Catahoula RD – North Gray Creek 2 Aug 19 BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION USDA - FOREST SERVICE, KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST CATAHOULA RANGER DISTRICT North Gray Creek I. INTRODUCTION This report documents the findings of the Biological Evaluation (BE) for the proposed silvicultural activities in Compartments 89-93 on the Catahoula Ranger District of the Kisatchie National Forest. It also serves to provide the decision maker with information and determinations of the effects of proposed actions on proposed, endangered, threatened and sensitive (PETS) species and habitats so that the best decisions can be made regarding these species and the proposal. PETS species are species whose viability is most likely to be put at risk from management actions. Through the BE process the proposed management activities were reviewed and their potential effects on PETS species disclosed. Evaluation methods included internal expertise on species' habitat requirements, field surveys, Forest Service inventory and occurrence records, Final Environmental Impact Statement/Revised Land and Resource Management Plan for the Kisatchie National Forest, the recovery plans for the the red- cockaded woodpecker (RCW) and Louisiana pearlshell mussel (LPM) and the draft recovery plan and candidate conservation agreement (CCA) for the Louisisana pine snake (LPS). This biological evaluation was prepared in accordance with Forest Service Handbook 2609.23R and regulations set forth in Section 7 (a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act. A botanical evaluation was done separately to address impacts on sensitive and conservation plants. PURPOSE AND NEED: Differences between current and desired conditions have been identified within the project area. In order to move the project area toward the desired conditions, specific resource management actions were identified and developed. The purpose of this project is to implement the Revised Land and Resource Management Plan (RLRMP), and emphasize high levels of commodity outputs while meeting all minimum management requirements. This project is needed to: Emphasize high levels of commodity outputs. Based on current stand exam data, the project would restore approximately 595 acres of offsite loblolly pine sites to longleaf and shortleaf pine. Commercially thinning 1,563 acres to enhance health and vigor of the residual stand, improve species composition, structure, function and resilency to insects and disease. Site preparing, planting, releasing all 595 acres in the longleaf and shortleaf pine ecosystems. An additional 2,158 acres will be treated with herbicide or machinery to remove undesirable vegetation including noxious weeds and non-native invasive plant species. Biological Evaluation Catahoula RD – North Gray Creek 4-Sep-19 The project area within compartments 89-93 is outside the RCW habitat management area (HMA). The entire project area is within the watershed of the LPM. PROJECT LOCATION: Figu re 1: Vicinity Map of the USFS, Kisatchie National Forest, Ca ta h oula Ranger District’s North Gray Creek Project located in Grant Parish, LA. The project area is located in south Grant parish, south of Bentley, Louisiana in Township 6 North and Range 1-2 West. Figure 1 II. AFFECTED AREA A. General Information The proposed project is located within compartments 89-93 of the Catahoula Ranger District of the Kisatchie National Forest and includes approximately 2,200 acres. The area is generally located approximately 15 miles north of Alexandria Louisiana, in south central Grant Parish. B. Specific Information The Catahoula Ranger District has proposed silvicultural activities in compartments 89-93 that include, timber harvesting (thinning, clearcut and clearcut with reserves), site preparation (mechanical, chemical and/or fire), planting of longleaf and shortleaf, seedling release with herbicide/fire and handtools. III. CONSULTATION HISTORY The Final Environmental Impact Statement, Revised Land and Resource Management Plan, Kisatchie National Forest, which this project implements, was concurred upon by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was informally consulted during the preparation of this document and will be consulted for concurrence on effects to all the threatened, endangered, candidate and proposed species before the decision is signed. Biological Evaluation Catahoula RD – North Gray Creek 2 Aug 19 IV. PROPOSED ACTIONS Proposed Action The Forest Service is proposing silvicultural activities in compartments 89-93 that include, timber harvesting (thinning, clearcut and clearcut with reserves), site preparation (mechanical, chemical and/or fire), planting of longleaf and shortleaf, seedling release with herbicide/fire and handtools, herbicide treatment and control of non-native/invasive plant species on the Kisatchie National Forest, Catahoula Ranger District in Grant Parish, Louisiana. The proposed action includes: (Table 3) 1) Thinning approximately 1,523 acres of loblolly and slash pine stands. 2) The project would regenerate approximately 694 acres of offsite loblolly pine sites to longleaf pine and shortleaf pine. Clearcutting and clearcutting with reserves, the existing shortleaf and longleaf will be left within the regeneration stands. 3) Preparing approximately 694 acres for tree planting using herbicides & handtools, burning, or mechanically chopping and hand planting to longleaf or shortleaf pine. 7) Releasing of 694 acres of pine seedlings and removing undesirable vegetation including noxious weeds and non-native plant species on 2,158 forested acres by herbicides (Triclopyr, Glyphosate & Imazapyr) & handtools, or prescribed burning. All of the proposed actions, if approved, will occur within the next 5-10 years. V. PETS Species Considered and Evaluated A checklist for all the endangered, threatened, proposed and candidate animal species known to occur on the forest is attached at the end of this document – Table 2. The endangered and threatened species list is from the USFWS and dated April 2018. Species acknowledged as those of greatest concern in the project area based on field surveys, habitat availability, literature and KNF records are addressed in detail within this document. (see Table 1 below) Table 1 Designation Name Habitat Catahoula RD Occurrence T Northern long-eared bat Interior old growth forests Scattered across entire district, most records from the (Myotis septentrionalis) northern part of the district. T Louisiana pearlshell mussel Clear, spring fed permanent Decreasing population on Forest Service land and (Margaritifera hembeli) streams. unknown status on private land. Only within the Rigolette watershed on the Catahoula RD The project area is not within the RCW habitat management area (HMA) or the LPS habitat management unit (HMU). The majority of known locations of the long eared bat are under bridges, roost trees and maternity roosts on the northern third of the district. Habitat is suitable and individuals have been identified across the entire district. Biological Evaluation Catahoula RD – North Gray Creek 4-Sep-19 All the streams within the project area are home to the Louisiana pearlshell mussel. Most of the mussel population is on private land in Grant parish, but headwaters and tributaries for the creeks are on USFS property. VI. EFFECTS OF PROPOSED ACTIONS ON EACH SPECIES EVALUATED Northern Long-Eared Bat The northern long-eared bat (NLEB) is generally associated with old-growth forests composed of trees 100 years old or older. It relies on intact interior forest habitat, with low edge-to-interior ratios. Relevant late-successional forest features include a high percentage of old trees, uneven forest structure (resulting in multilayered vertical structure), single and multiple tree-fall gaps, standing snags, and woody debris. These late successional forest characteristics may be favored for several reasons, including the large number of partially dead or decaying trees that the species uses for breeding, summer day roosting, and foraging. ( USFWS 2011) Although no specific survey was done for the NLEB in the project area, habitat is suitable and individuals have been identified across the entire district. The proposed project area is within the NLEB range and the white-nose syndrome zone, there are no known hibernacula or maternity roosts within the project area. Although the Catahoula District has a known maternity roost tree, the location is approximately 10 miles fom the northern edge of the project area. Therefore, in accordance with the final 4 (d) rule and the 2016 BO, incidental take of NLEB from this proposed action is NOT prohibited. Louisiana Pearlshell Mussel The Louisiana pearlshell mussel occurs in two sub-populations on opposite sides of the Red River, one in Rapides and the other in Grant parish. The mussels require shallow sandy bottomed creeks with occasional scoured gravel beds. Streams must be perennial with uninterrupted flow. The entire project area within the watershed for the Louisiana pearlshell mussel will require extra attention to layout and should be coordinated with the district biologist. The stands to be treated with clearcuts or clearcuts with reserves that are within the watershed and adjacent to a creek are of the greatest concern.(Fig 2) In many cases the stream channels were not given adequate protection at the time of planting the pine plantations. Therefore, it is at this time that protective measures will need to be implemented. Slope and topography will determine the SMZ and not the existing vegetation type. With