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