2 Wildlife Biological Assessment for the Two Bit Vegetation Management Project 1. INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this biological assessment/biological evaluation (BA) is to determine the effects of the TWO BIT VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT (project) (alternative 2 in the DEIS) on wildlife species listed as Endangered or Threatened under the Endangered Species Act; on designated Critical Habitat for those species; and on species listed as Sensitive by the Pacific Southwest Region, USDA Forest Service (FS). This BA is prepared in accordance with the legal requirements set forth under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended [16 U.S.C. 1536 (c) et seq. 50CFR 402] (ESA), and follows the standards established in the FS Manual direction (FSM 2672.42; USDA Forest Service 1991). The list of federally listed species was obtained online at http://arcata.fws.gov/specieslist (reference #7396278-111539, (February 26, 2010)). The FS, Region 5, Sensitive Species list was provided by the USDA Pacific Southwest Region (October 15, 2007). This BA addresses the following species from those lists: Endangered Shortnose sucker (Chamistes brevirostris) Lost River sucker (Deltistes luxatus) Tidewater goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi) Threatened Northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) Marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmorata) Sensitive Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus) Northern goshawk (Accipter gentiles) Great gray owl (Strix nebulosa) Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni) Willow flycatcher (Empidonax trailii) Greater sandhill crane (Grus canadensis tabida) California wolverine (Gulo gulo luteus) Pacific fisher (Martes pennanti pacifica) American marten (Martes americana) Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator) Pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) Northwestern pond turtle (Emys marmorata marmorata) Foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) Cascade frog (Rana cascade) 3 Southern torrent salamander (Rhyacotriton variegates) Siskiyou Mountain salamander (Plethodon stormi) Blue-gray taildropper slug (Prophysaon coeruleum) Tehama chaparral snail (Trilobopsis tehamana) Critical Habitat Northern spotted owl, designated January 15, 1992. Marbled murrelet, designated May 24, 1996. Tidewater goby, designated Novemebr 20, 2000. Other Sensitive Species Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum) Shortnose and Lost River suckers (lakes and their tributaries), and tide water goby (coastal lagoons, estuaries and streams a short distance from these habitats) does not occur in the project area. Critical habitat for the tidewater goby does not occur in the project area. The project is not within the range of the Sierra Nevada red fox (Cascades Mountains and Sierra Crest). Habitat for the Swainson’s hawk (perennial grassland, grassy shrub-steppe, or agricultural landscapes), greater sandhill crane (wetlands, marshes, grasslands, or irrigated fields), or pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) (CDFG 1990) and does not include open, xeric forests suitable for roosting and foraging (S. Livingston et. al. 2002). This project is outside the range of the Tehama chaparral snail (Trilobopsis tehamana) and lacks suitable habitat (lakes elevation at or above 6000 feet) for Cascades Frog (Rana cascadae). The above mentioned species and designated critical habitat will not be addressed further in this document II. CONSULTATION TO DATE Field review conducted on 6/16/2009 by Timothy D. Burnett (USFS Happy Camp District Biologist), Karen West (USFS biologist) and Jan Johnson (USFWS biologist). Review of units post harvest from Happy Camp Phase II along Cade Creek and near Jackson peak was conducted to determine Northern Spotted Owl (NSO) habitat post harvest. Determined foraging habitat was maintained as foraging habitat post harvest. The following units were reviewed in the field: 99, 105, 106, 36, 71, 253, 234, 208, and 209. Field review determined that all plantations (that were reviewed during field trip), were unsuitable foraging habitat for NSO due to the small size class and density of crowns and trees (however further field review to other plantation by Timothy D. Burnett concluded some plantation were suitable NSO foraging habitat). FWS recommended a variable thinning approach for plantations within the LSR to foster stand diversity. All of the natural stands were not NSO nesting roosting habitat but do contain foraging habitat. No proposed units were considered RA 32 habitat that are described in the 2008 recovery plan (USDI Fish and Wildlife Service 2008a). No suitable nesting habitat for marbled 4 murrelet was found during the field review and it is not expected to be in or within ¼ mile of the project area. It was agreed by the group that the new USFS 2008 NSO habitat layer was not accurate in estimating habitat quality and quantity at the NSO activity center scale. It was decided that Tim Burnett will habitat type all home ranges of historic NSO activity centers home range (1.3 miles) using ortho photos, aerial photos, and ground verification. Three proposed units are natural stands located within 0.5 mile of an NSO activity center (AC). On July 9, 2009 Tim Burnett presented the Project Information Form (PIF) and gave a brief overview of the Two Bit Project: o Although the project is within the range for MAMU, there is no habitat within treatment units or within ¼ mile of treatment units. o The majority of thinning units are within plantations; Approximately 1900 acres of thinning are proposed within plantations and 300 acres are within natural stands. Approximately 8600 acres are proposed for Rx fire(acres have since been adjusted due to field review by specialsit and IDT). o NSO surveys will be conducted annually through implementation provided funding was available. If surveys are not conducted then limited operating perios would be implmented. o The majority of plantations are not suitable NSO nesting/roosting (N/R) or foraging (F) (too thick) o The majority of the 300 acres of natural stands proposed for thinning are suitable NSO F habitat except Unit 301(further field reviews determined that other natural stands did not constitute foraging habitat for NSO. The proposal is to maintain majority of F habitat by retaining 50% canopy closure post project. The group reviewed treatment in natural stands (F habitat) that overlap NSO core areas – discussions were as follows: o KL-0236 has 12 acres proposed for thinning within the core. The survey history shows only one detection within the AC – the site does not meet the criteria for an AC but did not have full protocol surveys. Tim will continue with protocol surveys to determine status of the site. If after 3 years of protocol surveys no NSOs are detected, the site will be reviewed for AC status. The 12 acres of thinning within the core will continue to be F habitat post project. o KL-0286 has 2 acres of thinning w/in the core (Unit 254). Located on a ridge in a switchback – no concerns. o There is an NSO site at Jackson Peak – the AC needs to be added to the map o PDSs will be included as described on the PIF. Standard smoke minimizing PDSs as described in Forestwide Prescribed Fire Programmatic Biological Assessment and limiting % AC burned will be applied. 5 After discussion about the Project, the Level 1 team agreed that, based on the information presented, the determination is a MANLAA for NSO. On July 9, 2009 Tim Burnett ) had a phone conversation with Dave Clayton (USFS Biologist, Rogue-Siskiyou District) to discuss Northern Spotted Owls surveys associated with the Two Bit Vegetation Management Project. Dave stated that no recent surveys have been conducted in the last ten years in the vicinity o f the Two Bit project area by the Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest. On April 15, 2010 a level one meeting with USFWS biologist Jan Johnson and USFS biologist Timothy D. Burnett and Sue Stresser, reviewed draft BE/BA and agreed upon changes that were needed. Tim will update the BE/BA with the changes suggested and submit them to Jan in approximately one week. The Level 1 Team agreed upon the BA on May 13, 2010. III. CURRENT MANAGEMENT DIRECTION Programmatic management direction for the Forest is provided by the Klamath Land and Resource Management Plan (KLRMP) (USDA Forest Service 1994). The KLRMP incorporates direction in the Record of Decision for Amendments to the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Planning Documents within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl – also known as the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) (USDA Forest Service & USDI Bureau of Land Management 1994a). The KLRMP was developed utilizing the guidelines provided by the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resource Planning Act of 1974, as amended by the National Forest Management Act of 1976, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1976. The Project occurs within the following Management Areas from the KLRMP: MA-5, MA-6, MA-7, MA-10, MA-15, and MA-17 (Table 1). All Standards and Guidelines in the KLRMP will be met by project design. Table 1: Management Areas with proposed treatments Acres within Management Proposed Forest Plan Goals, Standards and Guides, and Desired Area Thinning Future Conditions Units Goals: Protect and enhance conditions of late-successional and “old growth” forest ecosystems. Silvicultural activities aimed at reducing risk of large-scale disturbance and accelerate development of late-successional conditions shall generally focus on treatment in younger stands. MA 5 - Late DFC: Varies by dominant vegetative species site class, successional 126 topography and other site factors. Generally multi-layered forest Reserve common on suitable sites with overstory trees that are large diameter, tall and have obvious signs of decadence. Where hardwoods occur, mid-seral stage forested areas provide suitable habitat with less dense stands and smaller trees. south slopes and drier areas are more open due to frequent fires. MA 6 - Managed 1 Wildlife Area Goals: Manage to provide late-successional habitat, to provide 6 Acres within Management Proposed Forest Plan Goals, Standards and Guides, and Desired Area Thinning Future Conditions Units moderate to high quality habitat for fisher, to test and demonstrate the effectiveness or treatment for use in LSR.