Michigan Karner Blue Butterfly HCP
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DRAFT MICHIGAN KARNER BLUE BUTTERFLY HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN Photograph by Jennifer Kleitch ATU F N RA O L T R Printed by Authority of: P.A. 451 of 1994 N E Michigan Department of Natural Resources E S Total Number of Copies Printed: .........XX M O T U Cost per Copy:.................................$XXX R R Wildlife Division Report No. _____ C A P Total Cost: ......................................$XXX DNR E E S D _____ 2007 Michigan Department of Natural Resources M ICHIG AN ICXXXXX (XXXXXX) DRAFT – November 2, 2007 2 DRAFT MICHIGAN KARNER BLUE BUTTERFLY HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN Prepared by: Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division Stevens T. Mason Building P.O. Box 30180 Lansing, MI 48909 Submitted to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service East Lansing Field Office 2651 Coolidge Road, Suite 101 East Lansing, Michigan 48823 November 2, 2007 DRAFT – November 2, 2007 3 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Michigan Department of Natural Resources appreciates the valuable contributions made by many agencies, organizations and individuals during the development of this plan. In particular, we thank the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for providing funding and technical support. We also thank the members of the Karner Blue Butterfly Working Group and the Karner Blue Butterfly Management Partners Workgroup, who shared important perspectives and expertise during their meetings and document reviews. Finally, we thank the members of the public who helped shape the content of this plan by offering input during public meetings and public- comment periods. A contribution of the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund Grants Program, Michigan Project E-3-HP Equal Rights for Natural Resource Users The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) provides equal opportunities for employment and access to Michigan’s natural resources. Both State and Federal laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, age, sex, height, weight or marital status under the Civil Rights Acts of 1964, as amended (MI PA 453 and MI PA 220, Title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act). If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility, or if you desire additional information, please write the MDNR, HUMAN RESOURCES, PO BOX 30028, LANSING MI 48909-7528, or the MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL RIGHTS, STATE OF MICHIGAN PLAZA BUILDING, 1200 6TH STREET, DETROIT MI 48226, or the OFFICE FOR DIVERSITY AND CIVIL RIGHTS, US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, 4040 NORTH FAIRFAX DRIVE, ARLINGTON VA 22203. For information or assistance on this publication, contact: MDNR, WILDLIFE DIVISION, P.O. BOX 30444, LANSING, MI 48909-7944, -or- through the internet at “ http://www.michigan.gov/dnr “. This publication is available in alternative formats upon request. TTY/TTD (teletype): 711 (Michigan Relay Center). DRAFT – November 2, 2007 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................9 1.1 Purpose....................................................................................................................9 1.2. Background ............................................................................................................9 1.3 Permit Duration ...................................................................................................12 1.4 Regulatory/Legal Framework for Plan..............................................................12 1.5 Plan Area ..............................................................................................................13 1.6 Species To Be Covered by Permit.......................................................................14 2. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES..............................................................................................14 3. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING/BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ...................................15 3.1 Environmental Setting.........................................................................................15 3.1.1 Climate.......................................................................................................15 3.1.2 Topography and Soils ................................................................................16 3.1.3 Hydrology ..................................................................................................16 3.1.4 Water Quality.............................................................................................17 3.1.5 Air Quality.................................................................................................17 3.1.6 Vegetation..................................................................................................17 3.1.7 Wildlife ......................................................................................................22 3.1.8 Existing Land Use......................................................................................25 3.1.8.1 Statewide........................................................................................25 3.1.8.2 Oak Savannas.................................................................................27 3.2 Species of Concern in the Plan Area ..................................................................28 3.2.1 Wildlife Species of Concern ......................................................................28 3.2.1.1 Federally Listed and Candidate Species ........................................28 3.2.1.2 Michigan State-listed Wildlife Species..........................................32 3.2.2 Plant Species of Concern ...........................................................................36 3.2.2.1 Federally Listed and Candidate Species ........................................36 3.2.2.2 Michigan State-listed Plant Species...............................................37 4. PROJECT DESCRIPTION/ACTIVITIES COVERED BY PERMIT...........................41 4.1 Project Description ..............................................................................................41 4.2 Activities Covered by Permit ..............................................................................41 4.2.1 Habitat Management..................................................................................41 4.2.1.1 Prescribed Burning.........................................................................42 4.2.1.2 Mowing/Hydroaxing......................................................................42 4.2.1.3 Manual Vegetation Removal .........................................................43 4.2.1.4 Chemical Vegetation Removal ......................................................43 4.2.1.5 Soil Scarification............................................................................43 4.2.1.6 Livestock Grazing..........................................................................43 4.2.1.7 Seeding and Planting......................................................................44 4.2.1.8 Treatment Combinations................................................................44 4.2.2 Utility and Transportation Right-of-Way Maintenance.............................44 4.2.2.1 Heavy-equipment Operation/Traffic..............................................45 4.2.2.2 Soil Excavation ..............................................................................45 4.2.3 Development..............................................................................................45 5. MEASURES TO MINIMIZE AND MITIGATE ADVERSE IMPACTS......................46 DRAFT – November 2, 2007 5 5.1 Measures to Minimize Adverse Impacts............................................................46 5.1.1 Habitat Management..................................................................................46 5.1.1.1 General...........................................................................................46 5.1.1.2 Prescribed Burning.........................................................................47 5.1.1.3 Mowing/Hydroaxing......................................................................47 5.1.1.4 Manual Vegetation Removal .........................................................48 5.1.1.5 Chemical Vegetation Removal ......................................................48 5.1.1.6 Soil Scarification............................................................................48 5.1.1.7 Livestock Grazing..........................................................................48 5.1.1.8 Seeding and Planting......................................................................48 5.1.1.9 Treatment Combinations................................................................49 5.1.2 Utility and Transportation Right-of-Way Maintenance.............................49 5.1.2.1 General...........................................................................................49 5.1.2.2 Heavy-equipment Operation/Traffic..............................................50 5.1.2.3 Soil Excavation ..............................................................................50 5.1.3 Development..............................................................................................51 5.2 Measures to Mitigate Unavoidable Adverse Impacts.......................................52 5.3. Adaptive Management.........................................................................................54 6. POTENTIAL BIOLOGICAL IMPACTS/TAKE ASSESSMENT .................................55