North Sandlin Bay Ecosystem Restoration Project Biological Assessment for Proposed, Threatened, United States and Endangered Wildlife Species Department of Agriculture Forest Service May 2016 For More Information Contact: Ivan Green, District Ranger 24874 U.S. Highway 90 Sanderson, FL, 32087 386-752-2577 In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). 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North Sandlin Bay Ecosystem Restoration Biological Assessment LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................................................... 3 LIST OF TABLES...................................................................................................................................................... 3 CONSULTATION REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................................................... 1 NEED FOR RE-ASSESSMENT BASED ON CHANGED CONDITIONS .............................................................. 1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................... 1 PROPOSED ACTION ................................................................................................................................................ 2 Other Activities Related to the Proposed Action ...................................................................................................... 10 Design Criteria for the Proposed Action ................................................................................................................... 11 PROPOSED, ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES ........................................................................... 13 Individual Species Requirements.............................................................................................................................. 14 List of Preparers and Reviewers: ............................................................................................................................. 27 LITERATURE CITED OR USED FOR SPECIES REVIEW ................................................................................. 28 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Location of the Osceola National Forest ........................................................................................................ 2 Figure 2. Location of the Sandlin Bay Project. .............................................................................................................. 4 Figure 3. Proposed Action for Compartment 111 .......................................................................................................... 6 Figure 4. Proposed Action for Compartment 120 .......................................................................................................... 7 Figure 5. Project area wetlands. ................................................................................................................................... 20 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Compartment 111 stands selected for treatment. ............................................................................................. 8 Table 2. Compartment 120 stands selected for treatment. ............................................................................................. 9 Table 3. Road reconstruction for sale haul routes. ....................................................................................................... 10 Table 4. Project Design Criteria to minimize or avoid impacts of project activities. .................................................. 12 Table 5. Frosted Flatwoods Salamander Surveys within Osceola National Forest (U.S. Forest Service, 2012). ....... 23 North Sandlin Bay Ecosystem Restoration Biological Assessment CONSULTATION REQUIREMENTS In accordance with the Endangered Species Act and its implementing regulations and FSM 2671.4, the Osceola National Forest is required to obtain written concurrence from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) with respect to the determination of "may affect, not likely to adversely affect" for listed species considered in this Biological Assessment. NEED FOR RE-ASSESSMENT BASED ON CHANGED CONDITIONS The findings of this Biological Assessment are based on the best data and scientific information available at the time of preparation. If new information becomes available that reveals potential effects to sensitive species or their habitats in a manner or to an extent not considered within this evaluation; if the proposed action is subsequently modified in a manner that causes an effect that was not considered in this evaluation; or if a new species is listed or habitat identified that may be affected by the proposed action, a revised biological evaluation will be prepared. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this Biological Assessment is to document potential effects of the proposed federal action on endangered and threatened species or their habitat and to ensure that land management decisions are made with the benefit of such knowledge. The following objectives as stated in FSM 2672.41 will be met: 1. To comply with the requirements of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. To ensure that actions of Federal agencies do not jeopardize the continued existence of a species or result in adverse modification of designated critical habitat. 2. To provide a process and standard which will ensure that endangered and threatened species receive full consideration in the decision making process. The Osceola National Forests (OSC) Wildlife Proposed, Endangered, Threatened or Sensitive (PETS) species list (Appendix A) was reviewed to determine whether any PETS species could be potentially affected by the proposed action. Florida panther (Felis concolor coryi) was considered as part of this Biological Assessment but eliminated from detailed evaluation. Florida panther do not currently inhabit OSC; however, they could potentially be reintroduced in the future. In addition, American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) was also considered as part of this Biological Assessment but eliminated from detailed evaluation. The American alligator is listed due to their similarity of appearance to American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). However, American crocodiles occur in isolated areas within south Florida and do not occur within OSC. There are no federally listed threatened or endangered plant species within OSC. 1 North Sandlin Bay Ecosystem Restoration Biological Assessment The following evaluation methods were used to determine which species to address and potential effects of the project: . Review of U.S. Forest Service location records for listed species. Review of Florida Natural Areas Inventory records within the project area. Field examination by David K. Dorman for habitat evaluation and evidence of use by animals during 2011 and Amy D. Thompson in 2013. Informal consultation with staff of the Osceola Ranger District concerning animal occurrences and historic effects from logging and prescribed fire on the forest. Literature review for PETS species to better understand life history characteristics, habitat requirements and potential effects of the proposed action. PROPOSED ACTION The North Sandlin Bay Restoration project proposes management activities for approximately 2,500 acres in the northwest area of the Osceola National Forest (OSC; T2N R17E) within Forest Compartments 111 and 120. The name derives from a large swamp west of the project area shown on U.S. Geological Survey maps as Sandlin Bay (Figure 1). The stands proposed for management activities are within Forest Compartments 111 and 120, combined the Compartments total about 10,700 acres, including