FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT for REESTABLISHMENT OF THE NORTHERN APLOMADO FALCON IN NEW MEXICO AND ARIZONA June 2006 U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office 2105 Osuna Road NE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113 (505) 346-2525 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR ACTION.................................................................... 4 1.1 Description of the Proposed Action............................................................................. 4 1.2 Purpose of the Action................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Need for the Action...................................................................................................... 4 1.4 Background..................................................................................................................4 1.4.1 Background Information on the Northern Aplomado Falcon.............................. 4 1.4.2 Geographic scope of the proposed action ............................................................ 7 1.4.3 Reintroduction Techniques.................................................................................. 7 1.4.4 The Section 7 Consultation Process..................................................................... 9 1.4.5 Provisions Under Section 10(j) of the Act......................................................... 10 1.4.6 Safe Harbor Agreements.................................................................................... 12 1.5 Decisions to be Made................................................................................................. 12 2.0 ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE..................... 12 2.1 Scoping Process ......................................................................................................... 12 2.2 Alternatives................................................................................................................ 13 2.3 Alternative A, No Action Alternative: Natural Falcon Recolonization Without Reintroductions...................................................................................................................... 13 2.4 Alternative B, Preferred Alternative: Reintroduce falcons into suitable habitat in New Mexico, with designation of falcons in all of New Mexico and Arizona as a nonessential experimental population (NEP)......................................................................... 14 2.5 Alternative C: Reintroduce falcons into suitable habitat in New Mexico, with designation of falcons in all of Arizona and most of New Mexico, except Hidalgo, Grant, and Luna counties, as a nonessential experimental population (NEP). ................................. 14 2.6 Alternative D: Reintroduce falcons into suitable habitat in New Mexico with Safe Harbor Agreements................................................................................................................ 15 2.7 Alternative E: Reintroduce falcons into suitable habitat in New Mexico ................ 15 2.8 Comparison of Alternatives ....................................................................................... 15 3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT..................................................................................... 16 3.1 Land Use.................................................................................................................... 17 3.1.1 Grazing............................................................................................................... 17 3.1.2 Oil, Gas, and Mineral Production ...................................................................... 18 3.1.3 Military Activities.............................................................................................. 19 3.1.4 Recreation .......................................................................................................... 19 3.2 Biotic.......................................................................................................................... 19 3.2.1 Vegetation.......................................................................................................... 19 3.2.2 Fish and Wildlife................................................................................................ 20 3.2.3 Federal endangered and threatened species ....................................................... 21 3.3 Aesthetics................................................................................................................... 22 3.4 Social and Economic.................................................................................................. 22 3.4.1 Grazing............................................................................................................... 22 3.4.2 Oil and Gas ............................................................................................................... 22 3.4.3 Military .............................................................................................................. 23 3.4.4 Recreation .......................................................................................................... 23 3.5 Cultural ...................................................................................................................... 23 4.0 ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTS ...................................................................................... 23 2 4.1 Alternative A, No Action Alternative: Natural Falcon Recolonization Without Reintroduction........................................................................................................................ 23 4.1.1 Land Use............................................................................................................ 23 4.1.2 Biotic.................................................................................................................. 24 4.1.3 Aesthetic ............................................................................................................ 24 4.1.4 Social and Economic.......................................................................................... 24 4.2 Alternative B, Preferred Alternative: Reintroduce falcons into suitable habitat in New Mexico, with designation of falcons in all of New Mexico and Arizona as a nonessential experimental population (NEP)......................................................................... 24 4.2.1 Land Uses...........................................................................................................24 4.2.2 Recreation .......................................................................................................... 25 4.2.3 Biotic.................................................................................................................. 25 4.2.4 Aesthetic ............................................................................................................ 25 4.2.5 Social and Economic.......................................................................................... 25 4.2.6 Cultural Resources............................................................................................. 26 4.3 Effects of Alternatives C, D, and E............................................................................ 26 4.4 Cumulative Effects..................................................................................................... 26 5.0 CONCLUSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ......................................... 30 6.0 LIST OF PREPARERS.................................................................................................. 31 7.0 AGENCIES AND PERSONS CONTACTED .............................................................. 31 7.1 Consultation and Coordination .................................................................................. 31 7.2 Issues and Concerns................................................................................................... 32 7.3 List of Agencies and Person Contacted ..................................................................... 33 8.0 REFERENCES CITED.................................................................................................. 40 Appendix A: Public Comments on NEPA Compliance ........................................................... 45 3 1.0 PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR ACTION The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has prepared this Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze potential effects to physical and biological resources and social and economic conditions that may result from the reestablishment of northern aplomado falcons (Falco femoralis septentrionalis) (falcon) in New Mexico and Arizona. This EA has been prepared pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations (40 CFR §1500, et seq.). 1.1 Description of the Proposed Action In cooperation with its partners (e.g., The Peregrine Fund, Turner Endangered Species Fund, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Bureau of Land Management, Department of Defense), the Service proposes to reestablish the falcon in its historical habitat in New Mexico and Arizona. 1.2 Purpose of the Action The Service is one of two Federal agencies charged with the administration and implementation of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The goal of the Act is the recovery of listed species to levels where protection under the Act is no longer necessary.