2015 Biological Survey Granite Construction Company Lockwood Conveyor and Access Road Washoe County, Nevada

Home , Artemisia spinescens, Brickellia incana, Erigeron bloomeri, Euphilotes pallescens, Pah Rah Range, Potentilla newberryi

2015 BIOLOGICAL SURVEY GRANITE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LOCKWOOD CONVEYOR AND ACCESS ROAD WASHOE COUNTY, NEVADA

Prepared for:

Granite Construction 1900 Glendale Avenue Sparks, NV 89431

Prepared by:

Stantec Consulting Services Inc. 6995 Sierra Center Parkway Reno, NV 89511

Stantec Project Number 203703084

Submitted December 14, 2015 Finalized February 11, 2016

Table of Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 PROJECT LOCATION ...... 1

2.0 METHODS ...... 3 2.1 NOXIOUS AND INVASIVE, NON-NATIVE SPECIES ...... 3 2.2 THREATENED, ENDANGERED, AND SENSITIVE PLANT SPECIES ...... 4 2.2.1 Lavin Eggvetch ...... 4 2.2.2 Lahontan Milkvetch...... 4 2.2.3 Ames Milkvetch ...... 5 2.2.4 Bodie Hills Draba ...... 5 2.2.5 Windloving Buckwheat ...... 5 2.2.6 Sand Cholla ...... 5 2.2.7 Webber Ivesia ...... 5 2.2.8 Wassuk Beardtongue ...... 6 2.3 THREATENED, ENDANGERED, AND SENSITIVE WILDLIFE SPECIES ...... 6 2.3.1 Golden Eagle ...... 7 2.3.2 Western Burrowing Owl ...... 8 2.3.3 Greater Sage-grouse ...... 8 2.3.4 Loggerhead Shrike ...... 8 2.3.5 Sage Thrasher ...... 8 2.3.6 Brewer’s Sparrow ...... 9 2.3.7 Spotted Bat ...... 9 2.3.8 Pallid Bat ...... 9 2.3.9 Big Brown Bat ...... 9 2.3.10 Hoary Bat ...... 10 2.3.11 California Myotis ...... 10 2.3.12 Little Brown Myotis ...... 10 2.3.13 Yuma Myotis ...... 10 2.3.14 Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat ...... 10 2.3.15 Western Pipistrelle ...... 10 2.3.16 Pygmy Rabbit ...... 11

3.0 RESULTS ...... 12

4.0 SUMMARY ...... 14

5.0 REFERENCES ...... 15

TABLES

Table 1 Threatened and Endangered Species Identified by the USFWS ...... 6

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FIGURES

Figure 1 Project Location Figure 2 BLM Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Characterization Figure 3 Survey Area and Survey Tracks

APPENDICES

Appendix A Plant and Wildlife Species Detected in the Survey Area Appendix B Habitat Evaluation

ABBREVIATIONS

AMSL Above Mean Sea Level BLM Bureau of Land Management GPS Global Positioning System Granite Granite Construction HE Habitat Evaluation I-80 Interstate Highway 80 NDOW Nevada Department of Wildlife NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NNHP Nevada Natural Heritage Program OHMA Other Habitat Management Area ROW Right-of-Way Stantec Stantec Consulting Services Inc. SWReGAP Southwest Regional Gap Analysis Project TES Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

Granite Construction (Granite) has applied for a right-of-way (ROW) grant authorization to construct, maintain, and operate portions of an overland conveyor belt and access road on public land administered by the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City District Office, Sierra Front Field Office. The proposed project is located in Washoe County, Nevada, in the southern Pah Rah Range north of Interstate Highway 80 (I-80), approximately three miles east of the City of Sparks (Figure 1). The BLM has initiated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process to analyze the impacts of the proposed ROW at the project location. A baseline biological survey of the area is one requirement for the NEPA analysis for the project.

Granite contracted with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. (Stantec) to conduct the baseline biological survey for the entire road and conveyor area, including on private land. The survey area included areas within a 500-foot buffer of the portion of the proposed ROW that crosses public lands (survey area). The entire conveyor and road area were surveyed in order to provide baseline data for cumulative effects during the NEPA process. The survey included a records and literature review of biological resources that may occur in the area and a ground survey to locate the following: 1) potential habitat for threatened, endangered, and sensitive (TES) plant and wildlife species; 2) TES plant and wildlife species individuals and/or populations; and 3) noxious weeds.

1.1 PROJECT LOCATION

The proposed road, conveyor belt and associated slopes associated with the proposed project would all be within Sections 8, 9, 16 and 17 of Township 19 North, Range 21 East, Mount Diablo Baseline and Meridian, within Washoe County, Nevada (Figure 1). Granite has submitted a draft Plan of Development for a ROW on BLM administered public land to construct, operate and maintain the portion of the conveyor belt and access road that cross public land (project area). The ROW project area consists of approximately 2.1 acres of public land. The area surveyed for this report includes the entire extents of the conveyor belt and access road, both on public land and private land, and includes a 500-foot buffer of the ROW project area (survey area). The survey area consists of approximately 21 acres of public land and 28 acres of private land. The project can be accessed from the Reno-Sparks area by taking I-80 east from Sparks 2.6 miles to the Lockwood exit, and then traveling north to Granite’s Lockwood facilities. The project area can also be accessed by continuing east on I-80 another 1.6 miles to the Mustang exit, then following the Canyon Park Road, which runs north into the southern Pah Rah Range. This road accesses the existing Marietta Pit and telecommunications equipment north of the project area. Elevations in the survey area range from 4,616 feet above mean sea level (AMSL) to 5,094 feet AMSL.

The land cover type in the survey area as defined by Southwest Regional Gap Analysis Project (SWReGAP) is primarily Inter-Mountain Basins Big Sagebrush Shrubland (15.20 acres), with smaller

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amounts of Inter-Mountain Basins Mixed Salt Desert Scrub (11.67 acres); Sierra Nevada Cliff and Canyon (21.48 acres); and Inter-Mountain Basins Montane Sagebrush Steppe (0.23 acres). A field visit of the survey area was conducted on December 2, 2015. During the visit, the habitat present was assessed and surveys for wildlife and vegetation present were conducted. Conditions at the time of the survey included cool temperatures and cloudy skies. Only small patches of snow were present on north slopes on the date of the survey.

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2.0 METHODS

Consultation letters were sent to the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) and the Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP), and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Information for Planning and Conservation database was searched to determine the presence of any TES plant or wildlife species within the area. The pre-field review conducted for the project included preparation of a habitat evaluation (HE) form. This form includes an analysis of the potential for BLM sensitive species habitat to occur within the survey area. A survey for all biological resources was conducted on December 2, 2015, by one biologist. A focused survey was conducted in areas with potential habitat for noxious and invasive, non-native plant species and TES plant species. All plant and animal species encountered were noted (Appendix A). Stantec reviewed the SWReGAP data prior to going into the field and assessed the actual community present during the survey.

A focused survey was conducted in areas with potential habitat for TES wildlife species. During the field survey, all wildlife species observed in the area were recorded, as was evidence of wildlife use, including tracks, diggings, droppings, and other signs. All migratory bird species detected in the area were recorded. A list of wildlife species detected is included in Appendix A.

2.1 NOXIOUS AND INVASIVE, NON-NATIVE SPECIES

Noxious weeds within Nevada are defined in Nevada Revised Statutes 555.005 as “any species of plant which is, or is likely to be, detrimental or destructive and difficult to control or eradicate”. The Nevada Department of Agriculture provides a list of all weeds currently listed as noxious for the state of Nevada (NDA, 2015). Invasive species are alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. Native species or non-native species may show invasive traits, although this is rare for native species and relatively common for non-native species. An alien (non-native) species is, with respect to a particular ecosystem, any species that is not found in that ecosystem, any species including its seeds, eggs, spores, or other biological material capable of propagating that species that is not native to that ecosystem (EPA, 1999).

Stantec surveyed for noxious, invasive, and non-native plant species in the survey area. The Stantec biologist collected data on the locations of individuals and/or noxious weed populations, as encountered, using a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit with sub-meter accuracy. Data collected included population density, field observations, and photographs. When invasive species were encountered their presence was noted; however, their locations were not recorded by GPS. Potential habitat for noxious and invasive, non-native species includes drainages, previously disturbed areas, and roadsides.

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2.2 THREATENED, ENDANGERED, AND SENSITIVE PLANT SPECIES

Databases maintained by the USFWS and NNHP were searched to identify any TES plant species that may occur in the survey area or that had previously been identified in the area. The BLM Sensitive Species list was also reviewed for species with potential habitat within the survey area.

Habitat for threatened or endangered plant species was not identified within the survey area during the pre-field review. Prior to field work, potential habitat was identified during Stantec’s preparation of the HE for the following BLM sensitive species in the survey area: Lavin eggvetch (Astragalus oophorus var. lavinii); Lahontan milkvetch (Astragalus porrectus); Ames milkvetch (Astragalus pulsiferae var. pulsiferae); Bodie Hills draba (Cusickiella quadricostata); windloving buckwheat (Eriogonum anemophilum); sand cholla (Grusonia pulchella); Webber ivesia (Ivesia webberi); and Wassuk beardtongue (Penstemon rubicundus).

A literature review for information pertaining to each plant species of interest was included in the HE submitted to the BLM by Stantec on November 24, 2015 (Appendix B). Known locations and occurrences were researched and noted. Habitat requirements for the species including elevation ranges, slope positions, soil types, and precipitation zones were identified. Known plant species often found in association with species of interest were identified to help narrow areas containing potential habitat in the study area. Surveys were conducted on foot in areas identified as suitable habitat for BLM sensitive plant species. Areas identified as potential sensitive species habitat were spot-checked in order to determine if habitat was suitable and for the presence of BLM sensitive plant species.

2.2.1 Lavin Eggvetch

Habitat for the Lavin eggvetch, also known as the Lavin egg milkvetch, consists of open, dry, relatively barren gravelly clay slopes, knolls, badlands, or outcrops, derived from volcanic ash or carbonate, usually on northeast to southeast aspects, in openings in the pinyon-juniper (Pinus monophylla and Juniperus sp.) or sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) zones. The Lavin egg milkvetch is known to occur at elevations ranging from 5,700 to 7,460 feet AMSL (NNHP, 2001). The species flowers in late spring. Cronquist et al. (1989) state the range of var. lavinii in west-central Nevada includes the Pine Nut Mountains and Wellington Hills in Douglas and south Lyon counties, as well as the Bodie Hills in Mono County, California.

2.2.2 Lahontan Milkvetch

The Lahontan milkvetch does not appear on the BLM’s sensitive species list, but was identified by the NNHP as a species that is or may be vulnerable to decline because it is rare or local throughout its range, or has a very limited distribution. Habitat for the Lahontan milkvetch is described as open, calcareous or alkaline, sandy to gravelly washes, alluvium, or gullies on clay badlands, knolls, or playa edges in the shadscale zone (NNHP, 2001). NatureServe© (2015) states that the species is “restricted to the bed of Lake Lahontan, the body of water that covered a large part of west-central Nevada at intervals during the Pleistocene. The species is not closely taxonomically related to any other plant in the area and it is possible that it is a relic of a formerly

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more widespread flora that has found refuge in this non-competitive, although harsh, desert-sink environment.” An occurrence of this species is reported from a location approximately 0.3 mile southeast of the project area (NNHP, 2015). However, Lake Lahontan is believed to have reached a maximum elevation of 4,363 feet AMSL (Benson et al, 2990, in Grayson, 1993), and the lowest elevations in the project area are approximately 4,780 feet AMSL.

2.2.3 Ames Milkvetch

Habitat for the Ames milkvetch consists of sandy or rocky soils, often with pines or sagebrush (Hickman, 1993). Cronquist et al. (1989) describe the habitat of this species as “open ponderosa pine forest and sagebrush plains or valley floors in loose porous volcanic gravels and sands, sometimes on dunes.” It is known to occur at elevations ranging from 4,625 to 5,200 feet AMSL (NNHP, 2001), and flowers in late spring.

2.2.4 Bodie Hills Draba

Habitat for the Bodie Hills draba consists of Great Basin scrub, pinyon (Pinus monophylla) and juniper (Juniperus sp.) woodlands. In California, the species is known to occur on clay or rocky soils, (NNHP, 2001). Bodie Hills draba is also known to occur on rocky flats in California (Jepson Flora Project, 2013). Holmgren et al. (2005) state the species occurs in pinyon-juniper and sagebrush communities and windswept ridges, generally in rocky soils. The species flowers in June, fruiting through August, and occurs at elevations ranging from 6,200 to 8,500 feet AMSL.

2.2.5 Windloving Buckwheat

Habitat for the windloving buckwheat is generally high elevation, dry, exposed, relatively barren ridges and knolls on shallow soils over bedrock at elevations from 4,750 to 9,840 feet AMSL (NNHP, 2001; Reveal, 2005). At low elevations it is known to occur on dry, relatively barren and undisturbed knolls and slopes of light-colored, platy volcanic tuff weathered to form stiff clay soils (NNHP, 2001). Holmgren et al. (2012) state the habitat for windloving buckwheat is volcanic greenstone, tuffaceous clayey or gravelly to rocky (often limestone) outcrops in saltbush (Atriplex) and sagebrush communities and in pinyon-juniper woodlands. Windloving buckwheat flowers late spring to summer.

2.2.6 Sand Cholla

Sand cholla occurs on sandy to rocky flats, often in sandy areas from 3,800 to 5,000 feet in elevation (NNHP, 2001; Pinkava, 2003). Holmgren et al. (2012) state the habitat of sand cholla is “sandy to rocky flats or slopes, often at edges of dry washes and lakes.” The species occurs throughout most of Nevada.

2.2.7 Webber Ivesia

Habitat for the Webber ivesia consists of shallow shrink-swell clay soils with a gravelly surface layer over volcanic, generally andesitic bedrock, on mid-elevation benches and flats, usually co-dominating with little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscular) and squirreltail (Elymus elymoides) in

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association with low pussytoes (Antennaria dimorpha), Hooker’s balsamroot (Balsamorhiza hookeri), scabland fleabane (Erigeron bloomer), bitter root (Lewisia rediviva), Beckwith’s violet (Viola beckwithii), etc. Its reported elevation range is 4,000 to 5,950 feet AMSL (NNHP, 2001). Webber ivesia flowers in late spring to summer.

2.2.8 Wassuk Beardtongue

Habitat for the Wassuk beardtongue consists of open, rocky to gravelly soils on perched tufa shores, steep decomposed granite slopes, rocky drainage bottoms, and roadsides or other recovering disturbances with enhanced runoff, locally abundant on recent burns, in the pinyon- juniper, sagebrush, and upper mixed-shrub and shadscale zones. Reported elevation range is 4,220 to 6,850 feet (NNHP, 2001). Potential habitat within the survey area is limited to small rocky drainages and borders of disturbed areas.

2.3 THREATENED, ENDANGERED, AND SENSITIVE WILDLIFE SPECIES

Databases maintained by the USFWS and NDOW were searched to identify any TES wildlife species that may occur in the survey area or that had previously been identified in the area. In their letter dated December 20, 2015, the USFWS generated an official threatened and endangered species list which included the endangered species cui-ui (Chasmistes cujus), and the threatened species Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi).

Potentially suitable habitat for threatened or endangered wildlife species was not identified within the survey area during the pre-field review (Table 1).

Table 1 Threatened and Endangered Species Identified by the USFWS Available Habitat Present in the Species Known Habitat Project Area No perennial water sources other than isolated industrial ponds are present in the survey area; Cui-ui are lake suckers found only therefore, there is no available in Pyramid Lake and the lower habitat for the species. The Truckee River where they spawn Truckee River, potential habitat Cui-ui (Chasmistes cujus) in gravel beds. To reach for the species, is located 0.5 mile spawning habitat the fish must first south of the project area at its negotiate Marble Bluff Dam closest point. Currently cui-ui do (USFWS, 2015a). not ascend the river beyond Derby Dam, which is located approximately 14.5 river miles below the project area.

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Available Habitat Present in the Species Known Habitat Project Area No perennial water sources other than isolated industrial ponds are present in the survey area; therefore, there is no available habitat for the species. Lahontan Perennial streams and cutthroat trout in Pyramid Lake Lahontan cutthroat trout waterbodies on the east side of are primarily hatchery (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi) the northern Sierra Nevada maintained, but any river Mountains (USFWS, 1995). spawners do not currently ascend the river beyond Derby Dam, which is located approximately 14.5 river miles below the project area.

The BLM Sensitive Species list was also reviewed for wildlife species with potential habitat within the survey area. Prior to field work, potential habitat was identified for the following BLM sensitive species in the survey area: golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos); western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea); greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus); loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus); sage thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus); Brewer’s sparrow (Spizella breweri); spotted bat (Euderma maculatum); pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus); big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus); hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus); California myotis (Myotis californicus); little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus); Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis); Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis); Western pipistrelle (Parastrellus [formerly Pipistrellus] hesperus); and pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis).

A literature review for information pertaining to each wildlife species of interest was included in the HE submitted to the BLM by Stantec on November 24, 2015. Habitat requirements for each species were identified. Surveys were conducted on foot in areas identified as suitable habitat for BLM sensitive wildlife species. Areas identified as potential habitat were spot-checked in order to determine if habitat was suitable and for presence of BLM sensitive species.

2.3.1 Golden Eagle

Habitat for the golden eagle consists of mountains, canyons, sagebrush steppe, deserts, and plains (Floyd et al., 2007). Golden eagles nest on rocky scarps with large expanses of hunting territory. They also nest in coniferous and deciduous trees when rocks are unavailable (Ryser, 1985). The primary food base for golden eagles includes rabbits and hares, particularly black-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus californicus). The NDOW identified one eagle nest within one to two miles of the survey area. This record dates to 1979, but the species of eagle was not specified (NDOW, 2015). The NDOW files indicate there are six other raptor and/or corvid nests located within ten miles of the project area. No golden eagle nesting habitat is located in the survey area, and the nearest nesting habitat is located in the mountainous area surrounding the project area. Potential foraging habitat for the golden eagle is located in the area surveyed.

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2.3.2 Western Burrowing Owl

The burrowing owl is a ground-dwelling owl that prefers open, arid, treeless landscapes with low vegetation (Floyd et al., 2007). Burrowing owls often nest in burrows that have been abandoned by burrowing mammals, usually in open areas with good surrounding visibility. Burrowing owls are present in northern Nevada in the spring and summer months. The owls winter in the southwestern states (GBBO, 2010). Western burrowing owls can be found in urban/suburban and disturbed sites, and appear to be fairly tolerant of human activities (GBBO, 2010). According to the NDOW, burrowing owls have been observed in the vicinity of the survey area and there is one burrow reported within ten miles of the survey area dating back to 1977 (NDOW, 2015).

2.3.3 Greater Sage-grouse

The greater sage-grouse occupies habitats dominated by sagebrush, which the birds utilize for both cover and forage. During the breeding season sage-grouse congregate on historic open sites known as leks where males display and attempt to attract females. Nesting habitat is generally adjacent to lek sites and usually includes denser brush canopy for concealment of nests. Brood-rearing and summer habitat encompasses sagebrush and meadow interfaces or other habitats, which supply a diversity of forbs and insects consumed by growing chicks. For the majority of the year, sage-grouse feed on sagebrush (Schroeder et al., 1999; GBBO, 2010). The nearest known lek to the project area is located approximately nine miles north of the site and has an unknown status. The nearest active lek to the project area is 11 miles northeast. The project area is located in BLM classified Other Habitat Management Area (OHMA) (Figure 2). General Habitat Management Area is located directly north and east of the project area is located just north of the project area (BLM, 2015).

2.3.4 Loggerhead Shrike

The loggerhead shrike occupies open country in greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus), sagebrush, and agricultural areas where it can hunt reptiles, insects, small mammals and birds (Floyd et al., 2007). Loggerhead shrikes have relatively weak talons, and large prey are impaled on barbed wire or vegetation before eating (Yosef, 1996). Nests are typically constructed in large dense shrubs or low trees (Baicich and Harrison, 1997).

2.3.5 Sage Thrasher

The sage thrasher is considered a sagebrush obligate species and is commonly found in habitats of intact, fairly dense stands of sagebrush. Sage thrashers may also occur in greasewood or bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) (Floyd et al., 2007). Sage thrashers situate their nests within dense brush or on the ground. They primarily feed on insects but occasionally eat berries (Reynolds et al., 1999). The survey area has burned in the past, and minimal potential sage- thrasher habitat currently exists in the area.

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2.3.6 Brewer’s Sparrow

The Brewer’s sparrow is found throughout Nevada in sagebrush and mixed shrub communities. Brewer’s sparrows nest in brush communities with low shrubs and grasses, and feed primarily on insects and seeds (Floyd, et al., 2007). As is the case for sage thrashers, minimal potential habitat for Brewer’s sparrows exists. The greatest amount of shrub cover occurs on east and northeast- facing slopes northeast of the Marietta Pit.

2.3.7 Spotted Bat

The spotted bat is found in a wide variety of habitats from low elevation desert scrub to high elevation coniferous forest habitats, pinyon-juniper, sagebrush, riparian and urban high-rise (cliff analog) habitats. Spotted bats are closely associated with rocky cliffs. Habitats may range from desert to montane coniferous stands, including open ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), pinyon juniper woodland, canyon bottoms, riparian and river corridors, meadows, open pasture, and hayfields. Active foraging may be mostly in open terrain, including forest clearings, meadows, and open wetlands, sometimes in open areas near buildings or even golf courses. Roosts, including maternity roosts, generally are in cracks and crevices in cliffs, sometimes in caves or in buildings near cliffs. Winter habitats are poorly known. Diet includes a variety of insects but is predominantly moths (NatureServe©, 2015; Bradley, et al., 2006). Roosting habitat is limited but does exist in the outcrops within the survey area, but the area includes potential foraging habitat.

2.3.8 Pallid Bat

The pallid bat inhabits low desert shrubland, juniper woodlands, and grasslands. Pallid bats most commonly occur in low, dry regions with rock outcrops, usually near water, and roost in rock crevices, buildings, rock piles, tree cavities, shallow caves, and abandoned mines (NatureServe©, 2015; Bradley, et al., 2006). Their primary food sources are arthropods such as crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, scorpions, and spiders. Roosting habitat is limited but does exist in outcrops within the survey area. A single known abandoned mine working south of the project area has been permanently closed (NDOM, 2015). The survey area includes potential foraging area.

2.3.9 Big Brown Bat

The big brown bat is considered a generalist in its foraging behavior and habitat selections, and will forage over water, land, forests, or clearings (BCI, 2013). Day roosts include caves and trees (Bradley et al., 2006). This species occurs in a variety of habitats, including pinyon-juniper, sagebrush, and agricultural lands (BCI, 2013, Bradley et al., 2006). Beetles represent the primary diet of the big brown bat. These bats usually forage within a few kilometers of their roost. Big brown bats can be locally common in some urbanized environments (Bradley et al., 2006). Roosting habitat is limited but does exist in outcrops within the survey area. The survey area includes potential foraging area.

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2.3.10 Hoary Bat

The hoary bat is known for its relatively large size and golden-colored fur. Common roosting sites include coniferous and deciduous trees and caves. In the Pacific Northwest, hoary bats are common where they are highly associated with forested habitats (Bradley, et al. 2006; BCI, 2013). Primary food sources include beetles, moths, grasshoppers, dragonflies, and wasps. The survey area lacks trees, but does represent potential foraging habitat.

2.3.11 California Myotis

The California myotis inhabits riparian woodlands, canyons, grasslands, and desert habitats and utilizes rock crevices, caves, buildings, and abandoned mine workings for roosting, maternity and hibernation. These bats forage on insects along margins of tree canopy and over water (NatureServe©, 2012; Bradley, et al., 2006). A single known abandoned mine working south of the project area has been permanently closed (NDOM, 2015).Potential foraging habitat occurs within the survey area.

2.3.12 Little Brown Myotis

The little brown myotis is a wide-ranging bat, typically found in mesic or forested habitats (Rainey 1998; Bradley, et al., 2006). Typical roosting habitat for this species does not occur within the survey area; however, potential foraging habitat occurs within the survey area.

2.3.13 Yuma Myotis

The Yuma myotis inhabits riparian areas, scrublands, deserts, and forests and is commonly found roosting under bridges, buildings, cliff crevices, caves, mines, and trees. The primary diet of the Yuma myotis is emergent aquatic insects such as caddis flies, midges, and small moths and beetles (Bradley, et al. 2006). Yuma myotis typically forage over water in forests (BCI, 2013). Roosting habitat is limited within the survey area, but does exist in the outcrops within the survey area. The nearby Truckee River represents potential foraging habitat.

2.3.14 Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat

Also known as the Mexican free-tailed bat, this species occurs in a wide range of habitats from desert to pinyon-juniper and pine-oak forests (BCI, 2013). This species roosts in caves, mines, buildings, cliffs, bridges, and tree hollows, generally occurring in large colonies (BCI, 2013; Bradley et al., 2006). The diet is dominated by moths, but includes other insects as well (BCI, 2013; Bradley et al., 2006). Foraging occurs in the open (Bradley et al., 2006). This species is considered migratory in northern Nevada (Bradley et al., 2006). Roosting habitat is limited to outcrops within the survey area but the area does represent potential foraging area.

2.3.15 Western Pipistrelle

Now classified as the canyon bat (Parastrellus hesperus), the western pipistrelle is common to deserts, woodlands, and shrublands and roosts among boulders, or in cracks and crevices of

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rock faces (BCI, 2013). Buildings and vegetation are occasionally used for roosting (Bradley et al., 2006). Hibernacula include mines and caves (BCI, 2013). Foraging occurs in the open with food sources including ants, mosquitoes, moths, and leafhoppers (Bradley et al., 2006). Roosting habitat is limited but does exist in outcrops within the survey area. The survey area includes potential foraging area.

2.3.16 Pygmy Rabbit

The pygmy rabbit occurs throughout much of the Great Basin in areas of tall, dense sagebrush or mixed sagebrush habitats (Ulmschneider, 2004; Interagency Pygmy Rabbit Working Group, 2008). Pygmy rabbit burrows are typically found in relatively deep, loose soils of wind- or water-born origin suitable for burrowing. Pygmy rabbits may occur in areas of shallower or more compact soils with sufficient shrub cover if abandoned burrows of other species are present. In addition to direct sighting, indirect evidence of pygmy rabbits includes groups of small, often dark pellets, tracks, and the presence of trail systems established in understory vegetation, often leading to burrows under sagebrush or rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus) (Ulmschneider, 2004; Interagency Pygmy Rabbit Working Group, 2008). Habitat is very limited within the survey area, primarily because there is little to no dense shrub cover or deep, friable soils within the survey area.

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3.0 RESULTS

While the SWReGAP indicates the area supports a predominately Inter-Mountain Basins Big Sagebrush Shrubland, the entire area has been affected by wildland fire and currently supports a vegetation community dominated by Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), with smaller amounts of scattered shrubs including Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata wyomingensis), rubber and yellow rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus and C. viscidiflorus, respectively), and four- wing saltbush (Atriplex canescens). Smaller amounts of green ephedra (Ephedra viridis), smooth horsebrush (Tetradymia canescens), and spiny hopsage (Grayia spinosa) occur in the area. A few spring greasebush (Glossopetalon spinescens), brickellbush (Brickellia incana) and Heermann’s buckwheat (Eriogonum heermannii) plants were also noted. Grasses noted in the area include cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), Indian rice grass (Achnatherum [Stipa] hymenoides), and bottlebrush squirreltail (Elymus elymoides). Herbaceous species observed included desert fiddleneck (Amsinckia tessellata), tumble mustard (Sisymbrium altissimum), redstem stork’s bill (Erodium cicutarium), and annual buckwheats (Eriogonum, sp.). A population of prickly-pear (Opuntia polyacantha) plants was found at the southwest end of the alignment. A complete list of plants and wildlife detected during the survey is provided in Appendix A. Habitat was not located for Lavin eggvetch, Lahontan milkvetch, Ames milkvetch, Bodie Hills draba, windloving buckwheat, sand cholla, Wassuck beardtongue, or Webber ivesia during the survey. Individuals or populations of TES plant species were not encountered during the survey. Survey tracks are shown on Figure 3.

Noxious weed species were not located in the survey area. Invasive, non-native plant species found during the survey include redstem stork’s bill, Russian thistle, tall tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum), and cheatgrass. These are invasive, non-native species that are not considered noxious weeds in Nevada.

Only one BLM sensitive species was detected during the survey; a loggerhead shrike flew to a post east of the proposed alignment. The site could support foraging or dispersal habitat for the loggerhead shrike as well as a number of raptor species. Nesting by loggerhead shrikes is unlikely in the survey area, due to the scarcity of tall shrubs or trees. The survey confirmed that there is no nesting habitat for golden eagles in the project area or 500-foot buffer. Cliffs that represent potential raptor nesting habitat were noted approximately one mile north of the western end of the alignment. Smaller cliffs and outcrops occur closer to the project area, but no stick nests or areas of whitewash were noted on these features.

Potential bat roosting habitat in the survey area includes small rock outcrops and boulders. These rock outcrops could support day roosting for a number of bat species including the pallid bat and a number of myotis species or the western pipistrelle/canyon bat. These outcrops are not expected to support many individual bats given their size.

No potential burrowing owl burrows were discovered in the survey area. According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service soil data, the majority of the survey area lacks suitably deep soils for burrowing owl burrows (NRCS, 2015). Small mammal burrows were found on

2015 Biological Survey – Granite Construction Lockwood Conveyor and Access Road February 2016 Granite Construction 12

ridgetops but none approached the size of a burrow that might be used by burrowing owls. No dense sagebrush habitat that could be used as potential pygmy rabbit habitat was present in the survey area.

The BLM identifies greater sage-grouse habitat in the project area OHMA, but the entire survey area has been affected by wildland fire and sagebrush occurs only as scattered shrubs in the area. The nearest active lek is 11 miles northeast of the project area.

Potential foraging habitat for golden eagles, migratory birds, and BLM sensitive bat species is located within the survey area.

The NDOW identified the survey area as being in occupied mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) habitat (NDOW, 2015). No big game animals were observed during the survey, but antelope pellets were found in the area.

The survey was conducted in December, when most neotropical migrant bird species would have left the area for the season. The following migratory birds were detected during surveys: common raven (Corvus corax); rock wren (Salpinctes obsoletus); and loggerhead shrike. No raptor nests were discovered during the survey.

2015 Biological Survey – Granite Construction Lockwood Conveyor and Access Road February 2016 Granite Construction 13

4.0 SUMMARY

A baseline biological survey for vegetation and wildlife was conducted in December 2015. During the survey, the vegetation community was found to have been altered by wildland fire. The current vegetation community is dominated by Russian thistle, with scattered shrubs present. Surveys for noxious weeds and invasive, non-native plant species, as well as TES plant and wildlife species were conducted. No TES plants or their habitat were located in the survey area. There were no noxious weeds discovered within the survey area, but a number of invasive, non-native plant species were located in the survey area, with Russian thistle being the dominant species. Threatened or endangered wildlife species or their habitat were not expected, nor were any located in the survey area. A number of BLM sensitive species have potentially suitable habitat available within the survey area. One BLM sensitive species, the loggerhead shrike, was detected during the December survey.

2015 Biological Survey – Granite Construction Lockwood Conveyor and Access Road February 2016 Granite Construction 14

5.0 REFERENCES

Baicich, P.J. and C.J.O. Harrison. 1997. A guide to the nests, eggs, and nestlings of North American birds. Second edition. Academic Press. 347pp.

Bat Conservation International (BCI). 2013. Species Accounts for North American Bats. http://www.batcon.org/resources/media-education/species-profiles.

Benson, L.V., D.R. Currey, R.I. Dorn, K.R. Lajoie, G.C. Oviatt, S.W.Robinson, G.I. Smith, and S. Stine. 1990. Chronology of expansion and contraction of four Great Basin lake systems during the past 35,000 years. Paleogeography, Paleoclimatology, Paleoecology 78:241-286.

Bradley, P. V., M. J. O’Farrell, J. A. Williams, and J. E. Newmark. Editors. 2006. The Revised Nevada Bat Conservation Plan. Nevada Bat Working Group. Reno, Nevada.

Bureau of Land management (BLM). 2015. Nevada Sagebrush Ecosystem Council accessed at (http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/prog/more_programs/geographic_sciences/gis/geospati al_data.html).

Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal, and P.K. Holmgren.1989. Intermountain Flora. Volume Three, Part B. New York Botanical Garden. 279pp.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1999. Executive Order 13112 Invasive Species. February 3, 1999.

Floyd, T., C.S. Elphick, G. Chisholm, K. Mack, R.G. Elston, E.M. Ammon, and J.D. Boone. 2007. Atlas of the breeding birds of Nevada. University of Nevada Press. Reno, NV.

Grayson, D.Y. 1993. The Desert’s Past. A Natural Prehistory of the Great Basin. Smithsonian Institution Press. 356pp.

Great Basin Bird Observatory (GBBO). 2010. Nevada Comprehensive Bird Conservation Plan, Ver. 1.0. Reno, NV.

Hickman, J. C. 1993. The Jepson Manual Higher Plants of California. Berkeley and Los Angeles, California: University of California Press.

Holmgren, N.H., P.K. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal and collaborators. 2012. Intermountain Flora Volume Two, Part A, Subclass Magnoliidae-Caryophyllidae. New York Botanical Garden. 731pp.

Holmgren, N. H., P.K. Holmgren, and A. C. Cronquist. 2005. Intermountain Flora Volume Two, Part B. Subclass Dilleniidae.

Interagency Pygmy Rabbit Working Group. 2008. Surveying for pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis). 57pp.

Jepson Flora Project (eds.). 2013. Jepson eFlora. http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/IJM.html.

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Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 2015. Web Soil Survey. Accessed online at http://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx. Accessed June 30, 2015.

NatureServe©. 2015. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://explorer.natureserve.org. Accessed: November 30, 2015.

Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA). 2015. Nevada Department of Agriculture Plant Industry Division Noxious Weed List. http://agri.state.nv.us/nwac/PLANT_NoxWeedList.htm.

Nevada Department of Minerals (NDOM). 2015. Response to data request. Robert Ghiglieri, Chief, Abandoned Mine Lands, NDOM, to David Worley, Stantec Consulting Services Inc. November 20, 2015.

Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). 2015. Response to data request. Bonnie Weller, NDOW, to David Worley, Stantec Consulting Services Inc. November 20, 2015.

Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html.

Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2015. Response to data request. Eric Miskow, NNHP, to Dave Worley, Stantec Consulting Services Inc. November 19, 2015.

Pinkava, D.J. 2003. Grusonia, pp. 118-123 in: Flora of North America Editorial Committee, Flora of North America 4: 1-559. Oxford University Press, New York, NY; JBR 2011 Baseline Survey Report Hycroft Mine, Mine Expansion Project 2010.

Rainey, W.E. 1998. Little Brown Bat Myotis lucifugus. In proceedings of the Western Bat Work Group Workshop.

Reveal, J.L. 2005. Eriogonum, pp. 221-430 in: Flora of North America Editorial Committee. Flora North America North of Mexico; Volume 5: Magnoliophyta: Caryophyllidae, part 2. Oxford University Press. 656 pp.

Reynolds, Timothy D., Terrell D. Rich and Daniel A. Stephens. 1999. Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/463.

Ryser, F.A. Jr. 1985. Birds of the Great Basin. University of Nevada Press. Reno, Nevada.

Schroeder, M. A., J. R. Young and C. E. Braun. 1999. Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/425 doi:10.2173/bna.425.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1995. Recovery Plan for the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, Oregon. 108 pp.

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United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2015a. Life History of Cui-ui (Chasmistes cujus). Accessed online July 30, 2015. http://www.fws.gov/lahontannfhc/fish/cuiui/cuiui.html.

Ulmschneider, Helen. 2004. Surveying for Pygmy Rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis). Bureau of Land Management, Boise District. Fourth Draft. June 3, 2004.

Yosef, Reuven. 1996. Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/231.

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FIGURES

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APPENDIX A

Plant and Wildlife Species Detected in the Survey Area

APPENDIX A

Vegetation Species Observed in the Granite Conveyor and Access Road ROW Survey Area

Scientific Name Common Name Achnatherum (Stipa) hymenoides Indian Rice Grass Amsinckia tessellata Desert Fiddleneck Artemisia arbuscula Low Sagebrush Artemisia tridentata wyomingensis Wyoming Sagebrush Atriplex canescens Four-Wing Saltbrush Atriplex confertifolia Shadscale Brickellia incana Brickellbush Bromus tectorum1 Cheatgrass1 Chrysothamnus nauseosus Rubber Rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus Yellow Rabbitbrush Elymus elymoides Bottlebrush Squirreltail Ephedra viridis Green Ephedra Eriogonum sp. Annual Buckwheat Eriogonum heermannii Heermann’s Buckwheat Eriogonum nudum Nude Buckwheat Erodium cicutarium1 Redstem Stork’s Bill1 Glossopetalon spinescens Spring Greasebush; Nevada Greasebush Grayia spinosa Spiny Hopsage Gutierrezia sarothrae Matchweed Machaeranthera tanacetifolia Tansy-aster Mentzelia laevicaulis Blazing Star Opuntia polyacantha Starvation Prickly-Pear Salsola tragus1 Russian Thistle1 Sisymbrium altissimum1 Tumble Mustard1 Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia Gooseberry-leaved Globemallow Tetradymia canescens Smooth Horsebrush 1 Invasive, non-native species

2015 Biological Survey – Granite Construction Lockwood Conveyor and Access Road Appendix A Granite Construction A-1

Wildlife Species Detected in the Granite Conveyor and Access Road ROW Survey Area

Scientific Name Common Name Birds Corvus corax Common Raven Lanius ludovicianus Loggerhead Shrike Salpinctes obsoletus Rock Wren Mammals Antilocapra americana Pronghorn Antelope (pellets) Canis latrans Coyote (tracks) Lepus californicus Black-tailed jackrabbits Neotoma sp. Packrat (nests) Vulpes velox Kit Fox (tracks, scat)

2015 Biological Survey – Granite Construction Lockwood Conveyor and Access Road Appendix A Granite Construction A-2

APPENDIX B

Habitat Evaluation

Habitat Evalauation for Special Status Species --Granite Construction: Conveyor Belt and Access Road, Lockwood, Washoe County, NV, November 20, 2015

Open, dry, relatively barren gravelly clay slopes, knolls, badlands, or Flowers in late spring. Range Possible where the Xman-Oppio-Old Camp Astragalus oophorus var. outcrops, derived from volcanic ash or carbonate, usually on northeast of most frequent survey Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, Lavin eggvetch NS Yes soils association is mapped within the N/A lavinii to southeast aspects, in openings in the pinyon-juniper or sagebrush months are May through June 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html evaluation area. zones. Elevation range is 5,700 to 7,467 feet (NNHP, 2001). (NNHP, 2001) Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2015. At Risk Taxa Recorded Near the Granite Lockwood Flowers in late spring. Range Open, calcareous or alkaline, sandy to gravelly washes, alluvium, or The NNHP reports an occurrence of this Conveyor Project Area. Response to query, November 23, 2015. of most frequent survey Lahontan Milkvetch Astragalus porrectus NNHP gullies on clay badlands, knolls, or playa edges in the shadscale zone Yes species approximately 0.3 miles southeast of N/A months are May through June (NNHP, 2001). the proposed conveyor (NNHP, 2015) Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, (NNHP, 2001) 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html Barneby, R.C. 1989. Fabales, pp. 1-279 in: Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal and P.K. Deep loose sandy soils of stabilized and active dune margins, old Holmgren. Intermountain Flora Volume 3, Part B. Fabales. New York Botanical Garden. beaches, valley floors, or drainages, with Sarcobatus vermiculatus and Late-spring. Range of most Evaluation area does not contain sand dunes Tonopah milkvetch Astragalus pseudiodanthus NS other salt desert shrub taxa. Dependent on sand dunes or deep sand in No frequent survey months: May- N/A or deep sand. Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, Nevada, 4,320-5,920 feet in elevation (NNHP, 2001; Barneby et at., June 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html 1989). Hickman, J. C. 1993. The Jepson Manual Higher Plants of California . Berkeley and Los Angeles, California: Flowers in late spring. Range Rocky soils occur throughout the evaluation University of California Press. Astragalus pulsiferae var. Sandy or rocky soils, often with pines or sagebrush (Hickman, 1993). of most frequent survey Ames milkvetch NS Yes area and within the reported elevation range N/A pulsiferae Reported elevation range is 4,625 to 5,200 feet (NNHP, 2001). months are May through June of the species. Nevada Natural Heritage Program. 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, 2001. (NNHP, 2001) http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html. Evaluation area is not on high or north-facing Dry, open, rocky, high or north-facing slopes or exposed summits of Flowers in early spring. Range slopes or exposed summits. Evaluation area granitic or rhyolitic material, on moisture-accumulating microsites in of most frequent survey Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, Bodie Hills rockcress Boechera bodiensis NS No is also approximately 1,580 feet below the N/A sagebrush associations within the pinyon-juniper and mountain months are June through July 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html lowest end of the reported elevation range of sagebrush zones. Elevation range is 6,720 to 9,970 feet. (NNHP, 2001) this species. Possible, but unlikely to occur. Evaluation Jepson Flora Project (eds.). 2013. Jepson eFlora. http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/IJM.html Great Basin scrub, pinyon and juniper woodland; clay or rocky soils in area contains clay and rocky soils, but is Flower phenology unknown. California, but not yet reviewed for Nevada (NNHP, 2001). Also more than 1,000 feet below the reported Range of most frequent survey Brodie Hills draba Cusickiella quadricostata NS Yes N/A Nevada Natural Heritage Program. 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, 2001. known on rocky flats in California (Jepson Flora Project, 2013). elevation range of the species and months: June-September http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html Elevation range is 6,200 to 8,500 feet. considerably separated from the reported (NNHP, 2001) range of the species. Nevada Natural Heritage Program. 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. August 8, 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.htm. Generally high elevation dry, exposed, relatively barren ridges and Late-spring to summer. Range Potential habitat on ridges traversed by Windloving buckwheat Eriogonum anemophilum NS knolls on shallow soils over bedrock from 4,750 to 9,840 feet in Yes of most frequent survey N/A conveyor and access road. Reveal, J.L. 2005. Eriogonum, pp. 221-430 in : Flora of North America Editorial Committee. Flora North elevation (NNHP, 2001; Reveal, 2005). months: May-August America North of Mexico; Volume 5: Magnoliophyta: Caryophyllidae, part 2. Oxford University Press. 656 pp.

There are very few rock outcroppings in the Flower phenology unknown. evaluation area, and ther area is Dry volcanic outcrops at elevations between 5,600 and 8,745 feet Range of most frequent survey Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, Beatley buckwheat Eriogonum beatleyae NS No approximately 600 feet below the lowest end N/A (NNHP, 2001). months: June-July (NNHP, 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html of the reported elevation range of this 2001) species. Dry, relatively barren and undisturbed, white to yellowish tan, often gysiferous, clay to silty diatomaceous deposits of the Coal Valley Formation, with a variable volcanic cobble overburden, on rounded Late-spring to summer. Range knolls, low ridges, slopes, and especially small drainages on all aspects Evaluation area does not contain of most frequent survey Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, Churchill Narrows buckwheat Eriogonum diatomaceum FC; SE; NS No N/A with Atriplex confertifolia, Stanleya pinnata, Sarcobatus baileyi, diatomaceous deposits. months: July-December 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html Artemisia spinescens, Kochia americana, Tetradymia glabrata, and (NNHP, 2001) other shadscale zone associates. Known elevation range is 4,300 to 4,600 feet (NNHP, 2001).

Appendix B Habitat Evaluation for Special Status Species 1 Habitat Evalauation for Special Status Species --Granite Construction: Conveyor Belt and Access Road, Lockwood, Washoe County, NV, November 20, 2015

Young, shallow, poorly-developed, dry soils derived from siliceous opaline sinter precipitated by past thermal spring flows, but not Flowering late-spring. Range currently near surface water, in open areas with sparse Atriplex Evaluation area does not contain soils Eriogonum ovalifolium var. of most frequent survey Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, Steamboat buckwheat FE; SE; NS confertifolia, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, Chrysothamnus nauseosus, etc. No derived from siliceous opaline sinter or N/A williamsiae months: May-July (NNHP, 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html Sometimes found on adjacent deeper and/or disturbed soils when wetland margin areas. 2001) competitive vegetation is lacking. Dependent of wetland margin areas (NNHP, 2001). Elevation range is 4,565 to 4,720 feet.

Dry, shallow, highly acidic (pH 3.3-5.5) gravelly clay soils mainly of the Smallcone Series, derived from weathering of hydrothermal sulfide deposits formed in andesite, or sometimes in rhyolitic or granitoid rocks, forming mostly barren yellowish to orange brown patches on ridges, knolls, and steep slopes on all aspects, on all but the most xeric Flowering late-spring to sites supporting a sparse, stunted relict woodland of yellow pines Evaluation area does not contain soils that summer. Range of most Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, Altered andesite buckwheat Eriogonum robustum NS No N/A (Pinus ponderosa and/or P. jeffreyi) and pinyon pine (P. monophylla), are highly acidic with pH of 5.5 or less. frequent survey months: May- 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html with an equally sparse understory codominated with Arenaria nuttallii September (NNHP, 2001) fragilis, Ericameria parryi or E. nauseosa, Elymus elymoides, and/or Poa secunda. Other normally mesic-montane conifer taxa, such as white fir, western white pine, and lodgepole pine, are occasionally present. Elevation range is 4,410 to 7,325 feet (NNHP, 2001).

Flowering spring to early- Crevices of carbonate cliffs and outcrops, generally avoiding southerly summer; in bloom from mid- Glossopetalon pungens var. Evaluation area does not contain carbonate Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, Rough dwarft greasebush NS exposures, in the pinyon-juniper, mountain mahogany, and montane No April to early July. Range of N/A pungens cliffs or carbonate soils. 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html conifer zones. Elevation range is 4,400 to 7,800 feet (NNHP, 2001). most frequent survey months: April-July (NNHP, 2001) Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. August 8, 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html. Sandy to rocky flats, often in sandy areas from 3,800 to 5,000 feet in Suitable habitat occurs throughout the Range of most frequent survey Sand cholla Grusonia pulchella SP, NS Yes N/A Pinkava, D.J. 2003. Grusonia, pp. 118-123 in : Flora of North America Editorial Committee, Flora of North elevation; throughout most of Nevada (NNHP, 2001; Pinkava, 2003). evaluation area. months: May-June. America 4: 1-559. Oxford University Press, New York, NY; JBR 2011 Baseline Survey Report Hycroft Mine, Mine Expansion Project 2010.

Shallow, vernally saturated, slowly draining, sandy to rocky clay soils Evaluation area does not contain suitable Flowers in late spring to derived from mostly andesitic volcanic rock or alluvium on benches aquatic or wetland habitat, and is summer, from late May and flats in meadows, seeps, intermittent drainages, etc., in the Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, Sierra Valley mousetails Ivesia aperta var. aperta NS No approximately 1,400 feet below the lowest through mid-August. Range of N/A yellowpine, mountain sagebrush, and mountain mahogany zones. 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html end of the reported elevation range of this most frequent survey months: Dependent on wetland margin areas in Nevada. Reported elevation species. June-August (NNHP, 2001) range is 6,460 to 7,300 feet (NNHP, 2001).

Seasonally or periodically wet, otherwise moist to dry decomposed granite soils or sod of meadow margins with shallow underlying water table and/or bedrock, associated with springs, moist drainages, or Flowers in late spring to ephemeral ponds, typically on flats or gentle northwest to northeast Evaluation area does not contain suitable Pine Nut Mountains summer. Range of most Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, Ivesia pityocharis NS exposures, but found on all aspects with slopes up to about 20 degrees, No aquatic or wetland habitat, nor decomposed N/A mousetails frequent survey months: July- 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html with Artemisia tridentata vaseyana, Juncus balticus, Elymus granit soils. September (NNHP, 2001) elymoides, Camissonia tanacetifolia, Muhlenbergia richardsonis, Poa secunda, etc. Aquatic or wetland-dependent. Reported elevation range is 6,990 to 8,550 feet (NNHP, 2001).

Shallow shrink-swell clay soils with a gravelly surface layer over volcanic, generally andesitic bedrock, on mid-elevation benches and Flowers in late spring to flats, usually codominating with Artemisia arbuscula and Elymus Potential habitat occurs throughout the summer. Range of most Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, Webber ivesia Ivesia webberi FT, SE, NS Yes N/A elymoides in association with Antennaria dimorpha, Balsamorhiza evaluation area. frequent survey months: April- 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html hookeri, Erigeron bloomeri, Lewisia rediviva, Viola beckwithii, etc. September (NNHP, 2001) Reported elevation range is 4,000 to 5,950 feet (NNHP, 2001). Flowers in late April to early Fine, deep, often granitic, sandy soils of valley flats and dunes in the June, appearing only in Loeflingia squarrosa ssp. sagebrush and possibly mixed-shrub zones, usually in openings among Evaluation area does not contain deep sandy exceptionally wet years. Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, Sagebrush pygmyleaf NS No N/A Artemisiarum sagebrush. Reported elevation range is 4,350 to 4,700 feet (NNHP, soils or dunes. Range of most frequent survey 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html 2001). months is not reported (NNHP, 2001)

Appendix B Habitat Evaluation for Special Status Species 2 Habitat Evalauation for Special Status Species --Granite Construction: Conveyor Belt and Access Road, Lockwood, Washoe County, NV, November 20, 2015

Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal and P.K. Holmgren. 1984. Intermountain Flora Volume 4: Subclass Asteridae (except Asteraceae). New York Botanical Garden. 573pp. Late-spring. Range of most Sandy flats and low sand dunes from 3,800 to 5,000 feet in elevation Sandy flats and low sand dunes do not occur Nevada dune beardtongue Penstemon arenarius NS No frequent survey months: May- N/A (Cronquist et al., 1984; NNHP, 2001) within the evaluation area. Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. August 8, June 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html.

Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. August 8, Late-spring, May-July 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html. Along washes, roadsides, and canyon floors from 3,430 to 5,500 feet Penstemon palmeri var. Evaluation area does not contain carbonate (August). Range of most Lahontan beardtongue NS in elevation. Associated with carbonate soils and some subsurface No N/A macranthus soils. frequent survey months: May- Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal and P.K. Holmgren. 1984. Intermountain Flora moisture (NNHP, 2001; Cronquist, et al., 1984) June. Volume 4: Subclass Asteridae (except Asteraceae). New York Botanical Garden. 573pp.

Open, rocky to gravelly soils on perched tufa shores, steep decomposed granite slopes, rocky drainage bottoms, and roadsides or Flowers in late spring to Potential habitat within the evaluation area is other recovering disturbances with enhanced runoff, locally abundant summer. Range of most Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, Wassuk beardtongue Penstemon rubicundus NS Yes limited to small rocky drainages and borders N/A on recent burns, in the pinyon-juniper, sagebrush, and upper mixed- frequent survey months: May- 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html of disturbed areas. shrub and shadscale zones. Reported elevation range is 4,220 to 6,850 September (NNHP, 2001) feet (NNHP, 2001). Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.htm. Alkali playas and seasonally inundated areas with clay soils, in Suitable habitat does not occur in the Range of most frequent survey Playa phacelia Phacelia inundata NS Nevada, aquatic or wetland dependant from 5,030 to 5,640 feet in No N/A evaluation area. months: June-August Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal and P.K. Holmgren. 1984. Intermountain Flora elevation (Cronquist, et al., 1984; NNHP, 2001). Volume 4: Subclass Asteridae (except Asteraceae). New York Botanical Garden. 573pp.

Alkaline, barren or sparsely vegetated grayish, brownish, or reddish shrink-swell clays of mostly andesitic origin, on various slopes and aspects, mostly on stabilized or low-intensity artificial or natural disturbances, most abundant on road berms that cross such soils, less frequently on naturally eroding badlands or apparently undisturbed Evaluation area does not contain alkaline Flowers in late spring to soil, in the pinyon-juniper and mountain sagebrush zones, variously soils. Evaluation area is relatively far north summer. Range of most Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, Mono County phacelia Phacelia monoensis NS No N/A associated with Monolepis nuttalliana, Lappula redowskii, Navarretia of the known range of the species in Nevada frequent survey months: May- 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html breweri, Mentzelia albicaulis, Phacelia gymnoclada, Cleomella, (Esmeralda, Lyon, and Mineral counties). June (NNHP, 2001) Allium anceps, Phlox longifolia, Trifolium andersonii, Elymus elymoides, Atriplex, Artemisia tridentata vaseyana, Pinus monophylla, Juniperus osteosperma, Cercocarpus ledifolius intermontanus, etc. Reported elevation range is 5,920 to 9,055 feet (NNHP, 2001).

Pinus pondersoa ssp. Dry montane forests from Mt Rose, Washoe County, north to the Evaluation area does not contain any conifer Earle, C. J. (Ed.). 2012. The Gymnosperm Database. Retrieved on April 1, 2015, from Washoe pine SS, NS No Unknown. N/A Washoensis Warner Mountains in northeast California (Earle, 2012). trees or forests. http://www.conifers.org/pi/Pinus washoensis.php Dry, shallow, mostly acidic (pH 3.3-5.5) gravelly clay soils mainly of the Smallcone Series, derived from weathering of hydrothermal sulfide deposits formed in andesite, or sometimes in rhyolitic or granitoid rocks, forming mostly barren yellowish to orange brown patches on ridges, knolls, and steep slopes on all aspects in sagebrush, pinyonjuniper, and montane conifer zones, on all but the most xeric Flowers in summer. Range of Altered andesite Evaluation area does not contain soils that Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, Plagiobothrys glomeratus NS sites supporting a sparse, stunted relict woodland of yellow pines No most frequent survey months N/A popcornflower are highly acidic with pH of 5.5 or less. 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html (Pinus ponderosa and/or P. jeffreyi) and pinyon pine (P. monophylla), are June-July (NNHP, 2001) with an equally sparse understory codominated by Eriogonum robustum, Arenaria nuttallii fragilis, Ericameria parryi or E. nauseosa, Elymus elymoides, and/or Poa secunda. Elevation range reported: 4,850 to 6,650 feet (NNHP, 2001).

Appendix B Habitat Evaluation for Special Status Species 3 Habitat Evalauation for Special Status Species --Granite Construction: Conveyor Belt and Access Road, Lockwood, Washoe County, NV, November 20, 2015

Relatively barren sandy to sandy-clay or mud margins and bottoms of non-alkaline seasonal lakes perched over volcanic bedrock in the sagebrush, pinyon-juniper, and mountain sagebrush zones, with Carex Flowers in early spring. Range douglasii, Muhlenbergia richardsonis, Camissonia tanacetifolia, Iva Suitable seasonal lake, wetlands, or aquatic of most frequent survey Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, Williams combleaf Polyctenium williamsiae SE; NS No N/A axillaris, Myosurus minimus, Potentilla newberryi, Psilocarphus habitat does not occur in the evaluation area. months are March through 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html brevissimus, Downingia sp., Eleocharis, Juncus balticus, Artemisia July (NNHP, 2001) tridentata, A. cana, etc. Aquatic or wetland-dependent in Nevada. Elevation range reported is 5,670 to 8,930 feet (NNHP, 2001). Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals, including the Consortium of California Herbaria. [web Flower phenology unknown. Suitable habitat does not occur in the application]. 2015. Berkeley, California: The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: Masonic Mountain Pinyon-juniper woodlands (Calflora, 2015). Elevation range is 6,800 Range of most frequent survey Streptanthus oliganthus NS No evaluation area; evaluation area is 1,800 feet N/A http://www.calflora.org/ (Accessed: Apr 01, 2015). jewelflower to 8,770 feet (NNHP, 2001). months: June-August (NNHP, below lower end of reported elevation range. 2001) Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html Dry, open, very rocky clay soils or soil pockets in or near scree, talus, or boulder fields derived from basalt, other volcanic rocks, and/or Flower in early spring. Range Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, fluviolacustrine sediments, on gentle to steep slopes of all aspects and Evaluation area is not located near or on Tiehm peppercress Stroganowia tiehmii NS No of most frequent survey N/A 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/atlasndx.html topographic positions, but best developed on northeasterly aspects, in scree, talus, or boulder fields. months: May (NNHP, 2001) the sagebrush, upper shadscale, and lower juniper woodland zones (NNHP, 2001). Recorded elevation range is 4,820 to 6,170 feet. AMPHIBIANS Wetlands and aquatic habitat. Known range is Dixie Valley (U.S. Wetlands and aquatic habitat does not occur U.S. Navy. 2010. Conservation Efforts on Navy Installations Recognized by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Dixie Valley toad Bufo boreas ssp. NS No Unknown N/A Navy, 2010). within the evaluation area. Retrieved on April 1, 2014, from http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=51633 The northern leopard frog requires a mosaic of habitats to meet the AmphibiaWeb: Information on amphibian biology and conservation. [web application]. 2013. Berkeley, requirements of all of its life stages. Northern leopard frogs breed in a California: AmphibiaWeb. Available: http://amphibiaweb.org/. (Accessed: Feb 28, 2013). variety of aquatic habitats that include slow-moving or still water NNHP reports an occurrence on the Truckee along streams and rivers, wetlands, permanent or temporary pools, River approximately 0.87 mile south of the Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2015. At Risk Taxa Recorded Near the Granite Lockwood Northern leopard frog Rana pipiens SP, NS beaver ponds, and human-constructed habitats such as earthen stock No Year-round N/A project area. Aquatic and riverine habitat Conveyor Project Area. Response to query, November 23, 2015. tanks and borrow pits (AmphiaWeb, 2013). Subadult frogs typically does not occur within the evaluation area. migrate to feeding sites near larger, more permanent bodies of water U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2009. Endangered or Threatened wildlife or Plants; 90 Day Finding (USFWS, 2009). Their documented distribution across the Great Basin on Petition to List Northern Leopard Frog in Western United States. 74 FR 125 31389. Published July 1, 2009. is limited.

Appendix B Habitat Evaluation for Special Status Species 4 Habitat Evalauation for Special Status Species --Granite Construction: Conveyor Belt and Access Road, Lockwood, Washoe County, NV, November 20, 2015

BIRDS The northern goshawk is a fairly large hawk (55 – 61 cm in length) with rounded wing tips and conspicuous pale eye brow. It nests in a NatureServe Explorer. 2012. NatureServe Explorer Species Index. Available online at: variety of habitat types including deciduous, coniferous, and mixed Suitable nesting habitat does not occur Year-round, but can be found .http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchSciOrCommonName=northern+goshawk. Northern goshawk Accipiter gentilis SS, NS No Stick nest in trees forests. Western birds, including most Nevada birds, are known to nest within the evaluation area. elsewhere in winter. in deciduous forests dominated by aspen (NatureServe, 2012; Ryser, Ryser, Fred. 1985. Birds of the Great Basin. University of Nevada Press. Reno, Nevada. 604pp. 1985).

NDOW identified one eagle nest within one to two miles of the survey area, which dates Floyd, T., C.S. Elphick, G. Chisholm, K. Mack, R.G. Elston, E.M. Ammon, and J.D. Boone. 2007. Atlas of the to 1979 and the species of eagle was not breeding birds of Nevada. University of Nevada Press. Reno, NV. Mountains, canyons, sagebrush steppe, deserts, plains (Floyd et al., specified (NDOW, 2015). The NDOW files 2007). Nests on rocky scarps with large expanses of hunting territory. indiacte there are six other raptor and/or Generally year-round, Large stick nests Ryser, F.A. Jr. 1985. Birds of the Great Basin. University of Nevada Press. Reno, Nevada. Golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos SP, NS Also nests in coniferous and deciduous trees when rocks are Yes corvid nests located within ten miles of the migrants may occur in winter on rock outcrops unavailable (Ryser, 1985). Primary food base are rabbits and hares, evaluation area. Nesting habitat within the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). 2015. Response to data request. Bonnie Weller, NDOW, to David particularly black-tailed jackrabbit. survey area is limited and the nearest nesting Worley, Stantec Consulting Services Inc. November 20, 2015. habitat would be located in the mounatinous area surrounding the project. The survey area is potential foraging area for golden eagle.

The burrowing owl is a small (9 to 10 inches) ground-dwelling owl Great Basin Bird Observatory (GBBO). 2010. Nevada Comprehensive Bird Conservation Plan, Ver. 1.0. Reno, with long legs, white chin stripe, round head, and stubby tail Suitable habitat is very limited on the steep NV. (NatureServe, 2012). It often nests in burrows that have been slopes and shallow soils of the project area. Burrows dug by abandoned by other burrowing mammals and usually in open areas The NDOW has a record of burrowing owl other species, in NatureServe Explorer. 2012. NatureServe Explorer Species Index. Available online at: Athene cunicularia Northern Nevada's population Western burrowing owl SP, NS with good surrounding visibility. Burrowing owls are present in Yes nesting in the Truckee Meadows, several some cases http://www.natureserve.org/ hypugaea is thought to be migratory. northern Nevada in the spring and summer months and winter in the miles east of the project area, and indicates modified by the southwestern states. Western burrowing owls can be in burrowing owls have been observed in the owls. Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). 2015. Response to data request. Bonnie Weller, NDOW, to David urban/suburban and disturbed sites, and appear to be fairly tolerant of vicinity of the project area (NDOW, 2015). Worley, Stantec Consulting Services Inc. November 20, 2015. human activities (GBBO, 2010). In pinyon-juniper habitats of the Great Basin, ferruginous hawks Great Basin Bird Observatory (GBBO). 2010. Nevada Comprehensive Bird Conservation Plan, Ver. 1.0. Reno, Pinyon-juniper habitat does not occur within typically nest in juniper trees along the forest shrubland edge, however NV. the evaluation area. Earthern high-points and in western Nevada they are commonly found nesting on rock or outcrops do not occur within the evaluation Stick nests in trees earthen high points. Ferruginous hawks prey heavily on ground Migratory, arrives usually in Montana. 2012. Montana Fish and Game Field Guide. Species of Concern. Ferruginous hawk Buteo regalis SP, NS No area. According to NDOW (2015), there are or on squirrels. Because their principal prey (ground squirrels) enters Feb./ March. http://fieldguide.mt.gov/detail_ABNKC19120.aspx seven known raptor nests within 10 miles of ground/outcrops aestivation by late July or early August, ferruginous hawks typically the evaluation area. The species of raptor fledge young and leave the area by early August (Montana, 2012; Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). 2015. Response to data request. Bonnie Weller, NDOW, to David associated with each nest was not specified. GBBO, 2010). Worley, Stantec Consulting Services Inc. November 20, 2015.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM). 2015. Geospatial data for Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Approved Land Use Plan Amendment, file NVCA_ARMPA_GSRG_Habitat.shp. The project area is mapped as Other Habitat http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/prog/more_programs/geographic_sciences/gis/geospatial_data.html Management Area by the Nevada Sagebrush Ecosystem Program. General Habitat The greater sage-grouse occupies habitats dominated by sagebrush, Great Basin Bird Observatory (GBBO). 2010. Nevada Comprehensive Bird Conservation Plan, Ver. 1.0. Reno, Management Area is mapped just to the which the birds utilize for both cover and forage. During the breeding NV. north of the project area (BLM, 2015). The season sage-grouse congregate on historic open sites known as leks majority of the vegetation cover mapped on where males display in attempt to attract females. Nesting habitat is Natural Resources Conservation Service, Web Soil Survey. Accessed November 20, 2015. the evaluation area consists of communities Ground nest generally adjacent to lek sites and is comprised of denser brush canopy Year-round but seasonal Greater sage-grouse Centrocercus urophasianus FC, GS, NS Yes with Wyoming or low sagebrush comprising (sagebrush for concealment of nests, while brood-rearing and summer habitat movement occurs in range. Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). 2015. Response to data request. Bonnie Weller, NDOW, to David up to 30 percent of the vegetation community habitats) encompasses sagebrush and meadow interfaces or other habitats, Worley, Stantec Consulting Services Inc. November 20, 2015. (NRCS, Web Soil Survey), though much of which supply a diversity of forbs and insects consumed by growing the area has been affected by wildland fire, chicks. The majority of the year sage-grouse feed on sagebrush Schroeder, M. A., J. R. Young and C. E. Braun. 1999. Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus ), The greatly reducing the amount of sagebrush (Schroeder et al., 1999; GBBO, 2010). Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of present. There are no known sage-grouse lek North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/425 doi:10.2173/bna.425 sites within the evaluation area or surrounding vicinity (NDOW, 2015). Utah State University. 2004. Provisional Digital Landcover Dataset for the Southwestern United States [vector data]. Logan, Utah: Utah State University, College of Natural Resources, RS/GIS Laboratory.

Floyd, T., C. S. Elphick, G. Chisholm, K. Mack, R. G. Elston, E. M. Ammon, and J. D. Boone. 2007. Atlas of Beaches, playas, playa margins with brine flies or other suitable the breeding birds of Nevada. University of Nevada Press. Reno, NV. Charadrius alexandrinus forage. Known from Lahontan Valley, Humboldt Sink, and Honey, Suitable beach or playa habitat does not Migratory arrives Western snowy plover SP, NS No Scrape (ground) nivosus Mono and Owens Lakes in California (Floyd et al., 2007; GBBO, occur in the evaluation area. approximately mid-April. Great Basin Bird Observatory (GBBO). 2010. Nevada Comprehensive Bird Conservation Plan, Ver. 1.0. Reno, 2010). NV. Peregrine falcons typically nest on vertical cliffs and ledges, generally Great Basin Bird Observatory (GBBO). 2010. Nevada Comprehensive Bird Conservation Plan, Ver. 1.0. Reno, near water. They are known to nest on man-made structures including NV. buildings, bridges, and raised platforms or old nests of ravens or bald Evaluation area does not contain nesting Scrape on cliffs or Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus SE, NS eagles. These birds of prey are not commonly found in Nevada. They No habitat. May occasionally be noted as a fly- Possible year-round resident buildings White, Clayton M., Nancy J. Clum, Tom J. Cade and W. Grainger Hunt. 2002. Peregrine Falcon (Falco feed primarily on medium sized birds, but are known to sometimes over species. peregrinus), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved forage on small mammals, lizards, fish, and insects (White et al., 2002; from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/660 GBBO 2010).

Appendix B Habitat Evaluation for Special Status Species 5 Habitat Evalauation for Special Status Species --Granite Construction: Conveyor Belt and Access Road, Lockwood, Washoe County, NV, November 20, 2015

Pinyon jays are highly social, cooperative-breeding, seed-caching bird. Balda, Russell P. 2002. Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus), The Birds of North America Online (A. Pinyon jays inhabit higher elevations of the Great Basin, commonly Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: within pinyon-juniper woodlands with diverse age class distribution. Suitable nesting habitat does not occur in the Year-round resident, ranges http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/605. Gymnorhinus Pinyon jay SP, NS They are the earliest of the passerines to breed, synchronously nesting No evaluation area; may occasionally be noted widely in winter (in search of Nest in trees cyanocephalus in winter, depending on seed caches from the fall crop of pine seeds. as a fly-over species. pine nuts). Floyd, T., C. S. Elphick, G. Chisholm, K. Mack, R. G. Elston, E. M. Ammon, and J. D. Boone. 2007. Atlas of Systematic destruction of pinyon woodlands has been the reason for the breeding birds of Nevada. University of Nevada Press. Reno, NV. their decline (Balda, 2002; Floyd, et al., 2007). Floyd, T., C. S. Elphick, G. Chisholm, K. Mack, R. G. Elston, E. M. Ammon, and J. D. Boone. 2007. Atlas of Open country in greasewood, sagebrush, and agricultural areas, where the breeding birds of Nevada. University of Nevada Press. Reno, NV. Resident, but breeding and this avian predator can hunt reptiles, insects, small mammals and birds Few to no large shrubs in evaluation area; Loggerhead shrike Lanius ludovicianus SS, NS Yes wintering territories may Nest in shrubs. (Floyd et al. 2007). Large prey are always impaled (barbed wire or Potential forager in the area. Yosef, Reuven. 1996. Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus ), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, differ. vegetation) before eating (Yosef, 1996). Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/231. Lewis’s Woodpecker favors open forests, ranging in altitude from low- Floyd, T., C. S. Elphick, G. Chisholm, K. Mack, R. G. Elston, E. M. Ammon, and J. D. Boone. 2007. Atlas of elevation riparian areas to higher-elevation burns and pine forests. Like the breeding birds of Nevada. University of Nevada Press. Reno, NV. all other woodpeckers, it requires snags (standing, dead or partly dead Suitable forested or riparian woodland trees) for nesting, although it is not anatomically specialized for Migratory in northern part of Vierling, Kerri T., Victoria A. Saab and Bret W. Tobalske. 2013. Lewis's Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis ), The Lewis' woodpecker Melanerpes lewis SP, NS No habitat does not occur within the evaluation Nest in tree cavities excavating in wood and the trees it selects for nesting are generally range, year-round elsewhere. Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of area. well decayed (Vierling et al., 2013). Northeastern Nevada Breeding North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/284. Bird Atlas records for the species are concentrated in Rubies, East Humboldt and Jarbidge mountain ranges (Floyd et al., 2007). Floyd, T., C. S. Elphick, G. Chisholm, K. Mack, R. G. Elston, E. M. Ammon, and J. D. Boone. 2007. Atlas of The sage thrasher is considered a sagebrush obligate and is commonly the breeding birds of Nevada. University of Nevada Press. Reno, NV. found in habitats of intact, fairly dense stands of sagebrush. Nonetheless, they may also occur in greasewood or bitterbrush (Floyd Limited habitat occurs within the evaluation Migratory, arriving in nesting Nest in sagebrush Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes montanus SS, NS Yes Reynolds, Timothy D., Terrell D. Rich and Daniel A. Stephens. 1999. Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus), et al., 2007). Sage thrashers situate their nests within dense brush or area where sagebrush stands exist. territories in March. or ground The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the on the ground. They primarily feed on insects but occasionally eat Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/463 berries (Reynolds et al., 1999). This species is found throughout Nevada in sagebrush and mixed Nests in brush shrub communities. Brewer’s sparrows nest in brush communities with Floyd, T., C. S. Elphick, G. Chisholm, K. Mack, R. G. Elston, E. M. Ammon, and J. D. Boone. 2007. Atlas of Brewer's sparrow Spizella breweri SS, NS Yes Likely in sagebrush habitats. Migratory, arrives mid-April. (Sagebrush low shrubs and grasses, and primarily feed on insects and seeds the breeding birds of Nevada. University of Nevada Press. Reno, NV. habitats) (Floyd, et al., 2006). Evaluation area is not in the valley bottom and not near water. The nearest waterbody Great Basin Bird Observatory (GBBO). 2010. Nevada Comprehensive Bird Plan. Species Accounts. Ver. 1.0. The bald eagle inhabits areas near water and feeds on fish and to the evaluation area is the Truckee River, Reno, NV. waterfowl, but also inhabits areas where other food is available, such which is approximately 0.5 mile away. as rabbits and road kill (NatureServe, 2012). Bald eagle nests are most Additionally, there are no trees within the Generally in Nevada, winter Stick nests in trees NatureServe Explorer. 2012. NatureServe Explorer Species Index. Available online at: Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus SE, NS No commonly built in trees. During winter months, eastern Nevada bald evaluation area. According to NDOW visitor. near water http://www.natureserve.org/. eagles roost in trees at ranches or on sagebrush in the valley bottoms (2015), bald eagle have been observed in the (GBB0, 2010). vicinity of the evaluation area. It is likely this Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). 2015. Response to data request. Bonnie Weller, NDOW, to David observation was associated with the Truckee Worley, Stantec Consulting Services Inc. November 20, 2015. River. FISH Inhabits Pyramid Lake and enters the lower Truckee River to spawn Aquatic and riverine habitat does not occur United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1992. Cui-ui (Chasmistes cujus) Second Revision Recovery Cui-ui Chasmistes cujus FE; SE; NS No Year-round N/A (USFWS, 1992). within the evaluation area. Plan . Portland, Oregon: United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Cui-ui Recovery Team. Endemic to the Wall Canyon drainage in northwestern Nevada (Desert Aquatic and riverine habitat does not occur Desert Fish Habitat Partnership. 2010. Desert Fish Habitat Partnership Newsletter, Volume 1, No. 3. Retrieved Wall Canyon sucker Catostomus sp. 1 SP; NS No Year-round N/A Fish Habitat Partnership, 2010). within the evaluation area. on April 1, 2015, from http://www.fishhabitat.org/sites/default/files/partnership_uploads/dfhp_newsletter.pdf Railroad Valley springfish inhabit warm spring pools, outflow streams, Aquatic and riverine habitat does not occur Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). No date. Crenichthys nevadae. Retrieved on April 1, 2015, from Railroad Valley springfish Crenichthys nevadae FT, SE, NS No Year-round N/A and adjacent marshes (NNHP, no date). within the evaluation area. http://heritage.nv.gov/taxon detail/18465 Cold-water lakes and cool-water rivers, and streams with available United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2012b. Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii Oncorhyncus clarki Suitable habitat of cold rivers or streams do Lahontan cutthroat trout FT, GS, NS cover of vegetated stable stream banks, where there are breaks in No Year-round N/A henshawi ). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office. September 2012. Available online henshawi not occur in the evaluation area. current, and in relatively silt free, rocky riffles (USFWS, 2012b). at: http://www.fws.gov/nevada/protected_species/fish/species/lct.html. MAMMALS

Found in a wide variety of habitats from low elevation desert scrub to high elevation coniferous forest habitats, pinyon-juniper, sagbebrush, riparian and urban high-rise (cliff analog) habitats. Closely associated with rocky cliffs. Habitats may range from desert to montane Year round resident. Bradley, P. V., M. J. O’Farrell, J. A. Williams, and J. E. Newmark. Editors. 2006. The Revised Nevada Bat coniferous stands, including open ponderosa pine, pinyon juniper Hibernates in winter but Conservation Plan. Nevada Bat Working Group. Reno, Nevada. woodland, canyon bottoms, riparian and river corridors, meadows, No potetntial roosting habitat (large cliffs or periodically arouses to Spotted bat Euderma maculatum ST, NS open pasture, and hayfields. Active foraging may be mostly in open Yes cliff analogs) present in evaluation area, but N/A actively forage and drink in NatureServe Explorer. 2015. NatureServe Explorer Species Index. Available online at: terrain, including forest clearings, meadows, and open wetlands, may possibly forage in the evaluation area. the winter (Bradely et al., http://www.natureserve.org/ sometimes in open areas near buildings or even golf courses. Roosts, 2006). including maternity roosts, generally are in cracks and crevices in cliffs, sometimes in caves or in buildings near cliffs. Winter habitats are poorly known. Diet includes a variety of insects but predominantly moths. (Naturserve, 2015; Bradely, et al., 2006).

Appendix B Habitat Evaluation for Special Status Species 6 Habitat Evalauation for Special Status Species --Granite Construction: Conveyor Belt and Access Road, Lockwood, Washoe County, NV, November 20, 2015

Potential to 0ccur Habitat Use Nest type (ground, Preferred Habitat Common Name Scientific Name Status in Project Area? Reasoning for Occurrence Determination (see explanation below)** grass, shrub, tree, Citations (include elevation and soil type for plants) Y/N Plants: Flowering Dates burrow, etc.) The pallid bat inhabits low desert shrubland, juniper woodlands, and Bradley, P. V., M. J. O’Farrell, J. A. Williams, and J. E. Newmark. Editors. 2006. The Revised Nevada Bat grasslands. Pallid bats most commonly occur in low, dry regions with Conservation Plan. Nevada Bat Working Group. Reno, Nevada. rock outcrops, usually near water, and roost in rock crevices, buildings, Believed to hibernate in Little potential roosting habitat occurs within Pallid bat Antrozous pallidus SP, NS rock piles, tree cavities, shallow caves, and abandoned mines Yes winter; active during insect N/A evaluation area. May forage in the area. NatureServe Explorer. 2012. NatureServe Explorer Species Index. Available online at: (NatureServe, 2012; Bradley, et al., 2006). Their primary food sources emergence. http://www.natureserve.org/ are arthropods such as crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, scorpions, and spiders. Townsend’s big-eared bat is a permanent resident in North America. Maternity and hibernation colonies generally occur in caves and Bat Conservation International (BCI). 2013. Species Accounts for North American abandoned mine workings. This species may roost in buildings and has Suitable roosting habitat does not occur Bats.http://www.batcon.org/index.php/all-about-bats/species-profiles.html. often been found utilizing mine shafts and adits as maternity roosts within the evaluation area. Pine forests and Resident, but hibernates in Townsend's big-eared bat Corynorhinus townsendii SS, NS No N/A and hibernacula. Habitats in the vicinity of roosts include pine forests, cottonwood bottland also do not occur within winter. Bradley, P. V., M. J. O’Farrell, J. A. Williams, and J. E. Newmark. Editors. 2006. The Revised Nevada Bat pinyon-juniper woodland, and cottonwood bottomland. The the evaluation area. Conservation Plan. Nevada Bat Working Group. Reno, Nevada. Townsend’s big-eared bat is a moth specialist with over 90% of its diet composed of Lepidopterans (BCI, 2013; Bradley et al., 2006). The big brown bat is a medium- to large-sized bat that is known to Bat Conservation International (BCI). 2013. Species Accounts for North American roost in buildings, bridges, mines, caves, rock crevices, and even in Bats.http://www.batcon.org/index.php/all-about-bats/species-profiles.html. Hibernates in winter; active giant saguaro cacti (BCI, 2013). Their primary diet includes beetles Little potential roosting habitat occurs within Big brown bat Eptesicus fuscus NS Yes with onset of warm weather, N/A and they usually forage within a few kilometers of their roost. This bat evaluation area. May forage in the area. Bradley, P. V., M. J. O’Farrell, J. A. Williams, and J. E. Newmark. Editors. 2006. The Revised Nevada Bat spring to fall. can be locally common in some urbanized environments (Bradley, et Conservation Plan. Nevada Bat Working Group. Reno, Nevada. al., 2006). Bat Conservation International (BCI). 2013. Species Accounts for North American Bats. http://www.batcon.org/index.php/all-about-bats/species-profiles.html. This bat is strongly associated with coniferous and mixed coniferous Bradley, P. V., M. J. O’Farrell, J. A. Williams, and J. E. Newmark. Editors. 2006. The Revised Nevada Bat forests, particularly old growth forests. It is widely distributed within Suitable habitat for this bat does not occur Resident, but hibernates in Silver-haired bat Lasionycteris noctivagans NS No N/A Conservation Plan. Nevada Bat Working Group. Reno, Nevada. these habitats (BCI, 2013; Bradley et al., 2006; Perkins, 1998a). within the evaluation area. winter. Lactating females are voracious feeders, generally feeding on moths. Perkins, M. 1998a. Big Brown Bat Eptesicus fuscus. in proceedings of the Western Bat Work Group Workshop.

Closely associated with cottonwoods in riparian areas at elevations below 6,500 feet. Especially favored roosts are found where leaves Evaluation area lacks suitable riparian Resident, but hibernates in Bat Conservation International (BCI). 2013. Species Accounts for North American Bats. Western red bat Lasiurus blossevillii SS; NS form a dense canopy above and branches do not obstruct the bats' No habitat, forest edges, small clearings, and N/A winter. http://www.batcon.org/index.php/all-about-bats/species-profiles.html. flyway below. Typically species feeds along forest edges, in small street lights. clearings, or around street-lights (BCI, 2013). The hoary bat is known for its relatively large size and golden-colored Bat Conservation International (BCI). 2013. Species Accounts for North American Bats. fur. Common roosting sites include coniferous and deciduous trees and http://www.batcon.org/index.php/all-about-bats/species-profiles.html. Evaluation area lacks suitable woodland or caves. In the Pacific Northwest, hoary bats are common where they are Migratory, returns to nothern Hoary bat Lasiurus cinereus NS Yes cave roosting habitat. May forage in the N/A highly associated with forested habitats (Bradley, et al. 2006; BCI, areas in spring. Bradley, P. V., M. J. O’Farrell, J. A. Williams, and J. E. Newmark. Editors. 2006. The Revised Nevada Bat area. 2013). Primary food sources include beetles, moths, grasshoppers, Conservation Plan. Nevada Bat Working Group. Reno, Nevada. dragonflies, and wasps. Not Applicable; The California myotis inhabits riparian woodlands, canyons, Bradley, P. V., M. J. O’Farrell, J. A. Williams, and J. E. Newmark. Editors. 2006. The Revised Nevada Bat Roosts in a variety grasslands, and desert habitats and utilizes rock crevices, caves, Hibernates in winter; active Conservation Plan. Nevada Bat Working Group. Reno, Nevada. Little potential roosting habitat occurs within of situations, California myotis Myotis californicus NS buildings, and abandoned mine workings for roosting, maternity and Yes with onset of warm weather, evaluation area. May forage in the area. including hibernation. These bats forage on insects along margins of tree canopy spring to fall. NatureServe Explorer. 2012. NatureServe Explorer Species Index. Available online at: abandoned mine and over water (NatureServe, 2012; Bradley, et al., 2006). http://www.natureserve.org/ workings The taxon has been split; the species in our area is now the small- Bat Conservation International (BCI). 2013. Species Accounts for North American Bats. footed dark-nosed myotis, Myotis melanorhinus (BCI, 2013). This Hibernates in winter; active http://www.batcon.org/index.php/all-about-bats/species-profiles.html. Evaluation area does not provide suitable Western small-footed myotis Myotis ciliolabrum NS species of bat occurs west of the Rockies in varied habitats, most No with onset of warm weather, N/A pinyon-juniper habitat. common in pinyon-juniper communities (Bogen, Valdez and Navo spring to fall. Bogen, M.A., E.W. Valdez and K.W. Navo. 1998a. Western Small-footed Myotis Myotis ciliolabrum. in 1998a). proceedings of the Western Bat Work Group Workshop. Bat Conservation International (BCI). 2013. Species Accounts for North American Bats. Primarily a bat of forests, where older trees provide roosting sites http://www.batcon.org/index.php/all-about-bats/species-profiles.html. beneath bark or within cavities, occasionally uses crevices in cliffs and Hibernates in winter; active Forested habitat does not occur within the Long-eared myotis Myotis evotis NS buildings This is one of the most wide ranging bat, occurring from No with onset of warm weather, N/A evaluation area. Bradley, P. V., M. J. O’Farrell, J. A. Williams, and J. E. Newmark. Editors. 2006. The Revised Nevada Bat Alaska to Mexico (BCI, 2013; Bradley et al 2006). Usually form spring to fall. Conservation Plan. Nevada Bat Working Group. Reno, Nevada. maternity colonies of up to 200 females. Bradley, P. V., M. J. O’Farrell, J. A. Williams, and J. E. Newmark. Editors. 2006. The Revised Nevada Bat Hibernates in winter; active Conservation Plan. Nevada Bat Working Group. Reno, Nevada. Wide-ranging bat, typically found in mesic or forested habitats (Rainey Typical habitat types do not occur within the Little brown myotis Myotis lucifugus NS Yes with onset of warm weather, N/A 1998; Bradley, et al., 2006). evaluation area, but may forage in the area. spring to fall. Rainey, W.E. 1998. Little Brown Bat Myotis lucifugus. in proceedings of the Western Bat Work Group Workshop. Bat Conservation International (BCI). 2013. Species Accounts for North American Bats. Woodland habitat does not occur within the Oak and pinyon-juniper habitats may be favored (Bradley, et al. 2006). Believed to hibernate in http://www.batcon.org/index.php/all-about-bats/species-profiles.html. evaluation area. Mine workings, caves and Fringed myotis Myotis thysanodes SP, NS It is a woodland species at moderate elevations in mountains. Roosts No winter; active with onset of N/A buildings do not occur within the evaluation include caves, mines, and buildings (BCI, 2013). warm weather, spring to fall. Bradley, P. V., M. J. O’Farrell, J. A. Williams, and J. E. Newmark. Editors. 2006. The Revised Nevada Bat area. Conservation Plan. Nevada Bat Working Group. Reno, Nevada.

Appendix B Habitat Evaluation for Special Status Species 7 Habitat Evalauation for Special Status Species --Granite Construction: Conveyor Belt and Access Road, Lockwood, Washoe County, NV, November 20, 2015

Potential to 0ccur Habitat Use Nest type (ground, Preferred Habitat Common Name Scientific Name Status in Project Area? Reasoning for Occurrence Determination (see explanation below)** grass, shrub, tree, Citations (include elevation and soil type for plants) Y/N Plants: Flowering Dates burrow, etc.) Bat Conservation International (BCI). 2013. Species Accounts for North American Bats. http://www.batcon.org/index.php/all-about-bats/species-profiles.html. Most common in forested habitats; does occur in more arid habitats Hibernates in winter; active Wooded habitat does not occur within the Bogen, M.A., E.W. Valdez and K.W. Navo. 1998b. Long-legged Myotis Myotis volans. in proceedings of the Long-legged myotis Myotis volans NS (Bogen, et al., 1998b; Bradley, et al., 2006). Species is especially No with onset of warm weather, N/A evaluation area or surrounding vicinity. Western Bat Work Group Workshop. dependent on wooded habitat (BCI, 2013). spring to fall. Bradley, P. V., M. J. O’Farrell, J. A. Williams, and J. E. Newmark. Editors. 2006. The Revised Nevada Bat Conservation Plan. Nevada Bat Working Group. Reno, Nevada. The Yuma myotis inhabits riparian areas, scrublands, deserts, and Bat Conservation International (BCI). 2013. Species Accounts for North American Bats. forests and is commonly found roosting in bridges, buildings, cliff Hibernates in winter; active http://www.batcon.org/index.php/all-about-bats/species-profiles.html. crevices, caves, mines, and trees. Its primary diet is emergent aquatic Evaluation area does not provide suitable Yuma myotis Myotis yumanensis NS Yes with onset of warm weather, N/A insects such as caddis flies, midges, and small moths and beetles roosting habitat. May forage in the area. spring to fall. Bradley, P. V., M. J. O’Farrell, J. A. Williams, and J. E. Newmark. Editors. 2006. The Revised Nevada Bat (Bradley, et al. 2006). Typically forages over water in forests (BCI, Conservation Plan. Nevada Bat Working Group. Reno, Nevada. 2013). Bat Conservation International (BCI). 2013. Species Accounts for North American Bats. Occurs in a wide range of habitats from caves, cliffs, and bridges to Believed to be migratory in Suitable roosting habitat does not occur http://www.batcon.org/index.php/all-about-bats/species-profiles.html. tree hallows, generally occurring in large colonies. Lactating females Nevada; most active in Brazilian free-tailed bat Tadarida brasiliensis SP, NS Yes within the evaluation area. Species is a N/A are voracious feeders, generally feeding on moths. Considered Nevada with warm weather, possible forager within the evaluation area. Bradley, P. V., M. J. O’Farrell, J. A. Williams, and J. E. Newmark. Editors. 2006. The Revised Nevada Bat migratory in northern Nevada (BCI, 2013; Bradley et al., 2006). spring to fall. Conservation Plan. Nevada Bat Working Group. Reno, Nevada. The western pipistrelle is the smallest of all North American bats and Bat Conservation International (BCI). 2013. Species Accounts for North American Bats. is usually associated with rocky canyons and outcrops where they are http://www.batcon.org/index.php/all-about-bats/species-profiles.html. Little potential roosting habitat occurs within Resident but hibernates in Western pipistrelle Pipistrellus hesperus NS known to roost in small crevices. It is also known to occupy mines and Yes N/A evaluation area. May forage in the area. winter. caves (BCI, 2013; Bradley, et al., 2006). Its food sources include ants, Bradley, P. V., M. J. O’Farrell, J. A. Williams, and J. E. Newmark. Editors. 2006. The Revised Nevada Bat mosquitoes, fruit flies, and leafhoppers. Conservation Plan. Nevada Bat Working Group. Reno, Nevada.

The pygmy rabbit occurs throughout much of the Great Basin in areas of tall, dense sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) (USFWS, 2012c) or mixed sagebrush habitats (Utah DWR, 2003). Pygmy rabbit burrows are typically found in relatively deep, loose soils of wind- or water-born United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2012c. Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis). U.S. Fish origin suitable for burrowing (USFWS, 2012c; Utah DWR, 2003). and Wildlife Service, Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office. September 2012. Available online at: Pygmy rabbit may occur in areas of shallower or more compact soils Little to no dense shrub cover or deep, friable http://www.fws.gov/nevada/nv_species/pygmy_rabbit.html. Pygmy rabbit Brachylagus idahoensis GS, NS Yes Year-round Burrows with sufficient shrub cover because abandoned burrows of other soils within the evaluation area. species (USFWS, 2012c). In addition to direct sighting, indirect Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (Utah DWR). 2003. The Pygmy Rabbit Brachylagus idahoensis. Available evidence of pygmy rabbits includes the presence of trail systems online at: http://wildlife.utah.gov/habitat/pdf/pygmy_rabbit.pdf. April 2003. established in understory vegetation, often leading to burrows under sagebrush or rabbitbrush, and groups of small, dark pellets (Utah DWR, 2003).

Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). 2006. Nevada Wildlife Action Plan. Developed by the Wildlife Inhabits stabilized sand dunes and other sandy soils in valley bottoms Action Plan Team. Reno, NV: Nevada Department of Wildlife. June 23, 2006. and alluvial fans dominated by big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ), Microdipodops rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus spp.), and horsebrush (Tetradymia spp.) Evaluation area is not situated in a valley Dark kangaroo mouse SP, NS No Year-round Burrows O’Farrell, M. J., and Blaustein, A. R.. 1974. Microdipodops megacephalus. Mammalian Species, 46:1-3. megacephalus (NDOW, 2006). Species also occurs on fine gravelly soils (O’Farrell bottom or alluvial fan. and Blaustein, 1974), or sandy soils with varying amounts of gravel Hall, E. R. 1995. Mammals of Nevada (2nd edition). Reno and Las Vegas, NV: University of Nevada Press. (Hall, 1995; NDOW, 2006).

Hafner, J., N. Upham, E. Reddington, and C. Torres. 2008. Phylogeography of the pallid kangaroo mouse, This mouse is endemic to the Great Basin and nearly restricted to Microdipodops pallidus: a sand-obligate endemic of the Great Basin, Western North America. Journal of Nevada with one known population in California. It is restricted to Biogeography. 2008 November, 35 (11): 2102-2118. valley bottoms where stabilized dunes occur. Generally occurring within the west-central portion of the state (Hafner et al. 2008). Evaluation area does not contain suitable Pale kangaroo mouse Microdipodops pallidus SP, NS No Year-round Burrows Hall, E. R.. 1995. Mammals of Nevada (2nd edition). Reno and Las Vegas, NV: University of Nevada Press. Restricted to fine, loose, wind-blown sand (Hall, 1995) and sandy soils sand dune habitat. with little or no gravel overlay (NDOW, 2006). Typically in valley Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). 2006. Nevada Wildlife Action Plan. Developed by the Wildlife bottoms dominated by saltbush and greasewood, but also near Action Plan Team. Reno, NV: Nevada Department of Wildlife. June 23, 2006. sagebrush at its higher elevation range (NDOW, 2006).

According to NDOW (2015), the evaluation Shackleton D. 1985. Mammalian Species. Ovis canadensis. The American Society of Mammalogists 230:1-9. area does not contain occupied bighorn sheep habitat. NDOW notes that occupied Typically occur in steep, mountain rocky terrain and in arid Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). 2012. 2011-2012 Big Game Status Report. Nevada Department of habitat does occur within 4 miles of the Bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis GS, NS environments in areas with perennial water sources (natural or human No Year-round Ground Wildlife, Reno Nevada. Accessed via: http://ndow.org/about/pubs/reports/ evaluation area. Mapped occupied habitat is made) (Shackelton, 1985. NDOW, 2012). on the south side of the Truckee River; the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). 2015. Response to data request. Bonnie Weller, NDOW, to David evaluation are is located north of the Truckee Worley, Stantec Consulting Services Inc. November 20, 2015. River. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2010. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plaints; 12-month Thermal regulation is extremely important because of high body Finding on a Petition to List the American Pika as Threatened or Endangered . Vol. 75 Number 26 FR 2010- temperature (104 F), habitat consists of high elevation mountain No suitable habitat. Restricted to high 2405. Published February 9, 2010. ranges with suitable talus for cover and thermal regulation. Generally Generalist herbivore, within Pika Ochotona princeps SP, NS No mountains; limited by high temperatures Talus occurring above 8,000 in elevation within the Great Basin (USFWS, upper montane to alpine talus (NDOW, 2006). Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). 2006. Nevada Wildlife Action Plan. Wildlife Action Plan Team. 2010). 547pp.

REPTILES

Appendix B Habitat Evaluation for Special Status Species 8 Habitat Evalauation for Special Status Species --Granite Construction: Conveyor Belt and Access Road, Lockwood, Washoe County, NV, November 20, 2015

Elgaria coerulea Woodland, forests, grassland, coastal chapparal; prefers wetter and Potential habitat is not present within the CaliforniaHerps.com. 2015. Shasta Alligator Lizard - Elgaria coerulea shastensis . Accessed on April 1, 2015. Shasta alligator lizard SP, NS No Year-round N/A shastaensis cooler habitats (CaliforniaHerps.com, 2015). evaluation area. Available online at: http://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/pages/e.c.shastensis.html INSECTS Wainscott, S. 2004. Blowing Sand Mountains, Initial Conservation Assessment and Strategies . The Nature Conservancy of Nevada. Sand dunes. It is known to aggregate around the root systems of Evaluation area does not contain sand dunes Hardy's aegialian scarab Aegialia hardyi NS Kearney buckwheat plants (Wainscott, 2004). Endemic to Sand No and is not located at Sand Mountain or Blow Year-round N/A WildEarth Guardians. 2011. Feds Agree to Consider Four of Six Sand Dune Beetles for Protection . August 4, Mountain and Blow Sand Mountain (WildEarth Guardians, 2011). Sand Mountain. 2011. Available online at: http://www.wildearthguardians.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=7087&news iv ctrl=1227 Species is limited to the dunes where it Endemic to Sand Mountain and Blow Sand Mountains, Nevada Wainscott, S. 2004. Blowing Sand Mountains, Initial Conservation Assessment and Strategies . The Nature Conservancy Bee Anthopjora sp. Nov. 1 NS No currently exists. No dunes are present in Year-round N/A (Wainscott, 2004). of Nevada. evaluation area. Evaluation area does not contain sand dunes WildEarth Guardians. 2011. Feds Agree to Consider Four of Six Sand Dune Beetles for Protection . August 4, Sand Mountain aphodius Sand dunes; endemic to Sand Mountain and Blow Sand Mountains Aphodius sp. 3 NS No and is not located at Sand Mountain or Blow Year-round N/A 2011. Available online at: scarab (WildEarth Guardians, 2011). Sand Mountain. http://www.wildearthguardians.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=7087&news iv ctrl=1227 Evaluation area does not contain sand dunes Wainscott, S. 2004. Blowing Sand Mountains, Initial Conservation Assessment and Strategies . The Nature Click beetle Cardiophorus ssp. Nov. NS Endemic to Sand Mountain dune system (Wainscott, 2004). No Year-round N/A and is not located at Sand Mountain. Conservancy of Nevada. Evaluation area does not contain sand dunes Sand Mountain pygmy scarab Sand dunes; known only from Sand Mountain and Blow Sand NatureServe. 2014. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. Coenonycha pygmaea NS No and is not located at Sand Mountain or Blow Year-round N/A beetle Mountain (NatureServe, 2014). NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: March 12, 2015 ). Sand Mountain. A subspecies of Pacific dotted blue butterfly. Larvae feed primarily on Brock, J. P., and Kaufman, K. 2003. Butterflies of North America: Kaufman Field Guides . New York, NY: naked buckwheat (Eriogonum nudum ) and other buckwheat Houghton Mifflin Company. (Eriogonum ssp.) (Brock and Kaufman, 2003). Subspecies type Evaluation area is considerably separated Euphilotes enoptes locality is in Mineral County, Nevada, 9.0 road miles south of Schurz, Year-round. Flight season NatureServe. 2014. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. Early blue NS No from the known species range in Mineral and N/A primavera Nevada on US Highway 95, along the Wassuk Range, at Penrod probably June-July NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: March 12, 2015 ). Esmeralda counties. Canyon (4,800 feet above mean sea level) (Warren et al., 2012). Known only from the lower mountain canyons in Mineral and Warren, A. D., Davis, K. J., Grishin, N. V., Pelham, J. P., and Stangeland, E. M. 2012. Interactive Listing of Esmeralda Counties (NatureServe, 2014). American Butterflies . Available at: http://butterfliesofamerica.com/ Austin, G., P. Brussard, and D. Murphy. 2001. Rare or Candidate Butterlies of Nevada. Dependent on Kearney buckwheat during larval stage; life span is Euphilotes pallescens approximately one week. Known only from Sand Mountain (Austin, Evaluation area does not contain sand dunes Year-round. Flight season Sand Mountain blue NS No N/A United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office. 2015. Sand Mountain arenamontana Brussard and Murphy, 2001; USFWS, Nevada Fish and Wildlife and is not located at Sand Mountain. July to September. Blue Butterfly (Euphilotes pallescens arenamontana) . Accessed March 12, 2015. Available at: Office, 2015). http://www.fws.gov/nevada/nv species/smb butterfly.html Meadows or sagebrush with Collinsia, Castilleja, Plantago. East slope Evaluation area is north of only known Year-round. Flight season Euphydryas editha of the Sierra Nevada. Only known occurrence in Nevada is the Mono Checkerspot NNHP No Nevada occurrence and does not support June, extending to early N/A Austin, G., P. Brussard, and D. Murphy. 2001. Rare or Candidate Butterlies of Nevada. monoensis Schneider Meadow area near Cartson City (Austin, Brussard and meadow habitat. August at high elevation Murphy, 2001.) Evaluation area does not contain sand dunes Endemic to Sand Mountain and Blow Sand Mountains, Nevada Wainscott, S. 2004. Blowing Sand Mountains, Initial Conservation Assessment and Strategies . The Nature Bee Hesperapis sp. Nov. 2 NS No and is not located at Sand Mountain or Blow Year-round N/A (Wainscott, 2004). Conservancy of Nevada. Sand Mountain. Also known as Railroad Valley skipper. Type locality is rolling hills Evaluation area is considerably separated with sandy soils; sparse singleleaf pinyon woodlands and sagebrush Year-round. May have two WildEarth Guardians. 2010. Petition to List Ten Great Basin Butterflies Under the U.S. Endangered Species from the known species range in Mono Mono Basin skipper Hesperia uncas giulianii NS steppe communities. Species is known only from the Adobe Hills in No flight seasons, June and N/A Act . January 25, 2010. Available at: County, California, and extreme western Mono County, California, although it may also occur in extreme August http://www.wildearthguardians.org/legal/listing_petition_great_basin_butterflies.pdf Mineral County, Nevada. western Mineral County, Nevada (WildEarth Guardians, 2010). Evaluation area does not contain sand dunes Endemic to Sand Mountain and Blowsand Mountains, Nevada Wainscott, S. 2004. Blowing Sand Mountains, Initial Conservation Assessment and Strategies . The Nature Bee Perdita haigi NS No and is not located at Sand Mountain or Blow Year-round N/A (Wainscott, 2004). Conservancy of Nevada. Sand Mountain. Evaluation area does not contain sand dunes Wainscott, S. 2004. Blowing Sand Mountains, Initial Conservation Assessment and Strategies . The Nature Bee Perdita sp. Nov. 3 NS Endemic to Sand Mountain (Wainscott, 2004). No Year-round N/A and is not located at Sand Mountain. Conservancy of Nevada.

Appendix B Habitat Evaluation for Special Status Species 9 Habitat Evalauation for Special Status Species --Granite Construction: Conveyor Belt and Access Road, Lockwood, Washoe County, NV, November 20, 2015

The Great Basin small blue is a type locality from Fort Churchill Road, approximately 12.3 road miles south of U.S. Highway 50 in Lyon County, Nevada (Warren et al., 2012). The type locality elevation is approximately 4,400 feet (Warren et al., 2012). The Great Basin small blue is subspecies of the small blue (Philotiella speciosa ). Habitat for the small blue is desert flats and dry washes (Opler and Wright, 1999). Adults are sedentary and stay close to their larval food plant (Brock Brock, J. P., and Kaufman, K. 2003. Butterflies of North America: Kaufman Field Guides. New York, NY: and Kaufman, 2003). According to Opler and Wright (1999), the larval Houghton Mifflin Company. food plant of the small blue are Oxytheca spp. and kidney-leaf Unlikely to occur, range of subspecies is still buckwheat (Eriogonum reniforme ). The food plant associated with the unknown but is likely restricted due to lack Kartesz, J. T. 1987. A Flora of Nevada (Parts 1-3). Reno, NV: University of Nevada Reno. type locality holotype is round-leaf puncturebract (Oxytheca of mobility of adults. However, host plants Philotiella speciosa Year-round. Flight season Great Basin small blue1 NS perfoliata ), which is a species of plant in the buckwheat family. No are widely distributed. The more common N/A septentrionalis April to May Opler, P. A., and Wright, A. B. 1999. A Field Guide to Western Butterflies: Peterson Field Guide Series (2nd small blue butterfly is widely distributed in ed.). New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company. Within Nevada, round-leaf puncturebract is widespread along the central Nevada, where suitable host plants entire western and southwestern portions of the state, and is associated occur. Warren, A. D., Davis, K. J., Grishin, N. V., Pelham, J. P., and Stangeland, E. M. 2012. Interactive Listing of with sandy or gravelly soils (Kartesz, 1987). Kartesz (1987) indicates American Butterflies. Retrieved on April 18, 2013, from: http://butterfliesofamerica.com/. that the species has made its way into western Nevada by following the Lahontan Trough. Kidney-leaf buckwheat is known to occur throughout the Mojave Desert area in southern and southwestern Nevada, and extend north up the Lahontan Trough to Brady’s Hot Springs in Churchill County (Kartesz, 1987). According to Kartesz (1987), within its range the kidney-leaf buckwheat is found along dry roadsides, gravelly and sandy hillsides, and gravelly washes.

Larval hostplant is saltgrass (Austin, Brussard and Murphy, 2001). A Austin, G., P. Brussard, and D. Murphy. 2001. Rare or Candidate Butterlies of Nevada. nectar source tolerant of alkaline soils must be present nearby, such as Year-round. Flight season Pseudocopaeodes eunus Evaluation area does not contain alkaline Carson wandering skipper FE; NS crisped thelypody. Habitat is alkaline desert seeps with a freshwater No approximately mid-June to N/A obscurus soils, alkaline desert seeps, or saltgrass. Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP). 2001. Rare Plant Atlas. Index to Maps and Fact Sheets. June 25, source, such as hotsprings. Known to occur from 3,975-4,640 feet in mid-July 2001. http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas elevation (NNHP, 2001). Uses wet meadows and other mesic habitats where its hostplant, WildEarth Guardians. 2010. Petition to List Ten Great Basin Butterflies Under the U.S. Endangered Species Speyeria nokomis Evaluation area does not contain wet Year-round. Flight season Carson Valley silverspot NS northern bog violet, grows ( Austin, Brussard and Murphy, 2001; No N/A Act . January 25, 2010. Available at: carsonensis meadows or other mesic habitats. July to October. WildEarth Guardians, 2010). http://www.wildearthguardians.org/legal/listing_petition_great_basin_butterflies.pdf MOLLUSCS Typically inhabit lakes, reservoirs, and slow-moving streams with mud Xerces Society. Undated. Profile: California floater (Anodonta californiensis) / Winged floater (Anodonta Aquatic habitat does not occur within the California Floater Anodonta californiensis NNHP or sand substrates, although they have also been found in rivers and No Year-round N/A nuttalliana). Xerces Society. http://www.xerces.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/xerces-status-review- evaluation area. creeks with gravel substrates (Xerces Society) anodonta-californiensis-and-nuttalliana.pdf. Accessed November 23, 2015. Pyrgulopsis springsnails occur in persistent aquatic environments, often in sourcees with watercress. Do not occur in springs that Springsnails2 Genus Pyrgulopsis NS periodically dry (Hershler, 1998; Sada, 2004). These snails have speciated due to isolation following the drying of Pleistocene pluvial lakes. Hershler, R. 1998. A systematic review of the Hydrobiid snails (Gastropoda: Rissooidea) of the Great Basin, Freshwater spring pools; endemic to Cain Spring in the Antelope western United States. Part I. Genus Pyrgulopsis. The Veliger. Volume 41. January 2, 1998. Evaluation area does not contain springs and Ovate Cain Spring pyrg Pyrgulopsis pictilis NS Valley, Lander County, Nevada (Hershler, 1998; Hershler & Sada, No Year-round N/A is not located in Antelope Valley. 2006). Hershler, R. and D. Sada. 2006. Biogeography of Great Basin Aquatic Snails of the Genus Pyrgulopsis. Smithsonian Contributions to the Earth Sciences, Number 33: 255-276. No potential to occur. There is no thermal Thermal aquatic habitat below spring systems in Owens Valley and aquatic habitat and species is found within Hershler, R. 1994. A Review of the North American Freshwater Snail Genus Pyrgulopsis (Hydrobiidae). Wongs pyrg Pyrgulopsis wongi NS Deep Springs Valley, California, and Fish Lake Valley and Huntoon No the southwestern portion of the state, near Year-round N/A Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, 554 , 1-115. Valley, Nevada (Hershler, 1994). Owens Valley, CA and Fish Lake Valley, NV. 1: 1 These butterflies have speciated due to their isolation, and are described from specific, discrete localities, none of which are near the evaluation area. Quoting Scott in The Butterflies of North America (Scott 1896): “Why does a species occur only in certain places and not in others? Its range may be small, just a few states or parts of a state, and within the range it may occur only at scattered sites. The answer is that butterflies do not survive equally well in all microhabitats and climates; each species has adapted to survive best in places with a particular combination of hostplants, weather, and other necessities. In many cases, a species could persist in another area if introduced there, but unsuitable intervening habitats contain it within its present range."

2: These springsnail species that have speciated due to isolation as a result of the drying of Pleistocene lakes. The sensitive species table specifically identifies five of the six springsnails as endemic, only occurring is specific springs/spring systems, none of which are in the evaluation area. The sixth, Wong’s springsnail, does not occur in the same watershed (Owens Carson and Walker rivers). As Hershler (1998) notes in his review of a survey of over 2000 Great Basin sites, including over 500 in which Pyrgulopsis snails were found, “although a few species are widespread in the region, local endemism is prevalent and 22 of the new species [described during this survey effort] are known from only single localities.”

**Habitat Use: List type of use (i.e. year 'round, breeding, migration, foraging, etc.) and dates species would most likely be present for that activity. Breeding activities include dates of arrival through post-fledging dependency for birds. Denote probable nesting/parturition dates in parenthesis for all animals. For plants, list dates of emergence through senescence with optimal

Status Codes FE = Federally listed endangered FT = Federally listed threatened FC = Federally listed candidate SE = State listed endangered ST = State listed threatened SP = State protected SS = State sensitive

Appendix B Habitat Evaluation for Special Status Species 10 Habitat Evalauation for Special Status Species --Granite Construction: Conveyor Belt and Access Road, Lockwood, Washoe County, NV, November 20, 2015

GS = Game species NNHP=Nevada Natural Heritage Program-identifed sensitive taxa NS = Nevada BLM sensitive species

Appendix B Habitat Evaluation for Special Status Species 11