Final Management Indicator Species Report Sunflower Allotment Grazing Analysis July 2015 Table of Contents Background ......................................................................................................................... 4 Alternatives Considered ...................................................................................................... 4 Alternative 1: No Action – No Grazing .......................................................................... 4 Alternative 2 – Proposed Action ..................................................................................... 5 1) Authorization .......................................................................................................... 5 2) Range Improvement Infrastructure ....................................................................... 11 3) Monitoring ............................................................................................................ 14 4) Management Practices and Mitigation Measures ................................................. 17 Status of Management Indicator Species Populations ...................................................... 23 Management Indicator Species Status and Trends ........................................................... 31 Data Sources ................................................................................................................. 31 Breeding Bird Survey ............................................................................................... 31 Christmas Bird Counts (National Audubon Society)................................................ 32 NatureServe............................................................................................................... 32 Arizona Game and Fish Department Data ................................................................ 33 Arizona Wildlife and Fisheries Comprehensive Plan (USFS & AZGFD, 1990) Data ................................................................................................................................... 33 Effects for the PJ/Woodland Habitat & Selected MIS ...................................................... 33 Ash-throated Flycatcher ................................................................................................ 33 Effects determination PJ/Woodland habitat type:..................................................... 37 Effects for the Chaparral Habitat Type and Selected MIS ............................................... 37 Rufous-sided (spotted) towhee ..................................................................................... 37 Black-chinned sparrow ................................................................................................. 41 Page 2 of 81 Effects determination chaparral habitat type: ........................................................... 45 Effects for the Desert Grassland Habitat Type and Selected MIS .................................... 45 Horned Lark .................................................................................................................. 45 Savannah sparrow ......................................................................................................... 49 Effects determination desert grassland habitat type: ................................................ 53 Effects for the Desert Scrub Habitat Type and Selected MIS .......................................... 53 Black-throated sparrow ................................................................................................. 54 Canyon Towhee ............................................................................................................ 58 Effects determination desert scrub habitat type: ....................................................... 61 Effects For the Riparian (high/ low elevation) Habitat Type And Selected MIS ............. 62 Bell’s Vireo ................................................................................................................... 62 Common black hawk .................................................................................................... 64 Effects determination high & low riparian habitat type: .......................................... 66 Effects For the Aquatic Habitat Type & Selected MIS .................................................... 66 Aquatic Macroinvertebrates .......................................................................................... 66 Effects determination aquatic habitat type: ............................................................... 69 References ......................................................................................................................... 71 Appendix A ....................................................................................................................... 79 Page 3 of 81 Background The Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) for the Tonto National Forest (Tonto NF), adopted in 1985, identified thirty management indicator species (MIS). The reason these species were selected as MIS is described in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Tonto National Forest Plan, 1985. The objective was to select species which would indicate successional stages of each vegetation type and serve as an indicator for detecting major habitat changes (LRMP p. 211). A forest level MIS report was prepared in 2002 and updated in 2005. Specifics on trends for MIS species across the forest can be found in that report. The purpose of the report was to summarize current knowledge of population and habitat trends for species identified as MIS for the Tonto NF. Population trends needed to be monitored as the LRMP was implemented, and relationships to habitat changes over time determined (36 CFR 219.19). It is a dynamic document, subject to change as new inventory, monitoring, and habitat information is acquired and evaluated during the life of the Tonto NF LRMP. Management guidance for MIS, other wildlife and fish resources, and diversity of plant and animal populations, is found in several key documents. The 1982 National Forest Management Act Regulations (Planning Regulations) at 36 CFR 219 set forth a process for developing, adopting, and revising land and resource management plans for the National Forest System (CFR 219.1), and identify requirements for integrating fish and wildlife resources in Forest Land Management Plans (CFR 219.13 and CFR 219.19). Key provisions for fish and wildlife resources require that fish and wildlife habitat be managed to maintain viable populations of existing native and desired non-native vertebrate species in the planning area, where a viable population is considered to be one that has the estimated numbers and distribution of individuals to ensure its continued existence is well distributed through the planning area (CFR 219.19). By definition, the planning area is the area covered by a regional guide or forest plan (CFR 219.3). The Planning Regulations require that certain species, whose population changes are believed to indicate the effects of management activities, be selected and evaluated in forest planning alternatives (CFR 219.19). Additionally, the regulations require that the population trends of management indicator species be monitored and relationships to habitat changes determined (CFR 219.19). Specific management direction for MIS is also found in Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2600. Policy and direction that tiers to CFR 219.19 is provided for MIS for application at the Forest Plan and project levels relative to species selection, habitat analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and other habitat and planning evaluation considerations, in FSM 2620. FSM 2630 provides guidance on improving MIS habitat, and conducting habitat examinations, and project level evaluations for MIS within the project area. Alternatives Considered Alternative 1: No Action – No Grazing Under this alternative the term grazing permit for Sunflower allotment would be cancelled following guidance in 36 CFR 222.4 and Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2231.62. Existing improvements no longer functional or needed for other purposes, including interior fences, cattle Page 4 of 81 guards, and water developments would be evaluated for continued usefulness and removed as necessary. Alternative 2 – Proposed Action The following prosed action was modified from the one scoped on November 14, 2014, and does not include the use of prescribed fire techniques in portions of the allotment to address fire condition class regimes. These treatments were removed to focus the actions of this analysis on actions specifically related to the reauthorization of grazing. The proposed action consists of four components: authorization, improvements, monitoring, and management practices. The proposed action follows current guidance from Forest Service Handbook 2209.13, Chapter 90 (Grazing Permit Administration; Rangeland Management Decision making). 1) Authorization The Mesa Ranger District, Tonto National Forest, proposes to authorize livestock grazing in the project area under the following terms: Permitted Livestock Numbers: Proposed permitted use would vary between 2,700 to 6,300 Animal Unit Months (AUMs) year-long. Table 1 depicts this range of numbers per unit based on estimated capacity numbers. A rotational system of grazing would be implemented which would allow plants an opportunity for growth or regrowth. Table 1: Proposed Stocking Numbers Based on Estimated Production Unit Estimated Initial Maximum Capacity Numbers Based on