Appendix_F_2009_revised_r10_sensitive_species_report.pdf

2009 Forest Service Alaska Region Sensitive Species List Assessment and Proposed Revisions to the 2002 List

Prepared by:

Michael I. Goldstein, Regional Wildlife and Terrestrial Ecology Program Leader Donald Martin, Regional Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology Program Leader

Mary C. Stensvold, Regional Botanist

Contents

Page

Introduction 2

Current (2002) Alaska Region Sensitive Species List 3

Methods Leading to Recommended Changes 4

Plants Recommended for Removal from the List 6

Animals Recommended for Removal from the List 9

Plants Recommended for Retention on the List 13

Animals Recommended for Retention on the List 17

Plants Recommended for Addition to the List 18

Animals Recommended for Addition to the List 26

Other Plants Considered but not Recommended for Listing 27

Other Animals Considered but not Recommended for Listing 32

Using and Updating the List 40

Exemptions 40

How to Suggest Changes to the List 40

Table of Proposed Changes to the Current (2002) Alaska Region Sensitive

Species List 41

References 42

2009 Forest Service Alaska Region Sensitive Species List Assessment and Proposed Revisions to the 2002 List

Prepared by:

Michael I. Goldstein, Regional Wildlife and Terrestrial Ecology Program Leader

Donald Martin, Regional Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology Program Leader Mary C. Stensvold, Regional Botanist

Introduction

Forest Service sensitive species are defined as: “Those plant and animal species identified by a Regional Forester for which population viability is a concern, as evidenced by:

1. Significant current or predicted downward trends in population numbers or density.

2. Significant current or predicted downward trends in habitat capability that would reduce a species existing distribution” (Forest Service Manual [FSM] 2670.5.19).

Per USDA Forest Service Manual (2672.11) effective 31 May 1991, the following sources are to be examined for candidates for listing as sensitive species:

• State lists of endangered, threatened, rare, endemic, unique, or vanishing species, especially those listed as threatened under State law.

• Other sources as appropriate in order to focus conservation management strategies and to avert the need for Federal or State listing as a result of National Forest management activities.

In addition, per R-10 USDA Forest Service manual supplement (2670-2672.11) effective 21 September 2005, the identification of sensitive species is based on the following:

• The species identified as Candidates by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and/or the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will be automatically designated as sensitive species in the Alaska Region.

• The species (or subspecies, variety, or stock) must be recognized by taxonomic experts and must be known or likely to occur on National Forest System lands within the Alaska Region. Sensitive species status applies throughout the range of the species on National Forest System (NFS) lands within the Alaska Region.

• The species warrants sensitive status (FSM 2670.5) based on 8 evaluation factors in the

Forest Service manual supplement (see below).

The current sensitive species list contains 12 animals and 19 plants (Table 1). As stated in FSM 2672.11, the list of sensitive species will be reviewed and updated periodically. The list was updated for wildlife and fish species in June 1994. The list was revised for plant species in May 1999 and in June 2002. The 2009 Forest Service Alaska Region Sensitive Species List will supersede previous lists.

Table 1. Current (2002) Alaska Region Sensitive Species List. Y indicates known occurrence and S indicates suspected occurrence on the Chugach National Forest (CNF) and Tongass National Forest (TNF).

Common Name Scientific Name Occurrence Designation

CNF TNF

Plants Eschscholtz's little nightmare Aphragmus eschscholtzianus Y S FS Sensitive

Norberg’s arnica Arnica lessingii subsp.

norbergii

Y Y FS Sensitive

Moosewort fern Botrychium tunux S Y FS Sensitive Moonwort fern, no common name

Botrychium yaaxudakeit S Y FS Sensitive

Goose-grass sedge Carex lenticularis var.

dolia

Y Y FS Sensitive

Edible thistle Cirsium edule Y FS Sensitive Tundra whitlow-grass Draba kananaskis Y FS Sensitive Davy mannagrass Glyceria leptostachya Y FS Sensitive Wright’s filmy fern Hymenophyllum wrightii S Y FS Sensitive Truncate quillwort Isoetes xtruncata Y Y FS Sensitive Calder’s lovage Ligusticum calderi S Y FS Sensitive Pale poppy Papaver alboroseum Y S FS Sensitive Bog orchid Platanthera gracilis Y FS Sensitive Loose-flowered bluegrass Poa laxiflora Y Y FS Sensitive Smooth alkali grass Puccinellia glabra Y FS Sensitive Kamchatka alkali grass Puccinellia kamtschatica S Y FS Sensitive Unalaska mist-maid Romanzoffia unalaschcensis Y Y FS Sensitive

Queen Charlotte butterweed Senecio moresbiensis Y FS Sensitive Circumpolar starwort Stellaria ruscifolia subsp.

aleutica S Y FS Sensitive

Animals Kittlitz’s Murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris Y Y FS Sensitive*

Cook Inlet beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas Y FS Sensitive* Montague Island tundra vole Microtus oeconomus Y FS Sensitive elymocetes Trumpeter swan Cygnus buccinator Y Y FS Sensitive

Dusky Canada goose Branta canadensis occidentalis

Y FS Sensitive

American osprey Pandion haliaetus carolinensis

Y Y FS Sensitive

Queen Charlotte goshawk Accipiter gentilis laingi Y FS Sensitive Peale’s peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus pealei Y Y FS Sensitive Northern Pike (Pike Lakes) Esox lucius Y FS Sensitive Chum Salmon (Fish Creek) Onchorhynchus keta Y FS Sensitive King Salmon (King Salmon River)

Onchorhynchus tshawytscha

Y FS Sensitive

King Salmon (Wheeler Creek)

Onchorhynchus tshawytscha

Y FS Sensitive

* Based on our Alaska Region and National Forest System policy, USFWS and NMFS Candidate species are considered and treated as FS Sensitive Species.

Methods Leading to Recommended Changes

To revise the R10 sensitive species list, we used the existing body of knowledge about viability risk, the sensitive species process described in the Forest Service Manual, and knowledge of approaches used by other Forest Service Regions. We evaluated all vascular plants, lichens and animals known or suspected to occur on National Forest lands in the Alaska Region for which concern has been identified by credible scientific agencies and organizations. We consulted other lists that had already screened hundreds of species, which considerably reduced duplication and redundancy of efforts. We considered species for subsequent evaluation from the following lists:

• Species removed from federal listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) within the past 5 years

• US Fish and Wildlife Service Candidate species for federal listing under ESA

• US Fish and Wildlife Service Focal Species

• Alaska Natural Heritage Program (ANHP) Ranks G1-G3, T1-T3, and S1-S3

• IUCN critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable designations

• Bureau of Land Management sensitive species

• Audubon Alaska Watchlist Species

• State of Alaska Threatened, Endangered, Concern, or Sensitive species

• National Park Service Species of Management Concern

• Species suggested by stakeholders for review within our program areas

We removed species not likely to occur on NFS lands in the Alaska Region. We removed species that have harvest limits set by the State of Alaska, as those are species formally recognized by the State agency as not having viability concerns. We also assessed taxonomic status using corporate databases, peer-reviewed published literature, and ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System; http://www.itis.gov/). We removed taxa that are not currently recognized by taxonomic authorities. Some taxa were suggested as needing conservation measures because of their status as island endemics. However, most of these have not been formally recognized as species or sub-species by the scientific community, including hunted or trapped animals that do not have separate harvest limits set by the State of Alaska.

The pre-screened species were then evaluated using the following 8 factors:

1. Geographic distribution within the Alaska Region

2. Geographic distribution outside the Alaska Region

3. Capability of the species to disperse

4. Abundance in Alaska Region

5. Population trend in Alaska Region

6. Habitat trend in Alaska Region

7. Vulnerability of habitats in the Alaska Region (recent and potential effects of habitat modification based on the historical range of variation [HRV])

8. Life history and demographic characteristics

Species were scored for each criterion, and the scores across multiple factors were considered in determining whether each species merited a sensitive species designation. A combination of Forest Service professionals and non-Forest Service experts performed these evaluations.

Results of the evaluations were reviewed by a group of Forest Service biologists, botanists, and ecologists who drafted recommendations for the status of each species. This process took supporting information for each species into account as well as the scores for the 8 evaluation factors. This ensured that all information was used to formulate the recommendation for sensitive status. Although it is possible that any one factor could justify sensitive status, the information must provide a compelling argument that population viability is of concern as evidenced by known or predicted downward trends, and that the conservation strategy within the land management plan may not provide for species viability at an appropriate level of detail. A species merits inclusion on the Regional list if it is at risk in the Alaska Region over a substantial part of its range. Species with insufficient information available to make a recommendation at this time should be considered at a future date when that information becomes available.

The draft list was distributed for review to specialists in the Chugach and Tongass National Forests, the Washington Office, Forest Service Research, and partner agencies including the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and the Alaska Natural Heritage Program. The Regional Program Leaders for Wildlife, Fish, and Botany considered the review comments, made changes as needed, and a final review was completed by the Tongass and Chugach National Forests before the final list was submitted for the Regional Forester’s approval and issuance to the field. The Regional Office will periodically evaluate and update the list to keep it current. Forest Supervisors may submit proposals for changes to the Alaska Region WFEWS Director. The petition must specify reasons for change that address the 8 evaluation factors, and include supporting documentation.

Plants Recommended for Removal from the List

Norberg’s arnica (Arnica lessingii (Torrey & A. Gray) Greene subsp. norbergii Hulten & Maguire) In his Flora of North America treatment of Arnica, Wolf (2006) subsumed this taxon into Arnica lessingii, an Arnica with a distribution ranging from the Russian Far East and south to the mountains of central British Columbia and western Northwest Territories. Isozyme analysis of the two subspecies (subsp. lessingii & subsp. norbergii) from Portage, Yakutat and Sitka showed genetic similarities above 99%, indicating that they did not warrant subspecific or varietal status, and are populations of the same taxon. Subspecies norbergii was known only from the Portage, Cordova, Yakutat and Juneau areas. The taller, leafier subsp. norbergii tends to grow in shaded lowland areas, and the shorter, less leafy subsp. lessingii grows in open exposed alpine areas;

these growth forms are phenotypic responses to ecological variation. Because this taxon is no longer recognized by taxonomic experts, it is recommended for removal from the Sensitive Species list.

Goose-grass sedge (Carex lenticularis Michx. var. dolia (M.E. Jones) L.A. Standl.)

Taxonomic experts (Standley et al., 2002) now consider Carex lenticularis Michx. var. dolia to include the more common Carex enanderi T. Holm. Therefore the taxon is more broadly distributed and abundant than before C. enanderi was subsumed by C. lenticularis var. dolia.

Because this taxon is now more widespread and abundant, it is recommended for removal from the Sensitive Species list.

Tundra whitlow-grass (Draba kananaskis G. A. Mulligan) Although Draba kananaskis has been treated as a distinct species, authorities (including Mulligan, the author) now see no basis for maintaining the taxon as a distinct species and consider it to be a minor variant of Draba juvenilis (Al-Shehbaz et al., in press). Because this taxon is no longer recognized by taxonomic experts, it is recommended for removal from the Sensitive Species list.

Davy mannagrass (Glyceria leptostachya Buckley) This grass is known from the southern half of the Alaska panhandle, occurs disjunctly south to the Queen Charlotte Islands, southern Vancouver Island, western Washington, western Oregon, and disjunct to the San Francisco area of California (Barkworth & Anderson, 2007). Its habitat is often associated with standing or slow moving water and includes swamps, pond and lake margins, ditches and disturbed areas. Rare plant surveys in recent years reveal this plant to be much more abundant than previously thought. The first Alaska collection of Glyceria leptostachya was made in 1939 by J. P. Anderson in the Wrangell vicinity. In 1994, four populations were found on Wrangell Island in and around the city of Wrangell. Since then, many more populations have been documented or reported from Wrangell, Sitka, Petersburg and other locations between Sitka and southern Revilla Island (26 locations are documented in the Tongass Forest rare plant database). Many of these populations were found in recently disturbed areas, suggesting a continued upward population trend for this species. On account of Glyceria leptostachya’s apparently broadening distribution and upward population trend, this species is recommended for removal from the Sensitive Species list.

Wright’s filmy fern (Hymenophyllum wrightii Bosch) The Alaska Natural Heritage Program ranks this plant as a G4?S23 (apparently secure globally, but cause for long-term concern. and imperiled to rare/uncommon within Alaska). It is known from Japan and Korea and is disjunct to North America where it is a narrow endemic with a distribution extending from southeastern Alaska south to the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State (where it was first discovered in August of 2008). Wright’s filmy fern grows in dark moist areas under fallen trees, in dark crevices in living trees or in protected crevices in rock cliffs. It grows in the darkest areas, where competition with bryophytes is low.

It is important to note that this fern has two free-living, photosynthetic generations in its lifecycle, the minute (generally overlooked) gametophyte and the spore producing sporophyte (the generation we generally recognize as a fern). Sporophytes are known from a site on the Queen Charlotte Islands of British Columbia (separated by open ocean from the Tongass National Forest); all other North American occurrences are gametophytes. The minute ribbon-like, much-branched gametophytes are a single cell thick and visible with magnification. They are long lived and reproduce asexually through the dispersal of gemmae (Farrar, 1993). Gemmae are larger and heavier than spores and therefore are not good agents of long distance dispersal (Farrar, 1998). As of summer 2008, Wright’s filmy fern gametophytes were known from at least 60 locations on the Tongass National Forest (Sitka, Wrangell, Petersburg and Thorne Bay Ranger Districts). The gametophyte is very likely to occur throughout the wetter parts of the Tongass National Forest. Based on the relatively large number of gametophytes found on the Forest and variety of habitats in which they occur, the gametophytes appear have stable populations.

Surveys have been conducted for sporophytes, with none yet found. Sporophytes are most likely to be found on Prince of Wales Island and other locations in the southern Tongass, including areas where habitat may be affected by past or planned timber harvest. We recommend that the search for sporophytes continued and, if found on National Forest System lands, we recommend further investigation of population status and habitat relationships. In the meantime, on account of the large abundance and wide distribution of gametophytes and their stable populations, and the lack of evidence that sporophytes occur on the Tongass National Forest, Wright’s filmy fern is recommended for removal from the Sensitive Species list.

Truncate quillwort (Isoetes xtruncata (A.A. Eat.) Clute) This sterile hybrid is the result of hybridization between Isoetes occidentalis and Isoetes maritima. It is recognized as a hybrid entity in the Flora of North America (Taylor et al., 1993).

Specimens from Kodiak Island and National Forest System lands in Alaska identified as I.

xtruncata in the past have been re-evaluated and are now called I. occidentalis. For this reason the truncate quillwort is recommended for removal from the Sensitive Species list.

Queen Charlotte butterweed (Packera subnuda (deCandolle) Trock & T. M. Barkley var. moresbiensis (Calder & Taylor) Trock) The Alaska Natural Heritage Program ranks the Queen Charlotte butterweed as G3S2S3 (Rare or uncommon globally, and imperiled to rare or uncommon in Alaska).This plant was previously listed on the Regional Forester’s Sensitive Species list as Senecio moresbiensis (Calder & Roy L.

Taylor) G.W. Douglas & G. Ruyle-Douglas. Recent taxonomic work segregated Packera from Senecio and placed this taxon as a variety of Packera subnuda. The Queen Charlotte butterweed is a narrow endemic distributed from Coronation Island (northern known edge of the plant’s range) in the southern Tongass National Forest, south to the Queen Charlotte Islands and northern Vancouver Island. In the Flora of North America Trock (2006) considers this plant to be of conservation concern. About 12 populations of the plant are known in Alaska. Habitats include open grass/sedge meadows, mossy slopes, bogs (Trock, 2006) and alpine slopes (Douglas et al., 1998b). Based on herbarium records and observations, the plant is often associated with a calcareous substrate. Little is known about the plant’s ability to disperse, the fruit is an achene with a small pappus of white bristles, so the fruit may be transported by animals or wind. However, Queen Charlotte butterweed’s limited distribution indicates barriers to wide dispersal.

Although there appears to be stable amounts of suitable habitat, we can not make inferences about population trends since we know so little about the plant. Studies of known populations would help us learn about these trends. The plant grows in some alpine habitats that are relatively inaccessible, thus only a small amount of potential habitat may have been affected by human activities. These activities include communications sites, recreation and minerals activities. Many of the meadow situations are more accessible and are being affected by road construction, associated changes in hydrology and other human caused disturbances. Little is known about the plant’s life history or demography; and further surveys are needed to learn more about its abundance and distribution. Because so little is known about the Queen Charlotte butterweed’s population trends, abundance, distribution, life history, demography, and potential threats, we recommend study of the species to clarify its status in the Alaska Region. While it is rare, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that its population viability is at risk in the Alaska Region. We therefore recommend that the Queen Charlotte butterweed be removed from the Sensitive Species list.

Bog orchid (Platanthera gracilis Lindley) Platanthera gracilis has been subsumed by the more abundant and widespread Platanthera stricta Lindley, and is no longer considered by authorities to be a distinct taxon. Sheviak in Flora of North America writes, “The plants described as P. gracilis Lindley are florally typical of the slender spurred extreme of P. stricta; they differ only in peculiarly reduced, slenderly oblong but nonetheless abruptly wide-spreading leaves.” Since P. stricta is not uncommon and widely distributed along the coast and adjacent mountains from the Aleutians to Colorado and south to northern California, it is recommended for removal from the Sensitive Species list.

Loose-flowered bluegrass (Poa laxiflora Buckl.)

Endemic to the northwest coast, this grass is distributed from Prince William Sound south and east along the Pacific coast to northwestern Oregon. When Hulten’s Flora of Alaska was published in 1968 the plant was known in Alaska only from Cape Fox Springs in the extreme southern part of the Tongass. Although the plant is not common, Forest Service rare plant surveys have shown it to be more abundant and widespread than previously thought. It is very likely that the plant has been overlooked; it is somewhat similar in appearance to the very common Deschampsia caespitosa and often grows in the same habitat. Because Poa laxiflora is more broadly distributed and more abundant than previously thought, it is recommended for removal from the Sensitive Species list.

Smooth alkali grass (Puccinellia glabra Swallen) Davis & Consaul (2007) in Flora of North America consider Puccinellia glabra to be a synonym of the geographically widespread Puccinellia nutkaensis. Because this taxon is no longer recognized by taxonomic experts, it is recommended for removal from the Sensitive Species list.

Kamchatka alkali grass (Puccinellia kamtschatica Holmb.)

Davis & Consaul (2007) in Flora of North America consider Puccinellia kamtschatica to be a synonym of the geographically widespread Puccinellia nutkaensis. Because this taxon is no longer recognized by taxonomic experts, it is recommended for removal from the Sensitive Species list.

Circumpolar starwort (Stellaria ruscifolia Pallas ex Schlecht. subsp. aleutica Hulten) The Alaska Natural Heritage Program ranks this plant as G4T3S3 (The species is apparently secure globally, but cause for long-term concern, the subspecies is rare or uncommon globally, and the subspecies is rare or uncommon in Alaska). This subspecies was named by Hulten in 1943. Its range extends from the Aleutian Islands, east to Kodiak and disjunct to the Brooks Range and to the Yakutat area in southeastern Alaska, where the eastern edge of the plant’s known range is in the Tongass National Forest. The plant is rare across its range, with 12 documented occurrences in North America (Morton, personal communication, 2006) all in Alaska. In the Alaska Region this plant is extremely rare, known from one historic location on the Tongass National Forest, at Hidden Glacier, in Russell Fjord on the Yakutat Ranger District.

A specimen was collected during the Harriman Expedition in 1899, unfortunately there is no detailed location or habitat information with the specimen. However, the habitat for this plant is described as “along creeks in the mountains” (Hulten, 1968) or “gravelly sites” (Welsh, 1974), common habitats in the Region. The shores of Disenchantment Bay, Russell Fjord and associated waterways are essentially unexplored botanically and this plant is easily overlooked and can be confused with other Stellari. Therefore, surveys are needed in the entire area to learn about its distribution and abundance. Because little is known about the plant’s dispersal capability, population trend, habitat trend, life history, or demographics, we recommend studies to clarify its status in the Alaska Region. Although the plant is rare, there is insufficient evidence suggesting downward trends in population numbers or habitat. We therefore recommend the removal of the circumpolar starwort from the Sensitive Species list.

Animals Recommended for Removal from the List

American Osprey (Pandion haliaetus carolinensis) Osprey are distributed worldwide, except Antarctica. The carolinensis subspecies breeds across North America and the Caribbean, and winters in South America. Ospreys recovered from pesticide induced population crashes following WW II. The Alaska Region generally sees transient migrant osprey, although very few nest here. Viability concerns for raptors affected by pesticides following WW II have diminished since recovery following the elimination of DDT, and this is true for Osprey in general. This species is considered Least Concern by the IUCN since 1988 and reviewed for the 4th time in 2004. Osprey subspecies are no longer tracked by the

Alaska Natural Heritage Program, but Pandion haliaetus is listed as G5, S2B due to rarity in the state. Although rare in the Alaska Region, viability concerns are not apparent and no data indicate downward population trends, so the Osprey is recommended for removal from the Sensitive Species list.

Peale’s Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus pealei) Peale’s peregrine falcon is one of three peregrine falcon subspecies in Alaska. Peale’s peregrine falcons number at least 600 pairs in Alaska, with populations increasing and no indication of viability concerns or downward population trends. The USFWS permits collection by falconers.

The pealei subspecies is not listed under the ESA, and the other sub-species were de-listed from the ESA (1999). Viability concerns for raptors affected by pesticides following WW II have diminished since recovery following the elimination of DDT, and this is true for Peregrine Falcons in general. This species is considered Least Concern by the IUCN since 1988 and reviewed for the 4th time in 2004. Although rare in the Alaska Region, viability concerns are not apparent, so the Peale’s peregrine falcon is recommended for removal from the Sensitive Species list.

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) Trumpeter swan populations increased from about 3,000 in 1970 to approximately 20,000 individuals in 2000. As populations grew, nest distribution expanded across the state and across the Alaska Region. Nearly 6% of the world’s breeding population nests in the Copper River Delta, an area specifically managed for the conservation of fish and wildlife. While trumpeter swans may be at risk on wintering grounds due to habitat loss and possible exposure to lead and other contaminants, populations appear healthy and continue to increase. The species is considered Least Concern by the IUCN since 1988 and reviewed for the 4th time in 2004. The trumpeter swan is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e., declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). Viability does not appear to be a concern at this time. However, swan nest habitat on NFS lands is changing as a result of geological uplift and associated vegetation succession following from the 1964 Alaska earthquake. The rate of habitat change is rapid, underscoring the need to monitor swan abundance so that a downward trend, if and when one occurs, will be detected. The USFWS conducts spring and fall surveys annually on the Copper River Delta and additional range-wide surveys by the USFWS occur every 5 years. Because no current population viability concerns exist, the Trumpeter Swan is recommended for removal from the Sensitive Species list.

If future USFWS surveys detect a downward trend, the swan's status will be re-examined as part of the annual review of this Sensitive Species List.

Montague Island Tundra Vole (Microtus oeconomus elymocetes) Montague Island tundra voles have been described as either a unique species or a sub-species endemic to Montague Island, Prince William Sound, AK. Separate species distinction was originally characterized by size and color, later re-classified as subspecies, discussed as equivocal by Lance (in a Conservation Assessment), and in recent genetic analyses, shows clear phylogeographic separation from the holarctic population as a Montague/Hinchinbrook clade.

The IUCN Redlist refers to this population as a sub-species, citing Osgood (1906) but showing the assessment as “Out-of-Date” (the assessment was made in 1996), and the conservation status is recognized as “Data Deficient” (27 November 2007). The ITIS database does not recognize

Microtus oeconomus elymocetes (28 November 2007). The recent genetic work (Galbreath and Cook 2004) appears to distinguish the clade but puts the clade in a broader context than previously described; additional genetic samples could further clarify the distribution and taxonomic status of the clade. Although Montague Island Tundra Voles were listed in 1994 as a Sensitive Species, the taxonomic status appears confused and indeterminate. Even if taxonomic status was clear, land management actions on Montague and Hinchinbrook Islands are minimal, and FS actions on those islands are not such that they would limit vole populations or vole habitat. Montague Island is under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation prescription specifically to provide for migratory bird and brown bear habitat; Montague Island is restricted from timber harvest during this planning period. Hinchinbrook Island is under the Backcountry prescription, set aside primarily for dispersed recreation. Since vole habitat is not limiting, there’s no evidence of a downward population trend, little perturbation of habitat exists, and the risk to future habitat perturbations is low, the Montague Island Tundra Vole is recommended for removal from the Sensitive Species list.

Cook Inlet Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) Because it was listed as Endangered and now has protections as established by the Endangered Species Act (NOAA 2008), the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale is recommended for removal from the Sensitive Species list.

King Salmon (King Salmon River, Wheeler Creek) (Onchorhynchus tshawytscha) King salmon stocks have been identified in both the King Salmon River and Wheeler Creek.

King salmon have also been found in nearby Greens Creek. This situation is unique as nowhere else in Southeast Alaska are endemic island stocks found. All of these streams are located on the northern end of Admiralty Island.

Good escapement data exists for King Salmon River as surveys of peak escapement counts have been conducted by the ADF&G since 1971 and a weir was operated to track total escapement from 1983 through 1992. Since 1971 king salmon escapements have averaged 190 large fish.

The ADF&G has set an escapement goal of 120 to 240 large fish. Low escapements were seen in the late 1970s, but since 1981 numbers have remained constant and within or above the escapement goals. Much less information is available for the Wheeler Creek king salmon stock.

Adult king salmon have been documented in the stream by local property owners as well as local sport fishers. Young of the year king salmon were observed in Wheeler Creek in July of 1993.

There have been no attempts at establishing escapement counts of adults or counts of juvenile king salmon in Wheeler Creek. Wheeler Creek has approximately 2.4 km of mixed/contained (MC) and flood plan (FP) channel types accessible to salmon. This compares to 7.4 km available in King Salmon River. This might suggest that, for king salmon, the carrying capacity of Wheeler Creek is around 30% of that of King Salmon River. The carrying capacity may be so small that there may not really be a population. They may be strays from King Salmon River that irregularly spawn.

Tagging information obtained from hatchery reared King Salmon River stock suggests that the King Salmon River stock, and presumably the Wheeler Creek stock, ocean-rear primarily within Southeast Alaska. This makes the stocks available to local sport and commercial fisheries throughout their ocean phase. There are no targeted commercial or sport fisheries for either stock. Because the population is stable and because the ADF&G has an escapement goal for the stock, which is similar to having a harvest limit, the King Salmon River stock is recommended for removal from the Sensitive Species list. Because there is no information to suggest that the Wheeler Creek population is in decline and because their habitat is protected by land use designations of the Tongass Land and Resources Plan, this stock is recommended for removal from the Sensitive Species list.

Chum Salmon (Fish Creek) (Onchorhynchus keta) The Fish Creek chum salmon stock is known for its large fish. Fish Creek runs into the Salmon River near the head of Portland Canal near Hyder, Alaska. Salmon River is a glacial stream with a braided stream bed where Fish Creek enters. In the early 1960’s through the mid-1970’s annual glacial floods impacted the habitat in the lower reaches of Fish Creek. In the late 1970’s dikes were built into the Salmon River to protect the lower Fish Creek and the adjacent road. In 1989 a spawning channel was constructed between Fish Creek and the Salmon River in an area protected by the dikes. These restoration and enhancement activities appear to have been successful in maintaining quality spawning habitat.

Escapement estimates from 1971 through 2007 range from 2,800 in 1997 to a high of 90,800 in 2004. A regression analysis of the escapement data shows a decreasing trend of about 1.7% per year over the past 21 years. A tagging study conducted on Fish Creek chum salmon from 1991 through 1995 shows an annual exploitation rate of 56.7% by the commercial fishery. During years of large returns, the Fish Creek stock provides a significant contribution to the Portland Canal mixed stock commercial fishery. Because the habitat and population are not in significant decline, the stock is recommended for removal from the Sensitive Species list.

Northern Pike (Pike Lakes) (Esox lucius) Northern pike are found in five lakes, referred to as Pike Lakes, about 23 miles east of Yakutat.

These lakes are shallow, with high concentrations of humic acid and peat-filled margins. The northern pike in Pike Lakes are the only natural-occurring pike in Southeast Alaska. Genetic analysis supports the theory that this population is part of small refugia and has been isolated from other stocks since the last glaciation.

Little information exists about the biology or population size and structure of this stock.

Common to other small populations of Pike, they are likely very cannibalistic as little other food exists for the mature fish. The largest management concern for this stock is that they do not spread to other waters within the Yakutat forelands and have a negative impact on the salmon production. The Pike Lakes watershed is located within a Land Use Designation II, which would not allow significant resource development that would negatively impact the habitat quality.

Because there is little fishing pressure on this stock, the habitat is protected by its land use status, there is no evidence that the stock is in a significant downward trend, and the stock has persisted since the last significant glacial advance, this stock is recommended for removal from the Sensitive Species list.

Plants Recommended for Retention on the List

Eschscholtz’s little nightmare (Aphragmus eschscholtzianus Andrz. ex DC.)

The Alaska Natural Heritage Program ranks this plant as a G3S3 (rare or uncommon globally and within Alaska). It is distributed from the Aleutians east along Alaska Range and Wrangell St. Elias Mountains to the southern Yukon and into the Tatschenshini River area of British Columbia; there are also disjunct populations on the Seward Peninsula and in the Brooks Range.

Recent genetic analysis resulted in moving the genus Lignariella into Aphragmus. Eight species are recognized. Aphragmus generally occurs in Asia. A. eschscholtzianus is the only member of the genus in North America (Warwick et al., 2006). In the Alaska Region it is extremely rare, known from one location in the Palmer Creek Valley on the Seward Ranger District. It is likely to occur on Glacier, Cordova and Yakutat Ranger Districts because of proximity to known populations and because habitat exists on these districts. Habitat is generally in the alpine, on moist bouldery solifluction slopes, wet mossy seeps, wet seepage areas among rocks (herbarium label data), snow melt areas, fine gravel saturated by snow melt water (Rollins, 1993).

The habitat for this plant is relatively fragile and vulnerable to modification; in addition, alpine tundra is slow in recovering from disturbance. Some of this habitat is being impacted by modern stressors such as communications sites, recreation and minerals activities. Given the lack of information about population trends, life history, demographics, and distribution, this species is recommended for study to clarify its status in the Alaska Region. In the meantime, because of the plant’s extreme rarity and the fragility of its habitats, it is recommended for retention on the Sensitive Species list.

Moosewort fern (Botrychium tunux Stensvold & Farrar) The Alaska Natural Heritage Program ranks the moosewort as G1G2S1S2 (critically imperiled to imperiled globally and within Alaska). However, based on the results of 2007 field surveys and genetic analysis, these rankings may be conservative. Distribution extends from the Pribilof Islands in the west to Unalaska in the Aleutians, east to insular southeastern Alaska, north and east to the Wrangell-St Elias Mountains, and south and east to the to the Rocky Mountains of Alberta south to Nevada (genetic studies suggest the taxon may also occur in northern Norway).

Moosewort was found at 13 of 27 sites visited along the Alaska Highway and in the Wrangell St.

Elias Mountains (Stensvold & Farrar, 2008) where the plant grows in well drained relatively dry areas. This dry, well drained habitat is rare in the Alaska Region.

In the Alaska Region the plant grows on sandy beaches along the Yakutat Forelands, a scarce habitat in the region (these Yakutat plants are morphologically distinct from all other mooseworts and morphological and genetic studies are ongoing to learn more about the relationship between the Yakutat mooseworts and all the other mooseworts). Surveys have been conducted on the sandy beaches (and Copper River dunes) from the Cordova area east to the southern side of Malaspina Glacier, and none have been found on these sandy habitats. Isolated populations are in the alpine of Dall Island, northeast Chichagof Island and in the Whitestripe area of West Chichagof Island. The plant is rare in the Region and stochastic events such as tsunami or storms could imperil the plant’s existence along shorelines. Plants or populations along the Yakutat beaches could be obliterated by trampling related to the increased amount of tourism and recreational use taking place in the area. Disturbance in upper beach meadows and in sandy areas adjacent to beach meadows may be causing population numbers of the plants to drop. Increased amounts of trampling and off road vehicle traffic on upper beach meadows may be leading to a decline in habitat quality. NatureServe (2008) considers some of these populations to be under substantial threat. In some areas on the forelands, population numbers are declining due to natural vegetative succession. The new Yakutat Access and Travel Management Plan may help prevent future damage to the plants and their habitat.

In alpine habitats the plant is very rare with few widely scattered individuals. The alpine habitats are not undergoing substantial modification. However, increases in recreation, mineral exploration, and communications sites could affect habitat. Because of potential downward trends in populations and habitat, ANHP assessing the condition of the taxon as imperiled to critically imperiled in Alaska, and the rarity of the species in the Alaska Region, the moosewort is recommended for retention on the Sensitive Species list.

Moonwort fern, no common name (Botrychium yaaxudakiet Stensvold & Farrar) The Alaska Natural Heritage Program ranks this moonwort as G2SS2 (imperiled globally and within Alaska). Based on the results of recent field surveys and genetic analysis, these rankings may be conservative. The plant is known from the St. Paul Island in the Pribilofs, Wrangell-St.

Elias Mountains of Alaska, Yukon and British Columbia; the Yakutat forelands and Glacier Bay, central British Columbia, Alberta, Montana and northern California. In the Alaska Region the plant grows on sandy beaches along the Yakutat Forelands, a scarce habitat in the region.

Surveys have been conducted on the sandy beaches (and Copper River dunes) from the Cordova area east to the southern side of Malaspina Glacier, and none have been found on these sandy habitats. The plant is rare in the Region and stochastic events such as tsunami or storms could imperil the plant’s existence. Plants or populations along the Yakutat beaches could be obliterated by trampling related the increased amount of tourism and recreational use taking place in the area. Disturbance in upper beach meadows and in sandy areas adjacent to beach meadows may be causing population numbers of the plants to drop. Increased amounts of trampling and off road vehicle traffic on upper beach meadows may be leading to a decline in habitat quality. In some areas on the forelands, population numbers are declining due to natural vegetative succession. Hopefully the Yakutat Access and Travel Management Plan will help prevent future damage to the plants and their habitat. Because of potential downward trends in populations and habitat, ANHP assessing the condition of the taxon as imperiled in Alaska, and the rarity of this species in the Alaska Region, the moonwort fern is recommended for retention on the Sensitive Species list.

Edible thistle (Cirsium edule Nutt. var. macounii (Greene) D. J. Keil) The Alaska Natural Heritage Program ranks the edible thistle as G4S1 (Apparently secure globally, but cause for long-term concern and critically imperiled in Alaska). This ranking is for Cirsium edule only; it does not reflect the ranking of the recently segregated, var. macounii. In Flora of North America, Keil (2006) recognizes 3 varieties of Cirsium edule. The variety in our area of interest is var. macounii, which is distributed from the North Cascades and Olympics of Washington north to extreme southern southeastern Alaska. Three populations are documented in the Tongass National Forest, all of which are within the Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness. Edible thistle has also been documented in the Hyder area of British Columbia. This rare thistle grows in moist to mesic meadows, open forests, open areas in higher elevations (Douglas et al., 1998b), and talus slopes. Since this is a relatively large, distinctive plant it stands out in its habitat; thus there is a low likelihood that it has been overlooked during surveys. Little is known about the plant’s, life history or demography; further surveys are needed to learn more about its abundance and distribution.

Current and proposed development projects in the Hyder area may affect populations of the plant and its habitat, resulting in downward population trends. A potential threat to the plant is its similarity to invasive thistles. If confused with invasive thistles found in its habitat, enthusiastic invasive plant pullers might accidentally remove this distinctive native plant. Because little is known about the thistle’s population trends, life history, and demography, we recommend it for study to clarify its status in the Alaska Region. In the meantime, given its rarity, ANHP assessing the condition of the taxon as critically imperiled in Alaska, and known potential threats, we recommend retaining the edible thistle on the Sensitive Species list.

Calder’s loveage (Ligusticum calderi Mathias & Constance) The Alaska Natural Heritage Program ranks Calder’s loveage as G3S1 (Rare or uncommon globally, and critically imperiled in Alaska). The species is relatively new to science, being named in 1959 (Mathias & Constance, 1959). This narrow endemic is known from a historical collection in a possible glacial refugium on Kodiak Island (Hulten, 1973) but has not been relocated during recent rare plant surveys; disjunct to southern southeastern Alaska, coastal British Columbia (Queen Charlotte Islands and adjacent islands) and disjunctly south to northern Vancouver Island and the adjacent islands. In the Tongass National Forest the plant is documented from Bokan Mountain and Gardner Bay on southern Prince of Wales Island, Grace Mountain and a mountain near Windy Cove on Dall Island and on Sumez Island. The plant grows in subalpine meadows in areas that many biogeographers and botanists consider as glacial refugia. It is also often associated with a calcareous substrate. Although there appears to be stable amounts of suitable habitat, we can not make inferences about population trends since we know so little about the plant. The plant grows in subalpine situations that are relatively inaccessible, thus only a small amount of potential habitat may have been affected by human activities. These activities include communications sites, recreation and minerals activities.

There is a potential decline in its habitat quality and quantity due to minerals exploration and potential minerals activities in the Bokan Mountain area. Since Calder’s loveage is so rare, little is known about its dispersal capability, population trends or demography. Because of the questions about its dispersal capability, population trends, life history, and demography we recommend the Calder’s loveage for study to clarify its status in the Alaska Region. In the meantime, given its rarity and ANHP assessing the condition of the taxon as critically imperiled in Alaska, we recommend retaining Calder’s loveage on the Sensitive Species list.

Pale poppy (Papaver alboroseum Hult.)

The Alaska Natural Heritage Program ranks the pale poppy as G3G4S3 (rare or uncommon to apparently secure globally, but cause for long-term concern; and rare to uncommon within Alaska). The poppy is distributed from the northern Kurile Islands through Kamchatka east disjunctly across the Aleutians (one known element occurrence) to south-central Alaska, east to the east side of Juneau Icefields (BC Conservation Data Centre, 2008), and disjunct to a single north central British Columbia population (University of Alaska Herbarium). There are about 30 element occurrences documented in the Alaska Natural Heritage and University of Alaska databases (2008). This plant is known in the Chugach National Forest, documented from the Glacier Ranger District in the upper Portage Valley; Seward Ranger District, near Ptarmigan Lake, growing on a terminal moraine at Palmer Creek; near Kenai Lake; and near Crescent Lake.

Pale poppy grows in open, well-drained gravelly areas. Kiger and Murray (1997) in Flora of North America indicate that the plant is infrequent at scattered sites within its range, and particularly note that the plant is abundant in the Portage Glacier area.

The pale poppy requires an open, well-drained habitat; occasional disturbance either creates or maintains this habitat. One-time (as opposed to recurring) disturbances by humans can create habitat for the poppy. Examples include stabilized road sides, railroad trackbeds, and disturbed gravelly areas such as old gravel pits. While some human disturbance may help maintain suitable open habitat, repeated disturbance, as in the Portage Valley, may have affected the plant’s ability to reproduce (Charnon, 2007). Invasions of exotic plants are flourishing in some areas of pale poppy habitat and are shading out the poppies. The Glacier Ranger District is attempting to pull the shading plants, but the rapid vegetative succession in the Portage Valley makes it difficult to keep up. A conservation assessment is underway for the pale poppy to learn more about the plant, evaluate threats, and develop a plan to manage it. In the meantime, because of the plant’s extreme rarity, threats to its habitat, and known declines in its population, the pale poppy is recommended for retention on the Sensitive Species list.

Unalaska mist-maid (Romanzoffia unalaschcensis Cham.)

The Alaska Natural Heritage Program ranks this plant as G3S3 (Rare or uncommon globally, and rare or uncommon in Alaska). Its range extends from the eastern Aleutians, across the south coast to southeastern Alaska, where the eastern edge of the plant’s range is in the Tongass National Forest. The plant is rare across its range, with about 28 documented occurrences in North America, all in Alaska. Twenty three of the 28 known occurrences are located from Kodiak Island west to the Aleutians. In the Alaska Region this plant is extremely rare, known from two locations on the eastern part of the Chugach National Forest; Cape St. Elias on Kayak Island, and at Hawkens Creek on Hawkens Island; and known from one location on the Tongass National Forest, Bald Mountain on Heceta Island. Two other plants are documented from southeastern Alaska, one from the Grindle Hills near Bering Glacier and the other was collected near Sitka. The Sitka population has not been relocated and was apparently destroyed in connection with road building.

The plant grows in gravelly areas along streams, and on ledges and crevices in rock outcrops, often along the coast. Because this plant is so rare, little is known about the plant’s dispersal capability, population trend, life history and demography. There is a potential decline in the Unalaska mist-maid’s habitat quality and quantity due to road construction, hydroelectric projects, minerals activities, stream restoration projects and fisheries projects. Questions remain about the Unalaska mist-maid’s population trends, abundance, distribution, life history and demography; therefore, we recommend studies to clarify its status in the Alaska Region. Because of the plant’s rarity, potential downward trends in habitat and population, we recommend retaining it on the Sensitive Species list.

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