ERDC/CERL TR-01-26 Endangered Species Management Plan for Fort Hood, Texas; FY01-05 Timothy J. Hayden, John D. Cornelius, Howard J. Weinberg, March 2001 Leslie L. Jette, and Robert H. Melton Construction Engineering Research Laboratory Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 2 ERDC/CERL TR-01-26 Foreword This study was conducted for III Corps and Fort Hood, Natural Resources Branch, under MIPR # 9DCER00242. The technical monitor was John D. Corne- lius. The work was performed by the Ecological Processes Branch (CN-N) of the In- stallations Division (CN), Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL). The CERL Principal Investigator was Timothy J. Hayden. The techni- cal editor was Gloria J. Wienke, Information Technology Laboratory. Stephen E. Hodapp is Chief, CEERD-CN-N, and Dr. John T. Bandy is Chief, CEERD-CN. The associated Technical Director was Dr. William D. Severinghaus, (CEERD- TD). The Acting Director of CERL is William D. Goran. CERL is an element of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Cen- ter (ERDC), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Director of ERDC is Dr. James R. Houston and the Commander is COL James S. Weller. DISCLAIMER The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents. DESTROY THIS REPORT WHEN IT IS NO LONGER NEEDED. DO NOT RETURN IT TO THE ORIGINATOR. ERDC/CERL TR-01-26 3 Contents Foreword ............................................................................................................................................... 2 List of Tables and Figures.................................................................................................................. 6 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 7 Background .........................................................................................................................7 Objectives ...........................................................................................................................8 Approach.............................................................................................................................8 Mode of Technology Transfer..............................................................................................9 2 Site Description and Land Use Activities................................................................................11 Mission and History........................................................................................................... 11 Terrain ............................................................................................................................... 11 Current Military Activity......................................................................................................13 Training Grounds ..............................................................................................................15 Other Current Activities .....................................................................................................17 3 Species Accounts and Current Status on Fort Hood........................................................... 20 Golden-cheeked Warbler ..................................................................................................20 Black-capped Vireo ...........................................................................................................30 Croton alabamensis (Texabama croton)...........................................................................40 Cave-adapted Fauna ........................................................................................................45 Other Species....................................................................................................................47 4 ESMP Objectives ........................................................................................................................ 48 All Species.........................................................................................................................48 Golden-cheeked Warbler ..................................................................................................49 Black-capped Vireo ...........................................................................................................50 Croton alabamensis (Texabama croton)...........................................................................51 Cave-adapted Fauna ........................................................................................................52 Other Species....................................................................................................................53 5 Conservation Actions: All Federally Listed Species........................................................... 54 Compliance .......................................................................................................................54 Protection ..........................................................................................................................55 4 ERDC/CERL TR-01-26 6 Conservation Actions: Golden-cheeked Warbler................................................................ 57 Population Goal.................................................................................................................57 Protection ..........................................................................................................................58 Management .....................................................................................................................62 Monitoring .........................................................................................................................62 Research...........................................................................................................................64 7 Conservation Actions: Black-capped Vireo ......................................................................... 67 Population Goal.................................................................................................................67 Protection ..........................................................................................................................68 Management .....................................................................................................................72 Monitoring .........................................................................................................................75 Research...........................................................................................................................77 8 Conservation Actions: Croton alabamensis ........................................................................ 79 Protection ..........................................................................................................................79 Monitoring .........................................................................................................................79 9 Conservation Actions: Cave-adapted Fauna ....................................................................... 81 Protection ..........................................................................................................................81 Monitoring .........................................................................................................................82 Research...........................................................................................................................83 10 Conservation Actions: Other Species ................................................................................... 85 Protection ..........................................................................................................................85 Monitoring .........................................................................................................................86 11 Resource Requirements ...........................................................................................................88 12 Checklist ...................................................................................................................................... 90 References........................................................................................................................................ 109 Appendix A: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion for Fort Hood, Texas, July 26, 2000 .......................................................................................... 117 Appendix B: Fort Hood Fire Management and Protection Policies ................................ 138 Appendix C: Fort Hood Endangered Species Training Guidelines................................. 142 Appendix D: Population Viability Analyses of the Golden-cheeked Warbler and the Black-capped Vireo on Fort Hood, Texas ............................................. 144 Appendix E: “Environmental Assessment” and “Finding of No Significant Impact” for the Fort Hood Endangered Species Management Plan........ 151 ERDC/CERL TR-01-26