Decision Memo Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region Questa Ranger District, Carson National Forest Taos County, New Mexico (Sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 14, and 15 of Township 30 North, Range 15 East)

Background An interdisciplinary analysis on this project was conducted and is documented in a project record. Source documents from the project record are incorporated by reference throughout this decision memo by showing the document number in brackets [PR #]. Please refer to Appendix A for the project record index.

The Questa Ranger District of the Carson National Forest, in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, proposes to improve in- stream habitat conditions within the Rio Costilla [PR #77, 128]. The Valle Vidal Unit of the Carson National Forest attracts hundreds of anglers annually. The Rio Costilla is the largest stream in the Valle Vidal and a favorite among anglers. Anglers travel to this area in large part to pursue the native Rio Grande cutthroat trout. Long-term operations of the Costilla Reservoir and Dam have channelized the Rio Costilla, which has become inadequate for holding fish during low-flow conditions and through the winter. The Rio Costilla has become shallow and wide in many spots, and future efforts to re-establish self-sustaining populations of Rio Grande cutthroat trout may not be successful without active management. Since 2001, Rio Grande cutthroat trout and other native fish population restoration efforts have been ongoing within the upper Rio Costilla watershed. Restoration efforts in this section of the Rio Costilla have included the construction of the Rio Costilla terminal fish barrier in October 2016. The construction of the barrier was the penultimate step to completing an entire restoration project for the watershed and is to be followed by non-native removal treatments, removal of temporary barriers, and stocking of Rio Grande cutthroat trout. The effects of the Rio Costilla terminal fish barrier were analyzed in an environmental assessment with a Finding of No Significant Impact Statement signed on May 19, 2016. While this habitat improvement project is not a part of the larger restoration effort, it is being done to provide optimal habitat to restore Rio Grande cutthroat trout in the river downstream of the Costilla reservoir and dam.

In September 2016, the NMDGF met with personnel from the Carson National Forest to request authorization to proceed with planning for this project. This request was accepted and the final plans and design of the project are presented below and in the project record found in Appendix A [PR #98].

The project is located along the Rio Costilla in the Valle Vidal Unit, Questa Ranger District. The project will improve stream habitat along approximately 4.5 miles of the Rio Costilla in Taos County, New Mexico, in Sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 14, and 15 of Township 30 North, Range 15 East, New Mexico Principal Meridian. A map of the approved project is included as Figure 1 below.

Project Description The project will improve in-stream habitat conditions within the Rio Costilla. Project designs have been developed by Riverbend Engineering, LLC (2016, 2017) [PR #77, 101, and 128]. Approved actions may include:

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 1 . Removing aging and non-functioning habitat structures from the project area. . Installing in-stream fish habitat structures including logs, root wads, and boulders; excavating new pools; and improving existing pools to create deeper holding water. . Re-aligning sections of the Rio Costilla using gravel-deflector bars and rock deflectors, and by using woody debris and soil fill to relocate flow to historical channels. . Installing stream bank stabilization structures and habitat features including rocks, logs, and root wads. . Revegetating access points and staging areas. . Revegetating the streambank with native riparian plant species. . Installing small (<1 acre) temporary enclosure fences as needed to aid in the establishment of vegetation. To implement these activities, heavy equipment will be used within the stream channel and surrounding upland areas. Forest System Road 1900 will be utilized and maintained, as needed, to access the project area with equipment. Additionally, seven areas along the project corridor will be used for staging equipment and materials. Best management practices (BMPs) will be utilized to reduce the potential for sediment to enter the river and other impacts associated with equipment use. Disturbed areas will be stabilized and replanted with native grasses or other suitable vegetation.

The project will encompass approximately 4.5 miles along the Rio Costilla. Based on design, the project could disturb approximately 9.0 acres. The estimated acreage of disturbance per project component is listed in Table 1 [PR #128].

Table 1. Estimated area of disturbance by project component.

Total Area Number of in Rio Costilla Project Component1 Structures or Floodplain (acres)

Excavate new pool 183 0.8

Fill to narrow channel 138 2.1

Woody debris structure 47 0.1

Rock deflectors 49 0.1

Rock and riprap convergence structure 18 0.1

Depressional wetland 20 0.3

Shape point bar 31 0.3

Soil plug 28 0.2

Temporary access route and staging areas 7 5.0

Total 9.0

1Size of each feature is variable. Sizes per structure were estimated in geographic information system using the measure tool, or taken directly from construction plans in CAD in the case of shaping, wetland creation, and fill areas.

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 2 Project construction will take place at low water between October 2017 and March 2018, and would last about 13 weeks.

Project Design Features and Best Management Practices The following project design features were developed for the habitat improvement project.

. Pre-construction notification will be given to the District Ranger prior to the onset of construction activities. . The project will be implemented between October 2017 and March 2018, when historical streamflow and precipitation are lowest and there is no irrigation requirement. . Impacts to riparian vegetation will be minimized, except where removal is necessary for completion of the work. Only the staging areas and designated access routes will be cleared of vegetation, including trees and shrubs. No access to the river will be permitted outside of these designated access routes. . There will be no dumping of waste materials in or near the Rio Costilla. . All construction waste (form material, leftover construction supplies, litter, and debris) will be removed from the work area and disposed of in an approved manner. . Spoil piles will not be placed or stored within the stream channel. . As part of the NMDGF contract, the selected contractor will be responsible for developing a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and obtaining a Construction General Permit with the United States Environmental Protection Agency. . All construction activities will be restricted to the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) of the Rio Costilla, and the designated access routes and staging areas. . Temporary erosion and sediment control measures will be constructed to control erosion and sedimentation into the Rio Costilla during construction. Erosion and sediment BMPs may include, but are not limited to, temporary berms, sediment basins, ditches, straw bales, straw mulch, and erosion-control matting. No BMPs will be installed within the Rio Costilla OHWM. . All construction equipment will be decontaminated by cleaning with high-pressure water before mobilization to the site. All wheels, tracks, undercarriages, fenders, blades, buckets, and the exterior body will be cleaned prior to entering the site. This BMP is in place to prevent the spread of noxious weeds and aquatic hitchhikers. Any leaking equipment will not be allowed to continue operating until the leak is fixed. . Refueling will occur a minimum 100 feet from the floodplain. . Fuel, oil, hydraulic fluid, lubricants, and other petrochemicals will be stored outside the floodplain and will have a secondary containment system capable of containing twice the volume of the product. Appropriate spill clean-up materials such as booms and absorbent pads will be on site at all times during construction. . Heavy equipment not in use will not be parked within the stream channel. . Once construction is complete, the staging areas will be returned to original conditions. This may include leveling, raking, dispersing debris, mulching, seeding for permanent groundcover with Forest Service-approved seed mix, and planting of Forest Service-approved trees and shrubs. Seeding is expected to be limited to access points and staging areas.

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 3 . All staging areas will be reclaimed post-construction. Revegetation will include approved seed mixes. A reclamation plan will be prepared. The project-specific BMPs are derived from Forest Service publication FS-990a National Best Management Practices for Water Quality Management on National Forest System Lands, Volume 1: National Core BMP Technical Guide [PR #57]. When properly implemented and monitored, BMPs provide the most cost-effective, practicable means to avoid or minimize detrimental impacts to soil health and protect water quality. Forest Service BMPs will be utilized before, during, and after construction activities. Copies of the following sections are included in the project record [PR #57].

. Aquatic Ecosystems Management Activities AqEco-2. Operations in Aquatic Ecosystems (pp. 21-23) AqEco-3. Ponds and Wetlands (pp. 23-25) AqEco-4. Stream Channels and Shorelines (pp. 26-28) . Facilities and Nonrecreation Special Uses Management Activities Fac-2. Facility Construction and Stormwater Control (pp. 41-42) . Water Uses Management Activities WatUses-4. Water Diversions and Conveyances (pp. 147-149) The construction contractor, when selected, will be responsible for completing the SWPPP and applying for the CWA permit. The permit will be available before construction begins. Public Involvement This project was first published in the quarterly schedule of proposed actions (SOPA) on October 1, 2016 [PR #84]. A cover letter and copy of the quarterly SOPA was sent to Tribal contacts on October 5, 2016 to meet Tribal Consultation obligations under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) [PR #88]. A scoping letter describing the proposed action and the 14-day comment period was mailed on November 22, 2016, to 41 individuals, organizations, and agencies that had expressed interest in similar past projects or were otherwise determined to be interested or affected [PR #89, 90, 91]. On November 25, 2016, a notice-of-scoping email was sent out to an additional 19 recipients. One email was returned as undeliverable, though that organization had also been sent a hard-copy scoping letter. The 14-day scoping period for comments ended on December 7, 2016. Five project-specific written comment letters were received within the designated scoping period from:

. Trout Unlimited New Mexico Council [PR #92] . United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) [PR #93] . Carson Forest Watch [PR #95] . New Mexico Wildlife Federation [PR #96] . Rio Costilla Cooperative Livestock Association [PR #97] I have considered these external comments received during scoping in addition to input from Forest Service resource specialists who analyzed the proposal. No significant issues were identified that had not been addressed by prior environmental review and all practical means have been employed to avoid or minimize environmental impacts. The public comment summary and analysis considered for this decision is included in the project record [PR #100].

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 4 Reasons for Categorically Excluding the Decision Decisions may be categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement or an environmental assessment when they are within one of the categories identified by the United States Department of Agriculture in 7 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1b.3 or the proposed action is within a category listed in 36 CFR 220.6 (d) and (e), and there are no extraordinary circumstances related to the decision that may result in a significant individual or cumulative environmental effect. This decision is consistent with category 36 CFR 220.6 (e)(7) “Modification or maintenance of stream or lake aquatic habitat improvement structures using native materials or normal practices.”

The following resource conditions were considered in determining whether extraordinary circumstances related to the decision warranted further analysis and documentation in an environmental impact statement or an environmental assessment (36 CFR 220.6 (b)(i-vii)): i. Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, species proposed for federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or Forest Service sensitive species The Endangered Species Act (ESA), 16 United States Code [USC] §§ 1531 – 1544, requires federal activities to not jeopardize the continued existence of any species federally listed or proposed as threatened or endangered, or result in adverse modification to such species’ designated critical habitat. As required by the ESA, potential effects of this decision on listed species have been analyzed and documented in a biological assessment. There will be no effect to any federally listed species or their critical habitats; therefore, the project will not result in any cumulative effects to federally listed species or their respective designated critical habitats [PR #129].

A biological evaluation was prepared to address Forest Service sensitive species. The project may temporarily displace some Forest Service sensitive species due to the presence of human activity and construction activities; however, these species would be expected to return to the area after construction is complete or during periods when there is no human use in the area. The biological evaluation determined the northern leopard frog, bald eagle, Nokomis fritillary, Rio Grande cutthroat trout, Rio Grande chub, Rio Grande sucker, western water shrew, yellow lady’s slipper, and robust larkspur may be temporarily impacted, but overall viability of populations of species would not be negatively impacted and construction activities would not cause a trend toward federal listing for any of the species analyzed. Short-term impacts to stream habitat will be offset by long-term habitat improvements created through improved fish passage, pool density and depth, enhanced refugia for fish and other aquatic life-forms, and in-stream structures (i.e., boulder, log, and root wad placement). Therefore, there would be no cumulative adverse impacts to Forest Service sensitive species [PR #129]. ii. Floodplains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds Portions of this project occur within the stream channel and/or riparian areas of the Rio Costilla. A soil and watershed specialist report [PR #130] was prepared for this project. It was determined that no significant impacts would occur as a result of project activities so long as project design features and BMPs outlined in the SWPPP and in the section above are implemented and monitored. The Carson National Forest Plan does not recognize the lands within the project area as a municipal watershed.

The project has the potential to increase riparian soil erosion due to the removal of overstory and surface vegetation, and exposure of mineral soil material. Access routes and staging areas would be impacted in the short term by compaction, loss of ground cover, and/or surface soil erosion. In addition, the project is expected to result in short-term, temporary increases in turbidity and/or suspended sediment during in-stream construction activities. Adherence to applicable permitting and

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 5 monitoring conditions (i.e., conditions of the Clean Water Act §404 Nationwide Permit and §402 Construction General Permit, the protection measures outlined in the SWPPP and in the preconstruction notification [PR #131], and any conditions imposed by the USACE) will minimize surface water quality impacts from the approved project. Therefore, long-term cumulative effects are not expected to occur as a result of the proposed action. iii. Congressionally designated areas, such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas No congressionally designated wilderness areas occur within the project area. Therefore, this decision will not affect congressionally designated areas. iv. Inventoried roadless areas or potential wilderness areas There are no inventoried roadless areas within the project area, therefore, this decision will not affect inventoried roadless areas. Due to the presence of existing development and human activity within the project area, there will be no effect to potential wilderness areas or wilderness characteristics. v. Research natural areas There are no research natural areas in or near the project area; therefore, this decision will not affect research natural areas. vi. American Indians and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites, and archaeological sites, or historic properties or areas Section 106 of the NHPA (USC § 470 et seq.) requires federal agencies to take into account the effect of a project on any pre-contact or historic district, site, building, structure, or object that is included in or eligible for, inclusion in the National Register. Section 106 of the NHPA also requires federal agencies to afford the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and Tribal entities a reasonable opportunity to comment.

The Cultural Resources Report for this project documents that no known heritage resources will be affected by project activities. An Inventory Standards and Accounting Summary Form was prepared for this project by the Questa District Archaeologist. It determined that all nearby sites will be avoided and there will be no effect to heritage resources as a result of this project [PR #104].

In addition, the federal government has trust responsibilities to tribes under a government-to­ government relationship. Consultation with the tribes is completed to help ensure that these trust responsibilities are met. The intent of this consultation is to remain informed about tribal concerns. On October 5, 2016, a cover letter and a copy of the quarterly SOPA was mailed to potentially affected tribes [PR #86]. Only the Comanche Nation replied to this notice, but did not express any concerns about the project [PR #88]. This decision is not expected to disturb traditional cultural properties, though potentially affected tribes will be contacted in the event that new information becomes available.

The mere presence of one or more of the above-listed resource conditions does not preclude the use of a categorical exclusion. It is the existence of a cause-effect relationship between a proposed action and the potential effect on these resource conditions and, if such a relationship exists, the degree of the potential effect of a proposed action on these resource conditions that determines whether extraordinary circumstances exist. I find no extraordinary circumstances related to this decision that may result in a significant individual or cumulative environmental effect.

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 6 Findings Required by Other Laws The following sections discuss the project’s compliance with other laws and regulations.

Land and Resource Management Plan This project is in conformance with the Land and Resource Management Plan for the Carson National Forest [PR #3], as required by the National Forest Management Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 1600-1614), specifically these standards and guidelines:

• Watershed: “Minimize the effects of planned activities on the water and soil resources through the use of best management practices (BMPs) (Watershed – 2).” • Wildlife & Fish Habitat: “Continue activities to improve Rio Grande cutthroat trout habitat with the objective of securing the species (Wildlife & Fish – 4).” • Management Area 14 – Riparian: “Manage for these indicator species: resident trout (cutthroat), hairy woodpecker, aquatic macroinvertebrates, elk (14. Riparian – 3).” • Management Area 18 - Wild and Scenic Rivers: “Recreational Rivers: Minor structures are allowed provided the waterway remains generally natural in appearance (18. Wild River – 3).” Per the 1986 Carson National Forest Plan, the desired condition for the watershed resource is that “clean, clear, and sustained water flows through the streams and into the rivers (Watershed – 1).”

The project is consistent with these Forest Plan objectives and the desired condition because the proposed action has been designed to improve the stream channel and floodplain morphology along approximately 4.5 miles of the Rio Costilla. Mitigation measures and BMPs would be implemented to minimize short- term effects to water quality.

Also in accordance with the Land and Resource Management Plan for the Carson National Forest [PR #3], as required by the National Forest Management Act (16 USC §§ 1600-1614), an assessment has been compiled of general habitat requirements for eleven wildlife species identified as Management Indicator Species [PR #129]. It was determined that project activities would have no long-term adverse effect to forest-wide populations or habitat trends of any of the identified Management Indicator Species.

Clean Water Act Because perennial streams considered waters of the U.S. are within the project area, a pre-construction notification requesting coverage under Clean Water Act §404 Nationwide Permit 27 – Aquatic Habitat Restoration, Establishment, and Enhancement Activities has been submitted to the USACE Albuquerque Regulatory Office for its approval, and to the New Mexico Environment Department for its confirmation under USACE regional condition (a) [PR #131]. In addition, a SWPPP outlining BMPs and other protections of surface water quality will be developed under the Clean Water Act §402 Construction General Permit. Copies of these submissions and their respective agency responses will be on file with the Questa Ranger District prior to and during project implementation.

Valle Vidal Multiple Use Area Guide The 1983 Valle Vidal Multiple Use Area Guide (MUAG) defines guidelines for management of the area for “multiple use management of the land for its unique combination of wildland resources, primarily public outdoor recreation, continued timber production, forage for livestock and wildlife, unique wildlife habitat and watershed” [PR #1, 2]. The Rio Costilla falls within the Riparian Management Zone including

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 7 all riparian ecosystems, all floodplains, and all other lands within 100 horizontal feet of the annual high water edge of perennial or interrupted water bodies. The MUAG identifies that fish and wildlife habitat will be managed to maintain viable populations of existing native and desired non-native vertebrate species and the need for cooperation with the NMDGF to establish desired species population levels. Administration of the MUAG requires that heavy equipment use be restricted to periods when roads and sites will not be seriously damaged or cannot be fully restored. The management emphasis for the Riparian Management Zone is to benefit riparian dependent species.

The project complies with the Valle Vidal Management Plan by managing fish habitat to maintain viable populations of existing native and desired non-native vertebrate species, establishing desired species population levels, and supporting the management emphasis to benefit riparian dependent species. The approved project would restrict the use of heavy equipment to periods when roads and sites will not be seriously damaged or could not be fully restored.

Wild and Scenic Rivers Act The Rio Costilla is not designated as a Wild and Scenic River under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (16 USC § 1271 et seq.), nor is it being studied as a candidate river, though it was determined to be eligible based on fish, recreation, and riparian values [PR #21]. Under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, rivers are classified as wild, scenic, or recreational. The Rio Costilla does not meet the classification of a wild river due the proximity of Forest System Road 1900, and it is unlikely to meet the classification of a scenic river due to the presence of the Rio Costilla Dam 0.4 stream-mile upstream from the project area. Recreational river areas are those rivers or sections of rivers that are readily accessible by road or railroad, that may have some development along their shorelines, and that may have undergone some impoundment or diversion in the past. Amendment 12 of the Carson National Forest Plan, issued in 2002, mandates that this classification be preserved until further assessment of suitability can be conducted [PR #35].

The proposed action is expected to enhance the outstandingly remarkable values for which the Rio Costilla was determined eligible as a recreational river, and would not affect its eligibility status. The Rio Costilla was determined eligible based on its outstandingly remarkable fish, recreational, and riparian values. The project would enhance the fish and recreational outstandingly remarkable values by creating fish habitat features, removing aging and non-functioning habitat structures, and providing optimal habitat to restore Rio Grande cutthroat trout in the river downstream of the Costilla reservoir and dam. The project would enhance the riparian outstandingly remarkable value by improving stream channel and floodplain morphology, relocating the stream channel to its historic channel, and stabilizing banks.

New Mexico Anti-Degradation Policy for Outstanding Natural Resource Waters State of New Mexico Water Quality Standards for Interstate and Intrastate Surface Waters and the Anti- Degradation Policy have been developed to prevent or minimize impacts to surface waters of the State of New Mexico.

All surface waters of the Valle Vidal Administrative Unit, including Rio Costilla, were classified as “Outstanding National Resource Waters” (ONRW) by the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission. An ONRW is a stream, lake, or wetland that receives special protection against degradation under New Mexico’s water quality standards designated by the Water Quality Control Commission and the federal Clean Water Act [PR #52].

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 8 No degradation is allowed in an ONRW, except under limited circumstances. These limited circumstances allow for degradation that is short tenn, and will ultimately result in restoration or maintenance ofthe chemical, physical, or biological integrity ofthe ONRW [PR #I05].

The project is consistent with the ONRW Anti-Degradation Policy since construction and long-tenn function ofthe fish habitat structures, stream flow relocation, and stream stabilization would not result in alteration ofthe characteristics ofthe Rio Costilla that qualified it as on ONRW. While the proposed action would result in temporary impacts from soil disturbance and sediment transfer, the project will enhance the ONRW characteristics ofthe Rio Costilla in the long tenn. Project design criteria will incorporate measures to comply with the ONRW Anti-Degradation Policy.

The Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement project will comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations including, but not limited to: the Migratory Birds Treaty Act of 1918; the Clean Water Act of 1948; the Clean Air Act of 1955; the NHPA of 1966; the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the ESA of 1973; the Native American Graves and Repatriation Act of 1990; Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management); Executive Order 11990 (Protection of Wetlands); Executive Order 12898 (Environmental Justice); Executive Order 13186 (Migratory Birds); and the New Mexico Anti­ Degradation Policy. Decision It is my decision to approve the Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement project, as described above. This decision is not subject to appeal.

The decision-making process for this project is documented in a project file and maintained on the Questa Ranger District. Implementation Date Implementation may begin following applicable permitting processes with other state and national agencies. A complete Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and Notice oflntent form seeking coverage under a Construction General Permit must be acknowledged by the Environmental Protection Agency prior to initiating construction. Contact Person For additional information concerning this decision, contact Michael Gatlin, Forest Fisheries Biologist, at 208 Cruz Alta Road, Taos, NM 87571, or by calling 575-758-6200.

Date

Questa District Ranger

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 9 In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected].

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 10 Figure 1. Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 11 Appendix A: Project Record Index Record Date Document Author #

Multiple Use Area Guide Valle Vidal 1 1983.04.07 Management Unit Carson National U.S. Forest Service Forest

Revision of Valle Vidal Multiple Use 2 1985.04.09 U.S. Forest Service Area Guide

Carson National Forest Plan (as U.S. Forest Service. On file 3 1986.01.01 amended). Carson National Forest, at the Questa Ranger Taos, New Mexico District

Terrestrial Ecosystem Survey of the U.S. Forest Service. On file 4 1987.01.01 Carson National Forest. Carson at the Questa Ranger National Forest, Taos, New Mexico District

Beneski, J.T. and D.W. 5 1987.01.12 Sorex palustris. Mammalian Species Stinson

Carson Forest Plan Amend 7, October 6 1990.10.01 U.S. Forest Service 1990

New Mexico butterflies: checklist, distribution and conservation. 7 1992.01.01 Cary, S. J. and R. Holland Journal of Research on the Lepidoptera 31(1-2):57-82

New Mexico vegetation: past, present, and future. University of 8 1993.01.01 Dick-Peddie, W. A. New Mexico Press. Albuquerque, New Mexico

Flammulated, boreal, and great gray owls in the United States: A technical conservation assessment. General Technical Report RM-253. Fort Hayward, G. D. and J. 9 1994.01.01 Collins, CO. US Department of Verner Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Ranger Experiment Station.

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 12 Record Date Document Author #

Using benthic macroinvertebrate community structure for rapid, cost- effective, water quality monitoring: Lenat, D. R. and M. T. 10 1994.01.01 rapid bioassessment. In S. L. Loeb and Barbour A. Spacie (eds.), Biological monitoring of aquatic ecosystems. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida. pp. 187-216

Red-faced warbler Distribution, Migration and Habitat; Birds of North Martin, T. E. and P. M. 11 1995.01.01 America; Accessed online May 25, Barber 2017

Rio Grande cutthroat trout. In M. K. Young (ed.), Conservation assessment for inland cutthroat trout, USDA 12 1995.01.01 Rinne, J. N. Forest Service, General Technical Report RMGTR-256, Fort Collins, Colorado. pp 24–27

Reproductive biology of the Rio Grande chub, Gila pandora 13 1995.03.01 (Teleostomi: Cypriniformes), in a Rinne, J. N. montane stream, New Mexico. The Southwestern Naturalist 40:107-110

Reproductive biology of the Rio Grande sucker, Catostomus plebeius 14 1995.06.01 (Cypriniformes), in a montane Rinne, J. N. stream, New Mexico. The Southwestern Naturalist 40:237-241.

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 13 Record Date Document Author #

Distribution of Rio Grande cutthroat trout and its co-occurrence with the Rio Grande sucker and Rio Grande chub on the Carson and Santa Fe National Forests. In D. W. Shaw and D. M. Finch (technical coordinators), Desired future conditions for Calamusso, B. and J. N. 15 1996.01.01 southwestern riparian ecosystems: Rinne bringing interests and concerns together. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. General Technical Report RM-GTR-272. pp. 157-167

Amphibians and reptiles of New Degenhardt, W. G., C. W. 16 1996.01.01 Mexico. University of New Mexico Painter, and A. H. Price Press, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Cassin's finch Distribution, Migration 17 1996.01.01 and Habitat; Birds of North America; Hahn, T. P. Accessed online May 25, 2017

Mountain bluebird Distribution, Migration and Habitat; Birds of North Power, H. W. and M. P. 18 1996.01.01 America; Accessed online May 25, Lombardo 2017

Mammalian diversity in New Mexico. 19 1996.11.01 New Mexico Journal of Science 36:4- Frey, J. K. and T. L. Yates 37.

Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). In P. G. Rodewald (ed.), The birds of Squires, J. R. and R. T. 20 1997.01.01 North America online. Cornell Reynolds Laboratory of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York.

Questa Ranger District Wild and Scenic Rivers Analysis Evaluation. 21 1998.01.12 U.S. Forest Service Carson National Forest. Taos, New Mexico.

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 14 Record Date Document Author #

Wilson's Warbler Distribution, Migration and Habitat; Birds of North Ammon, E. M. and W. M. 22 1999.01.01 America; Accessed online May 25, Gilbert 2017

Native montane fishes of the middle Rio Grande ecosystem: status, threats, and conservation. In D. M. Finch, J. C. Whitney, J. F. Kelly, and S. R. Loftin (technical coordinators), Rio Grande ecosystems: linking land, Calamusso, B. and J. N. 23 1999.01.01 water, and people. Toward a Rinne sustainable future for the Middle Rio Grande Basin. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Proc. RMRS-P-7, Ogden, Utah. pp 231-237

New Mexico rare plants. New Mexico Rare Plant 24 1999.01.01 Albuquerque, New Mexico: Technical Council

Painted Redstart Distribution, Migration and Habitat; Birds of North Barber, D. R., P. M. Barber, 25 2000.01.01 America; Accessed online May 25, and P. G. Jablonski 2017

Bald Eagle Distribution, Migration 26 2000.01.01 and Habitat; Birds of North America; Buehler, David A. Accessed online May 25, 2017

Warbling vireo Distribution, Migration and Habitat. Birds of North 27 2000.01.01 Gardali, T. and G. Ballard America Accessed online May 25, 2017

Brown-capped rosy-finch Johnson, R. E., P. Distribution, Migration and Habitat; 28 2000.01.01 Hendricks, D. L. Pattie, and Birds of North America; Accessed K. B. Hunter online May 25, 2017

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 15 Record Date Document Author #

Canada lynx conservation assessment and strategy. United States Ruediger, B., J. Claar, S. Department of Agriculture Forest Gniadek, B. Holt, L. Lewis, Service, United States Department of S. Mighton, B. Naney, G. 29 2000.01.01 the Interior (USDI) Fish and Wildlife Patton, T. Rinaldi, J. Trick, Service, USDI Bureau of Land A. Vandehey, F. Wahl, N. Management, and USDI National Park Warren, D. Wenger, and A. Service. Forest Service Publication Williamson #R1-00-53, Missoula, Montana.

The wild orchids of Arizona and New 30 2002.01.01 Mexico. Ithaca, New York: Comstock Coleman, R. A. Publishing Associates

Black Rosy finch Distribution, Migration and Habitat; Birds of North 31 2002.01.01 Johnson, R. E. America; Accessed online May 25, 2017

Vesper sparrow Distribution, Migration and Habitat; Birds of North Jones, S. L. and J. E. 32 2002.01.01 America; Accessed online May 25, Cornely 2017

Grace's warbler Distribution, Migration and Habitat; Birds of North Stacier, C. A. and M. J. 33 2002.01.01 America; Accessed online May 25, Guzy 2017

Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). In White, C. M., N. J. Clum, T. 34 2002.01.01 P. G. Rodewald (ed.), The birds of J. Cade and W. G. Hunt North America online.

Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact, Carson Forest Plan Amendment 12, Protection of Eligible 35 2002.01.26 U.S. Forest Service Wild, Scenic or Recreation River Areas. Carson National Forest, Taos, New Mexico. 3 pp

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 16 Record Date Document Author #

Distribution and abundance of the Rio Grande sucker in the Carson and Calamusso, B., J. N. Rinne, 36 2002.06.01 Santa Fe national forests, New and P. R. Turner Mexico. The Southwestern Naturalist 47:182-186

Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis atriacapillus): A technical conservation assessment. Prepared 37 2003.01.03 Kennedy, P. L. for the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Species Conservation Project

Rio Grande chub (Gila pandora): a Rees, D. E., R. J. Carr, and 38 2005.05.11 technical conservation assessment. W. J. Miller

Rio Grande Sucker (Catostomus 39 2005.05.16 plebeius): A Technical Conservation Rees, D. E. and W. J. Miller Assessment.

Restoration of Rio Grande cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis) New Mexico Department 40 2006.01.01 and the native fish community to the of Game and Fish Upper Rio Costilla watershed

Cypripedium parviflorum Salisb. 41 2006.07.17 (Lesser yellow lady’s slipper): A Mergen, D. E. technical conservation assessment

Rio Grande cutthroat trout Pritchard, V. L. and D. E. 42 2006.07.28 (Oncorhynchus clarkia virginalis): a Cowley technical conservation assessment.

Northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens): a technical conservation assessment. Smith, B. E. and Keinath, 43 2007.01.16 USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain D. A. Region. 67 pp

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 17 Record Date Document Author #

Great Basin silverspot butterfly (Speyeria nokomis nokomis [W.H. 44 2007.04.25 Edwards]): a technical conservation Selby, G assessment. [Online]. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region

Partners in Flight physiographic New Mexico Partners in 45 2007.06.01 region 62: southern Rocky Mountains Flight

Spotted Bat (Euderma maculatum): a technical conservation assessment. 46 2007.10.31 [Online] USDA Forest Service, Rocky Luce, R. J. and Keinath, D. Mountain Region. Accessed 24 May 2017

Western bluebird; Distribution, Migration and Habitat; Birds of North Guinan, J. A., P. A. Gowaty, 47 2008.01.01 America; Accessed online May 25, and E. K. Eltzroth 2017

Birds of conservation concern 2008. USDI, USFWS, Division of Migratory United States Fish and 48 2008.12.01 Bird Management, Arlington, Virginia. Wildlife Service 58 pp

Status of breeding bald eagles in New Mexico: 2009. Prepared for New 49 2009.11.19 Stahlecker, D. Mexico Department of Game and Fish. 7 pp.

Carson National Forest GIS Data – Soil Class. Forest Service, Carson National Forest. Taos, New Mexico. Obtained GIS Data (on file with the 50 2010.01.01 from Questa Ranger District) https://www.fs.fed.us/r3/gis/car/TEU I_Classes.htm on May 22, 2017

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 18 Record Date Document Author #

A natural history summary and survey protocol for the southwestern Sogge, M, Ahlers, D., and 51 2010.01.01 willow flycatcher. United States Sferra, S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods 2A-10, 38 pp.

Appendix A. Antidegradation Policy New Mexico Water Implementation Procedure State of 52 2010.11.30 Quality Control New Mexico Continuing Planning Commission Process

Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia). Poulin, R. G., L. D. Todd, E. 53 2011.08.31 In P. G. Rodewald (ed.), The birds of A. Haug, B. A. Millsap, and North America online M. S. Martell

Carson National Forest. Management Indicator Species Assessment. United States Forest 54 2011.09.01 Albuquerque, New Mexico. United Service States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southwestern Region

Carson National Forest GIS Data: GIS Data (on file with the 55 2012.01.01 Stream_arc. Forest Service, Carson Questa Ranger District National Forest. Taos, New Mexico

Plumbeous vireo; Distribution, Migration and Habitat; Birds of North Goguen, C. B. and D. R. 56 2012.01.01 America; Accessed online May 25, Curson 2017

National Best Management Practices for Water Quality Management on 57 2012.04.01 National Forest System Lands; U.S. Forest Service Volume 1; National Core BMP Technical Guide

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 19 Record Date Document Author #

Final recovery plan for the Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida), United States Fish and 58 2012.11.01 first revision. Albuquerque, New Wildlife Service Mexico. 413 pp

Survey for the New Mexico Meadow Frey, Jennifer K; Frey 59 2012.12.05 Jumping Mouse Biological Research

Broad-tailed hummingbird; Birds of Camfield, A. F., W. A. 60 2013.01.01 North America; Accessed online May Calder, and L. L. Calder 25, 2017

Flammulated owl; Distribution, Migration and Habitat; Birds of North Linkhart, B. D. and D. A. 61 2013.01.01 America; Accessed online May 25, McCallum 2017

USFS R3 Regional Forester’s sensitive 62 2013.01.01 U.S. Forest Service species: animals – 2013

USFS R3 Regional Forester’s sensitive 63 2013.01.01 U.S. Forest Service species: plants – 2013

USFS R3 Regional Forester’s sensitive 64 2013.01.01 species: animals – 2013. U.S. Forest Service Management recommendations

USFS R3 Regional Forester’s sensitive 65 2013.01.01 species: plants – 2013. Management U.S. Forest Service recommendations

Lewis’s woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis). Distribution, Migration and Vierling, K. T., V. A. Saab, 66 2013.01.01 Habitat; Birds of North America. The and B. W. Tobalske birds of North America online

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service GIS Data (available at (USFWS). 2014. National Wetlands online database 67 2014.01.01 Inventory Data. U.S. Department of http://www.fws.gov/wetla the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, nds) Washington, D.C

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 20 Record Date Document Author #

Red-naped sapsucker. Distribution, Migration and Habitat; Birds of North Walters, E. L., E. H. Miller, 68 2014.01.01 America. The birds of North America and P. E. Lowther online

Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; determination of endangered status for the New United States Fish and 69 2014.06.10 Mexico meadow jumping mouse Wildlife Service throughout its range. Federal Register Vol. 79, No. 111

Vegetation of the Costilla Massif, Taos 70 2014.08.01 County. New Mexico Natural History Peterson, R. S. Institute.

Species status assessment report for the Rio Grande cutthroat trout. United States Fish and 71 2014.08.01 USFWS, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Wildlife Service Mexico

Designation of critical habitat for the western distinct population segment United States Fish and 72 2014.08.15 of the yellow-billed cuckoo, proposed Wildlife Service rule. Federal Register Vol. 79, No. 158

Multilocus phylogeography and Hope, A.G., N. Panter, J.A. systematic revision of North 73 2014.08.22 Cook, S.L. Talbot, and D.W. American water shrews (genus: Nagorsen Sorex). Journal of Mammalogy

Bradley, R. D., L. K. Ammerman, R. J. Baker, L. Revised Checklist of North American C. Bradley, J. A. Cook, R. C. Mammals North of Mexico, 2014; 74 2014.10.02 Dowler, C. Jones, D. J. Occasional Papers, Museum of Texas Schmidly, F. B. Stangl, Jr., Tech University 327:1-28 R. A. Van Den Bussche, and B. Wursig

Bobolink; Distribution, Migration and Renfrew, R., A. M. Strong, 75 2015.01.01 Habitat; Birds of North America; N. G. Perlut, S. G. Martin Accessed online May 25, 2017 and T. A. Gavin

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 21 Record Date Document Author #

A natural history summary and survey protocol for the western Halterman, M. D., M. J. 76 2015.04.22 distinct population segment of the Johnson, J. A. Holmes, and yellow-billed cuckoo: U.S. Fish and S. A. Laymon Wildlife Techniques and Methods

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Riverbend Engineering, 77 2015.06.17 Concept Plan Near Amalia, New LLC. Mexico

Sorex palustris. (errata version 78 2016.01.01 published in 2017) The IUCN Red List Cassola, F of Threatened Species 2016

Cordilleran flycatcher; Distribution, Migration and Habitat; Birds of North Lowther, P. E., P. Pyle, and 79 2016.01.01 America; Accessed online May 25, M. A. Patten 2017

Wild mammals of Wyoming and 80 2016.01.12 Buskirk, Steven Yellowstone National Park

New Mexico Environmental 81 2016.02.03 American pika Department Surface Water Quality Bureau

Carson National Forest Biological United States Forest 82 2016.07.19 Assessment and Biological Evaluation Service district lists

Carson Forest Plan Monitoring and Evaluation Report Fiscal Year 2014 United States Forest 83 2016.09.14 and 2015. USDA, Forest Service, Service Southwestern Region

United States Forest 84 2016.10.01 Schedule of Proposed Actions Service Southwestern Region 3

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 22 Record Date Document Author #

Threatened and endangered species New Mexico Department 85 2016.10.05 of New Mexico. 2016 biennial review. of Game and Fish 5 October 2016. 162 pp

United States Forest Service Southwestern 86 2016.10.05 Cover Letter and Tribal mailing list Region 3 Carson National Forest

Furr, Kathryn, Environmental Conversation Record - with Timothy 87 2016.10.12 Coordinator, Forest Martinez San Ildefonso Pueblo Service, Carson National Forest, Supervisor's Office

Comanche Nation Historic 88 2016.10.26 Tribal Consultation Preservation Office

United States Forest 89 2016.11.22 Rio Costilla Email List Service Southwestern Region 3

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement United States Forest 90 2016.11.22 Final Scoping Letter, Map, and Service Southwestern mailing list Region 3

United States Forest Scoping Availability Notice - Email List 91 2016.11.25 Service Southwestern and Underdeliverable Email Region 3

Vollmer, Art with Trout 92 2016.11.28 Scoping Comment Unlimited New Mexico Council

Cummings, Deanna with U.S. Army Corps of 93 2016.11.29 Scoping Comment Engineers, Albuquerque District

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 23 Record Date Document Author #

Carson NF Schedule of Proposed Furr, Kathryn, Actions and Kiowa-San Cristobal WUI Environmental 94 2016.12.05 project info to Jeff Ogburn New Coordinator, Forest Mexico Department of Game and Service, Carson National Fish Forest, Supervisor's Office

Berde, Joane for Carson 95 2016.12.06 Scoping Comment Forest Watch

Black, Andrew with New 96 2016.12.07 Scoping Comment Mexico Wildlife Federation

Rio Costilla Park 97 2016.12.07 Scoping Comment Cooperative Livestock Association

Final Statement of Work Third Party United States Forest NEPA Agreement with NM Game and 98 2016.12.15 Service Southwestern Fish - Rio Costilla Habitat Region 3 Improvement Project

GIS Data (available online U.S. Geological Survey. National at 99 2017.01.01 Hydrography Dataset, high http://nhd.usgs.gov/index resolution. Reston, Virginia .html)

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement United States Forest 100 2017.01.18 Project Public Scoping Content Service Southwestern Analysis Region 3

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 24 Record Date Document Author #

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Riverbend Engineering, 101 2017.02.10 Plan Phases I & II LLC.

Rio Costilla Engineer's Construction Riverbend Engineering, 102 2017.02.24 Quantity Estimate (project design) LLC.

Rio Costilla Fish Habitat Improvement New Mexico Department 103 2017.05.01 Project Monitoring Plan of Game and Fish

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement United States Forest 104 2017.05.12 Inventory Standards and Accounting Service CONFIDENTIAL

Surface Water Quality Bureau Water New Mexico 105 2017.05.22 Quality Standards Outstanding Environmental National Resource Waters Department

Climate Data for Red River, New 106 2017.05.22 U.S. Climate Data Mexico

Costilla Creek below Costilla Dam, United States Geological 107 2017.05.22 New Mexico; Water Quality Data Service

Collaborative Collection Management 108 2017.05.24 Arctos Solution online database

109 2017.05.24 American pika BISON-M

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 25 Record Date Document Author #

110 2017.05.24 Burrowing owl BISON-M

111 2017.05.24 Gunnison’s prairie dog BISON-M

112 2017.05.24 Masked Shrew BISON-M

113 2017.05.24 Northern leopard frog BISON-M

114 2017.05.24 Pacific Marten BISON-M

115 2017.05.24 Pale Townsend's big-eared bat BISON-M

116 2017.05.24 Rio Grande chub BISON-M

117 2017.05.24 Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout BISON-M

118 2017.05.24 Rio Grande sucker BISON-M

119 2017.05.24 Sangre De Cristo Peaclam BISON-M

120 2017.05.24 Western water shrew BISON-M

White-tailed Ptarmigan (Lagopus Martin, K., L. A. Robb, S. 121 2017.05.24 leucura). In P. G. Rodewald (ed.), The Wilson and C. E. Braun birds of North America online

122 2017.05.24 Northern leopard frog NatureServe

New Mexico Rare Plant 123 2017.05.24 Delphinium robustum Technical Council

IPaC - Information for Planning and United States Department 124 2017.05.24 Consultation; Natural resources of of the Interior Fish and concern for Taos County, New Mexico Wildlife Service

New Mexico Rare Plant 125 2017.06.07 Alpine larkspur Technical Council

New Mexico Rare Plant 126 2017.06.07 Arizona Willow Technical Council

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 26 Record Date Document Author #

New Mexico Rare Plant 127 2017.06.07 Pecos Fleabane Technical Council

Riverbend Engineering, Final Rio Costilla Habitat LLC for New Mexico 128 2017.07.25 Improvement Plan Department of Game and Fish

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Ecosphere Environmental 129 2017.08.14 Project Wildlife Report Services, Inc.

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Ecosphere Environmental 130 2017.08.14 Project Soils and Watershed Report Services, Inc.

Rio Costilla Habitat Improvement Project 27