BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION FOR PLANTS,

BOTANY REPORT, AND WEED RISK ASSESSMENT

FOR

OAK GLEN/BANNING HAZARDOUS FUELS REDUCTION PROJECT

Front Country Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest

Prepared by: __/s/ Debra Nelson______April 9, 2010 Debra Nelson, District Botanist Date

Contact Person: Debra Nelson Phone: (909) 382-2858 e-mail: [email protected]

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SUMMARY

The Oak Glen/Banning Hazardous Fuels Project involves creating and/or maintaining fuelbreaks to reduce wildfire risk to the communities of Oak Glen, Banning, Yucaipa, Forest Falls and Mountain Home Village in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, California. The purpose of this document is to evaluate the Oak Glen/Banning Community Protection Project in sufficient detail to determine its effects on Endangered, Threatened, Proposed, Sensitive, or other plant species of interest such as Management Indicator Species (MIS) as identified in the San Bernardino National Forest (SBNF) Land Management Plan (LMP). This report is prepared in accordance with the legal requirements set forth under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act [19 U.S.C. 1536 (c)], and follows the standards established in the Forest Service Manual direction (FSM 2672.42).

DETERMINATION OF EFFECTS – SUMMARY

No Federally threatened or endangered plant species are known from within the project area. No designated or proposed critical habitat for T/E plants is present within the Project Area. No candidate species are known nor expected in the Project area. Modeled habitat for six endangered species, Berberis nevinii (E), Dodecahema leptoceras (E), Poa atropurpurea (E), Sidalcea pedata (E), Taraxacum californicum (E), and Thelypodium stenopetalum (E) has been mapped within the project area, however no suitable or occupied habitat was found during field surveys of the proposed activity areas. Therefore, the determination of effects for T/E species is: No Effect. Section 7 Endangered Species Act Consultation with USFWS is not required.

Threatened or endangered plant species: It is my determination that implementation of the proposed action as described will not affect any threatened or endangered plant species. Section 7 Endangered Species Act Consultation with USFWS is not required.

Critical habitat, candidate plant species, and proposed critical habitat: It is my determination that implementation of the proposed action as described will not affect designated critical habitat proposed species or proposed critical habitat as none are present in the project area. Endangered Species Act Section 7 Conferencing with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is not required.

Forest Service sensitive plant species: It is my determination that implementation of the proposed action as described may affect individuals, but is not likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability of any sensitive plant species.

Forest Service Watch list plants: Implementation of the proposed project may have some short- term impacts to watch list species however the project will not interfere with maintaining viable populations well distributed across the forest (36 CFR 219.19).

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Contents SUMMARY ...... 2 DETERMINATION OF EFFECTS – SUMMARY ...... 2 PART I – INTRODUCTION ...... 5 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 5 2.0 METHODS ...... 5 2.1 Species Considered and Species Accounts ...... 5 2.2 Pre-field Reviews ...... 5 2.3 Botanical Methods and Surveys...... 6 3.0 CURRENT MANAGEMENT DIRECTION ...... 7 4.0 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION ...... 7 4.1 Best Management Practices: ...... 11 4.2 Resources Design Criteria: ...... 13 5.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS ...... 22 5.1 Project Area Description ...... 22 6.0 CONNECTED ACTIONS Past, Current, and Reasonably Foreseeable Events Relevant to Cumulative Effects Analysis...... 23 7.0 EFFECTS OF NO ACTION ...... 25 PART II – BOTANY REPORT ...... 26 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 26 2.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT AND EFFECTS – GENERAL ...... 26 2.1 General Project Impacts to Plants ...... 26 3.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT AND EFFECTS - WATCH LIST SPECIES ...... 29 3.1 Watch List Plants ...... 29 PART III: BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF EFFECTS - FOREST SERVICE SENSITIVE SPECIES ...... 32 1.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT AND EFFECTS FOR SENSITVE SPECIES ...... 32 1.2 Sensitive Plants -General ...... 33 1.3 Sensitive plants by species ...... 33 2.0 SUMMARY OF DETERMINATION OF EFFECTS FOR FS SENSITIVE SPECIES .... 41 PART IV: BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS TO THREATENED, ENDANGERED, PROPOSED, AND CANDIDATE SPECIES -PLANTS...... 41 1.0 CONSULTATION TO DATE ...... 41 1.1 Species list ...... 41 1.2 Modeled habitat ...... 41 2.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT AND EFFECTS - THREATENED, ENDANGERED, PROPOSED, AND CANDIDATE SPECIES...... 41 3.0 DETERMINATION OF EFFECTS FOR TEPC SPECIES ...... 47 PART V: MANAGEMENT INDICATOR SPECIES ...... 47 1.0. INTRODUCTION ...... 47 2.0. MIS SELECTED FOR PROJECT ANALYSIS ...... 47 3.0. MIS ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE AND EFFECTS ANALYSIS ...... 47 6.0 SUMMARY ...... 52

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PART VI: INVASIVE WEEDS RISK ASSESSMENT ...... 52 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 52 2.0 MANAGEMENT DIRECTION ...... 53 3.0 METHODS ...... 53 4.0 SURVEY RESULTS AND RISK ASSESSMENT ...... 56 4.1 Weeds that pose severe to moderate risks ...... 56 4.2 Risk Assessment for Soil Disturbance Impacts ...... 58 4.3 Risk of Transporting New Infestations into Project Area ...... 58 APPENDIX A: THREATENED, ENDANGERED, PROPOSED, SENSITIVE, and WATCHLIST PLANTS on the SAN BERNARDINO N.F...... 59 APPENDIX B: MANAGEMENT DIRECTION AND LEGAL REQUIREMENTS ...... 64 1.0. JURISDICTIONS ...... 64 2.0 FEDERAL LAWS ...... 65 3.0 AGENCY DIRECTION ...... 66 4.0 SAN BERNARDINO NATIONAL FOREST POLICY, DIRECTION, LEGAL OBLIGATIONS ...... 67 5.0 CALIFORNIA STATE LAWS ...... 76 REFERENCES ...... 78

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PART I – INTRODUCTION

1.0 INTRODUCTION This document serves as a Biological Evaluation (BE) of impacts to Region 5 sensitive species and San Bernardino National Forest (SBNF) Sensitive (S) species. It also serves as a Biological Assessment (BA) of impacts to federally-listed threatened (T), endangered (E), proposed (P), and candidate (C) plant species. In addition, this document serves as a Botany Report to assess potential impacts to Watch List (W) plants, Management Indicator Species (MIS) plants, and potential impact of invasive weeds.

This document has six parts: Part 1 is an introduction with the project description, methods, management direction, and description of the project area. Part II is a Botany Report that documents the occurrences of species that are on the San Bernardino National Forest’s Watch (W) list of plants and also discusses general impacts to plants in the project area. Part III is a Biological Evaluation (BE) of impacts to species that are on the Regional Forester’s Sensitive (S) species list. Part IV is a Biological Assessment (BA) of impacts to federally-listed threatened (T), endangered (E), proposed (P), and candidate (C) plant species. Part V addresses Management Indicator Species (MIS) plants that were designated in the 2006 Forest Plan. Part VI is an Invasive Weeds Risk Assessment.

These reports are required for all Forest Service funded, executed, authorized, or permitted programs and activities.

2.0 METHODS Data regarding biological resources on the project area and proposed action area were obtained through review of existing records and field investigations. The project area is defined as the immediate area directly affected by treatments and activities associated with the treatments. The proposed action area is defined as all areas affected directly or indirectly by the Federal action and not merely the immediate area involved in the action (50 CFR 402.02).

2.1 Species Considered and Species Accounts Appendix A contains a list of current SBNF TEPCSW plant species: These species were considered during the surveys and analysis of potential effects; only those species with known occurrences or a high likelihood of occurrence within the project areas are discussed in depth in this analysis. Each section contains the current list of special status species being considered during the surveys and in the analysis of potential effects. Species accounts for the current SBNF Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, Candidate, Sensitive and Watch (TEPCSW) lists are contained in the 2005 Forest Plan (USDA Forest Service, 2005). 2.2 Pre-field Reviews

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A pre-field review was conducted to determine which Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, Candidate, FS Sensitive and Watch list (TEPCSW) species are known from the project area or have the potential to occur because suitable habitat is present. Data regarding biological resources within the project area were obtained through literature and database review, existing reports, and field investigations. The California Department of Fish and Game’s (CDFG) California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB 2005), United States Forest Service records and GIS layers, the California Native Plant Society (CNPS 2001), and past field visits in the project area including the data collected for the Oak Glen/Banning fireshed analysis conducted in 2005,(in the vicinity of Oak Glen, and adjacent areas of Yucaipa, Cherry Valley, Banning, Forest Falls, Mountain Home Village and Angelus Oaks), were used to develop the list of species of concern for this project.

All Threatened, Endangered, Sensitive, and Watch list (TESW) or other species of interest listed for the SBNF were considered during this review. There are currently no Proposed or Candidate plant species known on the SBNF. SBNF Modeled habitat layers for Threatened and Endangered plant species within the project area were also considered. The objective of this review was to determine if suitable habitats were present, and if further surveys would be required. Surveys are not required for species for which suitable habitat is not present, and for which the project area is outside of the currently known range of the species. The list of Species of Concern for field surveys was developed from this review.

2.3 Botanical Methods and Surveys

All areas proposed for ground disturbing activities (proposed action areas) were evaluated for the presence of TESW habitat, and field surveys were conducted where habitat is present. Surveys were intuitive traversing proposed activity areas searching for the specific habitats for the species of concern. A qualified botanist familiar with the identification of the target species and their habitats conducted the surveys. Documentation included traversed routes marked on topographic maps. For all surveys, forms were completed which included the location of the unit, date of survey, other habitat information, and a list of associated species. Project surveys and populations of species of concern, if located, were documented on survey and site report forms.

All plant species encountered during the field surveys were identified and recorded following the guidelines adopted by CNPS (2001) and CDFG (2002). Scientific nomenclature and common names used in this report follow Hickman (1993). Field surveys within the project area were conducted by Forest Service botanists: in May, June, and August of 2004. Surveys of the area were also conducted as part of the Oak Glen/Banning Fireshed Assessment in April, May, and July of 2005. Additional surveys were done by Forest Service botanists in April and August of 2006 in proposed treatment areas not surveyed in the aforementioned efforts. The project area is defined as the immediate area directly affected by treatments and activities associated with the treatments.

Field surveys of the project area were conducted by Forest Service TEAMS botanists: Medea Westcott, Sarah Levy, Christine West, Nancy Barnette, Jim Dilley, Nancy Kelly, Brian Robninson, and/or Ken Neeley on May 20, 21, 22, 23; June 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 26, 27, 28; August 10, 11, 2004. The Oak Glenn/Banning Fireshed Assessment surveys were conducted by Nancy Barnett, Medea Westcott, Sara Leve Christine West, Julie Laufman, April 29, 30, 2005; May 1, 25, 26; June 6

5, 14, 16, 17; July 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 2005. Follow-up surveys were conducted by SBNF botanists: Kerry Myers, Katie VinZant, Chris Wagner, Chelsea Vollmer on April 12, 13, 20; August 21, 22, 2006. The reported presence of yellow starthistle in Water Canyon area was field checked and verified by the SBNF Front Country district botanist in November 2009.

The botanical surveys were performed during the time of year that most species would be detectable.

No specific vegetation mapping was done in association with this project. However, vegetation association mapping for the SBNF was developed by Janet Franklin and associates using the CALVEG series-level classification system (USDA Forest Service 1981).

3.0 CURRENT MANAGEMENT DIRECTION Applicable requirements and direction may be found in the Endangered Species Act, National Forest Management Act, Department of Agriculture 9500-4 Regulations, Forest Service Manual, the San Bernardino National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) of 2005, and the Southern California Conservation Strategy. Other federal agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) may regulate impacts to certain habitats and species associated with the Project Area. Appendix B contains details of legal requirements and management direction that are applicable to this project.

4.0 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION

In the proposed action, mechanical treatments and prescribed burning are proposed to create and maintain a system of fuelbreaks to meet the purpose and need for action and to move treated areas toward desired conditions. Proposed actions would begin in 2010 with all fuelbreaks constructed within 3 to 5 years. Long-term fuelbreak maintenance would be implemented (as described in more detail below) for up to 20 years (through 2030). Approximately 511 acres of treatments are proposed within the project area (Figure 1). Table 1 summarizes project design criteria that would apply to the project.

Existing fuelbreaks initiated in the 1970’s would be re-treated and maintained, and one new fuelbreak along Yucaipa Ridge would be created and maintained. Fuelbreaks would generally be 150 to 300 feet wide, but would vary in width according to guidance provided in the SBNF Land Management Plan as needed to achieve objectives. This proposed system of fuelbreaks would complement on-going and planned fuelbreak creation on non-Forest Service lands in the project area.

Tree Thinning and Dead Fuels Removal Proposed cutting methods for live and dead trees larger than 6 inches in diameter would vary by area, and would primarily be by hand cutting with chainsaws or mechanical methods (such as use of a feller-buncher or other similar equipment) depending on slope, terrain, and access. Proposed cutting methods for trees smaller than 6 inches in diameter would vary by area, and would primarily be by hand cutting with chainsaws, or by mastication using a track-mounted masticator.

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The use of explosives for felling of individual trees may also be used in very limited situations where hand cutting would not be feasible based on the safety of the faller (such as rot in upper trunks and rotted overhanging branches). This would be used strictly for safety reasons if use of more conventional removal methods would place the faller in danger based on the structural integrity of the dead tree (known as a ―widow- maker‖). Trees killed in 2002 from the bark beetle outbreak have started to decompose with major limbs falling apart. Stem sections are likely to be dislodged from the standing dead tree when being cut. Current dead tree conditions pose a direct hazard to people working, walking, or traveling through such areas. Only trees in such conditions would be felled using explosives.

Trees would be thinned from below, favoring larger trees over smaller ones. Trees retained would be selected based on size, condition (free from disease and insects), and species. All trees retained within the fuelbreak would be pruned. Larger trees would be limbed to create a minimum 10-foot-high, branch-free clearance. Smaller trees would be pruned to no more than 30 percent of their height. All dead trees would be cut and removed, unless specific wildlife needs are identified. All slash generated from pruning would be removed or scattered.

During thinning, conifer species would be retained in the following descending order of preference: bigcone Douglas-fir, single-leaf pinyon pine, black oak, lodgepole pine, sugar pine, ponderosa pine or Jeffrey pine, Coulter pine, incense cedar, white fir and live oak. All shrubs within 30 feet of the tree’s drip line would be cut and removed. Whole tree yarding (removing whole trees, or bucked segments of large trees with limbs and tops attached) would be used.

Woody Biomass Removal Proposed removal methods of woody biomass from cut live and dead trees and brush greater than 6 inches in diameter would also vary by area. In many areas mechanical methods (using ground-based skidders or other similar equipment) would be used. All activities, including ground-based equipment use, would be guided by specific design features integral to the project.

In areas along Yucaipa Ridge, where there is limited access for ground-based equipment, a helicopter would be the primary means of cut tree removal. In remote areas where helicopter yarding is needed, cut trees with tops and limbs attached would be lifted off site, dropped into nearby areas, and scattered across the landscape, but avoiding riparian areas. In areas accessible by ground-based equipment, cut trees would be mechanically removed (using a feller-buncher or similar equipment) and transported to landings using ground-based equipment (using a skidder or similar equipment). When feasible, larger trees would be made available for commercial firewood or log deck sales.

Where a masticator is not used to reduce vegetation, disposal methods for slash (pruned limbs, branches, and cut shrubs) and cut trees less than 6 inches in diameter would include any one, or combination, of the following methods depending on slope, terrain, and access: (1) lopping and scattering within the fuelbreak or just outside the fuelbreak; (2) hand piling or machine piling and burning; (3) chipping and scattering onsite, or hauling chips off site; or (4) piling with helicopter removal, and dropping in nearby areas outside of the fuelbreaks. These methods are listed for individual areas in the prescriptions discussed below.

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Chaparral Areas In new and existing fuelbreaks located within chaparral-dominated areas, mastication and hand cutting followed by chipping would be the primary methods of fuel reduction. All shrubs within the fuelbreak would be cut, unless needed to meet other resource criteria. Where shrubs are left, they would remain in clumps of various shapes and sizes scattered near the edges of the fuelbreak.

Long-term Maintenance Fuelbreaks would be maintained over the long term to ensure continued effectiveness. Fuelbreaks would be monitored every 5 years. If monitoring indicates that re-treatment is necessary, it would be performed within the fuelbreak only by any one or combination of methods that were used in that area during the initial treatment (see prescriptions below), with the addition of broadcast /understory burning. These methods include hand crews with chainsaws and chippers; hand and machine piling and burning; lopping and scattering; mastication; thinning using equipment such as feller bunchers and skidders; and use of explosives in certain situations for individual tree removal. If prescribed burning is used it would be limited to Areas B – F as described below and would only be used within the footprint of the fuelbreak. Control lines would be established by hand.

Prescriptions The descriptions provided below correspond to color-coded areas on Figure 1 and provide detailed prescriptions for how the above treatment types would be implemented.

Area A: Thin and prune conifers and hardwoods; remove trees by helicopter (mechanical removal would be used in limited areas where feasible); cut or masticate shrubs; lop and scatter slash or remove slash by helicopter (134 acres).

Trees would be thinned by hand or by machine. Mechanical felling would be used in some areas where feasible. Remaining leave trees would be pruned. Trees greater than 6 inches in diameter (DBH or diameter at breast height) would be transported by helicopter with tops and limbs attached from the fuelbreak area and distributed across the landscape away from the fuelbreak. Pruned limbs, cut trees remaining on the site, and cut shrubs would be masticated where feasible, lopped and scattered where feasible, or hand piled and removed by helicopter and distributed across the landscape away from the fuelbreak. A feller buncher may be used to pre-bunch small diameter cut trees where feasible. Where mastication is used, designated cut trees less than 6 inches DBH and shrubs may be masticated without felling.

Area B: Thin and prune hardwoods; cut shrubs; hand pile and burn (10 acres).

Hardwoods, and incidental conifers, would be thinned by hand to reduce fire risk. Remaining trees would be pruned. Where feasible, larger-diameter cut trees would be made available to the public for fuel wood. Pruned limbs, cut trees, and cut shrubs would be piled by hand and burned.

Area C: Thin and prune conifers and hardwoods; mechanically remove trees; cut shrubs; hand pile and burn (24 acres).

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Trees would be thinned by hand or by machine. Remaining leave trees would be pruned. Trees greater than 6 inches DBH would be cut by hand and transported by ground-based equipment with their tops and limbs attached to landings for removal and utilization. Pruned limbs, cut trees remaining on the site, and cut shrubs would be piled by hand and burned, or where feasible, may be chipped and the chips distributed over the treated area. In unit 43, on Yucaipa Ridge, a helicopter could be used to transport cut trees greater than six inches dbh, as proposed for Area A.

Area D: Thin and prune conifers and hardwoods; mechanically remove trees; masticate (20 acres). Trees would be thinned by hand or by machine. Remaining trees would be pruned. Cut trees over 6 inches in diameter would be transported with tops and limbs attached to landings by ground-based equipment. Trees greater than 6 inches DBH would be transported to landings for removal and utilization. Pruned limbs, cut trees remaining on the site, and shrubs would be masticated. A helicopter may be used to transport cut trees greater than 6 inches in diameter, as proposed for Area A.

Area E: Cut shrubs; prune conifers and hardwoods; hand pile and burn (205 acres). Trees would be pruned. Shrubs would be cut by hand. Pruned limbs and cut shrubs would be piled by hand and burned.

Area F: Masticate shrubs; prune conifers and hardwoods (118 acres). Trees in the area would be pruned. Shrubs and pruned branches would be masticated.

Transportation, Access, and Landings Existing National Forest System (NFS) roads, unclassified roads and private roads would be used to safely and efficiently implement proposed fuelbreak operations. Road maintenance or improvement would be needed on approximately 27 miles of NFS roads and private roads to provide access for fuel removal and treatment equipment. Many existing NFS roads that are currently gate-closed would be opened, improved if needed, used for project activities, and then closed after operations are complete. Road maintenance would include minor earth work (cut and fill slope reshaping), prism or surface reshaping, installing or reshaping drain dips and cross drains, cross drain culvert replacement, catch basin reshaping, roadside brushing, gravel spot- surfacing, seeding, blading, ditch cleaning, culvert cleaning, and dust abatement. Drainage features would be maintained during operations and restored or improved when operations are complete. Project design features have been developed to guide road maintenance and road closure actions to ensure resource effects are minimized.

Because access to the project area is primarily through private land, several right of way agreements with private land owners would be necessary to use and maintain these roads before and during project implementation. These primarily include access on Roads 1S09, 2S04, 2S06, 2S25, and 1S22.

No temporary roads would be needed to implement the project and there would be no change in road density or travel management as a result of this project. However, approximately 3 miles of skid trails would be needed to skid cut trees to landings in four areas and approximately six 10 landings would be needed for ground-based fuel removal in four areas. All skid trails and landings would be closed and reclaimed following use.

Helicopter yarding would be used in areas that are inaccessible from existing roads or on terrain not suitable or economical for access by ground-based equipment. Average yarding distance where helicopters would be used to pick up cut trees and/or slash and drop and scatter it into adjacent areas would be approximately 700 feet. To facilitate helicopter access to remote areas along Yucaipa Ridge, up to 3-5 previously-used helicopter landings in the Forest Falls area, outside of the project area and along existing roads, would be used.

Figure 1. Treatment prescriptions.

4.1 Best Management Practices:

Best Management Practices (BMPs) are certified by the California State Water Resource Control Board and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, in compliance with section 208 of the Clean Water Act (PL-500). By implementing water quality standards described below adverse direct or indirect effects to water quality and downstream beneficial uses would be minimized. Many of these are also incorporated into project design criteria that are discussed in more detail below and listed in Table 1. • Practice 1.8. A Riparian Conservation Area (RCA) is designated along riparian areas to minimize adverse effects.

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• Practice 1.9. Determining Tractor Loggable Ground. Consider site characteristics such as slope/soil. • Practice 1.10. Tractor Skidding Design. Skid trail system design would avoid using water drainage features and routes, such as swales. Other methods include end-lining felled trees, and falling to lead. • Practice 1.11. Suspended Log Yarding in Timber Harvesting. Consider site characteristics such as slope and soil. • Practice 1.12. Log Landing Location. Locate landings to avoid watershed impacts. • Practice 1.14. Special Erosion Prevention Measures. Ground disturbed within 100-foot RCAs, should be treated with slash, mulch or chips. • Practice 1.16. Log Landing Erosion Control. Landings are ditched as necessary for drainage and water dispersion, and should have cover added—chipping or mulch. Sub-soiling or any deep tilling are to be avoided, particularly in deeper, loamy soils or those with at least seasonally high water table. • Practice 1.17. Erosion Control on Skid Trails. This practice requires the installation of erosion control features on skid trails such as cross ditches. • Practice 1.18. Meadow Protection During Timber Harvesting. These environments are identified by the IDT during scoping and onsite evaluation. • Practice 1.19. Stream course and Aquatic Protection.Stream courses were identified during project design and would be protected during implementation. • Practice 2.12. Servicing and Refueling of Equipment. Select service and refueling areas well away from wet areas and surface flow. • Practice 5.2. Slope Limitations for Mechanical Equipment Operations. This measure facilitates water drainage by limiting operation to gradients where features such as water bars can be effectively installed. Tractor operation limitations for the San Bernardino NF are on slopes less than 35% gradient (LMP, p.27). Given the erosive nature of soil map units in the project area, any length pitch above this limit would be avoided if possible. • Practice 5.3. Tractor Operation Limitations in Wetlands and Meadows. These areas are excluded from equipment use. • Practice 5.4. Revegetation of Surface Disturbed Areas. This practice is intended to protect water quality by minimizing erosion through stabilizing influence of vegetation foliage and root network. • Practice 5.5. Disposal of Organic Debris. This practice is intended to prevent gully and surface erosion with associated reduction id sediment production and turbidity during and after treatment. • Practice 5.6. Soil Moisture Limitations for Mechanical Equipment Operations. This practice is intended to reduce soil erosion by limiting equipment operation during wet soil conditions. • Practice 6.2. Factors that influence fire intensity, and therefore directly affect resultant ground cover, and formation of water-repellant layers must be considered when designing fire prescriptions • Practice 6.3. Soil productivity and water quality is maintained by minimizing erosion on hill slopes, and delivery of ash, sediment, nutrients and debris to stream channels. 12

Table 1 includes design features and monitoring that would be implemented to avoid, minimize, or eliminate adverse impacts that might result from implementation of the proposed action. Together with BMPs, these design features are integral to, and are considered part of, the proposed action.

4.2 Resources Design Criteria:

Table1. Project Design Features: Alternative 1 – Proposed Action Design Feature Design Features Soil & Water 1. Where chipping occurs, chipped debris would not exceed two inches in depth or cover more than 75% of treated area. 2. Skid trails, mastication trails, landings and any roads re-opened for project use would be closed and restored upon project completion. Closure and restoration methods may include one or more of the following: re-contouring, restoring drainage with waterbarring, slash placement and/or barriers to continued access (gates, fencing, rocks, logs, berms, boulders, or other materials) to prevent unauthorized off-highway vehicle use. Compacted soils would be ripped or scarified, and re-contoured where needed; methods used would be developed in consultation with appropriate resource specialists (including earth and biologist scientists). Disturbed areas would be seeded or covered with slash, pine needles, stock piled duff or cut brush or chips after operations are complete, where needed, and in a manner that would not compromise the integrity of the fuelbreak. Appropriate resource specialists (e.g. earth and biological scientists) would be consulted on best methods for reclamation and the seed mix would be reviewed by a district or Forest botanist. 3. Ground-based equipment would be restricted primarily to slopes of 35% or less. There could be small area inclusions (generally less than 200 feet slope distance, depending on site specific conditions) of up to 50% slope in some ground based operation units. On the steeper slope areas, logs or whole trees could be skidded by directional felling and winching while the tractor or skidder operates on the ground with less than 35 % slope ground adjacent to the steeper areas, or from existing trails or roads. 4. Ground-based skidding equipment would be restricted to designated skid trails that would be spaced approximately 100 feet apart, except where converging at junctions or at landings and heavy equipment travel would be limited to two passes or less off of designated skid trails. Locations of designated skid trails would be reviewed by the District or Forest Botanist to avoid negatively impacting known locations of TESP plant species. 5. To protect soil and water resources, grapple piling and machine fireline construction would be restricted to 35% slopes or less with small inclusions of steeper areas, as detailed in #3 and #8. Hand piling and hand fireline construction would be done on slopes that are over 35%. 6. In order to reduce soil disturbance and erosion to steeper slopes, machine mastication for hazard fuel reduction would be restricted to 35% slopes, or less, except for small inclusions of steeper areas of up to 50 %, as detailed in #3, #8 and #7. These small inclusions would generally be less than 200 feet slope distance, but actual distance would depend on site-specific conditions. 7. Where mechanical slash piling is used, the methods used would aim to maintain soil quality standards (i.e. grappling instead of brush raking). 8. If there is a 30% chance of precipitation according to the National Weather Service the day before use of heavy machinery in the project area and the contract administrator (or contracting officer’s representative) determines it is necessary, all skid trails in use would be water barred. Operations during wet (saturated soil) conditions (as defined in the Forest Plan) would be prohibited. During all other times, utilize erosion control measures (such as but not limited to silt fences, certified weed-free straw wattles, straw bales, etc.) where appropriate to prevent sediment delivery to nearby watercourses. 13

Design Feature 9. All necessary permits would be obtained during contract preparation from the applicable State Water Quality Control Board prior to fuel treatment operations. 10. Where existing conditions permit, maintain or increase ground cover to 50 to 70 percent through chips or other slash. Riparian Areas 1. Riparian Conservation Areas (RCAs) would be designated prior to project implementation. Where a proposed fuelbreak segment crosses a drainage, an RCA would be delineated and the five-step project screening process would be applied (Forest Plan, S-47, Part 3, p. 11) to all proposed actions prior to implementation. RCAs would be 100 meters (328 feet) on perennial streams and 30 meters (98 feet) on intermittent streams, measured as the slope distance from either bank of the channel. Other special aquatic features, such as wetlands, seeps, and springs would also have 100-meter RCAs. 2. No fuels treatment would occur within 100 feet of the stream channel in a designated RCA. In RCAs that are greater than 100 feet in width (perennial streams, wetlands, seeps and springs), fuels treatment outside of this no-treatment buffer would be by hand only and no ground-based equipment would be used (see #6 below). 3. Landings would generally not occur in a designated RCA. However, exceptions may be needed in limited situations, determined through coordination with appropriate resource specialists and approval by the line officer/contracting officer. If a landing cannot be located outside of a RCA due to topography, they would be located where there is existing disturbance (instead of constructing a new one) (FSH 2509.22 supp_San Bernadino version). 4. Channel/riparian crossings for equipment in RCAs would only occur when necessary. Crossing locations would be evaluated in coordination with appropriate resource specialists (including earth and biologist scientists), would avoid suitable habitat for threatened and endangered wildlife species, and would be approved by the line officer and contracting officer. Equipment crossings would be perpendicular to the stream channel and engineered to limit damage to streambeds and riparian zones and would only occur on intermittent and ephemeral channels. 5. Skid trails would generally not be constructed within a designated RCA. However, exceptions may be needed in limited situations, determined through coordination with appropriate resource specialists and approval by the line officer/contracting officer prior to implementation. Equipment-crossing locations for skidding operations would be designated on intermittent RCAs only prior to implementation (FSH 2509.22 supp_San Bernadino version). 6. Ground-based equipment would generally not be used in a designated RCA. However, exceptions may be needed in limited situations, determined through coordination with appropriate resource specialists and approval by the line officer/contracting officer. 7. No fuels treatment or removal of riparian vegetation would occur within the inner gorge of those RCAs that have this feature (as defined by adjacent stream slopes greater than 70% gradient (Forest Plan, Appendix E and FSH 2509.22 supp_San Bernadino version ), except to remove hazards to workers per Occupational Safety and Health Act requirements. Any exceptions would be evaluted by appropriate resource specialists (including earth and biologist scientists) and approved by the line officer and the contracting officer or contracting officer’s representative. 8. Riparian plant species would not be removed as part of this project, unless they pose a hazard to workers per Occupational Safety and Health Act requirements. A list of typical riparian tree and shrub species would be provided to the contractor. 9. Directional felling would be used in meadows to minimize erosion and vegetation damage resulting from yarding fuels materials. Trees cut would be left on site, if this would meet project objectives. No heavy equipment would be used in meadows (FSH 2509.22 supp_San Bernadino version). RCA width for meadows and protection measures would be determined prior to implementation, in consultation with appropriate resource specialists, including a biologist . 10. Burn piles would not be placed within 100 feet of any stream channel. 11. Refueling of equipment and storage of fuel and other hazardous materials would not occur within RCAs. All refueling and equipment maintenance locations would be approved by the line officer/contracting officer prior to use. Storage of any quantity of fuel greater than 100 gallons would require a California Engineer Spill Plan. Contractors would be required to check equipment daily and repair leaks before continuing work. 12. Existing snags and downed logs would be retained within RCAs to the extent possible. 14

Design Feature Exceptions could be those trees felled for this project and riparian species, snags and logs that are identified as a threat to life, property, or sustainability of the RCA (Forest Plan, Part 3, S15, p. 6). In RCAs, all snags and downed logs would remain in WUI threat zones. In WUI defense zones, downed woody debris would be retained at 5 tons/acre or less within the first 100 feet from roads and private property boundaries and between 5 to 20 tons/acre in the remaining WUI defense zones, which overlap with the RCA. Fuel removal in the first 100 feet of WUI defense zones where they overlap with RCAs would be coordinated with an earth scientist and COR/CO to maximize watershed function after fuels reduction activities. 13. To minimize disturbance to stream channels, directional felling used outside of the 100-foot no treatment buffer would be away from perennial and intermittent channels unless infeasible due to tree characteristic (leaning, avoidance of other trees, etc.). However, exceptions may be needed in limited situations, determined through coordination with appropriate resource specialists and approval by the line officer/contracting officer. If a tree is felled into an intermittent or perennial stream channel, it would remain (to provide stream stability and wildlife habitat) unless there is the potential to cause damming or downstream damage. If removed, removal by hand would be required. Vegetation 1. In most proposed fuelbreaks, up to 90% of all shrubs would be cut to achieve project objectives. Remaining shrubs would be retained in clumps/patches of various shapes and sizes, avoiding geometric figures, to minimize impacts to visual resources and to provide wildlife habitat. Proposed fuelbreaks in chaparral-dominated areas with no overstory (particularly in areas viewed from populated areas), fuelbreak edges would be supplemented with the retention of scattered shrub clumps of 3 to 7 individual but closely associated shrubs. Total area of leave shrubs would vary from 30 to 50% in areas where distance between edges would exceed 30 feet. Less than 30 foot distance between edges would not require supplemental shrubs (see Scenery #1 and #3). 2. Hand piles would average 8 feet in diameter and 6 feet in height, would generally be spaced a minimum of 10 to 15 feet from each other, and would be located away from residual downed logs, rock outcrops, trees and shrub patches to minimize crown and bole scorch. When there are excessive amounts of slash around a live leave tree, slash would be pulled back to reduce scorch and/or mortality during pile burning. Piles would not be placed underneath tree canopies, would not be within 100 feet of a stream channel, and would avoid sensitive plant and wildlife habitat (to the extent possible); these sensitive plant and wildlife areas would either be identified within the area prior to hand piling and avoided or the district or forest botanist or their designee would be on site during piling to ensure appropriate locations are used. Burn piles would be a minimum of 25 feet from known TES plant habitat. 3. Directional felling would be required along fuelbreak boundaries, riparian areas, structures, or adjacent stands to prevent cut material from falling into these and other restricted areas. 4. To reduce the risk of spreading invasive weed seeds, all equipment would be pressure washed prior to entering National Forest System Lands. Also, equipment operating off of roads in areas infested with invasive species (particularly in the Water Canyon area with star thistle infestation) would be cleaned with compressed air, pressure washed, or hand cleaned to the extent that is feasible, and inspected prior to moving into new areas that are not infested with the same invasive species. An equipment cleaning clause would be included in the contract. 5. To reduce the risk of spreading invasive weed seeds, all seeding would be done with Forest Service approved certified weed-free seed mix. Only local seed stock, collected on site or from stock originating in the Transverse Ranges would be used. In areas that require re-seeding to prevent erosion, inhibit spread of invasive weeds, or for rehabilitation of temporary roads/landings, and/or road maintenance, all material from off-site sources (straw, mulch, etc.) would be certified weed-free (Forest Plan S-6; FS-1). Where available, mulches would be from on-site sources (e.g., chipped wood, etc.). A Forest Service botanist or biologist would approve seed mixes and planting methods prior to application. No fertilizer, compost, or topsoil from off-site would be used. Topsoil from on site would be conserved and replaced to the extent possible. However, exceptions may be needed in limited situations, determined through coordination with appropriate resource specialists 15

Design Feature (including earth and biological scientists) and approval by the line officer/contracting officer. 6. All freshly cut live or recently dead (trees with no green needles but on which the needles have not started to drop off) conifer stumps would be treated with Sporax to inhibit the spread of annosus root disease. All stump heights would be 12 inches or less in height on flat ground and no more than 4 inches in height on the uphill side. 7. Known occurrences of sensitive plant species would be flagged for avoidance, whenever possible. These areas may be buffered to prevent indirect impacts such as soil movement into the occurrences. Where flag/avoid is not possible, a botanist would work with the contract administrator or line officer to minimize impacts by avoiding as many plants as possible where total avoidance is not possible. A botanist would be present during appropriate stages of project layout and implementation to ensure flagging is in place and prescribed mitigations are implemented correctly. In areas of ongoing maintenance, all sensitive plant occurrences would be re-flagged prior to implementation of ground disturbing maintenance activities. Operations within or around the known flagged occurrences of Monardella macrantha would be conducted by hand work only, with no grubbing or disturbance of soils. Piles will not be placed in flagged areas. 8. Between April 1 and August 30, operations such as burning, thinning, yarding, and mastication would not occur in the vicinity of the 4 known large occurrences of Calochortus plummerae and within the known occurrence of Monardella macrantha on Yucaipa Ridge that lie within the footprint of fuelbreaks in the project area to allow for flowering and seed set, to the extent possible. If situations arise where this is not possible, a botanist would work with the contract administrator and line officer to minimize impacts by avoiding as much of this season as possible. Burning could occur during this season for piles outside of the Monardella macrantha and Calochortus plummerae areas. 9. Mechanical operations within known occupied Calochortus plulmmerae habitat would not churn up the soil more than 3 inches deep to avoid impacts to bulbs under the surface 10. Staging areas, landings, and skid trails would not be located in areas of known large occurrences of Calochortus plummerae or Monardella macrantha ssp. hallii. Populations would be flagged for avoidance prior to project implementation. 11. Road maintenance would occur within the existing road prism or, in areas where proposed work extends past the existing road prism (if applicable), a description of the work, extent of the work, and map would be provided prior to implementation for review by a district botanist to determine if sensitive species may be adversely impacted. Where flag/avoid is not possible, a botanist would work with the contract administrator or district project leader to minimize impacts by avoiding as many plants as possible where total avoidance is not possible. 12. When dropping logs or other slash material from helicopters (unless in an emergency situation), drop locations would be approved in advance by the line officer/contracting officer. Rare plant community habitat types including meadows, seeps and stream zones above 4000 feet, that could contain habitat for Taraxacum californicum, Poa atropurpurea, Thelypodium stenopetalum, and Lilium parryi would be avoided. 13. If cut material is made available to the public as fuelwood, additional district review would be used to ensure adverse effects from pile locations, transport methods, and public access routes and parking are minimized. Landing locations could/may be adjusted based on operator needs and as agreed to and approved by the contract administrator during implementation. 14. Bigcone Douglas-fir would not be cut unless there is some compelling reason to remove them. Compelling reasons to cut this species would include, but not be limited to: the trees are dead, dying, diseased, or pose a safety hazard, or they are seedlings and saplings that would compromise the effectiveness of the fuelbreak. 15. Where lop-and-scatter occurs, cut material would not exceed 18 inches height off ground.

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Design Feature Fire and Fuels 1. A prescribed burn plan would be developed and approved prior to initiating any burning operation. A burn plan generally includes unit description, specific prescribed burn objectives, public notification procedures, coordination with other resource agencies (i.e. Air Quality Management District), hazard analysis, contingency plans, firing procedures, risk assessment, mitigation measures, estimated fire behavior, acceptable weather variables, and prescribed burn organization. 2. Prescribed burning (pile burning) would be accomplished by applying low-intensity fire using hand-firing methods and should restrict mortality. Burning would generally be done in the winter and early spring and not in the fall, due to dry conditions and Santa Ana winds. However, if adequate moisture and other climatic conditions in the fall allow, fall burning may be used. 3. Fire control handlines would be constructed as needed to facilitate pile burning (see vegetation #3). Handlines would generally be cleared of all vegetation to mineral soil from 1 to 3 feet in width. Air Quality 1. All burning would be consistent with the provisions of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) air program rules and regulations through the permit process. A smoke management plan would be submitted to the AQMD with the project burn plan. The smoke management plan portion would adhere to air quality regulations and restrictions set forth and approved by the AQMD. The AQMD would issue a burn permit upon approval of the smoke management plan. Burning would only be conducted when meteorological conditions are expected to disperse smoke emissions away from urban receptors 2. Monitoring of smoke on site and at receptor areas during burn implementation would be used to insure smoke dispersion remains within identified parameters as stated in the smoke management plan. 3. Safety signing, lights, and other devices would be employed along traffic routes that could be impacted by smoke as stated in the smoke management plan. 4.If the contract administrator (or contracting officer’s representative) determines it is necessary, roads would be sprinkled with water to control dust throughout project implementation, particularly when heavy equipment is in use and unpaved roads are used for hauling. Wildlife (MIS, 1. When hand-piling is used, piles would be placed 100 feet from any stream channel. Neotropical Migratory Birds, 2. Avoid placing and burning piles on rock outcrops and residual downed logs to the extent and TES Species) possible to protect rubber boa and/or mountain kind snake habitat on all fuelbreaks. On Yuciapa Ridge (and possibly near Pine Bench (if habitat is suitable as determined by site visits performed by a wildlife biologist deem it is warranted), the best habitat for rubber boa habitat (located between 5000 and 8100 feet in elevation) will be flagged for avoidence. To the extent possible, piles should be placed at least 30 feet away from these flagged areas. 3. In hardwood, conifer, and mixed hardwood/conifer stands: Brush piles can be left as habitat, where possible while still meeting fuel reduction objectives. When brush piles are removed, they would be removed/burned as soon as possible after piling in order to minimize colonization by wildlife. When possible, piles of brush would be disturbed and pulled apart slightly to encourage animals to move out of the piles prior to removal and burning. When possible, piles would be lighted directionally to encourage wildlife to exit. 4. Wood rat nests would be retained on fuelbreaks whenever possible, especially in and adjacent to spotted owl habitat. Fuels will be raked away from woodr at nests when they are at risk of being burned by piles. 5. In Riparian areas: Follow all RCA guidance as established in the Forest Plan and displayed above under the Riparian section. Minimum effective ground cover in RCAs would be based on calculated Erosion Hazard Rating (EHR) rating. 6. Follow the Conservation Strategy for the California spotted owl on the National Forests of Southern California. Guidelines for applying fuels and forest health treatments in 17

Design Feature California spotted owl habitat Wildland Urban Interface Threat Zone or the Outer Zone of Shaded Fuel Breaks (300 ft to 1.5 miles from private land/developed areas); in Pine/Mixed Conifer forest, Bigcone Douglas-fir/Oak woodland, Riparian forest/woodland, and Redwood forest in Chaparral matrix include:

All existing and any new spotted owl territories would be considered for application of guidelines for applying fuels and forest health treatments in spotted owl habitat. A few proposed fuelbreak sections along Yucaipa Ridge overlap small portions of mapped primary activity centers (PACs) and home range core (HRC)areas. In these areas, retain the largest trees within PACs and HRCs, including all live trees greater than 24 inches DBH unless they are at unnaturally high densities. Exceptions allowed for operability. Within PACs, retain existing overstory and midstory canopy cover except where reduction is needed to bring fire to the ground in support of defense zone. Within HRCs meet fuel loading goals while retaining a minimum of 50 percent canopy cover except where 1) reduction is needed to bring fire to the ground in support of the defense zone or central zone of fuelbreak; or 2) the canopy has been drastically altered by concentrations of dead trees, and removal of dead trees would reduce the canopy closure below 50 percent. Efforts would be made to retain 9 downed logs per acre and 4 to 8 large snags per acre within PACs and HRCs. No proposed treatments occur within 0.25 miles of any known nest sites. If any new nest sites are discovered before or during project implementation, project activities would not occur within 0.25 miles of a spotted owl nest site or activity center if a nest site is not known, during the breeding season (February 1 – August 15), unless surveys confirm that the owls are not nesting. Project activities would be restricted to daylight hours only (defined as the period between sunset and sunrise). No artifical lighting will be used. Helicopters would not operate over occupied California spotted owl nest stands during the breeding season (February 15 – August 15). Flights by helicopters would be minimized over spotted owl PACS and HRCs whenever possible. If helicopter more than occasional use occurs over these areas, a monitor may be placed on the owls to help determine whether noise is impacting them. 7. That portion of Treatment Area E in Section 8 that occurs within 0.10 miles of a southwesternwillow flycatcher territory would not be treated during the breeding season (May 1 – August 31) unless habitat was determined to be unsuitable by the District Biologist or designee or protocol surveys were conducted and the territory was found to be vacant. A limited operating period would also be implemented within 500 feet around all other suitable southwestern habitat in the project area unless protocol surveys are completed and the habitat is determined to be vacant. 8. A no disturbance buffer between March 15 and August 15 within 0.25 miles of two known golden eagle nests on Yucaipa Ridge would be observed. This disturbance buffer would not be necessary if eagles are not found to be nesting at this locations. Helicopter use in this area would be restricted during the breeding season as well. Low level road use could continue through this area during the breeding season. 9. To the extent possible, active raptor nests within treatment areas would be buffered from treatment and/or disturbance during the breeding season as appropriate as identified by the district biologist or designee. Known inactive raptor nests would be protected from removal during project implementation. If nests must be removed, the district wildlife biologist, or designee would be consulted for input on how to minimize impacts prior to removal of nest. Pre-implementation raptor nest surveys would be conducted in an attempt to identify additional nest sites within the treatment area. These nests would be protected to the extent possible using criteria described above

10. Hand firing would be the only method used for prescribed burning

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Design Feature 11. Where feasible, heavy equipment use would be minimized within 30 feet of downed logs, rocky outcrops, surface expressions of bedrock or small boulder piles, and brush piles. Avoid altering habitat within these areas as much as practical (e.g., leave logs in place, do not remove or disturb vegetation, duff, etc.) and avoid falling trees across rocky outcrops or downed logs. Exceptions may be necessary in consultaiton with the district biologist and approval by the line officer/contracting officer. 12. Landing sites and skid trails would be located in coordination with a Forest Service wildlfe biologist to minimize habitat and disturbance impacts. Prior to establishment of decking or landing areas, a biologist would search the area for sensitive reptile species. If animals are found, a biologist would relocate the animal outside of harms way in suitable habitat as close to the location as possible and/or the animal may be kept in captivity for a short period of time if that would result in allowing animal to be placed back in it’s orginial surroundings. When log decks are needed, they would not be placed within 50 feet of rocky outcrops to the extent possible. Prior to removal of logs from log decks, check the log piles for sensitive reptile species. Consider exclusionary fencing as a option to exclude sensitive wildife from moving to these areas when appropriate. 13. Use of surface water sources from National Forest System lands would not be authorized for use as dust abatement or other components of project implemenation. 14. Trees would be felled in a manner that results in the least impact to adacent trees, downed logs, residual vegetation, and rock outcrops. Remove trees as soon as possible to reduce opprotunities for colinization for wildlife. 15. Treatments in RCAs would not result in impacts to suitable TE habitat for southwestern willow flycatcher and mountain yellow-legged frog. Habitat assessments for these species would occur prior to project implementation and would be used to delineate suitable habitat that would be avoided during project implementation. Work in proximity to suitable habitats would occur in coordination with district wildlife biologist to ensure impacts are avoided. If they cannot be avoided, the project would not continue in these areas until appropriate coordination can occur with Fish and Wildlife Service. At this time, close coordination is required where the fuelbreak crosses or comes close to Noble Creek and its tributaries, Birch Creek, Smith Creek, and San Gorgonio River.

16. Best Management Practices and all necessary management activities would be applied to RCAs that would prevent detrimental changes to water quality, aquatic flora and fauna, and/or hydrophytic vegetation within these areas, and adverse riparian area changes in water temperature, chemistry, sedimentation, and channel blockages, and riparian-dependent resources.

17. On Yucaipa Ridge, between 5,000 and 8,100 feet, strive to leave as many of the largest downed logs as possible while still meeting fuels treatment objectives to minimize impacts to rubber boa. Logs marked for retention would be marked in coordination between designated district fuels specialist and district wildlife biologist or designee. 18. Close coordination with the district biologist would occur during implementation. Coordination efforts may include training of crews in: the identification sensitive species; avoidance of impacts to sensitive species (e.g., identification/avoidance of wildlife use/habitat elements, including nests, cavities, and woodpecker foraging holes); notification of the appropriate agencies (i.e., CDFG or USFWS) if a sensitive, threatened, or endangered species is encountered; and that individuals must not be picked up or removed. Cultural Resources 1. Cultural resources sites would be flagged prior to implementation and avoided during project activies 2. Pile burning and other ground disturbing activities would not occur within cultural resource site boundaries. If any exceptions to this are needed, an archeologist would work with the contract administrator and the line officer to minimize impacts, which might include on-site monitoring during implementation. 3. Directional felling methods would be used to avoid cultural sites and features. 19

Design Feature 4. Equipment would only cross linear cultural resource sites at a perpendicular angle in areas designated by an archaeologist or existing roads would be used in order to minimize disturbance to sites. 5. Areas where equipment needs to cross historic period trails would need to be restored to pre-project condition (e.g. restore trail tread if damaged), or to FS standards in trail design, as necessary. 6. Project activities occurring near and surrounding the historic period flume line on Yucaipa Ridge would need to follow restrictions and guidelines set forth by Southern California Edison, which includes restricting equipment and vehicles from driving and working on top of the line and limiting equipment and vehicle crossing to existing roads only. 7. Areas within the cultural resource area of potential of effect (APE) that are not accessible due to impenetrable vegetation would either be monitored during mechanical equipment operations or would be inventoried within a reasonable time period after project activities to identify and record any new sites or features. 8. Sensitive archaeological areas would be monitored by an archaeologist during project activities and during all subsequent long term treatment maintenance activities. 9. If any project treatment areas would exceed 300 feet in width, they may require additional cultural reviews and surveys and would need prior coordination with District Archaeologist. 10. If additional cultural resources are discovered during project activities, work would immediately stop in that area until an archaeologist can evaluate the findings and make recommendations for treatment. Recommendations would be reviewed and approved by the line officer and contracting officer. Public Safety, 1. For public safety, areas with fuel removal activities, prescribed burning, or other fuel Private Land, Mill treatments may be temporarily closed to public use. Closed areas could be managed Creek 3 Flow Line through use of contract area subdivisions and requirements that call for operations to be & Recreation completed in one subdivision before beginning in another. Closures could be implemented by use of signs, travel barriers, or temporary gates. Information would be made available to the general public and adjacent landowners by the Forest Service wih a contact phone number or web site for information on timing of treatment activities in specific areas where closures are planned. 2. Operations may be prohibited in, or near, heavy use recreation areas on holiday weekends to minimize conflict with recreation use and traffic. 3. Fuel haul routes or other high traffic areas would be posted with signage indicating the presence of truck traffic. 4. Forest Service standards would be applied in trail design features to ensure that National Forest System trail routes are appropriately reconstructed and erosion controls in place where necessary after completion of the project. Design standards are found in Forest Service Handbook 2309.18 and vary depending on designed use and trail class. 5. Protection and replacement of trail and road signage would be in accordance with Signs and Barrier Specifications (EM-7100-15) and Forest/Regional specification. 6. The historic Oak Glen Divide Trail (1W08) would be protected and restored after operations are complete. 7. Conduct all fuels reduction activities within the Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRA) in a manner compatible with overall Roadless Area Characteristics. Give preference to using methods and equipment that cause the least alteration of Roadless Area characteristics, disturbance of the land surface, disturbance to visitor solitude, reduction of visibility during periods of visitor use, and adverse effect on other air quality related values. Applicable tactics within Inventoried Roadless Areas would include consideration of the following: Cut brush and small trees flush to the ground.

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Design Feature Consider the use of fireline explosives for fuelbreak construction and snag falling to create a more natural appearing fuelbreak and more natural-appearing stumps, where this would meet project objectives, would be consistent with other resource needs, and could be done safely with minimal impact to the public. Camouflage cut stumps by flush-cutting, chopping, or covering. 8. Ensure private land (memorial site) in Section 26 is appropriately protected during project implementation. 9. Ensure the radio site in the southwest corner of Section 21 is appropriately protected during project implementation. 10. Protective measures would be implemented for the flume line in Sections 17, 18, and 19 along the west end of Yucaipa Ridge, developed in coordination with the Eddison company (see also cultural resources #6). Scenery 1. Where shrubs are left within fuelbreaks, they would remain in clumps of various shapes and sizes scattered near the edges of the fuelbreak. 2. Fuelbreak edges would be kept ragged/feathered/irregular in spacing and width to emulate existing/typical edges of similar native vegetation. Terrain breaks and rock outcrops would be used as edges were feasible 3.On lower slopes (as shown in the Visual Analysis Report) in chaparral-dominated areas with no overstory (particularly in areas viewed from populated areas), fuelbreak edges would be supplemented with the retention of scattered shrub clumps of 3 to 7 individual but closely associated shrubs. Total area of leave shrubs would vary from 30 to 50% in areas where distance between edges would exceed 30 feet. Less than 30 foot distance between edges would not require supplemental shrubs. Climate Change See design features for air quality. Monitoring To address the potential for increased unauthorized off-highway vehicle use during and following project implementation, current and anticipated off-highway vehicle access points would be identified and mapped prior to project implementation. These areas would be monitored, as well as roads and skid trails used to implement the project, for signs of increased use, during and after project implementation. Additional measures to reduce off- highway vehicle access based on monitoring results would be implemented, as needed such as gates, rock or log barriers, etc. as described in Soil and Water #2 above. These access barriers would be maintained over time. The project area would be monitored periodically for three years after the treatment is completed for non-native invasive plants. If weeds are found, a plan for eradication or control would be developed for the invasive species using partnerships where possible (e.g., Caltrans and San Bernardino County). Trends and Performance Indicators as identified in Part 2 of the Forest Plan are contained on the following pages and would be monitored: • Resource Management Performance Indicators (table 2.4.5, page 30) • Public Use and Enjoyment Performance Indicators (table 2.4.6, page 33) • Facilities Operations and Maintenance Performance Indicators (table 2.4.7, page 35) • Commodities and Commercial Uses Performance Indicators (table 2.4.8, page 39) • Fire and Aviation Management Performance Indicators (table 2.4.9, page 40) Sensitive cultural areas within the project area would be monitored by an archaeologist during project implementation and during all subsequent long term maintenance activities to ensure no disturbance to cultural resources. Additionally, an archaeologist shall also monitor and help determine the most appropriate disturbed areas for equipment to cross the historic period trail. Fuelbreak implementation would be monitored from vantage points periodically to ensure cut edges meet visual guidelines. Surveys and monitoring would continue for California spotted owl. Forest wide standards and guidelines require monitoring of the implementation and effectiveness of BMPs and mitigations to achieving water quality goals. Guidance for BMP use and effectiveness evaluation for Region 5 is provided in documentation (USDA Forest Service 2000b). Evaluation is required for selected projects, based on a prescribed number set by the Regional Office. Some practices, because of infrequency of use must always be evaluated. These are practices 2.14, 2.16 and 2.17, as regards road stream crossings

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5.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS 5.1 Project Area Description The project area consists primarily of chaparral with mixed hardwood and conifer forests represented at the higher elevations. Elevations range from approximately 2,440 feet to 9,320 feet and in many areas the terrain is rugged and steep.

About 90 percent of the annual precipitation occurs between November and April and the remaining 10 percent is produced by thunderstorms that occur between May and October. Most years, snow occurs above 5000 feet. Annual precipitation varies considerably from year to year. The area is subject to high intensity storms. Flooding and increased erosion can result from rain on snow events or high intensity thundershowers.

Location: The project is located in the Front Country Place as designated in the 2005 Forest Plan, within the Front Country District of the San Bernardino National Forest. These lands are in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, California and are surrounded by the communities of Yucaipa, Oak Glen, Banning, Forest Falls, and Mountain Home Village (Figure 1). The project area is located in portions of Sec. 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 34, T.1S., R.1W.; Sec. 20 and 32, T.1S., R.1E.; Sec. 5, 6, 7 and 8, T.2S., R.1E.; and Sec. 10 and 14, T.2S., R.1W.

5.2 General Vegetation Conditions – Vegetation Series and Associations The area for this analysis is the 29,784 acre project area surrounding Yucaipa and Oak Glen, with the northern boundary on Yucaipa Ridge. There are 8 vegetation cover types (Table 1) within the analysis area. Chaparral shrubs are the dominant cover type (SHB), with lesser amounts of conifer (CON), mixed conifer and hardwood (MIX), and hardwood cover types (HDW). The data source for the existing vegetation is (CALVEG) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) which we derived vegetation cover type, tree density, and dominant tree size information Chaparral shrubs are the dominant cover type (SHB), with lesser amounts of conifer (CON), mixed conifer and hardwood (MIX), and hardwood cover types (HDW).

Table 1. Cover type acreage found in the analysis area and fuelbreaks, and percent of cover type acreage proposed for treatment in fuelbreaks. Cover Acres in Acres in Acres in Acres in Percent Percent Type Project Project Fuelbreaks Fuelbreaks Cover Cover Area All Area FS All FS Type Area Type Area Ownership Ownership Ownership Ownership in All in FS Ownership Ownership Fuelbreaks Fuelbreaks AGR 762 1 24 0 3 0 BAR 119 56 19 9 16 8 CON 1,649 702 80 53 5 3 HDW 7,223 3,705 314 133 4 2 HEB 387 18 29 2 7 <1 MIX 2,265 1,273 74 42 3 2 SHB 16,761 6,460 1,019 271 6 2 URB 583 19 48 6 8 1

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Cover Types in the Project Area AGR- Agriculture BAR- Barren CON – Areas with greater than 10 percent conifer cover as the dominant vegetation type. HDW - Areas with greater than 10 percent hardwood tree cover as the dominant vegetation type. The major hardwoods in this cover type are black oak and canyon live oak. HEB - Areas dominated by herbaceous vegetation. MIX - Areas with greater than 10 percent tree cover of which 20 to 90 percent is hardwood cover. Depending upon the site, these stands include mixtures of bigcone Douglas-fir, Coulter pine, ponderosa pine lodgepole pine, or white fir and canyon live oak or black oak in varying proportions. SHB - Areas with greater than 10 percent shrub cover as the dominant type. This includes vegetation dominated by lower montane mixed chaparral, chamise chaparral, and scrub oak. URB - Urban URB – Urban.

For detailed discussion of these vegetation types, see The Yucaipa Oak Glen Fuelbreaks Silviculture Report, (Larry Arnell, 11/16/2009).

6.0 CONNECTED ACTIONS Past, Current, and Reasonably Foreseeable Events Relevant to Cumulative Effects Analysis

This section addresses two legal definitions for cumulative effects/impacts analysis. Under NEPA, ―cumulative impacts‖ are those impacts caused by past, present, and future federal, state, and private activities within or onto special status plants and their habitats. Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), ―cumulative effects‖ only consider non-federal activities. Future federal activities or activities permitted by federal agencies are not included under ESA ―cumulative effects‖ because any proposed future federal activities or federally permitted activities must undergo Section 7 consultation with the USFWS.

Cumulative impact is the impact on the environment which results from the incremental impact of the action when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions regardless of what agency (Federal or non-Federal) or person undertakes the action (40 CFR 1508.7). The baseline used for cumulative effects analysis is the current condition. The cumulative effects analysis does not attempt to quantify effects of past human actions by adding up all prior actions on an action-by-action basis. There are several reasons for not taking this approach. First, a catalog and analysis of all past actions would be impractical to compile and unduly costly to obtain. Current conditions have been impacted by innumerable actions over the last century (and beyond), and trying to isolate individual actions that continue to have residual impacts would be nearly impossible. Second, providing details of past actions on an individual basis would not be useful to predict cumulative effects of the proposed action or alternatives. By looking at current conditions, we are sure to capture all residual effects of past human actions and natural events, regardless of which particular action or event contributed those effects. The CEQ issued an interpretive memorandum on June 24, 2005, regarding analysis of past actions, which states, ―agencies can conduct an adequate cumulative effects analysis by focusing on the current aggregate effects of past actions without delving into the historical details of individual past actions.‖ The cumulative effects analysis in this EA is also consistent with Forest Service National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Regulations

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(36 CFR 220.4(f). For these reasons, the analysis of past actions in this section is based on current environmental conditions.

The area of cumulative impact was chosen to be the 5th Field Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) (hereinafter referred to as subwatersheds; see Figure 2) that occur within the project area because of the potential for impacts of multiple actions on the natural environment within the same watershed. However, the area of cumulative impact may differ depending on the resource affected. For example, air quality could be affected by actions outside of a watershed boundary. If a different cumulative impact area is chosen for a specific resource, it is discussed in that specific resource section below.

Current, on-going management activities and foreseeable future actions occurring on the District and within the subwatershed are summarized briefly in Table 5 below and shown on Figure 2. The majority of the proposed fuelbreaks would occur within the San Timoteo subwatershed, although some treatments would also occur within the Middle Santa Ana River and San Gorgonio River subwatersheds. Past actions/activities in the three primary subwatersheds include three recent wildfires (Ridge Fire, Pendleton Fire and Oak Glen Fire).

How these on-going and routine activities influence current conditions is discussed in the affected environment sections of each specific resource section. The majority of these projects consist of fuels reduction and vegetation management. Most of these projects include similar treatments, design features, and findings of effects similar to this project. Present (on-going and planned) and foreseeable activities were derived from the Front Country Ranger District, California Department of Forestry, and Natural Resource Conservation Service information sources. Below is a brief summary of the connected and similar actions that could contribute to cumulative effects within this landscape.

Table 2. Recent Past, Current (In-Progress) and Reasonably Foreseeable Future Actions Approximate Project Name Type Acres Location Subwatershed Forest Service Projects – Front Country Ranger District Near community of Angelus Oaks Middle and Upper Santa Ana Fuelbreak Fuelbreak 1,522 – approximately 6 Santa Ana River miles from project boundary Near community of Angelus Oaks Angelus Oak Middle and Upper Prescribed Burn 535 – approximatley 4 Understory Burn Santa Ana River miles from project boundary Barton Flats/Forest Hazard Tree Falls Hazard Tree Near community Middle Santa Ana Removal/Fuels 60 and Hazardous Fuel of Forest Falls River Reduction Reduction Project Wildfires Within Project Middle Santa Ana Ridge Fire Wildfire 234 Boundary River Oak Glen and Within Project Wildfires 1,840 San Timoteo Pendleton Fires Boundary Cal Fire / CDF 24

Approximate Project Name Type Acres Location Subwatershed Fuelbreak, Within Project complimented by Fuelbreaks 843 San Timoteo Boundary proposed action Fuelbreak, Within Project Middle Santa Ana complimented by Fuelbreaks 196 Boundary River proposed action Fuelbreak, Within Project San Gorgonio complimented by Fuelbreaks 56 Boundary River proposed action TOTAL 5,286

Figure 2. Map of known connected Actions.

7.0 EFFECTS OF NO ACTION The threat of an uncontrolled wildland fire poses a threat for resource damage, localized changes in the plant community structure, and possibly loss of human life. The threat of a severe wildfire in the San Bernardino Mountains is high due to the low fuel moisture, extreme burning indices, low relative humidity and the onset of dry Santa Ana winds. Excessive soil heating and high fuel loading during a large wildfire may cause mortality of the remaining tree canopy. Soil nutrients

25 may be volatilized and lost, and soil structure could be significantly altered, resulting in loss of topsoil due to erosion.

Fuelbreak/ fuel reduction activities such as proposed, where activity locations and timing can be controlled, and which include design features to minimize impacts to rare plants and habitats, are likely to result in much less damage than would result from wildfire suppression activities. Especially during initial attack, fire suppression often involves heavy equipment and hand crews that are deployed under emergency conditions. This inherent lack of time to prepare can result in increased risk of weed invasion from weed seed contaminated equipment, damage to the plant community from destruction of mature plants, as well as soil disturbance to plant root structure, seedbank, and seedbank viability.

No Action would result in no immediate change to the plant community structure and composition. However, natural processes would, over time, influence the abundance and distribution of some species within plant communities. In addition, no action may increase the likelihood that emergency fire suppression damage would occur in the event of wildfire.

PART II – BOTANY REPORT

1.0 INTRODUCTION This section addresses impacts and concerns that are not related to SBNF Management Indicator Species (MIS) or TEPCS species. It documents the occurrences of Watch list species and addresses concerns regarding general vegetation. The purpose of this report is to document occurrences of these species within the project area as well as to document the types and degree of potential effects from the proposed project.

2.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT AND EFFECTS – GENERAL

2.1 General Project Impacts to Plants This is a discussion of general types of impacts that may result from this project for plants that are present in the project area. Parts of this discussion will be referenced later in the document for specific species that are known to occur or have the potential to occur within the project area.

Direct effects: Thinning of green trees and brush within the shaded fuelbreak will change the forest floor and stand structure to some extent, from a forest with a relatively thick undergrowth/understory layer to one that is more open. The die-off of vegetation due to the drought and insect damage has already contributed to a change. The extent of the changes in the overstory and understory will vary by site. The changes in stand structure will affect different species in different ways. Likewise, the drought-related vegetation mortality and the proposed project may result in changes to the species composition of the stands. In areas where a high percentage of trees have died and will be removed, the opening up of the stands will favor sun-loving plant species and discourage shade-loving species. Because of the patchy nature of the die-off, these changes will occur in a mosaic pattern. These fluctuations in species occurrences and population levels are considered natural and will not likely be significantly affected by the proposed project.

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Opening of the canopy may also result in increased solar exposure causing an increase in soil temperatures. There is also potential for loss of carbon, an important soil component derived from large woody debris. This combined with increased nitrate leaching will reduce levels of charged minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium further decreasing soil productivity. Where some woody debris is left, there would be lower losses of soil productivity.

Removal of dead trees or thinning of vegetation may result in forest floor microclimate changes. Removal of pockets or thinning will open up the canopy, in some places allowing sunlight to the forest floor where it was previously shaded. This will result in changes in the temperature regimes as well as soil moisture levels in those areas. Some species may respond with some localized changes in distribution. The forest floor is a constantly-changing, dynamic ecosystem with changes like this occurring naturally.

Indirect effects:

Indirect effects may occur due to connected actions such as soil compaction, erosion, and other disturbances related to heavy equipment operation, road maintenance & brushing, ground based skidding, helicopter operations and yarding, slash treatments, and mastication. Acres of disturbance were determined for some of these proposed actions (Table 3). Design features described in Part I, should minimize the impacts from these activities (see Description of Proposed Action).

Table 3. Estimated disturbed acres from removal and on-site equipment operations Yarding Total Acres % of Area Affected Acres Affected Road Maintenance 5 100 5 Brushing1 Ground Based Skidding 44 12 6 Helicopter Yarding 76 02 N/A Mastication 118 12 14 Total 25 1 Cleared encroaching brush from road edges 2Removed fuels will be scattered in adjacent stands on helicopter removal units, no landings would be needed. From Oak Glen/Banning Hazardous Fuels Recuction Project Transportation and Operations Report, 2009. Francis J. Yurczyk Forester/Transportation/Logging Systems PlannerTEAMS Enterprise Unit

The disturbance from the use of existing closed roads, landings, and skid trails has the potential for promoting illegal OHV access. The proposed action also includes measures to help control potential impacts from these, and other ground disturbance that may lead to illegal OHV use. A combination of natural barriers rocks, logs, screening, fencing, etc. may be used to prevent/discourage illegal vehicle activity during and after the project treatment. To protect and improve soil, water, and other resources, BMPs would be included in road maintenance and improvements as part of fuel treatment operations. Ground based skidding units and other equipment would operate from designated trails or from existing roads where feasible, to minimize need for new trails and cumulative soil disturbance

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Indirect effects from erosion may result where groundcover is reduced from the removal of the forest floor. Loss of groundcover can increase erosion potential since ground cover buffers the beating action of raindrops and reduces the effects of compaction on soil infiltration. Erosion impacts plants by removing seed banks, uprooting and/or undermining plants, and changes to soil hydrology (e.g., down-cutting can de-water meadows and dry up meadowy stream margins). Sedimentation can result in burial of root crowns (leading to plant disease and in some cases death), burial of whole plants, and burial of seed banks, rhizomes, and bulbs to the extent that penetration to the soil surface is reduced or precluded. Effects, however are determined to be minimal due to BMPs and design features (see Description of Proposed Action, Part 1 of this document) that will be used during project implementation and all follow-up maintenance.

Proposed fuels treatment would cause compaction and disturbance of the organic layer or deeper along skid trails and landings and where heavy equipment such as masticators would be used. Soil compaction and disturbance can slow natural revegetation of disturbed areas because seeds do not have the opportunity to germinate. Soil compaction and disturbance from proposed activities would be minimized by using existing roads, existing cleared areas for landings, and old or existing skid trails where possible. Existing closed roads would again be closed after operations are complete. If any existing closed roads, landings, and skid trails are used, they would be rehabilitated by ripping or scarifying and reseeding with native plant stock. Impacts to plants from changes in soil conditions are expected to be short-term and are expected to be mitigated to a degree through design features, BMPs and protection measures for RCAs

The use of helicopters for removing slash reduces soil disturbance by reducing the need for heavy equipment off of roads and trails. While some disturbance occurs while felling, securing, dropping and dragging logs and trees with the helicopter hoist, the disturbance is minimal compared to ground based tractors. Hand-only treatments result in the least soil disturbances. Since no heavy machinery is used for tree removal, walking in and out by loggers, felling and piling by hand causes minimal soil disturbances compared to mastication or the use of feller bunchers.

The dropping and removal of trees, especially with explosives (which will only be used in rare cases explained above in the Description of Proposed Action, Part 1 of this document), may result in some temporary increases in dust levels in the Project Areas. Chronic dust deposition can result in impacts to plant fitness and viability, but short-term impacts (as from this project) are unlikely to affect plant fitness. While dust levels within activity areas may be higher than ambient levels during implementation, the situation will be short-term and no significant associated impacts to adjacent plants are expected. The use of explosives to fell trees may also cause local damage to adjacent plant community, from the impact of flying debris, and dust (addressed above) but the impact will not be at ground level so soil disturbance should be minimal. The effects are expected to be short term and local.

Potential for indirect effects include the effects of fuelbreak maintenance and future or continued road maintenance. To protect and improve soil, water, and other resources, BMPs would be included in road maintenance and improvements as part of fuel treatment operations. Ground based skidding units, equipment would operate from designated trails or from existing roads where feasible, to minimize need for new trails and cumulative soil disturbance. Effects therefore 28 are determined to be minimal due to design features, and BMPs that will be used during implementation and all follow-up maintenance.

Long-term fuel break maintenance may include prescribed burns. Prescribed burns and the control lines needed to manage them have the potential to change the plant community structure and cause direct destruction of plant roots and vegetative parts in the process of constructing control lines. Indirect effects of prescribed burns (and control lines needed) used for fuel break maintenance will be minimized by design features.

See the Invasive Weed Risk Assessment, part VI of this document for a complete discussion of potential indirect effects of non-native invasive plant species.

3.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT AND EFFECTS - WATCH LIST SPECIES Watch list species are those that the local botanists have expressed concern about either because of apparent downward trends, apparent changes in habitat availability, or because of lack of knowledge and/or understanding of the species. The purpose of this report is to document occurrences of these species within the project area as well as to document the types and degree of potential effects from the proposed project. Species accounts for the watch list species found in the project area are contained in the Forest Plan (USDA Forest Service 2005).

3.1 Watch List Plants A number of watch list plant species are known or expected to occur within the Project Area. Table 3, Appendix A contains the current watch list plants for the SBNF. Potential impacts to watch list species that are known to occur, and those that have a high probability of occurring in the project area are discussed in detail.

3.1.1 Impacts Common to all Watch List Plants Impacts to plants are expected to be short-term. Some loss of individuals may occur during dropping of trees, removal of logs, skidding, and associated activities. Equipment use and tree removal activities will also result in short-term disturbances to the soil surface. This can disrupt germination and survival of seedlings as well as destroy mature plants. By limiting equipment use to designated areas, those impacts should be limited to less sensitive areas.

It is possible that other watch-list plant occurrences are present but undetected in the project area. Potential impacts to watch-list species that may be present in the project area, but are not known to occur, are not discussed in detail species by species but are captured in the discussion of general project impacts to plants.

Implementation of the proposed project may have some short-term impacts to watch list species as described in the following discussion of effects by species, and as described above in the discussion of general impacts to plants, however effects to watch list species is expected to be minimal due to design features and BMPs.

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3.1.2 Watch List Plants – Existing conditions and effects analysis by species Surveys of the proposed action areas found three Forest Service Watch-list species (Table 4).

Table 4. Watch list plants found in surveys Boykinia rotundifolia (round-leaved Found within the project area but not within the boykinia) proposed activity areas Juglans californica (California walnut) Found within the project area but not within the proposed activity areas Lilium humboldltii var. ocellatum (ocellated Found within the project area but not within the Humboldt lily) proposed activity areas

Boykinia rotundifolia (round-leaved boykinia) is a Forest Service Watch list species. It is a dicotelydon in the saxifrage family (Saxifragaceae). This species flowers between June-July (Munz 1974). It occurs in the southern outer coast range, Transverse ranges, and Peninsular ranges. Occurrences are known from the San Bernardino, San Gabriel, San Jacinto, Santa Ana, Elsinore, Palomar, and Volcan mountains, and the Cuyama Valley. This species occupies streambanks and wet places in canyons in chaparral, lower montane coniferous forest, and upper montane coniferous forest below 2000m (Elvander 1993; Munz 1974). Although chaparral and montane coniferous forest are widespread within the SBNF, wet areas and streambanks within these habitats are very narrowly distributed. There are at least nineteen documented occurrences within the four southern California National Forests (CalFlora 2002). In addition, there are other documented occurrences with non-specific location information. Boykinia rotundifolia is more common than previously thought; with a large amount of potential habitat in most of the drainages on the coastal slopes of southern California.

Boykinia rotundifolia occupies streambanks and wet places in canyons in chaparral, lower montane coniferous forest, and upper montane coniferous forest below 2000 m (Elvander 1993; Munz 1974). Although chaparral and montane coniferous forest are widespread within the SBNF, wet areas and streambanks within these habitats are very narrowly distributed areas with big-leaf maple or in mixed hardwood/conifer forest. The plant generally grows on gravelly soils in drainages and canyon bottoms.

Within the project area: Populations of this species were found in on private land within Bearpaw Reserve north of Yucaipa Ridge, but not within any of the proposed action areas (proposed fuel breaks). This species may be present in other unsurveyed drainages or riparian areas within the project area that are not within proposed action areas.

According to project design criteria, no equipment use, skidding of logs, or dropping of slash will be conducted within meadows or riparian areas within the project area without coordination with appropriate Forest Service resource specialists. In addition, implementation of BMPs and measures to protect Riparian Conservation Areas (RCAs) will prevent erosion of soil into meadows and riparian zones, therefore impacts to Boykinia rotundifolia are not expected.

Lilium humboldltii var. ocellatum (ocellated Huboldt lily) is a Forest Service Watch list species 30 and is the southern California subspecies of the Humboldt lily. It is uncommon though widespread, occurring in the Santa Ynez and San Rafael Mountains in Santa Barbara County, the Topatopa Mountains of Ventura County, the Santa Monica Mountains and Transverse Ranges of Los Angeles County, the eastern San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains of San Bernardino County, the San Jacinto Mountains of Riverside County, and the Santa Ana Mountains of San Diego County (Smith 1998, Stephenson and Calcarone 1999, CalFlora 2002). Lilium humboldtii ssp. ocellatum is also found on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa islands (California Native Plant Society 2001).

Lilium humboldtii ssp. ocellatum occurs in openings in coastal scrub, chaparral, riparian woodland, and lower montane coniferous forest (Skinner 1993, California Native Plant Society 2001). Plants on the Cleveland, Los Padres, and San Bernardino National Forests are found in riparian areas and seeps of chaparral canyons between 100 and 5,900 feet (30-1800 meters) (California Native Plant Society 2001). Occurrences on the San Bernardino National Forest also found on moist and shaded slopes in mixed conifer understory. On the Angeles National Forest, the taxon is found in riparian areas with big-leaf maple or in mixed hardwood/conifer forest. The plant generally grows on gravelly soils in drainages and canyon bottoms. Lilium humboldtii ssp. ocellatum is rare, though the species exists in sufficient numbers and with a wide enough distribution that the potential for extinction is low at this time (California Native Plant Society 2001). Population trends of occurrences on National Forest System lands are not known. Within the project area: Populations of this species were found in on private land within Bearpaw Reserve north of Yucaipa Ridge, but not within any of the proposed action areas (proposed fuel breaks). This species may be present in other unsurveyed drainages or riparian areas within the project area that are not within proposed action areas.

According to project design criteria, no equipment use, skidding of logs, or dropping of slash will be conducted within meadows or riparian areas within the project area without coordination with appropriate Forest Service resource specialists. In addition, implementation of BMPs and measures to protect Riparian Conservation Areas (RCAs) will prevent erosion of soil into meadows and riparian zones, therefore impacts to Lilium humboldtii ssp. ocellatum are not expected.

California walnut (Juglans californica var californica) is a Forest Service Watch list species, one of two species of walnut native to California (Whittemore and Stone 1997). It occurs on National Forest System lands on all the southern California National Forests. Occurrences on the Los Padres National Forest include the Rincon Creek area, the Ojai area, and the Santa Ynez Mountains north of Santa Barbara. On the Angeles National Forest, the species occurs in Pacoima Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains. Specimens are recorded from the Santa Rosa Mountains and the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, including Cajon Pass and the Lytle Creek area, on the San Bernardino National Forest. On the Cleveland National Forest, southern California black walnut occurs along the Sweetwater River and possibly along the Tenaja Truck Trail (CalFlora 2000, Reiser 1994). The great majority of southern California black walnut woodlands are found in urban interface areas (Stephenson and Calcarone 1999).

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Juglans californica var. californica occurs along slopes and in canyons within chaparral, coastal scrub, and cismontane woodlands at elevations of 160–2,950 feet (50–900 meters) (California Native Plant Society 2001). It usually occupies mesic areas (i.e., riparian corridors, floodplains, and north-facing slopes) and prefers soils with a high clay content (Wilken 1993, Stephenson and Calcarone 1999, California Native Plant Society 2001). It can be the dominant tree in the canopy or can occur in mixed stands with other hardwoods, such as coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia). At Los Pinetos Spring in the western San Gabriel Mountains, Juglans californica var. californica grows with bigcone Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga macrocarpa) and canyon live oak (Q. chrysolepsis). Some isolated stands occur within chaparral and coastal sage scrub (Stephenson and Calcarone 1999).

The California Natural Diversity Database does not maintain records on occurrences of Juglans californica var. californica in its Rarefind database (2004). An estimated 2,828 acres (1,145 hectares of southern California black walnut woodlands occur on National Forest System lands in southern California. However, this estimate is based on distribution maps from the 1930s and the current status of these stands are not well known. A small 30-acre (12-hectare) stand of southern California black walnut woodland is located on the Angeles National Forest, and 3,896 acres (1,577 hectares) occur on the Los Padres National Forest. A small amount of black walnut woodland is reported from the San Bernardino National Forest (Stephenson and Calcarone 1999). The effects of existing fire regimes on Juglans californica var. californica are also poorly understood. The species is top-killed by most fires, but resprouts from the root crown and trunk after burning (Stephenson and Calcarone 1999).

Within the project area: During surveys of the proposed action areas, this species was found west of Oak Glen Conservation Camp. Since this species occurs primarily in floodplains and riparian areas on the SBNF, implementation of BMPs and measures to protect Riparian Conservation Areas (RCAs) would minimize impacts to this species.

Watch List Species - Effects Design features and BMPs will provide protection for the habitat of all three watch list species present in the project area. Therefore, it is my determination that the proposed action as described may have some short-term impacts to watch list species; however no threat to viability of any SBNF watch list species is expected. The project will not interfere with maintaining viable populations well distributed across the forest for Watch List species.

PART III: BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF EFFECTS - FOREST SERVICE SENSITIVE SPECIES

1.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT AND EFFECTS FOR SENSITVE SPECIES Part I contains descriptions of the methods/evaluation process, proposed action, and habitat for this project. Part II contains discussions on general impacts to plants, some of those general impacts also apply to sensitive plants. 32

1.2 Sensitive Plants -General

Table 2, Appendix B contains the current list of all Sensitive plants for the SBNF. Only sensitive species that are known to occur, and those that have a high probability of occurring in the project area are discussed in detail in this report. Potential impacts to Sensitive species that may be present in the project area, but are not known to occur, are not discussed in detail but are captured in the earlier discussion about ―general impacts‖ (Part II), and in the following discussion. Detailed species accounts for Sensitive species are contained in the 2005 Forest Plan (USDA Forest Service 2005).

Impacts common to all Sensitive Plants: Impacts to plants from the proposed projects are expected to be short-term. Some loss of individuals may occur during dropping of trees, removal of logs, skidding, and associated activities. Equipment use and tree removal activities will also result in short-term disturbances to the soil surface. This can disrupt germination and survival of seedlings as well as destroy mature plants. By limiting equipment use to designated areas, those impacts should be controlled to less sensitive areas.

Removal of dead trees or thinning of vegetation may result in forest floor microclimate changes. Removal of pockets or thinning will open up the canopy, in some places allowing sunlight to the forest floor where it was previously shaded. This will result in changes in the temperature regimes as well as soil moisture levels in those areas. Some species may respond with some localized changes in distribution. The forest floor is a constantly-changing, dynamic ecosystem with changes like this occurring naturally.

1.3 Sensitive plants by species In order to focus the analysis presented in this report, text descriptions of known occurrences of Sensitive plant species will generally be limited to those species records within, or from within 1.5 miles of the project area.

Records of eight Forest Service Sensitive species were found within the project area or within 1.5 miles of the project boundary (see Table 5). They are discussed in detail below. Field surveys of the proposed activity areas found suitable /occupied habitat present for two Sensitive plant species, Calochortus plummerae (Plummer’s mariposa lily) and Monardella macrantha ssp. hallii (Hall’s monardella).

Table 5. Forest Service Sensitive Plant Species documented or suspected in project area Allium marvinii N Calochortus plummerae Y Chorizanthe parri var. parryi N Gilia leptantha ssp. leptantha N Lilium parryi N Monardella macrantha ssp. hallii Y Parnasssia cirrata var. cirrata N Sidalcea hickmanii ssp. parishii N Y=Known/confirmed occurrence within proposed activity area N= historic, vague, and/or unconfirmed record

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Allium marvinii (Yucaipa onion) is a Forest Service sensitive species and is a perennial bulbiferous herb that blooms April-May. There is uncertainty about the distribution and taxonomic classification of Allium marvinii. The Jepson Herbarium reports that Allium marvinii may be distinct from Allium haematochiton, but does not list it as an accepted taxon. The California Native Plant Society (2001) and the California Natural Diversity Database (2004) recognizes Allium marvinii as a valid and distinct taxon.

This species is known only from the Yucaipa and Beaumont areas and is currently known from only two locations in this area and nowhere else in the world. Only one of these occurrences is known to be extant. Most recently (1993) this plant was found on private land in the vicinity of Wildwood and Water Canyon on the SW foot of Pisgah Peak, at Porter Ranch. There are no known occurrences within SBNF. This plant occupies clay openings in chamise chaparral between 760-1065 m (2500-3500 ft.) (USDA Forest Service 2006).

Within the project area: Suitable habitat for this species exists within a group of isolated parcels of National Forest System land east of Yucaipa, and possibly on San Bernardino National Forest above Oak Glen and onto Yucaipa Ridge. One historic record from 1921 occurs near the project boundary east of Beaumont, exact location was vague.

Determination of Effects: Based on the information above and appropriate season surveys, and the fact that the only recent record is on private land outside the proposed action area, impacts to this species is not expected. Is my determination that the proposed action will not affect Allium marvinii.

Calochortus plummerae (Plummer’s mariposa lily) is a Forest Service sensitive species found in the San Gabriel, San Bernardino, San Jacinto, Santa Ana, and Santa Monica mountains. It is a perennial bulbiferous herb that blooms May–July (Munz 1974). It is an uncommon, narrow endemic but can be locally abundant in appropriate habitat. It is found at elevations of 325–5,580 feet on rocky, granitic soils, or gravelly alluvium, generally in chaparral or coastal sage scrub habitats and occasionally in yellow pine forest, alluvial fan sage scrub habitat, grasslands, and lower montane conifer forests below 5500 feet (Hickman 1993). The California Natural Diversity Database lists 62 occurrences for this species (California Natural Diversity Database 2004). Some of these occurrences are located on the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests, however many are located on private lands slated for development. The species is vulnerable to development projects, trail construction and maintenance, fire suppression, habitat conversion, grazing, trampling, and sand and gravel mining (California Natural Diversity Database 2004).

Within the project area: There were several occurrences of Calochortus plummerae identified within the project area, most of which occur within or immediately adjacent to proposed firebreaks or ground disturbing activity. Within the footprint of proposed fuelbreak in the vicinity of Oak Glen Conservation Camp, over 175 individuals were recorded in 5 subpopulations. North and west of Banning Bench there are large numbers of this species (500+) in 6 subpopulations within the footprint of the proposed fuel break. Over 250 individuals occur within the footprint of proposed fuelbreak on the western end of Yucaipa Ridge north of Allen Peak. All combined, over 1000 34 individuals were recorded within the proposed treatment areas on FS land. It is likely that many more were present but not detected due to the difficulty of finding non-flowering individuals.

Current or planned projects which may affect other known occurrences of this species within the Front Country District of the San Bernardino Mountains of the SBNF include the Santa Ana Landscape Fuels Reduction project, Santa Ana Fuelbreak, Angelus Oaks Understory burn, proposed USGS Seismic Stations, the CalNev Piplene expansion, and Boa Prescribed burn. Some past projects on the SBNF such as the Lone Pine fuel break construction, Seven Oaks Dam, and the BNSF Railroad 3rd track project. Current projects near the boundaries of the SBNF such as the fuelbreaks being constructed by CalFire on private property adjacent to USFS Land in the project area, the development of the Etiwanda Preserve, and other development may have also impacted this species. Throughout the Front County District of the SBNF ongoing and future fuel break construction and maintenance, special use projects, unauthorized OHV activity, road and trail maintenance, and visitor use may also impact this species and are difficult to quantify. These activities underscore the importance of design features to minimize adverse effects to this species in the course of implementing this project.

Direct Effects: Removal of vegetation may result in habitat microclimate changes. Removal of pockets of vegetation will open up the canopy, in some places allowing sunlight to reach previously shaded soil. This will result in changes in the temperature regimes as well as soil moisture levels in those areas. Some species of Calochortus may respond to effects with localized changes in distribution. Chaparral vegetation is a constantly-changing, dynamic ecosystem with changes like this occurring naturally. These changes are not expected to result in significant impacts to this species.

Some loss of individuals may occur as a result of direct damage to plants, and burying individual plants not found during surveys or flagged for avoidance in the proposed action areas. Vegetation removal activities will also result in short-term disturbances to the soil surface. This can disrupt germination and survival of seedlings as well as destroy mature plants and leave the area vulnerable to invasion by opportunistic invasive annual grass species. These impacts can be minimized or avoided by implementing the design features outlined in the proposed action above, including, flagging known occurrences, and avoiding project work during the growing season in the four areas known to support large populations of Calochortus plummerae.

Indirect Effects: Individuals of this species could be damaged by activities such as dragging of slash, construction of landing areas, road maintenance, dropping of trees, skidding, yarding of logs, removal of logs, trampling and from cutting equipment, masticators, skid trails, and other associated activities. Limiting equipment use to designated areas and other design features included in the proposed action will minimize or eliminate these effects.

Fuels treatment can be beneficial in the case of sensitive plant species that are adapted to fire, by reducing competition from non-sensitive species. Prescribed fire that reduces fuel loading within a site can benefit a species if it reduces the risk of wildfire, however this benefit is offset by the potential for invasion by non-native invasive annual grasses (Bromus sp.) that already exist in the proposed treatment areas. Removal of overstory vegetation can promote the expansion of these non- native annual grasses. Indirect effects from increased annual grass and other invasive species 35 competition will be minimized by design features, and BMPs. Calochortus plummerae is perennial species that could be temporarily suppressed by burial with accumulation of chips. However, chipping may actually serve to also suppress invasion of non-native annual grasses following treatment.

This species is threatened by fire suppression, (USDA Forest Service Species Viability Account 2006). Low intensity fire such as would be expected with the proposed maintenance prescribed burning would mostly likely remove decadent plant growth allowing individual plants to produce greater new vegetation resulting in a locally beneficial effect.

Cumulative Effects: Cumulative impacts to this population from road maintenance, follow-up maintenance of the fuel breaks, and fuel break construction and maintenance conducted by CalFire on adjacent private land may occur. These activities underscore the importance of implementing design features such as ―flag to avoid‖ and avoiding work within known populations during this species’ growing season to minimize adverse effects to this species.

Determination of Effects: It is my determination that due to design features included in the proposed action, the implementation of this project may affect individuals, but is not likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability for Calochortus plummerae.

Chorizanthe parri var. parryi (Parry’s spineflower) is a Forest Service sensitive species which occurs on alluvial fans and terraces in San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, and Orange counties. There are 40 records for Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi in the California Natural Diversity Database (2004). Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi is an annual herb. This plant occurs in valley-floor and foothill habitats between 100 and 3,700 feet in elevation, and occasionally up to 5,600 feet (Hickman 1993). The plant is found in dry, sandy or gravelly soils in washes, alluvial benches, and in foothill microhabitats with unconsolidated soils and low vegetation cover. Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi most commonly occurs in openings in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, alluvial fan scrub, and the ecotone between chaparral and oak woodland.

Within the project area: In or near the project area, this plant is known from the Mill Creek area on the alluvial fan at the SW foot of Yucaipa Ridge, and in Water Canyon east of Water Canyon Road, both on private land.

Determination of Effects: Known records of the species are on private land and this species was not found during field surveys of the proposed activity areas in that vicinity conducted during the appropriate season. Therefore, it is my determination that the proposed project will not affect Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi.

Gilia leptantha ssp. leptantha (San Bernardino gilia) is a Forest Service sensitive species endemic to the upper Santa Ana River watershed in the San Bernardino Mountains, San Bernardino County, California (Krantz, et. al. draft 2000, California Native Plant Society 2001).

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Plants are known from nine locations, all in San Bernardino County (California Natural Diversity Database 2004). This annual herb flowers between June-August (California Native Plant Society 2001). This plant occurs at elevations of 5,000–8,200 feet (1,524–2,499 meters) and inhabits gravelly, rocky or sandy areas and streambanks within montane coniferous forest (California Native Plant Society 2001). Nine occurrences are located on the San Bernardino National Forest. Large numbers of individuals and large acreages of occupied habitat were recorded in 2003.

Within the project area: Historic records of this species from 1931 in the Potato Canyon area are vague with regard to specific location. Field surveys of the proposed activity areas in the vicinity of the historic records conducted at the correct time of year did not find this species. This species may still occur on private land in the Oak Glen area.

Determination of Effects: Based on the fact that the proposed action area in the vicinity of the historic record was surveyed and no occurrences were found in the appropriate season, and the fact that the only record in the vicinity of the project area is from 1931 on private land outside the proposed action area, impacts to this species is not expected. Is my determination that the proposed action will not affect Gilia leptantha ssp. leptantha.

Lilium parryi (Lemon lily) is a Forest Service sensitive species is a perennial bulbiferous herb that blooms July-August (California Native Plant Society 2001). It occurs in the eastern Transverse Ranges (San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains) and northern Peninsular Ranges (San Jacinto Mountains, Volcan and Palomar Mountains) from Los Angeles County to San Diego County (California Native Plant Society 2001, Skinner 1993). The California Natural Diversity Database (2004) lists 53 occurrences. This species requires year-round moisture, and is found in moist meadows, springs, seeps, and streambanks in montane coniferous forests at elevations of 4,260- 8,625 feet (Winter 1991, California Native Plant Society 2001). These habitats tend to occupy small pockets and corridors, comprising much less acreage than surrounding forest and woodland communities. These habitats are threatened by recreational uses and water developments. There are 29 recorded occurrences of Lilium parryi on the San Bernardino National Forest (California Natural Diversity Database 2004). Six of the known occurrences are within the San Gorgonio Wilderness.

Within the project area: There is an old, unconfirmed record of this species within 1.5 miles of the project boundary in the south fork of the Whitewater River. In or near the analysis area, this plant has been found in upper elevation riparian areas. This species and could potentially occupy suitable habitat in meadows, springs or seeps above 4000 feet within the project area, but none were found during field surveys of proposed activity areas conducted at the appropriate time of year.

Determination of Effects: This plant is generally known from meadows, wet, or boggy areas, treatments would not affect this species since direct disturbances to these habitats are not planned. Design features implementation of BMPs and measures to protect Riparian Conservation Areas (RCAs) will prevent erosion of soil into meadows and riparian zones. Therefore, even if this species were to be present in the project area outside of proposed action areas, no impacts would be expected due to habitat avoidance and BMPs. Therefore it is my

37 determination that the proposed action will not affect Lilium parryi.

Monardella macrantha ssp. hallii (Hall’s monardella) is a Forest Service sensitive species that is a perennial rhizomatous herb that blooms from June to August (California Native Plant Society 2001). It occurs in the San Gabriel, San Bernardino, San Jacinto, Santa Ana, Palomar, and Agua Tibia Mountains in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and San Diego counties (California Natural Diversity Database 2004). The California Natural Diversity Database (2004) lists 26 occurrences. It is one of two subspecies of Monardella macrantha that occur in California. It occupies valley-foothill grassland, chaparral, cismontane woodland, broad-leaved upland forest, and lower montane conifer forest between elevations of 2,400-7,200 feet (California Native Plant Society 2001). It grows in rocky places and in openings in the vegetation such as near rocky rubble and boulders where shrub cover is limited. Chaparral, woodland, and forest habitats across the Province have been impacted by fire suppression activities. Post-climax chaparral is especially at risk from intense fires, however this taxon may be somewhat tolerant to disturbance and fire may positively affect the populations. Some populations have exhibited higher densities after fire. The decreased competition from other plants may promote plant growth (USDA Forest Service 2002).

Within the project area: Known records of this species on Yuciapa Ridge were confirmed by field surveys. Field surveys of the proposed action areas found over 150 individuals occur within the footprint of proposed fuelbreak on FS land on Yucaipa Ridge north and west of Allen Peak. The California Natural Diversity Database (2004) also shows multiple occurrences of this species along the Yucaipa Ridge fuelbreak in T1S, R1W, from the east edge of sec. 17 east to the middle of sec.15. Direct effects: Removal of vegetation may result in habitat microclimate changes. Removal of pockets of vegetation will open up the canopy, resulting in changes in the temperature regimes as well as soil moisture levels in those areas. This species may respond to these changes with localized changes in distribution. These changes are not expected to result in significant impacts to this species.

Some loss of individuals may occur as a result of direct damage to plants, and burying individual plants not found during surveys or flagged for avoidance in the proposed action areas. Vegetation removal activities may also result in short-term disturbances to the soil surface. This can disrupt germination and survival of seedlings as well as destroy mature plants and leave the area vulnerable to invasion by opportunistic invasive annual grass species. These impacts can be minimized or avoided by implementing the design features outlined in the proposed action above, such as avoiding operations in the growing season, flagging known occurrences, and conducting operations within flagged occurrences by hand only.

Indirect effects: This taxon may be somewhat tolerant to disturbance and it has been noted that fire may positively affect the populations (USDA Forest Service 2002). Low intensity fire such as would be expected with maintenance prescribed burning would mostly likely remove decadent plant growth. The decreased competition from other plants may promote growth (USDA Forest Service 2002).

Prescribed fire that reduces fuel loading within a site can benefit a species if it reduces the risk of 38 wildfire, however this benefit is offset by the potential for invasion by non-native invasive annual grasses (Bromus sp.) that already exist in the proposed treatment areas as removal of overstory vegetation can promote the expansion of these non-native annual grasses. Monardella macrantha is also a low growing perennial species that could be suppressed by burial with accumulation of chips. However, chipping may actually serve to suppress non-native annual grasses following treatment. Indirect effects will be minimized by design features, and BMPs.

Individuals of this species could be damaged by activities such as dragging of slash, construction of landing areas, road maintenance, dropping of trees, skidding, yarding of logs, removal of logs, trampling and from cutting equipment, masticators, skid trails, and other associated activities. Limiting equipment use to designated areas, flag to avoid, and other design features included in the proposed action will minimize or eliminate these effects

Cumulative Effects: The work associated with the maintenance of Southern California Edison Flume line on Yucaipa Ridge may have contributed to, or may contribute to cumulative impacts to this only known extant population of this species within the SanBernardino Mountains of the SBNF. Design features will minimize adverse effects to this species in the course of implementing this project.

Determination of Effects: Due to design features included in the proposed action that will minimize impacts to the known population on Yuciapa Ridge, it is my determination that the proposed action may affect individuals, but is not likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability for Monardella macrantha ssp. Hallii.

Parnasssia cirrata var. cirrata (Fringed grass of Parnassus) is a Forest Service sensitive species that blooms between August-September (California Native Plant Society 2001). It occurs in the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties in California. CalFlora (2002) reports that this species may also occur in northern California in Shasta, Tehema, Butte, and Glen counties; however, there are no documented occurrences from these areas. There are six occurrences reported in the California Natural Diversity Database (2004). All occurrences are on National Forest System land. All seven occurrences are historical; the most recent reported occurrence is from 1970. Its range extends to Mexico.

Parnassia cirrata inhabits mesic areas in lower and upper montane coniferous forest between 2,135-3,000 m (7000-9850 feet), although historic locations were from lower elevations. On the Angeles National Forest, Parnassia cirrata appears to be associated with calcareous seeps. On the San Bernardino National Forest, this species occurs in moist washes, springy meadows, and streamsides within lodgepole pine forest and ponderosa pine forest.

Within the project area: There is one historic occurrence (1879) of this species within the project area on private property in Gilman Canyon, but the record is vague and the exact location is unknown. This species and could potentially occupy suitable habitat in meadows, springs or seeps above 7000 feet within the project area, but none were found during field surveys of proposed activity areas conducted at the appropriate time of year.

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Determination of Effects: This plant is generally known from meadows, wet, or boggy areas, and direct disturbances to these habitats are not planned. Design features implementation of BMPs and measures to protect Riparian Conservation Areas (RCAs) will prevent erosion of soil into these habitats. Therefore, even if this species were to be present in the project area outside of proposed action areas, no impacts would be expected due to habitat avoidance and BMPs. Therefore it is my determination that the proposed action will not affect Parnassia cirrata.

Sidalcea hickmanii ssp. parishii (Parish’s checkerbloom)

Sidalcea hickmanii ssp. parishii is a Forest Service sensitive species. It is a perennial herb that blooms June-August (California Native Plant Society 2001), and grows in chaparral, cismontane woodland, and montane conifer habitat at elevations of 3,300–8,200 feet (1,000–2,500 meters) (California Native Plant Society 2001). Habitat for Sidalcea hickmanii ssp. parishii varies over time in response to wildfire and the post-fire response of the vegetation. Dense, mature stands of chaparral and woodland are generally unsuitable for Sidalcea hickmanii ssp. parishii until after wildfire has removed the bulk of the competing vegetation. Sidalcea hickmanii ssp. parishii may remain on-site after vegetative recovery has occurred but only in open areas – areas that are usually subject to some sort of periodic disturbance other than fire. Roadsides, cut road banks, and fuelbreaks often provide this type of disturbed habitat. However, vegetation and fuels management projects are considered a threat to all of this species’ habitat in the San Bernardino National Forest. The greater threat however, may be the creation of dozer lines during emergency fire suppression actions.

Sidalcea hickmanii ssp. parishii is a fire-follower. Reports that Sidalcea hickmanii ssp. parishii is favored by other forms of disturbance such as grazing, hazard reduction at communication sites, trail construction, and fuelbreak maintenance may be based on a misunderstanding of the taxon's life history. After wildfire events, very large numbers of seeds germinate producing many hundreds if not thousands of seedling plants. In the several years after the wildfire, many of these seedlings are able to survive and as they mature they produce flowers and seeds. In the course of several decades, competition from large, longer-lived shrubs ultimately shade out and kill the vast majority of Sidalcea hickmanii ssp. parishii plants. After a period of many decades, wildfire will usually occur again and start the cycle again.

Sidalcea hickmanii ssp. parishii is known from the outer South Coast Ranges, the Western Transverse Ranges, and the San Bernardino Mountains (Hill 1993). The California Natural Diversity Database (2010) lists 22 occurrences found in the La Panza Range, and the San Rafael, Sierra Madre, and San Bernardino Mountains. It is distributed in several highly restricted occurrences and is considered to be in danger of extirpation in a portion of its range (California Native Plant Society 2001). The distribution of Sidalcea hickmanii ssp. parishii is moderately well known on National Forest System lands, but its population trends are generally unknown (Stephenson and Calcarone 1999). Brush encroachment, or the absence of fire, is probably the most widespread threat to Sidalcea hickmanii ssp. parishii (USDA Forest Service. 2006).

Within the project area: There is one historic occurrence (1909) of this species within the project area on Yucaipa Ridge but the record is vague and the exact location is unknown.

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Determination of Effects: Based on the fact that the proposed action area in the vicinity of the historic record was surveyed in the appropriate season and no occurrences were found, and the fact that the only record in the vicinity of the project area is a vague record from 1909, impacts to this species is not expected. Is my determination that the proposed action will not affect Sidalcea hickmanii ssp. parishii.

2.0 SUMMARY OF DETERMINATION OF EFFECTS FOR FS SENSITIVE SPECIES It is my determination that the proposed action as described will not affect Allium marvinii, Chorizanthe parri var. parryi, Gilia leptantha ssp. leptantha, Lilium parryi, Parnasssia cirrata var. cirrata, and Sidalcea hickmanii spp. parishii. The proposed action may affect individuals, but is not likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability for Calochortus plummerae and Monardella macrantha ssp. hallii.

PART IV: BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS TO THREATENED, ENDANGERED, PROPOSED, AND CANDIDATE SPECIES -PLANTS.

1.0 CONSULTATION TO DATE

1.1 Species list The quarterly species list request was sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on December 16, 2009 for projects being evaluated on the San Bernardino National Forest. A similar list was sent to USFWS on July 15, 2009. A letter of concurrence was received from USFWS on August 26, 2009. The species listed in the letters are included in this evaluation and are contained in Appendix A, Threatened, Endangered and Proposed Plant Species on the San Bernardino National Forest.

1.2 Modeled habitat The SBNF completed Section 7 programmatic formal consultation on interim management guidelines for the San Bernardino National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (USDA Forest Service 2000a). The consultation for impacts to meadow plant species was included in the Programmatic Consultation. The Programmatic Biological Assessment (USDA Forest Service 2000a) and Biological Opinion (USFWS 2001b) for ongoing activities on the SBNF has applicable management direction that is relevant to this project regarding Modeled Habitat. Modeled habitats were mapped jointly by US Fish & Wildlife Service and US Forest Service. The mapping is based on physiographic and vegetative features (GIS databases). The Forest is required to complete a habitat assessment to determine whether modeled habitat is currently suitable for or occupied by the species. For new activities to be authorized or carried out by the Forest Service, modeled habitat will be treated as occupied habitat until surveyed for suitability (based on mutually agreed upon suitability criteria) and, if necessary, for occupancy.

2.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT AND EFFECTS - THREATENED, ENDANGERED, PROPOSED, AND CANDIDATE SPECIES

Table 1, Appendix A contains the current TEPC plants for the SBNF. All species in Table 1 were considered during this evaluation of potential effects for this project. Detailed species 41 accounts for all of the TEPC species are contained in the 2005 Forest Plan (USDA Forest Service 2005).

The pre-field review found no records of known populations of Threatened, Endangered, Proposed or Candidate species, nor designated Critical Habitat for these species within the project area.

Based on computer models developed in coordination with U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, modeled habitat for six endangered species is present within the project area (Table 6). Modeled habitat within the proposed action areas was surveyed. No occupied or suitable habitat for threatened or endangered plants was found in modeled habitat within the proposed action areas during focused surveys.

Table 6. Plants – Modeled Habitat for Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, and Candidate species

Species Name Fed Status Symbol Occurrence Information Berberis nevinii (E) BENE No modeled, suitable, or occupied habitat in project area Dodecahema leptocerans (E) DOLE Modeled habitat in project area, no suitable or occupied habitat found in proposed activity areas Poa atropurpurea (E) POAT Modeled habitat in project area, no suitable or occupied habitat found in proposed activity areas Sidalcea pedata (E) SIPE4 Modeled habitat in project area, no suitable or occupied habitat found in proposed activity areas Taraxacum californicum (E) TACA5 Modeled habitat in project area, no suitable or occupied habitat found in proposed activity areas Thelypodium stenopetalum (E) THST Modeled habitat in project area, no suitable or occupied habitat found in proposed activity areas

Nevin’s barberry - Berberis nevinii)

Berberis nevinii is a federally endangered species known from Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties (California Native Plant Society 2001, California Natural Diversity Database 2002a), and is known from fewer than 30 scattered natural occurrences. This species appears to be a paleo-endemic relic, which may explain why most populations consist of few, infrequently reproducing individuals. Modeled habitat for this species was mapped within the project boundary prior to 2004, but the GIS model developed for Berberis nevinii habitat for the Province Consultation Biological Opinion (PCBO) greatly over-predicted potentially suitable habitat. In 2004, the southern California Forests sent a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreeing to use the habitat description for Berberis nevinii developed by Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden botanists. Their description lowered the elevation range for this species and confined it to certain soil types as follows: ―Based on different occupied habitats within the Vail Lake area and the existing modeled suitable habitat for B. nevinii, it appears that 4 types of suitable habitat for this species exist. 1. To account for areas similar to the Big Oak Mountain summit area: elevations below 3,000 feet (the lower edge of marine layer), consisting of relatively flat (low relief) clay lenses with higher water-holding capacity, consisting of heavy adobe/gabbro type soils derived from meta-volcanic geology (Mesozoic basic intrusive rock). 2. Meta-sedimentary substrates associated with springs or seeps below 1,800 feet. 3. Sedimentary 42 units like Temecula arkose, especially sandy arkose material, below 1,800 feet in elevation, on slopes up to 15 m above drainage bottoms. 4. As currently modeled, in broad alluvial scrub in washes/canyon bottoms, within 20 m of canyon bottom, below 1,800 feet elevation, in alluvial soils originating from primarily non-marine sedimentary substrates.‖

Within the project area: Since elevations in the project area range from approximately 2,440 feet to 9,320 feet, the later 3 habitat types (all below 1,800 feet.), do not occur in the project area. Since the project area is not known to contain clay lenses with higher water-holding capacity, the remaining habitat type is also not present.

Determination of Effects: There is no designated critical habitat for this species within the project area. Based on the suitability criteria, suitable habitat for this species does not occur within the project boundary and no impacts would be expected. It is my determination that the proposed project will not affect Berberis nevinii or its critical habitat.

Slender-horned spineflower (Dodecahema leptoceras

Dodecahema leptoceras is a federally endangered species and is a low-growing annual producing a slender taproot. Plants flower from April to June (California Native Plant Society 2001). It is endemic to alluvial systems on the coastal side of the Transverse and Peninsular Ranges in Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. It occurs along the southern margins of the San Gabriel, San Bernardino, and San Jacinto mountains, from Bee Canyon in the north, to the Santa Ana River Wash, Bautista Canyon, and Vail Lake in the south (Gordon-Reedy 1997; USDI Fish and Wildlife Service 2001).

This species grows on sandy soils of alluvial fans and sandy stream terraces within chaparral, cismontane woodland, and coastal sage scrub at elevations of 650–2,500 feet (California Native Plant Society 2001). The California Natural Diversity Database lists 22 extant occurrences of this species (California Natural Diversity Database 2002). Over half of the occurrences are on lands of private or unknown ownership (63%). A few of these occurrences on private land are old, unconfirmed records needing current population status verification. The remaining occurrences are on protected lands of varied ownership including San Bernardino National Forest.

Within the project area: Unconfirmed records from 1923 of this species in Mill Creek wash are vague, and the population is listed by CNDDB as ―possibly extirpated.‖ Modeled habitat for Dodecahema leptoceras barely overlaps the project boundary on the far western edge of the project area, but this species would be found in alluvial washes, and no activities are proposed in Mill Creek wash.

Determination of Effects: There is no designated critical habitat for this species within the project area and no suitable or occupied habitat was found within the mapped modeled habitat within the proposed action area. Based on the fact that the species was not found during surveys at of the proposed action areas at the appropriate time of year, no activities are planned in or near this species’ habitat, and BMPs and protections for RCAs will protect drainages leading to the

43 wash, it is my determination that the proposed project will not affect Dodecahema leptoceras or its designated critical habitat .

San Bernardino Bluegrass (Poa atropurpurea)

Poa atropurpurea is a federally endangered species. It is a dioecious rhizomatous perennial grass that flowers April–June (California Native Plant Society 2001). Poa atropurpurea is endemic to southern California, reported from 22 occurrences in the San Bernardino Mountains of San Bernardino County, and the Palomar and Laguna Mountains of San Diego County (California Natural Diversity Database 2004). All occurrences of Poa atropurpurea are on or adjacent to the San Bernardino and Cleveland National Forests. This species occurs in montane meadows and seeps at elevations of 4,400–8,000 feet (California Native Plant Society 2001). The species is usually found on the edges of wet meadows in open pine forests and grassy slopes on loamy alluvial to sandy loam soils (California Natural Diversity Database 2002). It occupies the edges of wet meadows where there is less competition from more mesic species. At the southern end of its range, Poa atropurpurea populations appear relatively stable. Occurrences in the San Bernardino Mountains appear to be declining, primarily as a result of development pressures (Reiser 1994). Poa atropurpurea is threatened by habitat destruction and alteration resulting from urban and recreational development, hydrological alteration, grazing by livestock, and competition from invasive nonnative plant species (USDA Forest Service 2000). Hybridization with a nonnative taxon has been speculated, however this has not been documented.

Within the project area: Modeled habitat for this species based mainly on aerial photographs overpredicts habitats as it includes all openings and grassy areas, most of which are not suitable. There is modeled habitat along or near several existing or proposed firebreaks, however field surveys did not reveal any suitable or occupied habitat within proposed activity areas. Modeled habitat in area of Banning bench was surveyed and found to be an artificial pond behind the Oak Glen Conservation Camp. Some modeled habitat in Sawmill Canyon area was inaccessible by foot due to steep canyons and dangerous terrain, however, accessible modeled habitat at appropriate elevation was surveyed, and no suitable or occupied habitat was found within proposed activity areas. Although not known from within the project area, presence of suitable habitat (meadow and riparian habitats) and relative proximity to known occurrences suggest that there is a potential for San Bernardino bluegrass to occur within the project area.

Determination of Effects: There is no designated critical habitat for this species within the project area and no suitable or occupied habitat was found within the mapped modeled habitat within the proposed action area. This species would be restricted to meadows and riparian zones if it does occur in the project area. Design criteria included in the Proposed Action provide for avoidance of meadows and riparian zones. Implementation of BMPs and design features to protect Riparian Conservation Areas (RCAs) would prevent erosion of soil into meadows and riparian zones. Therefore, if San Bernardino bluegrass does occur within the project area, no impacts would be expected due to habitat avoidance and BMPs. It is my determination that the proposed project will not affect Poa atropurpurea or its designated critical habitat.

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Bird’s foot checkerbloom (Sidalcea pedata )

Sidalcea pedata is a federally endangered species. It is a perennial herb that blooms May-August and is endemic to the San Bernardino Mountains in Big Bear Valley and surrounding areas including Baldwin Lake to the east, and Bluff Lake to the south (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998). The plant is currently reported from 10–17 occurrences (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998; California Natural Diversity Database 2004). Two occurrences on National Forest System lands each consist of only one or two individuals (USDA Forest Service 2000).

This species inhabits moist, undisturbed soils in vernally moist montane meadows and seeps, sparsely vegetated drier meadows, and the edges of pebble plains in open woodlands at elevations of 5,200-8,125 feet (USDA Forest Service 2002; California Native Plant Society 2001; California Natural Diversity Database 2004). It tends to occupy the drier portions of these habitats and is generally not found in swales that are densely vegetated by rushes and sedges (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998). Sidalcea pedata has been extirpated from at least six sites, and populations on private land are generally declining (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998, California Natural Diversity Database 2004). Meadows are often lost to development, upstream water diversion, and channelization. Many major occurrences on private land are at imminent risk of loss or chronic degradation.

Within project area: Three areas of Modeled Habitat are mapped within the project area in the vicinity of Pine Bench Road and Pine Bench. In these areas at appropriate elevations, potential habitat was surveyed within proposed activity areas at the appropriate time of year and this species was not found.

Determination of Effects: There is no designated critical habitat within the project area and no suitable habitat was found within the mapped modeled habitat. Therefore it is my determination that the proposed project will not affect Sidalcea pedata or its designated critical habitat.

California dandelion (Taraxacum californicum)

Taraxacum californicum is a federally endangered species. It is a perennial herb that flowers from May through August (California Native Plant Society 2001), and is endemic to the northeastern San Bernardino Mountains in San Bernardino County. Occurrences in the San Bernardino Mountains range from Big Bear and Holcomb valleys to South Fork Meadows in the Santa Ana River watershed. Twenty-nine occurrences of Taraxacum californicum are documented on the San Bernardino National Forest (California Department of Fish and Game 2004). Nine other occurrences are on state, municipal, and private lands adjacent to National Forest System Lands. It occurs in mesic meadows and seeps, usually in areas free of taller vegetation, at elevations of 5,500-8, 500 feet (California Department of Fish and Game 2004). It is often associated with San Bernardino bluegrass (Poa atropurpurea), another federally listed species. Taraxacum californicum occurs on meadow margins, and less frequently in the wetter areas of meadows as generally occurring in the moister portions of meadows, often along stream channels, in depressions, or in areas of saturated soils among typical wetland plants such as rushes and sedges, which usually absent from drier portions.

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Within the project area: Modeled habitat was mapped in multiple locations within the project area. Modeled habitat in area of Banning bench was surveyed and found to be an artificial pond behind the Oak Glen Conservation Camp. Some modeled habitat in Sawmill Canyon area was inaccessible by foot due to steep canyons and dangerous terrain, however accessible modeled habitat within the proposed action areas at appropriate elevation was surveyed at the appropriate time of year, and no suitable or occupied habitat was found.

Determination of Effects: There is no designated critical habitat within the project area and no suitable habitat was found within the mapped modeled habitat. Implementation of BMPs and design features to protect Riparian Conservation Areas (RCAs) should prevent erosion of soil into meadows and riparian zones. Therefore, if California dandelion does occur within the project area in inaccessible areas, no impacts would be expected due to habitat avoidance and BMPs. Therefore it is my determination that the proposed project will not affect Taraxacum californicum or its designated critical habitat.

Slender-petaled mustard (Thelypodium stenopetalum)

Thelypodium stenopetalum is a is a federally endangered species. This biennial herb generally flowers May through August (California Native Plant Society 2001), and is endemic to the San Bernardino Mountains. Thelypodium stenopetalum is restricted to vernally wet meadows, alkaline flats, and lakeshores at elevations of 6,740–7,340 feet (USDA Forest Service 2000). Populations tend to occupy the drier portions of meadow sites.

There are approximately ten occurrences of Thelypodium stenopetalum, some of which have been extirpated. The California Natural Diversity Database (2004) reports ten occurrences in Big Bear and Holcomb valleys and near Baldwin Lake. Two occurrences are located on the San Bernardino National Forest. This species is in danger of extinction throughout its range (California Native Plant Society 2001). Belleville Meadow in Holcomb Valley supports the largest occurrence. The San Bernardino National Forest has monitored this occurrence for 10 years with population sampling along transects. A graduate student has plans to analyze the data and compile a report of findings. Although analysis is not complete, it appears that the Belleville Meadow occurrence fluctuates greatly with precipitation and climatic conditions, ranging between 500 and 75,000 plants depending on conditions. In 1998, it was estimated that Thelypodium stenopetalum inhabited approximately 12 acres of the meadow. The monitoring study began during an extended drought period, so the apparent increase may be a natural fluctuation related to rain/snowfall (USDA Forest Service 2000).

Within the project area: Modeled Habitat is mapped within the project area in the vicinity of Pine Bench Road and Pine Bench, however field surveys at the appropriate time of year revealed no suitable habitat within proposed activity areas.

Determination of Effects: There is no designated critical habitat within the project area and no suitable habitat was found within the mapped modeled habitat within the proposed action area. Therefore it is my determination that the proposed project will not affect Thelypodium stenopetalum or its designated critical habitat.

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3.0 DETERMINATION OF EFFECTS FOR TEPC SPECIES

Threatened or endangered plant species and designated critical habitat: It is my determination that implementation of the proposed action as described will not affect any threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat. Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation is not required for this project.

PART V: MANAGEMENT INDICATOR SPECIES

1.0. INTRODUCTION Management indicator species (MIS) are selected because their population changes are believed to indicate the effects of management activities (36 CFR [Code of Federal Regulations] 219.19(a)(1), 1982) and to serve as a focus for monitoring (36 CFR 219(a)(6), 1982). The regulation (1982 Planning Rule) required the selection of vertebrate and/or invertebrate species as MIS but did not preclude the selection of other life forms. Vascular plants are included as MIS because these species are often wide-ranging and responsive to landscape-level stressors.

Management direction: Forests should analyze and disclose effects to Management Indicator Species (MIS) as part of the NEPA process for projects implementing Forest Plans prepared under the 1982 planning rule (36 CFR 219.19, Source: 47 FR 43037, Sept. 30, 1982).

The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the potential impacts of the proposed project on the Management Indicator Species (MIS) identified in the LMP. The rationale for MIS species selection is presented in Appendix B of the FEIS. The Land Management Plan (LMP) direction is to maintain or improve habitat conditions to sustain healthy populations of MIS, with the exception of white fir which was included as a MIS because a reduced abundance of this species in montane mixed conifer forests will indicate a return to more historical, and presumably more natural, stand conditions.

2.0. MIS SELECTED FOR PROJECT ANALYSIS

A review was conducted to determine whether the project area was within known or potential habitat for each MIS. Four SBNF Management Indicator (MIS) plant species are known to occur in the project area (Table 7). Table 7. Management Indicator Species Selected for Project Evaluation Species Indicators of Management Relevance to Project Coulter Pine Coulter pine forest Occurs in project area Bigcone Douglas-fir Big cone Douglas-fir forest Occurs in project area California black oak California black oak forest Occurs in project area White fir Montane conifer forest Occurs in project area

3.0. MIS ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE AND EFFECTS ANALYSIS This section discusses known information about MIS occurrence within or near the project area, population trends over time, and a discussion of the effects of the proposed project for the MIS species being discussed. Life history and general habitat requirements for MIS are presented in 47 the Management Indicator Species Accounts (USDA Forest Service 2006). These Forest Service records are currently on file at Front Country Ranger Station.

Coulter Pine Coulter pine is a serotinous conifer that usually occurs in a matrix of chaparral but can also form woodlands with canyon live oak. This species was selected as an MIS for these habitat types. Fire management is crucial to the maintenance of Coulter pine-dominated vegetation. Fire kills Coulter pine trees but stimulates their closed cones, held on the trees for years, to open up and release seeds. Long fire return intervals and drought-related mortality in some Coulter pine- chaparral stands have resulted in the death of overstory trees without subsequent fire to release seeds, creating concern for the ecological health of this ecosystem.

Coulter pine is the most widespread serotinous conifer on the four southern California national forests, covering 65,680 acres. This pine exhibits wide cone-habit variation, ranging from near complete serotiny where it grows in highly flammable chaparral and canyon live oak forests to mostly open cones in forests and woodlands subject to infrequent, low- to moderate-intensity surface fires (Borchert 1985).

Coulter pine exhibits numerous fire-adapted traits. Seedlings establish profusely after periodic crown fires; it has a relatively short life span (50 to 100 years); seedlings thrive in full sunlight; and it bears serotinous cones which liberate seeds when subjected to intense heat. As a result, Coulter pine is more compatible with the chaparral fire regime than bigcone Douglas-fir. The biggest threats to Coulter pine (and to knobcone pine and the closed-cone cypresses) are multiple fires in short succession (for example, less than 25 years apart) or, more rarely, complete fire exclusion. Multiple, short-interval fires kill trees before an adequate closed-cone seed crop has developed (Sawyer and others 1988). Like Coulter pine, knobcone pine also produces serotinous cones and is even more dependent on fire for seed dispersal and seedling recruitment (Vogl et.al. 1988).

When overstory Coulter pines senesce and die without being burned, seedling establishment and stand persistence may be jeopardized. For example, during the height of the drought in the late 1980s, a bark beetle epidemic killed approximately 70 percent of Coulter pines on Palomar Mountain. Pine re-establishment has been poor because of competition and shading from chaparral (Management Indicator Species Accounts, USDA Forest Service. 2006).

Environmental Baseline – Coulter Pine

Some Coulter pine stands are large enough to map at the scale of a forest inventory. The San Bernardino National Forest has 11,781 acres of Coulter pine mapped. Further discussion of the current status of this species and its vegetation communities is found in the LMP (USDA Forest Service. 2005, Vegetation Condition and Forest Health, page 83).

Coulter pine generally dominates the lower to mid-elevation forest/woodland in the area. Coulter pine is present on ridges and in canyons throughout the project area including Yucaipa Ridge, Banning Canyon, Banning Bench, Pine Bench, Mill Creek, Forest Falls, Big Oaks Canyon, and Cherry Canyon. It grows on what can be considered harsh and dry sites. 48

Recent drought-caused pine mortality in the San Bernardino National Forest has created an unusual situation. At least 27 percent (4,140 acres) of Coulter pine woodlands and forests have experienced some degree of drought-caused mortality. In large areas, mortality is complete or near-complete. Coutler pine was the tree species most impacted in the project area by the recent wave of bark beetle mortality affecting the San Bernardino NF. It would be fairly accurate to say that most of the larger Coulter-pine died during the recent outbreak (Larry Amell, Forest Service TEAMS Forester/Silviculturist, Unpublished report). There is a genuine concern that dead and dying trees could lose their cone banks before fire opens them. Seeds that normally are released by fire could fall prematurely as cones deteriorate and open and seeds germinate in forest-floor conditions unsuitable for seedling establishment; or, because dead pines topple within five years, fire could kill seeds in closed-cones still on the trees or partially open cones on the ground (Management Indicator Species Accounts, USDA Forest Service, 2006).

Potential Effects of Proposed Project – Coulter Pine Reducing fuels and thinning Coulter pine stands as proposed in this project is expected to assist in reaching the desired conditions for this species as thinning could promote growth and allow for a faster developing and increased cone bank. Removal of trees and reducing fuels may allow the cone bank to develop without an increase in the burn rotation interval. Since these treatments are components of the proposed action, and thinning will be conducted using a retention preference that puts this species as a priority for retention, the impact of the proposed action as described is expected to be minimal to slightly beneficial.

Bigcone Douglas-Fir Bigcone Douglas-fir was selected as the MIS for the bigcone Douglas-fir vegetation type. Altered fire regimes have affected the abundance and distribution of this tree and the vegetation series of which it is the dominant constituent element (Minnich 1980). The bigcone Douglas-fir habitat type will be a focus of vegetation management projects, and bigcone Douglas-fir trees themselves are an obvious and appropriate indicator of the successful restoration and maintenance of this plant community.

Because it has thick bark and the ability to canopy-sprout, bigcone Douglas-fir is relatively fire- resistant (Gause 1966). Nevertheless, periodic wildfires have restricted this species to protected areas on steep, gravelly slopes with little understory vegetation or on rock outcrops and landslides. For the most part, the high-intensity wildfires that rage in chaparral only kill trees on the periphery of bigcone Douglas-fir populations or, if they burn into the stands, kill understory trees however, occasionally fires destroy entire populations (Minnich 1998). Regeneration in these stands, if it occurs at all, is typically slow and highly unpredictable (Minnich 1980).

Consistent with the idea that bigcone Douglas-fir is restricted to fire refugia in steep terrain, stands most vulnerable to wildland fires occur on gentle slopes. Minnich (1980) recorded 37 percent survival of bigcone Douglas-fir following wildfires on slopes of less than 20 degrees, but more than 90 percent survival on slopes steeper than 40 degrees. Although bigcone Douglas-fir has the ability to crown sprout, sprouting is less likely when trees burn in crown fires.

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Bigcone Douglas-fir seeds germinate in mineral soil, and seedlings require canopy shade and small openings for successful establishment. Consequently, if a stand is lost to a crown fire, regeneration may first require the establishment of canyon live oak, after which viable bigcone Douglas-fir seeds must disperse to the site from disjunct stands or from individuals surviving the fire (Stephenson and Calcarone 1999).

Environmental Baseline – Bigcone Douglas fir Bigcone Douglas fir was found during botanical surveys on ridges and in canyons within the project area including on Yucaipa Ridge, Cherry Canyon, Banning Bench, Pine Bench, Sawmill Canyon near Little San Gorgonio Peak. It was observed as a minor component. The level of recent mortality to bigcone Douglas-fir within the project area is generally unknown, but observations of forest stands in the Angelus Oaks and Forest Falls areas, and on the north-east portion of the project area below and in the area of Unit 42 indicates that the level of mortality to bigcone Douglas-fir in the area due to and since the 2002-2004 wave of mortality was low. (Larry Amell, US Forest Service TEAMS Forester/Silviculturist, Unpublished report). This species in general, is scarce on the Front Country district of SBNF and has been slow to recover from stand replacing fires. Within the project area, bigcone Douglas fir occurs in scattered patches in low numbers.

Potential Effects of Proposed Project – Bigcone Douglas-fir The primary management concern in lower montane habitats is the loss of bigcone Douglas-fir populations in stand-replacing wildfires. In the San Bernardino Mountains, Minnich (1998) documented a net loss of 18 percent of the aerial extent of bigcone Douglas-fir between 1938 and 1978. The highest losses took place in low elevation sites on steep chaparral-covered slopes (greater than 30 degrees) (Minnich 1980).

Impacts of the proposed action as described on this species is expected to be minimal due to the fact that it is currently a minor component of the vegetation within the proposed action area, and thinning will be conducted using a retention preference that puts this species as first priority for retention.

California Black Oak Black oak was selected as an MIS for montane forest habitats. Black oak is a gap-phase species that requires occasional openings in the forest canopy in order to regenerate. Population trends of black oak will measure progress toward achieving montane conifer forests that contain large patches of mature trees with reduced stem densities, interspersed with canopy gaps providing opportunities for regeneration of light-requiring species, including ponderosa pine sugar pine, and Jeffrey pine. Stand improvement work in the montane conifer forest vegetation type has been conducted in recent years involving overstory and understory thinning using both prescribed fire and mechanical treatments. Abundance of black oak, especially saplings, will indicate progress toward reducing forest stand densities and creating regeneration opportunities for light-requiring species (Management Indicator Species Accounts, USDA Forest Service. 2006).

Stands of California black oak will often establish on poorer sites where conifers seedling establishment is not successful. Conifers such as ponderosa pine and incense cedar seedlings 50 often establish under crowns of large black oaks which serve as nurse trees while adjacent ground remains unproductive. California black oak seedlings do not generally grow through and outcompete a stand of young ponderosa pine however root crown sprouts may outcompete younger conifer seedlings.

Fire prepares the seedbed for black oak seedling establishment that occurs in the first post-fire growing season. Fire creates the open canopy required for optimum seedling and sprout growth. Acorn germination and subsequent seedling establishment rates are best in acorns buried by seed-caching rodents or birds; with the California ground squirrels and Steller’s jays being of the greatest importance as acorn cachers. Seedlings cannot establish on soils compacted by logging and do not establish well against conifer seedlings but can grow through chaparral.

Black oak is vulnerable to Sudden Oak Death (Phytophthora ramorum). Some oak stands, particularly in the San Francisco Bay area, have had high mortality rates due to this recently imported disease. So far, Sudden Oak Death has not been detected in the wild in the southern California area.

Environmental Baseline – California Black Oak

California black oak was noted during botanical surveys of the proposed action area in several places including Pine Bench, Oak Glen conservation camp, and Yucaipa Ridge. Statewide, monitoring of hardwoods on National Forest System lands found that Black Oak (Q. kelloggii) appeared as greater than 5 percent of the stand basal area in 40 of the 132 vegetation types, together comprising 4,321,000 acres or 25 percent of Region 5 Forest Service lands. Although USFS has 152,000 acres of forest lands classified as a black oak stratum (HQK), it never represents more than 50 percent of the basal area in any stratum. In the HQK type black oak accounted for only 29 percent of the basal area, 27 percent by number of trees, and 52 trees per acre. On 939,000 acres of land, black oak is greater than 20 percent of the total basal area. The overall stratified estimate is that there are 105 million (+/– 5.1 percent) black oak trees greater than 5 inches in diameter growing on California’s Forest Service lands (Gaman and Casey 2002).

There are about 10,404 acres of black oak woodland and forest mapped on the National Forests of southern California; of that, 7,493 acres are on the SBNF. The species occurs as a component of ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forests on many more acres as well. Thinning to favor black oak has been conducted on the forest, and planting of black oak has occurred in some areas.

Potential Effects Impacts for Black Oak California black oak will not be a priority for retention in the treatment areas and will be limbed and/or cut where necessary. Use of mechanical equipment could affect small black oak seedlings and may reduce germination by compaction of the soil. Over the long-term, these factors may have the potential to reduce black oak regeneration within the treatment area. On the other hand, black oak is a gap-phase species that requires occasional openings in the forest canopy in order to regenerate so the treatments may actually promote new growth. Black oak also readily re- sprouts from the root crown after injury or fire. Overall, the impact of the proposed action as described is expected to be minimal to slightly beneficial. 51

White Fir White fir is a shade-tolerant conifer species. The abundance of small diameter white fir has increased with the success of fire suppression in montane conifer forests (Stephenson and Calcarone 1999); thus, it acts as an indicator of forest stand densification and too long an interval between fires. Stand densification due to fire suppression has left montane conifer forests vulnerable to stand-replacing fires, and the recent drought and insect outbreaks have intensified the risk. In some areas primarily pines have been dying; in others there has been mortality of white fir as well. Reduced abundance of small-diameter white fir and well-distributed large diameter white fir in montane mixed conifer forests will indicate a return to more historical, and presumably more natural, stand conditions (Management Indicator Species Accounts, USDA Forest Service. 2006).

Environmental Baseline – White Fir A small amount of white fir was noted during surveys of the proposed action areas along Yuciapa Ridge between Wilshire Peak and Little San Gorgonio Peak, in the Pine Bench area, and in Banning Canyon area, but this species is currently a very small component of the coniferous forest community in the project area.

Potential Impacts of Proposed Project – White Fir An increase in white fir indicates declining forest health. Thinning will be conducted using a retention preference that puts this species last priority for retention, however within the treatment areas of this project, There is currently a negligible presence of white fir within the project area therefore overall, the impact of the proposed action as described is expected to be minimal.

6.0 SUMMARY Project completion should reduce the risk of wildfire as a result of human-caused starts, and limit the extent of naturally-caused wildfire damage to natural resources on a wider landscape basis. This will benefit MIS species within the project area. Direct effects to MIS are expected to be minimal due to tree and shrub retention guidelines and other design criteria. Also, the proposed action area is very small relative to the ranges of these species within the forest and province and the scope of the project is too small relative to the landscape to make a significant loss or improvement to MIS populations across the Forest, or even in the project vicinity. Therefore it is not expected that this project will alter the existing forest-wide or southern province trend in habitat, the existing forest-wide or province population distribution, or change the trend of any of the MIS tree species discussed in this report.

PART VI: INVASIVE WEEDS RISK ASSESSMENT

1.0 INTRODUCTION This Weed Risk Assessment has been prepared to evaluate the effect of the Oak Glen/Banning Fuel Community Protection Project on invasive non-native plant species. The purpose is to identify vectors for weed spread and changes in habitat that might favor the introduction of new weed species into a proposed project area, or might further spread weeds that already exist within the project area and to recommend measures to offset these risks. The primary focus for invasive plant management is on prevention of introduction, establishment, and spread. 52

2.0 MANAGEMENT DIRECTION This assessment is in compliance with the San Bernardino National Forest Land Management Plan and the direction in the Forest Service Manual (FSM) section 2080, Noxious Weed Management, which includes a policy statement calling for a risk assessment for noxious weeds to be completed for every project. Current management direction for noxious weeds is given in FS Manual 2080, Amendment No. 2000-95-5 (effective 11-29-95). Policy is excerpted below:

2081.03 - Policy. When any ground disturbing action or activity is proposed, determine the risk of introducing or spreading noxious weeds associated with the proposed action.

1. For projects having moderate to high risk of introducing or spreading noxious weeds, the project decision document must identify noxious weed control measures that must be undertaken during project implementation.

2. Use contract and permit clauses to prevent the introduction or spread of noxious weeds by contractors and permittees. For example, where determined to be appropriate, use clauses requiring contractors or permittees to clean their equipment prior to entering National Forest System lands.

2081.2 - Prevention and Control Measures. Determine the factors that favor the establishment and spread of noxious weeds and design management practices or prescriptions to reduce the risk of infestation or spread of noxious weeds.

Where funds and other resources do not permit undertaking all desired measures, address and schedule noxious weed prevention and control in the following order:

1. First Priority: Prevent the introduction of new invaders, 2. Second Priority: Conduct early treatment of new infestations, and 3. Third Priority: Contain and control established infestations.

3.0 METHODS A survey for noxious and other invasive plant species was performed concurrently with focused rare plant surveys and floristic inventories for the Oak Glen/Banning Fireshed Assessment and Oak Glen/Banning Community Protection Projects. Surveys were sufficient to likely detect all noxious weeds present within the surveyed proposed activity areas. These surveys are described in Part I of this combination document.

The following table (Table 8) of noxious and other invasive plants addressed in the EIS for the Southern Province Forest Plan Revision (2006) is derived from Table 463 in that document. All of these species were considered in this analysis.

Table 8. NOXIOUS AND INVASIVE PLANT SPECIE3 OF THE SBNF

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SPECIES NAME COMMON NAME HABITATS CALIPC CFDA LISTING* PEST RATING* Centaurea stoebe ssp. spotted knapweed riparian, grassland, meadows, forest red-alert A micranthos Linaria genistifolia ssp. Dalmatian toad flax mountain meadows, forest floor red-alert A dalmatica Ailanthus altissima tree of heaven riparian, grasslands, oak woodlands A-2 C# Arundo donax gaint reed riparian A-1 C# Atriplex semibaccata Australian saltbush grasslands, shrublands, alkali wetlands A-2 Brassica tournefortii African mustard washes, alkaline flats, Sonornan desert scrub A-2 Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens red brome shrublands, grasslands, desert scrub A-2 Bromus tectorum cheatgrass sagebrush, pinyon juniper woodlands, etc. A-1 Centaurea solstitialis yellow starthistle grasslands A-1 C Cortaderia selloana pampas grass grasslands, wetlands, etc. A-1 Delairea odorata German ivy coastal shrublands, riparian A-1 C# Eichhornia crassipes water hyacinth waterways A-2 Elaegnus angustifolius Russian olive interior riparian A-2 Eucalyptus globulus Tasmanian blue gum riparian, grasslands A-1 Ficus carica edible fig riparian woodlands A-1 Foeniculum vulgare wild fennel grasslands, shrublands A-1 Pennisetum setaceum (A) fountain grass roadsides, grasslands, etc A-1 Rubus discolor Himalayan blackberry riparian, marshes, woodlands A-1 Saponaria officinalis bouncing bet meadows, riparian A-2 Tamarix chinensis, T. gallica, tamarisk, salt cedar desert washes, riparian, seeps and springs. A-1 C# T. parvifolia, T. ramosissima Ageritina adenophora eupatory coastal slopes and canyons, riparian B Bassia hyssopifolia bassia alkaline habitats B Brassica nigra black mustard coastal grasslands, disturbed areas B Centaurea militensis tocolote widespread B C# Cirsium vulgare bull thistle riparian, marshes, meadows B C# Conium maculatum poison hemlock riparian, oak woodlands B Festuca arundinacea tall fescue coastal scrub, grasslands B Hedera helix (A) English ivy coastal and mountain forests, riparian B Holcus lanatus velvet grass coastal grasslands, wetlands B Olea europaea olive riparian B Phaliris aquatica harding grass coastal, mesic soils B Potamogeton crispus curlyleaf pondweed ponds, lakes, streams B Ricinus communis castor bean coastal and interior, widespreaad B Robinia psudoacacia black locust riparian, canyons B Schinus molle Peruvian pepper tree riparian, canyons B Spartium junceum Spanish broom roadsides, canyons, widespread B C# Verbascum thapsus woolly mullein widespread B Vinca major periwinkle riparian, oak woodland B Asphodelus fistulosus asphodel highways Convolvulus arvensis field bindweed disturbed areas Descurainia sophia tansy mustard mojave desert scrub Dimorphotheca sinuata cape marigold sage scrub, alluvial fan scrub Dipsacus fullonum Fuller’s teasel roadsides and other disturbed sites Dipsacus sativus wild teasel Euphorbia lathyris gopher plant interior sage scrub Lathyrus latifolius (and others) sweetpea many habitat types Nicotiana glauca tree tobacco coastal scrub Lepidium perfoliatum Lunaria annua dollar plant riparian, forest, woodland Medicago polymorpha California bur-clover many habitat types Medilotus albus sweet-clover many habitat types, invading rapidly in Bear Valley Melilotus officinalis Nerium oleander oleander persists/naturalizes in riparian 54

Table 8. NOXIOUS AND INVASIVE PLANT SPECIE3 OF THE SBNF SPECIES NAME COMMON NAME HABITATS CALIPC CFDA LISTING* PEST RATING* Oxalis pes-capre (A) Bermuda buttercup disturbed grasslands Pennisetum clandestinum Kikuyu grass disturbed sites, roadsides Picris echioides bristly ox-tongue disturbed sites, near Lake Silverwood Piptatherum miliaceum smilo grass creeks and canyons Poa bulbosa bulbous bluegrass conifer forest and grassy mountain areas Prunus cerasifera cherry plum oak woodland, riparian Ranunculus testiculatus Salsola tragus Russian thistle many habitats Salsola paulsenii barbwire Russian thistle Mojave desert scrub, disturbed sites Silybum marianum milk thistle pasturelands, disturbed grasslands Tribulus terrestris puncture vine dry disturbed areas Xanthium spinosum spiny cocklebur riparian and other wetlands Avena barbata slender wild oat coastal slopes, coastal sage scrub, disturbed Avena fatua wild oat coastal slopes, coastal sage scrub, disturbed Bromus diandrus ripgut brome many habitat types Lolium spp. ryegrass meadows and other wetlands, persistent where applied post-fire Schismus barbatus mediterranean grass coastal and desert shrublands

*California Exotic Pest Plan Council (CEPPC) List Categories: List A: Most Invasive Wildland Pest Plants; documented as aggressive invaders that displace natives and disrupt natural habitats. Includes two sub-lists; List A-1: Widespread pests that are invasive in more than 3 Jepson regions, and List A- 2: Regional pests invasive in 3 or fewer Jepson regions List B: Wildland Pest Plants of Lesser Invasiveness; invasive pest plants that spread less rapidly and cause a lesser degree of habitat disruption; may be widespread or regional. Red Alert: Pest plants with potential to spread explosively; infestation currently small or localized. If found, alert Cal EPPC, County Agricultural Commissioner or California Department of Food and Agriculture. Need More Information: Plants for which current information does not adequately describe nature of threat to wildlands, distribution or invasiveness. Further information is requested from knowledgeable observers. Annual Grasses: A preliminary list of annual grasses, abundant and widespread in California, that pose significant threats to wildlands. Information is requested to support further definition of this category in next list edition. *California Dept. of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Pest Ratings: All weeds on California’s 130 plus noxious weed list have a rating. The overall rating system is NOT based on how bad a weed is-all weeds are considered ―bad‖- but rather on overall distribution throughout the state. Ratings and formal definitions by the CDFA are: A=rated weeds are normally limited in distribution throughout the state. Eradication, containment, rejection or other holding action at the state-county level. Quarantine interceptions to be rejected or threat at any point in the state. B=rated weeds are more widespread. Eradication, containment, control or other holding action at the discretion of the commissioner. State endorsed holding action and eradication only when found in a nursery. C=rated weeds are generally widespread throughout the state. Action to retard spread outside of nurseries at the discretion of the commissioner. Reject only when found in a cropseed for planting or at the discretion of the commissioner. Q=rated species are treated as temporary ―A‖ weeds. Denoting action outside nurseries at the state-county level pending determination of permanent rating. D=rated weeds are organisms considered to be of little or no economic importance. No action. Anything not rated as ―A‖, ―B‖, ―C‖, or ―‖Q’ is given a ―D‖ rating. #= plant added to CDFA noxious weed list 8/2003, pest rating not finalized but ―C‖ rating expected

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4.0 SURVEY RESULTS AND RISK ASSESSMENT

Any ground-disturbing activity can facilitate the establishment and spread of noxious or invasive weed species. Prefire fuel manipulations such as fuel breaks produce conditions that favor many weedy aliens and thus act to increase the alien presence, increase the movement of aliens into wildlands, and increase seed sources capable of invading after fire (Keeley, J. E. 2001). These non-native plant species have the ability to out-compete native plant species including special status species for available water and nutrients, and can also create a flashy and continuous fuel- bed that effectively accelerates fire return intervals. Once established, these invasive non-native species can eliminate native vegetation. The proposed action includes several measures to reduce the likelihood of spread and establishment of these species. Limiting soil disturbance from equipment use to smallest area feasible, pre-arrival washing of equipment, cleaning of equipment following work in some infested areas before moving to uninfested areas (the area of Water Canyon starththisle), and stockpiling/respreading duff (or slash) layers after completion of disturbance, should all help reduce the spread of invasive species throughout the project area.

For the Oak Glen/Banning Fuel Community Project area, several weeds were recorded throughout the project area. A common compliment of European exotic species is known from the project area including Cirsium vulgare (bull thistle), Brassica nigra (black mustard), Bromus diandrus (ripgut brome), Bromus madritensis (red brome), Rubus discolor (Himalayan blackberry), Erodium cicutarium (redstem filaree) and Salsola tragus (Russian thistle). Bromus tectorum (cheat grasss) and Avena barbata (wild oats) can be found in various locations throughout the entire project area. Not all weeds found during surveys are listed here, however a few species of special concern are discussed below.

4.1 Weeds that pose severe to moderate risks

Weeds that are not yet ubiquitous in the project area and pose the greatest risk of being spread into currently unifested adjacent areas include: Yellow starthistle, (Centaurea solstitialis), Spanish broom (Spartium junceum) and Russian Thistle (Salsola tragus).

Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) Yellow starthistle is listed by the California Exotic Pest Plant Council (CalEPPC) as List A-1 (most invasive wildland pests documented as aggressive invaders that displace natives and disrupt natural habitats). Yellow starthistle is highly invasive noxious weed indigenous to southern and western Eurasia. This species is believed to have been introduced through the use of contaminated alfalfa seed sometime after 1848 when it was first collected in Oakland, California. By 1995 the estimated coverage in California was 10-12 million acres (Cal IPC 2009). Native vegetation is threatened by displacement of native plants which occurs as yellow starthistle forms dense infestations. Seed is spread by vehicles, livestock, and by contaminated hay and seed. It is currently spreading in mountain regions of the state below 7,500 feet and in the central-western region. Studies of seed survival in soil have found significant survival to ten years (Cal IPC 2009). Primarily it is a problem in moderately warm, exposed areas on fertile, drier soils, including disturbed sites, grasslands, rangeland, hay fields, pastures, roadsides, and recreational areas (DiTomaso et al. 1998).

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Unlike cheatgrass, this species is not yet known to be present in other parts of the SBNF or the project area. This species has occurred in small isolated occurrences on the forest but has been carefully eradicated whenever encountered. Therefore, it is critical to ecosystem health to limit its spread into currently unoccupied areas. Yellow starthistle was found in only one location during surveys of the proposed action areas. It was found along the proposed fuel break in Water Canyon on Canyon Road north of Wildwood Canyon State Park. The population extends from the intersection of Canyon Road and Pisgah Peak spur to Oak Glen Road. It was found during 2005 surveys and confirmed by the District Botanist in November 2009.

Risk = high. All known yellow starthistle on NFS land within the project area was pulled prior to the project being implemented. Adjacent property owners were informed of the infestation on their land and provided with guidance on the control and management of this species. Some of these land owners initiated their own removal and others have indicated a willingness to cooperate in efforts initiated by the USFS and the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District to control this species on their land. Given this, and design features included in the proposed action, the risk of spread for this species will be mitigated to some degree, but the risk of yellow starthistle spread remains high because there is a seed bank that currently exists, seed viability of up to 10 years has been documented, and the species is highly invasive.

Spanish broom (Spartium junceum) while common and extremely problematic in other parts of the SBNF, this species was not found on FS land within the project boundary. However it is found on Water Canyon Road through Wildwood Canyon State Park. Risk = Moderate. The infested road is a potential access route and for crews and equipment that could serve as dispersal agents, but design features included in the proposed action will reduce the risk of spread for this species.

Russian Thistle (Salsola tragus) while common in other parts of the SBNF, this species is not yet ubiquitous in the project area. Surveys of the proposed action areas found this species only along Water Canyon Road through Wildwood Canyon State Park. Risk = Moderate. The infested road is a potential access route for crews and equipment, but design features included in the proposed action will reduce the risk of spread for this species.

Weeds that are currently ubiquitous in the SBNF and project area, and have moderate risk of being spread by project implementation, or increasing in cover or abundance following project implementation are Cheat grass (Bromus tectorum) and Slender wild oats (Avena barbata).

Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and wild oats(Avena barbata). On the SBNF, cheatgrass is the most widespread of these weedy non-native species. Cheatgrass has spread across millions of acres in the west and is thought to have altered the natural fire frequency in many plant communities. It also has the ability to carry fire into areas that previously would not ordinarily burn. Cheatgrass usually dries up in early summer, leaving the forest floor covered with a dry flashy fuel that carries fire quickly. The continued spread and dominance of cheatgrass represents several potential impacts to native species. Cheatgrass can out-compete native plant species, including some of the rare species such as Calochortus 57 plummerae. Cheatgrass and other non-native annual grasses can also change the character of the forest floor covering it with a relatively dense growth of grass where none would have otherwise been present. This can alter native plant community structure and alter the soil components and productivity.

Currently, cheatgrass and wild oats are abundant wherever there is evidence of disturbance and in forest openings where there is a lack of duff. While these species will never be eradicated from the SBNF, it is critical to ecosystem health to limit spread into currently unoccupied areas and to prevent small low density occurrences from becoming more dominant. The Proposed Action includes several measures to reduce the likelihood of spread and establishment of these species. Limiting soil disturbance from equipment use to smallest area, washing of equipment, spreading chips to less than 2‖ deep, and stockpiling/respreading duff (or slash) layers after completion of disturbance, should all help reduce the spread of this species throughout the project areas.

Risk = Moderate. Invasive species and site rehabilitation design features will mitigate risk.

4.2 Risk Assessment for Soil Disturbance Impacts The weed risk from soil disturbance associated with the proposed action was determined to be ―moderate‖ throughout the project area due to weed design criteria. For each treatment, soil disturbance may lead to an increase in conditions favorable for cheatgrass and other weeds, but keeping disturbance to the smallest area possible will reduce this risk to some degree. Helicopter treatments (if utilized) will cause less ground disturbance leaving less area vulnerable to invasion by weeds than ground based equipment. Skid trails would be blocked and/or rehabilitated to prevent motorized travel after operations are complete further minimizing the risk of ground disturbance that could promote weed invasion.

4.3 Risk of Transporting New Infestations into Project Area The risk of transporting new weed infestations into the project area was determined to be moderate overall because of weed design criteria, but remains ―high‖ at the yellow starthistle site along Canyon Road in Water Canyon. The risk of yellow starthistle spread remains high because there is a seed bank that currently exists, seed viability of up to 10 years has been documented, and the species is highly invasive. Spanish broom and Russian thistle are also found on private property adjacent to FS land in the same area. If FS or Cal Fire crews use Canyon Road as an access route for vehicles and equipment, there is a high probability of transporting these species into other parts of the project area on FS land that is not currently infested with these species. Application of design features detailed in Part I, will reduce the risk of weed introduction and spread as a result of project implementation.

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APPENDIX A: THREATENED, ENDANGERED, PROPOSED, SENSITIVE, and WATCHLIST PLANTS on the SAN BERNARDINO N.F.

TABLE 1. THREATENED, ENDANGERED, PROPOSED, AND CANDIDATE PLANT SPECIES ON THE SBNF SPECIES NAME COMMON NAME Occurrence on SBNF Districts* CRITICAL HABITAT TYPE OCCURRENCE HABITAT IN PROJECT Mountain- Front San ON SBNF AREA* top Country Jacinto ENDANGERED SPECIES Acanthoscyphus parishii var. goodmaniana Cushenbury puncturebract X Designated Carbonate soils Arenaria paludicola marsh sandwort Freshwater marsh Astragalus albens Cushenbury milk vetch X Designated Carbonate soils Astragalus brauntonii Braunton’s milk-vetch P Limestone soils in chaparral Astragalus lentiginosus var. coachellae Coachella Valley milk vetch P Sandy sonoran desert scrub Astragalus tricarinatus triple-ribbed milk-vetch P P Sandy/gravel, desert margin Berberis nevinii Nevin's barberry P P Clay soils/vernally wet areas Docecahema leptoceras slender-horned spineflower X X Alluvial scrub Eriastrum densifolium ssp. sanctorum Santa Ana River woollystar P Alluvial scrub Eriogonum ovalifolium var. vineum Cushenbury buckwheat X Designated Carbonate soils Nasturtium gambelii Gambel’s water cress Freshwater marsh Poa atropurpurea San Bernardino bluegrass X P P Designated Meadows Physaria kingii ssp. bernardina San Bernardino Mtns. bladderpod X Designated Carbonate soils Sidalcea pedata bird's foot checkerbloom X P Meadows Taraxacum californicum California taraxacum X X Designated Meadows Thelypodium stenopetalum slender-petaled mustard X Meadows THREATENED SPECIES Arenaria ursina Bear Valley sandwort X Designated Pebble plain Brodiaea filifolia thread-leaved brodiaea P P Clay soils/vernally wet areas Castilleja cinerea ash-gray Indian paintbrush X X Designated Pebble plains; openings in confier forest Erigeron parishii Parish's daisy X Designated Carbonate soils Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum southern mountain buckwheat X Designated Pebble plain * Presence: X=Known to occur; P=Potential occurrence.

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TABLE 2. SENSITIVE PLANT SPECIES ON THE SBNF SPECIES NAME COMMON NAME Occurrence on SBNF Districts* Occurrence in Mountaintop Front Country San Jacinto Project Area* Abronia nana ssp. covillei Coville’s dwarf abronia X Abronia villosa var. aurita chaparral sand verbena X Acanthoscyphus parishii var. cienegensis Cienega Seca puncturebract X P Allium marvinii Yucaipa onion P Arabis breweri var. pecuniaria San Bernardino rock-cress X Arabis johnstonii Johnston's rock cress X Arabis parishii Parish's rock cress X Arabis shockleyi Shockley's rock-cress X Arenaria lanuginosa ssp. saxosa rock sandwort X X Astragalus bicristatus crested milk vetch X P X Astragalus lentiginosus var. antonius San Antonio milk vetch X Astragalus lentiginosus var. sierrae Big Bear Valley milk vetch X P Astragalus pachypus var. jaegeri Jeager's milkvetch X Atriplex parishii Parish’s brittlescale P P Botrychium crenulatum scalloped moonwort X X P Calochortus clavatus var. gracilis Slender mariposa lily P Calochortus palmeri var. munzii Munz's mariposa lily X Calochortus palmeri var. palmeri Palmer's mariposa lily X P Calochortus plummerae Plummer's mariposa lily P X X Y Calochortus striatus alkali mariposa lily P Canbya candida pygmy poppy X X Castilleja lasiorhyncha San Bernardino Mountain owl's clover X P X Castilleja plagiotoma Mojave paintbrush X P Caulanthus simulans Payson's caulanthus P X Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi Parry's spineflower P P Chorizanthe polygonoides var. longispina long-spined spineflower P X Claytonia lanceolata var. piersonii Pierson’s spring beauty X Deinandra mohavensis Mojave tarplant P P X Delphinium hesperium ssp. cuymacae Cuyamaca larkspur X Dieteria canescens var. ziegleri Ziegler's aster X Draba corrugata var. saxosa rock draba X Dudleya abramsii ssp. affinis San Bernardino Mts. dudleya X Eriogonum evanidum vanishing wild buckwheat P X Eriogonum kennedyi var. alpigenum southern alpine buckwheat X Eriogonum microthecum var. johnstonii Johnston’s buckwheat X X Eriogonum microthecum var. lacus-ursi Bear Lake buckwheat P Galium angustifolium ssp. jacinticium San Jacinto Mts bedstraw X Galium californicum ssp. primum California bedstraw X 60

TABLE 2. SENSITIVE PLANT SPECIES ON THE SBNF SPECIES NAME COMMON NAME Occurrence on SBNF Districts* Occurrence in Mountaintop Front Country San Jacinto Project Area* Gentiana fremontii moss gentian X Gilia leptantha ssp. leptantha San Bernardino gilia X X Helianthus nuttallii ssp. parishii Los Angeles sunflower P P P Heuchera abramsii Abrams’ alumroot P Heuchera elegans Urn-flowered alumroot X Heuchera hirsutissima shaggy-haired alum root X Heuchera parishii Parish's alumroot X X X Horkelia cuneata ssp. puberula mesa horkelia P Horkelia wilderae Barton Flats horkelia X X Hulsea vestita ssp. gabrielensis San Gabriel Mountains sunflower P Hulsea vestita ssp. pygmaea pygmy hulsea X X Imperata brevifolia California satintail P Ivesia argyrocoma silver-haired ivesia X Ivesia callida Tahquitz ivesia X Lepechinia fragrans Fragrant pitcher sage X Leptosiphon floribundus ssp. hallii Santa Rosa Mts linanthus X Lilium parryi lemon lily X X X Limnanthes gracilis var. parishii Parish’s meadowfoam X Linanthus concinnus San Gabriel linanthus X Linanthus jaegeri San Jacinto prickly phlox X Linanthus killipii Baldwin Lake linanthus X Linanthus orcuttii Orcutt’s linanthus X Malaxis monophyllos var. brachypoda Adder’s mouth X X Marina orcuttii var. orcuttii California marina X Matelea parvifolia spearleaf X Meesia triquetra three-ranked hump moss P P Meesia uliginosa broad-nerved hump moss P P Mimulus exiguus San Bernardino Mountain monkeyflower X Mimulus purpureus purple monkeyflower X Monardella macrantha ssp. hallii Hall's monardella X X Y Monardella nana ssp. leptosiphon San Felipe monardella X Monardella viridis ssp. saxicola rock monardella X Navarretia peninsularis Baja navarretia X P Opuntia basilaris var. brachyclada short-joint beavertail P X Oreonana vestita woolly mountain parsley P X Orobanche valida ssp. valida Rock Creek broom-rape X Packera bernardina San Bernardino butterweed X Parnassia cirrata var. cirrata Fringed grass-of-parnassus X Penstemon californicus California penstemon X 61

TABLE 2. SENSITIVE PLANT SPECIES ON THE SBNF SPECIES NAME COMMON NAME Occurrence on SBNF Districts* Occurrence in Mountaintop Front Country San Jacinto Project Area* Phacelia exilis Transverse range phacelia X P Phlox dolichantha Bear Valley phlox X Potentilla glandulosa ssp. ewanii Ewan’s cinquefoil X P Potentilla rimicola cliff cinquefoil X Pyrrocoma uniflora ssp. gossypina Bear Valley pyrrocoma X Saltugilia latimeri Latimer's woodland gilia X P P Scutellaria bolanderi ssp.austromontanum southern mountain skullcap P X Sedum niveum Davidson's stonecrop X X X Sidalcea hickmanii ssp. parishii Parish’s checkerbloom X P Sidotheca caryophylloides Chickweed starry puncturebract X P X Sidotheca emarginata white-margined puncturebract X Streptanthus bernardinus Laguna Mountains jewelflower X X X Streptanthus campestris southern jewelflower X P X Symphyotrichum defoliatum San Bernardino aster X X X Thelypteris puberula var. sonorensis Sonoran maiden fern X P Viola pinetorum ssp. grisea grey-leaved violet P * Presence: X=Known to occur; P=Potential occurrence. * Presence in Project area: Y = was found during surveys of proposed activity areas.

TABLE 3. WATCH PLANT SPECIES ON THE SBNF Presence in Latin Name Common Name Occurrence on SBNF Districts* project area Mountaintop Front Country San Jacinto Allium parishii Parish’s onion P P Androsace elongata ssp. acuta California androsace P P X Antennaria marginata white-margined everlasting X X Arabis dispar pinyon rock-cress X Astragalus leucolobus Bear Valley woollypod X X X Boykinia rotundifolia round-leaved boykenia X X X Y Calyptridium pygmaeum Pygmy pussypaws X X Castilleja montigena Heckard’s paintbrush X X Chaenactis parishii Parish’s chaenactis X Chorizanthe xanti var. leucotheca white-bracted spineflower X X Corydylanthyus eremicus ssp. eremicus desert bird’s beak P Erigeron breweri var. jacinteus San Jacinto Mts. daisy P 62

Eriogonum microthecum var. corymbosoides San Bernardino Mountains buckwheat X Eriogonum umbellatum var. minus alpine sulpher-flowered buckwheat X Eriophyllum lanatum var. obovatum southern Sierra woolly sunflower X X Galium angustifolium ssp. gabrielense San Antonio Canyon bedstraw P Galium jepsonii Jepson’s bedstraw P Galium johnstonii Johnston’s bedstraw X X X Hulsea vestita ssp. callicarpha Beautiful hulsea X Hulsea vestita ssp. parryi Parry’s sunflower X X Juglans californica Southern California black walnut X P Y Juncus duranii Duran’s rush X Layia ziegleri (syn. Layia platyglossa) Ziegler’s tidy tips X Lepidium virginicum var. robinsonii Robinson’s pepperweed P X Linanthus maculatus Little San Bernardino Mountains gilia P P Lilium humboldtii var. ocellatum ocellated Humboldt lily X X P Y Monardella cinerea Gray monardella P P Muhlenbergia californica California muhly grass X Muilla coronata Crowned muilla P Oxytropis oreophila var. oreophila Mountain oxytrope X Packera ionophylla Tehachapi ragwort X X Perideridia parishii ssp. parishii Parish’s yampah X X Phacelia mohavensis Mojave phacelia X P Piperia leptopetala Narrow-petaled rein orchid X X Podistera nevadensis Sierra podostera X Rupertia rigida Parish’s rupertia X P P Swertia neglecta pine green gentian X P Syntrichopappus lemmonii Lemmon’s syntrichopappus X P X Viola aurea Golden violet P P * Presence: X=Known to occur; P=Potential occurrence. * Presence in Project area: Y = was found during surveys of project area.

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APPENDIX B: MANAGEMENT DIRECTION AND LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

1.0. JURISDICTIONS Other federal agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), California Department of Fish and Game, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) may regulate impacts to certain habitats and species associated with the Project Area.

1.1 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, ACOE regulates the discharge of dredged and/or fill material into waters of the United States. The term "waters of the United States" is defined at 33 CFR Part 328 and includes (1) all navigable waters (including all waters subject to the ebb and flow of the tide), (2) all interstate waters and wetlands, (3) all impoundments of waters mentioned above, (4) all tributaries to waters mentioned above, (5) the territorial seas, and (6) all wetlands adjacent to waters mentioned above. Wetlands are defined at 33 CFR 328.3(b) as "those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support...a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions."

A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision (―SWANCC‖ 2001) has determined that ACOE jurisdiction may not necessarily extend to intrastate waters and wetlands where the only federal nexus is potential use by migratory birds. The project area includes the Santa Ana River and Mill Creek (a tributary to the Santa Ana River). The Santa Ana River is intrastate waterway tributary to the Pacific Ocean, and thus is a navigable water subject to ACOE jurisdiction because of the existing connection to interstate commerce.

Issuance of a Section 404 Permit to discharge dredged or fill material into jurisdictional waters is considered a federal action and cannot be undertaken by the Corps if the permitted actions could adversely affect federally-listed (or proposed) endangered or threatened species unless ACOE consults with USFWS.

1.2 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Pursuant to Section 7 of the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), any federal agency undertaking a federal action that may affect a species listed or proposed as threatened or endangered under the ESA must consult with USFWS. In addition, any federal agency undertaking a federal action that may result in adverse modification of critical habitat for a federally-listed species must consult with USFWS.

1.3 California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) Pursuant to Section 1600 et seq. of the Fish and Game Code, the CDFG may require a Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement prior to any activity that will substantially divert or obstruct the natural flow or substantially change the bed, channel, or bank of a river, stream or lake, or use material from a streambed. CDFG defines a "stream" (including creeks and rivers) as "a body of water that flows at least periodically or intermittently through a bed or channel having banks and supports fish or other aquatic life. This includes watercourses having surface or subsurface flow that supports or has supported riparian vegetation." CDFG's definition of "lake" includes "natural lakes or man-made reservoirs."

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In addition to the bed and banks of a stream, CDFG jurisdiction includes riparian or wetland vegetation associated with a stream. CDFG’s issuance of a Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement for a project that is subject to CEQA will require California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance actions by CDFG as a responsible agency. CDFG as a responsible agency under CEQA may consider the lead agency’s Negative Declaration or Environmental Impact Report for the project. Federal projects on federal land do not require the Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement. However, a Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement may be required of a non-federal participant for projects on federal land carried out or funded by the non-federal participant.

Pursuant to Section 2080 et seq. of the Fish and Game Code, a California Endangered Species Act (CESA) permit must be obtained to authorize incidental ―take‖ of plants or animals listed under CESA. Revisions to the Fish and Game Code, effective January 1998, may require that the Department issue a separate CEQA document for the issuance of a 2081 permit unless the project CEQA document addresses all project impacts to listed species and specifies a mitigation monitoring and reporting program that will meet the requirements of a 2081 permit. Please note that federal projects on federal land (such as a Forest Service Project on Forest Service land) do not require the 2081 incidental take permit. However, an incidental take permit may be required of a non-federal participant for projects on federal land carried out or funded by the non-federal participant.

2.0 FEDERAL LAWS

2.1 Endangered Species Act The Endangered Species Act contains protection for all species federally-listed as endangered or threatened: Federal agencies shall seek to conserve endangered species and threatened species and shall, in consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, utilize their authorities in furthering the purposes of the Endangered Species Act by carrying out programs for the conservation of endangered and threatened species. Regulations for species that are proposed for listing as endangered or threatened are included in the Endangered Species Act: Federal agencies shall confer with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on any agency action that is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any species proposed to be listed.

2.2 Clean Water Act Pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) regulates the discharge of dredged and/or fill material into waters of the United States. The term "waters of the United States" is defined at 33 CFR Part 328 and includes (1) all navigable waters (including all waters subject to the ebb and flow of the tide), (2) all interstate waters and wetlands, (3) all impoundments of waters mentioned above, (4) all tributaries to waters mentioned above, (5) the territorial seas, and (6) all wetlands adjacent to waters mentioned above.

Wetlands are defined at 33 CFR 328.3(b) as "those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support...a prevalence of vegetation 65 typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions." A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision (―SWANCC‖, 2001) has determined that Corps jurisdiction may not necessarily extend to intrastate waters and wetlands where the only federal nexus is potential use by migratory birds. The Project Area is located within the Santa Ana River watershed, an intrastate waterway tributary to the Pacific Ocean, which is a navigable water subject to Corps jurisdiction because of the existing connection to interstate commerce.

Issuance of a Section 404 Permit to discharge dredged or fill material into jurisdictional waters is considered a federal action and cannot be undertaken by the Corps if the permitted actions could adversely affect federally-listed (or proposed) endangered or threatened species.

2.3 National Forest Management Act The National Forest Management Act of 1976 and its implementing regulations (CFR 219) state that: fish and wildlife habitat shall be managed to maintain viable populations of existing native and desired non-native vertebrate species in the planning area (Sec 219.19)‖. Sec 219.19 also calls for the use of management indicator species to indicate the effects of management activities. In addition, the Secretary of Agriculture's policy on fish and wildlife (Department Regulation 9500-4) directs the Forest Service to avoid actions "which may cause a species to become threatened or endangered".

3.0 AGENCY DIRECTION 3.1 Forest Service Manual Forest Service Manual direction for rare species is contained in FSM 2670. The policy directs the Forest Service: To avoid or minimize impacts to species whose viability has been identified as a concern. That if impacts cannot be avoided, analyze the significance of potential adverse effects... line officer can allow or disallow the impact but the decision must not result in loss of species viability or create a significant trend towards Federal listing. To develop/implement management practices to ensure that species do not become threatened or endangered because of Forest Service actions.

Forest Service Manual direction for noxious weed management is contained in FSM 2080, Amendment No. 2000-95-5 (Effective 11-29-95). Policy is excerpted below: When any ground disturbing action or activity is proposed, determine the risk of introducing or spreading noxious weeds associated with the proposed action. For projects having moderate to high risk of introducing or spreading noxious weeds, the project decision document must identify noxious weed control measures that must be undertaken during project implementation. Use contract and permit clauses to prevent the introduction or spread of noxious weeds by contractors and permittees. For example, where determined to be appropriate, use clauses requiring operators or permittees to clean their equipment prior to entering National Forest System lands.

District Rangers are responsible for:

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Determining the risk of noxious weed introduction or spread as part of the NEPA process for proposed actions, especially for ground disturbing and site altering activities. Enforcing closure or prohibition orders issued under 36 CFR Parts 261.50(a) and 261.58(t) and enforcing contract specifications intended to prevent and control the spread of noxious weeds. Ensuring that contracts and permits contain appropriate clauses concerning the prevention or spread of noxious weeds.

3.2 General Noxious Weed Risk Assessment Forest Service Manual 2080 Noxious Weed Management (effective since 11/29/95) includes a policy statement calling for a risk assessment for noxious weeds to be completed for every project. Specifically, the manual states:

2081.03 - Policy. When any ground disturbing action or activity is proposed, determine the risk of introducing or spreading noxious weeds associated with the proposed action.

For projects having moderate to high risk of introducing or spreading noxious weeds, the project decision document must identify noxious weed control measures that must be undertaken during project implementation. Use contract and permit clauses to prevent the introduction or spread of noxious weeds by contractors and permittees. For example, where determined to be appropriate, use clauses requiring contractors or permittees to clean their equipment prior to entering National Forest System lands.

2081.2 - Prevention and Control Measures. Determine the factors which favor the establishment and spread of noxious weeds and design management practices or prescriptions to reduce the risk of infestation or spread of noxious weeds.

Where funds and other resources do not permit undertaking all desired measures, address and schedule noxious weed prevention and control in the following order:

1. First Priority: Prevent the introduction of new invaders, 2. Second Priority: Conduct early treatment of new infestations, and 3. Third Priority: Contain and control established infestations.

4.0 SAN BERNARDINO NATIONAL FOREST POLICY, DIRECTION, LEGAL OBLIGATIONS

4.1 San Bernardino National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan The revised San Bernardino National Forest Land Management Plan (Forest Plan) (Forest Service 2005) contains direction on management of issues and resources within the Forest boundaries. The Forest Plan direction that applies to wildlife, plant, and restoration management is included in both Part 2 and Part 3 of the Forest Plan. This direction is summarized below.

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4.1.1 Plan Standards Required by (36 CFR 219) Vegetation Management Plan Standards S1: Long-Term Sustained Yield (36 CFR 219.27 (c) (2)). No land is currently identified as suitable for timber sale production in southern California, and the allowable sale quantity (ASQ) is zero. Harvest may occur to meet wildlife, fuels, watershed or other needs.

S2: Appropriate Vegetation Management Practices (Including Limitations on Even-Aged Timber Harvest Methods) (36 CFR 219.27 (c) (6)). The silvicultural systems shown, by forest and rangeland cover-types in table 3.1: Appropriate Silviculture Systems and Vegetation Treatments by General Forest Type, which meet the management objectives for the landscape or individual stands of trees within a landscape setting are acceptable. These silvicultural systems are to be applied in a manner that will favor natural regeneration when possible. Artificial regeneration will be necessary following uncharacteristic wildland fires, insect and disease attacks, and damaging weather events. Ground based harvest systems will normally operate on slopes up to 35%, and on short steep pitches up to 50%. Ground based equipment will be used on steep slopes when supported by site and operation specific analysis. Cable or aerial systems will generally be used on sustained slopes greater than 35%. Table 3.1. Appropriate Silviculture Systems and Vegetation Treatments by General Forest Type

Big-Cone Mixed Closed Douglas- Management Conifer Coast Pinyon Oak Subalpine Cone Fir and Activity Yellow Redwood /Juniper Woodland Conifer Canyon Pine Oak Maximum size of N/A 1/4-3 ac. 1/4-3 ac. 1/4-3 ac. 1/4-3 ac. 1/4-1 ac. N/A openings Not Not When Not Not When Not Even-Aged Acceptable Acceptable Justified Acceptable Acceptable Justified Acceptable Uneven-Aged Not When When When Not Not Group Acceptable Acceptable Justified Justified Justified Acceptable Acceptable Selection Uneven-Aged Not When When When When When Single-tree Acceptable Acceptable Justified Justified Justified Justified Justified Selection Stocking Not When When When When Control: Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Justified Justified Justified Justified (thinning) Stocking Control: Not When When When When Acceptable Acceptable (thinning)Rx Acceptable Justified Justified Justified Justified fire

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Big-Cone Mixed Closed Douglas- Management Conifer Coast Pinyon Oak Subalpine Cone Fir and Activity Yellow Redwood /Juniper Woodland Conifer Canyon Pine Oak Salvage of Not Dead Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Material Site Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Preparation Reforestation When When When When When Acceptable Acceptable / Restoration Justified Justified Justified Justified Justified Regeneration Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Protection Tree Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Improvement

S3. Maximum size Openings Created by Timber Harvest (36 CFR 219.27 (d) (2)). Table 3.1: Appropriate Silviculture Systems and Vegetation Treatments by General Forest type identifies the maximum allowable opening acreage for forest types. This limit shall not apply where harvests are necessary as a result of catastrophic conditions, such as fire, insect and disease attack, windstorm, or drought.

S4: Design fuelbreaks in forests to be open; averaging no more than 40% crown closure along the center corridor with an understory of grasses, forbs, and small shrubs. Thinning of forests should favor retention of large-diameter trees. Crown closure and understory vegetation increase gradually, moving from the inside toward the outside of the shaded fuelbreak.

S5: Treat all freshly cut live or recently dead conifer stumps with a registered fungicide to prevent the establishment of annosus root disease.

S6: Seed to be used on National Forest System lands will be certified to be free of noxious weeds. Where available, only locally collected native seed will be used, or seeds will be used from species that are noninvasive and nonpersistent. When available, wattles, mulch and livestock feed to be used on National Forest System lands will be certified to be free of noxious weeds.

S7: There are extensive areas within and adjacent to the national forests of southern California meeting the definition of Wildland/Urban Interface (WUI) as described in the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003. WUI (as defined by the Act) is a variable width up to 1.5 miles from communities at risk or as defined in individual community fire protection plans. This forest plan further identifies a direct protection buffer (WUI Defense Zone) and an indirect protection buffer (WUI Threat Zone) that fall within the broader definition WUI. A WUI Defense Zone is the area directly adjoining structures and evacuation routes that is converted to a less-flammable state to increase defensible space and firefighter safety. The WUI Threat Zone is an additional strip of 69 vegetation modified to reduce flame heights and radiant heat. The Threat Zone generally extends approximately 1.25 miles out from the Defense Zone boundary. Yet, actual extents of Threat Zones are based on fire history, local fuel conditions, weather, topography, existing and proposed fuel treatments, and natural barriers to fire and community protection plans, and therefore could extend well beyond the 1.25 mile. The two zones together are designed to make most structures more defendable. Following are the minimum and maximum widths for the WUI Defense Zone by general vegetation type:

WUI Defense Zone Widths Vegetation Min Width (ft) Max Width (ft) WUI Defense Zone WUI Defense Zone Grass 50 100 Chaparral 100 300 Forests 300 1,500

S8: Community protection needs within the WUI Defense Zone take precedence over the requirements of other forest plan direction, including other standards identified in Part 3 of the forest plan. If expansion beyond the 300-foot minimum width of the defense zone is needed due to site-specific conditions, projects will be designed to mitigate effects to other resources to the extent possible.

Aesthetic Management Standards S9: Design management activities to meet the Scenic Integrity Objectives (SIOs) shown on the Scenic Integrity Objectives Map. S10: Scenic Integrity Objectives will be met with the following exceptions: Minor adjustments not to exceed a drop of one SIO level is allowable with the Forest Supervisor's approval. Temporary drops of more than one SIO level may be made during and immediately following project implementation providing they do not exceed three years in duration.

Fish and Wildlife Standards When Implementing All Activities S11: When occupied or suitable habitat for a threatened, endangered, proposed, candidate or sensitive (TEPCS) species is present on an ongoing or proposed project site, consider species guidance documents (see Appendix H) to develop project-specific or activity-specific design criteria. This guidance is intended to provide a range of possible conservation measures that may be selectively applied during site-specific planning to avoid, minimize or mitigate negative long-term effects on threatened, endangered, proposed, candidate or sensitive species and habitat. Involve appropriate resource specialists in the identification of relevant design criteria. Include review of species guidance documents in fire suppression or other emergency actions when and to the extent practicable.

S12: When implementing new projects in areas that provide for threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate species, use design criteria and conservation practices (see Appendix H) so that discretionary uses and facilities promote the conservation and recovery of these species and their habitats. Accept short-term impacts where long-term effects would 70

provide a net benefit for the species and its habitat where needed to achieve multiple-use objectives.

S13: Manage Critical Biological land use zones so that activities and discretionary uses are either neutral or beneficial for the species and habitats for which the area was established. Accept short-term adverse impacts to threatened, endangered, and proposed species if such impacts will be compensated by the accrual of long-term benefits to habitat for threatened, endangered, and candidate species.

S14: Where available and within the capability of the site retain a minimum of six downed logs per acre (minimum 12 inches diameter and 120 total linear feet) and 10 to 15 hard snags per five acres (minimum 16 inches diameter at breast height and 40 feet tall, or next largest available). Exception allowed in Wildland/Urban Interface Defense Zones, fuelbreaks, and where they pose a safety hazard.

S15: Within riparian conservation areas retain snags and downed logs unless they are identified as a threat to life, property, or sustainability of the riparian conservation area.

S24: Mitigate impacts of on-going uses and management activities on threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate species

4.1.2 Forest-Specific Standards for the SBNF (Part 2 of Plan) Place Specific Standards

SBNF S4 - Where available, in suitable southern rubber boa habitat retain a minimum of nine down logs per acre (minimum 12 inches diameter and 180 total linear feet) except in Wildland/Urban Interface Defense Zones and fuelbreaks. Give preference to large diameter logs (Arrowhead, Big Bear, Big Bear Back Country, Front Country, Garner Valley, Idyllwild, Silverwood, San Gorgonio, and Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument Places).

SBNF S5 - Evaluate potential long-term impacts of new projects and activities on important landscape level habitats that are identified in the places. These include landscape linkages, wildlife movement corridors, key deer and bighorn sheep fawning and lambing areas, and winter ranges, and raptor nesting sites. Minimize or mitigate impacts to maintain their functionality over the long-term (all Places).

SBNF S6 - Provide compatible management on those portions of National Forest System land designated as being part of Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plans (MSHCP) under the National Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Coachella Valley Plan: San Bernardino Front Country, San Gorgonio, and Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Places; Mojave Plan: Big Bear, Cajon, Desert Rim, Mojave Front Country, and Silverwood Places; and Western Riverside County Plan: Anza, Idyllwild, and San Bernardino Front Country Places).

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SBNF S7- Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail - Protect scenic values in accordance with adopted scenic integrity objectives. Protect foreground views from the footpath, as well as designated viewpoints. Where practicable avoid establishing unconforming land uses within the viewshed of the trail (Arrowhead, Big Bear, Big Bear Back Country, Cajon, Garner Valley, Idyllwild, Lytle Creek, Mojave Front Country, San Gorgonio, Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, and Silverwood Places).

Wilderness Standards SBNF S8 - The maximum visitor group size is 12 people. The San Gorgonio, Cucamonga and San Jacinto Wildernesses have permits, day and overnight use restrictions and quotas. The Santa Rosa Wilderness has visitor sign-in requirements. The San Gorgonio, San Jacinto and Cucamonga Wildernesses have designated campsites. District Rangers may modify or waive these restrictions for extraordinary circumstances.

SBNF S10 - Open campfires are not allowed within wilderness, except those seasonally allowed at designated sites within the San Jacinto Wilderness. Visitors must use gas, jellied petroleum, pressurized liquid fuel, or other enclosed portable camp stoves to cook or heat. Glass containers are not allowed within any wilderness.

4.1.3 Forest Plan Strategies The project complies with Forest Plan direction through the use of the following strategies that SBNF managers intend to emphasize in the next 3-5 years (2006-2010):

WL 1 - Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, Candidate, and Sensitive Species Management Manage habitat to move listed species toward recovery and de-listing. Prevent listing of proposed and sensitive species. Implement priority conservation strategies (San Bernardino NF Conservation Strategy, table 531). Use vegetation management practices to reduce the intensity of fires to reduce habitat loss due to catastrophic fires. Work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to develop recovery plans for federally listed species. Implement Forest Service actions as recommended in recovery plans for federally listed species. Establish and maintain a working relationship with county and city governments to ensure coordination on development projects adjacent to the national forest as well as implementation of multi-species habitat conservation plans. Restore degraded habitats with cooperators. Emphasize the following practices within carbonate, montane meadow and pebble plain habitat: o Develop and implement a transportation plan that results in the reduction in road density and no new roads or motorized trails within carbonate, montane meadow, and pebble plain habitat.

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o Develop and implement a facilities plan for carbonate, montane meadow, and pebble plain habitat that avoids construction of new recreation and administrative facilities within these habitats. o Amend/modify existing special-use authorizations to include provisions for minimizing impacts to carbonate, montane meadow and pebble plain habitat. o Avoid new authorizations for special-uses in these habitats where the requested use would adversely affect habitat. In carbonate habitat, mining special-uses will be permitted consistent with the terms of the Carbonate Habitat Management Strategy. o Implement a program of land acquisition and land exchange that will contribute to the carbonate habitat reserve as described in the Carbonate Habitat Management Strategy. o Develop contingency plans that will minimize impacts to carbonate, montane meadow and pebble plain habitat from actions and activities that occur during emergencies. o Develop and implement a monitoring plan that will provide early detection of downward trends in the quality of carbonate, montane meadow and pebble plain habitat.

WL 2 - Management of Species of Concern Maintain and improve habitat for fish, wildlife, and plants, including those with the following designations: game species, harvest species, management indicator species, and watch list species. Coordinate and form partnerships with the CDF&G and other cooperators Monitor management indicator species (MIS).

FH 1 - Vegetation Restoration Restore vegetation through reforestation and revegetation or other appropriate methods after stand replacing fires, drought, or other events or activities that degrade or cause a loss of plant communities. Post reforestation activities may require treatment of competing vegetation to ensure the ability of the planted trees to out-compete vegetation for moisture, nutrients and sunlight. Treatment may require use of pesticides including herbicides. Where needed, implement reforestation using native species grown from local seed sources. In such plantings consider long-term sustainability of the forest vegetation by taking into account factors, such as fire regime and regional climate. Consider small nursery operations to facilitate reforestation and revegetation and to improve restoration success where direct seeding is ineffective. Use noxious-weed-free seed in all plantings. Consider limited use of giant sequoia because of their resistance to air pollution and insects.

Southern California Noxious Weed Strategy Appendix M (Part 3) of the Forest Plan includes detailed management direction to prevent the spread and introduction of noxious weeds.

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4.1.4 Place Based Program Emphasis There is also management direction in the Place descriptions. These are located in Part 2 of the SBNF Plan beginning on page 41. There are 15 ―places‖ on the SBNF. The proposed project is located in the Font County. The desired Condition for San Bernardino Front Country Place that apply to this project and botanical resources include the following: the area is maintained as a natural appearing 'first impression' landscape that functions as a scenic backdrop and forest portal with high-quality, natural-appearing landscape vistas providing managed recreation opportunities. The valued landscape attributes to be preserved over time are craggy silhouettes of the mountain peaks, the mosaic of rock outcrops, an age-class mosaic in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, riparian habitat and the presence of conifers in the higher elevations and canyons. Chaparral and forested areas are managed to provide fire protection for adjacent urban communities, recreation areas and wildlife habitat. Habitat conditions for threatened, endangered, and sensitive species are improving over time. Invasive animal and plant species are reduced over time.

Program Emphasis: Community protection from wildland fire is of the highest priority. It will be emphasized through public education, fire prevention, and fuels management in cooperation with city, county and state agencies. Community protection projects identified in the San Gorgonio Wilderness may be implemented to reduce the risk of wildland fire to communities. Forest health projects will be implemented to remove dead trees, reduce stand density and promote pre- suppression era fire return intervals.

Habitat for threatened, endangered, and sensitive species, such as the southwestern willow flycatcher, mountain yellow-legged frog and speckled dace will be conserved. Activities on national forest land will also be managed to maintain the regional habitat linkage to the south. Opportunities for the removal of invasive non-native species will concentrate on tamarisk, tree- of-heaven, arundo, and Spanish broom. The Forest Service will pursue partnership opportunities with water companies, other agencies, and other private land owners for additional environmental improvements.

The proposed action will move the Forest towards the desired condition in the Front Country. The proposed action is consistent with the program emphasis for this place.

4.2 Southern California Conservation Strategy As per a lawsuit settlement agreement, the SBNF has completed several Section 7 formal consultations with the USFWS for a number of listed species and the habitats in which they occur. These consultations include one for impacts to pebble plain habitats, one for riparian- dependent species, and one for impacts to carbonate plant habitats from ongoing activities on the SBNF. The Biological Assessments (USDA Forest Service 1999a, USDA Forest Service 1999b, USDA Forest Service 1999c, USDA Forest Service 2000, USDA Forest Service 2000a, USDA Forest Service 2000b) contain proposed actions including avoidance and minimization measures.

The Biological Opinions (USFWS 1999, USFWS 2001, USFWS 2001a) contain conservation recommendations and other guidance. In addition, the SBNF completed Section 7 programmatic formal consultation on interim management guidelines for the San Bernardino National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (USDA Forest Service 2000a). The consultation for 74 impacts to meadow plant species was included in the Programmatic Consultation. The Programmatic Biological Assessment (USDA Forest Service 2000a) and Biological Opinion (USFWS 2001b) for ongoing activities on the SBNF has applicable management direction that is relevant to this project:

The Forest is required to complete a habitat assessment to determine whether modeled habitat is currently suitable for or occupied by the species. Current modeled habitat is based on physiographic and vegetative features (GIS databases).

For new activities to be authorized or carried out by the Forest Service, modeled habitat will be treated as occupied habitat until surveyed for suitability (based on mutually agreed upon suitability criteria) and, if necessary, for occupancy. All applicable management direction and resource evaluation for the species and activity will be required.

Results of the modeled habitat surveys shall be documented in the Affected Environment and Effects of the Proposed Action section of the BE/BA.

Fuelwood and miscellaneous products: Forest Service will exclude areas of known pebble plain habitat from fuelwood and other miscellaneous forest product collection. Effective April 1, 1999 (US Fish and Wildlife Service 2000, USDA Forest Service 1999).

Forest Products Harvesting: As of April 1999, the public fuelwood cutting and gathering policy has been revised to prohibit public fuelwood cutting and gathering in carbonate plant habitat. If salvage or forest stand treatments are needed for safety or forest health, the treatments would be designed to avoid and minimize impacts to carbonate plants and their habitat and NEPA analysis and future consultation with USFWS if proposed action would affect listed species (USDA Fish and Wildlife Service 2000a).

Conservation Recommendation #3 and 4 Draft BOs: Control or remove invasive, exotic plants and animals from the SBNF to the maximum extent possible. In particular, it is strongly recommended that invasive, alien grasses be suppressed and eradicated to the maximum extent possible from areas occupied by listed plants. (USDI Fish and Wildlife Service 2000, USDI Fish and Wildlife Service 2000a).

Conservation Recommendation #4 and 5 Draft BOs: Restrict to the maximum extent possible unauthorized human and vehicular presence and activities in areas that contain pebble plain and carbonate plants via patrols or other means. (USDI Fish and Wildlife Service 2000, USDI Fish and Wildlife Service 2000a).

Conservation Recommendation Draft BOs: Notify USFWS of implementation of any conservation recommendations. (USDI Fish and Wildlife Service 2000, USDI Fish and Wildlife Service 2000a).

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Item #349—Design salvage or forest stand treatments to minimize long-term impacts to key and occupied TEP habitats. Consider in TEP species modeled habitats. Item # 235—Avoid or minimize negative impacts to key and occupied TEP habitats. Use one or more of the following methods: 1) a biologist/botanist monitor on site; 2) a biologist/botanist flags for avoidance; or, 3) conduct pre-project field coordination between the biologist/botanist and project leader which includes species and habitat identification, protective measures, the necessity of adhering to the provisions of the consultation, the penalties of violating the ESA, identifying boundaries of the project, and review procedures where a TEP species is encountered during the work activity. Consider in modeled habitats for all TEP species. Item #306—Maintenance activities for roads and trails located in TEP riparian bird key and occupied habitats will be limited to a two-hour daily period and to as few days as possible during the nesting period, unless focused surveys have determined that no nesting TEP birds are present. Consider in TEP species modeled habitats.

5.0 CALIFORNIA STATE LAWS Pursuant to Section 1600 et seq. of the Fish and Game Code, the CDFG may require a Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement prior to any activity that will substantially divert or obstruct the natural flow or substantially change the bed, channel, or bank of a river, stream or lake, or use material from a streambed. CDFG defines a "stream" (including creeks and rivers) as "a body of water that flows at least periodically or intermittently through a bed or channel having banks and supports fish or other aquatic life. This includes watercourses having surface or subsurface flow that supports or has supported riparian vegetation." CDFG's definition of "lake" includes "natural lakes or man-made reservoirs."

In addition to the bed and banks of a stream, CDFG jurisdiction includes riparian or wetland vegetation associated with a stream. CDFG’s issuance of a Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement for a project that is subject to CEQA will require California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance actions by CDFG as a responsible agency. CDFG as a responsible agency under CEQA may consider the lead agency’s Negative Declaration or Environmental Impact Report for the project. Federal projects on federal land (such as a Forest Service Project on Forest Service land) do not require the Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement. However, a Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement may be required of a non-federal participant for projects on federal land carried out or funded by the non-federal participant.

Pursuant to Section 2080 et seq. of the Fish and Game Code, a California Endangered Species Act (CESA) permit must be obtained to authorize incidental ―take‖ of plants or animals listed under CESA. Revisions to the Fish and Game Code, effective January 1998, may require that the Department issue a separate CEQA document for the issuance of a 2081 permit unless the project CEQA document addresses all project impacts to listed species and specifies a mitigation monitoring and reporting program that will meet the requirements of a 2081 permit. Please note that federal projects on federal land (such as a Forest Service Project on Forest Service land) do not require the 2081 incidental take permit. However, an incidental take permit may be required

76 of a non-federal participant for projects on federal land carried out or funded by the non-federal participant.

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