Habitat Conservation Plan for Streaked Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata) on Port of Portland Properties in Portland, Oregon Final Prepared for Port of Portland Prepared by SWCA Environmental Consultants Final January 30, 2017 HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN FOR STREAKED HORNED LARK (EREMOPHILA ALPESTRIS STRIGATA) ON PORT OF PORTLAND PROPERTIES IN PORTLAND, OREGON FINAL Prepared for Port of Portland 7200 NE Airport Way Portland, Oregon 97218 Attn: Dana Green (503) 415-6677 Prepared by SWCA Environmental Consultants 1220 SW Morrison Street, Suite 700 Portland, Oregon 97205 (503) 224-0333 www.swca.com SWCA Project No. 26726.11 FINAL January 30, 2017 Habitat Conservation Plan for Port of Portland Properties in Portland, Oregon CONTENTS Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................... iv 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................1 1.1. Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Regulatory Framework ................................................................................................................. 4 1.2.1. Endangered Species Act ........................................................................................................ 4 1.2.2. Federal Aviation Administration Regulations ...................................................................... 6 1.3. Coordination Efforts ..................................................................................................................... 7 2. Plan Area .................................................................................................................................8 2.1. Rivergate Project Area .................................................................................................................. 8 2.2. PDX Intermediate Zone and the SW Quad Project Area ............................................................ 11 2.2.1. SW Quad ............................................................................................................................. 11 2.3. Sandy Island Conservation Area ................................................................................................. 15 3. Covered Species ....................................................................................................................17 3.1. Streaked Horned Lark ................................................................................................................. 17 3.1.1. Biology and Life History .................................................................................................... 17 3.1.2. Habitat ................................................................................................................................. 17 3.1.3. Status and Threats ............................................................................................................... 18 3.1.4. Occurrence in the Plan Area ............................................................................................... 20 3.2. Other Federally Listed Species ................................................................................................... 22 4. Covered Activities .................................................................................................................23 4.1. Rivergate ..................................................................................................................................... 23 4.2. SW Quad ..................................................................................................................................... 23 4.3. PDX Intermediate Zone .............................................................................................................. 25 4.4. Sandy Island Conservation Area ................................................................................................. 25 5. Incidental Take and Impacts ...............................................................................................26 5.1. Potential for Take ........................................................................................................................ 26 5.1.1. Habitat Loss ........................................................................................................................ 27 5.1.2. Interim Conservation Measure - Nesting Habitat Modification .......................................... 29 5.1.3. Noise and Activity Disturbances ......................................................................................... 29 5.1.4. Impact Summary ................................................................................................................. 31 5.2. Incidental Take Request .............................................................................................................. 32 5.2.1. Nesting Pairs as a Surrogate Measure for Take of Individuals ........................................... 33 5.2.2. Take Estimate ...................................................................................................................... 35 5.2.3. Requested Take ................................................................................................................... 40 5.3. Impact of the Requested Taking ................................................................................................. 41 5.3.1. Comparison to Regional and Range-wide Population ........................................................ 42 5.3.2. Consideration of Natural Habitat Loss ................................................................................ 43 5.3.3. Comparison with Cumulative Bird-Years ........................................................................... 43 6. Conservation Program .........................................................................................................48 6.1. Biological Goals and Objectives ................................................................................................. 49 Final January 30, 2017 i Habitat Conservation Plan for Port of Portland Properties in Portland, Oregon 6.2. Avoidance and Minimization Measures...................................................................................... 50 6.2.1. Seasonal Vegetation Management Restrictions .................................................................. 50 6.3. Mitigation Measures ................................................................................................................... 50 6.3.1. Interim Conservation Measures .......................................................................................... 50 6.3.2. Sandy Island Conservation Area ......................................................................................... 51 6.4. SHLA Research Program ............................................................................................................ 56 6.4.1. Sandy Island Research Access ............................................................................................ 56 6.4.2. Fledgling SHLA Banding at Rivergate and SW Quad ........................................................ 57 6.5. Conservation Benefits ................................................................................................................. 58 6.5.1. Sandy Island Conservation Area ......................................................................................... 58 6.5.2. Net Conservation Benefit Across the Plan Area ................................................................. 59 6.6. Monitoring .................................................................................................................................. 60 6.6.1. Nesting Season Surveys ...................................................................................................... 60 7. Plan Administration .............................................................................................................61 7.1. Permit Term and Renewals ......................................................................................................... 61 7.2. Permit Amendments .................................................................................................................... 62 7.2.1. Minor Amendment .............................................................................................................. 62 7.2.2. Major Amendment .............................................................................................................. 63 7.3. Reporting ..................................................................................................................................... 63 7.4. Coordination ............................................................................................................................... 63 7.4.1. Changed Circumstances ...................................................................................................... 64 7.5. Unforeseen Circumstances .......................................................................................................... 66 8. Funding Plan .........................................................................................................................66 9. Alternatives Analysis ............................................................................................................69