Persistence Analysis for Species of Conservation Concern on the Inyo
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Persistence Analysis for Species of Conservation Concern Inyo National Forest Prepared by: Wildlife Biologists, Botanists and Natural Resources Specialist; Inyo National Forest, Region 5 Regional Office, and Washington Office Enterprise Program Planning record exhibit 2019 Inyo National Forest Land Management Plan September 2019 Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................. 1 2012 Planning Rule Framework for Species Persistence Analysis ............................................................................. 1 Organization of this Species Persistence Analysis ..................................................................................................... 3 Forestwide Plan Components for Species At Risk .................................................................................................... 3 Animals and Plant Species ......................................................................................................................................... 3 Terrestrial Ecosystems and Vegetation ..................................................................................................................... 4 Conservation Watersheds ......................................................................................................................................... 5 Watersheds ............................................................................................................................................................... 5 All Riparian Conservation Areas ................................................................................................................................ 5 Sustainable Recreation .............................................................................................................................................. 5 Lands ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5 All Designated Wilderness Areas ............................................................................................................................... 6 Individual Evaluations – Animals .............................................................................................................................. 6 Background ............................................................................................................................................................... 6 Individual Evaluations – Plants .............................................................................................................................. 142 Background ........................................................................................................................................................... 142 List of Tables Table 1. Key to individual elements in the analysis ...................................................................................................... 7 Table 2. Key threats, plan components, and expected effects on fisher ...................................................................... 10 Table 3. Key threats, plan components and expected effects on Nelson desert bighorn sheep ................................... 15 Table 4. Key threats, plan components and expected effects on Sierra Marten ........................................................... 19 Table 5. Key threats, plan components and expected effects on bald eagle ................................................................ 23 Table 6. Key threats, plan components and expected effects on bi-state greater sage-grouse population ................... 29 Table 7. Key threats, plan components, and expected effects on California spotted owl ............................................ 38 Table 8. Key threats, plan components and expected effects on great gray owl .......................................................... 44 Table 9. Key threats, plan components and expected effects on Mt. Pinos sooty grouse ............................................ 50 Table 10. Key threats, plan components and expected effects on willow flycatcher ................................................... 54 Table 11. Key threats, plan components and expected effects on black toad .............................................................. 60 Table 12. Key threats, plan components and expected effects on Inyo Mountains slender salamander ...................... 66 Table 13. Key threats, plan components and expected effects on Kern Plateau salamander ....................................... 72 Table 14. Key threats, plan components and expected effects on California Golden Trout ........................................ 77 Table 15. Key threats, plan components and expected effects on Sierra sulphur ........................................................ 82 Table 16. Key threats, plan components and expected effects on square dotted blue butterfly ................................... 85 Table 17. Key threats, plan components and expected effects on Mono Lake checkerspot butterfly ......................... 87 Table 18. Key threats, plan components and expected effects on Boisduval’s blue butterfly ..................................... 91 Table 19. Key threats, plan components, and expected effects on San Emigdio blue butterfly .................................. 93 Table 20. Key threats, plan components and expected effects on Apache fritillary .................................................... 96 Table 21. Key threats, plan components and expected effects on cave obligate pseudoscorpion ................................ 98 Table 22. Key threats, plan components and expected effects on Owens Valley springsnail ................................... 101 Table 23. Key threats, plan components and expected effects on western pearlshell ................................................ 104 Table 24. Key threats, plan components and expected effects on Wong’s springsnail.............................................. 109 Table 25. Crosswalk between species of conservation concern and key ecological conditions, threats, and plan components that provide for persistence ............................................................................................. 112 Table 26. Persistence determinations for botanical species of conservation concern, with key habitats, threats, and plan components that provide for persistence .......................................................................... 147 Table 27. Crosswalk between plant species of conservation concern, and ecosystem and species-specific plan components .......................................................................................................................................... 178 Species of Conservation Concern Persistence Analysis Introduction 2012 Planning Rule Framework for Species Persistence Analysis The 2012 Planning Rule1 requires the forest plan to include plan components,2 to “maintain or restore”: (1) “the ecological integrity of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and watersheds in the plan area”; and (2) “the diversity of ecosystems and habitat types throughout the plan area.” Under 36 CFR 219.9(b)(1), the responsible official (here the Forest Supervisor for the Inyo National Forest) must determine whether the plan components required by 36 CFR 219.9(a) provide the ecological conditions necessary to “contribute to the recovery of federally listed threatened and endangered species, conserve proposed and candidate species, and maintain a viable population of each species of conservation concern3 within the plan area.” The Planning Rule sets forth three possible outcomes of the responsible official’s analysis of plan components with respect to species of conservation concern. Additionally, a fourth outcome may arise when the planning unit has developed a set of ecosystem based plan components it thinks will provide for species persistence, but also provides supplementary species- specific plan components for greater emphasis and clarity (all four determinations are presented in the “Determination” section below). a. The responsible official may find that the plan components required by 36 CFR 219.9(a) are sufficient to provide the ecological conditions necessary to maintain a viable population of each species of conservation concern within the planning area. 36 CFR 219.9(b)(1). b. The responsible official may determine that the plan components required by 36 CFR 219.9(a) are insufficient to provide the ecological conditions necessary to maintain a viable population of each species of conservation concern within the planning area, and that “additional, species- specific plan components, including standards or guidelines, must be included in the plan to provide such ecological conditions in the plan area.” 36 CFR 219.9(b)(1). c. The responsible official may determine “that it is beyond the authority of the Forest Service or not within the inherent capability of the plan area to maintain or restore the ecological conditions to maintain a viable population of a species of conservation concern in the plan area.” If the responsible official makes this determination, it shall: (1) document the basis for the determination; and (2) “[i]nclude plan components, including standards and guidelines, to maintain or restore ecological conditions within the plan area to contribute to maintaining a