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Biological Assessment for Threatened, Endangered & Sensitive (TES) Plants

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Biological Assessment for Threatened, Endangered & Sensitive (TES) Plants Biological Assessment for Threatened, Endangered & Sensitive (TES) Plants, Biological Evaluation for Region 2 Sensitive Plant Species, and Plant Species of Local Concern Report Slack Weiss Analysis Project Parks Ranger District MEDICINE BOW-ROUTT NATIONAL FORESTS & THUNDER BASIN NATIONAL GRASSLAND Jackson County, Colorado Version: June 22, 2015 Prepared By: _____/s/ Marti Aitken_____________________ Date:____June 22, 2015____ Marti Aitken, Botanist Contents Summary ....................................................................................................................................................... 2 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 3 Description of the Proposal ........................................................................................................................... 3 Project and Analysis Area ........................................................................................................................ 3 Purpose and Need ..................................................................................................................................... 3 Proposed Actions and Alternatives ........................................................................................................... 4 Alternative 1: No Action ...................................................................................................................... 4 Alternative 2: Proposed Action ............................................................................................................ 4 Design Criteria Benefiting Botanical Resources .................................................................................. 5 Affected Environment .............................................................................................................................. 6 Field Reconnaissance ............................................................................................................................... 6 Threatened and Endangered Plant Species ................................................................................................... 6 Consultation To Date .................................................................................................................................... 7 Sensitive Species Considered in the Analysis ............................................................................................... 7 Species of Local Concern (SoLC) ............................................................................................................ 7 Effects to Species Evaluated ....................................................................................................................... 10 Alternative 1 - No Action ....................................................................................................................... 10 Direct Effects to Plant Species Evaluated .......................................................................................... 10 Indirect Effects to Terrestrial Species Evaluated ............................................................................... 10 Indirect Effects to Wetland & Aquatic Species Evaluated ................................................................. 10 Alternative 2 - Proposed Action ............................................................................................................. 10 Direct Effects to Terrestrial Plant Species Evaluated ......................................................................... 10 Direct Effects to All Wetland & Aquatic Plant Species Evaluated .................................................... 11 Indirect Effects to Terrestrial Species Evaluated ............................................................................... 11 Indirect Impacts to All Wetland & Aquatic Species Evaluated ......................................................... 13 Cumulative Impacts to All Plant Species Evaluated .............................................................................. 13 Determinations and Rationales ................................................................................................................... 14 References ................................................................................................................................................... 15 Summary No federally listed, candidates, threatened, or endangered plant species wiil be affect by the proposed action. This analysis determined that Alternative 1 would have no impacts (NI) for 2 R23 sensitive species and 13 of the species of local concern. This analysis determined that Alternative 2 would have no impacts (NI) for 16 of the R2 sensitive species and 1 the species of local concern. Alternative 2 may adversely impact individuals and/or populations but would not result a trend towards federal listing (MAII) 5 R2 sensitive species and 2 species of local concern. This analysis determined that Alternative 2 would have beneficial impacts (NBI) for 2 of the R2 sensitive species and 10 the species of local concern. 2 Introduction The purpose of this biological evaluation is to analyze and determine the likely effects of the alternatives on federally listed species (endangered, threatened, and proposed), Forest Service sensitive species (FSM 2670.31-2670.32) and species of local concern. This Biological Evaluation (BE) conforms to legal requirements set forth under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (19 U.S.C. 1536 (c), 50 CFR 402.12 (f) and 402.14). Section 7(a) (1) of the ESA requires federal agencies to use their authorities to further the conservation of listed species. Section 7(a) (2) requires that federal agencies ensure any action they authorize, fund, or carry out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of federally-listed species, or destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat. Forest Service policy requires that a review of programs and activities, through a biological evaluation (BE), be conducted to determine their potential effect on threatened and endangered species, species proposed for listing, and sensitive species (FSM 2670.3). Under the ESA, a Biological Assessment (BA) must be prepared for federal actions that are “major construction activities” to evaluate the potential effects of the proposal on listed or proposed species. The contents of the BA are at the discretion of the federal agency, and will depend on the nature of the federal action (50 CFR 402.12(f)). A BE may be used to satisfy the ESA requirement to prepare a Biological Assessment. Preparation of a Biological Evaluation as part of the NEPA process ensures that TEPS species receive full consideration in the decision-making process. Description of the Proposal Project and Analysis Area The Slack Weiss Project area is located on the Parks Ranger District of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland in Jackson County, approximately 25 miles south of Walden, Colorado, in Townships 4 & 5 North, Ranges 79, 80, & 81 West, 6th PM. Based on watershed boundaries, the Analysis Area encompasses approximately 139,748 acres This analysis of botanical resources applies only to National Forest Service Lands (24,015 acres) within the analysis area. Purpose and Need The primary purpose of this project is to improve forest health, reduce threats to public safety, and provide commercial and noncommercial forest products while minimizing environmental effects in the project area. A secondary purpose of the project is to address other resource conflicts and needs identified in the project area. The project would advance Forest Service goals, objectives, and desired conditions of the 1997 Routt National Forest Revised Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) including managing for ecosystem function and providing for multiple-uses and sustainability of National Forests in an environmentally acceptable manner (Forest Plan, 1-1 to 1-3). The mountain pine beetle epidemic has affected large portions of the Slack Weiss project area, resulting in reduced regeneration, diversity, and resiliency of forest cover types; and high hazard fuel conditions due to tree mortality. The project would implement a variety of silvicultural treatments and fuels treatments to: Encourage establishment and better growing conditions for aspen and lodgepole pine regeneration, through natural regeneration and/or artificial reforestation; 3 Manage timber stands to create optimum conditions for forest resiliency, growth, and regeneration; Reduce the development of large, continuous hazardous fuels and associated threats to public safety by removing dead, dying, and susceptible trees; Enhance wildlife habitat; and Provide commercial forest products and/or biomass to industry. In addition, other resource conflicts and needs have been identified in the project area including fence damage and risk of damage associated with dead and dying trees; and travel-related impacts on recreation, watershed, heritage, and other values. Implementing actions to address these issues would benefit range, hydrology, recreation, heritage, and wildlife resources while minimizing environmental effects in the project area. Proposed Actions and Alternatives Alternative 1: No Action Alternative 1 is the No Action Alternative. Under this alternative, the Slack Weiss Analysis Project would not be implemented, and current management would continue
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