July 7, 2017 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus Washoe County School District

Prepared For: BLM Carson City District 5665 Morgan Mill Road Carson City, NV 90701

Washoe County School District 102 S. Main Street Yerington, NV 89447

Prepared By: JoAnne Michael & Jeremy Drew Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota Street Carson City, NV 89703 (775) 883-1600

Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION...... 1 1.1 Biological Study Area ...... 1 1.2 Recreation and Public Purposes Act Application ...... 1

2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING ...... 3 2.1 Geology ...... 3 2.2 Soils and Ecological Site Correlations ...... 3 Indian Creek sandy loam, 4 to 8 % slope ...... 5 Greenbrae sandy loam, 4 to 8 % slope...... 5 Luppino gravelly sandy loam, 4 to 8 % slope ...... 5 Acrelane very stony sandy loam, 8-15% slope ...... 5 Acrelane-Soar association, 15 to 50% slope ...... 5 2.3 Ecological Sites and Vegetation Types ...... 5 Loamy 8-10” P.Z...... 7 Loamy Hill 10-12” P.Z...... 7 Claypan 8-10” P.Z...... 7 Gravelly Clay 8-10” P.Z...... 8 2.4 Vegetation Landcover ...... 8

3.0 AGENCY BACKGROUND INFORMATION ...... 10 3.1 Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP) ...... 10 3.2 Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) ...... 10 Mule deer ...... 10 Pronghorn antelope ...... 10 Elk and bighorn sheep ...... 10 Greater sage-grouse ...... 10 Lahontan cutthroat trout ...... 11 Raptors ...... 11 General Wildlife ...... 11 3.3 US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) ...... 12 North American Wolverine ...... 13

Resource Concepts, Inc. i Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Lahontan cutthroat trout / Cui-ui ...... 13 Webber’s Ivesia ...... 13 Migratory Birds ...... 14 3.4 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) ...... 14 3.5 Summary BLM Sensitive Species ...... 31 3.6 Summary Migratory Birds ...... 32

4.0 SITE RECONNAISSANCE AND SURVEY RESULTS ...... 33 4.1 RCI 2017 Baseline Field Work ...... 33 RCI Botanical, Sensitive Plant Species, and Invasive Species Surveys ...... 33 2017 Sensitive Plant Survey Results ...... 35 2017 Noxious and Invasive Species Survey Results ...... 35 4.2 2017 Wildlife Reconnaissance and Sensitive Wildlife Species Surveys ...... 35 Incidental Wildlife Sightings ...... 36

REFERENCES ...... 37

List of Tables Table 1. Wildlife species that have been observed in the vicinity of the Biological Study Area (NDOW 2017)...... 12 Table 2. Federally listed threatened, endangered, and candidate species that occur within Washoe County, Nevada...... 13 Table 3. Habitat assessment and analysis for BLM Carson City District Sensitive Species, USFWS migratory birds of conservation concern, NDOW Special Status Species, and State and Federally protected raptors...... 15 Table 4. BLM sensitive species that have habitat and potential for occurrence in the Biological Study Area...... 31

List of Figures

Figure 1. General Vicinity and Land Status in the Biological Study Area ...... 2 Figure 2. Soils and Soil Associations in the Biological Study Area ...... 4 Figure 3. Ecological Sites in the Biological Study Area ...... 6 Figure 4. Landcover Classes in the Biological Study Area (SynthMap) ...... 9 Figure 5. Vegetation Survey Routes in the Biological Study Area ...... 34

Resource Concepts, Inc. ii Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Appendices Appendix A – Agency Background Letters Nevada Natural Heritage Project, letter dated February 16, 2017 Nevada Department of Wildlife, letter dated March 22, 2017 US Fish and Wildlife Service, letter dated April 5, 2017

Appendix B – Plant Lists RCI Plant List from 2017

Appendix C – Site Photos

2017-07-07 Final BTR 508 16-268.3 Washoe Cnty SD jm-jld-jm L5-43.docx

Resource Concepts, Inc. iii Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

This Biological Technical Report (Report) was prepared by Resource Concepts Inc. (RCI) to characterize the biological environment of the Sun Valley School Campus. The Biological Study Area is located in Sun Valley, Washoe County, Nevada in Sun Valley Nevada, Nevada in the SW ¼, S ½, of Section 5, T. 20, R. 20.

This report describes the existing physical environment and evaluates the potential for occurrence of Nevada State and federally listed threatened, endangered, and candidate species, and species designated as Sensitive by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Carson City District. The report also summarizes information on State and federally listed noxious weeds and invasive species in the Biological Study Area.

1.1 Biological Study Area The Biological Study Area encompasses approximately 80 acres of public lands administered by the Carson City District Office of the BLM. The Biological Study Area includes the Recreation and Public Purposes Project Area (R&PP Project Area) that may be leased to the Washoe County School District (WCSD) within an option to purchase, or if requested by WCSD, a patent may be immediately issued pending approval of the application and a compelling showing of need by the applicant. The WCSD proposes to use the R&PP Project Area for development of a school campus.

The general location, land ownership, and boundary of the Biological Study Area are shown in Figure 1.

1.2 Recreation and Public Purposes Act Application The WCSD has applied for a Recreation and Public Purposes Act (R&PP) conveyance of approximately 80 acres of federal land in Sun Valley, Washoe County, Nevada to support the development of a school campus (reference Figure 1).

On January 13, 2017, the WCSD perfected the R&PP application by submitting a Plan of Development for the proposed school campus. The application was assigned a Bureau of Land Management Case file number NVN 094477.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 1 20 21 22 23 24 Legend No Warranty is made by the Bureau of Land Management as to the accuracy, reliability, or RTTYP completeness of these data for individual use or 28 27 26 Highway aggregate use with other data. 25 30 29 28 27 State Route 26 25 Road Dirt Road Study Area (80 Acres) Ü

21N 19E 21N 20E Date: 5/30/2017 Township/Range 0 1 Section Miles 33 34 35 36 County Line 1 inch = 3,000 feet 31 32 33 BLM Land Ownership 34 Figure 1 35 36 Bureau of Land Management General Vicinity and Land Status (Ownership) 21N 19E Private in the Biological Study Area 20N 19E 21N 20E 20N 20E

04 03 02 01 06 05 04 03 02 01

5 4 4 te R County Rd te ta S

09 10 11 12 07 08 09 10 11 12

Sun Valley Blvd

15 Highland Ranch Pkwy 20N 19E

20N 20E

US Hwy 395 O ld US 14 Hw 13 16 y 18 17 39 16 5 15 14 N 13

21

22 23 24 19 20 y 21 22 w s 23 24 H u B S 5 U 9 3

Document Path: R:\projects\Washoe County Schools\16_268_3 SunValleySchool\MXD\Figure1_Study_Area_Base_less_layers_11x17.mxd Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

The elevation in the Biological Study Area ranges from approximately 5,000 feet in the northwest corner of the site and slopes to 4,900 in the southeast corner. The climate is characterized by a semi-arid temperate climate with cold wet winters, wet springs, and warm dry summers. Precipitation is erratic and variable and ranges in the eight to 12-inch precipitation zone. The Biological Study Area is riddled with an extensive unofficial road and trail network that includes multiple two-track and single-track trails used by recreational vehicles and motorcycles.

2.1 Geology The Biological Study Area geology is mapped as Cretaceous granitic rocks (66 million to 144 million years old) (NBMG, 1999). There are few granitic outcrops across the property. The majority of the property is covered by alluvium. According to the Soil Survey of Washoe County, Nevada, South Part (SCS, 1980), the alluvium in this area is derived mainly from granitic rocks which dominate the subject area.

2.2 Soils and Ecological Site Correlations The Biological Study Area lies within Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 26. The Project Area is included in the NRCS Soil Survey Washoe County Nevada, South Part. The predominant soils types are sandy loam or gravelly sandy loam over sandy clay loam or bedrock. Soils are characterized as well drained. The NRCS soil survey map units in the Biological Study Area are shown in Figure 2.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 3 Legend No Warranty is made by the Bureau of Land Management as to the accuracy, reliability, or Study Area (80 Acres) completeness of these data for individual use or aggregate use with other data. Figure 2 Date: 5/30/2017 0 400 Soils and Soil Associations Feet in the Biological Study Area Ü 1 inch = 400 feet NRCS Soil Type Key 136 Greenbrae sandy loam, 4 to 8 percent slopes (6 Acres) 172 Indian Creek sandy loam, 4 to 8 percent slopes (9.5 Acres) 210 Luppino gravelly sandy loam, 4 to 8 percent slopes (9 Acres) 262 Acrelane very stony sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes (21.5 Acres) 278 Acrelane-Soar association 15 to 50 percent slopes (36 Acres) 863 Reywat-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes (.15 Acres)

863 262

136

262

172 210 278

DONATELLO DR

DEBUSSY DR

Document Path: R:\projects\Washoe County Schools\16_268_3 SunValleySchool\MXD\Figure2_Study_Area_Base_Soil_11x17.mxd Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Indian Creek sandy loam, 4 to 8 % slope Fan remnants of sandy loam soils are derived from mixed alluvium parent material. Soil profile: 0-3 inches sandy loam; 3-20 inches gravelly clay; 20 to 25 inches: cemented material; 25 to 60 inches stratified extremely gravelly loamy coarse sand to gravelly sandy clay loam. Soils are well drained and not classified as prime farmland. 026 Ecological site: CLAYPAN 8-10 P.Z.

Greenbrae sandy loam, 4 to 8 % slope Greenbrae sandy loam soils are formed from alluvium derived from granitic rocks. Soil profile: 0-12 inches sandy loam; 12-32 inches sandy clay loam; 32-63 inches stratified coarse sand to gravelly loam. Soils are well drained and classified as prime farmland if irrigated. Ecological site: 026 LOAMY 8-10 P.Z.

Luppino gravelly sandy loam, 4 to 8 % slope Pediments derived from residuum weathered from granodiorite. Soil profile: 0-8 gravelly sandy loam; 8-14 inches gravelly sandy clay loam; 14-23 inches to bedrock; 23 to 33 inches bedrock. Well drained. Ecological site: 026 LOAMY HILL 10-12 P.Z.

Acrelane very stony sandy loam, 8-15% slope Hills derived from residuum and colluvium derived from granitic rock. Soil profile: 0-6 inches very stoney sandy loam; 6-10 inches very gravely sandy clay loam; 10-60 inches bedrock. Well drained and not classified as prime farmland soils. Ecological site: 026 LOAMY HILL 10-12 P.Z.

Acrelane-Soar association, 15 to 50% slope Hills derived from residuum and colluvium derived from granitic rocks. Soil profile: 0-3 inches very gravelly coarse sandy loam; 3-8 inches very gravelly sandy clay loam; 8 to 60 inches bedrock. Well drained and not classified as prime farmland. Ecological site: 026 GRAVELLY CLAY 10- 12 P.Z.

2.3 Ecological Sites and Vegetation Types Rangeland ecological sites are interpretive landscape units that are designated by soils, topography, and climate. Each site supports a native plant community typified by an association of species that differs from that of other range sites in the kind or proportion of species or in total production. Soils, landform, and precipitation zones in the Biological Study Area are correlated with four predominate ecological sites shown in Figure 3 and described as follows.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 5 Legend No Warranty is made by the Bureau of Land Management as to the accuracy, reliability, or Study Area (80 Acres) completeness of these data for individual use or aggregate use with other data. Figure 3 Date: 5/30/2017 0 400 Ecological Sites in the Feet Biological Study Area Ü 1 inch = 400 feet NRCS Soil Type Key R026XY015NV SHALLOW LOAM 10-12 P.Z. (.15 Acres) R026XY016NV LOAMY 8-10 P.Z. (6 Acres) R026XY017NV LOAMY HILL 10-12 P.Z. (31 Acres) R026XY025NV CLAYPAN 8-10 P.Z. (9.5 Acres) R026XY050NV GRAVELLY CLAY 10-12 P.Z. (36 Acres)

DONATELLO DR

DEBUSSY DR

Document Path: R:\projects\Washoe County Schools\16_268_3 SunValleySchool\MXD\Figure3_Study_Area_Base_Eco_Site_11x17.mxd Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Loamy 8-10” P.Z. The potential native plant community is dominated by Thurber’s needlegrass (Acnatherum thurberianum), Indian ricegrass (Acnatherum hymenoides), needle and thread grass (Hesperostipa comata). Potential vegetative composition is about 40% shrubs, 5% forbs, and 55% grasses. Other important plant species include Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata var. wyomingensis), Ephedra (Ephedra Nevadensis, Ephedra viridis), Anderson’s peachbrush (Prunus andersonii), and spiny hopsage (Grayia spinosa).

If ecological condition were to decline in this site, the plant composition trend in the alternative ecological states would be increased Wyoming big sagebrush as Thurber’s needlegrass and other desirable forage grasses decrease.

In general, the species most likely to invade this site following unreclaimed surface disturbances are cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), and annual mustards. (NRCS 2003).

Loamy Hill 10-12” P.Z. The potential native plant community is dominated by Thurber’s needlegrass (Acnatherum thurberianum), basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus), Indian ricegrass (Acnatherum hymenoides), and other perennial grasses. Potential vegetative composition is about 45% shrubs, 5% forbs, and 50% grasses. Other important plant species include Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata var. wyomingensis and var. vaseyana), Utah juniper (Juniperus utahensis), and antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata).

If ecological condition were to decline in this site, the plant composition trend in the alternative ecological states would increase rabbitbrush and big sagebrush and a decrease in Thurber’s needlegrass.

In general, the species most likely to invade this site following unreclaimed surface disturbances are cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), and annual mustards (NRCS 2003).

Claypan 8-10” P.Z. The potential native plant community is dominated by Thurber’s needlegrass (Acnatherum thurberianum), Sandberg’s bluegrass (Poa secunda), Webber’s ricegrass (Achnatherum webberi) and other perennial grasses. Potential vegetative composition is about 40% shrubs, 10% forbs, and 50% grasses. Other important plant species include low sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula).

If ecological condition were to decline in this site, the plant composition trend in the alternative ecological states would be an increase in low sagebrush, rabbitbrush and littleleaf horsebrush.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 7 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

In general, the species most likely to invade this site following unreclaimed surface disturbances are annuals and scattered pinyon-juniper (NRCS 2003).

Gravelly Clay 8-10” P.Z. The potential natural plant community is dominated by Lahontan sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscular), spiny hopsage, and fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens). Potential vegetative composition is about 40% grasses, 5% forbs, and 55% shrubs. Other important plant species include desert needlegrass, Indian ricegrass, and bottlebrush squirreltail (Elymus elymoides), and other perennial grasses.

If ecological condition were to decline in this site, the plant composition trend in the alternative ecological states would be increased Lahontan sagebrush, rabbitbrush, bottlebrush, squirreltail, and Sandberg’s bluegrass.

In general, the species most likely to invade this site following unreclaimed surface disturbances is cheatgrass (NRCS 2003).

2.4 Vegetation Landcover The predominant vegetation type is mapped by the SynthMap (Peterson, 2008) as Inter-Mountain Basins Big Sagebrush Shrubland interspersed with areas of low sagebrush (Artemesia arbuscular). (Figure 4).

Based on vegetation surveys completed on May 8, 2017, the Conveyance Area is characterized by a predominance of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and often co-dominated with low sagebrush (Artemesia arbuscular) on drier, rockier soils. There are scattered juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) throughout. Other common shrub species included rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus), antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), spiny shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia), and desert peach (Prunus andersonii). Common forb species included: whitestem blazing star (Mentzelia albicaulis), cushion buckwheat (Eriogonum ovalifolium), sulfur flower (Eriogonum umbellatum), hawksbeard (Crepis acuminata and C. occidentalis), rough eyelashes (Blepharippapus scaber), and death camas (Ziagdenus paniculatus). Shrub composition varies between 20% to 50%. The grass component is approximately 25% of the vegetative cover and species include: Sandberg’s bluegrass (Poa secunda), desert needlegrass (Stipa speciosa), bottlebrush squirreltail (Elymus elymoides), basin wild rye (Leymus cinerus), and cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum).

In the southeast corner are two isolated wetland seeps (approximately 0.25 acres). These seeps are dominated by willow (Salix spp), with an understory of rush (Juncus sp.). Water from the seeps flows off site and to the east where it dissipates within an existing dirt road.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 8 Legend No Warranty is made by the Bureau of Land Management as to the accuracy, reliability, or Study Area (80 Acres) completeness of these data for individual use or Channel aggregate use with other data.

Figure 4 Date: 6/1/2017 0 400 Land Cover Classes in the Ü Feet Biological Study Area 1 Inch = 400 Feet Synthmap 2008 Artemisia arbuscula (20 Acres) Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana Shrubland Alliance (2 Acres) Developed-High Intensity (2 Acres) Developed-Low Intensity (3 Acres) Developed-Medium Intensity (12.5 Acres) Developed-OpenSpace (3 Acres) Inter-Mountain Basins Big Sagebrush Shrubland (109 Acres) Riparian Area (Field Identified )

DONATELLO DR

DEBUSSY DR

Document Path: R:\projects\Washoe County Schools\16_268_3 SunValleySchool\MXD\Figure4_Study_Area_Veg_11x17_.mxd Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

3.1 Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP) The Nevada Natural Heritage Program database was queried to identify known locations of special status species in the vicinity of the Biological Study Area. The NNHP February 16, 2017 response confirmed no documented occurrences of federally listed taxa within a 1.2-mile (two-kilometer) radius of the Biological Study Area. The NNHP database search did not identify any occurrences of at risk taxa within the Biological Study Area (Appendix A).

3.2 Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) An inquiry was made with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) on March 2017 to identify wildlife species of concern in the vicinity of the Biological Study Area. The NDOW response is included in Appendix A. To adequately provide the following wildlife information, NDOW delineated an area of interest that included a four-mile (6.4 kilometer) buffer area around the Biological Study Area. NDOW reported the following:

Mule deer Occupied mule deer distribution exists throughout the entire Biological Study Area and portions of the four-mile buffer area.

Pronghorn antelope Occupied pronghorn antelope distribution exists outside of the Biological Study Area but within portions of the four-mile buffer area.

Elk and bighorn sheep No known occupied bighorn sheep or elk distributions exist in the vicinity of the Biological Study Area.

Greater sage-grouse The RP&P Project Area has been designated as General Habitat Management Area (GHMA) for greater sage-grouse (GRSG) in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 2015 Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment (ARMPA). Per Section 2.2.8 of the ARMPA Lands and Realty (LR) MD LR 21, lands that are classified as GHMAs for GRSG will be retained in federal management, unless: 1) the agency can demonstrate that disposal of the lands, including land exchanges, will provide a net conservation gain to GRSG, or 2) the agency can demonstrate that the disposal, including land exchanges, of the lands will have no direct or indirect adverse impact on conservation of the GRSG.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 10 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

In December 2015, an interagency team consisting of biologists from BLM, Nevada Department of Wildlife, and US Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) Service evaluated this parcel and determined the proposed project area does not contain occupied habitat, seasonal habitat, or connectivity habitat for GRSG. The habitat present is also not contiguous with known occupied GRSG habitat. This assessment was based on professional knowledge, lek surveys, and telemetry data (Abel et al., 2015). An updated 2016 GRSG habitat map from US Geological Survey currently shows the proposed project areas as non-habitat. Due to close proximity to the urban interface, high recreational use of this area, and scattered conifers, occurrence of GRSG within the project area is not plausible. Surveys conducted on May 8, 2017 did not observe GRSG or any sign of their use.

Lahontan cutthroat trout Lahontan Cutthroat Trout are known to exist in the vicinity of the project area in the City of Reno- Truckee River and Mullen Creek Watersheds. There is no aquatic habitat, and therefore, no potential for Lahontan cutthroat trout in the Biological Study Area.

Raptors Various species of raptors, which use diverse habitat types, are known to reside in the vicinity of the Biological Study Area. American kestrel, bald eagle, barn owl, burrowing owl, Cooper's hawk, ferruginous hawk, flammulated owl, golden eagle, great horned owl, long-eared owl, merlin, northern goshawk, northern harrier, northern saw-whet owl, osprey, peregrine falcon, prairie falcon, red-tailed hawk, rough-legged hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, short-eared owl, Swainson's hawk, turkey vulture, and western screech owl have distribution ranges that include the four-mile buffer area. Bald eagle, burrowing owl, ferruginous hawk, flammulated owl, golden eagle, northern goshawk, peregrine falcon, prairie falcon, and short-eared owl are NDOW species of special concern and are target species for conservation as outlined by the Nevada Wildlife Action Plan (NDOW 2012).

Five known raptor nest sites were recorded within ten miles of the Biological Study Area between 1974 and 1989. According to NDOW records, none of these nests have been identified as active since 1989.

General Wildlife Other wildlife species known to occur within the vicinity of the Biological Study Area are listed in Table 1.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 11 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Table 1. Wildlife species that have been observed in the vicinity of the Biological Study Area (NDOW 2017).

Common Name Scientific Name Birds blank Common Raven Corvus corvax American Crow* Corvus brachyhynchos Western Scrub Jay* Aphelocoma californica Black-throated Sparrow Amphispiza bilineata California Quail* Callipepla californica Cassin’s Finch* Haemorhous cassinii Eurasian Collared-Dove* Streptopelia decaocto European Starling* Sturnus vulgaris Green-tailed Towhee* Pipilo chlorurus Loggerhead Shrike* Lanius ludovicianus Mourning Dove* Zenaida macroura Reptiles blank Great Basin whiptail Aspidoscelis tigris Zebra-tailed lizard Callisaurus draconoides Great Basin collared lizard Crotaphytus bicinctores Northern sagebrush lizard Sceloporus graciosus Long-nosed leopard lizard* Gambelia wislizenii Desert horned lizard Phrynosoma platyrhinos Western fence lizard* Sceloporus occidentalis Yellow-backed spiny lizard Sceloporus uniformis Great Basin gopher snake* Pituophis catenifer deserticola Mammals blank Brown (Norway) rat Rattus norvegicus Black-tailed jackrabbit* Lepus californicus House mouse Mus musculus North American deer mouse Peromyscus maniculatus North American porcupine Erethizon dorsatum California ground squirrel Otospermophilus beecheyi Coyote Canis latrans Cottontail rabbit* Sylvilagus audubonii Mountain vole Microtus montanus Mountain lion Felis concolor *Species observed within Biological Study Area on May 8, 2017.

3.3 US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) The USFWS IPaC (Information for Planning and Consultation) database was queried for information on federally listed threatened, endangered, and candidate species and critical habitat within Washoe County, Nevada. The USFWS July 3, 2017 response (Appendix A) provided the

Resource Concepts, Inc. 12 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada following list of threatened and candidate species that may occur within Washoe County (Table 2). No designated or proposed designated critical habitat was identified in Washoe County.

Table 2. Federally listed threatened, endangered, and candidate species that occur within Washoe County, Nevada.

Species Population Listing Status North American Wolverine Entire Proposed (Gulo gulo luscus) Threatened Lahontan cutthroat trout Entire Threatened (Oncorhynchus clarkii ssp. henshawi) Cui-ui Entire Endangered (Chasmistes cujus) Webber’s Ivesia webberi Entire Threatened (Ivesia webberi)

North American Wolverine Occurs in a wide variety of locations such as the Northern Rocky Mountains, North Cascades, Southern Rocky Mountains, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Dependent on areas in high mountains, near the tree-line, where it is cold year-round and snow cover persists well into the month of May. The elevation of the Biological Study Area is below tree line and does not have persistent snow cover. There is no potential habitat for North American Wolverine in the Biological Study Area.

Lahontan cutthroat trout / Cui-ui Lahontan cutthroat trout and cui-ui are fish species that are dependent upon riverine aquatic habitat. There is no riverine aquatic habitat and no potential for Lahontan cutthroat trout or cui-ui in the Biological Study Area.

Webber’s Ivesia Webber ivesia (Ivesia webberii) is known from eight extant populations in Nevada from the Pine Nut and Carson ranges and Peavine Mountain in Washoe and Douglas Counties (NNHP 2004). It is restricted to shallow, clayey soils with a rocky pavement-like surface. These soils are derived from andesitic rock. Occupied sites are restricted to mid-elevation flats, benches or terraces with no colluvial accumulations from upslope (Witham 2000). Webber ivesia usually codominates with low sagebrush and bottlebrush squirreltail. This species is found at elevations between 4,000 and 5,950 feet in Nevada and flowers in late spring to early summer (NNHP 2004).

The Biological Study Area does contain shallow clay soils with a predominance of low sagebrush and bottlebrush squirreltail. There is potential habitat within the Biological Study Area for Webber’s Ivesia.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 13 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Migratory Birds The USFWS IPAC was queried for a list of migratory bird species of concern for the Biological Study Area. The results are included in Appendix A. The habitat assessment for migratory birds on the USFWS county lists and the potential for their occurrence in the Biological Study Area are discussed in Table 4. 3.4 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) In 2011, the Nevada list of BLM Sensitive Species was updated (BLM 2011). The BLM provided the Sensitive Species List for the BLM Carson City District. Habitat descriptions for each species on this list were compiled from technical references, the Nevada Wildlife Action Plan, and other readily available web-based information such as the Nevada Natural Heritage Program Nevada Rare Plant Atlas (NNHP 2001b). Species information and photographs were analyzed in conjunction with Synth map landcover maps (Peterson, 2008), soil surveys (Soils Survey Staff NRCS 2013), geologic maps (USGS 1978), ecological site descriptions (Soils Survey Staff NRCS), and satellite imagery (Google Earth) to identify potential habitat for BLM sensitive species within the Biological Study Area. The resulting habitat assessment is included in Table 3.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 14 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Table 3. Habitat assessment and analysis for BLM Carson City District Sensitive Species, USFWS migratory birds of conservation concern, NDOW Special Status Species, and State and Federally protected raptors.

Primary Species Status Habitat Habitat present? source Blank Blank Blank Blank Plants Eastwood milkweed, BLM Sensitive Occurs in small washes or other moisture- May occur, not likely to occur. NNHP 2001b Asclepias eastwoodiana accumulating microsites, in the shadscale, Potential habitat on-site, but not mixed-shrub, sagebrush, and lower piñon– known to occur in Washoe juniper zones. NV endemic. Esmeralda, County. Lincoln, Lander, Nye counties. 4,680–7,080 ft. (1,426–2,158 m). Margaret rushy milkvetch, BLM Sensitive Rocky slopes and flats in sagebrush in pinyon– May occur, not likely to occur. NNHP 2001b Astragalus convallarius var. juniper and sagebrush communities. 4,592- Potential habitat on-site, but not margaretiae 7,872 ft. (1,400–2,400 m). Carson City, known to occur in Washoe Douglas, Lyon and Story Counties. County.

Sodaville milkvetch, BLM Sensitive Occurs almost always under natural conditions May occur, not likely to occur. Calflora; Astragalus lentiginosus var. in wetlands, meadows, seeps, and riparian Potential habitat on-site, but not CNPS sesquimetralis State CE areas. Known from Mineral and Nye counties, known to occur in Washoe also in CA. 3,132-3,198 ft. (955–975 m). County. Lavin eggvetch, BLM Sensitive Occurs in open, dry, relatively barren gravelly No. There are no barren clay Calflora; Astragalus oophorus var. clay slopes, knolls, badlands, or outcrops slopes, knolls or badlands in the NNHP 2001b lavinii derived from volcanic ash or carbonate. It is Biological Study Area. usually found on northeast to southeast aspects, in openings in the pinyon–juniper or sagebrush zones. Known from Douglas, Lyon, and Mineral counties and also in CA. 5,700–7,467 ft. (1,737–2,276 m). Tonopah milkvetch, BLM Sensitive Sand dunes and deep sand with Sarcobatus No. There are no sand dunes or NNHP 2004b Astragalus pseudiodanthus vermiculatus and salt tolerant plants. Known deep sand within the Biological from Churchill, Esmeralda, Nye counties, Study Area. potentially Mineral County and in California. 4,526-6,002 ft. (1,380–1,830 m).

Resource Concepts, Inc. 15 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Primary Species Status Habitat Habitat present? source Ames milkvetch, BLM Sensitive Occurs in Great Basin scrub and lower montane May occur in Great Basin scrub Calflora; Astragalus pulsiferae var. coniferous forest, and pinyon and juniper or on rocky soils within the BLM Eagle Lake pulsiferae woodlands primarily on decomposed granite, or Biological Study Area. FO sandy or rocky soils. Washoe County and also in CA. 4,160–5,760 ft. (1,268–1,756 m). Bodie Hills rockcress, BLM Sensitive Pinyon–juniper community on rolling to steep No. Biological Study Area is Calflora; Boechera bodiensis topography in andesitic soils at elevations of well below the known elevation BLM 2010 8,200–10,168 ft. (2,500–3,100 m). range for the species. Bodie Hills draba, BLM Sensitive Great Basin scrub, pinyon and juniper No. Species occurs above site Calflora; Cusickiella quadricostata woodland; clay or rocky sites. Douglas, Lyon, elevation and not known to NNHP 2001b Mineral counties and also in CA. 6,200–8,500 occur in Washoe County. ft. (1,890–2,591 m). Windloving buckwheat, BLM Sensitive High elevation exposed, relatively barren dry, No. There are no high elevation NNHP 2001b Eriogonum anemophilum gravelly, ridgeline knolls and outcrops. Low exposed, relatively barren dry, elevations on dry barren and undisturbed knolls gravelly, ridgeline knolls and in stiff clay soils. 4,750-9,836 ft. (1,448-3,998 outcrops or low elevation dry m). barren and undisturbed knolls in stiff clay soils in the Biological Study Area. Beatley buckwheat, BLM Sensitive Dry volcanic outcrops in sagebrush scrub. No. There are no dry volcanic Calflora; Eriogonum beatleyae Known from Churchill, Esmeralda, Eureka, outcrops within the sagebrush NNHP 2001b Lander (?), Mineral, and Nye counties, Nevada; scrub habitat in the Biological also known in CA. 5,600–8,745 ft. (1,707– Study Area. 2,665 m). Churchill narrows buckwheat, BLM Sensitive Occurs on silty diatomaceous deposits of the No. There are no silty Flora of N. Eriogonum diatomaceum Coal Valley Formation appearing as white, diatomaceous deposits within the America USFWS chalky slopes, in saltbush communities. Known Biological Study Area. Not Candidate only from a few scattered populations in the known to occur in Washoe Churchill Narrows area south of Fort Churchill County. State CE State Park in Lyon County. 4,264–4,592 ft. (1,300–1,400 m).

Resource Concepts, Inc. 16 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Primary Species Status Habitat Habitat present? source Steamboat buckwheat, BLM Sensitive Occurs on young, shallow, poorly developed, No. There are no historic NNHP 2001b Eriogonum ovalifolium var. dry soils derived from siliceous opaline sinter thermal springs and no wetlands williamsiae USFWS precipitated by past thermal spring flows, but within the Biological Study Endangered not currently near surface water. Dependent on Area. wetland margin areas. Known from Washoe State CE County. 4,565–4,720 ft. (1,391–1,439 m).

Altered andesite buckwheat, BLM Sensitive Occurs on soils derived from weathering of No. There are no soils derived NNHP 2001b Eriogonum robustum hydrothermal sulfide deposits formed in from weathering hydrothermal andesite, or sometimes in rhyolitic or granitoid sulfide deposits within the rocks, forming on ridges, knolls, and steep Biological Study Area. slopes on all aspects supporting a sparse, stunted relict woodland of yellow pines (Pinus ponderosa and/or P. jeffreyi) and piñon pine, with an equally sparse understory. Storey and Washoe counties. 4,410–7,325 ft. (1,344–2,233 m). Smooth dwarf greasebush, BLM Sensitive Crevices of carbonate cliffs and outcrops, No. There are no cliffs or NNHP 2001b Glossopetalon pungens, var. generally avoiding southerly exposures, in the carbonate outcrops within the glabrum pinyon-juniper, mountain mahogany, and Biological Study Area. Not montane conifer zones. Known from Clark known to occur in Washoe County. 6,000–7,800 ft. (1,829–2,377 m). County. Rough dwarf greasebush, BLM Sensitive Crevices of carbonate cliffs and outcrops, No. There are no carbonate cliffs NNHP 2001b Glossopetalon pungens, var. generally avoiding southerly exposures, mainly or outcrops in the Biological pungens in the lower piñon–juniper and montane conifer Study Area. Not known to occur zones. Known from Clark and Nye counties. in Washoe County. 4,400–7,800 ft. (1,341–2,377 m). Sand cholla, BLM Sensitive Sand dunes and deep sand. 3,936-6,297 ft. No. There are no sand dunes or NNHP 2004b Grusonia pulchella (1,200–1,920 m). deep sand in the Biological Study Area. Sierra Valley mousetails, BLM Sensitive Occurs in wetlands, vernal flats, and meadows No wetland margins. Site is Calflora; Ivesia aperta var. aperta where soils are saturated in the spring in located below the known NNHP 2001b sagebrush scrub, yellow pine forest, mountain elevational range for the species. mahogany, and northern juniper woodland sites. Dependent on wetland margin areas in Storey and Washoe counties; also known in CA. 6,460– 7,300 ft. (1,969–2,225 m).

Resource Concepts, Inc. 17 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Primary Species Status Habitat Habitat present? source Pine Nut Mountains BLM Sensitive Seasonally or periodically wet, otherwise moist No. Site is located below the NNHP 2001b mousetails, to dry decomposed granite soils or sod of known elevational range for the Ivesia pityocharis meadow margins with shallow underlying water species. Not known from table and/or bedrock, associated with springs, Washoe Co. moist drainages, or ephemeral ponds. Aquatic or wetland-dependent. Douglas County. 6,990– 8,550 ft. (2,131–2,606 m). Webber’s ivesia, BLM Sensitive Known in Nevada from the Pine Nut and Carson Yes. There are shallow clayey NNHP 2001b Ivesia webberi USFWS Ranges and Peavine Mountain. It is restricted to soils or low sagebrush habitat Candidate shallow, clayey soils derived from andesitic rock present in the Biological Study NV Critically with a rocky pavement-like surface. Occupied Area. Endangerd low sagebrush sites are restricted to mid-elevation flats, benches, or terraces with no colluvial accumulations. Douglas and Washoe counties. 4,000–5,950 ft. (1,219–1,813 m). Sagebrush pygmyleaf, BLM Sensitive Occurs in moist, sandy soils of desert dunes and No. There are no sandy soils in Calflora; Loeflingia squarrosa var. flats in Great Basin sagebrush scrub and Mojave Biological Study Area. Greene and artemisiarum desert scrub in sagebrush and rabbitbrush scrub Sanders communities. 2,300– 5,300 ft. (700–1,615 m). Tiehm blazingstar, BLM Sensitive Known to occur on gypsum spring mounds No. There are no gypsum spring Center for Plant Mentzelia tiehmii near the Kirch Wildlife Management Area in mounds in the Biological Study Conservation White River Valley, Northeastern Nye County, Area which is outside the known and Lincoln County. 4,950 ft. (1,509 m). distribution of this species. Shevock bristlemoss, BLM Sensitive Found on granitic rock in Joshua tree woodland No. There is no granitic rock Calflora; CNPS Orthotrichum shevockii and pinyon–juniper woodland. 2,461-6890 ft. habitat in Joshua tree woodland (759–2,100 m). and pinyon–juniper woodland within the Biological Study Area. Oryctes, BLM Sensitive Sand dunes and deep sands. With halophytic No. There are no sand dunes or NNHP 2004b Oryctes nevadensis plants. Known to occur in Churchill, deep sand in the Biological Humboldt, Pershing, Washoe, and potentially Study Area. Esmeralda, and Storey counties and in California. 3,903-5,970 ft. (1,190–1,820 m). Nevada dune beardtongue, BLM Sensitive Sand dunes and deep sand. Often in alkaline No. There are no sand dunes or NNHP 2004b Penstemon arenarius habitats with halophytic plants. Nevada deep sand in the Biological endemic in Churchill, Mineral, Nye counties. Study Area. 3,903-5,970 ft. (1,190-1,820 m).

Resource Concepts, Inc. 18 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Primary Species Status Habitat Habitat present? source Lahontan beardtongue, BLM Sensitive Washes, roadsides, canyon floors. Often on No. No carbonate substrates or NNHP 2001b Penstemon palmeri var. carbonate substrates. Nevada endemic known canyons in the Biological Study macranthus to occur in Churchill, Pershing, Nye, and Area and not known to occur in potentially Lander counties. 3,411-4,559 ft. Washoe County. (1,040–1,390 m). Wassuk beardtongue, BLM Sensitive Occurs in open, rocky to gravelly soils on May occur on gravelly sandy NNHP 2001b Penstemon rubicundus perched tufa shores, steep decomposed granite loam soils in the juniper/ slopes, rocky drainage bottoms, and roadsides sagebrush, however not know to or other recovering disturbances with enhanced occur in Washoe County. runoff, locally abundant on recent burns, in the pinyon–juniper, sagebrush, and upper mixed- shrub and shadscale zones. Nevada endemic known from Douglas, Esmeralda, Mineral counties. 4,220–6,850 ft. (1,286–2,088 m). Playa phacelia, BLM Sensitive Alkali playas and seasonally inundated areas No. There are no playas or NNHP 2001b Phacelia inundata with clay soils. 4,920-5,740 ft. (1,500-1,750 seasonally inundated clay soils m). in the Biological Study Area. Mono County phacelia, BLM Sensitive Alkaline, barren or sparsely vegetated shrink- No. No alkaline, barren shrink- NNHP 2001b Phacelia monoensis swell clays of mostly andesitic origin, on swell clays in the Biological various slopes and aspects, mostly on stabilized Study Area. Not known to occur or low-intensity artificial or natural in Washoe County. disturbances. Most abundant on road berms, less frequently on naturally eroding badlands in the pinyon–juniper and mountain sagebrush zones. Esmeralda, Lyon, and Mineral counties. 5,920–9,055 ft. (1,804–2,760 m). Washoe pine, BLM Sensitive Washoe pine occurs in three mountain ranges No. The Biological Study Area USFS Pinus ponderosa ssp. State Protected on the western rim of the Great Basin in is not within the known washoensis northeastern California and northwestern distribution of the species. There Nevada. It occupies a few square miles on the are no 3-needle pines in the east slopes of Mount Rose, Nevada and can be Biological Study Area. found in small stands in the southern Warner Mountains and in the Bald Mountain range of northeastern California. Isolated stands have been reported in Oregon and British Columbia.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 19 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Primary Species Status Habitat Habitat present? source Altered andesite popcorn BLM Sensitive Restricted to shallow, rocky, highly acidic small- No. No altered andesitic soils are NNHP 2001b flower, cone soils derived from hydrothermally altered present in the Biological Study Plagiobothrys glomeratus andesite and occasionally in rhyolitic or granitic Area. rocks with a sparse and stunted relict woodland mainly of Jeffrey and/or ponderosa pine and singleleaf piñon pine. 4,850-6,650 ft. (1,478- 2,027 m). Williams combleaf, BLM Sensitive Occurs almost entirely within relatively barren No. There are no non-alkaline NNHP 2001b Polyctenium williamsii NV Critically sandy to sandy-clay or mud margins and seasonal lakes or playas present Endagered bottoms of non-alkaline seasonal lakes and in the Biological Study Area. playas perched over siliceous volcanic bedrock in sagebrush, piñon–juniper, and mountain sagebrush zones. 5,670-8,930 ft. (1,728-2,722 m). Tahoe yellowcress, NV Fully Occurs in coarse sand and sandy soils of active No. There are no sand and sandy NNHP 2001b Rorripa subumbellata Protected beaches, stream inlets, beach dunes, and soils of active beaches, stream backshore depressions, generally within a few inlets, beach dunes, and USFWS feet of the local water table, endemic to the backshore depressions. Candidate shore zone of Lake Tahoe.

Masonic Mountain BLM Sensitive Pinyon and juniper woodland volcanic or No. There are no volcanic or NNHP 2001b jewelflower, granitic, rocky outcrops. Known from granitic rocky outcrops. The Streptanthus oliganthus Esmeralda, Lyon, and Mineral counties. 6,800– Biological Study Area is below 8,770 ft. (2,073–2,673 m). the known elevational range for the species, and the species is not known from Washoe County. Tiehm peppercress, BLM Sensitive Dry, open, very rocky clay soils or soil pockets May occur within the sagebrush NNHP 2001b Stroganowia tiehmii in or near scree, talus, or boulder fields derived and juniper woodland areas of from basalt, or other volcanic rocks, and/or in the Biological Study Area. the sagebrush, upper shadscale, and lower juniper woodland zones. 4,820–6,170 ft (1,469–1,881 m). Mollusks blank Blank Blank Blank Ovate Cain Spring pyrg, BLM Sensitive Wetland and aquatic habitats. Known to occur No. Only occurs in the Reese NNHP 2004a Pyrgulopsis pictilis ovate only in the Reese River Valley. River Valley. Biological Study Area is outside of known range.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 20 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Primary Species Status Habitat Habitat present? source Wong’s pyrg, BLM Sensitive Found in springs in Douglas, Esmeralda, and No. Not known to occur in NNHP 2004a Pyrgulopsis wongi Mineral counties, NV. Washoe County. Insects blank Blank Blank Blank Hardy's aegialian scarab, BLM Sensitive Sand dunes and deep sands. No. Known only from Sand NNHP2004b Aegialia hardyi Mountain area in Churchill County. Biological Study Area is not within species range. Bee, BLM Sensitive Refers to a species of Anthropora that is No. Known only from Sand TNC 2003 Anthopora sp. endemic to Sand Mountain Mountain. Biological Study Area is out of species range. Sand Mountain aphodius BLM Sensitive Endemic to Sand Mountain No. Known only from Sand TNC 2003 scarab, Aphodius sp. 3 Mountain. Biological Study Area is out of species range. Click beetle, Cardiophorus BLM Sensitive Endemic to Sand Mountain No. Known only from Sand TNC 2003 ssp. nov. Mountain. Biological Study Area is out of species range. Sand Mountain pygmy scarab BLM Sensitive Endemic to Sand Mountain No. Known only from Sand BLM WDO 2011 beetle, Mountain. Biological Study Coenonycha pygmaea Area is out of species range. Early blue, BLM Sensitive unavailable No. Known only from Mineral BLM WDO 2011 Euphilotes enoptes, primavera County. Biological Study Area is out of species range. Sand Mountain blue, BLM Sensitive Sand dunes. Known only from Sand Mountain No. Known only from Sand NNHP2004b Euphilotes pallescens in NV. Larval food plant Kearney buckwheat Mountain. Biological Study arenamontana (Eriogonum nummulare). Area is out of species range. Bee, BLM Sensitive Refers to a species of Hesperia that is endemic No. Known only from Sand TNC 2003 Hesprapis sp. nov. 2 to Sand Mountain Mountain. Biological Study Area is out of species range. Mono Basin skipper, BLM Sensitive Known to occur east of Mono Lake, Mono No. Biological Study Area is out USFWS 2011 Hesperia uncas giulianii County CA. of species range. Bee, BLM Sensitive Endemic to Sand Mountain No. Known only from Sand TNC 2003 Perdita haigi Mountain. Biological Study Area is out of species range. Bee, BLM Sensitive Refers to a species of Perdita that is endemic to No. Known only from Sand TNC 2003 Perdita, sp. nov. 3 Sand Mountain Mountain. Biological Study Area is out of species range.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 21 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Primary Species Status Habitat Habitat present? source Great Basin small blue, BLM Sensitive Deserts, edges of dry desert lakes, stream edges No. There are no dry desert lakes BLM WDO 2011; Philotiella speciosa in foothills. Oxytheca and Eriogonum larval or streams in the Biological BMNA 2011 septentrionalis food plants. Study Area. Carson wandering skipper, BLM Sensitive Grassland habitats in alkaline substrates. No. Species is only known to Lowden 2011 Pseudocopaeodes eunus occur in Nevada in Warm obscurus Springs Valley north of Reno. Biological Study Area is not within known species range. Carson Valley silverspot, BLM Sensitive Wet meadows and other mesic habitats. No. Known only to occur in the Lowden 2011 Speyeria nokomis carsonensis Carson River drainage in Douglas and Alpine Counties. Biological Study Area is not within the species range. blank Blank Blank Blank Fishes Cui-ui, Chasmistes cujus BLM Sensitive Aquatic. Very limited distribution occurring No. Biological Study Area is USFWS 2010 only in Pyramid Lake. outside of species range. Wall Canyon sucker, BLM Sensitive Aquatic. No. No water bodies in the USFWS 1994 Catastomus sp.1 Biological Study Area. Hiko White River springfish, BLM Sensitive Aquatic. No. No water bodies present in USFWS no date Crenichthys baileyi grandis the Biological Study Area. Railroad Valley springfish, BLM Sensitive Aquatic. No. No water bodies in the USFWS 2010 Crenichthys nevadae Biological Study Area. Lahontan cutthroat trout, BLM Sensitive Aquatic. No: No water bodies in the USFWS NVFWO Oncorhynchus clarkii Biological Study Area. 2011 henshawi blank Blank Blank Blank Amphibians Dixie Valley [Hot Springs] BLM Sensitive Breeding habitat is aquatic. Later in the year, No. Found only in Dixie Valley. Amphibiaweb toad, Bufo sp.1 they are often found in more terrestrial habitats, Biological Study Area is outside although often in damp areas or near water. of species range. Found only in Dixie Valley. Mountain yellow-legged frog BLM Sensitive A member of the mountain yellow-legged frog No. Found only in the Sierra Amphibiaweb (Sierra NV population), Rana complex which is comprised of two species: Nevada Range. Biological muscosa Rana muscosa and Rana sierrae. Both species Study Area is outside of species are highly aquatic and are always found within range. a meter or two from the edge of water.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 22 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Primary Species Status Habitat Habitat present? source Northern leopard frog, Rana BLM Sensitive A variety of slow moving aquatic habitats No. Biological Study Area is NDOW 2011, pipiens along streams and rivers, wetlands permanent outside of species range. USFWS 2017 or temporary pools. blank Blank Blank Blank Reptiles Shasta alligator lizard, Elgaria BLM Sensitive Occurs in woodland, forests, grassland, and No. Found only in northern California Herps coerulea shastensis coastal chaparral. Commonly found hiding Washoe County. Biological 2011 under rocks, logs, bark, boards, trash, or other Study Area is located outside of surface cover. Prefers wetter and cooler the species range. habitats but generally found near sunny clearings. Only found in northern Washoe County.

blank Blank Blank Blank Mammals Pallid bat, BLM Nevada Arid regions with rocky outcroppings, in May occur, but not likely to NMEMNRD Antrozous pallidus Sensitive pinyon-juniper, blackbrush, creosote, occur. Juniper/sagebrush may MMD 2011; sagebrush, and salt desert scrub habitats, often provide foraging habitat, NBWG 2006 near water. Day roosts in rock crevices, although no confirmed buildings, caves, mines, and rock piles. Night observations have been reported roosts commonly under bridges. in Washoe County. No potential roost sites. No open water in the Biological Study Area. Pygmy rabbit, BLM Nevada Mature sagebrush, shrub-steppe with deep No. There are no deep sand soils IPRWG 2008 Brachylagus idahoensis Sensitive sands. within the Biological Study Area. Townsend’s big-eared bat, BLM Nevada Found throughout Nevada from low desert to May occur, but not likely to NMEMNRD Corynorhinus townsendii Sensitive high mountain habitats primarily in pinyon- occur. May forage in MMD 2011; juniper-mahogany, white fir, blackbrush, juniper/sagebrush habitat, but NBWG 2006 sagebrush, salt desert scrub, agricultural, and there are no caves or abandoned occasionally urban areas. Distribution strongly mines for roosting or no open correlated with availability of caves, and forest habitats within Biological abandoned mines. Forages almost exclusively Study Area. in open forest habitats. Recorded in the NNHP database in the vicinity of the Biological Study Area in 1969.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 23 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Primary Species Status Habitat Habitat present? source Big brown bat, BLM Nevada Variety of habitats including pinyon-juniper, May occur. May forage in NMEMNRD Eptesicus fuscus Sensitive blackbrush, creosote, sagebrush, agriculture, juniper/sagebrush habitat, but no MMD 2011; and urban areas. Day roosts include caves, trees typical roosting sites available NBWG 2006 (ponderosa pine, aspen, oak), attics, barns, and within the Biological Study bridges. Winter roosts in Nevada are poorly Area. understood. Forages over land and water in forested and edge habitats. Spotted bat, BLM CCDO Found in a wide variety of habitats including No. No cliff habitat within or NBWG 2006 Euderma maculatum Sensitive pinyon-juniper and sagebrush. Linked to near Biological Study Area. availability of cliff roosting-habitat. Western red bat, BLM CCDO Found primarily in wooded habitats, including No. There are no mesquite NBWG 2006 Lasiurus blossevillii Sensitive mesquite bosque and cottonwood–willow bosque or cottonwood-willow riparian. riparian woods within the Biological Study Area. Hoary bat, BLM Nevada Trees and woodlands including cottonwood, May occur in juniper woodland NMEMNRD Lasiurus cinereus Sensitive agriculture areas, and pure stands of Rocky habitat within the Biological MMD 2011; Mountain juniper. Study Area. NBWG 2006 Dark kangaroo mouse, BLM Nevada Shrubs associated with gravel soils and sand No. Typical habitat does not Kim 1999; Microdipodops megacephalus Sensitive dunes. Typically occurs in sandy habitats occur within Biological Study NVWAP 2012 below the elevation where pinyon-juniper Area. occur and above those habitats where greasewood and saltbush predominate. Pale kangaroo mouse, BLM Nevada Highly specialized sand-obligate. Restricted to No. There are no fine, loose, NNHP, Microdipodops pallidus Sensitive fine, loose, sandy soils (with little or no gravel sandy soils within the project Hall 1946 overlay) in valley bottoms dominated by area. NV Protected saltbush and greasewood. Maybe be found near sagebrush at its higher elevation range. 1,900 to 6000 ft. California myotis, BLM Nevada Occurs near water in arid areas. Forages near May occur. May forage and NMEMNRD Myotis californicus Sensitive water and trees. Roost in crevices, trees, and roost in sagebrush shrub-scrub MMD 2011 buildings. Hibernates in caves and mines. and juniper trees within the Biological Study Area.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 24 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Primary Species Status Habitat Habitat present? source Long-eared myotis, BLM Nevada Primarily occurs in forested areas including May occur within juniper NMEMNRD Myotis evotis Sensitive pinyon-juniper, but also found in sagebrush, woodlands within Biological MMD 2011; and desert scrub habitats. Day roosts in hollow Study Area, but unlikely. No NBWG 2006 trees, crevices in small rock outcrops. Night caves, mines, or bridges for roosts in caves, mines, and under bridges. roosts nor open water for Forages over vegetation along rivers, streams, foraging. and over ponds. Little brown myotis, BLM CCDO Forages near trees and water. Hibernates in May occur. May forage and NMEMNRD Myotis lucifugus Sensitive caves and mine adits. Roost in a variety of roost in sagebrush shrub-scrub MMD 2011 places. and juniper trees within the Biological Study Area. Fringed myotis, BLM Nevada Desert scrub and other habitats. Day and night May forage in sagebrush habitat, NMEMNRD Myotis thysanodes Sensitive roosts in mines, caves, trees, and buildings. but no typical roosting sites MMD 2011 Forages in and among vegetation. available within the Biological Study Area. Long-legged myotis, BLM Nevada Forests and woodlands in pinyon-juniper, May occur within juniper NMEMNRD Myotis volans Sensitive Joshua tree, and montane coniferous forest. woodlands within Biological MMD 2011; Occasionally found in salt desert scrub, Study Area. No hollow trees, NBWG 2006 mountain shrub, and sagebrush. Day roosts in rock crevices, caves, mines, or hollow trees, rock crevices, caves, mines, and buildings available for roosts. buildings when available. Night roosts in caves and mines. Forages in open area. Western small-footed myotis, BLM Nevada Inhabits a variety of habitat including May occur within Biological NBWG 2006 Myotis ciliolabrum Sensitive sagebrush, pinyon-juniper woodlands and Study Area. urban areas. Yuma myotis, BLM CCDO Variety of habitats near open water including No. No open water in or near the NMEMNRD Myotis yumanensis Sensitive sagebrush, salt desert scrub, agriculture, and Biological Study Area. MMD 2011; riparian area. Day roosts in buildings, caves, NBWG 2006 mines, bridges. Night roosts usually associated with buildings. Forages over relatively still open surface water such as ponds, reservoirs, or pools in streams and rivers. Bighorn sheep, BLM Nevada Occurs in deserts and mountains. Steep cliffs, No. There are no cliffs, talus, or Hall 1946; Ovis canadensis Sensitive talus, and scree important. scree habitat in the Biological BLM WDO 2011 Study Area.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 25 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Primary Species Status Habitat Habitat present? source Silver-haired bat, BLM Nevada Widely distributed in the state, but confined May occur in juniper within the NBWG 2006 Lasionycteris noctivagans Sensitive primarily to forested habitats near bodies of Biological Study Area. water. Found in riparian habitat. Western pipistrelle, BLM Nevada Upper and Lower Sonoran desert habitats of May forage within sagebrush or NMEMNRD Pipistrellus hesperus Sensitive blackbrush, creosote, salt desert shrub, pinyon pine habitat, but no rock MMD 2011; sagebrush, and occasionally ponderosa and crevices, caves, mines or NBWG 2006 pinyon pine; usually in association with rock buildings for roosting. features. Roosts in rock crevices, caves, mines, buildings. Forages in the open. Recorded in the NNHP database in the vicinity of the Biological Study Area in 1939. Brazilian free-tailed bat, BLM Nevada Summer resident in the Sierra Nevada. Day No. There are no cliff faces, NMEMNRD Tadarida brasiliensis Sensitive roosts include cliff faces, mines, caves, mines, caves, building, bridges, MMD 2011 building, bridges, and hollow trees. Migrates and hollow trees suitable for from colder regions and winters in non-freezing roosting. The Biological Study climates in southern Nevada. Area is not located in the Sierra Nevada. Pika, BLM CCDO Subalpine and alpine scree and talus fields near No. No alpine habitat in the Hall 1946 Ochotona princeps Sensitive vegetation. Biological Study Area.

blank Blank Blank Blank Birds Northern goshawk, BLM CCDO Mature, closed canopy conifer and aspen forest No. No mature, closed canopy NDOW 2011 Accipiter gentilis Sensitive habitats. conifer or aspen forests within the Biological Study Area. Western grebe, USFWS Rushy lakes, sloughs; in winter bays, ocean. No. No open water in or near the Audubon, 2017 Aechmophorus occidentalis migratory Summers mainly on fresh water lakes with Biological Study Area. and/or bird of large areas of both open water and marsh conservation vegetation. concern Tricolored blackbird, USFWS Freshwater marshes dominated by cattails and No. No freshwater marsh habitat Meese, et al. 2014 Agelaius tricolor migratory bulrush. Only known from Douglas County. in the Biological Study Area. and/or bird of conservation concern

Resource Concepts, Inc. 26 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Primary Species Status Habitat Habitat present? source Golden eagle, BLM Nevada Nests on high cliffs. Occurs in a variety of open May occur. Could forage in the Kochert et al. 2002 Aquila chrysaetos Sensitive habitats. Biological Study Area. Nesting NDOW 2017 habitat has been observed within GBE 2014. the 10-mile vicinity of the Biological Study Area. Short-eared owl, USFWS Nest on dry ground near grasslands/meadows No. No open country woodlots, Wiggens, et al. Asio flammeus migratory with tall vegetation. Winter habitat includes gravel pits, dumps, stubble fields 2006. and/or bird of open country woodlots, gravel pits, dumps, or grassland/meadows within conservation stubble fields with cyclic small mammals Biological Study Area. concern (voles or other small rodents) for prey.

Western burrowing owl, BLM Nevada Occurs in sagebrush and salt desert scrub May occur. Has been observed NDOW 2011, 2017 Athene cunicularia hypugaea Sensitive communities. May also occur in suburban and within the 10-mile vicinity of the disturbed sites. Habitat characterized as treeless Biological Study Area. areas with low vegetation. Nests in burrows dug by fossorial animals. Burrows dug by rodents or other small mammals must be available along with sufficient prey base. Feeds on arthropods, small mammalian and reptilian prey. Ferruginous hawk, BLM Nevada Deserts, grasslands. Nests in tops of isolated May occur. Has been observed Bechard and Buteo regalis Sensitive juniper trees. within the 10-mile vicinity of the Schmutz 1995 Biological Study Area. NDOW 2017 Swainson’s hawk, BLM Nevada Variety of open habitats. Nests in trees. May occur. May forage in England et al. Buteo swainsoni Sensitive; Biological Study Area, trees are 1997. USFWS available for nesting. Has been NDOW 2017 migratory observed within the 10-mile and/or bird of vicinity of the Biological Study conservation Area. concern Greater sage-grouse, BLM CCDO Sagebrush obligate species. Sagebrush habitat No. Based on presence of NDOW 2011, 2014 Centrocercus urophasianus Sensitive; and, used year-round. Springs and stringer meadows numerous roads and proximity to NNHP 2008, USFWS used in summer for brood rearing. development; Biological Study USFWS NVFWO Candidate Area does not contain occupied 2011, USGS 2015 Species habitat, seasonal habitat, or connectivity habitat.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 27 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Primary Species Status Habitat Habitat present? source Western snowy plover, BLM Nevada Lake shores and playas. No lakes or playas in the Page et al. 2009 Charadrius alexandrinus Sensitive; Biological Study Area. nivosus USFWS migratory and/or bird of conservation concern Olive-sided flycatcher, USFWS Mature forest edge and openings, including No. There is no mature forest Altman and Contopus cooperi migratory burns, edges of bogs, and marshes, harvested habitat in the Biological Study Sallabanks. 2012. and/or bird of forest with some retained tall prominent trees Area. conservation and snags. concern Peregrine falcon, BLM Nevada Variety of open habitats. Nests on cliffs or Not likely to occur. There is no NDOW 2017 Falco peregrinus Sensitive; buildings. Often near water in Nevada. nesting habitat or open water in USFWS Sagebrush, washes, and mountainous areas the Biological Study Area. migratory with small mammal populations provide and/or bird of potential foraging habitat. conservation concern Pinyon jay, BLM Nevada Associated with pinyon woodlands. No. There are no pinyon Balda 2002 Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus Sensitive; woodlands in the Biological USFWS Study Area. migratory and/or bird of conservation concern Bald eagle, Haliaeetus BLM Nevada Near large water bodies. Lowland riparian or No. There are no large water NDOW 2011, 2017 leucocephalus Sensitive; agricultural areas. bodies, lowland riparian, or USFWS agricultural areas in the migratory Biological Study Area. Has been and/or bird of observed within the 10-mile conservation vicinity of the Biological Study concern Area.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 28 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Primary Species Status Habitat Habitat present? source Loggerhead shrike, Lanius BLM Nevada Occurs in open habitats. Nests in shrubs. May occur. Thorny shrubs such Yosef 1996 ludovicianus Sensitive; Requires adequate perches like shrubs or fences as spiny hopsage occur in the USFWS with sharp points for impaling prey. Biological Study Area for migratory impaling prey. and/or bird of conservation concern Black rosy-finch USFWS Rocky summits, alpine snowfields and tundra; No. No rocky summits, alpine Kaufman, 1996. Leucosticte atrata migratory winters in open country at lower levels; breeds snowfields, tundra or caves, and/or bird of on barren tundra of mountain peaks, mostly in mines, or large rock fissures in conservation rocky areas near persistent snowfields. the Biological Study Area. concern Requires cave, mine entrances, or large rock fissures in sagebrush/pinyon-juniper zone for winter roosting. Lewis’s woodpecker, BLM CCDO Open riparian woodlands or open pine forests. No. There is no open riparian or Tobalske 1997 Melanerpes lewis Sensitive Prefers burned pine stands. pine forested habitat in the Biological Study Area. Long-billed curlew, USFWS Open, sparse, grassland habitats including No. There are no grassland or Dugger, et al. 2002. Numenius americanus migratory cheatgrass and agricultural fields agricultural field habitats in the and/or bird of Biological Study Area. conservation concern Sage thrasher, BLM CCDO Mature sagebrush and shrub-steppe habitat. May occur. There is sagebrush Reynolds et al. Oreoscoptes montanus Sensitive steppe habitat within the 1999 USFWS Biological Study Area. migratory and/or bird of conservation concern Fox sparrow, USFWS Impenetrable riparian thickets. No. There are no impenetrable Weckstein, et al. Passerella liaca migratory riparian thickets in the 2002 and/or bird of Biological Study Area. conservation concern

Resource Concepts, Inc. 29 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Primary Species Status Habitat Habitat present? source White headed Woodpecker USFWS Mountain pine forests No. No pine forests within the Kaufman, 1996. Picoides albolarvatus migratory Biological Study Area. and/or bird of conservation concern Green-tailed towhee, USFWS Open pinyon-juniper woodlands with High No. There is no open pinyon- Dobbs et al. 2012. Pipilo chlorurus migratory shrub diversity understory dominated by big juniper with diverse understory and/or bird of sagebrush, chokecherry, mtn mahogany, habitat in the Biological Study conservation serviceberry. Area. concern Eared grebe, USFWS Breeding habitat includes shallow lakes and No. There is no lake or pond Cullen et al. 1999, Podiceps nigricollis migratory ponds with emergent vegetation and highly habitat in the Biological Study and/or bird of productive macroinvertebrate communities. Area. conservation concern Williamson’s sapsucker USFWS High conifer forests, burns. No. No conifer forests within the Kaufman, 1996. Sphyrapicus thyroides migratory Biological Study Area. and/or bird of conservation concern Brewer’s sparrow, BLM Nevada Sagebrush habitat, shrub-steppe, desert scrub. May occur. May use desert scrub Rottenberry et al. Spizella breweri Sensitive; Nests in shrubs. for early nesting. 1999 USFWS migratory and/or bird of conservation concern Calliope hummingbird, USFWS Shrub-sapling seral stage forest following No. No early seral forest habitat Calder,et al. 1994. Stellula calliope migratory logging or fire. in the Biological Study Area. and/or bird of conservation concern

Resource Concepts, Inc. 30 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

3.5 Summary BLM Sensitive Species A comparison between the habitat observations within the Biological Study Area and the habitat requirements for the sensitive species identified from the agency inquiries indicate potential habitat in the Biological Study Area for the seven plant species, twelve mammal species and seven bird species listed in Table 4.

Table 4. BLM sensitive species that have habitat and potential for occurrence in the Biological Study Area.

SPECIES COMMON NAME GENERAL HABITAT Plants Eastwood milkweed May occur in small washes within mixed-shrub and sagebrush scrub. Margaret rushy milkvetch May occur within sagebrush flats. Sodaville milkvetch May occur within riparian areas. Ames milkvetch May occur in Great Basin scrub.

Webber’s ivesia May occur on shallow clayey soils in low sagebrush areas.

Wassuk beardtongue May occur in sagebrush.

Tiehm peppercress May occur on open, rocky clay soils in sagebrush areas. Mammals Pallid bat Juniper and sagebrush may provide foraging habitat. Townsend’s big-eared bat Juniper and sagebrush may provide foraging habitat. Big brown bat Juniper and sagebrush may provide foraging habitat. Hoary bat Juniper may provide foraging habitat. California myotis May forage and roost in sagebrush and juniper tree habitat. Long-eared myotis Juniper and sagebrush may provide foraging habitat. Little brown myotis Juniper and sagebrush may provide foraging habitat.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 31 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

SPECIES COMMON NAME GENERAL HABITAT Fringed myotis Sagebrush may provide foraging habitat. Long-legged myotis Juniper and sagebrush may provide foraging habitat. Silver-haired bat Juniper may provide suitable foraging and roosting habitat. Western small-footed myotis Juniper and sagebrush may provide foraging habitat. Western pipistrelle Sagebrush may provide foraging habitat. Birds Golden eagle Eagles may hunt within the Study Area and may nest on tall powerline structures.

Burrowing owl Sagebrush habitat may provide foraging habitat. Ferruginous hawk Sagebrush habitat may provide foraging habitat, and juniper trees may provide nesting habitat. Swainson’s hawk Sagebrush habitat may provide foraging habitat. Loggerhead shrike Sagebrush habitat may provide foraging and nesting habitat, while nearby residential area and juniper trees may provide perch habitat. Sage thrasher Sagebrush habitat may provide foraging and nesting habitat. Brewer’s sparrow Sagebrush habitat may provide foraging and nesting habitat.

3.6 Summary Migratory Birds A comparison between habitat observations and descriptions of the Biological Study Area and the habitat requirements for the migratory birds and Birds of Conservation Concern identified by USFWS indicate potential habitat for the following migratory birds: golden eagle, burrowing owl, Swainson’s hawk, loggerhead shrike, sage thrasher, and Brewer’s sparrow.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 32 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

The Biological Study Area was surveyed in May 2017 to search for occurrences and suitable habitat for sensitive plants, animals, and noxious weeds.

4.1 RCI 2017 Baseline Field Work

RCI Botanical, Sensitive Plant Species, and Invasive Species Surveys Site reconnaissance and pedestrian botanical surveys were conducted by RCI Biologists Jeremy Drew and JoAnne Michael on May 8, 2017. Study area maps depicting ecological site boundaries, topography, roads, and previous disturbances were prepared to assure adequate coverage of each ecological site and important microhabitat feature. Emphasis on roadsides, depressions, and other surface disturbances were surveyed as vectors for noxious and invasive species.

Biologists reviewed technical references, floras, and other readily available web-based information such as the Nevada Natural Heritage Program Nevada Rare Plant Atlas (NNHP 2001b) to verify sensitive plant species morphology, phenology, and habitat prior to surveying. Species information and photographs were used in the field to assist with species identification. All plants observed were identified to a level sufficient to determine if they were a sensitive species.

The sensitive plant surveys were conducted to coincide with the peak flowering-fruiting stages such that species identification was conclusive. Verification of species identification of sensitive species was done in cooperation with NNHP. A List of plant species identified during the 2017 reconnaissance survey is included in Appendix B. Photographs from the Biological Study Area are included in Appendix C. Survey routes throughout the Biological Study Area are shown in Figure 5.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 33 Legend No Warranty is made by the Bureau of Land Management as to the accuracy, RCI Botanical Survey Tracks (GPS) reliability, or completeness of these Study Area (80 Acres) data for individual use or aggregate use with other data. Figure 5 Date: 5/30/2017 0 400 Vegetation Survey Routes Feet in the Biological Study Area Ü 1 inch = 400 feet

DONATELLO DR

DEBUSSY DR

Document Path: R:\projects\Washoe County Schools\16_268_3 SunValleySchool\MXD\Figure5_Survey_Tracks.mxd Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

2017 Sensitive Plant Survey Results No BLM Sensitive or USFWS threatened, endangered, or proposed candidate plant species were identified during the botanical survey.

Pricklypear cactus (Opuntia polycantha) is protected under Nevada Revised Statutes 527.060.120 and Nevada Administrative Code chapter 527 when proposed for removal or possession at commercial rates or quantities. Several isolated occurrences of pricklypear were observed in the Biological Study Area.

2017 Noxious and Invasive Species Survey Results No noxious weeds per the State or Federal Noxious Weed List (NDOA 2017) were observed in the Biological Study Area during the field survey on May 8, 2017. Invasive non-native species present include cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), tumble mustard (Sisymbrium altissimum), and western tansy mustard (Descurainia pinnata).

4.2 2017 Wildlife Reconnaissance and Sensitive Wildlife Species Surveys Habitat assessment, wildlife reconnaissance and cursory wildlife surveys were conducted by RCI Biologists Jeremy Drew and JoAnne Michael on May 8, 2017 in conjunction with botanical surveys. The following observations were made: • The site provides foraging habitat for bat species, particularly those that prefer to hunt in sagebrush and scattered juniper habitat adjacent to urban areas. While a small riparian area was observed, it was not sizable and did not appear to provide a year-round source of open and/or standing water. Other than scattered juniper trees, no roosting habitat (abandoned mines, structures, cliffs or rock outcrops) was noted onsite.

• The Biological Study Area was found to contain suitable foraging habitat for Golden eagle; however, no nesting (cliff) habitat was observed in or near the Study Area. While power lines and poles are in and near the Study Area, no nests were observed. Given that the Study Area is immediately adjacent to a residential subdivision, and given the amount of disturbance and activity occurring on site, the site would not be classified as suitable nesting habitat.

• No burrows were observed that may be utilized as nesting habitat by Burrowing owl. Soils did not appear to be of a consistency that would be conducive to nesting Burrowing owl, though the area could provide foraging habitat.

• No active or inactive Ferruginous hawk nests were observed. Given that the Study Area is immediately adjacent to a residential subdivision, and given the amount of disturbance and activity occurring on site, the site would not be classified as suitable nesting habitat.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 35 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

• The site could provide foraging habitat for a variety of raptor species who prefer hunting in sagebrush habitats with scattered juniper, especially for reptiles and rabbits.

• A Loggerhead shrike was observed onsite, it was the only BLM Sensitive Species observed. However, nesting and foraging habitat was observed for both Sage thrasher and Brewer’s sparrow.

• Several migratory bird species were observed onsite, with Loggerhead shrike being the only species of “Conservation Concern” observed.

Incidental Wildlife Sightings RCI observed a variety of wildlife while conducting field surveys on May 8, 2017 as noted in Table 1.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 36 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Abele, Steve, S. Espinosa, J. Tull, P. Ziegler. 2015. Greater Sage-Grouse and BLM Carson City District Disposal Lands. Memo to Colleen Sievers. December 11, 2015.

Altman, Bob and Rex Sallabanks. 2012. Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: cornell univ birds of north america olive-sided flycatcher

Baltosser, William H. and Peter E. Scott. 1996. Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: cornell univ birds of north america Costa's hummingbird

Calder, William A. and Lorene L. Calder. 1994. Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: cornell univ birds of north america calliope hummingbird

Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, based on data contributed by dozens of public and private institutions and individuals, including the Consortium of Calif. Herbaria. [web application]. 2011. Berkeley, California: The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available at: Calflora database. Accessed May 5, 2017.

California Herps. 2011. A guide to reptiles and amphibians in California. Available at: California herps. Accessed May 9, 2017.

California Native Plant Society Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants. Available at: CA native plant society inventory of rare and endangered plants. Accessed April, 10, 2017.

Center for Plant Conservation. National collection plant profile. Mentzelia tiehmii. Available at: Center for plant conservation Mentzelia tiehmii

Cullen, S. A., J. R. Jehl Jr. and G. L. Nuechterlein. 1999. Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell

Resource Concepts, Inc. 37 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: cornell univ birds of north america eared grebe

Dobbs, R. C., P. R. Martin and T. E. Martin. 2012. Green-tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: cornell univ birds of north america green-tailed towhee

Dugger, Bruce D. and Katie M. Dugger. 2002. Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: cornell univ birds of north america long-billed curlew

England, A. S., M. J. Bechard and C. S. Houston. 1997. Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni), the birds of North America online (A. Poole, ed.). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY. Available at: cornell univ birds of north america swainson's hawk

Flora of North America. Available at: flora of north america. Accessed October 31, 2011, February 18, 2012, May 2014.

Greene, Julie A., A.C. Sanders. Sagebrush Loeflingia. University of California, Riverside, Herbarium, Department of Botany and Plant Sciences. Undated.

Hahn, Thomas Peter. 1996. Cassin's Finch (Haemorhous cassinii), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: cornell univ birds of north america cassin's finch

Hall, E. R. 1946. Mammals of Nevada. University of Nevada Press, Reno, NV.

Johnson, R. Roy, Helen K. Yard and Bryan T. Brown. 2012. Lucy's Warbler (Oreothlypis luciae), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: cornell univ birds of north america Lucy's warbler

Kaufman, Kenn. 2017. Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis). Guide to North American Birds Online. audubon guide to north american birds Western Grebe. Accessed April 7, 2017.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 38 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Kim, D. 1999. “Microdipodops megacephalus” (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Available at: Animal diversity web dark kangaroo mouse Accessed February 13, 2012

Kochert, M. N., K. Steenhof, C. L. Mcintyre and E. H. Craig. 2002. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), the birds of North America online (A. Poole, ed.). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY. Available at: cornell univ birds of north america golden eagle.

Meese, Robert J., Edward C. Beedy and William J. Hamilton, Iii. 2014. Tricolored Blackbird (Agelaius tricolor), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: cornell univ birds of north america tricolored blackbird

NatureServe. 2010. NatureServe explorer: an online encyclopedia of life. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. Available at: natureserve/explorer. Accessed April 7, 2017.

Nevada Bat Working Group. 2006. The Revised Nevada Bat Conservation Plan. 216pp.

Nevada Department of Wildlife. 2012. Nevada Wildlife Action Plan. 546pp.

Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). Wildlife and habitat: wildlife fact sheets. Available at: NDOW wildlife fact sheet. Accessed April 7, 2017.

Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2008. GIS at the Nevada Natural Heritage Program: vegetation program. Available at: nevada natural heritage program botany. Accessed February, May 2017.

——. 2001b. Nevada rare plant atlas. Available at: nevada natural heritage program botany. Accessed Various dates May 2017.

New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department: Mining and Minerals Division (NMEMNRD MMD). Wildlife that uses abandoned mines. Available at: new mexico mining and minerals wildlife. Accessed March, 2011.

Reynolds, T. D., T. D. Rich and D. A. Stephens. 1999. Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus), the birds of North America online (A. Poole, ed.). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY. Available at: cornell univ birds of north america sage thrasher

Resource Concepts, Inc. 39 Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), United States Department of Agriculture. Web Soil Survey. Available at: web soil survey. Accessed April 6, 2017.

____. Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office (NVFWO). Nevada’s protected species. Available at: fish and wildlife service nevada office. Accessed April 6, 2017.

US Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 2011. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List 10 Subspecies of Great Basin Butterflies as Threatened or Endangered With Critical Habitat. Federal Register Vol. 76, No, 192. October 4, 2011.

US Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 2017. List of threatened or endangered species that may occur within your proposed project location, and/or may be affected by your proposed project. July 3, 2017.

US Geological Survey (USGS). 2001. North American Breeding Bird Survey. Available at: north america breeding bird survey

Weckstein, Jason D., Donald E. Kroodsma and Robert C. Faucett. 2002. Fox Sparrow (Passerella liaca), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: cornell univ birds of north america fox sparrow

Wiggins, D. A., D. W. Holt and S. M. Leasure. 2006. Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: cornell univ birds of north america short-eared owl

Yosef, R. 1996. Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), the birds of North America online (A. Poole, ed.). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY. Online: cornell univ birds of north america loggerhead shrike.

Resource Concepts, Inc. 40

APPENDIX A Agency Responses to Data Requests

Brian Sandoval Governor

STATE OF NEVADA Bradley Crowell Director DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Kristin Szabo Nevada Natural Heritage Program Administrator

16 February 2017

JoAnne Michael Resource Concepts, Inc. 340 N. Minnesota St. Carson City, NV 89703

RE: Data request received 08 February 2017

Dear Ms. Michael:

We are pleased to provide the information you requested on endangered, threatened, candidate, and/or at risk plant and animal taxa recorded within or near the Washoe Co. School District-Sun Valley Middle School Site Project area in Washoe County. We searched our database and maps from the shapefile provided, a two kilometer radius around, including:

Township 20N Range 20E Section 05

There are no at risk taxa recorded within the given area. However, habitat may be available for, the pale kangaroo mouse, Microdipodops pallidus, a Nevada Bureau of Land Management Sensitive Species. The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) manages, protects, and restores Nevada’s wildlife resources and associated habitat. Please contact Bonnie Weller, NDOW GIS biologist (775) 688-1439 to obtain further information regarding wildlife resources within and near your area of interest. Removal or destruction of state protected flora species (NAC 527.010) requires a special permit from Nevada Division of Forestry (NRS 527.270).

Please note that our data are dependent on the research and observations of many individuals and organizations and in most cases are not the result of comprehensive or site-specific field surveys. Natural Heritage reports should never be regarded as final statements on the taxa or areas being considered, nor should they be substituted for on-site surveys required for environmental assessments.

Thank you for checking with our program. Please contact us for additional information or further assistance.

Sincerely,

Eric S. Miskow Biologist /Data Manager

901 S. Stewart Street, Suite 5002 Carson City, NV 89701-5245 Tel: 775-684-2900 Fax: 775-684-2909 http://heritage.nv.gov

STATE OF NEVADA TONY WASLEY DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE Director

6980 Sierra Center Parkway, Suite 120 ELIZABETH O’BRIEN Deputy Director Reno, Nevada 89511 JACK ROBB (775) 688-1500 • Fax (775) 688-1495 BRIAN SANDOVAL Deputy Director Governor

Jeremy Drew March 22, 2017 Project Manager Resource Concepts 340 N. Minnesota Carson City, Nevada 89703

Re: Sun Valley School

Dear Jeremy Drew:

I am responding to your request for information from the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) on the known or potential occurrence of wildlife resources in the vicinity of the Sun Valley School located in Washoe County, Nevada. In order to fulfill your request an analysis was performed using the best available data from the NDOW’s wildlife occurrences, raptor nest sites and ranges, greater sage-grouse leks and habitat, and big game distributions databases. No warranty is made by the NDOW as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the data for individual use or aggregate use with other data. These data should be considered sensitive and may contain information regarding the location of sensitive wildlife species or resources. All appropriate measures should be taken to ensure that the use of this data is strictly limited to serve the needs of the project described on your GIS Data Request Form. Abuse of this information has the potential to adversely affect the existing ecological status of Nevada’s wildlife resources and could be cause for the denial of future data requests.

To adequately provide wildlife resource information in the vicinity of the proposed project the NDOW delineated an area of interest that included a four-mile buffer around the project area provided by you on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. Wildlife resource data was queried from the NDOW databases based on this area of interest. The results of this analysis are summarized below.

Big Game - Occupied mule deer distribution exists throughout the entire project area and portions of the four-mile buffer area. Occupied pronghorn antelope distribution exists outside of the project area within portions of the four-mile buffer area. No known occupied bighorn sheep or elk distributions exist in the vicinity of the project area. Please refer to the attached maps for details regarding big game distributions relative to the proposed project area.

Greater Sage-Grouse - Greater sage-grouse habitat in the vicinity of the project area has primarily been classified as Other habitat by the Nevada Sagebrush Ecosystem Program (http://sagebrusheco.nv.gov). Please refer to the attached maps for details regarding greater sage-grouse habitat relative to the proposed project area. There are no known radio-marked greater sage-grouse tracking locations in the vicinity of the project area. There are no known greater sage-grouse lek sites in the vicinity of the project area.

Lahontan Cutthroat Trout - are known to exist in the vicinity of the project area in the City of Reno- Truckee River and Mullen Creek watersheds.

Raptors - Various species of raptors, which use diverse habitat types, may reside in the vicinity of the project area. American kestrel, bald eagle, barn owl, burrowing owl, Cooper's hawk, ferruginous hawk, flammulated owl, golden eagle, great horned owl, long-eared owl, merlin, northern goshawk, northern harrier, northern saw-whet owl, osprey, peregrine falcon, red-tailed hawk, rough-legged hawk, sharp- shinned hawk, short-eared owl, Swainson's hawk, turkey vulture, and western screech owl have distribution ranges that include the project area and four-mile buffer area. Furthermore, American kestrel, black-shoulder kite, burrowing owl, golden eagle, great horned owl, northern harrier, and red-tailed hawk have been directly observed in the vicinity of the project area.

Raptor species are protected by State and Federal laws. In addition, bald eagle, burrowing owl, California spotted owl, ferruginous hawk, flammulated owl, golden eagle, northern goshawk, peregrine falcon, prairie falcon, and short-eared owl are NDOW species of special concern and are target species for conservation as outlined by the Nevada Wildlife Action Plan. Per the Interim Golden Eagle Technical Guidance: Inventory and Monitoring Protocols; and Other Recommendations in Support of Golden Eagle Management and Permit Issuance (United States Fish and Wildlife Service 2010) we have queried our raptor nest database to include raptor nest sites within ten miles of the proposed project area. There are five known raptor nest sites within ten miles of the project area:

Probable Use Last Check Last Active Township/Range/Section Burrowing Owl 7/29/1977 7/29/1977 21 0190N 0200E 020 Buteo 3/2/1978 3/2/1978 21 0200N 0200E 029 Eagle 1/1/1974 21 0210N 0200E 003 Eagle 5/26/1979 5/26/1979 21 0190N 0200E 013 Eagle 3/27/1989 3/27/1989 21 0210N 0190E 010

Other Wildlife Resources

There are no water developments in the vicinity of the project area. The following species have also been observed in the vicinity of the project area:

Common Name ESA State SWAP SoCP brown (Norway )rat California ground squirrel common raven Protected coyote Unprotected desert horned lizard Yes Great Basin collared lizard Yes Great Basin gophersnake Great Basin whiptail house mouse long-nosed leopard lizard Yes montane vole mountain lion North American deermouse North American porcupine northern sagebrush lizard western fence lizard yellow-backed spiny lizard yellow-pine chipmunk zebra-tailed lizard

ESA: Endangered Species Act Status State: State of Nevada Special Status SWAP SoCP: Nevada State Wildlife Action Plan (2012) Species of Conservation Priority

2

The proposed project area may also be in the vicinity of abandoned mine workings, which often provide habitat for state and federally protected wildlife, especially bat species, many of which are protected under NAC 503.030. To request data regarding known abandoned mine workings in the vicinity of the project area please contact the Nevada Division of Minerals (http://minerals.state.nv.us/).

The above information is based on data stored at our Reno Headquarters Office, and does not necessarily incorporate the most up to date wildlife resource information collected in the field. Please contact the Habitat Division Supervising Biologist at our Western Region Reno Office (775.688.1500) to discuss the current environmental conditions for your project area and the interpretation of our analysis. Furthermore, it should be noted that the information detailed above is preliminary in nature and not necessarily an identification of every wildlife resource concern associated with the proposed project. Consultation with the Supervising Habitat biologist will facilitate the development of appropriate survey protocols and avoidance or mitigation measures that may be required to address potential impacts to wildlife resources.

Mark Freese - Western Region Supervising Habitat Biologist (775.688.1145)

Federally listed Threatened and Endangered species are also under the jurisdiction of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Please contact them for more information regarding these species.

If you have any questions regarding the results or methodology of this analysis please do not hesitate to contact our GIS office at (775) 688-1439.

Sincerely,

3

Miles F 0 1 2

Project Area Sun Valley School Four Mile Buffer Area Boundary Mule Deer Distribution Mule Deer Distribution March 22, 2017 Projection: UTM Zone 11 North, NAD83 No warranty is made by the Nevada Department of Wildlife as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the data for individual use or aggregate use with other data.

V:\ActiveProjects\DataRequests\Template\Data Request - Response Template.mxd Miles Miles 0 1 2 3 4 F 0 1 2

Project Area Sun Valley School Four Mile Buffer Area Boundary Pronghorn Antelope Distribution Pronghorn Antelope Distribution March 22, 2017 Projection: UTM Zone 11 North, NAD83 No warranty is made by the Nevada Department of Wildlife as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the data for individual use or aggregate use with other data.

V:\ActiveProjects\DataRequests\Template\Data Request - Response Template.mxd Miles Miles 0 1 2 3 4 F 0 1 2

Project Area Sun Valley School Four Mile Buffer Area Boundary Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Management March 22, 2017 Priority Habitat Projection: UTM Zone 11 North, NAD83 General Habitat No warranty is made by the Nevada Department of Wildlife as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the data Other Habitat for individual use or aggregate use with other data.

V:\ActiveProjects\DataRequests\Template\Data Request - Response Template.mxd United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Reno Fish And Wildlife Office 1340 Financial Boulevard, Suite 234 Reno, NV 89502-7147 Phone: (775) 861-6300 Fax: (775) 861-6301 http://www.fws.gov/nevada/

In Reply Refer To: April 05, 2017 Consultation Code: 08ENVD00-2017-SLI-0294 Event Code: 08ENVD00-2017-E-00561 Project Name: Sun Valley School Campus

Subject: List of threatened and endangered species that may occur in your proposed project location, and/or may be affected by your proposed project

To Whom It May Concern:

The attached species list indicates threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate species and designated or proposed critical habitat that may occur within the boundary of your proposed project and/or may be affected by your proposed project. The species list fulfills the requirements of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) under section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), for projects that are authorized, funded, or carried out by a Federal agency. Candidate species have no protection under the ESA but are included for consideration because they could be listed prior to the completion of your project. Consideration of these species during project planning may assist species conservation efforts and may prevent the need for future listing actions. For additional information regarding species that may be found in the proposed project area, visit http://www.fws.gov/nevada/es/ipac.html.

The purpose of the ESA is to provide a means whereby threatened and endangered species and the ecosystems upon which they depend may be conserved. Under sections 7(a)(1) and 7(a)(2) of the ESA and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 402 et seq.), Federal agencies are required to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the conservation of threatened and endangered species and to determine whether projects may affect threatened and endangered species and/or designated critical habitat.

A Biological Assessment is required for construction projects that are major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment as defined in the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2) (c)). For projects other than major construction activities, the Service suggests that a biological evaluation similar to a Biological Assessment be 04/05/2017 Event Code: 08ENVD00-2017-E-00561 2 prepared to determine whether the project may affect listed or proposed species and/or designated or proposed critical habitat. Guidelines for preparing a Biological Assessment can be found at: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/section7/ba_guide.html.

If a Federal action agency determines, based on the Biological Assessment or biological evaluation, that listed species and/or designated critical habitat may be affected by the proposed project, the agency is required to consult with the Service pursuant to 50 CFR 402. In addition, the Service recommends that candidate species, proposed species, and proposed critical habitat be addressed within the consultation. More information on the regulations and procedures for section 7 consultation, including the role of permit or license applicants, can be found in the "Endangered Species Consultation Handbook" at: http://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/TOC-GLOS.PDF.

New information based on updated surveys, changes in the abundance and distribution of species, changed habitat conditions, or other factors could change this species list. Please feel free to contact us if you need more current information or assistance regarding the potential impacts to federally listed, proposed, and candidate species and federally designated and proposed critical habitat. Please note that under 50 CFR 402.12(e) of the regulations implementing section 7 of the ESA, the accuracy of this species list should be verified after 90 days. This verification can be completed formally or informally, as desired. The Service recommends that verification be completed by visiting the ECOS-IPaC website at regular intervals during project planning and implementation, for updates to species lists and information. An updated list may be requested through the ECOS-IPaC system by completing the same process used to receive the attached list.

The Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office (NFWO) no longer provides species of concern lists. Most of these species for which we have concern are also on the Animal and Plant At-Risk Tracking List for Nevada (At-Risk list) maintained by the State of Nevada's Natural Heritage Program (Heritage). Instead of maintaining our own list, we adopted Heritage's At-Risk list and are partnering with them to provide distribution data and information on the conservation needs for at-risk species to agencies or project proponents. The mission of Heritage is to continually evaluate the conservation priorities of native plants, animals, and their habitats, particularly those most vulnerable to extinction or in serious decline. In addition, in order to avoid future conflicts, we ask that you consider these at-risk species early in your project planning and explore management alternatives that provide for their long-term conservation.

For a list of at-risk species by county, visit Heritage's website (http://heritage.nv.gov). For a specific list of at-risk species that may occur in the project area, you can obtain a data request form from the website (http://heritage.nv.gov/get_data) or by contacting the Administrator of Heritage at 901 South Stewart Street, Suite 5002, Carson City, Nevada 89701-5245, (775) 684-2900. Please indicate on the form that your request is being obtained as part of your coordination with the Service under the ESA. During your project analysis, if you obtain new information or data for any Nevada sensitive species, we request that you provide the information to Heritage at the above address.

Furthermore, certain species of fish and wildlife are classified as protected by the State of

04/05/2017 Event Code: 08ENVD00-2017-E-00561 3

Nevada (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-503.html). You must first obtain the appropriate license, permit, or written authorization from the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) to take, or possess any parts of protected fish and wildlife species. Please visit http://www.ndow.org or contact NDOW in northern Nevada (775) 688-1500, in southern Nevada (702) 486-5127, or in eastern Nevada (775) 777-2300.

Please be aware that bald and golden eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668 et seq.), and projects affecting these species may require development of an eagle conservation plan ( http://www.fws.gov/windenergy/eagle_guidance.html). Additionally, wind energy projects should follow the Service's wind energy guidelines (http://www.fws.gov/windenergy/) for minimizing impacts to migratory birds and bats.

The Service's Pacific Southwest Region developed the Interim Guidelines for the Development of a Project Specific Avian and Bat Protection Plan for Wind Energy Facilities (Interim Guidelines). This document provides energy facility developers with a tool for assessing the risk of potential impacts to wildlife resources and delineates how best to design and operate a bird- and bat-friendly wind facility. These Interim Guidelines are available upon request from the NFWO. The intent of a Bird and Bat Conservation Strategy is to conserve wildlife resources while supporting project developers through: (1) establishing project development in an adaptive management framework; (2) identifying proper siting and project design strategies; (3) designing and implementing pre-construction surveys; (4) implementing appropriate conservation measures for each development phase; (5) designing and implementing appropriate post-construction monitoring strategies; (6) using post-construction studies to better understand the dynamics of mortality reduction (e.g., changes in blade cut-in speed, assessments of blade “feathering” success, and studies on the effects of visual and acoustic deterrents) including efforts tied into Before-After/Control-Impact analysis; and (7) conducting a thorough risk assessment and validation leading to adjustments in management and mitigation actions.

The template and recommendations set forth in the Interim Guidelines were based upon the Avian Powerline Interaction Committee's Avian Protection Plan template (http://www.aplic.org/) developed for electric utilities and modified accordingly to address the unique concerns of wind energy facilities. These recommendations are also consistent with the Service's wind energy guidelines. We recommend contacting us as early as possible in the planning process to discuss the need and process for developing a site-specific Bird and Bat Conservation Strategy.

The Service has also developed guidance regarding wind power development in relation to prairie grouse leks (sage-grouse are included in this). This document can be found at: http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/Oklahoma/documents/te_species/wind%20power/prairie%20grouse%20lek%205%20mile%20public.pdf .

Migratory Birds are a Service Trust Resource. Based on the Service's conservation responsibilities and management authority for migratory birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, as amended (MBTA; 16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.), we recommend that any land clearing or other surface disturbance associated with proposed actions within the project area be timed to avoid potential destruction of bird nests or young, or birds that breed in the area. Such

04/05/2017 Event Code: 08ENVD00-2017-E-00561 4 destruction may be in violation of the MBTA. Under the MBTA, nests with eggs or young of migratory birds may not be harmed, nor may migratory birds be killed. Therefore, we recommend land clearing be conducted outside the avian breeding season. If this is not feasible, we recommend a qualified biologist survey the area prior to land clearing. If nests are located, or if other evidence of nesting (i.e., mated pairs, territorial defense, carrying nesting material, transporting food) is observed, a protective buffer (the size depending on the habitat requirements of the species) should be delineated and the entire area avoided to prevent destruction or disturbance to nests until they are no longer active.

Guidance for minimizing impacts to migratory birds for projects involving communications towers (e.g., cellular, digital television, radio, and emergency broadcast) can be found at: http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Hazards/towers/towers.htm; http://www.towerkill.com; and http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Hazards/towers/comtow.html.

If wetlands, springs, or streams are are known to occur in the project area or are present in the vicinity of the project area, we ask that you be aware of potential impacts project activities may have on these habitats. Discharge of fill material into wetlands or waters of the United States is regulated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) pursuant to section 404 of the Clean Water Act of 1972, as amended. We recommend you contact the ACOE's Regulatory Section regarding the possible need for a permit. For projects located in northern Nevada (Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey, and Washoe Counties) contact the Reno Regulatory Office at 300 Booth Street, Room 3060, Reno, Nevada 89509, (775) 784-5304; in southern Nevada (Clark, Lincoln, Nye, and White Pine Counties) contact the St. George Regulatory Office at 321 North Mall Drive, Suite L-101, St. George, Utah 84790-7314, (435) 986-3979; or in California along the eastern Sierra contact the Sacramento Regulatory Office at 650 Capitol Mall, Suite 5-200, Sacramento, California 95814, (916) 557-5250.

We appreciate your concern for threatened and endangered species. Please include the Consultation Tracking Number in the header of this letter with any request for consultation or correspondence about your project that you submit to our office.

The table below outlines lead FWS field offices by county and land ownership/project type. Please refer to this table when you are ready to coordinate (including requests for section 7 consultation) with the field office corresponding to your project, and send any documentation regarding your project to that corresponding office. Therefore, the lead FWS field office may not be the office listed above in the letterhead.

Lead FWS offices by County and Ownership/Program

County Ownership/Program Species Office Lead*

Alameda Tidal wetlands/marsh adjacent to Salt marsh BDFWO Bays species, delta smelt

04/05/2017 Event Code: 08ENVD00-2017-E-00561 5

Alameda All ownerships but tidal/estuarine All SFWO

Alpine Humboldt Toiyabe National All RFWO Forest

Alpine Lake Tahoe Basin Management All RFWO Unit

Alpine Stanislaus National Forest All SFWO

Alpine El Dorado National Forest All SFWO

Colusa Mendocino National Forest All AFWO

Colusa Other All By jurisdiction (see map)

Contra Costa Legal Delta (Excluding All BDFWO ECCHCP)

Contra Costa Antioch Dunes NWR All BDFWO

Contra Costa Tidal wetlands/marsh adjacent to Salt marsh BDFWO Bays species, delta smelt

Contra Costa All ownerships but tidal/estuarine All SFWO

Del Norte All All AFWO

El Dorado El Dorado National Forest All SFWO

El Dorado LakeTahoe Basin Management RFWO Unit

Glenn Mendocino National Forest All AFWO

Glenn Other All By jurisdiction (see map)

Humboldt All except Shasta Trinity National All AFWO Forest

Humboldt Shasta Trinity National Forest All YFWO

Lake Mendocino National Forest All AFWO

04/05/2017 Event Code: 08ENVD00-2017-E-00561 6

Lake Other All By jurisdiction (see map)

Lassen Modoc National Forest All KFWO

Lassen Lassen National Forest All SFWO

Lassen Toiyabe National Forest All RFWO

Lassen BLM Surprise and Eagle Lake All RFWO Resource Areas

Lassen BLM Alturas Resource Area All KFWO

Lassen Lassen Volcanic National Park All (includes SFWO Eagle Lake trout on all ownerships)

Lassen All other ownerships All By jurisdiction (see map)

Marin Tidal wetlands/marsh adjacent to Salt marsh BDFWO Bays species, delta smelt

Marin All ownerships but tidal/estuarine All SFWO

Mendocino Russian River watershed All SFWO

Mendocino All except Russian River All AFWO watershed

Modoc Modoc National Forest All KFWO

Modoc BLM Alturas Resource Area All KFWO

Modoc Klamath Basin National Wildlife All KFWO Refuge Complex

Modoc BLM Surprise and Eagle Lake All RFWO Resource Areas

Modoc All other ownerships All By jurisdiction (See map)

Mono Inyo National Forest All RFWO

04/05/2017 Event Code: 08ENVD00-2017-E-00561 7

Mono Humboldt Toiyabe National All RFWO Forest

Napa All ownerships but tidal/estuarine All SFWO

Napa Tidal wetlands/marsh adjacent to Salt marsh BDFWO San Pablo Bay species, delta smelt

Nevada Humboldt Toiyabe National All RFWO Forest

Nevada All other ownerships All By jurisdiction (See map)

Placer Lake Tahoe Basin Management All RFWO Unit

Placer All other ownerships All SFWO

Sacramento Legal Delta Delta Smelt BDFWO

Sacramento Other All By jurisdiction (see map)

San Francisco Tidal wetlands/marsh adjacent to Salt marsh BDFWO San Francisco Bay species, delta smelt

San Francisco All ownerships but tidal/estuarine All SFWO

San Mateo Tidal wetlands/marsh adjacent to Salt marsh BDFWO San Francisco Bay species, delta smelt

San Mateo All ownerships but tidal/estuarine All SFWO

San Joaquin Legal Delta excluding San All BDFWO Joaquin HCP

San Joaquin Other All SFWO

Santa Clara Tidal wetlands/marsh adjacent to Salt marsh BDFWO San Francisco Bay species, delta

04/05/2017 Event Code: 08ENVD00-2017-E-00561 8

smelt

Santa Clara All ownerships but tidal/estuarine All SFWO

Shasta Shasta Trinity National Forest All YFWO except Hat Creek Ranger District (administered by Lassen National Forest)

Shasta Hat Creek Ranger District All SFWO

Shasta Bureau of Reclamation (Central All BDFWO Valley Project)

Shasta Whiskeytown National Recreation All YFWO Area

Shasta BLM Alturas Resource Area All KFWO

Shasta Caltrans By jurisdiction SFWO/AFWO

Shasta Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Shasta SFWO Park crayfish

Shasta All other ownerships All By jurisdiction (see map)

Shasta Natural Resource Damage All SFWO/BDFWO Assessment, all lands

Sierra Humboldt Toiyabe National All RFWO Forest

Sierra All other ownerships All SFWO

Siskiyou Klamath National Forest (except All YFWO Ukonom District)

Siskiyou Six Rivers National Forest and All AFWO Ukonom District

Siskiyou Shasta Trinity National Forest All YFWO

Siskiyou Lassen National Forest All SFWO

Siskiyou Modoc National Forest All KFWO

04/05/2017 Event Code: 08ENVD00-2017-E-00561 9

Siskiyou Lava Beds National Volcanic All KFWO Monument

Siskiyou BLM Alturas Resource Area All KFWO

Siskiyou Klamath Basin National Wildlife All KFWO Refuge Complex

Siskiyou All other ownerships All By jurisdiction (see map)

Solano Suisun Marsh All BDFWO

Solano Tidal wetlands/marsh adjacent to Salt marsh BDFWO San Pablo Bay species, delta smelt

Solano All ownerships but tidal/estuarine All SFWO

Solano Other All By jurisdiction (see map)

Sonoma Tidal wetlands/marsh adjacent to Salt marsh BDFWO San Pablo Bay species, delta smelt

Sonoma All ownerships but tidal/estuarine All SFWO

Tehama Mendocino National Forest All AFWO

Tehama Shasta Trinity National Forest All YFWO except Hat Creek Ranger District (administered by Lassen National Forest)

Tehama All other ownerships All By jurisdiction (see map)

Trinity BLM All AFWO

Trinity Six Rivers National Forest All AFWO

Trinity Shasta Trinity National Forest All YFWO

Trinity Mendocino National Forest All AFWO

Trinity BIA (Tribal Trust Lands) All AFWO

04/05/2017 Event Code: 08ENVD00-2017-E-00561 10

Trinity County Government All AFWO

Trinity All other ownerships All By jurisdiction (See map)

Yolo Yolo Bypass All BDFWO

Yolo Other All By jurisdiction (see map)

All FERC-ESA All By jurisdiction (see map)

All FERC-ESA Shasta SFWO crayfish

All FERC-Relicensing (non-ESA) All BDFWO

*Office Leads:

AFWO=Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office

BDFWO=Bay Delta Fish and Wildlife Office

KFWO=Klamath Falls Fish and Wildlife Office

RFWO=Reno Fish and Wildlife Office

YFWO=Yreka Fish and Wildlife Office

Attachment(s):

Official Species List USFWS National Wildlife Refuges and Fish Hatcheries Migratory Birds Wetlands

04/05/2017 Event Code: 08ENVD00-2017-E-00561 1

Official Species List This list is provided pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and fulfills the requirement for Federal agencies to "request of the Secretary of the Interior information whether any species which is listed or proposed to be listed may be present in the area of a proposed action".

This species list is provided by:

Reno Fish And Wildlife Office 1340 Financial Boulevard, Suite 234 Reno, NV 89502-7147 (775) 861-6300

04/05/2017 Event Code: 08ENVD00-2017-E-00561 2

Project Summary Consultation Code: 08ENVD00-2017-SLI-0294

Event Code: 08ENVD00-2017-E-00561

Project Name: Sun Valley School Campus

Project Type: LAND - DISPOSAL / TRANSFER

Project Description: Transfer of federally public land to Washoe County School District for the development of an 80 acre school campus.

Project Location: Approximate location of the project can be viewed in Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/39.622677712904974N119.76693937031098W

Counties: Washoe, NV

Endangered Species Act Species There is a total of 4 threatened, endangered, or candidate species on your species list. Species on this list should be considered in an effects analysis for your project and could include species that exist in another geographic area. For example, certain fish may appear on the species list because a project could affect downstream species. See the "Critical habitats" section below for those critical habitats that lie wholly or partially within your project area. Please contact the designated FWS office if you have questions.

04/05/2017 Event Code: 08ENVD00-2017-E-00561 3

Mammals

NAME STATUS North American Wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus) Proposed No critical habitat has been designated for this species. Threatened Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/5123

Fishes

NAME STATUS Cui-ui (Chasmistes cujus) Endangered No critical habitat has been designated for this species. Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/456

Lahontan Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi) Threatened No critical habitat has been designated for this species. Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/3964

Flowering Plants

NAME STATUS Webber's Ivesia (Ivesia webberi) Threatened There is a final critical habitat designated for this species. Your location is outside the designated critical habitat. Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/4682

Critical habitats There are no critical habitats within your project area.

04/05/2017 Event Code: 08ENVD00-2017-E-00561 1

USFWS National Wildlife Refuges And Fish Hatcheries Any activity proposed on National Wildlife Refuge lands must undergo a 'Compatibility Determination' conducted by the Refuge. Please contact the individual Refuges to discuss any questions or concerns.

There are no refuges or fish hatcheries within your project area.

04/05/2017 Event Code: 08ENVD00-2017-E-00561 1

Migratory Birds Certain birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act1 and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act2.

Any activity that results in the take of migratory birds or eagles is prohibited unless authorized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service3. There are no provisions for allowing the take of migratory birds that are unintentionally killed or injured.

Any person or organization who plans or conducts activities that may result in the take of migratory birds is responsible for complying with the appropriate regulations and implementing appropriate conservation measures.

1. The Migratory Birds Treaty Act of 1918. 2. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940. 3. 50 C.F.R. Sec. 10.12 and 16 U.S.C. Sec. 668(a)

The migratory birds species listed below are species of particular conservation concern (e.g. Birds of Conservation Concern) that may be potentially affected by activities in this location. It is not a list of every bird species you may find in this location, nor a guarantee that all of the bird species on this list will be found on or near this location. Although it is important to try to avoid and minimize impacts to all birds, special attention should be made to avoid and minimize impacts to birds of priority concern. To view available data on other bird species that may occur in your project area, please visit the AKN Histogram Tools and Other Bird Data Resources. To fully determine any potential effects to species, additional site-specific and project-specific information is often required. NAME SEASON(S) Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) On Land: Breeding

Green-tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) On Land: Breeding https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9444

Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) On Land: Year-round

Williamson's Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus) On Land: Year-round https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8832

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) On Land: Year-round https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1626

Black Rosy-finch (Leucosticte atrata) On Land: Year-round https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9460

04/05/2017 Event Code: 08ENVD00-2017-E-00561 2

Brewer's Sparrow (Spizella breweri) On Land: Breeding https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9291

Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) On Land: Breeding https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9737

Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope) On Land: Breeding https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9526

Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) On Land: Year-round https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8159

Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) On Land: Year-round https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8833

Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) On Land: Breeding https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/5511

Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) On Land: Breeding https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/3914

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) On Land: Year-round https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8831

Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) On Land: Year-round https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9420

Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus) On Land: Breeding https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9433

Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) On Land: Year-round https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9295

Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) On Land: Breeding

Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) On Land: Breeding https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1098

Tricolored Blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) On Land: Breeding https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/3910

Western Grebe (aechmophorus occidentalis) On Land: Breeding https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6743

White Headed Woodpecker (Picoides albolarvatus) On Land: Year-round https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9411

Additional information can be found using the following links: Birds of Conservation Concern http://www.fws.gov/birds/management/managed-species/ birds-of-conservation-concern.php

04/05/2017 Event Code: 08ENVD00-2017-E-00561 3

Conservation measures for birds http://www.fws.gov/birds/management/project-assessment-tools-and-guidance/ conservation-measures.php Year-round bird occurrence data http://www.birdscanada.org/birdmon/default/datasummaries.jsp

04/05/2017 Event Code: 08ENVD00-2017-E-00561 1

Wetlands Impacts to NWI wetlands and other aquatic habitats may be subject to regulation under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, or other State/Federal statutes.

For more information please contact the Regulatory Program of the local U.S. Army Corps of Engineers District.

FRESHWATER FORESTED/SHRUB WETLAND PSSB

APPENDIX B Plant Species Lists

Attachment B –Plant List Sun Valley School Campus

ANGIOSPERMS ‐ DICOTYLEDONS Scientific Name Common Name Apiaceae Carrot Family Lomatium donnellii Donnell’s biscuitroot Lomatium nevadensis Nevada biscuitroot blank blank Asteraceae Sunflower Family Achillea millefolium Common yarrow Artemisia arbuscula Little sagebrush Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana Big sagebrush Blepharipappus scaber Rough eyelashes Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus Green rabbitbrush Crepis acuminata Hawksbeard Crepis occidentalis Western hawksbeard Erigeron sp. Fleabane Layia glandulosa Tidy tips Pleiacanthus spinosus Thorny skeleton‐plant Tetradymia glabrata Smooth horsebrush blank blank Boraginaceae Borage Family Cryptantha sp. Cryptantha Cryptantha circumscissa Popcorn flower Mertensia ciliata Bluebells blank blank Brassicaceae Mustard Family Amsinckia tessellata Bristly fiddleneck Descurainia pinnata Western tansymustard Erysimum capitatum Wallflower Lepidium densiflorum spp. macrocarpum Common pepper‐grass Sisymbrium altissimum Tall tumblemustard blank blank Cactaceae Cactus Family Opuntia polyacantha Prickly pear blank blank Chenopodiaceae Goosefoot Family Atriplex confertifolia Shadscale saltbush Fabaceae Legume Family Astragalus malicus Shaggy milkvetch Astragalus sp* Milkvetch

Resource Concepts, Inc. Washoe County School District – Sun Valley School Campus Appendix B ‐ Page 1

Attachment B –Plant List Sun Valley School Campus

ANGIOSPERMS ‐ DICOTYLEDONS Scientific Name Common Name Lupinus malacophyllus Soft lupine Melilotus officinalis Sweetclover Trifolium macrocephalum Big‐headed clover blank blank Geraniaceae Geranium Family Erodium cicutarium Filaree blank blank Hydrolphyllaceae Waterleaf Family Phacilia hastata Silverleaf phacelia blank blank Loasaceae Loasa Family Mentzelia albicaulis Whitestem blazingstar

Lamiaceae Mint Family Monardella odoratissima Mountain mint blank blank Linaceae Flax Family Linum lewissi Blue flax blank blank Onagraceae Willowherb Family Epilobium sp. Willowherb blank blank Papaveraceae Poppy family Argemone munita Prickly poppy blank blank Polygonaceae Buckwheat Family Eriogonum nidularium Bird’s nest buckwheat Eriogonum ovalifolium Cushion buckwheat Eriogonum umbellatum Sulphur flower blank blank Polemoniaceae Phlox Family Eriastrum sparsiflorum Great Basin woollystar Linanthus pungens Granite prickly phlox Microsteris gracilis Slender phlox Portulacaceae Montia Family Lewisia redivivia Bitterroot

Resource Concepts, Inc. Washoe County School District – Sun Valley School Campus Appendix B ‐ Page 2

Attachment B –Plant List Sun Valley School Campus

ANGIOSPERMS ‐ DICOTYLEDONS Scientific Name Common Name blank blank Ranunculaceae Buttercup Family Ceratocephala testiculata Bur buttercup Delphinium andersonii Anderson’s larkspur blank blank Rosaceae Rose Family Purshia tridentata Antelope bitterbrush Rosa woodsii Woods’ rose blank blank Salicaceae Willow Family Salix exigua Sandbar Willow Salix sp. blank blank blank Scrophulariaceae Figwort Family Castilleja chromosa Desert paintbrush Mimuls nanus Monkeyflower

ANGIOSPERMS ‐ MONOCOTYLEDONS Scientific Name Common Name blank blank Juncaceae Rush Family Juncus sp. blank blank Liliaceae Lily Family Allium sp. Wild onion Calochortus bruneaunis Sego lily Zigadenus paniculatus Death camas blank blank Poaceae Grass Family Bromus tectorum Cheatgrass Elymus elymoides Bottlebrush squirreltail Hordeum pusillum Little barley Leymus cinereus Great Basin wildrye Poa secunda Sandberg bluegrass Stipa speciosa Desert needlegrass

Resource Concepts, Inc. Washoe County School District – Sun Valley School Campus Appendix B ‐ Page 3

Attachment B –Plant List Sun Valley School Campus

GYMNOSPERM CONIFEROPHYTA CONIFERS Scientific Name Common Name Cupressaceae Cypress Family Juniperus osteosperma Utah juniper blank blank Ephedraceae Ephedra viridis Mormon tea blank blank *Astragalus sp. – This species of Astragalus was distinguished from Astragalus convallarius var. margaretiae, A. lentiginosus var. sesquimetralis, and A. pulsiferae var. pulsiferae based on the number, size and arrangement of leaflets, color of flower, and hairs on stems and leaflets.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Washoe County School District – Sun Valley School Campus Appendix B ‐ Page 4

APPENDIX C Site Photos

Appendix C Photographs of the Biological Study Area Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Photo 1. Typical Shallow Loam 10-12” Precipitation Zone ecological site (background), and Gravelly Clay ecological site (foreground) as observed on May 8, 2017.

Photo 2. Typical Loamy 8-10” Precipitation Zone ecological site as observed on May 8, 2017.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Appendix C - 1 Appendix C Photographs of the Biological Study Area Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Photo 3. Typical Loamy Hill 10-12” Precipitation Zone ecological site as observed on May 8, 2017.

Photo 4. Typical Claypan 8-10” Precipitation Zone ecological site as observed on May 8, 2017.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Appendix C - 2 Appendix C Photographs of the Biological Study Area Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Photo 5. Typical Gravelly Clay 10-12” Precipitation Zone ecological site as observed on May 8, 2017.

Photo 6. Small, isolated riparian zone located in the southeast corner of the Biological Study Area as observed on May 8, 2017.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Appendix C - 3 Appendix C Photographs of the Biological Study Area Biological Technical Report Sun Valley School Campus July 7, 2017 Sun Valley, Nevada

Photo 7. Small, isolated riparian zone located in the southeast corner of the Biological Study Area as observed on May 27, 2017.

Photo 8. Typical disturbance area, small dirt road, located throughout the Biological Study Area.

Resource Concepts, Inc. Appendix C - 4