BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION and BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT for BIRDS, MAMMALS, AMPHIBIANS, INSECTS AND

Manzanita Fuels Reduction Project Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Carson Ranger District FY2014

PREPARED BY Maureen Easton DATE 11/4/203 Maureen Easton DISTRICT WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST

United States Department of Agriculture

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

Carson Ranger District

INTRODUCTION This Biological Evaluation (BE) and Biological Assessment (BA) has been prepared to evaluate potential effects of Manzanita Fuels Reduction project on plants and animals designated as sensitive by the 1995 United States Forest Service Region 4 Sensitive Species List (USDA 1995, updated 2010) and those listed as threatened or endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The BE portion specifically addresses whether the project may result in a loss of viability of Forest sensitive species or cause a sensitive species to trend toward federal listing. The BA portion of this document has been prepared to document analysis of the potential direct and indirect effects of the proposed project on federally listed threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate species known or expected to occur within the project area.

This BE/BA was prepared in accordance with Forest Service Manual (FSM) direction 2672.42 and meets legal requirements set forth under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, and implementing regulations [19 U.S.C. 1536 (c, 50 CFR 402.12 (f) and 402.14 (c)].

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT The primary purpose for this project is to remove dense brush and other understory vegetation that is currently acting as a ladder fuel to larger mature trees and trees planted along Highway 88 after the Acorn Fire. Treating the understory brush will reduce the risk of a high intensity fire and the subsequent loss of more trees. There is also a need to thin brush outside of the conifers to interrupt continuous brush and help slow the rate of spread and intensity of a potential wildfire. The treatments will help reduce the risk of a wildland fire and reduce the risk to firefighters, increase defensible space near structures, and increase the survivability of conifer stands. Proposed treatments are intended to reduce the risk of a stand replacing wildland fire and improve forest health. Mechanized equipment including masticators, hand crews and prescribed fire will be utilized to implement treatments. Hand Thinning: Hand thinning of brush and small conifer trees will occur in designated high fuel loading areas located within the 700 acre project area. While all 700 acres will not be treated, selected treatment areas within the project area will help reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. Brush and small trees (less than 8 inches) will be thinned from under power poles and power lines in the Woodfords Canyon area of the project. Brush growing in the tree wells of plantation trees would be thinned. This will allow additional growing space, nutrients and water for the residual trees, increasing growth and vigor in the plantations. No trees greater than 8” dbh will be cut in the project site unless they pose a risk to safety or are posing a fire risk to other healthier trees in the area.

Mastication: Mastication of brush will occur on approximately 49 acres within the Mesa area of the project. Mastication will occur on slopes less than 30 percent slopes. Within 100 feet of private property boundaries, a fuelbreak will be created by reducing brush cover from 60 to 80 percent. Beyond the 100 feet, interior portions of parcels will be treated less intensely (between 30 to 60 % reduction), leaving a mosaic pattern of brush

Plantations: Plantation trees would be hand thinned, with spacing varied between the trees, but retaining an average of 110 trees per acre. The healthier, more vigorous trees and trees with no obvious signs of damage of disease would be a priority for retention. As mentioned above, any shrubs occurring within the drip-line of the tree would be removed. Trees, slash, and shrubs would be severed at the base and piled and burned at a later date. This treatment would occur where trees were successful after planting

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and are in need of thinning. There are approximately 120 acres of plantation with some of those acres with little to no trees that survived after planting.

Pruning and/or removal of heavily-mistletoe infected trees: Branches with heavy mistletoe infections would be pruned. In areas with heavy recreational use such as Crystal Spring Campground, if branches cannot be pruned, the trees would be fell and removed.

Prescribed Fire: Prescribed fire activities will consist of pile burning individual piles generated from hand thinning activities. Pile burning could potentially occur in individual areas within the 654 acre project area. Pile burning will take place only when moisture is present in the project site such as in the form of snow and or rain. Where feasible and access allows, a closed, self-contained burning container called an Air Curtain Burner may be used in place of pile burning. Air Curtain Burners, also called Fire Boxes, were designed principally as a pollution control device. The primary objective of an air curtain machine is to reduce the particulate matter (PM) or smoke, which results from burning forest slash.

Maintenance: Maintenance will include the use hand cutting and piling, mastication, chipping and pile burning. Maintenance activities will begin one year after initial treatments and will continue for up to 10 years to maintain reduced fuel loadings in the treatment areas.

DESIGN FEATURES

Conifer Thinning  To reduce pine engraver (Ips pini) related mortality in residual trees, project activities such as thinning plantation pine trees or other individual, small diameter pine trees will only occur between August 1st and December 31st. Boles and slash greater than 5” diameter shall be removed or severed into pieces no greater than 4 feet in length.

Noxious and Invasive Weeds  Wash all contract equipment and vehicles prior to entering project area to remove all mud, dirt, and material.  Minimize ground disturbance in areas where cheatgrass is currently present and use hand- thinning methods in these areas if feasible.  Monitor project area post treatment for new weed infestations. Apply EDRR (Early Detection Rapid Response) strategy to quickly control and/ or eradicate new infestations.

Wildlife  Maintain all snags (dead trees) greater than 8 inches diameter within the project area unless they are considered a hazard to human safety.  Large woody debris will be retained, at least 3 pieces per acre, greater than 12” dbh or the largest available.  Project activities will not occur from April 15th through August 1st in riparian and aspen areas to minimize disturbance to migratory birds during the breeding season. Rare Plants  Prior to conducting mastication, surveys will be conducted to determine presence of the Carson Valley Monkeyflower (Erythranthe carsonensis). Although this plant is currently

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not designated as Forest Service Sensitive, the plant is considered a rare endemic to the Carson Valley and is likely to be listed as a Nevada State Watchlist species. Surveys should be conducted in late spring, very early summer (May and June depending on the year) in the same year treatment is scheduled to occur. All known locations of the plant and approximately 100 feet around the plants, will be flagged and avoided during treatments.  To avoid potential impacts to Shevock’s bristle-moss, prescribed burning will not occur within 30 feet of all granitic rocks five feet in dimension or larger to prevent scorching and/or overheating. During pile burning, shrubs adjacent to the granitic rock outcrops may be removed by hand and burned away from the outcrop feature.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT AREA The project area includes approximately 700 acres and is located along the east slope of the Carson Range at 5,500 feet elevation near the community of Woodfords,in Alpine County, California (T11N R19E Sections 13, 23, 33, 34 and T10N R19E section 1). The majority of the project area occurs within the lower portions of Woodfords Canyon on the south and north sides of Highway 88. The south side of the project area lies between the West Fork of the Carson River and Highway 88 and is bounded to the east and west by mostly private property and residential areas. Vegetation includes patches of bitterbrush, sagebrush, manzanita, tobacco brush, and other chaparral species. Scattered conifers occur along the river’s edge as well as dense riparian vegetation. Conifers are relatively small in diameter (8-10 inches) with the exception of some stringers of larger conifers found primarily on adjacent private property. The north side of the highway occurs on a south facing slope and includes very rocky terrain with little overstory vegetation. This area also includes a small conifer plantation that contains pockets of ceonothus and manzanita growing in the understory. Approximately 49 acres of the project area occurs out of Woodfords Canyon and in the Mesa area. This area contains primarily dense stands of bitterbrush and sagebrush and is located immediately adjacent to private residences.

CURRENT MANAGEMENT DIRECTION Current management direction on desired future conditions for Sensitive, Threatened and Endangered species on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest can be found in the following documents, filed at the Carson Ranger District:

-Forest Service Manual and Handbooks (FSM/H 2670) -National Forest Management Act (NFMA) -Endangered Species Act (ESA) -National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) -Toiyabe National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) -Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment 2001, 2004 -Intermountain Region (R4) Sensitive Species List

CONSULTATION TO DATE Informal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is currently in progress. A preliminary review of species with potential to occur in the project area was conducted using the

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FWS online consultation program IPAC (http://www.fws.gov/ipac/). Based on this review, Lahontan cutthroat trout (threatened) and the sage grouse (candidate) have potential to occur in the project area. A written request for an official species list was also submitted to FWS, as required in 50 CFR 402.12(c), for a list of threatened, endangered, and proposed species known or likely to occur in the analysis area.

SPECIES EVALUATED FOR THE BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT The following threatened, endangered or proposed species were evaluated in the Biological Assessment (Sage Grouse is considered for analysis under the Biological Evaluation as a Forest Sensitive Species): - Lahontan cutthroat trout-(Oncorynchus clarki henshawi)-Threatened

SPECIES EVALUATED FOR THE BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION The below list includes Species obtained from the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Regional Forester’s (R4) sensitive species (2011). Only species that have the potential to occur on the Carson Ranger District are listed below.

AMPHIBIANS Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Rane sierrae) Yosemite toad- (Anaxyrus canorus) BIRDS Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) Sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) Peregine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum) Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Mountain quail (Oreotyyx pictus) Flammulated owl (Otus flammeolus) White-headed woodpecker (Picoides albolarvatus) Great gray owl (Strix nebulosa) California spotted owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) MAMMALS Pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) Spotted bat (Euderma maculatum ) Wolverine (Gulo gulo luteus) Bighorn sheep (Ovis Canadensis) PLANTS Lavins milkvetch (Astragalus oophorus var. lavinii) Washoe tall rockcress (Boechera (=Arabis) rectissima var. simulans) Tiehm rockcress (Boechera (=Arabis) tiehmii) Ophir rockcress (Boechera (=Arabis) ophira) Galena Creek rockcress (Boechera (=Arabis) rigidissima var. demota) Upswept moonwort (Botrychium ascendens) Dainty moonwort (Botrychium crenulatum) Slender moonwort (Botrychium lineare) Moosewort (Botrychium tunux)

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Tahoe draba (Draba asterophora var. asterophora) Altered andesite buckwheat (Erigonum robustum) Sierra Valley ivesia ( var. aperta) Dog Valley ivesia (Ivesia aperta var. canina) Plumas ivesia () Webber ivesia () Three-ranked hump-moss (Meesia triquetra) Shevock rockmoss (Orthotrichum shevockii) Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis) Altered andesite popcorn flower (Plagiobothrys glomeratus) William’s combleaf (Polyctenium williamsii)

ANALYSIS PROCESS For the purpose of this analysis, aerial photos, GIS coverages, and other existing documents were reviewed to determine suitable habitat potential for Forest sensitive species. Species data collected for previous projects or during general inventory and monitoring efforts was used for this analysis. Several site visits were also made to the area to ground truth habitat conditions. Based on this information, in addition to reviewing available literature, the following analysis was completed:

Species Screen The Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR 1502.2) directs that impacts be discussed in proportion to their significance. Some wildlife species require a detailed analysis to determine effects of an action on them. Other wildlife species may not be impacted or impacted at a level that does not increase risk to the species. Some species may be adequately protected by altering the project design. Generally, these species do not require a detailed discussion and analysis.

The appropriate methodology and level of analysis needed to determine potential effects are influenced by a number of variables including presence of a species or its habitat, the scope and nature of the activities associated with the proposed action and alternatives, and the risk to factors that could ultimately result in a meaningful adverse or favorable effect.

In preparation for this document, a review was conducted using a variety of information including scientific literature, resource inventories, and sighting records, to help screen and determine species relevancy to the project. The screening process included the following documents:

USFWS species database that provides information on locations of federally listed threatened or endangered species. Region 4 Sensitive Species list (USDA Forest Service 2005, updated 2009, 2010, 2011) Toiyabe National Forest Management Indicator Species List (USDA Forest Service 1986) Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment California Wildlife Habitat Relationship Database (California Department of Fish and

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Game, 2012)

Species Not Analyzed in Detail A preliminary analysis was conducted for each potentially affected wildlife and plant species and their habitat to determine the scope of analysis. The species listed in Tables 1 and 2 would not be impacted by the proposed activities because:

they do not have suitable habitat, they are not expected to be in or near the project area, potential impacts would be avoided or inconsequential given the project design.

The Manzanita Fuels project includes either minor hand thinning of brush and small diameter trees. Given that the majority of the project area occurs in or near residential areas and a major highway and does not contain suitable habitat for most Forest Sensitive species, it was determined that most Forest Sensitive species will not be impacted from this project and therefore were not analyzed in detail (see tables 1 and 2).

Table 1. Wildlife species not analyzed in detail

Species Preferred Habitat Rationale for Elimination from Detailed Analysis Sensitive Wildlife Species (*denotes species that are also a Candidate for listing under the ESA)

Dense stands of contiguous sagebrush with The project area does not contain dense Pygmy Rabbit deep sandy soil (Ulmschneider et al 2004) stands of sagebrush. Roosting and breeding occur in caves, There is no potential roosting habitat in the abandon mine shafts, adits, and cliff faces project area due to lack of caves, adits, mine Townsend’s Big- where temperatures do not drop below shafts, or cliff faces. freezing (Sherwin 1998). Eared Bat

Spotted Bat Roosts on cliff faces, and in caves and adits. There is no potential roosting habitat in Forages in variety of habitat, but is most project area due to lack of caves, adits, and active over marshes or open ponderosa-pine larger cliff faces. woodland(Leonard and Fenton 1983). North American Red fir, mixed conifer, lodgepole, subalpine There is no potential denning habitat for Wolverine conifer, alpine dwarf-shrub, barren and wet wolverine within the project area, due to a meadows, montane chaparral, and Jeffrey lack of conifer and subalpine conifer stands pine (Ruggiero et al. 1994). which provide suitable cover for denning. Wolverines are not known to occur on the Carson Ranger District.

Visually open, above timberline or No suitable habitat within the project Bighorn Sheep sagebrush/brush habitats with steep, area. rocky escape terrain (USDI 2007 The project area is below the typical Sierra Nevada Red High elevation areas (above 10,000 feet) elevation range for Sierra Nevada red fox. Fox in the Sierra Nevada including subalpine No impacts to species or habitat from conifer, barren and shrub habitats proposed action (Perrine et al. 2010).

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Species Preferred Habitat Rationale for Elimination from Detailed Analysis Northern Goshawk* Mature and late -seral forest; moderate to Area lacks late seral habitat conditions for closed canopy (>60%); at least two canopy northern goshawk. Known to occur adjacent layers (Beier and Drennan 1997). to the project area near Blue Lakes Campground. No impacts to species or habitat from proposed action Dense stands of contiguous sagebrush or Project area does not contain dense stands of sagebrush steppe habitats (Connelly et al Sage grouse* sagebrush suitable for sage grouse 2000). Peregrine Nest primarily on cliff faces or rocky Peregrines may forage in area. No impacts to Falcon outcroppings with large spans of open species or habitat from Proposed Action spaces in which hunting may occur (White et al 2002). Bald Eagle Nests in large, dominant live tree with open No suitable nesting or roosting habitat within branch-work, most frequently in stands with the project area. less than 40% canopy. Requires large bodies of water, or free-flowing rivers adjacent to snags or other perches for foraging (Jackman and Jenkins 2004). Mountain Quail In the Sierra Nevada, nest and forage in Marginal habitat potential within project area; conifer stands that are mixed with montane not expected to occur due open vegetation chaparral brush communities composed of and proximity to urban setting. chinquapin, snowbrush, and Greenleaf manzanita. Mean shrub cover requirements are approximately 51% with a mean shrub height of approximately 6.0 feet (Brennan et al. 1987). Flammulated Owl Nest in a variety of conifer forest types Marginal habitat for flammulated owls occurs between 6,000 and 10,000 feet elevation. within the project area where treatment will be Prefer older forests and are often found in occurring. Potential habitat for flammulated association with old growth yellow pine owls such as large snags and/or large forests mixed with red fir, aspen, white fir, diameter trees, would not be altered under and incense cedar stands that contain the proposed action.

numerous snags (McCallum 1994). White-Headed Conifer stands with large diameter trees, soft Marginal habitat for white-headed Woodpecker snags averaging 23 inches dbh, and 40 to woodpeckers occurs within the project area 70 percent canopy cover. Occur more often where treatment will be occurring. Potential in old growth conifer stands that contain a habitat for white-headed woodpeckers such dense number of standing snags (GBBO as large snags and/or large diameter trees, 2010). Also found in open-canopied conifer would not be altered under the proposed stands where large diameter trees and action snags are present

Great Gray Owl In the Sierra Nevada, great gray owls are No suitable habitat for great gray owls within found in mixed coniferous forest near the project area. Great gray owls are not meadows or other vegetated openings. currently known to occur in the project area or Nesting usually occurs within 600 feet of the on the Carson Ranger District. forest edge and adjacent open foraging habitat (Beck and Winter 2000). Generally require at least 25 acres of meadow to maintain reproduction over time

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Species Preferred Habitat Rationale for Elimination from Detailed Analysis California Mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, red fir and Area lacks late seral habitat conditions Spotted Owl montane hardwood vegetation types. suitable for spotted owl. Nesting habitat includes canopy closure (>70%) with medium to large trees and multi-storied structure stands. Foraging habitat can include all medium to large tree stands (>50% canopy closure) (Verner et al.) 1992) Yosemite Toad High montane and subalpine associations in No suitable habitat within the project area. relatively open wet meadows (standing Nearest known location near Ebbetts Pass, water of at least 1/10th acre on June 1) Alpine County CA surrounded by forests of lodgepole pine or whitebark pines. (Zeiner,et.al.1988). Seldom found more than 100 yards away from permanent water although they spend actually very little time in the water.

Sierra Nevada Montane riparian habitats in mixed conifer No suitable habitat within the project area. Yellow-Legged and wet meadow vegetation types (Zeiner et Nearest known location in the Blue Lakes Frog al. 1988). SNYLFs prefer sloping banks of Recreation area, Alpine County, CA. meadow streams, isolated pools, and lake borders with vegetation that is continuous to the water's edge. They are most abundant along lake shores and low gradient streams with irregular shores and rocks

Table 2. Rare plant species not analyzed in detail.

Species Status Habitat HP* K* Comments Galena Creek FSS The habitat includes sandy to no no No suitable habitat within the Rockcress rocky soils or outcrops derived project area. (Arabis rigidissima from granitic or volcanic var. demote) materials, mostly on moderate to steep northerly aspects. Often found in drainage ways, near meadow edges, or in other moisture accumulating microsites. elevation above 7,500 ft. (Morefield 2001). Tiehm (1989) Washoe Tall FSS Found on dry, deep, sandy, no no No suitable habitat within project Rockcress (Arabis granitic or andesitic soils on area. rectissima var. mostly gentle slopes of all simulans) aspects, in full or filtered sunlight of thinly littered openings in mid to late Jeffrey Pine/ Sierra Nevada White fir forests; 6035-7335 ft. (Morefield 2002). FSS Associated with steep outcrops no no Tiehm’s rockcress is associated Tiehm’s rockcress of weathering andesitic volcanic with high elevations and is known (Arabis tiehmii) and metavolcanic deposits, form the Mt. Rose Wilderness, sometimes on adjacent Hoover Wilderness, and Tioga decomposed granite or Pass summit area. The project carbonates, on ridgetops or on area lies below 9,000 ft elevation. steep, mostly west to north

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aspects; 9820 to 10,560 ft. (Morefield 2000). FSS Open, dry and barren slopes no no No suitable habitat and outside of Lavin’s milkvetch CNPS with a calcareous influence, the known distribution. (Astragalus 1B2 often badlands topography, oophorus var. lavinii) within pinyon or sagebrush communities FSS Botrychium ferns share similar no no No suitable habitat within the Upswept Moonwort preferences in habitat, i.e. wet project area. (Botrychium or moist soils such as marshes, ascendens) meadows, and along the edges of lakes and streams at elevations Dainty Moonwort FSS See B. ascendens no no See B.ascendens (Botrychium crenulatum)

Slender moonwort FSS See B. ascendens no no See B.ascendens (Botrychium lineare)

Moosewort FSS See B. ascendens no no See B.ascendens (Botrychium tunex)

FSS This plant is found in rock no no The project area lies below the Tahoe Star Draba crevices and exposed talus and elevation range for Tahoe star (Draba asterophora boulder slopes with minimal draba and suitable habitat is not var. asterophora) ground cover, and a sparse present, ie, steep granitic talus understory. Occurs between slopes. 8,000 to 10,200 ft (Hickman 1993). Altered andesite FSS Andesitic soil endemic to no no The project area does not contain buckwheat NV-S barren ridges, knolls and steep suitable habitat (Eriogonum NV,G2 slopes. Dry, shallow, highly robustum ) G3 acidic (pH 3.3-5.5) gravelly clay soils mainly of the Smallcone Series (Morefield 2000).. Sierra Valley FSS Habitat occurs on sites which no no No suitable habitat within the mouse-tail (Ivesia NVT are vernally saturated such as project area. aperta var. aperta) meadow flats and borders and ephemeral channels; in Nevada the populations are restricted to shallow, slow draining soils which are volcanic in origin Aitken 2008) . Dog Valley ivesia FSS Endemic to Dog Valley, the no no All known occurrences are (Ivesia aperta var. Ivesia occurs on vernally restricted to the Dog Valley canina) saturated sites (Van Zuuk vicinity. No suitable habitat within 1992). the project area. Plumas ivesia FSS Associated with seasonally wet no no Plumas ivesia is known from (Ivesia sericoleuca) meadows, meadow ecotones, Plumas, Sierra, Nevada, and terraces and toeslopes on soils Placer Counties in CA. Also,no which are primarily volcanic in suitable habitat within the project origin (Scott 1995). area. Webber ivesia FSS Occupied sites are restricted to no no No suitable habitat within the (Ivesia webberi) C mid-elevation (4,000 – 5,950) project area. flats, benches or terraces. The rare plant is restricted to shallow, clayey soils with a rocky pavement like surface (Witham 2000).

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Three-ranked FSS Three –ranked humpmoss is no no No suitable habitat within the humpmoss (Meesia associated with fens within the project area. triquetra) upper montane coniferous forest within the Sierra Nevada Bioregion, (4,250 – 9,700 ft.) (Dillingham 2005) . Whitebark pine FSS Whitebark pine is a hardy no no The project area does not include (Pinus albicaulis) C conifer that tolerates poor soils, high elevation tree line and steep slopes, and windy subalpine habitats which support exposures and is found at the species. alpine tree line and subalpine elevations throughout its range (USFWS 2011). Altered andesite FSS Endemic to Western Nevada, no no No suitable habitat within the popcorn flower the rare popcorn flower is project area. (Plagiobothrys restricted to areas of altered glomeratus) andesite between 4860 and 6650 ft.(Tiehm 2000). Marsh’s bluegrass FSS Alpine associate found within no no No suitable habitat within the (Poa abbreviata SNF rock scree, talus, or fellfields, project area. subsp.marshii) and in loose quartzite above 9,000ft. elevation . William’s combleaf FSS This combleaf is restricted to no no No suitable habitat within the (Polyctenium NVT relatively barren sandy to project area. williamsiae) sandy-clay or mud margins and bottoms of non-alkaline seasonal lakes (Holland and Morefield 2002). * Status explanations; FSS, Regional Forester’s Sensitive Plant List; C, USFWS Candidate species for listing as threatened and endangered under ESA, NVT, listed by the state of Nevada as threatened, NVS, listed by the Nevada Heritage Program as Sensitive *HP, Potential habitat for rare plants present within the project area. *K, Rare plant occurrence documented within the project area.

Species Analyzed In Detail Wildlife species analyzed in detail are those that have been identified as species of concern within the project area that could potentially be affected, positively or negatively, by proposed activities. Information presented in the analysis is based on scientific literature, wildlife databases, and professional judgment, along with field surveys and/or habitat evaluations conducted over the last five to ten years.

A. Threatened Species

Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Range, Distribution, and Status: The Lahontan cutthroat trout (LCT) was listed as an endangered species in 1970. In 1975, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the LCT was reclassified as threatened to facilitate management and to allow for regulated angling. The historic distribution of LCT in the Carson River basin included the drainage downstream from Carson Falls, California, on the East Fork, and Faith Valley, California, on the West Fork (USDI 1995). Across its range, the current distribution of LCT is a fraction of the historic distribution. On the Carson Ranger District, small isolated populations occur within the Carson River and

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Truckee River Basins. However, LCT are no longer known to occur within the West Fork of the Carson River (USDI 1995).

Habitat Requirements and Life History: Lahontan cutthroat trout are obligatory stream spawners and spawn from April to July, with eggs being deposited in one-fourth to one-half inch gravels within riffles, pocket water, or pool crests (USDI 1995). In the Sierras, native Lahontan cutthroat trout habitat primarily consists of eastern Sierra high mountain meadow streams (over 6,000 feet elevation). Cover is an important habitat component. Lahontan cutthroat trout occupy areas with overhanging banks, vegetation, or woody debris, and within stream cover (e.g., brush, aquatic vegetation, and rocks) is very important for juvenile survival.

Potential for Occurrence: As part of the restoration effort for LCT, various streams have been identified within the Carson River Basin as having existing populations of LCT or as potential reintroduction sites (USDI 1995). The West Fork of the Carson River currently does not contain LCT nor is it identified as a potential reintroduction site in the 1995 Plan.

Threats: Threats to LCT include habitat loss, livestock grazing, urban development, mining, water diversion, poor water quality, and hybridization and competition with non-native salmonids (USDI, 1995).

Environmental Consequences and Determination: Lahontan cutthroat trout do not occur within the project area and there are no potential reintroduction sites in the area as well. Therefore, it is my determination there will be no direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to Lahontan cutthroat trout and the proposed project will not preclude future recovery of the species.

B. Forest Sensitive Plant Species

Shevock’s Bristle-Moss Range and Distribution: Shevock’s bristle-moss is a rare endemic known from the Eastern to Central Sierra Nevada Mountains of California and the Western edge of Nevada. Within the Carson Range, the moss has been recorded on the west slope adjacent to the Chimney Rock Beach and also in the vicinity of Spooner Summit on lands administered by the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

Habitat Requirements and Natural History: The bristle-moss occurs on the under hangs or within the crevices of granitic boulders within both pinyon – juniper woodlands and Jeffrey pine forest. The moss is recognized as occurring within extremely dry environments (Lewinsky- Haapsaari et. al.1998). Its location on the rock surface is within a setting of diffused versus direct light where the bristle-moss forms small patches or turfs.

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Threats: Primary impacts to the moss include boulder sales, rock climbing, habitat alterations within the plant community which disrupt the boulder that the moss occurs on, and fuels activities, especially burning immediately adjacent to the rare moss.

Potential for Occurrence within the Project Area: Portions of the project area contain habitat potential for Shevock’s bristle-moss,

Direct and indirect impacts: Potential impacts to the bristle-moss from project activities include burning the moss during fuels reduction efforts. In addition, storage of materials such as drip torches or petroleum products, or staging burning activities from large granitic rock outcrops could cause trampling damage, crushing of moss plants, or loss of plants from petro-chemical contamination. Activities are not proposed in this project which would impact or remove large rocks or alter outcrops of granitic rock causing an indirect impact to bristle-moss habitat. To avoid potential impacts to Shevock’s moss from project activities all granitic rocks five feet in dimension will be avoided during treatments. To prevent scorching and/or overheating of Shevock’s bristle-moss plants and/or habitat, pile burning activities would not occur within 30 ft. of large granitic rock.

Determination: Based on the above assessment, it is my determination there will be no impacts to Shevock’s bristle moss and no further analysis will be conducted for these species.

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LITERATURE CITED

Beck, T.W., J. Winter. 2000. Survey Protocol for the Great Gray Owl in the Sierra Nevada.USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, Vallejo, CA.

Beir P. and J.E. Drennan. 1997. Forest Structure and Prey Abundance in Foraging Areas of Northern Goshawks. Ecological Applications, Vol. 7, No. 2 (May, 1997), pp. 564-571.

Brennan L., W.M. Block, and R.J. Guitierrez. 1987. Habitat use by mountain quail in northern California. Condor 89:66-74.

Calflora-Information on California plants for education, research and conservation. [web application]. 2000. Berkeley, California: The CalFlora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: http://www.calflora.org/.

California Native Plant Society (CNPS). 2011. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants (online edition, v7-11feb). California Native Plant Society. Sacramento, CA. Accessed on Wed, Feb. 9, 2011 from http://www.cnps.org/inventory.

Connelly, J.W., M.A. Schroeder, A.R. Sands, and C.E. Braun. 2000. Guidelines to manage sage grouse populations and their habitats. Widl. Soc. Bulletin. 28(4): 967-985.

Dillingham,C.P. 2005. Conservation Assessment for Meesia triqueta (three-ranked humpmoss) and Meesia uliginosa (broad-nerved humpmoss) in California with a focus on the Sierra Bioregion. Unpublished report prepared for R5 Forest Service, Vallejo, California.

Farrar, D. 2004. Botrychium searches and collections in Nevada and Utah in 2003: A report of work conducted for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Unpublished report to the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Submitted January 21, 2004.

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McCallum, D.A. 1994. Methods and terminology used with studies of habitat associations in Flammulated, Boreal, and Great Gray Owls in the United States, a Technical Conservation Assessment. Gen Tech. Rep. RM-253. Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, Co.

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