I Have Reviewed the Proposed Project to Reissue a Special Use Permit

BOTANY REPORT FOR THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES, SENSITIVE SPECIES, and MANAGEMENT INDICATOR SPECIES

Includes Biological Evaluation and Management Indicator Species Reports

Upland Island Wilderness Fuels Reduction Project

ANGELINA and JASPER COUNTIES, TEXAS

July 30, 2008

______Prepared by Thomas Philipps Forest Botanist National Forests and Grasslands in Texas Supervisor’s Office

INTRODUCTION AND PROPOSED ACTION

I have reviewed the proposed project designed to conduct prescribed burning on approximately 11,990 acres in Upland Island Wilderness (UIW) within the Angelina National Forest (ANF). The proposed project is designed to reduce hazardous fuels, maintain natural communities, improve existing habitat for threatened and endangered animal species (Red-Cockaded Woodpecker), reduce the chance of destructive wildfires, and to perpetuate fire adapted plants and animals all inclusive of the goal to manage for a healthy, productive, and sustainable forest within UIW through the reintroduction of fire as a management tool. This botany report will serve as the Biological Evaluation and Management Indicator Species Report for vegetation resources for this project.

The proposed action includes the following:

Conduct prescribed burning on approximately 11,990 acres in Upland Island Wilderness to reduce hazardous fuels. In addition, the project proposes to conduct prescribed burns on approximately 990 acres of adjacent private property, state lands, and national forest lands for an approximate total of 12,980 acres. The proposed action includes approximately 1,260 acres in a No Burn Area in the vicinity of Graham and Cypress Creeks inside UIW that would be excluded from prescribed fire.

Construction of approximately 17.0 miles of fire control lines on the exterior of UIW. These lines will be located on private lands adjacent to UIW. These lines will use existing control lines where they exist on adjacent private property, and be established with mechanical tools (e.g., bulldozer) or hand tools on private property with permission from the land owners. In addition, this proposal includes 14.6 miles of interior control lines within UIW. Approximately 6.3 miles of interior control lines would be established using hand tools on abandoned roads that accessed the area prior to the establishment of the wilderness in 1984. No hand line would be constructed in previously undisturbed areas inside UIW. Approximately 4.7 miles of creeks or naturally wet fuel breaks would be used as control lines where hand clearing may be necessary. In addition, approximately 3.6 miles of existing roads on non-wilderness lands would be used as fire breaks to separate burn units or burn blocks.

The project would occur primarily in upland sites dominated by pine or pine-hardwood in Management Area 7 (MA-7), Wilderness. The desired future condition of MA-7 includes lands that are administered to maintain or achieve a natural state. MA-7 permits prescribed fire to manage wilderness as determined through site-specific environmental analysis that addresses: (1) the role of fire in fire dependant or related ecosystems, and (2) fuel loadings which are a fire risk to resources and values outside of wilderness (Revised Land and Resource Management Plan, 1996). Historically, frequent fires maintained the open character of the longleaf pine communities in Upland Island Wilderness and promoted an herbaceous understory dominated by perennial grasses. Riparian areas that lie adjacent to upland sites would be included in the prescribed burns where they cannot be excluded without the construction of ground-disturbing fire control lines. Riparian areas within UIW will be managed similarly to Streamside Management Zones (MA-4).

THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES

The project will not impact any listed Threatened and Endangered Species. I reviewed the current list of species (Table 1) for the counties that contains UIW. The Navasota Ladies’- Tresses (Spiranthes parksii) is the only listed plant species known to occur on the Angelina NF. However, it typically occurs within or adjacent to rayless goldenrod- little bluestem plant communities (Catahoula pine barrens) on streamsides among post oaks. There is no suitable habitat for this species within the project area. As such, there will be no effect to this federally listed plant species due to the proposed action and it will be dropped from further consideration herein.

Table 1: Federally- listed plant species known to occur and/or adjacent to various units of the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas (NFGT).

Individual NFGT Units NFGT Distribution and Common Name Scientific Name Habitat Species Known Is Suitable To Occur Habitat Present White bladderpod Lesquerella pallida Weches formation Earthfruit Geocarpon minimum Saline glades and barrens Not on any NFGT units Texas prairie dawn Hymenoxys texana Saline glades and barrens Navasota ladies’- Spiranthes parksii Catahoula pine barrens Angelina NF No tresses

REGION 8 SENSITIVE SPECIES

Information on R8 sensitive species status, distribution, and ecology was derived from Texas Natural Heritage Program (TNHP) data base maps and reports, Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) habitat mapping, personal knowledge from Forest Service botanists, various scientific studies and reports, field surveys described below, and an extensive compilation of information contained in the Forest Plan (USFS 1996).

Determination of risks to populations of sensitive plants considers overall population size and density, occurrence, suitable habitat, location of the population, and consequences of adverse effects on the species as a whole within its range and within the project area.

I have reviewed the current list of Region 8 (R8) sensitive plant species. Based on the habitats to be affected and the habitat affinities of the R8 sensitive plant species (Table 2), the Upland Island Fuels Reduction Project will create beneficial effects for those species that are known to be present or those species that may be present due to the presence of suitable habitat because they are adapted to fire-dependent ecosystems. The single exception is Bartonia texana. The Upland Island Fuels Reduction Project will have no impacts due to project design criteria and mitigations that will be implemented to protect riparian areas (Ma-4 streamside zones).

Table 2. This table is “Step 1” of a Biological Evaluation, a pre-field checklist of Region 8 Sensitive Species (plants) that may occur or their habitat may be present within the UIW. Only the species that either occur or have suitable habitat within the project area will be carried through analysis. Fish, amphibians, insects, other invertebrates, and terrestrial wildlife will be covered in other reports. Table 2: R8 Sensitive plant species known to occur and/or having suitable habitat on various units of the NFGT

Individual UIW Units NFGT distribution and Is Common name Scientific name Species habitat suitable known habitat to occur present? Panicled Amorpha Angelina NF in bogs and No Yes indigobush paniculata bayballs Incised Angelina NF in sandy Agrimonia incisa No Yes agrimony longleaf savanna Texas Angelina and Sam Houston Bartonia texana No Yes bartonia NF in baygalls Warner’s Crataegus Davy Crockett NF in deep No hawthorn warneri sandy soils Mohlenbrock’s Cyperus Angelina and Sabine NF in umbrella No Yes grayoides xeric sandylands sedge Southern Cypripedium Angelina and Sabine NF in ladies’- No kentuckiense beech-white oak ravines slipper Comanche LBJ Grasslands on Dalea peak prairie goodland limestone No reverchonii clover soils Neches river Hibiscus Davy Crockett NF in No rose mallow dasycalyx sloughs and marshes Angelina and Sabine NF in Pineland Lachnocaulon hillside seepage slope No Yes bogbutton digynum bogs Texas golden Leavenworthia Weches formation No gladecress texana Angelina and Sabine NF in Slender Liatris tenuis sandy longleaf pine Yes Yes gayfeather savanna Yellow Platanthera Angelina NF in hillside fringeless No Yes integra seepage slope bogs orchid Barbed Prenanthes Angelina and Sabine NF in rattlesnake No barbata beech-white oak ravines root Large Rhynchospora Angelina NF in hillside No Yes beakrush macra seepage slope bogs Angelina and Sabine NF in Sabine Rudbeckia hillside seepage slope Yes Yes coneflower scabrifolia bogs and baygalls Texas Schoenolirion Angelina NF in catahoula No sunnybells wrightii pine barrens Scarlet Sabine NF on sandy post Silene subciliata No catchfly oak hillsides Clasping Streptanthus Sabine NF where No twistflower maculatus glauconite is present Trillium Angelina NF in baygall Texas trillium No Yes texanum ecotones Drummond’s Xyris Angelina NF in hillside Yes Yes Individual UIW Units NFGT distribution and Is Common name Scientific name Species habitat suitable known habitat to occur present? yellow-eyed drummondii seepage slope bogs grass Louisiana Angelina NF in hillside yellow-eyed Xyris louisianica No Yes seepage slope bogs grass Harper’s Angelina and Sabine NF in yellow-eyed Xyris scabrifolia hillside seepage slope Yes Yes grass bogs

Sensitive Plants

Records of past species occurrence reports and aerial photography was reviewed in order to determine presence/absence or areas of potential suitable habitat for these species. A site visit was conducted by the Forest Botanist on 6/14-15/2007 and again on 7/23/2008. Sensitive plant species listed in Table 2 that either are known to occur or have suitable habitat in the project area have been identified and will be incorporated in further effects analysis. The other species do not have affinities to project area habitats, do not have distributional ranges that overlap the project area, and would not be affected by the proposed action. The proposed action would have no impact on these plant species and they are dropped from further consideration herein.

Panicled False Indigo Environmental Baseline Amopha paniculata is assigned a rounded global rank of G2 (imperiled) and a Texas state rank of S2 (imperiled). It has a limited range in the south-central U.S. and is considered rare in most if not all of that range. It occurs in deep acid woodlands and bogs over Letney (Arenic Paleudults) soils within the Catahoula Formation. Amorpha paniculata is a stout shrub that grows in deep acid woodlands and bogs in East Texas. Most habitat occurs within streamside management zones. It is distinguished from other Amorpha species by its fuzzy leaflets with prominent raised veins underneath, and the flower panicles, which are 8 to 16 inches long and slender, held above the foliage. It flowers between May and June. Threats include shading and overstocking of pines. Also, lack of fire is a major threat but some sites are being managed with fire. Many sites are on roadsides at stream crossings. It appears to be herbicide resistant.

Available Inventories Surveys in areas of suitable habitat were conducted for this species by Philipps in 2005 and by Bridges, Singhurst, Nilles, and Philipps in 2006. Currently, this species is known to occur within Compartments 87, 90 and 92 in the Angelina NF and Compartment 139 in the Sabine NF. Additional populations are expected with more survey work (little inventory has been done) but the known population size and area of occupancy is very small.

Existing population inventory information across the project area is not adequate for this species. However, Resource Protection Measures that require adherence to MA-4 guidelines, other project design criteria aimed at eliminating soil disturbing activities where this species may occur, and other restrictions related to work in wet areas will allow this project to be implemented without negatively impacting this species. This is a fire dependent species. The application of prescribed fire as a management tool in the project area will have beneficial impacts to this species since prescribed fire would reduce woody competition by top-killing shrubs, reduce shading by non-selective mid- story reduction, and reduce overstocking thereby allowing more sunlight to reach the lower mid-story/herbaceous layer of the forest.

Incised Agrimony Environmental Baseline This species has high potential to occur in fire-maintained, open-canopied longleaf pine savanna, on well-drained but not xeric sandy soils (Orzell 1990). Threats to this species include the exclusion of fire (which allows woody shrubs to invade its habitat), intensive site preparation, and conversion of open, mature longleaf pine forests to short rotation pine plantations (NatureServe 2005). This species is known in several compartments on the southern Angelina in primarily longleaf pine-dominated areas.

Incised agrimony is known from about 50 different sites on the Angelina National Forest, straddling the Jasper-Angelina County line south of Sam Rayburn Reservoir, centered on N31 04, W94 11 (MacRoberts and MacRoberts 1997), an area of approximately 4 km x 11 km. This area corresponds roughly to the area represented by compartments 73-87 of the ANF. Outside the ANF, the species is known from several sites farther east, including three sites on private land in northern Newton County. The species is seems to be “recovering nicely,” most probably due to the National Forest’s aggressive fire program (pers. communications T. Philipps 2004).

Available Inventories Orzell and Bridges (1989) – Recorded two populations in the Trout Creek area (compts. 77 and 80). J. Singhurst (1996) – Reported the species from eight sites on the ANF in compts. 73, 75, 78-81, and 83. MacRoberts and MacRoberts (1995) – Reported 17 populations in nine compts. (75-79, 81, 83, 85, and 87. MacRoberts and MacRoberts (1997) – Documented eight additional populations in compts. 75-78, 81, 83, 85, and 87. Surveyed high potential habitat west of these compartments in Upland Island Wilderness (compts 68-70 and 94-99), Boykin Springs area (compt. 92), north of Sam Rayburn Reservoir, and other areas, did not find the species. Various botanists (1998) surveyed high potential habitats in 11 compartments on the north side of Sam Rayburn Reservoir for Forest Service sensitive species, which included Agrimonia incisa. The compartments surveyed were 1-7, 11, and 13-15. This species was not found. A hillside seepage slope bog floristic survey conducted between 8/8/06-8/11/06 resulted in the inadvertent documentation of one additional population of Agrimonia incisa in C- 77 of the Angelina NF. Another survey specifically designed to relocate known populations of this species was conducted between 9/21/2006 and 9/24/2006. A total of 15 historical populations were visited resulting in the relocation of 9 extant populations. Additional surveys conducted in 2007 have resulted in the documentation of this species in three more areas on the Angelina NF, all within the Trout Creek area.

Existing population inventory information is adequate because surveys have identified sufficient numbers of occurrences within the National Forests. This is a fire dependent species. The application of prescribed fire as a management tool in the project area will have beneficial impacts to this species since prescribed fire would reduce woody competition by top-killing shrubs, reduce shading by non-selective mid-story reduction, and reduce overstocking thereby allowing more sunlight to reach the lower mid- story/herbaceous layer of the forest.

Texas Bartonia Environmental Baseline This species is a Texas endemic, and has been documented in eight counties in southeastern Texas and is found in Jasper and Nacogdoches counties on the ANF. It is known within compartments 76, 86, and 112. It occurs in wet seepage areas, streams edges, and other mesic to wet sites such as sphagnum bogs.

Available Inventories MacRoberts and MacRoberts surveyed high potential habitats for Forest Service sensitive plant species in many compartments on the Angelina in the 1990’s. They found the species in Compartments 76 and 86. Plants found in Compartment 76 were in a baygall; and the plants in Compartment 86 were found upslope from a baygall in a sand/baygall ecotone. Robert Evans, then Forest Botanist, and David Peterson, Fisheries Biologist, located Texas Bartonia in Compartment 76 in September 1994 in a baygall. This may be the same population reported by the MacRoberts. A large area known to occupy Texas bartonia occurs on the SFA Experimental Forest, Compartment 112 of the Angelina National Forest. This information is from District records (occurrence map) of unknown origin. The species was not found during an inventory performed by Forest Botanist, Tom Philipps, in 2005. Surveys conducted on September 23-24, 2006 could not relocate the two populations reported by MacRoberts in 1997, but another survey conducted in late September 2006 on the Sam Houston NF did relocate the C-98 population.

Existing population inventory information across the project area is not adequate for this species. However, Resource Protection Measures that require adherence to MA-4 guidelines, other project design criteria aimed at eliminating soil disturbing activities where this species may occur, and other restrictions related to work in wet areas will allow this project to be implemented without negatively impacting this species. Fire would not be directly applied to riparian areas; rather, low intensity fire would be allowed to back into streamside vegetation (the Plan, p. 155) where it generally goes out naturally. The application of prescribed fire as a management tool in the project area will have no impacts to this species since any prescribed fire applied would extinguish naturally upon reaching the wet sphagnum substrate where this species occurs.

Mohlenbrock’s Umbrella Sedge Environmental Baseline This sedge has been recorded in several midwestern and southern states, including Texas, where it has been found in 20 eastern counties (Orzell 1990). Cyperus grayioides occurs on dry, sandy barren openings in upland longleaf pine savannahs on xeric stream terrace Pleistocene sand ridges and on the Willis (Quaternary) and Catahoula (Miocene) Formations. The plant forms open colonies around the rims of blowdowns (wind formed depressions), on active dunes, and rarely in disturbed roadsides associated with dry sand prairies (Bowles et al. 1986). This species is also found in open well-drained sandy soils with little or no other vegetation present. Most sites are full sun with little shade. Suitable habitat includes early successional stages of sand prairies, and sandy barrens of xeric forests (upland longleaf pine and post oak forests). This species declines as herbs and young hardwoods invade the habitat over time. The habitat is maintained by disturbances such as grazing and fire that suppress invasion of other vegetation. Habitats may be recreated by simulating disturbances (with fire or bull- dozing small areas to disturb the seed bank and clear vegetation) where it once occurred. The lack of fire to maintain its habitat is a limiting factor for the species.

Available Inventories MacRoberts and MacRoberts surveyed high potential habitats for Forest Service sensitive plant species in many compartments on the Angelina in the 1990’s. They found the species in Compartments 74, 76, and 87 (Sherwood Creek). Plants were found in two locations in Compartment 76 on deep sandy hilltops. An additional three sites are located on the Sabine NF. Numerous surveys on the south Angelina by various Forest Botanists and other botanists/biologists have not recorded additional populations of the species.

Pineland Bogbutton Environmental Baseline Lachnocaulon digynum is restricted to seasonally or semipermanently saturated substrates, usually with little or no shrub or tree cover, within hillside seepage slope bogs in the West Gulf Coastal Plain. Lachnocaulon digynum requires active management, most importantly the maintenance of its habitat through prescribed burning. In addition to prescribed burning, it is also necessary to prevent drainage of the habitat by adjacent or upslope ditching. No grazing should be allowed in the habitat, and no major disturbances of the soil surface within the population. Minor surface disturbances, however, could provide sites for establishment of new colonies. It has a rounded global conservation rank of G3 and is ranked S1 (critically imperiled) in Texas.

Available Inventories Numerous surveys have been conducted within areas of suitable habitat in the NFGT for this species. Surveys have been conducted by Orzell and Bridges in the late 1980’s, the MacRoberts in the mid-1990’s, Singhurst in the late 1990’s and in early 2000’s, and Philipps in the mid 2000’s for this species without a single confirmed occurrence record. Surveys for this species will continue because suitable habitat exists within the NFGT, but to date there are no known occurrences.

Slender Gayfeather Environmental Baseline This species has high potential to occur in open, fire-maintained, dry upland longleaf pine savannas on the Catahoula Formation (Orzell 1990). The species is known from over 40 locations on the ANF in the longleaf ridge area and from several locations in the southern Sabine NF, including C-139 and C-142. The distribution of locations indicates that the species is widespread on the Forest. Threats to these species include conversion of high potential habitat to dense young pine plantations, severe soil disturbance such as from intense site preparation, and the invasion of woody understory species as a result of fire exclusion.

Available Inventories Orzell (1990) conducted extensive surveys for sensitive plants throughout much of the Angelina National Forest, focusing on habitats most likely to contain rare and sensitive species, including well-burned upland longleaf forest. He found this species in compartments 73, 84, 86, 88, 92, and in Upland Island Wilderness on the Angelina National Forest. MacRoberts and MacRoberts surveyed high potential habitats for Forest Service sensitive plant species, which included Liatris tenuis, in the following 11 compartments: 31, 32, 33, 34, 60, 61, 62, 74, 75, 76, and 77 at various times during the 1990s. The species was found in compartments 61 and 76. Various botanists (1998) surveyed high potential habitats in 11 compartments on the north side of Sam Rayburn Reservoir for Forest Service sensitive species, which included Liatris tenuis. The compartments surveyed were 1-7, 11, and 13-15. A survey was conducted on October 26- 27, 2004 in Compartment 139 on the Sabine NF for unrecorded occurrences of Liatris tenuis. One new population was documented in this area. No other surveys were conducted in FY 2005 specifically for this species; however, other botanical surveys in longleaf pine habitat were conducted in 2005 with no new occurrences noted. A hillside seepage slope bog floristic survey conducted between 8/8/06-8/11/06 resulted in the documentation/association of Liatris tenuis in three locations in Boykin Springs on the Angelina NF and one location on the Stark Tract on the Sabine NF. In addition, a project survey conducted in C-139 on the Sabine NF following a prescribed burn revealed literally thousands of Liatris tenuis in flower across the landscape.

Yellow Fringeless Orchid Environmental Baseline This orchid can be found in low, wet pine savannas, sphagnum seeps and bogs in the southeastern United States from New Jersey, south to north-central Florida, and west to Tennessee and southeast Texas. The 1990 TNHP Report documented two small populations, both in bogs on the southern Angelina NF. These two sites were examined in 1998 and both were still extant. The 1996 baseline is one population. Seasonal flooding and periodic burning are the key components to the communities where this orchid is found. The Global Status of the Yellow Fringeless Orchid is classified as G3- Vulnerable, and S1-Critically Imperiled for the state of Texas (NatureServe 2006).

Available Inventories Surveys for this species were conducted on August 24-25, September 19-21, 2005 and the following year on August 7-11 and September 5, 2006 in suitable habitat on the Angelina NF. The two known extant populations were not relocated nor were any new occurrences documented during any of these surveys. However, a survey conducted on August 21, 2007 following the application of a prescribed burn the preceding spring resulted in the relocation of this species once again in one of the sites documented in 1998.

Large Beakrush Environmental Baseline This species is found within the Coastal Plain in hillside seepage slope bogs and pocosins from North Carolina to Texas. It is considered rare within its range and has a global conservation ranking of G3 and is ranked S1 (critically imperiled) in Texas. It is highly threatened by land-use conversion, habitat fragmentation, and forest management practices and is especially vulnerable to succession resulting from fire exclusion.

Available Inventories This species is known from several hillside seepage slope bogs within the Angelina NF. Recently, a hillside seepage slope bog floristic survey conducted between 8/8/06-8/11/06 resulted in the documentation/association of Rhynchospora macra in two locations in Boykin Springs on the Angelina NF. An additional survey conducted by Philipps in 2007 resulted in the documentation of additional populations in C-76 and C-87 of the Angelina NF. To date, there are five known element occurrence records for this species within the NFGT.

Existing population inventory information across the project area is adequate for this species. Resource Protection Measures that require adherence to MA-4 guidelines, other project design criteria aimed at eliminating soil disturbing activities where this species may occur, and other restrictions related to work in wet areas will allow this project to be implemented without negatively impacting this species. This is a fire dependent species. The application of prescribed fire as a management tool in the project area will have beneficial impacts to this species since prescribed fire would reduce woody competition by top-killing shrubs, reduce shading by non-selective mid-story reduction, and reduce overstocking thereby allowing more sunlight to reach the lower mid-story/herbaceous layer of the forest.

Sabine Coneflower Environmental Baseline Rudbeckia scabrifolia is a narrow endemic currently known from four southeast Texas counties and 2 Louisiana parishes. All of the Texas locations are from the Catahoula Formation or near the contact of the Catahoula and Willis Formations. It is restricted to hillside seepage slope bogs and associated broadleaf semi-evergreen acid-seep forests. It is threatened by fire suppression, which causes the bogs to become shrub-invaded, and by alteration of the local hydrology by roads and fire lanes, which can cause the bogs to dry out. Other threats may include logging, and hog browsing and rooting. However, many sites are well-managed and viable. It has a global conservation rank of G3G4 and a Texas state conservation rank of G3 (vulnerable).

Available Inventories There are over 80 populations of this species documented across its range. Orzell and Bridges documented 26 populations of this species on both the Angelina and Sabine NFs during the 1989 surveys. Additional surveys conducted by other botanists since the 1989 baseline survey, including MacRoberts, Singhurst, and Philipps have documented additional populations in the majority of hillside seepage slope bogs and acid seep forests that occur within the Longleaf Ridge and Mayflower Uplands LTA. It appears to be relatively abundant within suitable habitat and is relatively secure where it exists.

Texas Trillium Environmental Baseline This species is extremely rare in low moist woods, bogs and stream banks (Correll and Johnston 1970). and in low, boggy hardwood bottoms; seep borders of ravine streams. Often in sphagnum mats (NatureServe 2005). It is known only in Compartment 76, 77, and 86 of the Angelina NF. MacRoberts and MacRoberts found the species in deep sandy soil on the ecotone between baygall/stream and upland pine/hardwoods.

Existing population inventory information across the project area is adequate for this species. Resource Protection Measures that require adherence to MA-4 guidelines, other project design criteria aimed at eliminating soil disturbing activities where this species may occur, and other restrictions related to work in wet areas will allow this project to be implemented without negatively impacting this species. Fire would not be directly applied to riparian areas; rather, low intensity fire would be allowed to back into streamside vegetation (the Plan, p. 155) where it generally goes out naturally. The application of prescribed fire as a management tool in the project area will have no impacts to this species since any prescribed fire applied would extinguish naturally upon reaching the wet sphagnum substrate where this species occurs. Additionally, there may be indirect beneficial impacts to this species from the reduction of woody competition through the application of prescribed fire.

Drummond’s Yellow-eyed Grass Environmental Baseline Xyris drummondii occurs in the Coastal Plain from southeast Georgia westward through northwestern Florida and south Alabama to southern Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. It is usually found in hillside seepage bogs where seepage has created exposures of wet fine sand or peaty sand. The Texas sites are exclusively on the Catahoula formation where groundwater emerges from a sandy residuum at its contact with an impervious layer of tuffaceous sandstone. It has a global conservation rank of G3 and is ranked S2 (Imperiled) in Texas.

Available Inventories Xyris is a difficult genus and usually requires an expert to identify. Orzell and Bridges documented nine populations on the Angelina NF during their 1989 baseline survey. The MacRoberts located an additional population in C-77 during a 1995 survey. Another survey conducted by Singhurst, Bridges, Nilles, and Philipps in 2006 resulted in the documentation of two more occurrences, all on the Angelina NF. To date, there are 12 documented sites where this species is known to occur, all of them on the Angelina NF.

Louisiana Yelloweyed Grass Environmental Baseline Xyris louisianica (sometimes referred to as Kral’s yellow-eyed grass) has a rounded global rank of G3 (vulnerable) and a Texas state rank of S1 (critically imperiled). It is an afternoon flowering specimen, highly threatened by land-use conversion, habitat fragmentation, succession, and misguided forest management practices. Xyris louisianica resembles X. stricta and X. ambigua, but has several consistently different features. It has a darker plant base, narrower leaves, and later flowering time than X. ambigua. X. louisianica grows solitary or in small clumps, has a flattened scape apex obviously narrower than the spike, and has light-colored mature seeds vs X. stricta which grows densely cespitose, has a flattened scape apex almost as broad as the spike, and has dark- colored mature seeds. It occurs on the lower edges of hillside seepage slopes and wet claypan pine savannas.

Available Inventories Surveys for this species have been conducted by Singhurst and Bridges in 2005. That survey resulted in the documentation of 2 populations on the Angelina NF. A subsequent survey conducted by Bridges, Singhurst, Nilles, and Philipps in 2006 resulted in two more population occurrences, all in the Angelina NF and all occurring in pitcher plant bogs. Currently, there are four known locations for this species on the Angelina NF. The first one occurs in Compartment 79 (Dan Lay Bog), the second location occurs within Compartment 95 in the Upland Island Wilderness, another location is in a wet claypan savanna in C-85, and another population occurs in a bog in C-77.

Harper’s Yellow-eyed Grass Environmental Baseline Xyris scabrifolia occurs in the Southeastern Coastal Plain from North Carolina to Texas. In Texas, it is frequent in hillside seepage bogs on the Catahoula Formation. Within these seepage bogs, X. scabrifolia is found within open boggy areas and in partial shade of evergreen shrub thickets. The greatest threats to the Xyris scabrifolia subpopulations include (1) habitat destruction by conversion to urban, suburban, agricultural, silvicultural, or military use, (2) alteration of hydrology as a result of habitat fragmentation, and (3) loss of herb diversity due to fire suppression. It has a rounded global conservation rank of G3. In Texas the conservation ranking is currently under review.

Available Inventories There are currently an estimated 144 element occurrence records for this species across its range, with 27 occurrence records located on the Angelina and Sabine NFs. Orzell and Bridges had documented 19 locations during the 1989 baseline survey, the MacRoberts documented an incidental occurrence in C-76 of the Angelina NF in 1995 while conducting a survey for another species, and Bridges, Singhurst, Nilles, and Philipps documented an additional 7 populations during the 2006 bog floristic inventory on the NFGT. The species appears to be relatively abundant where suitable habitat exists and seems to be secure within the NFGT.

MANAGEMENT INDICATOR SPECIES

The USFS identified Management Indicator Species (MIS) to provide a means to monitor selected issues on the Forest as required by regulation (36 CFR 219.19, 1982). MIS are those whose response to management activities can be used to predict the likely response of a larger group of species with similar habitat requirements. In addition, selected MIS should be those whose change in population would be directly attributable to the management action. Strategies and objectives found in the 1986 Forest Plan direct the Forest to provide ecological conditions that sustain viable populations of MIS and to demonstrate positive trends in habitat availability, quality, or other factors affecting the species.

Monitoring is conducted for each MIS on the Forest to obtain the data elements necessary to meet the intent of the regulations defining MIS. The USFS is implementing monitoring for each MIS Forest-wide within the constraints of the budget and workforce. Monitoring information will guide the Forest in determining where and how to spend scarce resources in order answer the MIS questions raised during the development of the Revised Forest Plan. Results of the annual monitoring program are included in the Forest-wide Monitoring Report. Population and habitat trends for all MIS will be reflected in this report and will guide future Forest management programs.

MIS are meant to be a Forest-wide issue. Project-level activities are evaluated in relation to how they affect Forest-wide population and habitat trends.

Table 3 represents the management indicator species (plants) evaluated with this proposal. MIS fish, amphibians, insects, other invertebrates, and terrestrial wildlife will be covered in other reports. Table 3: Management Indicator Species (Plants)

Analyzed in Species Habitat Management Indicator Habitat this Present? Present? Species (MIS) Represented document? (Y/N) (Y/N) (Y/N) Nodding Nixie Baygalls and N Y Y (Apteria aphylla) acidic woods Louisiana Squarehead Longleaf pine (Tetragonotheca Y and/or bluejack Y Y ludoviciana) oak sandhills

From the list of Forest-wide MIS above these species were identified as project MIS, based on Forest Plan selection criteria and their presence, potential occurrence, and/or their habitats within or adjacent to the proposed project area. Other MIS were not selected as project MIS because they do not occur in the project area and they and their associated habitats would not be affected by any proposed activities. Based on the habitats to be affected and the habitat affinities of the management indicator plant species (Table 3), the Upland Island Fuels Reduction Project will create beneficial effects for Tetragonotheca ludoviciana because this species is adapted to a fire-dependent ecosystem and will have no impacts on Apteria aphylla due to the project design criteria and mitigations that will be implemented to protect riparian areas (Ma-4 streamside zones). The management indicator plant species listed in Table 3 that either are known to occur or have suitable habitat in the project area have been identified and will be incorporated in further effects analysis.

Nodding Nixie Environmental Baseline

According to the TNHP Report, Nodding Nixie occurs in damp, deeply shaded, seepage saturated forests (baygalls), often in association with mosses (Sphagnum spp.) and is generally restricted to eight counties in southeast Texas. The Global Status of Nodding Nixie is classified as G4-Apparently Secure, and S2-Imperiled for the state of Texas (NatureServe 2006). These areas are typically protected during harvest treatments. Occasionally in drier years, prescribed fire may creep into these sites.

Available inventories The TNHP Report noted five locations of this species on the NFGT, three on the Angelina NF and two on the Sabine NF. Additional sites have been found on the Sabine NF in the baygall west of Highway 147 in Compartment 51 and in Compartment 90. Houston Sierra Club volunteers located Nodding Nixie on six sites in three compartments (Compartments No. 90, 91, and 94) on the east side of the Sam Houston NF (all of which are confirmed by a Forest Service biologist). A hillside seepage slope bog floristic survey conducted between 8/8/06-8/11/06 resulted in the inadvertent documentation of four additional populations of Apteria aphylla on the southern Angelina NF. In addition, species specific surveys for this plant on September 23-30, 2006 resulted in the discovery of two more new populations on the Angelina NF and the relocation of four populations on the Sam Houston NF. In 2007 this species was documented in a baygall in Compartment 79 on the Angelina NF. The Plan’s baseline is seven populations. There are currently 22 sites on the southern Angelina NF, with an estimated several thousand plants. The latest population estimate for the NFGT is approximately 28 sites. Surveys for this species are generally conducted in the fall.

Existing population inventory information across the project area is adequate for this species. Resource Protection Measures that require adherence to MA-4 guidelines, other project design criteria aimed at eliminating soil disturbing activities where this species may occur, and other restrictions related to work in wet areas will allow this project to be implemented without negatively impacting this species. Fire would not be directly applied to riparian areas; rather, low intensity fire would be allowed to back into streamside vegetation (the Plan, p. 155) where it generally goes out naturally. The application of prescribed fire as a management tool in the project area will have no impacts to this species since any prescribed fire applied would extinguish naturally upon reaching the wet sphagnum substrate where this species occurs.

Louisiana Squarehead Environmental Baseline Known also as the Sawtooth Nerveray, this species has been recorded in 19 east Texas counties as well as in western Louisiana and extreme southwest Arkansas (according to the TNHP report). Louisiana squarehead is restricted to sandy soils in sandhill woods and xeric sandhills in longleaf pine savannas. Known populations are small in number of individuals (Rob Evans personal communication), and are known to occur on Davy Crockett and Angelina NFs. Frequent fires should help maintain this species. Periodic prescribed burning would retard woody invasion, thereby maintaining open sandy areas with little competition. It is a fire-adapted species and appears to respond well to any fire intensity, as has been documented following the wildfire in C-77 of the Angelina NF where this species was seen to flourish as the result of that very intense fire. Also, the numbers of individuals found within road ROWs suggests that this species does well when there is a lack of woody competition. The Global Status of the Louisiana Squarehead is classified as G4-Apparently Secure, and S3-Vulnerable for the state of Texas (NatureServe 2006).

Available Inventories Surveys conducted by MacRoberts in 1995 resulted in the documentation of 5 populations on the Angelina NF. Inventories and monitoring following the February 10, 1998 windstorm blowdown, found an additional population on the northern Angelina NF and one population on the Sabine NF, More surveys conducted in 2005 by Philipps resulted in the relocation of several populations on the Davy Crockett NF and two new populations on the Angelina NF. The current known populations are estimated at 20. The short-term objective in the Plan is 20 populations and the long-term objective is 25. A hillside seepage slope bog floristic survey conducted between 8/8/06-8/11/06 resulted in the inadvertent documentation of one additional population of this species in C-92 of the Angelina NF. In 2007, surveys conducted on the Angelina NF in the Upland Island Wilderness located one new population. As more southern pine habitat is managed with fire and overall fire frequency is increased, potential increases in sites with this fire- dependent plant may be possible.

Non-Native Invasive Plant Species (NNIPS)

Surveys for invasive species within the project area were conducted on 7/6/2006, 9/21/2006, The following invasive species were documented:

Acres Compartment NNIS Infested Location 68 Triadica sebifera 0.001 R.O.W. along unamed road side 68 Lygodium Japonium 0.001 R.O.W. along unamed road side 68 Lygodium Japonium 0.001 R.O.W. along unamed road side 68 Lygodium Japonium 0.001 R.O.W. along 2 sides 68 Lygodium Japonium 0.001 R.O.W. along 2 sides 68 Lygodium Japonium 1 R.O.W. extends into woods 68 Lygodium Japonium 0.001 R.O.W. along unamed road side 68 Lygodium Japonium 0.001 R.O.W. along unamed road side 70 Lygodium Japonium 0.001 R.O.W. FS303 both sides 94 Albizia julibrissin 0.001 R.O.W. 303-2, near stream 94 Lygodium Japonium 0.001 R.O.W. I side of road 303-2 97 Triadica sebifera 0.001 R.O.W. 314 97 Lygodium Japonium 0.001 R.O.W. 314 near stream, 1 side 97 Lygodium Japonium 0.001 R.O.W. 314, 1 side of rd 97 Lygodium Japonium 0.001 R.O.W. CO 110, both sides of the road 97 Lygodium Japonium 0.001 R.O.W. CO 110, 1 side of road 97 Lygodium Japonium 0.001 R.O.W. CO110, both sides of road 97 Lygodium Japonium 0.001 R.O.W. 314, 1 side of rd 97 Albizia julibrissin 0.001 R.O.W. 1 side 314 97 Albizia julibrissin 0.001 R.O.W. 314, 1 side near stream 97 Albizia julibrissin 0.001 R.O.W. 314 near stream, 1 side 97 Albizia julibrissin 0.001 R.O.W. 314, sporadic along both sides 0f 314 until this part 98 Triadica sebifera 0.001 R.O.W. 314 near stream 98 Albizia julibrissin 0.001 R.O.W. 1 side of 314, W of FS land 98 Albizia julibrissin 0.001 R.O.W. 314 Row, 2 trees 98 Albizia julibrissin 0.001 R.O.W. 314 Row, several trees 98 Albizia julibrissin 0.001 R.O.W. 314 near stream,E on pvt land, both sides of rd, 3 trees

Direct/Indirect Effects

The ground disturbing activities proposed in this project would have a high risk of NNIPS spread in (1) habitats that have high susceptibility to NNIPS invasion or (2) areas that are already disturbed. However, a comprehensive plan of NNIPS control and prevention would be integrated into the project design for all of the proposed activities regardless of where they would occur. This would reduce or contain NNIPS and improve the vigor of native vegetation, thereby increasing resistance to further NNIPS invasion. NNIPS treatment would include both manual non-mechanical and cultural control and prevention measures and would be included in the project design criteria (USDA Forest Service, Guide to Noxious Weed Prevention Practices, Version 1.0, Dated July 5th 2001). Under the proposed action, treatment of NNIPS would occur anywhere within the project area. Treatments would be commensurate with the location of existing populations and with individual risk of spread. Monitoring would take place to determine effectiveness of treatment.

Cumulative Effects

Ongoing NNIPS management in the analysis area will include any other NNIPS control actions as a result of any existing signed environmental documents, the NNIPS Management Plan, and the programmatic NFGT NNIPS EA. Any active NNIPS control for this analysis area will incorporate the NFGT NNIPS EA by reference. If alternative 2 of the Upland Island Wilderness Fuels Reduction Project will be implemented in the project area, it will include treatment with prescribed fire, cultural, and manual non- mechanical control of NNIPS as well as education and preventive practices. This alternative would follow NFGT Forest Plan management direction for NNIPS.

Monitoring

Monitoring would be similar to that which is being conducted as part of the NFGT 1989 LRMP and NNIPS EA. Monitoring of environmental conditions would occur during direct NNIPS treatments. Monitoring of non-target resources, including wildlife, plant and animal abundance, and aquatic resources would also occur. Effectiveness monitoring would be implemented during the next growing season following treatment. Inventories for new infestations as a result of the proposed activities would be conducted every growing season. The monitoring and inventories would be conducted by qualified NNIPS, Range, and/or Botany personnel on the NFGT.

Alternative 1: The No-Action Alternative

Under the No Action Alternative, the US Forest Service would not implement any of the proposed actions. No prescribed burning or Wildland Fire Use (WFU) would take place in Upland Island Wilderness (UIW). All wildfires would be suppressed unless a new Fire Management Plan for UIW is developed and approved by the Forest Supervisor. The No Action Alternative serves as a baseline for analysis comparisons.

Direct Effects

Upland Island Wilderness contains plant communities which are fire dependent across their range. Decades of fire exclusion in these ecosystems where fire has historically been a recurring factor has lead to a dramatic shift in species composition from open savanna woodlands to closed canopy forests (Varner et al. 2005). Frequently burned pineland understory communities are among the most species rich outside the tropics (Peet & Allard 1993). Without fire, increased overstory and midstory canopy cover, as well as leaf litter deposition, reduce sunlight reaching the forest floor, leading to a loss of light demanding understory grasses, forbs, and pine seedlings (Waters et al. 2004). After several decades of fire suppression, herbaceous species richness declines, pine seedlings are lacking, and the understory becomes dominated by woody species (Kush et al. 2004).

Indirect Effects

Fire exclusion in UIW as a whole will cause negative indirect effects to other smaller plant communities that are nested within the longleaf pine-little bluestem community that dominates the project area. Sphagnum-beakrush communities, or pitcher plant bogs, are inclusional communities within UIW that are also fire dependent. Pitcher plant bogs are declining in quantity and quantity throughout their range. Pitcher plant bogs require frequent fires to prevent woody encroachment (Folkerts 1982). The absence of fire results in the eventual elimination of bog species (Folkerts 1982). The continued policy of fire exclusion in the area as a whole will cause these special plant communities to decline in quality and quantity.

Cumulative Effects

Similar longleaf pine-little bluestem plant communities outside of and adjacent to UIW have been burned on a regular basis resulting in a highly diverse microcosm of flora and fauna. Fire depressed fire dependent ecosystems in proximity to these managed areas can lead to problems resembling landscape fragmentation leading to declines in plant and animal species richness. Even though two areas are identified under the same plant community classification the lack of fire can result in one of the areas becoming a barrier for species to expand because the landscape has been unnaturally altered. These types of landscape changes caused by fire suppression, along with stand conversions and fragmentation, have resulted in a 97% decline in the area of longleaf pine ecosystems, making them among the most imperiled ecosystems in the United States (Noss et al. 1995).

Alternatives 2, 3, 4, and 5: Common Elements of the Action Alternative

The four Action Alternatives that are being carried forward for detailed analysis have several common elements that will be the same for each alternative. These common elements are: Fire Activities; Exterior and Perimeter Control Lines (along the wilderness boundary with private lands); Interior Control Lines; Implementation; and Monitoring. The differences in the four action alternatives are in the methods of ignition, the acres of wilderness proposed to be burned and the amounts of fire line to be built. For the scope of this analysis, there are no measurable differences in the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of the common elements as project design criteria and mitigations are in place for protection of resources within MA-4 for all of the alternatives. Therefore, this analysis will only consider the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of reintroducing prescribed fire as a management tool to UIW.

Direct Effects

In long unburned pinelands, the objectives of fire reintroduction are typically to (1) maintain the remnant pine overstory; (2) reduce hardwood midstory; (3) enhance or reestablish native plants and animals; (4) reduce accumulated fuels; and (5) reduce native and non-native invasive species populations (Wade et al. 1998). The reintroduction of fire is an essential element in the management of longleaf pine-little bluestem and sphagnum- beakrush communities. It is anticipated that with most prescribed burning programs, that the resulting post fire landscape will have significantly reduced fuel loads and reduced risks of detrimental wildfires (Rideout 2002). In addition, the return of a frequent fire regime to these landscapes within UIW would play an essential role in increasing species richness, diversity, and total abundance of forbs and legumes (Sparks et al. 1998).

Indirect Effects

Since longleaf pine-little bluestem plant communities contain within themselves other smaller inclusional fire dependent plant communities like pitcher plant bogs (sphagnum- beakrush series) the return of fire as a management tool would have beneficial indirect effects to these communities as well. The life history and habits of those species found within pitcher plant bogs suggests that frequent burns may be necessary to maintain the unique bog ecosystem (Keith and Carrie 2002) and that other studies suggest that frequent fires are necessary to maintain the density of certain species within these communities over time. Other positive indirect effects of the use of fire as a management tool in UIW include an increase in nutrient cycling, the formation of uneven aged stands due to non-selective tree mortality, and an overall decrease in woody sprouts that restrict sunlight from reaching the forest floor (Sparks et al. 1998).

Cumulative Effects

Other longleaf pine-little bluestem plant communities adjacent to the project area are currently actively managed through the use of prescribed fire. The application of a similar management practice within UIW would reverse the negative effects of decades of fire exclusion. Such action would alter the present condition that has been created as a result of fire exclusion to one that is well-suited for fire-adapted species to thrive and flourish. An increase in species distribution could be expected as a larger continuous area of suitable habitat is made available for these species to expand into. In addition, this action, combined with other similar actions in adjacent units will reduce habitat fragmentation and decrease the chance for a destructive wildfire by reducing fuels loading.

Conclusion

UIW is a fire-adapted ecosystem that has been degraded by decades of fire-exclusion. The return of prescribed fire as a management tool would have an overall beneficial effect on the fire-dependent plant communities present there. Studies have shown that fire exclusion in these fire-adapted ecosystems decreases plant and animal species richness contained within. The return of a frequent fire regime increases overall floral and faunal species richness. Such management actions would also lead to a larger continuous tract of well-maintained longleaf pine-little bluestem plant community on the Angelina NF that fire adapted species could expand into.

Proposed project design criteria and mitigation measures that will be in place to protect resources located within MA-4 are adequate for project implementation.

Comparison of Alternatives-TES and MIS Plants

T&E Plants R8 Sensitive Plants MIS Plants Existing No Effect Detrimental Detrimental Condition Summary of Effects of the Proposed Action on Resources T&E Plants R8 Sensitive Plants MIS Plants Effect Impact Acres Impact Acres Burned Burned Alternative 1 No Effect Detrimental 0 Detrimental 0 Alternative 2 No Effect Beneficial 11,990 Beneficial 11,990 Alternative 3 No Effect Beneficial 11,990 Beneficial 11,990 Alternative 4 No Effect Beneficial 6,550 Beneficial 6,550 Alternative 5 No Effect Beneficial 6,550 Beneficial 6,550

When considering overall effects of the proposed action on these fire-dependent plant communities and the fire-adapted plants that occur in them, the selection of either Alternative 2 or 3 would be preferred and would result in the most favorable outcome solely on the basis of total area burned for fuel reduction and the beneficial effects that fire will have on overall habitat quality and quantity within the project area.

Comparison of Alternatives-NNIPS

Rating for the Probability of Spread of Non-Native Invasive Plants Existing Condition Low Alternative 1 Low Alternative 2 Low Alternative 3 High Alternative 4 High Alternative 5 High

When considering the overall effects of the proposed action in relation to the project related ground disturbing activities that may introduce or spread NNIPS into these fire- dependent plant communities, Alternative 2 would be preferred and would result in the most favorable outcome solely on the basis of the amount of new hand line construction proposed (0 miles) and/or the overall amount of total miles of interior fire line (all from existing roads and streams/creeks) being proposed under this alternative (14.6 miles). Under Alternative 2, a negligible amount of ground disturbing activity would take place within the project area and no new fire control lines would be constructed. References Bowles, M. L., D. R. Kurz, R. Nyboer, and J.E. Schwegman. 1986. Status report on Cyperus grayioides. Unpublished report to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Correll, D.S. and M.C. Johnston. 1970. Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas. Texas Research Foundation. Renner, Texas. 1881pp. Folkerts, G.W. 1982. The Gulf Coast Pitcher Plant Bogs. Amer. Sci. 70:260-267. Keith, E.L., and Carrie, R.N. 2002. Effects of Fire on Two Pitcher Plant Bogs with Comments on Several Rare and Interesting Plants. Sida 20(1): 387-385. MacRoberts, M. H.,and B. R. MacRoberts. 1997. The ecology of Agrimonia incisa Torrey and A. Gray (Rosaceae) in the West Gulf Coastal Plain. Phytologia 82:114-128. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. 2002. Version. 1.6. Arlington, Virginia. USA: Natureserve. Noss, R.F., E.T. Laroe, and J.M. Scott. 1995. Endangered Ecosystems of the United States: a Preliminary Assessment of Loss and Degradation. U.S. Department of Interior, Biological Report 28. U.S. Department of Interiors, Washington D.C. Orzell, S.L. 1990. Texas Natural Heritage Program Inventory of National Forests and National Grasslands in Texas. Texas Natural Heritage Program. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Austin, Texas. 526pp. Peet, R.K., and D.J. Allard. 1993. Longleaf Pine Vegetation of the Southern Atlantic and Eastern Gulf Coast Regions: A Preliminary Classification. Tall Timbers Fire Ecology Conference 18:45-82. Philipps, Tom. 2004. Personal Communication. USFS Botantist. National Forests and Grass Lands in Texas. Rideout, S. and Oswald, B.P. 2002. Effects of Prescribed Burning on Vegetation and Fuel Loading in Three East Texas State Parks. The Texas Journal of Science 54 (3): 211- 226. Sparks, J.C., Masters, R.E., Engle, D.M., Palmer, M.W., Bukenhofer, G.A. 1998. Effects of Late Growing Season and Late Dormant Season Prescribed Fire on Herbacceous Vegetation in Restored Pine Grassland Communities. Journal of Vegetation Science 9: 133-142. Varner, J.M., Gordon, D.R., Putz, F.E., and Hiers, K.J. 2005. Restoring Fire to Long Unburned Pinus palustris Ecosystems: Novel Fire Effects and Consequences for Long-Unburned Ecosystems. Restoration Ecology Vol. 13 No. 3 536-544. Wade, D.D., G, Custer, J. Thorson, p. Kaskey, J. Kush, B. Twomey, and D. Voltolina. 1998. Reintroduction of Fire into Fire Dependent Ecosystems: Some Southern Examples. Tall Timbers Fire Ecology Conference 20:94-98. Waters, M., R.E. Will, R.J. Mitchell, and J.K. Hiers. 2004. Effects of Light and Litter Accumulation on Understory Development in Longleaf Pine Sandhill Ecosystems. 89th Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America. Portland, Oregon. 1-6 August 2004. Ecological Society of America, Washington, D.C. USDA Forest Service Southern Region. 1996. Final Revised Land and Resource Management Plan, Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision for the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas. Lufkin, Texas.