Chapter 4 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES 4.1 Introduction This chapter describes the existing biological resources in the North Coast Study Region (Study Region), provides an overview of applicable federal and state regulations, and describes the potential impacts that may occur to biological resources as a result of implementation of the Proposed Project. Data and information sources used to prepare this chapter include state and federal regulations, a document of methods used to evaluate marine protected area (MPA) proposals in the MLPA Study Region prepared by the Science Advisory Team (MLPA SAT 2010), reference materials from the Regional Profile of the North Coast Study Region: California/Oregon Border to Alder Creek (Regional Profile) (MLPAI 2010a), and other relevant literature including scientific analyses published in peer‐ reviewed journals and books. The following appendices support this chapter: Appendix C: North Coast Study Region Habitat and Species Atlas Appendix D: List of Species Most Likely to Benefit from MPAs in the North Coast Study Region 4.2 Regulatory Setting Federal and state environmental laws, policies, and regulations, and a local plan that are relevant to the biological resources in the Study Region include, but are not limited to: Endangered Species Act (ESA) Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) Lacey Act California Endangered Species Act (CESA) California Marine Life Management Act California Fish and Game Commission Fishing Regulations California Fish and Game Commission Waterfowl Regulations Porter‐Cologne Water Quality Control Act Ballast Water Management for Control of Nonindigenous Species Act, Marine Invasive Species Act, and Coastal Ecosystems Protection Act Marine Life Protection Act – North Coast Study Region March 2012 Draft Environmental Impact Report 4-1 Project No. 11.002 California Department of Fish and Game 4. Biological Resources Humboldt Bay Management Plan The following section provides descriptions of these regulations. 4.2.1 Federal Laws, Regulations, and Policies Endangered Species Act The ESA of 1973 (16 U.S. Code [USC] 1531–1544) was enacted to protect species that are endangered or threatened throughout all or a significant portion of their range, as well as the protection of habitats on which they depend. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) share responsibility for implementing the ESA. In general, the USFWS manages land and freshwater species, while NOAA Fisheries manages marine and anadromous species. As defined by the ESA, endangered refers to species that are "in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range," and threatened refers to “those animals and plants likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of their ranges.” Endangered Species Act Section 4(d) Incidental take of a species listed as threatened under the ESA may be broadly authorized under Section 4(d), which authorizes incidental take of such threatened species consistent with certain conditions. Section 4(d) is not applicable to species listed as endangered under the ESA. Through a Section 4(d) rule, the USFWS or NOAA Fisheries may apply take prohibitions for threatened species but exempt certain programs or activities (such as recreational fisheries) if they meet the requirements specified in the rule. The USFWS or NOAA Fisheries may apply a Section 4(d) rule, either at the time of listing or subsequently. A familiar example is the 4(d) rule that protects anglers if they accidentally catch a listed fish species, provided that they release it unharmed. Endangered Species Act Section 9 Under the ESA, it is illegal for any person, private entity, or government agency to take endangered species without federal authorization. Take of most threatened species is similarly prohibited. Take is defined to mean harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or attempt to engage in such conduct. Harm is defined to mean an act that actually kills or injures fish or wildlife. Take may include significant habitat modification or degradation that actually kills or injures fish or wildlife by substantially impairing essential behavioral patterns, including breeding, spawning, rearing, migrating, feeding, or sheltering. The incidental take of listed species can be authorized under Section 7 or Section 10. Endangered Species Act Section 10 Absent a 4(d) rule or a completed Section 7 consultation, incidental take of a listed species can only be authorized under Section 10. A Section 10(a)(1)(A) permit authorizes the Marine Life Protection Act - North Coast Study Region March 2012 Draft Environmental Impact Report 4-2 Project No. 11.002 California Department of Fish and Game 4. Biological Resources intentional take of listed species for research or propagation that enhances the survival of the listed species in question. Incidental take by a non‐federal entity also may be authorized through a Section 10(a)(1)(B) permit, including approval of a habitat conservation plan. The Proposed Project is not seeking a Section 10(a)(1)(B) permit. Endangered Species Act Critical Habitat When a species is proposed for listing as endangered or threatened under the ESA, the USFWS or NOAA Fisheries must consider whether areas of habitat exist that are essential to the species’ conservation. Those areas may be proposed for designation as “critical habitat.” Under Section 7, all federal agencies must ensure that any actions they authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species, or destroy or adversely modify its designated critical habitat. These requirements apply only to federal agency actions, and only to habitat that has been designated. Critical habitat requirements do not apply to citizens engaged in activities on private land that do not involve a federal agency. Table 4‐1 lists special‐status plants, fish, and wildlife that are recognized by federal and state agencies as threatened, endangered, or species of concern and are known to occur or may occur in the Study Region. Table 4‐1. Special‐Status Species Likely to Occur in the North Coast Study Region State Other Common Name Scientific Name Federal Status Status Status Mammals Blue whale Balaenoptera musculus E MMPA musculus Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus E MMPA Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae E MMPA North Pacific right whale Eubalaena japonica E MMPA Gray whale Eschrichtius robustus D MMPA Sei whale Balaenoptera borealis E MMPA Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus E MMPA Killer whale Orcinus orca PT, SC (NOAA Fisheries) MMPA Dall’s porpoise Phocoenoides dalli MMPA Pacific white‐sided dolphin Lagenorhynchus obliquidens MMPA Risso’s dolphin Grampus griseus MMPA Northern right whale dolphin Issodelphis borealis FP MMPA California sea lion Zalophus californianus MMPA Northern fur seal Callorhinus ursinus MMPA Harbor seal Phoca vitulina MMPA Northern elephant seal Mirounga angustirostris FP MMPA Steller sea lion Eumetopias jubatus T MMPA River otter Lontra canadensis IUCN Southern sea otter Enhydra lutris nereis T FP MMPA Birds Common loon Gavia immer SSC(FP) IUCN Short‐tailed albatross Phoebastria albatrus E SSC(FP) IUCN Marine Life Protection Act - North Coast Study Region March 2012 Draft Environmental Impact Report 4-3 Project No. 11.002 California Department of Fish and Game 4. Biological Resources Table 4‐1. Special‐Status Species Likely to Occur in the North Coast Study Region State Other Common Name Scientific Name Federal Status Status Status Black‐footed albatross Phoebastria nigripes SC (FWS) Ashy storm‐petrel Oceanodroma homochroa BCC (FWS) SSC(SP) IUCN Fork‐tailed storm‐petrel Oceanodroma furcata SSC(FP) IUCN American white pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos SSC(FP) IUCN American bittern Botaurus lentiginosus BCC (FWS) IUCN White‐faced ibis Plegadis chihi SC (FWS) Harlequin duck Histrionicus histrionicus SC (FWS) SSC(SP) Western snowy plover Charadrius alexandrinus T, BCC (FWS) SSC(FP) nivosus Black oystercatcher Haematopus bachmani BCC (FWS) Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus BCC (FWS) Long‐billed curlew Numenius americanus BCC (FWS) Marbled godwit Limosa fedoa BCC (FWS) Black turnstone Arenaria melanocephala BCC (FWS) Red knot Calidris canutus BCC (FWS) Elegant tern Sterna elegans BCC (FWS) SSC(TP) IUCN Caspian tern Sterna caspia BCC (FWS) Marbled murrelet Brachyramphus T E marmoratus marmoratus Cassin's auklet Ptychoramphus aleuticus BCC (FWS) SSC(TP) IUCN Rhinoceros auklet Cerorhinca monocerata SSC(TP) IUCN Double‐crested cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus SSC(WL) IUCN Black‐crowned night heron Nycticorax nycticorax SC IUCN Canada goose Branta canadensis D leucopareia Saltmarsh common yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas sinuosa SC, BCC (FWS) Black brant Branta bernicla nigricans SSC(TP) Redhead Aythya americana SSC(SP) Bufflehead Bucephala albeola SSC(TP) Osprey Pandion haliaetus SSC(WL) Northern harrier Circus cyaneus SSC(TP) Golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos SSC(FP), FP Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus T E Merlin Falco columbarius SSC(WL) Long‐billed curlew Numenius americanus SC California gull Larus californicus SSC(WL) Western gull Larus occidentalis IUCN Willow flycatcher Empidonax traillii E Tufted puffin Fratercula cirrhata SSC(FP) IUCN Reptiles Loggerhead sea turtle