Botanical Resources Report

Home , Sagittaria australis, Torreyochloa

Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project

Prepared by: Terry R. Miller Botanist

for: Hidden Springs Ranger District Shawnee National Forest

August 17, 2017

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Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

Table of Contents

Introduction ...... 1 Alternative 1 – No Action ...... 1 Alternative 2 – Proposed Action ...... 1 Alternative 3 – Non-commercial Restoration ...... 4 Alternative 4 – Oak- Restoration Emphasis ...... 4 Relevant Laws, Regulations, and Policy ...... 5 Regulatory Framework ...... 5 Topics and Issues Addressed in This Analysis ...... 8 Resource Indicators and Measures ...... 8 Methodology ...... 8 Information Sources ...... 10 Incomplete and Unavailable Information ...... 10 Spatial and Temporal Context for Effects Analysis ...... 11 Affected Environment ...... 11 Existing Condition ...... 11 Species Analyzed: ...... 20 Environmental Consequences ...... 29 Alternative 1 – No Action ...... 29 Alternative 2 – Proposed Action ...... 29 Alternative 3 ...... 38 Alternative 4 ...... 40 Summary ...... 42 Summary of Environmental Effects ...... 42 Compliance with LRMP and Other Relevant Laws, Regulations, Policies and Plans ...... 47 Literature Cited and Reviewed...... 48

Tables

Table 1. Resource indicator and measure for assessing effects ...... 8 Table 2. Regional Forester sensitive plant species and species with viability evaluations ...... 12 Table 3. Resource indicator and measure for alternative 1 ...... 29 Table 4 (TES Plants impacted by firelines) ...... 33 Table 5. Resource indicator and measure for alternative 2 direct and indirect effects ...... 37 Table 6. Resource indicator and measure for alternative 2 cumulative effects ...... 38 Table 7. Resource indicator and measure for alternative 3 direct/indirect effects ...... 39 Table 8. Resource indicator and measure for alternative 4 direct/indirect effects ...... 42 Table 9. Project determinations for all species in the project area ...... 44

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Introduction This specialist report will focus on project effects to rare plant species. In particular, effects to Federal threatened and endangered species and the Shawnee National Forest’s Regional Forester’s Sensitive Plant Species (RFSS or sensitive) will be analyzed, and the report will constitute a biological assessment and biological evaluation, respectively. No known occurrences of threatened and endangered species or their habitat are found in the project area. As a result, there will be limited analysis of these species as required by the Endangered Species Act. Effects to known occurrences of sensitive species and their habitat in the project area will comprise the bulk of the analysis.

A qualitative analysis will be conducted for the following action items: vegetation treatments, prescribed burning, firelines associated with prescribed burning, non-native invasive species (NNIS) treatments, creation of vernal ponds and associated road construction and maintenance. The effects of the projects to known rare plant occurrences and suitable habitat will be considered to reach a determination of effect for the project.

Threatened, endangered, and sensitive plants are not directly related to the purpose and need, and are not a specified analysis issue for this project, but effects to these species are analyzed to meet national law and Federal public land management policy.

Alternative 1 – No Action Under the no-action alternative, current management plans would continue to guide management of the project area; however, no new activities would be implemented to accomplish project goals.

Alternative 2 – Proposed Action To address the need for changes in the existing condition, we are proposing to implement prescribed burning, mechanical harvest of pines and small hardwood trees, treatment of invasive plant species, the development of vernal ponds and upland water sources for bats and breeding habitat for amphibians, roadwork, and fireline development.

Forest Vegetation Treatments To restore fire-adapted native vegetation and ecosystems, help control invasive plants, and reduce fuels, we are proposing to remove all the existing pine in stocked pine treatment units and units in or adjacent to natural areas. Alternative 2 proposes mechanical treatments or harvesting methods that would remove pine and encourage development of the desired oak-hickory forest type. This includes:

• Overstory removal with leave trees (500 acres): Removal of all pine trees in the upper canopy layer to release desirable hardwood understory trees. • Pine clearcuts (90 acres): Removal of all pine in one cut under the even-aged silvicultural system. This is proposed where hardwood regeneration is not yet well established • Shelterwood establishment cut (2,600 acres): Removal of trees except those needed to produce sufficient shade to produce a new age class in a moderated micro-environment. The goal for the residual trees is not to produce seed but to provide suitable growing conditions for oaks and hickories. Shelterwood establishment cuts are proposed for areas needing an intermediate level of disturbance to promote oak and hickory regeneration while suppressing faster growing shade- intolerant species. Residual trees would also mitigate aesthetic impacts.

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• Second entry overstory removal (2,600 acres): The areas receiving a shelterwood establishment cut would have a follow-up treatment (second entry) of pine overstory removal once the hardwood regeneration is determined to be adequate. To maintain Forest Plan resource management objectives, we propose clearcut and overstory removal treatments in and adjacent to natural areas where the need to remove the non-native pine and the associated seed source is most urgent. In areas away from natural areas, we propose a shelterwood establishment cut in which we would remove the pine in one or two entries. A more expensive three-step shelterwood system is not proposed in this alternative. In this way, we hope to maximize the benefit-to- cost ratio and stretch funding to best achieve project objectives.

The proposed even-aged mechanical treatments, individually or adjacent to each other, may create up to five temporary openings of greater than 40 acres. The Forest Plan allows temporary openings greater than 40 acres after regional forester review and 60-day public notice. The 60-day public notice requirement will be satisfied concurrently with notice of the 45-day comment period on the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). The regional forester review will be completed and documented prior to signing a decision on this project.

To encourage oak regeneration, initial and second entry harvest of the pine would be followed by timber- stand improvement in all units affected (3,200 acres), as funding permits. During these treatments, many small oak-competitor hardwood trees (generally less than 10 inches diameter at breast height) or residual understory pine trees would be cut and the resulting stumps treated with herbicide. Some understory oak trees such as those damaged during recent ice storms and now with dead tops or poor form would also be cut, typically within 6 inches of the ground, to produce quality sprouts. Healthy oak trees that are still standing straight would be retained. Prescribed fire (described below) is an essential part of the timber stand improvement, as well.

In addition, incidental cutting of hardwood trees of any size could be necessary during improvement, construction and maintenance of roads, skid trails, firelines, and landings.

See additional description of these treatments and their purpose, as well as stand-level prescriptions, in the DEIS appendix B in Volume II.

Prescribed Fire We propose to apply prescribed fire to 15,000 acres, including fuel removal on 3,200 acres (burning logging slash and debris), to promote restoration of a fire-adapted ecosystem, favor fire-adapted, shade- intolerant species such as oak and hickory, reduce invasive species, and reduce hazardous fuel-loading. This area would be burned over a long period of time within a series of burn units. Several burns may be needed to consume most of the fuels associated with harvest, depending on the intensity of the initial burn. Once the fuels have been consumed, several subsequent burns on these acres would likely be needed to promote the ecological benefits stated above for landscape burning.

To accomplish prescribed burning, firelines are used to establish boundaries for burn units. Priority is given to the use of existing or natural features such as roads, streams, or right-of-ways. When these are not available, firelines may include the temporary re-opening of level 1 roads, or developing firelines by bulldozer or by hand. Fireline development involves removing vegetation and snags, consistent with project design criteria.

It’s important to note that the best available information was used to develop the proposed firelines. Through collaborative partnerships with neighboring landowners, we could extend the burn units beyond National Forest System lands and use natural features or existing firelines. However, because these

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collaborative opportunities have not been finalized, we are analyzing firelines at the Forest boundary, which represents a maximum impact scenario. As such, there are two types of bulldozer line proposed:

1. Interior line: This is fireline that would be developed to contain fires within burn units inside National Forest System lands. These lines break burn areas up into smaller, manageable units. 2. Line along the Forest-private land boundary: To analyze the maximum amount of prescribed burning on National Forest System lands, burn units have been extended to the Forest-private land boundary. Analysis of prescribed burning effects will be conducted using the exterior boundary. For analysis purposes, we needed to delineate some type of fireline along this boundary. At the time of implementation one of three things would happen: a) The Forest Service would partner with the adjacent landowner and the burn unit boundary would extend to the closest feasible/defensible fireline (road, stream, right-of- way, etc.) on private land. This would change two effects from what is analyzed in this document: (1) there would additional acres burned and (2) there would be a reduction in the effects of bulldozer line. The increased acres of prescribed burning would be on private lands and the firelines would be moved to adjacent lands as well. This would not require additional environmental analysis. b) The Forest Service would not partner with an adjacent landowner and the burn unit boundary would be moved in from the Forest Service/private boundary to the closest feasible/defensible fireline (road, stream, right-of-way, interior bulldozer line, etc.) on National Forest System land. This would change two effects from what is analyzed in this document: (1) there would fewer acres burned, and (2) there would be a reduction in effects of bulldozer line. The effects associated with these changes are fully analyzed and disclosed in chapter 3 of the DEIS. c) If the Forest Service is unable to partner with an adjacent landowner and the burn unit boundary cannot be moved to another location on National Forest System lands, either the bulldozer lines along the Forest Service/private boundary may be used, or the unit would be dropped. The decision would be made at the time of implementation. It is not anticipated that this scenario would happen; however, it is possible that a small number of these firelines may be used. For additional information about prescribed fire use and fireline development, see the DEIS appendices A and C in Volume II.

Invasive Species Management We are proposing to treat invasive plant infestations using an integrated combination of prescribed fire and manual, mechanical and/or chemical methods. We are proposing to:

• use prescribed fire and manual, mechanical and/or chemical control methods to treat known sites of Amur honeysuckle, Chinese yam, garlic mustard, kudzu and Nepalese browntop; • use prescribed fire and manual, mechanical and/or chemical control methods to treat known invasives in Robnett Barrens, Burke Branch, Dog Creek and their treatment zones; • treat occurrences of invasives as they arise or are discovered in the project area, without initiating a new analysis each time, allowing new infestations to be controlled more quickly and efficiently. See DEIS appendix D in Volume II for further details.

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Wildlife Habitat Enhancement We propose developing vernal ponds at approximately 25 sites to provide habitat components for wildlife species. Twelve sites, ranging in size from one-tenth to one-third of an acre, would be located in the Robnett Barrens area. We would identify the remaining sites during layout; these would vary in size between one-tenth and one-half acre and would be located in upland forested habitat outside of natural areas. Development would consist of digging a small depression either by hand or with a backhoe, placing a liner in the depression and covering the liner with soil. Three-tenths of an acre could be disturbed during development; disturbed areas outside the pond would be seeded with native vegetation. Each pond would be located so that it would collect water and fill naturally.

Roadwork We would conduct Forest System Road maintenance, construction and reconstruction to remove forest products and provide access for future management, and to meet Forest Plan goals for public access. Some of the improved roads may be open to public use by highway legal vehicles after maintenance, reconstruction or construction occurs and other roads may be closed to public use. Approximately 6 miles of currently closed roads would be designated as open or seasonally restricted and 0.7 mile of currently open roads would be closed. Proposed locations, lengths and types of use of roads are estimates that may vary slightly during implementation. See appendix F in DEIS Volume II for details of proposed roadwork.

Alternative 3 – Non-commercial Restoration We developed alternative 3 in response to requests for no commercial logging, and to concerns that roadwork would adversely impact streams. The management proposed in alternative 3 is the same as in alternative 2, except trees would be cut and left on the ground. There would be no commercial harvest to utilize the forest product or to capture economic benefit. Accordingly, there would be no roadwork and no road improvements. As such, prescribed burning and invasive species treatments would be reduced because implementation would be confined to the existing road system. We also eliminated the development of vernal ponds to limit ground disturbance.

Alternative 4 – Oak- Restoration Emphasis We based alternative 4 on the recommendation of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to design alternate silvicultural prescriptions that would emphasize the oak-component while accomplishing the project-objective of restoring the oak-hickory hardwood forest-type. The only differences between the proposed action and this alternative are changes in vegetative prescriptions. As in alternative 2, this alternative proposes to commercially harvest the pine in order to utilize the forest product and capture the economic value of the harvested trees.

Alternatives 2 and 4 ultimately emphasize oak, but they do so in different ways. Alternative 2 removes pine more efficiently by relying more heavily on subsequent prescribed burning to promote oak regeneration (through site preparation) and development (through release of oak seedlings and advanced regeneration) than alternative 4. Alternative 4 takes a more proactive approach regarding oak restoration and includes harvest of some merchantable oak-competitor hardwood trees and oak planting, but retains some pine trees for a longer time than alternative 2.

• Intensive shelterwood establishment cut (1,200 acres): Where oak is already well-established we would implement an intensive 2-step shelterwood establishment cut to open the canopy and release existing oak. Both pine and competitor hardwood would be cut and removed, reducing stand density to 31 to 40 square feet per acre of approximately equal density in pine and hardwood.

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• Light shelterwood establishment cut (2,050 acres): Where oak is not yet well-established we would implement a less aggressive light 2-step shelterwood cut and leave the overstory canopy relatively intact to promote oak regeneration and development of oak advanced reproduction. This treatment would leave 30 to 40 square feet per acre of pine basal area and 20 to 30 square feet per acre of hardwood basal area. In addition, we would under plant oak after the light initial entry treatment. • Second entry overstory removal (3,200 acres): All areas receiving an intensive or light shelterwood establishment cut would have a follow-up treatment (second entry) of pine overstory removal once the hardwood regeneration is determined to be adequate. Alternative 4 initial treatments would not create large openings; however, second entry overstory removal treatments would create openings because pine overstory removal would be implemented in all pine units at the same time. These treatments would create 22 openings larger than 40 acres with an average large created opening size of 120 acres. Regional forester approval would be needed and appropriate protocol would be followed.

Timber stand improvement activities for alternative 4 would be similar to alternative 2, but would include planting of oak where regeneration is lacking.

In addition, because alternative 4 would remove hardwood trees, additional wildlife design features would need to be added to protect sensitive bat species. Surveys would need to be conducted regardless of when the hardwoods are removed. Also, the second design features require that some suitable bat roost trees be retained to provide suitable roost habitat in the future, as well as to ensure that adequate overstory is retained so the stand continues to provide foraging habitat.

• To ensure that undetected roosts are not affected, where large overstory hardwood trees would be removed, mist-net surveys, exit surveys or other surveys approved by the Fish and Wildlife Service would be done prior to harvest. • To provide future roost trees and maintain suitable foraging habitat, in all shelterwood treatments, mature leave trees including mixtures of the following species preferred by the Indiana bat will be retained: silver maple (Acer saccharinum), bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis), shellbark hickory (Carya laciniosa), shagbark hickory (Carya ovata), white ash (Fraxinus americana), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), white oak (Quercus alba), northern red oak (Quercus rubra), post oak (Quercus stellata), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), American elm (Ulmus americana) and slippery elm (Ulmus rubra). All other activities (prescribed burning, treatment of invasive plant species, development of vernal ponds and upland water sources for bats and breeding habitat for amphibians, roadwork, and fireline development) remain the same as alternative 2. Appendix B in DEIS Volume II describes in more detail the silvicultural prescriptions for alternative 4. Relevant Laws, Regulations, and Policy

Regulatory Framework

Land and Resource Management Plan The 2006 Shawnee National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP, USDA Forest Service 2006) provides standards and guidelines for threatened, endangered, regional forester’s sensitive plant species, viability-evaluation species and State of Illinois-listed threatened and endangered species (pp 42- 43).

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♦ FW26.2 (S) Federally Listed Threatened and Endangered Species Some species occurring on the Forest are federally listed as threatened or endangered and must be protected and/or managed in accordance with their recovery plans as issued by the Fish and Wildlife Service. The list is included in the Plan by reference; and recovery-plan management strategies can be found in appendix H. The list and management strategies and guidelines are subject to change by the Fish and Wildlife Service over the life of the Plan. Any revision of the list that includes species or habitat occurring on the Forest, and/or any revision of the recovery plans’ management guidelines shall be reflected in appendix H and be included in the Plan by reference. ♦ FW26.3 (G) Regional Forester’s Sensitive Species Many species occurring on the Forest are listed as sensitive by the regional forester and sensitive-species habitat should be managed to ensure the continued existence of the species on the Forest. The current species list is included in the Plan by reference; and management strategies and guidelines can be found in appendix H. The list and management strategies and guidelines are subject to change over the life of the Plan, and any revision of the list and/or the strategies and guidelines will be reflected in appendix H and included in the Plan by reference. FW26.3.1 (S) A biological evaluation of the effects on sensitive species that are expected to occur from a proposed project shall be done prior to the approval of that project. FW26.3.2 (G) Known locations of sensitive species should be monitored periodically to identify disturbances and any necessary protective and/or management actions. ♦ FW26.5 (G) State of Illinois-Listed Threatened and Endangered Species Some species occurring on the Forest are listed by the state as threatened or endangered, but are not federally listed or included on the Regional Forester sensitive species list. These species may require special management to maintain their continued existence on the Forest and activities should not jeopardize their continued existence on the Forest. FW26.5.1 (G) The effects of any proposed project on a state-listed species should be evaluated considering the project-specific conservation concerns of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. FW26.5.2 (G) Known locations of state-listed species should be monitored periodically to identify disturbances and any necessary protective actions. FW26.5.3 (S) The collection of a state-listed animal species requires the approval of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The collection of state-listed animals in research natural areas requires an additional permit from the Forest Service. ♦ FW26.6 (G) Viability-Evaluation Species Viability-evaluation species are indicators of biodiversity whose viability has been determined to be under stress. They should be managed in accordance with the management guidelines in appendix H to ensure their continued existence on the Forest.

Desired Condition The desired condition, derived from overarching national law and policy, is to ensure that management actions do not contribute to a loss of population viability for Forest Service sensitive plant species. Management practices are to be implemented to ensure the viability of native and desired non-native plant species in habitats distributed throughout their geographic range on National Forest System lands.

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Management Area The project area lies within two management areas: even-aged hardwood forest and mature hardwood forest. It also includes management of natural areas.

Even-aged hardwood forest management standards and guidelines relevant to rare plant species:

♦ EH26.3 (G) Herbaceous Openland Retain all herbaceous openland, including barrens, glades and prairie remnants. See appendix D of the forest plan for management guidelines.

Mature hardwood forest standards and guidelines relevant to rare plant species:

♦ MH26.3 (S) Herbaceous Openland Retain all herbaceous openland. See appendix D for management.

Natural area standards and guidelines relevant to rare plant species:

♦ NA19.1 (S) Monitoring Examine each site periodically to identify disturbances to natural-area features and corrective actions.

♦ NA19.2 (S) Vegetation Management The objective of vegetation management is to perpetuate natural communities, to maintain or enhance populations of significant wildlife or plants, or to protect other values. Nonnative invasive species must be controlled or eradicated. Vegetation control may include practices such as prescribed burning, cutting of woody growth, application of herbicides or pesticides, or mowing. Disturbed portions of sites shall be restored to native plants typical of the communities of the area.

Federal Law

Endangered Species Act Threatened and endangered species are designated under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). It is the policy of Congress that all Federal departments shall seek to conserve endangered and threatened species and shall utilize their authorities in furtherance of this purpose (ESA 1531.2b). Mead’s milkweed (Asclepias meadii), listed as Federal threatened, occurs on the Shawnee National Forest and is addressed under the Endangered Species Act. This species is only known to be extant in its natural habitat from Saline County on the Forest. National recovery efforts have led to the re-introduction of experimental populations of Mead’s milkweed to a few counties in northern Illinois and Johnson County of southern Illinois. The Fish and Wildlife Service planning tool IPAC (Information for Planning and Conservation) was used to receive an official list of threatened and endangered species that may occur in the proposed project location, and/or may be affected by the proposed project. Mead’s milkweed (Asclepias meadii) was not listed as potentially occurring in the proposed project area. Therefore, the project would have “no effect” on Mead’s milkweed (Asclepias meadii), because there are no known occurrences, critical habitat, or suitable habitat. Federal threatened and endangered species will not be discussed further in this document.

National Forest Management Act Sensitive species are defined in the Forest Service Manual (FSM 2670.5) as “those plant and animal species identified by the regional forester for which population viability is a concern, as evidenced by

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significant current or predicted downward trends in population numbers, density, or habitat capability that reduce a species/existing distribution.” In FSM 2670.22, management direction for sensitive species is in part, to ensure that species do not become threatened or endangered because of Forest Service actions and to maintain viable populations of all native species. The most recent update to the sensitive species list became effective in May 2011. The Forest Service must evaluate impacts to sensitive species through a biological evaluation.

This specialist report contains the necessary determinations section and discussion of effects for sensitive plant species to serve as the biological evaluation for sensitive plants, as directed by the streamlined biological evaluation processes outlined in the FSM. Topics and Issues Addressed in This Analysis

Resource Indicators and Measures The purpose of this analysis is to determine whether species will likely remain on the landscape in the planning area or potentially need to be given a higher level of protection to ensure their survival. As such, the “resource indicator” will be the determination category (see methodology below) for either federally listed species or regional forester’s sensitive plant species. In particular, we will qualitatively examine the project effects on known plant occurrences and their known occupied habitat in the project area. This measure will be used to reach the determination for the effect of the project on the species (table 1).

Table 1. Resource indicator and measure for assessing effects Used to address: Source Resource Resource Measure P/N1, or key 2 Element Indicator (LRMP S/G ; law or policy, issue? BMPs3, etc.)? The Forest Service Manual directs Forests to develop and implement management Level of effect to Sensitive plant practices to ensure that sensitive Sensitive species viability occurrences and No species do not become plants (determination habitat disturbance. threatened or endangered category) (Measure 1) because of Forest Service actions (FSM 2670.22 and 2670.32). 1 P/N = Purpose and need 2 LRMP S/G = Land Resource management Plan Standards and Guidelines 3 BMPs = Best management practices

Methodology This biological assessment/biological evaluation reviews the Proposed Action and alternatives in sufficient detail to determine the level of effect that would occur to Federal listed and the Shawnee National Forest’s regional forester’s sensitive plant species. One of the possible determinations is chosen based on the available literature, a thorough analysis of the potential effects of the project, and the professional judgment of the botanist who completed the evaluation.

A. For the biological assessment, the possible determinations for Federal listed plants are:

• “No effect” means there will be no impacts, positive or negative, to listed or proposed resources. Generally, this means no listed resources will be exposed to action and its environmental consequences. Concurrence from the Fish and Wildlife Service is not required.

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• “May affect, but not likely to adversely affect” means that all effects are beneficial, insignificant, or discountable. Beneficial effects have contemporaneous positive effects without any adverse effects to the species or habitat. Insignificant effects relate to the size of the impact and include those effects that are undetectable, not measurable, or cannot be evaluated. Discountable effects are those extremely unlikely to occur. These determinations require written concurrence from the Fish and Wildlife Service. • “May affect, and is likely to adversely affect” means that listed resources are likely to be exposed to the action or its environmental consequences and will respond in a negative manner to the exposure. B. The four possible determinations for sensitive plant species (from FSM 2672.42) are:

• “No impact” – where no impact is expected; • “Beneficial impact” – where impacts are expected to be beneficial; • “May adversely impact individuals, but not likely to result in a loss of viability in the planning area, nor cause a trend to Federal listing or a loss of species viability range wide” – where impacts are expected to be immeasurable or extremely unlikely; and • “Likely to result in a loss of viability on the planning area, in a trend to Federal listing, or in a loss of species viability range wide” – where impacts are expected to be detrimental and substantial. Locations of the proposed activities were overlaid with known occurrence data to determine which activities would affect those species. Suitable habitat was determined by examining available GIS data and known habitats within the three subunit project areas species known to occur in the project area are discussed in detail.

Vegetation management treatments such as prescribed burning and use of herbicides for weed treatments were analyzed in the 2014 Invasive Species Management Environmental Assessment (USDA Forest Service 2014). This analysis/information is incorporated by reference. This analysis included activities in the following natural areas: Cretaceous Hills Ecological Area (EA), Dean Cemetery West EA, Kickasola Cemetery EA, Massac Tower Springs EA, Poco Cemetery East EA and Snow Springs EA. The following species are found within the project area only within one or more of the previously analyzed natural areas: Bartonia paniculata (twining screwstem), Buchnera americana (American bluehearts), Carex atlantica (prickly bog sedge), Dichanthelium yadkinense (Yadkin's panic grass), Isotria verticillata (large whorled pogonia), Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii (Sullivant's coneflower), Sagittaria australis (longbeak arrowhead), Scirpus polyphyllus (leafy bulrush) and Thelypteris noveboracensis (New York fern).

A summary of direct and indirect effects for the species follows. Alternative 2 was the proposed action:

Bartonia paniculata (twining screwstem), Buchnera americana (American bluehearts) and Carex bromoides (brome-like sedge) – Alternative 2 is expected to have beneficial direct and indirect short-term and long-term impacts on through prescribed burning and integrated pest management. These species are readily identifiable and can be easily avoided during the use of herbicides. Preference would be to use herbicides early in the season during the spring or early summer to avoid emergence of these sensitive plants. Observations on the Forest have been documented that this species requires sunlight reaching the seep springs on the forest floor. Populations thrive best when there are openings in the canopy.

Dichanthelium yadkinense (Yadkin's panic grass) and Euonymus americanus (American strawberry-bush) – Alternative 2 would have beneficial direct and indirect short- and long-term effects on Yadkin’s panic grass at Snow Springs BA and on American strawberry-bush in Poco

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Cemetery North EA from the use of prescribed fire if the fire actually reaches this species in its habitat. In regards to herbicide use, alternative 2 would have beneficial direct and indirect short- and long-term effects resulting from the elimination or control of invasive species that compete for the same habitat for this species. Fires may not actually burn the immediate habitat that these species occur in, which is along the edges of creeks, because of little or no fuel available. The fires would burn adjacent areas that will benefit these species by opening up the canopy for more sun to reach the forest floor. In addition, if these species burn, their response would likely be beneficial, as most grasses respond to fire.

Carex atlantica (prickly bog sedge), Isotria verticillata (large whorled pogonia), Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii (Sullivant's coneflower), Sagittaria australis (longbeak arrowhead), Scirpus polyphyllus (leafy bulrush) and Thelypteris noveboracensis (New York fern) – Alternative 2 would have beneficial direct and indirect short-term and long-term impacts on these species with the use of prescribed fire and herbicide use. These species are readily identifiable and would be protected while herbicide is used to control the exotics. Fire has been reported as benefiting Isotria verticillata and may encourage flowering (Klinkenberg 1986). Seep springs occur adjacent to fire-dependent communities and, likely, burned periodically in the past. The seep springs on the Forest are habitat to several native fire-adapted species.

Cumulative impacts summary for all species:

Cumulative impacts for all alternatives would be comparable to the environmental impacts. In all alternatives, prescribed burns that otherwise take place on the Forest and on private properties, would contribute to some beneficial effects to the unburned areas on the Forest. The burns would help stimulate native vegetation while discouraging or suppressing most invasive species with the exception of some grasses, such as Nepalese browntop. Likewise, invasive species control (at up to 150 acres per year on the Forest and on private lands) would also contribute to some indirect beneficial impacts to this species by reducing (although to a very small degree) the spread of invasive plant species into the communities these sensitive plant species inhabit. Dispersed recreational use would still have some indirect adverse effects to this species in all alternatives resulting from the continued introduction of invasive species through hiking and equestrian use where this species occurs. Since there should be no adverse impacts to these sensitive plant species resulting from prescribed fire and herbicide use in the proposed project, there would be no cumulative impacts for any of the three alternatives, with the exception of slight adverse cumulative impacts resulting from recreational use and slight beneficial cumulative impacts from prescribed burning and invasive species control. These cumulative impacts take into account past, proposed, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions taken by the agency or others.

Information Sources Surveys for rare plants and noxious weeds were performed in 2010. The surveys focused on areas with potential forest management activities. Natural areas in the project area have been surveyed in the past, and existing information was used for areas outside of forest management but within the prescribed burn project area. The vernal pond (vernal pool) areas and fireline dozer/handline construction areas will need to be surveyed prior to project implementation. Vernal ponds and firelines sites were selected after the botanical survey was completed.

Incomplete and Unavailable Information Botrychium biternatum, a state endangered species, populations found within the project area did not have fruiting structures necessary to make a positive identification. Until confirmation can be made, the populations would be treated as the rare species and appropriate management would be applied. Likewise,

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two occurrences of the RFSS Juglans cinerea were found, but both sites featured immature trees without fruit. These sites would be relocated and protected areas will be established to protect the sites from direct and indirect impacts related to project activities.. Forest personnel would work with the contractor to ensure no negative impacts occur during project implementation.

Spatial and Temporal Context for Effects Analysis

Direct and Indirect Effects Boundaries The spatial boundaries for analyzing the direct and indirect effects to rare plant resources are the three subunit treatment areas, because plants possess low motility and indirect effects tend to be localized to the treatment unit boundaries.

The temporal boundary for rare plant resources is estimated from the last 10 years in the past to 10 years after the project implementation. A past temporal boundary was selected because the majority of our knowledge of rare plant resources has only come about within the last 80 years. Ten years in the past and future is long enough to accurately gauge the management effects and short enough that any unforeseeable deleterious effects resulting could be addressed, reversed, and/or mitigated.

Cumulative Effects Boundaries For rare plant resources, the project area also serves as the area of analysis for cumulative effects because effects of other past, present, and foreseeable future activities would interact with effects of the proposed project only within the project area.

The temporal boundaries for analyzing the cumulative effects are the same as those for direct and indirect effects. Known past activities are displayed where they overlap known sensitive plant occurrences. Present activities and proposed projects listed on the Schedule of Proposed Actions were analyzed because they would be reasonably expected to occur. Affected Environment

Existing Condition The information in table 2 includes the 83 regional forester’s sensitive plant species and 5 species with viability evaluations. The table provides specific habitat information for each species, and provides an indication of whether the species would be affected by vegetation management activities in the action alternatives. There are 27 regional forester’s sensitive plant species and one species with a viability evaluation known to occur in the project area. These occurrences are primarily found in natural areas where most have been analyzed in the 2014 Invasive Species Management Environmental Assessment except for those found in Burke Branch Research Natural Area (RNA), Dean Cemetery East Barrens EA, Dog Barrens EA, and Robnett Barrens EA. The other 46 regional forester’s sensitive species and 4 species with viability evaluations are not known to occur within or adjacent to the project areas. Since there would be no known negative impacts to these 50 plant species, there would be no cumulative impacts to analyze for. These species will not be analyzed further in this document, and thus will be given a determination of no impact. Species descriptions and habitat and location information were obtained from Herkert and Ebinger (2002), NatureServe (2015), Plants Database (2015), and available data and literature (found in Literature Cited and Reviewed at the end of this document).

Shawnee National Forest 11 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

Table 2. Regional Forester sensitive plant species and species with viability evaluations Known Potential for from Known from negative (N) and Massac Project Areas Natural Area within Common or positive (P) Scientific Name (M) aside from project area - Typical Project Area Habitat Name impacts from and/or 2014 Invasive Occurrences action Pope (P) Species EA alternatives Counties RFSS Plants 1. Actaea rubifolia Appalachian M*, P X Burke Branch RNA rich woods on talus slopes Yes (P) bugbane 2. Amorpha nitens Shining false P thickets and streambanks, dry No indigo rocky upland barrens-like habitat and prairies 3. Asplenium bradleyi Bradley's sandstone cliffs and chert No spleenwort outcrops. 4. Asplenium resiliens Blackstem known to still be extant at one No spleenwort location on a limestone ledge 5. Bartonia paniculata Twining P Cretaceous Hills EA, acid seep springs Yes (P) screwstem Kickasola Cemetery EA, Poco Cemetery North EA, Snow Springs EA 6. Berberis canadensis American dry woods and sandstone bluffs No barberry 7. Bromus Nottoway P mature hardwood forests on rich No nottowayanus Valley brome bottomland terraces and floodplains or the rich adjoining slopes of streams. It is also found in moist, wooded ravines. 8. Buchnera americana American P Cretaceous Hills EA barrens communities next to seep Yes (P) bluehearts springs 9. Calamagrostis porteri Porter’s P dry rocky woods No ssp. insperata reedgrass 10. Carex alata Broadwing M, P swamps and floodplain forests No sedge and wet ground.

Shawnee National Forest 12 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

Known Potential for from Known from negative (N) and Massac Project Areas Natural Area within Common or positive (P) Scientific Name (M) aside from project area - Typical Project Area Habitat Name impacts from and/or 2014 Invasive Occurrences action Pope (P) Species EA alternatives Counties 11. Carex atlantica Prickly bog P Cretaceous Hills EA, acid seep springs Yes (P) sedge Dean Cemetery West EA, Massac Tower Springs EA, Kickasola Cemetery EA, Snow Springs EA 12. Carex bromoides Brome-like P Cretaceous Hills EA, acid seep springs Yes (P) sedge Snow Springs EA 13. Carex communis Fibrous-root P open rocky woods. No sedge 14. Carex decomposita Cypress-knee P cypress swamps No sedge 15. Carex gigantea Giant sedge M wet woods and swamps. No 16. Carex lupuliformis False hop M*, P* wet woods, wooded swamps, No sedge marshes, meadows, and roadside ditches. 17. Carex Black-edge ridge tops in dry to dry-mesic No nigromarginata Sedge upland woodlands. 18. Carex oxylepis var. Sharpscale dry-mesic to mesic woods No pubescens sedge 19. Carex prasina Drooping P forested seeps and sandstone No Sedge undercuts 20. Carex socialis Low woodland M, P wet woods and floodplains. No sedge 21. Carex willdenowii Willdenow’s P dry to mesic rocky upland forest No Sedge habitats. 22. Chamaelirium Fairywand M, P X Burke Branch RNA, mesic floodplain forest, seep Yes (N) luteum Massac Tower Springs springs, mesic upland forest, dry- EA, Cretaceous Hills EA mesic open woods, rich woodland ravines. 23. Chelone obliqua Red turtlehead M*, P* alluvial woods, swamps, low No var. speciosa woods, and wet meadows.

Shawnee National Forest 13 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

Known Potential for from Known from negative (N) and Massac Project Areas Natural Area within Common or positive (P) Scientific Name (M) aside from project area - Typical Project Area Habitat Name impacts from and/or 2014 Invasive Occurrences action Pope (P) Species EA alternatives Counties 24. Cladrastis kentukea Kentucky rich woods and calcareous bluffs No yellowwood 25. Cynosciadium Finger swamps, floodplain forests, and No digitatum dogshade pin oak flatwoods. 26. Cypripedium Greater yellow M, P dry and moist open woodlands No parviflorum var. lady’s slipper pubescens 27. Dennstaedtia Eastern hay- P moist, north-facing sandstone No punctilobula scented fern ledges 28. Dichanthelium joorii Variable panic low swamps and floodplain No grass forests. 29. Dichanthelium Ravenel's P X Dog Barrens EA on rocky ledges in dry open Yes (P) ravenelii rosette grass forests 30. Dichanthelium Yadkin's panic P Snow Springs EA Acid seep springs Yes (P) yadkinense grass 31. Dodecatheon French's P sandstone ledges, overhangs and N/A frenchii shootingstar bluffs, preferring north and east- facing exposures. 32. Dryopteris goldiana Goldie’s P moist, shaded woodlands. No woodfern 33. Eleocharis wolfii Wolf's M, P marshes, wet prairies, around No spikerush lakes, rivers and ditches, flatwoods, swamps, floodplain forests, and ephemeral pools. 34. Euonymus American M*, P X Poco Cemetery North EA floodplain forests and rich woods. Yes (P) americanus strawberry- bush 35. Eupatorium Hyssop leaf P X Dean Cemetery East open sandstone barrens and Yes (P) hyssopifolium thoroughwort Barrens EA adjacent open woods 36. Gentiana alba Plain gentian M, P X Burke Branch RNA mesic barrens remnants and open Yes (P) upland forests.

Shawnee National Forest 14 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

Known Potential for from Known from negative (N) and Massac Project Areas Natural Area within Common or positive (P) Scientific Name (M) aside from project area - Typical Project Area Habitat Name impacts from and/or 2014 Invasive Occurrences action Pope (P) Species EA alternatives Counties 37. Glyceria arkansana Arkansas wet floodplain forests, low woods, No mannagrass shallow water, and swamps. 38. Helianthus Swamp M, P X Dean Cemetery West flatwoods, native old fields, seeps, Yes angustifolius sunflower EA, Dean Cemetery East and roadsides Barrens EA, Kickasola Cemetery EA, Cretaceous Hills EA 39. Heteranthera Kidneyleaf P wetlands and floodplains of rivers. No reniformis mudplantain 40. Hexalectris spicata Spiked crested P* This species occurs in extremely No coralroot dry sunny limestone habitats where vegetative competition is minimal. 41. Hottonia inflata American P quiet water of swamps and No featherfoil permanently wet ditches 42. Huperzia porophila Rock clubmoss M*, P shaded sandstone cliffs and No ledges. 43. Hydrolea uniflora One-flowered M* swamps, wet shores, and No false fiddleleaf roadside ditches. 44. Hylotelephium Allegheny P sandstone cliffs, ledges, and slide No telephioides stonecrop blocks. 45. Isotria verticillata Large-whorled P X Cretaceous Hills EA seep springs. Yes (P) pogonia 46. Juglans cinerea Butternut M, P X Burke Branch RNA, rich woodlands and is found Yes (P) Cretaceous Hills EA scattered throughout the state of Illinois 47. Lilium superbum Turk’s-cap lily P X swales, wet sand Yes (P) 48. Lonicera dioica var. Limber north-facing sandstone ledges of No glaucescens honeysuckle a massive sandstone bluff-line 49. Lonicera flava Yellow P sandstone bluffs and ledges No honeysuckle

Shawnee National Forest 15 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

Known Potential for from Known from negative (N) and Massac Project Areas Natural Area within Common or positive (P) Scientific Name (M) aside from project area - Typical Project Area Habitat Name impacts from and/or 2014 Invasive Occurrences action Pope (P) Species EA alternatives Counties 50. Oxalis illinoensis Illinois wood P rich mesic forests No sorrel 51. Panax quinquefolius American M, P X Burke Branch RNA rich mesic woods under the Yes (N) ginseng closed canopy of deciduous hardwoods 52. Phaeophyscia leana Wreath lichen M, P trees below the more recent high- No water marks 53. Phemeranthus Sunbright M, P dry upland sandstone barrens at No parviflorus cliff tops also termed “pavement. 54. Plantago cordata Heartleaf P occurs in sand or gravel bars of No plantain shallow, clear-water streams under a forest canopy 55. Platanthera Small green P X Cretaceous Hills EA, Acid seeps springs Yes (P) clavellata wood orchid Dean Cemetery East Barrens EA, Kickasola Cemetery EA, Massac Tower Springs EA 56. Platanthera flava Palegreen M floodplain forests and swamps No var. flava orchid 57. Poa alsodes Autumn P* mesic forests No bluegrass 58. Polygala incarnata Procession M*, P X Cretaceous Hills EA, roadsides, old fields, upland Yes (P) flower Poco Cemetery East EA, forests, barrens, and prairies. Poco Cemetery North EA, Dean Cemetery East Barrens EA 59. Rhexia mariana Maryland M, P X Burke Branch RNA, acid seep springs and adjacent Yes (N) meadowbeauty Cretaceous Hills EA, barrens Dean Cemetery West EA, Kickasola Cemetery EA

Shawnee National Forest 16 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

Known Potential for from Known from negative (N) and Massac Project Areas Natural Area within Common or positive (P) Scientific Name (M) aside from project area - Typical Project Area Habitat Name impacts from and/or 2014 Invasive Occurrences action Pope (P) Species EA alternatives Counties 60. Rhynchospora Clustered P occurs along an intermittent No glomerata beaksedge stream in wet sandy soil (rocky stream bank) 61. Rudbeckia fulgida Sullivant's P Kickasola Cemetery EA moist soil habitats Yes (P) var. sullivantii coneflower 62. Sagittaria australis Longbeak P Cretaceous Hills EA forested acid gravel seep springs Yes (P) arrowhead 63. Sanicula smallii Small’s dry to moist upland forests No blacksnakeroot 64. Saxifraga Early saxifrage sandstone canyons and mesic No virginiensis rocky ravine forests 65. Scirpus polyphyllus Leafy bulrush M, P X Dean Cemetery West open forested seep springs Yes (P) EA, Cretaceous Hills EA, Snow Springs EA, Kickasola Cemetery EA, Massac Tower Springs EA 66. Scleria oligantha Little nutrush limestone glade openings No 67. Scleria pauciflora Fewflower M, P X Dean Cemetery West Open woodland barrens Yes (P) nutrush EA, Dean Cemetery East EA, Cretaceous Hills EA, Kickasola Cemetery EA 68. Silene ovata Blue Ridge rich woods No catchfly 69. Silphium trifoliatum Whorled prairies, glades, barrens and No rosinweed savannas 70. Spiranthes vernalis Spring ladies’ M*, P X Burke Branch RNA, prairies, rich woodland barrens Yes (P) tresses Dean Cemetery East and old native fields Barrens EA, Snow Springs EA 71. Stellaria pubera Star chickweed P X Burke Branch RNA rich rocky woods, near creeks and Yes (P) ravines.

Shawnee National Forest 17 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

Known Potential for from Known from negative (N) and Massac Project Areas Natural Area within Common or positive (P) Scientific Name (M) aside from project area - Typical Project Area Habitat Name impacts from and/or 2014 Invasive Occurrences action Pope (P) Species EA alternatives Counties 72. Stenanthium Eastern M*, P X Burke Branch RNA mesic floodplain forest, upland Yes (P) gramineum featherbells forests, and mesic forest 73. Styrax americanus American M, P floodplain forests and swamps No snowbell 74. Styrax grandifolius Bigleaf dry to mesic upland forest. No snowbell 75. Synandra hispidula Guyandotte rich mesic forests No beauty 76. Thelypteris New York fern P Cretaceous Hills EA seep springs Yes (P) noveboracensis 77. Torreyochloa pallida Pale false perennial grass known from No mannagrass swamps in Illinois 78. Trichomanes Appalachian P sandstone overhangs and No boschianum bristle fern rockhouses 79. Triphora Threebirds rich woods No trianthophora 80. Trifolium reflexum Buffalo clover dry-mesic savannas, upland No forests, prairies, and flatwoods 81. Urtica Nettle floodplain forests No chamaedryoides 82. Vaccinium Deerberry P* dry open rocky forests, thickets, No stamineum and clearings 83. Vitis rupestris Sand grape rocky banks of the Mississippi No River and in the River’s floodplain forests. Forest SVE Plants 1.Cirsium carolinianum Carolina thistle P open dry-mesic upland woods No 2. Matelea obliqua Climbing P X Robnett Barrens EA, Dog rocky dry to dry-mesic upland Yes (P) milkvine Barrens forests and limestone glades 3. Pinus echinata Shortleaf Pine dry sandstone and chert slopes No

Shawnee National Forest 18 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

Shawnee National Forest 19 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

Seep-Springs One seep spring is known to occur in the project area, Baldy Seep Spring in Massac County. This spring contains two plant species, Rhexia mariana and Scirpus polyphyllus. This seep and the species that inhabit it would be protected and managed similarly to the seep springs in the 2014 Invasive Species Management Project.

Species Analyzed: 1. Actaea rubifolia (Appalachian bugbane)

Actaea rubifolia is a tall, slender perennial herb that occurs in portions of Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois. It flowers from July through October. This species is limited in range and there are approximately 50 to 80 occurrences known.

Actaea rubifolia has been given a Global Heritage Status Rank of G3 by The Nature Conservancy in 2001 because of its rarity range-wide (NatureServe 2015). Threats range-wide include logging, land-use change and unregulated recreational use. It is presumed extirpated in Alabama (1 county), critically imperiled in Indiana (2 counties), imperiled in Illinois (7 counties), Kentucky (4 counties), and Virginia (3 counties), and vulnerable in Tennessee (19 counties). Sightings in Pennsylvania are presumed to be exotic or introduced to the state. Many of the counties above list this species as extirpated or possibly extirpated.

Actaea rubifolia is found within Pope, Gallatin, Jackson, Johnson, Saline, and Hardin counties. A report exists for Massac County on private property, but the population may be extirpated because of cattle grazing; the threat is not so much of this species being eaten as it is in the trampling associated with grazing. At least 24 populations are located in southern Illinois and include locations within Thacker Hollow, north of Camp Cadiz, Grindstaff Hollow, near Cedar Lake, Ferne Clyffe State Park, Gyp Williams Hollow EA, Belle Smith Springs EA, Burke Branch RNA, War Bluff, Lusk Creek Canyon EA, Lusk Creek Canyon Zoological Area, Lusk Creek Canyon Wilderness Area, Jackson Hollow EA, north of the Jackson Hollow EA, Cove Hollow, One Horse Gap, and Jackson Falls Recreation Area. In these areas it is found in rich woods on talus slopes and is considered rare. It grows on sandstone and limestone.

The Grindstaff Hollow population was discovered by Robert H. Mohlenbrock on July 27, 1954, and was relocated in 1992 by Elizabeth Longo Shimp and Lawrence Stritch. Over 3,000 plants were estimated, but the population was threatened and being trampled because of a user-developed horse trail on a steep rocky slope. This population was not relocated in 1999, and was thought to be extirpated (Miller 1999); however, a botanical survey near the Grindstaff Hollow area by Adam O’Connor on October 13, 2009, revealed a user-developed horse trail through 3 metapopulations with approximately 300 plants total. The primary threat to this species in southern Illinois has been unregulated equestrian use, and more recently, illegal equestrian use in closed natural areas. In at least two cases, the threat is illegal all-terrain-vehicle use in closed natural areas.

At least 18 of approximately 24 populations in southern Illinois are currently unprotected on Forest- managed lands, 6 being protected within natural areas. These populations will continue to be negatively impacted by equestrian use and all-terrain-vehicle use unless trails continue to be designated and horses are restricted to these trails. There are at least 6 populations on private land, one is protected at Ferne Clyffe State Park, 3 appear to have no immediate threats, 1 has an unauthorized user-developed equestrian/ all-terrain-vehicle trail through the population at the railroad right-of-way, and the last population lost portions of its population from a private logging event in 1994. This species is globally rare, but found locally abundant in a few of its populations on the Forest. Continued negative impacts to unprotected populations would likely cause a trend to Federal listing or loss of species viability.

Shawnee National Forest 20 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

2. Chamaelirium luteum (Fairywand)

Chamaelirium luteum is a dioecious, perennial lily with a basal rosette of spatulate leaves. It is found infrequently in meadows, thickets, rich woods, mesic forests, and bogs from Massachusetts south to Florida, west to Ohio, southern Indiana and Illinois, Arkansas, and Louisiana. It is disjunct in southern Ontario, Canada. This species reaches its northwestern range limit in extreme southeastern Illinois.

Threats to this species include root and seed collection for medicinal purposes, canopy closure as a result of natural forest succession and fire suppression, and loss of habitat from clear-cutting and shelterwood cutting. It was assigned a G5 Global Ranking by The Nature Conservancy in 1986 and last reviewed in 2001. Chamaelirium luteum is known from 23 states, the District of Columbia and Ontario, Canada. It is presumed extirpated in Ontario; critically imperiled in Illinois, Indiana, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Delaware; imperiled in Louisiana; and vulnerable in Arkansas, Maryland, and New Jersey. It is apparently secure in Kentucky and secure in West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina. It is also listed as an introduced (exotic) species in Michigan and not ranked, or under review, in 8 states and the District of Columbia.

In southern Illinois it is found in low wooded hillsides in Hardin, Massac, and Pope Counties. On the Forest it is found along Burke Branch in mesic floodplain forest at Burke Branch RNA, in the little seep springs in the Cretaceous Hills EA (also in mesic upland forest), along the sandy banks of a dried stream at Massac Tower Springs EA, just outside of the protected barrens areas in southern Pope County in a dry- mesic open woods on a south-facing slope, near the Ohio River, and outside of the Kaskaskia Woods EA in a ravine.

3. Dichanthelium ravenelii (Ravenel's Rosette Grass)

Dichanthelium ravenelii is a loosely tufted, warm-season, perennial bunch grass. It is known from the southeastern and central United States and along the northwestern margin of its range in extreme southern Illinois, where it is known from dry open forests on rocky ledges. One location is known from beneath a powerline. Flowers and fruits are produced from June through September.

Threats to this species include fire suppression and canopy closure in open dry upland forest habitats. It is listed as imperiled in Delaware; vulnerable in Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia; and critically imperiled in Illinois. This species is not ranked or is under review in 13 states and the District of Columbia. The Global Rank of G5 was assigned by The Nature Conservancy in 1984 (NatureServe 2015).

Dichanthelium ravenelii is known in southern Illinois from Hardin, Pope, and Union counties. It is found in dry upland cherty slopes in the Ozark Hills Natural Division and open, dry, rocky upland forests over sandstone in the Shawnee Hills Natural Division. It is known from Atwood Ridge RNA (although not seen there since 1977), a site north of Lamb (found by Rick Phillippe June 16, 1988) and Dog Creek Barrens EA (found by Mark Basinger July 9, 2004, while establishing a vegetation monitoring plot for prescribed fires).

4. Eupatorium hyssopifolium var. hyssopifolium (Hyssop leaf thoroughwort)

Eupatorium hyssopifolium var. hyssopifolium is a composite that is found in the eastern United States. It is known from one location in southern Illinois in an open sandstone barrens and adjacent open woods at Dean East EA (collected by Lawrence Stritch in 1991, and annotated by Mark Basinger) in Pope County and a second location was reported along a state highway/interstate in Johnson County (Eric Ulaszek on August 2, 1994).

Shawnee National Forest 21 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

Eupatorium hyssopifolium var. hyssopifolium was given a Global Heritage Status Rank of G5 by The Nature Conservancy in 1984 (NatureServe 2015). Threats range-wide include loss of prairie/barrens habitat. It is critically imperiled in Illinois and West Virginia; vulnerable in New York and Kentucky; secure in Virginia and North Carolina; and not ranked or under review in Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.

5. Gentiana alba (Plain Gentian)

Gentiana Alba is a stout perennial herb that is found in the eastern United States and adjacent Canada. It occurs in mesic prairies and open forests. Gentiana alba is scattered throughout Illinois and is known in southern Illinois from one site each in Alexander, Jackson, Massac, and Pope Counties. In southern Illinois, it has been found in mesic barrens remnants and open upland forests. It generally flowers from mid-August through October.

Threats to this species include fire suppression, canopy closure in open forests and barrens, land use conversion, habitat fragmentation, and forest management practices. It is listed as vulnerable in Iowa; imperiled in Indiana, Ohio and Kansas; critically imperiled in Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Ontario, Canada; and possibly extirpated in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. It is apparently secure in Wisconsin and not ranked or currently under review in Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, and Maryland. The Global Rank of G4 was assigned by The Nature Conservancy in 1984 (NatureServe 2015).

On the Forest, it is known from the mesic barrens of Burke Branch RNA in Pope County and on the lower slope of Ozark Hill Prairie RNA in Alexander County (collected by Rick Phillippe September 15, 1992).

6. Helianthus angustifolius (Swamp sunflower)

Helianthus angustifolius is a rhizomatous perennial herb that grows between 0.5 and 2 meters high. It occurs in the eastern United States and reaches its northwestern range limit in Illinois. In Illinois, it has been found in a variety of habitats, including flatwoods, native old fields, seeps, and roadsides in Pope, Massac and Pulaski Counties. PLANTS Database (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service 2015) shows this species as occurring in Wayne County; however, there was no information available at this writing. The Pulaski specimens were collected by Robert Evers on October 4, 1972, south of Perks, and by Kevin Winship on September 18, 1989, in the Lower Cache River Natural Area (both private).

A primary threat to this species is the destruction of its native habitat. The Nature Conservancy gave this species the Global Heritage Status Rank of G5 in 1985, because in general, this species is not threatened globally. It is presumed extirpated in Pennsylvania; critically imperiled in Illinois and Indiana; imperiled in New York and Missouri; and vulnerable in Delaware. It is apparently secure in Kentucky, Virginia, and New Jersey; and secure in North Carolina. West Virginia has it listed as an exotic species. It is not ranked or is currently under review in Maryland, District of Columbia, Ohio, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas (NatureServe 2015).

On the Forest, it was documented on the edges of a seep spring at Dean Cemetery West EA by John Schwegman on September 13, 1968. It was later found at an intermittent stream drainage near an abandoned road at Dean Cemetery East EA (Lawrence Stritch) on September 1, 1991; at Kickasola Cemetery EA in a seep spring (Schwegman 1969), and at Cretaceous Hills Nature Preserve (person unknown) in 1987. Early collections of this species were made by Robert Evers in Massac County on October 23, 1957, Pope County on September 29, 1965, and Massac County on October 4, 1972. One of the Massac County locations is at the Mermet Conservation Area (Don Kurze in 1965, and John Voigt

Shawnee National Forest 22 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

September 28, 1965) and another site just north of Massac Forest Nature Preserve appears to be on private property.

7. Juglans cinerea (Butternut)

Juglans cinerea is a deciduous, nut-bearing tree of the northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. It is a species of rich woodlands and is found scattered throughout the state of Illinois.

The Nature Conservancy assigned this species the Global Heritage Status Rank of G4 in 2006, reflecting more than 100 occurrences from at least 17 states. The abundance and condition of this species are in rapid decline due to butternut canker disease, with no remedy at this time. It is listed as critically imperiled in Alabama and the District of Columbia; imperiled in Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Maryland; and vulnerable in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Virginia, New Jersey, Tennessee, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Vermont, Delaware and 3 Canadian provinces. It is listed as introduced (exotic) in Washington and 2 Canadian provinces, and is either not ranked or currently under review in Iowa, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Maine (NatureServe 2015).

Juglans cinerea is known from all of the counties on the Forest except for Gallatin County. It is known to occur within the Burke Branch RNA within the project area. This species achieves its best growth on well-drained soils of bottomlands and floodplains, but rarely occurs in pure stands. It is seldom found on dry, compact, or infertile soils, and is shade-intolerant, growing best in full sunlight. Although butternut canker is the primary global threat to this species, Juglans cinerea is also threatened by plant succession where open conditions no longer exist. Two new occurrences were found within pine units during the 2010 survey. These were single immature stems, so an exact identification was difficult. The occurrences are being managed as Juglans cinerea until determined otherwise.

8. Lilium superbum (Turk’s-cap lily)

Lilium superbum is a bulbous perennial occurring in the eastern United States. It is a species of the eastern half of the United States. Range-wide it is known from peaty meadows, swales, wet sand, and swampy woods.

The Nature Conservancy gave this species the Global Heritage Status Rank of G5 (1990) because of its historically wide distribution within 26 states and the District of Columbia, but it is critically imperiled in Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Florida. It is imperiled in Illinois and Alabama, and is considered vulnerable in Indiana, Ohio, Georgia and Mississippi. This species is apparently secure in New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, and secure in Delaware, West Virginia, and Virginia. It is currently not ranked or under review in Minnesota, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maryland, and District of Columbia (NatureServe 2015). In Illinois, this species rarely blooms, most likely the result of excessive shading conditions.

Lilium superbum is a species of mesic woods and streambanks in southern Illinois. It is found within Gallatin, Pope, Johnson, Jackson, Williamson, and Hardin counties. It is known to occur within Lusk Creek Canyon, Jackson Hollow, Bell Smith Springs, Martha’s Woods, Hayes Creek/Fox Den Creek (mesic woodland, north-facing slope), Fink Sandstone Barrens, Simpson Township Barrens, and Bulge Hole EAs, Ozark Hill Prairie RNA, Lusk Creek Canyon Zoological Area, and Lusk Creek Canyon Wilderness Area. It is also known from outside the Burke Branch RNA, east branch of Cedar Creek, Iron Furnace, along a tributary of Big Creek, Lake Kinkaid area, near Beaver Creek, on private land near Caney Creek, The Nature Conservancy’s Gibbons Creek, State land at Lake Murphysboro, and Fish and Wildlife land at Devils Kitchen Dam. Rarely do the populations reach a mature growth on the Forest.

Shawnee National Forest 23 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

Typically, populations are non-flowering and remain in a juvenile stage, primarily because they are found in excessively shaded areas. At one site in Pope County where a clear cut took place on private property, approximately 51 flowering individuals and 147 juveniles appeared in a 200-square meter area in June 1991. These plants were exposed to full sunlight and appeared to be very healthy.

9. Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng)

Panax quinquefolius is a perennial herb of the eastern United States and adjacent Canada. This species has a fleshy rootstock with medicinal value found and is frequently dug up for its roots. In Illinois, it blooms during June and July, and fruit is typically ripe in mid-August (Fiebig et al. 2001). Throughout its range, it is found in rich mesic woods under the closed canopy of deciduous hardwoods (Anderson and Peterson 2000). This species is scattered throughout Illinois in rich dry-mesic to mesic upland and mesic floodplain forests and in southern Illinois, it is known from Alexander, Hardin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Saline, Williamson, and Union counties. It is known from LaRue-Pine Hills/Otter Pond RNA and Double Branch Hole EA of the project area.

According to NatureServe (2015), the primary threats to Panax quinquefolius are commercial overharvest and logging of mesic hardwoods. Exotic species, although not mentioned specifically on NatureServe, could decrease the amount of suitable habitat and potentially outcompete Panax quinquefolius. Even in protected areas such as national parks and forests, there is a great deal of poaching due to its valuable root in overseas markets and the difficulty of enforcing existing laws (NatureServe 2012).

The Nature Conservancy gave this species a Global Heritage Status Rank of G3G4 in 2000, and its status was last reviewed in 2005 (NatureServe 2015). It is possibly extirpated in the District of Columbia; critically imperiled in Rhode Island, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana; imperiled in Ontario and Quebec, Canada, Michigan, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, and New Hampshire; and listed as vulnerable in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine. It is apparently secure in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, South Carolina, and North Carolina; and is not ranked or currently under review by Ohio. This species occurs at generally low densities over a very broad range. Population sizes of this plant have decreased significantly primarily because of the extensive root digging for commercial sale. Although various regulations are in effect to protect this species (including CITES listing), populations continue to decline because of noncompliance with these regulations and insufficient enforcement.

Panax quinquefolius is known to occur within Thacker Hollow, Lusk Creek Canyon EA, Lusk Creek Canyon Zoological Area, Lusk Creek Wilderness Area, Bulge Hole EA, Jackson Hollow EA, LaRue-Pine Hills/Otter Pond RNA, Burke Branch RNA, and Double Branch Hole EA among other areas on the Forest. This plant grows in rich woods, and low mesic woods. On the Shawnee National Forest, populations have been over-collected by illegal root-diggers. Population totals rarely exceed one or two dozen young plants. In Illinois, Panax quinquefolius is documented in 84 of 102 counties and is likely present in more (Anderson et al. 1993).

10. Platanthera clavellata (Small green wood orchid)

Platanthera clavellata is a perennial, tuberous orchid that occurs in the eastern United States and adjacent Canada. It is typically found in acidic bogs and wet soil. In southern Illinois it occurs in acidic, forested seeps, usually associated with Sphagnum spp. It generally flowers from June through August.

Threats to this species include destruction of wetland habitat through woody species invasion (seep springs), drainage, channelization, logging, and gravel-mining, predation by white-tailed deer, cattle

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grazing, herbicide runoff from nearby fields or powerline corridors, and invasion of habitats by exotic and native woody vines (e.g., Lonicera japonica and Smilax spp.). It is possibly extirpated in North Dakota, critically imperiled in Iowa, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Florida, imperiled in Missouri and Rhode Island, and vulnerable in Prince Edward Island, Canada, Indiana and Minnesota. It is apparently secure in Ontario, New Brunswick and Quebec Canada, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia, and secure in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, Canada, Virginia, Delaware, and Georgia. It is currently not ranked or under review by Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas. The Global Rank of G5 was assigned by The Nature Conservancy in 1995 (NatureServe 2015).

Platanthera clavellata is known primarily from several mesic sand prairies, woodland thickets, and forested seep springs in northern Illinois. It is known from Pope and Johnson Counties in southern Illinois, where it occurs in acidic forested seep springs. It is known from seep springs at Cretaceous Hills, Dean Cemetery East Barrens, Massac Tower Springs, and Kickasola Cemetery EAs. The population of Platanthera clavellata has not been seen in Massac Tower Springs for many years, and the hydrological disturbances to this seep, as well as the invasion of exotic species and woody vegetation, may have led to the demise of this population.

11. Polygala incarnata (Procession flower)

Polygala incarnata is a slender annual herb found in the eastern and central United States and disjunct in southern Ontario, Canada. It occurs in roadsides, old fields, upland forests, barrens, and prairies. It generally flowers from June through August.

Threats to this species include fire suppression, overgrazing, habitat destruction for development and mining activities. This species is declining within the northern portion of its range. It is listed as imperiled in Ohio, Iowa, and Maryland; critically imperiled in Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada; possibly extirpated in New Jersey and Pennsylvania; and presumed extirpated in Michigan and New York. It is apparently secure in Virginia, North Carolina, and Kentucky. It is currently unranked or under review by Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia. The Global Rank of G5 was assigned by The Nature Conservancy in 1990 (NatureServe 2015), likely because of its relatively wide range.

Polygala incarnata is scattered throughout Illinois, where it has been found in sand prairies, hill prairies, and barrens. In southern Illinois, it is known from barrens remnants in Pope County in the Cretaceous Hills Section of the Coastal Plain Division. There is an unverified report of it from Massac County. It is known to occur in Poco Cemetery Barrens North (J. Shimp collection #5375, dry-mesic barrens), Poco Cemetery Barrens East (dry-mesic barrens), Cretaceous Hills (barren), and Dean Cemetery East Barrens EAs. Only the Dean East population does not occur within the proposed project areas.

12. Rhexia mariana (Maryland meadowbeauty)

Rhexia mariana is a rhizomatous perennial herb of the southeastern United States. It reaches its northwestern range limit in southern Missouri and Illinois, where it is occasionally found in wet meadows, around ponds, and in seep springs. This species is known from a few scattered southern Illinois locations including Kickasola Cemetery Barrens EA (Schwegman 1969), Dean Cemetery West EA (Schwegman 1969), Cretaceous Hills EA, and Burke Branch RNA, all in Pope County. It is also known from a few locations in northern Illinois. In 2001, Paul Marcum found it in Williamson County on private property.

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The Nature Conservancy gave this species a Global Heritage Status Rank of G5 in 1985 (NatureServe 2012). It is presumed extirpated in New York; secure in Virginia and North Carolina; and is not ranked or currently under review by New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan.

13. Scirpus polyphyllus (Leafy bulrush)

Scirpus polyphyllus is a slender tufted perennial sedge with culms reaching 0.5 to 1.5 meters in height. It is a species of the Eastern United States and occurs in open forested seeps. This species reaches its western range limit in Illinois. It occurs in a three counties in far west central Illinois, Cook County of the Chicago Region, and Pope County of southern Illinois.

NatureServe listed its Global Ranking to be G5 in 1986. It is possibly extirpated in New Hampshire; imperiled in Illinois, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Arkansas; vulnerable in Missouri; apparently secure in New Jersey, Delaware, North Carolina, and Kentucky; and secure in Virginia, West Virginia, and New York. John Schwegman found this species in Adams and Brown Counties, Illinois in 1986. It is known from the seep springs of Pope County at Belle Smith Springs EA (Tom Elias in the lowlands in 1966), Dean Cemetery West EA (Schwegman 1969; Lawrence Stritch in 1987), Cretaceous Hills EA (at 2 seeps, Schwegman 1969; Lawrence Stritch in 1987), Snow Springs EA (Schwegman 1969; Lawrence Stritch in 1987), Kickasola Springs EA (Lawrence Stritch in 1994; Eric Ulaszek on September 27, 1994), Massac Tower Springs EA (Schwegman 1969; found by Lawrence Stritch in 1987), Krueger Spring on private (Schwegman 1969), seep area near a creek in an open oak-hickory woods by Elizabeth Shimp, Jody Shimp and Sharon Cline on August 13, 1992; South Spring on private (Schwegman 1969), in Hardin County at Panther Hollow RNA (small hillside seepage area; Jody Shimp June 26, 1993, 10 to 12 plants). It is also known from Massac County (Baldy Spring, and Massac Spring on private found by John Schwegman, 1969).

14. Scleria pauciflora (Fewflower nutrush)

Scleria pauciflora is a small rush in the sedge family known from dry soil, in woods, and on bluffs. It appears common in the southeastern United States, but becomes rare at its northern range limit. There are two varieties in Illinois: S. pauciflora var. pauciflora and S. pauciflora var. caroliniana (Mohlenbrock 2002). This species blooms in Illinois from June to September.

The Global Rank of G5 was assigned by The Nature Conservancy in 1984, and last reviewed in 2002 (NatureServe 2015). Scleria pauciflora is listed as critically imperiled in Texas, West Virginia, Michigan, Delaware, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Ontario, Canada; imperiled in Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania; vulnerable in Arkansas, Indiana, and Maryland; apparently secure in Mississippi and North Carolina; and secure in Virginia. It is either not ranked or under review by Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, District of Columbia, New Jersey, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and New York. It also occurs in Cuba and Puerto Rico. Overall threats include its vulnerability to forest succession and development.

In Illinois, this species occurs in Henry, Iroquois (Rick Phillippe July 25, 2001) Kankakee (Marianne Hahn and Den Dritz on July 19, 2002; Dan Busemeyer and Rick Phillippe on July 26, 2002; Paul Marcum et al. on August 9, 2002; both sites in sandy areas) Lee (J.B. Long on July 17, 1958) and Will (sand prairie by Rick Phillippe on June 16, 2005) Counties in northern Illinois, and in Hardin (at Keeling Hill South EA by Lawrence Stritch, Elizabeth Shimp, and Jody Shimp on June 15, 1991, Johnson, Massac (in private fields, found by John Schwegman on June 30, 2004), Pope (Fink Sandstone Barrens EA by Jody Shimp and Lawrence Stritch on August 7, 1992; Hayes Creek Watershed, 1 mile south of Belle Smith Springs

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EA by Lawrence Stritch on July 26, 1981; found at Dean Cemetery East EA by C. Giedeman on July 9, 1991; at Dean Cemetery West EA – Klondike Spring - by Jody Shimp, Bob Lindsay and Kari Foster on July 22, 2004; at Cretaceous Hills EA, azotus field, by John Schwegman on June 16, 2004 and Elizabeth Shimp, John Schwegman, and Martha Schwegman on May 30, 2007; Kickasola – old field barrens – J. Shimp, B. Lindsay, and K. Foster on July 22, 2004), Union, and Williamson (on Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge by Eric Ulaszek on July 4, 1983) Counties in southern Illinois. There is also a Randolph County citation north of the Shawnee National Forest at Rockcastle Creek by Randy Nyboer on July 13, 2010.

15. Spiranthes vernalis (Spring Ladies’ tresses)

Spiranthes vernalis is a perennial tuberous orchid reaching 60 centimeters in height. Its range is the southeastern and south-central United States, north into southern New England. It occurs in acidic soils in prairies, rich woodland barren, and old native fields in the southern third of Illinois. North of the Forest it is historically known from Wabash, Effingham, Menard, Madison, and St. Clair Counties. NatureServe (2015) also has it listed for Bond, Clinton, and Edwards Counties. In southern Illinois, it is known from Johnson (on private along Rt 147 in 2000; north of Wildcat Bluff in 1994 by Tony Gerard), Union, Massac, Pope (southwest of Bay City by Robert Evers on July 23, 1970; Burke Branch RNA by Eric Ulaszek on September 20, 1995; a mile north of Eddyville on IL 145 by Eric Ulaszek on August 7, 1995; along roadside at edge of War Bluff Sanctuary – private – by Mark Basinger on August 14, 1993; Cretaceous Hills EA by Max Hutchison on June 24, 1977; near Hodge Cemetery on July 1987 by Lawrence Stritch; on private on August 3, 2009; Dean Cemetery East EA by Lawrence Stritch in 1994; Snow Springs EA by Jody Shimp, Bob Lindsay, and Kari Foster on July 22, 2004), and Williamson (Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge by Eric Ulaszek on June 23, 1991) Counties. NatureServe (2012) also lists Jackson (at Rothrock residence by Chris Benda on June 23, 2011 and Oakwood Bottoms by Shannan Sharp July 3, 2014) and Saline (on private at the P & E Refuge found August 18, 2006, by Jody Shimp and Leslie Rodman) Counties. This species blooms in Illinois from July to August.

The Nature Conservancy assigned this species the rank of G5 in 1984 (NatureServe 2015). It is critically imperiled in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Iowa; imperiled in Indiana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Delaware; vulnerable in West Virginia, New Jersey and North Carolina; apparently secure in Georgia; and secure in Virginia and Kentucky. It is not ranked or under review in Wisconsin, Michigan, Connecticut, Maryland, District of Columbia, Ohio, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico.

16. Stellaria pubera (Star chickweed)

Stellaria pubera is a perennial herb, which grows to be 15 to 40 centimeters long. It is known from the southeastern United States. It reaches its northern range limit in Illinois, where it occurs on bluffs and in rich rocky woods, near creeks and ravines. It is known from one northern county, Cook, and Pope and Hardin Counties in southern Illinois. The nativeness of the Cook County population is questionable. There is also documentation of it occurring in northern DuPage and Will Counties. It blooms in Illinois from March to May.

The Nature Conservancy assigned this species the rank of G5 in 1991 (NatureServe 2015). It is listed as possibly extirpated in New Jersey; critically imperiled in Illinois; imperiled in Mississippi; and secure in Kentucky, North Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia, and the District of Columbia; and listed as an exotic in New York and Delaware. It is not ranked or under review in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, Tennessee, South Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. In southern Illinois, it is known from Burke Branch RNA (John Schwegman on April 20, 1967), Cooney Creek (John Schwegman and

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Jody Shimp on August 17, 1994), and near Bay Creek (Elizabeth Shimp on April 28, 1993) in Pope County, and at Cane Creek (Mark Basinger on September 25, 1998) in Hardin County.

17. Stenanthium gramineum (Eastern featherbells)

Stenanthium gramineum is a bulbous perennial herb that occurs in moist woods, floodplains, meadows, and streambanks from Texas east to Florida north to Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Illinois. It is scattered in the southern half of Illinois where it occurs in mesic floodplain forest and upland forests. In southern Illinois, it is historically known from Gallatin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, and Union counties. It is historically known from 13 counties in Illinois, but is determined to be extant with 8 remaining populations in only 7 counties (Phillippe 2004). Populations known to occur on Shawnee National Forest managed lands are 1 population in each of Gallatin and Johnson counties and 2 populations in Pope County (Phillippe 2004).

Stenanthium gramineum is widespread, but infrequent throughout its range. The Nature Conservancy assigned this species the rank of G4G5 in 1995. It is critically imperiled in Illinois, Indiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Maryland; is imperiled in Ohio and Kentucky; and is listed as vulnerable in North Carolina, West Virginia, Arkansas and Louisiana. It is apparently secure in Virginia; however, it is extirpated from the District of Columbia. It is currently not ranked or under review in Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Missouri. Michigan lists it as an exotic (NatureServe 2015). Primary threats in Illinois include creek bank erosion, road construction, and trampling by equestrian use (Edgin 2002).

It is documented from rich mesic floodplains on the Forest. It is known from an unprotected area in a gravel wash in an intermittent steam in Gallatin County (horse trail going through colony), along the edge of a pond in Jackson County (not relocated in 2002), a gravel wash area in Ferne Clyffe State Park (not relocated in 2002), at Grantsburg Swamp in Johnson County (Mark Basinger and Elizabeth Shimp on May 2, 1994), at Mermet Lake in Massac County (not relocated in 2002 and feared extirpated) (Edgin 2002), near Bay Creek at Bell Smith Springs (Bob Edgin on July 21, 2002), and in a mesic forest at Burke Branch RNA in Pope County, and a floodplain forest in Pulaski County. It is known from at least seven counties north of the Forest.

18. Matelea obliqua (Climbing milkvine)

Matelea obliqua is a perennial herbaceous vine of the southeastern United States. Range-wide, it is found in rocky woods and thickets in acidic or alkaline soils. This species does well under a fire regime and in open woodlands where it receives bright sunlight. In southern Illinois, it occurs in rocky dry to dry-mesic upland forests and limestone glades.

The Nature Conservancy assigned this species a rank of G4? in 1988 (NatureServe 2015). This species is currently listed as presumed extirpated in the District of Columbia; possibly extirpated in North Carolina; critically imperiled in Illinois, Maryland and Pennsylvania; imperiled in Mississippi, Georgia, and Indiana; vulnerable in Ohio and West Virginia; apparently secure in Kentucky; and either not ranked or under review in Alabama, Tennessee, and Virginia. On the Shawnee National Forest, it is known from natural areas including Copperous Branch EA, Leisure City EA, Robnett Barrens EA, Dog Barrens EA, Whoopie Cat Mountain RNA, Simpson Barrens EA, Fink Sandstone EA, and Dennison Hollow RNA. It is also known from private property and other sites on the Forest including Cove Hollow, Thacker Hollow, Lusk Creek Wilderness, and the Bay Creek area. One population of Matelea obliqua was discovered in a pine stand treatment area during the 2010 survey.

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Environmental Consequences

Alternative 1 – No Action By definition, direct and indirect effects (40 CFR 1508.8), and cumulative effects (40 CFR 1508.7) result from the proposed action, and thus, are not germane to the no-action alternative. The discussion presented for the no-action alternative describes the trends that would continue as a result of no action.

Under alternative 1, pine would remain overstocked and with thick shrub and groundlayers dominated by non-native invasive species such as Japanese honeysuckle, Nepalese browntop, and multiflora rose. These stands are marginal suitable habitat for rare plant species. Barrens slated for thinning under the action alternatives would also continue to be degraded. Forest stands would continue their conversion toward shade-tolerant, late successional forest types. The understory would become increasingly shaded, preventing oaks and other sun-dependent species from germinating and growing. As dominant canopy trees die, they would be replaced by shade-tolerant trees that have grown into the midstory.

The rare community types including barrens and seep springs will be directly impacted by the increasingly shaded conditions and the proliferation of NNIS. The barrens communities consist of species that are fire-adapted and fire-dependent; these species rely on a more open woodland and glade condition to compete and support their health and vigor.

Without intervention in several of the barrens communities and all the seep spring areas, rare species will eventually succumb to the competitive stress of non-native invasive plants and aggressive native species. Consequently, species identified as significant and exceptional features of the natural areas face the threat of extirpation at these sites. Nepalese browntop is the main invader in the seep springs with Japanese honeysuckle encroaching into the barrens. Table 3 summarizes the effects of alternative 1 and the continuation of the current conditions.

Table 3. Resource indicator and measure for alternative 1 Resource Element Resource Indicator Measure Alternative 1 Sensitive plants Level of effect to Sensitive plant occurrences No new disturbance for all species species viability and habitat disturbance or habitat. Negative impacts (determination (Measure 1) resulting from lack of fire and category) NNIS treatment would continue.

Alternative 2 – Proposed Action

Project Design Features and Mitigation Measures • Invasive Species – Botanical Protect rare plant resources, including State-listed Threatened and Endangered species when requested by the State, from mechanical or chemical treatments. • Invasive Species – Botanical Survey vernal pond (vernal pool) areas and fireline dozer/handline construction areas prior to project implementation. • Invasive Species – Botanical When populations of RFSS cannot be completely avoided by firelines, use alternative methods to bulldozer lines such as the use of hand line, clearing with leaf blowers, and backfiring to reduce any soil disturbance.

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Direct and Indirect Effects - Alternative 2

Vegetation Treatments: overstory removal, clearcut, shelterwood establishment cut, timber stand improvement Possible effects to sensitive plant species from vegetation treatments within suitable sensitive plant habitat include crushing, killing, or injuring herbaceous and non-vascular plants (which can reduce growth or seed production). Felling and removing overstory trees reduces the canopy cover and allows more light penetration to the forest floor, as does the removal of understory shrubs. The removal of coarse woody debris opens the forest floor for additional colonization of herbaceous plants, but is often offset by the accumulation of slash and wood chips dispersed on the ground. Ground disturbance, soil disturbance, soil compaction, and the creation of open disturbed areas result from mechanized logging. These effects often lead to the indirect effect of increased risk of noxious weed invasion. Additional direct effects from tractor logging would include: creation of skid trails and driving over plants, killing or uprooting them, and disturbance of mycorrhizal soils caused from mechanized and motorized equipment moving throughout the project area.

Direct and indirect impacts from vegetation treatments would be avoided by establishing protected areas for known occurences in the project area to eliminate project effects. One sensitive plant, Juglans cinerea, has two known individuals within vegetation treatments. This species is shade-intolerant and would benefit from the removal of adjacent trees. The use of group selection or patch cuts adjacent to Juglans cinerea has been prescribed as a method for regenerating the species (Murphy et al. 1993 cited in Woeste et al. 2009). The recommended patch size is two to three times the local tree height. The trees found at both Juglans cinerea sites were immature trees without fruit, which made confirming the identification of these trees difficult. The sites will be treated as if they are Juglans cinerea and the appropriate management will be undertaken unless follow-up site visits determine the trees to be a different species.

One population of Matelea obliqua was discovered in a pine stand treatment area during the 2010 survey. This population will be protected from direct effects. A Forest Service botanist will determine an adequate buffer size to ensure the species receives the maximum benefit from opening the canopy, based on site- specific conditions.

Recent survey data provided by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources indicated the presence of five species within thirteen vegetation treatment units in the project area. While some of the data has variable levels of presumed accuracy, it is assumed for the current analysis that all of the mapped area for the occurrences are occupied. Therefore, protected areas will be established to eliminate direct and indirect impacts related to project activities. These species are: Euonymus americanus (American strawberry-bush), Helianthus angustifolius (Swamp sunflower), Isotria verticillata (large whorled pogonia), Rhexia mariana (Maryland meadowbeauty), Scleria pauciflora (Fewflower nutrush) and Spiranthes vernalis (Spring Ladies’ tresses). Each species is represented by one occurrence.

The species that inhabit dry-mesic barrens and rich uplands will benefit from the 521 acres of treatment specifically in barrens in Burke Branch, Dean Cemetery East, Dog Creek Barrens, and Robnett Barrens Natural Areas. These treatments would include removing any shrubs and trees shading out desirable native herbaceous plants. In addition to prescribed fire, this management is expected to have beneficial effects on known populations of Scleria pauciflora (fewflower nutrush), Eupatorium hyssopifolium var. hyssopifolium, and Polygala incarnata in Dean Cemetery East; the known Matelea obliqua populations at Robnett Barrens and Dog Barrens EA; the known Dichanthelium ravenelii population at Dog Creek Barrens EA; the known population of Gentiana alba in the mesic barrens of Burke Branch RNA; and the known populations of Spiranthes vernalis in Burke Branch RNA and Dean Cemetery East EA. Competing vegetation in the canopy and shrub layer will be removed or thinned out, enabling more light

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penetration to these species and increasing available habitat for the potential expansion of known populations.

Prescribed burning Direct effects from prescribed fire and underburning within suitable sensitive plant habitat include killing trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, and creating open disturbed areas.

Indirect effects from prescribed fire and underburning within suitable sensitive plant habitat include altering plant communities, changing vegetation composition and successional pathways, and the potential for noxious weed invasion or spread.

Suitable habitat may be directly altered initially; however, there may be long-term beneficial indirect effects from the proposed project. The proposed project may enhance and increase available sensitive plant suitable habitat by changing the present condition to a more desirable condition. This may include an increase of available water in the soils and riparian areas and the reduction of canopy ground cover of trees and shrubs.

Fire consumes coarse woody debris and litter to varying extents, depending on fire severity. Plant species that require bare ground or shallow litter layers for germination would be beneficially impacted by fire. In the long term, reducing fuel loads could decrease the probability of high-severity fire occurring outside the range of natural variability. This could result in a beneficial impact to sensitive plant species not adapted to high-severity fire, for example, species that occur in seep springs that are adapted to moderate fire intensities.

Fire would open up some habitats to more sunlight, increasing the risk of noxious weed spread for some species, especially grasses such as Nepalese browntop. Some NNIS are likely to be set back by fire and be reduced in cover following fire including Japanese honeysuckle and multiflora rose. The majority of the species known to occur in the project area are found in natural areas. Prescribed burning was analyzed for 7 of the 11 natural areas for the Invasive Species Management Project.

Species that thrive in closed canopies such as Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) could be negatively impacted by reducing canopy cover through prescribed burning. However, monitoring on the Shawnee National Forest for the Ramsey Branch Hardwood Restoration project found that population numbers of Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) increased after burns in 2004 and 2006 (B. Shimp, personal communication, August 17, 2017).

Firelines associated with Prescribed Burning Firelines would be constructed to facilitate prescribed burning. Nearly half of the fireline would be using existing fireline such as roads, creeks and streams, and rights-of-way. Newly constructed fireline would include the opening of existing level 1 roads to level 2 roads and letting them revert back to level 1 roads after the prescribed burning is completed. This would take advantage of existing disturbance and result in a reduced impact compared to creation of new fireline. The main effect would be fresh soil disturbance resulting from removing small trees and accumulated forest debris. This would increase the likelihood of NNIS invasion into these corridors. Existing level 1 roads are likely poor habitat for sensitive plant species in general, because they are not in moist habitats, have little canopy, and likely exhibit some residual soil compaction.

The creation of bulldozer line would be confined to the black-blading technique where the blade is dropped and skimmed along the ground in reverse. This is expected to result in 74 acres of total new ground disturbance. The disturbance would be restricted to the top layer of the soil and would result in an

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increased chance of NNIS invasion. Back blading would avoid wet habitats where handlines or wetlines would be used, so it would have a greater effect on species that occur in upland habitats.

One occurrence each of three species intersects the planned burn lines in the project area. These species are Chamaelirium luteum, Rhexia mariana, and Polygala incarnata. Chamaelirium luteum (occurrence TE65PO0001) is intersected by a proposed dozer line along the boundary of Massac Tower Springs EA. Three individual plants of Chamaelirium luteum were found within an approximate 11-acre area that includes portions of Massac Tower Springs EA and extends onto adjacent private lands. Any of these plants that fall outside of the Massac Tower Springs EA would not receive the benefit of prescribed fire unless an agreement is made with the adjacent private land owner. Negative impacts to this population would need to be avoided by working with the adjacent private landowner, ensuring the dozer path is unoccupied by plants, or using alternatives to dozer line along the Shawnee National Forest boundary. The project design feature “When populations of RFSS cannot be completely avoided by firelines, use alternative methods to bulldozer lines such as the use of hand line, clearing with leaf blowers, and backfiring to reduce any soil disturbance” should be implemented to reduce project impacts to Chamaelirium luteum at Massac Tower Springs EA. The main seep complex in Massac Tower Springs EA is found in the area where dozer line is planned to be constructed. Although the dozer line is used for analysis purposes in this document, best management practices limiting impacts to seep springs would preclude the use of dozer line along the northeast boundary of Massac Tower Springs EA.

Rhexia mariana (occurrence TE68PO0001) is bisected by a level 1 road in Cretaceous Hills EA. This species is fire-dependent and would benefit from prescribed fire and possibly from the light ground disturbance that would accompany the upgrading of the road from level 1 to level 2. Existing level 1 roads (currently closed to all motorized use) would be reopened as level 2 roads (opened to legal, licensed motor vehicles), and used in their current locations as firelines. This would entail removing encroaching vegetation including small trees (generally less than 5 inches diameter at breast height) and accumulated forest debris including fallen trees, branches, and leaf litter. Following use during prescribed burning, these roads would revert to level 1 roads as described in volume 2 of the EIS.

Dozer line implementation would directly negatively impact approximately 8 percent of the occupied habitat for Rhexia mariana, and there is the potential for individual plants to be killed by crushing and uprooting during dozer line creation. Habitat could further be deteriorated by the spread of nearby infestations of invasive species. Known infestations at or near the occupied habitat include Nepalese browntop, autumn olive, Japanese honeysuckle, and multiflora rose. Additionally, the site could be negatively impacted by soil erosion associated with rainfall and bare soil created by new dozer line. The process of dozer line creation would need to be repeated in the future for a follow-up burn where impacts are expected to be similar. Implement the project design feature “When populations of RFSS cannot be completely avoided by firelines, use alternative methods to bulldozer lines such as the use of hand line, clearing with leaf blowers, and backfiring to reduce any soil disturbance” to reduce project impacts to Rhexia mariana as appropriate.

Polygala incarnata (occurrence TE77PO0005) is bisected by a level 2 road within the project area to the northwest of Dean Cemetery West EA. No new disturbance should occur as a result of this road being used since level 2 roads are not being upgraded. Therefore, the use of a level 2 road for a fireline will result in no new impacts from the project due to this activity.

Recent survey data provided by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources indicated the presence of eighteen species either intersected or bordered by firelines used for planning purposes (Table 4). Implement the project design feature “When populations of RFSS cannot be completely avoided by firelines, use alternative methods to bulldozer lines such as the use of hand line, clearing with leaf blowers, and backfiring to reduce any soil disturbance” to reduce project impacts to the occurrences listed

Shawnee National Forest 32 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report in Table 4 as appropriate. One species has three occurrences impacted (Chamaelirium luteum) while six species have two occurrences intersected or bordered by fireline construction (Bartonia paniculata, Carex atlantica, Carex bromoides, Platanthera clavellata, Scirpus polyphyllus and Scleria pauciflora). Eleven species have one occurrence that are intersected or bordered by fireline construction: Buchnera americana, .Cimicifuga rubifolia, Dichanthelium yadkinense, Helianthus angustifolius, Isotria verticillata, Platanthera flava, Polygala incarnate, Rhexia mariana, Sagittaria australis, Spiranthes vernalis and Stellaria pubera. Impacts for these occurrences are expected to be similar to the scenarios described above for bulldozer line construction and the upgrading roads from level 1 to level 2.

As shown in Table 4, the intersection and overlap between the planned firelines and sensitive plant occurrences range from 0.09 percent of a Scirpus polyphyllus occurrence to 3.9 percent of a Platanthera flava occurrence. The percentage of acres impacted is less than one percent for eleven occurrences, and eight occurrences have between one and two percent impacted. Five occurrenes range between two percent impacted to the highest value of 3.9. The total amount of rare plant habitat impacted by fieline is 7.45 acres. These values were generated by assuming a ten foot width of bulldozer line, and using the geospatial data provided by the Illinios Department of Natural Resources. Some of the data has variable levels of presumed accuracy, but the current analysis assumes that all of the mapped area for the occurrences are occupied. This is a very conservative analysis method given that some of the mapped occurrences are based on the boundaries of natural areas within the project area. It is likely that some of the mapped occurrences will not have occupied habitat within the current mapped locations. Additionally, some of the affected species occur in wet areas that would preclude the use of bulldozers for fireline construction.

Nine of the occurrences that would be impacted by fireline construction fall between the boundary separating Cretaceous Hills Natural Area and the State of Illinois owned Cretaceous Hills Nature Preserve. It is unlikely that prescribed burning would be accomplished in both areas cooperatively. These occurrences are: Bartonia paniculata (PDGEN01010- 3), Carex atlantica (PMCYP03180- 1), Carex bromoides (PMCYP03260- 1), Chamaelirium luteum (PMLIL0F010- 5), Helianthus angustifolius (PDAST4N020-1), Platanthera clavellata (PMORC1Y050- 2), Platanthera flava (PMORC1Y080- 22), Sagittaria australis (PMALI04020- 1) and Scirpus polyphyllus (PMCYP0Q170- 3).

Table 4. TES Plants impacted by firelines Unique Unique identifier Scientific name Total Acres Percent of Project Area identifier ELCODE- acres of intersected occurrence and type of EO_ID EO_NUM occurence by fireline impacted by fireline firelines. construction 4759 PDGEN01010- 3 Bartonia 8.52 0.18 2.11 Burke paniculata Branch- Dozer along Private Property Boundary, 5117 PDGEN01010- 1 Bartonia 17.41 0.13 0.77 Dog Creek- paniculata Dozer along Private Property Boundary, 10671 PDSCR0B010- 12 Buchnera 7.98 0.23 2.88 Burke americana Branch-ML 1 Road,

Shawnee National Forest 33 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

Unique Unique identifier Scientific name Total Acres Percent of Project Area identifier ELCODE- acres of intersected occurrence and type of EO_ID EO_NUM occurence by fireline impacted by fireline firelines. construction 7083 PMCYP03180- 1 Carex atlantica 7.99 0.12 1.56 Burke Branch- Dozer along Private 7087 PMCYP03180- 2 Carex atlantica 2.89 0.04 1.29 Dog Creek- Dozer along Private Property Boundary 7089 PMCYP03260- 1 Carex 7.82 0.10 1.25 Burke bromoides Branch- Dozer along Private Property Boundary, 7574 PMCYP03260- 11 Carex 11.35 0.13 1.10 Dog Creek- bromoides Dozer along Private Property Boundary 7475 PMLIL0F010- 4 Chamaelirium 22.02 0.40 1.83 Dog Creek- luteum Dozer along Private Property Boundary 7476 PMLIL0F010- 5 Chamaelirium 162.64 0.32 0.20 Burke luteum Branch- Dozer along Private Property Boundary 7839 PMLIL0F010- 7 Chamaelirium 336.15 0.68 0.20 Burke luteum Branch-ML 1 Road, 9951 PDRAN07060- 21 Cimicifuga 336.15 0.68 0.20 Burke rubifolia Branch-ML 1 Road, 2918 PMPOA240BA- 2 Dichanthelium 8.20 0.05 0.60 Dog Creek- yadkinense Dozer along Private Property Boundary 4974 PDAST4N020- 1 Helianthus 302.79 1.39 0.46 Burke angustifolius Branch- Dozer along Private Property Boundary 2240 PMORC1F020- 1 Isotria verticillata 33.42 0.18 0.53 Burke Branch-ML 1 Road,

Shawnee National Forest 34 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

Unique Unique identifier Scientific name Total Acres Percent of Project Area identifier ELCODE- acres of intersected occurrence and type of EO_ID EO_NUM occurence by fireline impacted by fireline firelines. construction 2761 PMORC1Y050- 1 Platanthera 7.71 0.04 0.50 Dog Creek- clavellata Dozer along Private Property Boundary 5363 PMORC1Y050- 2 Platanthera 7.71 0.21 2.67 Burke clavellata Branch- Dozer along Private Property Boundary 10748 PMORC1Y080- Platanthera flava 1.93 0.08 3.90 Burke 22 Branch- Dozer along Private Property Boundary 4787 PDPGL020P0- 2 Polygala 11.57 0.25 2.15 Burke incarnata Branch- Dozer along Private Property Boundary, ML 1 Road, 6690 PDMLS0H050- 1 Rhexia mariana 181.26 1.11 0.61 Burke Branch- Dozer along Private Property Boundary, ML 1 Road, Dog Creek- ML 1 Road 4860 PMALI04020- 1 Sagittaria 18.47 0.32 1.76 Burke australis Branch- Dozer along Private Property Boundary, Interior Dozer Line 5253 PMCYP0Q170- 4 Scirpus 16.94 0.09 0.55 Dog Creek- polyphyllus Dozer along Private Property Boundary 1241 PMCYP0Q170- 3 Scirpus 21.52 0.02 0.09 Burke polyphyllus Branch- Dozer along Private Property Boundary,

Shawnee National Forest 35 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

Unique Unique identifier Scientific name Total Acres Percent of Project Area identifier ELCODE- acres of intersected occurrence and type of EO_ID EO_NUM occurence by fireline impacted by fireline firelines. construction 6767 PMCYP0R0G0- 1 Scleria 36.37 0.21 0.57 Burke pauciflora Branch-ML 1 Road, 6768 PMCYP0R0G0- 2 Scleria 7.71 0.11 1.45 Dog Creek- pauciflora Dozer along Private Property Boundary, ML 1 Road, 1675 PMORC2B0Z0- 2 Spiranthes 23.62 0.28 1.17 Dog Creek- vernalis ML 1 Road, 1671 PDCAR0X0Y0- 1 Stellaria pubera 81.16 0.10 0.12 Burke Branch- Interior Dozer Line

NNIS treatments (herbicide) Alternative 2 would have beneficial, direct and indirect, short- and long-term effects on many rare species and plant communities from NNIS treatments (herbicide). NNIS treatments will enhance the habitat for all the groups that occur in the project area. Benefits include the reduction of competition for light and moisture and the removal of allelopathic effects. Project design features will be used to avoid known occurrences of rare plants. Additionally, nearly all of the occurrences of rare plants are in close proximity to NNIS species and will be beneficially affected.

Vernal ponds There are no known populations that overlap vernal ponds in the CHERP project area. There will be no effects to known rare plant species from this activity. However, searches for rare plant resources should be conducted prior to vernal ponds are constructed.

Associated Road Construction and Maintenance There are no known populations that overlap associated road construction and maintenance in the CHERP project area.

Summary: Table 5 presents the resource indicators and measures for alternative 2. Sensitive plant habitat is expected to be beneficially affected by project activities as a result of barrens-specific vegetation management, prescribed burning, and NNIS treatments. Some negative effects could occur for some habitat types from firelines associated with prescribed burning and associated road construction and maintenance, but these do not affect as much habitat and the effects are expected to be relatively small in magnitude. Beneficial effects of habitat enhancement are expected to outweigh any negative effects from roads and firelines. Known occurrences will be beneficially affected, and will have project design features applied to ensure any negative project effects are minimized.

Shawnee National Forest 36 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

Table 5. Resource indicator and measure for alternative 2 direct and indirect effects Resource Resource Measure Alternative 2 Element Indicator Sensitive Level of effect to Sensitive plant Sensitive plant habitat would be beneficially plants species viability occurrences and impacted for the sensitive plant species known to (determination habitat disturbance. occur in the project area. Prescribed burning and category) (Measure 1) barrens-specific vegetation management would benefit known occurrences of most species. NNIS herbicide treatment would directly benefit nearly every known occurrence of rare plant species because they are in close proximity to NNIS infestations. Establishment of protection areas will eliminate direct and indirect impacts related to project activities for species that overlap with vegetation treatments and bulldozer line creation.

Cumulative Effects – Alternative 2

Past, Present, and Reasonably Foreseeable Activities Relevant to Cumulative Effects Analysis

Phragmites and Reed Canarygrass Eradication project (2015) Phragmites and Reed Canarygrass are not known from the project area. However, future infestations could be treated in the project area. Potential future beneficial, direct and indirect, short- and long-term effects could occur to the Swamps and Floodplain Forests and Streambanks and Streams habitat groups.

Condro Prescribed Burn This project does not overlap known populations. Any effects to suitable habitat would be beneficial as described in the direct and indirect effects section.

Road Maintenance As described in the direct and indirect effects section, road maintenance activities are not likely to occur in suitable habitat for these species and would not contribute to any cumulative effects.

Invasive Species Management Project The invasive species management project would have the same cumulative effects as those described for indirect and direct effects. NNIS management would have beneficial indirect effects of habitat enhancement for these species.

Forestwide openlands management This project does not spatially overlap with suitable habitat for these species. Therefore, it would not contribute any cumulative effects.

Eastside Openlands Expansion Project This project does not spatially overlap with known populations of sensitive plants. This project benefits species that thrive in opening and barrens. Therefore, it could contribute beneficial cumulative effects to species in the Dry-Mesic Barrens and Rich Uplands and Open Barrens and Glades habitat groups.

Powerline or utility corridors Powerlines do not affect known populations of these species nor suitable habitat. Therefore, powerline or utility corridors would not contribute cumulative effects.

Shawnee National Forest 37 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

Powerlines occur in the analysis area for rare plants. These areas are maintained in an open canopy and often have infestations of NNIS present. The maintenance of powerline corridors is beneficial for species that thrive in open habitats. The habitat is unlikely to be colonized by sensitive plants, because regular maintenance of vegetation in the powerline corridors would discourage it. Any indirect positive effects from the maintenance of an open canopy next to habitat for species that prefer openings and barrens is probably offset by the increased chance of NNIS invasion into that habitat.

Private land management and State of Illinois prescribed burning on state lands These project activities do not overlap spatially with the effects analysis area for sensitive plants. Therefore, these activities would not contribute to cumulative effects for sensitive plants.

Summary Table 6 presents the cumulative effects summary for alternative 2. The known occurrences of rare plant species would be beneficially affected by projects such as the Invasive Species Management Project, which will enact prescribed burning and NNIS treatments. The remaining actions are expected to have minimal effects to these species.

Table 6. Resource indicator and measure for alternative 2 cumulative effects Resource Resource Element Measure Alternative 2 Indicator Sensitive plants Level of effect to Sensitive plant Cumulative effects to sensitive plant habitat species viability occurrences and largely consist of additional prescribed (determination habitat disturbance. burning and NNIS control projects. These category) (Measure 1) effects are expected to reinforce beneficial project activities.

Alternative 3 Alternative 3 differs from alternative 2 in the following key ways:

1. Pine trees would be cut and left where felled. 2. Roadwork associated with the harvest activities would not be completed, including construction or reconstruction. 3. There is a reduction in use of roads as firelines leading to an increase in interior bulldozer fireline. 4. There is no development of vernal ponds.

Direct and Indirect Effects - Alternative 3

Vegetation Treatments: overstory removal, clearcut, shelterwood establishment cut, timber stand improvement

Vegetation treatment would still occur over the same number acres, but trees would be left in place after cutting them. Increased ground coverage from down trees would compete with any sensitive plant for space to colonize the newly thinned areas. Since stands were surveyed and known populations will be protected through project design features, it is expected that the difference in effects from alternative 2 would be negligible.

Shawnee National Forest 38 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

Prescribed Burning The number of acres that would be prescribed burned would be the same. Pines left on the ground could lead to greater burn intensities. Known occurrences of sensitive plants would be buffered from logging and likely would not be affected by greater burn intensities. Fire intensities are not expected to lead to sterilized ground, because felled pines would not be gathered into large burn piles. The difference in effects from alternative 2 to alternative 3 are expected to be negligible.

Firelines associated with Prescribed Burning Alternative 3 changes from alternative 2 not reconstructing or construction roads associated with vegetation management. As a result, the amount of bulldozer fireline is increased for this alternative. The effects of more bulldozer line is likely offset by less roads for sensitive plants.

NNIS treatments (herbicide) There is no difference in effects from alternative 2 for NNIS treatments because there is no difference between alternatives.

Vernal ponds There is no development of vernal ponds in alternative 3, therefore, there are no effects to sensitive plants for this action.

Associated road reconstruction and maintenance The effect from this activity is reduced compared to alternative 2, but the magnitude of effect is likely to be small for sensitive plants.

Summary As indicated in table 7, alternative 3 only superficially differs from alternative 2 in effects to rare plants. Logs left on the ground would compete with rare plants for colonizing treated stands and would also lead to increased fire intensity. However, the stands were surveyed in 2010, and all known occurrences of plants would be protected through project design features.

Table 7. Resource indicator and measure for alternative 3 direct/indirect effects Resource Resource Measure Alternative 3 Element Indicator Sensitive Level of effect Sensitive plant Sensitive plant habitat would be beneficially impacted for plants to species occurrences and the sensitive plant species known to occur in the project viability habitat area. Prescribed burning and barrens-specific vegetation (determination disturbance. management would benefit known occurrences of most category) (Measure 1) species. NNIS herbicide treatment would directly benefit nearly every known occurrence of rare plant species because they are in close proximity to NNIS infestations. Establishment of protection areas will eliminate direct and indirect impacts related to project activities for species that overlap with vegetation treatments and bulldozer line creation.

Shawnee National Forest 39 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

Cumulative Effects – Alternative 3

Past, Present, and Reasonably Foreseeable Activities Relevant to Cumulative Effects Analysis

Phragmites and Reed Canarygrass Eradication project (2015) Effects would be the same as those described in alternative 2.

Condro Prescribed Burn Effects would be the same as those described in alternative 2.

Road Maintenance Effects would be the same as those described in alternative 2.

Invasive Species Management Project Effects would be the same as those described in alternative 2.

Forestwide openlands management Effects would be the same as those described in alternative 2.

Eastside Openlands Expansion Project Effects would be the same as those described in alternative 2.

Powerline or utility corridors Effects would be the same as those described in alternative 2.

Private land management and State of Illinois prescribed burning on state lands Effects would be the same as those described in alternative 2.

Alternative 4 Alternative 4 differs from alternative 2 only in the vegetative prescriptions. Alternative 4 retains some pine longer, includes harvest of oak hardwood competitors and relies more on oak planting versus natural oak regeneration. Alternative 4 also requires more entries into the vegetation management units.

Direct and Indirect Effects

Vegetation Treatments: overstory removal, clearcut, shelterwood establishment cut, timber stand improvement Vegetation treatment would still occur over the same number acres, but more entries into the project area would occur through vegetation management over the life of the project. Known occurrences would be protected using project design features, so the effects are not expected to be different between alternatives for sensitive plants.

Prescribed Burning The same number of acres are burned as compared to alternative 2. Therefore, effects to sensitive plants are expected to be the same as alternative 2.

Shawnee National Forest 40 Cretaceous Hills Ecological Restoration Project, Botanical Resources Report

Firelines associated with Prescribed Burning Alternative 4 is the same as alternative 2 for fireline creation. Therefore, effects to sensitive plants are expected to be the same as alternative 2.

NNIS treatments (herbicide) There is no difference in effects from alternative 2 for NNIS treatments because there is no difference between alternatives.

Vernal ponds There is no difference in effects from alternative 2 for vernal pond creation because there is no difference between alternatives.

Associated road reconstruction and maintenance Activities proposed for associated road reconstruction and maintenance for alternative 4 are the same as for alternative 2. Therefore, effects to NNIS are expected to be the same as alternative 2.

Cumulative Effects – Alternative 4