Biological Assessment and United States Department of Agriculture Biological Evaluation for Forest Service Plants Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, And Gunnison National Forests Spruce Beetle Epidemic and Aspen Decline Delta, Colorado Management Response January 2016 Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, Delta, Garfield, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, Saguache, and San Miguel Counties, Colorado 1-26-2016 Barry C. Johnston, Botanist Date Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests 216 N. Colorado Street, Gunnison, Colorado 81230-2197 970-642-4447 • [email protected] 1-26-2016 Suzie Parker, Wildlife Biologist Date Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests 216 N. 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TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 6 PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES TO IT ................................................................ 6 ACTIVITIES COMMON TO ALL ACTION ALTERNATIVES ....................................................................... 7 Alternative 2 (Agency Preferred Action) ............................................................................................................ 21 Alternative 3 (WUI Alternative) ......................................................................................................................... 25 Summary of Alternatives .................................................................................................................................... 28 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT .................................................................................................... 32 GENERAL DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................................... 32 THREATENED, ENDANGERED, AND PROPOSED PLANT SPECIES ...................................................... 37 SENSITIVE SPECIES .................................................................................................................. 40 SPECIES DESCRIPTIONS ................................................................................................................................ 42 Species considered for analysis .................................................................................................................. 64 Environmental Baseline.............................................................................................................................. 68 Geographic Areas ....................................................................................................................................... 69 Sensitive Species on the GMUG by Habitat ....................................................................................................... 75 Mesic Conifer Stands .................................................................................................................................. 76 Montane Parks .......................................................................................................................................... 76 Wetlands ..................................................................................................................................................... 76 Moist Swales and Riparian Meadows ........................................................................................................ 77 Fens ............................................................................................................................................................ 78 ANALYSIS AND DETERMINATIONS OF EFFECTS ON SENSITIVE SPECIES ................ 79 Methodology ............................................................................................................................................... 79 Scope of Analysis ....................................................................................................................................... 79 Assumptions Made ...................................................................................................................................... 79 Criteria used to determine impacts ............................................................................................................ 80 Cumulative effects ...................................................................................................................................... 80 ALTERNATIVE 1: NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ......................................................................................... 80 EFFECTS COMMON TO ALL ACTION ALTERNATIVES .......................................................................... 82 Direct Effects .............................................................................................................................................. 84 Indirect effects common to most actions..................................................................................................... 85 Indirect impacts caused by introduction or spread of invasive plant species ............................................ 86 Pile burning ................................................................................................................................................ 87 Prescribed fire ............................................................................................................................................ 87 3 Roads .......................................................................................................................................................... 87 Mechanical treatments ............................................................................................................................... 88 Staging areas and landings ........................................................................................................................ 89 Cumulative Effects ...................................................................................................................................... 89 Activities on private and state lands .................................................................................... 90 Recreational activities ......................................................................................................... 90 Road maintenance by state and county................................................................................ 90 Climate change .................................................................................................................... 90 Design features ........................................................................................................................................... 90 COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES ............................................................................................................. 93 Alternative 2 (Agency Preferred Action) .................................................................................................... 94 Sensitive Species within Alternative 2 Area ....................................................................... 94 Effects to Sensitive Species ....................................................................................................................... 102 Astragalus leptaleus ........................................................................................................... 102 Botrychium paradoxum ..................................................................................................... 102 Carex diandra, Drosera rotundifolia, Eriophorum chamissonis, Eriophorum gracile, Salix candida, Sphagnum angustifolium, and Utricularia minor ................................................ 103 Machaeranthera coloradoensis .......................................................................................... 104 Alternative 3 (WUI Alternative) ............................................................................................................... 104 Sensitive Species within Alternative 3 Area ..................................................................... 106 Effects to Sensitive Species ....................................................................................................................... 114 Astragalus leptaleus ........................................................................................................... 114 Botrychium paradoxum ..................................................................................................... 114 Carex diandra, Drosera rotundifolia, Eriophorum chamissonis, Eriophorum gracile, Salix candida, Sphagnum angustifolium, and Utricularia minor ...............................................