File Code: Date: Jufy 15,2015. Route To: Subject: Misery Hill Trail Project

Aneela Abel

This biological evaluation considers the effects of constructing a new trail within the Weaverville Basin Trail System (WBTS). The legal description of the proposed trail is in Section 30, of T34N, R9W and Section 25 of T34N, R10W (Mount Diablo Meridian) in Trinity County, California. The location may be found on the Rush Creek Lakes Quadrangle (#6673).

The proposed project would create 0.26 miles of new trail (Misery Hill Trail) on Forest Service lands within the WBTS. This will connect to new portions of Misery Hill Trail on non-Forest Service lands, bypassing the 34N01YC road, which is part of the WBTS. This road is very steep and experiences deep rutting every year due to rain runoff and recreational use. The trail will be open to non-motorized use only which includes hiker, mountain bike, and equestrian. All work will be done using non-motorized and non-mechanical equipment. All new trail segments will be constructed to standards described in Forest Service Handbook 2309.18. Trail Maintenance Handbook. Work is expected to begin in September of 2015 and be completed within the same month. This proposal would also include future routine maintenance of the trail.

Current management direction mandates conservation of several categories of rare plants on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Endangered and Threatened species are those listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1913. There are no federally listed Endangered or Threatened plants known to occur on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. On July 18, 2011, Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) was designated as a candidate for federal listing by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and has been added to Forest sensitive species list. Sensitive species are those vascular plant, bryophye, lichen, and fungi species eligible for listing under the Endangered Species Act, or whose viability is of concern. These are protected by USDA Forest Service regulations and Manual direction. The Region 5 Sensitive Plant List was updated and signed in July 2013. Forest Plan Endemic species are rare species confined wholly or mostly to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. These are afforded the same protection as Sensitive species by direction in the Forest Plan Watchlist species are those that do not meet the criteria to be included on the Regional Forester's Sensitive Plant List or the Land Resource Mangement Plan, but are of sufficient local viability concern to be considered in the planning process.

The proposed trail traverses dry-mixed conifer early- to mid-seral forest dominated by Douglas ftr (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Jeffery pine (Pinus jeffreyi), and a few sugar ptnes (Pinus lambertiana). Canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis) and California black oak (Quercus kellogii) make up the understory. The forest is very dry and shrubs and forbs are sparse. The forb layer consisted of some natives, but mostly non-native Eupopean grasses and native patchy stands of Roamer's and California fescue. Elevation range is between 2800 to 3300 feet. No old- growth, riparian area, or serpentine soils are present.

The California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) and the SHF Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive database were checked on June 1. 2015 and we have no known Forest Sensitive or Watchlist botanical occurrences in the project area. There is a known occurance of Cyprepedium fasiculatum withing two air miles of the project area. Pre-field review reveals that suitable habitat may occur in the project area for Sensitive botanical species, Veiny arnica (Arnica venosa), Northern clarkia (Clarkiaborealis ssp. borealls), Brownie lady's slipper (Cypripedium fasciculatum), Mountain lady's slipper (Cypripedium montanum) and Watchlist botanical species, white-flowered rein orchid (Piperia candida). (See Appendix A. for Forest Sensitive species that were eliminated from further consideration in this project . Field surveys for Forest Sensitive and Watchlist botanical species and invasive plant species were completed on June 24,2015 by Jenny Cribbs and Matt Silveria. There was no suitable habitat found in the project areafor Arnica venosa, Clarkia boredlis ssp. borealis, Cypripedium fasciculatum,Cypripedium montanum and Watchlist botanical species, and Piperia candida. and no occurences of Sensitive or Watchlist botanical species were found during surveys.

The project area is.within the Weaverville Community Forest which had past mining activites during the last century. Both C. fasciculatum and C. montanumhave specific mycorhizal associations that may no longer be present due to past human disturbances such as logging, grazing and mining activities.

Determination Based on the results of surveys for Sensitive and Watchlist botanical species and the absence of suitable habitat for Sensitive and Watchlist botanical species, it is my determination the Misery Hill Trail Project will not affect Arnica venosa, Clarkia borealis ssp. borealis, Cypripedium fasciculatum,Cypripedium montanum and Piperia candida .

Survey and Manage Species

Category A&C Species

The following species must be considered for all ground-disturbing activities within the range of the northern spotted owl as defined bv the Northwest Forest Plan. P tilidium califo rnic um Pacific fuzzwort non-vascular/liverwort non-vascular/moss non-vascular/moss mountain ladv's-sl vascular fascicled ladv's-sl

mountain moonwort vasculart olant Buxbaumia viridis non-vascular/moss

Field surveys to determine presence/absence must be done prior to project implementation for any of these species in which suitable habitat is present and there will be a significant negative effect to habitat or persistence of any of these species at the proposed site. All species except Eucephalus vialis, Tetraphis geniculata and Shistostegia pennata are currently also on the Regional Forester's Sensitive Species list and receive protections as Sensitive species. Although the 2001 Record of Decision (ROD) identifies potential habitat for Tetraphis geniculata, Shistostegia pennata, and Eucephalus vialis within the California Klamath Province, these species are found in moister, more coastal habitats than those found on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. There is no suitable habitat for those species on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest or within the proposed project area.

The 2001 ROD requires management of known sites of any Category A, B, or E species and high-priority sites of Category C or D species. High-priority sites are those that are needed to provide for reasonable assurance of species persistence. No survey and manage species have known sites within the project area.

2001 Category B Fungi Survey Requirement

Project level field surveys must be completed October 1,2010 and after for proposed actions that expect to result in ground disturbance within suitable old-growth habitat for 58 Category B Survey and Manage fungi species inZ00I,listed in Appendix B. Surveys must be completed to specified protocols. There is no suitable old-growth habitat for these species in the project area.

Manage Known Sites Requirement

Category A through E species require known sites to be managed to provide for a reasonable assurance of species persistence on the site. There are no known Category A-E Survey and Manage species within the proposed project area.

From the field and NAIP imagery and field observations, the project arca does not contain the elements of canopy closure, host trees, woody debris and microsite conditions to support any SM species of plants, lichens, or fungi. It is my determination that, since there are no known sites and no suitable habitat for S&M plants, lichens, or fungi species in the project area, the Misery Hill Trail Project is in compliance with the 2001 Survey and Manage ROD.

Non-Native Invasive Plant Species

Invasive plants have the potential to threaten ecosystem integrity and degrade wildlife habitat by displacing and competitively excluding native species from local plant communities. There is increased potential for invasive plant species to be introduced and spread into the forest environment from recreation residences because of hieh visitation from outside areas and environments.

Armenian Blackberry (Rubus armteniacus), a Priority non-native invasive plant species, was found in the project area. This is a new infestation and, at the time of survey, covered an area of approximately two meters. Armenian Blackberry may grow up to four meters ayear, expanding quickly across the landscape, displacing native plants, and producing inpenetrable thickets that hinder access.

To minimize future introduction and spread of Armenian Blackberry and other invasive, non- native plant species, the following permit conditions are recommended: Brush off or wash wheelbarrows, boots, pants, and other equipment to minimize the spread of invasive plant seed to and from the Misery Hill Trail Project site.

Retain native vegetation in and around project activity to the maximum extent possible consistent with project objectives.

Minimize soil disturbance to the extent practical, consistent with project objectives.

o Forest Partner needs to remove the Armenian Blackberry two-meter area by digging out the root organ along the proposed trail.

Westside Botanist Appendix A. Sensitive & endemic plant species known or suspected to occur on the west side of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, including Big Bar, Hayfork, Weaverville, & Yolla Bolla Ranger Districts. July, 2013. Species eliminated from further consideration in this project are indicated anda rationale ided Species Habitat & Rationale for Eliminating From Potential for Consideration Presence in Proiect Area Vascular Plants Anisocarpus scabrida Rocky, open subalpine slopes. 5500- No ( = Raillardio p s i s s c ab rida ) 7500 feet elev. North Coast Ranges & rough raillardella southern Cascades. Too low in G2G3 S2S3 elevation. Botrychium crenulatum Saturated wetland soils and stream edges, often No Dainty moonwort among dense, herbaceous vegetation. Partly to G3 52.2 heavily shaded sites,4700-12000 feet. No riparian areas present. Botrychium minganense Meadows, open forest along streams or around No Mingan moonwort seeps. Partly to heavily shaded sites, 4900- 1 1000 G4G5 S1.2 feet. No riparian areas present. Botrychium pinnatum Moist fields, shrubby slopes. Partly to heavily No Northwestern moonwort shaded sites,6200-9200 feet. No riparian areas G4 S1.3 present. Ponderosa pine woodland with Arctostaphylos sp., Brodiaea rosea Ceanothus cuneatus. Penstemon Indian valley brodiaea filifulius, Erigeron sp. Trinity County near Stoney No G2 / 52. tB.r Creek Campground and Stonewall Pass Rd.2500 ft. No serpentine soils present. Campanula wilkinsiana Streambanks &springs in red fir and subalpine No Wilkins' harebell forests: 5500-8600 feet elev. G2 52,2 No riparian areas present. C haenac ti s s uffrute s c en s Rocky open slopes, cobbly river terraces; on No Shasta chaenactis ultramafic soils or glacial till w/ ultramafics G3 53 included. 2600-7500 feet. Southern & eastern Klamath Ranges and Cascade Range of CA. No serpentine soils present. Clarkia borealis ssp. borealis Foothill woodlands and forest margins. 1300-2600 Yes northern clarkia feet. Eastern Trinity and W. Shasta Co. Early seral G3 53 openings in chaparral, woodlands, and forest maintained by light disturbance; 1300-4400 feet. Cy p r i p e dium fa s c i c ul at um Shady mixed conifer or oak forests on a variety of Yes Brownie lady's slipper soil types, often but not always associated with G4 54.2 streams; (300) 1300-6600 feet elev. Widespread but sporadic. Species Habitat & Rationale for Eliminating From Potential for Consideration Presence in Project Area Cypripedium montanum Shady mixed conifer or oak forests on a variety of Yes mountain lady's slipper soil types, often but not always associated with G4 54.2 streams; (650) 1300-6000 feet elev. Widespread but sporadic. Draba carnosula Subalpine coniferous forest on high elevation No Mt. Eddy draba ridges and summits on rocky ultramafic or granitic G2 52.2 soils. 6000 to 9900 feet. No serpentine soils present. Epilobium oreganum Wet, gently sloping stream banks, meadows, & No Oregon willow herb bogs, generally on ultramafic soil. 1800-5900 feet. G2 518.2 Coast and Klamath Ranges of California. No sernentine soils nresent. Eriastrum tracyi Westside Shasta-Trinity populations found on dry, No Tracy's woolly-stars gravelly to loamy soils on flats and benches, in G3 54.2 habitats where chamise or chaparral would be expected. 1000 to 5400 feet. North Coast and Klamath Ranges south of Hayfork. Out of seosraphic range. Eriogonum ursinum var. North facing rocky ridges and openings within No erubescens montane shrub communities. on ultramafic or blushing wild buckwheat metamorphic soils. 4200-6200 feet. No G3G4T2 S2.3 sernentine soils present. Erythronium citrinum Mixed conifer forest on ultramafic or granitic soils. No var. roderickii 2900-4000 feet elev. Trinity & Scott Mountains. Scott Mountain fawn lily Out of geographic range. G4Tl S1.3 Eucephalus vialis Openings in dry, conifer/hardwood forest, No Wayside aster serpentine-influenced conifer forest with a dense G3 S1.2 grass and forb cover. 1800-5000 feet. Western Klamath Ranges and North Coast Ranges. No serpentine soils present. Frasera umpquaensis Gravelly openings in cool, moist Douglas-fir/white No Umpqua green gentian fir forest. 5000-6000 feet elev. South Fork G3 52.2 Mountain, Trinity Co., & SW OR. Elevation too low. Harmonia doris -nile siae Serpentine openings in chaparal and Jeffrey pine No Niles'madia forest, often on roadsides. 2100-5500 feet elev. G2 S1B.1 Rattlesnake Creek Terrane (M26lAu) of southern Klamath Ranges. No serpentine soils present. Harmonia stebbinsii Rocky ultramafic semi-barrens with Jeffrey pine, No Stebbins'madia gray pine, & shrubs. 2100-6000 feet elev. G2 52.2 Southern Klamath Ranges & Inner N Coast Ranges. No serpentine soils present.

Species Habitat & Rationale for Eliminating From Potential for Consideration Presence in Proiect Area Iliamna latibracteata Fire-created and natural openings in Coast Range No California globe mallow conifer forest. 4500 - 6600 feet. South Fork G3 52.2 Mountain. Out of geographic range. Lewis ia kello g gii ssp. hutchisonii Decomposed granite, slate, volcanic rubble, conifer No Hutchison's lewisia forest. 5900-7000 feet. Elevation too low. G4T2T3 S2S3 Leptosiphon nuttallii ssp. Open Jeffrey pine/incense cedar woodland on a No howellii (=Linanthus n. ssp. h.) variety of soils, but usually on ultramafic soil. Tedoc Mountain linanthus 4000-5000 feet elev. Localized around the base of G5T2 32 Tedoc Mountain, Tehama Co. Out of geographic range.

Minuartia rosei Rocky peridotite slopes and openings among shrubs No Peanut sandwort and Jeffrey pine/incense cedar woodland. 2500- G3 54.2 5800 feet. Rattlesnake Creek Terrane (M261Au) of southern Klamath Ranges. Out of geographc range.

Minuartia stoloniftra Rocky ultramafic soils; montane mixed conifer No Scott Mountain sandwort forest above 3800 feet elev. Scott Mountain. No Gl s1.3 serpentine soils present.

Ophioglossum pusillum Periodically flooded wet meadows and lake No Northern adder's tongue margins. 3600-6600 feet. Eastern Klamath Range G5 S1.2 and upper N. Coast Range. No riparian areas present.

Parnassia cirrata var. Wet seeps and meadows in ultramifc soils. 2500- No intermedia 6800 feet. Klamath Ranges. No serpentine soils fringed grass-of-parnassus present. G5T2T3 52 Penstemonfilifurmis Rocky openings in lower montane conifer forest on No thread-leaf beardtongue ultramafic soils. 2000-6000 feet elev. Trinity G3 S3.3 Mountains. No serpentine soils present.

Penstemon tracyi Rock outcrops above 6500 feet. Elevation is too No Tracy's beardtongue high. G1 S1.2

Pinus albicaulis Subalpine to alpine forest between 7000 and 9500 No Whitebark pine; G3 feet. Elevation is too high.

Species Habitat & Rationale for Eliminating From Potential for Consideration Presence in Proiect Area Phacelia Rreenei Gravelly sementinized slopes & forest openings. No Scott Valley phacelia 5000-7000 feet elev. Scott Mountain. No G2 52.2 serpentine soils present. Raillardella pringlei Wet ultramafic meadows, seeps and streambanks. No showy raillardella Elev. 4000-7500 feet. Klamath Ranges in northern G2 52.2 Trinity Co and Siskiyou Co. No serpentine soils present. Sedum obtusatum ssp. paradisum Rock outcrops in forest or woodland openings. 960- No Canyon Creek stonecrop 6500 feet elev. Southern Klamath Ranges of CA G4G5T1 S1.2 No large rock outcrops present. Silene salmonacea Serpentine or iron-rich soils in natural or early-seral No Klamath Mtns catchflv gaps in mid to late-seral mixed conifer or mixed GIGZ S1S2.2 conifer-oak forest, including road cuts. 2500-3800 feet. Klamath Ranges in n. Trinity County. No serpentine soils present. S t re p tanthus oblanc e o lat us Open cliffs, bluffs, and rock walls within the No Trinity River jewelfl ower Trinity River Gorge near HumboldrTrinity County Gl 51 divide. 1300 feet, elevation range could be broader. Out of geosraphic area. Bryophytes-Sensitive Buxbaumia viridis Large diameter coarse woody debris in advanced No bug-on-a-stick (moss) decay stage and inserted directly in perennially wet G4G5 52 seeps or streams; riparian habitat in conifer forest. Any elevation below subalpine. No riparian areas present. M ie lichhofe ria mie lichhofe riana Seasonally moist seeps in rock outcrops containing No var. elongata copper or heavy metals. Roadcuts. Below 3600 copper moss feet. No exposed rock or soils. G4? 52 Lichens-Sensitive Peltigera gowardi Fully shaded streams less than 8" deep with low No aquatic lichen nutrient levels and good aeration, primarily in late- not vet ranked seral forest. No riparian areas present. Fungi -Sensitive Boletus pulcherrimus Perennially moist, mature or late-seral fir forest that No red-pored bolete includes tankoak. Elevations that support general G3 52 habitat. No mature or late-seral fir forest present in project area..

Species Habitat & Rationale for Eliminating From Potential for Consideration Presence in Proiect Area Cudonia monticola On spruce needle mats and coniferous debris in No G3 SI perennially moist, shady late-seral forest. Elevations that support general habitat. No old srowth spruce present in nroiect area.

D endrocollybia rac emo s a Nutrient rich leaf mulch or decaying fungi in moist, No branched collybia mid-mature to late-seral conifer forest; Elevations G4 S1S2 that support general habitat. No old growth conifer forest habitat present in proiect area. Phae ocollybia olivacea Moist, mixed conifer forest containing oak or olive phaeocollybia tanoak. Elevations that support general habitat. G2 52 No mid to late conifer forest habitat present in proiect area.

Forest Plan Endemics (not on Regional Forester's Sensitive Species List, but give same protections) Ericameria ophitidis Heavily serpentinized barrens and openings among shrubs No (= Haplopappus and Jeffrey pine/incense cedar woodland. 2600-5600 feet ophitidis) elev. Rattlesnake Creek Terrane (M26lAu) & serpentine goldenbush Chanchelulla Peaks of the southern Klamath Ranges. No G3 S4.3 serpentine soils present. Eriogonum libertini Heavily serpentinized barrens, rocky peridotite slopes and No Dubakella Mountain openings among shrubs and Jeffrey pine/incense cedar buckwheat woodland. 2500-5500 feet elev. Rattlesnake Creek Terrane G3 S4.2 (M26lAu) & Chanchelulla Peaks of the southern Klamath Ranges. No serpentine soils present. Arnica venosa Mixed conifer or conifer/oak forest, especially on ridgetops & Yes veiny arnica old road cuts. 2000-5200 feet elev. Trinitv & Shasta Cos. G3 S3.2 Appendix B. 58 Category B Fungi Species with Equivalent Effort Survey Requirement Gy mno p ilus p unc tifu lius, In Albatrellus caeruleopo rus California Ramaria coulterae Albatellus ellisii Gyromitra californica Ramaria cyaneipranosa Albatrellus flettii, ln Washington and California Helvella elastica Ramaria maculatioes Hydnotrya inordinata (Hydnotrya sp. nov. #Trappe A lpova o I iv ac e ot i nctu s 187.792). Ramaria rainierensis

Hy dro pus mar ginellus ( My c e na Balsamia ni?rens (Balsamia nipra) marginella) Ramaria rubribrunnescens C hamo nixia c ae sp ito s a (Chamo nixia pacifica sp. nov. #Trappe #12768) Hypomyces luteovirens Ramaria stuntzii Choiromyces venosus Le uc o p ast e r mic ro sp o rus Ramaria verlotensis p Ch rysomphal ina rossu Ia M ara sm i u s ap p I an ati pe s Rhizopopon abietis p CI av ariad e lp hu s I i ul a Martellia fraprans Rhiz.ooo p on brunneinip e r Rhizopo gon chamaleontinus (Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe C lav ari ade lp h u s s ubfa s t i p iat u s Martellia idahoensis 9432)

O c t av i anina cy ane s c e n s Rhizopo gon ellip sospo rus (Octavianina sp. nov. #Trappe (Alpova sp. nov. # Trappe Cortinarius boulderensis 7502\ 9730) Rhizo p o g on ev adens v ar. Cortinarius cvanites Otidea smithii subalpinus Cudonia monticola P hae o c o llybia c alifo rnic a Rhiz.ooopon exipuus

Destuntzia fusca Phaeocollvbia piceae R h izo po pon fl avofi b ri I I o s us Destuntzia rubra P h ae oco I lvb ia scate si a e Rhodocvbe soeciosa Rickene lla sw artzii ( Ric ke ne lla Entoloma nitidum ( Rhodocybe nitida) Phaeocollybia sipei setipes ) Gastroboletus ruber Podostroma alutaceum Sarcodon fuscoindicus Gast ro b o letus v iv idus (Gast ro b o le tus sp. nov. #Trappe 2897 ; Gastroboletus sp. nov. #Traooe 7515) Polyozellus multiplex Sedecula oulvinata Gastro suillus umbrinus (Gastroboletus sp. nov. #Trappe

75 16) Ramaria aurant i isic c e s c ens Tric ho lomo p s is fulv e s c ens Tuber asa (Tuber sp. nov. #Trappe2302) Appendix C. Species list trom Misery Hill l'rail Proiect botanical survev. June 24.20t5. Native Plants Scientific Name Common Name Adenocaulon bicolor Trail plant Amelanchier utahensis Serviceberrv

Ap o cynum andr o s aemifu lium Bitter/spreading dogbane Arbutus menziesii Pacific madrone Arctostaphylos sp. Manzanita sp. Arnica discoidea Rayless arnica

Asyne uma p r enantho i de s Cal fornia harebell Bromus californica Cal fornia Brome Calocedrus decurrens Incense cedar

C e ano thus int e g e r rimus Deerbrush

C e rcocarpus betuloide s Mountain mahogany Collomia heterophylla Variableleaf collomia Cynoglossum grande Grand houndstounge

Cyno glo s sum occidentale Western houndstounge Festica califurnica California fescue Festuca roemeri Roemer's fescue Galium sp. Bedstraw Goodyera oblongifolia Western rattlesnake plantain Hieracium albiflorum White hawkweed Iris sp. Iris Juncus sp. Rush Lathyrus sp. Everlasting pea Luzula sp. Hairy wood rush Madia sp. Tarweed Osmorhiza berteroi Mountain sweetroot Pinus jffieyi Jeffery pine Pinus lambertiana Sugar pine Piperia transversa Flat-spurre dl roy all transverse piperia Polygala cornuta Sierra milkwort Polystichum munitum Sword fern Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas fir Pteridium aquilinum Western bracken fern Quercus chrysolepis Canyon live oak Quercus kellogii California black oak Rosa sp. Rose Symphoricarpos mollis Creeping Snowberry

Toxi c od e nd ron div e rs il o b um Poison oak Trientalis latifulia Starflower Vicia sp. Vetch Viola lobata Pine/moosehorn/yellow violet Non-native Plants Scientific Name Common Name Bromus techtorum Cheat grass Cynosurus echinatus Hedgehog/bristly dogtail grass Hypericum perforatum St. John's wort/Klamath weed Rubus armeniacus Armenian blackberrv Torilis arvensis Field/spreading hedge parsley