Gold Butterfly Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Invasive Plants / Noxious Existing Condition The methodology used to evaluate the effects of the alternatives on invasive plants involved the sequential steps of: a) reviewing the most current tabular and spatial data on invasive plant infestations recorded in the FACTS database of record for the general project area; b) reviewing the site-specific harvest unit and project area sample herbaceous vegetation composition data collected by the botany field survey crew; c) incorporating the botany field crew, invasives field crew and FACTs data into the evaluation of invasive plant risk of establishment and potential for spread as a result of proposed project actions and no action and; d) reviewing the standard menu of best management and prevention practices that address invasive plants and selecting the most appropriate and effective tactics for inclusion in the project design features. Invasive plant/Noxious inventories conducted during the field data collection phase of the proposed sale area documented the presence of tall buttercup, a Priority 2A species ( a category for species that are common in isolated areas of Montana with management criteria requiring eradication or containment where less abundant). Previous inventories and treatment operations in the area have detected meadow hawkweed, a Priority 2A species of considerable concern in our area. All other weed species detected during project survey work are listed on the Montana Noxious Weed List as species in the Priority 2B category (abundant and widespread in MT) and Priority 3 category (regulated but not designated as noxious or requiring treatment action). Table 1 displays the official listed MT noxious weed species, density ranges, general locations and current and/or general proposed treatment in the project area. A number of other common exotic species (such as salsify, smooth brome, bulbous bluegrass and dianthus) were recorded during the course of the sensitive plant species survey work for the project. These common non-native species (while troublesome to varying degrees because of their potential impact on native plant species) do not warrant direct active control with . Promoting and maintaining healthy native plant communities through thoughtful and strategic land management actions and restoration practices remains the most effective approach to preventing the spread of common exotic plant species as well as the more serious target noxious and . Project design features, including Best Management Practices as described in the former FSM 2080 directives (pending replacement by FSM 2900 - Invasive Species) that include items such as off-road equipment cleaning, are listed Table 2.2-8 of the EIS. Table 1: Invasive/Noxious Weed Existing Condition and Mitigation/Treatment Summary Invasive/Noxious MT Noxious Location(s) Density Site-Specific Description of Species List Category Infested Sites with Current and/or Proposed Mitigation Treatment Actions Any new invader Priority 1A or Detection of any new invader species detected 1B: limited species will trigger an immediate none none during course of presence or not and sustained eradication field surveys, present in MT response using standard NEPA , sale (highest treatment tools of Integrated activity or post- priorities for Weed Management. Highest harvest inspections/ action) new invader species potential for monitoring this project area are rush skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea )and

blueweed (Echium vulgare)

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Gold Butterfly Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Invasive/Noxious MT Noxious Location(s) Density Site-Specific Description of Species List Category Infested Sites with Current and/or Proposed Mitigation Treatment Actions known infestations within expansion range of the Gold- Butterfly Project Area Meadow Priority 2A Present at the Light, scattered Aggressive early detection and hawkweed species north end of within specific eradication as possible or at least (Hieraceum Unit 103 near isolated sites strong suppression/containment

caespitosum) FSR 969 and in objective using . the vicinity of Continued monitoring of known Units 80a and and potential sites 80b along FSR 13205. Tall buttercup Priority 2A Isolated, Possible treatment with herbicide (Ranunculus acris) scattered as as funding allows inside Unit 167 Houndstongue Priority 2B Common along Light to Treated with herbicide and (Cynoglossum certain stretches moderately heavy monitored as part of regular road officinale) of FSR system in patches rotation schedule Common tansy Priority 2B Scattered Treated with herbicide and (Tanacetum monitored as part of regular road vulgare) rotation schedule Dalmatian toadflax Priority 2B: Unit 100 in the Considered eradicated by around (Linaria dalmatica) abundant and Gold Ck 2012 but the single roadside site widespread in watershed remains on the Forest rotation MT plan for monitoring and treatment Oxeye daisy Priority 2B Scattered in Lightly scattered Currently treated along roadsides (Leucanthemum mesic and along existing according to rotation schedule; vulgare) riparian areas roadsides and additional pre and post mesic sites within treatments planned for the proposed units project.

St. Johnswort Priority 2B: Scattered Generally light Populations are too scattered and (Hypericum throughout light to warrant biocontrol perforatum) much of the releases. Primary method of project area containment remains through current roadside herbicide applications on the established Forest rotation schedule. Spotted knapweed (Centaurea Priority 2B “ “ Infestation Treated with herbicide and biebersteinii/stoebe densities varying monitored as part of regular road ) from light to heavy rotation schedule. Continued throughout the monitoring for biocontrol release project area under opportunities on off-road sites

open canopy and where biocontrols are absent

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Gold Butterfly Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Invasive/Noxious MT Noxious Location(s) Density Site-Specific Description of Species List Category Infested Sites with Current and/or Proposed Mitigation Treatment Actions non-forested sites below 5,500 feet Canada thistle () Priority 2B Isolated patches Light Herbicide treatment of isolated and note that two associated with patches with objective of local other invasive but mesic sites in a eradication along and near road not official listed number of units prisms as funding allows noxious weed species were inventoried (Musk thistle (Carduus nutans and bull thistle, )

Sulfur cinquefoil (Potentilla recta) Priority 2B Scattered Light Herbicide treatment along

roadsides and disturbed sites

Cheatgrass () Priority 3: Scattered Generally light Implementation of routine BMPs

regulated – may throughout with heavy patches to prevent further spread within not be project area in open canopy project area and export out of intentionally sites project area.

spread or sold

Detailed descriptions of the identified noxious and invasive weed species in the table above can be found on the updated Montana Department of website (agr.mt.gov/Weeds). Invasive plants/noxious weeds are present to varying densities and composition throughout much of the project area. There are appreciable continuous portions of the project landscape, mostly under a timber canopy, that show light to no presence of invasive species. The project area presents a mosaic of invasive weed infested and uninfested vegetation cover types. Spotted knapweed is the most common and widespread noxious species present with other invasive species such as cheatgrass, common tansy and houndstongue present throughout the project area. Invasive plant / noxious weed populations in the project area have received chemical and biological control treatments since 2003. Herbicide treatments along roadsides and trails on the Forest have shown measureable success in the suppression and containment of invasive/noxious weed species.

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Gold Butterfly Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Revegetation and rehabilitation of soil disturbed areas has shown success in the sustained establishment of native plant species and prevention of colonization by invasive/noxious weed species on a number of treated sites on the Bitterroot Forest including decommissioned roads (PF-WAT-001), Sweeney Timber Sale, and Lower West Fork Timber Sale. Repeated biological control introductions of Chrysolina spp. (Klamath beetle) during 2004-2007 has resulted in a noticeable decrease of St. Johnswort across the valley in the understory of lower elevation ponderosa pine stands (Personal Communication-Sturdevant/Pieterinen and Personal Observation and Westside Veg Project EA). Such biocontrol results on these off-site areas hold promise for similar results in the Gold-Butterfly Project Area should the need develop. 2017 field surveys of the most dense spotted knapweed stands in the project area showed an absence of the important biocontrol insect species, Cyphocleonus achates (root miner weevil). The heavy stands of spotted knapweed in the project area occur in isolated pockets surrounded by woody vegetation that poses an obstacle to the surface migration of this insect species from outside the area. The introduction of the root miner weevil into the denser stands of spotted knapweed could increase the opportunity for its establishment and eventual more effective suppression of spotted knapweed in the area. Story (2008) has demonstrated that biocontrol success with spotted knapweed may take decades to produce noticeable results. Meadow hawkweed has a wider ecological amplitude in comparison to many other invasive plant species in Region 1 in response to wildfire and other disturbance events (Mantas 2003). The species aggressively colonizes sites where disturbance reduces the competitive ability of native vegetation. Meadow hawkweed possesses a quadruple threat with the ability to propagate and expand rapidly into susceptible sites through barbed production, stolon generation, rhizome extension and adventitious root buds. Meadow hawkweed occurs as small pioneering infestations at the south end of the project area along FSR 13205 in the vicinity of Unit 80 which is scheduled for skyline harvest at this time. The Forest has identified this infestation area as a high priority for continued monitoring and treatment of this species both pre and post- harvest. The Bitterroot Forest has invested significant funds and effort to date in suppressing the extent and expansion potential of meadow hawkweed. Environmental Effects Effects of Alternative 1 – No Action Direct and Indirect Effects Wildlife, , humans, vehicles, wind and overland surface water flow would continue transporting invasive weed seed into open areas (Zouhar 2001a) and throughout the project area. The current program of integrated treatment of invasive plants/noxious weeds on the established road system, select priority sites in the vicinity of known meadow hawkweed occurrences and supplemental biocontrol release opportunities on spotted knapweed would continue under the No Action Alternative. High severity wildfire in the project area carries the strong likelihood of an increase in density and extent of spotted knapweed, St. Johnswort, sulfur cinquefoil and cheatgrass (Sutherland 2005). Low to moderate severity fire carries a lower risk of invasive plant increase and a higher probability of native species stability at current levels (Sutherland 2005). Cumulative Effects Past management activities in and around the project area, such as road construction and timber harvest, have increased noxious weeds in the Gold Butterfly Project area, due to lack of control measures at the time. In

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Gold Butterfly Draft Environmental Impact Statement

addition, ongoing occurrences such as recreational foot and horse traffic, activities on adjacent private land and wildfire have all contributed to the spread of noxious weeds. These factors will continue to act as vectors for the introduction and spread of invasive/noxious weeds. Under the No Action Alternative, no additional soil disturbance by timber harvest will occur that might facilitate noxious weed spread. However, the continued trend of fuel build-up from the lack of thinning and prescribed burning will increase potential fire severity in the project area. An increase of fire severity will increase the risk of expansion and higher density of invasive weeds (Sutherland 2005). Effects of Alternatives 2 & 3 – All Action Alternatives Direct and Indirect Effects The ground disturbing and canopy-opening activities of timber harvest, thinning and road construction in the action alternatives will create additional colonization and spread opportunities for the invasive/noxious weed species shown in Table 1. However, the design features and mitigation measures described in Table 2.2-8 of Chapter 2 in the EIS can counteract the increased invasion potential to a degree that will result in a minimal short term and long term gain of invasive/noxious weed density and extent within the project area. Unit 80 has the potential for expansion of meadow hawkweed from adjacent infestation sites through the ground disturbance created by the proposed skyline harvest activity. However, the potential with this method of harvest is less than would be posed by the tractor logging method used on less steep ground. Regardless of the method of harvest, periodic monitoring of the area within and adjacent to the harvest unit will need to continue in order to insure containment and eventual local eradication of the species from the site. Wildlife, livestock, humans, vehicles, wind and overland surface water flow would continue transporting invasive weed seed into open areas (Zouhar 2001a) and throughout the project area independent of any vegetation management project activities. Cumulative Effects The cumulative effects boundary for the invasive plant effects analysis includes a buffer zone extending approximately one mile beyond the project area boundary. The design features and mitigation measures described in Table 2.2-8 will limit the risk of increased movement of invasive/noxious species within the project area, onto adjacent private land and onto National Forest outside the project area. Post-harvest monitoring of treatment results on previous similar projects has shown that the prescribed design features produce successful containment and suppression results with target invasive plants (Forest Plan Monitoring Report 2015). The long term effects of low intensity prescribed fire in the action alternatives will produce minimal opportunity for the expansion of existing noxious weed stands (Sutherland 2005) Studies done on prescribed fire effects on sulfur cinquefoil (Potentilla recta) indicate that hotter, fall burns were more likely to increase sulfur cinquefoil and damage native grass species than cooler spring burns (Lesica and Martin 2003). This finding does not warrant a special design feature for prescribed fire actions in the project area because the density and extent of sulfur cinquefoil is highly variable across this landscape making for a low level of accuracy in predicting the response of this species to a regulated fire event. Other research (Zouhar 2001) has shown that low to moderate intensity fires, as are usually produced through prescription regardless of season, result in a long term recovery to a vigorous stable native plant community condition even with an invasive plant component present. High intensity fire events associated with wildfire, on the other hand, often destabilize the native plant communities and increase the density of invasive plants over a longer term.

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Gold Butterfly Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Invasive Plants/Noxious Weeds Design Features A past supplement to the Forest Service Manual, identified as FSM 2080, identified an integrated Weed Management (IWM) approach for the control of invasive plants/noxious weeds on National Forest System lands in Region One. Included in the supplement are requirements and recommendations for noxious weed management when conducting ground–disturbing activities. The direction contained in FSM 2080 is currently in update and revision under the new 2900 Invasive Species section of the Forest Service Manual. The FSM 2080 direction retains its utility and validity for current and proposed projects such as Gold Butterfly Veg Mgmt. The Forest anticipates an adequate level of funding from various sources, including KV collections, to follow through with the mitigation and design criteria commitments for noxious and prevention work. Consistency with Laws and Regulations Direction and authority for noxious weed/invasive plant management actions on the Gold- Butterfly Vegetation Management Project are derived from the following laws, regulation and policy: National Forest Management Act of 1976 The National Forest Management Act of 1976 as amended directs the FS to provide for diversity of plant and communities and requires the development and implementation of a resource management plan for a National Forest. This Act applies to the Gold-Butterfly Veg Mgmt Project by setting the stage for the inclusion of provisions for the protection of plant diversity in site-specific projects. The project design features in the Gold- Butterfly Veg Project that prescribe control and monitoring actions for invasive plants/noxious weeds will protect the ecological health and diversity of native plant and animal communities. Bitterroot National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (USDA FS 1987) The Bitterroot Forest Plan (1987) guides natural resource management activities and established a goal for Forest-wide management of noxious weeds that directs the Forest to “control noxious weeds to protect resource values and minimize adverse effects on adjacent private lands”. The Forest Plan applies directly to the Gold-Butterfly Veg Project by requiring design features that will accomplish noxious weed control. Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974 as amended in 1990 Under the 1990 amendment to the Federal Noxious Weed Act, federal agencies are directed to enter into agreements with appropriate state and local agencies to coordinate the management of noxious weeds. Specifically, the Act calls for federal agencies to: a) develop and coordinate a program to control such plants on the agency's land; b) complete and implement cooperative agreements with the States regarding undesirable plants on agency land; and c) establish integrated management systems to control or contain undesirable plants targeted under the cooperative agreements. This Act applies directly to the Gold-Butterfly Veg Project by promoting the development and implementation of the terms of the current Participating Agreement with Ravalli County to control noxious weeds/invasive plants on the National Forest in the project area and to prevent their spread onto private lands that lie immediately to the east of the project area. The Bitterroot National Forest Noxious Weed Treatment Project Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision, March 2003 The Bitterroot National Forest Noxious Weed Treatment Project Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision (March 2003) implemented Forest Plan direction and authorized the treatment of invasive plants on areas of the Bitterroot National Forest. The portions of the Bitterroot Forest that were analyzed, approved and prescribed for integrated noxious weed/invasive plant prevention, control and treatment in the EIS/ROD includes the area encompassed by the Gold-Butterfly Veg Project and the associated road system. Design

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Gold Butterfly Draft Environmental Impact Statement

features for invasives work in the Gold-Butterfly Veg Project will follow the guidelines provided in the 2003 EIS and other standard invasive species prevention best management practices. Executive Order 13112 (1999) Executive Order 13112 (1999) directs all federal agencies to conduct activities that reduce invasive plant populations and provide for their control. The EO applies directly to the Gold-Butterfly Veg Project by providing additional agency justification for design features or actions associated with the project that result in the reduction and control of invasive plants in the project area. Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2900 Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2900 establishes code and a new manual for Invasive Species Management. FSM 2900 sets forth National Forest System policy, responsibilities, and direction for the prevention, detection, control, and restoration of effects from aquatic and terrestrial invasive species (including vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, and pathogens). The 2900 Manual applies directly to the effects analysis and design criteria of the Gold-Butterfly Veg Project in the following ways: 1) the manual directs that management activities will employ actions that will help contain, reduce, or remove infestations of invasive species and 2) where necessary, will implement restoration, rehabilitation, and/or revegetation activities to prevent or reduce the likelihood of the establishment or spread of invasive/noxious species. References and Literature Cited Arno, Stephen F. 1976. The historical role of fire on the Bitterroot National Forest. Ogden, UT: USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. Res. Pap. INT-187, 29p. [0047] Brooks, M.L.; D’Antonio, C.M.; Richardson, D.M.; Grace, J.B.; Keeley, J.E.; DiTomaso, J.M.; Hobbs, R.J.; Pellant, M.; and Pyke, D. 2004. Effects of invasive alien plants on fire regimes. Bioscience Vol. 54, No. 7, 677-688. [0043] Duncan, Celestine. 1997. Environmental Benefits of Weed Management: A Technical Summary. Presented at Noxious Weed Management Short Course; 1997 Sept. 22-25; Bozeman, MT. Ferguson, Dennis E., C.L. Craig, and K.Z. Schneider. 2007. Spotted knapweed (Centaurea biebersteinii DC) response to forest wildfires on the Bitterroot National Forest, Montana. Northwest Science, Vol. 81, No. 2. Gucker, Corey L. 2010. Euphorbia esula. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [ 2014, February 13]. Hansen, R. W.; Spencer, N. R.; Fornasari, L.; Quimby, P. C., Jr.; Pemberton, R. W.; Nowierski, R. M. 2004. Leafy spurge. In: Coombs, Eric M.; Clark, Janet K.; Piper, Gary L.; Cofrancesco, Alfred F., Jr., eds. Biological control of invasive plants in the United States. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press: 233-235. [53011] Hull-Sieg, C. 1994. Herbicides and fire effects on leafy spurge density and seed germinations. Leafy Spurge News. 16(3): 10. [29946] Losensky, B.J. 1987. An Evaluation of Noxious Weeds on the Lolo, Bitterroot, and Flathead Forest with Recommendations for Implementation a Weed Control Program. pp 1-18, 33-34, 84-85, 89 [0042] Pimentel, David, R. Zuniga, and D. Morrison. 2004. Update on the environmental and economic costs associated with alien-invasive species in the United States. Ecological Economics 52 (2005) 273-288.

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Gold Butterfly Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Rice, Peter M. 2003, Dec. Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) in Forest : A Literature Review. University of Montana, Division of Biological Sciences, Missoula, MT. [0045] Selleck, G. W. 1958. Life history of leafy spurge. In: Proceedings, 15th annual meeting of the north central weed control conference; 1958 December 3-4; Cincinnati, OH. Lincoln, NE: North Central Weed Control Conference: 16-17. [74914] USDA Forest Service. 1995. Bitterroot National Forest Fire Groups. Biophysical Classification Groups and Descriptions. Bitterroot National Forest, Hamilton, MT. [0048] USDA Forest Service. 1996. Bitterroot National Forest Noxious Weed Implementation Guide. Hamilton, MT. [0044] USDA Forest Service. 2002. Forest Plan Monitoring and Evaluation Report, Fiscal Year 2002. Bitterroot National Forest, Hamilton, MT. [0128] USDA Forest Service. 2003a. Final Environmental Impact Statement Noxious Weed Treatment Project. Bitterroot National Forest, Hamilton, MT. [0201] USDA Forest Service. 2003b. Forest Plan Monitoring and Evaluation Report, Fiscal Year 2003. Bitterroot National Forest, Hamilton, MT. [0013] USDA Forest Service. 2004. Forest Plan Monitoring and Evaluation Report, Fiscal Year 2004, Bitterroot National Forest, Hamilton, MT [0325] USDA Forest Service. 2014-2015. Forest Plan Monitoring and Evaluation Report, Fiscal Year 2015, Bitterroot National Forest, Hamilton, MT [0325] Vermeire, Lance T.; Rinella, Matthew J. 2009. Fire alters emergence of invasive plant species from soil surface- deposited . Weed Science. 57(3): 304-310. [75003] Zouhar, Kris. 2001a. Centaurea maculosa. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/cenmac/introductory.html [2004, November 16]. [0189] Zouhar, Kris 2001b. Cirsium arvense. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/cirarv/introductory.html [2004, December 17]. [0187] Zouhar, Kris 2002a. Cirsium vulgare. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/cirvul/introductory.html [2004, November 16]. [0190] Zouhar, Kris 2002b. Cynoglossum officinale. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/cynoff/introductory.html [2004, December 17]. [0186] Zouhar, Kris. 2003. Bromus tectorum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/brotec/introductory.html [2004, December 17]. [0188]

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