Report on the Status o.f the Cheat Mountain Salamander in the Cabin Mountain Area of West Virginia

Introduction.

Field surveys · fot- the Cheat MoLtntain salamander (Plethodon nettingi) were conducted on the Kelley property on three mountains in the Cabin Mountain area of West Virginia. These mountains included Bald Knob, Cabin Mountain� and the mountain (elevation 4,268 ft.) immediately northeast of Cabin Mountain.

Surveys were conducted by three people Monday through Friday (JLine 17-21, 1991>. Sw-veys involved collectors walking line transects approximately 20 meters apart along each hillside. In those areas where the Cheat Mduntain salamander was found, 'transects were surveyed at least 100 to 200 ft. in elevation below the last observed specimen. The Cheat Mountain salamander was found en Bald Knob and Cabin Mountain. Thomas K. Pauley examined the third mountain in 1985 without finding the Cheat Mountain salamander, except for a population on the United States Forest Service property on the northeast slope adjacent to Timberline Four Season Resort's Salamander Ski Trail. The summit and surrounding areas (except for the known population) were �survyed again during. this stuHy and the Cheat Mountain salamander was not found.

Seven species of salamanders totaling 387 specimens were observed. Species observed included the Cheat Mountain salamander (Plethodon nettingi), redback salamander

Cheat Mountain Salamander Sites (see the enclosed map)

The largest population o-f Cheat Mountain salamanders observed was on Bald Knob. This population covers approximately 125 acres. It extends -from the summit (elevation 4,360 -ft.) .- ..

downslope on the north side of the mountain to 3,940 ft. for a total eleVational range of 420 ft. Compared to other populations in which elevational ranges have been determined, this population is relatively large. For example, the elevational range at Gaudineer Knob, Stuart Knob, and Fisher Spring Run

In terms of the numbers of specimens observed, 19 Cheat Mountain salamanders were found. While this is a relatively small number, weather conditions were extremely dry during the study. Perhaps in times of moist conditions more specimens would have been observed.

The second site (Cabin Mountain) is ver·y small. It is approximately two acres and is located between 4,180 and 4,140 ft. on the northwest point of the mountain. Just two specimens were observed. The western side of Cabin Mountain is not habitat in which the Cheat Mountain salama�der usually occurs

Threats to the Cheat Mountain salamander in the Cabin Mountain area.

Habitat disturbances such as ski slopes at White Grass and Timberline Four Season Resort and timber harvesting techniques (particularly clear cutting) may have removed parts of the existing populations. Such habitat perturbations in these known populations could reduce the size of these populations or lead to their extirpation. This is particularly true for the small ·cabin Moyntain population. Considering the small size in terms of area and individuals of this population, the slightest disturbance would probably destroy it. The summits of both Cabin Mountain and Bald Knob have been greatly disturbed. The summit o� Cabin Mountain is mostly rocks with small trees, and most of the western edge of Bald Knob has been clearcut. -T ., . . ..

,, ......

OJ 637 25' • tfrrfl(IUOA-or,:,\oa1c...L S\,11111\illY. l'USTON, vu1101:.1A-Ul2 �����§:=�;:;������§§��:..f_LJ.f_l_,{_ijJ�]j�L)-_L��llllJJ������,::::;;:::::�!..f..:::._�..J:��639 64QOOOn>·E. ROAD CLASSIFICATION .. Primary highway. Light-duty road. hard or 6000 7000 FEET hard surface improved surface '======:31 KILOMETER Secondary highway,

ha rd su dace Unimproved road ···R��;¥ca Interstate Route 1929 . ..A 1 . ·.:'.. . 0 0 U.S. Route QState Route ,.•' ... W. VA ,..._ :� \ / \,, ..., BLACKWATER FALLS, W. VA. STANDARDS QUADRANGLE LOCATION SW/4 DAVI$ IS' OUADRANOLE .VEY N3900-W7922.5/7.5 GINIA 22092 Revisions shown in purple and woodland compiled in 1968 AVAILABLE ON REQUEST cooperation with the State of West Virginia agencies PHOTOREVISED° 1981 from aerial photographs taken 1978 ,.ind other sources OMA 5162 Ill SW-SERIES. V854 This intormation not field checked. Map edited 1981 MEMORANDUM Date: June 26, 1991 From: Jim Hudgins Subject: Kelly Property To: Files I reviewed Tom Pauley•s 6/25/91 report on Cheat Mountain salamander's found on the Kelly property. I estimated (using the dot grid) the area he delineated to be 135 acres in size. Of that, approximatley 110 acres are on the Kelly property and 25 acres are on Western Pocahontas lands. I estimate the wetland to be 24 acres in size, 10 acres of which are on the Kelly property.