U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
SPECIES TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN IMPLEMENTING STAMs Interior Least Tern (Sterna antillarum athalassos) Species included inGreat the GreatPlains Wind Plains Energy Environmental Impact Statement Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) – E Status: Endangered Gulf Coast jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi cacomitli) – E Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) – E Description: These 8- to Wind Energy Habitat ConservationStudy Area Plan Map Species under MAMMALS Texas Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys elator) - UR 9-inch birds have a black “crown” on their head, a Attwater’s prairie chicken (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri) – E consideration for snowy whiter underside and Species being considered for inclusion in the Great Plains Wind Energy Black-capped vireo (Vireo atricapilla) – E forehead, grayish back and Great Plains Wind Energy Habitat Conservation Golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia) – E HCP Plan Area coverage in the ITP: wings, orange legs, and a Plan (HCP) include certain species listed as
Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) – E Photo by USFWS yellow bill with a black tip. To Designated Whooping Crane federally threatened or endangered—or Critical Habitat BIRDS Eskimo curlew (Numenius borealis) – E feed, the terns hover over and dive into standing or flowing having the potential to become listed during Whooping Crane Migration Corridor Northern aplomado falcon (Falco femoralis) – E water to catch small fish. (approximately 200 miles wide) Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) – E the life of the HCP—and having some likelihood Piping Plover Critical Habitat Range: Interior least terns breed in isolated areas along the Sprague’s pipit (Anthus spragueii) – C of occurring within the proposed Plan Area. Lesser Prairie Chicken – Current Range Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Red, and Rio Grande river systems. Lesser Prairie Chicken – Historic Range Species currently considered for take coverage Concho water snake (CWS) (Nerodia paucimaculata) – T Their winter home is not known but probably includes coastal Interior Least Tern – Breeding Habitat Dunes sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus) – C areas of Central and South America. include the following: whooping crane (Grus Service Region 6 Courtesy ofCourtesy the Service REPTILES Service Region 2 Habitat: From late April to August, terns use barren to sparsely americana), endangered; interior least tern Whooping Crane vegetated sandbars along rivers, sand and gravel pits, or (Sterna antillarum athalassos), endangered; piping plover (Charadrius melodus), threatened; Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis) – E lake and reservoir shorelines. Reproduction: The terns nest in a shallow hole scraped in an and lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus AMPHIBIANS open sandy area, gravelly patch, or exposed flat. They nest in pallidicinctus), candidate for listing. ground beetle, no common name (Rhadine exilis) – E small colonies. The chicks leave the nest only a few days after The Plan Area for the Great Plains Wind Energy ground beetle, no common name (Rhadine infernalis) – E hatching, but the adults continue to care for them, leading Helotes mold beetle (Batrisodes venyivi) – E them to shelter in nearby grasses and bringing them food. HCP is proposed to include non-federal lands Cokendolpher cave harvestman (Texella cokendolpheri) – E within: 1) 100 miles on each side of the center Source: USFWS, 2011
Tooth Cave ground beetle (Rhadine persephone) – E white underside, and orange (STAMs) are being developed for many other ofCourtesy Gene Nieminen/the Service Bone Cave harvestman (Texella reyesi) – E legs. During the breeding species. Species which may have STAMs are Piping Plover Coffin Cave mold beetle (Batrisodes texanus) – E season, adults have a black listed in the panel on the last page of the Photo by USFWS Great Plains Wind Energy Environmental Impact Statement forehead, a black breast fact sheet. By fully implementing STAMs, it is American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus) – E band, and an orange bill. The plovers eat insects, spiders, Scaleshell mussel (Leptodea leptodon) – E and crustaceans. anticipated that incidental take of these species Great Plains Wind Energy HCP Plan Area during the life of a specific wind energy facility Higgins eye mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) – E Range: Piping plovers are migratory birds. In the spring and Dakota skipper (Hesperis dacotae) – C summer they breed in northern United States and Canada. would be avoided. Study AreaWhat Map is the project? INVERTEBRATES Species under There are three locations where piping plovers nest in North The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is preparing an Arkansas River shiner (Notropis girardi) – T America: the shorelines of the Great Lakes, the shores of ENDANGERED: an animal or plant in danger of ofCourtesy the Service Fountain Darter (Etheostoma fonticola) – E Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Great Plainsconsideration Wind Energy for rivers and lakes in the Northern Great Plains, and along the extinction within the foreseeable future throughout Interior Least Tern Neosho Madtom (Noturus placidus) – T Great Plains Wind Energy Atlantic Coast. Their nesting range has become smaller all or a significant portion of its range Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). The goal of the HCP is to develop a FISH Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) – E HCP Plan Area coverage in the ITP: over the years, especially in the Great Lakes area. In the fall, consistent, systematic, and predictable approach for ESA compliance for Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka) – E plovers migrate south and winter along the coast of the Gulf THREATENED: an animal or plant likely to become Other species may be identified Arkansas Darter (Etheostoma cragini) – C of Mexico or other southern locations. endangered within the foreseeable future wind energy developmentDesignated that Whooping will provide Crane a conservation benefit for Critical Habitat during scoping Black lace cactus (Echinocereus reichenbachii var. albertii) – E throughout all or a significant portion of its range Habitat: Piping plovers use wide, flat, open, sandy beaches certain species. Whooping Crane Migration Corridor Blowout penstemon (Penstemon haydenii S. Wats.) – E with very little grass or other vegetation. Nesting territories CANDIDATE: Plants and animals that have been (approximately 200 miles wide) Large-Fruited Sand Verbena (Abronia macrocarpa) – E often include small creeks or wetlands. studied and the Service has concluded that they Piping Plover Critical Habitat Navasota Ladies’-Tresses (Spiranthes parksii) – E should be proposed for addition to the Federal The objectives of the EIS are to: Why are these species Reproduction: The female lays four eggs in its Lesser Prairie Chicken – Current Range Slender Rushpea (Hoffmannseggia tenella) – E endangered and threatened species list PLANTS South Texas Ambrosia (Ambrosia cheiranthifolia) – E small, shallow nest lined with pebbles or broken • Evaluate potential Lesserimpacts Prairie toChicken the –human Historic Range environment that would being considered? shells. Both parents care for the eggs and chicks. Interior Least Tern – Breeding Habitat Texas Prairie Dawn (Hymenoxys texana) – E result from the proposed HCP and associated Incidental Take Permit WEWAG has identified species with Texas wild-rice (Zizania texana) – E When the chicks hatch, they are able to run Service Region 6 about and feed themselves within hours. (ITP) for regional-level development, construction, operation, and Western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara) – T Service Region 2 the potential to be ofCourtesy the Service impacted in the Source: USF WS, 2 011
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Great Plains Wind Energy ofCourtesy the Service Interior Least Tern Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). The goal of the HCP is to develop a consistent, systematic, and predictable approach for ESA compliance for Other species may be identified wind energy development that will provide a conservation benefit for during scoping certain species.
The objectives of the EIS are to: Why are these species • Evaluate potential impacts to the human environment that would being considered? result from the proposed HCP and associated Incidental Take Permit WEWAG has identified species with (ITP) for regional-level development, construction, operation, and the potential to be impacted in the maintenance associated with multiple commercial wind energy facilities course of wind energy development • Respond to the Incidental Take Permit (ITP) application submitted by within the proposed plan area that the Wind Energy Whooping Crane Action Group (WEWAG) are either listed as threatened and endangered or have the potential • Ensure compliance with NEPA, which includes the ESA and other to become listed. relevant regulations and statutes The final list of covered species The EIS will assist the Service in making an informed decision about issuing may be modified based on the ITP. The NEPA process provides other agencies, stakeholders, and the information received during the public an active role in the scoping process. Input from these parties will scoping process and further help the Service consider concerns during the planning process and inform analysis of the proposed action. the decision on issuing the ITP. GREAT PLAINS WIND ENERGY GREAT PLAINS WIND ENERGY STUDY Environmental Impact Statement Habitat ConservationEnvironmental Plan Impact Statement Habitat Conservation Plan OVERVIEW U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Whooping Crane (Grus Americana) Lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus Status: Endangered pallidicinctus) Description: The whooping crane is the tallest North Status: Candidate American bird. Males, which may approach 5 feet in Description: The Lesser prairie-chicken is a medium- height, are larger than females. Adults are snowy white sized, grayish brown grouse. The total length of adults except for black primary feathers on the wings and a bare is 14-16 inches. In adults, most of the body is barred red face and crown. The bill is a dark olive-gray, which with alternating dark and light bands. Dark bands on becomes lighter during the breeding season. The eyes are upperparts are complex, including black and cinnamon yellow and the legs and feet are gray-black. Immature tones; light bands on upperparts range from buff to white. cranes are a reddish cinnamon color that results in a Upperparts are therefore darker and more richly colored mottled appearance as the white feather bases extend. Photo by USFWS than underparts. Their tails are short, rounded, and Photo by USFWS Whooping cranes in flight Male lesser prairie-chicken The juvenile plumage is gradually replaced through the brownish black. Males display a bright yellow eye-comb winter months and becomes predominantly white by the above eye and dull red esophageal “air sacs” on the following spring as the dark red crown and face appear. side of their necks during courtship. Males also have a Yearlings achieve the typical adult appearance by late in Habitat: The nesting area in Wood Buffalo National Park tuft of elongated feathers (pinnae) on each side of neck; Nesting sites are in sand sagebrush or shinnery oak their second summer or fall. The life span is estimated to be is a poorly drained region interspersed with numerous these are held erect during courtship display. Females grasslands with high canopy cover and moderate 22 to 24 years in the wild. Whooping cranes are omnivorous potholes. Bulrush is the dominant emergent in the potholes have shorter pinnae. Immature birds are similar to adults vertical and horizontal cover, primarily residual feeders. They feed on insects, frogs, rodents, small birds, used for nesting. On the wintering grounds at Aransas but more richly colored, especially on throat. They feed vegetation. Females prefer to nest in relatively minnows, and berries in the summer. In the winter, they National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, whooping cranes use on insects, seeds, acorns, vegetative material, and tall, dense vegetation. Nests often are under focus predominantly on animal foods, especially blue the salt marshes that are dominated by salt grass, saltwort, cultivated grains. sand sagebrush or shinnery oak shrub or amid tall crabs and clams. They also forage for acorns, snails, smooth cordgrass, glasswort, and sea ox-eye. They also bunchgrasses. The height and density of forbs and crayfish, and insects in upland areas. forage in the interior portions of the refuge, which are Range and Population: The historical range of the residual grasses are greater at nest sites than on gently rolling, sandy, and are characterized by oak brush, Lesser prairie-chicken extended from southeastern adjacent rangeland. Range and Population: The historic range of the grassland, swales, and ponds. Typical plants include live Colorado and southwestern Kansas southward whooping crane once extended from the Arctic coast oak, redbay, Bermuda grass, and bluestem. through western Oklahoma to southeastern New Reproduction: In spring and fall, adults congregate south to central Mexico, and from Utah east to New Mexico and western Texas. Currently, the species is on leks where males engage in communal courtship Jersey, into South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. A Reproduction: Whooping cranes are monogamous and discontinuously distributed within a small portion of displays at sunrise and before sunset. Dominant separate non-migratory breeding population occurred in form life-long pair bonds but will remate following the death the historical range, including all five of these states. males establish and defend territories in the central southwestern Louisiana. The current nesting range of the of a mate. Whooping cranes return to the same breeding Formerly, the species ranged north to southwestern portion of the lek, whereas subordinant males are self-sustaining natural wild population is restricted to Wood territory in Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada, in April Nebraska, but there is no evidence of breeding in generally restricted to peripheral territories. The Buffalo National Park in Saskatchewan, Canada, and the and nest in the same general area each year. Despite that state, and the species’ ephemeral occurrence number of males attending a lek varies seasonally current wintering grounds of this population are restricted the fact that most pairs lay two eggs, seldom does more there may have been an artifact of post-settlement and annually and is influenced by habitat and to the Texas Gulf Coast at Aransas National Wildlife than one chick reach fledging. Autumn migration begins habitat changes. This species is regarded as population density. Females attend leks to copulate Refuge and vicinity. A major traditional migratory stopover in mid-September, and most birds arrive on the wintering non-migratory. with males from late March through May. Nesting is at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. grounds of Aransas National Wildlife Refuge on the Texas is initiated from mid-April through late May, and The whooping crane population, estimated at 500 to 700 Gulf Coast by late-October to mid-November. Whooping Habitat: Lesser prairie-chickens inhabit mixed grass- hatching peaks from late May through mid-June. individuals in 1870, declined to only 16 individuals in cranes migrate singly, in pairs, in family groups, or in small dwarf shrub communities that occur on sandy One egg is laid per day, and incubation begins the migratory population by 1941 as a consequence of flocks, and are sometimes accompanied by sandhill cranes. soils, principally the sand sagebrush association in when the clutch is complete. Droughts and hot, hunting and specimen collection, human disturbance, They are diurnal migrants, stopping regularly to rest and Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma, and to a lesser dry weather during nesting season may negatively and conversion of the primary nesting habitat to hay, feed, and use traditional migration staging areas. On the extent, Texas and New Mexico; and the shinnery impact hatching success. pastureland, and grain production. The main threat to wintering grounds, pairs and family groups occupy and oak-bluestem association in Oklahoma, Texas, and Source: USFWS, 2010