Biological Assessment for Threatened, Endangered, and Proposed Terrestrial Wildlife Species 2020 Forest Plan for the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Prepared by: /s/ Wendy E. Clark 03/13/2020 Wendy E. Clark, Wildlife Biologist Date /s/ David B. Kemp 03/13/2020 David B. Kemp, Wildlife Biologist Date Page intentionally left blank. Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1 Federally designated species and designated critical habitat ........................................................ 1 Consultation history ..................................................................................................................................... 2 Description of the proposed action ................................................................................................ 2 Need for and purpose of the proposed action .............................................................................................. 2 Need ......................................................................................................................................................... 2 Purpose ..................................................................................................................................................... 3 Action area ................................................................................................................................................... 3 Forest planning framework .......................................................................................................................... 4 The 2012 Planning Rule ........................................................................................................................... 4 Plan components .......................................................................................................................................... 5 Monitoring program ................................................................................................................................. 6 Planning directives ................................................................................................................................... 6 Description of the preferred alternative – alternative F ............................................................................... 6 Aquatic ecosystems .................................................................................................................................. 7 Fire and fuels management ...................................................................................................................... 8 Vegetation ................................................................................................................................................ 8 Wildlife .................................................................................................................................................... 8 Recreation ................................................................................................................................................ 9 Designated areas ...................................................................................................................................... 9 Benefits to people: multiple uses and ecosystem services ..................................................................... 10 Other resources ...................................................................................................................................... 12 Summary of plan components specific to grizzly bear .......................................................................... 12 Summary of plan components specific to Canada lynx and Canada lynx designated critical habitat ... 12 Summary of plan components specific to North American wolverine .................................................. 13 Terrestrial wildlife species assessments...................................................................................... 13 Grizzly bear ................................................................................................................................................ 13 Consultation history ............................................................................................................................... 13 Species status and ecological information ............................................................................................. 14 Existing condition .................................................................................................................................. 16 Environmental consequences ................................................................................................................. 39 Determination of effects......................................................................................................................... 55 Canada lynx ............................................................................................................................................... 56 Consultation history ............................................................................................................................... 56 Species status and ecological information ............................................................................................. 56 i Existing condition .................................................................................................................................. 59 Environmental consequences ................................................................................................................. 76 Cumulative effects ................................................................................................................................. 93 Determination of effects......................................................................................................................... 94 Canada lynx designated critical habitat ..................................................................................................... 96 Consultation history ............................................................................................................................... 96 Existing condition .................................................................................................................................. 97 Environmental consequences ............................................................................................................... 104 Cumulative effects ............................................................................................................................... 111 Determination of effects....................................................................................................................... 112 North American wolverine ...................................................................................................................... 113 Consultation history ............................................................................................................................. 113 Species status and ecological information ........................................................................................... 113 Existing condition ................................................................................................................................ 115 Environmental consequences ............................................................................................................... 118 Cumulative effects ............................................................................................................................... 120 Determination of effects....................................................................................................................... 121 Literature cited .......................................................................................................................... 123 Appendix A. 2020 Forest Plan Components .............................................................................. 133 Plan components referenced, by species .................................................................................................. 133 Full text of referenced plan components .................................................................................................. 138 Watershed (WTR) ................................................................................................................................ 138 Fire and Fuels Management (FIRE) ..................................................................................................... 139 All Terrestrial Vegetation (VEGT) ...................................................................................................... 139 Forested Vegetation (VEGF) ............................................................................................................... 145 Nonforested Vegetation (VEGNF) ...................................................................................................... 151 Threatened, endangered, proposed and candidate plant species; and plant species of conservation concern (PLANT) ................................................................................................................................ 152 Wildlife (WL) .....................................................................................................................................