Biological Technical Report
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APPENDIX B – BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES APPENDIX B1 – BIOLOGICAL TECHNICAL REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS Appendix B1 – Biological Technical Report 1-1 1.1 Laws, Ordinances, Regulations, and Standards ......................................................... 1-1 1.1.1 Federal Laws .................................................................................................. 1-1 1.1.2 State Laws ...................................................................................................... 1-3 1.1.2.1 Arizona ............................................................................................ 1-3 1.1.2.2 New Mexico .................................................................................... 1-3 1.1.3 Regulations and Regional Plans..................................................................... 1-4 1.2 Study Area ................................................................................................................. 1-4 1.3 Land Status ................................................................................................................ 1-4 1.4 Regional Geological Setting ...................................................................................... 1-4 1.5 Existing Environment ................................................................................................ 1-5 1.5.1 Climate ........................................................................................................... 1-5 1.6 Vegetation .................................................................................................................. 1-6 1.6.1 Biomes ........................................................................................................... 1-6 1.7 Special-Status Species ............................................................................................. 1-10 1.7.1 Review Methodology ................................................................................... 1-10 1.8 Special-Status Species ............................................................................................. 1-77 1.8.1 Special-Status Species with Potential to Occur within the Project Area of Influence .................................................................................................. 1-77 1.8.1.1 Mammals....................................................................................... 1-77 1.8.1.2 Birds ............................................................................................ 1-120 1.8.1.3 Amphibians ................................................................................. 1-205 1.8.1.4 Reptiles ....................................................................................... 1-212 1.8.1.5 Fish .............................................................................................. 1-239 1.8.1.6 Invertebrates ................................................................................ 1-253 1.8.1.7 Plants ........................................................................................... 1-277 1.9 References.............................................................................................................. 1-300 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Special-Status Species that were Evaluated for Potential Occurrence within the Study Area and Project Area of Influence ............................................................... 1-11 SunZia Southwest Transmission Project i Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Resource Management Plan Amendments This page intentionally left blank. SunZia Southwest Transmission Project ii Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Resource Management Plan Amendments APPENDIX B1 – BIOLOGICAL TECHNICAL REPORT 1.1 LAWS, ORDINANCES, REGULATIONS, AND STANDARDS 1.1.1 Federal Laws Federal legislation and policy applicable to biological resources within the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project area of influence includes the: National Environmental Policy Act (42 USC § 4321, et seq., 40 CFR § 1500.1, et seq.) Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 USC 460 et seq.), as amended Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 USC 703 et seq.) Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 USC 668) Sikes Act (16 USC §670g, et seq.) Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 USC §662, et seq.) State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program Federal Land Policy Management Act (43 USC §1701) Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 ([Clean Water Act] 33 USC §1251 et seq.) Bureau of Land Management Policy 6840 (Special Status Species Management) Executive Order 13112 (Invasive Species) The National Environmental Policy Act requires the federal government to assess the environmental impacts of most major federal actions, which include actions undertaken (1) on federal land, (2) by a federal agency, (3) with federal funds, or (4) where the federal government will be issuing a permit. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) authorizes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to protect plant and wildlife species determined to be in danger of extinction, and the habitats on which these species depend. The ESA requires federal agencies to ensure that they do not carry out, fund, or authorize actions likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species. Critical habitat, which includes areas essential to the conservation and recovery of listed species, may be designated and receives additional protection from federal actions. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) protects more than 800 migratory bird species by making it illegal to take, possess, import, export, transport, sell, purchase, barter, or offer for sale, any migratory bird, or the parts, nests, or eggs of such a bird. Each year, the USFWS Migratory Bird Program compiles proposed and final regulations to authorize migratory bird hunting seasons, which are typically managed by state game and fish agencies. All native birds occurring within the Project area are protected under the MBTA, except members of the families Phasianidae (turkeys and grouse) and Odontophoridae (New World quail) (USFWS 2005a). The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) prohibits any form of possession or take of Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, or their eggs, feathers, or any other parts. Certain exceptions for Native American cultural uses apply (1994 Memorandum [59 FR 22953, April 29, 1994]). SunZia Southwest Transmission Project B1-1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Resource Management Plan Amendments The Sikes Act requires federal land management agencies to coordinate with state wildlife agencies in the development of comprehensive plans for wildlife conservation on public lands. Where not in conflict with other land uses, these plans may permit hunting and fishing to occur on federal land in accordance with state regulations, may allow cooperative habitat improvement, and may regulate off-highway vehicle (OHV) use. The Sikes Act also requires that the Department of Defense develop conservation plans for military reservations with significant natural resources. The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act requires consultation with the USFWS and state fish and wildlife agencies where the "waters of any stream or other body of water are proposed or authorized, permitted or licensed to be impounded, diverted...or otherwise controlled or modified" by any agency under a Federal permit or license. Consultation is to be undertaken for the purpose of "preventing loss of and damage to wildlife resources." The State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program provides federal funding for state conservation actions, in part for proactive work to reduce the need to list species under the ESA. States that receive the funding develop a State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), which assesses Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) within that state. These may include species already listed under the ESA, species with ranges restricted to that state or region, or those where the state is an important component of the species’ range. Conditions of the state’s habitat elements are also assessed. The Federal Land Policy Management Act requires that the public lands be managed in a manner “that will provide food and habitat for fish and wildlife and domestic animals; and that will provide for outdoor recreation and human occupancy and use; and that federal land management agencies provide meaningful public involvement with state and local agencies on land use decisions”. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act requires compliance with state regulatory agencies responsible for Section 402 permits, which in Arizona, are administered by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) under authority of the Environmental Protection Agency. Projects may also require an Arizona Pollution Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) and/or a Stormwater Runoff permit from the ADEQ. The New Mexico Environment Department Groundwater Pollution Prevention Section (GWPPS) of the Ground Water Quality Bureau administers, reviews, and approves ground water Discharge Permits for discharges that have the potential to impact ground water quality pursuant to Subparts III and V of the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) regulations (20.6.2 New Mexico Administrative Code). Executive Order 13112 requires that federal agencies prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species, detect and respond rapidly to control such species, monitor invasive species populations, and restore native species and habitat conditions in ecosystems that have been invaded. In addition, the order requires that a federal agency