit 47 and TSI Unit 47- Perimeter of buffered parvifolia 422,846E occupied area of F-12A (Figure B) area flagged with orange/white 4,630,893N -Pile and burn cut vegetation where removed in buffer area and occupied area, striped flagging See Figure B or pile/burn outside of respective areas -In TSI 47, directionally fell trees away from buffered area F-12A- individual sites flagged TSI Unit 47 -Attempt to understory burn in the fall; do not burn from May to July within occupied area 425,947E -Do not distribute chipped material in the vicinity of the buffer area 4,623,800N Sensitive Fungi F 40-47 Beyond 50 feet from ridge or road, maintain 40-50% of shrub cover Not demarcated