Wildlife Biological Evaluation and Resource Report
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United States Department of Agriculture Terrestrial Wildlife Report Forest Service September and Biological Evaluation 2016 Ten Cent Community Wildfire Protection Project Umatilla National Forest, North Fork John Day Ranger District Wallowa Whitman National Forest, Whitman Ranger District Grant and Baker County, Oregon For Information Contact: Randy Scarlett South Zone Wildlife Biologist In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. De pa rtm e nt of Agriculture (US DA) civil rights regulations and policies, the US DA, its Age nc ie s , offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orienta tion, dis a bility, a ge , m a rita l status, family/parental status, income derived from a public a s s is ta nce progra m , politica l be lie fs , or re pris a l or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incide nt. P e rs ons with dis a bilitie s who re quire a lte rna tive means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign La nguage, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720- 2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Rela y Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected]. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. TABLE OF CONTENTS TERRESTRIAL WILDLIFE REPORT............................................................................................................................... 4 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 4 Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................ 4 OLD GROWTH HABITAT ............................................................................................................................................ 6 Affected Environment ........................................................................................................................................... 6 Environmental Consequences .............................................................................................................................. 7 LATE AND OLD STRUCTURAL STAGES ........................................................................................................................ 9 Affected Environment ........................................................................................................................................... 9 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................................................ 10 CONNECTIVITY ........................................................................................................................................................ 16 Affected Environment ......................................................................................................................................... 16 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................................................ 16 SNAG REPLACEMENT TREES .................................................................................................................................... 19 Affected Environment ......................................................................................................................................... 19 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................................................ 20 DOWNED WOOD HABITAT ....................................................................................................................................... 21 Affected Environment ......................................................................................................................................... 21 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................................................ 31 MANAGEMENT INDICATOR SPECIES ........................................................................................................................ 35 Rocky Mountain Elk ........................................................................................................................................... 36 Pileated Woodpecker ......................................................................................................................................... 68 American Marten ............................................................................................................................................... 84 American Three-Toed Woodpecker .................................................................................................................... 93 Northern Goshawk ........................................................................................................................................... 101 THREATENED, ENDANGERED, PROPOSED, CANDIDATE, AND SENSITIVE SPECIES .................................................. 110 SPECIES ELIMINATED FROM FURTHER EFFECTS ANALYSIS ................................................................................... 113 Canada Lynx .................................................................................................................................................... 113 Upland Sandpiper ............................................................................................................................................ 113 Bald Eagle ........................................................................................................................................................ 114 Bufflehead ........................................................................................................................................................ 114 Greater Sage Grouse ....................................................................................................................................... 114 Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse ..................................................................................................................... 114 Black Swift ....................................................................................................................................................... 115 Harlequin Duck ................................................................................................................................................ 115 BLACK ROSY-FINCH And WALLOWA ROSY-FINCH ................................................................................... 115 Silver Bordered Fritillary ................................................................................................................................ 116 SPECIES ANALYZED IN DETAIL .............................................................................................................................. 116 Peregrine Falcon ............................................................................................................................................. 116 BATS ................................................................................................................................................................ 117 Western Bumblebee .......................................................................................................................................... 120 North American Wolverine .............................................................................................................................. 123 Yuma Skipper (butterfly) .................................................................................................................................. 127 Fir Pinwheel (Terrestrial Snail) ....................................................................................................................... 127 Columbia Spotted Frog .................................................................................................................................... 128 Rocky Mountain Tailed Frog ........................................................................................................................... 131 White-headed and Lewis’ Woodpecker ............................................................................................................ 133 Gray Wolf