Appendix E – Biological Evaluation Biological Evaluation of the Green Mountain National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan Revision on Federal Endangered, Threatened, and Proposed Species and Regional Forester Sensitive Species Addison, Bennington, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor Counties, Vermont USDA Forest Service Green Mountain National Forest 231 North Main Street Rutland, Vermont 05701 (802) 747-6700 Biological Evaluation Appendix E The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status (not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication or program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice or TDD). 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Page E - 2 Green Mountain National Forest Appendix E Biological Evaluation Table of Contents Chapter 1 – Purpose and Need..................................................................................................................4 Introduction.............................................................................................................................................4 Proposed Management Action and Alternatives.................................................................................4 Consultation History ............................................................................................................................11 Species Evaluated ................................................................................................................................11 Chapter 2 – Overview of Management Context .....................................................................................14 Description of the Planning Area........................................................................................................14 Management Direction .........................................................................................................................19 Analysis and Management Process ...................................................................................................28 Chapter 3 - Analysis of Effects, Federally-listed Species.....................................................................29 Conservation Status Ranks.................................................................................................................29 Summary of Species Determinations .................................................................................................29 Effects Common to All Alternatives ...................................................................................................30 Gray wolf................................................................................................................................................30 Eastern Cougar .....................................................................................................................................32 Canada Lynx..........................................................................................................................................34 Indiana Bat.............................................................................................................................................36 Bald Eagle..............................................................................................................................................46 Chapter 4 – Analysis of Effects, Regional Forester Sensitive Animals ..............................................50 Summary of Species Determinations .................................................................................................50 Effects Common to All Alternatives ...................................................................................................50 Eastern Small-footed Bat .....................................................................................................................51 Bicknell’s Thrush..................................................................................................................................56 American Peregrine Falcon .................................................................................................................60 Common Loon.......................................................................................................................................63 Wood Turtle...........................................................................................................................................66 Jefferson Salamander ..........................................................................................................................71 Boulder Beach Tiger Beetle.................................................................................................................75 Odonates ...............................................................................................................................................77 Brook Floater.........................................................................................................................................81 Creek Heelsplitter .................................................................................................................................83 Chapter 5 – Analysis of Effects, Regional Forester Sensitive Plants..................................................85 Introduction...........................................................................................................................................85 Summary of Species Determinations .................................................................................................87 Effects Common to All Alternatives across Habitats........................................................................87 Species of Alpine and Subalpine Habitats.........................................................................................88 Species of Rock or Cliff Habitat ..........................................................................................................92 Species of Barrens and Open Uplands ..............................................................................................98 Species of Aquatic Habitats ..............................................................................................................103 Species of Shore Habitat ...................................................................................................................108 Species of Open Wetlands.................................................................................................................115 Species of Forested Wetlands...........................................................................................................121 Species of Rich Northern Hardwood Forest ....................................................................................128 Species of Dry, Low-elevation Forests and Woodlands.................................................................135 Species of Conifer Forests ................................................................................................................144 Literature Cited........................................................................................................................................152 Green Mountain National Forest Page E - 3 Biological Evaluation Appendix E Chapter 1 – Purpose and Need Introduction This Biological Evaluation (BE) is prepared in accordance with policy provided in Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2672.42 and Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This policy is designed to avoid impacts that may cause a trend toward listing of a species under the Endangered Species Act, or loss of species viability. The purpose of this document is to determine the potential effects of the revised Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan or Plan), and its alternatives, on federally-listed threatened, endangered, and proposed (TE) species, and Regional Forester sensitive species (RFSS), that may occur within the GMNF. The need for revision of the GMNF Forest Plan stems from regulations under the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (NFMA) that require Forests to evaluate and revise their management plans every 10-15 years; the current GMNF Forest Plan was approved in 1987. Federally endangered and threatened species are those determined for eligibility based on guidelines listed by the United States Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act. The GMNF consulted with the USFWS to determine which federally-listed species to evaluate in this Biological Evaluation (USFWS 2004, USFWS 2006). Species included on the Regional Forester sensitive species list must occur on Forest Service land or within the proclamation boundary of the Forest, and meet at least one of the following criteria: 1) are a candidate for federal listing under ESA; 2) have been delisted under ESA within the last five years; 3) have a global