BIODIVERSITY INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS OF THE

1995 Annual Report

P REPARED BY

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY OF

FOR THE

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERG Y

JUNE 1996 BIODIVERSITY INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS OF THE HANFORD SITE

1995 Annual Report

Editor Jonathan A. Soll Curt Soper Associate Editor/Designer Jan K. Lorey Contributors Kathryn Beck Florence Caplow Richard Easterly Patti A. Ensor Tony Greager Lisa A. Hallock Rob Pabst Deborah Salstrom Andrew M. Stepniewski Richard S. Zack

Prepared by The Nature Conservancy of Washington in partial fulfillment of U.S. Department of Energy Grant Award Number DE-FG06-94RL 12858. Additional funding provided by The Nature Conservancy of Washington, The Bullitt Foundation, and The Northwest Fund for the Environment.

NJh~-conservancy. OF WA S HINCTO/1: 217 Pine Street, Suite 1100 Seattle, WA 98101

Printed on recycled paper •

CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... vii

1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 Background I 1.1.1 History of the Hanford Site 1 1.1.2 The Shrub-Steppe Ecosystem 1 1.1.3 Climate 2 1.1.4 Physiography 2 1.1.5 Management Areas 2 1.2 The Need for a Biodiversity Inventory 5 1.3 Ownership and Use of Data 5 1.4 Biodiversity Inventory Personnel 6

2.0 PLANT COMMUNITY ECOLOGY ...... 7 2.1 Purpose and Scope 7 2.2 Methods 7 2.2.1 Site Description 7 2.2.2 Field Inventory 8 2.3 Findings 8 2.3. 1 Plant Communities 8 2.3.2 Riparian Communities JO 2.3.3 Island Upland Communities 11 2.6 Conclusions and Management Considerations 11

3.0 RARE PLANT BOTANY ...... 13 3. I Purpose and Scope 13 3.2 Methods 13 3.2.1 Pre-field 13 3.2.2 Terminology 13 3.2.3 Field Inventory 14 3.4 Results 15 3. 4.1 Overview 15 3.4.2 Two New Species and a New Variety 15 3.4.3 Endangered, Threatened, and Sensitive Plants 16 3.5 Findings and Management Considerations by Management Area 17 3.5. J Arid Lands Ecology Reserve 17 3.5.2 Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge 17 3.5.3 Wah/uke State Wildlife Recreation Area 18 3.5.4 Central Hanford 18 3.5.5 19 3.6 Noxious Weeds 19 3.7 Further Inventory Needs 20 3.8 Conclusions 21

iii CONTENTS

4.0 ORNITHOLOGY ...... 23 4.1 Purpose and Scope 23 4.2 Methods 23 4.3 Findings 24 4.3. 1 Overview 24 4.3.2 Findings by Habitat Type 26 4.3. 3 Newly Documented Species at Hanford 28 4.4 Conclusions and Further Inventory Needs 29

5.0 ENTOMOLOGY ...... 31 5.1 Purpose and Scope 31 5.2 Methods 31 5.2. 1 Areas Surveyed 31 5.2.2 Field Inventory 31 5.3 Findings 32 5. 3. 1 Overview 32 5. 3. 2 Findings by Order 32 5.4 Further Inventory Needs 34 5.5 Conclusions and Management Considerations 35

6.0 ...... :...... 37 6.1 Purpose and Scope 37 6.2 Methods 37 6.3 Findings 37 6.3. 1 Overview 37 6.3.2 Arid Lands Ecology Reserve 38 6.3.3 Central Hanford 38 6.3.4 Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge 39 6.3.5 Wahluke State Wildlife Recreation Area 39 6.4 Conclusions and Further Inventory Needs 39 6.5 Management Considerations 39

7.0 HERPETOFAUNA ...... 41 7 .1 Purpose and Scope 41 7.2 Methods 41 7.3 Findings 42 7. 3. 1 Overview 42 7.3.2 Amphibians 42 7.3.3 Reptiles 43 7.3.4 Snakes 43 7.3.5 Turtles 44 7.4 Further Inventory Needs 44 7.5 Conclusions and Management Considerations 44

8.0 STATUS OF THE HANFORD SITE BIODIVERSITY INVENTORY ...... 45

9.0 CONCLUSIONS ...... 47

10.0 REFERENCES ...... 49

11.0 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...... 53

iv CONTENTS

TABLES Page

Table 1. Hanford Biodiversity Inventory: Summary of findings, 1994 XI and 1995 Table 2. Rare plant survey findings by year and management area follows i8 I I Table 3. Bird species of special concern and the habitat in which they were follows 25 I observed on the North Slope and the ALE Reserve, 1995 I' Table 4. Amphibians and reptiles of the Hanford Site, 1995 42 Table 5. Status of Biodiversity Inventory, May 1996 45

FIGURES Page

Figure 1. Administrative boundaries and major land forms of the Vlll Hanford Site Figure 2. Element-occurrence wetlands and purple loosestrife populations on 9 the Hanford Reach of the , 1995 Figure 3. Location of bird species of special concern, sighted on transect 25 surveys, North Slope and ALE Reserve only, 1995 Figure 4. Habitat use by bird species of special concern and all bird species, 27 ALE Reserve and North Slope only, 1994 and 1995

COVER PHOTO Shrub-steppe habitat on the Arid Lands Ecology Reserve. Rob Pabst.

V J EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Introduction In 1992, the U.S . Department of Energy (DOE) and The Nature Conservancy of Washington entered into a memorandum of understanding that called for a cooperative and coordinated inventory of plants, and ecologically significant areas at the Hanford Site. In 1994, the DOE awarded The Nature Conservancy a grant to conduct the inventory. The Nature Conservancy contributed privately raised funds to support the inventory effort. Initially, the project was to be completed over a three-year period, beginning in 1994. However, budget cuts have limited the project's scope and extended the time frame. This document reports findings and analyses from inventory of plant communities, rare plants, birds, , amphibians and reptiles conducted from March 1994 to March 1996, but emphasizes the findings from the 1995 field season. A report detailing the findings of the 1994 field season was published in May 1995 (The Nature Conservancy 1995).

Background The 560 square-mile Hanford Site has been administered by the DOE since it was acquired in 1943 by the U.S. ·Government as a national security area for producing plutonium used in nuclear weapons. The last plutonium reactor was closed in 1987, and the site is currently administered by the DOE for nuclear waste management, environmental restoration, and research and development. Most of the Hanford Site has been closed to the public since 1943 (National Park Service Study Team 1994). Administratively, the Hanford Site is divided into a number of distinct management areas: the Fitzner-Eberhardt Arid Lands Ecology (ALE) Reserve; the Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge and the Wahluke State Wildlife Recreation Area (the latter two areas are known, and will be referred to collectively as the North Slope); the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River; and what is referred to in this report as Central Hanford. In addition to its national and international stature in nuclear weapons and energy technology development and scientific research, the Hanford Site helps support the economy of the Tri-Cities region (Richland, Kennewick and Pasco), and has important religious and cultural significance to the , Umatilla, Wanapum and Indian Tribes. From a biological perspective, placing such a large tract ofland-362,000 acres-virtually off-limits to public access and development for more than 50 years has preserved the shrub-steppe ecosystem like it exists nowhere else. In essence, Hanford has become a refuge for the native species and habitats comprising the Columbia Basin shrub-steppe.

The Need for a Biodiversity Inventory In order to make informed decisions about future land use, the DOE needs an accurate accounting of the species and ecosystems present on the Hanford Site. With the DOE's mission at the facility having changed from nuclear development and production to environmental cleanup and restoration, large-scale ground disturbing activities and, eventually, transfer ofland ownership are likely.

vii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Figure 1. Administrative boundaries and major land forms of the Hanford Site

Saddle Mountains

·•·•

Gable Mountain

Yakima Central Hanford

5

viii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A biodiversity inventory would help determine where cleanup and development activities might be best located to minimize impacts on significant natural features . In fact, findings of the 1994 and 1995 Biodiversity Inventory are already helping the DOE address planning in the context of regional and statewide conservation values (Comprehensive Land Use Plan process). Biological studies undertaken in the past at Hanford have been primarily project- or species-specific. These studies have contributed enormously to the body of knowledge on Hanford, but have not included a comprehensive, detailed inventory of the rare species and ecosystems present on the site. Therefore, the primary objective of this inventory is to fill critical gaps in our knowledge of the biology of the Hanford Site, and to provide this information to decision-makers. This accounting will also assist the DOE in affording the proper protection and/or mitigation required under the federal Endangered Species Act, and in fulfilling requirements under numerous other state and federal law~, policies and guidelines regarding rare species and biological diversity.

Results of the Biodiversity Inventory Biodiversity inventory efforts have produced remarkable results. In every subject area both rare elements and a diverse mix of the species and ecosystems that typify native shrub-steppe habitat have been located and documented. Table 1 summarizes the findings by subject area and year. A brief summary of each subject area follows.

Areas of Research

Plant Communities Plant communities, a term referring to plant species that coexist in fairly distinct groups, are important and useful indicators of biodiversity because they form the habitat used by most other organisms.

Scope and Areas Studied For the 1994 Biodiversity Inventory, plant communities were inventoried and mapped on the ALE Reserve and the North Slope. In 1995, the inventory and mapping of plant communities continued along the entire length of the south (west) shore and islands of the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River. As part of the inventory, the condition of each plant community was described and assessed for its conservation potential.

Methods Using inventory and plot data, plant communities were grouped into "community types" based primarily on the dominant features of the vegetation, geomorphology and hydrology. Data were collected from 116 vegetation plots in 1994 and from 21 vegetation plots in 1995 to supplement the inventory information.

Results The 1994 and 1995 Biodiversity Inventory documented 36 community types. Nine of these community types are recognized by the Washington Natural Heritage Program (1991) as significant natural features-or Elements-in the state of Washington, and deserving of protective status if they

ix EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

meet high-quality standards. Indeed, 53 occurrences (47 located in 1994 and 6 in 1995) of these nine different Elements met such standards. In 1995, 12 different wetland and upland plant associations were identified and mapped along the south shore and islands of the Hanford Reach, several of which were previously undescribed. Six areas along the south shore and islands of the river were identified as Element occurrences of Columbia Basin low elevation riparian wetlands. Such wetlands are of statewide conservation significance and will be added to the Washington Natural Heritage Program database as worthy of protection. The six areas are: China Bar, Islands 2-5, Locke Island, White Bluffs Slough, 100-F Area Slough, and the Hanford Townsite Slough. Although not all of these sites are pristine, they are regionally significant because most comparable sites have been permanently flooded by the reservoir system in place on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. These significant wetlands found along the Hanford Reach are unique within the Columbia Basin.

Rare Plant Botany Scope and Areas Studied The 1995 rare plant surveys on the Hanford Site continued those initiated in 1994. During the 1994 field season, rare plant survey covered portions of the ALE Reserve, the North Slope and the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River. During the 1995 field season, concentration shifted to remaining portions of the Hanford Site that appeared to have high potential for rare plant species. In particular, high-quality native plant communities in areas like Umtanum Ridge and Gable Mountain were searched. Special focus was also given to riparian areas along the Columbia River. New rare plant populations were found within each of the administrative areas.

Results During the 1995 survey approximately 16,000 acres were surveyed. The total for the project is now 38,000 acres. Thirty-three new populations were found of eight plant taxa listed in Washington as Endangered, Threatened, or Sensitive. These taxa are: Astragalus columbianus (Columbia milk­ vetch), Camissonia pygmaea (dwarf evening-primrose), Erigeron piperianus (Piper's daisy), Lomatium tuberosum (Hoover's desert-parsley), Oenothera caespitosa subsp. caespitosa (desert evening-primrose), Eatonella nivea (white eatonella), Mimulus suksdor.fii (Suksdorfs monkey­ flower), and Pectocarya setosa (bristly combseed). The latter three of these taxa had not previously been known from the Hanford Site.

Populations of two plant taxa included in Washington State Monitor Groups 1 and 2 and six taxa included in Washington State Monitor Group 3 were also located on the Hanford Site during the 1995 survey. Twelve unlisted plant taxa of interest were also observed, including three plant taxa never before collected in Washington: Calyptridium roseum (rosy calyptridium), Gilia leptomeria (Great Basin gilia), and Loejlingia squarrosa var. squarrosa (loeflingia). Columbia River islands and wetlands were surveyed for rare plants. These surveys found numerous sub-populations of the rare species Cyperus bipartitus (shining flat-sedge), Limosella acaulis (mudwort), Hypericum majus (Canadian St. John's wort) and Rorripae columbiae (Columbia River rockcress) in the emergent wetlands of the islands and shorelines of the Hanford Reach. In addition, invasive wetland weed populations were located and mapped in several wetlands.

X EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Table 1. Hanford Biodiversity Inventory: Summary offindings, 1994 and 1995

Elements of Elements of 1994 and 1995 Research Area Areas Surveyed Interest *-1994 Interest *-1995 Combined Totals

Plant communities ALE, North Slope, 4 7 occurrences 6 occurrences 53 occurrences part of Central of 8 priority of 1 priority of 9 priority Hanford communities community communities Overall, 36 distinct community types identified Rare plants 38,000 acres through- 49 populations of 33 populations of 82 populations of out Hanford Site 14 rare taxa 8 rare taxa 17 rare taxa 1 taxon new to 2 taxa new to 3 taxa new to science science science 481 total plant taxa identified Birds ALE, North Slope, 31 Species of 3 Species of 33 Species of part of Central Concern Concern Concern Hanford 214 total bird species observed • Insects ALE, part of Central Hundreds of rare Hundreds of rare 1000+ species Hanford taxa **, 8 new to taxa **, 11 new to documented-many science science rare and 19 new to ·I I science Butterflies and Limited - all areas 5 Species of 2 Species of 7 Species of Concern Concern Concern 164 total lepidoptera species documented Reptiles and Limited - all areas None 4 Species of 4 Species of amphibians Concern Concern 12 total herptile species observed

• Elements of interest in this table refers to plants, animals or plant communities with formal federal or state status (Endangered, Threatened, Candidate, Sensitive, Species of Concern, Monitor, or Priority Habitat: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1996; Washington Department offish and Wildlife 1996; or Washington Natural Heritage Program 1993 and 1995); or species new to science.

•• The "rare" designation for insects is less formal since few such designations exist.

xi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Species New to Science Perhaps the highlight of the effort was the discovery of two previously undescribed species in the genera Lesquerella (bladderpod) and Eriogonum (desert buckwheat), and a previously undescribed variety of Astragalus conjunctus (stiff milk-vetch). The three taxa were found and verified on the Hanford Site during the 1994 and 1995 field seasons. Each will be named and published in 1996. No rare plant survey is 100% complete. Although an enormous amount of information was collected, the 1994 and 1995 surveys represent an initial reconnaissance of the Hanford Site, and should not be substituted for more detailed project/site-specific surveys. Furthermore, populations of rare plants are dynamic; through time, new rare plant populations may become established, and existing ones may become larger, smaller, or may shift in their location.

Birds Areas Surveyed and Methods Bird surveys were conducted between late March 1994 and late October 1995 on the North Slope, ALE Reserve and the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River. Methodology included transect surveys and point counts to document species abundance and diversity in various habitat types (native shrub­ steppe, native bunchgrass, weedy field, recovering shrub-steppe, canyon, mountain top, riparian and riverine). Nearly 270 transect surveys plus 87 point counts were used to identify bird species of the study areas.

Results The survey documented a total of 214 species of birds on the North Slope and ALE Reserve. This figure includes:

• 86 breeding species; • 33 "species of special concern" (recognized by the state and/or federal government as Endangered, Threatened, Monitor or Species of Concern) • 13 species of special concern which were found to be breeding; • 11 species never before documented at the Hanford Site;

Upland shrub-steppe habitat at Hanford was confirmed to harbor important breeding populations of all species associated with those habitats in Washington except Sharp-tailed and Sage Grouse. In all, 13 species of special concern were documented in upland habitats. Findings indicate that the greatest contiguous tracts of suitable, occupied habitat for Loggerhead Shrikes, Sage Sparrows and Grasshopper Sparrows (all Species of Concern) in the state of Washington are found on the Hanford Site. The riparian areas, lakes and ponds on the Hanford Site had the highest species diversity of any habitat type. Approximately 73 % ( 15 6 out of 214) of all bird species and 19 of 3 3 species of special concern were documented in these biologically productive areas. The Columbia River and its shoreline were found to be extremely important to a wide variety of water- and shorebirds. Millions of individual birds representing an array of migratory species use this migration corridor, making it one of the most important flyways in western . It was found to be important for 15· species of special concern.

xii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

It is probable that the bulk of the world's population of the federally Endangered "Lesser" Sandhill Cranes that breed in southern Alaska (numbering 22,000) migrate over the Hanford Site twice each year, en route to or from their wintering grounds in central and southern California. The magnitude of this spectacular migration is of regional importance and one of Washington's ornithological highlights. Vast tracts of diverse riparian and riverine environments and unfragmented shrub-steppe make the Hanford Site extremely attractive to avifauna. Maintaining the size and quality of these habitats will be vital to sustaining the diversity and abundance of birds.

Insects Scope and Areas Studied The insect survey at Hanford is one of the first, large-scale biological diversity studies of insects ever conducted in Washington State. Surveys took place on the ALE Reserve from March 1994 through December 1995 on a weekly to biweekly basis. Several permanent survey sites were established early in the study and surveyed throughout the two seasons, while other sites were sampled as time permitted or as interesting sites became known.

Methods Sampling methods involved primarily hand-picking and sweep-netting, which tend to provide the most information over the shortest period of time. The study was concentrated on several groups: Homoptera (leafhoppers and relatives), Heteroptera (true bugs), Coleoptera (beetles), Hymenoptera (bees and wasps), Diptera (true flies) and Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths). These insect orders are among the largest and contain the greatest diversity.

Results Over 30,000 specimens were collected and prepared during the survey. Experts in insect from around the world were contacted concerning identification of specimens. Many taxa still await identification, but thus far, over 1000 identifications have been made to the species or genus level. The identified species include: • 2 centipedes (Chilopoda) • 203 beetles (Coleoptera) • 1 earwig (Dermaptera) • 105 leafhoppers and relatives (Homoptera) • 164 butterflies and moths {Lepidoptera) 78 true bugs (Homoptera) • 196 bees and wasps (Hymenoptera) • 248 true flies (Diptera) • 2 preying mantids (Mantodea) •

Nineteen species are new to science; more than 71 represent new findings in the state of Washington. Additionally, hundreds of the species are considered rare. These numbers will increase significantly as more material is identified. A conservative estimate of the number of species occurring on the Hanford Site would be between 10,000 and 15,000. The true number may be much higher. Of particular interest is the high diversity of parasitic wasps and ladybird beetles, which may have potential as biological control agents for crop-damaging aphids, scale and caterpillars in agricultural settings. The Hanford Site could serve as a source area for these beneficial wasps and beetles that have been eliminated from surrounding areas because of pesticide usage and urbanization.

xiii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.

The insect fauna encountered thus far on the Hanford Site shows it to be not only representative of the surrounding areas, but much more diverse. While many of the species found at the ALE Reserve exist somewhere else, no other place is known to have all of these species in one place. This can be attributed to the large size and numerous varieties of native habitat on the site and reinforces the importance of Hanford as a refuge for all of the components of the shrub-steppe ecosystem.

Butterflies and Moths Scope and Areas Studied Because of their potential as indicators of ecosystem health, butterflies and moths were given special attention within the insects. In 1994 Lepidoptera surveys were concentrated at the ALE Reserve. In 1995 the number of routinely surveyed sites was expanded to include parts of Central Hanford, the Wahluke State Wildlife Recreation Area, and the ponds and lake areas of Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge.

Results As of February 1996, 81 genera and 115 moth species had been identified. More than 100 of these species are Hanford Site records (the term "record" refers to the first collection of an individual at a given site). Forty-nine butterfly taxa were located, thirty-one of which are Hanford Site records. Additional specimens have been sent to taxonomic experts with their determinations pending. Two species encountered are federal Species of Concern (listed as Federal Candidate 2 Species in the November 15, 1994, Federal Register (Vol. 59, No. 219)). The first is the Viceroy butterfly, Limenitis archippus /ahontani, located in all four management units of the Hanford Site. The second is the Hemileuca genus of moths of which two species are known at Hanford, H. hera and H. nuttalli. The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife lists the Viceroy as a state Monitor species. Butterfly and moth diversity is directly linked to floral diversity. The high number of these species found at Hanford is further evidence that Hanford is a sanctuary for all kinds of living organisms.

Amphibians and Reptiles

Scope and Areas Studied Unique to the 1995 field season was the addition of amphibian and reptile surveys. Prior to 1995 no comprehensive surveys had been completed on the herpetofauna of major portions of the site. This effort was designed as a preliminary site-wide inventory to properly document the amphibian and reptile species present and the habitats they are utilizing. Special efforts were focused on locating species considered to be rare, threatened, sensitive, or declining. Three species of amphibian and nine species of reptiles were found during the 1995 Biodiversity Inventory, including: Three frog species: the Great Basin Spadefoot (Scaphiopus intermontanus) Woodhouse's Toad (Bufo woodhousii) the non-native Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) Three lizard species: Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana) Sagebrush Lizard (Sce/oporus graciosus) Short-homed Lizard (Phrynosoma doug/assi)

xiv EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

And five snake species: the Racer (Co/uber constrictor) Gopher Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus) Striped Whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus) Night Snake (Hypsiglena torquata) Western Rattlesnake (Crota/us viridis)

The lone spe~ies of turtle found on site was the Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta), found as remains along the Columbia River. Three of the species found during the survey are Washington State Monitor Species: Woodhouse's Toad, Gopher Snake and the Night Snake. The Sagebrush Lizard is a federal Species of Concern. Though they are rare or unusual in other areas of the state, Woodhouse's Toads, Gopher Snakes and Sagebrush Lizards are currently common and occur in many areas throughout the Hanford Site. Compared to other subject areas, few rare species were located by this year's amphibian and reptile inventory; however, each of the typical shrub-steppe species were present in appropriate abundance, in sharp contrast to their decline in other areas. The lack of development on the Hanford Site has preserved large tracks of native habitat, allowing many of the amphibian and reptile species to remain common and widespread. Amphibians and reptiles are vulnerable to habitat alterations, especially those that effect reproduction and hibernation. Management practices that preserve the shrub-steppe character of the site will be necessary to ensure the long-term maintenance of the Hanford herpetofauna.

Further Inventory While the Biodiversity Inventory of the Hanford Site was extensive and highly successful for gathering information in each subject area pursued, there is certainly much left to discover. Other components should be studied to expand our understanding ofHanford's biology, and areas of the site that have had limited work should be explored more thoroughly. Insects and amphibians have had only preliminary work, small mammals none. Central Hanford remains poorly explored. Detailed bird inventories and habitat mapping have occurred only on portions of the site. It should be a priority to complete the Biodiversity Inventory.

Conclusions It is clear from the 1994 and 1995 Biodiversity Inventory that the Hanford Site provides a rich natural mosaic, including many relatively unaltered and increasingly uncommon native habitats. Simply put, the quality, diversity and extent of these habitats is unequaled in the Columbia Basin. Not surprisingly, significant numbers of plant, bird, amphibian, reptile and insect species, many of which are rare or in decline, were found to be associated with or dependent on these habitats. From a conservation standpoint, the Hanford Site is a vital-and perhaps the single most important-link in preserving and sustaining the biodiversity of the Columbia Basin's shrub-steppe region. Major land-use decisions on the future management and ownership of the Hanford Site are actively being considered by the Department of Energy and the Congress. Some will be made in the near future. Because of that, there is an uncertain fate for the native habitats and species protected under

xv - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

the current stewardship of the DOE. As Hanford Site land-use decisions are debated, the DOE and potential future land stewards should consider these basic questions: • What is the value of native biodiversity? • How important is protecting the region's best remaining representation of an unfragrnented, native shrub-steppe ecosystem? • What types of land management will not sacrifice the ecological integrity of that ecosystem? • Which specific portions of the Hanford Site contain its most significant ecological features?

It is hoped that the exceptional ecological values of the Hanford Site, and the findings from this Biodiversity Inventory, will be given full consideration as those land-use decisions are made.

xvi 1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background In 1992, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and The Nature Conservancy of Washington entered into a memorandum of understanding that called for a cooperative and coordinated inventory of plants, animals and ecologically significant areas at the Hanford Site. Utilizing its own resources, The Nature Conservancy began this effort in 1992 and 1993 with localized inventories of Sage Grouse and the rare plant, persistentsepal yellowcress. In 1994, the DOE awarded The Nature Conservancy a grant to significantly expand the inventory effort. The Nature Conservancy has also raised private funds to support this program. The goal of the inventory is to identify and map the occurrences of native plant communities, rare plants and certain taxa over large areas of the Hanford Site in order to provide THE DOE with information useful for making land-use decisions. The project, titled "Biodiversity Inventory and Analysis of the Hanford Site," was to be accom­ plished over a three-year period, beginning in 1994. However, budget cuts have limited its scope. This report primarily covers inventory and analysis of plant communities, rare plants, birds and insects conducted from March 1, 1994, to March 1, 1996. Although summary information covering both years is presented, the reader should refer to the annual report for 1994 (The Nature Conservancy 1995a) for details of that year's inventory effort.

1. 1. 1 History of the Hanford Site The 560 square-mile Hanford Site has been administered by the DOE since it was acquired in 1943 by the U.S. Government as a national security area for producing plutonium used in nuclear weapons. Nine plutonium production reactors were constructed and in operation between 1943 and 1987. The last reactor was closed in 1987, and the site is currently administered by the DOE for nuclear waste management, environp1ental restoration, and research and development. Most of the Hanford Site has been closed to the public since 1943 (National Park Service Study Team 1994). In addition to its national and international significance in nuclear weapons development, energy technology and scientific research, Hanford supports and influences the economy of the Tri-Cities region. The site also has important religious and cultural significance to the Y akama, W anapum, Umatilla and Nez Perce Indian Tribes. From a biological perspective, placing such a large tract of land-362,000 acres-virtually off-limits to public access and development for more than 50 years has preserved the shrub-steppe ecosystem as it exists nowhere else.

1. 1.2 The Shrub-Steppe Ecosystem The Columbia Basin shrub-steppe ecosystem is a vegetation zone occupying most of central and southeastern Washington, part of northeastern Oregon, and a portion of southern (The Nature Conservancy 1995b ). It is a region whose native, pre-settlement vegetation consisted primarily of shrubs, perennial bunchgrasses, and a variety of forbs. Typical shrubs included several sagebrush species (Artemisia spp.), rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus spp.) and antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) among others. Dominant grasses were bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum),

I 1. 0 INTRODUCTION

Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), needle-and-threadgrass (Stipa comata and S. thuberiana), Great Basin wild rye (Elymus cinereus) and Sandberg's bluegrass (Poa sandbergii). Prior to European · settlement, at least 10.4 million acres of continuous, unaltered shrub-steppe habitat covered much of central and southeastern Washington (Dobler and Eby 1990). With intensive livestock grazing, the advent of dryland wheat farming, altered fire regimes, and irrigated agriculture, the landscape has been changed to such an extent that the amount of shrub-steppe habitat has been reduced by at least 80%. Much of what does remain has been substantially-and from the perspective of ecological function, detrimentally-altered by fragmentation, loss of lichens and bunchgrasses, and invasion by aggressive non-native plants such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). The Hanford Site is unique in that it contains large expanses of relatively undisturbed shrub-steppe vegetation and limited human activity. In essence, Hanford has become a refuge for the native species and habitats comprising the shrub-steppe.

1. 1.3 Climate Hanford is within the Central Basin climatological region, the driest region in the Pacific Northwest. Average annual precipitation ranges from 14 inches at the summit of Rattlesnake Mountain to about 5 inches near the Columbia River. Most of the precipitation occurs between October and April, and about half of the precipitation falls as snow, particularly at higher elevations (Rickard et. al 1988). Average temperatures range from near 30° Fin January to 75° Fin July. Prevailing winds are from the west and west-northwest, and wind speeds are highest in the summer (National Park Service Study Team 1994).

1. 1.4 Physiography The Hanford Site is part of the Pasco Basin within the Columbia Basin physiographic province, underlain by the massive Columbia River Basalt flows. Topography of Hanford varies considerably, with elevations ranging from 3600 feet at the crest of Rattlesnake Mountain to 360 feet along the Columbia River (National Park Service Study Team 1994). A number oflong anticlinal ridges run through or within Hanford, including Rattlesnake Mountain and the Rattlesnake Hills, Yakima Ridge, Umtanum Ridge, the Saddle Mountains and Gable Mountain (Figure 1). The Columbia River flows mostly east and southeast through the Hanford Site. This portion of the Columbia, known as the Hanford Reach, is regarded as the last free-flowing stretch of the river above the Bonneville dam in the (National Park Service Study Team 1994). Not surprisingly, the Hanford Reach provides the only remaining native spawning beds for fall chinook salmon on the main stem of the Columbia (National Park Service Study Team 1994). Adjacent to the north and east sides of the river are the steep White Bluffs, which rise in places to over 600 feet above the river. North and east beyond that, the Wahluke Slope rises gently before reaching the steeper slopes of the Saddle Mountains. Large dune fields occur on both sides of the river. No perennial creeks drain to the Columbia River from the Hanford Site, but a number of intermittent streams originate on the flanks of Rattlesnake Mountain and Um tan um Ridge. Cold Creek and Dry Creek are the largest of these.

1. 1. 5 Management Areas Administratively, the Hanford Site is divided into a number of distinct management areas: the Fitzner-Eberhardt Arid Lands Ecology Reserve, the Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge, the Wahluke State Wildlife Recreation Area, the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River, and what is

2 1. 0 INTRODUCTION referred to in this report as Central Hanford (Figure 1). The Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge and the Wahluke State Wildlife Recreation Area are known and will be referred to collectively as the North Slope. Each management area is discussed in fu~er detail below.

Fitzner-Eberhardt Arid Lands Ecology Reserve The Fitzner-Eberhardt Arid Lands Ecology (ALE) Reserve occupies 75 ,000 acres in the southwestern portion of Hanford (Figure 1). It is managed by the Battelle Memorial Institute's Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) for the DOE as a Research Natural Area for ecological research and educational purposes. The ALE Reserve was established in 1967 to preserve "portions of vegetation types that once covered a great expan,se of the West" (O'Farrell 1973). It is generally regarded as one of the few remaining large tracts of shrub-steppe vegetation in Washington that retains a predominant pre-European settlement character (PNL 1993). Presently, the ALE Reserve is not accessible to the public. From the 1880s to 1943, the area was used for winter and spring sheep grazing, cattle and horse grazing, several homesteads, and small amounts of dryland and irrigated agriculture (Hinds and Rogers 1991). Livestock use was particularly heavy in the vicinity ofRa~lesnake Spring during this period (Rickard and Cushing 1982). After 1943, smaller numbers of horses and cattle continued to . use the Rattlesnake Spring area until 1962, when the area was fenced (Rickard 1995). Wildfires have also played an important role in the ecology of the ALE Reserve. Extensive lightning­ caused fires in 1957, 1973, 1981 and 1984 removed shrub cover from much of the site, leaving large expanses of nearly shrub less grassland that typify the site today. Prominent natural features of the ALE Reserve include the ridge top and north-facing slope of Rattlesnake Mountain, portions of the Rattlesnake Hills, the Dry Creek Valley, the Cold Creek Valley and the west end of Yakima Ridge. Three large springs occur within the ALE Reserve: Rattlesnake Springs, Benson Springs and Snively Springs. Elevations range from 500 ft. in the Cold Creek Valley to 3600 ft. on top of Rattlesnake Mountain.

Sad,lle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge The Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is within the boundaries of Hanford but has been administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since 1971. It was acquired by the U.S . Government in 1943 as a "buffer area" for the plutonium production plants located immediately across the Columbia River. The NWR is approximately 32,000 acres in size, and lies north­ northwest of the river and generally south and east of Highway 24 (Figure 1). The area has been closed to the public since 1943, and continues to be closed, except for maintenance of the Saddle Mountain irrigation wasteway by local irrigators and access to gravel pits by road-building crews. Before 1943, grazing and some crop farming occurred in the area (Downs et al. 1993). Prominent natural features within the Saddle Mountain NWR include part of the Wahluke Slope, the western end of the White Bluffs, the slopes and crest of the Saddle Mountains and part of the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River. There are numerous lakes and wetlands created and sustained by raised water tables associated with irrigation drainage and runoff.

Wahluke State Wilt/life Recreation Area The 58,000 acre Wahluke State Wildlife Recreation Area (WRA) has been administered by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife since 1978. The WRA lies north and east of both the Columbia River and the Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge (Figure 1). It is bisected by state Highway 24.

3 1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Wahluke WRA has been accessible to the public since 1978. Legal hunting and illegal off-road vehicle use occur. Several boat launches are maintained by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in the southern portion of the Wahluke WRA. Prior to 1943, much of the area was used for farming and livestock grazing. After that, crop farming ceased but some livestock grazing continued, and parts of the area were used for military training. Currently, cattle grazing is permitted on the middle and upper slopes of the Saddle Mountains during spring and summer. Fires on the Wahluke WRA have not been as extensive as on the ALE Reserve, but still have been a factor in the area's ecology. A large fire or fires in the 1970s burned much of the area north of Highway 24, resulting in plant communities with sparse shrub cover or relatively young shrubs today. There also have been several human-caused fires within the WRA in the 1990s. In 1993, a fire burned several thousand acres just south of Highway 24 at the eastern edge of the WRA, killing most of the shrubs and some of the native grasses. In 1994, at least three fires are known to have occurred, with the largest burning 1200 acres on and around Savage Island. Prominent features within the Wahluke WRA include portions of the Wahluke Slope, the highest and most dramatic portions of the White Bluffs, large dune fields above the White Bluffs, the Saddle Mountains (which rise to over 2000 ft. within the WRA) and lakes and wetlands created from irrigation runoff and drainage. The White Bluffs W asteway crosses the central portion of the Wahluke WRA.

Hanford Reach Most of the 51-mile-long Hanford Reach is within the Hanford Site. For the purposes ofthis report, the "Hanford Reach" will refer to the Columbia River and upland areas of the Hanford Site within 1/4 mile of the banks of the Columbia River. Thus, portions of the Hanford Reach are within the boundaries of the Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge, the Wahluke State Wildlife Recreation Area and Central Hanford (Figure 1). Islands in the river are administered by various government agencies (Downs et al. 1993). Much of the Reach has been accessible to the public since 1978, and supports a variety of recreational activity, especially boating, fishing and hunting (National Park Service Study Team 1994). The south shoreline and the shoreline within the Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge are still closed to the public. Prominent natural features within the Hanford Reach include the river and its islands, gravel bars and riparian areas, the White Bluffs, the steep slopes of Umtanum Ridge and the massive Hanford Dune Field.

Central Hanford For the purposes of this report, "Central Hanford" refers exclusively to portions of the Hanford Site not included in the ALE Reserve, the Saddle Mountain NWR or the W ahluke WRA. Central Hanford, as such, is entirely south and west of the Columbia River and includes the west end of Umtanum Ridge and the south side of the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River (Figure 1). Nuclear-related activities have been the primary land use on Central Hanford since the mid- l 940s, although the facilities occupy only a small portion of the land. Most of Central Hanford is closed to the public. · Prominent landforms within Central Hanford include Umtanum Ridge, Gable Mountain, the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River and the Hanford Dune Field.

4 1. 0 INTRODUCTION

1.2 The Need for a Biodiversity Inventory The Department of Energy needs an accurate accounting of the rare species and ecosystems present on the Hanford Site in order to make informed decisions about future land uses. With the DOE's mission at the facility having changed from plutonium production to environmental cleanup and restoration, large-scale ground disturbing activities and, eventually, transfer of land ownership are likely. A biodiversity inventory will help determine where cleanup activities and other uses might be best located to minimize impacts on significant natural features. It will also help the DOE address planning in the context of regional and statewide conservation values (for example, the Biological Resource Management Plan currently being written for the DOE by Battelle PNL). Biological studies undertaken by PNL, Westinghouse and others in the past at Hanford have been primarily project- or species-specific. These studies have contributed enormously to the body of knowledge on Hanford (see Downs et al. 1993), but have not included a large-scale, detailed inventory of the rare species and ecosystems present on the site. Therefore, the primary objective of this inventory is to fill critical gaps in our knowledge of the biology of the Hanford Site, and to provide this information to decision-makers. This accounting will also assist the DOE in affording the proper protection and/or mitigation required under the federal Endangered Species Act, and in fulfilling requirements under numerous other state and federal laws, policies and guidelines regarding rare species and biological diversity.

1.3 Ownership and Use of Data The data and information produced from this project is owned jointly by the DOE and The Nature Conservancy. However, it is intended for use by all parties interested and involved in the management of the Hanford Site. To this end, all data collected have been or will be provided in hard copy and digital format to PNL in Richland; to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources/Washington Natural Heritage Program (WNHP) in Olympia; and the DOE. Eventually, these data will be entered into PNL, Bechtel and WNHP geographic information systems (GIS) for direct access, use and analysis by the DOE and others. Specifically, the information may be used in ( 1) the Hanford Biological Resources Management Plan, which is being compiled by PNL to serve as a single reference for planners and project managers documenting Hanford's biological resource values, (2) Benton County's analysis of critical areas in its comprehensive land-use plan, and (3) planning for the DO E's Office of Environmental Restoration and Waste Management. Other users may include (but are not limited to) the Yakama, Wanapum, Umatilla and Nez Perce Indian Tribes, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Ecology, Franklin and Grant County governments, and other DOE Hanford Site contractors. The Washington Natural Heritage Program is a branch of the Washington Department of Natural Resources that maintains a statewide database containing information on the location and status of rare species and ecosystems throughout Washington. It is part of a unique national and international network of State Natural Heritage Programs and Conservation Data Centers. It is the only data system in place that tracks and analyzes the elements of biodiversity from state- and region-wide perspectives.

5 1. 0 INTRODUCTION

1.4 Biodiversity Inventory Personnel Project Coordinator ...... Curt Soper Shrub-Steppe Project Manager ...... Jonathan Soll Project Assistant ...... David Morrison Plant Community Ecology ...... 1995: SEE Botanical Consulting (Deborah Salstrom, · Richard Easterly) 1994: David L. Wilderman Rare Plant Botany ...... 1994 and 1995: Calypso Consulting (Kathryn Beck,Florence Caplow) Ornithology ...... Phil Bartley Tony Greager David Rolph Andrew M. Stepniewski Entomology ...... James R. Dillman Patti A. Ensor Dennis L. Strenge Richard S. Zack Herpetology ...... Lisa A. Hallock

For More Information About the Biodiversity Inventory Those interested in more detailed data regarding individual subject areas should contact The Nature Conservancy of Washington.

6 2.0 PLANT COMMUNITY ECOLOGY

2.1 Purpose and Scope In 1994 plant communities were identified and mapped in the ALE Reserve and the North Slope (Wilderman 1994, The Nature Conservancy 1995). Twenty-four different community types were identified, including 47 different Element occurrence-quality areas. High-quality areas are dispersed across the Hanford Site. Included among the findings were over 30,000 contiguous acres of native blue bunch wheatgrass shrub-steppe on the ALE Reserve. This represents the largest piece of native grassland in the Columbia Basin. The single best r~maining example of an antelope bitterbrush/needle-and-thread grass community type (Purshia tridentata/Stipa comata) in the Columbia Basin was identified in the Wahluke WRA. This report describes 1995 plant community studies of portions of the Hanford Reach, specifically along the south (west) shore of the Columbia River within the Hanford Site. It identifies areas of statewide significance with high priority for conservation. North (east) shore communities were inventoried in 1994 and are described in Wilderman (1994). Because it is still "free flowing" (it is not a reservoir), the shoreline of the Columbia River through the 51-mile stretch known as the Hanford Reach is unique. It supports the last natural spawning beds for native salmon on the mainstem of the Columbia River and is home to nearly fifty plant and animal species considered rare by state and federal agencies. The Reach also provides essentially the only opportunity to understand the natural riparian system of the Columbia River. Although some plant community work has been done within the Hanford Reach (Hanson and Eberhardt 1974; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 1976; Rickard et al. 1982), the communities have not been adequately described (see Wilderman 1994).

2.2 Methods

2. 2. 1 Site Description Although the Hanford Reach is considered free-flowing, it is influenced by upriver manipulations of the seasonal waterflow, resulting in higher summer flows and smaller, less frequent flood events. This altered flow regime undoubtedly affects riparian vegetation. The physiography of the shore is controlled by its position relative to the river current. In the lee of the current, cobble is deposited and gently sloping shorelines and point bars are formed. All of the major point bars have chutes, some of which have developed into sloughs. At the upper end of the Hanford Reach, cobble bars have developed along the south shore at China Bar and to the west of the 100-B area. Three large point bar and slough systems have developed on the south shore. Several low, elongate islands are located in the river channel. Small backwaters,

7 2. 0 PLANT COMMUNITY ECOLOGY

cobble bars and flood channels are located on most of the islands. The smaller islands are submerged during high water.

2.2.2 Field Inventory Fieldwork was done in September and October 1995. Methods are as described by Wilderman (1994). Twenty-one community survey plots were established in the riparian zone. At the mapping scale used, many of the communities are too narrow to map, thus many of the polygons represent mosaics of the described communities. The mapped polygon data will be available from the Hanford database (maintained by Bechtel Hanford Inc.).

2.3 Findings

2. 3. 1 Plant Communities There are two prominent vegetation zones; both occur well below the high-water level, in an area which is inundated until mid-summer and periodically though the fall. The higher of these two zones is a rich herbaceous community dominated by a high diversity of diminutive, mostly annual native plants, including Cyperus bipartitus (shining flat-sedge), Hypericum majus (Canadian St. John's Wort), and a number of other "taxa of interest." The lowest zone is a mudflat community dominated by spikerushes (Eleocharis spp.) and Limosella acaulis (mudwort). The assemblages of plant species changes from the river edge upward through the shoreline profile. The communities are clearly defined in some areas. In others, ecotones may be blurred due to hydrology, topography, overlapping habitat requirements and susceptibility to invasion by weedy species. These factors combine to create shifting mosaics of species, most pronounced low in the riparian profile. Plant communities are identified in this report to the degree practicable. Where dominant species are not confined to a specific zone, the zone is characterized by its physical features. Changes in the hydrology of the Reach has likely altered some riparian communities and substrates. For example, much of the substrate previously mapped as sand (USACE 1976) is now cobble. Thus, some communities may reflect a transient state. Because data are lacking to describe successional pathways, only the existing vegetation is described. Dominant species are covered here; for complete data see Salstrom and Easterly (1996).

Element Occu"ences Six areas along the south shore and islands of the river were identified as Element occurrences of Columbia Basin low elevation riparian wetlands (Figure 2). Such wetlands are of statewide conservation significance and will be added to the Washington Natural Heritage Program database. Although not all of these sites are pristine, they are of statewide importance because most comparable sites have been permanently flooded by the reservoir system. The six areas are: China Bar, Islands 2-5, Locke Island, White Bluffs Slough, 100-F Area Slough, and the Hanford Townsite Slough.

8 2. 0 PLANT COMMUNITY E COLOG Y

Figure 2. Element-occu"ence wetlands and purple loosestrife populations on the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River, 1995

Saddle Mountains

·•·•

,.....i . .

Un,h ..,num R;.,,... 9e Gable Mountain

Central Hanford

Bement Occurrence ColL.rnbla Rillllr Wetland

@

1..oca11on of Lyttm.rn sallcanle @ (purple looeeetrifal 0 6 MILES

9 2.0 PLANT COMMUNITY ECOLOGY

2. 3. 2 Riparian Communities Nonpersisent Riverine Emergent Wetland Backwater areas and sloughs often form in the lee of cobble bars where silt has been deposited. Emergent wetland communities occur in these areas. The largest wetland systems are associated with the most developed cobble bars and on the lee side of Locke Island. Wilderman (1994) describes these wetlands, which are often relatively pristine. These systems are rich in species diversity, both within and between sites. Dominant species include: Eleocharis palustris, E. acicularis, Scirpus maritimus, Lilaeopsis occidentalis, latifolia and Juncus sp. This habitat system is thought to be rare elsewhere along the Columbia River, and may have been more common before the extensive construction of hydroelectric dams (Downs et al. 1994). Three species that occur abundantly and consistently within these wetlands are currently considered sensitive in Washington (Cyperus bipartitus, Lindernia anagallisea and Limosella acaulis; Washington Natural Heritage Program 1994). Several other species common in these wetlands are being proposed for addition to the state of Washington's rare plant list (Beck and Caplow, personal communication).

Unconsolidated Shore, Cobble A collar of mostly bare cobble usually occupies the lowest portion of the shoreline. This zone is inundated almost daily during the growing season due to waterflow manipulation upriver at Priest Rapids dam (Salstrom and Gehring 1994). Species common in this zone include Lycopus asper, Coreopsis atkinsoniana, Panicum occidentalis, Rorippa columbiae, R. islandica, L. americanus andMorus alba. On flat profiles, this zone intergrades with the following community.

Low Shrub

Solidago occidentalis-Apocynum cannabinum/Coreopsis atkinsoniana Farther up the riparian profile, but below daily high water, the rhizomatous shrubs Apocynum cannabinum and So/idago occidentalis commonly form a perimeter thicket. A. cannabinum is confined to this zone but occurs irregularly. S occidentalis is omnipresent but also occurs in adjacent zones. Occasionally, particularly on slopes of over 15%, this zone is absent or is replaced by a monoculture of the weedy species Phalaris arundinacea.

Phalaris anmdinacea This non-native species forms monotypic stands within all communities described in this report, with the exception of island uplands.

Willow Riparian Complex

Salix exigua/Phalaris arundinacea Small groves of Salix exigua occur sporadically above the Solidago-Apocynum zone throughout the reach. Within the groves, S. exigua usually forms thickets averaging 1.5 meters in height. The understory is commonly dominated by Phalaris arundinacea. The S. exigua/P. arundinacea community was described by Wilderman (1994) and Evans (1989).

10 2 . 0 PLANT COMMUNITY ECOLOGY

Poa compressa/Hypericum perforatum A band of weedy herbaceous and graminoid species commonly forms a small transition zone between riparian and upland vegetation. This belt is widest on relatively flat profiles. The zone is often dominated by Poa compressa, which can contribute 100% cover.

Equisetum hyemale-Phalaris arundinacea On fine soil deposits above the immediate influence of the present water course, dense patches of Equisetum hyemale often occur with Phalaris arundinacea, Bidens frondosa, Plantago lanceo/ata, Lupinus sp. and Aster hesperius.

2. 3. 3 Island Upland Communities

Artemisia campestris ssp. borea/is var. scou/eriana/Sporabo/is cryptandrus River islands are usually encircled by the riparian communities described above. Upland areas that are seasonally flooded but are above frequent high water support an Artemisia campestris ssp. borealis var. scouleriana/Sporabolis cryptandrus community. The area occupied by this community was characterized as a Lupinus sp. community by Hanson and Eberhardt (1971). In 1995, Lupinu~ sp. did occur within the community, but was not dominant.

Ambrosia acanthicarpa/Oryzopsis hymenoides One unnamed island at the head ofWahluke Bend (Island number 3 in Rickard et al. 1982) has a small dune system that supports an Ambrosia acanthicarpa/Oryzopsis hymenoides community.

Bromus tectorum The weedy species Bromus tectorum, Sisymbrium sp. and Centaurea sp. cover portions of Locke Island. Patches of Agropyron dasystachum and Elymus cinerius occur within this zone.

Juniperus scopu/orum Many widely spaced Juniperus scopulorum trees are present at China Bar in a strip on the transition zone between riparian and upland communities. Individuals 4-5 meters in height are present, as are many less than 2 meters tall.

Populus trichocarpa/Equisetum hyemale A Populus trichocarpa/Equisetum hyamale community is located on China Bar. This community did not reappear along the south side of the river, but was present along the north side.

2.6 Conclusions and Management Considerations The Hanford Reach is clearly of regional and national significance. Herbarium searches and discussions with botanists familiar with the lower Columbia River have confirmed the rarity of these riverine wetlands, once widespread in the Columbia and Snake River systems (Jolley 1995, Kemp 1995, Thie 1995). The Reach is home to more than 50 species of concern. Furthermore, the wild

11 2.0 PLANT COMMUNITY ECOLOGY

salmon run that spawns on the Reach is the last of its kind. The following considerations are designed to assisist the DOE in its stewardship of the important natural resources found there: • Backwater areas and sloughs are presumably maintained by periodic scouring. In the absence of scouring, the sites will likely be transformed into communities dominated by Phalaris arundinacea. A hydrologist and weed expert should be consulted for potential control strategies. • Monitoring plots in each riparian zone will help detect changes in community structure and composition, especially increases in non-native plants. • Weeds such as non-native species Phalaris arundinacea (reed canarygrass), Morus alba (Mulberry) and Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife) are present and increasingly abundant. These species can rapidly eliminate native species. The resulting changes in ecosystem function can negatively effect natural resources. See section 3.6 for more information on noxious weeds identified during the Biodiversity Inventory. • Access to the south shore and islands within the Hanford Site is presently prohibited to unauthorized persons. This policy aids protection of the sensitive _wetlands.

12 3.0 RARE PLANT BOTANY

3.1 Purpose and Scope Botanical exploration and collecting have taken place on the Hanford Site for over 100 years (Sackschewsky et al. 1992). Most recent botanical work has occurred within the context of the many ecological studies sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL), or through site specific, small-scale rare plant surveys to satisfy environmental regulations in conjunction with cleanup and ground-disturbing activities. However, prior to 1994 no large-scale botanical surveys intended to identify rare plant populations had taken place at Hanford. Forty-nine new rare plant populations of ten species (6 new to Hanford) were found during the 1994 rare plant survey (Caplow and Beck 1995; note: numerical discrepancies with The Nature Conservancy 1995 are due to the combining of some newly identified populations). During the 1994 and 1995 field seasons, over 200 field days of survey efforts were focused on areas within Hanford that appeared to have the greatest potential for rare plants. 1995 efforts were directed to areas that had received little or no attention during the 1994 field season (The Nature Conservancy 1995). This included portions of the ALE Reserve, the Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge, the Wahluke State Wildlife Recreation Area, Central Hanford, and the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River.

3.2 Methods

3. 2. 1 Pre-field Prior to fieldwork, a list of 34 taxa of rare plants with potential for occurring within the study area was compiled. The list was assembled from several sources, including: the Washington Natural Heritage Program (WNHP); published information about the Hanford Site; supplemental information from Vascular Plants ofthe Pacific Northwest (Hitchcock et al. 1955 - 1969); experience gained working on the site during the 1994 field season and interviews with knowledgeable individuals.

3.2.2 Terminology Designation of the rarity of a particular taxon is made separately at the state and federal levels. In Washington State, a rare plant refers to any taxa listed by the WNHP (1994) as Endangered, Threatened or Sensitive, or included in Monitor Groups 1, 2 or 3. Each of these categories is defined as follows: Endangered: Taxa are in danger of becoming extinct or extirpated in Washington in the near future if factors contributing to their decline continue.

13 3.0 RARE PLANT BOTANY

Threatened: Taxa are likely to become Endangered in Washington state within the near future if factors contributing to their population decline or to habitat degradation or loss continue. Sensitive: Taxa are vulnerable or declining, and could become Endangered or Threatened in Washington without active management or removal of threats.

Monitor Group 1: Includes taxa in need of additional field work in Washington before a status can be assigned. Monitor Group 2: Includes taxa in Washington with unresolved taxonomic questions.

Monitor Group 3: Includes taxa that are more abundant and/or less threatened in Washington than previously assumed; however, they are still of interest because they may indicate tracts of relatively undisturbed, native vegetation (Sackschewsky 1992).

In addition, several of the potentially occurring rare plant taxa are "Candidates" for listing as Endangered or Threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1993) or are federal species of concern. The status of a particular taxa is based on the most current information available; however, its status is always subject to change at the discretion of responsible state and federal agencies.

3.2.3 Field Inventory In 1995, 110 days of surveys were conducted at four levels of intensity: reconnaissance (walk through), light (widely spaced transects), moderate (numerous transects and higher intensity surveys) and complete (closely spaced transects and close searching in areas with rare plant populations or in habitat with a high potential of having them). Special survey techniques were required for riparian emergent wetlands along the Hanford Reach. The Reach was flown in a small airplane and potential wetlands were mapped. Foot surveys were used for detailed examination. Due to the complexity of the vegetation within each wetland, population boundaries of each species within each wetland were not mapped. The 36 wetlands surveyed in 1994 and 1995 represent at least 80% of the riverine emergent wetland habitat within the Hanford Site. Surveys were conducted periodically from March through August to coincide with the time of flowering oftaxa on the potential occurrence list. Approximately 16,000 acres of the Hanford Site and 75 miles of Columbia River shoreline were surveyed in 1995, bringing the total for the two years to over 40,000 acres. Precipitation during January through March 1995 at Hanford was more than twice normal (PNL 1995), and four times that of 1994 (NOAA 1994). Such abundant precipitation was reflected in the diversity, number and vigor of annuals found during the 1995 field season. In drier years many of these populations may not be detectable. Most plants were identified in the field using Flora ofthe Pacific Northwest (Hitchcock et al. 1973). Identification was aided by other regional floras, articles on specific genera and visits to regional herbaria. Several plant specimens were sent to experts. Plant specimens were collected only when identification required further scrutiny or for proper documentation, and will be sent to the University of Washington Herbarium and, when possible, to the PNL Herbarium.

14 3. 0 RARE PLANT BOTANY

3.4 Results

3. 4. 1 Overview The 1995 rare plant survey identified 37 new populations oftaxa of interest, and five populations of three species not previously known from Washington. Thirty-three of the new populations were of eight plant taxa listed in Washington as Endangered, Threatened, or Sensitive. In addition, numerous new subpopulations of two Sensitive taxa and two new populations of one plant taxon included in Washington State Monitor Group 1 were found. Furthermore, populations of one previously undescribed species, one previously undescribed variety and twelve unlisted plant taxa of interest were located. The number of populations of the 19 known rare plant taxa now stands at an even 100. The complete list of plant taxa from Hanford has reached 481, including 72 taxa discovered during the 1994 and 1995 Biodiversity Inventory.

3. 4. 2 Two New Species·and a New Variety The extraordinary diversity and unique character of the Hanford Site was underscored by the discovery of a second species new to science (the first was identified in 1994) and a new variety of a previously known species. The inventory has now identified three previously undescribed plant taxa: Eriogonum species novum, Astragalus conjunctus var. novum, and Lesquerella species novum.

Eriogonum species novum During surveys ofUmtanum Ridge, unusual plants in the genus Eriogonum (desert buckwheat) were found. These brilliant, yellow flowered plants did not match the description of any known Eriogonum. After examining specimens, Dr. James Reveal, an expert in the genus Eriogonum, determined this is a previously undescribed species. A manuscript has been prepared for this species and will be published by Reveal, Caplow, and Beck in 1996. Eriogonum species novum appears to be restricted to Umtanum Ridge. Approximately 5000 plants were found in a discontinuous mile-long strip generally less than 100 feet wide. Some individual plants are estimated to be well over 100 years old (Reveal 1995). State-listed species Lomatium tuberosum (Hoover's desert-parsley), Astragalus columbianus (Columbia milk-vetch), and Erigeron · piperianus (Piper's daisy) occur within the vicinity of the newly discovered population, as does a population of Gilia leptomeria, previously not known from Washington. The Eriogonum population is within an area of Central Hanford receiving little use, and is officially not accessible to the public. However, a portion of the site has visible petrified wood, and there are signs of collecting within the Eriogonum population. Changes in management in this area which would allow off-road vehicles, livestock grazing, or unrestricted public access could have a devastating affect on this species.

Astragal~s conjunctus variety novum A relatively common Astragalus (milk-vetch) on the north-facing slopes and summit of Rattlesnake Mountain has been determined to be A. conjunctus variety novum (Rattlesnake Mountain milk­ vetch). On the Hanford Site, A. conjunctus var. novum is scattered in bunchgrass areas along the main ridges of Rattlesnake Mountain, where it has been mistakenly referred to as A. reventiformis

15 3.0 RARE PLANT BOTANY

for many years (Sackschewsky et al. 1992). The population includes several tens of thousands of plants. The A. conjunctus var. novum population is presently incompletely mapped. The two known locations of A. conjunctus var. novum are both in Benton County; the large population is on Rattlesnake Mountain and a small population is in the Chandler Butte portion of the Horse Heaven Hills. These populations represent a northward range extension for the species. The Hanford Site Astragalus conjunctus var. novum population is entirely included within the boundaries of the ALE Reserve. The area currently has very limited access and low disturbance levels. Maintenance of public ownership and the current management regime is the most likely method to insure the long term survival and viability of A. conjunctus var. novum on the Hanford Site.

Lesquerella species novum During the 1994 field season, a population of highly unusual Lesquerella plants from the White Bluffs was confirmed to be a previously undescribed species. Lesquerel/a species novum (White Bluffs bladderpod) was formally recommended as a federal Candidate species in 1995. During the 1995 field season, the population was surveyed and mapped. All known Lesquerella species novum plants are found on the White Bluffs within the Wahluke WRA in Franklin County. The White Bluffs are a unique exposure of the , made of soft Pliocene lacustrine deposits of clay, sand, and silt (Newcombe 1958). The top is capped in many places by a harder calcium carbonate, "caliche" layer (Lindsey 1994). Lesquerel/a species novum appears to be restricted to this caliche layer. The population spans eight miles and contains 30-35 thousand plants. Several other rare plant populations exist in the immediate area, including: the state Threatened species Camissonia pygmaea, the Sensitive species Erigeron piperianus, the Monitor Group 2 species Cryptantha spicu/ifera, and the Monitor Group 1 species Cuscuta denticu/ata. The primary threats to the Lesquerel/a species novum population are erosion, habitat conversion, weed invasions or slumping of the bluffs due to irrigation or illegal off-road vehicle use. Most of the population of Lesquerella species novum is outside the Hanford Reach. The protection of this population and thus the species, requires that these issues be addressed in any management action.

3.4.3 Endangered, Threatened, and Sensitive Plants Thirty-three new populations of the following eight plant taxa listed in Washington as Endangered, Threatened or Sensitive were located on the Hanford Site during 1995 (Table 2): Astragalus co/umbianus (Columbia milk-vetch), Camissonia pygmaea (dwarf evening-primrose), Eatonella nivea (white eatonella), Erigeron piperianus (Piper's daisy), Lomatium tuberosum (Hoover's desert­ parsley), Mimulus suksdorfii (Suksdorfs monkey flower), Oenothera caespitosa subsp. caespitosa (desert evening-primrose), and Pectocarya setosa (bristly combseed). Numerous subpopulations of Cyperus bipartitus (shining flatsedge) and Limosella acaulis (southern mudwort) were also found. A total to 82 populations of 19 tax.a have been discovered during the Biodiversity Inventory (Table 2).

16 3.0 RARE PLANT BOTANY

3.5 Findings and Management Considerations by Management Area Rare plant populations were found in each of the management areas within Hanford in both 1994 and 1995. A summary of findings and management considerations for each area is presented here. Although 1994 findings are reviewed, detailed discussion is found in "Biodiversity Inventory and Analysis of the Hanford Site - 1994 Annual Report" (The Nature Conservancy 1995).

3. 5. 1 Arid Lands Ecology Reserve Of the seven new populations of rare plants located on the ALE Reserve during the 1995 field survey, four are populations of the Sensitive species Erigeron piperianus (Piper's daisy), two are populations of the Threatened species Astragalus columbianus (Columbia milk-vetch), and one is a population of the newly discovered taxon Astragalus conjunctus var. novum (Rattlesnake Mountain milk-vetch). During the 1994 field season, fifteen populations of four rare plant tax.a were found on the ALE Reserve, including: Erigeron piperianus, the Sensitive tax.on Oenothera caespitosa subsp. caespitosa (desert rockrose), Astragalus columbianus and Monitor Group 2 species Cryptantha spicu/ifera (Snake River cryptantha). Not all rare plant populations on the ALE Reserve are restricted to high-quality communities. Although Yakima Ridge has a relatively high cover of weeds, it protects 14 rare plant populations. In addition, a small population of the annual species Cryptantha scoparia was located on Yakima Ridge. C. scoparia is a Great Basin species with only three historic locations in Washington. The lower slopes of Rattlesnake Mountain have thousands of acres of a unique Eurotia /anata (winterfat) plant community type, with which extensive E. piperianus populations are associated. The present policy of complete public access restriction and grazing prohibition on the ALE Reserve should provide adequate protection for these rare plant populations. Regular maintenance of damaged fences on the boundaries of the Hanford Site is important in helping restrict access of stray livestock and motorized vehicles.

3. 5. 2 Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Six new populations of four different rare plant taxa were located on the Saddle Mountain NWR during the 1995 survey. They are found on the steep, unstable slopes and top of the gravelly bluffs north of Vernita Bridge, and include: the Threatened species Camissonia pygmaea (dwarf evening­ primrose), the Threatened species Eatonella nivea (white eatonella), the Sensitive tax.on Oenothera caespitosa subsp. caespitosa (desert evening primrose), and the Sensitive species Pectocarya setosa (bristly combseed) (Table 2). A population of Gi/ia leptomeria (Great Basin gilia) was found in the same area. Prior to 1995, this tax.on had not been collected in Washington. During the 1994 field season, 14 populations of four rare plant species were found on the Saddle Mountain NWR, including populations of the Sensitive species Astragalus geyeri (Geyer's milk­ vetch), Camissonia pygmaea, the Sensitive species Cryptantha leucophaea (gray cryptantha), and Oenothera caespitosa subsp. caespitosa. The location of these populations on the slopes and tops of bluffs, leaves them particularly vulnerable to off-road vehicle use. If irrigation increases in agricultural areas upslope of these populations, the gravelly bluffs could be vulnerable to slumping. The present policy of public access restriction and grazing prohibition for most of the area should provide adequate protection.

17 3.0 RARE PLANT BOTANY

3. 5. 3 Wahluke State Wildlife Recreation Area On the Wahluke WRA, the 1995 rare plant survey located one new population each of the Sensitive species Erigeron piperianus (Piper's daisy) and the Monitor Group 1 species Hypericum majus (Canadian St. John's-wort); and numerous subpopulations each of the Sensitive species Cyperus bipartitus (shining flatsedge) and the Sensitive species Limosel/a acau/is (southern mudwort) (Table 2). All except E. piperianus are associated with the riparian wetlands of the Columbia River (see Hanford Reach section below). During the 1994 field season, 27 populations of nine rare plant species were found on the Wahluke WRA, including: populations of the Sensitive species Cryptantha leucophaea (gray cryptantha), the Monitor Group 2 species C. spiculifera (Snake River cryptantha), the Monitor Group 1 species Cuscuta denticulata (desert dodder), the Threatened species Camissonia pygmaea (dwarf evening­ primrose), Cyperus bipartitus, Erigeron piperianus, Limosel/a acau/is, the Endangered species Rorippa columbiae (persistentsepal yellowcress), and the previously undescribed species Lesquerella species novum (White Bluffs bladderpod). Land use within the Wahluke 'WRA is considerably different from other portions of the Hanford Site. Although the Wahluke WRA is open to the public, use of the WRA is concentrated near the river and the White Bluffs. The upper and top slopes of the portion of the Saddle Mountains included in the Wahluke WRA north of Highway 24 has an active grazing lease. In addition, irrigation on private lands upslope of the WRA has changed groundwater levels and resulted in seepage and extensive slumping of the White Bluffs.

3. 5. 4 Central Hanford Twenty new populations and subpopulations of seven different rare plant taxa were located on Central Hanford during the 1995 field survey (Table 2), including: the Threatened species Camissonia pygmaea (dwarf evening-primrose), the Sensitive species Cyperus bipartitus (shining flatsedge), the Monitor Group 1 species Hypericum majus (Canadian St. John's-wort), the Sensitive species Limosella acau/is (southern mudwort), the Threatened species Lomatium tuberosum (Hoover's desert-parsley), and the Sensitive speciesMimulus suksdorfii (Suksdorfs monkey flower). During the 1994 field season, five populations of five rare plant species were found on Central Hanford (Table 2), including: the Threatened species Astragalus columbianus (Columbia rnilk­ vetch), the Sensitive species Cryptantha leucophaea (gray cryptantha), Hypericum majus, Limosella acaulis, and the Sensitive taxon Oenothera caespitosa subsp. caespitosa (desert rockrose). Several of the new populations of rare plant species on the Central Hanford portion of the Hanford Site are annuals found near Gable Mountain. These include two populations of Camissonia pygmaea and five populations ofMimulus suksdor.fii. In addition, several populations each of three species of annuals never previously found in Washington were found north of Gable Mountain: Calyptridium roseum (rosy calyptridium), Gilia leptomeria (Great Basin gilia), and Loejlingia squarrosa var. squarrosa (loeflingia). Umtanum Ridge is a treasure trove of rare plants. The ridge has populations of Astragalus columbianus, Erigeron piperianus, Lomatium tuberosum, and the only known population of · Eriogonum species novum. Umtanum Ridge also serves as a corridor between the high-quality native plant communities of the Hanford Site and those of the Yakima Training Center.

18 Table 2. Rare plant survey findings by year and management area

Number of Individual Populations Identified ALE Reserve Central Hanford Saddle Mt. NWR Wahluke WRA Total on Hanford Site Total Taxon 96 94 pre-94 96 94 pre-94 96 94 pre-94 96 94 pre-94 96 u pre-94 Pops. Astragalus columbianus 2 5 2 3 2 7 3 12 Astragalus geyeri 5 5 5 Astragalus conjunctus var. 1 1 I novum Camissonia pygmaea 2 I I 7 2 3 9 1 13 Cryptanthaleucophaea 1 4 I 6 8 4 12 Cryptantha spiculifera 1 3 4 4 Cuscuta denticulata 1 1 1 Cyperus bipartitus•• 1 1 1 1 Eatonella nivea 2 2 2 Erigeron pioerianus 4 8 2 4 1 2 5 10 6 21 Eriogonum soecies nov. 1 1 1 Hypericum maius 1 1 1 2 1 3 Lesquerella soecies nov. 1 1 1 Limosella acaulis•• 1 1 1 1 Lomatium tuberosum 9 I 9 1 10 Mimulus suksdorfii 5 5 5 Oenothera caespitosa subsp. 1 1 I 1 1 3 4 caespitosa - Pectocarya setosa 2 2 2 Rorinna columbiae•• 1 1 1 I 1 Total 7 15 2 18 5 16 7 13 1 2 18 0 33 49 18 100 • The ''9S," ''94," and "pre-94" columns indicate the number of rare plant populations/occurrences located on the Hanford Site during the l 99S field season, the 1994 field season and at any time prior to 1994, respectively. The taxa included in the table are either new to science; are considered Threatened, Endangered, or Sensitive in Washington; or are included in Monitor Groups I and 2 in Washington (WNHP 1994, WNHP 1993/S, Caplow and Beck 1995). •• 1n consultation with the WNHP, what were formerly considered distinct populations of this species within the Reach are now considered subpopulations of a single large population. For this reason, some row totals may not add up precisely. 3.0 RARE PLANT BOTANY

3. 5. 5 Hanford Reach The Hanford Reach in the context of this report refers to the Columbia River, its wetlands, and . upland areas within one-quarter mile of the river. Portions of all the management areas except the ALE Reserve are included. Thirteen out of 19 rare plant species found on the Hanford Site occur within the Reach. In 1995, all but one of the new rare plant populations and subpopulations found within the Hanford Reach were associated with riverine emergent wetlands. Within the 31 of these wetlands surveyed during the 1995 field season are: 25 new subpopulations of Limosella acaulis, 18 new subpopulations of Cyperus bipartitus, and two populations of Hypericum majus. Five unlisted plant taxa of interest were also found scattered throughout the Hanford Reach in these wetlands, including: Ammannia robusta, Centuncu/us minimus, Lipocarpha aristulata, Mimulus ringens, and Rota/a ramosior. These species are uncommon native wetland species whose status is currently unknown. In 1994, 27 new rare plant populations were located within the Hanford Reach. Eleven of these were populations of four species directly associated with the Hanford Reach and the riverine emergent wetlands: the Sensitive species Limosella acau/is (southern mudwort), the Endangered species Rorippa co/umbiae (persistentsepal yellowcress), the Monitor Group 1 species Hypericum majus (Canadian St. John's,-wort), and the Sensitive species Cyperus bip'artitus (shining flatsedge). Based on the distribution of L. acaulis, C. bipartitus, and R. columbiae and in consultation with the WNHP, what were formerly considered populations of each of these species within the Hanford Reach are now considered to_be multiple subpopulations of one population. Only Hypericum majus has been maintained as three distinct populations. Many human activities that can affect rare plant populations occur along the Hanford Reach, including: possible further hydrological changes as a result of upstream dam management; boating and other river-based recreation; land-based recreation (particularly illegal off-road vehicle use on the White Bluffs); activities associated with nuclear cleanup; and invasion by weedy plants. Changes in these activities (e.g., location of boat launches or clean-up activities) should be preceded by a thorough search by qualified botanists.

3.6 Noxious Weeds Noxious weeds are "those plants which the state noxious weed control board finds to be highly destructive, competitive, or difficult to control by cultural or chemi_cal practices" (WAC 1994). Without proper management, these taxa can pose as great a threat to native plant populations at Hanford as development or clean-up activities. Wetland systems (such as the Columbia River shoreline) are especially at risk. To provide management information, noxious weeds were mapped along the Hanford Reach and noted Site-wide in 1995.

Wetlands Cyperus esculentus (yellow nutsedge) was observed in small- to moderate-sized populations along the Columbia River. This highly invasive species could affect the high-quality riverine wetlands, which support a number of state-listed species. Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife) was found in scattered patches below the high water level in 20 out of 36 wetlands (Figure 2). It occurs with several rare plant taxa including: Cyperus bipartitus, Hypericum majus, Limose/la acaulis, and Rorippa columbiae. Most populations of this

19 3.0 RARE PLANT BOTANY

invasive weed are relatively small and are vulnerable to an aggressive control program. Phalaris arundinacea (reed canarygrass) is highly invasive in wet areas. On the Hanford Site it is most common at or above the high water level along the Columbia River.

Uplands Several Centaurea species are widespread in disturbed areas throughout the Hanford Site. Each has the potential to invade native ecosystems. Verbascum thapsus (common mullein), Convolvulus arvensis (field bindweed), Cardaria draba (hoary cress), Solanum dulcamara (bitter nightshade), Secale cereale (rye), Hypericum perforatum (common St. John's-wort), Linaria dalmatica (Dalmatian toadflax) and Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle) also occur at Hanford.

3.7 Further Inventory Needs Approximately 40,000 acres of the site were surveyed during the Biodiversity Inventoryory. Although this represents only about 10% of the total acreage, areas with the highest likelihood for supporting rare plants were emphasized. However, most of the survey was done at a "light" to "moderate" survey level and many areas with potential for rare plants remain unexplored. In addition, plant populations are dynamic; through time, new populations may become established, and existing ones may become larger, become smaller or shift in location. The following are priority areas for future botanical work on the Hanford Site: ALE Reserve: • Cold Creek Valley, Rattlesnake Hills valleys, and Dry Creek Valley for Nicotiana attenuata. • Springs, seeps and crest of Rattlesnake Mountain and Rattlesnake Hills. • Higher-intensity surveys on talus slopes of Yakima Ridge, primarily for populations of Oenothera caespitosa subsp. caespitosa.

Wahluke WRA: • The middle and upper slopes of the Saddle Mountains. • High-quality plant communities east of the Columbia River and the White Bluffs.

Saddle Mountain NWR: • Sandy areas at the top of the White Bluffs for populations of Astragalus geyeri. • Reconnaissance-level survey of the artificially created wetlands and lakes. • Sandy and high-quality areas west of Highway 24.

Central Hanford: • The Hanford Dune Field. • Unsurveyed portions of Gable Mountain and the basalt sand areas in the vicinity.

20 3. 0 RARE PLANT BOTANY

Hanford Reach: • River terraces and islands for Artemisia campestris ssp. borealis var. wormskioldii. • China Bar for potential populations of Oenothera caespitosa subsp. caespitosa.

General: • Revisit and confirm all Hanford rare plant populations not surveyed since 1986.

3.8 Conclusions Botanical inventories carried out as part of the Biodiversity Inventory have shown the Hanford Site to be a rich location for rare plants. Rare plant populations are vulnerable to both direct physical destruction of plants and to loss of habitat. Human population growth, large-scale irrigation projects, non-native plants and continuing grazing have significantly reduced or degraded available habitat for many plants of concern throughout the lower Columbia Basin. As these trends continue, the extraordinary diversity of the Hanford Site makes its role as an "island of biodiversity" for plants increasingly valuable.

21 4.0 ORNITHOLOGY

4.1 Purpose and Scope Because the status and distribution of birds is more thoroughly documented than for most areas of biology (e.g., compared to insects, small mammals or even plant communities), bird inventories offer information about the importance of a site relative to its region. And, although the criteria by which each species selects habitat is sometimes poorly understood, their choices by definition tell us about habitat quality. Numerous authors have published studies on bird life at Hanford, the most comprehensive of which was by Landeen et al. (1992). As part of the 1994 and 1995 Biodiversity Inventory, bird surveys were conducted on the North Slope, the Hanford Reach of the Columbia, and the ALE Reserve and to a limited extent on Central Hanford. The objectives of this inventory were to more completely document the presence, location, habitat use and abundance of migratory and breeding birds in these areas.

4.2 Methods Bird censuses were conducted using a combination of general transect surveys and point counts between late March 1994 to mid-November 1995 (sampling details available, The Nature Conservancy 1995). The sampling protocol was patterned after one designed by Partners in Flight (1994), a group concerned with the status and conservation of neotropical migrant bjrds in the United States and Central and South America. On the North Slope, over 240 surveys were conducted along 23 routes. These data were supplemented with 33 surveys of Bald Eagles and waterfowl done by Pacific Northwest Laboratory and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists. Thus, over 270 surveys were used to characterize bird species of the North Slope. On the ALE Reserve, 80 surveys were done along three routes. That data was supplemented with bird counts done on the ALE Reserve in 1992. In central Hanford, limited surveys were performed in 1995 . Driving transects were performed in the vicinity of Gable Mountain and the 200 area. Foot surveys were conducted east of Highway 240. Point counts were made between May 1 and June 21 , a time period bracketing the breeding season for most species at Hanford. •Fifty-five point count stations were established on the North Slope, and 32 on the ALE Reserve. The stations were visited once each in 1994 and 1995. Terrestrial and aquatic habitat types were categorized as follows: Native Shrub: Habitat dominated by big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) with lesser amounts ofbitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) and rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus species). Spiny hopsage (Grayia spinosa) and winterfat (Eurotia lanata) characterize poorly drained sites where soil alkalinity may limit growth of the

23 4. 0 ORNITHOLOGY

other species. Bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum) and Sandberg's bluegrass (Poa sandbergii) are characteristic of the understory. Native Bunchgrass: Grasslands dominated by native, perennial bunchgrasses, especially bluebunch wheatgrass, Sandberg's bluegrass and Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis). In areas with sandy soils, needle-and-thread grass (Stipa comata) and Indian ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides) may be prevalent. Shrubs may or may not be present. Weedy Field: Fields and grasslands dominated by non-native annuals, especially Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass). Recovering: A seral, or successional, stage of shrub-steppe recovering from fire or other historical disturbance. Mountain Top: For the North Slope, this refers to the crest of Saddle Mountain, which has exposed basalt cliffs and talus slopes. For the ALE Reserve, this refers to the crest of Rattlesnake Mountain. Riparian: For the North Slope, this refers to natural and artificially created ponds and wetlands adjacent to the Columbia River. For the ALE Reserve, this refers to a collection of springs and small streams. Riverine: The Hanford Reach of the Columbia River, including islands and shoreline, and the White Bluffs (North Slope only). Canyon: Dry, steep upper slopes of canyons, frequently with talus (ALE Reserve only).

Nomenclature follows the American Ornithologists Union's 38th Supplement to the AOU Check-list. Accordingly, species names are capitalized.

4.3 Findings

4.3. 1 Overview The 1994 and 1995 ornithological surveys documented a total of 214 species of birds on the North Slope and ALE Reserve. This figure includes: • 86 breeding species; • 33 "species of special concern" (recognized by the state and/or federal government as Endangered, Threatened, Candidate, Monitor or Species of Concern (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 1994), 13 of which are confirmed breeding species (Figure 3); • 72 species considered rare or accidental (outside their known normal range) for the Hanford Site (Landeen et al. 1992), not including species of special concern; and, • 11 species never before documented at the Hanford Site.

Within the scope of this study, 18 species are unique to the ALE Reserve and 77 to the North Slope. Of species confirmed to breed at Hanford, 43 occur only at the North Slope, seven on the ALE Reserve. The greater diversity on the North Slope is primarily due to the presence of the Columbia River and its abundant riparian habitats.

24 4. 0 ORNITHOLOG Y

Figure 3. Location of bird species of special concern, sighted on transect surveys, North Slope and ALE Reserve only, 1995

Saddle Mountains

.. Wahluke State · life Recreation Area

Gable Mountain 1

Central Hanford

Individual Oburwd. Probable NHtlng Territary, 0 No widence of Bnleding h, Multiple Sighting of Singing Bird • Loca11an of Singing Bird 0 Neatlng Confirmed

25 Table 3. Bird species of special concern and the habitat in which they were observed on the North Slope and the ALE Reserve, 199 5

North Slope Arid Lands Ecoloav Reserve Federal State Hanford 1995 Habitat T'lpes 1995 Habitat Types 1 Common Name Status Status Status Status Shb Grs Fld Rec Mtn Rip Riv Status Shb Grs Fld Rec Mtn Rip Can Common Loon Candidate R-w U-wm X Homed Grebe Monitor U-w U-m X X Red-necked Grebe Monitor --- R-m X Western Grebe* Monitor U-r U-s X X Clark's Grebe* Monitor R-m U-s X American White Endangered U-r C-s X Pelican Great Blue Heron* Monitor C-r C-r X X U-r X Great Egret Monitor R-m U-s X X Black-crowned Night Monitor U-r U-s X R-s Heron* Trumoeter Swan Candidate A-m R-m X Turkey Vulture Monitor A-m R-m X fly-over Osprey Monitor U-m U-m X X Bald Eagle Threatened Threatened U-w C-w X X Golden Eagle Candidate U-m U-w X X X X X R-s X Swainson's Hawk* Candidate U-s U-s X X X X C-s X Ferruginous Hawk Candidate Threatened R-s R-s X U-s X Peregrine Falcon Endangered Endangered A-m R-ms X X Prairie Falcon* Monitor U-r R-w X X X X X X U-r X

I Hanford Status (Landeen et al. 1992) • Breeding confirmed on Hanford Site in 1995 Abundance Seasonal Occurrence Habitat Types C: Common ( often seen or heard in appropriate habitat) r: resident Shh: native shrub Rip: riparian areas U: Uncommon (usually present but not always seen or heard) s: summer visitor (includes spring and fall) Ors: native bunchgrass Riv: riverine (Columbia River - North R: Rare (present in appropriate habitats only in small numbers; w: winter visitor (includes spring and fall) Fld: weedy field dominated by non­ Slope only) seldom seen or heard ) m: migrant native annuals Can: dry upper slopes of canyons (ALE A: Accidental ( appeared once or twice; well outside its normal range) Rec: recovery following fire or past Reserve only) cultivation Min: mountain top (Saddle Mtn., Rattlesnake Mtn.)

(Continued on reverse side) (Continued) North Slope Arid Lands Ecoloav Reserve Federal State Hanford 1995 Habitat T''lpes 1995 Habitat Types Common Name Status Status Status' Status Shb Grs Fld Rec Mtn Rip Riv Status Shb Grs F/d Rec Mtn Rip Can Says Phoebe* Monitor R-s X X X X C-s X Gray Flycatcher Monitor R-s X Willow Flycatcher Monitor R-m X R-s X Sage Grouse Candidate Candidate R-r R-r? X Sandhill Crane Endan~ered U-m C-m X X fly-over Black-necked Stilt Monitor A R-sm X . Long-billed Candidate Monitor C-s U-s X X X U-s X X Curlew* Caspian Tern Monitor R-s U-s X X fly-over Forster's Tern* Monitor U-s U-s X fly-over Burrowing Owl* Candidate U-s U-s X X U-s X Lewis' Woodoecker Candidate R-m R-s X R-m X Western Bluebird Candidate R-m R X Sage Thrasher* Candidate R-s U-s X U-s X X Lo1rn:erhead Shrike* Candidate Candidate U-s U-s X X X X C-s X X Grasshopper Monitor U-s U-s X X X C-s X X X Sparrow* Sage Sparrow* Candidate U-s C-s X U-s X X

1 Hanford Status (Landeen et al. 1992) • Breeding confmned on Hanford Site in 1995 Abundance Seasonal Occurrence Habitat Types C: Common ( often seen or heard in appropriate habitat) r: resident Shb: native shrub Rip: riparian areas U: Uncommon (usually present but not always seen or heard) s: summer visitor (includes spring and fall) Grs: native bunchgrass Riv: riverine (Columbia River - North R: Rare (present in appropriate habitats only in small numbers; w: winter visitor (includes spring and fall) Fld: weedy field dominated by non­ Slope only) seldom seen or heard ) m: migrant native annuals Can: dry upper slopes of canyons (ALE A: Accidental ( appeared once or twice; well outside its normal range) Rec: recovery following fue or past Reserve only) cultivation Mtn: mountain top (Saddle Mtn., Rattlesnake Mtn.) 4. 0 ORNITHOLOGY

The findings suggest that the Hanford Site contains the largest contiguous tracts of suitable and occupied habitat for Sage Sparrows, Loggerhead Shrikes and Grasshopper Sparrows in Washington. The area is also important for Long-Billed Curlews and Burrowing Owls. In addition, it is probable that the bulk of the world's population of the federally Endangered "Lesser" Sandhill Cranes that breed in southern Alaska (numbering 22,000) migrate over the Hanford Site twice each year, en route to or from their wintering grounds in central and southern California. Some of these birds roost on gravel bars of the Columbia River. The magnitude of this spectacular migration is of regional importance (Littlefield and Thompson 1991) and one of Washington's ornithological highlights. Another species deserving mention is the Northern Mockingbird, seen on both the North Slope and ALE Reserve. Outside Hanford, this species is not known to occur regularly in Washington.

4. 3. 2 Findings by Habitat Type Figure 4 summarizes the number of all bird species and the number of species of special concern by habitat type. Table 3 highlights the individual bird species of special concern and the habitat in which they were observed on the North Slope and ALE Reserve. Of those 33 species, 18 used at least two habitat types. A discussion highlighting the most significant findings follows.

Figure 4. Habitat use by bird species of special concern and all bird species, ALE Reserve and North Slope only, 1994 and 1995 250T"""------, 214

200 • All Species

• Species of Special 150 Concern

100

50

0 .0 .,, Cl Q. C C QI QI .,, :!:! C 0 I'll C 2 QI ·c: I- ~ ·c: ·c: :a .c. ~ i:L QI C I'll QI "iii (/) C!) I'll Q. .,, >- > c .2: 0 QI -0 0 u 0:: > ~ i ~ ii: ll. ~ ~ 3l 0:: z z ~

Number ofall bird species (out of 214 possible) and species ofspecial concern (out of33 possible) that were observed in each habitat type on the North Slope a_nd the ALE Reserve in 1994 and 1995. (Note: A species may have been documented in more than one habitat type.)

26 4. 0 ORNITHOLOGY

Upland Shrub-Steppe Habitats This group of habitat types includes the unique, vast open tracts of Hanford. Communities include the representative, high-quality sagebrush/bunchgrass habitat types (native shrub, canyon and Mountain top) as well as native grass or de~ed (weedy field, recovering shrub-steppe) types. Not surprisingly, upland shrub-steppe at Hanford was found to support confirmed breeding populations of all species which are emblematic of those habitats in Washington except Sage and Sharp-tailed Grouse. However, near the White Bluffs, an unconfinned sighting was made of a family group of Sage Grouse, a state Candidate and federal Species of Concern thought extirpated from the Hanford Site. In all, 12 species of special concern were documented in uplands (Table 3), including the following breeding species: • Sage Sparrow • Burrowing Owl • Loggerhead Shrike • Sage Thrasher • Prairie Falcon • Swainson's Hawk • Long-billed Curlew • Grasshopper Sparrow

Habitat dominated by native shrub-steppe vegetation (especially big sagebrush) harbors more Species of Concern than any other upland habitat (Figure 4, Table 3). Native, perennial bunchgrass habitat was used by Swainson's Hawks, Golden Eagles, Prairie Falcons, Loggerhead Shrikes, Long-billed Curlews and Grasshopper Sparrows, all Species of Concern (Table 3). Protected native grasslands are increasingly rare in ; thus, those on the Hanford Site are of statewide importance. An active nest site for Prairie Falcons, a state Monitor species, was observed in Snively Gulch on the ALE Reserve. Ferruginous Hawks, a federal Candidate and state Threatened species, were found infrequently; but it is known that 10 breeding pairs-about 20% of the total nesting population in Washington State-used portions of Central Hanford in 1991 (Downs et al. 1993). The crests of Rattlesnake Mountain and the Saddle Mountains were frequented by numerous migrating raptors, including Golden Eagles. A single male Western Bluebird, a state Candidate species, was observed on Rattlesnake Mountain. Areas dominated by cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum)-an invasive non-native-were important to nesting and foraging Swainson's Hawks, Long-billed Curlews and Burrowing Owls, most likely because Hanford provides expansive habitats and isolation. During spring, the cheatgrass plains provide important foraging and resting grounds for tens of thousands of migrating Canada Geese.

Riparian Habitats The riparian areas, lakes and ponds on the Hanford Site had the highest species diversity of any habitat type during the study (Figure 4). Approximately 73% (156 out of 214) of all bird species, and the following 19 (out of 33 possible) species of special concern were documented in these biologically productive areas: • Common Loon • Black-crowned Night-Heron • Western Grebe • Trumpeter Swan • Clark's Grebe • Osprey • Great Blue Heron (Continued)

27 4. 0 ORNITHOLOGY

• Great Egret • Loggerhead Shrike • Swainson's Hawk • Forster's Tern • Peregrine Falcon • Lewis' Woodpecker • Black-necked Stilt • Sage Thrasher • Caspian Tern • Bald Eagle • Gray Flycatcher • Willow Flycatcher

Riverine Habitats The Columbia River and its shoreline were found to be extremely important to a wide variety of water and shorebirds. Millions of individual birds representing a stunning array of species utilize this migration corridor, making it one of the most important flyways in western North America. It was found to be important to the following species of special concern:

• Common Loon • Bald Eagle • Horned Grebe • Peregrine Falcon • Red-necked Grebe • Prairie Falcon • Western Grebe • Sandhill Crane • American White Pelican • Long-billed Curlew • Great Blue Heron • Caspian Tern • Great Egret • Forster's Tern • Osprey

Although, the Bank Swallow is not yet on Washington's list of Monitor, Threatened or Endangered species, concern is frequently raised regarding its decline elsewhere in western North America. This cavity dweller and neotropical migrant nests abundantly along the Hanford Reach, making it a population of regional significance:

4.3.3 Newly Documented Species at Hanford Eleven species were added to the growing list of birds known at the Hanford Site since a comprehensive work on the site was published by Landeen et al. (1992). These include:

Anna's Hummingbird: A single immature male bird was observed in a riparian area in the Wahluke WRA; should be classified as a "rare migrant." Black-legged Kittiwake: Observed along the Columbia River. Only the third record for the interior of Washington. Black-throated Sparrow: Present along the White Bluffs in summer of 1994; not observed in 1995; status not clear. Blackpoll Warbler: A single immature bird was seen on two occasions in black locust trees; probably a "casual fall migrant.,,

28 4.0 ORNITHOLOGY

Gray Flycatcher: A single bird in Snively Gulch (ALE Reserve); status "accidental." Hammond's Flycatcher: Seen twice in Russian olive trees; should probably be classified as an "uncommon fall migrant." Pacific-slope Flycatcher: Solitary birds in riparian areas on the ALE Reserve in spring and the North Slope in fall ; should be classified as a "rare migrant." Red-necked Grebe: Two birds noted on two occasions on the Columbia River; should be classified as a "rare migrant." Red-throated Loon Was observed on the Columbia River. Short-billed Dowitcher: Two adults identified by voice. Should be classified as a "rare spring migrant;" undoubtedly occurs in fall also. Snow Bunting: Noted once in October on Saddle Mountain crest; status not clear.

4.4 Conclusions and Further Inventory Needs The 214 total species, including 33 rare species, and healthy populations of most typical shrub­ steppe species indicate the Hanford Site is uniquely important from an ornithological perspective. The two years of this study saw both extreme moisture and drought. Year-to-year variations in climate can influence the avifauna of a region. With drought conditions persisting through the breeding season of many birds in 1994 followed by record levels of rain in 1995, additional surveys are recommended. In addition, comprehensive surveys, including point counts should be conducted on Central Hanford.

29 5.0 ENTOMOLOGY

5.1 Purpose and Scope Because of their extraordinary diversity and intimate interactions with vegetation, insects may ultimately prove to be the most sensitive measure of ecosystem quality and function. However data are often lacking with which to make comparative judgments. The insect survey at Hanford is one of the first, large-scale biological diversity studies of insects ever conducted in Washington State. More intense, longer-term studies have been conducted, but these investigated one, or a very few number oftaxa (e.g., beetles or butterflies). To our knowledge, no single project has sampled as many taxa, over as extended a period of time as the Hanford Biodiversity Inventory. The information generated will be incorporated into a database with inventory data on various other taxa of fauna and flora, ultimately allowing analyses of habitat associations among insects and other taxa. In both 1994 and 1995, the survey's focus was the ALE Reserve. Entomological surveys of various intensity have been conducted at the Hanford Site since it was established (Rogers and Rickard 1975, Rogers et al. 1978). However, for the most part, no attempt has been made to catalog the species or compile data from the many studies. In fact, much of the information has probably been lost. This is not because of lackadaisical record keeping or sloppy science-rather, it is because insects can be extremely difficult to identify, even to the family level. Due to the sheer number of insect species, many researchers will collect and identify a very limited group oftaxa. Also, the time period between collecting and identifying can be years. Thus, it is little wonder that information is lost or projects end before a complete account of the insect fauna is made. To avoid this problem, insect specimens collected in this study were prepared and sent to recognized taxonomic authorities within a reasonably short period of time.

5.2 Methods ·

5. 2. 1 Areas Surveyed Most of the inventory took place on the ALE Reserve, where diverse habitats are accessible across relatively short distances. Permanent survey sites were established and surveyed on a weekly to biweekly basis from March through December 1995. These sites included Rattlesnake Spring, Lower Snively Spring, the Snively Ranch site, a dirt access road off of the 1200 Foot Road, the radio telescope site on Rattlesnake Ridge, the area around the ALE Reserve headquarters, and the well site near_the top of Rattlesnake Ridge. Other sites were sampled as time permitted or as interesting sites became known. In addition to the survey sites mentioned, the survey for butterflies and moths included a wid.er geographic area (see section "6.0 Lepidoptera").

5.2.2 Field Inventory The inventory concentrated on several insect orders: Homoptera (leafhoppers and relatives), Heteroptera (true bugs), Coleoptera (beetles), Hymenoptera (bees and wasps), Diptera (true

31 5.0 ENTOMOLOGY

flies) and Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths). These are among the largest insect orders and contain the greatest diversity. Three collections of Hanford insects (made prior to the 1994 inventory) were evaluated to determine the historical presence of some taxa on the site. Sampling occurred at locations on the Hanford Site easily reached throughout the year. Insect diversity changes drastically over relatively short periods of time. This is especially true of an area such as Hanford where fluctuations in insect populations are closely tied to changing floral food sources and weather. For some species adults may be found during time periods as short as hours. Sampling methods involved primarily hand-picking and sweep-netting. These methods tend to provide the most information on the insect fauna of an area over the shortest period of time. All collected specimens were mounted and labeled-a time-consuming activity, but necessary for identification. For many insect species, accurate identifications can be provided only by specialists. To that end, 50 experts from North America and Europe were sent specimens. The value of accurate and reliable identifications cannot be over-emphasized. Studies of insect diversity fail if material is not identified to the species level or if the identifications are wrong. In this study, everything has been done to avoid this situation.

5.3 Findings

5. 3. 1 Overview The insect inventory yielded extraordinary findings. Over 30,000 specimens were collected and processed, with more than 1000 identifications to the species or genus level made thus far. Additionally, over 300 species await identification by experts, and additional expertise is being sought for 300 more. To date, the list includes 19 species new to science, and 71 species new to Washington State. Rare species and species new to Hanford or Hanford-area counties number in the hundreds. The insects identified to date include 2 centipedes (Chilopoda), 203 beetles (Coleoptera), 1 earwig (Dermaptera), 248 true flies (Diptera), 78 true bugs (Herniptera), 105 leafhoppers and relatives (Homoptera), 196 bees and wasps (Hymenoptera), 164 butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), 2 preying mantids (Mantodea) and 9 dragonflies (Odonata).

5.3.2 Findings by Insect Order

Centipedes (Chilopoda) Little information is available on the centipedes and more collecting needs to be performed. Of two collected specimens, one may represent a new species while a second cannot be identified to the species level. Centipede taxonomy is not well understood, especially for the western United States, and the groups in question have not been well studied.

Beetles (Coleoptera) The beetles represent the largest order of insects. A total of 203 species have thus far been identified from the ALE Reserve. One species of scarab beetle (Scarabidae: G/aresis sp.) represents a species new to science. Nine other species (one seed weevil, Bruchidae, and eight true weevils, curculionidae) represent new records for Washington. It appears that most of the species encountered during the first phase of this study occur commonly throughout much of eastern Washington and are

32 5.0 ENTOMOLOGY easily recognized species. However, this may be an artifact of both collecting bias and the difficulty in finding specialists capable of performing identifications. Beetle collecting can require specific methods infrequently used during this study. There is a group of beetles that may have potential as biological control agents (organisms that help regulate the overall number of insects in the environment): the Coccinellidae, or ladybird beetles, which feed on aphids and other soft-bodied insects. Twenty-two species ofladybird beetles have been identified to date. Several of these species are rare off the Hanford Site. Ladybird beetles were probably once common throughout most of arid eastern Washington but many species have been eliminated through land-use changes and pesticide applications. The Hanford Site may serve as a natural source area from which inoculations of beetles can be made to help control aphid populations in agricultural settings.

Earwigs (Dermaptera) A single species of earwig, the common European earwig, is abundant throughout much of the ALE Reserve. The species was introduced into the western United States in the early 1930s.

True Flies (Diptera) At present, almost 250 taxa of flies have been identified, including six new species and 3 new records for Washington. Another 150-200 samples are currently with identifiers. Two families, the shore flies (Ephydridae) (37 taxa) and small dung flies (Sphaeroceridae) (25 taxa), were represented extensively. The Rattlesnake Spring survey site had the greatest diversity of any single locality. The diversity of shore flies , especially, is high. While a small number of the species are rare or rarely collected, most can be encountered throughout much of east-central Washington. As more of the flies are identified, a number of rare species, new species, and new state records will probably be found.

True Bugs (Heteroptera) True bugs are highly restricted to host plants. These insects were recently cataloged by Henry and Froeschner (1988). Thus far, 78 species of true bugs have been recorded from the ALE Reserve, with many more awaiting identification. Like the leafhoppers, diversity of true bugs can be high when plant diversity is high. The largest farnily in the order is the Miridae, or plant bugs. Of the 38 species of plant bugs collected on the ALE Reserve, 15 represent new state records for Washington. There may be another 15 to 20 species of plant bugs on the site, with several more new state records possible. Again, as with the leathoppers, finding plant bugs is a matter of finding proper native habitat, like that found on the ALE Reserve. In the remaining families of true bugs, 13 species new to Washington were discovered.

Leajhoppers and Planthoppers (Homoptera) The leafhopper and planthoppers are diverse and hold great promise for new discoveries. Unfortunately, obtaining identifications is difficult and there are no current catalogs or checklists that provide distribution information. Thus far, over 100 species have been identified, five are new to science and nine others represent new records for Washington State. Leathoppers feed on plant juices and therefore are closely tied to their plant hosts. While many of the species collected appear to be extremely localized, it is probable that they were much more common and widespread before urbanization and agricultural conversion eliminated or

33 5. 0 ENTOMOLOGY

fragmented large portions of the shrub-steppe. Many of the species also have limited dispersal capabilities, further restricting them to a given habitat. Today, many of the species occur only on the few refugia that dot the region.

Bees and Wasps (Hymenoptera) The bees and wasps represent a large and recognizable fauna but present difficulties in obtaining accurate identifications. Among the more than 3000 specimens collected, fewer than a third have been identified to the species level. Of those, seven are species new to science and 26 represent new state records. Furthermore, the bees collected during this study are just now being studied in detail ( 51 genera have been identified), and identification of more than 200 additional species is expected in the near future. As with several of the other insect faunas, bees are closely tied to host plants and soil types. In general, many species of bees are more abundant in areas with sandy or dry soils, where burrowing is easier. Given Hanford's relatively friable soils and undisturbed ground, additional new records and rare species are expected. Many of these "wild" bee species serve important roles as pollinators and their presence may be crucial to the maintenance of the flora. It is interesting to note that very few specimens of honey bees were collected. Honey bees are much more common in disturbed areas or where human activity is high. A large number of so itary and parasitic wasps were collected. Of particular interest is the tremendous numbers of parasitic wasps represented in the sampling. The great majority of these wasps are parasites of other insects and may be important biological control organisms. Certain species of parasitic wasps are actually reared in large numbers and then released into agriculture and greenhouse settings where they control pest insects such as aphids and certain caterpillars. And, although the purpose of this inventory was not to identify species that might be of value to ongoing biological control programs, there is a good possibility that such wasps occur on the Hanford Site. Documentation would require rearing wasps from hosts to study host-parasite associations. This is currently being done by Dr. Keith Pike of Washington State University.

Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) Lepidoptera are treated separately in the following section, "6.0 Lepidoptera."

Preying Mantids (Mantodea) Two species of preying mantids have been collected. The rare, native endemic mantid, Litaneutria minor (Scudder), was collected on bunchgrass. A second, the introduced Chinese mantid is the common well known species.

5.4 Further Inventory Needs Additional insect inventories at the Hanford Site are highly recommended for two reasons: 1. To expand the survey area to include other portions of the Hanford Site, and 2. To expand sampling methodology.

Other areas on the Hanford Site warranting survey include Gable Mountain and Gable Butte, riparian areas and islands of the Columbia River, wetlands and lake shores of the Wahluke WRA, the Saddle Mountain crest and along the White Bluffs. Expanding the survey in these areas will certainly lead to new insect discoveries.

34 5. 0 ENTOMOLOGY

5.5 Conclusions and Management Considerations The diversity of insects collected on the ALE Reserve is proving to be extremely high. Over 1000 taxa have been identified so far with another 300+ awaiting identification. This total of between 1000 and 1300 species probably comprises less than 10% of the total number of insect species on the Hanford Site. Of the specimens collected to date, it is expected that there will be 20 to 30 species new to science in addition to the 19 already discovered. Hundreds of new state records are also expected. The Hanford Site has great potential for harboring valuable biological control organisms because of the Site's relative freedom from the factors that have eliminated naturally occurring predatory insects from surrounding areas (especially pesticide usage and urbanization). The key to Hanford's insect diversity is directly related to the extent and diversity of native habitats. The great majority of insects are associated with specific microhabitats and/or host plants. And unlike birds and mammals, most insects are short-lived as adults and travel short distances, if at all, during their lifetimes. Thus, once removed from their habitat and host plants, their ability to reestablish is minimal. This is especially true of insects confined by highly specific habitat requirements, many of which were probably eliminated from the arid regions of the Pacific Northwest with the development of agriculture and urbanization. Although some pest species were collected on the ALE Reserve, their numbers were extremely limited-possibly because their ability to compete with the endemic insect fauna is limited in undisturbed areas. The Hanford Site and in particular the ALE Reserve contain some of the only major contiguous shrub-steppe habitats remaining in the Pacific Northwest. The insect inventory clearly shows that a large number and diversity of insect species are associated with this habitat.

35 6.0 LEPIDOPTERA

6.1 Purpose and Scope Lepidoptera, the order of insects containing butterflies and moths, is of unique value for ecosystem science. Many individual species are closely tied to one or a few plant species which they live on and sometimes pollinate, and Lepidoptera serve as an important food source for numerous other animals. Finally, high diversity in Lepidoptera may signify a functioning and diverse landscape. The 1994-95 Lepidoptera surveys represent the first comprehensive survey for moths and butterflies at the Hanford Site.

6.2 Methods In 1994 Lepidoptera surveys were concentrated at the ALE Reserve. In 1995 the number of routinely surveyed sites was expanded to include the east and west portions of Gable Mountain, East White Bluffs, Hanford Townsite, Midway, China Bar, portions of the Wahluke WRA, and the ponds and lake areas of Saddle Mountain NWR. Additional locales were surveyed during the flight period of butterfly species with specific host plant or habitat requirements. These sites include the Hanford Dunes (with emphasis on Purshia tridentata sites), Umtanum Ridge and the junipers east and west of Vernita. Sampling methods consisted of sight identification and hand netting. All collected specimens were mounted and labeled.

6.3 Findings

6. 3. 1 Overview Three plant communities at Hanford support two Lepidoptera taxa considered federal Species of Concern (listed as Federal Candidate 2 Species in the November 15, 1994, Federal Register; Vol. 59, No. 219). Both taxa require specific host plants. The first is the Viceroy butterfly, Limenitis archippus /ahontani, located in all four management units of the Hanford Site. The second is the Hemi/euca genus of moths of which two species are known at Hanford, H. hera and H. nuttal/i. The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife lists the Viceroy as a state Monitor species.

Butterflies Of the 49 butterfly taxa located at the Hanford Site, 31 are Hanford Site records (the term "record" refers to the first confirmed identification of a taxa in a given locale). Nine county records were identified for Benton County.

37 6. 0 LEPIDOPTERA

Moths As of February 1996, 81 moth genera and 115 species had been identified. More than 100 of these species are Hanford Site records. Additional specimens remain in the hands of taxonomic experts. Several county records were found including one species previously recorded only near Wanapum Darn in Grant County. Another moth has been identified only to its family and is being evaluated as a species potentially new to science. No protective designation for any moth genus has been made by Washington. Each management unit at the Hanford Site will be reviewed separately.

6. 3. 2 Arid Lands Ecology Reserve

Butterflies This unit supports the greatest diversity ofLepidoptera found at the Hanford Site during the study. Forty-six butterfly taxa have been identified within the ALE Reserve's boundaries; nine of these species have been found' only at the ALE Reserve in Benton County. Three uncommon lithosol species (Nevada Skipper, Washington Hairstreak, and Veazie's Checkerspot) were found on Rattlesnake Ridge. The presence together of these butterflies occurs at only one other site in the state. Twenty-seven additional species have been recorded on or near the crest of the ridge. Six state Monitor species were identified: Nevada Skipper, Juba Skipper, Canyon Green Hairstreak, Purplish Copper, Perkins' Copper, and Viceroy. Finally, two species (Glaucous and Silvery Blues) not recorded for more than 20 years in Benton County were found during survey work at the ALE Reserve. A xeric population of Indra Swallowtails inhabits the ALE Reserve. All xeric sites with Indra Swallowtails have been recommended for protection in the Washington Butterfly Conservation Report and Plan (Pyle 1989).

Moths One hundred seven moth taxa collected at the ALE Reserve have been identified. The Sagebrush Sheep Moth, Hemileuca hera, was observed in flight in both years and larvae were found at two ALE Reserve locations in April 1995. Common at the tum-of-the-century, its sagebrush habitat has declined significantly. This species does not oviposit on young plants; mature plants are required.

6. 3. 3 Central Hanford Prominent landforms surveyed include Gable Mountain, portions of the Hanford Reach, the Central Hanford Dunes, and Umtanum Ridge. The Hanford Dunes was the site of all non-ALE Reserve night surveys.

Butterflies Thirty-three butterfly species were identified within this unit. Four taxa (Juba Skipper, Bonneville Skipper, Purplish Copper, and Viceroy) have state Monitor status; all four are found in habitats along the Columbia River shoreline. Three of these species (Sachem skipper, Bonneville Skipper, and Large Wood Nymph) have not been found at the ALE Reserve. The Sachem and Large Wood Nymph are 1995 Hanford records.

38 6. 0 LEPIDOPTERA

Moths Nine of the moth taxa collected here were not collected at the ALE Reserve. A potential state record for phragmitella, collected at the Hanford Dunes, is being reviewed. Hanford records were established for Cossidae Givira comelia and Nuttall's Sheepmoth (Hemileuca nutta/li). The latter is a bitterbrush dependent species recorded in only five Washington counties, with many of these records decades old.

6. 3. 4 Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Areas inventoried were limited to the portion south and east of Highway 24.

Butterflies Twelve species were identified with limited sampling, and the habitat appears better than the species count indicates. One state Monitor species, the Viceroy, was found. In the early part of this century this butterfly was found as far north as Brewster on the Columbia River and irregularly in the Snake River system in areas bordered by Salix exigua or S. lasiolepis willows in dry steppe habitat. Both of these willow species are found at this unit.

6. 3. 5 Wahluke State Wildlife Recreation Area Areas surveyed include the White Bluffs Wasteway, Columbia River shoreline sites, White Bluffs I

Lake, seeps, drainage areas, and several shrub-steppe locations. j Eighteen butterfly species have been identified; seventeen are WRA records. Four species are state Monitor taxa: Juba Skipper, Perkins' Copper, Purplish Copper, and Viceroy. Identification of a few day-flying moths is pending. Night surveys of the WRA sand dunes could yield moth species similar ~ to those obtained in 1995 at the Hanford Sand Dunes. I 6.4 Conclusions and Further Inventory Needs Although only a small fraction of the Hanford Site was surveyed, extraordinary lepidopteran diversity was identified. Furthermore, each administrative unit appears to support several species not found in other areas. Further surveys in all areas will undoubtedly uncover many new species. The following areas need further inventory focus: • The Hanford Dunes have potential for additional Hanford, county, and state records. • Additional areas of the ALE Reserve for Hanford Site species and range extensions. • Gable Butte, Umtanurn and Yakima Ridges. • Much of Saddle Mountain NWR and Wahluke WRA have not yet been inventoried.

39 6. 0 LEPIDOPTERA

6.5 Management Considerations The following management considerations are offered to help insure the maintenance of the extraordinary lepidopteran diversity at Hanford: • The maintenance of the ALE Reserve as an undisturbed and ungrazed habitat is vital to a number of species of butterflies and moths. • The maintenance of natural water sources, which provide continuously damp soil for puddling, is critical to the health and population of some butterfly species. • The remaining sagebrush stands on the ALE Reserve are important habitat and should be maintained. • The Central Hanford dunes provide quality butterfly and moth habitat and may harbor several rare species. • Columbia River riparian habitat is important for a number of species. • Saddle Mountain NWR milkweed sites are important for monarch butterflies. An estimated 90% decline in northwestern Monarchs in recent years has made retention of known breeding areas along flyways extremely important. The Mid-Columbia region is one of the few known breeding areas for the Monarch within Washington State.

40 7.0 HERPETOFAUNA

7.1 Purpose and Scope As a unique addition to the Biodiversity Inventory for 1995, amphibian and reptile surveys were conducted on the Hanford Site. These surveys were designed as a preliminary Site-wide inventory to document the species that occur on the Hanford Site and the habitats they utilize. Special efforts were focused on locating species considered to be rare, threatened, sensitive, or declining. Prior to this study, amphibian and reptile research on the Hanford Site had been conducted mainly through site-specific, small-scale projects (Rickard 1968; Rodger and Rickard 1977; Folliard and Larson 1991, Fitzner 1988 and Marr et al. 1988). In general, all list.the presence of three amphibian and eight reptile species. These include: the Great Basin Spadefoot (Scaphiopus intermontanus), Woodhouse's Toad (Bufo woodhousii), Pacific Treefrog (Hy/a regilla), Short-homed Lizard (Phrynosoma doug/assi), Sagebrush Lizard (Sce/oporus graciosus), Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana), Racer (Co/uber constrictor), Gopher Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus), Striped Whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus), Night Snake (Hypsig/ena torquata) and Western Rattlesnake (Crota/us viridis). Two more frogs, the Western Toad (Bufo boreas) and the Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), the Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) and the Common Garter Snake had also been reported. Some of these sightings had not been confirmed in years (John Hall, personal communication) and the reported locations are often vague or absent. No formal studies had been conducted in the North Slope area of the Hanford Site (Fred Dobler, personal communication).

7.2 Methods Surveys took place periodically from March 3 to October 15, 1995. Eighty-three days were spent in the field, selected to match optimum weather conditions. In order to maximize sightings, a variety of methods were employed: • Visual Encounter Surveys VES consists of walking through areas, searching for animals on the surface, within vegetation and under cover objects. • Road Sampling RS consists of driving on roads at slow speeds and observing fauna. RS can yield species not detected using other survey methods. • Cover Boards CBs are materials placed on the ground in an area to attract amphibians and reptiles. In addition to plywood boards, pipe cut lengthwise was placed in the ground. • Drift Fence Arrays OFAs form a barrier that directs animals into traps. • Pitfall Traps PTs are containers placed in the ground flush with the surface. • Call Sampling CS is the identification of frog species by their mating calls. • Aquatic Funnel Traps AFTs are containers with funnel tops floating on the water surface. • Seines Seine trapping is the direct netting of aquatic species.

41 7. 0 HERPETOFAUNA

Survey areas and animals found were mapped on 7 ½ minute USGS topographic maps. This information is on file at The Nature Conservancy.

7 .3 Findings

7. 3. 1 Overview Three species of amphibian and nine species of reptiles were found. All the amphibians were frogs. The reptiles include three lizards, five snakes, and one turtle. Table 4 lists each species detected, the state and federal status, the management areas on which each was found and the relative abundance of each on the Hanford Site. Three Washington State Monitor Species were found: Woodhouse's Toad, Gopher Snake and the Night Snake. The Sagebrush Lizard is a federal Species of Concern. Woodhouse's Toads, Gopher Snakes and Sagebrush Lizards are common and occur across the site. Night Snakes are present but more data are needed before conclusions can be made about abundance. The following is a more detailed description by group.

7. 3. 2 Amphibians Although the three species of frogs found this year had previously been reported to occur on the Hanford Site, abundance and location data were limited. Surveys this year found Woodhouse's Toads and Great Basin Spadefoots to be common and widespread. Great Basin Spadefoots occur on all four units. Woodhouse's Toads were found on all management areas except the ALE Reserve. Usually found near water, some of each species were nearly a mile from any known water source.

Table 4. Amphibians and reptiles of the Hanford Site, 1995

Central Saddle Mt. Wahluke Common Name Status Abundance ALE Reserve Hanford NWR WRA Woodhouses's Toad SM common X X X Great Basin Spadefoot none common X X X X Bullfrog none unknown X? X Painted Turtle none unknown X Short-Homed Lizard none uncommon X X X X Sagebrush Lizard FSC common X X X Side-Blotched Lizard none common X X X X Racer none common X X X X Night Snake SM uncommon X X Gopher Snake SM common X X X X W. Terrestrial Garter none unknown X Snake Western Rattlesnake none common X X X X Note: Information from Hallock (1996). SM = State Monitor, FSC = Federal Species of Concern.

42 7. 0 HERPETOFAUNA

Bullfrogs, an introduced species to the Pacific Northwest, can have disastrous effects on native herpetofauna (Leonard et al. 1993). Bullfrogs were found on WRA in WB-10 Lake and in ponds along the Columbia River at the base of the White Bluffs. They may also occur on the Central Hanford side of the Columbia River in the sloughs. The presence of the Pacific Treefrog (Hy/a regilla) and the Western Toad (Bufo boreas) is reported at Hanford, but none were found this year. The Pacific Treefrog is the most widely distributed frog in Washington (Leonard et al. 1993) and probably does occur on the Hanford Site, most likely in wetlands along the Columbia River. Rogers and Rickard (1977) report Western Toads from the 200 area waste ponds. These ponds were not investigated, and many have been drained. The facts that no Western Toads were found this year and that this toad is not known to inhabit the more arid portions of the state (Leonard et al. 1993) suggest that reference to this toad may be an incorrect identification (i.e., Woodhouse's Toad). Although no salamanders were found, the possibility remains that both Tiger and Long-toed Salamanders may inhabit the site. Both species have been documented in Franklin and Grant Counties (Nussbaum et al. 1983) and Tiger salamanders have been found at the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, Adams County (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife).

7. 3. 3 Reptiles Lizards Side-blotched Lizards are the most common and wide-spread reptile on the Hanford Site, inhabiting natural and disturbed habitats. Sagebrush Lizards were found on all management areas except the ALE Reserve in a variety of sandy habitats (as described below). Few Short-horned Lizards were found. However, they were found on all four management areas. Horned Lizards are seldom abundant (Pianka and Parker 1975). On the ALE Reserve they-occupy the higher elevations of Rattlesnake Mountain and are reportedly common. On the North Slope and Central Hanford they were found primarily in dunes. This study failed to confirm rumors of Skinks (Eumeces skiltonianus) on the southwest end of Gable Mountain.

Sagebrush Lizards (Sceloporus graciosusJ The federal Species of Concern (former Candidate Category 2) Sagebrush Lizard is found in several vegetation types, such as sagebrush, bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus sp.) and snow desert buckwheat (Erigonum niveum), but almost always on sand (especially dunes). Sagebrush Lizards were found on all management areas except the ALE Reserve.

7. 3.4 Snakes Gopher Snakes, Racers and Western Rattlesnakes were all common and found on all four management areas. Racers were found in a variety of habitats including sagebrush, cheat grass and sand dunes. Rattlesnakes were found at the ALE Reserve primarily in rocky areas; on Central Hanford most sightings were on or near Gable Mountain. Rattlesnakes were seen on the Saddle Mountain NWR only in mud banks at the west end of the White Bluffs. On the Wahluke WRA one Rattlesnake was found on Sand Dune 3. Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sp.), including one identified as a Western Terrestrial Garter Snake (T e/egans), were found in the central ponds area (WRA). Two Night Snakes were found. In the

43

. i 7. 0 HERPETOFAUNA

Northwest, they are reported to occur in rocky areas (Nussbaum et al. 1983), but at Hanford this year they were found in sagebrush flats. Striped Whipsnakes, a Washington State Candidate Species, have been seen on the ALE Reserve and Central Hanford in previous years but were not found this year. Rubber Boas (Channa bottae) have not been reported from Hanford but are found in the surrounding counties (Nussbaum et al. 1983). The Biodiversity Inventory personnel describe a snake resembling a Rubber Boa on top of Saddle Mountain.

7.3.5 Turtles No living Painted Turtles were reported this year, but 2 remains were found in the wetland area near the boat launch (WRA).

7.4 Further Inventory Needs This study represents only an initial reconnaissance-level survey of the Hanford Site. More intensive surveys are necessary in all areas to fully document amphibian and reptile use of the Hanford Site. Ponds at the base of the White Bluffs along the Columbia River (in the Wahluke WRA) were found late in the field season. These ponds do not appear on topographic maps, but are visible from the top of the White Bluffs. These ponds appear to be Northern Leopard Frog habitat. Little information exists on Striped Whipsnakes. Efforts to capture and follow even one to its den, using radio-telemetry, may reveal important information about the Hanford population.

7.5 Conclusions and Management Considerations The Hanford Site, in general, has a low diversity of amphibian and reptile species. This is probably due to its location at the northern edge of the ranges for many of the species (Nussbaum et al. 1983) and the aridity of the area. However, four herptile species of federal or state concern, and seven other typical native shrub-steppe species are present in appropriate abundance. The lack of development on the Hanford Site has preserved large tracks of native habitat allowing these amphibian and reptile species to remain present. All amphibians and reptiles are vulnerable to habitat alterations, especially those effecting reproduction and hibernation. The following management practices would help ensure the long-term maintenance of the Hanford herpetofauna: • Discourage vehicle use at night especially during the breeding and fall dispersal ofWoodhouse's Toad and Great Basin Spadefoot. This should also limit mortality of Gopher Snakes. • Protect talus slopes, the west end of the White Bluffs and the surrounding habitat corridors. These areas are used by rattlesnakes and are likely to support other snakes as well. • Protect sandy and sand dune areas. Eight of 12 species found utilize these habitats. • Maintain undisturbed habitat corridors around all wetland areas. Most of the frogs were found in the vicinity of these wetland areas and depend on them for breeding. • Monitor the effects of water manipulation and artificial water sources on amphibians. • Maintain a detailed data base of amphibians and reptiles sighted by field researchers.

44 8.0 STATUS OF THE HANFORD SITE BIODIVERSITY INVENTORY

Initially, the grant received by The Nature Conservancy from the Department of Energy was for three years of field study and analysis. To date, less than one-third of the original grant total has been awarded. Despite private fund-raising efforts, these cuts have severely limited the scope of the 1995 inventory and eliminated the entire 1996 field season. The Nature Conservancy hopes to go forward with as much of the remaining inventory as possible, as funding is secured. The 1994 and 1995 surveys provided extensive and striking data on several components of biodiversity, but other components should be added to expand our understanding ofHanford's biology and its relative importance to the overall shrub-steppe ecosystem of the Columbia Basin. Further inventories in all subject areas will continue to fill gaps in basic inventory. Especially by covering Central Hanford, the Biodiversity Inventory and Analysis may provide information crucial to land-use management decisions soon to be made with regard to cleanup activities.

Table 5. Status ofBiodiversity Inventory, May 1996

Subject Area Original Proposal Work Completed as of May 1996 Plant communities Map all administrative units ALE Reserve, North Slope, Hanford for type and condition Reach maooed Rare plants Survey all potential areas at 10% of total area, approximately moderate intensity 66% of most likely areas Insects Inventory of all units the ALE Reserve and scattered sarnpline; in other units Birds 3 years of surveys, all units 2 years each, the ALE Reserve, North Slope and Hanford Reach Small mammals Inventory of all units None Amphibians and Inventory of all units I year of reconnaissance surveys reptiles only

With additional funding, The Nature Conservancy will: • Create a much needed plant community map of Central Hanford, • Continue the work in progress on birds, rare plants, insects and amphibians, and • Pursue studies of small mammals and non-vascular plants.

Finishing the community map and rare plant inventories are probably the most important missing pieces for planning purposes. Inventories for the Pygmy rabbit, a state Endangered species, and the Washington ground squirrel, a federal Species of Concern, are warranted for the Hanford Site given the variety and condition of habitats present. A small mammal inventory could also shed light on the abundance of raptors and owls, which prey on small mammals. Non-vascular plants, including lichens, liverworts and mosses, are seldom-studied organisms. These plants play an important role in

45 8.0 STATUS OF THE HANFORD SITE BIODIVERSITY INVENTORY

the ecology of the shrub-steppe by increasing infiltration and decreasing evaporation of soil moisture; limiting soil erosion, and fixing nitrogen. Whether or not all of the proposed inventories will be carried out remains to be seen. However, because of the comprehensive nature of this inventory, it should not be substituted for smaller-scale environmental assessments needed for site-specific projects or cleanup activities. Projects of this type may require more detail in surveying for rare species. In addition, the Biodiversity Inventory presents a picture of Hanford's biology over a narrow window in time. It should be recognized that habitats and species can shift in size or location through time.

46 9.0 CONCLUSIONS

Findings from the 1994 and 1995 Biodiversity Inventory show that the 362,000-acre Hanford Site is home to an irreplaceable natural legacy. Within its mosaic of habitats, Hanford supports a wealth of relatively unaltered and increasingly uncommon native habitats, the size and quality of which are simply unequaled within the Columbia Basin. Not surprisingly, significant numbers of ecosystems, plants, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects, many of which are rare or in decline in Washington, were found to be associated with or dependent on these habitats. In its present condition, the Hanford Site is not only a refuge, but a genetic bank for both the common and unusual plants and animals that comprise the shrub-steppe ecosystem. From a conservation standpoint, the Hanford Site is a vital- and perhaps the single most important-link in preserving and sustaining the diverse plants and animals of this region. In the coming years, major land-use decisions will dictate the future of the Hanford Site, the most immediate of which include: • Stewardship of the 75 ,000-acre Arid Lands Ecology Reserve. • Methods and locations to be used for environmental cleanup and restoration. • Transfers of ownership as cleanup and restoration are completed. • Potential designation of the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River (including parts of the Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge and the Wahluke State Wildlife Recreation Area) as a National Wild and Scenic River.

For all these reasons, an uncertain fate remains for the native habitats and species protected under the current stewardship of the Department of Energy. As Hanford Site land-use decisions are debated, the DOE and potential future land stewards should consider these basic questions: • What is the value of native biodiversity? • How important is protecting the region's best remaining representation of an unfragmented, native shrub-steppe ecosystem? • What types of land management will not sacrifice the ecological integrity of that ecosystem? • Which specific portions of the Hanford Site contain its most significant ecological features?

It is hoped that the exceptional ecological values of the Hanford Site, and the findings from this Biodiversity Inventory, will be given full consideration as those land-use decisions are made.

47 J 10.0 REFERENCES

Caplow, F.E. and K.A. Beck. 1995. A rare plant survey of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. The Nature Conservancy, Seattle, Washington (unpublished report). Caplow, F.E. and K.A. Beck. 1996. A rare plant survey of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. The Nature Conservancy, Seattle, Washington (unpublished report). Christy, J.A. and J.A. Putera. 1993. Lower Columbia River Natural Area inventory. Report to The Nature Conservancy of Washington, Seattle, Washington. 74pp. Dobler, F. And J. Eby. 1990. An Introduction to the Shrub-Steppe of Eastern Washington. Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, Washington. Downs, J.L., W .H. Rickard, C.A. Brandt, L.L. Cadwell, C.E. Cushing, D.R. Geist, R.M. Mazaika, D.A. Neitzel, L.E. Rogers, M.R. Sackschewsky, and J.J. Nugent. 1993. Habitat Types on the Hanford Site: Wildlife and Plant Species of Concern. PNL-8942/UC-702. Fitzner, R.E. 1988. Cold-Blooded Vertebrates at the Proposed Reference Repository Location in Southeastern Washington. PNL-6440, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, Washington. Folliard, Lee B. and John H. Larsen, Jr. 1991. Distibution and Status of Shrub-Steppe Reptiles on the Hanford Reservation (Washington State). Nongarne Wildlife Program, Washington Department ofWildlife, Olympia, Washington. Halleck, L.A. 1995. Inventory of Amphibians and Reptiles at the Hanford Site. The Nature Conservancy, Seattle, Washington (unpublished report). Hanson, W .C. and L. Eberhardt. 1971. A Columbia River Canada Goose population. Wildl. Monograph No. 28. Henry, T.J and R.C. Froesschner (eds.) 1988. Catalog of the Heteroptera, or true bugs, of Canada and the continental United States. E.J. Brill, N.Y. 958pp. Hinds, N.R. and L.E. Rogers. 1991. Ecological Perspective of Land Use History: the Arid Lands Ecology Reserve. PNL-7750. Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, Washington. Hitchcock, C.L. and A. Cronquist. 1973. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press. Seattle, Washington. Hitchcock, C.L., A. Cronquist, M. Owenby and J.W. Thompson. 1955- 1969. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest, Volumes 1-5. University of Washington Press, Seattle, Washington. Jolley, R. 1995. Botanist, Oregon. Personal communication. Kemp, L. 1995. Botanist, formerly for the USFS, Mt. Hood National Forest. Personal communication. Kunze, L. 1994. Preliminary classification of native, low elevation, freshwater wetland vegetation in western Washington. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, Washington. Landeen, D.S. 1992. Status of birds at the Hanford site in southeastern Washington. WHC-EP- 0402. Westinghouse Hanford Co., Richland, Washington.

49 10. 0 REFERENCES

Leonard, W.P., H.A. Brown, L.L.C. Jones, K.R McAllister and RM. Storm. 1993. Amphibians of Washington and Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society, Seattle, Washington. Lindsey, K. 1994. Geologist, Bechtel Corporation, Richland, Washington. Personal communication. Marr, N.V., C.A. Brandt, R.E. Fitzner, and L.D. Poole. 1988. Habitat Associations of Vertebrate Prey Within the Controlled Area Study Zone. PNL-6495, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, Washington. National Geographic Society. 1987. Field Guide to the Birds of North America. 2nd Edition. 464 pp. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 1994. Climatological data - Washington. January-June 1994. Vol. 98, #1-#6. National Park Service Study Team. 1994. Final EIS on the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River. National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior. Newcomb, R.C. 1958. Ringold Formation of Pleistocene Age in Type Locality. The White Bluffs, Washington. Am. J. of Scie~ce, V. 256: 328-340. Nature Conservancy, The. 1995. Biodiversity Inventory and Analysis of the Hanford Site. R Pabst (ed.). The Nature Conservancy of Washington, Seattle, Washington (unpublished report). Nussbaum, R.A., E.D. Brodie, Jr., and R.M. Storm. 1983. Amphibians and Reptiles of the Pacific Northwest. University ofldaho Press, Moscow, Idaho. O'Farrell, T.P. 1973. Project ALE, a natural desert community. Pacific Search, July 1973. Oregon Natural Heritage Program. 1993. Rare, threatened and endangered plants and animals of Oregon. Oregon Natural Heritage Program, Portland, Oregon. · Pacific Northwest Laboratory. 1995. Climatological data, January through June, Hanford Meteorology Station. Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, Washington. Pacific Northwest Laborato.ry. 1993. Arid Lands Ecology (ALE) Facility Management Plan. PNL- 8506. Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, Washington. Partners in Flight. 1994. Neotropical migratory landbird monitoring project directory. Pyle, RM. 1989. Washington Butterfly Conservation Status Report and Plan. Washington State Department of Wildlife Nongame Program, Olympia, Washington. Rickard, W.H. 1968. "Field Observations on the Altitudinal Distribution of the Side-Blotched Lizard." Northwest Sci. 42:161-164. Rickard, W.H., W.C. Hanson, and RE. Fitzner. 1982. The non-fisheries biological resources of the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River. Northwest Science 56(1):62-76. Rickard, W.H. and C.E. Cushing. 1982. Recovery of streamside woody vegetation after exclusion of livestock grazing. Journal of Range Management 35(3): 360-361. Rickard, W.H. , Hanson, W.C. , and R.E. Fitzner. 1982. The non-fisheries biological resources of the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River. Northwest Science 56:62-76. Rogers, L.E. 1975. A survey of darkling beetles in desert steppe vegetation after a decade. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer. 68: 1069-70 Rogers, L.E., and W.H. Rickard. 1977. Ecology of the 200 Area Plateau Waste Management Environs: A Status Report. PNL-2253, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, Washington.

50 10. 0 REFERENCES

Rogers, L.E., N. Woodley, J.K. Sheldon and V.A. Uresk. 1978. Darkling beetle populations (Tenebrionidae) of the Hanford Site in southcentral Washington. PNL- 2465 . Sackschewsky, M.R. 1992. Biological assessment for rare and endangered plant species, related to CERCLA characterization activities. WHC-EP-0526, Westinghouse Hanford Company, Richland, Washington. Sackschewsky, M.R., D.S. Landeen, G.I. Baird, W.H. Rickard, and J.L. Downs. 1992. Vascular plants on the Hanford Site. WHC-EP-0554, Westinghouse Hanford Company, Richland, Washington. Salstrom, D. and J. Gehring. 1994. Report on the status of Rorippa co/umbiae. Unpublished report on file at the Washington Natural Heritage Program office in Olympia and The Nature Conservancy of Washington, Seattle, Washington. Salstrom, D. and R. Easterly 1996. Riparian plant communities: south shore and islands of the Columbia River on the Hanford Site, Washington. The Nature Conservancy of Washington, Seattle, Washington (unpublished report). Thie, C. 1995. Botanist, Klickitat County, Washington. Personal communication. U.S. Anny Corps of Engineers. 1976. Inventory of riparian habitats and associated wildlife along the Columbia and Snake rivers. Vol 4a, 4b, College of Forest Resources, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. Sponsored by the U.S. Anny Corps of Engineers, Pacific Northwest Division. United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 1993. "Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants: review of plant taxa for listing as endangered or threatened species; notice of review," Federal Register, Volume 58, No. 188 (September 30, 1993). WAC, Chapter 16-750. 1994. State noxious weed list and schedule of monetary penalties. Olympia, Washington. Washington Natural Heritage Program. 1994. Endangered, threatened and sensitive vascular plants of Washington. Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, Washington. Washington Natural Heritage Program. 1993/5. Natural Heritage Plan. State of Washington Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, Washington. Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. 1995 . Priority habitats and species list. State of Washington. Wilderman, D.L. 1994. Plant communities of the Fitzner/Eberhardt Arid Lands Ecology Reserve and the North Slope of the Hanford Site: Findings of the 1994 inventory. Unpublished report on file at The Nature Conservancy of Washington, Seattle, Washington.

51 11.0 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Nature Conservancy wishes to thank the many people who contributed in a variety of ways to the 1994 and 1995 Hanford Biodiversity Inventory. For the sake of brevity, they are simply listed here.

Batte/le - Pacific Northwest Laboratories Washington Natural Heritage Program Dr. Larry Cadwell Chris Chappell Janelle Downs Rex Crawford Terrie Emory John Gamon John Hall Jack McMillen Susan Magnuson Debra Salstrom Georgeanne O'Conner Mark Sheehan Dr. Bill Rickard Betty Stevens Dr. Lee Rogers Western Washington University GIS Lab Mary Ann Simmons Andy Boyce JeffStocum Gene Hoerauf Susan Thorsten Elissa Kalla Rhett Zufelt Central Washington University GIS Lab U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ken Rauscher David Goeke Botanical Expertise Randy Hill Susan Aileen, Canadian Museum of Nature William Radke Dr. Rupert Barneby, N.Y. Botanical Garden U.S. Bureau ofLand Management Dr. Alva Day, CA. Acad. Sciences Pam Camp Janet Ebaugh, Umatilla Tribe U.S. Department of Energy Dr. Ronald Hartman, Univ. Wyoming Melanie Fletcher Dr. Walt Kelley, Mesa State College Doug Hildebrand Dr. Robert Meinke, Oregon St. Univ. Dana Ward Dr. Leon Pavlick, B.C. Provincial Museum John Hall J.L. Reveal, Univ. Maryland Washington Department of Fish and Kali Robson, Y akama Tribe Wildlife Dr. Reed Rollins, Harvard Univ. Fred Dobler Dr. Stanley Welch, Brigham Young Univ. Lisa Fitzner Barabra Wilson, Oregon St. Univ. Ron Friesz Ornithological Expertise Robert Kent Robert Boekelheide Tom Owens Jeanne Crawford Scott Richardson Mike Denny Lauri Vigue Daniel Kinney Westinghouse Hanford Company Scott Ray Mike Sackschewsky (now with Dr. Mitch Rohlfs PNL) Susan Stepniewski Robert Woodley

53 11.0 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Collaborators for Insect Identification Akre, Dr. R. D., Dept. of Entomology, Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) Alexander, Dr. B., Dept. of Entomology, Univ. of Kansas, Lawrence, KA (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) Ball, Dr. George E., Dept. of Entomology, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Barr, Dr. W. F., Dept. of Entomology, Univ. ofldaho, Moscow, ID (Coleoptera: Cleridae) Brown, Dr. B., Dept. of Entomology, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, Los Angeles, CA (Diptera: Phoridae) Camras, Dr. Sidney, Chicago, IL (Diptera: Conopidae) Chandler, Dr. D. S., Dept. of Entomology, Univ. of New Hampshire, Durham, NH (Coleoptera: Anthicidae) Cone, Dr. W., Washington State Univ., Prosser, WA (Lepidoptera) Darling, Dr. C., Dept. of Entomology, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada (Hymenoptera: Perilampidae) Eger, Dr. J. E., Tampa, FL (Heteroptera: Scutelleridae) Gibson, Dr. G. CLBRR., Biological Resources Division, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Canada (Hymenoptera: Eupelimidae) Griffiths, Dr. G. C. D., Dept. of Entomology, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) Grissell, Dr. E.E. USDA, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC (Hymenoptera: Toryrnidae) Griswold, T., USDA, Bee Biology Lab., Utah State Univ., Logan, UT (Hymenoptera) Hamilton, Dr. K. G. A., CLBRR., Biological Resources Division, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) Hammond, Dr. P, Dept. of Entomology, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, 9R (Lepidoptera) Hanson, Dr. W ., Dept. of Biology, Utah State Univ., Logan, UT (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Heffern, D. J. , Houston, TX (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Hinchliff, J., Northwest Lepidopterist Association (Lepidoptera) Hodkinson, Dr. Ian, School of Biological and Earth Sciences, John Moores Univ., Liverpool, United Kingdom (Homoptera: Psyllidae) Hoffinan, Dr. R. L., Virginia Museum of Natural History, Martinsville, VA (Chilopoda) Johnson, Dr. C. D., Dept. of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona Univ., Flagstaff, AZ, (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) Johnson, Dr. J., Dept. of Entomology, Univ. ofldaho, Moscow, ID (Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae) Johnson, Dr. P. J., South Dakota State Univ., Brookings, SD (Coleoptera: Elateridae) Kimsey, Dr. L., Univ. of California- Riverside, Riverside, CA (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae) Kissinger, Dr. D., Loma Linda Univ., Loma Linda, CA (Coleoptera:Apionidae) LaBerge, Dr. W ., Dept. of Entomology, Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, IL (Hymenoptera:Andrenidae) Lago, Dr. Paul, Dept. of Biology, Univ. of Mississippi, MS (Coleoptera: Silphidae and Scarabaeidae)

54 11 .0 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Larson, Dr. D., Dept. of Biology, Memorial Univ., St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) Maldonado, Dr. J., Univ. of Puerto Rico, Cayey, PR (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) Manley. Dr. D., Dept. of Entomology, Clemson Univ., Clemson, SC (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) Marshall, Dr. S., Dept. of Environmental Biology, Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae) McCorkle, Dr. D., Dept. of Entomology, Western Oregon State College, Monmouth, OR (Lepidoptera) Miller, Dr. W. Modesto, CA (Coleoptera: Heterocidae) O'Brian, Dr. L., Tallahasse, FL (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea) Pape, Dr. T., Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden (Diptera:Sarcophagidae) Pelham, J.P., Curator of Lepidoptera, Burke Museum, Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA (Lepidoptera) Pike, Dr. K.P. Washington State Univ., Prosser, WA (Hymenoptera) Pyle, Dr. R.M ., founder, Xerces Society (a butterfly conservation organization) Rider, Dr. D., Dept. of Zoology, N. Dakota State Univ. Fargo, ND (Heteroptera: Pentatornidae) Rust, Dr. R., Dept. of Biology, Univ. of Nevada, Reno, NV (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) Sabrosky, Dr. Curtis, USDA, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC (Diptera: Chloropidae) Schwartz, Dr. M., CLBRR, Biological Resources Division, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Heteroptera: Miridae) Sharkov, Dr. A., Dept. of Entomology, Ohio State Univ., Columbus, OH (Coleoptera:Tenebrionidae) Shpeley, Dr. D., Dept. of Entomology, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Shepard, Dr. J., adjunct Curator of Lepidoptera, Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (Lepidoptera) Staines, Dr. C. L., Edgewater, MD (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Triplehorn, Dr. C. A., Dept. of Entomology, Ohio State Univ., Columbus, OH (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Valenti, Dr. M. A., Dept. of Entomology, Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (Coleoptera: Cicindellidae) Webb, Dr. D., Dept. of Entomology, Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, IL (Diptera: Therevidae) Wheeler, Dr. T. A., Dept. of Environmental Biology, Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae) Wilson Dr. S., Central Missouri State Univ., Warrensburg, MO (Homoptera:Fulgoroidea) Wilterding, J., Dept. of Entomology, Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI (Lepidoptera)

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