Attachment 4 - GMNF_OpeningsMaintenance_PlantsBE_revisedFeb28_2023.pdf

PREFIELD RESEARCH SUMMARY & SHORT BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION FORM

THREATENED, ENDANGERED & SENSITIVE SPECIES

Green Mountain National Forest

District All GM Project Name:

Green Mountain National Forest Opening Maintenance Code:

LOCATION INFORMATION

USGS Quad(s):

County(s):

Town(s): Project sites are located in several Towns and Counties in Vermont

Location description: Project sites are located in several Towns and Counties in Vermont

PROJECT/SITE EVALUATION

Project Description: This project includes the maintenance of 266 stands managed as permanent openings throughout the GMNF on a total of approximately 2,861 acres (see Appendix A and Project Map).

The proposed MMAs would be implemented on a subset of 14 of the 266 openings covering 318 acres outside of the current opening boundaries. The proposal also includes four stands (C33/S102, C3S/S115, C3/S118, and C122/S110) with portions of each stand within inventoried roadless areas where management is restricted by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (RACR). Each of these stands had been approved prior to RACR designation and offer opportunities to reclaim the original size of the stand and associated wildlife habitat benefits.

Maintenance activities on permanent openings to sustain areas of ESH would include vegetation removal using mechanical mowing, chainsaws, brush saws, chipping, and prescribed fire (broadcast or slash pile), or a combination of these treatment methods. Woody vegetation ranging from regenerating stems less than 1 inch diameter to trees up to 18 inches DBH where mature trees have overtaken the permanent openings. Trees above 3 inches DBH may provide roost sites for Endangered or Sensitive bat species. The quantity of trees greater than 3-inch DBH varies widely throughout the 266 openings. Trees exhibiting high-quality roost characteristics (exfoliating bark, cracks, or cavities) would be retained. Each opening would be maintained multiple times depending on the amount and speed of woody vegetation regrowth over the next 10 years. Opening maintenance within the White Rocks National Recreation Area would be limited to every 5 to 10 years (Forest Plan, p. 80).

Mechanical treatments would include the use of rubber-tire tractors, skid-steer tractors, all-terrain vehicles (ATV or UTV) with attached or pull-behind mowers, walk-behind mowers, or track mounted excavators. The methods employed and the timing of treatment for each opening would depend on maintenance history, the opening’s existing vegetative condition, topography, ground conditions, and weather.

Restoration or reclamation of openings may occur in conjunction with vegetation management activities approved through other NEPA decisions.

Handline is a connected action to prescribed fire and should be considered where needed when this method is used for opening maintenance. Handline construction entails removing debris and scraping fireline to mineral soil. Mechanical fireline construction may be needed when chipping activities result in unsafe accumulation of surface fuels adjacent to opening boundaries. Mechanical construction would include pulling debris away from the outer opening perimeter to create a two-foot wide fireline down to mineral soil.

The ability to use MMAs is desirable for achieving the goals of wildlife habitat maintenance with prescribed fire, which is a critical tool for effectively managing woody encroachment to maintain young forest habitat. MMAs represent strategic use of pre-identified containment features such as nearest ridges, streams, trail systems, or roads from which to anchor ignitions. MMAs mitigate risk exposure to firefighters in the event of a slop-over or spot fire beyond a stand delineation that would otherwise require direct suppression activities.

They may also be designated as the planned ignition area based on prescribed fire prescription parameters as part of a risk analysis.

Utilizing MMAs would allow prescribed fire beyond the delineated stand opening buffer, using natural features on the landscape as control lines for burn implementation. For example, shaded, wet areas (drainage, wetland, or creek bed) offer ideal conditions where moisture of extinction keeps fire intensity low and easily managed. Utilizing these existing natural containment features would be done so with intent of containing fire without constructed fireline by lighting from available dry fuel or allowing low-intensity fire to creep to the feature.

Using natural features would reduce the need to create control lines by hand, thus minimizing ground disturbance. MMA natural features may also require improvement with a leaf-blower line, which removes organic debris from the ground surface. Although the goal of using MMAs would be to minimize use of ground disturbing firelines, some situations, such as presence of private property boundaries, slope, and seasonal and daily fire weather conditions would still warrant handline at the discretion of the burn boss. Implementing the MMA strategy would both greatly reduce the risk and safety hazards to firefighters and the need for fireline construction and creation of those features (such as waterbars and fireline rehabilitation) needed to minimize impacts to soil and water resources, while achieving resource objectives.

NEPA Level/Nature of Evaluation:

Previous Field Surveys:

Relevant Habitat Types & Conditions:

Known & Potential TES Species Occurrences:

NOTE: See reverse for species-specific information and likelihood of occurrence table.

Sources of Information:

TABLE 1. LIKELIHOOD OF OCCURRENCE TABLE FOR VASCULAR TES SPECIES, GMNF

Scientific Name P/A Habitat LOO

1. Agalinis paupercula var. paupercula A N L

2. Arabis drummondii (=Boechera stricta) A N L

3. Arceuthobium pusillum A N L

4. Asclepias exaltata A N L

5. Aureolaria flava A N L

6. Aureolaria pedicularia var. pedicularia A N L

7. Blephilia hirsuta A Y M

8. Botrychium multifidum P Y H

9. Botrychium oneidense P Y H

10. Calamagrostis stricta ssp. inexpansa A N L

11. Callitriche heterophylla A N L

12. Cardamine maxima A N L

13. Cardamine parviflora var. arenicola A Y M

14. Carex aestivalis A Y M

15. Carex aquatilis var. substricta A N L

16. Carex argyrantha P Y H

17. Carex backii A N L

18. Carex bigelowii ssp. bigelowii A N L

19. Carex cryptolepis A Y M

20. Carex foenea P Y H

21. Carex lenticularis var. lenticularis A N L

22. Carex michauxiana A Y M

23. Carex oligosperma A Y M

24. Carex schweinitzii A Y M

25. Carex scirpoidea A N L

26. Carex wiegandii A Y M

27. Carya glabra A N L

28. Ceratophyllum echinatum A N L

29. Clematis occidentalis var. occidentalis A Y M

30. Collinsonia canadensis A N L

31. Conopholis americana P Y H

32. Cryptogramma stelleri A N L

33. Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens A Y M

34. Cypripedium reginae A Y M

35. Dactylorhiza viridis A Y M

36. Desmodium paniculatum A N L

37. Desmodium perplexum A N L

38. Diplazium pycnocarpon A N L

39. Draba arabisans A N L

40. Dryopteris filix-mas P Y H

41. Eleocharis intermedia A Y M

42. Eleocharis olivacea (=E. flavescens var. olivacea) A Y M

43. Eleocharis ovata P Y H

44. Epilobium palustre P Y H

45. Equisetum pratense A N L

46. Eriophorum tenellum P Y H

47. Eupatorium purpureum (=Eutrochium purpureum) A N L

48. Eurybia radula A Y M

49. Galium kamtschaticum A N L

50. Glyceria septentrionalis A N L

51. Hackelia deflexa var. americana A N L

52. Helianthus strumosus A N L

53. Hieracium venosum A N L

54. Huperzia appalachiana (=H. appressa) A N L

55. Isoetes lacustris A N L

56. Isoetes viridimontanum A N L

57. Isotria verticillata A N L

58. Juglans cinerea P Y H

59. Juncus trifidus A N L

60. Lespedeza hirta A N L

61. Lespedeza violacea A N L

62. Littorella uniflora (=Plantago americana) A N L

63. Lobelia siphilitica P Y H

64. Lonicera hirsuta A N L

65. Myriophyllum farwellii A N L

66. Myriophyllum humile A N L

67. Nyssa sylvatica A N L

68. Panax quinquefolius P Y H

69. Parathelypteris simulata A N L

70. Peltandra virginica A Y M

71. Phegopteris hexagonoptera A N L

72. Pinus rigida A N L

73. Platanthera huronensis A Y M

74. Platanthera orbiculata A Y M

75. Platanthera orbiculata var. macrophylla A N L

76. Polemonium vanbruntiae P Y H

77. Polygala verticillata A Y M

78. Potamogeton bicupulatus A N L

79. Potamogeton confervoides P Y H

80. Potamogeton hillii A N L

81. Potentilla arguta A N L

82. Pyrola minor A N L

83. Ranunculus pensylvanicus P Y H

84. Rhodiola rosea (=Sedum rosea) A N L

85. Salix candida P Y H

86. Salix pedicellaris A Y M

87. Sanicula canadensis var. canadensis A N L

88. Saxifraga paniculata ssp. neogaea A N L

89. Scheuchzeria palustris A Y M

90. Schoenoplectus torreyi A N L

91. Selaginella apoda P Y H

92. Selaginella rupestris A N L

93. Sisyrinchium angustifolium P Y H

94. Sisyrinchium atlanticum P Y H

95. Solidago patula P Y H

96. Solidago simplex ssp. randii var. monticola A N L

97. Solidago squarrosa A Y M

98. Sparganium natans A N L

99. Stellaria alsine A Y M

100. Symphyotrichum prenanthoides P Y H

101. Trillium cernuum A N L

102. Utricularia resupinata P Y H

103. Uvularia perfoliata A N L

104. Vaccinium uliginosum A N L

105. Viburnum rafinesquianum A Y M

106. Woodsia glabella A N L

Key: P/A: P = known occurrence of species (ph=historic) LOO: L = Unlikely to occur in project area A = species not known from the area M = May possibly occur in project area Habitat: Y = potential/suitable habitat in the project area H = Highly likely or known to occur in project area N = no potential/suitable habitat in the project area ? = unknown – data nonexistent or unreliable

TABLE 2. LIKELIHOOD OF OCCURRENCE TABLE FOR NONVASCULAR TES SPECIES, GMNF

Scientific Name P/A Habitat LOO

1. Metzgeria crassipilis A N L

2. Sphagnum pulchrum A N L

RISK EVALUATION, EFFECTS ANALYSIS, MITIGATION RECOMMENDED

RFSS

Of the 264 openings proposed for maintenance, 77 have never had botanical inventory. In addition, many had inventory so long ago (some as far back as 2003) that the data may no longer be useful: the plant RFSS list has changed substantially at least three times since then, and our current understanding of what rare plants might occur in openings has changed substantially over the years.

Despite lack of inventory or outdated inventories, the following 22 RFSS are known to occur in openings proposed for maintenance: Botrychium oneidense, Botrychium multifidum, Carex argyrantha, Carex foenea, Conopholis americana (may be outside), Dryopteris filix-mas, Eleocharis ovata, Epilobium palustre, Eriophorum tenellum, Juglans cinerea, Lobelia siphilitica, Panax quinquefolius, Polemonium vanbruntiae, Potamogeton confervoides, Ranunculus pensylvanicus, Salix candida, Selaginella apoda, Sisyrinchium angustifolium, Sisyrinchium atlanticum, Solidago patula, Symphyotrichum prenanthoides, and Utricularia resupinata. At least 17 additional RFSS have potential habitat there, as indicated in Table 1 above.

Additionally, the following 22 rare plants that are not RFSS but either are or were previously tracked by the state of Vermont are known to occur in openings proposed for maintenance: Brachythecium falcatum, Carex atlantica, Carex hitchcockiana, Crataegus keepii, Crataegus schuettei var. basilica, Carex haydenii, Carex laxiculmis, Erythranthe moschata, Galium boreale ssp. septentrionale, Geum laciniatum, Juncus marginatus, Lilium philadelphicum, Moehringia lateriflora, Muehlenbergia uniflora, Nabalus trifoliolatus, Neottia auriculata, Panicum tuckermanii, Panicum virgatum., Spiranthes, ochroleuca, Sorbus decora, and Torreyochloa pallida.

Maximum Management Areas and vistas proposed for conversion to openings were evaluated for potential habitat in a separate table that will be available in the project file. The results suggest there is potential rare plant habitat for a variety of species in Rob Ford Meadows, Perry Basin, Tupper Terrace, Beaver Meadows, Ten Kiln/FR 30/31, Harmon Hill, and DP – along FR 58, including Cardamine maxima, Carex aestivalis, Cypripedium parviflorum, Dactylorhiza viridis, Platanthera orbiculata, Stellaria alsine, as well as some of the species listed in the above paragraphs.

Direct and indirect effects

Of all the rare plants that are known to occur or could potentially occur in the openings proposed for maintenance, some require the open habitat and benefit from openings maintenance if they are not harmed during implementation; examples include Carex argyrantha and C. foenea. Others, like ginseng, require shade, occur primarily along edges, and are potentially avoidable if their locations are known in advance. Some, like Polemonium vanbruntiae, occur only in wetlands and might be protected if mitigations prevented potentially harmful activities. A few, like Potamogeton confervoides, occur only where there is aquatic habitat within the wetland, and would be unlikely to be harmed if the hydrology remains stable.

All RFSS with potential to occur in Maximum Management Areas or vistas proposed to become maintained openings were researched in the online FEIS, and one species was further investigated by communicating with a species expert. Most species checked in FEIS did not have any species reports available and so the potential effects of prescribed fire are unknown. For the very few that had reports, or for which a closely related species had an available report, the effects of fire were either negative or highly variable. For the MMAs, the risk is fire harming individual plants that may occur in those habitats. However, if the fire occurs prior to when the plants are up in the spring, or after they have senesced in the fall, they might remain unaffected.

Mitigations

1. To be able to develop management strategies to protect RFSS that occur in openings, botanical inventory should occur in all openings not inventoried since 2012. To facilitate botanical inventory, lists of openings proposed for maintenance should be provided to the Forest Botanist at least one growing season in advance of proposed maintenance. For example, a list of openings to be maintained in the fall or the following spring should be provided to the Forest Botanist by May 15 (e.g., at the start of the growing season).

2. Once an opening has had botanical inventory, implementers should work with the Forest Botanist to develop management strategies ahead of time to minimize harm to any RFSS that occur in those openings. Examples of management strategies include, but are not limited to:

a. Avoiding mowing or other mechanical treatments or digging firelines where the rare plant occurs.

b. Limiting Rx fire to times of the year that are either prior to when the rare plants at any given site would be above ground, or after they have senesced for the season.

c. Timing mechanical treatments to occur after the rare plants have senesced for the year.

3. To protect any rare plants that occur in wetlands, do not travel through or across wetlands with wheeled or tracked equipment.

4. To protect RFSS that might occur in MMAs, botanical inventory should occur in those that have potential rare plant habitat prior to their use as MMAs. If any RFSS occur there, reconsider their use as MMAs.

NNIP

Of the 264 openings proposed for maintenance, 77 have never had botanical inventory, and many had inventory so long ago (some as far back as 2003) that the data may no longer be valid, because infestations can establish and spread quickly.

NNIP already known to occur at openings proposed for maintenance include (alphabetically by species code, for ease of viewing in ArcMap) goutweed (AEPO), garlic mustard (ALPE), wild chervil (ANSY), common and Japanese barberry BEVU and BETH), spotted knapweed (CEBI), oriental bittersweet (CEOR), autumn olive (ELUM), glossy buckthorn (FRAL), Morrow honeysuckle (LOMO), purple loosestrife (LYSA), wild parsnip (PASA), common reed (PHAU), Japanese knotweed (POCU), common buckthorn (RHCA), and multiflora rose (ROMU).

Direct and indirect effects

Any wheeled or tracked equipment (including a walk-behind mower) that is brought into an opening has the potential to introduce or spread NNIP. Mowing and brush-hogging have the potential to spread NNIP on site, and Rx fire has the potential to create ground conditions that favor the establishment of NNIP. Any wheeled or tracked equipment that has been at an infested site has the potential to spread NNIP to other locations. Infestations affect the quality of the habitat for wildlife, the quality of the recreation experience for people, and the ability of rare plants and other native plants to thrive.

Mitigations

1. To minimize the chance of spreading NNIP during openings maintenance, an opening should be surveyed for

NNIP in the field season prior to maintenance (i.e., in the previous summer for maintenance the following spring or early in the growing season for maintenance later in the growing season or fall). To facilitate this, lists of openings needing NNIP surveys should be provided to the Forest Botanist by May 15 of every year. Once the NNIP survey results are obtained, the project proponent should work with the Forest botanist to develop a strategy to minimize the potential of spreading NNIP during maintenance (BMP 8.3). That strategy might include, but is not limited to:

a. Avoiding traveling through or maintaining the infested area (BMP 7.6)

b. Maintaining the opening at a time when doing so will not spread the NNIP that occur in a particular opening

(e.g., mowing prior to when reproductive plant parts are able to be spread) (BMP 7.3, 7.4)

c. Treating the NNIP far enough in advance of maintenance that NNIP propagules will not be spread during maintenance.

2. If an opening is not maintained in the first season after the NNIP survey, a new survey may be needed, depending on the site conditions, such as remoteness of site, nearness to a road, presence of nearby infestations, etc. To determine whether a new survey is needed, and to facilitate timely re-surveys, the project proponent should give the Forest botanist a list of sites planned for maintenance, but not maintained, by May 15 every year.

3. To minimize the chance of introducing NNIP, any equipment used to maintain the opening, including any wheeled or tracked equipment that will travel across the ground at the openings, must be cleaned prior to accessing the site so that it is free of plant debris or mud that may contain plant debris. (BMP 7.5). In situations where high pressure water is not available, scrape or brush soil and debris from exterior surfaces to the extent practical. (BMP 7.5)

4. To minimize the chance of spreading NNIP from one site to the next, all equipment used to maintain the opening, including any wheeled or tracked equipment that traveled across the opening, must be cleaned prior to leaving the site. In situations where high pressure water is not available, scrape or brush soil and debris from exterior surfaces to the extent practical. (BMP 7.5) An exception can be made for an opening that was verified to be uninfested prior to when it was maintained, or where all infestations were completely avoided by the equipment.

5. Implementers should be trained in identification of NNIP prior to maintaining an opening, so that they can effectively avoid infestations present in the opening (BMP 7.1, 8.1).

6. Any seed mix used should consist of native species in a mix approved by the Forest Botanist (BMP 7.2).

7. Work with the Forest Botanist to plan any NNIP treatment, and ensure any treatments are in keeping with the

Forest-wide Invasive Plant Control EA and associated SIRs.

Mitigations taken from: Non-native Invasive Species Best Management Practices Guidance for the U.S. Forest Service Eastern Region, available online at:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5412822.pdf

PROJECT DETERMINATIONS

Determinations for Threatened & Endangered Species

Determination Species No adverse effect on species or critical habitat There are no federally listed plant species on the GMNF.

May adversely affect species or critical habitat May benefit species or critical habitat

Determinations for Regional Forester’s Sensitive Species

Determination Species No impact Any species that is not listed as known or potential in

Table 1 above Rationale: Project implementation will not harm RFSS that do not occur in openings or MMA’s or Vistas https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5412822.pdf

May impact individuals or habitat but not likely to contribute to a trend towards Federal listing or loss of viability

Any species that is listed as known or potential in Table q above Rationale: While mitigations are in place to protect them, there is the possibility that rare species will be overlooked during site surveys, or that the mitigations will not be as effective as planned in protecting all individuals. However, it is not expected that entire populations would be destroyed.

Will impact individuals or habitat resulting in a trend towards Federal listing or loss of viability Rationale:

Beneficial impact

Carex argyrantha, Carex foenea, Polygala verticillata, Sisyrinchium angustifolium, and Sisyrinchium atlanticum Rationale: All require open habitats, and would benefit by openings maintenance, if protective mitigations are followed.

SIGNATURES

Prepared by:

MB Deller April 15, 2022, updated project description February 28, 2023

MARYBETH DELLER

Botanist

DATE

VASCULAR PLANTS - General habitat types for RFSS:

X = uses;

C = calcareous or limy; R = rich; N = not calcareous or limy; A = acidic;

W = wet; D = dry;

L = low elevation (≤1500’ OR 457m); M = moderate elevation (1501’-2500’ OR 458m – 762m North; 1501’-2800’ OR 458m – 854m South); H = high elevation (≥2501’ OR 458m North; ≥2801’ OR 854m South) O = open; S = shaded):

Species Scientific Name Common Name

Aquatic (pond, lake, river, or stream)

Shore (pond, lake, river, or stream)

Open or shrubby wetland

Forested wetland

Wet or seepy woods

Wet or beaver meadow

Damp or wet road-side or ditch

N.

hdwds

Oak, oak-hickory, or oak-pine

Conifers or mixed woods

Al-pine

Sub-al-pine

Exposed rock, ledge, or cliff

Upland opening or clearing

Thicket, brush, or woods edge

1. Agalinis paupercula var.

paupercula Smooth agalinis

X X X X?

2. Arabis drummondii (=Boechera stricta)

Drummond’s rock-cress

X X

3. Arceuthobium pusillum

Eastern dwarf-mistletoe

Bog Bog

4. Asclepias exaltata Poke milkweed

C/R/L C/R/L W/C/R/L C/R/L

5. Aureolaria flava Smooth false-foxglove

X

6. Aureolaria pedicularia

Fernleaf false foxglove

D/C/O D/C

7. Blephilia hirsuta Hairy woodmint C/R C/R

8. Botrychium multifidum

Leathery grapefern

O X

9. Botrychium oneidense

Blunt-lobed grapefern

X A or R

10. Calamagrostis stricta ssp, inexpansa

New England northern reed grass

C/N

11. Callitriche heterophylla

Large water-starwort

X

12. Cardamine maxima Large toothwort

C/R

13. Cardamine parviflora

Small-flower bitter-cress

D/C/M D/C

14. Carex aestivalis Summer sedge C/R (X)

15. Carex aquatilis var. substricta Water sedge

R/C R/C R/C R/C R/C

16. Carex argyrantha Hay sedge

C/O D/C/N

17. Carex backii Rocky mountain sedge

D/C/R D/C/R D/C/R

(pond, lake, river, or stream)

Shore (pond, lake, river, or stream)

Open or shrubby wetland

Forested wetland

Wet or seepy woods

Wet or beaver meadow

Damp or wet road-side or ditch

N.

hdwds

Oak, oak-hickory, or oak-pine

Conifers or mixed woods

Al-pine

Sub-al-pine

Exposed rock, ledge, or cliff

Upland opening or clearing

Thicket, brush, or woods edge

18. Carex bigelowii ssp. bigelowii Bigelow's sedge

X/O X/O

19. Carex cryptolepis

Northeastern sedge

X X X

20. Carex foenea Bronze sedge X X/N D/N

21. Carex lenticularis Shore sedge

X/O X

22. Carex michauxiana Michaux's sedge

H X X

23. Carex oligosperma

Few-seeded sedge

Med.

Fen

Med. Fen

24. Carex schweinitzii

Schweinitz’s sedge

C C C

25. Carex wiegandii Wiegand’s sedge X X

26. Carya glabra Pignut hickory D/C D/C

27. Carex scirpoidea Bulrush sedge X

28. Ceratophyllum echinatum Prickly hornwort

L

29. Clematis occidentalis var.

occidentalis Purple clematis

C/O C

30. Collinsonia canadensis

Canadian horse-balm

R/L R/C/L C/L

31. Conopholis americana Squaw-root

D/O D/O

32. Cryptogramma stelleri

Steller's cliffbrake

C/S

33. Cypripedium parviflorum var.

pubescens

Large yellow lady-slipper

R R/C R/C

34. Cypripedium reginae

Showy lady’s-slipper

C/L C/L

35. Dactylorhiza viridis

Long-bract green orchis

R/S R/S R/S

36. Desmodium paniculatum

Paniculate tick-trefoil

D/L/C/O D/L/C/O

37. Desmodium perplexum

Perplexed tick-trefoil

R R Sandy

38. Diplazium pycnocarpon Glade fern

R/C/L R/C/L

39. Draba arabisans Rock whitlow-grass

D/C/O

40. Dryopteris filix-mas Male fern

R/C

41. Eleocharis intermedia Matted spikerush

X/L-M X/L-M X/L-M

42. Eleocharis olivacea (=E.

flavescens var.

olivacea)

Capitate spikerush or olive spikerush

X X X

(pond, lake, river, or stream)

Shore (pond, lake, river, or stream)

Open or shrubby wetland

Forested wetland

Wet or seepy woods

Wet or beaver meadow

Damp or wet road-side or ditch

N.

hdwds

Oak, oak-hickory, or oak-pine

Conifers or mixed woods

Al-pine

Sub-al-pine

Exposed rock, ledge, or cliff

Upland opening or clearing

Thicket, brush, or woods edge

43. Eleocharis ovata Ovate spikerush

L- M/C/R

44. Epilobium palustre

Marsh willow-herb

X X

45. Equisetum pratense

Meadow horsetail

C/R/L-

M

C/R/L-

C/R/L-M W/C/R/L-

46. Eriophorum tenellum

Rough cotton-grass

X X X

47. Eupatorium purpureum

Sweet joe-pye weed

C/L C/L

48. Eurybia radula Rough-leaved aster

X

49. Galium kamtschaticum Boreal bedstraw

R R R/W

50. Glyceria septentrionalis

Floating mannagrass

L, vernal pools

L, vernal

L, vernal

51. Hackelia deflexa var. americana

Northern stickseed

C/O/L C/O/L

52. Helianthus strumosus Harsh sunflower

D D X X

53. Hieracium venosum

Rattlesnakeweed or rattlesnake hawkweed

D D X

54. Huperzia appalachiana

Appalachian fir-clubmoss

W/O W/O H/W/O

55. Isoetes lacustris Lake quillwort X

56. Isoetes viridimontanum

Green Mountain quillwort

X/A

57. Isotria verticillata

Large-whorled pogonia

D/L/A/O

58. Juglans cinerea Butternut X C/R C/R C/R

59. Juncus trifidus Highland rush X/O X/O H/O

60. Lespedeza hirta Hairy bush-clover

D/O/L D/O/L D/L D/L

61. Lespedeza violacea

Violet bush-clover

D/O

62. Littorella uniflora (= Plantago americana)

American shore-grass

L-M L-M

63. Lobelia siphilitica Great lobelia

64. Lonicera hirsuta Hairy honeysuckle

X X

65. Myriophyllum farwellii

Farwell's water-milfoil

H

66. Myriophyllum humile Low water-milfoil

X

67. Nyssa sylvatica Black gum or Tupelo

X X X

(pond, lake, river, or stream)

Shore (pond, lake, river, or stream)

Open or shrubby wetland

Forested wetland

Wet or seepy woods

Wet or beaver meadow

Damp or wet road-side or ditch

N.

hdwds

Oak, oak-hickory, or oak-pine

Conifers or mixed woods

Al-pine

Sub-al-pine

Exposed rock, ledge, or cliff

Upland opening or clearing

Thicket, brush, or woods edge

68. Panax quinquefolius Ginseng

C/R/S C/R/S

69. Parathelypteris simulata

Massachusetts Fern

X/A

70. Peltandra virginica

Green arrow-arum

L-M L-M L-M/O

71. Phegopteris hexagonoptera

Broad-beech fern

C/R/L C/L/R

72. Pinus rigida Pitch pine D/L

73. Platanthera huronensis Huron orchid

X/C X/C

74. Platanthera orbiculata

Round-leaved orchis

C/R/L L-M/W

75. Platanthera orbiculata var.

macrophylla

Large round-leaf orchid

D

76. Polemonium vanbruntiae

Eastern Jacob's-ladder

L-M L-M/O L-M/O L-M

77. Polygala verticillata Whorled milkwort

D

78. Potamogeton bicupulatus

Snail-seed pond-weed

X

79. Potamogeton confervoides

Tucker man's pond-weed

H

80. Potamogeton hillii Hill's pond-weed

X

81. Potentilla arguta Tall cinquefoil X X?l X/L

82. Pyrola minor Lesser wintergreen

M-H C/M-H

83. Ranunculus pensylvanicus

Pennsylvania buttercup or bristly crowfoot

L L L

84. Rhodiola (=Sedum) rosea

Roseroot stonecrop

W/C/O

85. Salix candida Hoary willow C

86. Salix pedicellaris Bog willow X

87. Sanicula canadensis var.

canadensis

Short-styled snakeroot

C/R

88. Saxifraga paniculata (=aizoon) ssp.

Neogaea

White mountain saxifrage

C/W/O

89. Scheuchzeria palustris ssp.

americana Pod-grass

C/L-M C/L-M

90. Schoenoplectus torreyi Torrey’s bulrush

X

(pond, lake, river, or stream)

Shore (pond, lake, river, or stream)

Open or shrubby wetland

Forested wetland

Wet or seepy woods

Wet or beaver meadow

Damp or wet road-side or ditch

N.

hdwds

Oak, oak-hickory, or oak-pine

Conifers or mixed woods

Al-pine

Sub-al-pine

Exposed rock, ledge, or cliff

Upland opening or clearing

Thicket, brush, or woods edge

91. Selaginella apoda

Meadow spike-moss

L/C/R L/C/R L/C/R

92. Selaginella rupestris Rock spike-moss

D/L D/L

93. Sisyrinchium angustifolium

Narrow blue-eyed grass

X/L-M X/L-M X/L-M W/L-M

94. Sisyrinchium atlanticum

Eastern blue-eyed grass

X/L-M X/L-M X/L-M

95. Solidago patula Roundleaf goldenrod

C/L

96. Solidago simplex ssp.

randii var.

monticola

Rand’s goldenrod

X

97. Solidago squarrosa Stout goldenrod

D/O D D

98. Sparganium natans Lesser bur-reed

X/C X/C

99. Stellaria alsine Bog chickweed L-M L-M L-M L-M L-M

100. Symphyotrichum prenanthoides

Crooked-stem aster

L L L

101. Trillium cernuum

Nodding trillium or whip-poor-will flower

C/R

102. Utricularia resupinata

North-eastern bladder-wort

L-M L-M

103. Uvularia perfoliata

Perfoliate bellwort

DC DC

104. Vaccinium uliginosum Boreal blueberry

X/O

105. Viburnum rafinesquianum

Downy arrowwood

O/D O/D X D/O

106. Woodsia glabella Smooth woodsia C/H

NONVASCULAR PLANTS - General habitat types for RFSS:

X = uses;

C = calcareous or limy; R = rich; N = not calcareous or limy; A = acidic;

W = wet; D = dry;

L = low elevation (≤1500’ OR 457m); M = moderate elevation (1501’-2500’ OR 458m – 762m North; 1501’-2800’ OR 458m – 854m South); H = high elevation (≥2501’ OR 458m North; ≥2801’ OR 854m South) O = open; S = shaded):

Scientific name High Elevation Pond Cliffs/ledges Wetlands Tree trunks Rocks

1. Metzgeria crassipilis X

2. Sphagnum pulchrum Bogs/Poor

Fens

References

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Allen, K., 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Platanthera orbiculata. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Allen, K., 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens. Revised by D.

Burbank, 2002. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Allen, K., 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Isotria verticillata. Revised by D. Burbank, 2002.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Allen, K., 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Sisyrinchium angustifolium. Revised by M. Schori, 2002.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Allen, K., 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Uvularia perfoliata. Revised by M. Schori, 2002.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Batchelder, D., 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Quercus muehlenbergia. Revised by D. Burbank, 2003. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Coletti, C. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Conopholis americana. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Coletti, C. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Panax quinquefolius. Revised by J. Williams, 2002, and D. Burbank, 2003. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Deller, M. 1997. Personal observation of new site for Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens.

Deller, M. 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Polemonium vanbruntiae. Revised by D. Burbank, 2003. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Deller, M. 2003. Field Notes for Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens from June 6 and June 14.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Deller, M. 2003. Field Notes for Sisyrinchium angustifolium from July 14. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Deller, M. 2003. Field Notes for Geum laciniatum from August 15, 21, and September 15. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

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Howard, L.D., 1975. Moss Flora of New England, New York, and Southeastern Canada. Agricultural Experimental Station Bulletin 680. The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.

Jenkins, J. 2003. Green Mountain National Forest High Altitude Pond Project. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Klumb, A. 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Hackelia deflexa var. americana. Updated by L. St.

Hilaire, 2004. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Klumb, A. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Draba arabisans. Revised by M. Schori, 2002.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Magee, D. and H. Ahles. 1999. Flora of the Northeast, pages 72-72. University of Massachusetts Press, Amherst, MA.

Marcus, A., 2010. Personal communication with Diane Burbank regarding bryophyte records, status, and habitats. Unpublished. Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Miesel, J. 2003. Field Notes for Blephilia hirsuta from August 29. Unpublished. Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Neely, J. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Juglans cinerea. Revised by J. Williams, 2002.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Neely, J. 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Pinus rigida. Revised by D. Burbank, 2002.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Piekarski, V. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Carex aestivalis. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Piekarski, V. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Carex argyrantha. Revised by M. Schori, 2002.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Piekarski, V. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Carex haydenii. Revised by M. Schori, 2002.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Piekarski, V. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Pyrola chlorantha. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Piekarski, V. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Pyrola minor. Revised by D. Burbank, 2003.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Piekarski, V. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Stellaria alsine. Updated by L. St. Hilaire, 2004.

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Reed, A. 2001. Note about occurrence of Carex aestivalis along proposed trail. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

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Schori, A. 2002. Personal communication regarding discovery of new site for Cypripedium reginae.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Schori, M. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Eupatorium purpureum. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Schori, M. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Helianthus strumosus. Updated by L. St. Hilaire, 2004.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Schori, M. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Prenanthes trifoliata. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Schori, M. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Solidago squarrosa. Revised by M. Schori.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Steckler, P. 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Galium kamtschaticum. Revised by S. Lemieux, 2003. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Steckler, P. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Asclepias exaltata. Updated by D. Burbank, 2005.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Steckler, P. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Aureolaria pedicularia. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Steckler, P. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Cardamine parviflora var. arenicola. Revised by M.

Schori, 2002. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Steckler, P. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Carex backii. Revised by D. Burbank, 2003.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Steckler, P. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Carex foenea. Revised by L. St. Hilaire, 2004.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Steckler, P. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Carex scirpoidea. Revised by M. Schori, 2002.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Steckler, P. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Cynoglossum virginianum var. boreale. Revised by S. Lemieux, 2003. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Steckler, P. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Desmodium paniculatum. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Steckler, P. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Geum laciniatum. Revised by M. Schori, 2002.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Steckler, P. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Lespedeza hirta. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Steckler, P. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Lespedeza violacea. Revised by D. Burbank, 2002.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Steckler, P. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Rhodiola rosea. Revised by M. Schori, 2002.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

St. Hilaire, L. 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Agrostis mertensii. Revised by D. Burbank, 2003.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

St. Hilaire, L. 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Saxifraga paniculata ssp. neogaea. Revised by L.

St. Hilaire, 2002. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

St. Hilaire, L. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Carex bigelowii. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

St. Hilaire, L. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Juncus trifidus. Revised by D. Burbank, 2003.

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St. Hilaire, L. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Vaccinium uliginosum. Revised by L. St. Hilaire 2002 and D. Burbank, 2003. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

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Burbank, 2002. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Tappan, A. 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Collinsonia canadensis. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

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Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

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Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (DGN). 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Ceratophyllum echinatum.

Updated by D. Burbank, 2005. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (DGN). 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Cryptogramma stelleri. Revised by D. Burbank, 2002. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (DGN). 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Cypripedium reginae. Revised by D. Burbank, 2002. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (DGN). 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Huperzia appalachiana.

Revised by D. Burbank, 2003. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (DGN). 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Selaginella rupestris.

Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (DGN). 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Woodsia glabella. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (DGN). 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Diplazium pycnocarpon.

Revised by L. St. Hilaire, 2004. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (DGN). 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Dryopteris filix-mas. Revised by D. Burbank, 2002. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (DGN). 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Peltandra virginica. Revised by D. McElwain, 2002. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (DGN). 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Potamogeton bicupulatus.

Revised by D. McElwain, 2002. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (DGN). 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Potamogeton confervoides.

Revised by D. McElwain, 2002. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (DGN). 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Potamogeton hillii. Revised by D. McElwain, 2002 and D. Burbank, 2003. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (DGN). 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Myriophyllum farwellii. Revised by D. McElwain, 2002, and D. Burbank, 2003. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (GWH). 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Eleocharis intermedia. Revised by D. Burbank, 2002. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (GWH). 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Eleocharis ovata. Revised by L. St. Hilaire, 2004. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (GWH). 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Equisetum pratense. Revised by L. St. Hilaire, 2004. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (GWH). 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Phegopteris hexagonoptera.

Revised by D. Burbank, 2002. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (KAW). 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Carex aquatilis var. substricta.

Revised by D. McElwain, 2002, D. Burbank, 2003, and M. Deller, 2004. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (MPJ). 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Calamagrostis stricta ssp.

inexpansa. Revised by D. McElwain, 2002, and D. Burbank, 2003. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (MPJ). 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Muhlenbergia uniflora. Revised by D. McElwain, 2002, and D. Burbank, 2003. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (MPJ). 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Plantago americana. Revised by D. McElwain, 2002, and D. Burbank, 2003. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (MPJ). 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Scheuchzeria palustris ssp.

americana. Revised by D. Burbank, 2002. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (MPJ). 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Solidago patula. Updated by D.

Burbank, 2005. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (MPJ). 2002. Species Data Collection Form for Utricularia resupinata. Revised by D. McElwain, 2002. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (MPJ). 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Carex michauxiana. Revised by D. McElwain, 2002, and D. Burbank, 2003. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.

Woodlot Alternatives, Inc. (MPJ). 2001. Species Data Collection Form for Carex schweinitzii. Revised by D. Burbank, 2003. Unpublished, Green Mountain National Forest, Rutland, VT.