WILDLIFE and RARE PLANT REPORT & BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION

1 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest

Little Bear Salvage USDA Forest Service Smokey Bear Ranger District; Lincoln National Forest Lincoln County, New Mexico August 19, 2013

Prepared by: Larry Cordova District Wildlife Biologist

2 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. Introduction/ Existing Conditions and Purpose and Need...... 3

B. Description of the Proposed Action ...... 4

C. Project Conservation Measures and Best Management Practices...... 6

D. Species Evaluation and Determination ...... 7

Management Indicator Species ...... 8

Other Wildlife: Merriam’s Turkey, Black Bear, Fisheries, etc ...... 14

Neotropical Migratory Birds (NTMB) ...... 18

Federal and State Listed Species ...... 25

Sensitive Plant Species ...... 26

Sensitive Wildlife Species ...... 28

D. Contacts/Contributors/Preparer …...... 32

E. References ...... 33

F. Appendices A - B

Appendix A: Sensitive Species…………….....………………………...... 36

Appendix B: Management Indicator Species……………………………………….49

3 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest A. INTRODUCTION/EXISTING CONDITIONS AND ASSOCIATED ELEMENTS The purpose of this “Wildlife, Fish and Rare Plant Report” is to disclose current habitat conditions that occur within the Little Bear Salvage Project. This report will analyze how the proposed action will affect animal, fish and plant species of concern within the project area. The scale of analysis or the area in which effects are addressed is an important factor in assessing cumulative effects. The analysis from this report will provide baseline knowledge to perform an informed selection of action to a decision maker.

Existing Conditions and locale The project area is located in the Loma Grande area on the Lincoln National Forest, Smokey Bear Ranger District. The legal location is: T. 9 S., R. 12 E., sec. 25, 36; and T. 9 S., R. 13 E., sec. 30, 31.

The project area includes portions of the stands listed in Table 1.

Table 1. Summary of Stands Location Stand Acres 000162 1200 5 000165 0200,0300,0800,0900 134 000166 0400 16 Total 155

Slopes on most of the project area is <20 percent with few areas at 20 to 25 percent. Elevation of the project area ranges from approximately 8,240 to 8,600 feet. The hilltops are generally characterized by variable widths and gentle gradients. The hilltops of the southern portion of the project area are more mesa-like in character. All cutting units are outside 100-year floodplains.

The project area is dominated by ponderosa pine forest and includes 3 cutting units totaling 155 acres. This represents 0.4 percent of the area burned by the Little Bear Fire on National Forest System lands (approx. 35,300 acres) and 0.3 percent of the total area burned by the Little Bear Fire (approx. 44,330 acres). The project area burned at moderate to high severity during the Little Bear Fire. The project area was seeded and mulched during the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) efforts following the Little Bear Wildland Fire.

The project area was selected because the units were easily accessible and additional infrastructure (i.e. roads) is not required. Other areas within the Little Bear Wildland Fire perimeter were less accessible or had potential issues related to heritage resources, watersheds, botany, general wildlife, northern goshawk post-fledgling family areas (PFAs) or MSO protected activity centers (PACs), steep slopes, or low tree volume. The area will have an increased threat of more severe wildfires into the future. Regenerating trees would have a higher risk of mortality if these areas experienced a reburn in the future due to high fuel loading.

Purpose and Need

The purpose of the project is to recover the economic value from trees burned in the Little Bear Wildland Fire and to reduce high fuel loads that could become a future hazard to life and properties including private property and natural and cultural resources. There is a need to provide local communities with opportunities for wood products before the value of dead and dying trees is diminished. There is also the need to break up the continuity of heavy fuels remaining in the area by removing the dead and dying trees before they fall and accumulate. The reduced fuel loading will lessen the probability of newly established 4 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest trees being killed by a moderate-severity fire.

The Little Bear Fire was started by a lightning strike on June 4, 2012. Full suppression tactics were employed; however, the fire grew to approximately 44,000 acres with the majority of the affected acres being on National Forest System (NFS) lands. The project area for this proposed action is within the Little Bear Fire burn perimeter and outside of the wilderness boundary. Burned area emergency treatments were completed on some NFS lands.

This project area is in management area 1G as designated in the Lincoln National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, or “Forest Plan”. Forest Plan guidance for salvage operations on the Lincoln National Forest “salvage harvesting operations will be prescribed as needed to meet conditions imposed by wildfire, insect or disease epidemics, blow down, or other catastrophes. Salvage prescriptions will consider timber salvage values, harvesting costs, and environmental impacts of the harvesting. The closing of all local roads not essential for management needs upon completion of sale. The proposed action would meet Forest Plan requirements for salvage timber sales and operations.

B. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION Two alternatives have been proposed for the Little Bear Salvage Project. The first alternative is no action and the second alternative would consists of salvaging burned trees and reducing the fuel load to protection the forest resources.

Alternative 1, no action, the trees in the area over time will fall and create a high fuel concentration that would increase the potential for another wildfire in the future.

Alternative 2, preferred alternative, includes the salvage of dead and dying trees within 3 cutting units totaling approximately 155 acres. Proposed treatment would follow all Lincoln National Forest Land Management Plan standards and guidelines. These standards and guidelines include retention of snags and down wood for wildlife. The proposed actions are consistent with Lincoln National Forest Direction. The northern goshawk management guidelines for ponderosa pine habitat were used to develop snag and downed woody material project design features.

Harvest dead or dying trees with ≤20 percent green crown; merchantable timber would generally be ≥12 inches diameter at breast height (DBH), although smaller size classes may be considered for removal. Less desirable timber would include trees with split crowns, damaged trees, black- ened trees, and trees <12 inches DBH. Desired trees include ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir and white fir. A minimum of 3 snags per acre at ≥18 inches DBH and ≥30 feet in height would be retained. If at least three snags greater than 18 inches dbh are not available, the three largest snags or snags with obvious wildlife use will be retained. Retain 5-7 tons per acre of downed woody material within ponderosa pine stands to ensure adequate wildlife habitat. Favor the retention of logs greater than 12 inches midpoint diameter and 8 feet in length. When sufficient downed woody material doesn’t exist, suitable size snags may be felled or retained for down woody material recruitment. Slash would be lopped and scattered--slash volume and depth cannot be estimated until the timber cruise, which would occur following the decision. Locations of skid trails and landings would be designed based on Forest Service Manual 2430 to minimize soil erosion. 5 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest Best management practices would reduce the risk of introducing noxious weeds into the project area (i.e. known populations would be flagged for avoidance; equipment being transported to and from the project area would be cleaned). Archaeological sites would be flagged for avoidance. Existing roads leading to and from the project area would be maintained at level 3 during the life of the project.

By removing the dead trees, the intensity of future fires is reduced, hence protecting the seedlings/saplings that regenerate.

Mechanical activity would break up the soil crust, and incorporate wood into the soil, improve nutrient cycling, and provide a microclimate for grass, forbs, shrubs and tree regeneration.

Ponderosa pine snags can be expected to stand about 7-10 years, then they fall and become down logs. Large snags stand a few years longer than smaller snags. (Russell et al. 2006). Down logs are valuable for holding the soil, and providing nutrients and they decompose. Design criteria are in place to address the retention of snags and include leaving snags in excess of forest plan standards, for resource benefits.

Existing downed woody material may be disturbed but will not be targeted for sale and will remain in place. Only existing roads will be used to implement this project. Seeding may take place on skid trails and landings if natural re-vegetation is unlikely to reestablish ground cover.

Project Conservation Measures and Best Management Practices

The following items would be implemented if Alternative two is chosen as the best management plan for the Little Bear Salvage Project.

Sensitive and Native Plants If sensitive plant populations are located during operations, the sites will be identified on the ground and no thinning, burning, slash piling or other project activities will occur within a 50-foot radius around the sensitive plant until a botanist can be consulted.

Require contractors to clean their heavy equipment used for project activities prior to entering National forest system land unless there is evidence the equipment was last operated in a weed-free area. Identify invasive plant infestations on the ground by flagging or other means so they can be avoided. Locate and use weed-free staging areas. Heavy equipment operation should avoid travel through weed-infested areas. Use certified weed free native seed or sterile annual grass seed for re-vegetation if economically fea- sible.

6 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest

Sensitive Wildlife--Northern Goshawk For goshawk habitat in all forest types in the project area: Retain at least three snags per acre and three down logs per acre. Desired snags should be 18 inches or larger in diameter and 30 feet or tall- er; downed logs should be 12 inches in diameter and at least 8 feet long. For goshawk habitat in ponderosa pine, maximum opening size is up to 4 acres with a maximum width of up to 200 feet. Retain woody debris averaging 5 to 7 tons per acre (in ponderosa pine). Suitable habitat for MSO and northern goshawk outside of PACs and post-fledgling family areas would be re-surveyed before activities commence if survey information is over 5 years old.

Management Indicator Species Habitat

Treatments will be designed to maintain or improve the following habitat conditions to meet the needs of management indicator species that occur in the project area:

o Pygmy nuthatch: retain large snags in ponderosa pine type. o Mule deer and elk: design prescriptions to create small open meadows and promote reproduction of shrub cover and browse in all forest types, while retaining scattered dense patches of closed canopy tree cover. o Merriam’s wild turkey:  Develop appropriate coordinated measures in salvage operation to protect turkey needs during the nesting and brood rearing periods.  Do not allow project activities to occur within a two chain (132 foot) radius around turkey roost sites found during implementation (US Forest Service: 32).  Manage to provide a minimum of one group of turkey roost trees per section on summer range and two groups per section on winter range through integrated timber resource management programs.

Other Wildlife Habitat and Ecosystem Diversity Components

Do not allow project activities to occur within a five-chain (330-foot) radius around raptor nest sites found during implementation. Retain the larger trees based on the following specific maximum diameter limits within stands identified as candidate old-growth, in accordance with Forest Plan requirements : o In ponderosa pine retain all trees over 18-inches in diameter and in piñon-juniper retain all trees over 9 inches in diameter. Monitor down green logs in ponderosa pine and piñon-juniper treatment areas in May or June to determine whether they are attracting Ips beetles and if so, to what extent. If they increase over endemic levels, the timing of thinning that generates slash will be limited to occur after July 1st, or other measures will be taken to reduce Ips beetle activity that can result in tree mortality in adjacent living trees. Dead trees will only be deemed as a “Hazard” if they meet the following conditions; 1.) tree is leaning toward the structure, 2) obvious instability of snag (ex. rot) which may be near the infrastructure, 3) a snag that is not a hazard toward a infrastructure (ex. leaning the opposite direction) but may pose a risk toward sawyers who may be removing a adjacent snag that poses a risk toward a infrastructure (ex. leaning toward the infrastructure). 7 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest

D. SPECIES EVALUATION AND DETERMINATIONS This analysis is divided into two sections: (1) Species not listed by the Federal Government or the State of New Mexico and (2) Species listed by the Federal Government or the State of New Mexico.

Section 1 The effects on wildlife species will be determined, in part, by using an “indicator species” and special interest species approach. Game species (ex. elk or mule deer) that are Management Indicator Species (MIS) will be addressed. These selected species or group of species reflect general habitat conditions needed by other species with similar habitats. Indicator species were included in this analysis if their habitats were likely to be present within the proposed project area and were affected by the proposed action. Use of an indicator species approach to assess impacts of proposed projects is consistent with the direction in the Lincoln National Forest Management Plan (LNFMP).

The evaluation of each MIS species found within this document was tiered from the 2006 LNF MIS Re- port and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the LNFMP. All MIS habitat on the forest was produced by utilizing TES vegetation data. Forest level MIS maps are found in the 2006 LNF MIS Report.

Occurrence within the project area of Neo-tropical migratory bird species (NTMB) listed as “highest priority partners in flight (PIF) migratory bird species” will be reviewed and assessed. MIS and PIF key habitat factors may overlap, so assessment or mitigations associated with one may also cover an associated species.

Table 5. Management Indicator Species Considered for the Little Bear Salvage Project Species Ecosystem Represented Key Habitat Factor Selection Justification (KHF) Hairy Woodpecker Mixed Conifer Aspen and Aspen Snags This KHF is not found (Dendrocopos villosus) within the project area. Therefore, no further analysis will take place. Juniper Titmouse Woodland Trees with naturally This KHF is not found (Baeolophus ridgwayi) occurring cavities within the project area. Therefore, no further analysis will take place. Pygmy Nuthatch Ponderosa Pine Snags and Large Trees Will be addressed in (Sitta pygmaea) detail because the KHF’s for this species is found within the project area.

Elk Mixed Conifer Open mixed conifer and This KHF is not found (Cervus canadensis) mountain meadows within the project area and will not be addressed in detail as a MIS. However it will be analyzed in detail as a “game” species because it also utilizes ponderosa pine. 8 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest

Mule Deer Woodland Shrub cover and browse Will be addressed in (Odocoileus hemionus) species detail because the KHF’s for this species is found within the project area.

Western Meadowlark Gramma Galleta Open weedy grasslands This KHF is not found (Sturnella neglecta) within the project area. Therefore, no further analysis will take place.

Rufous-Crowned Sparrow Desert Shrub Brushy Mountain Slopes This KHF is not found (Aimophila ruficeps) within the project area. Therefore, no further analysis will take place. Mexican Vole Mixed Conifer Mesic Mountain Meadows This KHF is not found (Microtus mexicanus) within the project area. Therefore, no further analysis will take place.

Management Indicator Species

Management indicator species (MIS) are defined in the forest plan for the Lincoln National Forest to serve as barometers for species diversity and viability (U.S. Forest Service 1986: 31). Wildlife biologist’s survey for and monitor populations of management indicator species on the forest, and compile annual assessments of their population and habitat trends. At the project level, biologists and land managers assess the effects of management activities on management indicator species and their habitat, as an indicator of effects to species with similar habitat needs.

The forest plan identifies eight management indicator species. Of those, one bird species and two mam- mal species would likely occur or have potential habitat in the project area, and are, therefore, carried forward in this analysis process:

Pygmy nuthatch (Sitta pygmaeais), Elk (Cervus elaphus), and Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus).

Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea) a. General Ecology On the Lincoln National Forest, the pygmy nuthatch (nuthatch) is a year-round bird found in ponderosa pine forests. It is considered one of the best indicators of ponderosa pine health (Hugh and Cameron 2001). The density of pygmy nuthatches is strongly correlated with high amounts of foliage volume and numerous snags (Ghalambor and Dobbs 2006). The nuthatch needs mature or older ponderosa pine stands 9 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest with relatively open understories, and prefer open, park-like stands (Hugh and Cameron 2001). They need snags with cavities for nesting and roosting. They feed 60 to 80 percent on insects, then switch to pine seeds in the winter months. They feed in trees, shrubs, and on the ground (Hugh and Cameron 2001). The availability of multiple potential snags with cavities is an important component of it’s habitat during winter conditions (Ghalambor and Dobbs 2006). b. Current Habitat/Population Trends

Pygmy nuthatch populations are secure in New Mexico with an upward population trend (NatureServe 2007). Monitoring surveys conducted on the Lincoln National Forest since 2001 indicate the nuthatch population has an upward trend on the Smokey Bear Ranger District where the project area is located, and it is a common year-round resident in the project area (Salas 2006: 15-18). The nuthatch population will most likely be in a decline after the Little Bear severely burned through some mature ponderosa pine habitat. However, it is expected to have an upward trend over the next several years with the increase of insects within the burned area. Despite fluctuations in populations on specific districts overall, the population on the forest is estimated to be stable (Salas 2006). Nuthatch occurrences have been documented along the breeding bird survey route near Carrizozo, 20 miles from the project area (Sauer et al. 2007).

Within the proposed treatment area, all of the 155 acres of the proposed salvage is classified as ponderosa pine cover type. However, between 60 to 70 percent of the trees in this stand are smaller than 9” and at densities as great as 800 trees per acre. Based on SDI measures this means that a significant portion of the Pygmy nuthatch habitat is beyond the 55% bench mark of imminent mortality. The stands before and after the fire lack the mature, open habitat conditions that are considered suitable for the nuthatch. A majority of the larger trees are found along the drainages and adjacent private land. These areas have the highest potential as nesting habitat. The forest contains 101,374 acres of ponderosa pine forest, 72 percent of which are on the Smokey Bear Ranger District. c. Determination of Effects

Alternative 1—No Action Under this alternative, there would be no project-related effect on the nuthatch habitat or population trends because the proposed project activities would not be implemented in this project area. Current management plans would continue to guide existing and previously authorized activities in the project area. There would be no noise or visual disturbance from proposed activities or any reduction in habitat components. However, over time as the burned trees fall and accumulate on the ground, the potential for another high-intensity fire will increase due to this increased fuel loading. Vegetation trends associated with this recent fire has degraded the habitat quality within the fire-adapted ponderosa pine stand. Foli- age loss on the large ponderosa pine has decrease foraging habitat for the nuthatch within the project area. Presently snags are numerous; however, they would be short lasting within the project area (5-10 years) and would continue to decline overtime. For the short term, these snags would provide some nesting habitat especially in areas adjacent to stands of life trees. The amount of foraging habitat for the nuthatch would also continue to decrease over time as the dead trees continue to degrade and fall to the ground. These trends will cause a decline on individual birds as well as the habitat and populations for the foreseeable future. A no action alternative would also create the possibility of a large high intensity wildfire due to the future fuel loading. However, with the large amount of suitable nuthatch habitat that would remain on the district and forest, the forest-wide population trend would not be expected to change.

Alternative 2 Direct Effects 10 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest Due to the recent wildfire within the proposed project area, this action alternatives is not be expected to have a significant impact on indiviuals birds, habitat or change forest-wide population trends. All potential nesting and foraging habitat for the nuthatch was impacted by the fire. The high-intensity fire effeced the overall quantity and quality of all mature and old growth ponderosa pine habitat that was potentially used by these birds for nesting and roosting within the project area. There would be the potential to impact foraging and nesting habitat, especially where stands of green trees exist along the boundaries of the project area. Large snags (3 per acre, greater than 9 dbh) would be left as potential foraging and nesting for this bird. There will not be any recruitment of any large snags over time, thus there will be a decline in foraging and cavity nesting habitat as these large snags fall to the ground. This proposed treatment would not impact any existing habitat for this bird. It will however minimize the future build up of debris that could contribute to another high-intensity fire.

Indirect Effects

This will reduce the possibility of another wildfire due to fuel loading. Potential foraging or possibly nesting may be displaced outside of the boundary of the project area during treatment.

Cumulative Effects

Cumulative effects were analyzed across the project area and in relation to habitat and population trends across the district and forest because the nuthatch is a forest-wide management indicator species. The district has 72 percent of the ponderosa pine habitat on the forest.

Across the forest there has been a decline in the quantity and quality of mature ponderosa pine forest habitat, cumulatively resulting from a combination of wildfires, insect/disease infestations, and long-term fire suppression. The lack of natural fire regimes in the fire-adapted ponderosa pine has resulted in de- clines in ecosystem composition, structure and processes. In addition, historic logging practices removed the largest ponderosa pine trees that were accessible to roads, and historic grazing practices reduced abundance and height of grasses needed to support large surface fires. Those activities contributed to the lack of natural fire regimes and the long-term decline in mature and old growth ponderosa pine habitat conditions on the district and forest. Degradation of mature ponderosa pine forests through timber harvesting and fire suppression have reduced pygmy nuthatch foraging, breeding, and roosting habitats by shifting forest structure from an open canopy comprised of few large trees to a closed canopy comprised of many small trees (Ghalambor and Dobbs 2006).

However, the effects of project activities would not add to the decline in habitat quality or quantity being experienced across the forest. The most substantial and net effect of the action alternative would be to minimize the potential for another wildfire by decreasing the fuel loading that would occur over time as the dead tree fall to the ground.

Based on the above information, the nature of the treatment and the associated project design features, it is my professional opinion that the proposed action will not impact existing forest habitat or population trends for this species.

11 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest Elk (Cervus canadensis) and Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) a. Affected Environment On the Lincoln National Forest, elk and mule deer are both management indicator species and important game species. Elk and deer populations are regulated by the State Department of Game and Fish. The State manages elk and deer populations through hunting regulations and licenses. The Forest Service is responsible to manage their habitat, in cooperation with the State. The project area is within part of New Mexico Game Management Unit 36. b. General Ecology

The forest plan identifies elk as an indicator species for open, mixed conifer habitat (i.e. less than 40 percent canopy cover) with a mountain meadow component. The forest plan identifies mule deer as an indicator species for piñon-juniper woodlands (U.S. Forest Service 1986:31). However, elk and deer are generalist species with a wide distribution. They are adaptable to a wide variety of forest types and vegetation structural stages. They also use a variety of slopes, but prefer slopes under 30 percent (Slovin 1982).

Elk and deer are commonly seen in many parts of the district and forest. Elk and deer are commonly seen in all forest cover types and are found in the ponderosa pine habitat with the project area. Most of the project area would be considered generally suitable habitat for elk and deer to utilize year-round, although forage is quite limited after the loss of herbaceous species due to the recent wildfire. Areas of use depend on the amount and timing of snowfall. Seasonal movement often occurs along the drainages during spring and fall. Elk and deer tend to use the higher elevations to cool off during the hotter spring and summer months (Salas 2006). Elk calving and deer fawning take place in the spring—usually May or June—when adults are en route to higher elevations for the summer. The breeding season for elk and deer occurs in the fall.

Elk are grazers and browsers, meaning they graze on grasses and also browse on sedges, forbs and shrubs. Deer are primarily browsers, with a majority of their diet comprised of leaves, stems and buds of woody shrubs, although they also eat forbs and grasses. It is very important to the survival of both these species to have sufficient openings in the forest with grasses, forbs and shrubs to meet their year-round foraging needs. Cover-to-forage ratios are widely used as an index of elk and deer habitat quality. Prime elk habitat has been estimated to consist of a mix of about 40 percent tree cover and 60 percent forage openings, a 40:60 ratio (Hoover and Wills 1984). The cover-to-forage ratio has been gradually improving on the forest over the past 5 years as a result of wildfires and thinning and burning treatments (Salas 2006:12). Patches of multistoried, closed canopy forest provide quality thermal cover for elk during hot summers and cold winters (Hoover and Wills 1984). While elk require cover for protection against heat and extreme cold, ideal forests have meadow habitat interspersed with forest cover, with large amounts of edge (Skovlin 1982). Mule deer benefit more from a slightly lower tree canopy cover (less than 40 percent), abundant and diverse ground vegetation, and stimulation of important forage species following a prescribed burn (Heffelfinger et al. 2006). Deer also require an intermixing of forest cover and forage openings. c. Current Habitat/Population Trends

New Mexico’s elk and deer populations have fluctuated dramatically over the past 100 years. Populations of both elk and deer bottomed out around the turn of the century, and then rebounded as logging, grazing, and burning activities opened up more grasslands and shrublands. The elk population throughout its range is rated as secure and common, widespread and abundant (NatureServe 2007). The elk population trend in Game Management Unit 36, as well as on the entire Lincoln National Forest, is also rated as stable to in- 12 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest creasing, based on results of the past 6 years of monitoring (Salas 2006:18-19). Mule deer numbers in New Mexico peaked to over 300,000 in the mid-1960s, and then declined to today’s population of about 200,000. The deer population in the State has been declining from the unusual high in the 1960s (NM De- partment of Game and Fish 2006). Although the deer population trend on the forest declined since the 1960s, monitoring over the past 5 years shows an increasing population trend (Salas 2006:11-12). Elk and deer populations in 2002 were approximately 4,000 elk and 10,000 deer, which exceeds forest plan requirements for maintaining viable populations (U.S. Forest Service 2002). The forest contains twice the amount of elk habitat required by the forest plan (U.S. Forest Service 2002). Elk and deer populations on the Smokey Bear Ranger District are approximately 1,000 elk and 2,900 deer (NM Department of Game and Fish 2006).

Presently the project area is starting to recover from the wildfire of 2012. Grasses, forbs and shrubs are starting to revegetate the area. Deer and elk are presently taking advantage of this new herbaceous growth and are foraging throughout the project area. The highest density of deer and elk are found along edges of the unburned tree stands outside the boundary of the project area. They are presently spending the majority of their time along these edges where they can forage within the new open areas and be in close proximity to hiding/canopy cover.

Roads and their uses are known to influence elk behavior patterns and an excessive number of roads that are open to vehicle use can reduce habitat effectiveness. Deer and elk hunting seasonally occur in the project area. Natural predators in the project area are coyotes, mountain lions and bears. c. Determination of Effects

Alternative 1 —No Action Under this alternative, there would be no project related effect on the currently stable elk and deer population trends on the district and forest because proposed project activities would not be implemented. Cur- rent management plans would continue to guide existing and previously authorized activities in the project area. There would be no noise or visual disturbance from proposed activities or any temporary increase in open road density.

Presently, the area is recovering quickly from last year’s fire of 2012. The new growth of forage plants in the area are presently more tender and palatable with a higher nutrient content than the older plants that existed before the fire. Over time as the burned trees fall and accumulate on the ground, the project area will degrade elk and deer habitat. The high volume of debris that would accumulate as these dead trees fall to the ground will potentially decrease the response of grasses, forbs and shrubs to repopulate the area and also hinder travel through the project area by large ungulates. Consequently, the area would be used less frequently as habitat condition decrease. However, because of the abundance of suitable elk and deer habitat throughout the district and forest, these effects of this fire within the project area would not likely result in a downward trend in the district or forest-wide population.

Alternative 2 Direct Effect

This alternative may affect individual deer and elk, but would not likely impact forest-wide population trends. Most of the treatments proposed within ponderosa pine habitat within the project area would move the overall habitat on the district toward a more optimal cover and forage ratio, which would improve habitat quality overall for elk and deer. The wildfire of 2012 reduced canopy cover and long-term thermal and hiding cover throughout the project area. However, numerous large and small patches of dense forest cover still remain adjacent to the project boundary. 13 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest The proposed salvage project combined with future low to moderate intensity surface burning would substantially increase forage quantity and quality for elk and deer (Pilliod et al. 2006). Regeneration of grasses, forbs and shrubs would increase their palatability and nutritional value within the project area. This alternative might create disturbances which would cause some elk or deer to avoid portions of the project area where operations are occurring that year or cause them to move into adjacent areas. It is conceivable that machinery, noise or increased human activity would cause the elk and deer herd to disperse. However, the salvage treatment will mitigate the potential for large build ups of debris that would contribute to another high-intensity fire. In addition, this treatment will enhance forage recovery in the area.

Indirect Effects

Elk and deer use of the project area could potentially increase as a result of the amount of forage, along with more of a mosaic of densities, age classes, and cover types. Under this alternative, no measurable change in district or forest-wide elk or deer populations would be anticipated.

Cumulative effects

Cumulative effects were analyzed across the project area, and considered in relation to habitat and population trends across the district, forest and Game Management Unit 36. The effects of this most recent fire and past wildfires, historic logging and grazing, past fire suppression activities, and all other past activities contributed to populations swings previously described. The lack of widespread surface fires contributed to a decline in grasslands and shrublands, and an overall decline in forage habitat availability. The large wildfire from 2011 increased forage and created both the small openings preferred by deer as well as the large meadows preferred by elk.

The proposed project could increase recreational uses of the national forest, which may affect the suitability of the project area for deer and elk habitat in the surrounding forest lands. However, those uses would not substantially affect population or habitat trends within Game Management Unit 36. The forest-wide travel management decisions and motor vehicle route designations to be made within the next few years would have some long-term effects on deer and elk habitat due to changes in open road density and use. Another foreseeable future action to occur within the project area, surrounding the project area and across the entire forest is the control of invasive plant species. Those treatments would cumulatively contribute to improvement of native plant communities used as forage habitat by deer and elk.

The proposed project would result in a net long-term improvement in habitat quality for deer and elk within the project area, but would not have any major cumulative impacts when combined with the effects of past, present or foreseeable activities described. Cumulatively, there would be no major consequences to population trends on the forest or within Game Management Unit 36.

Based on the above information, the nature of the treatment and the associated project design features, it is my professional opinion that the proposed action will improve forest habitat or population trends for these two species.

Other Wildlife Species

Affected Environment Other wildlife species occur in the project area that could be potentially impacted by proposed activities in the area. These include small mammals like gophers, chipmunks and squirrels, several types of reptiles, and other birds. No fish occur in the project area. 14 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest This section is quite brief and summarizes some additional information not already covered in other sections of this wildlife report. This section focuses on some additional impacts disclosures for two important game species that occur in the area: Merriam’s turkey (Meleagris gallopavo merriami ) and black bear (Ursus americanus).

Merriam’s Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo merriami) a. General Ecology

Merriam’s turkey is a wild turkey whose population is regulated by the State of New Mexico as a hunted game species, similar to deer and elk as previously described. Turkey hunting regulations issued for Game Management Unit 36 apply to the project area.

Turkeys use a wide variety of forest or woodland habitat types. They have several important habitat components: water, roost and nest sites, and a summer/brood area (Kamees 2002). Winter roost trees are typically tall, large trees with open, horizontal branches. Trees also provide food, escape and resting cover. Turkeys breed in the springtime. Nests are built on the ground, often in branches at the base of large trees. Proximity to water is important also. They usually roost on the cooler north- and east-facing slopes. Dur- ing colder months, they prefer dense clumps of trees that provide protection from cold air and winds. Tur- keys prefer to forage in more open canopy forest interspersed with shrubs and/or tall grasses and forbs. Turkeys feed on plants, fruits, and insects in spring and summer and on piñon nuts, pine seeds, oak acorns and juniper berries in autumn and winter. They commonly move 5 to 20 miles between their summer and winter habitats. b. Historic Information

The Merriam's wild turkey is an indigenous sub-species inhabiting the ponderosa pine forests of the mountainous regions of the western U.S. In the “sky islands” of New Mexico and other states it is generally accepted that it was so isolated that its contact with other turkey subspecies was limited. There exists among ornithological researchers a hypothesis that Merriam’s is a recent addition to the fauna of the western U.S. Wild turkey were domesticated by puebloan cultures along the Rio Grande and were a food source used by European settlers to the present era. They are an iconic symbol of wildness and are active- ly pursued by hunters, naturalists, and birders in the proposed treatment area. c. Current Habitat/Population Trends

Turkey occurs throughout forests in New Mexico, with state-wide populations of about 35,000 to 40,000. They are found on the district and forest, and the entire proposed treatment area is commonly used year- round by turkeys. The project area provides adequate nesting, roosting and foraging habitat as evidenced by occurrence of turkeys. However, the abundance of open canopy forest and tall grassy meadows is more limited than what historically occurred under frequent surface fire regimes. There is no year-round stream or waterbody in the project area. There is also a limited amount of nuts and acorns available within the project area due to the recent high-intensity Little Bear Wildfire of 2012. d. Determination of Effects Alternative 1 –No Action

Under this alternative, there would be no project-related effect on the turkey habitat or population trends because the proposed project activities would not be implemented in this project area. All habitat components needed for roosting, thermal cover, escape and the majority of the forage components were con- sumed by a high intensity burn in 2012. It is estimated that hiding cover from saplings and young trees would recover within 20 to 50 years. Suitable roosting trees might not return for many decades. Grasses, 15 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest forbs and shrubs are recovering rapidly after the first year within the project area. Turkey may also be impacted because debris or untreated timber is allowed to build up and could contribute to another high intensity fire in the future. However, because of the small proportion of habitat in the project area relative to the forest as a whole, this loss is not likely cause a decline in the forest-wide population trend.

Alternative 2 This alternative may affect individual wild turkey, but would not likely impact forest-wide population trends. The proposed salvage project would substantially increase forage quantity and quality for turkey. Regeneration of grasses, forbs and shrubs would increase their palatability and nutritional value within the project area. This alternative might create disturbances which would cause turkey to avoid portions of the project area where operations are occurring that year. It is conceivable that machinery, noise or increased human activity would cause the turkey to move to other areas. However, the salvage treatment will mitigate the potential for large build ups of debris that would contribute to another high-intensity fire. In addition, this treatment will have the potential to enhance the recovery of tree sapling in the area.

Direct Effects The proposed salvage project may reduce existing cover that could increase predation or hunting success within the area. Movement of machinery used to conduct the salvage operations might disturb nests found at the bases of dead trees or concealed by understory. Increased noise from salvage operations might disturb flocks and cause them to move to other adjacent areas. Turkey may be impacted because debris or untreated timber is allowed to build up that could contribute to a high intensity fire. The impact upon wild turkey under this scenario is described in the no action section.

Indirect Effects A minor indirect result of the loss of habitat would be the reduced hunting opportunities in the burn area. Hunting opportunities within this burn area may be limited for decades.

Cumulative Effects Cumulative effects were analyzed across the project area, and considered in relation to habitat and population trends across the district, forest and Game Management Unit 36. The effects of past high intensity wildfires, historic logging and grazing, past fire suppression activities, and all other past activities contributed to populations swings previously described. The recent large surface fires have contributed to an increase in grasslands and shrublands, and an overall increase in forage habitat availability. The effects of these past fires have increased forage and created edges and small openings preferred by foraging turkey as well as maintaining the open, mature ponderosa pine used for winter roosting.

The proposed project could increase recreational uses of the national forest, which may affect the suitability of the project area for wild turkey habitat in the surrounding forest lands. However, those uses would not substantially affect population or habitat trends within Game Management Unit 36. Another foreseeable future action to occur within the project area, surrounding the project area and across the entire forest is the control of invasive plant species. Those treatments would cumulatively contribute to improvement of native plant communities historically used by wild turkey.

The proposed project would result in a net long-term improvement in habitat quality for Merriam’s wild turkey within the project area, but would not have any major cumulative impacts when combined with the effects of past, present or foreseeable activities described. Cumulatively, there would be no major consequences to population trends on the forest or within Game Management Unit 36. 16 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest

Black Bear (Ursus americanus). a. General Ecology

The black bear (bear) covers a wide range of elevations and forest and woodland types, and has a home range of 5 to 25 square miles (Costello et al. 2001). New Mexico’s black bear population is estimated at 5,947. The bear is a common year-round resident throughout the forest and district including the entire project area. Bears are opportunistic omnivores with a diet that varies according to seasonal availability of food. Their diet includes young grasses, forbs, roots, berries, fruits, acorns, nuts, insects and small dead animals. Stumps, snags and down logs are important prey substrate (larval insects, termites, ants, and yellow-jacket nests) for bears. Trends in bear reproductive success have also been found to be highly influ- enced by fall acorn and nut crops (Costello et al. 2001).

Black bears often sleep during the day, preferring areas under large trees with an abundance of grasses or pine needles. They also sleep during much of the winter in dens, usually found under very large rock outcrops or tree roots on steep slopes of closed canopy forests or woodlands (Costello et al. 2001). Bears go into dens between September and February, and emerge between March and May. Female bears give birth to cubs in the dens. Bears typically avoid roads and other areas of frequent human activity. b. Historic Information

Black bear are found in all of the mountain forests of New Mexico. They became a protected species under the state’s game laws in 1927. The 1967 statewide population of black bear reported by L. Lee in the Department of Game and Fish magazine “New Mexico Wildlife Management” was about 3,000 individual. Current estimates center around 5,000 animals. Revered as a symbol of wilderness, the 1927 decision to manage black bear populations may have prevented it the same fate as the grizzly and the Mexican wolf. c. Current Habitat/Population Trends

In New Mexico, black bear habitat encompasses approximately 14.6 million acres (13.5 percent) of which 75 percent is primary habitat (Costello et al. 2001). The local district biologist has observed that within the project area, bears use the upper reaches of drainages and rocky or steep terrain as denning and loaf- ing areas. The optimum cover and forage ratio for black bears is considered 80 percent cover to 20 percent forage (LeCount and Uarchin 1990). Because of the close proximity to land owned by Village of Alamogordo, land in the project area in close proximity to Bonito Lake receives a high degree of recreational use as previously mentioned for the turkey. Surveys for other plants and animals have found con- siderable sign of black bear activity in the drainages to the west and south of the proposed treatment area. Bears have been observed in Littleton, Iron and George Washington canyons during wildlife and botany surveys. The treatment area to the north of Bonito Lake, meets the criteria for steep slopes required for denning. Camping in the Bonito Lake area, unfortunately, draws bears looking for easy meals. 17 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest d. Determination of Effects

Environmental Consequences

Alternative 1 —No Action Under this alternative, there would be no project related impacts to the bear or their habitat in the area because the project would not be implemented. Current management plans would continue to guide existing and previously authorized activities in the project area. There would continue to be adequate foraging habitat conditions in the area to continue to support bears. Grasses and shrubs have recover quickly after the burn. The mature, closed canopy forest habitat used for denning habitat by bears may not recover for up to 200 years. Where tree seed sources are lacking in the interior of the burned area, shrubs may dominate for an indefinitely long period of time. This could impact bear reproduction since an understory of oak is a primary indicator of potential reproductive success (Costello, Jones, et.al). Bear populations would continue to thrive in other parts of the district within Game Management Unit 36.

Snags created by the recent Little Bear Wildfire will continue to create a high fuel loading overtime as dead trees continue to breakdown and fall. These fuels could create the potential for another high- intensity in the future. In the short term the availability of insects and fungi for bear forage would improve. However, the quantity and quality of shrubs, nuts, acorns, fruits, berries, and tall young grasses and forbs would all continue to decline due to the high densities of down trees and slash that would dominate the project area. Open spaces that grow understory and also provided mast would be limited.

Alternative 2 The impact of this alternative on bear habitat would be nearly the same as impacts on other wildlife species. The most noticeable negative effect to bears would likely be the large reduction in hiding cover, thereby increasing vulnerability to being killed by hunters. However, there would remain scattered thick- ets of dead trees and new growth of oak shrubs available for hiding cover. This cover could improve rapidly as the open space provides sunlight and plant residue would retain moisture necessary for the re- growth of grasses, shrubs and conifer seedlings. Thermal cover would be reduced to some degree although this may not impact bear because of their tendency to den in rock or hole structures in canyons and cliff faces.

Most effects to turkey and bear habitat would be beneficial improvements to the quality and quantity of forage—grasses, forbs, shrubs, nuts, acorns, berries, fruits, etc. There would be a beneficial increase in the amount of edge habitat where patches of dense trees are interspersed with small openings, and an improvement in the overall diversity of tree sizes and stand densities throughout the overall landscape.

Otherwise, the changes in habitat for bear and turkey would be essentially the same as changes and pre- dicted effects for deer and elk and other wildlife species previously described in this wildlife report. There would be no major long-term impacts on these populations or habitat trends under this alternative.

Cumulative Effects Cumulative effects analysis for bear are the same as described for turkey, elk and deer that are regulated in Game Management Unit 36. The same past, present and foreseeable activities that impact elk and deer would impact bear and would combine with project related effects in the same general manner. There are no differences in the cumulative effects for these species compared to cumulative effects described for turkey, elk and deer that use the same forest and woodland types and occur in the same game 18 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest management unit. Thus, there would be no significant cumulative effects to turkey or bear populations in the game management unit from the effects of past, ongoing and foreseeable activities combined with proposed project activities.

Migratory Birds The evaluation of effects to migratory birds uses the Forest Service Southwestern Region’s protocol that focuses on effects to migratory birds on the New Mexico Partners in Flight’s Highest Priority Species list, along with considering effects to important bird areas and important over-wintering areas for migratory birds (Rustay and Norris 2006). The proposed project design and evaluation complies with the 2001 Ex- ecutive Order 13186 regarding Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect Migratory Birds. The proposed project is designed to help maintain or improve habitat for migratory birds and to reduce the likeli- hood that the habitat would be lost by another large-scale, high intensity wildfire in the future.

Affected Environment No designated important bird areas (IBAs) or important over-wintering areas (large wetlands) exist in the project area or in the vicinity of the project area where they would be expected to be impacted by activities proposed for this project. The closest important over-wintering area is at Bonito Lake.

No year-round streams, wetlands or waterbodies exist in the project area. Although scattered riparian plants occur in some canyon bottoms in close proximity to the project area.

Reviews were made of priority bird species for the Southern Rockies/Colorado Plateau Conservation Re- gion considering species that could occur on the Lincoln National Forest and Smokey Bear Ranger Dis- trict. The reviews focused on vegetation type, elevation and the species’ known range. In addition, results from breeding bird surveys conducted annually on the Smokey Bear Ranger District from 2001 through 2006 were also reviewed.

The vegetation types within the project area are ponderosa pine, piñon-juniper and oak woodlands. Eleva- tions range from about 8,240 to 8,600 feet. Species dependent on riparian or grassland ecosystems would not likely occur in the area and were, therefore, eliminated from further analysis. Other species like ferru- ginous hawk and Bendire’s thrasher were also eliminated from further analysis because their breeding ranges in New Mexico do not overlap the project area. The gray flycatcher and the dusky flycatcher have been observed in other parts of the district but are not likely to occur in the project area or vicinity likely to be affected by proposed project activities. Gray vireos and red-faced warblers have ranges that overlap the Sacramento Mountains even though they have not been confirmed in Lincoln County. Table 8 displays the highest priority bird species for New Mexico that would potentially occur within the project area including their associated habitat type (Rustay and Norris 2006). The last column on the table shows whether the species is also on the Partners in Flight’s Watch List based on their continental importance within the Southwest biome of North America (Rich et al. 2004). 19 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest Table 7. Highest priority migratory birds that would occur or have breeding habitat in the analysis area, including whether they are species of continental importance in the Southwest biome

Watch List Highest Priority Birds for Habitat Associations for North New Mexico America

Gray flycatcher P-J woodlands with shrubs and grasses No

Gray vireo P-J woodlands; open with shrubs and grasses Yes

Black-throated gray warbler P-J woodlands with shrub or grass edges No

Montezuma quail P-J and oak woodlands with tall dense grass cover Yes

Northern goshawk Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forests No

Mexican spotted owl Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forests Yes

Flammulated owl Ponderosa pine forest Yes

Virginia’s warbler Ponderosa pine forest Yes

Grace’s warbler Ponderosa pine forest Yes

Red-faced warbler Mixed conifer forest Yes

Habitat conditions for the potentially affected migratory bird species have been altered and degraded over time by a combination of human activities in the area. Historic stand-replacing fires prior to 1945 removed many trees, logging in the early 1900s removed the larger conifer trees in accessible areas, and historic livestock grazing reduced the abundance of tall grasses in some areas. Those activities, combined with fire suppression since the early 1900s, resulted in a lack of frequent surface fires that once maintained these fire-adapted ecosystems.

Birds listed in the table all require ground surface plant cover underneath the conifer trees or as edge habitat in openings next to clumps of trees. The grass, forb, and shrub habitat components are currently in short supply, but increasing within the project area, especially as a new regeneration of grasses/forbs take hold after the 2012 wildfire.

Environmental Consequences Impacts to the northern goshawk (a sensitive species) are evaluated in sensitive species section and those impacts are not repeated here.

Effects of all alternatives on the warblers, flammulated owl and other migratory birds associated with mid-elevation ponderosa pine habitat would be essentially the same as effects described for the northern goshawk, or pygmy nuthatch. Thus, estimated effects to the migratory birds and their nesting and foraging habitat under the no action and alternatives 2 including the cumulative effects would be the same as those described for birds in these other wildlife sections.

These effects on migratory bird habitat from Alternatives 2 can be summarized as follows:

Negative effects on species displacement or reproductive success from increasing human-caused habitat disturbances during breeding season and the loss of individual nest trees or ground nests. 20 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest Those effects would be negligible due to the mitigation requirements for retaining key migratory bird habitat features such as large snags, large down logs, and the promotion of native hardwood species, along with breeding season restrictions on activities over the project area. Positive effects from increasing the amount of grasses, forbs and shrubs. Positive effects from increasing habitat diversity by creating more openings and edge habitat. Positive effects from the reduction fuel loading and decreasing the potential for large, stand- replacing high intensity wildfires.

Neo-tropical Migratory Birds (NTMB)

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MTBA prohibits the taking, killing or possessing of migratory birds unless permitted by regulations promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior. The MBTA was signed in 1918 and amended 1936, 1974 and 1989. On January 10, 2001, President Clinton signed Executive Order 13186, placing emphasis on conservation of migratory birds. In 2008, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the USFS and the USFWS, outlining a collaborative approach to promote the conservation and reduce the take of migratory birds.

Twenty bird species (many of which are migratory) were considered in the analysis of effects. These twenty species of neo-tropical migratory bird species listed in the analysis were evaluated for potential habitat or occurrences on the forest, and for any known historic or current sightings. Other bird species were not included in the analysis because they are not known to occur on the forest or unit, or within the habitat types which occur within the project area.

Species of Concern under MBTA The effects of the proposal on selected bird species were determined primarily throught coarse filter analyses, using the species primary habitat. These habitats or broad vegetational cover types found in the project area are the following: Oak woodlands, Piñon-Juniper, and Ponderosa Pine. These are focus vegetative community types for which properly functioning conditions and desired future conditions have been identified across the forest. The report includes a general analysis of effects on (1) vegetative community types (primary habitat for MBTA); (2) Regionally Important Species listed by Partners in Flight; (3) Important Bird Areas (IBA); (4) Inportant overwintering areas.

Table 8. NTMB species that may occur in or near the project area. Vegetation Type Species Habitat Habitat Impacts Impacts to Birds, Nests, or Eggs Shrub land/Piñon- Crissal Thrasher Shrubby vegeta- None anticipated; 50 Project activity may Juniper tion around dry foot buffers will slightly alter activity washes prevent effects to of this species primari- shrubby vegetation ly in the spring. This along dry washes. will not rise to a level that affects the total population size for the species. 21 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest Shrub land/Piñon- Black-chinned Arroyo, dry None anticipated; 50 Project activity may juniper hummingbird wash, med ripar- foot buffers will slightly alter activity ian, P/J prevent effects to of this species primari- shrubby vegetation ly in the spring. This along dry washes will not rise to a level that affects the total population size for the species. Piñon-juniper Black-throated Mature P/J with Salvage operation Nests or eggs may be gray warbler dense canopy will remove nesting dislodged by salvage dominated by and foraging habitat. operation; unintention- piñon. The spe- However the area al take will not rise to cies also utilizes adjacent to the pro- a level that affects the edge habitat. ject area will offset total population size loss of habitat. The for the species. additional amounts of edge habitat created by these treatments benefit this species by increasing foraging habitat. Piñon-juniper Montezuma quail P/J, Ponderosa The salvage opera- Nests or eggs may be Pine, heavy grass tion will create con- dislodged by the sal- cover with oak ditions where grass, vage operation. Pre- forbs and oak will scribed burning may increase. Nesting also destroy active and foraging habitat nests; unintentional will increase by the take will not rise to a treatments. level that affects the total population size for the species. Piñon-juniper Band-tailed pi- P/J, Ponderosa Salvage operation Nests or eggs may be geon Pine, Mixed Co- will remove nest dislodged by the sal- nifer trees. This species vage operation; unin- prefers tall conifers tentional take will not along forest edges. rise to a level that affects the total population size for the species. Piñon-juniper Piñon jay P/J Salvage operation Nests or eggs may be will create condi- dislodged by the sal- tions where grass, vage operation; unin- forbs and oak will tentional take will not increase. rise to a level that affects the total population size for the species. Piñon-juniper Gray flycatcher P/J with some Salvage operation Nests or eggs may be Ponderosa pine will create condi- dislodged by the sal- and shrub oak tions where grass, vage operation; unin- 22 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest forbs and oak will tentional take will not increase. These rise to a level that af- treatments will im- fects the total popula- prove this species tion size for the spe- nesting and foraging cies. habitat. Piñon-juniper Gray vireo Sparse P/J with Salvage operation Nests or eggs may be high shrub asso- will create condi- dislodged by the sal- ciated with can- tions where grass, vage operation; unin- yon slopes forbs and oak will tentional take will not increase. rise to a level that affects the total population size for the species. Ponderosa Pine Dusky Flycatcher Fairly open Salvage operation Nests or eggs may be brushy habitats will create condi- dislodged by the sal- tions where grass, vage operation; unin- forbs and oak will tentional take will not increase. rise to a level that affects the total population size for the species. Ponderosa Pine Virginia’s War- High elevation Salvage operation Nests or eggs may be bler piñon-juniper or will create condi- dislodged this treat- ponderosa pine tions where grass, ment; unintentional forest with dense forbs and oak will take will not rise to a shrub cover increase. level that affects the total population size for the species. Ponderosa Pine Grace’s Warbler Ponderosa Pine The salvage opera- Nests or eggs may be or Mixed Conifer tion will create con- dislodged by the canopy ditions where grass, treatment; unintention- forbs and oak will al take will not rise to increase. a level that affects the total population size for the species. Ponderosa Flammulated Owl Cavity trees with The salvage opera- Nests or eggs may be Pine/Mixed Coni- brushy understo- tion will favor the dislodged by this fer ry creation of openings. treatment; unintention- The treatments will al take will not rise to retain large snags a level that affects the that this species will total population size potentially utilize as for the species. nests. Ponderosa Olive-sided Fly- High elevation The treatments will Nests or eggs may be Pine/Mixed Coni- catcher ponderosa pine create conditions dislodged by the fer or mixed conifer where grass, forbs treatment; unintention- canopy and oak will in- al take will not rise to crease. a level that affects the total population size 23 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest for the species. Ponderosa Red-faced War- High elevation The treatments will Nests or eggs may be Pine/Mixed Coni- bler ponderosa pine create conditions dislodged by salvage fer or mixed conifer where grass, forbs operation; unintention- forests with oak and oak will increase al take will not rise to understory a level that affects the total population size for the species.

Ponderosa Williamson’s Larger ponderosa The salvage opera- Nests or eggs may be Pine/Mixed Coni- Sapsucker pine or mixed tion will favor the dislodged by salvage fer conifer trees creation of openings. operation; unintention- The treatments will al take will not rise to retain large snags a level that affects the that this species will total population size potentially utilize as for the species. nests. This will create conditions where grass, forbs and oak will increase. Ponderosa Plumbeous Vireo Open ponderosa The salvage opera- Nests or eggs may be Pine/Mixed Coni- pine or mixed tion will favor the dislodged by salvage fer conifer forest creation of openings. operation; unintention- The treatments will al take will not rise to retain large snags a level that affects the that this species will total population size potentially utilize as for the species. nests. This will create conditions where grass, forbs and oak will increase. Ponderosa Red-naped Sap- Riparian near None anticipated; Project activity may Pine/Mixed Coni- sucker larger forested No habitat will be slightly alter activity fer trees and aspen impacted. of this species primarily in the spring and along the drainages below the project area. This will not rise to a level that affects the total population size for the species. Ponderosa Painted Redstart Ponderosa pine The salvage opera- Nests or eggs may be Pine/Mixed Coni- with oak under- tion will favor the dislodged by salvage fer story creation of openings. operation; unintention- The treatments will al take will not rise to retain large snags a level that affects the that this species will total population size potentially utilize as for the species. nests. This will cre- 24 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest ate conditions where grass, forbs and oak will increase. Ponderosa Band-tailed pi- P/J, Ponderosa The salvage opera- Nests or eggs may be Pine/Mixed Coni- geon Pine, Mixed Co- tion will favor the dislodged by salvage fer nifer creation of openings. operation; unintention- The treatments will al take will not rise to retain large snags a level that affects the that this species will total population size potentially utilize as for the species. nests. This will create conditions where grass, forbs and oak will increase. Mixed Conifer Golden-crowned High elevation The salvage opera- Nests or eggs may be (Not found within kinglet mixed conifer tion will favor the dislodged by salvage the project area, creation of openings. operation; unintention- but habitat does The treatments will al take will not rise to exist along the retain large snags a level that affects the north slopes adja- that this species will total population size cent to the treat- potentially utilize as for the species. ment area.) nests. This will create conditions where grass, forbs and oak will increase.

Important Bird Areas (IBA). The are no designated Important Bird Areas (IBA) on the Smokey Bear Ranger District. However, the Rio Bonito is one of the major drainages on the District. This drainage and it’s tributaries have one of the highest bird uses within the District. This due to the high diversity of riparian vegetation along the Bonito river and it’s tributaries. The proposed treatment area is approximately 1.3 miles from the Rio Bonito and are also seperated by topography and private land and poses no affects to the riparian area.

Overwintering Areas The Bonito Lake (Owned and administered by the City of Alamagordo) is used by wintering Bald Eagles and by Osprey during the Spring and Fall migration. Overall, due to the high elevation and the potential for high snow accumulation, the project area would not be considered an area where a significant concentrations of birds over winter. Other drianages on the District such as the Rio Ruidoso and the Nogal Canyon drainage, are also known as areas that contain a of high diversity of birds species due to its high percentage of open meadows and large oak/shrub component.

SUMMARY: No significant effects will occur to Migratory Birds because the proposed action will not substantially alter existing habitat for migratory bird species of concern. However, the actions associated with the proposed action have the potential to impact some Migratory Birds.

25 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest Fisheries Fish were found along the Rio Bonito and the South Fork Rio Bonito drainages prior to the Little Bear Wildfire of 2013. It is suspected that these two main draininges no longer contain populations of fish due to the ash runoff that occurred and continues to occur after this wildfire. Prior to this fire, these two streams contain a population of small wild reproducing Rainbow and Brook trout.

The implementation of this treatment will not significantly increase the sediment entering these drainages. Currently these drainages are experiencing a high volumes of mud and ash flows from rains that are common during the summer monsoon period. These rain events will impact these drainages for the next 3 to 5 years. Reintroduction of a fisheries back into this watershed will be emphasis as the fire scar revegetates and the drainages become more stable over the next few years.

Federal and State Listed Species This section provides information on the selection of federally listed plant and animal species for detailed analysis on the Smokey Bear Ranger District. Species currently listed as federally threatened or endangered, as well as those species which may be candidates for listing by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service were considered. This species list was downloaded from the official website on 06/08/2013, and compared with the list of species known to occur on the Sacramento Ranger District. Species listed as Sensitive for the Lincoln National Forest on the R3 Regional Forester Senstive Species List, October 2007, were considered.

SPECIES EXCLUDED FROM DETAILED ANALYSIS There are several federally listed species which are not discussed in this document due to lack of presence in the geographical area, unsuitable habitat conditions, and/or lack a “high probability of occurrence” on the Smokey Ranger District. The following remuneration provides the rationale for excluding species from detailed analysis.

Species which do not occur on or near the Lincoln National Forest due to the range of the species, lack of habitat, or which only occur on an incidental basis will not be affected by the proposed action. For this reason they will not be included in a detailed analysis. These species are found in Table 9 in Appendix A of this report.

Species that are not known to occur on or near the Smokey BearRanger District, though they may occur elsewhere on the Forest will not be affected by the proposed action. For this reason they will not be included in a detailed analysis. These species are found in Table 10 in Appendix A of this report.

Species that are not known to occur on or have habitat in the project area, though they may occur elsewhere on the District will not be affected by the proposed action. For this reason they will not be included in a detailed analysis. These species are found in Table 11 in Appendix A of this report.

The following species are not known to occur on or near the Smokey BearRanger District, though they may occur elsewhere on the Forest, and therefore will not be affected by the project alternatives. For this reason they will not be included in a detailed analysis. These species are found in Table 12 in Appendix A of this report.

The following species are not known to occur or have habitat on or near the project area, though they may occur elsewhere on the District, and therefore will not be affected by this project. For this reason 26 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest they will not be included in a detailed analysis. These species are found in Table 13 in Appendix A of this report.

The following species may use the project analysis area on an incidental basis, or have minimal amounts of historic habitat, but do not depend significantly upon the area resources for their continued existence. Additionally, some of the following species may be found within the analysis area, however the design features will prevent effects. No effect is expected from this project under the worst case. For this reason they will not be included in detailed analysis. These species are found in Table 14 in Appendix A of this report.

SENSITIVE PLANTS The Affected Environment Site management decisions concerning the Little Bear Salvage Project were based upon The Regional Forester’s list (“Regional Forester’s List of Sensitive Species for the Forest Service’s Southwestern Region, 09/21/12) and a comparison to two plant surveys conducted near or on the project site as well as informal surveys by Forest Service biologists and interns. Tigla Botancial Consulting of Albuquerque, New Mexico surveyed the Bonito Watershed during early and late growing seasons in 2007. None of the target species were documented by Tigla’s botanists inside the project boundaries. A second survey, conducted during early and late growing season in 2008, was also reviewed. This survey, by Southwestern Research and Professional Services (R.D. Worthington, Phd.), targeted six species of sensitive plants northwest of Bonito Lake and to Tanbark Canyon. Only one plant, Penstemon cardinalis ssp cardinalis which has since been removed from the Regional Forester’s list, was found by that survey. Both surveys are on file at Smokey Bear Ranger Station. Species occuring on both the RO’s list and targeted by the surveys are listed in Table 9: Sensitive Plants. This table respresents the highest order of available data for decision making. No sensitive plants were found by survey, either by contract botanist or by Forest Service personnel, within the boundaries of the project areas. Appendix C, Table C.1. is an evaluation of all potential sensitive plant species whose habitat might occur in the project area and is produced from the RO’s list of sensitive plants (09/21/12) whose habitat might be found or do occur on the Lincoln National Forest. Appendix A, Table A.2. is a list and natural history of five plants determined by the Lincoln Forest botanist to be of a sensitive category and found in the White Mountain Wilderness.

Table 9. Forest Service Sensitive Plant Species with potential habitat in proposed treatment areas. Common Name and Habitat Requirements Scientific Name and Survey Results

Scarlet Penstemon A transition zone plant associated with ponderosa pine and Douglas fir and (Penstemon cardinalis ssp cardinalis) generally found along rocky slopes or canyon bottoms. This species is no longer listed as a sensitive species by USDA-USFS Region 3 for the LNF. However, the subspecies, ssp regalis is still listed. Sub-species cardinalis is mentioned here because it was a previous listing. Abundant and prolific populations lie to the south and west of the proposed treatment areas (Shoup, Kastning “Bonito Sensitive Species Survey, 2007” Tigla Botanical Consulting) (R.D.Worthington, Phd. “Bonito Botany Survey”, Southwestern Research and Professional Services, 2008) Wood Lily Normally found in wetlands and most often in mature montane and Lilium philadelphicum subalpine coniferous forests (7,000-10,000 ft). Although widespread in the central U.S., it is considered a rarity in New Mexico. No Lilium philadelphicum was not found by Tigla Botanical Consulting in their 2007 survey (Shoup, Kastning “Bonito Sensitive Species Survey”, 2007) 27 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest

(Worthington, Bonito Botany Survey, 2008). Wooton’s Hawthorn Occurs in openings and along streams in the lower montane coniferous Crategus wootoniana forest between 6,500 and 9,000 feet. Known populations have been found in Big Bear and Bluefront canyons but are not within the proposed treatment areas. (Shoup,Kasning “Bonito Sensitive Species Survey, 2007) (Worthington, Bonito Botany Survey, 2008). Wright’s Marsh Thistle Found around springs, in wetlands, and along streams. Proposed thinning Cirsium wrightii area does contain intermittent streams and a few low areas, but survey of 2007 found no Cirsium wrightii present (Shoup, Kastning “Bonito Sensitive Species Survey”, 2007) (Worthington, “Bonito Botany Survey,” 2008).

Environmental Consequences

All Alternatives

Repeated surveys of potential habitat in the treatment area did not find any of the sensitive plant species listed in Table 9. Thus, none of the alternatives would be expected to affect sensitive plants. If sensitive plant populations are found during project implementation, the mitigation measure (described in Appendix A) includes a provision for protecting sensitive plants with a buffer zone around the plants with a radius of 50-feet. Refer to Appendix A for mitigation and monitoring requirements for sensitive plant species.

Sensitive Wildlife Species The Forest Service’s sensitive species program is designed to help maintain biodiversity and viable populations of species in accordance with National Forest Management Act regulations (36 CFR 219.19). The goal in managing sensitive species habitat is to prevent a trend toward listing under the Endangered Spe- cies Act. Sensitive species to be considered in land management planning activities are those designated by the Regional Forester (FSM 2670.5).

The Southwestern Regional Forester’s 2012 list of sensitive species was originally used in analyzing effects on sensitive species from proposed project activities (U.S. Forest Service 1999b). In September 2012, the Regional Forester approved a revised list of sensitive species for the Southwestern Region (U.S. Forest Service 2007b). The Forest wildlife biologist for the Lincoln National Forest reviewed both the 2007 and 2012 lists of sensitive species, to determine which species from either of those lists would occur or have suitable habitat in the project area. Results of those reviews are contained in Appendix A: Sensi- tive Species. Appendix A describes the key habitat requirements for each species, and whether the habitat or species occur in the project area.

After reviewing the Regional Forester’s 2007 and 2012 lists of sensitive animal species that may occur on the Lincoln National Forest, 44 species were dropped from further study because they do not have habitat or occur in the project area such that they would be affected by proposed project activities. The northern goshawk was identified as the only species that have habitat and occurrence in or adjacent to the project area that could be affected by proposed activities. Table 10 displays those species names, taxonomic group and key habitat requirements. 28 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest Table 10. Forest Service sensitive animal species with potential habitat in the treatment area. Common Scientific Group Habitat Name Name Northern Accipter gentilis Bird Large tracts of mature, closed canopy, deciduous, coniferous, Goshawk and mixed forests (Ponderosa pine) with an open understory.

Detailed analysis for each individual species with possible effects: Scientific Name Common Name Status

Accipiter gentilis Northern Goshawk S

S = sensitive T = threatened PT = proposed threatened E = endangered C = candidate

NORTHERN GOSHAWK Scientific Name: Accipiter gentilis Status: Forest Service Region 3 Sensitive a. General Ecology The northern goshawk is a generalist species that utilizes a wide range of mature and immature forest habitat types. The principal forest types occupied by the goshawk in the Southwest are ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, and spruce-fir (Reynolds et al. 1992). In general, goshawks nest in mature to old forest stands of relatively large trees with closed canopies and an open understory. Goshawks typically prefer forests with a relatively high canopy closure and greater tree density (Beier and Drennan 1997). The best goshawk foraging habitat is believed to consist of forested stands with complex structure having large amounts of downed logs, woody material and snags. Adequate perches for hunting and flight space for maneuvering are other important characteristics of forested stands used for foraging by goshawks. Jays, flickers and squirrels make up the bulk of their diet.

Breeding habitat includes a nesting area, a post-fledging family area (PFA) and a foraging area. The Southwestern Region of the Forest Service established direction for managing goshawk habitat, which is contained in all forest plans in the region (U.S. Forest Service 1986: 208A-E).

The Region 3 Forest Service Policy recommendations call for Vegetation Structural Stage (VSS) distribution of: 10 percent grass/forb/shrub (VSS1), 10 percent seedling sapling forest (VSS2), 20 percent young forest (VSS3), 20 percent mid-aged forest (VSS4), 20 percent mature forest (VSS5), and 20 percent old forest (VSS6). Snags, downed logs, woody debris, and openings with reserve trees are important components of goshawk habitat. At least 3 large snags (greater than 18 inches dbh) per acre are needed in goshawk habitat. Canopy cover for a mid-aged ponderosa pine forest outside a Post Family Fledgling Area (PFA) should average 40%. Canopy cover for a mid-aged ponderosa pine forest within PFA’s is 1/3 29 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest 60+% and 2/3 50+%. At least 5 large down logs (greater than 11.9 inches diameter at mid point, greater than 7.9 feet long) per acre are needed in ponderosa pine goshawk foraging habitat. Other canopy types are mixed conifer, spruce-fir, and woodland. At least three snags and five downed logs are needed in spruce-fir and mixed conifer goshawk foraging habitat. Canopy cover for a mid-aged mixed conifer forest is 1/3 60+% and 2/3 40+%. Woodland foraging habitat requires uneven age conditions with varied vegetation densities, age classes, and species composition. Reserve trees, snags, and down debris should be preserved in woodland areas.

The Region 3 Forest Service Policy recommendations also call for an average of 5-7 tons/acre of woody debris larger than 3 inches in diameter within the goshawk habitat on the ponderosa pine vegetation type. In spruce-fir and mixed conifer habitat, an average of 10-15 tons/acre of woody debris is needed.

Mitigation measures and monitoring requirements that apply to alternatives 2 to protect northern goshawks and their habitat are listed in Appendix C of this report.

b. Data Sources, including surveys conducted All potential suitable goshawk habitat within the project area has been surveyed at least once between 1996 and 2011. Land adjacent to the Forest/project boundary was not specifically surveyed. However, surveys that took place on the National Forest system lands provided some coverage and chance of goshawk detection on adjoining properties.

Additional Information for this analysis included the Record of Decision for the Revised Forest Plans and the Final Environmental Impact Statement, USDA, Forest Service. c. Current Habitat Description As of 2010, records indicate the Lincoln National Forest has a total of 47 historical and active goshawk territories. The first active goshawk nest was discovered in 1987 on the Sacramento District of the Lin- coln National Forest. To date, thirty-three goshawk Post-fledgling Family Areas (PFAs) have been established on the Sacramento Ranger District and 14 PFAs have been established on the Smokey Bear Ranger District.

The 2012 Little Bear Wildland Fire substantially modified the forest structure within the project area; habitat structure is now dominated by a high density of snags with few to no live trees remaining. No goshawks have been observed within the vacinity of the project area since the fire; the PFA no longer contains suitable habitat for the northern goshawk.

Ground disturbance will be created by utilizing conventional harvest equipment (ex. rubber tired skidders) and skidding to designated landing locations. Ground disturbing activities are not within a PFA. The project area is adjacent to the Philadelphia PFA (629 acres, #R03F08D01006) and in close proximity to the Iron Goshawk PFA (604 acres, R03F8D01010) . Both of these PFA’s where burned with moderate to high intensity fire. Since the PFA’s and surrounding areas burned at moderate to high severity, goshawks are unlikely to occupy the area for nesting at present. Therefore, goshawk surveys and breeding season restrictions will not be required to prevent any potential disturbance to nesting pairs within the adjacent Philadelphia PFA.

The Philadelphia PFA (#R03F08D01006) was established in 1994. A single goshawk was observed in 2006. In spite of extensive surveys from 2007 through 2011, no observations have been made within the Philadelphia PFA in that time span. This PFA cantained primarily ponderosa pine and piñon-juniper cover types. There are, however, seven acres of mixed conifer. The north and east sides of the drainage are primarily piñon-juniper while the south and west sides are ponderosa. The variance in vegetative type 30 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest is due to aspect with the south side of the drainage north sloping and providing a more suitable habitat for ponderosa growth. The Iron PFA (PFA #R03F08D01010) was established in 1999. In 1998, a nest was discover in the area. This territory has been monitored annually since 2004. No goshawk sighting have been noted from 2005 to 2011. This PFA contained both ponderosa pine and mixed conifer vegetation types. Mixed conifer is predominant due to elevation and aspect. The Iron PFA is overlapped by Mexican spotted owl protected habitat on its southern extremities.

Where the goshawk PFAs overlap Mexican spotted owl protected or restricted habitat, the spotted owl habitat management requirements take precedence over goshawk habitat requirements (U.S. Forest Ser- vice 1986: 208A). The PFAs are to be managed for as nesting and fledgling habitat. Outside the PFAs, the entire treatment area is to be managed as goshawk foraging habitat, as it is entirely comprised of mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, and piñon-juniper forest. d. Determination of Effects

Alternative 1—No Action Under this alternative there would be no impact to goshawks or their habitat from the proposed project because proposed activities would not be implemented.

The 2012 fire reduced the quality of goshawk nesting and foraging habitat within the burned area. After one year, the area has returned to a VSS- 1 grass, forb and shrub habitat component and presently provides suitable foraging habitat for the goshawk. Over the next 5 to 10 years the fuel loading will continue to build-up as the dead began to fall over. As a consequence the area would become very susceptible to another large high intensity wildfire and the potential to lose additional suitable goshawk habitat. Present- ly only snags remain. It will take about 200 years to restore mature forest habitat suitable for goshawk nesting habitat in the area. Foraging habitat is coming back quickly. If these areas lack sufficient seed sources to restore conifer forest, burned areas could remain as shrub fields for an indefinite period of time

Alternative 2

Alternative 2 may impact foraging goshawks, but is not likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of population viability. Proposed salvage treatment activities would primarily have beneficial effects to goshawk habitat, and potential adverse impacts would be minimized by application of project design features.

Noise and visual disturbance from the savage operation would not likely impact goshawk because nesting habitat no longer exist in the project area. The area will remaining foraging habitat for the foreseeable future. These disturbances from project activities are not expected to have an adverse impact on the goshawks foraging use of the treatment area, although goshawks may temporarily avoid portions of the area where activities are being conducted.

Most snags 18” dbh and up would be retained, and would eventually contribute to the amount of down woody material. By meeting snag and down woody debris retentions standards and guidelines as proposed, prey and foraging habitat would be maintained across the project area for the short term. The salvage treatments would create an increase in the abundance of grasses, forbs and shrubs. This alternative 31 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest will also minimize the potential for another high intensity wildfire by decreasing the fuel loading of fallen trees.

Cumulative Effects The Smokey Bear Ranger District is the analysis area used for cumulative effects analysis because goshawk habitat is widespread across the district, and goshawks could reasonably be expected to move between habitat areas on different parts of the district. Goshawk habitat is not continuous or linked between the other three districts on the Lincoln National Forest.

Wildfires of differing intensities have affected goshawk PFAs over the last 15 years. The Cree Fire severely burned 50 percent of the Gavilan PFA. No goshawk reproduction has been reported in this area since this time, although adult goshawks have been observed in the area in 2001, 2003 and 2007. The Peppin Fire burned through a portion of the Gum Springs PFA, although mostly as a low intensity under- burn that enhanced goshawk habitat. The Little Bear Fire burned seven PFA from moderate to high intensity, causing the highest impact to the species thus far. No other wildfires are known to have affected goshawk PFAs elsewhere on the Smokey Bear Ranger District within the past 50 years. It is likely that wildfires of varying intensities would continue to occur each year on the district and effect habitat conditions for goshawks in the area. Lower intensity surface wildfires would have favorable effects, while higher intensity wildfires would likely have adverse effects.

Fuel reduction treatments on and off national forest lands would also have a cumulative effect on goshawks and their habitat, especially due to the number of acres treated in recent past, ongoing and foreseeable future projects. Together these treatments would cumulatively reduce the risk of a large, high intensity wildfire. Fuel reduction treatments on national forest lands would continue to preserve key goshawk habitat features and avoid activities during breeding season in PFAs. Cumulatively, treatments would promote development of large trees and mature forest conditions with open understories, and a greater abundance of grasses and forbs. Cumulatively, the improved balance in VSS classes would be further enhanced by the addition of other similar projects, on and off national forest lands. Large snags and down logs would continue to be plentiful in both treated and untreated forest areas. Insects and diseases would continue to kill the larger, more stressed trees, but at a greatly reduced rate. Thus, goshawk habitat conditions would improve over a larger geographic area in combination with other activities in the surrounding forest lands within the district boundary.

No other habitat altering or major disturbance activities would be anticipated to occur in goshawk habitat at the same time as the proposed project. Therefore, considering the various activities and events just described, no significant cumulative effects to goshawk populations or habitat trends would be expected from the combined effects of other activities and the proposed project.

Therefore, it is my determination that the project will have no impact on individual goshawks, and is not likely to result in a trend toward federal listing or loss of viability for the goshawk population.

32 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest D. CONTACTS/CONTRIBUTORS/PREPARER

Person Organization/Unit Contribution Rhonda Stewart Supervisor’s Office TE&S Survey Information Forest Biologist Larry Cordova Staff Biologist Wildlife Report Project Leader

SIGNATURES

Prepared by: /s/ Larry Cordova Larry Cordova Date: August 19th, 2013 Staff Wildlife Biologist Smokey Bear Ranger District

33 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest

References Beier and Drennan 1997. Forest structure and prey abundance in foraging areas of northern goshawks. Ecological Applications 7: 564-371. Costello, Jones, Green, Hammond, Inman, Thompson, Deitner, and Quigley. 2001. A study of black bear ecology in New Mexico with models for population dynamics and habitat suitability. Final Report. Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Project W-131-R. Dahms and Geils 1997. An assessment of forest ecosystem health in the Southwest. US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, SW Region, GTR-295. Denton 2006. Mexican spotted owl protected activity centers, pre-settlement plots, Smokey Bear Ranger District, Lincoln National Forest. Ecosystem Restoration Institute. Northern Arizona University. Unpublished Report. 21 pp. Fiala, Garman and Gray. 2006. Comparison of five canopy cover estimation techniques in the western Oregon Cascades. Forest Ecology and Management 232: 188-197. Frey, Jennifer. 2006. Status of New Mexico Meadow Jumping in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, New Mexico. Contractual report submitted to CSD, NMDept. Game and Fish. Frey, Jennifer. 2007. Density and Habitat of Red Squirrel in Five Study Areas on Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico. Contractual report submitted to Lincoln National Forest. Ghalambor and Dobbs 2006. Pygmy nuthatch: a technical conservation assessment. (online}. Us Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/projects/scp/assessments/pygmynuthatch.pdf Grubb and King 1991. Assessing human disturbance of breeding bald eagles with classification tree models. Journal of Wildlife Management 55: 500-511. Hanks and Peddie 1974. Vegetation patterns of the White Mountains, New Mexico. Southwestern Naturalist 18: 372-382. Hedwall, Chambers, Rosenstock. 2006. Red squirrel use of dwarf mistletoe-induced witches’ brooms in Douglas-fir. Journal of Wildlife Management 70 (4): 1142-1147. Heffelfinger, Brewer, Alcala-Galvan, Hale, Weybright, Wakeling, Carpenter, and Dodd. 2006. Habitat guidelines for mule deer: southwest deserts ecoregion. Mule Deer Working Group, Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 48 pp. Hoover and Wills 1984. Managing forested lands for wildlife. Colorado Division of Wildlife I cooperation with US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Denver Co. 459 pp. Hugh and Cameron 2001. Pygmy nuthatch. In: The Birds of North America, No. 567 (A. Poole and F. Gillieds). Philadelphia, PA. Accessed online. Jackman and Jenkins 2004. Protocol for evaluating bald eagle habitat and populations in California. US Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered Species Division. Kamees 2002. Long-range plan for the management of wild turkey in New Mexico 2001-2005. new Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Santa Fe, NM. 31 pp. Koprowske, Leonard, Zugmeyer, and Jolley. 2006. Direct effects of fire on endangered Mount 34 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest Graham red squirrels. The Southwestern Naturalist: 51 (1): 59-63. Kucera 2005. Juniper titmouse. California wildlife habitat relationships system. Database, version 8.1. California Department of Fish and Game. Kuhar, Kim. “Fire and Fuels Report” Bonito Forest Restoration Project, Revised. SBRD 2009 LaRue 1994. New Mexico Partners In Flight, Hawks Aloft. Online database. LeCount and Yarchin 1990. Black bear habitat use in east central Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department. Final Report. Technical Report 4. Sept. 1990. Accessed online: www.bison-m- org. McCaw, Candelaria, Johnson, and Mower. 2007. Sacramento salamander Aneides hardii annual report. Unpublished report on file at Lincoln National Forest Supervisor’s Office, Alamogordo, NM. Mendonca, Adam. Personal Interview covering aspects of VSS & SDI, SBRD 2009 NatureServe 2007. NatureServe Explorer: an online encyclopedia of life (web application). Version 6.2. Online at www.natureserve.org/explorer. NM Department of Game and Fish 2006. Mule deer of New Mexico. NM Department of Game and Fish, Santa Fe, NM. 3 pp. Online: www.wildlife.state.nm.us. Pilliod, Bull, Hayes, and Wales. 2006. Wildlife and invertegrate response to fuel reduction treatments in dry coniferous forests of the western United States: a synthesis. US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, RMRS-GTR-173. Ramontnik. 2007. Effects of the Scott Able fire on Sacramento Mountain salamander abundance and arthropod prey base. US Geological Survey, Administrative Report. 81 pp. Reynolds, Graham, Reiser, Bassett, Kennedy, Boyce, Goodwin, Smith, and Fisher.1992. Management recommendations for the northern goshawk in the southwestern United States. US Forest Service. Rocky Mountain Research Station GTR-RM-217. Rich, Beardmore, Berlanga, alancher, Bradstreet, Butcher, Demarest, Dunn, Hunter, Inigo-Elias, Kennedy, Martell, Panjabi, Pashley, Rosenberg, Rustay, Wendt, and Will. 2004. Partners In Flight North American Landbird Conservation Plan. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Ithaca, NY. Partners in Flight website. www.partnersinflight.org/cont_plan (version: March 2005) Rustay and Norris 2006. New Mexico bird conservation plan. New Mexico Partners in Flight. Online: www.hawksaloft.org/pif (version 2.1). Salas 2006. Lincoln National Forest management indicator species assessment. US Forest Service. Unpublished Report on file at the Lincoln National Forest Supervisor’s Office, Alamogordo, NM. Sauer, Hines, and Fallon. 2007. The North American breeding bird survey, results and analysis. 1966-2006. Version 7.23.2007. USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD. Online at www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/bbs.html Slovlin 1982. Habitat requirements and evaluations. In: Thomas, Jack Ward; Toweill, Dale E, eds. Elk of North America: ecology and management. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books: 369- 414. 35 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest Smith 2000. Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on fauna. US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, GTR-42- vol. 1. References, continued U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2007. National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines. Online: www.wetlandstudies.com/doc: 14-15. U.S. Forest Service 1986. Land and Resource Management Plan for the Lincoln National Forest, as amended (aka Forest Plan). US Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM. Online: www.fs.fed.us/r3/lincoln U.S. Forest Service 1999. Regional Forester’s Sensitive Species List, for Lincoln National Forest, Region 3. Unpublished. Available from Lincoln National Forest Supervisor’s Office, Alamogordo, NM. U.S. Forest Service 2003. Monitoring and evaluation report for Lincoln National Forest. Online: www/fs/fed/us/r3/lincoln U.S. Forest Service 2007b. Regional Foresters Sensitive Species List, for Lincoln National Forest, Region 3. Unpublished. Available from Lincoln National Forest Supervisor’s Office, Alamogordo, NM. Young and Greer. 2002. Characteristics of bolus nest of red squirrels in the Pinaleno and White Mountains of Arizona. The Southwest Naturalist, Vol. 47, No. 2. pp. 267-275.

36 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest Appendix A: Sensitive Species This appendix displays the species listed in the “Regional Forester’s List of Sensitive Species for the For- est Service’s Southwestern Region,” which have potential habitat or are known to occur on the Lincoln National Forest. The Regional Forester’s sensitive species list dated June of 2007 was combined with the revised sensitive species list approved in September 2012. The forest and district wildlife biologists reviewed the species on both lists and the associated habitat management information for those species. The biologists determined whether there is suitable habitat or species occurrence within the Little Bear Sal- vage Project area such that proposed project activities may affect the species or its habitat.

The species that have suitable habitat in the area and are likely to occur in the area, or species known to occur in the project area, were carried forward for further analysis while species that would not likely occur in the area or otherwise be affected by proposed project activities were dropped from further analysis.

Sensitive animal species are grouped in the following table by taxonomic groups, starting with vertebrates (animals with backbones) and listed by the subgroups of birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, and amphibians, followed by the invertebrates (animals without backbones), listed in subgroups of arthropods (insects, crustaceans and others with jointed legs) and mollusks (snails and others in shells).

Sensitive plants are found in Table A.1, if they have potential habitat or occur on the Lincoln National Forest and in Lincoln County. Surveys for sensitive plants, along with threatened or endangered plants, were conducted annually in the project area for the past several years. No sensitive plants have been found in the project area, although there are project design features to be applied if any are found before or during implementation.

37 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest

Appendix A: Sensitive Plant Species The following table represents all sensitive plants with potential habitat within the Lincoln National Forest as found on the 09/21/07 Regional Forester’s listing. Plant species whose habitat might be found within the actual analysis area are also found in Sensitive Plant Species.

Table A.1. Sensitive Plant Habitat Potential and Occurrence, Little Bear Salvage Area Sensitive Species Habitat Species Habitat Requirements and Whether it Common Name and Present Present Occurs in the Project Area (Scientific Name) Y or N Y or N Goodding’s Onion N N Above 9300 feet elevation in both coniferous forest and Allium gooddingii open areas such as ski runs. Project area is too low for this species. Chapline’s Columbine N N A wetland species that occurs in seeps or springs and is Aquilegia chaplinei endemic to Chihuahuan desert scrub of the southern (=A. chrysantha var. Sacramento and Guadalupe mountains. Never observed chaplinei) on SBRD. Tall Milkvetch Y N A narrow endemic inhabiting the forests around Astragalus altus Cloudcroft in openings found in montane coniferous forests. Only 18 known locations on NFS lands. Plant never documented on SBRD. Kerr’s Milkvetch N N Species is confined to the eastern half of the Capitan Mts. Astragalus kerrii Primarily found on sandy, dry arroyos that are prone to disturbance in confierous , mixed woodland areas. Surveys did not find plant in the project area. Sierra Blanca Kittentails N N This plant is endemic to one small area of Sierra Blanca Besseya obliongifolia peak, the southernmost alpine tundra in the U.S. No alpine tundra within the project area Wright’s Marsh Thistle Y N An obligate wetland species found in only seven sites. A Cirsium wrightii targe plant of surveys . None found on project area. Wooton’s Hawthorn Y N Canyon bottoms and openings in lower montane. Target Crategus wootoniana plant of surveys. None found in the project area. Yellow Lady’s-Slipper Y N Montane moist woods. Common in the northern and Cypripedium eastern U.S. with New Mexico and Arizona the parviflorum var. southwestern extreme of its range. Common with small pubescens and scattered populations found in northern NM. Rare in southwestern NM. None found by surveys. Guadalupe rabbitbrush Y N Interior chaparral and piñon-juniper woodland Ericameria nauseosa communities between 4900 and 8000 ft. elevation. Cliff var. texensis faces or boulders. None found in project area Villard’s Pincushion N N Desert grassland with Chihuahuan desert scrub on broad Cactus limestone benches in mountainous terrain; (4,500-6,500 Escobaria villardii ft); Otero and Doña Ana counties on the west slope of the Sacramento Mountains. None found by surveys.

38 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest Table A.1. Sensitive Plant Habitat Potential and Occurrence, Bonito Forest Analysis Area Sensitive Species Habitat Species Habitat Requirements and Whether it Common Name and Present Present Occurs in the Project Area (Scientific Name) Y or N Y or N

Arizona Coralroot Y N In heavy leaf litter in oak, pine, or juniper woodlands Hexalectris spicata var. over limestone. In the New Mexico counties of. Doña arizonica Ana, Hidalgo, Otero, and Sierra. Also known in Texas and Mexico. Not found by surveys in the project area.

Sierra Blanca Cliff Y N Igneous rock faces in montane coniferous forest at 7,600- Daisy 9,500 ft. This species is known from only locations on Ionactis elegans the east and west slopes of Sierra Blanca. A target species of surveys but none were found. Wood Lily Y N Wetland plant associated with mature coniferous forests. Lilium philadelphicum Widespread in the central U.S. but rare in New Mexico. A target species of surveys but none were found. Ladies’-Tresses N N Light-to-moderately wooded south-facing pine forests; Microthelys (8,100 ft). New Mexico specimens have been observed at rubrocallosa a single location in a post-fire, mesic, mixed conifer forest in the Sacramento . None observed by surveys. Alamo Penstemon N N Sheltered rocky areas, canyon sides and bottoms, on Penstemon alamosensis limestone(4,300-5,300 ft), in the west escarpment of the Sacramento Mountains and east side of San Andres Mountains. Other populations in the Hueco Mts. No limestone parent material on project area. Project is outside the range of this species.

Guadalupe Penstemon N N Limestone slopes and canyon bottoms in the motane Penstemon cardinalis scrub, p-j woodlands and lower montaine coniferous ssp. regalis forests in a very narrow range in the Guadalupe mountains. Habitat required not found within the project area. Sierra Blanca N N Subalpine –montane grassland communities associated Cinquefoil with windswept areas, thin soil or rocky outcrops. Potentilla sierrae- Endemic to the Sacramento Mountains. Project area does blancae not have alpine tundra. New Mexican N N Igneous soils in alpine tundra, scree-slopes and rocky Stonecrop openings in subalpine forest; (9,900-11,800 ft). No alpine Sedum integrifolium ssp tundra in project area neomexicana

39 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest

Table A.1. Sensitive Plant Habitat Potential and Occurrence, Bonito Forest Project Area Sensitive Species Habitat Species Habitat Requirements and Whether it Common Name and Present Present Occurs in the Project Area (Scientific Name) Y or N Y or N

Guadalupe Mescal Bean N N Chihuahuan desert scrub and juniper savanna; (5,260-6,650 ft) Sophora gypsophila va. along outcrops of pink, limy, fine-grained sandstone. Only guadalupensis known in Otero and Eddy counties NM. and Culberson Coun- ty, TX. Project contains no habitats similar to plants requirements. Guadalupe Jewelflower N N Limestone canyon bottoms and montane scrub; (5,000-7,000 Streptanthus sparsiflorus ft). Endemic and locally abundant to the Guadalupe Moun- tains. Habitat not found within the project area. No plants discovered by surveys. 40 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest

Table A.2. Sensitive Plant Species identified by Forest Botanist but outside the proposed treatment area

Common Name and Habitat Requirements Scientific Name and Survey Results

Gooding’s Onion(Alllium gooddingii A perennial forb that grows each year from an underground bulb; the flowering stock can be up to 45cm tall and the deep red to violet flowers appear from July to August. Within the analsysis area 17 individual populations are know, these populations occur from 9400’ to 11,200’. All populations in the analysis area are within the White Mountain Wilderness Area. ( Johnson, Tyler USFS document, “Botany Report Bonito Forest Restoration Project” 2008). Sierra Blanca Cliff Daisy Known populations occur along Eagle Creek and Three Rivers drainage at Ionactis elegans similar altitutdes and exposures as occur in the analysis area. ( Johnson, Tyler USFS document, “Botany Report Bonito Forest Restoration Project” 2008). New Mexican Stonecrop Four known populations occur on rocky exposed substrate at Ski Apache Sedum integrifolium ssp. above 10,700’. Similarly exposed and lofty conditions exist in the White neomexicana Mountain Wilderness Area and stonecrop could potentially be present. ( Johnson, Tyler USFS document, “Botany Report Bonito Forest Restoration Project” 2008).

Sierra Blanca kittentails Three known populations occur in alpine meadows at Ski Apache at Synthyris oblongifolia elevations above 10,500’. ( Johnson, Tyler USFS document, “Botany Report Bonito Forest Restoration Project” 2008).

Sierra Blanca Cinquefoil A single population exists at 11,000 at Lookout Mountain at Ski Apache on Potentilla sierrae-blancae an exposed and windswept knob. ( Johnson, Tyler USFS document, “Botany Report Bonito Forest Restoration Project” 2008)

41 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest Appendix A. Sensitive Animal Species

The following table represents all sensitive animal species with potential habitat within the Lincoln National Forest as found on the 09/21/07 Regional Forester’s listing. Animal species whose habitat might be found within the actual analysis area are also found in Section I, Table 2.

Appendix A.3. Sensitive Species Evaluation of Potential Habitat and Occurrence in the Little Bear Salvage Project.

Sensitive Species Habitat Species Present Present Habitat Requirements and Whether it Common Name and Occurs in the Project Area (Scientific Name) Y or N Y or N

Birds

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus Y Y Lakes and rivers with adjacent large trees. leucocephalus) Winters at Grindstone Reservoir, directly adjacent to and downstream from project area;

arrives in late fall and leaves in early spring.

Northern Goshawk Y Y Large tracts of mature, closed canopy, (Accipter gentilis) deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests with an open understory.

American Peregrine N N Project area does not have cliff and rock Falcon (Falco peregrinus outcrops over 200 feet high with ledges suitable anatum) for nesting.

Arizona Bell’s Vireo N N Project area does not have riparian habitat. (Vireo bellii arizonae)

Baird’s Sparrow N N Project area does not have low elevation (Ammodramus bairdii) grasslands, or any grasslands.

Bell’s Vireo N N Project area does not have dense shrubland or (Vireo bellii) woodland along perennial low land streams with willow and mesquite.

Burrowing Owl, Western N N Project area is too high in elevation for this (Athene cunicularia species. hypugaea)

Gray Vireo Y N Dry piñon-juniper and oak woodlands. Species (Vireo vicinior) is not found in Lincoln County on the Lincoln National Forest.

Swainson’s Hawk N N Occurs as rare summer resident on Lincoln NF (Buteo swainsoni) but project area is too high in elevation.

Western Snowy Plover N N Project area does not have sandy, alkaline (Charadrius alexandrinus beaches, flats and shores near water. nivosus)

Yellow-billed Cuckoo – N N Project area does not have large blocks of Eastern (Coccyzus deciduous trees near water. americanus) 42 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest

Sensitive Species Habitat Species Present Present Habitat Requirements and Whether it Common Name and Occurs in the Project Area (Scientific Name) Y or N Y or N

Zone-tailed Hawk Y N Low elevation ponderosa pine; open park-like (Buteo albonotatus) stands or riparian areas are preferred. Goshawk surveys would have detected this hawk species in the project area; none were found.

Mammals

Dwarf shrew N N Project area is too high in elevation for this (Sorex nanus) species

Gray-footed Chipmunk Y N Mature forests with open canopies. (Neotamias canipes)

Guadalupe Pocket Gopher N N Project area does not have prairie grasslands. (Thomomys bottae guadalupensis)

Long-Tailed Vole N N Project area does not have any large meadow (Microtus longicaudus) habitat.

New Mexico Meadow N N Project area does not have any riparian areas, Jumping Mouse (Zapus wet meadows or large mountain meadows. hudsonicus luteus)

New Mexico shrew (Sorex N N Project area does not have large meadows. neomexicanus)

Pale Townsend’s Big- N N Project area does not have cave habitat. eared Bat (Corynorhinus Grindstone Reservoir may be used for drinking townsendii pallescens) and project would have no affect on that use.

Peñasco Least Chipmunk N N Project area does not have high elevation rock (Eutamias minimus outcrops. atristriatus)

Ruidoso Red Squirrel Y Y This species is addressed as a management (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus indicator species. lychnuchus)

Spotted bat N N Project area does not have cliff habitat or large (Euderma maculatum) openings with water. Grindstone Reservoir may be used for drinking and project would have no affect on that use.

White Mountains Ground N N Project area does not have large meadows. Squirrel (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus monticola)

Yellow-Faced Pocket N N Project area does not have grasslands. Gopher (Cratogeomys castanops) 43 Final Wildlife Report, Little Bear Salvage Project, Lincoln National Forest

Appendix B

Management Indicator Species Management indicator species (MIS) are selected to serve as barometers for species diversity and viability. Management indicator species are monitored over time to assess the effects of management activities on their populations and habitat, and the populations of other species with similar habitat needs. The Lincoln National Forest has identified nine management indicator species representative of seven habitat types. The nine management indicator species of the Lincoln National Forest are displayed in the Table below. Table 1 Management Indicator Species of the Lincoln National Forest Considered for the Little Bear Salvage Project Species Ecosystem Key Habitat Factor Selection Represented Justification Rufous-Crowned Desert Shrub Habitat quality on brushy No activities planned Sparrow (Aimophilia Mountain Slopes within key habitat carpalis) Western Meadowlark Gramma Galleta Habitat quality on open No activities planned (Sturnella neglecta) weedy grasslands at low within key habitat. elevations Plain Titmouse (Parus Pińon /Juniper Trees with naturally Will be addressed inornatus) Woodland occurring cavities in Pińon /juniper woodlands. Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta Ponderosa Pine Snags and Large Trees Will be addressed. pygmaea) Red Squirrel Mixed Conifer Habitat quality of mixed Will be addressed. (Tamiascurus containing Engelmann conifer with interlocking hudsonicus) Spruce and Douglas-fir crowns and trees of cone bearing age. Mexican Vole (Microtus Mixed Conifer Habitat quality of mesic No activities planned mexicanus) mountain meadows. within key habitat; because meadow habitat in the area is so small it could not be mapped out. Elk (Cervus elaphus) Mixed Conifer Habitat quality of mixed Will be addressed. conifer and mountain meadows.

Hairy Woodpecker Mixed Conifer Habitat quality of aspen No activities planned (Dendrocopos villosus) and aspen snags. in aspen habitat. Mule Deer Pińon /Juniper Habitat quality of Will be addressed. Woodland browse species The Lincoln National Forest Land and Resource Management plan directs that indicator species be managed where key vegetation occurs.