Other Special Status Species for Oregon LNG Project.Docx
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
APPENDIX H OTHER SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES FOR OREGON LNG PROJECT Table H-1 Other Special Status Species for Oregon LNG Project Species a Status b Habitat Impacts Mitigation Plants Bradshaw’s desert F-E Range extends from western Washington south through the If present in the right-of-way, these plants would Following construction, the construction parsley OR-E Willamette Valley. Historically found in lowland Deschampsia be disturbed and potentially lost to vegetation right-of-way would be reseeded with a Lomatium bradshawii OCS cespitosa prairies with heavy clay soils; especially Bashaw soils. clearing and ground disturbing activities. native seed mix developed in consultation WA-E Also in wetland depressions, grassy swales, and along seasonally However, most of the pipeline would be routed with state resource agencies. Oregon wet waterways and flooded prairie lowlands. Unlikely to occur in through previously disturbed industrial forest or LNG would segregate top soil to preserve project area. agricultural areas that likely preclude these plant seed bank according to its Plan and Associated plant species include Deschampsia caespitosa, Juncus species. Procedures. tenuis, Carex stipata, Carex uniLateralis, Poa pratensis, Hordeum A botanist would be available during brachyantherum, Perideridia sp., Juncus sp. construction activities involving vegetation Wayside aster OR-T Many of the 100 known populations occur in disturbed areas removal and soil disturbance to ensure no rare plants are lost. Eucephalus vialis OCS (ODFW, 2006). Found in second growth and old-growth Douglas fir forests, mixed coniferous/hardwood forest openings, along shaded roadsides, in residential areas, and on prairie balds. White rock larkspur OR-E Only 17 known occurrences in Oregon (OSU, 2008). Historically Delphinium OCS occurred in upland prairies. Due to habitat loss, species is found in leucophaeum WA-E remnant habitat patches, along dry roadsides, dry roadside ditches, open fields, dry hillsides, meadow and grassland. Also, some occurrences on the edge of oak woodlands. Invertebrates Haddock’s F-SOC Requires cool, clear streams with coarse sediment and little silt. Waterbody crossings would temporary disturb Oregon LNG would use HDD to cross rhyacophilan OCS substrate and cause turbidity that could inhibit certain waterbodies, which would avoid caddisfly the growth and survival of aquatic insects. disturbance to aquatic insects. Rhyacophila Following construction, stream substrate is Compliance with Oregon LNG’s Plan and haddocki expected to return to preconstruction conditions. Procedures would limit turbidity during open cut waterbody crossings. Roth’s blind ground F-SOC Requires cool, moist, closed-canopy conifer forests with deep, well- Pipeline construction in conifer forests may Oregon LNG selected a pipeline route to beetle OCS drained soils. Lives within soil but requires coarse woody debris for result in the loss of ground dwelling insects. avoid intact forest habitats to the extent Pterostichus rothi refugia. possible. Cleared areas would be replanted to prevent non-native colonization. Where possible, downed woody debris would be left when clearing right-of-way. Willamette floater OCS Occurs in lakes, slow-moving rivers, streams and sloughs. In-water excavation and dewatering associated Oregon LNG would use HDD to cross (freshwater mussel) WA-SC Substrate is either mud or sand. Uses waters with low gradient, with waterbody crossings could result in the loss certain waterbodies, which would avoid Anodonta especially waterways in coastal areas. As with most mussels, this of freshwater mussels if they are present in the impact on freshwater mussels. At open cut wahlametensis species requires specific species of native fish to fulfill portions of its substrate. crossings, Oregon LNG would salvage larval life history. Following construction, stream substrate is aquatic species present in dewatered area, expected to return to preconstruction conditions. which includes freshwater mussels. H-1 Table H-1 Other Special Status Species for Oregon LNG Project Species a Status b Habitat Impacts Mitigation Fish Pacific lamprey F-SOC Feed and grow in the ocean, then return to freshwater rivers for In-water excavation and dewatering associated Oregon LNG would use HDD to cross Entosphenus OR-SV spawning and early development. Requires fine gravel beds for with waterbody crossings could result in the loss certain waterbodies, which would also tridentatus OCS spawning and cool clean water for development within river systems. of lamprey if they are present in the substrate. benefit lamprey. At open cut crossings, Following construction stream substrate is Oregon LNG would salvage aquatic expected to return to preconstruction conditions. species present in dewatered area, which includes lamprey – to the extent feasible. Compensatory mitigation for the Youngs Bay estuarine enhancements and fish barrier removal would benefit Pacific lamprey. River lamprey F-SOC Riffle and side channel habitats are important for spawning and for Waterbody crossings in Cowlitz County may At open cut crossings, Oregon LNG would Lampetra ayresii WA-C ammocoete rearing. Lamprey ammocoetes colonize areas with soft support river lamprey. In-water excavation and salvage aquatic species present in substrate and good water quality. Adults feed in nearshore marine dewatering associated with waterbody crossings dewatered area, which includes lamprey – and estuarine habitat. could result in the loss of ammocoetes buried in to the extent feasible. the sediment. Following construction stream substrate is expected to return to preconstruction conditions. Coastal cutthroat F-SOC Utilize a wide variety of habitat types during their complex life cycle. Coastal cutthroat are documented as occurring Oregon LNG would cross certain Oncorhynchus clarki OR-SV Spawn in small tributary streams and utilize slow flowing backwater in 10 streams to be crossed by the project, waterbodies using HDD which would avoid clarki areas, low velocity pools, and side channels for rearing of young. although their presence is assumed in all other impacts on coastal cutthroat. At open cut Large woody debris, instream structures and vegetation are fish bearing streams that would be crossed. crossings, Oregon LNG would salvage fish important for protection while in freshwater. Clean gravel is needed Waterbody crossings would temporarily displace present in dewatered area. for spawning and rearing. cutthroat due to inwater work and increased Compensatory mitigation for the Youngs turbidity. Direct mortality may occur if fish are Bay estuarine enhancements and fish trapped in the dewatered area at open cut barrier removal would benefit Coastal crossings. cutthroat. Erosion control measures would minimize turbidity during construction. Amphibians and Reptiles Western toad WA-C Found in a variety of habitats, including slow moving rivers and Waterbody and wetland crossings could The pipeline route would avoid Bufo boreas streams; wetlands; near ponds and lakes; and in woodlands, temporarily displace or result in the mortality of waterbodies and wetlands to the extent grasslands and forests. Elevation range extends from sea level to toads and frogs. possible. In particular, the route would above the tree-line. Main factor for selecting habitat is proximity to Following construction stream and riparian avoid wetlands with standing water water for breeding. Requires sun exposed shallows with little to no habitat is expected to return to preconstruction preferred by amphibians. vegetation for egg laying and tadpole rearing habitat. Unlikely to conditions. Oregon LNG would cross certain occur in project area. waterbodies using HDD which would avoid Coastal tailed frog OR-SV Limited to cold, clear, fast-flowing streams that contain water year impacts on amphibians. Ascaphus truei OCS round; typically in conifer forests, but some populations have been At open cut crossings, Oregon LNG would found in non-forested streams. Adults require small boulders in the salvage aquatic species, including stream channel for egg laying. Larvae require moss free rocks, amphibians, from the dewater area. which they attach themselves to in well-oxygenated stream sections. Whenever possible, downed logs would be H-2 Table H-1 Other Special Status Species for Oregon LNG Project Species a Status b Habitat Impacts Mitigation Red-legged frog OCS Undisturbed, continuously watered streams with shallow pools and left or moved to the corridor/forest edge. Rana aurora OR-SV emergent vegetation. Also found in marshes, wet meadows and Erosion control measures would minimize occasionally ponds and ephemeral pools. Selects sites that provide turbidity during construction. access to forested areas. Foothill yellow- F-SOC Found in permanently watered, slow-flowing streams and legged frog OCS backwaters and in coniferous and deciduous forests and woodlands. Rana boylii OR-SC Streams typically have rocky substrate, sloping banks and OR-SV vegetation on the stream bank. Columbia torrent OR-SV Range extends from the Chehalis River in Grays Harbor County, Construction in or near waterbodies and Oregon LNG would cross certain salamander OCS Washington, south to the Little Nestucca River, in Tillamook County, wetlands could result in the temporary waterbodies using HDD which would avoid Rhyacotriton kezeri Oregon. Both adults and larvae live beneath or close to moss- displacement or loss of salamanders. impacts on amphibians. covered rocks. Found in streams that are perennial,