Joey Healthy Forest and Fuels Reduction Project Biological Evaluation For Terrestrial and Aquatic Animals Threatened, Endangered and Proposed Species Species of concern, candidates for listing under the ESA and Forest Service Sensitive Species Pacific Southwest Region Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest Tulare County, California February 21, 2014 Prepared by: /s/ Steven W. Anderson . Steven W. Anderson, Resource Officer Kern River Ranger District Prepared by: a|Çt [xÅÑ{|ÄÄ . Nina Hemphill, Forest Fish Biologist Sequoia National Forest Page left blank intentionally Summary This biological evaluation (BE) documents analysis of effects of the Joey Healthy Forest and Fuels Reduction Project on aquatic and terrestrial animals (fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, insects and amphibians) species identified as sensitive by the Regional Forester, Pacific Southwest Region Forest Service and species listed for protection, including candidates and species proposed for listing, under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973. The project is located on the West Kern Plateau in Tulare County California. Analysis of effects is tiered to the Sequoia National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (USDA-FS 1988) as amended by the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment (USDA-FS 2004). A determination of no effect was made for all federally protected species that were found to be in the area or have the potential to be affected by this project. There is no designated Critical Habitat within or affected by the project. A biological assessment will not be prepared and consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service is not required. Considering the context and intensity of the impacts of this project (40 CFR 1508.27) on wildlife and aquatic organisms, no significant impacts were identified either as a direct result of this project or cumulatively with other past, present or reasonably foreseeable projects. Species addressed and determinations of effect are summarized in the following table: Species Reviewed for Inclusion in the Joey Biological Evaluation Species Determination Kern Plateau Slender salamander SC All Alternatives: would not be likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability. Batrachoseps robustus Mountain yellow -legged frog; All Alternatives: would not be likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability. Southern Sierra DPS FS, FC Rana muscosa California spotted owl FS All Alternatives: would not be likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability. Strix occidentalis occidentalis Northern goshawk FS All Alternatives: would not be likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability. Accipiter gentilis Pacific Fisher FS, FC All Alternatives: would not be likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability. Martes pennanti pacifica Townsend's. big eared bat FS, FC, SC All Alternatives: would not be likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing o r loss of viability. Corynorhinus townsendii townsendii Pallid bat FS,SC All Alternatives: would not be likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability. Antrozous pallidus American badger SC All Alternatives: would not be likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability. Taxidea taxus Western red bat FS,SC All Alternatives: would not be likely to result in a trend toward Federal listing or loss of viability. Lasiurus blossevillii Listing Status Key: federal/state SC CA Species of Special Concern SP State Fully Protected FS USFS Sensitive Species FT Federal Threatened SE State Endangered FC Federal Candidate FE Federal Endangered ST State Threatened SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................................................... 2 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................... 6 BACKGROUND .............................................................................................................................................................................. 6 CONSULTATION TO DATE .................................................................................................................................................... 7 CURRENT MANAGEMENT DIRECTION .................................................................................................................................. 7 PROJECT SPECIFIC DESIRED CONDITION ............................................................................................................................................ 7 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT .......................................................................................................................... 7 EXISTING CONDITION / ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE ........................................................................................................................... 10 GENERAL EFFECTS DISCUSSION ..................................................................................................................................................... 14 CUMULATIVE EFFECTS DISCUSSION ................................................................................................................................................ 15 SPECIES ACCOUNTS ........................................................................................................................................................... 17 FEDERALLY PROTECTED (L ISTED ) SPECIES ........................................................................................................................................ 17 FOREST SERVICE SENSITIVE SPECIES (INCLUDING SPECIAL INTEREST SPECIES ) ........................................................................................... 17 SUMMARY OF DETERMINATIONS ...................................................................................................................................... 49 LITERATURE CITED ............................................................................................................................................................. 49 APPENDIX A – ANIMAL SPECIES AT RISK ............................................................................................................................ 57 APPENDIX B – SPOTTED OWL HRCA AND PAC, SURVEY SUMMARY ................................................................................... 59 APPENDIX C – CURRENT MANAGEMENT DIRECTION ......................................................................................................... 60 REGULATORY SETTING ................................................................................................................................................................. 60 LAND ALLOCATIONS AND DESIRED CONDITIONS ............................................................................................................................... 60 MANAGEMENT STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES .................................................................................................................................. 62 Joey Healthy Forest and Fuel Reduction Project Wildlife and Aquatics Biological Evaluation Introduction Background This biological evaluation (BE) documents analysis of effects of the Joey Healthy Forest and Fuels Reduction Project on aquatic and terrestrial animal (fish, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians) species identified as sensitive by the Pacific Southwest Region (R5) of the Forest Service and species listed for protection or proposed for protection under the Endangered Species Act (Threatened, Endangered and Proposed (TEP)) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (19 U.S.C. 1536 c), standards established in Forest Service Manual direction (FSM 2672.42) and other relevant federal and state laws or regulations. Analysis of effects is tiered to the Sequoia National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (USDA-FS 1988) as amended by the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment (USDA-FS 2004). The project is located on the West Kern Plateau, Kern River Ranger District, and Sequoia National Forest in Tulare County, California. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service candidates for listing under the Endangered Species Act are included with Forest Service Sensitive species in this document. Table 1 indicates Threatened, Endangered, Proposed and Candidates for federal listing and Sensitive (TEPS) species that have the potential to be directly or indirectly affected by this project. These species are addressed in detail within this document. No TEP species or critical habitats were identified as having the potential to be affected by this project. A biological assessment will not be prepared since consultation with the USFWS is not required. A full list of TEPS species that may be affected by actions within the Sequoia National Forest is attached in Appendix A with a brief notation regarding rationale for inclusion or exclusion for detailed analysis in this document. The Sensitive Species list for the Pacific Southwest Region was updated effective August 16, 2013. The American badger is addressed as a species of concern based on public comment. No project specific issue or concern was raised regarding this species. Table 1: Species Reviewed for Inclusion in the Joey Healthy Forest