Appendix M—Wildlife Biological Evaluation Giant Sequoia National Monument, Final Environmental Impact Statement, Appendices Volume 2 719 Appendix M—Wildlife Biological Evaluation Volume 2 Giant Sequoia National Monument, Final Environmental Impact Statement, Appendices 720 Appendix M—Wildlife Biological Evaluation Contents Summary Introduction Current Management Direction Description of Alternatives Affected Environment Environmental Effects Legal and Regulatory Compliance Analysis Assumptions and Methodology Northern Goshawk–Effects Little Willow Flycatcher–Effects Bald Eagle–Effects Great Gray Owl–Effects California Spotted Owl–Effects Pallid Bat–Effects Townsend’s Big-eared Bat–Effects Western Red Bat–Effects California Wolverine–Effects American Marten–Effects Pacific Fisher–Effects Relictual Slender Salamander–Effects Foothill Yellow-legged Frog–Effects Mountain Yellow-legged Frog–Effects Southwestern Pond Turtle–Effects California Legless Lizard–Effects Appendix A—Literature Cited Appendix B—Wildlife Standards and Guidelines Giant Sequoia National Monument, Final Environmental Impact Statement, Appendices Volume 2 721 Appendix M—Wildlife Biological Evaluation Summary Summary This Biological Evaluation (BE) covers programmatic Final Biological Evaluation effects of long-term management of the Giant For R5 Sensitive Animals Sequoia National Monument on sensitive aquatic and Giant Sequoia National Monument terrestrial animals (fish and wildlife, including reptiles Management Plan FEIS and amphibians). Analysis of effects is tiered to the 2001 Sierra Nevada National Forest Plan Amendment. Fresno and Tulare Counties Federally listed species covered by the Endangered Sequoia National Forest, Giant Sequoia National Species Act are addressed in a separate document Monument (Biological Assessment). Species addressed and determinations are summarized in the following table: Species Status Determination Northern goshawk FSS, All Alternatives: may affect individuals, not likely to result in a trend (Accipiter gentilis) CSSC toward Federal listing or loss of viability. Little willow flycatcher FSS, Alternative A: will have no effect. (Empidonax trailii brewsterii) SE Alternatives B, C, D, E, and F: may affect individuals, not likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability. Bald eagle FSS, Alternatives A, B, C, D, and E: will have no effect. (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) SP, SE Alternative F: may affect individuals, not likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability. Great gray owl FSS, All Alternatives: may affect individuals, not likely to result in a trend (Strix nebulosa) SE toward Federal listing or loss of viability. California spotted owl FSS, All Alternatives: may affect individuals, not likely to result in a trend (Strix occidentalis CSSC toward Federal listing or loss of viability. occidentalis) Pallid bat FSS, All Alternatives: may affect individuals, not likely to result in a trend (Antrozous pallidus) CSSC toward Federal listing or loss of viability. Townsend’s big eared bat FSS, All Alternatives: will have no effect. (Corynorhinus townsendii CSSC townsendii) Western red bat FSS, All Alternatives: may affect individuals, not likely to result in a trend (Lasiurus blossevillii) CSSC toward Federal listing or loss of viability. California wolverine FSS, All Alternatives: may affect individuals, not likely to result in a trend (Gulo gulo luteus) ST, SP, toward Federal listing or loss of viability. FC American marten FSS, All Alternatives: may affect individuals, not likely to result in a trend (Martes americana) CSSC toward Federal listing or loss of viability. Pacific fisher FSS, All Alternatives: may affect individuals, not likely to contribute toward a (Martes pennanti pacifica) FC, further downward trend or a loss of viability. CSSC Relictual slender salamander FSS, All Alternatives: may affect individuals, not likely to result in a trend (Batrachoceps relictus) CSSC toward Federal listing or loss of viability. Foothill yellow-legged frog FSS, Alternatives A, B, C, D, and F: will have no effect. (Rana boylii) CSSC Alternative E: may affect individuals, not likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability. Volume 2 Giant Sequoia National Monument, Final Environmental Impact Statement, Appendices 722 Appendix M—Wildlife Biological Evaluation Species Status Determination Mountain yellow-legged frog FSS, Alternatives A, B, C, D, and F: will have no effect. (Rana muscosa) FC, Alternative E: may affect individuals, not likely to result in a trend CSSC toward Federal listing or loss of viability. Southwestern pond turtle FSS, All Alternatives: may affect individuals, not likely to result in a trend (Actinemys marmorata CSSC toward Federal listing or loss of viability. pallida) California legless lizard FSS, All Alternatives: may affect individuals, not likely to result in a trend (Anniella pulchra) CSSC toward Federal listing or loss of viability. Listing Status Key: FE=Federally Endangered, FT=Federally Threatened, FC=Federal Candidate SE=State Endangered, ST=State Threatened, SP=State Fully Protected, CSSC=Species of Special Concern FSS=U.S. Forest Service Region 5 Sensitive Species Species listed as Threatened, Endangered, or Introduction Proposed for listing (Listed species) under the This Biological Evaluation (BE) documents analysis Endangered Species Act (ESA) by the U.S. Fish of programmatic direction (long-term goal and and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are addressed in a objective based management) rather than individual separate document (Biological Assessment [BA] for projects under the Giant Sequoia National Monument the Monument Plan FEIS). USFWS candidates for (GSNM) Management Plan (Monument Plan) listing under the ESA are included with Forest Service Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). Sensitive species in this document. A determination is made on potential effects to This BE was prepared in accordance with Forest wildlife species listed as Sensitive by the Regional Service Manual (FSM) direction 2672.42. Species that Forester, Pacific Southwest Region, USDA Forest were evaluated are shown in Table 1. Service for the Sequoia National Forest. Site-specific documentation will occur for all individual projects carried out under this programmatic direction. Table 83 Species Reviewed for Inclusion in the GSNM Biological Evaluation Species Status Habitat Potential Occurrence in Giant Analyzed? Sequoia NM Birds Northern goshawk FSS, Dense mixed conifer forest to Present in GSNM. Suitable Yes (Accipiter gentilis) CSSC open eastside pine. habitat and nesting occurs within GSNM. Western yellow FSS, Dense riparian forest. Only GSNM outside known range No billed cuckoo FC, SE known location at Lake Isabella. and lacks suitable habitat. (Cocczyus americanus occidentalis) Little willow FSS, Large meadow (15+ acre) Five historic sites in GSNM. Yes flycatcher SE complexes with dense willow Detections since 2001. (Empidonax trailii and standing water, up to brewsterii) 8,000’. Bald eagle FSS, Lakes and open water. Nests Winter resident along Kings Yes (Haliaeetus SP, SE on large trees. River. Occasional visitor to Tule leucocephalus) River, White River and Hume Lake. Giant Sequoia National Monument, Final Environmental Impact Statement, Appendices Volume 2 723 Appendix M—Wildlife Biological Evaluation Species Status Habitat Potential Occurrence in Giant Analyzed? Sequoia NM Great gray owl FSS, Large meadows & openings Nesting in one location in 2009. Yes (Strix nebulosa) SE 2,500’-9,000’. Dense forest and Historic records at several large snags for nesting. additional locations. California spotted FSS, Dense forest (>40 percent Present in GSNM. Suitable Yes owl CSSC canopy closure), preference is habitat and nesting occur within (Strix occidentalis shown for stands with ≥2 layers, GSNM. occidentalis) but open enough to allow for observation and flying space to attack prey. Substantial amounts of dead woody debris are desirable. Mammals Pallid bat FSS, Open habitats, rocky crevices, Present in GSNM. Presumably Yes (Antrozous pallidus) CSSC tree cavities, mines, caves, or forages in suitable habitat buildings for maternity roosts. throughout the forest. No Deep crevices are important for maternity roosts documented in day roosts. GSNM. Townsend’s big FSS, Nocturnal, roosts in caves, Present in GSNM. Yes eared bat CSSC uses wide variety of habitats (Corynorhinus although usually mesic areas townsendii for foraging. townsendii) Western red bat FSS, Associated with riparian habitat, Present in GSNM. Yes (Lasiurus blossevillii) CSSC roosts in trees and forages over open woodlands and grasslands. California wolverine FSS, Remote habitats, sensitive to Historic and unconfirmed recent Yes (Gulo gulo luteus) FC, ST, human presence. 4,000’ to observations on the forest. SP 13,000’ mixed habitats. American marten FSS, Dense forest (>30 percent Present in GSNM. Recent Yes (Martes americana) CSSC canopy cover), high number surveys indicate marten occur of large snags and down throughout suitable habitat. logs, close proximity to dense riparian corridors for movement, and an interspersion of small (<1 acre) openings with good ground cover for foraging. Potential occupied elevation 4,000’-13,000’. Pacific fisher FSS, Dense forest (>40 percent Present in GSNM. Suitable Yes (Martes pennanti FC canopy cover), high number habitat and recent surveys pacifica) of large snags and down indicate occurrence in black oak logs, close proximity to dense woodland and mixed conifer