Resource Name (Heading 1)
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT and BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION and WILDLIFE AND BOTANY REPORTS and NON-NATIVE SPECIES RISK ASSESSMENT for THE GRASS VALLEY FUELS REDUCTION PROJECT Mountaintop Ranger District San Bernardino National Forest Prepared by: /s/ Scott Eliason July 7, 2018 Scott Eliason, District Botanist Date Prepared by: /s/ Robin Eliason July 7, 2018 Robin Eliason, District Wildlife Biologist Date SUMMARY This report addresses the potential effects of the proposed project on Federally-Listed Threatened and Endangered species, Forest Service Sensitive species, San Bernardino National Forest Watch List species, other species of special concern, and general vegetation and wildlife that are known or likely to occur in the Grass Valley Fuels Reduction project. The proposed action for the Grass Valley Fire Restoration Project includes: Conduct fuels reduction and vegetation management activities on approximately 1,043 acres, including reforestation and planting of non-conifer species; Treat non-native plants by manual methods only; Repair damaged infrastructure including trails and roads; Remove danger trees of all sizes in the entire project area. The proposed activities would occur entirely on US Forest Service lands. Table 1 displays the known and potential occurrences of special status species in the project area and summarizes the “Determinations of Effects” for each. Federally-Listed Threatened/Endangered Species and Critical Habitat The Grass Valley fuels project area contains no known occurrences of Threatened/ Endangered (T/E) wildlife species. There are historic records for California red-legged frogs and mountain yellow-legged frogs downstream of the project area; additionally, arroyo toads are known from several miles downstream in Grass Valley Creek. Riparian Conservation Areas, Best Management Practices, and Limited Operating Periods during the breeding season are expected to limit the potential effects. The determinations of effects for all of these T/E animals are “no effect.” There is no designated Critical Habitat for T/E animals. No federally-listed plants are known or likely to occur in the project area. There is no designated Critical Habitat for T/E plants. Since no effects to T/E animals or plants are expected from the proposed projects, no Section 7 Endangered Species Act consultation for T/E animals, plants, and Critical Habitat is required. Forest Service Sensitive Species Several Sensitive wildlife species are known or expected in the project area. The determinations of effects for all of the Sensitive wildlife species with potential to occur in the project area are “may affect individuals but not likely to lead in a trend toward federal listing.” The Design Features are critical for limiting effects to California spotted owls and not contributing toward a trend in federal listing. There are two Forest Service Sensitive plant species are known from within or adjacent to the project area. The determinations of effects for all of the Sensitive plant species with potential to occur in the project area are “may affect individuals but not likely to lead in a trend toward federal listing”. The Design Features will help reduce the potential for and extent of effects to Sensitive plant species. Page 2 SBNF Watch List Species No threat to the viability of any of the SBNF Watch List animals or plants, or other potentially vulnerable species, is expected from the proposed project. Consistency with Forest Plan and Other Applicable Management Direction The proposed project would be consistent with the goals, strategies, standards, and species-specific direction in the Forest Plan. Additionally, the project would be consistent with all other applicable laws, regulations, and direction, including the National Forest Management Act, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, the National Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Summary of Determinations Table 1 provides a summary of species known to occur in or adjacent to the project or those with a high probability of occurrence. Other sections of this document display all of the species considered in this evaluation. Table 1. Summary of Effects Determinations for TESW Species In/Near the Grass Valley Fuels Reduction Project Area Name Determinations Threatened and Endangered Animals Mohave tui chub (E) No Effect Arroyo toad (E) No Effect California red-legged frog (E) No Effect mountain yellow-legged frog (E) No Effect California condor (E) No Effect southwestern willow flycatcher (E) No Effect least Bell’s vireo (T) No Effect Forest Service Sensitive Animals Large/yellow-blotched ensatina May Affect Individuals, Not Likely to Lead Towards a Trend in Federal Listing; No Threat to Viability Southern rubber boa May Affect Individuals, Not Likely to Lead Towards a Trend in Federal Listing; No Threat to Viability Three-lined boa May Affect Individuals, Not Likely to Lead Towards a Trend in Federal Listing; No Threat to Viability San Bernardino ringneck snake May Affect Individuals, Not Likely to Lead Towards a Trend in Federal Listing; No Threat to Viability San Bernardino mountain kingsnake May Affect Individuals, Not Likely to Lead Towards a Trend in Federal Listing; No Threat to Viability Two-striped garter snake May Affect Individuals, Not Likely to Lead Towards a Trend in Federal Listing; No Threat to Viability Bald eagle May Affect Individuals, Not Likely to Lead Towards a Trend in Federal Listing; No Threat to Viability Northern goshawk May Affect Individuals, Not Likely to Lead Towards a Trend in Federal Listing; No Threat to Viability California spotted owl May Affect Individuals, Not Likely to Lead Towards a Trend in Federal Listing; No Threat to Viability Willow flycatcher (migrants) No Effect Townsend’s big-eared bat May Affect Individuals, Not Likely to Lead Towards a Trend in Federal Listing; No Threat to Viability Page 3 Table 1. Summary of Effects Determinations for TESW Species In/Near the Grass Valley Fuels Reduction Project Area Name Determinations Fringed myotis May Affect Individuals, Not Likely to Lead Towards a Trend in Federal Listing; No Threat to Viability Pallid bat May Affect Individuals, Not Likely to Lead Towards a Trend in Federal Listing; No Threat to Viability San Bernardino flying squirrel May Affect Individuals, Not Likely to Lead Towards a Trend in Federal Listing; No Threat to Viability Forest Service Sensitive Plants Calochortus palmeri var. palmeri May Affect Individuals, Not Likely to Lead Towards a Trend in Federal Listing; No Threat to Viability Castilleja lasiorhyncha May Affect Individuals, Not Likely to Lead Towards a Trend in Federal Listing; No Threat to Viability SBNF Watch List and Other Special Status Animals Springsnails No Threat to Viability simple hydroporus diving beetle No Threat to Viability Dorhn’s elegant eucnemid beetle No Threat to Viability bicolored rainbeetle No Threat to Viability San Bernardino Mountains silk moth No Threat to Viability August checkerspot butterfly No Threat to Viability Andrew's marble butterfly No Threat to Viability Monterey ensatina salamander No Threat to Viability arboreal salamander No Threat to Viability garden slender salamander No Threat to Viability coast patch-nosed snake No Threat to Viability mountain garter snake No Threat to Viability southwestern speckled rattlesnake No Threat to Viability western least bittern No Threat to Viability white-tailed kite No Threat to Viability sharp-shinned hawk (breeding) No Threat to Viability Cooper's hawk (breeding)* No Threat to Viability golden eagle No Threat to Viability merlin No Threat to Viability American peregrine falcon* No Threat to Viability flammulated owl No Threat to Viability western screech owl No Threat to Viability northern pygmy owl No Threat to Viability long-eared owl No Threat to Viability northern saw-whet owl No Threat to Viability common nighthawk No Threat to Viability Mexican whip-poor-will No Threat to Viability calliope hummingbird No Threat to Viability Lewis' woodpecker No Threat to Viability Williamson's sapsucker No Threat to Viability Nuttall's woodpecker No Threat to Viability white-headed woodpecker No Threat to Viability gray flycatcher No Threat to Viability purple martin No Threat to Viability tree swallow No Threat to Viability American dipper No Threat to Viability Swainson's thrush No Threat to Viability hermit thrush (breeding) No Threat to Viability Page 4 Table 1. Summary of Effects Determinations for TESW Species In/Near the Grass Valley Fuels Reduction Project Area Name Determinations loggerhead shrike No Threat to Viability plumbeous vireo No Threat to Viability Cassin’s vireo No Threat to Viability warbling vireo No Threat to Viability Virginia’s warbler (breeding) No Threat to Viability yellow warbler No Threat to Viability MacGillivray's warbler No Threat to Viability common yellowthroat No Threat to Viability Wilson's warbler No Threat to Viability summer tanager No Threat to Viability southern California rufous-crowned No Threat to Viability sparrow black-chinned sparrow No Threat to Viability Bell's sparrow No Threat to Viability Lincoln's sparrow No Threat to Viability Lawrence's goldfinch No Threat to Viability western small-footed myotis No Threat to Viability long-eared myotis No Threat to Viability little brown myotis No Threat to Viability long-legged myotis No Threat to Viability Yuma myotis No Threat to Viability western bonneted bat No Threat to Viability lodgepole chipmunk No Threat to Viability golden-mantled ground squirrel No Threat to Viability ringtail