Eldorado National Forest Amador Ranger District Biological Assessment / Evaluation for Botanical Species

ELDORADO NATIONAL FOREST AMADOR RANGER DISTRICT BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT / EVALUATION FOR BOTANICAL SPECIES:

Panther Fuel Reduction and Forest Health Project 2017

Prepared By: /s/ Matt Brown Date: 2/8/2017 . Matt Brown Botanist

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION ...... 3 II. CONSULTATION TO DATE ...... 6 III. CURRENT MANAGEMENT DIRECTION ...... 6 IV. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 7 V. EXISTING SPECIES AND HABITAT CONDITION ...... 25 VI. EFFECTS ...... 32 VII. OTHER MANAGEMENT ISSUES AND RECOMMENDATIONS: ...... 32 VIII. MITIGATIONS AND MONITORING ...... 39 IX. DETERMINATION ...... 39 X. REFERENCES...... 40 APPENDIX A: BOTANY REPORT FOR SPECIAL INTEREST PLANTS ...... 41 APPENDIX B: NOXIOUS WEED RISK ASSESSMENT ...... 47 APPENDIX C: NOXIOUS/INVASIVE WEEDS OF CONCERN ...... 52

I. INTRODUCTION Purpose: Forest Service Manual 2672.42 specifies that a biological evaluation (BE) and a biological assessment (BA) be prepared to determine if a project may affect any USDA Forest Service (FS) sensitive species and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) threatened, endangered, or proposed species and their designated or proposed critical habitat. This BE/BA is prepared in accordance with legal requirements set forth under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1536 (c)). The purpose of this BE/BA is to review the Panther Fuel Reduction and Forest Health in sufficient detail to determine to what extent the proposed action may affect any threatened, endangered, proposed, and sensitive (TES) plant species for the project area.

The Amador District of the Eldorado National Forest proposes reduce stand density in selected plantations and adjacent stands to reduce the risk of future insect and disease infestations.

Location: The Panther Fuels Reduction and Forest Health (Panther) Project area is located between Panther Creek Road and Ellis Road, south of Highway 88 and north of the 2004 Power Fire footprint in Amador County, CA. Elevations of the project area ranges from approximately 4,200 to 6,675 feet. The area is in the mixed conifer forest community (sugar pine, ponderosa pine, incense cedar, white fir, Douglas fir and associated species). The legal description is T8N, R15E, Sections 15,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31

Species: Listed A species list was obtained from the USFWS to identify threatened, endangered, or proposed listed species that could occur, or be affected by projects on the Eldorado National Forest from the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service pursuant to Section 7 (c) of the Endangered Species Act. The list is available for review at: (http://www.fws.gov/sacramento/es_species/Lists/es_species_lists_NF-form-page.htm).

Currently the only TEP plant species expected to occur on the Eldorado NF is Packera layneae. Potential habitat for Packera layneae is not found within the proposed project area.

Sensitive There are known occurrences of Calochortus clavatus var. avius, Peltigera gowardii, and Lewisia kelloggii ssp. hutchisonii within the project area. In addition, potential habitat for the following species is known to occur in the project area:

1. Allium tribracteatum 2. Botrychium ascendens 3. Botrychium crenulatum 4. Botrychium lunaria 5. Botrychium minganense 6. Botrychium montanum 7. Botrychium paradoxum 8. Botrychium pendunculosum 9. Cypripedium montanum 10. Dendrocollybia racemosa 11. Lewisia kelloggii ssp. kelloggii 12. Phaeocollybia olivacea

Table 1 lists all Sensitive plant taxa from the ENF. No other Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, or Sensitive (TEPS) plant taxa have known occurrences or potential habitat on the ENF. Taxa that do not have potential habitat in the project area are not further analyzed in this document. Botanical surveys conducted for the proposed project focused on species with potential habitat. Botanists searched for these habitats (e.g., meadow) as well as for the Sensitive taxa.

Table 1. Habitat potential of the Proposed Panther Fuel Reduction and Forest Health Project for TEPS plant taxa known or suspected to occur on the Eldorado National Forest (Elevation 4,400-6,600 ft).

Known in Suitable Project Habitat in Rationale For Determination Of No Suitable Species Status1 On ENF2 Area Project Habitat/No Effect Area

Grows on open ridges with gravelly lahar soils Three-bracted onion (lava cap communities) in chaparral and lower & S P No Yes (Allium tribracteatum) upper montane coniferous forests from ~ 3,300 to 10,000 feet in elevation.

El Dorado manzanita Grows on highly acidic slate and shale soils and S K No No is often associated with closed-cone conifer forest (Arctostaphylos nissenana) from about 1,400 to 3,600 feet.

Big-scale balsamroot Grows in chaparral, vernally moist meadows & (Balsamorhiza macrolepis S P No No grasslands, grasslands within oak woodland, and var. macrolepis) ponderosa pine forest below 4,600 feet.

Upswept moonwort Grows in lower montane coniferous forest, S P No Yes meadows, and seeps from 4,900 to over 7,500 (Botrychium ascendens) feet in elevation.

Scalloped moonwort Grows in fens, lower montane coniferous forest, S K No Yes meadows, seeps, and freshwater marshes from (Botrychium crenulatum) 4,900 feet to 10,500 feet in elevation.

Common moonwort Grows in meadows, seeps, subalpine and upper S P No Yes montane coniferous forest from 7,450 feet to over (Botrychium lunaria) 11,000 feet in elevation.

Mingan moonwort Grows in fens, lower and upper montane S K No Yes coniferous forest, meadows, and seeps from 4,900 (Botrychium minganense) to 6,750 feet.

Mountain moonwort Grows in lower and upper montane coniferous S K No Yes forest, meadows, and seeps from 4,900 feet to (Botrychium montanum) 7,000 feet in elevation.

Paradox moonwort Grows in lower and upper montane coniferous S K No Yes forest, meadows, and seeps from 4,900 feet to (Botrychium paradoxum) 7,000 feet in elevation.

Stalked moonwort Grows in lower and upper montane coniferous S P No Yes forest, meadows, and seeps from 4,900 feet to (Botrychium pendunculosum) 7,000 feet in elevation.

Grows in meadows and fens in montane and Bolander’s bruchia subalpine communities from about 5,500 to 9,000 S K No No feet. Grows in ephemeral habitats such as (Bruchia bolanderi) erosional ditches or small streamlets through wet meadows.

Pleasant Valley mariposa lily Grows in openings in mixed conifer & ponderosa (Calochortus clavatus S K Yes Yes pine forest, usually on ridgetops and south-facing var. avius) slopes from 2,500 to 5,600 feet.

Grows in moist areas and upland sites with Mountain lady’s slipper P (K on S No Yes northerly aspects, loamy soils and shade, from (Cypripedium montanum) inholding) 3,500 to 5,700 feet (generally <5,000 ft). Known in Suitable Project Habitat in Rationale For Determination Of No Suitable Species Status1 On ENF2 Area Project Habitat/No Effect Area Grows on remains of decayed mushrooms or Branched Collybia occasionally in duff/leaf litter, in mid-mature to S K No Yes old-growth stands of mixed hardwood-conifer (Dendrocollybia racemosa) forests. Evidence of timber harvest at some extant occurrences. Tahoe draba Restricted to rocky ledges and talus slopes in (Draba asterophora S H No No subalpine and alpine habitats above 8,200 feet. var. asterophora) Cup Lake draba Restricted to sandy slopes, rocky ledges, and talus (Draba asterophora S K No No slopes in subalpine and alpine habitats above var. macrocarpa) 8,200 ft.

Tripod buckwheat Grows on serpentine soils in foothill and S K No No (Eriogonum tripodum) cismontane woodlands below 5,300 feet.

Blandow’s bog-moss Grows in wet meadows, fens, & seeps in S P No No subalpine coniferous forest and alpine lakes from (Helodium blandowii) 6,100 to 9,000 feet. Parry’s horkelia Grows on stony, disturbed, slightly acidic soils in S K No No open chaparral and cismontane woodland below (Horkelia parryi) 3,400 feet. Hutchison’s lewisia Grows in openings in upper montane coniferous forest, often on slate soils and on soils that are (Lewisia kelloggii ssp. S K Yes Yes sandy granitic to erosive volcanic from 4,800 to hutchisonii) 7,000 feet. Kellogg’s lewisia Grows on granitic and volcanic balds from about (Lewisia kelloggii ssp. S K No Yes 5,000 to 8,000 feet. kelloggii)

Long-petaled lewisia Restricted to subalpine & alpine slopes or basins S K No No (Lewisia longipetala) with deep snow accumulations, above 8,200 feet.

Restricted to steep, nearly vertical cliffs in inner Saw-toothed lewisia gorges of perennial streams and rarely near seeps S K No No (Lewisia serrata) and intermittent streams. Grows between 2,800 and 4,800 feet in the American River watershed.

Broad-nerved hump-moss Grows in permanently wet, primarily spring-fed S P No No meadows and fens in montane to subalpine (Meesia uliginosa) coniferous forest from 4,200 to 9,200 feet.

Grows on metamorphic, sedimentary, limestone, and serpentine rock outcrops that often contain Elongate Copper Moss copper or other heavy metals and that are S P No No (Mielichhoferia elongata) seasonally moist or less commonly on moist soil. ponderosa pine. Grows from sea level to 3550 feet.

Yellow bur navarretia Grows in openings in or adjacent to mixed conifer forest or cismontane woodland on rocky (Navarretia prolifera ssp. S K No No ridgelines, saddles, or eroding ephemeral lutea) drainages from 2,300 to 5,000 feet. Known in Suitable Project Habitat in Rationale For Determination Of No Suitable Species Status1 On ENF2 Area Project Habitat/No Effect Area

Adder’s tongue Grows in moist habitat including wet meadows S P No No (Ophioglossum pusillum) and roadside ditches.

Layne’s ragwort Grows on rocky, gabbroic or serpentinitic soils in T, S K No No chaparral and cismontane woodland below 3,000 (Packera layneae) feet. Grows on rocks in cold, unpolluted spring-fed Veined water lichen streams without marked seasonal fluctuation. K K Yes Yes Submerged most of year. Peak flows must not (Peltigera gowardii) scour the rocks & gravels where this species attaches. Grows on dry, open, rocky sites (bedrock Stebbins’ phacelia outcrops, rubble or talus) on ledges or moderate S K No No (Phacelia stebbinsii) to steep slopes and on damp, mossy inner gorges from 2,000 to 6,800 feet.

Conifer and hardwood forests where it grows in Olive phaeocollybia P (K on S No Yes the humus layer. Logging disturbance, when (Phaeocollybia olivacea) inholding) present, is not intense (e.g. clear-cut or patch-cut).

Whitebark pine Whitebark pine typically occurs on cold and C, S K No No windy high elevation sites in western north (Pinus albicaulis) America (7,000-12,000 feet).

Sierra blue grass Grows in lower montane coniferous forest on S K No No steep, shady, moist slopes from 1,200 feet to (Poa sierrae) 3,800 feet.

1 S = Forest Service Sensitive; T =Federally Listed as Threatened; C= Candidate Species 2 H = historic record; K = known to occur on ENF; P = suspected to occur on ENF

Field reconnaissance: Botanical surveys were conducted in June through August 2015 and again in 2016 by ENF botanists to ensure proper phonological timing for target species. Most of the surveys were completed by Justina Dumont; however, Megan Chapman, Hannah Coyle, Matt Brown, Thomas Jackson, Belinda Lo (2016), Torrance Haynes (2016), and Nick Jarvis also assisted and completed large portions of the survey work. Surveys were conducted following ENF survey intuitive control protocol. This includes using prefield GIS data to identify areas of higher quality habitat and TES potential. These areas include meadows, seeps, drainages, open ridges, lava cap habitat, disturbed landings and roadsides which are surveyed as a priority above upland forested stands, where TES species are unlikely to occur. The surveys conducted do not include a species list. The surveys are targeted toward TES and invasive species and cover only the species on the R5 list and ENF watchlist determined to have potential habitat and invasive species. Project surveys detected 2 new occurrences of pleasant Valley Mariposa lily, 2 new occurrences of veined aquatic lichen, and one new occurrence of Hutchison’s Lewisia.

II. CONSULTATION TO DATE No formal or informal consultation with the USFWS has been conducted since TEP species or potential habitat does not exist in or near the project area.

III. CURRENT MANAGEMENT DIRECTION

The goal of the Forest Sensitive Plant Program is to maintain viable populations of sensitive plant species, and under Management Practice 49, the General Direction is to "provide for protection and habitat needs of sensitive plants so that Forest activities would not jeopardize the continued existence of such species" (Land and Resource Management Plan, 1989).

“A [viable] population…has the estimated numbers and distribution of reproductive individuals to ensure the continued existence of the species throughout its existing range within the planning area” (FSM 2670.5)

Current policy as stated in the Forest Service Manual (FSM 2670.32) includes the following: Assist States in achieving their goals for conservation of endemic species.

1. As part of the National Environmental Policy Act process, review programs and activities. 2. Avoid or minimize impacts to species whose viability has been identified as a concern. 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. (The line officer, with project approval authority, makes the decision to allow or disallow impact, but the decision must not result in loss of species viability or create significant trends toward Federal listing.) 4. Establish management objectives in cooperation with the States when projects on National Forest System lands may have a significant effect on Sensitive species population numbers or distributions. Establish objectives for Federal candidate species, in cooperation with the FWS and the States.

The current condition of Sensitive plant species on the Eldorado National Forest reflects the effects of past and present management activities. Presently there is not enough evidence to suggest whether Sensitive plant populations and/or ranges are increasing, decreasing, or stable. Monitoring of occurrences, which detects decreases or increases from year to year, may merely reflect normal variation in individual numbers as a response to annual climatic changes. There is also considerable uncertainty regarding future changes in local climatic patterns. Given the lack of data needed to take a proactive management approach to these Sensitive plant species, the best available interim management approach is to minimize impacts to known occurrences of Sensitive plant species while allowing expansion into suitable unoccupied habitat. This strategy would also maximize the diversity of habitat and microsite conditions (slope, aspect, elevation, etc) for Sensitive plants on the Eldorado National Forest which may be important in face of future climate change. While much is unknown about the potential long-term effects of a warming and/or drying climate on Sensitve plant species, in the near term, maintaining habitat diversity across the species range may be the best means to manage for species which could require unique microsites to persist under future climatic conditions.

IV. PROJECT DESCRIPTION Alternative 1-Proposed Action

1. Strategic Fuel Treatment Area

Approximately 3,000 acres of fuel breaks are proposed in strategic locations within the Panther project area (Fig. 2). Three spatial designs are proposed for the fuel breaks: 2,000 feet wide fuel breaks along main ridgelines (1,000 feet on each side), 600 feet fuel breaks along key roads (300 feet on each side) and 200 feet fuel breaks from selected private property lines.

Fuel breaks are strategically located along ridgelines and key roads. Dense, flammable ladder fuels vegetation (e.g., shrubs and small trees) would be replaced with a vegetation type of lower fuel volume, height, and flammability (e.g., grasses and forbs). Once treated, the fuel break would consist of larger trees with a high canopy cover without less brush and dead vegetative fuels than currently exists. The majority of the fuel break treatment will focus on removing small trees and brush while leaving the overstory canopy cover intact. Plantations contained within and adjacent to the above-described fuel break would be treated as part of the fuel break design.

The strategic intent of the 2,000 feet fuel breaks is to provide an effective control point for fire suppression in the event of a large wildfire.

The strategic intent of the 600 feet fuel breaks is to provide a prepared point to quickly and safely conduct fire suppression activities, such as back burning, that would preclude the use of heavy equipment to cut fire lines. These fire breaks would provide vegetation changes in the landscape to stop smaller fires, and to slow down larger ones before reaching main ridges. The roads identified for the 600 feet fuel break are Panther Creek Rd (8N05), 8N33, and 8N71.

The strategic intent of the 200 feet fuel breaks adjacent to private property is to minimize the movement of a wildfire from National Forest System lands to private property, and vice-versa. The selected property boundaries are those with closest proximity to private residences and structures.

Figure 2-Alternative 1 - Proposed Action

Fuel break treatments may include the following:

 Thin live conifers less than or equal to 10 inches diameter breast height (dbh), and fell dead trees less than or equal to 15 inches dbh, using hand tools or mechanical methods. Fell other trees – live or dead – which pose a safety hazard or directly threaten fire control lines. Forest managers may identify “leave trees” which will remain on the landscape on approximately 20-25’ spacing to create an approximate 50% canopy cover.  Cut and remove concentrations of recently killed trees (snags) within the fuel break treatment areas without restriction on dbh. Snags would be retained consistent with forest LRMP standards. Generally the 4 largest snags will be retained per acre, averaged over the entire project area. Snags will not be evenly spaced across the landscape, but would vary by land allocation, such as fuel break or PAC, and landscape position, such as near roads, ridgetops and streams. Snag positions may be based on desired future conditions. Any snag posing a hazard to life, injury, or property may be removed.  No snags would be removed in PACs or known den sites outside of WUI defense zones, unless they pose an imminent human health hazard. An exception may be made where a biological evaluation determines that the areas proposed for harvest are rendered unsuitable for the purpose they were intended (i.e. wildlife habitat) by a catastrophic stand-replacing event.  Prune live conifers using hand tools. Pruned height will depend on fuels objectives, tree height, and tools used. A maximum 50% of the total height of the tree would be removed.  Treat both existing and treatment generated (activity) fuels with a combination of chipping, piling, “lop & scatter” methods and prescribed burning. Prescribed fire may include broadcast burning and lighting of piles. Typical prescribed fire intervals would be twice in a ten year time period. To facilitate prescribed burning, fire lines would be constructed using mechanical equipment and/or hand tools.  Remove vegetation material to landings using ground based or cable yarding systems.  Treat woody brush initially with a combination of prescribed fire, hand and mechanical methods.  Follow-up fuel break maintenance treatments may include: targeted grazing (goats or sheep), prescribed fire, removal by mechanical or hand tools, and herbicide application.  Herbicide treatments would be limited to 250 feet areas from the center of major ridgelines, for a total width of 500 feet; 75 feet areas from the center of selected roads, for a total width of 150 feet; and in plantations contained within and adjacent to fuel break treatment areas (see Fig. 2) A total of 1027 acres is being analyzed and proposed for herbicide use. . Herbicide treatments would consist hand application of glyphosate herbicide to resprouting brush species, typically manzanita, deerbrush, whitethorn, cherry,

chinquapin, and huckleberry oak. These species are problematic because they create a high volume of surface and ladder fuels, and they resprout vigorously when treated by hand tools, machine or grazing, quickly negating the effectiveness of the initial treatment. Glyphosate will be applied at a 3-5% solution rate along with a surfactant (nonylphenol polyethoxylate based (NPE), methylated seed oil (MSO) based, or a silicone/modified vegetable oil blend), and a colorant or dye. . Herbicide treatment may also be applied to new growth (seed generated) of manzanita, deerbrush, whitethorn, cherry, chinquapin, and huckleberry oak within fuel breaks as needed. seed generated brush may be treated over the life of the project when it reaches a height of 12 inches or density that it will become a fuel problem. This could take several years after initial brush cutting. . Targeted grazing operations would utilize goats or sheep. Operations would be managed with an on-site herder, guard dogs and fencing. The number of animals and length of time on a site would vary depending upon the type of animals utilized and vegetation conditions. Animals would be removed from a treatment area when vegetation has been consumed to less than an average of one foot in height with most new leaf growth on brush species consumed, but prior to exposing bare ground. More than one treatment could be completed in a season, such as a spring treatment, followed by a late season treatment. Follow up treatments could be every one to two years to keep vegetation at a height and tenderness optimum for targeted grazing, but could be spaced multiple years apart. Other fuel break maintenance treatments could be used in combination with targeted grazing if needed to return vegetation to preferable condition to utilize grazing. . Follow up treatments may occur any of the methods listed (targeted grazing, prescribed fire, herbicides). In general herbicide should only need an initial and one follow up application, (2 total).

2. Commercial Harvest Units Commercial harvest units were identified to treat areas with the existing condition of high stand densities and presence of ladder fuels. Silvicultural prescriptions will incorporate recommendations from PSW-GTR-220, and meet Forest Plan direction (LRMP 1988, SNFPA 2004). (See Fig. 3.) Prescriptions will be designed to meet the following GTR-220 goals:

 Reduce shading around oaks to improve growing conditions.  Increase the percentage of shade-intolerant pine and hardwoods.  Retain clumps of large trees. Clumps may vary in shape and size and range from a group of 4-5 trees up to a quarter of an acre in size. In general, clumps would be located in the mid to lower slope positions.  Retain large trees with defects such as rot, cavities, and multiple tops. 11

 Improve forest resiliency by reducing stand densities by thinning. In general, lowest residual stand densities would occur on upper slopes, ridges and southern and western aspects. Targeted residual density would range from 100-140 square feet/acre basal area or approximately 25-30 feet tree spacing. Although canopy cover would average 50% over treatment units, lower canopy cover would exist in these less dense areas. On lower slopes and transitioning into Riparian Conservation Areas (RCA), residual stand densities may be higher with a corresponding increase in canopy cover. Targeted residual density would range from 140-180 square feet/acre basal area or 20-25 feet tree spacing. Canopy Cover in RCAs of perennial and intermittent streams would see the least overall reduction and would likely average closer to 60%.  Manage the intermediate size class (20 to 30 inch DBH), thinning this class primarily by species (shade tolerant) and growth form (those acting as ladder fuels).  Increase stand variability. Target stand structure would consist of a mixture of clumps, gaps and a matrix of variably spaced trees. Small (0.25 acre or less) gaps will be created or enlarged in low productivity sites and where natural openings in the canopy exist. These small gaps will not be evaluated for regeneration.

Commercial harvest treatments may include the following:  Treat approximately 783 acres of natural stands and commercial sized plantations by cutting and removing trees between 10 inches and 30 inches dbh, using ground-based commercial logging methods including whole tree yarding (679 acres) and skyline logging systems (104 acres). Recently killed trees (snags) within commercial harvest units would be cut and removed concurrently with logging operations without restriction on dbh. Feller bunchers or equivalent type of ground based equipment may be used for cutting and pre-bunching of logs that would be removed using a skyline logging system. Use of equipment in skyline units would be limited to 45% slope.  Snags would be retained consistent with forest LRMP standards. Generally the 4 largest snags will be retained per acre, averaged over the entire project area. Snags will not be evenly spaced across the landscape, but would vary by land allocation, such as fuel break or PAC, and landscape position, such as near roads, ridgetops and streams. Snag positions may be based on desired future conditions. Any snag posing a hazard to life, injury, or property may be removed.  Remove small trees (4 inches to 10 inches dbh) to landings, or other designated disposal sites, on the mechanically thinned acres.  Pile tree tops and small trees (biomass) at landings to be made available for either biomass power generation or public fire wood cutting. Material remaining at landings (if not removed by previous methods) would be burned.  Conduct post-harvest treatments, including grapple or tractor piling of existing and activity fuels, followed by prescribed fire, including both broadcast burning and lighting of piles.

 Create small openings (1 to 2 acres in size) by removing conifer species to promote pine regeneration. Areas would be located in and adjacent to areas with symptoms of annosus root rot infection, in areas currently dominated by white fir, and where concentrations of recent mortality has occurred. Individual openings where mortality has occurred may be greater than 2 acres in size. Regeneration will occur through natural seeding as well as planting. For annosus areas, treat stumps of surrounding area with borax fungicide (Sporax or equivalent formulation). The total area that is anticipated to be treated in these openings is approximately 75 acres. Reforest openings with a mix of pine species: ponderosa pine, Jeffrey pine, sugar pine. Conduct one to two release treatments using manual methods. Evaluate seedling survival and interplant if necessary in order to achieve desired level of stocking in pine species. In 5-7 years post-harvest, conduct pre- commercial thinning in order to achieve desired level of stocking in pine species.

3. Road Maintenance and Reconstruction

Roads and trails within the project area will be managed consistent with the 2008 Eldorado National Forest Public Wheeled Motorized Travel Management Environmental Impact Statement (Travel Management EIS) and compliant with applicable standards. Roads not identified as open to public use may be blocked by gates, barricades, rocks, other barriers or by signage. In addition to the seasonal closure identified by the Travel Management EIS, roads identified as open for public use may be temporarily closed during inclement weather or during logging operations to protect reconstruction investments and for public safety. There are approximately 26 miles of road maintenance, 24 miles of road reconstruction, and 1.5 miles of new temporary road construction within the project boundary area. Temporary roads will be obliterated upon project completion. Road maintenance and reconstruction will provide safe access for project activities as well as for fire suppression purposes. No changes to the Motor Vehicle Use Map are proposed and no roads are proposed to be decommissioned. Table 1 (below) identifies the treatment proposed for each road within the project area.

General road maintenance activities may include:  Removal of roadside vegetation,  Repair of the road running surface and shoulder,  Drainage structure maintenance,  Removal of hazard trees,  Sign repair or replacement,  Maintenance or replacement traffic gates and barriers, and  Other similar activities. General road reconstruction activities may include:  Replacement of inadequate drainage crossings,  Installation of water bars and dips on roads with inadequate runoff control,  Out sloping the road where possible,  Slope stabilization,

 Widening of traveled way,  Gate installation to control seasonal use, and  Other similar activities. Drainage structures will be designed for 100-year storm events. Water will be used to abate dust during maintenance and reconstruction and from logging traffic with water selected from water drafting sites that have suitable stream flow and access. There are two water holes within the project area which will also be maintained as part of the project. In the event water holes are not suitable for drafting, magnesium chloride will be used for dust abatement.

Reconstruction efforts will also include culvert reconstruction at one site (the 8N05 crossing over East Panther Creek) to make a crossing passable by aquatic organisms at all water flows.

Table 1: Roads within the project area and respective proposed treatment. ROAD MTCE. EST. NAME SURFACING TREATMENT NUMBER LEVEL1 MILES 08N05 PANTHER CREEK 3 BITUMINOUS SURFACE TREATMENT 11.00 MAINTAIN 08N05A PANTHER CREEK SPUR 2 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.35 RECONSTRUCT 08N05B EAST PANTHER 2 NATIVE MATERIAL 1.87 RECONSTRUCT 08N05G EAST PANTHER 36 2 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.20 MAINTAIN 08N05J EAST PANTHER OVERVIEW 1 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.60 MAINTAIN 08N05K CAT'S PAW 1 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.74 MAINTAIN 08N05L WET CAT 2 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.02 MAINTAIN 08N25 ELLIS ROAD 4 BITUMINOUS SURFACE TREATMENT 8.55 MAINTAIN 08N25A BRUSHY POINT 2 NATIVE MATERIAL 1.10 RECONSTRUCT 08N25K BRUSHY ELLIS SPUR 2 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.49 MAINTAIN 08N26 OLD LUMBERYARD 2 NATIVE MATERIAL 2.97 MAINTAIN 08N26A LUMBERYARD 3 BITUMINOUS SURFACE TREATMENT 0.10 MAINTAIN 08N26B MUD SOUTH 2 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.50 RECONSTRUCT 08N26C PROSPECT ROCK 2 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.11 RECONSTRUCT 08N32 PANTHER RIDGE 3 NATIVE MATERIAL 3.82 RECONSTRUCT 08N32A PANTHER RIDGE N. 2 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.40 MAINTAIN 08N33 HENLEY ROAD 2 NATIVE MATERIAL 1.96 RECONSTRUCT 08N33A BEAR BEAVER SPUR 2 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.47 MAINTAIN 08N33B EAST PANTHER SPUR 1 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.13 MAINTAIN 08N33C HENLEY CEE 1 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.60 RECONSTRUCT 08N35 UPPER WEST PANTHER 2 NATIVE MATERIAL 1.80 RECONSTRUCT 08N35A TOP CAT 1 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.41 MAINTAIN 08N35B WILD CAT 1 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.50 RECONSTRUCT 08N35C ROBINSONS ROAD 2 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.83 MAINTAIN 08N36 INTERMEDIATE 2 NATIVE MATERIAL 2.40 RECONSTRUCT

ROAD MTCE. EST. NAME SURFACING TREATMENT NUMBER LEVEL1 MILES 08N45 ARMSTRONG FIVE 2 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.23 RECONSTRUCT 08N63 LUMBERYARD CAMPGROUND 3 BITUMINOUS SURFACE TREATMENT 0.07 MAINTAIN 08N65 SECTION 29 2 NATIVE MATERIAL 2.70 RECONSTRUCT 08N65A ANTLER SPUR 1 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.60 MAINTAIN 08N65B PANTHER CREEK CABLE 1 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.60 MAINTAIN 08N70 HENLEY CANYON 3 NATIVE MATERIAL 1.47 MAINTAIN 08N71 STATION TIE 2 NATIVE MATERIAL 4.00 RECONSTRUCT 08N71B STATION CABLE 2 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.19 RECONSTRUCT 08N75 DOAKS TIE 2 NATIVE MATERIAL 2.50 RECONSTRUCT 08N75A DUTCH HENERYS 2 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.80 MAINTAIN 08N75AW HAMMS BEAR 1 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.50 MAINTAIN 08N75B FEEDERS SPRINGS 1 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.30 RECONSTRUCT 08N75C DOAK'S SPRING 1 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.07 RECONSTRUCT 08N82 QUAIL 3 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.59 MAINTAIN 08N82A MTN. QUAIL 1 NATIVE MATERIAL 0.29 MAINTAIN 09N17 CAT CREEK 5 BITUMINOUS SURFACE TREATMENT 0.86 MAINTAIN

1 Maintenance Level: 1 - BASIC CUSTODIAL CARE (CLOSED) 2 - HIGH CLEARANCE VEHICLES 3 - SUITABLE FOR PASSENGER CARS 4 - MODERATE DEGREE OF USER COMFORT 5 - HIGH DEGREE OF USER COMFORT

Design Criteria

Fuels/Prescribed Fire

Fire line construction would follow established guidelines for water bar construction as outlined in the Best Management Practices. Upon completion of prescribed burning activities, the visible character of the fire lines would be hidden by spreading woody debris where they intersect existing roads and trails to limit unauthorized vehicle use.

Fire lines will be constructed by hand or dozer; however roads would be used where feasible. Exact locations of fire lines will be determined by the onsite fire crew. During burning operations, fire would be allowed to creep between piles or fuel concentrations and back into RCAs.

Treatment of fuels using hand tools and piling would occur in specified areas within the project area. The piles would be lit from the top, and prescribed fire would be allowed to creep between piles in order to dispose of the hand piles.

Air Quality: Pile burning and prescribed understory burning would be implemented under a Smoke Management Plan, issued by the Amador/El Dorado County Air Pollution Control District, and a Burn Plan that adheres to Federal and Regional standards. To reduce air quality impacts, emission reduction strategies would be used. For prescribed burning, desirable meteorological and fuel moisture conditions would be defined in the project’s smoke management plan and required to implement burning, in order to facilitate venting and dispersion of smoke from the project area.

Aquatic and Terrestrial Wildlife

Existing waterholes and other aquatic sites including ponds, lakes and streams used for water drafting would be surveyed for Aquatic threatened, endangered and sensitive (TES) species and flow levels taken prior to use. In the event TES species are found to occur at drafting sites; sites will not be used and future surveys would be conducted by an aquatic specialist to determine presence of potential populations.

The use of low velocity water pumps and screening devices will be utilized during drafting for project treatments to prevent mortality of all life stages of potential amphibian and fish species present. Refer to BMP 2.5 (Table 2).

All in-stream culvert work (Aquatic Organism Passage work, culvert replacements, etc.) will be completed under low flow conditions (consult with aquatic biologist or hydrologist before construction) in reference to BMP 2.8 (Table 2). A qualified aquatic biologist will survey the culvert site within 24 hours prior to construction activities.

Should Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs (SNYLF) be located before or during implementation, their safety shall be assessed by a qualified biologist and dealt with according to the Terms and Conditions described in the Programmatic Biological Opinion (“Programmatic Biological Opinion on Nine Forest Programs on Nine National Forests in the Sierra Nevada of California for the Endangered Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged frog, Endangered Northern Distinct Population Segment of the Mountain Yellow-legged Frog, and Threatened Yosemite Toad”, USDI, FWS 2014.)

Additional aquatic wildlife design features have been incorporated in the Soil, Water, Riparian and Aquatic Resources section, below.

Mechanical and fuels prescriptions are designed to be consistent with Forest-wide management standards and guidelines (SNFPA ROD 2004, pages A-49 to A-59), as well as land allocation standards and guidelines for California spotted owl and northern goshawk Protected Activity Centers (SNFPA ROD 2004, pages A-59 to A-61), and Riparian Conservation Areas and Critical Aquatic Refuges (SNFPA ROD 2004, pages A-62 to A-66).

The proposed action was developed to minimize impact to the California spotted owl habitat in the project area, and thus reduce impact to associated species (such as the northern goshawk), while meeting the project needs. As part of this process, Protected Activity Centers (PACs), and associated Home Range Core Areas (HRCAs) were evaluated for existing habitat quality, and quantity and for potential cumulative effects of the project design. This evaluation informed decisions on location and intensity of treatments included in the proposed action. In some cases, this resulted in removing commercial thinning units from the project, or changing the proposed treatment to reduce or remove impacts to California spotted owl habitat.

Commercial Harvest/Plantation Treatments: A limited operating period (LOP) for California spotted owls (March 1 through August 15) and for northern goshawks (February 15 through September 15) would restrict activities for units, or portions of units, that are located within ¼ mile of spotted owl or goshawk nests, unless surveys confirm that owls or goshawks are not nesting. In the absence of recent nest location data, units, or portions of units, or within ¼ mile from PAC boundaries have been covered by the LOPs. LOPs would be implemented to remove or reduce the potential for nesting disturbance to owl and goshawk PACs by activities in units adjacent to the PACs.

Dispersed pockets of small trees and understory brush would be retained during mechanical treatments to provide for wildlife habitat. Preference for location of these pockets will be given to California Wildlife Habitat Relations tree size class 5 stands (24” dbh and greater), and stands located in existing spotted owl HRCAs.

Thinning and fuels treatment in the buffer along the northern private property line, in PAC AMA0021, will conform to the 2004 SNFPA, specifically focusing on treating surface and ladder fuels and removing only material necessary to meet project fuels objectives. Thinning within this California spotted owl PAC will be designed to facilitate fire suppression, and reduce residual fire size and spread, and minimize stand mortality from potential wildfire. Thinning within this PAC would be limited to small tree removal (15” dbh and smaller), and be dependent on stand characteristics for the upper diameter limit (15” would be the maximum, smaller treed stands may have lower maximum diameters).

In all treatment areas, silvicultural prescriptions would be designed to maintain and/or enhance hardwoods where they presently exist; priority may be given to areas important to early seral species such as deer. Conifers encroaching on individual oak canopies would be targeted for removal, resulting in small ¼ acre or less openings in the canopy surrounding some oaks.

Snags (15” dbh and greater) would be retained, except where they pose a threat to human health and safety.

Prescribed Burning In California Spotted Owl and Northern Goshawk PACs: Prescribed burning in PACs will be designed to result in a 5% reduction or less in canopy cover, averaged over the treatment unit. Snags (15”dbh and greater) would not be targeted for active lighting. Prior to ignition, current fuel conditions surrounding trees > 30" dbh would be assessed to determine need. Raking would occur if mortality of trees greater than 30” is expected to exceed 5%. If prescribed burning within spotted owl and goshawk PAC boundaries is planned for the nesting season, an attempt will be made to ascertain nesting status pre-lighting,. Based on nesting status, additional mitigation measures, such as exclusion of portions of the proposed burn/PAC, additional fire lines, and different lighting techniques, may be implemented to reduce potential effects to nesting spotted owls and goshawks.

The district wildlife biologist would be notified prior to implementation of the prescribed burn in PACs and when possible, would be onsite to take part in, and/or monitor burning and associated effects.

Additional hand treatments, including handline construction, tree pruning, and cutting of small trees (less than 6 inches dbh), may be conducted within a 1 to 2 acre area surrounding known nest trees, to the extent necessary, to protect nest trees and trees in their immediate vicinity.

Downed logs greater than 30” diameter, will not be actively lit during implementation of the burn. Snags will be retained during burn preparation, except where they pose a threat to human health and safety, or perimeter control risk for containment of the fire.

Botany

Sensitive plant species Pleasant Valley Mariposa lily (Calochortus clavatus var. avius) and Hutchison’s Lewisia (Lewisia kelloggii ssp. hutchisonii) populations within the project area would be flagged for avoidance. All ground disturbing activities, burn piles, hazard tree removal, roadside brushing, mechanical equipment, line construction, herbicide application and spring burning would be excluded from sensitive plant protection areas. Where it is necessary to remove trees from within site boundaries, the project botanist would be consulted to mitigate impacts. All thinning of trees adjacent to site boundaries would be directionally felled away from the site. Hand thinning and prescribed fire within sensitive plant protection areas may occur at the recommendation of the project botanist. The project botanist would be notified prior to implementation of the prescribed burn in sensitive plant populations and if available would be onsite to take part in, and/or monitor burning and associated effects. At a minimum, a post burn visit would be conducted by the botanist. If new sensitive plant occurrences are discovered during project implementation the project botanist would be notified to develop necessary protection measures.

Potential habitat for Sensitive plant species within the project area will be flagged for avoidance within the proposed fuelbreak unit unless properly timed surveys are completed documenting the absence of Sensitive plant species.

Application of Magnesium Chloride for dust abatement will not occur within 100 feet of roadside occurrences of Sensitive plant or watch-list species.

Aquatic veined lichen (Peltigera hydrothyria), occurs within the proposed project area. To maintain current stream shading, the overstory canopy within 100 feet of the occurrence will not be altered by project activities with exception of handfelling trees to facilitate implementation of skyline units. Project botanist will be consulted prior to initiation of road maintenance within 100 feet of drainages with aquatic veined lichen. Aquatic veined lichen occurring in West Panther Creek at the crossing of Panther Creek Road would be salvaged prior to culvert reconstruction and relocated to suitable sites within the creek.

Should any new threatened, endangered, or sensitive (TES) species be located during the proposed project, available steps will be taken to evaluate and mitigate effects.

Motorized equipment, vehicles, thinning activities, and herbicide application would be excluded from lava cap plant communities. Site specific exemptions may occur with input from project botanist and soil scientist. Line construction through lava cap communities would be avoided when feasible. If necessary, line construction would be completed with hand tools only.

Grazing Targeted grazing would be excluded from sensitive and special interest plant sites unless approved in advance by a Forest Service Botanist. Grazing would not occur within 100 feet of stream reaches occupied by veined aquatic lichen.

Livestock used for grazing would be quarantined for three days and fed granary bought feed prior to arriving to the Forest. Livestock would be inspected to insure that coats are free of weed seeds.

Grazing may occur within known invasive plant infestations if grazing is expected to control the species. If targeted grazing is expected to spread infestations these areas would be excluded from grazing until the infestation is first eradicated.

All off-road equipment, stock trucks and trailers would be cleaned prior to entering the Forest to insure they are free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter, plant propagules or other debris if they have recently operated in an area potentially infested with invasive plant species, or if recent operating locations are uncertain.

Prescribed burn units Ongoing fuel break maintenance and follow-up burning in harvest units could occur several years after completion of thinning or other treatments. The project leader or burn boss would notify the forest botanist prior to initiating fuel break treatments, line construction, or prescribed burning in order to re-flag occurrences within the project area.

Herbicide Application Bear Clover (Chamaebatia foliolosa) would not be targeted during herbicide treatments.

Invasive species Eldorado National Forest Priority 1 and 2 invasive plant infestations within the project area would be flagged for avoidance and treated using integrated pest management techniques as a part of the Panther project. Treatments under the project will tier to the Forest invasive plant treatment EA and may include a combination of techniques including tarping, manual removal, string trimming, and targeted herbicide application. Currently known high priority infestations within the project area include medusahead grass, barbed goatgrass and scotch broom. If new infestations develop as a result of project activities (i.e. within landings, areas of road reconstruction, fuel break development, within harvest units) treatment strategies would be developed under the Eldorado National Forest Invasive plant EA and would be implemented as part of the Panther project.

Invasive plant surveys would occur within fuel break for five years following project implementation. If found, newly detected invasive plant species would be treated using methods covered by the Eldorado NF Forest-wide invasive plant management EA.

All off-road equipment, including trailers or water trucks used in targeted grazing operations, would be cleaned to insure they are free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter, or other debris prior to entering National Forest System land. Equipment would also be cleaned prior to moving from infested to unifested areas within the project area. Native seed mixes and/or certified weed free straw will be used when needed for erosion control purposes. Sand, gravel and fill material would come from weed-free sources. Consult with the Forests Botanist for sources of weed-free material. Straw or mulch used for erosion control or targeted grazing operations would be certified weed-free. A certificate from the county of origin stating the material was inspected is required.

Broadcast seeding of native grass and forb species would be considered three years after initial herbicide release if the cover of native grasses and forbs are < 40 percent within the fuel break area. Broadcast seeding would adhere to Forest Service native material policy which requires the use of a mix of genetically appropriate native materials.

Heritage

The Panther Project will comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended in accordance with provisions of the “Programmatic Agreement among the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region (Region 5), the California State Historic Preservation Officer, the Nevada State Historic Preservation Officer, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Regarding Processes for Compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act for Management of Historic Properties by the National Forest of the Pacific Southwest Region” (Regional PA 2013). Fuel reduction using hand tools and other activities may be permitted within the boundaries of known Historic Properties, if approved by the District Archaeologist. Sites that are at risk from fire will be flagged and avoided during prescribed understory burning. Sites that are not considered at risk or have previously burned at moderate or high intensity may be included in the prescribed burn at the discretion of the District Archeologist. Construction of fire lines will occur outside of the cultural resource site boundaries unless directed by the District Archaeologist. All machine and hand piles will be 20

placed away from site boundaries at a distance such that site features will not be affected by flames and heat. Hazard tree removal on or in the vicinity of cultural resource sites will be coordinated with the District Archaeologist. Targeted Grazing for fuel reduction will be treated as mechanical vegetation treatment until the effects are better known. Sites will be flagged and avoided using fencing or other methods, unless otherwise instructed by the HPM. Grazing may be allowed within sites if they are not considered resources at risk for the activity. Sites within harvest units or near road maintenance/reconstruction projects will be identified with flagging and avoided during ground disturbing project activities. All thinning of trees adjacent to site boundaries will be directionally felled away from the site. Non-merchantable trees and brush may be removed by hand, within site boundaries, at the direction of the District Archaeologist. Road reconstruction may require the use of Standard Protection Measures or mitigation as per the Regional PA 2013. Should any previously unrecorded cultural resources be encountered during implementation of this project, all work should immediately cease in that area and the District Archaeologist be notified immediately. Work may resume after approval by the District Archaeologist; provided any recommended Standard Protection Measures are implemented. Should any cultural resources become damaged in unanticipated ways by activities proposed in this project; the steps described in the Regional PA 2013 for inadvertent effects will be followed. The District Archaeologist will be kept informed of the status of various stages of the project, so that subsequent field work can proceed in a timely fashion. Monitoring of the area may occur after the project has been completed. This work will be documented in amendments to this report, as appropriate. Rangeland Resources

Coordinate with the Rangeland Manager prior to project implementation to identify the location of rangeland improvements and current season cattle grazing operations under Bear River Allotment term grazing permit . Protect improvements such as fences by restricting equipment from driving across or logs and slash from being dragged across barbed wire fences that have been lowered to the ground for the off season. Debris would be kept a sufficient distance back from fences to allow permittees to walk fence lines for maintenance. Burn piles would be located at least 20 feet from fences.

During periods when livestock are present on the allotment, all gates would be kept closed and any damage to fences immediately repaired. If range improvements cannot be protected during implementation, they would be replaced to equal or better condition as an expense of the project.

Targeted grazing with goats or sheep would be accomplished by vegetation management contract, and would not be included in a term grazing permit.

Soil, Water, Riparian and Aquatic Resources

Best management practices (BMP) will be implemented to avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects to soil, water quality, riparian and aquatic resources and will be provided through two USFS Forest Service Guidance documents - the National Core BMP Technical Guide, and the Region 5 Water Quality Management Handbook (Table 2). Detailed BMP protection measures used during project implementation will be provided in the Environmental Assessment and specialist reports.

Equipment operation and use of chemicals within RCAs would be limited by exclusion zones around waterbodies and other protection measures (Tables 2, 3 and 4). Protection measures may be altered on-the-ground for a specific site based on recommendations by a Resource Specialist (Soil Scientist, Fisheries Biologist, Botanist, and Hydrologist).

Table 3 provides additional detail regarding equipment exclusion buffers relevant to the following BMPs: Plan-3, Veg-3, and Chem-3.

Table 2: Applicable USFS BMPs for Panther Fuels Reduction and Forest Health Project USFS BMP Identifier Title (N) Plan-3 Aquatic Management Zone Planning (N) Veg-1 Vegetation Management Planning (N) Veg-2 Erosion Prevent and Control (N) Veg-3 Aquatic Management Zones (N) Veg-4 Ground-Based Skidding and Yarding Operations (N) Veg-5 Cable and Aerial Yarding Operations (N) Veg-6 Landings (N) Veg-8 Mechanical Site Treatment (i.e. Masticators, Chippers) (N) Fire-2 Use of Prescribed Fire (N) Chem-1 Chemical Use Planning (N) Chem-2 Follow Label Direction. (N) Chem-3 Chemical Use near Waterbodies (N) Chem-5 Chemical Handling and Disposal (N) Chem-6 Chemical Application Monitoring and Evaluation. (N) Road-5 Temporary Roads (R) BMP 2.8 Stream Crossings (R) BMP 2.3 Road Construction and Reconstruction (R) BMP 2.4 Road Maintenance and Operations (R) BMP 2.5 Water Source Development and Utilization (R) BMP 2.10 Parking and Staging Areas. (R) BMP 2.11 Equipment Refueling and Servicing (R) BMP 2.13 Erosion Control Plan

(N) - Guidance provided in USDA Forest Service National Best Management Practices for Water Quality Management on National Forest Lands, Volume 1: National Core BMP Technical Guide., FS-990a. April 2012. (R) - Guidance provided in USDA Forest Service Region 5, Water Quality Management Handbook. R5 FSH 2509.22, Chapter 10, Amendment 2509.22-2011-01. December 2011.

Table 3. Equipment exclusion buffers around waterbodies for mechanical ground based equipment (with greater that 13 PSI tire or tractor pressure), for protection of soil and water and aquatic resources. Includes skid trails, roads and landings.

Ground-based equipment exclusion zone (feet) Aquatic Feature < 30 % slope 30 – 50 % slope

Perennial stream1 82 100

Intermittent stream1 82 82

Ephemeral stream1 25 25

Draws2 10 25

Special aquatic features3 75 100

Table 4. Design criteria for work conducted near water bodies, by treatment or activity.

Unit(s) or Water Body Buffers Narrative Treatment Type

. Felling and removal of hazard trees next to haul routes would be allowed within waterbody buffers zone with the following restrictions: a) hazard trees with commercial value that can be reached with skidding equipment would be targeted for removal - there will be no endlining to remove trees, b) should a felled hazard tree enter a stream course, the Sale Administrator and Resource Specialist would determine the fate of the tree (e.g. repositioning of the tree, leaving a portion of the Mechanical tree as felled, etc.), c.) Hazard trees with no commercial value and those outside the Treatment Units reach of skidding equipment would be retained in place provided the felled trees would not interfere with the safe use of the road or adversely affect a stream course and associated culverts. . Reach-in to remove non-riparian vegetation (typically 25 feet) would be allowed from 25 feet of the edge of the equipment exclusion zone on perennial and intermittent channels, and up to the edge of ephemeral channels and draws so long as the vegetation is not embedded into the ground or substrate.

. Ignition of fire would not occur within 50 feet of the edge of the channel of perennial streams and special aquatic features or 50 feet from the edge of riparian vegetation, whichever is greater. Ignition would be limited to non-riparian vegetation. Fire Prescribed Fire creep will be allowed all the way to edge of streams. Areas . Ignition of fire would not occur within 25 feet of the edge of the channel of intermittent streams and ephemeral streams or within 25 feet of riparian vegetation, whichever is greater. Fire creep will be allowed all the way to streams. 23

Unit(s) or Water Body Buffers Narrative Treatment Type . Existing down logs which lie in or across all stream channel types would not be intentionally ignited. . No hand piles within 82 feet of any perennial or intermittent stream, or 10 feet from edge of ephemeral channels. . Glyphosate would not be sprayed within 100 feet of the edge of perennial or intermittent stream. . Glyphosate would not be sprayed within 100 feet of the edge of special aquatic Herbicide features (springs, wetlands, meadows, etc.). Application . Glyphosate would not be sprayed within 25 feet of any ephemeral channel or draw when flowing. . No application buffer will be implemented for ephemerals or draws that are dry.

Consult with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for proposed action in these units, with mitigations described below.

Units for . Utilize water body buffer of 50 (< 30% slope). temporary roads, . Mitigations to restore soil disturbance caused by skid trails and temporary roads will skid trails, and be implemented to fully restore soil infiltration capacity and soil cover to pre- landings project condition. proposed within . Mitigation actions may include practices such as, reshaping to restore natural 82 feet of surface flow patterns, installation of drainage control features, subsoiling intermittent compacted soils, placement of organic material and seeding on disturbed soil channels. surfaces. If machine piles are left in landings, mitigations will be designed to ensure adequate controls drainage controls are in place to prevent transport of ash or sediment from burn scar surfaces, before piles are burned. Consult with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on proposed action, with mitigations as described below. . For cable yarding operations, subtract 50 feet on perennial and 25 feet on intermittent channels (from values in table above). No buffer on ephemeral channels for cable yarding. The above buffer restrictions generally follow 2013 California Forest Practice Rules, California Code of Regulation Title 14, section Unit Cable- 916. 5. Operating Units . Trees may be hand-felled away from the channel within these buffers to abate hazards, but will be left in place to avoid further distance. . Mitigations to restore soil disturbance caused by log removal to cable suspension may be implemented if needed to eliminate creation of preferential flow paths. Mitigations may include practices such as placement of organic material, and reshaping soil surfaces with hand tools to break up preferential flow paths.

Units with dust . Dust abatement palliative, Magnesium Chloride, would not be used within 100 feet abatement use of perennial and intermittent stream crossings. along roads

Unit(s) or Water Body Buffers Narrative Treatment Type

. Targeted grazing or associated activities would not be allowed within 82 feet of Targeted edge of channel of perennial or intermittent streams, or within 82 feet of special Grazing aquatic features as measured from edge of wet area or riparian vegetation, Operations whichever is greater. Areas would be protected by excluding from animal enclosure fencing.

Alternative 2-No Action

Only current management practices such as fire suppression and public firewood cutting would take place in the project area at his time. None of the fuels management, forest health, watershed improvement or road maintenance objectives would be accomplished with this alternative.

Alternative 3-No Herbicide

The No Herbicide alternative will include all the actions/activities in the proposed action except the use of herbicides.

Alternative 4-CA Spotted Owl Interim Recommendations

On August 20, 2015, the Eldorado National Forest, and all other Sierra Nevada National Forests were directed by the Regional Forester, Pacific Southwest Region, to include and analyze an alternative consistent with the Draft Interim Recommendations for the Management of California Spotted Owl Habitat on National Forest System Lands, May 29, 2015 (Draft IR, 2015), for any vegetation management projects scoped after the date of the Regional Forester’s letter. This alternative was designed to comply with the recommendations, and retain, maintain or improve habitat conditions for California Spotted owl.

1. Strategic Fuel Treatment Area:

The strategic fuel treatment area and treatments would be the same as those described for the proposed action, and are consistent with the Draft IR, 2015, recommendations for the following reasons. The treatments would maintain key features: multi-layered structure, diversity of diameter classes, moderate to high tree canopy cover (where it currently exists). No overstory trees would be removed within areas of the strategic fuel treatments that overlap California Spotted owl protected activity centers (PACs), or designated habitat. Snags 15 inch dbh and above would be retained within the treatment areas, unless they pose a safety hazard. The use of mechanical equipment is allowed within designated habitat where the treatment is intended to maintain or enhance habitat conditions, which is the intent of these treatments. These treatments would maintain existing habitat conditions, and improve the likely retention of high quality habitat in both the short and long term by improving fire suppression efficiency (reducing potential fire size) and wildfire severity when fire does occur within spotted owl habitat. This treatment is consistent with the Draft IR, 2015 document, specifically conservation measures 2b, and 6a-e.

2. Fuels Reduction Treatment Units (outside of Strategic Fuel Treatment Areas above).

Fuel reduction treatment units were identified to treat areas with existing condition of high stand densities and presence of ladder fuels, and would increase the effectiveness of the Strategic Fuel Treatment Areas. These treatment areas are within the spotted owl designated habitat, and have treatments which conform to the Draft IR, 2015, recommendations. The treatments would maintain key features: multi-layered structure, diversity of diameter classes, moderate to high tree canopy cover (where it currently exists). No overstory trees would be removed within areas of the strategic fuel treatments that overlap PACs, or designated habitat. Snags greater than 14 inch dbh would be retained within the 25

treatment areas, unless they pose a safety hazard. The use of mechanical equipment is allowed within designated habitat where the treatment is intended to maintain or enhance habitat conditions, which is the intent of these treatments. Treatments would maintain existing habitat conditions, and improve the likely retention of high quality habitat in both the short and long term by improving fire suppression efficiency (reducing potential fire size) and wildfire severity when fire does occur within spotted owl habitat. This treatment is consistent with the Draft IR, 2015 document, specifically conservation measures 2b, and 6a-e.

Fuel Reduction Treatments may include the following:

 Treat approximately 240 acres of natural stands.  Treat woody brush with a combination of prescribed fire, hand and mechanical methods.  Thin live conifers less than or equal to 10 inches dbh, and fell dead trees less than or equal to 14 inches dbh, using hand tools or mechanical methods. Fell other trees – live or dead – which pose a safety hazard or directly threaten control lines.  Prune live conifers using hand tools. Pruned height will depend on fuels objectives, tree height, and tools used. A maximum 50% of the total height of the tree would be removed.  Treat both existing and treatment generated (activity) fuels with a combination of chipping, piling, “lop & scatter” methods and prescribed burning. Prescribed fire may include broadcast burning and lighting of piles. To facilitate prescribed burning, fire lines would be constructed using mechanical equipment and/or hand tools.  Remove vegetation material to landings using ground based systems.

3. Commercial Harvest Units

No commercial harvest would take place within the designated spotted owl habitat (PAC, Territory, or Home Range Scales), under this alternative. As with the proposed action; commercial harvest units were identified to treat areas with the existing condition of high stand densities and presence of ladder fuels. Silvicultural prescriptions will incorporate recommendations from PSW-GTR-220, and meet Forest Plan direction (LRMP 1988, SNFPA 2004). Prescriptions will be designed to meet the following GTR-220 goals:

 Reduce shading around oaks to improve growing conditions.  Increase the percentage of shade intolerant pine and hardwoods.  Retain clumps of large trees. Clumps may vary in shape and size and range from a group of 4-5 trees up to a quarter of an acre in size. In general, clumps would be located in the mid to lower slope positions.  Retain large trees with defects such as rot, cavities, and multiple tops.  Improve forest resiliency by reducing stand densities by thinning. In general, lowest residual stand densities would occur on upper slopes, ridges and southern and western aspects. Targeted residual density would range from 100-140 square feet/acre basal area or approximately 25-30 feet tree spacing. Although canopy cover would average 50% over treatment units, lower canopy cover would exist in these less dense areas. On lower slopes and transitioning into Riparian Conservation Areas (RCA), residual stand densities may be higher with a corresponding increase in canopy cover. Targeted residual density would range from 140-180 square feet/acre basal area or 20-25 feet tree spacing. Canopy Cover in RCAs of perennial and intermittent streams would see the least overall reduction and would likely average closer to 60%.  Manage the intermediate size class (20 to 30 inch DBH), thinning this class primarily by species (shade tolerant) and growth form (those acting as ladder fuels).

 Increase stand variability. Target stand structure would consist of a mixture of clumps, gaps and a matrix of variably spaced trees. Small (.25 acre or less) gaps will be created or enlarged in low productivity sites and where natural openings in the canopy exist. These small gaps will not be evaluated for regeneration.

Commercial harvest treatments may include the following:  Treat approximately 105 acres of natural stands and commercial sized plantations by cutting and removing trees between 10 inches and 30 inches dbh, using ground-based commercial logging method, whole tree yarding on all 105 acres.  Remove small trees (4 inches to 10 inches dbh) to landings, or other designated disposal sites, on the mechanically thinned acres  Pile tree tops and small trees (biomass) at landings to be made available for either biomass power generation or public fire wood cutting. Material remaining at landings (if not removed by previous methods) would be burned.  Conduct post-harvest treatments, including grapple or tractor piling of existing and activity fuels, followed by prescribed fire, including both broadcast burning and lighting of piles.  Within commercial harvest units create small openings (1 to 2 acres in size) by removing conifer species to promote pine regeneration. Areas would be located in and adjacent to areas with symptoms of annosus root rot infection, and in areas currently dominated by white fir. Regeneration will occur through natural seeding as well as planting. For annosus areas, treat stumps of surrounding area with borax fungicide (Sporax or equivalent formulation). The total area treated in these openings would be approximately 15 acres. Reforest openings with a mix of pine species: ponderosa pine, Jeffrey pine, sugar pine. Conduct one to two release treatments using manual methods. Evaluate seedling survival and interplant if necessary in order to achieve desired level of stocking in pine species. In 5-7 years post-harvest, conduct pre-commercial thinning in order to achieve desired level of stocking in pine species.

4. Road Maintenance and Reconstruction

With the following exception, road maintenance and reconstruction treatments would not be altered by complying with the interim recommendations, and therefore are the same as described for the proposed action alternative. There would be ½ mile or less of temporary road construction to facilitate implementation.

Design Criteria

Design criteria for this alternative are the same, with one exception for the following terrestrial wildlife additions, as what was described for the proposed action alternative. All other design criteria from the proposed action apply to this alternative.

The following design criteria are added to the list in the proposed action to fully comply with the Draft IR, 2015:

Fire/Prescribed Fire Within the PACs fire lines will be constructed by hand; however roads would be used where feasible. Outside of PACs, fire lines will be constructed by hand or dozer; however roads would be used where feasible. Exact locations of fire lines will be determined by the onsite fire crew.

Terrestrial Wildlife Where treatments occur within designated California spotted owl territory habitat, owl occupancy has been and will be monitored pre-project and post-treatment consistent with Draft IR, 2015, page 17, 6e.. 27

Pre-project and Post-treatment canopy closures will be measured where treatments overlap designated habitats consistent with Draft IR, 2015, page 17, 6e.

V. EXISTING SPECIES AND HABITAT CONDITION Sensitive Plant Species Within the project area there are 9 occurrences of Pleasant Valley Mariposa lily, 2 occurrences of veined aquatic lichen and 2 occurrences of Hutchison’s Lewisia.

Population Status ID CACLA_027 Plants found, some deer brush entering site but good habitat still available CACLA_028 Plants found further west than expected based on SA tag and description. Thick deer brush taking over potential habitat CACLA_043 Plants occur within forest canopy openings, in mountain misery patches CAClA_050 Thick deer bush location in and around old polygon and SA tag CACLA_051 Monitored in 2016 CACLA_054 Monitored in 2016 CACLA_146 Found in stable lava cap community, near ridgetop CACLA_147 Found in stable lava cap community, near ridgetop PEGO_018 Found in three suboccurrences. PEGO_019 Throughout West Panther Creek from FS property line to property line through project area. LEKE-024 Monitored in 2016 LEKE-040 Found in 2016 CACLA-051 Found in 2016

The Panther Fuel Reduction and Forest Health project occurs in predominantly mixed conifer forests dominated by Pinus ponderosa, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Calocedrus decurrens, and Abies concolor. The understory is variable across the project area with of dense patches of woody shrubs (Ceanothus integerrimus, Prunus emarginata, Arctostaphylos viscida) occurring in openings, although a number of stands are dominated by an understory of Bear Clover (Chamaebatia foliosa). Lava cap plant communities occur throughout the project area along Highway 88, Panther Ridge and the upper portions of Ellis Road. These unique plant communities are defined by sparse tree and shrub and are generally dominated slow growing shrubs and forb species such as Eriogonum prattenianum var. prattenianum, Zigadenus venenosus, Mimulus bicolor, Limnanthes alba, Allium obtusum, Sanicula tuberosa, and Triteleia ixioides. These unique areas display a higher level of plant diversity than much of the surrounding landscape. There are no known fens in the project area but a number of seeps were found along East and West Panther Creek. Both creeks maintain well developed riparian vegetation typical of the area frequently including by Alnus rhombifolia, Cornus cornuta, Darmera peltata, and Athyrium filix-femina.

Listed Species Layne’s ragwort (Packera layneae) Layne’s butterweed is a perennial herb in the sunflower family (CNPS, 2001; USFWS, 2002) found in foothill woodland and chaparral habitats along the west slope of the Sierra Nevada in El Dorado and Tuolumne Counties at elevations between 60 and 3,000 feet. About 36 occurrences of this plant are documented on the Eldorado National Forest. Of the 32 documented occurrences in El Dorado County, two are located wholly on the ENF, one is located partially on the ENF, and one is located on a state-owned ecological preserve, and the remainder are found on private lands primarily in the Cameron Park area. There is no potential habitat for this listed species within the proposed analysis area.

Sensitive species Three-bracted onion (Allium tribracteatum) Three-bracted onion is known only from 36 occurrences in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties, and only found in the Stanislaus National Forest. It occurs on thin volcanic soils along the ridges near Crandall Peak and along Highway 108 in Tuolumne County. Since adding the species to the ENF sensitive plant list in 2006 the onion has not been found on the forest. One occurrence has been confirmed on rhyolite on private land near Wilseyville in Calaveras County. This

indicates a larger range than was previously known and that this species may occur on the Eldorado National Forest. Populations range in size from 5 to approximately 10,000 individuals.

Three-bracted onion is found in lower and upper montane coniferous forests on gravelly lahar (volcanic mud flow soils, often referred to as "lava caps"). This habitat is open and very vulnerable to disturbance. Potential impacts include disturbance from roads, OHV trails, timber landings, skid trails, Helitack base construction, garbage dumps, underground utility lines, utility pole maintenance, and camping locations.

Moonworts (Botrychium spp.) Botrychium species are widely distributed in North America and elsewhere. In California they occur infrequently in a variety of moist habitats throughout the Sierra Nevada and other portions of the state. Most moonwort species show a marked affinity for neutral substrates with high mineral content, especially soils developed on limestone bedrock or otherwise containing high calcium content. High elevation habitats suitably moist and cool are abundant throughout the Sierra Nevada and northern California mountains, but these mountains are mostly composed of granites, volcanics, and crustal basalts not rich in soluble calcium. However, leaf litter from incense cedar may favorably modify soils for some moonworts.

Documentation of population numbers and distribution patterns are incomplete largely because members of this genus are difficult to distinguish, and very uncommon and sporadic in distribution (Wagner and Wagner, 1993). These species appear sensitive to activities such as grazing, trampling, logging, and recreational activities such as OHV use.

Seven species of moonworts are listed as Sensitive species. They were listed as a group because 1) most species in this genus are rare in California; 2) individual species are very difficult to distinguish from each other; and 3) all have similar habitat preferences (wet or moist soils such as in meadows and fens or along the edges of lakes and streams). From the CNPS online inventory (CNPS, 2007): 1. Upswept moonwort (Botrychium ascendens): lower montane coniferous forest, meadows, seeps, 4,900 to over 7,500 feet 2. Scalloped moonwort (Botrychium crenulatum): Fens, lower montane coniferous forest, meadows, seeps, freshwater marshes, 4,900 to over 10,500 feet 3. Common moonwort (Botrychium lunaria): Meadows, seeps, subalpine and upper montane coniferous forest, 7,450 to over 11,000 feet 4. Mingan moonwort (Botrychium minganense): Fens, lower and upper montane coniferous forest, 4,900 to 6,750 feet. 5. Mountain moonwort (Botrychium montanum): Lower and upper montane coniferous forest, meadows, seeps, 4,900 to 7,000 feet. 6. Paradox moonwort (Botrychium paradoxum): Lower and upper montane coniferous forest and meadows. 7. Stalked moonwort (Botrychium pendunculosum): Lower and upper montane coniferous forest and meadow.

Threats to moonworts are defined as actions that alter existing site characteristics, including actions that would change the microclimate, canopy coverage, hydrology, or mycorrhizal association on a site from the regime that has supported a given population. Potential actions that could alter site condition include timber harvest, firewood cutting, fire suppression, road widening and maintenance activities, livestock grazing, invasive plant establishment, herbicide use, and recreational activity (camping and off-road vehicle driving).

Mountain Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium montanum) Mountain lady's slipper is an uncommon orchid in California. It grows throughout the northwest: From Alaska to California and east to Montana. In California, it reaches as far south as Santa Cruz County along the coast and Madera County in the Sierra Nevada. The species is known from the Stanislaus and Plumas NF, but has not been documented on the Tahoe NF. On the ENF, one occurrence is located on a private land inholding within the Amador Ranger District.

Mountain lady's slipper grows in both moist and dry conditions at elevations between 600 and 6,700 feet, although less common above 4,800 feet. It grows in moist sites near streams or sometimes near the edge of small seeps but also in 29

relatively dry conditions on hillsides in mixed conifer forests. The one population within the ENF is on a private inholding and has northwest and northeast aspects and is located at an elevation of 5,200 feet. Potential habitat is extensive across the Eldorado National Forest and in the proposed project area. Surveys for this species have been ongoing since 1998 on the Eldorado National yet no occurrence has been found on the Forest.

High intensity fires are one of the greatest threats to mountain lady’s slippers. This threat ranked highest in the statewide threat analysis (R5 Conservation assessment), and is supported by research and literature. Clustered and mountain lady’s slippers are intolerant to fires that burn through the litter layer above mineral soil. The species may tolerate less intense fires that do not eliminate the duff layer and leave the forest canopy fully or partially intact. Heavy fuel loads may pose a threat to many populations by increasing the risk of intense fire. Large scale fires could result in significant negative effects to multiple populations of these species.

In addition to fire, mechanical disturbance: timber harvest, fire lines could threatened occurrences of Mountain lady’s slipper orchid. Disturbances that affect the rhizomes of these species, duff and litter layer, and the structure of the upper soil horizons may threaten plants and populations, as do those activities that remove the forest canopy. Such mechanical disturbances ranked second statewide in the threat analysis, and include timber harvest activities, construction of fire lines, culvert relocation, and other ground disturbing activities. A high ranking of this disturbance is consistent with information on the species responses to rhizome disturbance and forest canopy removal.

Branched Dendrocollybia (Dendrocollybia racemosa) Dendrocollybia racemosa (DERA) occurs in Clallam, Jefferson, King, Okanogan, Pierce, Snohomnish, and Thurston counties in Washington, in Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine and Land counties in Oregon, and in California in Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity, Siskiyou, Mendocino, Marin, Napa, (Castellano et al. 2003), Placer, Nevada, Tuolumne, and Yuba Counties. Occurrences are very patchy. Occurrences are dictated by the presence of the intended host (unidentified mushrooms) within forested areas. Presumably whatever threatens the host, general habitat, microclimates, and/or host’s substrate or symbiotic partner will likewise imperil CORA16 (Norvell 2002). In general this species is solitary or occurs in small groups growing from a grain-like sclerotium on the decayed remains of decayed mushrooms, or in duff of mixed hardwood-conifer woods; fruiting from late fall to mid-winter. DERA is mycoparasitic and fruits after rapidly digesting its host; it also develops protective sclerotia that are assumed to enable it to lie dormant for long periods. Presumably DERA is vulnerable to removal of the host mushroom and substrate prior to fruiting or sclerotia formation, to removal or destruction of the sclerotia within the litter and mushroom residue, and to destruction of the habitat that fosters growth of the intended host. It is also presumably vulnerable to alteration of the microhabitat and microclimate regimes, incidential catastrophic events and logging activities that would displace the protective sclerotia and/or host mushroom population. Habitat information from 2011 occurrences indicated an affiliation with Douglas fir forests with California hazel as an associated species. Stand age ranged from mid-mature to old-growth; timber harvest was evident in three of the six occurrences

Kellogg’s and Hutchison’s Lewisia (Lewisia kelloggii ssp. kelloggii and ssp. hutchisonii) Kellogg’s and Hutchison’s lewisia were added to the ENF sensitive plant list in 2006 after researchers separated the species form those plants occurring in Idaho from plants occurring in California (Wilson et al. 2005). The plants in Idaho have been renamed as Lewisia sacajaweana. The change makes L. k. ssp. kelloggii and L. k. ssp. hutchisonii endemic to California. There are approximately 56 occurrences on five National Forests in California; El Dorado, Lassen, Plumas, Stanislaus, and Tahoe (CNDDB 2015) This plant is endemic to Butte, Siskiyou, Sierra, Plumas, Nevada, Eldorado and Amador Counties in California (CNPS 2015). Site elevations range from 5,100 to 7,000 feet. The northern most occurrences are known from the Lassen NF recorded by Dempster and Janeway but the number of plants was not clearly noted. The largest occurrence on the Eldorado (5,000 plus plants) is one of the most southern sites, located in the vicinity of Mokelumne Wildrness area (ENF, 2015a). Additional Lewisia kelloggii occurrences are known on the Eldorado NF. How many of these are ssp. hutchisonii and how many are ssp. kelloggii needs to be determined during future field work. For the purposes of this analysis this subspecies determination is not of great consequence as both subspecies are R5 designated as sensitive. Kellogg’s and Hutchison’s lewisia usually occur on ridgetops or relatively flat open areas with widely spaced trees in partial to full sun; elevations range from 5,100 to 7,000 feet. Most soils are reported to be excessively drained sandy granitic to erosive volcanic 30

with granitic boulders. Kellogg’s and Hutchison’s lewisia are spring ephemeral perennial herb, thus the survey window for the species is restricted to June and July when the plants produces fleshy leaves and flowers. After flowering the succulent portion of the pedicel shrinks down, pulling the flower below ground level. This feature of the plants biology limits the survey window for Kellogg’s and Hutchison’s Lewisia to the summer months when the plant is flowering. Threats include road maintenance, fuel reduction projects, and significant risk from off-highway vehicles since they travel easily across the flat, open habitat of where Kellogg’s lewisia often occurs. Other potential threats include camping; hiking and other activities that compact soil and/or trample plants. Native plant gathering for traditional uses may affect some populations. Plants are most susceptible to impact from trampling during the spring months before the plant becomes dormant. During dormancy the plant can tolerate some disturbance as it is under the soil surface and relatively protected from trampling and other direct impacts.

Peltigera gowardii (Veined water lichen) Peltigera gowardii is the western equivalent of Peltigera hydrothyria (Lendemer and O’Brien 2011). It is considered a western North America endemic extending from central/northern California northward to Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia with disjunct populations in Idaho and southern Alaska. Although it has a broad distribution, its’ distribution is limited to isolated site clusters. It is considered rare throughout its’ Western range (McCune et al. 2006 IN: Lendemer and O’Brien 2011). Veined water lichen is infrequently reported. Where populations occur, the number of individuals are generally few. Surveys for this species have been conducted in support of projects on the Eldorado National Forest since 2006 when this lichen was added to the ENF Sensitive plant list. In 2008 multiple populations of Peltigera hydrothyria were discovered on the Eldorado NF growing within the stream channel of Cat, Anderson, and Mehrten Creek (tributaries to the Middle Fork of the Cosumnes River). Additional populations were found in 2009 in Dark Canyon Creek, tributaries to Cat Creek and two unnamed tributaries to the North Fork Cosumnes River. There ae currently 17 known occurrences on the ENF. Across California there are 80 known occurrences across the Plumas, Eldorado, Stanislaus, Mendocino, Six Rivers, Klamath, Inyo, Sierra, Sequoia and LTBMU (R5 USDA FS, 2010).

Within the Sierra Nevada, this species is found in cold, unpolluted streams (or in the spray zone) in mixed conifer forests between 2,500 and 8,000 ft. It grows on rock (usually large rocks and bedrock); in shade (McCune et al. 2006, Glavich 2009 IN: Lendemer and O’Brien 2011). The water is very clear and peak flows are not of the intensity that would lead to scouring. According to the 2010 R5 Conservation Assessment, P. hydrothyria is known almost exclusively from streams with little sedimentation or scouring. During high water events, scouring might occur from gravel and rock movement, or even from sediment abrasion. The thin, gelatinous thallus of P. hydrothyria is presumably quickly abraded or completely removed from substrates during such events. Sedimentation may also be detrimental to P. hydrothyria colonies by physically covering thalli, reducing photosynthesis. Watershed-disturbing activities leading to sedimentation at and above occurrence sites can threaten populations. The streamlets have a rich aquatic bryophyte flora and are rarely more than 8 inches deep with little seasonal variation in water levels.

Threats include any management activity that would kill plants, change the shade component of the habitat, or reduce/damage water quality/clear water. P. hydrothyria populations are known to correspond to habitat characteristics outside of the stream channel, including canopy cover (shading) and presence of old growth forest. The relevant characteristics of old growth forests are uncertain and may overlap the canopy cover relationship in that they both tend to increase shading. Management activities that affect forest structure around known occurrences, particularly when altering the shading of the stream, could be detrimental to P. hydrothyria populations. Wildfire may be a localized threat to P. hydrothyria populations in multiple ways. Wildfire may directly impact canopy cover shading populations, may increase sedimentation through removal of vegetation and reduction of duff, may increase nutrient runoff, and may even alter watershed hydrology.

Global climate change is expected to warm air temperatures in California, which could subsequently warm water temperatures and impact habitat for the aquatic lichen. Additionally, snow-pack in the Sierra Nevada is expected to decrease, which could allow stream water temperatures to increase and reduce stream flows rapidly during summers. Given the current trajectory of air temperatures, stream temperatures are likely rising throughout the Sierra and if the trend continues, P. hydrothyria could be significantly impacted at a regional scale (USDA R5, 2010).

Aquatic noxious weeds of concern for aquatic veined lichen on the Eldorado include Didymo (Didymosphenia geminate), parrots feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum), hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), and Eurasian milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum). None of these species, excluding didymo are known from the Eldorado NF but do occur in the vicinity of the forest (ENF, 2015b). Of particular concern for veined aquatic lichen is the potential invasion of occupied streams by Didymo. Didymo has been noted in a number of rivers in the Sierra Nevada including the Feather River, the South Fork of the American River, and the Rubicon River and is generally spread by anglers. The spread of this invasive algae would likely be detrimental to veined aquatic lichen since the algae covers rocks and streambeds where the lichen is known to occur

Special Interest Plants and plant Communities Refer to Appendix A, Botany report for Special Interest Species.

Noxious Weeds See Appendix B for the Noxious Weed Risk Assessment and Appendix C for Noxious Weeds of Concern for the ENF. Implementation of included design criteria should minimize the likelihood of project activities enhancing or spreading invasive species into the proposed project area.

VI. EFFECTS Analysis area defined: This analysis addresses activities and actions associated within the Panther Fuel Reduction and Forest Health Project on Eldorado National Forest. The cumulative effects for botany are bound in time by the first botany records on the Eldorado National forest (early 1980’s) and covers all proposed activities that are likely to occur in the project area during the next 5 years. The spatial extent of the analysis includes all known and potential occurrences found within the area of the proposed project.

Proposed Action (Alternative 1)

Direct and indirect effects for known sensitive plants Negative, effects of the proposed project are not expected for TES plants since design criteria have been included to prevent direct and indirect effects to known Sensitive plant species. Further discussion of specific risks from project activities and site project design criteria that address the potential risks are provided below:

Commercial Harvest: The proposed project would treat approximately 783 acres of natural stands and commercial sized plantations by cutting and removing trees between 10 inches and 30 inches dbh, using ground-based commercial logging methods including whole tree yarding (679 acres) and skyline logging systems (104 acres). Recently killed trees (snags) within commercial harvest units would also be cut and removed concurrently with logging operations without restriction on dbh. Feller bunchers or equivalent type of ground based equipment may be used for cutting and pre-bunching of logs that would be removed using a skyline logging system. Use of equipment in skyline units would be limited to 45% slope. Adverse impacts to sensitive terrestrial plants could occur if mechanical equipment damages or uproots sensitive plants, compact soils, or alter overstory condition. Within the Panther project area there are seven occurrences within 500 feet of proposed thinning units (Table 2). All occurrences will be flagged for avoidance and should not be impacted by the proposed activities.

All known terrestrial sensitive plant occurrences within 500 feet of proposed thinning units are not expected to be directly impacted by proposed thinning activities. To insure that occurrences are not inadvertently impacted by additional activities associated with thinning projects (landing construction, skid trails, piling, road improvements, danger tree removal, etc.) all sensitive plant occurrences will be flagged and included on project area maps prior to project initiation. All activities will be excluded from these sensitive plant occurrences unless approved by the project botanist in advance of implementation.

Table 2. Terrestrial and aquatic plants occurrences within 500 ft of proposed units. Sensitive plant Location Proposed treatment Distance occurrence CACLA-027 Adjacent to 8N36 Tractor unit Occurrence is adjacent to multiple units CACLA-043 Above 8N35 Skyline and tractor Occurrences are within and adjacent to 32

units multiple units Panther Ridge Tractor unit Occurrence is on the opposite side of CACLA-051 Panther Ridge road outside of the nearest unit. CACLA-146 Panther Ridge Tractor unit Occurrence is adjacent to nearest unit CACLA-147 Panther Ridge Tractor unit Occurrence is adjacent to nearest unit East Panther Creek Tractor unit Occurrence is downstream from nearest HYVE7-018 unit. HYVE7-019 West Panther Creek Skyline unit Unit is adjacent to West Panther Creek

The risk of thinning activities impacting known aquatic veined lichen fall into two general categories. The first risk scenario could occur if direct alteration of streamside vegetation and overstory condition result in increased light reaching the stream channel at a known occurrence. This could also include any direct effects near the thinning project that could cause sediment to be delivered into the creek which could reduce habitat quality as well as destroy the lichen’s delicate thallus. The veined aquatic lichen in West Panther Creek is bordered by three proposed skyline units. Thinning activities will generally be excluded from within 100 feet of the occurrence; however, skyline corridors may be constructed across West Panther Creek if skyline anchors are required outside the proposed units to facilitate operations. If this were to occur, 15-25 ft wide corridors would be constructed across West Panther Creek every 100-150 feet. This would result in patches of complete overstory removal above the creek along approximately 0.5 miles of the drainage, potentially increasing light in portions of the creek occupied by veined aquatic lichen. The impacts of this potential alteration to habitat are difficult to predict. According the Region 5 Conservation Assessment for Veined aquatic lichen (2010), the lichen is generally associated with high canopy cover and old growth forest conditions, suggesting that removing canopy near occupied channels would be detrimental. However, observation from West Panther Creek and other channels on the Eldorado have found populations in open stream channels with little to no overstory canopy closure. Based on current understanding this analysis will assume that the proposed skyline corridors would no longer support veined aquatic lichen, at least until riparian vegetation species respond to the increased light and shade the channel. If these corridors no longer support veined aquatic lichen this would be a loss of approximately 0.125 miles of stream channel (assuming corridors every 100 feet that are 25 feet wide) of the current 1.8 miles of occupied channel. While the expected impacts to the population would reduce the quality of the occurrence in West Panther Creek, impacts to overall population viability within the channel are unlikely since large extensive colonies exist above and below the proposed skyline units. These areas will not be impacted from any of the proposed activities in the Panther project and could potentially recolonize areas impacted by the skyline corridors once canopy cover recovers.

Project design criteria limit thinning activities within 100 feet of known veined aquatic lichen occurrences. All other occurrences are greater than 100 feet from proposed thinning units and should not be impacted by proposed thinning activities. Protection measures in place for management within RCA, the project erosion control plan, and soil design criteria have been included in the project and are also expected to limit sediment delivery to stream channels as a result of thinning projects.

Fuel Break construction: Approximately 3,000 acres of fuel breaks are proposed in strategic locations within the project area. Three designs are proposed for fuel breaks: 2,000 feet wide breaks along main ridgelines (1,000 feet on each side), 600 feet along key roads (300 feet on each side) and 200 feet from selected private property lines. Initial treatments within the proposed fuel breaks would consist of thinning conifers >10 inch DBH, pruning live conifers, treating fuels (chipping, piling, and burning), removing vegetation material using ground based or cable yarding systems), and removing concentrations of recently killed trees within the fuel breaks without restriction on dbh. There are 8 occurrences of Terrestrial and Aquatic plant species occurring within the proposed fuel break treatment areas (Table 3).

Similar to proposed commercial harvest, adverse impacts to sensitive terrestrial plants could occur if mechanical equipment damages or uproots plants, compact soils, or alter overstory condition. For sensitive aquatic species in the project area the proposed fuel break construction could cause impacts if activities result in increased sediment delivery to occupied streams or significantly alter stream shading. To mitigate these risks, all known terrestrial sensitive plant occurrences within the proposed fuel break area will be flagged for avoidance. All activities will be excluded from these sensitive plant occurrences unless approved by the project botanist in advance of implementation.

Table 3. Terrestrial and aquatic plants occurrences within the proposed fuel break. Location Sensitive plant occurrence 08N71 and 08N33 Veined Aquatic lichen (HYVE7-018) 08N05 Pleasant Valley Mariposa lily (CACLA-054) Above 08N35 Pleasant Valley Mariposa lily (CACLA-043) Ellis Road (off *08N25K) Kellogg’s Lewisia (LEKEK-024) Panther Creek and Panther Veined Aquatic Lichen (HYVE-019) Ridge Road Panther Creek Road Pleasant Valley Mariposa Lily (CACLA-028) Highway 88 Kellogg’s Lewisia (LEKEH-040) Panther Ridge Road CACLA-146 CACLA-147

The risk of fuel break construction activities impacting known aquatic veined lichen would be the same as described for commercial harvest activities. Project design criteria limit ground disturbance and thinning activities within 100 feet of known veined aquatic lichen occurrences would also be applied where the fuel break intersects occupied streams (See table 3). All other occurrences are greater than 100 feet from proposed thinning units and should not be impacted by proposed thinning activities. Protection measures in place for management within RCA, the project erosion control plan, and soil design criteria have been included in the project and are also expected to limit sediment delivery to stream channels as a result of thinning projects.

Fuel Break maintenance (Herbicide): Within the proposed fuel break herbicide treatments would be limited to 250 feet strips from the center of major ridgelines, for a total width of 500 feet; 75 feet strips areas from the center of selected roads, for a total width of 150 feet; and in plantations contained within and adjacent to fuel break treatment areas for a total of 1,025 acres. There are 8 occurrences of terrestrial and aquatic sensitive plant species within 500 feet of proposed herbicide treatments (Table 4). The proposed herbicide application present different risk scenarios for known terrestrial and aquatic sensitive species within the Panther project area. For terrestrial sensitive plants, the primary risk is the potential for off-target movement of glyphosate through drift as well as direct application of herbicides to sensitive plant occurrences. For aquatic veined lichen found throughout the project area the primary risk is exposure to glyphosate entering occupied streams.

The risk of pesticide drift affecting known terrestrial sensitive plant occurrences is relatively low in the project area. Most populations are greater than 100 feet from proposed herbicide units with 5 populations occurring within 200 feet herbicide application areas. The hazard quotient from drift at the proposed rates for the Panther project approaches 1 at a distance of 100 feet (SERA National Risk Assessment for glyphosate, 2011) based on a standard drift coefficient from AgDrift, max application rate of 4.8 lbs. per acre, and a No Observable Effect Concentration (NOEC) of 0.035 lbs/acre. This suggests that there is some risk of effects from herbicide drift at up to 100 feet from application areas however, past monitoring of sensitive plant occurrence on the Eldorado NF, has never found evidence of glyphosate drift effecting non-target vegetation, even when application have occurred within 25 feet of sensitive plants. This monitoring, coupled with support from the National Risk Assessment and proposed pesticide design feature included in the project to limit off-site drift (low pressure, coarse spray, wind restriction), greatly limit chance of accidental exposure for sensitive plants from off-target drift.

Table 4. Terrestrial sensitive plants within fuel break and distance from proposed herbicide treatment areas Occurrence Location Distance Pleasant Valley Mariposa lily (CACLA-028) Panther Creek Road 25 feet Pleasant Valley Mariposa lily (CACLA-054) 08N05 200 feet Pleasant Valley Mariposa lily (CACLA-146) Panther Ridge Road 288 feet Pleasant Valley Mariposa lily (CACLA-147) 8N71 365 feet Veined Aquatic Lichen (HYVE7-018) 8N71 125 feet Veined Aquatic Lichen (HYVE7-018) 8N71 65 feet Veined Aquatic Lichen (HYVE7-019) Panther Creek Road and West 0 feet Panther Creek Kellogg’s Lewisia (LEKEK-024) Ellis Road off 8N25K 490 feet Pleasant Valley Mariposa lily (CACLA-051) Panther Ridge Road 0 feet 34

Kellogg’s Lewisia (LEKEK-040) Highway 88 and 8N45 0 feet

Within the Panther project area, veined aquatic lichen was found along East and West Panther Creek. Most occurrences are not adjacent to proposed herbicide treatment areas but a number of populations are downstream of potential application areas. If glyphosate were to enter streams by accidental overspray or drift it could be carried downstream into veined aquatic lichen populations. Design criteria for pesticide applications are in place to reduce the potential for glyphosate to enter streams and have been shown to be effective from monitoring of past projects on the Eldorado NF and across Region 5 (Dave Bakke 2001). In addition, if a small amount of glyphosate does enter a stream during routine herbicide application it would be diluted before reaching aquatic lichen populations, further reducing the potential exposure of a detrimental dose from routine herbicide application. In the unlikely event of accidental herbicide spill in the project, potential exposure to downstream veined aquatic lichen may be sufficient for adverse effects depending on the concentration and volume of herbicide involved in the spill. This risk is mitigated by standard spill containment measures included in the proposed project. If a spill does occur and enters a stream occupied by aquatic lichen, post-accident monitoring would occur and available measures would be taken to mitigate effects.

Currently the sensitivity of veined aquatic lichen to glyphosate is currently unknown. The National Risk Assessments summarize potential risks for aquatic algae, aquatic macrophytes and terrestrial plants, but does not provide information on the sensitivity of aquatic lichen to glyphosate (SERA, 2011). Some research has shown that terrestrial lichens are relatively sensitive to low concentrations of glyphosate (exposure from drift), but it is unknown if aquatic lichens exhibit similar sensitivities to glyphosate (SERA 2011). Because of the close proximity of some aquatic lichen occurrences to the plantation in the project area; the presence of multiple plantations along stream reaches occupied by aquatic lichen; and the lack of available information on the sensitivity of aquatic lichen to glyphosate, post treatment monitoring would be conducted to confirm assumptions that project design criteria and buffers are adequate to prevent adverse effects to aquatic lichen in the project area.

Fuel Break Maintenance (Grazing): Targeted grazing operations for fuel break maintenance would utilize goats or sheep. Operations would be managed with an on-site herder, guard dogs and fencing. Adverse impacts to terrestrial sensitive plants from targeted grazing could occur if livestock crush, uproot, or graze on terrestrial sensitive plant species. For aquatic sensitive species livestock could impact populations by altering overstory condition (streambank shading), causing sediment to enter streams, and increasing nutrient deposition. Currently there are seven sensitive terrestrial plant and two aquatic species occurrences in the proposed project area (Table 3). Adverse impacts to terrestrial species will be avoided by excluding targeted grazing activities from sensitive sites. Potential direct effects to sensitive aquatic plant species will be avoided by excluding targeted grazing within 100 feet of occupied stream reaches.

Activities associated with prescribe fire (line construction, pile burning, broadcast burning): Within the Panther project area, prescribed burning could occur within commercial harvest units and the proposed fuel break area. In general the actual prescribed fire has limited impacts on understory terrestrial plant communities and sensitive plant species since these species are adapted to growing on a landscape where wildfire was historically an integral component of shaping and maintaining the plant communities where these sensitive species occur. Prescribed burning activities proposed for the Panther project includes creepy pile, jackpot, and general understory burning. While the actually burning activities are relatively benign, the prep work associated with burning does involve some risk to terrestrial sensitive plants.

Fire-line construction can directly impact terrestrial sensitive plant occurrences by potentially uprooting, crushing, or altering habitat condition (canopy closure, microsite hydrology, covering plants, etc.) if fire-line is constructed through an occurrence. Since potential fire-line locations have not been identified, burn boss would be required to consult the project botanist prior to line construction to insure known sensitive plant occurrences are flagged and avoided. When laying out future burn units, fire-line construction will be developed to avoid direct impacts to sensitive plant occurrences.

For known veined aquatic lichen in the project area, changes in water quality following the proposed prescribed fire could occur if the removal of vegetation and ground cover during prep activities or burning causes erosion, sedimentation, or changes in stream volume. While some changes in water quality may occur as a result of the proposed project, it is

expected to be comparably low relative to most large wildfires because control burns are usually restricted to smaller areas and burn at lower intensities than large wildfires. In addition, published research indicates that effects to water quality and aquatic species from prescribed fire - when such effects do occur - are relatively short-lived and last only a few years. Thus, as long as all design criteria measures designed to protect hydrologic features and Riparian Conservation Areas (RCA) within the project area are followed, the proposed control burn is not expected to impact long-term habitat quality for veined aquatic lichen.

Roadwork in the project area: There are approximately 24 miles of road maintenance, 24 miles of road reconstruction, and 1.5 miles of new temporary road construction within the project boundary area. There are six known occurrences of Pleasant Valley, three occurrences of Kellogg’s Lewisia, and two occurrences of veined aquatic lichen within 200 feet of roadways designated for maintenance or reconstruction in the project area (see Table 5). Impacts to terrestrial sensitive plant occurrences are not expected since all occurrences will be flagged for avoidance. If road maintenance, reconstruction or brushing is required adjacent to terrestrial sensitive species, the project botanist will be contacted prior to initiating roadwork to insure impacts to sensitive plants are avoided.

Within the Panther project area a number stream channels are occupied by veined aquatic lichen. Many of these streams are crossed or run parallel to existing roads in the project area where road work is proposed. The proposed buffer of 100 foot for roadwork adjacent to streams occupied by veined aquatic lichen (unless approved by project botanist) will reduce potential effects to known populations. However, the reconstruction of existing culvert where 09N05 crosses West Panther could impact a small portion of the veined aquatic lichen occurring in West Panther Creek if the existing culvert is repaired or replaced. The lichen is currently growing in and around the existing culvert so individuals would likely be destroyed during the installation of the new crossing. Where feasible lichen would be relocated outside the construction zone, but impacts to individuals are still likely to occur. These effects would be minor since the lichen is extremely prolific throughout 1.8 miles of West Panther Creek. It is expected the veined aquatic lichen will recolonize the portion of the stream channel effected by building the new aquatic organism passage, but even if this does not occur the relative impacts of repairing or replacing the culvert are minor and should not affect the species viability or lead towards a trend to listing.

Table 5 Known terrestrial sensitive plant species within the project area adjacent to proposed road reconstruction and maintenance (< 200 feet). Road Activity Occurrence Location 9N05 Maintenance and new Aquatic passage Veined aquatic lichen (HYVE7-019) Lichen occurs in channel at road crossing 08N36 Reconstruct CACLA-027 Adjacent to road 08N05 Maintenance CACLA-028 100 feet from road 08N35 Reconstruct CACLA-043 Adjacent to road 08N36 Reconstruct CACLA-050 200 feet from road 08N71 Reconstruct HYVE7-018 150 feet from road 08N65 Reconstruct CACLA-054 180 feet from road 08N32 Reconstruct CACLA-051 140 feet from road 08N26 Maintain LEKE-13 70 feet from road 08N25K Maintain LEKE-024 Adjacent to road 08N05 Maintain LEKE-040 Adjacent to road

Dust abatement: The application of magnesium chloride for dust abatement may directly impact sensitive plant species if magnesium chloride is applied to roadside sensitive plant populations or is transported to sensitive plant species downslope of the application site. This is of particular concern for Pleasant Valley mariposa lily occurrences on shallow soils along existing roads in the project area. Magnesium and chloride are both essential nutrients for normal plant growth but at application rates used for dust abatement can become toxic causing leaf necrosis, or even death for some species. There are currently two occurrences of Pleasant Valley Mariposa lily within 100 feet of existing road ways in the Panther project area. These occurrences will be flagged for avoidance prior to magnesium chloride application along roads listed in table 5 limiting the potential for direct and indirect effects.

Hazard trees and roadside brushing: Roadside brushing could impact Sensitive plant populations by crushing or disturbing plants. Additionally, chipping brush could introduce a thick layer of mulch atypical for sensitive plant 36

populations in the project area, potentially impacting recruitment of new seedlings for Pleasant Valley mariposa lily. Pilling materials could also crush individual plants. The two roadside occurrences of Pleasant Valley Mariposa lily will be flagged for avoidance and should not be impacted by roadside brushing. Hazard tree removal in sensitive plant populations could result in individual plants being crushed during felling operation. If hazard trees are identified in sensitive plant populations the project botanist would be consulted to mitigate impacts. If hazard trees are identified on the perimeter of an occurrence trees will be directionally felled away from the occurrence.

Invasive plant introduction: Soil disturbances can provide opportunities for the introduction and proliferation of invasive species. These species have the potential to quickly outcompete native plants including Sensitive plants for sunlight, water, and nutrients. These species can also form dense monocultures which can alter habitat for Sensitive plant species. Seeds of these species can be carried into Sensitive plant areas on prescribed burning equipment, vehicles, and on workers boots and clothing. The magnitude of this impact is difficult to predict since it is contingent on the introduction of a noxious weed species into an area, an event which may or may not occur.

Generally the Panther project is free of invasive plant species but there are a number of priority isolated infestations along access routes and adjacent to project units (see noxious weed risk assessment). These infestations could easily be spread during project activities including into Pleasant Valley Mariposa lily and Hutchison’s Lewisia occurrences. Additionally the proposed thinning and fuels work in the Panther project area will increase the susceptibility of treated units to future invasions. To limit the potential for spread, known priority infestations would be treated during Panther project implementation using methods described in the Eldorado Forest Invasive Plant EA. This will reduce existing seed sources throughout the project area which is an important preventive measure when using mechanical equipment and prescribed fire to alter forest vegetation. Additional standard measures included in the proposed Panther project such as excluding vehicle traffic from known infestations, equipment cleaning, and use of weed free material will further limit the risk of invasive species spreading into the project area and impacting sensitive plant occurrences. While the risk of invasion cannot be completely eliminated these measures are expected to greatly reduce the potential introduction and spread of invasive species in the project area, thereby reducing the risk of invasive plants impacting known sensitive plant occurrences.

Direct effects for undiscovered sensitive plants in the project area Potential habitat for a number of sensitive plant species occurs in the Panther project area but occurrences were not found during recent surveys. While survey coverage for the project was extensive, it is still possible that past and recent surveys overlooked existing sensitive plants (surveys can only positively state a species presence, not its absence). If surveys inadvertently overlook sensitive plants, these individuals could be affected by project activities including, fire-line construction, prescribed burning, thinning activities, or road maintenance. If new occurrences are found during project implementation the project botanist would be contacted and necessary mitigations developed to limit impacts to newly discovered sensitive plant species.

Two new species of fungi were discovered on the Eldorado NF in the fall of 2015 prior to the completion of surveys for the Panther project. Potential habitat for both species (Phaeocolybia olivaceae and Dendrocollybia racemosa) occurs in the project area but surveys for these fungi have yet to occur. To mitigate risks of impacts to undetected occurrences, sampling of potential habitat would occur prior to implementation. While surveys are effective when the fruiting body is visible, the extent to which a species occurs on the surface and a correlation with the abundance underground is unknown. When a survey does not find the fruiting body it could still be present at the site, because of this it is important to manage habitat to remain suitable for the fungi by:

 Retain trees that are known fungi host species if possible (Douglas fir and hardwoods).  Retain a component of the largest diameter trees distributed throughout the treated stand, which will help retain most diverse ectomycorrhizal species and will help retain the sensitive fungi, which are old growth associates.  Retain shrub layer. Some of the more important shrubs to retain are Arctostaphylos species and Salix species, which are also hosts for ectomycorrhizal species.

 Retain standing and down coarse woody debris. Scattered islands of down wood throughout a management unit, including many sizes ranging from twigs to large logs, as well as a variety of decay classes, is preferable to one size or decay class of down wood homogeneously covering the forest floor.

The Panther proposed action is expected to achieve many of the above recommendations and should maintain suitable habitat for fungi species, including R5 Sensitive fungi, but impacts to undetected populations is still plausible given the difficulty in detecting rare fungi.

Cumulative Effects In order to understand the contribution of past actions to the cumulative effects of the proposed action and alternatives, this analysis relies on current environmental conditions as a proxy for the impacts of past actions. This is because existing conditions reflect the aggregate impact of all prior human actions and natural events that have affected the environment and might contribute to cumulative effects and is consistent with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Regulations (36 CFR 220.4(f)) (July 24, 2008).

Forest Service Ativities: Adverse impacts to sensitive plants from recent (1989-2011) activities have largely been minimized by the use of mitigation measures, mainly the use of avoidance. Ongoing and future management activities in the Panther project area would likely include road maintenance, hazard tree removal and implementation of ongoing FS projects in the area. It is anticipated that future impacts to sensitive plants would continue to be minimized through the use of avoidance for the above foreseeable actions. Avoidance or other means of mitigating impacts to sensitive plant occurrences is consistent with direction contained in in the ENF LMRP, which includes under Standard And Guideline 49 (p. 4-91), "provide for the protection and habitat needs of sensitive plants so that Forest activities would not jeapardize the continued existence of such species."

Climate change: Anthropogenic caused increases in temperatures and changes in precipitation are likely to impact both ecosystem structure and ecosystem processes (IPCC, 2007). Climate controls many ecosystem processes including species distribution and abundance, regeneration, vegetation productivity and growth, and disturbance all of which could affect FS sensitive species on the Eldorado National Forest. While there is some uncertainty regarding the scale, rate, and direction of future climatic conditions in the western United States and the Sierra Nevada (North et al., 2009) some general observation regarding past changes and expected future changes are generally agreed upon.

Climate change effects on precipitation and mean temperature have been difficult to predict with considerable variation between different models. According to Dettinger (2005), the most common prediction among the most recent models for California is temperature warming by about 9 degrees F by 2100, with precipitation remaining similar or slightly reduced compared to today. Most models agree that summers would be drier than they are currently, regardless of levels of annual precipitation. Current estimates of predicted climate change on vegetation patterns forecast that forest types and other vegetation dominated by woody plants in California would migrate to higher elevations as warmer temperatures make those areas suitable for colonization and survival (Lenihan et al. 2003). However, rare and uncommon species are expected to experience a number of barriers when adjusting to a rapidly changing climate because of the combination of a small number of occurrences, narrow elevational ranges, and requirements for specific soils types. Some of the FS Sensitive plant species (Pleasant Valley Mariposa lily, Hutchison’s Lewisia, and Three-bracted onion) with potential habitat in project area are restricted to limited areas within the forest. Plants confined to outcrops of special soils are generally expected to have a far lower chance of successful migration to suitable new sites and thus far greater risks of extinction in the face of climate change, than plants that are soil generalists (Harrison 2009). Because of the uncertainty in scale, direction, and rate of future climate change, current management of sensitive species on the Eldorado NF would focus maintaining viable populations throughout the species known range.

No Action Alternative (Alternative 2): The risk of stand replacing crown-fires is believed to remain without the proposed fuel reduction and fuel breaks included in Alternative 1, 3, and 4 (see fuels report for Panther project). Large stand replacing fires in the Sierra Nevada tend to result in homogenous conditions post-fire with less diversity of understory plant species when compared to low intensity underburns (Knapp and Keeley, 2006). High-intensity wildfires can also result in accelerated erosion, sedimentation, and altered hydrologic processes, all of which could negatively affect 38

habitat quality for some Sensitive plant species (Neary et al, 2005), especially those found in forested habitat. In addition, fire-suppression activities during large uncontrolled wildfires may increase the spread of invasive plant species which could negatively impact potential and occupied habitat for Sensitive plants (Zouhar et al, 2008). Together, these studies suggest that uncontrolled high-intensity wildfires could impact some sensitive plant species by altering habitat quality and potentially facilitating the invasion of noxious weeds. In particular the threat of stand replacing fires in the project area is of concern for veined aquatic lichen, which does not tolerate dramatic reductions in stream shading or stream sedimentation. For Pleasant Valley mariposa lily, and Hutchison’s lewisia, direct and indirect effects from a stand replacing wildfire are less likely under the no action alternative. Both species are usually dormant during the fall fire season with perennial structures buried underground and protected from potentially lethal temperatures. In addition both species tend to occur in open habitat and would likely thrive post fire (as observed with the Pleasant Valley lily in Cleveland fire) unless invasive species become established.

Under the no action alternative some potential effects to sensitive plants described in the action alternatives will be reduced. Most obviously any potential direct effects to any undiscovered occurrences within the proposed project area will be eliminated without the proposed activities. The risk of noxious weed introduction will also be much lower under the no action alternative compared to other alternatives (Alt 1, 3, and 4) since potential vectors and ground disturbance associated with the project will not occur. The risk of herbicide applications impacting aquatic lichen and other sensitive plants is also reduced under the no action alternative compared to both Alternative 1, 3, and 4. While design criteria have limited the risk of effects below a threshold of concern for known sensitive plant populations in the project area, the risk of accidental spills, overspray, and drift cannot be completed eliminated and will be slightly reduced under the no action alternative.

No Herbicide Alternative (Alternative 3): The risk of herbicide applications impacting aquatic lichen and other sensitive plants is reduced under the no herbicide alternative compared to both Alternative 1 and 4. While design criteria would limit the risk of effects below a threshold of concern for known sensitive plant populations in the project area, the risk of accidental spills, overspray, and drift cannot be completed eliminated and will therefore be slightly reduced under the no herbicide alternative. All other potential impacts described for the proposed action would remain valid for the Alternative 3.

Owl Alternative (Alternative 4): Direct effects for Alternative 4 are expected to be similar to the proposed action, since the owl alternatives will include primarily the same actions associated with commercial harvest, mechanical thinning, fuel break construction and maintenance and road maintenance over a similar area within the Panther project. Effects described for Alternative 4 are similar to Alternative 1 except that the reduction in area for commercial harvest eliminated potential risks of impacts to Pleasant Valley Mariposa lily (CACLA-27, CACLA-043, CACLA-146, CACLA- 147) and veined aquatic lichen (HYVE-018) since the proposed commercial harvest units in Alt 1 was dropped from Alt 4. All other potential impacts described for the proposed action would remain valid for the Alternative 4.

VII. OTHER MANAGEMENT ISSUES AND RECOMMENDATIONS: None.

VIII. MITIGATIONS AND MONITORING Sensitive plants Any new occurrences of sensitive plants identified within the project area would be flagged and avoided when necessary.

IX. DETERMINATION

For Listed Species The proposed Panther Fuels and Forest Health project will not affect Packera layneae or its habitat. Formal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act is not required.

For Candidate species 39

The proposed Panther Fuels and Forest Health project would not affect Pinus albicaulis.

For Sensitive Species There is no potential habitat for Arctostaphylos nissenana, Balsamorhiza macrolepis var. macrolepis, Bruchia bolanderi, Dendrocollybia racemose, Draba asterophora var. asterophora, Draba asterophora var. macrocarpa, Eriogonum tripodum, Helodium blandowii, Horkelia parryi, Lewisia longipetala, Lewisia serrata, Navarretia prolifera ssp. lutea, Meesia uliginosa, Mielichhoferia elongate, Ophioglossum pusillum, Phacelia stebbinsii, Poa sierra in the project area. Therefore the proposed action would not affect these species.

Some suitable habitat for Allium tribracteatum, Botrychium ascendens, Botrychium crenulatum, Botrychium lunaria, Botrychium minganense, Botrychium montanum, Botrychium paradoxum, Botrychium pendunculosum, Cypripedium montanum, Dendrocollybia racemosa, Lewisia kelloggii ssp. kelloggii, Phaeocollybia olivacea occurs in the Panther Fuels and Forest Health project area, but no occurrences were not found during past or recent surveys. Because past surveys cannot positively state the absence of a sensitive plant species it is possible that the proposed project could affect undetected individuals in the project area. Therefore, the proposed project may affect undiscovered individuals but is not likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability for the 13 species listed above.

Occurrences of Peltigera gowardii occur in the proposed Panther Fuels and Forest Health project area. All occurrences will be avoided during project implementation with the exception of the proposed skyline units along West Panther Creek. Within the occupied drainage it is expected that the project could impact up to 7% of occupied habitat. These impacts are not expected to affect overall population viability within the channel since large extensive colonies exist above and below the proposed skyline units. Therefore, the proposed project may affect individuals but is not likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability for Peltigera gowardii.

Occurrences of Calochortus clavatus var. avius, and Lewisia kelloggii ssp. kelloggii, occur in the proposed Panther Fuels and Forest Health project area. All occurrences will be flagged and avoided during project implementation. Because past surveys cannot positively state the absence of a sensitive plant species it is possible that the proposed project could affect undetected individuals of Calochortus clavatus var. avius, Lewisia kelloggii ssp. kelloggii, in area. Therefore, the proposed project may affect undiscovered individuals but is not likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability for Calochortus clavatus var. avius, and Lewisia kelloggii ssp. kelloggii

X. REFERENCES CNPS (California Native Plant Society). 2015. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California (online version). Eldorado National Forest. 2016. Sensitive plant habitat and occurrence maps, and unpublished occurrence records. Eldorado National Forest. 1989. Land and Resource Management Plan. Pacific Southwest Region. USDA Forest Service. Eldorado National Forest. 2016. Noxious Weed GIS database. Placerville, CA Eldorado National Forest. 2015. Scoping Notice for Panther Fuel Reduction and Forest Health Project. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, Eldorado National Forest, Pacific Ranger District. USDA Forest Service. 1990. Forest Service Manual: Wildlife, Fish, and Sensitive Plant Habitat Management (section 2670), WO Amendment 2600-90-1. Effective 6/1/90. USDA Forest Service. 1990. Threatened and Endangered Plants Program Handbook (R-5 FSH 2609.25) Amendment 1, Exhibit 1: R-5 Sensitive Plant Species. USDA Forest Service. 2011. Forest Service Manual: Noxious Weed Management (section 2900). USDA Forest Service. 2001. Forest Service Guide to Noxious Weed Prevention Practices. USDA Forest Service. 2012. Regional Forester's List of Sensitive Plant Species (Revision). Pacific Southwest Region. USDA Forest Service. 2004. Pacific Southwest Region. Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment, Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.

APPENDIX A: BOTANY REPORT FOR SPECIAL INTEREST PLANTS

I. INTRODUCTION

Purpose: The purpose of the Botany Report is to describe effects on Special Interest (or watch list) plant species, special interest plant communities, and other botanical resources.

Special Interest Plant Species and communities:

Coleman’s Piperia (Piperia colemanii): Coleman’s Piperia is a CNPS list 4.3 species of limited distribution in California. On the Eldorado NF there are five occurrences, primarily north of Highway 50. In 2016, five new occurrence were discovered in the Panther project area. Threats to Coleman’s Piperia include ground disturbing activities, timber harvest, fuel reductions, road maintenance, and herbicide applications.

Lava cap: These plant communities are generally dominated by high diversity of herbs and shrubs adapted to growing on rocky and volcanic soils eroded from Mehrten formation mudflow. Early each spring, these rocky areas give rise to a rich and varied ephemeral plant community. The rest of the year lava cap communities often have a sparse barren appearance. This community type is recognized by CNPS as a sensitive plant community type. Threats to these unique plant communities include OHV activity, fuels reduction activities, landing construction and invasive plant introduction. Because of the lava cap physical situation, on fairly level ridgetops, much of this habitat has been impacted by the construction of roads, trails, and landings. The forest generally avoids ground disturbance including landings, and equipment staging on pristine lava cap communities.

II. CURRENT MANAGEMENT DIRECTION

Special Interest species: A number of plant species do not meet all of the criteria to be included on the Regional Forester’s Sensitive Plant List, but are of sufficient concern that we need to consider them in the planning process. These include species that are locally rare – as opposed to declining throughout their range – are of public concern, occur as disjunct populations, are newly described taxa, or lack sufficient information on population size, threats, trend or distribution.

Such species make an important contribution to forest biodiversity and are addressed as appropriate through the NEPA process. To better identify these species, forests have been encouraged to develop watch lists for these special interest species. These watch lists are dynamic and updated as the need arises to reflect changing conditions and new information.

Table 1. Watch list species with potential habitat in the Panther Project Area (Elevation 4,400-6,600 ft)

Potential CNPS Lower Elevation Upper Elevation Species Common Name Habitat Habitat/Known Ranking (ft) (ft) Occurrence

Allium sanbornii Up to Congdon's onion 4.3 Serpentine outcrops No/No var. congdonii 4,000

Allium sanbornii Up to Sanborn's onion 4.2 Serpentine outcrops No/No var. sanbornii 5,020 Alpine boulder &

Astragalus rock field in Austin's 1B.3 No/No 7,600 8,825 austiniae subalpine milkvetch coniferous forest.

Potential CNPS Lower Elevation Upper Elevation Species Common Name Habitat Habitat/Known Ranking (ft) (ft) Occurrence Alpine boulder & Astragalus Whitney's milk- rock field in Above 4,900 whitneyi var. 4.3 No/No vetch subalpine lenophyllus coniferous forest. Rock crevices and Bolandra Sierra bolandra 4.3 wet cliffs along No/No 3,100 4,200 californica streams. Moist and wet meadow, seeps, fens Botrychium Yosemite Above 5,000 -- and streamside Yes/No simplex moonwort habitats about 6,000 feet in elevation.

Calystegia Van Zuuk’s 1B.3 Serpentine outcrops No/No 1,640 3,900 vanzuukiae morning glory Narrow endemic from the western Carex cyrtostachya arching sedge 1B.2 slope of the No/No 2,000 4,460 northern Sierra Nevada of California Upper montane coniferous forest to Subalpine Above 4,500 Carex davyi Davy's sedge 1B.3 coniferous forest; No/No

Dry often sparse meadows or rocky areas. Occurs in occasionally flooded Climacium Tree Climacium Above ~3,500 (limited information 2B.1 mineral soil, No/No dendroides moss available) especially on lake and river margins Cismontane woodland Ceanothus Fresno 4.3 (openings), lower No/No 3,650 6,900 fresnensis ceanothus montane coniferous forest Alpine boulder and Chaenactis rock field (granitic), alpine dusty Above 9,800 douglasii var. 2B.3 Rocky or gravelly No/No maindens alpina ridges, talus, fell- fields, crevices Serpentine outcrops, open Chlorogalum red hills shrubby or wooded Up to 1B.2 No/No grandiflorum soapwort hills; Chaparral, 3,150 Foothill Woodland, Yellow Pine Forest

Potential CNPS Lower Elevation Upper Elevation Species Common Name Habitat Habitat/Known Ranking (ft) (ft) Occurrence Foothill woodland, chaparral, cismontane Clarkia biloba ssp. Brandegee's 4.2 woodland, lower No/No Up to 3,000 brandegeeae clarkia montane coniferous forest. Often found growing in road cuts Foothill woodland, cismontane woodland, lower Clarkia virgata Sierra clarkia 4.3 No/No 2,460 to 5,675 montane coniferous forest, yellow pine forest Subalpine, alpine gravel, talus, Claytonia fell-fields crevices, growing In 2B.3 No/No Above 8,500 megarhiza claytonia crevices between rocks in rocky or gravelly soils. Wet, open to northern shaded, generally Corallorhiza trifida coralroot; Early 2B.1 coniferous forest. In Yes/No 4,500 5,600 coralroot California, under firs, in partial shade

Fens, meadows and Drosera anglica English sundew 2B.3 seeps often with No/No 4,250 6,500 Sphagnum

Fens, meadows and Drosera round leaf -- seeps often with No/No Up to 8,900 rotundifolia sundew Sphagnum Upper montane Dryopteris filix- coniferous forest Above 7,800 male fern 2B.3 No/No mas (granitic, rocky); Granitic cliffs

Growing on Cutleaf monkey decomposed granite Above 3,100 Mimulus laciniatus 4.3 No/No flower in moist sandy places.

streambanks and other moist places in Myrica hartwegii Sierra sweet bay 4.3 Yes/No Up to 6,000 foothill and low montane forest

Potential CNPS Lower Elevation Upper Elevation Species Common Name Habitat Habitat/Known Ranking (ft) (ft) Occurrence

Holzinger’s Orthotrichum Usually on rock in and orthotrichum 1B.3 along streams, rarely No/No 2,345 6,000 holzingeri moss on tree limbs.

Sites in which it occurs include open rocky areas, Perideridia Mother Lode 4.2 chaparral openings, No/No Up to 3,500 bacigalupii Yampah slopes, and road cuts. Usually on serpentine

Open conifer forest, Coleman's Rein scrub; often in Piperia colemanii 4.3 Yes/Yes 3,900 7,545 Orchid sandy soils.

Generally dry sites, scrub, woodland; petaled rein Chaparral, Foothill Piperia leptopetala 4.3 Yes/No 1,100 7,300 orchid Woodland, Yellow Pine Forest, Red Fir Forest.

Meadows, dry Pseudostellaria Sierra Starwort 4.2 understory of mixed No/No 4,000 7,200 sierrae oak or conifer forest

white beaked- Wet meadows, fens, Rhynchospora alba 2B.2 Yes/No Up to 6,700 rush seeps, and marshes

Potential CNPS Lower Elevation Upper Elevation Species Common Name Habitat Habitat/Known Ranking (ft) (ft) Occurrence

Rhynchospora brownish Wet meadows, fens, 2B.2 Yes/No Up to 6,560 capitellata beakrush seeps, and marshes

Riparian areas; of concern below Sambucus nigra L. 3,000’ as host plant Blue Elderberry -- No/No Up to 3,200 ssp. caerulea for Threatened Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle

Wetland-riparian, Sparganium natans Small bur reed 4.3 No/No 2,800 8,560 lake margins.

Mixed Evergreen Forest, Douglas-Fir Taxus brevifolia Pacific yew -- Forest, Yellow Pine No/No Up to 4,600 Forest, Red Fir Forest Mixed Evergreen California Forest, Douglas-Fir Torreya californica -- No/No Up to 3,000 nutmeg Forest, Yellow Pine Forest

Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Lower Viburnum oval-leaved montane coniferous 2B.3 No/No Up to 4,500 ellipticum viburnum forest. Chaparral, yellow-pine forest, generally n-facing slopes

Stony red clay and El Dorado gabbroic soils; often Wyethia reticulata County mule 1B.2 No/No Up to 2,060 in openings in ears gabbro chaparral

III. EXISTING ENVIRONMENT The Panther Fuel Reduction and Forest Health project occurs in predominantly mixed conifer forests dominated by Pinus ponderosa, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Calocedrus decurrens, and Abies concolor. The understory is variable across the project area with of dense patches of woody shrubs (Ceanothus integerrimus, Prunus emarginata, Arctostaphylos viscida) occurring in openings although a number of stands are dominated by an understory of Bear Clover (Chamaebatia foliosa). Lava cap plant communities occur throughout the project area along Highway 88, Panther Ridge and the upper portions of Ellis Road. These unique plant communities are defined by sparse tree and shrub and are generally dominated slow 45

growing shrubs and forb species such as Eriogonum prattenianum var. prattenianum, Zigadenus venenosus, Mimulus bicolor, Limnanthes alba, Allium obtusum, Sanicula tuberosa, and Triteleia ixioides. These unique areas display a higher level of plant diversity than much of the surrounding landscape. There are no known fens in the project area but a number of seeps were found along East and West Panther Creek. Both creeks maintain well developed riparian vegetation typical of the area frequently including Alnus rhombifolia, Cornus cornuta, Darmera peltata, and Athyrium filix-femina.

Coleman’s Piperia (Piperia colemanii): There are five occurrence of Coleman’s Piperia in the Panther project area. The occurrences were found in a proposed skyline unit, commercial units, and the proposed fuel break along 8N71. All occurrence will be flagged for avoidance.

IV. DESIGN CRITERIA

 Watchlist plants will be flagged and avoided. If new watch plant occurrences are discovered during project implementation the project botanist would be notified to develop necessary protection measures.

 Lava caps, which support unique plant communities in the project area, would be protected from motorized equipment, vehicles, thinning activities, and herbicide application. Line construction through lava cap communities would be avoided when feasible. If necessary, line construction would be completed with hand tools only.

V. EFFECTS Alternative 1: Watchlist species: The occurrences of Piperia colemanii within the project will be flagged and avoided and protected from all project activities. However, if past and recent surveys inadvertently overlook special interest plants, it is possible that other individuals may be affected directly by project activities. Effects from project activity to undiscovered individuals may include soil compaction, crushing or uprooting individual plants, altered overstory conditions and potential introduction of non-native species and noxious weeds.

If any new special interest plant species are discovered in the project area, necessary actions would be considered to limit impacts from project activities. Therefore, the proposed project is not expected to cause cumulative effects for special interest plant species within the proposed project area.

Lavacaps: Lavacap communities occur throughout the project area. These slow growing plant communities are easily impacted by ground disturbing activities, ohv use, and invasive plant introduction. The Panther project includes protection of lavacap from equipment staging, thinning activities, landing construction, and fire line construction limiting the potential impacts to these unique plant communities.

VI. MITIGATION None required.

APPENDIX B: NOXIOUS WEED RISK ASSESSMENT

Five factors of weed spread were analyzed for the proposed Panther Fuel Reduction and Forest Health Project. Determinations of risk (High, Moderate, and Low) are summarized below along with the total risk of weed spread for the proposed project if suggested mitigation measures are implemented.

If the proposed project includes all listed mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate the risks of introducing or spreading noxious weeds in the project area then it is my determination that the risk of spreading noxious weeds in the project area is Low.

Introduction: This assessment is in compliance with the Eldorado National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (USFS ENF LRMP 1988), the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment (SNFPA) FSEIS and Record of Decision (ROD), Executive Order on Invasive Species (Executive Order 13112), and the direction in the Forest Service Manual section 2900, Noxious Weed Management (2012), which includes a policy statement calling for a risk assessment for noxious weeds to be completed for every project. The overriding principle stated in these documents is that the costs associated with preventing an infestation are much less than the costs of eliminating a population once it has expanded, and of dealing with the effects of a degraded plant community.

Noxious weeds generally possess one or more of the following characteristics: aggressive and difficult to manage, poisonous, toxic, parasitic, a carrier or host of serious insects or disease, or being nonnative or new to or not common to the United States or parts thereof (FSM 2900). In order to control noxious weeds the US Forest Service has adopted an integrated weed management approach to reduce the spread of noxious weeds on to, and from National Forest System lands. The main objective of this integrated approach to weed management is to prevent the introduction and establishment of noxious weed infestations, and control (contain and suppress) existing noxious weed infestations on National Forest System lands (FSM 2900). In addition when any ground disturbing action or activity is proposed, the federal agency is required to determine the risk of introducing or spreading noxious weeds associated with the proposed action (FSM 2900).

1. Noxious Weeds Present In or Near Project Area (Moderate/High) Overall, the Panther project area is relatively free of priority invasive species. However, there are 21 sites in the project area (see Tables 1). Currently all of the infestations are relatively small (<1 acre) and localized. The forest is actively managing priority 1 and 2 infestations but a few of the known sites are considered to be active (still producing seeds) and at a high risk for spread. Below is a summary of high priority noxious weed species infestation known from the project area and immediate vicinity:

Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis): There was one small infestations of yellow starthistle in the project area along Highway 88 near Lumberyard. The district has treated the roadside infestation since it was discovered in 2007 and has eradicated the infestation. The infestation occurs within the proposed herbicide fuelbreak maintenance zone. Another two infestations occur along Ellis road, outside the proposed fuel break but within the road system included for possible road maintenance under the project. Both infestations are small and currently being managed by the forest.

Spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe): One small roadside infestation was discovered and treated in 2016 growing adjacent to a plantation on Panther Creek road south of East Panther Creek. The infestation was handpulled when found but there was evidence that a number of large plants had flowered and produced seeds last season.

Rush skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea): There is one small roadside infestation along Highway 88 that was found in 2013. The forest has not initiated control efforts for the infestation. The sites occurs within the proposed herbicide fuelbreak maintenance zone.

Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius): One large plant was discovered and treated along Panther Ridge road in 2015. No new plants were observed at the site in 2016 but it is likely that a viable seed bank persists.

Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima): One small infestation of tree of heaven is growing through the cattle guard on 9N17. As of 2015 the small infestation was determined to be eradicated.

Medusahead grass (Elymus caput-medusae): There are seven infestations of medusahead grass in the project area. Two sites occurs in old landings located along Panther Creek road and 08N05B. The infestations were detected in 2012 and 2015 respectively. Eradication efforts were initiated at the infestation on 08N05B in the spring of 2016. There are four small roadside infestations along Panther Creek Road and one larger infestation occurring along approximately 0.50 miles of Panther Creek Road just south of the crossing with East Panther Creek. The remaining infestation occurs along 8N65 and could be spread during road reconstruction activities. The forest plans to initiate fall herbicide treatment at all infestations in 2016.

Barbed goatgrass (Aegilops triuncialis): There are five small roadside infestations of barbed goatgrass in the project area located on Panther Creek Road, Panther Ridge Road, and Highway 88. One infestation on Panther Ridge road was very small when discovered in 2015 and was handpulled. The second larger infestation was string trimmed in 2016. The forest plans to continue treating the infestations. Two infestations on Panther Creek road occurs in an old landings that were first treated by the forest in 2016. The small infestation along Highway 88 was first discovered in 2013 by the forest and was treated in 2016.

Table 1. Known Invasive plant infestations Road Invasive species Weed Site Proposed treatment Comments Fuel break- 08N05b Medusahead grass TACA8-057 herbicide 08N65 Medusahead grass TACA8-059 Road reconstruction Cat Creek Road Tree of heaven AIAL-007 Fuel break Fuel break- Yellow starthistle CESO3-051 Treated- believed to be eradicated herbicide Highway 88 Rush Fuel break- CHJU-162 skeletonweed herbicide AETR-034 Fuel break-herbicide Barbed goatgrass AETR-new1 Fuel break-herbicide Fuel break- TACA8-024 herbicide TACA8-023 Road Maintenance Panther Creek Road Medusahead grass TACA8-new1 Fuel break TACA8-new2 Fuel break TACA8-new3 Fuel break TACA8-new4 Fuel break Spotted knapweed CEMA-new1 Road Maintenance Panther Creek Road Fuel break- Barbed goatgrass AETR-019 and highway 88 herbicide Fuel break- Barbed goatgrass AETR-064 herbicide Fuel break- AETR-new2 Panther Ridge Road herbicide Fuel break- Scotch broom CYSC4-177 herbicide, road One plant found and treated in 2015 maintenance CESO3-036 Road Maintenance Yellow starthistle CESO3-101 Road Maintenance Ellis Road Rush CHJU-071 Road Maintenance Skeletonweed

In addition to the species listed in Table 1, low priority weeds were noted in low levels throughout the project area including, mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare), Bur-chervil (Torilis arvensis) but due to their low levels it is not expected that project work will overly impact these species and spread them much further throughout the project area.

Non-native annual grasses are also present throughout the project area, primarily in open areas including roadsides, plantations, lavacaps, and landings. In general these non-native grasses (Bromus diandrus, B. madritensis, and Bromus 48

hordeaceus) have already saturated much of the available habitat throughout the existing project area and the forest. The Forest does not track these species because of their prevalence throughout the forest. Because these species are well established, few measures are available to prevent the continued spread of these species along existing trails and roads.

Cheat grass (Bromus tectorum) is another nonnative annual grass widespread on the Eldorado where it has established itself as a minor component in many plant communities. This weedy grass, along with related exotic Bromes, is thought to contribute to an increase in fire frequencies in the Great Basin and the Eastern Sierras. It is present in scattered, small occurrences along roadsides, dispersed recreation areas, plantations, and lavacaps in the project area. Though it appears to move off the roadsides and into plantations here on the ENF and elsewhere in the Sierra, it rarely forms a monoculture when native vegetation remains intact. 2. Habitat Vulnerability (Low) The proposed action would thin and remove conifers using ground based commercial logging as well as create a strategic fuel break within units that are predominantly densely vegetated either with small trees, small trees and shrubs, or sparse understory vegetation with a dense overstory of mixed conifer species. Stands such as the ones identified for this project are common on the ENF. Botanical knowledge gained from years of surveying similar dense stands suggests that the vegetation is composed of native species and the degree of shade under these stands is not conducive to invasive plants establishment. The project does propose to temporarily reduce native vegetation cover, which may provide enough sunlight for some weed species, but the lack of weed propagules (seeds/stems/roots) for the majority of the project area significantly reduces the risk of weed invasion. Project activities would also involve road work and fuel break construction through lavacap and riparian communities. Prescribe fire would predominantly occur in mixed conifer forest but may also occur in lava cap and riparian communities. These communities are vulnerable to invasion by different suites of noxious weed species as described below: Lava cap: Lava cap plant communities are vulnerable to noxious weed invasion if propagules are introduced. These plant communities are generally dominated by high diversity of herbs and shrubs adapted to growing on rocky and volcanic soils eroded from Mehrten formation mudflow. The limited canopy closure in many lava cap communities increases the vulnerability of these unique plant assemblages to invasion by noxious weed species adapted to growing in dry upland conditions such as yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis), barbed goatgrass (Aegilops triuncialis), and medusahead (Elymus caput-medusae). Unfortunately, non-native annual grasses have already become established as a minor component of many lava cap plant communities on the forest.

Riparian communities: Proposed project activities that may introduce invasive species may occur within (roads bisecting stream channel) or adjacent to riparian areas. These riparian areas are susceptible to noxious weed invasion to riparian invaders, especially in areas that have been recently disturbed. Riparian areas on the Eldorado NF are particularly vulnerable to invasion by perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), oblong spurge (Euphorbia oblongata), and Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus).

Mixed conifer forests: Intact upland conifer forests are largely resilient to invasion by invasive species on the forest. When openings are created (roadways, prescribe fire, thinning projects) annual grasses, bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare), mullein (Verbascum thapsus), and other non-native species often become establish following the disturbance. However, these infestations rarely form dense monocultures and are easily outcompeted by native trees and shrub regeneration. More invasive species like yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis), brooms, spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculata) and perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium) can also become established in these upland communities and are a concern for the Forest.

3. Non-project Weed Vectors (Moderate) Weed vectors currently in the project area and vicinity include: off-highway vehicles (OHVs) such as motorcycles and four-wheel drive vehicles; road maintenance equipment; recreationists; private cars and trucks; Forest Service vehicles and workers; logging equipment on private land and FS; grazing activities associated with the Bear River Allotment, and wildlife. Natural dispersal from wind may also spread the seeds of some invasive species into the proposed project area. Wildlife may also disperse certain noxious weeds that can become attached to fur, or when viable seeds pass through 49

digestive systems. Vehicles traveling routes and roads may pick up seeds from existing infestations and spread them to other locations on the forest. For some species, seeds can become affixed to clothing and gear (e.g. non-native annual grasses). Other species do not have dispersal mechanisms for attaching and would most like travel in mud on vehicle and tire tread (e.g. yellow starthistle, scotch broom, and spotted knapweed). 5. Habitat Alteration Expected as Result of Projects (High) The greatest risk for long-term habitat alteration and future invasive plant establishment and spread is the proposed 3,000 acre strategic fuel break. The desired conditions for the fuel break entails permanently converting areas currently dominated by conifer and shrub species to an area predominantly covered in grasses and forbs. To achieve these conditions the proposed project would initially use mechanical and hand treatments to create the proposed fuel break, with a combination of prescribed fire, herbicide treatments, grazing, and/or mechanical treatments to maintain the open conditions indefinitely. Once completed the fuel break will offer ideal conditions for existing and potentially new infestations to thrive due to increased light levels and reduced competition for resource from native vegetation, in particular early seral shrub species. Additionally, the removal of litter and soil disturbance expected to occur during fuel break construction and maintenance activities will provide numerous establishment sites for invasive species; stimulate seed generation; as well as change temperature, moisture, and nutrient availability to the benefit of many invasive plant species of concern for the Eldorado NF. The correlation between fuelbreaks and invasive species is well documented from numerous fuel breaks throughout California (Merriam et al, 2006), and poses the greatest risk for invasive species establishment within the proposed project area.

Due to the inherent risks of establishing fuel breaks, the proposed Panther project would include a number if design features (Section 6) that are expected to limit the risk of invasive species spreading within the project area, including broadcast seeding native grass and forb seeds into areas with <40 cover of native species. In general the rapid establishment of robust native grasses and forbs should limit the vulnerability of the fuelbreak to invasive species by capturing resources within the project area that non-native species require to thrive (i.e. space, light, and soil moisture). To the extent that native grass and forb species are able to establish prior invasive species, the expected risk of invasion should be reduced below what is typically found for other fuelbreaks throughout California. However, given the extent of the proposed fuel break it will be challenging to ensure that all areas with low cover of native species are revegetated following project completion, leaving a fraction of the project in altered state that could be susceptible to invasive species establishment and spread.

The proposed project would also result in some short-term habitat alteration due to hazard tree removal, fire line construction, prescribed fire, hand thinning, and road construction. These activities can temporarily increase the amount of light reaching the ground and in some instances the exposure of bare mineral soil. This is important because seeds of potential and known invasive plants all require sunlight and contact with mineral soil for germination and growth (Zouhar, 2008). In addition, proposed treatments such as burning could benefit noxious species by: inducing seed germination, temporarily reducing or eliminating competition from native plants, and increasing nutrient availability for noxious weeds. All these factors combine to make conditions ideal for weed seed to germinate and flourish immediately following prescribed fire and mechanical thinning (Asher et al., 2001). However, these effects are expected to be limited in scope and will diminish as native understory species are able to reestablish into the recently disturbed areas.

Long-term habitat alterations associated with the proposed Panther project in commercial harvest units are expected to be minimal. Thinning and subsequent prescribed burning will remove smaller trees from the stand while leaving mature conifers in the overstory. In addition many native shrubs have been observed to readily resprout or geminate in the years immediately following mastication and fire (USDA Forest Service, FEIS 2008), and often increase in cover when overstory density is reduced. Thus, long-term habitat alterations conducive to the spread and establishment of noxious weed (i.e. increased bare ground and light) are not expected for much of the commercial harvest units outside of the strategic fuel break because remaining conifers and native vegetation will provide sufficient canopy cover to exclude most invasive species. During the interim period required for native vegetation to re-establish in the understory it is important to monitor and remove any new noxious weeds that may spread into newly open areas created immediately after the fire.

6. Increased Vectors as a Result of Project Implementation (Moderate)

The long-term ongoing maintenance of the strategic fuel breaks within the project area are expected to increase potential vectors for invasive species. Maintenance activities within the fuel break may include a combination of herbicide, targeted goat/sheep, maintenance burning, and hand and mechanical removal of vegetation. With every entry each of the proposed methods for maintaining the fuel break pose unique risks for vectoring both existing and new infestations within the project area. The use of livestock (sheep or goats) could vector invasive species into the project area on the animal’s fur/hooves or potentially via undigested invasive plant propagules transported to the project livestock digestive track. Ongoing manual, chemical, and mechanical thinning could also spread invasive species within the fuel break if crews/equipment last operated in infested areas, or if equipment and crews operate within an established infestation within the fuelbreak. Equipment used to improve and construct control lines prior to implementing future prescribed burns could also vector invasive species within the proposed fuelbreak.

In addition to the above long-term risks for spreading invasive species, there will also be some short-term risks associated with project implementation due to the increase in project related vehicle use (ground base harvesting equipment, masticator, equipment used for road reconstruction and maintenance, etc). Potential introduction of invasive may occur when equipment is first brought into the project area or if equipment travels or is used within existing infestations in the project area. The greatest risk for spreading existing infestations is likely to occur during proposed road reconstruction and maintenance since most existing infestations are currently restricted to travel corridors. This is especially a concern for Panther Creek Road which contains numerous infestations of barbed goat grass (Aegilops triuncialis) and medusahead grass (Elymus caput-medusae). Additionally landings/staging areas off 0805B, and Panther Creek road are heavily infested with medusahead grass (Elymus caput-medusae) and barbed goatgrass (Aegilops triuncialis) which will likely spread within the strategic fuel break project implementation. Even if infestations are treated prior to implementation existing seedbanks could be spread further into the project area during ground disturbing project activities.

Another potential vector for invasive species related to project activities is the importation of materials such as fill, gravel, and rock during road reconstruction. Erosion control material such as straw and seeds can also introduce new noxious weeds into the project area.

Management requirements have been incorporated into the project to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of most vector opportunities related to the proposed project (see section 6).

7. Mitigation Measures The following mitigation measures should be included in the East West Panther Fuel Reduction project. These mitigation measures have been designed to limit the potential introduction of new noxious weeds into the project area and limit the potential spread of existing priority invasive plant infestations.

Grazing Livestock used for grazing would be quarantined for three days and fed granary bought feed prior to arriving to the Forest. Livestock would be inspected to insure that coats are free of weed seeds.

project activities (i.e. within landings, areas of road reconstruction, fuel break development, within harvest units) treatment strategies would be developed under the Eldorado National Forest Invasive plant EA and would be implemented as part of the Panther project.

8. Anticipated weed response to proposed action (Moderate Risk) The proposed strategic fuel break for the Panther project will greatly increase the risk of invasive species becoming established and spreading in Panther project area do to the expected ground disturbance and removal of native vegetation. This inherent risk of invasive plant spreading once a fuel break is established, coupled with the existence of high priority infestations already present in the project area, suggests a strong probability for invasive species to spread in the project area upon project completion. Due to the above risk factors, the anticipated weed response to the proposed action is a High risk of spread if recommended mitigations are not included. By including all of the mitigations listed in section 6, it is anticipated that the risk of spreading and/or introducing noxious weeds would be reduced to a Moderate level of risk. These mitigations will not only address potential sources of propagules from entering the project area but also include a commitment to survey and treat any new infestation that is found for five years following project implementation.

This weed risk assessment is restricted to the project description in this Biological Evaluation. If activities are proposed that extend beyond the activities described in this document, then a new assessment would be required

APPENDIX C: NOXIOUS/INVASIVE WEEDS OF CONCERN

Invasive Plant List for the Eldorado National Forest 2/23/2016

Group 1 (Eradicate): Highly invasive species known to occur on the Eldorado National Forest. Species are uncommon and are a priority for inventory, control, and eradication. Acroptilon repens Russian knapweed Cirsium arvense Canada thistle Aegilops triuncialis barbed goatgrass Euphorbia oblongata oblong spurge Ailanthus altissima Chinese tree of heaven Isatis tinctoria dyer’s woad Arundo donax Arundo Lepidium latifolium tall whitetop Centaurea calcitrapa purple starthistle Lythrum salicaria purple loosestrife Centaurea diffusa diffuse (white) knapweed Sorghum halepense Johnson grass Centaurea stoebe spotted knapweed

Group 2 (Control): Established or widespread species known to occur on the Eldorado National Forest. Inventory all infestations. Annually treat a portion of known infestations, focusing first on eradicating/containing isolated outlying infestations and, over time, reducing the footprint of larger, less isolated infestations. Carduus pycnocephalus Italian thistle Elymus caput-medusae medusahead Centaurea melitensis tocalote Foeniculum vulgare Fennel Centaurea solstitialis yellow starthistle Genista monspessulana French broom Chondrilla juncea rush skeleton weed Spartium junceum Spanish broom Cytisus scoparius Scotch broom

Group 3 (Control): Established or widespread species known to occur on the Eldorado National Forest. Inventory and treat isolated leading edge infestations or where concurrent with higher priority infestations. Brassica nigra black mustard Melilotus officinalis yellow sweet clover Bromus tectorum cheat grass Rubus armeniacus Himalayan blackberry Chenopodium botrys Jerusalem-oak goosefoot Rubus laciniatus cut leaf blackberry Cirsium vulgare bull thistle Salsola tragus Russian thistle/tumbleweed Hedera helix English Ivy Silybum marianum milk thistle Hypericum perforatum Klamath weed Torilis arvensis hedge parsley Lathyrus latifolius perennial sweet pea Tribulus terrestris puncture vine Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Vinca major periwinkle Melilotus alba white sweet clover

Group 4 (Manage through education and prevention): Species are well established across forest or have minor economic or ecological impacts. Forest will use appropriate prevention and education measures to limit further spread. Bromus diandrus ripgut brome Festuca arundinacea tall fescue Bromus madritensis var. rubens red brome Hirschfeldia incana mustard Conium maculatum poison hemlock Lychnis coronaria rose campion/ mullein pink Cynodon dactylon Bermuda grass Sisymbrium altissimum Jim Hill mustard Cynosurus echinatus spiny dogtail Verbascum thapsus mullein Dactylis glomerata Orchard grass

Potential invasives: Species not yet found on the Eldorado National Forest. If found, infestations should be inventoried and targeted for eradication or control. Aegilops cylindrica Jointed goatgrass Linaria vulgaris yellow toadflax Cardaria chalepensis small whitetop Nicotiana glauca Tree tobacco Cardaria draba hoarycress Onopordum acanthium Scotch thistle Cardaria pubescens whitetop Phragmites australis common reed Carduus nutans musk thistle Polygonum cuspidatum Japanese knotweed Carthamus lanatus Woolly distaff thistle Polygonum sachalinensis Sakhalin knotweed Centaurea pratensis meadow knapweed Potentilla recta Sulfur cinquefoil Centaurea sulphurea Sicilian starthistle Sesbania punicea Scarlet wisteria Cortaderia selloana pampas grass Tamarix chinensis Salt Cedar Dittrichia graveolens stinkwort Tanacetum vulgare tansy Euphorbia esula leafy spurge Ulex europaeus Gorse Linaria genistifolia ssp. dalmatica dalmatian toadflax 53