Biological Evaluation For Sensitive Plant Species Lower Trinity and Mad River Travel Management Project Six Rivers National Forest Lower Trinity and Mad River Ranger District May 15, 2009 Revised August 17, 2009 January 20, 2010 /s/ John McRae January 20, 2010 Assistant Forest Botanist Date 1 Summary of Determination of Effects to Sensitive Botanical Species By Alternative Alternative 1 – No Action It is my determination that implementing Alternative 1 may affect individuals, and is likely in the long term to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability for Sanicula tracyi. It is my determination that implementing Alternative 1 may affect individuals, and is likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability for Erigeron maniopotamicus and Tracyina rostrata. It is my determination that implementing Alternative 1 may affect individuals, but is not likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability for Calycadenia micrantha, Cypripedium fasciculatum, Cypripedium montanum, Eucephalis vialis, Frasera umpquaensis, Iliamna latibracteata, Montia howellii, Thermopsis robusta. Alternative 2 – Proposed Action It is my determination that implementing Alternative 2 may affect individuals, but is not likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability for Sanicula tracyi. It is my determination that implementing Alternative 2 will not affect Erigeron maniopotamicus, Tracyina rostrata, Calycadenia micrantha, Cypripedium fasciculatum, Cypripedium montanum, Eucephalis vialis, Frasera umpquaensis, Iliamna latibracteata, Montia howellii, or Thermopsis robusta. Alternative 3 – Expanded Recreation It is my determination that implementing Alternative 3 may affect individuals, but is not likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability for Sanicula tracyi. It is my determination that implementing Alternative 3 will not affect Erigeron maniopotamicus, Tracyina rostrata, Calycadenia micrantha, Cypripedium fasciculatum, Cypripedium montanum, Eucephalis vialis, Frasera umpquaensis, Iliamna latibracteata, Montia howellii, or Thermopsis robusta. Alternative 4 – Prohibit Cross-Country Travel; Identify Current Seasonal Use and Vehicle Type; Block Wilderness Access It is my determination that implementing Altenative 4 may benefit the following Sensitive species; Erigeron maniopotamicus, Tracyina rostrata, Calycadenia micrantha, Cypripedium fasciculatum, Cypripedium montanum, Eucephalis vialis, Frasera umpquaensis, Iliamna latibracteata, Montia howellii, Sanicula tracyi ,or Thermopsis robusta. 2 I. INTRODUCTION The objectives of this biological evaluation are (a) to determine the effects of the proposed action on any sensitive botanical species and (b) to insure these species receive full consideration in the decision-making process to maintain species viability (FSM 2672.4). II. CURRENT MANAGEMENT DIRECTION Six Rivers Land and Resource Management Plan (SRLRMP) (USDA 1995)- The Six Rivers National Forest LRMP contains the following management direction applicable to the management of Sensitive plant species: • Federally listed threatened and endangered plants and their habitats will be managed to achieve recovery plan objectives. If an approved plan is not available, all known populations and their occupied habitat will be protected from negative impacts associated with forest management activities. • Before the NEPA process is completed, projects will be assessed through a biological evaluation to determine if management activities are likely to adversely affect sensitive plant resources. After completion of the evaluation, proposed actions will be prohibited if they are found likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or the maintenance of the viable populations throughout their existing range. Appropriate mitigation measures will be required if activities are not prohibited. • Develop Species/Habitat Management Guides for species as needed. The guides will provide biological information and present status of the species, describe distribution, identify potential threats to the species and define management guidelines. Concurrently or as soon as possible after development of the management guide, develop a monitoring plan that is implementable and trackable. Species at risk will be prioritized for management guide development. At-risk species might include those species that in the next decade will be potentially threatened by management activities. Forest Service Manual and Handbooks (FSM/H 2670) - Current policy for Sensitive plants as stated in the Forest Service Manual include the following elements: • Maintain viable populations of all native and desire non-native wildlife, fish, and plant species in habitats distributed throughout their geographic range on National Forest System lands (FSM 2670.22). • Avoid or minimize impacts to species whose viability has been identified as a concern (FSM 2670.32). 3 • If impacts cannot be avoided, analyze the significance of potential adverse effects on the population or its habitat within the area of concern and on the species as a whole (FSM 2670.32). Conservation Strategy for Sanicula Tracyi Shan & Constance. (USDA 2008) - A conservation strategy has been completed for Tracy’s Sanicle, a Forest Service Sensitive plant species. The Tracy’s Sanicle Conservation Strategy (USDA 2008) was developed to ensure the long-term survival of this Sensitive species. The Strategy identified “core” sub-populations (occurrences) as representative of the population as a whole (the metapopulation) under the concept that a network of sub-populations of sufficient size and condition to support persistence will sustain the metapopulation over time and space. Under the Tracy’s Sanicle Conservation Strategy, core areas are managed as reserve and experimental areas. Reserve areas act as benchmarks against which management actions are measured. The management direction for these areas is to ensure protection of the population and the integrity of its habitat. The primary activity associated with them is monitoring of selected sites, although management activities to preserve essential habitat variables may be prescribed. Experimental sites allow for an adaptive management approach whereby experimentation or studies are conducted to test potential habitat- or population- enhancing measures (e.g. thinning of encroaching conifers or prescribed burning). A third set of areas is considered as “managed,” where management activities not related to habitat or population interests are conducted and the effects on the sub­ population are measured. McDonald’s Rock-cress Recovery Plan (USDI 1984) - Summarizes current knowledge of the taxonomy, former and current distribution, and biology of the species, and presents recommendations for a program to restore it to threatened status. Conservation Assessment for Buxbaumia viridis (DC.) Moug. & Nestl. (USDA 2006a) - Synthesizes known information about the biology, distribution, threats, management, and conservation of the species. Conservation Assessment for Cypripedium fasciculatum and Cypripedium montanum. (USDA 2005) – Addresses the biology, management and conservation of the species within California. Conservation Assessment for Ptilidium californicum (Aust.) Underw. (USDA 2006b) - synthesizes known information about the biology, distribution, threats, management, and conservation of the species. III. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION On the Lower Trinity Ranger District (LTRD) and Mad River Ranger District (MRRD), Six Rivers National Forest proposes (1) the prohibition of cross-country motor vehicle travel (with the exception of snowmobiles) off designated National Forest Transportation System (NFTS) roads and trails by the public except as allowed by permit 4 or other authorization; (2) to make a non-significant amendment to the Six Rivers National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan to conform to the Travel Management Rule; (3) to add approximately 58 miles of existing unauthorized routes to the NFTS as motorized trails open to the public for motor vehicle use by vehicle class and season of use; (4) approximately 7 miles of existing NFTS closed roads are proposed for dual management as both roads and as motorized trails open to vehicles 50 inches or less in width; (5) to allow both highway licensed vehicles and non-highway licensed vehicles (mixed use) to use approximately 25½ miles of existing NFTS roads currently open to highway licensed vehicles only; and, (6) to allow motor vehicles 50 inches or less in width on approximately 4 miles of existing NFTS trails currently open to motorcycles; and convert approximately 6 miles of existing NFTS motorized trails to NFTS non- motorized trails. IV. EXISTING ENVIRONMENT The LTRD and MRRD on SRNF encompass a broad range of habitats and elevations, ranging from river basins at 500 feet elevation to red fir forests approaching 6,000 feet in elevation. Geology is varied, and includes granitic, sedimentary, and metamorphic types, including rock types with unique chemistry such as ultramafic that support several rare plant species. Eight Ecological Subsections (USDA 1997) converge on the LTRD and MRRD. All of these conditions contribute to a highly diverse flora, including endemic species (e.g. Mad River fleabane daisy- Erigeron maniopotamicus). Habitat for the Sensitive botanical species carried forward in this analysis range from early seral habitats to those associated with mature forests. Early seral habitats occur throughout