Halfway Malin

Botany Report

Prepared by: Bruce Davidson Botanist, TEAMS Enterprise Unit

for: St. Joe Ranger District Idaho Panhandle National Forests September 15, 2015 Updated August 15, 2016 by Lynette Myhre IDT Team Leader, St. Joe RD NEPA Coordinator

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The Forest Service uses the most current and complete data available. Geographic information system (GIS) data and product accuracy may vary. They may be developed from sources of differing accuracy, accurate only at certain scales based on modeling or interpretation, incomplete while being created or revised, etc. Using GIS products for purposed other than those for which they were created may yield inaccurate or misleading results. If a map contains contours, these contours were generated and filtered using the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) files. Any contours generated from DEMs using a scale of less than 1:100,000 will lead to less reliable results and should only be used for display purposes. For more information contact the St. Joe Ranger District at 222 S. 7th Street Suite 1, St. Maries, Idaho, 83861; (208)245-2531.

Reported mileages are estimates and may vary depending on how they are rounded and what models and equations they are used for or result from.

Resource Report Title of Project

Contents

Botany ...... 1 Introduction ...... 1 Regulatory Framework ...... 1 Analysis Area and Temporal Scope ...... 2 Methodology ...... 2 Affected Environment ...... 4 Species and Habitat Descriptions ...... 4 Species Considered in the Analysis ...... 8 Existing Condition ...... 10 Environmental Consequences ...... 12 Alternative A – No Action ...... 12 Alternative B – Proposed Action ...... 12 Alternative C ...... 18 Compliance with LRMP and Other Relevant Laws, Regulations, Policies and Plans ...... 21 Summary of Determinations ...... 21 Summary of Environmental Effects ...... 22 References Cited ...... 24 Appendix A. St. Joe Ranger District Rare Plant Lists and Habitat Guilds ...... 26 St. Joe Sensitive Plants by Rare Plant Habitat Guild (revised 2011)* ...... 26 St. Joe Plant Species of Concern* (revised 2011) ...... 26 St. Joe Ranger District Rare Plant Habitat Guild Descriptions ...... 27 Appendix B. Maps of Affected TEPS plant habitats ...... 30

Tables

Table 1: Botany indicators and measures for assessing effects ...... 3 Table 2. Plant Species Preliminary Analysis Results...... 8 Table 3: Botany indicators and measures for the existing condition ...... 11 Table 4. Botany indicators and measures for Alternative A ...... 12 Table 5: Botany indicators and measures for Alternative B ...... 17 Table 6: Botany indicators and measures for Alternative C ...... 20 Table 7. Summary comparison of environmental effects to botany resources ...... 23

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Botany Introduction The purpose of this Biological Evaluation /Assessment (BEBA) is to analyze and disclose the effects of proposed activities on all federally listed threatened, endangered, proposed, and Forest Service Region 1 sensitive (TEPS) plants that are known to occur, or have the potential to occur within the Halfway/Malin Project area on the St. Joe Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest (IPNF). In order to increase forest resilience, increase the quality and quantity of browse for big game wildlife species, contribute to a sustainable level of timber products, improve aquatic conditions, and reduce road maintenance costs, the proposed project is to harvest timber, apply prescribed fire, remove a culvert, construct new roads, store or gate roads, and decommission roads. Ground disturbing activities included in the proposed action have potential to damage these plant species.

No Federally Listed Threatened or Endangered plants are known or suspected in the project area and none were found during surveys. One Forest Service Sensitive plant is known to occur in the project area. If any additional sites are found in the future that are deemed necessary to ensure species and population viability and prevent a potential trend towards federal listing, those sites would be protected. Regulatory Framework

Endangered Species Act The purpose of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is to provide a means whereby the ecosystems upon which endangered species and threatened species depend may be conserved and to provide for the conservation of such endangered species and threatened species. The ESA directs federal agencies to ensure that actions authorized, funded, or carried out by these agencies are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of threatened or endangered species, or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitats (ESA Section 7(a)(2)).

National Forest Management Act

The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 1976 is the primary statute governing the administration of national forests and was an amendment to the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, which called for the management of renewable resources on National Forest system lands. NFMA changed forest planning by requiring the Forest Service to use a systematic and interdisciplinary approach to resource management, also providing for public involvement in preparing and revising forest plans. This includes a requirement for project-level planning to be in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and Land and Resource Management Plans.

Forest Service Manual Forest Service Manual direction (FSM 2672.1 and FSM 2672.43) requires that activities be reviewed for potential effects on rare species and outlines policy, objectives and procedures.

The Forest Service Manual (FSM 2670) (USDA Forest Service 2005) also directs national forests to assist states in achieving conservation goals for endemic species; complete biological evaluations of programs and activities; avoid and minimize impacts to species with viability concerns; analyze the significance of adverse effects on populations or habitat; and coordinate with states and USFWS. The Forest Service Manual (2670.15) further defines sensitive species as those plant species identified by the Regional

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Forester for which population viability is a concern, as evidenced by significant current or predicted downward trend in numbers, density or habitat capability that would reduce a species distribution.

FSM 2670.22 directs national forests to “maintain viable populations of all native and desired nonnative wildlife, fish, and plant species in habitats distributed throughout their geographic range on National Forest System lands.” FSM 2670.32 states to “avoid or minimize impacts to species whose viability has been identified as a concern.”

Land and Resource Management Plan The Idaho Panhandle National Forests Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) (USDA Forest Service 2015) includes the following desired condition and guideline statements for TEPS plants:

• FW-DC-VEG-09. (Desired Condition) Habitat for plant species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is maintained or restored on NFS lands, thus contributing to species recovery or delisting. Ecological conditions and processes that sustain the habitats currently or potentially occupied by sensitive plant species are retained or restored. The geographic distributions of sensitive plant species in the Forest Plan area are maintained.

• FW-GDL-VEG-07. (Guideline) Evaluate proposed management activities and project areas for the presence of occupied or suitable habitat for any plant species listed under the Endangered Species Act or on the regional sensitive species list. If needed, based on pre-field review, conduct field surveys and provide mitigation or protection to maintain occurrences or habitats that are important for species sustainability. Analysis Area and Temporal Scope The project is located on the St. Joe Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest (IPNF). The Halfway Malin Project Area is located east of the town of Avery, Idaho in Shoshone County in portions of Township 45; Range 7 East, Boise Meridian. The analysis area/spatial effects boundary for direct and indirect effects on TEPS plants includes the footprint of activity area disturbances (harvest and burn units, and road construction). Because roads are represented as line features, the road construction areas are buffered 100 feet to account for the area that could be disturbed.

Temporal effects in the short term will range from implementation to five to eight years depending on the implementation schedule for the actions. After this time most short-term effects would be diminished. Long-term effects may be apparent ten or more years after implementation. While effects from proposed activities may still be apparent 50 or more years, predicting effects beyond 50 years for botanical resources becomes too speculative for reliable analysis. Methodology Effects to TEPS and Forest Species of Concern (FSOC) species are evaluated based on field survey results, presence of occurrences and suitable habitats, and the expected responses of each species to the proposed activities. The indicators and measures described below are used to quantify the anticipated effects.

Rare Plant Habitat Guilds The Regional Forester’s Sensitive Species list was most recently updated in 2011 (USDA Forest Service 2011). Sensitive and Forest Species of Concern that are known or suspected to occur on the St. Joe Ranger District have been assigned to one or more rare plant habitat guilds, which are groupings based on similar habitat requirements and useful for the purpose of analysis. These habitat guilds are used as a filter

2 Botany Report Halfway Malin Project for the likelihood of the presence of Sensitive and Forest Species of Concern plants on the landscape. A habitat type may be classified as having a high potential for the presence of these plants without the plants or specifically suitable habitat actually being present. For the St. Joe Ranger District the rare plant habitat guilds are: aquatic, deciduous riparian, peatlands/meadows, wet forest, moist forest, dry forest, and subalpine. Rock seeps and springs are small habitats that can support certain sensitive species, but they can occur across all guilds and are not identifiable at the scale at which the current vegetation mapping is done. Proposed activities would occur only in dry and moist forest habitats. Complete guild descriptions are located in Appendix A.

Indicators The following analysis indicators are used to measure the differences between alternatives:

• Number of TEPS and FSOC plant occurrences affected by proposed activities. • Amount of TEPS and FSOC plant habitat affected by proposed activities. • Biological Evaluation/Biological Assessment determination category.

Table 1: Botany indicators and measures for assessing effects Resource Indicator Measure Used to address: P/N, or key issue? TEPS and FSOC Number of occurrences affected No plant occurrences TEPS and FSOC Acres of habitat affected No plant habitats TEPS and FSOC Determination category No responses to the proposed activities

Determination Categories This biological evaluation reviews the Proposed Action and alternatives in sufficient detail to determine the level of effect that would occur to Region 1 Sensitive plant species. One of four possible determinations is chosen based on the available literature, a thorough analysis of the potential effects of the project, and the professional judgment of the botanist who completed the evaluation. The four possible determinations (from FSM 2672.42) are:

• No impact • Beneficial impact • May impact individuals or habitat, but will not likely contribute to a trend towards federal listing or cause a loss of viability to the population or species • Will Impact individuals or habitat with a consequence that the action may contribute to a trend toward federal listing or cause a loss of viability to the population or species

Similar categories for federally listed threatened and endangered species are:

• No effect • Beneficial effect • May affect, not likely to adversely affect • May affect, likely to adversely affect

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Determination categories are not required for FSOC species, but effects are described and similar conclusions are made without using the specific determination language reserved for TEPS plants.

Information Sources Plant surveys were conducted in 2010, 2013 and 2014 for many proposed units in the project area where ground disturbance might occur, and some adjacent areas. A total of approximately 960 acres was surveyed. All plant species that were found during surveys were recorded, in addition to the targeted TEPS, FSOC, and non-native invasive plants.

The vegetation mapping data used in this analysis consists of features in the IPNF spatial dataset “Habitat_Types”. This mapping is useful for predicting where rare plant habitats may be found, but it is not detailed enough to pinpoint specific microsites and variances which can be important components of suitable rare plant habitats. In addition, the habitat for many rare plant species is not well defined. Although this analysis reports acreage of the various habitat guilds based on “Habitat_Types” data, the actual area of suitable rare plant habitats is very likely much smaller.

Affected Environment

Species and Habitat Descriptions

Threatened, Endangered, and Proposed Plants No threatened, endangered, or proposed plant species are known to occur on the IPNF. However, two threatened plant species, water howellia (Howellia aquatilis), and Spalding’s catchfly (Silene spaldingii), are documented in Latah County (USDI FWS 2013) and may occur on the IPNF. Water howellia lives in shallow, vernal freshwater pools of wetlands, edges of larger ponds, or river oxbows that are abandoned or still hydrologically linked to the adjacent river system. Spalding’s catchfly occurs primarily in dry grassland habitats and grassland inclusions in ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir forest.

Field botanical surveys are routinely conducted for projects on the IPNF in potentially suitable habitats for water howellia and Spalding’s catchfly, and no occurrences of either species have been documented to date. Habitat for these species may occur on the St. Joe Ranger District, but they are not suspected to occur in the Halfway Malin project area. Activity areas in the Halfway Malin project area were field surveyed in 2010, 2013 and 2014 and no occurrences or potentially suitable habitats for water howellii or Spalding’s catchfly were found. There would be no effect to federally listed plants from the Halfway Malin project; therefore they are not analyzed in detail.

Candidate Plants In addition to the two threatened species, the US Fish and Wildlife Service lists whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) as a candidate for listing. Whitebark pine does occur in the higher elevations of St. Joe Ranger District but it is not known to occur within or adjacent to the Halfway Malin project and no potential habitat for whitebark pine occurs in the project area. Due to its standing as a Candidate species, the regional Forester has designated whitebark pine as a sensitive species, and it is addressed as a sensitive species in this analysis.

Sensitive Plants Sensitive species, as determined by the Regional Forester (USDA Forest Service 2011), are those for which population viability is a concern. This can be indicated by a current or predicted downward trend in population numbers or suitable habitat which would reduce the species' existing distribution.

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Currently, the St. Joe Ranger District recognizes 28 plant species as Sensitive. See Appendix A for a list of all 28 species and a description of their high potential habitats. High potential habitat is a filter for the likelihood of the presence of Sensitive and Forest Species of Concern plants on the landscape. A habitat type may be classified as having a high potential for the presence of these plants without the plants or suitable habitat actually being present.

As shown in Table 2 below, 15 sensitive plants may have suitable habitat in areas of proposed activity, due to the presence of moist and dry forest habitats.

Sensitive plants known to occur in the project area

Clustered lady’s slipper (Cypripedium fasciculatum) Clustered lady’s slipper exists in the project area, along a stream near proposed burn units and it occupies one corner of a proposed burn unit. Several other large occurrences are in neighboring drainages on both sides of the project area. The global range of clustered lady’s slipper spans eight states in the western United States: Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and California. It occurs in mountainous areas from the coastal and interior far west to the interior-west and the mid Rocky Mountain Range. The plant is a perennial from a short rhizome, that functions alternately as an autotroph (obtaining carbohydrates from photosynthesis), and a mycotroph (obtaining carbohydrates from soil fungi). Although its perennating buds are born on a rhizome, the growth habit of clustered lady’s slipper is not like that of typical rhizomatous forbs which spread widely and produce ramets at numerous nodes on an extensive rhizome system. The rhizome of clustered lady’s slipper is short, and elongates little between annual buds. New shoots are produced only from the terminus of this rhizome, although the roots associated with previous buds remain functional. Plants can go 2 or more years without producing aerial stems, during which time they function as mycotrophs (Lichthardt 2003). In moist-forest habitats, plants tend to produce only one or two stems. In dry forests, plants typically have numerous stems with as many as six being common. Habitat requirements include shade of mature coniferous forest canopies, but it is also found in mixed successional forests in overstory openings and edges where the shade is provided by shrubs, saplings, and large perennial forbs. Because of its strong connection with mycorrhizal fungi and a pollinator that preys on fungal gnats, the habitat includes a rich organic layer that supports microflora (Seevers and Lang 1998, Vance 2005). Threats include activities that alter the moisture or temperature regime, actions that disturb the soil and litter layer, or decrease vegetation cover. Disturbances of primary concern include fire, various types of timber harvest, thinning, and ground disturbance associated with these activities (Lichthardt 2003).

Sensitive plants with possible habitat in areas of proposed activity but not found in project area

Deerfern (Blechnum spicant) Documented about a half mile outside the project area, deerfern is an evergreen, perennial fern with dimorphic leaves (fronds). Sterile fronds are leathery, shiny dark green and clumped. Fertile fronds are taller, erect, and divided into narrower segments that produce spores. Deerfern is found in moist to wet forests and generally on heavily shaded sites. It has a circumpolar distribution, and occurs in North America mostly west of the Cascade Range but is also found in northern Idaho. It reproduces from spores and by sprouting from rhizomes.

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Moonworts (Botrychium spp.) All of the moonwort species are very small perennial plants that may or may not produce above-ground structures each year. They are relatives of ferns, and reproduce by spores, requiring mineral soil and the presence of specific mycorrhizal fungi during early development. Reproduction relies on suitable microsites where spores can germinate close enough to join together and form a gametophyte, along with suitable endophytic mycorrhizae which help provide the nutrients and water needed for sustaining the species. After several years of juvenile development, mature plants begin to emerge above ground. The very small (usually only 1 to 4 inches) annual frond produced above ground is split into a leaf-like sterile portion of various configurations and a fertile portion that bears clusters of round sporangia.

These moonworts are generally considered to be rare, with few documented occurrences, small population abundances, and widely-disjunct occurrences within large ranges. Botrychium species throughout western North America may be threatened by a variety of factors: road construction and maintenance, herbicide application, recreational activities, grazing and trampling by wildlife and/or livestock, structure construction, timber harvest, competition from non-native species, and changes to natural disturbance regimes (Beatty et al. 2003). Disturbances and land management activities may create and maintain suitable habitat for these species or may negatively impact existing populations, depending on the disturbance intensity and frequency (Zika et al 1995, Ahlenslager and Potash 2007).

Mingan moonwort, western goblin, and least moonwort are documented within a few miles outside the project area. Habitats for all moonwort species can be variable, but often occur in open habitats and microsites with evidence of slight to moderate disturbances. Some species (upswept moonwort, dainty moonwort, western goblin, and stalked moonwort) prefer only wet forest habitats, while others (triangle moonwort, slender moonwort, Mingan moonwort, paradox moonwort, northwestern moonwort, and least moonwort) may also occur in or prefer moist forest habitats. Therefore, the latter group may have suitable habitat in areas of proposed activity.

Bugs-on-a-stick (Buxbaumia spp) Leafless bug-on-a-stick (Buxbaumia aphylla) and green bug-on-a-stick (Buxbaumia viridis) are tiny mosses that typically grow on large decaying conifer logs. Although very distinctive because of their unique morphology (all you see are the spore capsules on a short stalk), they are so small that they are barely noticeable unless you examine a colonized area closely.

Green bug-on-a-stick occurs on rotten stumps and logs and on mineral or organic soil, in cool, shaded, humid locations at low to middle elevations. Floodplains and stream terraces are favorable habitats because of the large amount of decayed wood available in old growth, but the species can be found on almost any landform as long as microclimatic conditions are favorable. A number of specimens have been found growing on shaded cutbanks of trails and roads. They are sensitive to changes in light level and microclimate caused by removal or thinning of the canopy and are dependent upon adequate amounts of coarse woody debris in the appropriate decay classes (BLM 1996).

Both species occur in moist or wet forest habitats, and green bug-on-a-stick is documented about three miles outside the project area.

Constance’s bittercress (Cardamine constancei) This plant is a rhizomatous forb endemic to tributaries of the Clearwater and St. Joe River Rivers in Idaho. Constance's bittercress grows in low-elevation (<3400 ft), moist, shaded to partly open habitats within the western redcedar zone. It is mostly associated with the western redcedar (Thuja plicata) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) series, especially western redcedar/maidenhair fern (Thuja plicata/Adiantum pedatum), western redcedar/oakfern (Thuja plicata/Gymnocarpium dryopteris), and

6 Botany Report Halfway Malin Project western hemlock/wild ginger (Tsuga heterophylla/Asarum caudatum) habitat types. It appears to be favored by light disturbance and tends not to flower under dense shade (Lichthardt 1995). Occurrences are documented about 20 miles east of the project area. Although most of the project area is not suitable habitat due to elevations above 3,400 feet, it may occur along lower drainages in deciduous riparian and wet or moist forest habitats.

Greater yellow lady’s slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens) Cypripedium parviflorum is a long-living perennial that is restricted to calcareous derived soils. It occurs from British Columbia to Washington and Oregon, east of Cascades to Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado. It is often associated with moist to saturated soils, but it may also be found in dry soils. This species is associated with many different plant communities, elevations, and aspects. Greater yellow lady’s slipper’s life cycle is associated with mycorrhizal fungi, which are required for the survival of seedlings (Mergen 2006).

Plant collecting, timber harvest, road construction, grazing, and all other activities that cause habitat loss are probably the greatest risks to Cypripedium parviflorum. Some management activities, such as plant collecting and livestock grazing, may cause direct damage to plants while other activities indirectly impact plants by altering their habitat. Most management activities, like recreation, weed control, fire suppression, mining, fuelwood harvest, and prescribed fires, may kill individual plants or change the habitat beyond a threshold that C. parviflorum can survive (Mergen 2006). Environmental risks to this species include drought, flooding, and wildfire.

Howell’s gumweed (Grindelia howellii) Howell’s gumweed is a short-lived perennial that occurs only in northern Idaho and west-central Montana. In Idaho, Howell's gumweed occurs on open, grassy, bluffs surrounded by mixed conifer forest communities. Microhabitats are non-timbered openings that are exposed to direct sunlight, with some individuals in semi-shaded conditions in surrounding ponderosa pine trees (Lorain 1991). Slopes are moderate (10-35%) and are restricted to southern exposures. Plants are typically found growing in dry, skeletal, basalt-derived soils forming thin layers over basalt rock. The thin soils and dry microclimate result in openings dominated by a grass and shrub understory with scattered Pinus ponderosa and Pseudotsuga menziesii trees. Although these habitat types are relatively xeric, they occur within a regional macroclimate that supports Thuja plicata and Tsuga heterophylla communities.

Howell's gumweed appears to be a seral species that prefers early successional sites and tolerates lightly to heavily disturbed habitats. Individual plants tend to grow in a clumped distribution pattern and prefer grassy, open habitats that have often been subjected to past disturbance. Identified threats to Howell’s gumweed are logging, grazing, road construction, and cultivation (Lorain 1991). However, it is difficult to assess these threats in light of the fact that Howell's gumweed appears to tolerate and potentially benefit from disturbance.

Naked mnium moss (Rhizomnium nudum) Naked mniuim moss occurs in Japan, East Asia, and the Pacific Northwest of North America. It is a fairly large, robust, dark grayish-green moss that grows on moist forest soils, humus soils and mineral soils. Sites may remain wet or become quite dry by late summer, and may be shaded or sunny. It is a perennial species that forms mats on the forest floor, sometimes in very localized small areas. Most sites occur in relatively stable stands without signs of obvious recent disturbance (Harpel and Holmberg 2005). One known occurrence is about six miles outside the project area.

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Threats to naked mnium moss include direct impacts from timber harvest, road or trail construction, excessive trampling, and wildfire. Indirect effects may result from habitat alteration, including reduction of tree canopy and changes in site hydrology (Harpel and Holmberg 2005).

Idaho barren strawberry (Waldsteinia idahoensis) Idaho barren strawberry is a strongly rhizomatous perennial herb, similar in appearance to the common wild strawberries, but with yellow flowers and no berries. It occurs in open coniferous forest in the montane zone, where the forest overstory consists of lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine and spruce. Timber harvesting, road maintenance and successional dynamics all have the potential to negatively impact the species, though none appear to be significant threats at this time (MTNHP 2015). It is able to colonize disturbed soils (NatureServe 2015).

Forest Species of Concern According to the Forest Species of Concern Protocol (Samson and others, 1997, Region One Planning Peer Group, Task Group), forest species of concern are considered to be secure at the global, Regional and state levels, but were proposed for recognition at the Forest planning level. The 2015 revised IPNF Forest Plan does not include direction for the 27 plants that were considered St. Joe Ranger District Forest Species of Concern (Appendix A). Species on the list that were found during surveys were documented. The FSOC plants known to occur in the project area are: • Transcending reindeer lichen (Cladonia transcendens) occurs in wet forest habitats. • White-flowered shooting star (Dodecatheon dentatum) has been found to occur in moist forest habitats as well as wet forest habitats (a broader range of habitats than is represented in Appendix A). • Bank monkeyflower (Mimulus clivicola) occurs in dry forest habitats. • Round-leaved orchid (Platanthera orbiculata) can be found in both moist and wet forest habitats.

Species Considered in the Analysis Table 2 represents the preliminary analysis that was completed for each potentially affected TEPS and FSOC plant species and their habitat to determine the scope of project analysis. Aquatic, deciduous riparian, dry forest, moist forest, and wet forest habitat types are present in the project area. Subalpine habitat types are not present in the project area. Activities are proposed only in dry forest and moist forest habitat types. Where no effects are expected, those species are not analyzed further. Where effects are possible, the species are carried forward into a detailed analysis.

Table 2. Plant Species Preliminary Analysis Results. (Scientific Name) Guild/Habitat Presence/Comments Determination Common Name Threatened, Endangered and Proposed Species Aquatic Aquatic habitats suitable for water howellii Howellia aquatilis do not occur in the project area. The No Effect Water howellia nearest known population is over 50 miles away in Latah Co., Idaho. Grassland/Shrubland/ Bunchgrass grasslands, sagebrush- Dry forest steppe, and open-canopy pine stands Silene spaldingii suitable for Spalding’s catchfly are not No Effect Spalding’s catchfly present in the project area. The nearest known population is about 70 miles away in Latah Co., Idaho. Sensitive Species

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(Scientific Name) Guild/Habitat Presence/Comments Determination Common Name Asplenium trichomanes Rock seeps in Rock seeps are not present in areas of No Impact Maidenhair spleenwort moist/wet forest proposed activity. Blechnum spicant Moist/wet forest Suitable habitat may be present in areas See detailed Deerfern of proposed activity. analysis below Botrychium ascendens Wet forest Wet forests are not present in areas of No Impact Upswept moonwort proposed activity. Botrychium crenulatum Wet forest Wet forests are not present in areas of No Impact Dainty moonwort proposed activity. Botrychium lanceolatum Moist/wet forest Suitable habitat may be present in areas See detailed Triangle moonwort of proposed activity. analysis below Botrychium lineare Moist forest Suitable habitat may be present in areas See detailed Slender moonwort of proposed activity. analysis below Botrychium minganense Moist/wet forest Suitable habitat may be present in areas See detailed Mingan moonwort of proposed activity. analysis below Botrychium montanum Wet forest Wet forests are not present in areas of No Impact Western goblin proposed activity. Botrychium paradoxum Moist/wet forest Suitable habitat may be present in areas See detailed Paradox moonwort of proposed activity. analysis below Botrychium pedunculosum Wet forest Wet forests are not present in areas of No Impact Stalked moonwort proposed activity. Botrychium pinnatum Moist/wet forest Suitable habitat may be present in areas See detailed Northwestern moonwort of proposed activity. analysis below Botrychium simplex Moist/wet forest Suitable habitat may be present in areas See detailed Least moonwort of proposed activity. analysis below Buxbaumia aphylla Moist/wet forest Suitable habitat may be present in areas of proposed activity. See detailed Leafless bug-on-a-stick analysis below moss Buxbaumia viridis Moist/wet forest Suitable habitat may be present in areas of proposed activity. See detailed Green bug-on-a-stick analysis below moss Cardamine constancei Deciduous riparian or Suitable habitat may be present in areas See detailed Constance’s bittercress moist/wet forest of proposed activity. analysis below Moist/wet/dry forest Species is present in the project area. Cypripedium fasciculatum One occurrence is in project area. Ten See detailed Clustered lady’s slipper additional occurrences exist outside the analysis below project area, but within five miles. Cypripedium parviflorum Moist/wet forest Suitable habitat may be present in areas var. pubescens of proposed activity. See detailed Greater yellow lady’s analysis below slipper Drosera intermedia Peatlands/meadows Peatlands and meadows are not present No Impact Spoon-leaved sundew in the project area. Grimmia brittoniae Rock outcrops in Rock outcrops are not present in areas of No Impact Britton’s Grimmia moist forest proposed activity. Grindelia howellii Dry Forest Suitable habitat may be present in areas See detailed Howell’s gumweed of proposed activity. analysis below Hookeria lucens Wet forest Wet forests are not present in areas of No Impact Clear moss proposed activity.

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(Scientific Name) Guild/Habitat Presence/Comments Determination Common Name Mimulus alsinoides Rock cliffs/seeps in Rock outcrops and seeps are not present Chickweed wet/moist/dry forest in areas of proposed activity. No Impact monkeyflower Pinus albicaulis Subalpine Subalpine habitats are not present in the No Impact Whitebark pine project area. Rhizomnium nudum Moist/wet forest Suitable habitat may be present in areas See detailed Naked mnium moss of proposed activity. analysis below Thelypteris nevadensis Wet forest seeps Wet forests are not present in areas of No Impact Sierra woodfern proposed activity. Triantha occidentalis ssp. Subalpine peatlands Subalpine peatlands are not present in the brevistyla project area. No Impact sticky asphodel Trichophorum alpinum Deciduous riparian Deciduous riparian habitats are not No Impact Hudsons bullrush present in areas of proposed activity. Waldsteinia idahoensis Moist/wet forest Suitable habitat may be present in areas See detailed Idaho barren strawberry of proposed activity. analysis below Forest Species of Concern (in project area) Cladonia transcendens Wet forest Species is present in project area, along a stream below a burn unit. See discussion Transcending reindeer below lichen Dodecatheon dentatum Moist/wet forest Seven locations are in the project area. Several other occurrences exist within six See discussion White-flowered shooting below star miles of the project area. Dry forest Species is present at two locations in the Mimulus clivicola See discussion project area. Several other occurrences below Bank monkeyflower exist within six miles of the project area. Moist/wet forest One documented occurrence is present in Platanthera orbiculata See discussion the project area, but outside areas of below Round-leaved orchid proposed activity.

Existing Condition Minimal impacts to sensitive and FSOC plants are currently taking place in the project area. Clustered lady’s slipper is present adjacent to a designated trail, at times growing on the steep cut bank above the trail, suggesting that the past disturbance of trail construction did not destroy the habitat for this species. Further along the same trail, a large population of white-flowered shooting star is documented. Transcending reindeer lichen also occurs along a stream near the trail, and some trail users may step on the plants if they venture off-trail. For all of these occurrences, some plants may be impacted by trail users stepping off the trodden path, picking flowers or otherwise disturbing the vegetation and exploring areas off-trail. Although no documented disturbances have been reported, recreation impacts may result in a few plants being damaged by human trampling or collecting. Similar trampling and sampling effects may also occur from a number of small and large wild animals and/or pets. These effects may result in decreased growth and seed production, or even death of a limited number of individuals, but the populations are probably not being measurably reduced. Bank monkeyflower and round-leaved orchid are not near designated trails and are not likely being impacted by recreation activities. Livestock grazing does not occur in the project area.

A variety of habitat types have been affected by past road construction and timber harvest activities, with often drastic changes in microsite conditions of shade, air movement, and species composition. Nonnative

10 Botany Report Halfway Malin Project invasive plants such as spotted knapweed, meadow hawkweed, Canada thistle, houndstongue, common St. Johnswort, and oxeye daisy are present along roads and trails in the project area, and were likely introduced with past activities or subsequent public vehicle access. Some weeds (especially spotted knapweed) are expanding into suitable habitats, mainly above and below roads. Nonnative invasive plants can increase competition to sensitive and FSOC species and may crowd out native plants if infestations become dense.

Natural disturbances can also affect sensitive and FSOC plants and their habitats. Individuals may be damaged or killed by fire and extreme weather events including winds, floods, landslides, and drought. Fire can directly damage or kill plants and often results in significant changes to canopy cover, ground cover, species composition, and soil erosion. High wind events can topple individual or groups of trees in addition to breaking branches, creating openings in the forest canopy and resulting in changes to microsite conditions due to increased light and air movement. Storms producing large hail can damage plant parts directly or cause a sudden increase in litter on the forest floor from the battering of the overhead tree canopy. Floods and landslides can move soil and debris, directly affecting plants in their path, and result in extreme changes to plant habitats. Drought can cause reduced growth and seed production for many plant species.

Some plants such as clustered lady’s slipper are not tolerant of drastic changes to habitat conditions as a result of disturbance, and populations may be reduced or lost in response to decreased canopy cover (Vance 2005). Other plants such as many moonworts (Botrychium spp.) and other early seral species may benefit overall from patchy disturbances which allow exposure of mineral soil and subsequent establishment of new occurrences while older populations resulting from previously disturbed areas recover and the tree canopy re-develops (Ahlenslager and Potash 2007).

Table 3: Botany indicators and measures for the existing condition Resource Indicator Measure Existing Condition TEPS and FSOC Number of 1 occurrence clustered lady’s slipper (sensitive) plant occurrences occurrences present 1 occurrence transcending reindeer lichen (FSOC) (in project area) 7 occurrences white-flowered shooting star (FSOC) 2 occurrences bank monkeyflower (FSOC) 1 occurrence round-leaved orchid (FSOC) TEPS and FSOC Acres of habitat 74 acres aquatic plant habitats present 37 acres deciduous riparian (in project area) 1,004 acres dry forest 3,637 acres moist forest 182 acres wet forest TEPS and FSOC Determination responses to the category N/A proposed activities

Desired Condition The general desired condition of avoiding adverse impacts to TEPS plants and maintaining viability for a diversity of plant species are based on the Regulatory Framework described earlier in this document. Specifically, the IPNF LRMP defines the desired condition for TEPS plants “Habitat for plant species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is maintained or restored on NFS lands, thus contributing to species recovery or delisting. Ecological conditions and processes that sustain the habitats currently or potentially occupied by sensitive plant species are retained or restored. The geographic distributions of sensitive plant species in the Forest Plan area are maintained.”

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Environmental Consequences

Alternative A – No Action Under the no action alternative, the proposed activities would not occur. Disturbances from recreational use, wildlife, and natural events such as fire, flooding, hail, and severe wind would continue and may contribute to the hardships faced by sensitive plant species in the project area.

There would be no effects (direct or indirect) to federally listed plants because no habitat for these plants exists in the project area. There would be no direct or indirect effects to sensitive or FSOC plants because the proposed ground disturbing activities would not occur.

Table 4. Botany indicators and measures for Alternative A

Resource Indicator Measure Alternative 1 – No Action TEPS and FSOC Number of occurrences affected 0 occurrences would be affected. plant occurrences TEPS and FSOC Acres of habitat affected 0 acres of habitat would be affected. plant habitats TEPS and FSOC Determination category No Effects/No Impacts would occur to responses to the TEPS and FSOC plants. proposed activities

Alternative B – Proposed Action The purpose and need, or objectives, for proposed activities in the Halfway Malin project area are to achieve the following goals: 1. Increase forest resilience by promoting tree species that are more resilient to root disease, insects, drought, and fire, 2. Increase the quality and quantity of browse for big game wildlife species and maintain elk security, 3. Contribute to a sustainable level of timber products, 4. Improve aquatic conditions, and 5. Reduce road maintenance costs.

To achieve these goals, the proposed action includes:

Wildlife Habitat Improvement Rx Burning: 480 acres Timber Harvest, Rx Burning & Planting: 835 acres Logging Systems Track line/ground-based: 106 acres Skyline: 728 acres Road Construction: 7 miles of permanent system road Roads Stored for future use: 6 miles Roads Decommissioned to remove from system: 0.26 miles Open Roads in Entente Creek area to be closed/gated: 15.2 miles Removal of one culvert on Bottle Creek

The project includes replanting white pine and larch after the timber harvest followed by prescribed burns.

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For analysis of TEPS and FSOC plants, storing and gating roads would have minimal soil and vegetation disturbances, so these activities are not included in the overall project disturbance footprint, but are addressed in the qualitative effects discussions. With the 100-foot buffered road construction and decommissioning added to the timber harvest and prescribed burn units, the total area of the project disturbance footprint is approximately 1,345 acres.

Project Design Features The following project design features are resource protection measures pertaining to TESP plants, and would apply to both action alternatives:

1. A portion of a clustered lady’s slipper occurrence is mapped in the lower end (south corner) of proposed burn unit 46F. This occurrence overlaps about 1 ½ acres of the 14 acres in unit 46F. To protect this sensitive species from moderate to high intensity fire effects, no ignitions would occur within the occurrence area. Fire would be allowed to back down the slope through the occurrence area, provided the fire intensity is expected to be low and not consume the entire duff layer.

2. If Threatened, Endangered, or Sensitive plant species are discovered during project implementation, an agency botanist will be notified so that appropriate site specific measures would be taken to maintain population viability. Measures to protect population viability and habitat for occurrences could include, but are not limited to:

• Modifying activity methods to protect rare plants and their habitats or otherwise modifying the proposed activity, • Implementing buffers around plant occurrences.

Provisions for protection of Endangered Species, and settlement for environmental cancellation would be included in all contracts as specified under Timber Sale Contract provisions B6.24, Protection Measures Needed for Plants, Animals, Cultural Resources, and Cave Resources; C6.24#- Site Specific Special Protection Measures; and B8.33, Contract Suspension and Modification.

3. Areas requiring restoration, for example road margins, would use native plant materials as required in FSM 2070.3, Amendment 2008. Locally-obtained materials are preferred, but if unavailable or economically unfeasible, appropriate materials may be substituted that meet Region 1 guidelines.

Direct and Indirect Effects

Threatened, Endangered, or Proposed Plants Because no occurrences or suitable habitats for threatened, endangered, or proposed plants exist in the project area, the proposed action would have no effect to water howellii or Spalding’s catchfly.

Sensitive Plants

Clustered Lady’s slipper (Cypripedium fasciculatum) One occurrence of clustered lady’s slipper is known to exist within the project area. This occurrence is represented by three separate areas close enough together to be considered just one occurrence. One of the three areas is outside the project area, and another is inside the project area, but not within areas of proposed activity. However, the third occupied area does overlap 1.3 acres with proposed burn unit #46F, in a lower corner of the unit. A project design feature has been established to limit the effects of prescribed burning by not allowing ignitions within the occurrence, but allowing fire to back down into the area from upslope.

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Stand structure and landscape pattern in regions where clustered lady’s slipper occurs in Idaho and Montana have historically been determined by fire. One of the largest Idaho populations occurs in a ponderosa pine cover type that has been maintained by fire (Lichthardt 2003). Wildfires are variable in intensity and pattern. The heat, intensity, and duration are dependent on numerous factors including site, depth and nature of litter, understory vegetation, downed woody debris, and weather. Clustered lady’s slipper does not survive moderate to high intensity stand-replacing fires, and probably survived on the landscape in unburned or lightly affected areas such as moist draw bottoms.

Prescribed fires can also be variable, but generally have much lower heat, intensity, and duration due to the controlled fashion and time of year they are carried out. The shallow rhizome of clustered lady’s slipper (usually just a few centimeters below the surface of mineral soil) makes it susceptible to fire that is hot enough to consume the duff layer. However, it seems resilient to fires of light and moderate severity that leave some duff (Lichthardt 2003, Vance 2005). Fire would top-kill the plants and, if the rhizome and associated mycorrhizae are undamaged, plants may emerge the following season. Affected plants may also remain dormant for several years. It is possible that some individuals would be killed by prescribed fire in areas where the duff layer is consumed and more heat penetrates into the mineral soil. Some damage or mortality to individuals would therefore likely occur from the use of prescribed fire. The project design feature to have no ignitions within the occurrence in burn unit 46F, but allowing fire to back down into the area, would reduce the area in which the duff layer is consumed. Also, prescribed burning may bring fuel loads to more natural levels after decades of wildfire suppression, and may prevent loss of populations from future, more intense wildfires fed by higher levels of accumulated fuels.

The shallow rhizome system of clustered lady’s slipper also makes it susceptible to physical disturbance from timber harvest activities. Research and field observations indicate the primary threats to survival of clustered lady’s slipper are those that result in overstory removal or soil disturbance (Lichthardt 2003, Vance 2005). Physical disturbance from road construction and timber harvest activities may directly damage or kill clustered lady’s slipper plants. Indirect effects are also likely to occur from changes to the light and air movement reaching the ground. The critical factor is probably evapotranspiration. Plants growing in open situations tend to senesce earlier than plants in more shaded conditions, thus preventing seed production and limiting carbohydrate storage. These effects may also render areas of previously suitable habitat as unsuitable for colonization for decades until a suitable tree canopy is restored. The effect of overstory removal can be reduced at least somewhat by residual shrub cover, adjacent forest, or even tall forbs providing shade and protection from increased air movement at the ground surface.

In the Halfway Malin project area, negative effects to known clustered lady’s slipper populations may occur to a portion of the one occurrence present, but the majority of the occurrence would be unaffected. In addition, suitable habitat in the dry and moist forest habitats would likely be reduced from road construction and timber harvest activities. Although the entire area of affected dry and moist forest (1,345 acres) is not high quality potential habitat for clustered lady’s slipper, some high quality potential habitats would become unsuitable for perhaps 10 to 20 years following project implementation until the tree canopy develops and begins to provide protection from too much sunlight and air movement on the forest floor.

The 7 miles of new permanent road construction would result in a permanent loss of any suitable habitat that may be present along their length. The 0.26 miles of road to be closed by decommissioning are currently not suitable habitat, but may eventually become suitable as the decommissioned roads recover. The 15.2 miles of road closure by storage or gating would remain in a condition probably unsuitable for clustered lady’s slipper, but weed spread by vehicle use would be decreased along these routes, and this may have a small benefit by decreasing the rate of spread of weeds into suitable habitats. The removal of

14 Botany Report Halfway Malin Project one culvert on Bottle Creek may affect clustered lady’s slipper habitat, but no plants were observed during project surveys or site visits.

Survey efforts in the project area focused on proposed activities and therefore much of the upper Bottle Creek and Malin Creek drainage bottoms were not surveyed. It is in these unsurveyed areas where chances are very good that additional occurrences of clustered lady’s slipper exist, especially considering the numerous occurrences that are documented in drainage bottoms on both sides of the project area. Clustered lady’s slipper occurs in dry, moist, and wet forest habitats. There is a total of 4,823 acres of dry, moist, and wet forest habitats in the project area, and activities may affect habitat conditions in 1,345 acres of dry and moist forest. This would leave 3,478 acres (72%) of potentially suitable habitat for clustered lady’s slipper unaffected by the proposed activities.

Although the proposed activities may affect a portion of the known clustered lady’s slipper occurrence and suitable habitats in the project area, a majority of the occurrence and suitable habitats would remain unaffected. In addition, several occurrences are adjacent to the project area and are considered secure. Furthermore, a specific design feature will help to protect clustered lady’s slipper individuals from damage during the prescribed burn in unit #46F. Therefore, it is my determination that the Halfway Malin Proposed Action may impact individuals or habitat, but will not likely contribute to a trend towards federal listing or cause a loss of viability to the population or species for clustered lady’s slipper.

Sensitive Plants Suspected to Occur in Areas of Proposed Activity Because activities are proposed in dry forest and moist forest habitats, deerfern, triangle moonwort, slender moonwort, Mingan moonwort, paradox moonwort, northwestern moonwort, least moonwort, leafless bug-on-a-stick, green bug-on-a-stick, Constance’s bittercress, greater yellow lady’s slipper, Howell’s gumweed, naked mnium moss, and Idaho barren strawberry may be affected by the proposed action. Although none of these 14 plants have been found in the project area, suitable habitats may exist in areas of proposed activity.

These plants or their habitats could be impacted by road construction, timber harvest, and prescribed burn activities, with the possibility of direct impacts to undocumented occurrences. If present, these plants could be directly damaged or killed by soil and vegetation removal and disturbances from road construction, crushing of plants from timber removal equipment and personnel, and scorching or burning from prescribed fire. Indirect effects could include microsite habitat alteration from tree canopy removal, changes in species composition from canopy removal and prescribed fire, and increased risk of weed infestation from any of the ground disturbing actions. Depending on the magnitude of change resulting from indirect effects, sensitive plant habitats may be rendered unsuitable for those species due to decreased shade and microsite humidity, changes in soil mycorrhizae and other beneficial associated species, and increased competition for resources from weedy species. These changes would be most substantial in the first 10 to 30 years after the disturbances until the regenerating tree canopy begins to provide sufficient shade and some suitable habitat components return. It is possible that some suitable habitat components may not return for 50 or more years. Some light disturbance can have beneficial effects as well. Many moonworts require areas of exposed mineral soil for new plants to become established in an existing occurrence, or for new occurrences to develop (Zika et al 1995, Ahlenslager and Potash 2007). Howell’s gumweed is often found in open habitats that have been subjected to past disturbance, such as skid trails and roadsides (Lorain 1991). Similarly, Idaho barren strawberry occurs in open coniferous habitats and is able to colonize disturbed areas (NatureServe 2015). The removal of one culvert on Bottle Creek may also affect sensitive plant habitat, but no sensitive plants were observed during project surveys or site visits.

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With soil disturbance and canopy removal, weedy species are often favored. Noxious weeds and other nonnative invasive plants can easily become established in disturbed areas with increased sunlight. If they become established in areas with sensitive plant species, they can effectively compete for space, water, sunlight, and nutrients. Areas already infested with weeds are less likely to be occupied by rare species that might otherwise find disturbed areas suitable to colonize.

Most of the 14 species addressed here may also grow in habitats other than dry and moist forests. Most of them occur in wet forests as well. Constance’s bittercress can also be found in deciduous riparian habitats. Slender moonwort grows only in moist forest and Howell’s gumweed grows only in dry forest habitats. For the Proposed Action, activities may affect habitat conditions in 376 acres of dry forest and 969 acres of moist forest. Within the project area boundary, there are 1,004 acres of dry forest and 3,637 acres of moist forest. Approximately 37 percent of the dry forest and 27 percent of the moist forest may be affected, but none of the other habitat types would be affected by the proposed activities in Alternative B (Proposed Action).

Because these 14 species are not documented in the project area, no known occurrences would be affected. It is possible that undocumented occurrences could be impacted as described above. In addition, a portion of their potentially suitable habitats may be adversely affected, and perhaps beneficially for moonworts, Howell’s gumweed, and Idaho barren strawberry. For all 14 species, the majority of potentially suitable habitats would be unaffected by the proposed actions in this alternative. Therefore, it is my determination that the Halfway Malin Proposed Action may affect individuals or habitat, but will not likely contribute to a trend towards federal listing or cause a loss of viability to the populations or species for deerfern, triangle moonwort, slender moonwort, Mingan moonwort, paradox moonwort, northwestern moonwort, least moonwort, leafless bug-on-a-stick, green bug-on-a-stick, Constance’s bittercress, greater yellow lady’s slipper, Howell’s gumweed, naked mnium moss, and Idaho barren strawberry.

Forest Species of Concern Direct and indirect effects to FSOC plants and their habitats would be the same as described above.

White-flowered shooting star occurs in timber harvest unit #32 and in prescribed burn unit #45F, but also occurs at five other locations within the project area that would not be affected. For unit #32, the majority of that occurrence was documented along trail #197; much of that area would not be included in the harvest unit. This species may or may not survive the indirect effects from tree canopy removal, prescribed fire, and direct effects from implementing these actions in the short term. However the affected habitat may recover in the long term and may be recolonized by this species if it was eliminated. Even if the affected occurrences were to be lost in the long term, the viability of white-flowered shooting star in the planning area would not be a concern due to the amount of unaffected occurrences and wet/moist habitats present.

Bank monkeyflower occurs in prescribed burn unit #40F. One other occurrence is known to exist in the project area, and additional habitat may occur in the areas mapped as dry forest. Individuals in prescribed burn unit #40F may be damaged or killed from the prescribed fire and associated activities, and seed production may be prevented or decreased for that season. Being an annual plant, bank monkeyflower depends on seed reserves in the soil to be replenished each growing season, so the number of individuals growing in subsequent years may also be reduced. It is unlikely that the affected occurrences would be extirpated because the soil seed bank is not likely to be destroyed. Because numerous other occurrences exist outside the project area, and would be unaffected by the proposed activities, the species would remain a viable component of the flora in this portion of the St. Joe Ranger District. In addition, suitable and occupied habitat may exist in unaffected dry forest habitats in the project area.

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Round-leaved orchid and transcending reindeer lichen are documented in the Malin Creek drainage but both are outside any area of proposed activity, so no effects are expected for these species.

Table 5: Botany indicators and measures for Alternative B Resource Indicator Measure Alternative B TEPS and FSOC Number of occurrences 0 federally listed plant occurrences affected. plant occurrences affected 1 sensitive plant occurrence affected (clustered lady’s slipper). 3 FSOC plant occurrences affected: (2 white-flowered shooting star, and 1 bank monkeyflower). TEPS and FSOC Acres of habitat 0 acres federally listed plant habitat/critical plant habitats affected habitat affected. 1,345 acres sensitive and FSOC plant habitats affected: 376 acres dry forest 969 acres moist forest TEPS and FSOC Determination category No effect – federally listed plants. responses to the May impact* – sensitive species associated with proposed activities dry or moist forest habitats (15 species). No impact – sensitive species not associated with dry or moist forest habitats (13 species). 2 FSOC species may be affected. 2 FSOC species would not be affected. * May impact individuals or habitat but will not likely contribute to a trend towards Federal listing or cause a loss of viability to the population or species.

Cumulative Effects

Spatial and Temporal Context for Cumulative Effects Analysis

The spatial boundary for analyzing the cumulative effects to TESP and FSOC plants is the project area boundary because the direct and indirect effects of the proposed activities would interact with those of past, present and reasonably foreseeable future actions only in this area. The temporal boundaries for short term cumulative effects will range from implementation to five to eight years depending on the implementation schedule for the actions. After this time, most short-term effects would be diminished. Long-term effects may still be apparent ten or more years after implementation. While effects from the proposed activities may still be apparent after 50 or more years, predicting effects beyond this time frame for botanical resources becomes too speculative for reliable analysis.

Past, Present, and Reasonably Foreseeable Activities Relevant to Cumulative Effects Analysis Past activities within the project area have led to habitat modification and fragmentation in and around the project area. Past activities or events that have affected the amount or suitability of sensitive and FSOC plant habitats include road construction, road decommissioning, road maintenance, timber harvest, precommercial thinning, tree planting, prescribed burns, vehicular traffic, recreational uses, and wildfires. These activities may have resulted in areas becoming unsuitable for sensitive and FSOC plants by removing the tree canopy, or individual plants may have been directly impacted. The effects from these disturbances may have reduced the number of sensitive and FSOC plant occurrences or suitable habitats within the project area, but there have been no known losses of populations. Past activities have also contributed to encroachment of weeds into the area. Road decommissioning and tree planting have probably accelerated the recovery of some areas toward suitable habitat conditions. Similar to the current proposal, past activities have included design features to help protect and/or mitigate impacts on TESP and FSOC plants.

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All but one of the sensitive or FSOC plant occurrences that are expected to be impacted by the Proposed Action have already been included in previous activity units. The clustered lady’s slipper occurrence in proposed burn unit #46F was first reported in 1997 and was previously part of a salvage harvest unit in 1971. The effects from that harvest on this clustered lady’s slipper occurrence are unknown. The white- flowered shooting star occurrence in proposed burn unit #45F was first reported in 2014 and was previously part of a salvage harvest unit in 1985. The effects from that harvest on this white-flowered shooting star occurrence are also unknown. The bank monkeyflower occurrence in proposed burn unit #40F was first observed in 1990 and was previously part of a salvage harvest unit in 1971. Another bank monkeyflower occurrence was first reported in 1999 and was previously part of a Tin Cup shelterwood preparatory cut unit in 2006, but is not in an area currently proposed for activity. The effects to bank monkeyflower from the salvage harvest and the Tin Cup harvest activities are also unknown, but the species has apparently survived those previous activities.

Current ongoing and reasonably foreseeable activities include fire suppression, herbicide spraying for noxious weeds, precommercial thinning, white pine pruning, road maintenance, permitted outfitter and guide activities, public firewood gathering, public use of motorized vehicles, and other recreational activities such as berry-picking, hunting, and hiking. These activities could result in direct damage to sensitive and FSOC plants, indirect effects to sensitive and FSOC plant habitats, and new disturbed sites available for colonization by weeds. No specific future activities needing further NEPA analysis are foreseeable in the project area at this time.

When the effects of past, present, and reasonably foreseeable activities are combined with the anticipated effects from the Proposed Action, sensitive and FSOC plants may be impacted, but their viability in the planning area is expected to be maintained due to unaffected habitat and occurrences remaining inside the project area and additional occurrences being present near the project area.

Alternative C This alternative was developed to consider reducing the size of harvest units to less than 40 acres each and a reduced amount of road construction. Alternative C actions include:

Wildlife Habitat Improvement Rx Burning: 480 acres Timber Harvest, Rx Burning & Planting: 307 acres Logging Systems Track line/ground-based: 52 acres Skyline: 255 acres Road Construction: 4.7 miles of permanent system road Roads Stored for future use: 6 miles Roads Decommissioned to remove from system: 0.26 miles Open Roads in Entente Creek area to be closed/gated: 15.2 miles Removal of one culvert on Bottle Creek

This alternative also includes replanting white pine and larch after the timber harvest followed by prescribed burns.

Project design features are the same as for Alternative B.

For analysis of TEPS and FSOC plants, storing and gating roads would have minimal soil and vegetation disturbances, so these activities are not included in the overall project disturbance footprint, but are addressed in the qualitative effects discussions. With the 100 foot buffered road construction and

18 Botany Report Halfway Malin Project decommissioning added to the timber harvest and prescribed burn units, the total area of the Alternative C disturbance footprint is approximately 857 acres.

Direct and Indirect Effects

Threatened, Endangered, or Proposed Plants Because no occurrences or suitable habitats for threatened, endangered, or proposed plants exist in the project area, Alternative C would have no effect to water howellii or Spalding’s catchfly.

Sensitive Plants

Clustered Lady’s slipper (Cypripedium fasciculatum) The effects to clustered lady’s slipper are the same as those described for Alternative B, except that the acreage of affected dry and moist forest habitats would be less. Instead of 1,345 acres of dry and moist forest habitats affected, Alternative C would affect 857 acres of dry and moist forest habitats, leaving 3,966 acres (82%) of potentially suitable habitat for clustered lady’s slipper unaffected. A portion of the documented clustered lady’s slipper occurrence in proposed burn unit #46F would be impacted as described for Alternative B, and the design feature specifying no ignitions within the occurrence area would still apply.

Although the proposed activities may affect a portion of the known clustered lady’s slipper occurrence and suitable habitats in the project area, a majority of the occurrence and suitable habitats would remain unaffected. In addition, several occurrences are adjacent to the project area and are considered secure. Furthermore, a specific design feature will help to protect clustered lady’s slipper individuals from damage during the prescribed burn in unit #46F. Therefore, it is my determination that the Halfway Malin Alternative C may impact individuals or habitat, but will not likely contribute to a trend towards federal listing or cause a loss of viability to the population or species for clustered lady’s slipper.

Sensitive Plants Suspected to Occur in Areas of Proposed Activity Effects to other sensitive plants are also the same as described for Alternative B, but the affected acreage of potentially suitable habitats would be less. For Alternative C, activities may affect habitat conditions in 363 acres of dry forest and 494 acres of moist forest. Within the project area boundary, there are 1,004 acres of dry forest, 3,637 acres of moist forest, 182 acres of wet forest, 37 acres of deciduous riparian, and 74 acres of aquatic habitat. Approximately 36 percent of the dry forest and 14 percent of the moist forest may be affected, but none of the other habitat types would be affected by the proposed activities in Alternative C.

Because these 14 species are not documented in the project area, no known occurrences would be affected. It is possible that undocumented occurrences could be impacted as described for Alternative B. In addition, a portion of their potentially suitable habitats may be adversely affected, and perhaps beneficially for moonworts, Howell’s gumweed, and Idaho barren strawberry. For all 14 species, the majority of potentially suitable habitats would be unaffected by the proposed actions in this alternative. Therefore, it is my determination that the Halfway Malin Alternative C may affect individuals or habitat, but will not likely contribute to a trend towards federal listing or cause a loss of viability to the populations or species for deerfern, triangle moonwort, slender moonwort, Mingan moonwort, paradox moonwort, northwestern moonwort, least moonwort, leafless bug-on-a-stick, green bug-on-a- stick, Constance’s bittercress, greater yellow lady’s slipper, Howell’s gumweed, naked mnium moss, and Idaho barren strawberry.

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Forest Species of Concern Direct and indirect effects to FSOC plants and their habitats would be the same as described for sensitive plants in Alternative B.

White-flowered shooting star occurs in prescribed burn unit #45F, but also occurs at six other locations within the project area that would not be affected. This species may or may not survive the direct and indirect effects from prescribed fire. However the affected habitat may recover in the long term and may be recolonized by this species if it was eliminated. Even if the affected occurrence was lost in the long term, the viability of white-flowered shooting star in the project area would not be a concern due to the amount of unaffected occurrences and wet/moist habitats present.

Effects to known bank monkeyflower occurrences would be the same as described for Alternative B, because the same actions are proposed in prescribed burn unit #40F. Alternative C would affect slightly less acreage of potentially suitable habitats for bank monkeyflower; 363 acres of dry forest habitat would be affected, instead of 376 acres.

Round-leaved orchid and transcending reindeer lichen are documented in the Malin Creek drainage but both are outside any area of proposed activity, so no effects are expected for these species.

Table 6: Botany indicators and measures for Alternative C

Resource Indicator Measure Alternative C TEPS and FSOC Number of occurrences 0 federally listed plant occurrences affected. plant occurrences affected 1 sensitive plant occurrence affected. (clustered lady’s slipper) 2 FSOC plant occurrences affected: (1 white-flowered shooting star, and 1 bank monkeyflower). TEPS and FSOC Acres of habitat 0 acres federally listed plant habitat/critical plant habitats affected habitat affected. 857 acres sensitive and FSOC plant habitats affected: 363 acres dry forest 494 acres moist forest TEPS and FSOC Determination category No effect – federally listed plants. responses to the May impact* – sensitive species associated with proposed activities dry or moist forest habitats (15 species). No impact – sensitive species not associated with dry or moist forest habitats (13 species). 2 FSOC species may be affected. 2 FSOC species would not be affected. * May impact individuals or habitat but will not likely contribute to a trend towards Federal listing or cause a loss of viability to the population or species.

Cumulative Effects Spatial and temporal boundaries for analysis and the effects of past, present, and reasonably foreseeable activities are the same as described for Alternative B. All of the sensitive or FSOC plant occurrences expected to be impacted by Alternative C have already been included in previous activity units, but the effects of those activities on the occurrences are unknown. All of the occurrences were first discovered years after the previous activities had taken place.

Current ongoing and reasonably foreseeable activities include fire suppression, herbicide spraying for noxious weeds, precommercial thinning, white pine pruning, road maintenance, permitted outfitter and guide activities, public firewood gathering, public use of motorized vehicles, and other recreational activities such as berry-picking, hunting, and hiking. These activities could result in direct damage to

20 Botany Report Halfway Malin Project sensitive and FSOC plants, indirect effects to sensitive and FSOC plant habitats, and new disturbed sites available for colonization by weeds. No specific future activities needing further NEPA analysis are foreseeable in the project area at this time.

When the effects of past, present, and reasonably foreseeable activities are combined with the anticipated effects from Alternative C, sensitive and FSOC plants may be impacted, but their viability in the project area is expected to be maintained due to unaffected habitat and occurrences remaining inside the project area and additional occurrences being present near the project area.

Compliance with LRMP and Other Relevant Laws, Regulations, Policies and Plans Alternatives A, B, and C would comply with the Endangered Species Act because no federally listed or proposed species or their habitats would be affected. All alternatives would maintain viable populations of all native and desired nonnative plants, and the proposed activities were reviewed for potential effects on rare species, and thus would be compliant with Forest Service Manual direction. All alternatives would also comply with the Idaho Panhandle National Forests Land and Resource Management Plan in that federally listed plant habitat would be unaffected and ecological conditions and processes that sustain the habitats currently or potentially occupied by sensitive plant species would be retained. In addition, the geographic distributions of sensitive plant species in the Forest Plan area would be maintained. Furthermore, the proposed activities were evaluated for the presence of TEPS plant habitats, field surveys were completed, and project design features were developed to provide appropriate protection to maintain occurrences and habitats important for species sustainability.

Summary of Determinations

Alternative A Because no suitable habitats are present in the project area, and the proposed activities would not occur, the No Action Alternative would have no effect on water howellia or Spalding’s catchfly.

Because the proposed activities would not occur, the No Action Alternative would have no impact to any Region 1 sensitive plant species.

Alternative B Because no suitable habitats are present in the project area, Alternative B of the Halfway Malin project would have no effect to water howellia or Spalding’s catchfly.

Region 1 sensitive plants that occur only in aquatic, deciduous riparian, wet forest, and subalpine habitat types would not be affected by Alternative B activities because these habitats are not present in areas affected by the proposed activities. Therefore, it is my determination that Alternative B of the Halfway Malin project would have no impact on maidenhair spleenwort, upswept moonwort, western goblin, stalked moonwort, spoon-leaved sundew, Britton’s Grimmia, clear moss, chickweed monkeyflower, whitebark pine, Sierra woodfern, sticky asphodel, and Hudson’s bulrush.

Because dry forest and moist forest habitats are present in areas of proposed activity for Alternative B, habitats for fifteen sensitive plant species may be affected by the proposed project. A portion of one occurrence of clustered lady’s slipper is within a proposed burn unit, but no fire ignitions would be allowed within the occurrence, per a specific project design feature. No other sensitive plant occurrences are known to exist in the project area. It is possible that undocumented occurrences could be impacted by timber harvest, prescribed burn, and road construction and decommissioning activities. In addition, a

21 Botany Report Halfway Malin Project portion of their potentially suitable habitats may be adversely affected, and perhaps beneficially for moonworts, Howell’s gumweed, and Idaho barren strawberry. However, the majority of potentially suitable habitats in the project area would be unaffected by the proposed actions in this alternative, and additional occurrences for many sensitive plants exist nearby, but outside the project area boundary. For these reasons, it is my determination that Alternative B of the Halfway Malin project may impact individuals or habitat but will not likely contribute to a trend towards Federal listing or cause a loss of viability for deerfern, triangle moonwort, slender moonwort, Mingan moonwort, paradox moonwort, northwestern moonwort, least moonwort, leafless bug-on-a-stick, green bug-on-a-stick, Constance’s bittercress, clustered lady’s slipper, greater yellow lady’s slipper, Howell’s gumweed, naked mnium moss, and Idaho barren strawberry.

Alternative C Because no suitable habitats are present in the project area, Alternative C of the Halfway Malin project would have no effect to water howellia or Spalding’s catchfly.

Region 1 sensitive plants that occur only in aquatic, deciduous riparian, wet forest, and subalpine habitat types would not be affected by Alternative C activities because these habitats are not present in areas affected by the proposed activities. Therefore, it is my determination that Alternative C of the Halfway Malin project would have no impact on maidenhair spleenwort, upswept moonwort, western goblin, stalked moonwort, spoon-leaved sundew, Britton’s Grimmia, clear moss, chickweed monkeyflower, whitebark pine, Sierra woodfern, sticky asphodel, and Hudson’s bulrush.

Because dry forest and moist forest habitats are present in areas of proposed activity for Alternative C, habitats for fifteen sensitive plant species may be affected by the proposed project. A portion of one occurrence of clustered lady’s slipper is within a proposed burn unit, but no fire ignitions would be allowed within the occurrence, per a specific project design feature. No other sensitive plant occurrences are known to exist in the project area. It is possible that undocumented occurrences could be impacted by timber harvest, prescribed burn, and road construction and decommissioning activities. In addition, a portion of their potentially suitable habitats may be adversely affected, and perhaps beneficially for moonworts, Howell’s gumweed, and Idaho barren strawberry. However, the majority of potentially suitable habitats in the project area would be unaffected by the proposed actions in this alternative, and additional occurrences for many sensitive plants exist nearby, but outside the project area boundary. For these reasons, it is my determination that Alternative C of the Halfway Malin project may impact individuals or habitat but will not likely contribute to a trend towards Federal listing or cause a loss of viability for deerfern, triangle moonwort, slender moonwort, Mingan moonwort, paradox moonwort, northwestern moonwort, least moonwort, leafless bug-on-a-stick, green bug-on-a-stick, Constance’s bittercress, clustered lady’s slipper, greater yellow lady’s slipper, Howell’s gumweed, naked mnium moss, and Idaho barren strawberry. Summary of Environmental Effects No federally listed plant species would be affected because there is no habitat present. Sensitive plant species that are associated with dry or moist forest habitats may be affected by the proposed activities, but all other sensitive plants would not be affected because their habitats are not present in areas of proposed activity. Two FSOC plant species may be affected by the proposed activities, but their viability within the planning area would be maintained.

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Table 7. Summary comparison of environmental effects to botany resources Resource Measure Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Indicator TEPS and Number of 0 occurrences 0 federally listed plant 0 federally listed plant FSOC plant occurrences would be occurrences affected. occurrences affected. occurrences affected affected. 1 sensitive plant occurrence 1 sensitive plant occurrence affected (clustered lady’s affected (clustered lady’s slipper). slipper).

4 FSOC plant occurrences 2 FSOC plant occurrences affected (2 white-flowered affected (1 white-flowered shooting star, and 2 bank shooting star, and 1 bank monkeyflower). monkeyflower). TEPS and Acres of 0 acres of 0 acres federally listed plant 0 acres federally listed plant FSOC plant habitat habitat would habitat/critical habitat habitat/critical habitat habitats affected be affected. affected. affected.

1,345 acres sensitive and 857 acres sensitive and FSOC plant habitats affected: FSOC plant habitats affected: 376 acres dry forest 363 acres dry forest 969 acres moist forest 494 acres moist forest TEPS and Determination No Effects/No No effect – federally listed No effect – federally listed FSOC category Impacts would plants. plants. responses to occur to TEPS the proposed and FSOC May impact* – sensitive May impact* – sensitive activities plants. species associated with dry species associated with dry or moist forest habitats (15 or moist forest habitats (15 species). species).

No impact – sensitive species No impact – sensitive species not associated with dry or not associated with dry or moist forest habitats (13 moist forest habitats (13 species). species).

2 FSOC species may be 2 FSOC species may be affected. affected. 2 FSOC species would not be 2 FSOC species would not be affected. affected. * May impact individuals or habitat but will not likely contribute to a trend towards Federal listing or cause a loss of viability to the population or species.

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References Cited Ahlenslager, K. and L. Potash. 2007. Conservation Assessment for 13 Species of Moonworts (Botrychium Swartz Subgenus Botrychium). USDA Forest Service Region 6 and USDI Bureau of Land Management, Oregon and Washington. 58 p.

Beatty, B.L., W.F. Jennings, and R.C. Rawlinson. 2003. Botrychium ascendens W.H. Wagner (trianglelobe moonwort), B. crenulatum W.H. Wagner (scalloped moonwort), and B. lineare W.H. Wagner (narrowleaf grapefern): a technical conservation assessment. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Available online: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/projects/scp/assessments/botrychiums.pdf

Harpel, J. A. and L. Holmberg. 2005. Conservation Assessment for Rhizomnium nudum (Britt. & Williams) Kop. USDA Forest Service Region 6 and USDI Bureau of Land Management, Oregon and Washington. Updated January 2010 by Camille Duncan (adding photos). 15 p.

Lichthardt, J. 1995. Establishment of Monitoring Plots for Constance’s Bittercress (Cardamine constancei Detl.). Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Conservation Data Center. Boise, Idaho.

Lichthardt, J. 2003. Conservation Strategy for Clustered Lady’s Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium fasciculatum) in U.S. Forest Service Region 1. Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Conservation Data Center. Boise, Idaho.

Lorain, C. C. 1991. Species Management Guide for Grindelia howellii (Howell’s gumweed) on the St. Joe National Forest. Natural Heritage Section, Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Boise, Idaho.

Matthews, R. F. 1993. Blechnum spicant. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [accessed 2015, May 1].

Mergen, D. E. 2006. Cypripedium parviflorum Salisb. (lesser yellow lady’s slipper): A Technical Conservation Assessment. Prepared for the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Species Conservation Project. Colorado Springs, Colorado. July 17, 2006.

Montana Natural Heritage Program (MTNHP). Idaho Barren Strawberry — Waldsteinia idahoensis. Montana Field Guide. Montana Natural Heritage Program. Retrieved on May 4, 2015, from http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDROS1S020

NatureServe. 2015. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: May 7, 2015 ).

Seevers, J.; Lang, F. 1998. Management Recommendations for Clustered Lady’s Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium fasciculatum Kellogg ex S. Watson) V.2.0. 24p.

USDA Forest Service. 2005. Forest Service Manual 2600 – Wildlife, Fish, and Sensitive Plant Habitat Management. Chapter 2670 – Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Plants and Animals. Chapter 2671 – Cooperation. National Headquarters, Washington DC. Effective: September 23, 2005.

USDA Forest Service. 2011. Regional Foresters Sensitive Plant List, Idaho. Region 1, Missoula, Montana.

24 Botany Report Halfway Malin Project

USDA Forest Service. 2015. Idaho Panhandle National Forests Land Management Plan. 2015 Revision. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

USDI Bureau of Land Management. 1996. Draft Management Recommendations for Green bug moss, Buxbaumia viridis (DC.) Moug. & Nestl. Version 1.1.

USDI Fish and Wildlife Service. 2013. Candidate, Proposed and Listed Species & Proposed and Designated Critical Habitat in Idaho. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office. List revised October 22, 2013.

Vance, N. 2005. Conservation Assessment for Cypripedium fasciculatum Kellogg ex S. Watston. USDA Forest Service Region 6 and USDI Bureau of Land Management, Oregon and Washington. 32 p.

Zika, P. F., Brainerd, R., and B. Newhouse. 1995. Grapeferns and Moonworts (Botrychium, Ophioglossaceae) in the Columbia Basin. Report submitted to the Eastside Ecosystem Management Project, United States Forest Service, Walla Walla, Washington. 126 p.

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Appendix A. St. Joe Ranger District Rare Plant Lists and Habitat Guilds

St. Joe Sensitive Plants by Rare Plant Habitat Guild (revised 2011)*

Species Common Name Habitat Guild Asplenium trichomanes maidenhair spleenwort Rock seeps in moist/wet Blechnum spicant deerfern Moist/wet forest Botrychium ascendens upswept moonwort Wet forest Botrychium crenulatum dainty moonwort Wet forest Botrychium lanceolatum triangle moonwort Wet forest/moist forest Botrychium lineare (h) Slender moonwort Moist forest Botrychium minganense Mingan moonwort Wet forest/moist forest Botrychium montanum western goblin Wet forest Botrychium paradoxum paradox moonwort Wet forest/moist forest Botrychium pedunculosum stalked moonwort Wet forest Botrychium pinnatum northwestern moonwort Wet forest/moist forest Botrychium simplex least moonwort Wet forest/moist forest Buxbaumia aphylla leafless bug-on-a-stick moss Wet forest/moist forest Buxbaumia viridis Green bug-on-a-stick moss Wet forest/moist forest Cardamine constancei Constance's bittercress Deciduous riparian/ moist/wet forest Cypripedium fasciculatum clustered lady's slipper Moist/wet/dry forest Cypripedium parviflorum var. greater yellow lady’s slipper Moist/wet forest pubescens (s) Drosera intermedia Spoon-leaved sundew Peatlands/meadows Grindelia howellii Howell's gumweed Dry forest (St. Joe, basalt breaklands) Grimmia brittoniae Britton’s Grimmia Rock outcrops in moist forest Hookeria lucens (h) clear moss Wet forest Mimulus alsinoides chickweed monkeyflower Rock cliffs/seeps in wet/moist/dry forest Pinus albicaulis Whitebark pine subalpine Rhizomnium nudum Naked Mnium Wet/moist forest Thelypteris nevadensis Sierra woodfern Wet forest seeps Triantha occidentalis spp brevistyla sticky asphodel Subalpine peatlands Trichophorum alpinum Hudsons bullrush Deciduous riparian Waldsteinia idahoensis Idaho barren strawberry Moist and wet forest * based on 2011 Regional Forester's Sensitive Species list. (s) = suspected, (h) = historical occurrence

St. Joe Plant Species of Concern* (revised 2011)

Species Common Name Habitat Guild Arnica alpina var. tometosa Fuzzy arnica Subalpine Astragalus bourgovii Bourgeau's milkvetch Subalpine Botrychium lunaria Common moonwort Wet Forest/Moist Forest Botrychium michiganense Michigan moonwort Wet Forest/Moist Forest Calochortus nitidus broad-fruit mariposa lily Dry Forest, Palouse Soils (St. Joe, St. Maries) Carex californica California sedge Subalpine Cephalanthera austineae phantom orchid Moist/Wet Forest Cetraria sepincola eyed ruffle lichen Deciduous Riparian, Peatland Cladonia transcendens transcending reindeer lichen Wet Forest Collema curtisporum Short-spored jelly lichen Deciduous riparian Corydalis caseana ssp. Case's fitweed Wet Forest hastata

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(St. Maries, North Fk Clearwater) Dodecatheon dentatum white-flowered shooting star Wet Forest Douglasia conservatorum Bloom Peak Douglasia Subalpine Ivesia tweedyi Tweedy’s ivesia Subalpine Lobaria hallii Hall's lung wort Deciduous Riparian Ludwigia polycarpa many-fruit false-loosestrife Peatland/aquatic Mimulus clivicola bank monkeyflower Dry Forests Orobanche pinorum Pine broomrape Dry Forest Platanthera orbiculata round-leaved orchid Moist/Wet Forest Pilophorus acicularis Devil's matchstick lichen Wet Forests Ribes sanguineum red-flowered current Moist forest Pilophorus clavatus Nail lichens Wet Forests Pinus albicaulis Whitebark pine Subalpine Sedum rupicolum lance-leaved sedum Subalpine Sphaerophorus globosus Christmas tree lichen Wet Forest Tauschia tenuissima Lieberg's tauschia Dry/Moist Forest, meadows Trientalis latifolia western starflower Deciduous Riparian/Moist/Wet Forest Vallisneria americana wild celery Aquatic * As directed by the Species of Concern Protocol (Region One Planning Peer Group, Task Group 19, March 1997), species of concern are considered to be secure at the global, Regional and state levels, but may be at risk at the Forest planning level. Species on this list will be surveyed for, documented and reported when found, and addressed in environmental documents (per NFMA) when viability within the planning unit is an issue.

St. Joe Ranger District Rare Plant Habitat Guild Descriptions Subalpine: Includes certain plant communities found at high elevation sites, generally above ca 5,000 feet, mostly on ridges, subalpine balds and parklands (green fescue and sedge communities), exposed rock-outcrops and the following high elevation communities: Abies bifolia (subalpine fir) krummholtz, Abies bifolia / Rhododendron albiflorum (subalpine fir/white rhododendron), Salix commutata (undergreen willow), Abies bifolia / Vaccinium scoparium (subalpine fir/grouse whortleberry), Abies bifolia / Luzula hitchcockii (subalpine fir/smooth woodrush), and Larix lyallii (subalpine larch) / Pinus albicaulis (whitebark pine) plant communities. It also includes the cool/moist and cool/dry phases of Abies bifolia / Menziesia ferruginea (subalpine fir / menziesia), Abies bifolia / Xerophyllum tenax (subalpine fir / beargrass), Tsuga mertensiana / Menziesia ferruginea (mt. hemlock / menziesia) and Tsuga mertensiana / Xerophyllum tenax (mt. hemlock / beargrass) plant communities. The rare species found in this guild are Buxbaumia aphylla (bug-on-a-stick moss), Carex xerantica (dryland sedge), and Pinus albicaulis (whitebark pine).

Wet Forest: This guild is found in wet, generally riparian, often (not always) middle to late successional western red cedar and wet western hemlock plant communities, including most identified 'ancient cedar groves' found scattered throughout the northern sub-basins, generally at less than 4,000 feet. Plant communities within these systems that have a high potential to support rare plants include; Thuja plicata / Oplopanax horridum (cedar/devil's club), Thuja plicata / Athyrium filix-femina (cedar/ladyfern), Thuja plicata / Adiantum aleuticum (cedar/maidenhair fern), Tsuga heterophylla / Gymnocarpium dryopteris (western hemlock/oakfern) and Thuja plicata / Gymnocarpium dryopteris (cedar/oakfern) plant communities. Several species within this guild are rare coastal disjuncts such as Blechnum spicant (deerfern), Thelypteris nevadensis (sierra woodfern), Hookeria lucens (clear moss) and Carex hendersonii (Henderson's sedge). Sierra woodfern and clear moss are associated with seeps and "boggy" areas in wet cedar forests. Certain endemic or scattered rare species like the rare Botrychium species (moonworts), especially Botrychium montanum (western goblin), Botrychium minganense (Mingan moonwort), Botrychium pedunculosum (stalked moonwort), Botrychium paradoxum (paradox moonwort), and Botrychium ascendens (upswept moonwort), can be found in these communities on riparian benches or

27 Botany Report Halfway Malin Project other shallow sloped microsites. The scattered species Cypripedium fasciculatum (clustered lady's slipper), and the Idaho endemics Cardamine constancei (Constance's bittercress) and Waldsteinia idahoensis (Idaho Barren strawberry) can occur in wet forest communities. Asplenium trichomanes (maidenhair spleenwort) and Mimulus alsinoides (chickweed monkey-flower) can also be found in seasonally wet rock seeps, and Buxbaumia viridis (green bug-on-a-stick moss) can be found on decomposing cedar logs in wet forest habitat. Many of the Wet Forest Guild species can also be found upslope in Moist forest guild habitats.

Moist Forest: This guild is found in moist Thuja plicata (western redcedar) and Tsuga heterophylla (western hemlock) plant communities, generally in later successional states below 4,500 feet. A few species can also be found in moist Abies grandis / Asarum caudatum (grand fir / ginger) and Abies grandis / Clintonia uniflora (Grand fir / queencup beadlily) communities. Many members of the Wet Forest Guild can be found in these more mesic upland plant communities. This guild contains the following plant associations: Tsuga heterophylla / Asarum caudatum (hemlock/wild ginger), T. heterophylla / A. caudatum - Aralia nudicaulis (hemlock/ginger - wild sarsaparilla), T. heterophylla / Clintonia uniflora (hemlock / beadlily), T. heterophylla / C. uniflora / Aralia nudicaulis (hemlock / beadlily - wild sarsaparilla), T. heterophylla / C. uniflora / Menziesia ferruginea (hemlock / beadlily - fool's huckleberry), Thuja plicata / Asarum caudatum (cedar/ginger) and Thuja plicata / Clintonia uniflora (cedar/beadlily). Some of the rare species found in these communities occur in small moist microsites, like Asplenium trichomanes (maidenhair spleenwort) and Mimulus alsinoides (chickweed monkey-flower), which are found on seepy rock outcrops. Rare plant species such as the coastal disjuncts Blechnum spicant (deerfern) and Carex hendersonii (Henderson's sedge) are found in moist forest habitats. Certain regional endemic or scattered rare species like the Botrychium species. (moonworts), especially Botrychium minganense (Mingan moonwort), Botrychium lanceolatum (triangle moonwort) and Botrychium pinnatum (northwestern moonwort) can be found in shallow sloped microsites, and Cypripedium fasciculatum (clustered lady's slipper) and the Idaho endemic Cardamine constancei (Constance's bittercress) occur in these communities. Waldsteinia idahoensis (Idaho barren strawberry) has also been found in dry Abies grandis / Clintonia uniflora (grand fir / beadlily) communities on the breaklands of the Coeur d'Alene River.

Dry Forest: This guild encompasses dry, open sites in Pinus ponderosa (ponderosa pine), Pseudotsuga menziesii / Physocarpus malvaceus (Douglas-fir / ninebark), P. menziesii / Calamagrostis rubescens / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Douglas-fir / pinegrass - kinnikinnick), P. menziesii / Festuca idahoensis (Douglas-fir / Idaho fescue) or Agropyron spicatum [Elymus spicatus] (bluebunch wheatgrass) communities, generally less than 4500 feet. The Idaho endemic Grindelia howellii (Howell's gumweed) can be found in these dry communities on the St. Joe associated with basalt breaklands. Dry Douglas-fir and grand fir communities, Abies grandis / Physocarpus malvaceus (Grand fir / nine bark) and Abies grandis / Clintonia uniflora (grand fir / beadlily) also support populations of Cypripedium fasciculatum (clustered lady's slipper) on the Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe National Forests. Mimulus alsinoides (chickweed monkey-flower) can occur on seasonally seepy rock outcrops and moss mats in otherwise dry communities.

Deciduous Riparian: (broad-leaved deciduous) forests occur on islands and margins of lowland major rivers such as the lower Coeur d'Alene River, lower St. Joe River, and the St. Maries River. These forests are most commonly dominated by the cottonwood Populus trichocarpa (black cottonwood), with lesser amounts of introduced P. deltoides (plains cottonwood) and hybrid poplars (Populus trichocarpa X ?) planted for streambank stability. Cottonwood communities often are adjacent to shrub-carr communities and can form an indistinguishable mosaic. Collema curtisporum (short-spored jelly lichen), is a globally rare lichen found on large diameter (old) black cottonwood. The rare Idaho endemic Cardamine constancei (Constance's bittercress) can be found in the transition zone between cottonwood and western

28 Botany Report Halfway Malin Project redcedar communities on the Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe Rivers. Stands of P. tremuloides (quaking aspen) are also present and associated with higher gradient streams or moist seeps. Populus tremuloides (quaking aspen), Betula papyrifera (paper birch) and Betula occidentalis (water birch) also occur as secondary components in lowland conifer dominated forests throughout northern Idaho. Alnus rubra (red alder), is an uncommon, but sometimes locally abundant, coastal disjunct, and can be a codominant in moist forests in lower elevation riparian zones along Coeur d'Alene Lake, the lower Coeur d'Alene River and the lower St. Joe River. It is also found in patches in drainages in the Little North Fork of the Clearwater River on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Channel bars along major rivers are frequently vegetated with Salix exigua (coyote willow) and young Populus trichocarpa (black cottonwood) seedlings.

Aquatic: This guild occurs generally in littoral (< 2 meters) zones of vernal pools, small ponds and lakes throughout northern Idaho, generally at lower elevations. Potamogeton natans (floating-leaved pondweed), Myriophyllum species (water-milfoil), Utricularia species (bladderwort), and other Potamogeton species occur alone or in combination in shallow littoral zones. Nuphar polysepalum (yellow pond lily) and Brasenia shreberi (water-shield) are frequently present as monocultures in deeper littoral zones. A single population of the rare Nymphaea tetragona var. liebergii (pygmy waterlily) was historically known from Granite Lake and is believed to be extinct in Idaho. The listed threatened species Howellia aquatilis (water howellia) was historically known to occur near Spirit and Hoodoo Lakes and is believed to have been extirpated. Only one other population is known in Idaho near Harvard along the Palouse River; however, populations occur to the west in Spokane County, Washington. No other populations have been found to date in northern Idaho, even though high quality habitat exists.

Peatland: Peatlands by definition are habitats whose soil substrate is composed of organic material; deposition of organic material exceeds decomposition. This guild can be divided into five distinct sub- guilds, each containing different communities and species, substrates, pH and abiotic processes. These five sub-guilds are Poor Fens, Intermediate/Rich Fens, Ombrotrophic Bogs, Paludified Forests and Shrub- carr. Peatland habitats are predominantly found in the northern three sub-basins (Priest, Kootenai and Pend Oreille); however, several lowland fens are known for the lower Coeur d'Alene (Twin Lakes, Hauser Lakes, Rose Lake, Hidden and Thompson lakes). Several Sphagnum-dominated subalpine peatlands have been found on the divide between the Clearwater and the St. Joe sub-basins. These systems are the oldest plant communities in northern Idaho and have changed little since the end of glaciation. The rare species Carex chordorrhiza (string-root sedge), Carex livida (pale sedge), Hypericum majus (large Canadian St. John's wort), Rhynchospora alba (white beakrush), Scheuchzeria palustris (pod grass) and Scirpus subterminalis (water clubrush) have been documented for lowland fens in the Coeur d'Alene sub-basin. Triantha occidentalis spp. brevistyla, a species only known on the Priest Lake District on the Idaho Panhandle, has been reported for a subalpine fen complex on the St. Joe; however, this sighting has not been verified.

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Appendix B. Maps of Affected TEPS plant habitats

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31