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) 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 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.

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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.

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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 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.

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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 these protective measures we will follow the guidelines of the KNF Forest Plan.

FW-854 Manage habitat for the Louisiana pearlshell mussel by complying with conservation measures addressed in the Louisiana Pearlshell Recovery Plan.

FW-855 Protect the Louisiana pearlshell mussel habitat by reducing the delivery of sediment into the stream channel.

The greatest threat to the Louisiana pearlshell mussel would be intensive management within streamside zones or riparian areas. There should be limited direct impacts to individuals since few trees are to be

Biological Evaluation

Catahoula RD – North Gray Creek 2 Aug 19 removed within the streamside management zones of the higher level creeks where there is greater likelihood of supporting habitat for this species. Indirect and cumulative effects should be minimal since all streamside management zones will be protected and minimal disturbance will occur, therefore limiting the siltation into the creeks.

VII. DETERMINATION OF EFFECTS

Northern long-eared bat

The proposed actions as currently planned are in accordance with the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Revised Land and Resource Mgmt Plan for the Kisatchie National Forest. According to the Final 4(d) rule and associated 2016 Biological Opinion (BO), incidental take is not prohibited unless it cuts or destroys known occupied maternity roost trees or any other trees within a 150-foot radius from the maternity roost tree during the pup season (June 1-July 31). Although, there is a known maternity roost tree, the project location is approximately 7 miles from the maternity roost tree location, therefore well outside of the 150-foot radius. In accordance with the final 4(d) rule and the 2016 BO, the planned project “may affect the NLEB but would not cause prohibited incidental take.”

Louisiana Pearlshell Mussel

The proposed actions as currently planned are in accordance with the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Revised Land and Resource Mgmt Plan for the the Kisatchie National Forest. The proposed action with protective measures in place is not likely to adversely affect the Louisiana pearlshell mussel.

Concurrence from USDI Fish and Wildlife Service is required before the implementation of this project.

VIII. MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS, MITIGATION MEASURES AND RECOMENDATIONS

1. Ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act. 2. Follow management direction for the LPM as outlined in the Kisatchie Plan FEIS and agreed upon with the USFWS.

IX. CONSULTATION WITH OTHERS AND REFERENCES

Catahoula Ranger District Compartment Prescriptions and stand data, RCW survey and location records.

Hamel, Paul B. 1992 Land managers guide to the birds of the South. The Nature Conservancy, Southeastern Region, Chapel Hill, NC. 437 pages

Johnson, Paul and Brown, Kenneth, Field Notes From a Survey of Margaritifera hembeli on USFS Property, Catahoula Ranger District, Kisatchie National Forest .

Kisatchie National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan 1999 as amended.

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Catahoula RD – North Gray Creek 4-Sep-19

Naturserve, The Nature Conservancy, 1999, Natural Heritage Conservation Databases. Accessed by USDA FS under Grant No. 97-CC2-230

Stewart, J.H. 1992. Status review Louisiana pearlshell, Margaritifera hembeli , USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, Jackson, MS

Shively, Stephen 2016. Survey for the Louisiana pearlshell (Margaritifera hembeli) in Grant Parish, LA. Louisiana Natural Heritage Program, Louisiana Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Guidelines for Preparation of Biological Assessments and Evaluations for the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Sept. 1989

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2003. Recovery plan for the red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis): second revision. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Atlanta, GA. 296pp

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2013. Candidate conservation agreement for the Lousiana pine snake between USFWS, USFS, NRCS, USDOD, Parks and Wildlife, Louisiana Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries and Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

USDA Forest Service, Southern Region, 1989 Final Environmental Impact Statement for Vegetation Management in the Coastal Plain/Piedmont.

USDA Forest Service, Southern Region, 1995 Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Management of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker and its Habitat on National Forests in the Southern Region.

USDA Forest Service, Wildlife Habitat Management Handbook (FSH 2609.2 Chapter 420).

USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, 1989. Louisiana Pearlshell Mussel Recovery Plan.

Wilson, Lawrence A. 1995. Land manager’s guide to the amphibians and reptiles of the South. The Nature Conservancy, Southeastern Region, Chapel Hill, NC 360 pages.

X. SIGNATURE

/S/ Emlyn B. Smith 6 August 2019 Emlyn B. Smith / District Biologist Date

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Catahoula RD – North Gray Creek 2 Aug 19

Table 2 Kisatchie National Forest Proposed, Endangered, Threatened and Sensitive Species Compiled from the Regional Foresters April 2018 list.

Occurrence Evaluation Group Scientific Name Common Name Status Code Amphibian Plethodon kisatchie Louisiana slimy salamander Sensitive 6 Bird Aimophila aestivalis Bachman's sparrow Sensitive 5 Bird Picoides borealis Red-cockaded woodpecker Endangered 3 beyeri Sabine fencing Sensitive 1 Crustacean Faxonella creaseri Ouachita fencing crayfish Sensitive 1 Crustacean blacki Calcasieu painted crayfish Sensitive 1 Crustacean Orconectes hathawayi Teche painted crayfish Sensitive 1 Crustacean Orconectes maletae Kisatchie painted crayfish Sensitive 1 Fish Ammocrypta clara Western sand darter Sensitive 1 Fish Cycleptus elongatus Blue sucker Sensitive 1 Fish Notropis hubbsi Bluehead shiner Sensitive 1 Fish Notropis sabinae Sabine shiner Sensitive 2 Insect Leuctra szczytkoi Schoolhouse Springs leuctran stonefly Sensitive 2 Mammal Myotis septentrionalis Northern long eared bat Threatened 6 Mollusk Margaritifera hembeli Louisiana pearlshell Threatened 5 Mollusk Lampsilis satura Sandbank pocketbook Sensitive 1 Mollusk Obovaria jacksoniana Southern hickorynut Sensitive 1 Mollusk Pleurobema riddellii Louisiana pigtoe Sensitive 1 Mollusk Potamilus amphiachaenus Texas heelsplitter Sensitive 1 Mollusk Strophitus subvexus Southern creekmussel Sensitive 1 Reptile Pituophis melanoleucus ruthveni Louisiana pinesnake Threatened 2

Occurrence evaluation codes:

1= Project located out of known species range. 2= Lack of suitable habitat for species in project area. 3= Habitat present, species was searched for during field survey, but none found. 4= Species occurs in project area, but outside of activity area. 5= Field survey located species in activity area. 6= Species not seen during field survey, but possibly occurs in activity area based on habitat observed or field survey not conducted when species is recognizable.

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Catahoula RD – North Gray Creek 4-Sep-19

Table 3 Existing Basal Area NEW Resto Std Compart Std Std ration Type/Condi >35 LL SL Lob ment # # Treatment Type Acres tion Class Years Pine Pine Pine Hardwood Total 1st 89 4 Thinning 26 31-11 Y - - 120.3 - 120.3 Free Thinning 5 Conversion 107 31-10 Y 8 28 40 44 120 Free 7 Thinning 17 31-12 N - - 70 20 90 LL & 8 CC SL 10 13-11 Y - - 100 10 110 LL & 9 CC SL 17 31-10 Y - 5 50 45 100 LL & 10 CC SL 18 31-10 Y - - 56.7 33.8 90.5 Free 11 Thinning 38 31-11 Y - - 113.3 6.7 120 Free 12 28 Thinning 14 13-10 Y - 20 16.7 33.3 70 LL & 15 CC w/ Res SL 32 30-10 Y 20 20 10 - 50 Free 15 27 Thinning 24 16 CC LL 32 22-12 Y - - 76 6 82 Free 16 22 Thinning 15 Free 16 25 Thinning 8 Free 90 2 Thinning 96 31-12 Y 7 24 30 - 61 Free 2 17 Thinning 19 Free 2 24 Thinning 34 2 26 CC w/ Res LL 28 2 23 CC w/ Res LL 34 2 25 CC w/ Res LL 37 2 15 CC w/ Res LL 38 Free 3 Thinning 32 31-11 Y - 6.7 86.7 6.7 100 4 CC w/ Res LL 83 31-12 Y - 3.3 56.7 - 60 Free 4 19 Thinning 89 Free 5 Thinning 143 22-12 Y 100 100 1st 6 Thinning 28 31-11 Y - 40 100 - 140 1st 13 Thinning 36 31-11 Y - - 140 20 160 Free 19 Thinning 89 31-12 Y - 4 84 12 100 91 2 CC SL 25 31-12 Y - - 110 - 110 Free 6 Thinning 44 31-10 Y - - 90 - 90 8 CC w/ Res SL 25 31-10 Y - 10 90 10 110 9 CC SL 31 31-11 Y - - 130 - 130

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Catahoula RD – North Gray Creek 2 Aug 19

1st 16 Thinning 33 31-11 Y - - 55 - 55 29 CC w/ Res SL 24 31-12 Y - 15 100 - 115 1st 30 Thinning 40 31-11 Y - - 140 - 140 1st 31 Thinning 39 21-11 Y 110 - - - 110 Free 32 Thinning 100 31-12 Y - 3.3 76.7 3.3 83.3 32 40 CC w/ Res 27 Free 34 Thinning 12 31-12 Y - - 56.7 10 66.7 37 CC LL 11 31-11 - - 86.7 50 136.7 Free 39 Thinning 9 31-12 Y - - 145 5.5 150.5 92 1 CC SL 26 31-10 Y - - 73.3 - 73.3 Free Thinning 3 Conversion SL 77 31-10 Y - 66.7 26.7 26.7 120 Free 5 Thinning 9 31-12 Y - 10 100 - 110 Free 6 Thinning 29 13-11 Y - 6.7 53.3 33.3 93.3 8 CC SL 22 13-11 Y 61 13 64 9 CC SL 14 31-10 Y - - 66.7 20 86.7 Free 13 Thinning 8 13-11 Y 76 15 91 15 CC w/ Res SL 40 31-10 Y 84 84 Free 15 23 Thinning 10 Free 19 Thinning 63 31-11 Y 93 93 Free 93 4 Thinning 155 31-12 Y - 13.3 86.7 33.3 133.3 4 19 CC w/ Res SL 34 Free 18 Thinning 80 31-11 Y - - 120 10 130 24 CC w/ Res SL 26 31-13 - 10 90 10 110 26 CC w/ Res SL 40 31-12 Y - 26.7 53.3 6.6 86.7 31 CC w/ Res SL 20 32-10 Y - 20 25 40 85

Total Treat ed Acres 2217

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Figure 2. LPM watershed, bed locations and treatment areas.

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